Author's Note: Time for another deleted scene! Same rules as always.

Just a bonus, I have a contest coming up in one of the future chapters. It'll be open to everyone. Anyone who hasn't won a deleted scene yet can look forward to that!

After what he would call a great meal with Rebecca, Noah found himself walking her to her bedroom door. It wasn't far to go from their table to Rebecca's bedroom, but he insisted on walking her there to say goodnight.

"Well," Rebecca said as she arrived, still chuckling slightly at how ridiculous it was for Noah to walk her across the room. "Thanks for taking me home."

"No problem," Noah smiled. He didn't mind that she was technically laughing at him. He was just glad to see a smile on her face. It was all he really wanted for her, and was happy to be the cause for it. "I just wanted to make sure you got home safe."

"Yeah. The walk from the table to the door can quite dangerous."

"I know we're kidding around," Noah said, "But when you think about who we live with, that's actually true."

"I guess you're right," Rebecca smiled. "Then I guess my thanks is sincere. And I had a great time."

"Yeah, me too," Noah answered and then felt himself get very nervous. This was it. This was the goodnight, and with it generally came a kiss. He had never kissed a girl before. He had no experience, no practice, and no idea what to do. He didn't want to come off as lousy. He didn't want to disappoint, or even worse, gross out Rebecca. His heart started to race, his hands began to sweat, and every part of him wanted to just wish her a goodnight and then run for his room.

But then Rebecca made the first move and gave him a quick peck on the lips. Though it was short, Noah felt his heart flutter, and he couldn't wipe the smile off his face even after he walked into his room and lay down on his bed. Jake simply looked to him and from the smile he could guess how his best friend's night had ended. He held out his fist.

"Way to go, dude. I knew you had it in you."

Noah bumped fists with Jake and then sat up, "Man, I was an idiot for not wanting to date before."

"Nah, you just weren't ready," Jake shook his head and then turned to the notebook he had been writing in when Noah came in. It looked like he was working on his homework. Noah tried to take a peek.

"Hey, need any help with that?"

Jake turned the book away and then shook his head. After a moment, he bit his lip.

"Actually, maybe running this by two people will help. Can I read this to you?"

"Are you writing that paper for Dr. Oliver? You know it's due in a couple of weeks."

"I'm a last minute kind of guy," Jake said. "Just listen. We've been together for a while now and while I respect us taking it slow, I was hoping maybe we could try picking up the pace just a little bit."

"Uh... either you're writing a letter to Gia or we need to have an uncomfortable talk."

"I'm writing down a speech for Gia," Jake said. "Troy came in to apologize about what he said and... well, he got me thinking maybe I wanted a little more from Gia than I led her to believe."

"How much more? You mean...?"

"We don't have to jump right there," Jake said. "But I'd like to know we're going to get there sometime soon. I'd wait forever if I have to, but I really don't want to."

"Understandable," Noah nodded his head and took the notebook from Jake. "But that's how you want to tell her?"

"Is it bad?"

"It's not bad. It's just, after Cliff, you might want her to feel like she's safe with you."

"She is. She knows that. I mean, that's what this has been about all along, you know. She's safe with me and she knows it."

"I don't know, Jake," Noah shook his head. "I mean, I was a kiss virgin until five minutes ago, but I think no matter what, it's a huge leap to get to where you want to be. Just think about how much more vulnerable it's going to be. For one thing, when you're making out, you've both still got your clothes on."

Jake let out a deep breath and took his notes back so he could have a look, "What can I say to make her feel safe enough to take that step then?"

"I didn't know how to get Rebecca to kiss me," Noah answered. "Sorry, Jake. You're on your own there."

"She did kiss you, though."

"She... she made the first move," Noah scratched the back of his neck nervously. Jake chuckled.

"I guess I should have expected that. Still, dude, way to go."

-Megaforce-

After the chaos that was getting back into her daughter's life, Vanessa was wiped for the day. Though Tensou could just teleport her and Claire back to their temporary home out of town, Vanessa didn't want to make the trip. She didn't want to leave her daughter after hearing everything that had happened in the time she had gone. Claire felt the same way, and the two mothers convinced Tensou and Gosei to have one more day at the command center.

Everyone was in their beds for the night. Noah and Rebecca's date night was over, and each had gone to their respective rooms. Jake, after serving as a waited for his best friend and step-sister, had retreated to his room for the night. Troy had bathed Ryan and then put her and himself to bed, and Emma and Gia were in their room getting ready for bed. The mothers had the main room to themselves and were setting up the two couches to serve as their beds for the night. The couches weren't the best or most comfortable for sleeping, but it was all the Rangers could manage to get when they moved into the command center.

Vanessa shared with Claire everything Gia had told her. It wasn't a matter of breaking her daughter's trust, but between what had happened in the ice-cream shop with Jeff and Gia's confession of her suicide attempt, Vanessa needed someone to talk to. Since Joe had died, Claire had taken on the responsibility of being that person.

"We knew this wasn't going to be easy," Claire said. "Our girls are in a war. Bad things are going to happen."

"I don't like."

"Neither do I," Claire shook her head. "But we can't stay. I don't think they want us to."

Vanessa sighed and looked down at her couch. She wanted to stay and had suggested it to Claire, but had been shot down also immediately. It was too dangerous.

"Jordan gets to stay."

"Jordan's young," Claire said. "He said he gets up every morning to train with the Rangers. I mean, I want to kick some alien butt too, but I don't really think I can kick any higher than shins anymore. Face it, Vanessa. We're old."

"She tried to walk off a cliff, Claire..."

"And the others are looking after her. She's in good hands. They all are."

"What if it happens again? People don't just give up trying to kill themselves because some Samurai Master had them kick their clones butt."

"To be fair, I'm pretty sure Gia's the only one who's gotten that approach, and so far it's successful. She wasn't reckless when we were kidnapped by Jeff. She stayed smart; she did everything to stay alive. I don't think suicide is something we have to worry about."

"She's my daughter, Claire. I'm going to worry about that for the rest of my life!"

"I am worried too, I just... we have to let them go. We can stay another day but the Rangers are better off without distractions. What superhero really needs to have their mommy around all the time?"

"I know. I know. I guess it's just... I don't want to be helpless. All these things keep happening and there's nothing I can do except tell her it'll be okay. And then it never is."

"One day it will be."

"I just wish there was more I could do."

"You've done all you can," Claire sat down beside her best friend. "You've raised two very strong women. Everything they accomplish, including winning this war, comes back to you."

"Can they do it fast?" Vanessa asked and Claire chuckled.

"I'm sure they're moving as fast as they can. Do you want me to sleep with you tonight?"

"It's better if we don't. I don't want questions."

"I doubt they'll ever suspect."

"I just don't want to risk it being another thing on their minds," Vanessa said. "It's just one night, anyways."

"If you're sure," Claire said and then leaned in to kiss Vanessa, "Goodnight."