A/N: And here we are, answers at last. However I'm afraid this chapter will be the last for a couple weeks because I am going on holiday, so enjoy :)

Chapter 34

The six of them head inside Jayden deliberately keeping himself between Evie and her mother, and he notes Eric doing the same and somehow Eric seemed to make a more effective and impressive shield.
Wes leads them into a briefing room and disappears momentarily and returns without the container.
"Where'd you put it?" asks Mike.
"It's safe, I'll give it back before you go," assures Wes.
Jayden nods and sits Evie down in one of the chairs, "You got any energy drinks?" he asks nodding to Evie.
"No need, I came prepared," assures Mike as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a can of red bull and hands it to Evie.
"You went into my room," notes Evie absently.
"Eternal love. Don't worry I left the tutu alone this time, besides you complaining? And since you didn't have your coffee this morning, you can drink that without worrying?"
"No, but you're still not snuggling with us."

Wes and Eric look at them in confusion.
"It gets cold at night, Jayden's a super heater apparently. Cause Evie never seems to get cold," explains Mike quickly.
"Fire samurai," shrugs Jayden.
"Yeah well trees aren't all that warm okay," huffs Mike.
"What about the earth?" asks Jayden.
"Shut up dude," replies Mike.

Evie takes a drink before leaning back into the chair, Jayden resting his hand on her shoulder and Evie takes hold of it to anchor herself and her gaze settles on Nia.
"So you are pregnant?" asks Nia.
"No, you don't get to the ask the questions. You said you wanted to explain yourself, so start talking, cause I might not have meant to kill you, but believe me, I'm not above throwing a punch or two," warns Evie.
"Could we maybe have the room?" asks Nia.
Evie's hand tightens on Jayden's and he knows it's a silent plea for him to stay.
"I'm staying."
Nia goes to argue but Jayden interrupts, "No you don't get the chance to be alone with her, I watched what you did last time. I'm not leaving her with you."
"You sounded so much like your father then," notes Nia, "You look like him too you know."
Jayden just gives her an unimpressed look.
"We'll be outside, give us a call if you need us," says Wes.
Mike sits down next to Evie, "Yeah I'm doing what brothers are meant to do," he says, "Like being ready to make a tree grow somewhere unpleasant."
Nia sits down opposite them and Jayden takes a seat next to Evie keeping her hand laced with his.
"I suppose I should say I'm sorry I attacked you," says Evie.
"It wasn't you", says Nia.
"Oh believe me it was," replies Evie, "I'm just usually better at burying the urge." Making no attempts to dampen the malice of her tone.

Nia sighs, "I deserved that, and your friend was right, I deserved it all. I did abandon you, and I am sorry for it. Sorry for everything I did, for everything I said. And I have thought about you, a lot over the years. I thought about reaching out, maybe trying to apologise or explain, but I could never find the right words or the right time and next thing I know it's been over a decade and you're a woman who's fulfilling her destiny, clearly far more effectively than I ever did," sighs Nia. "You've clearly grown into a strong warrior," she smiles.
"How would you know that?" scoffs Evie.
"I watch the news, when I started hearing about a new ranger team. I watched the news; I've seen some of your battles. You're much better than I ever was," she answers. "Its how I knew you were doing okay."
"Doing okay! I have been so far from okay so many times over the years because of what you did. It took me almost a year to learn to trust Ji, and even longer for it to truly cement. You made me hesitant to bond with my team, to form relationships with them. Everything you said to me, do you know how many times that has replayed in my mind over the years. How much of an effect it had in shaping me, the fact that I still have nightmares about that day, how insecure it has made me now that I know I'm going to be a mom?!" demands Evie.
Nia flinches at the harshness, "You're right that was a poor choice of words," she amends. "But Evie, I didn't mean the things I said, I was angry and hurting, I blamed the samurai lifestyle for ruining my life, for stealing away what I had planned. And after we lost your father, I was a mess, and I knew that eventually I'd have to send you off to fight like I did, and I couldn't cope with that, I was in a bad place Evie.

I took it out on you, I was a monster and once I finally came to terms and started getting better, it had been two years and I didn't know what to do. I came back you know, not long after that. And I saw you in the park, you were training with Jayden. And once you were done, I watched Ji take you both for ice cream, I saw how happy you seemed, on the surface at least and I convinced myself that it was best I not let you know I'd been there. That you were better off without me.

It was selfish, a selfish attempt to try and rationalise what I'd done. And then I met Emmett and I thought it was my second chance, I'd broken all contact with you and the ranger lifestyle. I tried to pretend it wasn't a part of me, tried to pretend the samurai training wasn't still in me. That my symbol power didn't exist. Then we adopted Elliot I thought I could make up for my mistakes by being the mother to him I never was to you. I was selfish, I was wrong, and I tried to just pretend that everything before it had never happened. I convinced myself that you were better growing up with Jayden and Ji, I never stopped to let myself think how much what I had done would affect you as your grew.

I'm so sorry for what I did Evie and I know that will never be enough to undo it, and I understand if you never want to see me again. But I want you to know I never thought of you as a mistake Evie, you were never a burden, initially I admit, I wasn't a fan of the idea of having a child so soon. But the moment you were put in my arms, I fell in love with you. And the next couple of years were the happiest I'd ever been, you, me and your dad. But then I was called to fight, and I had to leave you both behind. I let my resentment grow, the only one I was really able to talk too was your dad Jayden. He tried to help as best he could, but I was so wrapped up in what I'd lost. Then after the battle, he was gone and then my brother committed suicide and I knew I had contributed to it. I came home, and I realised that someday I'd have to send you off. My resentment continued to grow; the final straw was when we lost your dad. I crumbled, I let all my resentment come flooding back, and I took it out on you until I finally broke and left you with Ji. I know this means nothing to you, nor should it.

You were my child, my baby, the only link I had left to your father. And I cast you aside for selfish and childish reasons. I failed you Evie, I failed you spectacularly, and I don't think I ever let myself realise how much until today when I saw how much you hated me. Just how much damage I'd done to you, the scars I'd left and never tried to help you heal. And I am so sorry Evie, for all of it, for being such a coward. But I never stopped loving you, I never stopped thinking about you, I'd do it every birthday, and I kept a picture, hidden but always with me," she explains as she pulls it out and slides it across.

Mike grabs it for her and hands it to over.
Evie looks at it fighting to keep her face impassive, "You kept this?"
"Always" nods Nia tears pricking her eyes.
"It's the same as yours," says Jayden gently looking at the picture, he recognised it as the one Evie kept in the draw by her bed.
"I don't ever remember you looking at me like this," says Evie as she slides the picture back with more aggression than was strictly necessary.
"I did, before the battle. Much as it may not seem like it, I've always loved you, Evie. Like you said, you're my blood, my daughter, I carried you for nine months, I brought you into this world. You meant more to me than anything," promises Nia.

"Then why did you say those things, why hurt her like that?" demands Mike.
Nia looks down in shame, "I thought it would be easier, I said the cruellest things I could think of. I tried to separate myself from you, and I put my own insecurities onto you, my own pain" she admits before looking up, "But Evie I swear to you I never meant a word of it, I wanted you, I loved you. You weren't a mistake; you weren't an anchor or a problem. You were a wonderful child, so good natured with a mischievous streak. So smart, so quick, you could be a bit of a smartass, but I never resented you. I wish to god I'd come back and told you that all those years ago. I was too scared, I didn't know how you'd receive me, didn't know if I'd just make things worse for you. Or at least I told myself that I would. I let you suffer so I could pretend I wasn't a terrible mother, a terrible person. So, I could think better of myself," explains Nia.

Evie looks at Nia tears in her eyes and Jayden could feel how tense she was.
"You let me think I was a mistake, you let me believe I was defective that there was something wrong with me. And then when I found out about your new family, how do you think it made me feel to see that you were raising children who weren't even yours? When I saw you with Elliot, you were never like that with me. It made me feel even worse to realise that I had to be the problem because you obviously loved him, more than you loved me. If you could love him, then what was so wrong with me that you couldn't love me. I don't care what your reasons are, you made me feel like I was broken, you broke me. I grew up with one of my core memories being that my mother hated me and didn't want me. How did you ever think that wouldn't screw me up?" demands Evie as a tear slide down her cheek, her hand tightening on Jayden's.

Nia bites back her own tears, "I was a coward, I was selfish, and I tried to pretend that it wouldn't affect you. That Ji and Jayden would heal what I broke, that they'd be able to pick up the pieces and allow you to grow. And to some extent I think they did, but I never let myself think how far reaching what I'd done would be.

You deserved so much better Evie and I am so sorry for the pain I have caused you and I am sorry I wasn't strong enough to reach out and try and fix my mistake. I'm sorry I wasn't as strong as you are. I'm sorry I was too stupid, too proud, too weak, too selfish, whatever you want to call me, I'm sorry I never faced up to what I'd done. I ran and I hid and I let you suffer for it. I know I can never take it back, and I can never make amends for it. But I want you to know, I didn't mean it Evie. I didn't mean a single word of it, not truly. You were not a mistake, you were my world, and if I could go back in time I would.

But I can't, so let me at least try and fix what I broke in you, I never left you because of anything you did Evie. It was all me, I was the weak one, I was the one with the problem, not you. You were always good enough Evie, you were more than good enough, you were perfect. My perfect little girl, who never deserved any of what I did or said. And I am so sorry I have caused you so much pain, so much doubt. But it was not the truth I swear to you on everything I have, that I did not mean it," swears Nia vehemently.

"You didn't?" And part of her hates how weak and small her voice comes out, the image she'd conjured from her symbols for so long finally becoming real.
"No, never. I'm sorry it took me so long to tell you, but you are not a mistake." promises Nia, "The day you were born is still one of the happiest days of my life. And you should never have had to think otherwise. You will know that is true when your baby is born. But I know you won't make the same mistakes that I did. The ones that you never deserved."
"It wasn't me; I wasn't the reason you left?"
"It wasn't you Evie, it was me."
Evie looks at her for a moment before she let out a choked sob and Jayden wrapped his arms around her, "I told you it was never you," he soothes.
"Definitely not," agrees Mike squeezing her hand.

"I know I have no right to expect anything from you nor am I going to ask. But perhaps once you've saved the world, if you want, maybe you'd like to meet Elliot and Emmett and the boys?" suggests Nia carefully.
"You'd have to tell them about her, explain why they've never heard of never mind met your almost 21-year-old daughter," points out Jayden, his protective instincts flaring.
"Who is expecting a kid of her own, which by the way we don't need advertised right now," adds Mike feeling equally as protective.
"I never should've hidden her in the first place. You're not some dirty secret I need to keep hidden Evie. And I shouldn't have tried to erase you from my life," replies Nia.

Evie stands up then, needing to feel like she'd regained some kind of footing, "I'm not ready for that, I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready to let you back in. I've spent so long hating you without even realising it. I'm not just opening the doors because you apologised for something you should've apologised for over a decade ago. I'm not making any promises about having anything to do with you, not for me and not for my child. Because your apologise don't make up for everything, apologising to a broken plate, doesn't fix the plate," her voice once again taking on a bitter edge, even as her tears still ran down her cheeks.
"And I can respect that, but if you change your mind, I'll leave you with my number and you know where I'll be," says Nia as she pulls out a card and slides it over to them.
Evie looks at it, but makes no move to take it.

"Regardless, I am done hiding. I'll tell Emmett and the boys, I'm just sorry it took so long," apologises Nia. "I should go, you have other stuff to deal with, but despite how it happened I am so happy I got to talk to you, and explain" admits Nia standing up.
"I might never want anything to do with you," warns Evie.
"I know, and I wouldn't blame you. But if you do, I'll be there."

"What like you were the last time? Or anytime over the last twelve years?" retorts Mike.
Nia looks at him, "You remind me a lot of your father you know Mike; Rafael was never shy with his thoughts either."
"So I'm told" replies Mike crossing his arms.
Jayden stand ups then as Nia walks towards the door, but first she stops in front of Evie, "You remind me so much of your father you know. He'd have been so proud of you, you're an amazing warrior, far better than I ever was. And it's clear that you didn't make my mistake with your team. And despite what I did, I'm glad you found someone you love and a family," says Nia looking at Jayden and Mike and then at Evie again. "You've grown into a beautiful and I'm sure brilliant young woman, a young woman I hope perhaps I'll get the chance to know."
"I'm not making any promises. Because I owe you absolutely nothing."
"I understand," nods Nia before she takes them both by surprise and hugs Evie and for a moment Evie feels like a little girl again, as she clings to her mother. Only for a spark of anger, that she doesn't know if its hers or Urumasa surges forwards and she pulls back. "Goodbye."
"Goodbye Evie, and Jayden, it was good to see you. I have no doubt you've been taking care of her where I failed," smiles Nia.
"Always," answers Jayden, "Though she takes care of me more often."
"And if you're half as good as Rafael then I know she's in good hands," nods Nia as she looks at Mike.
Mike goes to say something but a look from Jayden has him biting his tongue.
Nia smiles before walking out of the room.

Evie leans against the table with a sigh and then she smiles, "It wasn't me" she murmurs. "I wasn't a mistake, I'm not defective and I'm not a screw up."
"No, you're not and you never have been," smiles Jayden.
"Maybe now you'll listen when we tell you something," nods Mike wrapping his arm around her.
Evie chuckles, "don't get your hopes up" she says.
"I'll be back in a second," says Jayden as he disappears out of the room knowing he could leave Mike with Evie.

He caught up with Nia as she exited the building escorted by Eric.
They turn as they hear him and Jayden walks up to Nia, "Thank you for what you said up there, maybe Evie will finally listen when we said you were the problem" he says.
"I hope so, because it was me," nods Nia.
"Did you really mean it, that you want to try and get to know her, to introduce her to your family?" asks Jayden.
"I do, I've hidden for long enough in the process I've missed seeing the mischievous little girl I knew grow into the strong and beautiful woman I see today. And I might've missed the chance to have anything to do with my first grandchild. I don't expect anything from her, I know she might never want to see me again and I'll accept that if that is what Evie wants."
"And if she were to let you back in, you won't hurt her again?"
"No I won't hurt her again."
"Good, because if you do you will be dealing with six very protective samurai," says Jayden.
"Not to mention a few former rangers who don't mind kicking someone who hurts one of their own in the teeth," adds Eric.
Nia smiles as she looks between them, "I'm glad she has you, all of you, that you're willing to do this for her. That you're this protective tells me she's in good hands with all of you. And you, you really love her," she looks at Jayden.
"More than anything."
"Good, now go do whatever it is you need to in order to disconnect her from that sword," says Nia, "And I'll wait and see if she gets in touch. Either way it's been good to see you Jayden. You've come a long way from the little boy I knew. And I'm glad you've found each other and I'm sorry about your dad. He was a good man, a trait he clearly passed onto you," she smiles before turning and walking out the building and over to her car.

The two of them watch her leave and Jayden sighs as they turn and head back towards the conference room.
"Did it help?" asks Eric.
"What?" asks Jayden.
"For Evie to talk to her?"
"I think so" nods Jayden, "I'll let you know long term."
Eric nods, "I'm glad. She's a good kid" he says.
"She said you helped when she came here initially."
"Takes one damaged soul to relate to another as she put it. I know how she feels, I got it in a way you only can if you've experienced it. But I will say, don't let her go, believe me, when you find the one, don't ever let them go," smiles Eric as he thinks of Taylor, his gaze moving down to his wedding ring.
"I don't intend too. She's stuck with me now."
"Look after her."
"I will."

They walk back into the room and find Wes, Mike and Evie sat together all three laughing.
"We should head back, let's get you disconnected from Urumasa," says Jayden.
Evie nods and rubs her temple before she takes his hand, "Let's go home."
Eric retrieves the container and hands it over, "Deal with this thing."
"We will," assures Jayden as he takes it and hands it to Mike who pockets it.
"Keep in touch okay, maybe next time call us for something other than hey one our rangers has been possessed by an evil sword and might be trying to murder her mother so can you go stop her please," laughs Wes.
"That's really what you said?" asks Evie looking at Jayden.
"No that is what Mike said," corrects Jayden.
"Seriously?"
"How else would you have liked me to put it. You were essentially possessed by an evil sword and you might've been trying to kill your mother and we needed them to try and stop you."
"He has a point."
"Let's just go home and you can explain how the hell you planning on separating me from Urumasa," sighs Evie rubbing her head as she feels the whisper in her mind.
Jayden nods and pulls out his samuraiser.
"Thank you, for everything," says Evie looking at Eric.
"Anytime kid, just remember what I said," replies Eric.

Evie nods and Jayden draws the symbol for home and the three of them disappear in a flash of light and reappear in the driveway of the house and find Ji and Emily waiting for them.
"Where's the other half of Urumasa?" asks Ji.
Mike pulls the container out his pocket, "Courtesy of the year 3000," he says as he hands it over.
"Are you okay?" asks Emily as she hugs Evie and sees that her eyes were red and puffy from crying.
"It's a long story, we'll tell you after," replies Evie with a small smile. "And I am so sorry I hurt you Em."
"It wasn't you."
"Then let's go and deal with this," says Ji.
"How are we dealing with this?" asks Evie as they walk towards the gate and opening it they see Mia, Kevin and Antonio stood with Deker.

Evie looks at Ji sharply, "We're still giving it back to Deker?" she asks.
"Urumasa wants to be whole, and it clearly needs a bearer, better him than you" answers Jayden.
"He'll come after you again," she reminds looking at Jayden.
"I can take him, but none of us will be able to do anything if we're worried about what Urumasa will make you do next. You included, better the devil you know."
"And just handing it over to you will break the connection?" clarifies Evie looking at Deker. "Even though its only half?"
"It should, Urumasa and I were bonded for centuries. And unlike you I don't fight at every turn," replies Deker.
Evie sighs but nods and takes the container, opening it she takes hold of Urumasa and instantly the voice is in her head again.
"Shut up you stupid sword, you're going back to your favourite person," snaps Evie rubbing her head.
"You hear her?" asks Deker.
"Yeah it's been really, really annoying and not very conducive to do anything else."
"Impressive you were able to resist, perhaps I have underestimated you," admits Deker.
"Yeah well I have my friends to thank for that" answers Evie, "So do I just give it to you?"
Deker nods and holds out his hand.
Evie hands Urumasa to him and then takes a deep breath before releasing the handle at the same moment Deker's hand closes around it and Evie feels something drain out of her at the same moment Deker feels his connection to Urumasa return.
Evie takes a deep breath and sighs in relief as her head stops aching and she can't hear the voice anymore.
"It's gone." Relief flooding her body, knowing the angry vortex of emotions were hers and hers alone.

"Urumasa has no more hold on her?" asks Mike looking at Deker.
"No, the black ranger no longer has any connection to Urumasa," confirms Deker as he looks at the sword before sliding it back into its scabbard and looks at Evie.
"It took strength to resist Urumasa, and strength to wield it. You continue to be surprising black ranger."
"What now?" asks Kevin looking at Deker.
"We will meet again in time, for now, continue to train red ranger, I expect a worthy duel." says Deker as he turns, changing into his Nighlok form and disappearing through a gap in a tree.

Evie smiles tiredly and leans against Jayden who wraps his arm around her and he steers her back into the house.
"I'm going to lie down, my head hurts for so many more reasons than I can explain," sighs Evie.
"What am I telling the others?" ask Jayden gently.
"Tell them everything, they'll want to know. I just, I need some time to wrap my head around it all. And tell them I'm sorry."
"Understandable, go sleep, brood, meditate whatever you need to do, you've had a rough few days. You're carrying some precious cargo too. And none of them will blame you," smiles Jayden brushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear and kissing her softly.
Evie smiles and turns walking down to her room.
She kicks off her shoes and the rest of her clothes, grabbing one of Jayden's shirts before she crawled into bed and was asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

Jayden meanwhile sits down and waits for the others to come in.
"Where's Evie?" asks Mike.
"Gone to bed, she's had a rough few days, and the baby is zapping her energy. She apologises by the way."
"And today has sure as hell been no picnic what with Nia's big apology" snorts Mike.
"Her what now?" asks Ji.
"After we'd gotten Evie, Wes and Eric took us back to their HQ so Evie and Nia could talk. And boy was it a talk. She accepted all responsibility for everything, didn't once try and say it wasn't her fault. And basically, confirmed what we've been telling Evie for years. That Nia was the problem and it was never a reflection on Evie. She said she stayed away because she convinced herself that Evie was better off and never let herself think about just how much what she'd done had hurt and damaged Evie. And that she never meant any of what she said."
"Don't forget the new sprout of familial feeling," reminds Mike.
"Yeah, she gave Evie her card and said if Evie wants to talk to her then she can, and that if she is interested maybe she'd like to meet Nia's family once we've beaten Xandred."
"Did they know about Evie?" asks Emily.
"Nia said no, she's essentially spent the last decade pretending her life before never existed as we thought. But has decided that she is going to tell them, that she was wrong to hide Evie and that she won't do it anymore."
"And how's Evie taking it?" asks Mia.
"How would you take it, every fear and insecurity she's had over the last decade or so, a defining moment in her life has just been pulled up root and stem. And the mother she's spent all that time hating has just essentially tried to make it all right. I'd go with pretty damn confused. Plus, she's hormonal," answers Mike.
"Understandable" nods Kevin, "So Nia really told her she didn't mean any of it?"

"She has a copy of the same picture that Evie does, and it was old and worn. I really believed her when she said she's been carrying it around. And she told her that she was proud of Evie and that she's been keeping up with us on the news. Apparently once she sorted herself out about three or four years after she'd left Evie. She says she came back to see her. We were in the park training, and then you took us for ice cream, and she apparently decided Evie seemed happy enough and that what she'd done hadn't had such an impact and Evie was better off with us," adds Jayden looking at Ji.
"I remember that day, I thought I saw Nia, but I looked again, and she was gone. I put it down to wishful thinking."
"Either way, she left the decision in Evie's hands, if Evie wants nothing to do with her. She'll accept it. But otherwise Evie has the option."
"What do you think she'll do?" asks Emily.
"No idea, we'll just have to wait and see what she decides. This is not an easy decision," replies Jayden.
"I'll say," nods Mia, "What was she like?"
"Looks like an older version of Evie, it was even more obvious in real life, and said I remind her of my dad," says Mike.
"You were rude, weren't you?" guesses Kevin.
"I wasn't rude, I just made it clear that I was not overly impressed with her."
"You were rude" repeats Kevin.
"She deserved it," shrugs Mike.
"She really did," agrees Jayden.
"Did she leave with all her teeth?" asks Ji.
"I didn't lay a hand, Evie did say she wasn't above a couple punches though."

"So what happens now?" asks Antonio.
"Now we wait, Serrator has Deker who now had both halves of Urumasa, I'm sure they'll make their presence known when they're ready. So, we do what we always do, we train, we prepare and when it comes, we deal with it. Together," smiles Jayden.
The others all nod, they could do this. Together.

A/N: Let me know your thoughts :)