The girls made it back right on time to take Gavin to his appointment. Gia left to go home, while Emma and Gavin headed to the hospital. Once he was in the door, Emma turned around and started jogging to the Brainfreeze. As soon as she arrived, she found Gia behind the counter with an apron. Immediately, she knew what was going on.

Gia had taken on the job to help her financially.

"Gia, you don't have to-"

"Emma, you need help. You shouldn't have to stress this much about money, especially not when we're still not even adults yet. So, I'm going to help and you can't say anything to convince me otherwise."

"Please, Gia..."

"I know you wouldn't let me work and give you everything I earn, so I'll keep half for myself. I'm getting my license and I'll need to start paying for own gas anyways. But the other half can go to meals. You haven't been eating well lately so that Gavin could stay healthy, so at least with the extra money you can start eating full meals again."

Emma was still slightly upset that her friend was going to do this for her, but she was more grateful than anything.

"I don't even know what to say, Gia. Thank you."

Her best friend pulled her in for a tight hug. "I told you. We'd do anything in our power to help. I can't just sit back and watch you struggle, knowing what you're going through. Next time you need help, just ask."

With that, she went off to greet her first official customer.

Emma went around the back to get on her apron as well, and found Ernie smiling at her. "You totally had something to do with that, didn't you?"

Ernie shrugged. "I don't know."

The pink ranger gave him a hug and whispered in a soft voice. "Thank you."

Afraid she'd become overcome with emotion, she threw on her apron and left before Ernie could say anything. Her boss was left smiling behind her. He felt so bad because he didn't think there was any way for him to help the struggling girl, but when Gia had come in asking for a job, he was only too willing to oblige. It would be harder for his business since more money was coming out of his pocket, but he knew this was the right thing for Emma.

Plus, having both girls working meant the rest of the rangers would be at the Brainfreeze even more frequently, which would be more than enough for him to buy a mansion and a new car.

Just as he turned the corner, he indeed saw the boys of the group walk in the door. He inwardly laughed to himself at how accurate he really was. Their eyes lit up in surprise and delight when they saw Gia was working too. They all knew why she did it without having to ask, and were all happy that Emma was finally accepting help.

Once Gia took their orders and went to go make them, Emma sat down with the boys to tell them about what was going on with Gavin. They assured her that they wouldn't stop her from fighting, as long as she kept her promise not to recklessly endanger herself or the team again. Once that matter was settled, Noah headed to the counter to talk to Gia.

"So, working at the Brainfreeze now?"

Gia smiled. "Thought I'd practice my fro-yo making skills. Never know when I'll need those."

"I'm surprised she is cool with this. She's never been open to us trying to help her financially."

The yellow ranger lowered her voice. "We were in the forest today and she opened up about everything. I think it was a cry for help, and I've been trying to find ways to make this easier on her since Gavin showed up. I thought of the idea as we were coming back, and Ernie took me up on it. Did you know she's been feeling like a hindrance to the team?"

Noah nodded. "We had a conversation about that recently. I tried to assure her that she was the only person on the team who thought of her like that. But once those ideas get into your head, it's hard to get over them. I'm sure if you and I both talked to her about it, she'll start feeling a little bit better about herself, and hopefully more confident."

They were specifically trying to avoid talking about ranger business in front of Ernie, not knowing that he had already figured out their identities. Gia motioned with a nod that they should go to the back so they could talk more openly about it. Noah glanced at Ernie quickly for permission, which he granted. The two didn't know it, but Ernie knew exactly what the teens wanted to discuss.

However, as soon as they closed the door to the back storage room, something smashed into Gia's head. She immediately crumpled to the floor, out cold. By the time Noah had processed what was going on, he too was struck and knocked out.

Vrak smiled as Metal Alice set down the blender she had used to hit the rangers.

"Being able to track them is starting to become fun."