Jayden

I followed Emily as she ran outside. I know she needs a minute alone so I stand by the door and watch her.

Mike you are an idiot.

It's one thing to notice someone insecurities but a whole other thing to confront them about it. We all know her insecurities are unfounded but that's who she is. And we accept her for it.

As I watch her look up at the stars I feel two things. 1. I want to go and hold her and promise her that she's not weak. 2. I want to punch Mike in the face for upsetting her.

The first feeling I can attribute to being her leader and friend, the second feeling I can't account for at all. I have never wanted to hurt anyone except moogers and nighloks, but when I saw the tears in her eyes I was furious at Mike.

I want to believe it's because she's my friend and I want to protect her but 'friend' doesn't seem like the right term, it's not enough. I want more with Emily.

Oh my god I like Emily as more than a friend. That's why I want to punch Mike, that's why I was the first one to follow her, why I want to protect her and make sure nothing hurts her.

Wow so this is what it's like to have feelings for a girl. Gotta admit it's pretty nice. Wonder if Ji knew that this would happen. He would probably lecture me on how my duty as the red samurai ranger are more important than these feelings. Besides Emily would never have feelings for a guy like me, a guy who's boring, quiet, overly focused on his duties. She probably has a ton of guys waiting for her at home anyway.

I'm bought out of these thoughts by Emily playing her flute. I walk over and stand behind her and listen intently, imagining what it would be like if she cared for me too. When she finishes her song she turns around and jumps when she sees me.

"Oh Jayden I uh just needed to clear my head." She starts to blush which makes me melt.

"I wanted to check on you, but I didn't want to interrupt your song. You're really good." I confess.

"Me? No. You should hear Serena play. She's much better than I am." She sadly sighs while looking at the flute in her hands. She walks over and sits on the bench, still looking at the flute.

"I'm sure you're just as good." I reassure her because she's doubting herself again.

Suddenly she looks like she's about to cry.

"Emily, what's wrong?" I sit next to her on the bench and move some of her hair away from her eyes.

"Serena gave me this flute when she got sick. She taught me how to play it, I used to play it to her to help her sleep but I was never as good as her. I don't know if I can do this Jayden. Serena was always the stronger, faster one. She picked up her training so quickly. "She was in full tears by now.

"I'm not good enough to be a part of this team. You guys have been training your whole lives! I've only been doing this for 3 years. Serena would have been the better yellow ranger. I'm just a replacement"

I put arms around her shoulders and just let her cry into my chest. I have to admit that it's feels really good to be holding her against my body. She fits so well too, like she was designed around me.

After a few minutes her breathing calms down and she wipes away the last of her tears as she's pulling away from me. I feel empty, not holding her.

"Emily, you are not a replacement. There is a reason you are a part of the team. You are strong, fast and a great samurai. If you ever feel otherwise I'll be here to remind you." I look her straight in the eye, hopefully she can tell how serious I am.

She nods. "Serena always says that I am my own worse enemy" muttering to herself.

"Come on I have an idea on how to defeat this guy." She laughs so I stand up, offer my hand, pull her up and lead her inside to tell her and the others about my plan.

~~~~Several hours later~~~

So the plan worked. Emily was able to fill his mouth with rocks to make him stop talking and we were able to engage his mega monster mode. Thanks to Kevin's plan to merge the zords we were able to destroy him forever, and that's when Emily passed out.

"Emily" Mia shakes her shoulders but she doesn't wake up. When she demorphs Mia checks her over. "She's not hurt. I think she's just exhausted." I silently release a sigh of relief and change back to my casual clothes. I walk over to her, gently move the hair out of her face and manoeuvre her onto my back so I'm giving her a piggyback ride. As we walk home she stirs and moves her head into the crook of my neck which feels amazing, it takes everything I have to not turn and kiss her forehead gently. I look forward and see Mia smile knowingly at me before she goes back to her conversation with Kevin.

Emily

I can't believe I'm starring again. Ever since Jayden comforted me after what Mike said about putting myself down, I catch myself staring at him at least once a day.

He's such a strong samurai, so loyal, dedicated and focused, I train harder to be like him and Kevin, to make Serena proud.

Mia and I are sparring like Mike and Kevin when Mentor comes outside and stands next to Jayden, who's watching us.

"Rangers that's enough training for today. Come inside I have an important matter to discuss with you." With that Mentor walks back inside.

Mia looks at me and I shrug. We've got no idea what's going on and judging by the looks on the boys faces they don't know either. I follow the others inside but before I reach the door Jayden, who was in front of me, stops and lets me pass him.

"Ladies first." I can't stop myself from giggling as I walk past him. I sit next to Mia as we wait for Mentor to begin.

"Someone has been kidnapping brides from weddings. We believe its Master Xandred." Those poor women, kidnapped on what's supposed to be the happiest day of their lives.

"The plan is set up a fake wedding and let them take one of the girls who'll tell the others where the brides are and rescue them." Mentor explained. I knew pretty much straight away that Mia would be the bride from the excitement in her eyes while Mentor was explaining the plan. But who was going to the groom?

"So Mia will play the blushing bride, any volunteers to play the groom?" I tease the guys and it works, Jayden laughs when Mike freezes and Kevin goes blank.

"Kevin?" Jayden smirks.

"Uh I'm not a very good actor. Sorry Mia." Kevin looks really upset about saying no to Mia, does he like her? Mia looks a little disheartened, does she like him?

"Mike?" Jayden says breaking my planning for Mia and Kevin.

"No way. I hate weddings so no." Mike doesn't sound upset at all.

"Guess I'll have to do it then." Jayden sighs.

The next day I'm sitting in a church with Kevin, Mentor and Mike to watch Jayden marry Mia. I have a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. It's bad when I see Mia smile at Jayden, it gets worse when I see Jayden smile at Mia. Why isn't he smiling at me? Why isn't me playing his bride?

Wait a minute? Why do I want to be Jayden's bride? Why am I jealous? It's not like I'm in love with Jayden, am I? I look up at Jayden in his tuxedo, my breath catches and my heart flutters, I have my answer. No I'm not in love with him but I do like him.

Thankfully Mentor's phone rings and interrupts my realization. Our plan didn't work, moogers have kidnapped another bride. Frustrated we walk back to the Shiba house and try to think of a new plan. All my ideas are squashed when Mentor shows us the list of weddings booked for tomorrow.

Then Jayden's eyes light up and he looks right at me. I can see the idea in his eyes. It scares me a little but I know it'll work. I trust Jayden with my life. I nod slightly to let him know its ok.

"Guys I've got an idea." He announces, his eyes not leaving mine.

~~~the next day~~~

So this week was my week of realisations.

1. I hate being handled by moogers.

2. I love wearing a wedding dress. I feel so beautiful.

3. I have a crush on Jayden Shiba, the red samurai ranger.

Why did I have to start crushing on him? There is no way that he would ever want to be with me. I'm clumsy and weak and he would never like me.

I'm sitting outside playing my flute when Mia walks up behind me.

"I'm done with the bathroom if you want to change Em." She looks at me with questions in her eyes.

"Thanks Mia." I smile at her, hoping that will ease her mind but it doesn't.

"What's wrong?" She sits next to me on the bench.

"Just thinking over some things I realised yesterday." I turn to look at the ground.

"That you like Jayden?" My head snaps up and my eyes go wide. How did she know when I didn't know?

"I figured it out after I saw how you looked at him during the first wedding. Don't worry I won't tell anyone but I'll be here if you want to talk about it." She explained, answering my unasked question. She hugged my shoulders and went inside.

Holy heck. If Mia can tell does that mean the others can? Can Jayden tell? No Mia is just extremely observant when it comes to this stuff. Ok so if I act like nothing happened then I'll get over it and the guys will never know.

Oh I wish you were here Serena. You'd know what to do. I stand up and go inside to see the guys making fun of Jayden's acting when Mia was been kidnapped by moogers. He laughs with them and I sigh to myself. That's got to be one of greatest sounds ever.

"Hey Em, why are you still in that dress?" Mike asked since he and the others had already changed into their normal clothes.

"Mia took a while in the bathroom ok?" I laugh and smile at Mia. She has a fake look of horror on her face. "Anyway I'm going to wash the feeling of moogers off me then call it a night. Goodnight guys." I walk down the hall to mine and Mia's room to shower and end this crazy day. Shaking my head, ignoring my crush on such a great guy that I live with and see every day is not going to be easy.