Serena had said her goodbyes to the Samurai the night before. Her flight to Japan left early enough in the morning and she didn't think it fair to wake them. Her bags were already packed, though she didn't plan on being gone for long she still needed to bring a few things with her overseas. After getting ready and looking presentable, she snuck across the room and over to her bed. James was still fast asleep. He didn't have to wake up early for training like the Rangers, so Serena felt better about waking him up, and he had made her promise to do so, wanting to say goodbye to her before she left. Though this mission was supposed to be in secret, and even the Rangers had no idea where Serena was going or why, things had a habit of getting messy.

Serena sat next to James on the bed and woke him with a kiss, "I'm leaving now."

James rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed. He looked to Serena and took her hands softly. He could feel she was shaking. Serena and Emily were a lot alike, James had noticed, but they were alike in different ways. The only thing about them that was completely the same was their fear of flying. Being of the Earth, they had a strong belief that they belonged on the ground, not in the skies.

"You're going to be fine," he promised her and kissed her forehead. Serena nodded softly.

"I know. I just… I get nervous. The airplane weighs a ton and…"

"I'll be expecting a call from you when you land," James stated confidently.

"The moment my feet touch the ground, you'll be hearing from me," Serena nodded her head and smiled. "Take care of them, okay? Try to keep things… good. When I come back, nothing's ever going to be the same."

"I just feel badly for Jayden," James sighed. "What's going to happen to him once she comes?"

"Who knows," Serena shrugged her shoulders, "But this is his lie. His and Ji's. This is a mess they've created. My thoughts are with the Rangers. You take care of them. Make sure they stick together. They need each other."

"They'll be fine. They're strong."

"I know," Serena looked down at her hands, "I'm just worried."

"You'll be right there with them. Ji and Jayden promised you wouldn't be hurt by their lies. Just… play the part right and no one will be the wiser."

"Lie to my sister," it was all hitting Serena. Though she supported Jayden and his secret for so long, covering for him when he needed it, she had always hated him for this lie. Even he knew it was big, and it was bad. It was a lie that affected all the Samurai – a lie that meant their leader, whom they had trusted with their lives, didn't trust them. Serena hated it. She hated the lie. She hated the lying, the secret, the deception, and yet all along she had begged and pleaded with Ji and Jayden to keep her own secret in the dark. She had known about this for a long time now. Jayden had told her back when she was living at the Tengen Gate. Looking back, that felt like ages ago.

"It's a white lie, Serena. It's not like you wanted to…"

"She's my sister, James. I share everything with her."

"What difference will it make whether you knew or not? You're not the one putting her life in danger? You're not the one who asked her to trust you and then…"

"She does trust me, James."

"Serena, she's eighteen."

"She wasn't when I asked her to take my place."

"That's different."

"She was just a kid!"

"Serena, that's something else."

"But it's all… it's all the same… She took my place… she trusts Jayden because of me… she almost died because of me."

"Serena, look at me," James grabbed her arms and gave her a stern look, "Everything's going to be fine. Emily's not going to know. No one will. Ji and Jayden have a plan. After this long, they better have a plan. Everything's…"

"I don't want to lie to her," Serena shook her head. She got up from the bed and grabbed her bags. "When I get back, I want her to know."

"Serena, think about this. You have nothing to feel bad about. It's obvious to everyone her safety's been your first priority. That's why you're the white Ranger! You've been hers, and everyone's guardian. You've done all you could to keep them safe and happy. The fact that you knew this doesn't mean anything. Jayden put you in a tough spot. This is his bad."

"I'm telling her."

"Think about it, Serena. While you're gone, think about whether this is the right thing or not," James got out of bed and gave Serena a kiss, "Have a safe flight. I love you."

"I love you too," Serena smiled. She put her bag on her shoulder and walked out of the house, detouring by Mike and Emily's room to whisper goodbye. She wasn't going to wake them. It wasn't smart.

When she got outside, she pulled out the keys to the van from her bag. Ji had offered she take it, insisting it would get her to the airport faster than public transportation. Serena looked to the keys, and then glanced over at Ji's motorcycle.

"Tempting," she whispered and dropped the keys to the van on the porch. She approached his motorcycle and removed the cover. It glistened, even in the dark. Ji took great care of it, except for when it came to the keys, which he had forgotten in the ignition – not that he ever had to worry about people stealing it. The Shiba House was well guarded. "Very, very tempting."

She grabbed the helmet and put it on her head, "Serves you right, you secret keeping bastard."

She started up the motorcycle and drove away from the house with a big smile on her face. Ji would freak when he realized what she had done. Revenge was sweet.

-Samurai-

Jayden didn't take part in training that morning. Though the rest of the house didn't know exactly why Serena had left, he did. Knowing it was almost time to everything he had done to come undone, he felt himself reverting back to who he had once been. He had always loved and cared for his team, even before he met them. He had hesitated calling them into battle, worried they would be hurt or dead because of him. In spite of that love, he had started off cold and distant. He had to be. He couldn't afford them getting hurt.

He couldn't afford getting hurt.

"MIKE!" he snapped when he saw the green Ranger wasn't focusing on training like he should. "If you mess around like that in battle you're going to get yourself, and maybe even someone else killed! Pay attention!"

"Dude, I'm just not feeling it today, alright," Mike shook his head and went to the bench for his water bottle. "I've got a lot on my mind."

"Go easy on him, Jayden," Emily looked to the red Ranger sadly. She was starting to feel better about missing Carrie. She knew she had support from the whole team, Mike and Serena especially. They were doing all they could to cheer her up. Mike had the same support, and Emily was trying her best to raise his spirits, but it wasn't working for him like it did for her. Instead of moving on, he found himself missing Carrie more and more. It didn't matter that she was safe. He wanted her home.

"Go easy?" Jayden stepped on the mat and walked right up to Emily, "Do you think the Nighlok are going to go easy on him next time they pop up? If he can't get it together here, he's doomed on the battlefield. The Nighlok are going to gut him. They won't care you just lost your precious baby. If anything, they'll use that against you. You know what that trickster did to Mia."

"Jayden, what if we spar one on one?" Antonio offered and flicked his thumb towards the house, "Dojo. Now."

"I have to…"

"They're doing fine and you know it," Antonio snapped. "Let's go."

Jayden grumbled as he followed Antonio into the house. Emily turned around to look at Mike, seeing he was tearing up.

"Jayden's just being a jerk. Don't listen to him."

"Mind if I skip the rest of the morning?" Mike was already putting away his training sword. "I've got a lot on my mind and Jayden's right. I might hurt someone."

"Mike…"

"It's fine, Em. Really. I just need time to think."

"How about we all call it a day," Kevin suggested as he started collecting the weapons. "Em, why don't you and Mia go track Serena's flight? See where she is now."

"Over the ocean," Emily said.

"Yeah, but exactly…"

"Pacific."

"Just go," Kevin chuckled and shook his head.