A/N: Lately, I've noticed that "Top of the World" has some missing scenes in it, so this story is basically to fill in those gaps. I am also going to add those chapters that I thought would be omitted, including "Trading Places".

Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers. Mr. Saban does and always will.

Those of you, who have followed along since Top of the World, thank you for reading and following me! It is highly appreciated. And those of you just joining us, welcome! We hope you enjoy your stay.

And by 2.1, I mean Top of the World, Chapter 2. If you are confused, please go back and read Top of the World. If you have read it already, please reread it, to refresh your memory.

~PRS~PRS~PRS~PRS~

"He reached out and gently wiped a tear away. 'It's okay, Em. Whatever is troubling you now, just let it go. Tomorrow we'll all do something together, as a team.'

She sniffed once again, having started to loosen up at 'Em'. She never heard him call her anything except 'Emily'. 'W-Will it be fun?'

He managed to stifle a short laugh, but he still gently smiled. 'Yes, Em. It'll be fun. I promise.'

She let out a tearful smile and he pulled her to his chest, merely stroking her hair and letting her get her tears out.

And trust me, he did keep his promise." ~ Top of the World, Chapter 2: Origins, Part 2

Top of the World ~ Side Story: Reading between the Lines

Chapter 2.1: His Promise

January 23, 2012

Panorama City, Main Street

"Dude, that was too close. We could have been wiped out for good."

"Just be thankful we actually won, Mike."

"But Kevin, he's right. We need to step up our game if we're ever going to win another battle like that. Scorponic was really tough."

"True. We all need to train harder than ever."

"I was actually thinking of doing some team-bonding exercises."

"Thank you, Mia. Is it just me or does this guy never think about anything but training?"

"Mike…"

"Sorry, Jayden, but it's true."

"He's dedicated. It's a good quality for a Samurai."

"Now, now. Let's not fight, please. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine. It was my mistake."

"Dammit, Emily! Stop blaming yourself. You took that hit with good intentions!"

"Good intentions, but stupid actions…"

"Ugh!"

"Calm down, Mike. Don't judge her guilt. It's okay, Emily. You stood back up and you pulled through."

"Thanks, Mia…"

"Come on. Let's go back to the House. Jii will clean your injuries."

That was yesterday. Jayden's last line there had hidden his real emotions. He is glad they had all pulled through for him. They really are a strong team, perfect for his sister.

Kevin is dedicated. He was also very disciplined and orderly, always with the best interests of the Samurai code at heart and at mind. However much it annoyed Mike, the team needs that.

Mia is the big sister. She is kind and caring, but knew how to be tough when it counted. Jayden is sure she would be able to stand her ground, no matter what.

Mike is the jokester. He is often the comic relief, and he fights with Kevin a lot, even though it had only been two days. He hasn't shown much strength on the battlefield yet, but Jayden is confident that he would. Mike has a lot of potential. One day, if he really works at it, he may even surpass Jayden.

Emily is the youngest and most inexperienced member of the team. But she is trying her best. The more she fights, the better she gets. But he can sense that she is hiding something. She is trying to be strong, but it is slowly choking her, and she will die if she doesn't break free.

"Get that filth away from me, Hayashi."

His attention is drawn to the other two males on the team. He turns to face them, wondering what the problem is now.

"What's the deal?" Mike retaliates. That's what Jayden wants to know. "They're just M&Ms."

Oh…

"They are fattening, Hayashi."

"Is it the color? Here. You can have all the blue ones."

"No thanks, Hayashi."

Mike scoffs. "I have a name, you know. It's Mike. And why the hell do you make things so complicated?"

"Save your breath, Mike," Mia cuts in. "He doesn't understand that all work and no play makes Kevin a very dull boy."

Mike turns back to Kevin. "See? This is why she doesn't piss me off. She knows life is not all about working and training."

Jayden merely rolls his eyes and glances over at Emily. She's been awfully quiet ever since last night, after getting back home from fighting Scorponic.

It was a fierce fight, especially for Emily. After her screw-up, she found it quite hard to get back up and keep going. Even now, it is obvious that she still feels guilty about her mistake. That's why she's acting so sad and distant from the others.

Even now…

Partially sick and tired of the arguing taking place, Jayden backtracks and stands beside Emily, not too close, but not too far away.

As in, they're not friends, but they're not strangers either.

They're companions, teammates. That's all.

Trying to ease in the conversation, Jayden stares she her own gaze is. She's staring out into the ocean. No people in sight, in the water or on the beach. It's too cold, too early in the year for that.

It's a few minutes before either of them finally speak. Shy, soft spoken Emily is the one who breaks the silence.

"I've always wondered if it will ever be cold enough to make the entire ocean freeze over."

He quietly replies, "As long as the sun exists, that will never happen."

He doesn't mean for it to sound harsh, but Emily backs off immediately, as if he had just reprimanded her. "I-I suppose you're right." She pauses. "I appreciate your keeping your promise, though. Thank you," she quietly adds.

He doesn't glance over at her, nor does he say anything to accept her gratitude, however much he really does. Instead, he responds, "Just as the sun prevents the cold from freezing the entire ocean and killing all its inhabitants, it is our duty as Samurai Rangers to prevent the Nighlock from flooding our world and causing misery."

Emily is quiet. She certainly never thought about it like that. She feels a hand on her head, it's Jayden's, and it turns her gaze away from the ocean and the beach to the city behind and beside them. The hand is lifted, and Jayden continues on.

"You made a mistake. So what? Imagine what the world would look like had thing gone any differently, had you not stood back up and kept fighting, and notice the difference now because you did. You may have almost let us all down, but you didn't, because you corrected that mistake before it was too late."

Emily feels herself tearing up. "B-But I disobeyed orders. Y-You told me to stay down…"

"I don't expect all of my orders to be followed. What I do expect, however, is that no matter how hard you fall, you always get right back up again. That's exactly what you did, Emily Suzuki, and that's what makes you a true Samurai."

Emily glances up at him and smiles.

In this moment, Jayden notes the fighting in the background, or lack thereof. Mia, Mike, and Kevin are still here, but they have ceased their arguing and are currently listening to their leader intently, taking in every single word he says.

For this, he is grateful. This is true bonding, not arguing amongst themselves, but coming to realize the burdens and duties they all carry as a team, and most of all, swearing to themselves and their teammates to carry out their duties no matter what.

As Jayden gently rubs the top of Emily's head, Kevin turns to Mike, and quietly says, "Mike, can I have the blue M&Ms now?"

~PRS~PRS~PRS~PRS~

A/N: Well? What do you think? Review, please!

Chapter 2: 2.5 – The Team Unites

"They were a team, but that's as far as their relationship went. Emily, however, wanted something more. She wanted them to be friends, a tight family with unbreakable ties."