Mike saw the pictures online and his stomach turned at the sight. Journalists had gotten their hands on the kidnapping story and were refusing to let it go. It was still fresh so they had the opportunity to juice it for all it was worth, but it was starting to get old for Mike.

"What are you staring at?" he heard Emily ask over his shoulder and he closed the lid to his laptop. He refused to let her see she was the feature story on the news and her pictures were all over the internet. He didn't want her to know that everyone in the city now knew of her horror.

"Nothing. Just a kitten playing with a ball of yarn."

"Aw, I wanna see," Emily opened up the lid. Mike pulled her hand away and closed it.

"It's not that cute, Em," he said. He put the laptop of the table and pulled her onto his lap, "What's up?"

"Nothing much," Emily answered with a smile, "Kevin wore his tutu to training this morning and you missed it."

"I had an appointment with Dr. Fletcher," Mike nodded, "You know that."

"You couldn't reschedule? You missed it! Even Terran was giggling when he watched."

"Terran giggles at the word tutu."

"Terran giggles a lot, now," Emily nodded and then let out a sigh, "I missed the days when it was only me who could make him laugh."

"I'm sure you're always going to be his funny Auntie Emy," Mike smiled and then leaned in to kiss her before he suddenly felt the weight in his lap get a little heavier. He looked down and there was Terran.

"Is this a sign?" he asked Emily and then looked across the room and saw Serena was slipping on a light jacket.

"Lunch date," she explained. Mike furrowed his brow.

"You see James five days a week."

"Six, this week," Serena said, "After everything that's happened I just need some peace and quiet. You two are welcome to join, though. I'm sure James won't mind a double date."

"Are you sure?" Emily asked. Serena nodded her head.

"It's like Mike said, he and I do see each other five days a week. We're constantly interrupted by annoying little brats, but we do see each other."

Emily smiled and looked up at Mike, "My last date was with Frankie."

"We need to fix that," Mike said and got up, carrying Emily bridal style in his arms while she held onto Terran, "We should get ready for the date."

"You can go as you are," Serena shrugged, "It's no place fancy. We can even bring Terran."

"Really?"

Serena nodded, "I am Terran's food source," she chuckled, "Antonio suggested it. He says the restaurant looks beat up, but the food's amazing and the staff is awesome. Apparently they fed him or something while he was away."

"Onward, then," Mike said and walked out the door, taking Emily and Terran with him. Serena shook her head and sighed.

"Put them down before you drop them both!"

-Samurai-

Kevin looked up at the clock.

"Twelve more hours to go."

"You look really good in that tutu," Mia assured him.

"I don't think that's a compliment," Kevin looked down, "This is embarrassing."

"You decided to wear it," she said, "We're just holding you to your promise."

"At least the team is back," Kevin said, "if it means wearing this tutu for a day, I'll take it."

"What about a week?"

Kevin blinked as he stared at Mia, "Team, what team?"

"C'mon, Kevin," Mia laughed, switching seats so she was next to him. She wrapped her arms around him, "The tutu's not that bad, and you've still got boxers."

"My only saving grace," Kevin flatted the tutu over his legs, "The things I do for the people I can barely stand."

"Oh c'mon, Kevin, you love Antonio."

"Love is a strong word," Kevin shook his head, "I love you. I put up with Antonio."

Mia smirked. She knew what would cheer Kevin up. She moved onto his lap and gave him a kiss.

"You know, I think it's really, really sweet how you'll do this for a guy you can barely stand," she started kissing down his neck. "It shows exactly what kind of man you are. Strong and brave, but kind and caring. The total package."

"Really?" Kevin asked. Mia looked up at him and bit her lip. She nodded her head with a smile then kissed his lips again.

"There's a reason I love this…"

"AHH!"

Kevin and Mia turned to the door when they heard someone scream and saw Antonio on the floor, trying desperately to crawl away.

"No more!" he shouted at them as he scrambled to his feet and ran down the hall, "Just stop it!"

Mia and Kevin watched his leave and then traded smirks before they burst out laughing.

"Now starts his fear of ballerinas," Mia said. "Think Xandred's got a ballerina on board that ship of his?"

Kevin shook his head, "You know the others always do that when they catch us in a moment."

"Run screaming?"

"Yep."

Mia nestled into Kevin's arms, "Apparently, watching us is like watching their moms and dads. It probably doesn't help that you're already half naked and very eager to get out of that tutu."

A wicked smirk appeared on Kevin's lips. He got up, holding Mia in his arms.

"Oh, Antonio!" he called and chased after the gold Ranger. He was going to have some fun with this tutu after all.

-Samurai-

Mike could help but notice, as he sat in the booth on the lunch date, that everyone in the restaurant was keeping their eyes on Emily. The customers, the wait staff, even a few of the employees from the back would pop their heads out to get a look.

Emily had noticed as well and was sinking further and further down into the booth.

Mike knew why they were staring. The story of her kidnapping was available nearly everywhere. On TV, in newspaper, on the internet. Mike was sure there wasn't a single person in the city who didn't know what happened, especially considering the Rangers had gotten involved in what seemed to be just a civilian matter.

Emily had no idea why there were so many eyes watching her. She had gotten used to it in school, when the kids used to stare at her to purposely make her uncomfortable, but this was worse, much worse.

Serena reached across the table and took her sister's hand, "We can go somewhere else," she whispered, "Away from these losers."

"Can I go to the bathroom?" Emily asked and Mike nodded his head. He scooted out of the booth, letting Emily out. Serena looked to James and he did the same so she could go with her sister. When the girls were gone and the boys were back in their seats, Mike looked to James.

"Have you been following the news?"

"They don't have Emily's side of the story," James nodded, "All they know is what Frankie said."

"And they believe him?"

"His neighbours saw the green Ranger beating him up," James said. "Some think he's the innocent one."

"What do the kids at school think?"

"He's a creepy guy," James shrugged. He looked at Mike, "I know why the Rangers got involved, but I think it's starting to backfire."

"How so?"

"How much have you seen?"

"Not much, really. Just pictures some idiot journalists have put up. I can't stomach more than that. I can barely stomach that."

"The innocent theory is only a part of one of the big theories. The people who think Frankie's the victim think the Rangers planned this to show the city they're in charge."

"Wait? What?"

"Power corrupts. The Rangers do, in a way, own this city. I mean, who can stop a freaking Megazord from trashing the city?"

"And what do Emily and Frankie have to do with it?"

"Emily's the in. She's with the Rangers and she helped stage it. She lured Frankie in, made him think he was in control, and then…"

"How did that theory start?"

"Frankie," James whispered, "Like I said, all we have is Frankie's word."

"Emily was too shaken up to talk," Mike shook his head. He hadn't been with Emily at the police station, but he had seen her before and he had seen her after. She had struggled to tell him about the kiss. There was no way she was going to tell a room of strange officers she had been vulnerable, "That's not fair."

"There is another theory," James said, "It's a bit better, but it's still not good. Some people think Emily might be a Ranger."

"And they came to that conclusion how?"

"The Rangers turning up at the school just as its announced that Emily's missing. You guys have a sensor that picks up on Nighlok attacks, not school fights. Then, another Ranger, from out of nowhere, manages to track Frankie down and fights savagely to rescue Emily. You guys do a lot of good for the city, but you don't help missing people unless its Nighlok related. Even then, the media's only got one other story of a Nighlok kidnap and it's Emily."

"What? When?"

"The fake Rangers," James said, "When they turned up and that Nighlok human thing kidnapped Emily. The Rangers saved her. That's the only other story they have and they've figured it out."

"So they think she's in with the Rangers or she is one?"

"Yep," James nodded. Mike leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Not good."

"I know."

Mike sighed and shook his head as the food arrived at the table. Mike noticed he had a new waitress and assumed their old one had gone for break. He quickly checked her name, just in case he needed to call on her for something.

"Thanks, Abby," he said as she set the plates down. She nodded, smiled, told the two men to enjoy, and then walked to the back.

Mike picked at his fries, "By the way, that Nighlok human who kidnapped Emily…"

"Yeah?"

"Serena's ex," He flicked his thumb over to Terran, who was sleeping in his carrier at the end of the table, "Terran's father," the colour drained from James' face and Mike chuckled, "Priceless."

-Samurai-

Antonio ran into his room and slammed the door shut. He made sure to lock it before he turned around and started to pant loudly. Jayden looked up from his bed and frowned.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Tutu plan backfired. It turns Mia on."

"So?"

"They aren't in their room."

Jayden gave Antonio a look of disgust, "Ew…"

Antonio nodded and walked over to the bed. Jayden tried to move the blankets but that only caused Antonio to become suspicious.

"What are you doing?"

"Napping."

"You don't look like you've been napping," Antonio reached for the blanket Jayden was obviously using to hide something, "What do you have under there?"

"Nothing."

"So why won't you let me see?"

"I should really be resting and I can't do that if you're…" Antonio ripped the notebook out from under the blankets.

"AHA!"

"I'm technically still in bed," Jayden said.

"Symbol power?" Antonio flipped through the pages and pages of symbols. "You've been practicing your symbol power? Jayden, that's worse than getting up and training! Symbol power is draining!"

"I know, I…"

Antonio tossed the notebook to his own bed, "Why can't you ever just rest? Why do you always have to be working? Take a break. Let your body recover. You were in the middle of a Megazord explosion. How many people survive that?"

"So far, one," Jayden said with a slight smirk. Antonio shook his head.

"Luckily for you, too. Now go to sleep."

"No," Jayden crossed his arms over his chest, "I'm not tired."

"Really?" Antonio cocked an eyebrow, "Are we doing imitations now? Are you trying to do Emily?"

Jayden realized what he looked like and uncrossed his arms. He sat up in bed, "Sorry, Antonio. I just can't rest up. It's not what I've been programmed to do and… you did kind of run away while I was sleeping."

"You know I'm not running away again," Antonio shook his head, "Don't use that as an excuse. You're just stubborn."

"Fine, but seriously, I'm not tired."

Antonio glanced over at the door, "Well… I guess until Kevin stops chasing me around, I'm trapped in here too," a wicked grin suddenly appeared on his face, "and you and I do have some making up to do."

"Are you doing to use me to get back at Kevin and Mia?"

Antonio nodded and leaned in for a kiss, "Two can play this game."

-Samurai-

Emily walked into the bathroom and checked it was empty before she turned around. She looked at Serena, ready to cry.

"They're all staring…"

Serena nodded her head, "I know, Em, but they can't do anything…"

"You would have said the same about Frankie. 'He's just a kid, Em. You're a Samurai Ranger! He's nothing to worry about!'"

"Calm down," Serena gently grabbed Emily's arms, "Look at me, Emy, it's okay. Our weakest fighter right now is James, and I doubt there's a single person in this diner who wants to mess with him. Let's just get through dinner. Whatever shock these morons are facing will wear off. They'll get their food and we'll be left alone, okay?"

Emily gulped and nodded her head. Serena chuckled slightly and pulled her sister into her arms.

"It's okay," she promised her, "It's just stares. They can't kill. Trust me, I've tried. Especially with that boyfriend of yours. The boyfriend who hunted Frankie down? The boyfriend who will do anything to keep you safe? The boyfriend who…"

"I get it," Emily chuckled. "You have mixed feelings about him."

Serena nodded, "And trust me, Emy, if these people think Mike's their biggest problem… they're in for a surprise."

"You'll kick their butts?"

"Me?" Serena pointed to herself and shook her head, "Nahuh. Terran's got fists of fury. When I told him someone kidnapped you, you should have seen the look on his face."

Emily laughed. Serena gently poked her in the stomach.

"It was kind of like a cross between his peek-a-boo face, you know the one he makes when you disappear, and his poop face."

Emily laughed again.

Serena smiled, "Trust me, Monster, that kid's going to kick some ass if those people even think about trying anything. He'll just jump right out from that carrier and karate chops while Mommy and Aunty Emy sit back and watch with pride."

Emily nodded her head, "I would love to see that happen."

"Let's hope he doesn't have to unleash all that hidden power," Serena said and wrapped her arms around Emily's shoulders, "C'mon, squirt. Let's go back out there. I'm sure our food's been served by now."

Emily nodded her head as her sister guided her out of the bathroom. They were halfway to their table when Emily suddenly caught a glimpse of the waitress serving some guests. She froze up completely and Serena bumped right into her.

"Emy, one foot in front of the… Holy shit…"