A/N: So obviously this episode has been expanded somewhat by the fact I gave Kevin a girlfriend that he left behind, for anyone curious I totally picture Shay Mitchell as Alyssa. Enjoy :)
Chapter 13
Kevin walks into the kitchen having been out for his run earlier than usual, trying to clear his head for the day, he was surprised when he found Evie sat in there with a cup of coffee in front of her. And she was idly spinning a spoon in it, seemingly lost in thought.
"Evie?" he asks knowing full well she, Mike and Mia were all very attached to their sleep and none were known as early risers.
Evie starts and looks up, "oh hey Kevin, good run?" she asks.
"Same as usual, what are you doing up?" he asks.
Evie shrugs and rubs her eyes, "couldn't sleep."
Kevin studies her for a moment, "any particular reason?" he queries getting himself a cup of coffee.
"Bad dreams, same as usual, what about you, this is early even by your standards?" she asks.
Kevin sighs, "I got a notification last night, the regional swimming championship is happening now."
Evie thinks it over for a second before her eyes widen, "your team?"
Kevin nods, "yeah."
"And you're not a part of it," says Evie gently.
"When Ji sent that arrow, I was about to start a race, I just left," sighs Kevin.
"Oh Kevin."
"I didn't get to explain, I mean how could I? At least I could give Alyssa some semblance of an excuse, but my team, I didn't give them anything at all," admits Kevin.
Evie reaches over resting her hand on top of his, "I can't imagine how hard it was" she says.
"I knew it was coming, Ji had put out he call, my dad warned me it'd be my last race. And I know I did my duty, and being a samurai ranger comes before anything else. And I know most of us gave up something, and I knew I couldn't put my friends or Alyssa at risk, and I couldn't explain why. But I just hate how let down they must've felt, how betrayed" explains Kevin.
"Do you think Alyssa might be around too? You said she helped to coach sometimes?" asks Evie.
"I don't know, I don't know if I want her to be there or not," answers Kevin.
"Are you worried about seeing her, or worried about maybe seeing her with someone else?" questions Evie.
"Both, neither, I don't know. I haven't once felt this mixed up about everything the way I do now. I don't like feeling this way Evie, I like order, I have routine, I know what I need to do, when and how it needs to be done. But this, this is throwing everything out of whack."
"And you're more than entitled for it to do so Kevin. And despite what Mike likes to joke you're a person too. Much as being a samurai means to you, swimming matters too. You're loyal and your noble and leaving your team the way you did must've been one of the hardest things you've had to do. You are allowed to feel conflicted Kevin, we've all felt like that at one point or another, and you are allowed to miss your life.
I'd be concerned if you didn't, you can have all the dedication in the world. But you gave up something you love, people who matter, you made a sacrifice and you are allowed to acknowledge it was a sacrifice," assures Evie.
"I love being a ranger, and it's my duty to be a samurai-" starts Kevin.
Evie holds up her hand, "I know, we all know how dedicated you are. You're one of the best samurai and we are stronger and better for having you on our team. And none of us doubt that, but you can feel conflicted Kevin, there's nothing wrong with it. Don't think that there is."
Kevin sighs but nods.
"Do you want to see them?" she asks.
"I can't."
"You don't need to be seen by them, but this is your decision Kevin, you need to decide how to handle it. So, for now, I won't say anything to the others if you don't want me too. But if you want to talk, you can talk to me, or if you just want some company if you decide to go," assures Evie.
Kevin gives her a small smile, "thanks."
"You might sometimes do a good impression, but you're not a robot," smiles Evie.
"Charming."
"Now that is something I've never claimed to be" replies Evie as she sips her coffee.
"Fancy joining me for some training?" asks Kevin.
Evie nods, "sure, I doubt I'll be going back to sleep, let me change," she says as she finishes her coffee.
She slips back into her room, changing her clothes quickly before slipping back outside finding Kevin already waiting.
"Swords?" he asks.
"No, been awhile since I did some actual hand to hand with anyone else," replies Evie.
Kevin nods and the two square off, starting out slow as they tested the waters and each other, before speeding up as they got more comfortable.
Kevin was stronger, but Evie was faster and she knew exactly how to use that fact. After about fifteen minutes of sparring Kevin thought he had the upper hand until Evie managed to twist her body around his, the next thing Kevin was aware was of himself sailing through the air and as he landed, he found Evie's thighs locked around his neck, his arm in a lock. And he was completely unable to get out of it without seriously hurting himself.
He tapped the floor twice and she released him.
"Okay, damn you're good. Who'd you train with the Black Widow?" asks Kevin as he stands up.
Evie smiles and flips to her feet, "not quite, but I am taking that as a compliment" she says. "And am surprised you know who she is."
"I watch movies too. Plus, a couple of the guys were really into it," replies Kevin before sighing.
Evie rests her hand on his shoulder, "do whatever you need to do Kev, don't let this eat you."
"Thanks," nods Kevin.
They continue sparring for a little while longer before heading in to shower.
Evie looks at Jayden as he holds the bullzord disk in his hands.
Everyone save Kevin was gathered for Jayden to explain the latest upgrade that came from accessing the bullzord.
"The bull disk has the power to combine all the zords, into a samurai gigazord," he explains.
"Yeah but that's some bad mojo. There's a reason the bullzord was locked away for 300 years," reminds Mike.
"There's no doubt its risky. If not done right, all the zords could be obliterated," admits Jayden.
Everyone gasps at that.
"But I'm sure Antonio can master it," smiles Jayden holding out the disk and patting him on the shoulder.
"Whoa," says Antonio is surprise. "Thank you for the vote of confidence. But Kevin is the man to go to when it comes to megazord combinations."
"Where is Kevin anyway?" asks Emily looking around.
"He had some stuff to do, in the city," replies Evie quickly.
"He didn't mention anything," says Mike.
"Does he need permission?" asks Evie pointedly.
"Guess not," says Mike looking at her curiously.
They continue discussing the gigazord until the gap sensor goes off.
"The park" says Ji as he brings up the map.
Kevin walked through the city, stopping outside the pool as he saw the poster.
"I wish I was swimming in them," he sighs.
He'd been thinking about what Evie had said, and on one hand he knew she was right and he had made a sacrifice. But it wasn't even swimming he missed the most, it was how he'd left his team. Of how he'd left Alyssa.
Unbidden the memory washes over him.
"Kevin what do you mean we're done?" demands Alyssa hurrying after him.
Kevin sighs but keeps walking, "what I said Alyssa, we can't be together anymore" he replies trying to keep his voice steady.
"Why not? You can't end an almost four-year relationship without more explanation," argues Alyssa grabbing his hand and pulling him to a stop.
"I've given you as much of an explanation as I can."
"Bullshit, you haven't given me any explanation, some half assed excuse about needing time apart, and that you're not going to be around. I want answers Kevin!" snaps Alyssa stepping in front of him and it takes every ounce of control he has not to pull her into his arms and tell her everything.
But he couldn't he had a duty, a destiny, and he knew full well what it could cost him. And he couldn't explain it no matter how much he wanted too.
"It's for your own good Alyssa, I'm leaving okay, I'm not going to be around. And we need to be done when I do" repeats Kevin.
"What do you means it for my own good?" demands Alyssa, "we can make long distance work?" she pleads.
"Not like this," sighs Kevin.
"Is there someone else?" asks Alyssa.
Kevin looks up sharply, "no, it is nothing like that, it's nothing wrong with you, this is me okay. I'm doing this."
"But why, we're happy, we were talking about a future just last week Kevin, so what has changed?"
"I can't explain it Alyssa, I want too but I can't. We're over, we have to be. I'm sorry but it's the way it has to be," says Kevin trying to pretend that saying every word wasn't breaking his heart into a thousand pieces, pulling his hand free he walks past her.
"Kevin please!" cries Alyssa.
But he keeps walking, knowing if he looked back, he'd crumble. He had to do this, for the good of the world. And it wasn't fair to ask her to wait when he couldn't give her answers. When he might not even make it back.
He's pulled back to the present as he turns and walks into someone.
"Sorry," he apologises quickly noticing the guy's eyes widen in recognition as he dashed back inside.
He quickly ducked around the corner as he came rushing back out.
"Where is he?" asks Noah looking around.
"I don't know," replies the other guy.
"Are you sure it was him?" asks Noah.
"I mean I've never met him, but he looked just like the picture I've seen. Hey maybe he came back to cheer you on?" he offers.
"What are you talking about? He's the reason we barely qualified. He quit and left us high and dry in the middle of a race. I never thought he'd do that. And I never thought he'd leave Alyssa with such a lame ass excuse either. He betrayed us and her, it's his fault," sighs Noah as he walks back inside.
Kevin leans against the wall and sighs, Noah had been his friend and teammate for years. And hearing the disappointment in his voice, it made him regret leaving how he did even more. And the way he talked about Alyssa made everything feel so much worse.
Kevin started walking towards the park, he missed Alyssa. And the thought that she might be here, so close by. It made his heart skip a beat. He loved her, he still loved her. But she'd be in danger if she knew, and if the Nighlok got wind of her, he'd already seen what Deker had been willing to do to get at Jayden. And Evie was a trained samurai ranger. Alyssa didn't have any of Evie's defences. He couldn't and wouldn't risk her. Not for his own selfishness. She was safer away from him, but the thought she might've moved on, he'd be lying if the thought didn't hurt. And knowing his team hated him, that hey blamed him, it made it all worse. He'd chosen one team over another, and while he wouldn't trade any of his samurai team, the fact he felt like he'd betrayed his other team didn't help at all.
Even if it was for the safety of all of them, he was a power ranger, he had to keep his identity a secret and stay away. Mike hadn't and his friends had almost suffered for it. It was a sacrifice, but it was one he made for the safety of everyone he'd left behind, Noah, Alyssa all of them. He just wished it made him feel better.
The sound of screams grabs his attention and he turns, seeing a Nighlok eating everything in sight.
Running over he pulls out his samuraiser, "Nighlok!" he shouts about to morph when a cyclist falls in front of him.
As the Nighlok goes for the bike Kevin rolls forwards pulling the cyclist out of the way, but dropping his samuraiser in the process and to his horror it gets caught up in the Nighloks mouth before he can grab it. And then sees the Nighlok coming right for him, and he sent a silent prayer the others arrived soon.
The six of them race out of the house, once they arrive at the park, they see Kevin already there, but he wasn't morphed, and the Nighlok was coming right at him.
"Back off!" shouts Jayden as he blocks the attack, the others gathering around Kevin.
"What? Samurai Rangers?" demands the Nighlok.
"Kev, morph already," says Mike.
"I wish I could, but the Nighlok ate my samuraiser," explains Kevin.
"Ate it?" asks Mia.
"Oh come on, you're kidding," says Antonio.
"Don't worry, we've got this, just stay back," assures Jayden.
"You know its rude to interrupt someone when they're eating," snarls the Nighlok as he sends his double mouth arms at them.
They hold their own briefly but he knocks them down one by one until only Evie and Jayden are next.
"You take one, I got the other," says Evie.
They lunge forwards working in a co-ordinated attack, dodging the arms before jumping clear and using the momentum to slash across the Nighlok and he's sent flying backwards.
"Forget this," he says as he gets up and disappears into a gap.
"Team work makes the dream work," says Evie leaning her sword against her shoulder.
"That was quick," notes Mike as they regroup.
"But what about Kevin's samuraiser?" asks Emily.
The six power down.
"He'll be back when he gets hungry, which by the look of it, shouldn't be that long," assures Antonio.
Mia walks over to Kevin, "are you okay?" she asks resting her hand on his arm, the others coming over too.
"Yeah, but I lost my samuraiser," sighs Kevin.
"Don't sweat it man, we'll get it back," assures Antonio.
Kevin looks away and his eyes land on another poster for the regionals.
Evie follows his gaze and sighs, the last thing Kevin needed was more on his emotional and mental platter right now. She resolved to keep an eye on him, just in case.
While everyone else headed back to the house, Kevin walked off, initially working on the gigazord combination but is unsurprisingly drawn back to the pool as darkness fell.
As he walks towards the door, he hears familiar voices and looks for somewhere to hide when he's yanked behind a pillar by someone.
He freezes for a moment until he sees Evie holding her finger to her lips as she nods to the doors.
A moment later the four guys walk out of the swimming pool.
"The relay times just aren't good enough, we used to be five seconds faster when-" Noah trails off.
"When Kevin was on the team," continues the guy Kevin recognises from earlier.
"Forget him," retorts Noah, "he failed the team, just disappeared on us without a goodbye. Not even Alyssa knows where the hell he went, and if he wasn't willing to tell her anything, there's no one else who'd know," adds Noah as he walks off.
Kevin watches the four of them go with a sigh before letting his head fall against the pillar. "Guess I'm letting both my teams down."
"Don't talk like that, if they knew they would understand Kevin. And you did not let us down today," assures Evie.
"He ate my samuraiser Evie, what good am I to you guys if I can't morph?" demands Kevin rounding on her. "And why are you following me?"
"I was concerned, I'm being a good friend, and I wasn't trying to smother you. And we'll get your samuraiser back, even if I have to stick my hand down that Nighloks throat myself."
"Doesn't make Noah and the others hate me any less," retorts Kevin, running his hand over his hair.
"No, it doesn't. And it's the worst feeling in the world, to feel that you've let down someone you care about. But you did not let us down today, Kevin, we've all fallen prey to Nighloks. But we will get your samuraiser back, and even without it you are still a hell of a samurai. I can't help you with your swim team Kev, but I promise you, we will get your samuraiser back. And I will personally make him puke it back up, if need be," assures Evie before holding up her pinky, "I'll even pinky swear on it, if you pinky swear not to let this beat you."
"Evie-" starts Kevin.
"Pinky swear, then I can't break it, or I won't be able to talk to myself for a week, and I happen to like talking to myself, I am an excellent conversationalist. And then you can't break it either or I won't be able to talk to you, and I am very good at holding myself to that," she stipulates.
Kevin shakes his head but gives her a small smile as he links his finger with hers, "pinky swear."
"Good, now let's go home, the others will be wondering where the hell we got too," replies Evie.
Kevin nods and with a final glance at the building they walk off, Evie patting Kevin on the back, "like I said you're still good even without morphing," she smiles.
"Not how it felt today," retorts Kevin.
"I'm used to putting bigger opponents on the ground, I kind of made it a hobby. If it were a real fight, it would've been different," replies Evie.
Neither notice the figure who emerges from the building behind them, her eyes widening as they land on Kevin's retreating form. And then on Evie walking next to him.
"Kevin," murmurs Alyssa.
But the two continue walking, unaware.
The two of them walk back into the house.
"Kevin, Evie, where have you guys been?" asks Mike as they're greeted by everyone sat in the main room.
"We've all been thinking of ways to get your samuraiser back," he adds.
"Oh, right, thanks," nods Kevin sounding unenthusiastic.
Evie rests her hand on his arm, "pinky swear," she reminds gently.
Kevin nods again, before walking out of the room.
"Its more than the samuraiser, isn't it?" says Mia looking at Evie. "Something happened?" she asks.
Evie sighs but nods, "yeah it did."
"Might it have something to do with this?" asks Ji as he opens up the flyer for the regional swimming championship.
Evie nods again, "his old team is town for it, he saw them today, overheard them. And he feels bad for how he left them".
"What do you mean?" asks Mike, "Kevin's uber dedicated, surely, he jumped at the chance."
"He did, but when the call came, he was about to start a race. He left them with no explanation, not even a goodbye. Kevin's dedication and loyalty extends to his swim team as well, he had to choose. And now it's finally hitting him what he had to give up, and the effect it had on those he left behind," explains Evie.
Mia glances at Evie sensing she was holding something back but opting not to bring it up in front of the others.
"Listen, Kevin can't fight without his samuraiser. He needs time to figure things out," advises Jayden.
"Then we'll give it to him," nods Mike. "And find his samuraiser in the process."
They continued brainstorming, finally coming up with a plan they think will work, before everyone heads to bed.
But Evie is held back by Mia.
"What else is up with Kevin?" asks Mia. "And please don't say nothing."
"If his team is here, it means Alyssa is likely here as well. His ex-girlfriend," clarifies Evie.
"The one he broke up with to come here?" asks Mia.
Evie nods, "yeah, and I think he's worried he'll see her, or worried he'll see her with someone else. And just finally feeling what he gave up, out of sight out of mind. But now it's not out of sight anymore."
"Kevin's super dedicated, when I asked him about giving up his dreams that first day, I didn't understand how he could do it so easily. But I guess he didn't, he just buried it," assumes Mia.
"Probably, he threw himself into everything one hundred percent. Maybe as a way to justify his choice, to leave Alyssa, leave his team and give up his dreams," agrees Evie.
"And now he's having it all thrown in his face, how his team felt, the thought of seeing the girl he loves again, and then losing his samuraiser too. It must be a lot," sighs Mia.
"There's no feeling worse than feeling like you let down people who matter. For them to be disappointed in you, sometimes it's worse than being hated."
"Poor Kevin, there isn't anything we can do though is there?"
"No, like Jayden says, this is Kevin's fight. We can deal with the Nighlok and get his samuraiser back. But dealing with everything else, all we can do is provide support," nods Evie.
"We can keep an eye on him, and once we get his samuraiser back we can focus on everything else for him," says Mia.
"Yeah, I think he'll try and see his team before they go. He's been lurking like a grade A stalker," says Evie.
Mia lets out a laugh at that, "now there's an interesting image."
"Oh yeah," chuckles Evie.
"I wish we could do more to help, I can't imagine how hard it was to not only give up your dreams but someone you love. Like Ji said, most of us didn't have those kinds of attachments," sighs Mia.
"No, and given my boyfriend lives here in the house with me and knows everything. I can't imagine how hard it must be to hide that from someone."
"I know, I mean my mom didn't tell my dad until they were serious and she was pretty sure a proposal was coming."
"Exactly and much as he might've loved her, he didn't feel he could risk it. God and I thought my relationship was complicated at times. Least we never had to lie like that," says Evie.
"We'll keep an eye on him," decides Mia.
"I think we can manage between us," smiles Evie.
"Absolutely" agrees Mia with a smile.
Evie yawns then and Mia chuckles, "let's go to bed."
They part at Mia's door and Evie walks down to her room, Jayden already settled in bed and she quickly completes her night time routine before sliding in next to him.
"How did you know Kevin was having problems?" asks Jayden.
"I woke up early this morning, couldn't get back to sleep. He seemed troubled," replies Evie.
"Your nightmares?" asks Jayden.
Evie shrugs, "same old, same old."
"You should've woken me," chides Jayden gently.
"You were sleeping, there was no point."
Jayden wraps his arm around her, her back against his chest, "wake me up next time."
Evie just nods and Jayden kisses the top of her head, "we'll get Kevin's samuraiser back".
"I know we will, I pinky swore" says Evie.
"Oh now we definitely need to get it back," chuckles Jayden.
Evie laughs and snuggles against Jayden, and within moments both are sound asleep.
Kevin leans against the wall watching his team practice.
Suddenly Noah gets cramp, and none of the others have realised.
Making a split-second decision he drops his bag and takes his shirt off before diving into the pool, grabbing Noah and pulling him to the side.
Noah coughs for a moment before pulling off his googles and focusing properly, "Kevin. Is that really you?" he asks in surprise.
"Don't try to talk, just breathe," advises Kevin knowing full well he'd just jumped into a real hole he'd now have to dig himself out of.
Kevin climbs out then, the other three rushing over having realised something was wrong.
Kevin holds his hand out to Noah but he just looks at it, anger clear on his face.
"Leave me alone. My team will take care of me," he retorts.
Jake and Luke pull Noah out of the pool and Kevin sighs; he couldn't blame him for being pissed at him.
"It is you," comes another voice and Kevin turns and sees a guy he doesn't know.
"You're a legend around here" he smiles. "I'm Chad," he says holding out his hand.
"Yeah I don't know about that," replies Kevin as he starts to walk away.
"You were the best anyone around here had ever seen. I'll never understand why you walked away from that," calls Noah, hurt evident in his voice.
And Kevin feels it like a punch to his gut. "Look Noah, I wish I could explain, but I can't. I just wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow. I have to go, and I'm glad you're okay," sighs Kevin before he turns and walks out, grabbing his shirt as he went.
He walked out of the building when a voice froze him in his tracks.
"So it was you I saw last night," says Alyssa.
Kevin shuts his eyes for a moment before turning to look at a girl he knew he still loved, and she was as beautiful as he remembered. Her hair hanging loose around her, her dark eyes narrowed as she looked at him. Devoid of make-up but she still looked beautiful. The same effortless beauty she'd always had. Her coaching tracksuit still fitting her as well as it ever had.
"Liss," he greets.
"You don't get to call me that anymore. What the hell happened Kevin, you broke up with me, out of nowhere. Some lame ass excuse and an apology, and then you ran out in the middle of a race. No explanation, you dropped off the face of the Earth, yet now you're here. With a new girl by the look of things. If there was someone else you could've had the decency to admit it when I asked," replies Alyssa angrily.
Kevin looks at her in confusion and then he realises that she must mean Evie given she was the only one he'd been near the pool with.
"No Liss, Evie and I, it's not like that. She's a friend, and very much in love with someone else," answers Kevin.
"Then why? What is going on?" demands Alyssa, "you owe me answer Kevin, one minute its I love you, and I'm starting to plan a future. The next its I'm sorry and you're gone. I want answers," says Alyssa walking forwards.
Kevin sighs, "I can't give you any, I wish to god I could, but I can't."
"Was it me?" she asks.
"No, it was not you, it was me, it was, what I had to do for reasons I can't explain. Not in any way that will make sense to you. But I meant everything I said to you Liss, and you are not the reason we ended," promises Kevin reaching for her hand.
Alyssa pulls it back, "why won't you give me a straight answer, you left Noah, Jake and Luke behind. No one knew where you'd gone or why, I mean what the hell Kevin. I never ever thought you were someone who would flake. I didn't think you were capable of it, so what was so important for you to bail on your team, on me?" demands Alyssa.
Kevin runs his hand over his hair and groans, "if I could tell you, I would, and I want to, so badly. But I can't for your own safety I can't tell you anything Liss. But I love you, and I meant everything I said while we were together and I didn't want to end us, but I had too."
"You really did know you were going to have to leave huh?" asks Alyssa.
Kevin nods, "I did know, I wasn't lying about that, and I tried not to leave you in the lurch the way I had to the team. But I can't give you an answer that is going to satisfy you."
"The man I fell in love with didn't shy away from things, he was upfront about everything. I obviously didn't know you as well as I thought" says Alyssa sadly, tears pricking her eyes.
Kevin resists the urge to reach for her, "I'm sorry Liss," he sighs before he turns and walks away, using every ounce of self-control not to go back and spill everything to her. Instead he walks to the sea front and sits down trying to crack the gigazord as an attempt at distraction.