A/N: So sorry this is a day late time got away from me yesterday but here we go, the aftermath as people realise what total pricks they were, enjoy :)

Chapter 25

Jayden walked down to Evie's room and knocks, getting no answer he opens the door and walks in his eyes instantly widening when he doesn't see her.
He sticks his head in the bathroom but again doesn't find her, then his gaze lands on her closet and her draws. They were haphazardly closed, a couple things lying on the floor and Jayden knew Evie absolutely hated that. Then he notices the open window, and that her helmet and gloves were gone.
"No, oh god no," he murmurs as he sprints out of the room and through the house getting to the garage he throws open the side door and his heart stops when he sees her bike missing.
"No, please no," he says pulling out his samuraiser and calls Evie's, but gets no answer.
"Damn it no!" he yells slamming his fist into the garage door.

"Jayden, what are you doing?" asks Mike as he walks out with Emily and Antonio.
"She's gone!" he snaps.
"What?" asks Emily.
"Evie, some of her clothes are missing, and her bikes gone too. She's gone," repeats Jayden leaning against the wall and running his hand through his hair, "She's gone."
"What's going on?" asks Mia as she and Kevin walk back through the gate.
"Evie's gone," says Mike.
"No, Evie doesn't run away, she wouldn't have just gone. That's not what Evie does," protests Mia in disbelief.
"It might be, when she thinks it's all her fault and that everyone she knows and loves hates her," retorts Mike.
"No one hates her," protests Antonio.
"Really when two of the people who are supposed to support and care about her tell her she's a screw up and it's her fault, and she's screwed us all and the entire world in the process. You might as well have told her she was just like her mother!" snaps Mike glaring at Kevin.
Kevin sighs and looks down, having talked it out with Mia he knew he overreacted, and Mike was right, he had essentially compared her to her mother. The one thing Evie feared most in the world.

"We can track her samuraiser?" suggests Emily.
The six of them rush back inside and Jayden pulls up the map, scanning it, but gets nothing, "Damn it, she's blocked it," he snarls kicking the table.
"What about your bond?" asks Mia.
"I have to focus to use it, and Evie has to want me to find her. Right now I doubt either of us are calm enough for that to work", sighs Jayden as he slumps onto the stool. "What if she's hurt or something?" he murmurs.
"Evie's smart, she knows how to take care of herself", soothes Emily.
"Not when she's like this she doesn't. She's scared, she thinks she's alone and what if she gets dizzy again, what if she's on her bike when it happens, huh? What if, oh god-" Jayden cuts off as his vision starts to swim and close in on him.
"Wow, hey, easy," says Mike, Antonio grabbing him and stopping him from falling backwards.
"You might be a mess but you'd know if she was in pain or hurt," soothes Emily kneeling down in front of Jayden, "Deep breaths you're no good to her if you faint" she adds.
Jayden does so and he nods, "Thanks" he says.
"Anytime," assures Emily.
"Where would she go?" asks Mike.
"I don't know, there's too many places to look. She could just be riding for all we know," sighs Jayden rubbing his eyes.

Ji emerges then, drawn by the commotion.
"Evie doesn't run away though," repeats Mia, "Stand against the ocean weapon in hand."
"And what weapon is she supposed to use against the demons in her head that tell her she isn't good enough, that she's just like Nia or worse that everyone will leave her just like Nia did?" asks Jayden.
"But she fought off the Nighlok," reminds Kevin.
"Yes, because it lives in her head, day after day. Creeping forwards whenever it gets the chance and right now, right now she's completely vulnerable to it, she could get hurt, or worse," answers Jayden.
"Evie's gone?" asks Ji.
"We don't know when, her bikes missing, so are her clothes. We can't track her samuraiser and we've got no idea where she is," answers Emily quietly.

"You know if this had been handled like we were adults and not overly emotional judgy pricks, she might not have gone," says Mike bluntly.
"Mike-" starts Emily.
"No. Kevin practically told her she's useless and that she's like her mother. And anyone else notice that somehow its more Evie's fault she's pregnant than it is Jayden's, because I remember biology class and it takes two to make a baby, and something tells me Jayden was more than an active and willing participant in the process of making said baby," continues Mike looking at Ji pointedly.
"Now isn't the time-" starts Antonio.
"No now is exactly the time, none of you were there. She had a freaking panic attack when she saw that test, she was terrified, she still is. She already thought it was her fault, and you know what if I hadn't been there, I'm pretty sure she'd have made that doctors appointment even if the thought of aborting her baby killed her inside" snaps Mike.

"She was going to have an abortion?" asks Mia her eyes wide.
"She thought it was a way to undo her mistake, make it all go away before she made any more of a mess of things as she put it. She thought it made her selfish to want her child. I managed to convince her not to do it, told her she had to tell Jayden and they could decide together.
You didn't see the look on her face when she was looking at what she'd need to do to have an abortion. This has been tearing her up inside since she saw that positive sign, how have we gotten to the point where I am being the sensible and sensitive one. I'm the king of sticking my foot in my mouth and I've managed to refrain from it, yet you couldn't wait to give her a verbal lashing," snaps Mike looking at Kevin.
"And you know the first thing she said to me when she calmed down even a little, was that you were going to hate her. How terrified she was of what you were going to think of her," he adds looking at Ji who looks down.
"She is terrified, she thinks she's alone and like Jayden said, every doubt that lives in her head is probably convincing her it's her fault and we're better off without her. She leaves us, before we can leave her, not to mention the fact that she's terrified she'll screw the kid up the way her mom did her. She's a mess and instead of being her support you just pushed her closer to the freaking edge!" yells Mike.
Emily hugs him and Mike hugs her back, concern and anger radiating off of him.

"What can we do?" asks Kevin.
"Nothing, we have to wait and see if she calls. Or hope her samuraiser comes back online," sighs Jayden as he turns and walks out of the room, he should've kept a closer eye on Evie. She'd told him this would only complicate things and it seemed she'd been proven right.

He sits down on her bed and hugs her pillow against his chest, he knew how much Evie wanted this. He wanted it too, he wanted this perfect mixture of him and Evie. Whether it was a little girl with red hair, blue eyes and a mischievous smile, or a little boy with light hair, green eyes and an adorable pout. And he hated that somehow Evie had gotten more of the blame than him. Mike was right it took two of them to make a baby, he was as much responsible as Evie was.

The sound of the door made him look up and he saw Kevin stood there.
"I wanted to apologise, for what I said earlier. Mike's right, I shouldn't have attacked either of you like that, especially not Evie. I know you never meant for this to happen, and I'm sorry I wasn't more supportive, or at least open to listening."
"We're human Kevin."
"I know that, but sometimes I forget. I put you on a higher standard than I do the others, and that wasn't fair of me. You're not infallible and you're not invincible. I should've been more considerate, and I never should've said what I did to Evie."
"I know it was a shock, but you berating us was really something we could've done without."
"I know, and I'm sorry."
Jayden sighs, "I get you were angry, but you really need to learn how to tone down the judgement Kevin. Because it's not helpful in this situation. Look can we talk later or tomorrow, I just, I can't deal with you right now."
Kevin nods, "I understand, and I am sorry, and I'll prove it to you," assures Kevin.
Jayden just nods and Kevin walks away.

The sound of the phone ringing echoes through the house and Jayden runs out of the room and slides to a stop as he sees Ji stood with the phone.

Kat and Tommy move through to the kitchen and Kat leans against the counter, Tommy wrapping his arms around her and she hugged him back.
"I want to kill her mother right now," snarls Kat, her parental instincts having surged to the surface.
"I know", says Tommy, "I also know where she lives if you want to go now?" he offers.
Kat lets out a growl, "Don't tempt me, I'd be more than happy to let Evil Green going and have a go at her. And hell I'd happily help."
Tommy pulls her into his arms, "I know, but as satisfying as it would be it won't help Evie right now."

Kat nods before taking a few deep breaths. "We should call the house, let them know she's here and safe."
"Why do you sound reluctant about that?" asks Tommy.
"You heard her Tommy, obviously emotions ran high and I imagine this was quite the bomb to drop. But Ji clearly reacted badly, and things must've gotten heated with Kevin too. She's on the edge right now Tommy, she wants her baby, but she thinks that by having it others will suffer," sighs Kat. "It's hard enough having the fate of the world in your hands, never mind with this on top of that."
"I know," nods Tommy, "But like you said, emotions ran high, I'm sure they're tearing the place apart looking for her right now. And Jayden and the others shouldn't need to worry about her not being safe. You can tear Ji a new one in the process too."
Kat nods and walks over to the phone, picking it up she dials the number with a sigh.

"Evie?" asks Ji and Kat could hear the concern and hope in his voice.
"No its Kat," she answers in a thoroughly unfriendly tone.
"Please say Evie is with you," pleads Ji.
"She is, she's here and she's safe. Sleeping for now, though a pregnant woman driving two hours in the dark and the rain on a motorcycle because she's certain she's not wanted is a very bad thing," warns Kat.
"Emotions ran high earlier, but as long as she's safe," says Ji, Kat's chastisement only adding to the one Mike had given him earlier.
"She's safe," repeats Kat.
"We can come and get her tomorrow" says Ji.
"No, see I want to make sure I'm not sending her back to somewhere that's going to do more harm than good Ji. She's fragile right now, one wrong move and she breaks and you might not be able to put her back together this time," answers Kat firmly.
"Then what do you suggest?" asks Ji.

"Put Jayden on the phone," replies Kat in what Tommy had long ago dubbed her I'm in charge voice.
There's a sound of shuffling and a moment later Jayden's voice comes down the phone, "Kat?" he asks.
"I'm here," replies Kat.
"Is she okay, really okay? She's been getting dizzy and having headaches lately."
"She's fine Jayden, safe and asleep on the couch, as for the dizziness and the headaches I might have a remedy for that one," assures Kat her voice softening at the obvious panic in his tone.
"And the baby?" he asks.
"Seems to be fine, she didn't complain of any cramping or spotting," she soothes.
Jayden sighs in relief, "What do you want me to do?"
"Tomorrow, you come up here and the two of you are going to talk without anyone else interrupting or doing anything else. And before anyone says it, this decision belongs to you and to Evie, no one else. I don't care about the fate of the world, right now the woman you love who is carrying your child and tearing herself up inside needs you. And you need to talk rationally and calmly," answers Kat.
"What time tomorrow?" asks Jayden.
"Whenever you want to get here, we'll look after her until then," promises Kat.
"Thanks Kat and please despite whatever she is thinking, tell her I love her and that nobody hates her and it is not her fault, and no one is going to leave," pleads Jayden.
"I'll tell her Jayden," soothes Kat.
"Thank you, I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow," replies Kat, "Now put Ji back on please and tell him to be somewhere private."

A moment later she hears Ji, "You wanted to talk?"
"This all comes back to Nia, Ji, to her mother. She wants this baby, she wants her child, but she's convinced if she has it, then she's dooming the world. When she comes back will you support whatever she and Jayden decide?" asks Kat.
For a moment there is silence and then Ji sighs, "I will do my best."
"That is not good enough. Ji you're not dealing with a normal girl here, and usually you know that. But you have got to be understanding for her, she's scared right now. Scared of just about everything, what this means, what it could cost, and who might pay a price for it. So you need think like a parent and not like a ranger mentor right now. She needs to trust you, because one wrong move right now and you fracture everything you have built with her, and you probably won't get it back," warns Kat.
"I promise I will, I was angry earlier and I spoke in haste, it wasn't fair of me and that has already been pointed out thoroughly. I will be more considerate from now on, I don't want to lose any of them, and she should never have felt that she wasn't welcome in her own home," apologises Ji.

"Good, then Jayden and Evie will be back tomorrow, and they will tell you and everyone else what they are going to do, and you will support it, and you will apologise," replies Kat.
"I will and I'm glad she came to you," admits Ji.
"Sometimes what a girl needs is a mother and since she can't go to hers, I'm the next closest thing. She's like your child Ji, you've raised her for 12 years, think like the man who has recorded every dance recital she ever did, and not someone training samurai rangers," says Kat.
"I will, thank you Kat," replies Ji.
"Bye Ji," she says.
"Goodbye," he nods and hangs up.
Kat turns back to Tommy who nods.

"What do you think they'll do?" he asks.
"I don't know, but I have some things to tell them before they make that decision," replies Kat.
Tommy smiles and kisses her softly, "You're scary when you want to be."
"It's a mom thing," she replies.
"A pink thing I think is more accurate, and a yellow, you know what let's just go with it's a female ranger thing," smiles Tommy.

"Let's," nods Kat.
She checks in on Evie one more time before the two head upstairs and hoping the morning brought more clarity.

Kevin tossed and turned in his bed. He was completely unsettled and off balance. With a sigh he pulled out his phone and walked out of the room, much as Mike might be worried, his ability to just fall asleep meant he'd passed out a while ago.
Walking out onto the porch Kevin dialled a familiar number.
"Hello," answers a sleepy voice.
"Hi Liss," says Kevin.
"Kevin, what's wrong its late?" asks Alyssa.
"I know I'm sorry to call, but I needed to talk to someone."
"What's wrong?"
"Evie and Jayden told us that they're pregnant."
"Pregnant? Oh my god, are they okay, how's Evie taking it, how's Jayden?"
Kevin sighs, "They're a mess."
Alyssa hears the resigned note in his voice.

"What did you do Kev?" asks Alyssa gently, there was no judgement in her voice though.
Kevin sits down hard, "I got judgemental, I yelled, said some pretty crappy things, to Evie especially."
"Oh Kevin, and what happened after that?"
"Mike punched me in the face for being an ass, then Mia made me go for a walk and to talk things over", answers Kevin.
"Which led to?" asks Alyssa.
"Me realising what a dick I'd been, and that I was holding Jayden and Evie to higher standards than I was the rest of us, and it wasn't fair."
"And have you apologised?"
"I did to Jayden, but Evie, Evie disappeared, we got a call a couple hours ago, she went to a friend's place. But Jayden didn't want to hear it and told me he couldn't deal with me tonight," explains Kevin.
"Then tomorrow, talk to them again, apologise again. And then show them that you mean it, whatever they decide. Imagine if this had happened to us Kevin, how scared would you be for me even without the fact I'm not a ranger. Then times by ten for how hard this must be for them," reminds Alyssa.

Kevin smiles, "How is it you always know what to say?"
"I'm just that good. I know you didn't mean to be an ass Kevin, but you can get a little judgemental at times," replies Alyssa.
"I'm sorry for calling so late," apologises Kevin.
"Call me anytime Kevin, you know that. I might not be with you, but I will help you however I can from here," promises Alyssa. "I love you, you idiot."
Kevin chuckles, "Love you too."
"You'll be fine Kevin and so will they, if you can give them some support," advises Alyssa.
"I will."
"Then they have an excellent ally in you, just be considerate and try and put yourself in their shoes."
"Thank you."
"Anytime, send them my best" answers Alyssa.
"I'll talk to you soon" assures Kevin.
"You better, now go and get some sleep, and try not to be an ass again" orders Alyssa.
"Good night, love you," smiles Kevin.
"Love you too," says Alyssa before hanging up.
Kevin takes a deep breath before heading back inside, he had been an ass. And he knew it. So, he'd just have to make it up to the two of them. And he would, however they needed him too.