A/N: Back to being on time again, hope you guys enjoy, we're still not quite back with the main story yet, but soon :)

Chapter 18

The three girls were gathered in Emily's room the next morning, having not got around to discussing all the details of hers and Mike's date given everything that happened.
"So, come on, how was it?" urges Mia.
"It was really nice, so thank you," smiles Emily looking at Evie.
"I was logistics nothing more," assures Evie.
"Still, it was really nice, we talked about a lot and it was nice to be alone," says Emily with a light blush.
"Oh I know that blush, what happened?" demands Evie.
"Things might've gotten a little heated."
"And?" prompts Evie eagerly.
"I told him that I didn't want him to keep acting like I was fragile and I'd let him know if I wanted him to stop."
"Good for you Em," nods Evie.
"Yeah, if you're happy then that's all that matters, and as long as you know what you want," agrees Mia.
"I do" smiles Emily.
"So, anything you want to ask us?" enquires Evie.
"Actually yes, something Mike said on our date, he didn't get the significance but I remember what you said about Jayden finding it attractive when you wore red," admits Emily.
Evie nods in understanding, "Mike said something about green and it made you think of that."
"Mhm."
"Then I say, a shopping trip is in order," smiles Mia.
"We have the afternoon," nods Evie.
"So where do we start?" asks Emily.
"Where else, Victoria Secret," replies Evie with a smirk.
They grab their jackets and with a quick call to the boys they head out.

Once in the city Evie leads them through to Victoria Secret she knew.
Walking in Mia and Emily look around, "Wow that's a lot of choice," says Emily.
"And even better, it's all colour co-ordinated," smiles Evie as she leads them through.
"I've never really shopped for something like this," admits Emily.
"Don't worry we'll figure out what works for you, I haven't really either" assures Mia.
"I however, do. And like Mia says, we'll find something you're comfortable with" nods Evie with a smile.
"Okay, so where do we start?" asks Emily looking around the green section.
"Let's all have a look around, see what we can find?" suggests Evie.
"Good idea" nods Mia.

They split up searching through the shop, Evie knowing Emily wasn't as comfortable with it all as she was steered clear of some of the more risqué stuff.
She found a pretty basque with black lace and a green centre piece, and matching bikini bottoms. Then she found a nice balcony bra in all green with matching boy shorts. Grabbing a couple other sets, she heads over to Emily who was eyeing two bras sceptically.

"Do you want push up and padded, or something a little more natural?" asks Evie.
"I don't know, I guess maybe something a little more natural," says Emily.
"I figured as much, here I found these, pretty and a little sexy without making you look like a pornstar or a stripper," smiles Evie as she shows them to her.
"I like this one," says Emily as she looks at the basque.
"I thought it might suit," nods Evie. "And some that can be worn normally."

Mia appears around the corner holding a couple of pretty green chemises.
"I like this," says Emily as she looks at one of the chemise.
"How about you try them on and see which ones you like best. Now remember you might not be exactly comfortable for practical purposes in all of them, but you don't want it to be itchy or digging in or anything," says Evie.
"Yeah that's never fun" agrees Mia.

They wait outside the changing room while Emily gets changed.
"I can't remember the last time I did fancy underwear for any reason. Me and my ex were never really at that point. And we didn't really do it as often before we broke up. But it was no fairy tale the first time," admits Mia.
"First times never are," agrees Evie.
"You mean yours wasn't either?" asks Mia.
"No, neither of us really had any idea what we were doing, and it still hurt. But we figured it out by the end of the week, and from there it has only gotten better over the years," smiles Evie, "Practice really does make perfect, plus since neither of us really had much experience, we figured out what worked for us along the way. Now I'm pretty sure we've figured out just about every which way that we like."
"You guys are like a fairy tale you know," smiles Mia, "And you seem so happy."
"We have our ups and downs as much as any other couple. And we didn't exactly have the simplest of starts, each trying to ignore how we felt. But eventually we realised that being miserable was doing us no good in any way. So we figured we'd try and make it work" shrugs Evie. "We had our issues initially, trying to hide it sometimes made things difficult. It took work to get where we were."
"But now you're good?" asks Mia.
"Very, most of the time at least, he still pisses me off at times, just like I do him. It's a natural part of us living together and sometimes we just need space from each other. But it's never permanent or meant to be cruel," assures Evie.
"I can see that," nods Mia.

"Guys," calls Emily.
They both turn and stick their heads around the curtain.
"I like this one best I think," she says as she looks at the basque in the mirror.
The lace ran up the sides and the straps. The middle bit was green with a green bow between the cups, and had black slimmer straps running up from the centre of the cups that almost framed the neckline.
"It looks great Em," smiles Mia.
"Perfect," agrees Evie.
"But I do like these too," says Emily holding up one of the chemise that Mia had found her, as well as the bra sets Evie had found.
"Then get them all, you can alternate them, and if you feel like it, sometimes I just like wearing matching underwear," suggest Evie.
"I like that," nods Emily.
"Okay then," smiles Mia as they both pull back to let Emily change.
"I'd call this a success," smiles Evie.
"Me too, this was a good idea, and it's nice to have some girl time away from the boys and the house," agrees Mia.
"Yep, love them all but damn it if sometimes they don't crowd," nods Evie.

"Shall we grab some lunch before we head back?" asks Mia.
"Sounds good to me," says Evie.
"Me too, can we get ice cream as well?" asks Emily as she appears.
"Of course," laughs Evie.
They pay for their stuff, Evie grabbing a set of camisole and shorts pyjamas that she likes in red and black, while Mia grabs a couple of things.

They stop at a little café for lunch.
"What will they say when we walk in with Victoria Secret bags?" asks Emily.
"Just don't let Ji see them, you all remember what I said about the last time Ji had to see ladies underwear from a store," snorts Evie.
"As hilarious as that might be, I'd rather not," admits Emily.
"Me neither," agrees Mia.
"So we'll check where he is before we go in," smiles Evie.
"Good plan," giggles Emily, "Though washing this might get a little awkward."
"Put it in with mine, I keep certain ones away from the general washing," chuckles Evie.
"If Ji had a freak out over buying you bras, how did he handle the other aspects?" asks Mia curiously.
Evie snorts, "I didn't even bother going to him, I called Kat and she came and we went shopping, with full explanations."
"She sound really amazing," smiles Mia.
"She is, kind of like a big sister" nods Evie.
"I hope we get to meet her," says Emily.
"She usually comes around for my birthday," replies Evie.

"When is your birthday, or Jayden's for that matter, I know after Em you two are next up?" asks Mia.
"I was born on Halloween, should've figured I'd be a bit strange with that birthday, and Jayden is September 24th" answers Evie.
"I feel like a Halloween birthday suits you," notes Emily.
"I agree" nods Mia, "and Jayden's isn't that far off then, what are the plans? I mean it's his 21st."
"I don't know, I mean with everything going on I hadn't thought that far ahead, save the likeliness of buying a very nice set of underwear and spending the evening in a rather adult celebration," admits Evie.
"We should do something, like a party, or we could go out, before you and he obviously disappear off your adult celebration," suggests Mia.
"I like that idea, even if only he and Kevin can drink," nods Evie.
"Kevin drunk, I think that'd be kind of funny," smiles Emily.
"Extremely," agrees Mia.
"Oh yeah," confirms Evie.

They finish up their food and grab some ice cream before heading back to the house.
As they arrive Evie sticks her head in and sees Antonio.
"Psst, Antonio," she hisses.
He looks at her in confusion, "What are you doing?"
"Where's Ji?"
"In his office, why?"
"Okay we're good," says Evie as she walks inside properly, Emily and Mia following after her and walking past Antonio.
His gaze lands on their bags and his eyes widen, "Wait what kind of shopping did you three do?"
"That's for us to know and you to not find out," answers Mia as they disappear into their rooms.

Jayden and Mike emerge from the kitchen then, "Was that the girls back?" asks Jayden.
"Yeah," nods Antonio before rounding on them and narrowing his eyes at Mike.
"What?" asks Mike.
"Do we need to have a conversation, cause I like Emily and you hurt her and I will find a way to break you," warns Antonio.
"What did I do?" asks Mike.
"Yeah Antonio what gives?" says Jayden.
"They have Victoria Secret bags, Emily included, something you need to tell us?" demands Antonio.

"Okay firstly, it would be none of your business, you get zero details about my relationship either. And secondly at present there would be very minimal details to give, and thirdly, believe me I'm letting her take the lead here. Oh and fourth I've already been threatened by Jayden and by Evie, and she scares me a hell of a lot more than either of you."
"Antonio what Mike and Emily do is about as much your business as what Evie and I do. And while your concern is endearing, let's not jump to conclusions here. Victoria Secret sells perfectly ordinary stuff as well including, sports stuff, pyjamas, make-up perfume and various other items. So, relax," advises Jayden.
"Why do you know that?" asks Antonio.
"Because I've lived with Evie since we were 8, never mind the fact I've been dating her since we were 16. Believe me Victoria Secret bag does not always equal underwear or anything for any kind of seduction purposes," answers Jayden.
"Look I know nothing, so I'm walking away," says Mike as he holds his hands up and heads towards his room.

But at the last moment he walks past it heading for Evie's room.
He knocks and sticks his head in.
"What's up?" asks Evie as she looks at him.
Mike steps inside and shuts the door, "I just got yelled at by Antonio because Emily has a Victoria Secret bag," explains Mike nodding to the one on her bed.
Evie smiles, "And what exactly are you asking me?"
"I don't know actually," realises Mike.
"Victoria Secret sells a lot of stuff Mike, what Emily does or doesn't buy there only becomes your business if she decides to make it so. And sometimes girls just like nice underwear with no other interest except in how it makes them feel" replies Evie. "And at no point is it Antonio's business."
"So you're not going to threaten me or yell at me?" asks Mike, "Because Jayden might be being wilfully ignorant because he sees Em as a little sister, but you don't do wilful ignorance."
Evie smiles, "You're right, I don't. And what I do or don't know is not something I will be sharing. But what I do know, is that you care about Emily, you care about her a lot. And as for how your relationship progresses, you've left her in the driver's seat. And even if she has told you to stop hitting the emergency break, you're not going to push her into something she isn't ready for. On that I am completely certain, and it isn't because you're scared of me or of Jayden or any of us. It's because you care about Emily, and because you want this relationship to be more. Em is special, but you already know that."
Mike finds himself smiling, feeling quite proud Evie had so much faith in him.

"But Mike, don't let her push you into anything you aren't ready for either, you're both experiencing some firsts at the moment, and if you don't think the time is right, then say so. And that is the best advice I can give, be open and honest, and never, ever underestimate the importance of communication. You can save yourself a whole host of issues if you remember that simple rule, if in doubt, talk," advises Evie.
Mike nods, "thanks E."
"You're my family, as much as Emily is. And as I've been told it seems to be the requirement of older sisters to give their little brothers advice, even when not asked for it," says Evie.
Mike hugs her with a smile.
Evie returns it before pulling back.

Mike heads back out passing Jayden as he goes.
"Dispensing some pearls of wisdom?" asks Jayden.
"Setting some concerns to rest actually," answers Evie.
Jayden smiles and walks over wrapping his arms around her from behind, "Anything interesting occur on this shopping trip?"
"Nothing I'm going to tell you, there are somethings a girl does not share, even with her boyfriend," replies Evie as she pulls the pyjama set out of the bag and sets it on the bed.
"I like the colour."
"I thought you might."
"Just tell me this, do I need to be worried?"
Evie turns in his arms looping hers over his shoulders, "No, you don't. An eye is being kept on the situation."
"Then I leave it to you, those are not waters, I think I ever want to go near," admits Jayden.
"A wise decision," nods Evie.

"Now with that out of the way how are you feeling?" asks Jayden.
"Fine, no more headaches, no more dizziness, other than a slightly buggy stomach regards raw fish at the moment."
"You don't like raw fish anyway."
"Exactly, but don't worry I'll take tomorrow off too."
"Good, best to get you back to full strength."
"But FYI watching training is way more boring than taking part."
Jayden chuckles, "For you maybe."
"For anyone"
"You're just unhappy not to be the one putting someone on their ass," smiles Jayden.
"Maybe a little," admits Evie with a pout.
Jayden just shakes his head before kissing her softly, "You'll be back at it in no time."
"Damn straight," nods Evie.
"Come on, I was making tea before I came in here," says Jayden.
"Let me put this away" replies Evie turning and grabbing the bottle of perfume and her pyjamas a sudden wave of dizziness overtaking her. The bottle slipped from her hand shattering onto the floor, and the next thing she sees is the floor rushing up to meet her, before it all goes black.

Jayden smiled and walked out of the room, as he reached the end of the corridor, he heard the sound of something crashing to the floor, that wasn't what concerned him though. The lack of expletives that followed made him pause and he heard another dull thud, and a strange feeling shooting through his mind. Walking back he looks inside and his eyes widen as he sees Evie collapsed on the floor.
"Evie!" he shouts and runs over dropping next to her, avoiding the smashed perfume bottle that must've slipped from her hands.
He shakes her but gets no response.

"Ji!" yells Jayden in a panic.
Ji appears in the doorway a moment later along with the other rangers their eyes instantly widening as they see Evie's state.
"What happened?" asks Ji dropping down next to her and checking her pulse and breathing.
"I don't know, we were talking, I walked out, heard a crash, when a string of swearwords didn't follow, I paused and then I heard a dull thud and came back to find Evie like this. We were just talking, she seemed fine, she just said she'd been feeling fine," he adds worry evident on his face and in his voice as he looked at his unconscious girlfriend.

At that moment Evie stirs and groans.
"Hey baby, I'm here, take it easy," soothes Jayden gently.
"What happened?" asks Evie as her eyes opened and she slowly sat up.
"You tell us, Jayden said one minute you were fine the next he found you on the floor," answers Ji.
Evie looks at him her brow crinkled in confusion, "I felt fine and then things got fuzzy and I just felt dizzy."
"Have you been feeling anything else?" asks Ji.
"Not today, I've been fine all day. Just the headaches and the dizziness since the Nighlok. I think I've just got the flu or something coming, maybe that mix of the megazord and that just left me open," replies Evie.
"Well let me check you over properly, I'm sure it's nothing major," assures Ji as he and Jayden help Evie up.
"You still dizzy?" ask Jayden.

Evie shakes her head, "No, just a bit fuzzy, but that's fading" promises Evie.
"Still, I'd like to check your blood pressure and everything just in case" stipulates Ji.
"Whatever doc," nods Evie.
"Did you hit your head when you fell?" asks Mia.
"It doesn't hurt so I don't think so, pretty sure my shoulder took the brunt," replies Evie rubbing her shoulder.
"Could this still be left over from Evie dealing with that Nighlok alone?" asks Kevin.
"Possibly, or as she said it left her weak enough for flu or something to take root. Though you've never been someone prone to illness," notes Ji as he helps her up.
"Guess it had to get me some time," replies Evie as she sits down on her bed with a sigh rubbing her head.
Ji checks her forehead, "You don't feel warm, but you should go to bed, just in case. Left over from your battle with the Nighlok or the flu, either way best not to take any chances," advises Ji gently.
Evie nods and stands up.
"Come on, let's get you settled" says Mia, "Em can you grab a cloth and a dustpan for the bottle?"
"One in the bathroom," replies Evie.

The boys walk out leaving Evie in the girls hands.
"This isn't some elaborate ruse to get us to leave you two alone again, is it?" asks Antonio looking at Jayden.
"Not this time, Evie's usually a quick healer," says Jayden still looking concerned.
"She's only human Jayden, but I'm sure it's nothing to worry about," assures Ji.
Jayden nods and Ji walks down to his office to grab the med kit, the other going into the kitchen.
Antonio continuing to prep dinner, "Should I do something different for Evie?"
"She should be fine" says Kevin.

Mike however looks pensive as an unwelcome thought occurs to him, "You said she's been having headaches, more than the ones we've seen?"
"Yeah, and like she said her stomachs felt a little off, plus she's gotten a little dizzy, but I assumed it was left over from the fight with the Nighlok. Maybe it is more serious," sighs Jayden.
"But wasn't she having headaches before the battle?" asks Mike recalling noticing Evie rubbing her head more and popping headache tablets a few times.
"Yeah, but headaches happen sometimes, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about" assures Antonio.
Jayden nods and gives him a tight smile before walking out of the kitchen, Mike however bites his lip. But he thought back, and Evie had gotten dizzy at the concert, before she'd dealt with the Nighlok alone. He'd seen this before, and he prayed it turned out the same as last time, if not then everyone was in for a shakeup.

Jayden walked into Evie's room with two cups of tea in hand.
"How you feeling?" he asks walking over and handing her a cup.
"I'm fine," assures Evie as she takes it and pauses the TV.
"You fainted Evie, that's not alright," replies Jayden sitting down next to her.
"Barely, I didn't eat much at lunch or breakfast, I'll probably be fine if I eat something," answers Evie.
"You need to stop using the word fine," chides Jayden.
"I do feel fine now, it was a fluke, probably just left over from dealing with the Nighlok. Let's see you pilot the entire megazord short of everything but the bullzord alone," retorts Evie.
"Alright fair point," chuckles Jayden.
"Exactly," says Evie, "Besides you remember how much strong symbols take out of us, dealing with the mindscape and the megazord it was just a lot. You know me I'll be back on my feet in no time."
"You're too tough for your own good," says Jayden.
"Badass in black remember," smirks Evie as she sips her tea.
"As if you'd ever let me forget," chuckles Jayden.
"Never," answers Evie.
"So what are we watching?" asks Jayden settling next to her.
"Pride and Prejudice," smiles Evie.
"You know no one is ever likely to believe me if I tell them you're an absolute romantic," chuckles Jayden.
Evie just curls up next to him sipping her tea.

An hour later they were all sat together eating.
"How's the fish?" asks Antonio with a smile.
"It's great, maybe I can use some in one of my casseroles," beams Mia.
"Uh, Ji kind of already put some plans for it," says Antonio quickly.
"Well I'm sure you'll catch more," smiles Mia.
"I'm sure I will," nods Antonio not looking best pleased by that fact.
"How are you feeling Evie?" asks Kevin looking at her.
"Better, I think it was just the culmination, fine now" assures Evie.
Mike studies her, "Were you feeling anything before the Nighlok messed with our heads?" he asks curiously.
Evie thinks back to her brief spout of dizziness at the concert and a couple of headaches.
"Nothing much, headaches mostly," she shrugs.
"Well your never one to let something keep you down," says Ji.
"Nope," smiles Evie as she continues to eat but she noted Mike still giving her a weird look.

"How about we play a game after dinner?" asks Emily.
"Which one?" asks Mia.
"Monopoly?" suggests Antonio.
"As long as you don't let Evie be the banker," advises Ji.
"Why not?" asks Emily.
"Evie has a bad habit of unauthorised loans and a little money laundering while she's at it" chuckles Jayden.
"How?" asks Kevin.
"Keep an eye on what the fox zord is doing" answers Ji.
"I resent that accusation, it is completely unfounded" retorts Evie.
"You've taught your zord to cheat at monopoly for you?" asks Antonio.
"Who says it's just at monopoly," snorts Mike.
"Or that I had to teach her," smirks Evie.
Everyone laughs at that one.