The following morning, Mike woke up with something snuggled into his chest. He smiled and looked down, seeing Emily had fallen asleep in his arms. In spite of her initial frustrations, she was starting to come around. She didn't like how his death had been pushed back a week, but he had convinced her he would earn his second chance and he would live again. Now it was just a matter of not letting her down.

But there was a thought in the back of his mind that worried him deeply. He had no idea what he was doing, and time was slipping away from him. He only had a week to prove himself. A week wasn't a long time. If he couldn't succeed, he didn't want Emily to die with him – because he knew she would. Not physically, but emotionally. She would pull away from her friends and family, and even if they tried to reel her back in and help her recover, if she didn't want the help, and if she slipped too far away, it was all over.

He needed to come back. If he couldn't, he needed her to be okay without him. He needed to make sure she knew she could lean on her friends and family, and that he was okay, and she was allowed to be okay too. He needed her to know she could be happy.

"They don't have me working anymore," Emily whispered and Mike looked down, seeing she was awake, "We could sneak off for the day and try and figure out what you're supposed to do."

"You should spend time with them…"

"They'll still be here in a week," Emily shook her head, "We can take a horse and ride up to one of the lakes. We'll have our own private…"

"Won't the others know you're missing?"

"I don't care."

"Em, you can't do this," he sighed. "Please, I don't want you to change…"

"So I'm just supposed to… not do anything after you die? I'm supposed to waste my time with people I'll see every day after this week is over, instead of spending your last few days with you? Please, Mike, I want to help you."

"Promise we'll be home so you can sit down to dinner with the others," Mike decided a compromise was best. He couldn't push her away, but he didn't want to pull her in either. If he was her entire world for the week, his death would be a lot harder for her to cope with.

"Fine," Emily huffed. Mike kissed the top of her head and then settled deeper into the bed, "Can we take advantage of this non-work day to sleep in?"

"But the sooner we start…"

"It would mean a lot to me."

Emily sighed. Cuddling for Mike was different from what it was for her. Though she enjoyed having him near, there just wasn't the warmth and love there was when he was alive. He was cold. He was rough. He was dead.

Having him near was a strong reminder that he was dead. But he could feel her. To him, this all felt normal, and he was the one dying. Nodding her head, she let him hold her.

-Samurai-

Kevin was used to getting up early. In fact, he loved it. The earlier the better.

He had been the first one out of bed and he made breakfast for the team. As they came down, he served them and they sat down together. By the time they were done, everyone had been around the table except for Emily, whom they all refused to wake up. They wanted her to move on from Mike, but imagined waking her up from a dream where she was possibly with Mike was a terrible idea. She was already slipping away from them. They didn't want to give her that final shove.

Then came the chores. By now everyone had their responsibilities and split off to take care of them. At the rate they worked, they were usually done by lunch time and they had the rest of the day to enjoy the farm. Kevin figured he was now well enough to help out. His body was still in a very bad way, but with the seal, he knew he could power through it, and boding with his team through farm work always gave the Rangers a few laughs – laughs they hoped Emily could hear from her room. Laughs they hoped would teach her it was okay to miss Mike and still be happy.

Kevin was weeding around the crops, pulling out all the bad plants so the good ones would thrive. He couldn't believe just how many fruits and vegetables would come from Serena and Emily's farm, and had no idea how their father worked every day, all day, by himself.

"Try it," Mia hand a basket full of freshly picked raspberries and was holding a handful out to Kevin. He took one and ate it. It was the best raspberry he had ever tasted.

"It's so fresh."

"It should be," Mia pointed a little ways off, where the raspberry bush was sitting in the ground, "I picked it two minutes ago.

"Mom says it's the secret to her pies," Serena smiled. Everyone had their jobs, and hers was overseeing everything. She knew the ins and outs of the farm, and her father's little tricks. She knew the dos and don'ts, and after working so many years to help her father, she knew a few cheats to get the same jobs done right, but faster, "She always uses freshly picked apples, and you can taste the difference. It's why my pies at the Shiba House are never as good."

Kevin nodded. He wasn't sure that was the only secret, but he was sure Serena wasn't wrong. The fresh fruit tasted better than anything he had ever gotten from the store. It had to make a difference.

Suddenly, he felt a pain in his chest, like something stabbing him between the lungs. He was already on his knees from his work, so he folded over, holding his chest painfully.

Mia dropped the basket of raspberries and fell beside him, "Kevin…"

"I'm… fine…" he caught his breath as the pain started to fade, "It's probably just my body reminding me I should be dead."

"Are you sure?" Serena asked and the pointed to the big tree by the pasture, "We're almost done for the day. You were a big help. Why don't you go rest up there?"

"I'm fine," Kevin assured her. Serena nor Mia would take no for an answer. They helped him up to his feet and walked him to the tree. He argued he was feeling better, and could help finish up, but the girls insisted he had done more than enough. Serena went back to help the others with their chores, while Mia stayed with Kevin.

Storm raced outside the house. She loved the farm. The wide open space, all the other animals, and the freedom were all amazing to her, and it was obvious by the bounce in her step. Since coming to the farm, she had been a very, very happy dog. There had only been a few moments of sadness, where the Samurai had heard her cry.

This was one of them. Whining, Storm approached Kevin and Mia and climbed onto Kevin's lap, and then nuzzled his chest, right where the seal was. Kevin wrapped her in his arms and hugged her back.

"I'm okay," he kissed the top of her head. He assumed she was this way because of what had happened with Mike. Storm knew just as well as the Samurai that Mike was dead, and judging by her behaviour, it was obvious she missed him. Knowing Kevin was hurt, the Samurai thought she was worried she would lose another friend too.

Storm nestled into Kevin's arms and stayed with him for the rest of the afternoon, even when he got up to go to the bathroom, she would follow him, sit by the door, and wait for him to finish.

-Samurai-

"Mike, we're losing the whole day," Emily's shaking pulled him from his sleep, "C'mon, wake up. We need to figure this out. There's only six days left."

Mike groaned and rubbed his eyes. He checked the time and saw it was already after lunch. With a sigh, he pulled himself out of bed.

"I guess I'll sleep when I'm dead," he muttered and was smacked in the back of the head with a pillow, "Ow!"

"Don't even joke," Emily was getting changed. Mike looked down at his clothes. They were his only set. When he died, he didn't get the chance to pack a suitcase of things to bring with him to limbo.

When Emily was changed she started for the window. Mike gestured to the door.

"Uh, Em…"

"They'll see me leaving," Emily said. "Serena used to sneak out this way all the time. Don't tell her I know that, though."

"Hopefully that's a promise I'll choose to keep," Mike nodded and followed Emily to the window. She opened it and slowly started to slip out. They were on the second story so Mike bit his lip nervously. Emily could get hurt if she slipped and fell. Fortunately, she managed to climb down the side of the house without any problems. She waved for Mike to follow.

He looked down and smirked. This was something he always wanted to do. He jumped from the second story window and tried to land on his feet.

It hurt!

"Mike!" Emily cried and dropped beside him. Mike pushed himself up from the ground and laughed.

"Relax, Em. You can't kill a dead man."

"I can try," Emily shoved him and rolled her eyes, "Don't do stuff like that."

"It's not like I can get hurt."

"Exactly," Emily nodded. She dusted him off and then pointed across the field, "We want to go this way. Don't let anyone see you."

"Only you can see me, Em."

Emily gently pushed him again. She hated those reminders that he was dead. She walked off, looking around carefully for her friends. They were all playing with the animals, or lounging in the shade. She was going to have to get to the lake by foot. She snuck around until she was far enough away from the house, and then started to jog, occasionally checking over her shoulder to see if Mike was still following her.

Mike never let her get too far ahead. Seeing her checking up on him, with nothing that would count as a smile, he decided to have a little fun. He was sure she was the key for him getting his second life, but he wasn't sure how. He figured her healthy, safe, and happy couldn't hurt. Speeding up, he wrapped his arms around her waist and then lifted her over his shoulder. Emily screamed as her feet left the ground and held onto Mike, giggling more and more as they approached the lake.

Then, he dropped her. Right in the water. There was a big splash, water surrounded her, and for a moment she felt herself floating. She came back up to the surface, spit the water out of her mouth and looked over to Mike. He was laughing.

"You're mean," she chuckled and splashed him with water. Mike closed his eyes and focused. The water went right through him. Emily seemed horrified for a minute, and then frowned, "That's cheating."

"It's not cheating. I have an advantage," he slapped his hand down on the water, splashing her. Emily giggled and tried to run away, but with the water already up to her thighs she couldn't get very far very fast. Mike caught up to her quickly and tackled her gently. They both fell under the water for a minute and then he pulled her up.

"Stop it," she laughed and turned around in his arms, "We have to figure out how to bring you back."

"You're the key," he told her. "You've got to be. You're the only one who can see me. You're the only one who knows I'm still here."

"Are you sure I'm not just delusional? That's what the others think. They think I'm going crazy."

"I'm sure you're not," Mike gave her forehead a kiss and then scooped her up in his arms, "and you can be sure you're not. Can your hallucinations lift you up and throw you back into the water?"

Mike wrapped her arms around Mike's neck, "Don't!" he giggled was his okay and he threw her as far as he could. Emily never let go of his neck. When he threw her, she pulled him with her.

Emily surfaced first and when she saw Mike coming out of the water she jumped on top of him, trying to hold him down playfully. Mike was stronger and lifted her up and threw her back into the water again.

Emily surfaced and lunged for him. He closed his eyes and she jumped right through him, landing in the water.

-Samurai-

Serena paced back and forth with the phone pressed against her ear and held tightly in her hands. Her stomach was flipping around like crazy, her hands were shaky, her mind was a mess.

She and the Samurai had come inside after a day of work and play to cool off, and to get dinner started. Ji had promised to cook that night, so Serena went upstairs to see how her sister was doing. She had a day to herself, and Serena had a little hope that it would help her bounce back.

Instead, she and the Samurai walked into an empty house, and after searching every corner, and every closet, Emily was nowhere to be found. The only clue left behind was an open window. Serena was terrified her sister had run away. In her state of mind, it was stupid, dangerous, reckless, selfish…

Serena wanted her back. Emily was in no condition to be outside by herself. She shouldn't have even been left alone inside. Serena was beating herself up for that.

"If you see her," she said to the person on the other end of the phone. She was calling all the neighbours, everyone in town, and even the sheriff, "please let me know. And don't take your eyes off her. She's not… well."

"Why don't this town have traffic cameras?" Antonio was on his computer, trying to see if he could use the internet to find her. Unfortunately it was slow and useless, as he was quickly finding out.

"Because we don't have traffic," Serena hung up the phone and took a deep breathe. It was time to call the tack shop, where Brian's father worked. Serena hoped, prayed, Brian was nowhere near Emily, "The most traffic we get is when a herd of cows decides they want to cross the street."

"Security cameras?" Antonio tried.

"Gossiping women," Serena said, "Everyone knows everybody's business anyways. If there's something strange going on, half the town knows about it. It's scary. Hello? Mr. Richards? It's Serena…"

"Then how does no one in town know where Emily is?" Antonio asked and slammed his laptop shut and turned to the rest of the search team. Everyone else was checking for Emily's Samuraizer signal, as well as checking the house for her Samuraizer, except for Ji who was cooking, but would occasionally come to the living room to see if there was anything he could do. Emily's signal was coming from the farm, which either meant she was somewhere in the house or out on the land, or she had left it behind when she ran off. The latter was more likely, as everyone had already searched everywhere for her, with no luck. "Guys…"

"Her signal hasn't moved once since we started," Jayden sighed, "Wherever her Samuraizer is, it's not on the move."

"Emily might be," Mia didn't want to say it, but she knew it was the truth. She tried calling Emily's Samuraizer again, but she didn't get an answer, nor did anyone hear it ring. There were two reasons for that. Either it was turned off, or Emily was ignoring her. Neither were a good sign.

Just then, they all heard the door opening. With everyone inside, that could only mean someone else was coming in. Serena, who was midway through her call with Mr. Richards, begging for him to check up on his son to make sure Brian was where he said he was, dropped the phone. Everyone ran to the door to see who was walking in.

"Emily!" Serena wrapped her arms tightly around her sister, holding back the tears of relief "Thank goodness you're okay."

"Where the hell did you go?" James was relieved, but a little less happy with the mess. Emily had scared everyone. He knew she was having a hard time and needed some space, but not at everyone's else's mental expense, "We've been worried sick! Why are you wet?"

Serena pulled away and realized, to her horror, that her little sister was soaking wet, "Emy…"

Emily shook her head and tried to run away upstairs. James grabbed her arm and pulled her down the stairs before she got too far, "I asked you a question, Emily. You scared us all. Where were you? What were you trying to do?"

"Answer him, Emily," Mike whispered into her ear, "Talk with them. You promised you would sit with them for dinner, remember?"

Emily shook her head. She didn't want to talk to them; they wouldn't believe her, and she didn't want to sit with them, like she had promised. She wanted to spend the evening with Mike. He had less than six days left. Mike crossed his arms over his chest.

"I'm not letting you slip away from them, and I won't have you worrying them. Tell them you went to the lake to think."

Emily shook her head and tried to run upstairs again, but James was still holding onto her arm and Mike grabbed her by the waist. Both of their strengths combined kept her right where she was.

"Dinner smells great, Em, I'm sure you'll enjoy it," Mike told her and kissed her cheek, "I'm going to go now, but I'll be back for bed, I promise. Sit with the others. They just want to help."

He let her go and walked through the wall. Emily watched his go, but then James gently grabbed her jaw and forced her to look at him, "Emily, where were you?"

"I went to the lake with Mike," Emily answered, "He threw me over his shoulder and carried me there. He dumped me in the lake and then we had a water fight. We played, we talked, and we had so much fun we lost track of time. Now I want to go to bed."

"Emy," Serena sat down on the steps beside Emily and pulled her into her arms, "Mike's dead…"

"No he's not…"

"It's hard, I know…"

"He is still alive," Ji announced as he came into the room. Emily looked to him hopefully. Was it possible Ji knew? "Mike is still very much alive for all of us, and he forever will be. I will set a place for him at the table."

"He doesn't want to eat with us," Emily whispered. She pointed to the wall, "He walked away."

"There is a place for him if he changes his mind," Ji insisted. "Come to dinner."

Emily looked upstairs. Mike promised to be back for bed but she doubted he could come back if she skipped out on dinner and went straight to her room. She took a deep breath and then got up and walked to the kitchen.

Serena grabbed Ji roughly by the arm, "What the hell are you doing?"

"Getting her to eat with us for dinner."

"Ji, Mike's dead," Serena growled, "I don't want you feeding into her delusions."

"I got her to sit down at the table. She is home, safe and sound, and she is eating with us."

"Yeah, but…"

"You cannot help her if she does not want your help," Ji shook his head, "She obviously is not ready to accept the fact that Mike is gone."

"So telling her he's not is going to make it better?"

"It will happen when she is ready," Ji said, "Forcing her will only frustrate and anger her. You will lose her."

"You better know what you're doing, old man," Serena shoved Ji as she walked by and saw her sister sitting at the table, waiting for the others to join so she could start eating.

There were ten places at the table.