"It makes no sense," Mike frowned as he looked at Emily. He couldn't understand it. Earlier, everyone had been hurt by Negatron's words except for her. The insults weren't the most hurtful things on the surface, but the Negatron knew exactly what to say to the Rangers to humiliate them and as a result, weaken them. Emily had been the only one strong enough to ignore the insults and fight back. Mike wanted to know why. Why didn't the Negatron's words hurt Emily?
"Unless," he pondered a loud with his gaze still on Emily, "that's what you really think about yourself?"
Emily shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She furrowed her brow. She didn't let it show, but the others could tell Mike's words had hit her like a train.
"No… but…"
Kevin sighed loudly. How could Mike ever even think of asking Emily that sort of question?
"Mike…"
Mike turned to Kevin with a curious look, unsure of what he had said to earn himself a disappointed sigh. Over in her seat, Emily placed her hands at her sides and lowered her head.
"I'm sorry," she apologized and Mike shifted his gaze back to her. "I…" Emily started but never finished. She averted her eyes.
Finally, it hit Mike. He hurt her. His face softened and his heart fell as he watched her broken form leap off her seat and run off. He kicked himself, over and over again as he watched her leave, so consumed with regret; he barely heard Mia's words.
"Mike! The Nighlok can't hurt her feelings, but you can!"
He never thought he could feel this bad. Emily had just finished telling him and the others about her childhood and the kids who used to tease her and call her names. She had opened herself up to the team, and the first thing he had done was call out her insecurities in a degrading manner. Whether his words were true or not, he had no right to say them, or even think them. And now he had hurt the only Ranger on the team who could not be hurt by words. He'd nearly reduced her to tears with only a single sentence.
"Aw, man…"