A/N: Full episode for you this time, any thoughts I'd love to hear them,

Chapter 43

Jayden looked around; the others save Antonio circling him with their training swords at the ready.
With a yell Mia attacked first, the others following suit as Jayden countered them.
It doesn't take long for him to knock Kevin aside and Mike finds Jayden's training sword pointed at his face.
Jayden settles into a new stance, "Come at me."

The five of them attack again, Jayden spins with deadly accuracy countering each one. But as Deker's words repeated in his head, he let go of some of the control they usually exercised in training so as to not hurt each other seriously.
Ji watched on in concern, noting the distinct change in Jayden's behaviour.
Emily was kicked aside and she landed hard on the floor, Kevin was knocked off the training area, Mia went down with a hit to her leg, Mike's sword knocked aside as Jayden's slammed into his stomach, and Evie's attack blocked and pushed aside with a hard hit from Jayden. As the five turned to redouble their efforts Jayden spun his sword picking up hard momentum as it hit Mike, Emily, Mia and Kevin knocking them all to the floor. Evie however had expected it and dropped backwards, letting the sword whistle over her body. As she righted herself ready to attack again,

Jayden reacted without thinking and spun the sword bring it back around, but he's misjudged how close Evie was to him and instead of hitting her sword, Jayden's whacked into her face sending her to the floor with a pained groan.
The sound snaps Jayden out of his own head, and he looks around realising what he'd just done, his eyes widening.
Emily had a bloody lip from where she'd bitten it as she'd fallen, Mia was holding her stomach gingerly. Kevin was rubbing the back of his head, and it was Mike who springs to his feet angrily, "dude, its only practice!" he yells as he moves so he's next to Evie and helps her up, a bright red mark already clear on her cheek, and a steady stream of blood running from her nose.
"Oh god, I'm sorry, practice is over," apologises Jayden moving towards Evie but Ji beats him to it, taking Evie's chin gently as he examines her face.
"I'm fine-" starts Evie.
"You're bleeding, you're not fine," counters Mike, his eyes narrowing at the mark on Evie's cheek.

And he turns coming to his feet, "What the hell man?" he demands looking at Jayden.
Emily pulls herself up and moves in front of Mike, "Come on," she urges taking his hand, "It was an accident."
Antonio walks out then, "hey guys, am I late?" he asks brightly only for his face to fall when he sees everyone, and he can sense the tension. "What did I miss?"
"Training accident," answers Mia, "Come on Mike, let's get Em some ice shall we."
Mike notices Emily's bleeding lip then and with a final glare at Jayden he turns and allows himself to be pulled inside.

"Kevin, take Evie inside please, I'll be there in a minute," requests Ji.
Kevin nods and holds his hand out to Evie who takes it and he pulls her up, before helping her inside given she was trying to stem the bleeding from her nose.
Ji walks up to Jayden then.
"I didn't mean to hit them so hard, especially not Evie," promises Jayden.
"I know you didn't, and so do they. Go and change while I tend to Evie, then we're going for a ride."
Jayden sighs before nodding and heading to his room, though he pauses momentarily at the living room where the others were sat.

"What the hell was that about?" demands Mike.
"Jayden doesn't usually lose control like that," agrees Kevin.
"We all make mistakes sometimes," comes Emily's voice.
"Yeah well that mistake could've done a hell of a lot more damage," retorts Mike.
Jayden sighs and walks past, he knew Mike was right, he could've done a lot more damage. Especially if that hit had landed on Evie's stomach like it had Mia's.

Evie pulled the ice pack away from her face with a wince.
"Put that back unless you want to spend the week with a bruise," reminds Ji as he walks into the kitchen.
"I'm fine," argues Evie.
"Try telling me that when there isn't a tissue pressed to your nose," retorts Ji as he pulls it away and starts to check her for a concussion.
Evie sighs and rolls her eyes before letting Ji carry out, he checks.
"Satisfied?" she asks ten minutes later.
"No concussion. But keep the ice pack on it," advises Ji, "And keep an eye out for more nose bleeds, you know how they like to recur."
"Tell me about it" she huffs, "Are you going to talk to him?"
"I am, but not here."
"Probably a good idea, Mike is still fuming."
"He cares" says Ji.
"I know he does," answers Evie with a small smile.
Ji nods squeezing her hand before walking back outside, he's joined by Jayden a few minutes later. "Everyone needs a break Jayden, perhaps a change of scenery will help," he says handing Jayden his helmet.
Jayden nods and forgoes his bike, and the two are soon riding out of the gate on Ji's.

Jayden doesn't really pay attention to where they were going, still stuck inside his own head until Ji stops, and Jayden instantly recognises the place.
Ji had brought he and Evie here a few times over the years.
With a sigh he walks towards the tree looking out at the water.
"Were you trying to prove something back there?"
"I don't know."
"It's Deker, isn't it?"
"He says I've become weaker. Have I?"
"No. The team has only made you stronger, as I said the day the others were called. A team of samurai rangers is unbeatable."
"But I feel different. Like, like I've lost my edge," confesses Jayden. "And what's worse than the fact Deker kicked my ass is that if he no longer sees me as a worthy opponent, he'll look for a new one. And at the minute it looks like his next choice is going to be easy. You said this team makes me stronger, but my pregnant girlfriend was able to put up more of a fight than I did. I think that's why I went a little crazy," sighs Jayden turning to him.
"Evie's always been a strong warrior Jayden, and she compensates for her weakness. You don't usually mind losing to her."

"This isn't about ego Ji. I don't mind losing to Evie when we train, I don't care that Deker no longer thinks I'm the strongest opponent. What I care about is the fact I can't protect the woman I love, or our baby. If Deker's attention shifts to her, or he figures out she's pregnant, she's in even more danger.
And as much as I respect the fact Evie is an amazing warrior in her own right, she shouldn't need to be right now. It's my job Ji, and I'm failing at it. Evie should not have to be putting herself between me and Deker, I should be the one doing it for her," counters Jayden running his hand through his hair. "Maybe Deker had a point."
"What's that?"
"That I'm relying too much on the team. That I've lost my warriors edge because of it."
"No, it's because you are a strong leader that you've been able to defeat the Nighlok up until now."
"But-" starts Jayden.
"You bring honour to all the red rangers who came before you. And your child could not have better protection than you. Evie knows that, she doesn't doubt your abilities, together you and she and the rest of the team will protect your child and fulfil your destinies. Never doubt that".
Jayden looks at him and nods.
He expects them to head home but to his surprise they stop at the store.

"Why are we stopping?" he asks.
"I've been away from the kitchen, which means Mia's probably cooking dinner," answers Ji.
"Oh god," shudders Jayden.
"Yeah I'm going to get some snacks," nods Ji as he heads inside.
Jayden looks around his fingers tapping out a tune on his helmet, but despite Ji's reassurances his mind drifts back to what Deker had said. Evie shouldn't be the one protecting him, it was his job not just as the red ranger but as the father of their baby. He should be protecting her, not the other way around. And that was what he couldn't let go of. He couldn't let Deker shift his attention to Evie, not now, not with the baby. He wouldn't let it happen, he couldn't.
His attention is pulled by Ji walking back and he raised his eyebrows at the two guys who were on the floor in front of him.

"What was that about?" he asks curiously.
"Just some friends of Emily's" answers Ji handing the bag to Jayden, "oh and I got some strawberry laces for Evie."
"She's going to make me pay for that nosebleed, you know how much she hates them."
"Oh I do, there's also a pack of red bull. Just tell her to hide it from Mia."
Jayden chuckles and takes the bag, before sliding on his helmet and they head home.

The sound of the gap sensor has the team running into the main room, Kevin pulling up the map.
"There's a disturbance at the coastline," he realises. But before he can say anything else, they hear footsteps and turn to see Jayden and Ji walk in.
"Sorry we're late," says Ji.
"Jayden, we can handle this is if you're not quite up for it?" offers Mia.
"I'm fine," assures Jayden. "And I'm sorry," he adds his gaze falling on Evie and he winces when he sees the mark still clear on her face. "I had a lot on my mind earlier, and I was wrong to act how I did."
Evie walks over then stopping just in front of him, "you owe me, big time."
"I know and I am sorry."
Evie smiles and leans up and pecks him quickly on the lips, "then let's go kick some Nighlok ass."
"Let's, and for the record I am really proud to fight alongside all of you" says Jayden looking at the others.
"You're forgiven, but quit it with the proud stuff, you're freaking me out," replies Mike with a smirk as he walks forwards with the others.
Jayden just laughs as the two fist bump.
"Now how about we kick that Nighlok ass?" reminds Evie.
"Let's go" agrees Jayden and the seven of them race out of the house.

"They reach the point of the disturbance and are unsurprised when they see the culprit.
"Serrator!" yells Evie.
"What are you up to now?" demands Jayden.
"Well, well, well. Welcome. As you can see, I'm not doing anything. I'm as innocent as a dove."
"Yeah right," scoffs Kevin.
"Give us a break," agrees Mike.
"And you're going down," adds Antonio.
They morph and Serrator sends the moogers at them as they jump down.
"Send all the moogers you want at us, we're still going to beat you," warns Jayden as he slices his way through.
They defeat the first wave but the moment they think they can breathe more appear.
"You just had to issue that challenge didn't you?" huffs Evie rolling her eyes beneath her helmet.
"Alright team, round two," says Jayden as they relaunch their attacks.
Evie glances up and sees Serrator behind them, and realises what's in his hand, "Dayu's harmonium, oh that's not good," she mutters and a moment later Dayu herself appears.

"Shit" swears Evie but as she kicks her mooger aside she realises they were fighting.
"What, they're fighting each other?" asks Emily in surprise.
"They are?" checks Mia only to duck as the mooger uses her distraction to attack again.
"I think you'll find Dayu is getting her ass kicked actually," informs Evie as Dayu is thrown through the air, and this time she doesn't get up as Serrator advances on her.
They defeat the last of the moogers but the sky begins to crackle, thunder booming despite the clear day.
"What's with the sky?" asks Mike.
Then the light begins to fade.
"Its darkening like and eclipse," says Kevin.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," admits Evie and a moment later a sinister voice echoes around them.

"Days shall become night, as I escape the Netherworld to face my enemies," and Evie feels her heart stop.
"That's not possible," she murmurs in horror as rocks begin to piles themselves up.
"Xandred," realises Jayden and a moment later the rocks begin to emit a netherworld red glow, before they burst apart and Xandred himself appears.
"Oh my god," says Mia.
"Jayden, is that…...?" Kevin trails off.
"Master Xandred," confirms Jayden.
But as soon as he appears the light returns and its back to the clear day it was.
"Ha guess you're not as strong as you thought, your night spells already wearing off," taunts Antonio and they can see he's already drying out.

"I will destroy you all" threatens Xandred as he launches an attack at the rangers.
Mike reacts without thinking and he grabs Evie, putting himself between her and the attack. A second later they're knocked to the floor by the force of it, but Mike had kept the brunt of it from hitting Evie.
Jayden however just feels anger burning in him as he looks at Xandred, the Nighlok who'd stolen his family from him. And who was trying to take what was left of it away again.
With a yell he jumps up and charges forwards, "spin sword!" he shouts and attacks.
But his sword is stopped by Xandred's armour and Xandred merely grabs it like it nothing.
"Ah yes, the red ranger. Pathetic head of the Shiba clan," smirks Xandred as he snaps Jayden's spin sword in half and sends him flying through the air, he lands hard on the ground with a groan, the wind completely knocked out of him.
"Jayden," cries Evie running over to him, the others forming a protective circle.
Jayden just lets out another groan.

Evie looks up at Xandred angrily, "well if that's how we're going to play this, attack!" she yells.
"Time to team up" agrees Kevin.
"Sextuple slash!" they shout each one releasing their attacks and combining them, but a moment later Xandred reverses it, sending it right back at them.
They're thrown backwards, landing hard and painfully, Evie manging to use the last of her strength to force her body into a forwards roll so the impact isn't on her stomach or back. But the moment she stops she collapses against the ground.
"He's more powerful than I'd ever imagined" groans Mia.
"And that's not even him at full strength" realises Kevin.

Jayden pulls himself up, and walks forwards grabbing Emily's spin sword.
"Jayden," she calls but it isn't able to do anything to stop him.
"Black box," activates Jayden though it cost him more than he cared to admit, his entire body was radiating pain. But he had to do it for his team, and his baby.
He activates the Bullzooka, yet Xandred is able to block every shot, and he soon casts his own attack, "Enough of this," cackles Xandred as he knocks Jayden to the ground with an attack that leaves him unable to move from the pain searing through him.
"Jayden!" screams Evie trying to get to him, but Mike grabs her, holding her back.
"It's the end of the line for you red ranger," laughs Xandred and an anguished scream is torn from Evie's throat as Jayden is engulfed in a series of explosions and when the smoke clears, he's lying unmorphed on the floor, completely still.
"Pathetic," smirks Xandred
"Jayden!" cries Evie pulling out of Mike's hold and scrambling to her feet and she runs over and drops next to him, pulling him into her arms.

The others stopping next to them.
"Jayden, Jayden come on," pleads Evie shaking him, "Jayden please, baby wake up," she begs.
Suddenly the ground begins to shake beneath them.
"What the hell?" asks Mike only for his eyes to widen when he saw the giant moogers, and the equally giant cannon.
"Oh shit," mutters Mia.
"Evie, take care of Jayden, we'll deal with this," urges Kevin.
Evie goes to protests but he grabs her hand, "Please Evie, just this once, don't fight us on this," he begs.
Evie sighs but nods, "then you'll need this" she says handing over the black box, "take them down and take them down hard" she orders.
Kevin nods and sprints off activating the super samurai combination as he goes.

Evie powers down, and her gaze falls back onto Jayden who still hadn't stirred.
"Please be okay, I can't do this without you," she murmurs running her thumb over his cheek.
She watches as the megazords take down the moogers, but it sends nothing more than a dull and momentary feeling of satisfaction through her.
"Hold on Jayden," she says softly as the others run over and power down.
"Everyone think of home," she orders as she flicks open her samuraiser and draws the transport symbol.
A moment later they're in the yard of the Shiba house.
"Get him inside," says Evie.
Kevin and Antonio pull Jayden up and carry him inside between them, and he groans as he slowly comes around.
Ji's eyes widen, "bring him over here," he orders as they push the stools together.
"Mia get the med pack," he adds.
She nods and runs off.

As Antonio fills Ji in with Kevin's help, only Mike notices Evie slip out of the room.
He follows after her and finds her stood in the kitchen, as he rounds the island, he sees the tears sliding silently down her cheeks.
"Evie," he sighs pulling her into a hug.
She collapses against him, sobbing softly.
Mike just holds her, "He'll be alright, a few days and he'll be fine."
"But that was Xandred, and not even at close to full power. He was drying out and he was still too powerful," murmurs Evie pulling back and Mike sees the fear on her face.
"We'll beat him, somehow, someway, but we will beat him. We have the sealing symbol, and more importantly we have our team, and we don't know how to lose, you do not know how to lose" reminds Mike. "Don't quite on us now E, or we're all done for."
"He could've killed him," she whispers.
Mike nods and hugs her again, "but he didn't, Jayden is home and safe, with us. We'll prepare, and next time, we'll be better."

Evie just clings to him until she calms down.
"We can do this," she says.
"We can do this," agrees Mike with a smile, "you don't know how to fail."
Evie smiles, "Thank you for today," she says before biting her lip, "don't tell the others?"
"Not a word, and you don't have to thank me."
Evie nods and wipes away her tears, splashing some cold water on her face before taking a deep breath and heading back to the living room, once again the usual picture of badass in black.

Mike sighs, he knew why she didn't want the others to know. With Jayden having problems of his own, and now their rather thorough ass kicking, knowing that Evie was having doubts as well would not be a good thing.
Not that he could blame her, she had a higher stake than any of them in this, and how did you choose between protecting the person you loved, or the baby you were carrying.
Shaking his head Mike walked after her, he just hoped he was right and they could do this. Because he'd hate to be the team that failed.

Evie lay in bed, and she was doing the one thing she'd always told Jayden she hated. But she couldn't help herself as she watched him sleep next to her.
Every time she shut her eyes, she saw him lying on the ground, she'd almost lost him today. And it was the most terrified she'd ever been.
Reaching out she gently brushes his hair from his forehead, comforting herself with the steady rise and fall of his chest. The sound of his breathing as familiar to her as her own.
With a sigh she rests her head on her hand, her eyes running over him. Cataloguing everything in her mind, as if she didn't know his body as well as she knew her own.
Their bonding kanji clear on his chest, and just above it a scar from her almost skewering him when she'd mistimed switching from her whip back to her sword.
Or the one along his shoulder from when he'd come off his bike when they'd been 16.
But it was the various bruises she could see that made her uneasy. It could have been so much worse.
She felt restless, and on edge. And even seeing him safely next to her couldn't calm her mind.

Finally after more than an hour of just watching him, Evie slipped out of bed, she quickly changes into a sports bra and leggings. She grabs her iPod and pointe shoes.
Stepping outside onto the training area she quickly ties on her shoes, before plugging in her headphones. In keeping with her macabre feelings, she flicks through until she finds the red shoes. It had been a cathartic piece Kat had taught her, a healthy way to let all her emotions out.
She fell back into the steps with ease, not bothering to hold back anything as she danced.
She was so lost in it that she didn't realise she wasn't alone.

Antonio leaned against the door watching her, she was an amazing dancer. But this was more, it was pure emotions, so palpable he could almost feel them himself.
"The Red Shoes," comes Ji voice and he looks behind him to see him approaching.
"I don't know ballet," admits Antonio. "Did she learn it for a performance?"
Ji shakes his head, "When she was 12 Evie was struggling a lot with the fact her mother wasn't around. She was going through puberty and it's a time when one usually turns to their mother. I'll admit I was completely useless. And Evie was having a hard time with it. I didn't know what to do so I called Kat, and asked for her help."
"And she taught Evie this one?"
"This one and a few others, they disappeared together for a week. I'm still not sure of the full extent of the trip, but when Evie came home, she was happier. Kat had taught her a few dances that would allow her to vent her emotions in a healthier manner. The Red Shoes was one of her favourites, I lost count of how many times I saw this piece over the years. It's been awhile since she's done it though."
"Why this one, what's the Red Shoes about?"
"The ballet is about a woman who is forced to choose between her love for dancing and her love for a man. It's about grief and pain, heartbreak and love. The ballet ends with Victoria dying, torn between her choice of love or her career."
Antonio had to admit he could see the similarities. Especially after today.

"How did you know she was out here?" he.
"I thought after today, Evie would be having trouble sleeping. Why are you out here though?" wonders Ji because Antonio was no light sleeper.
"I had a nightmare, and I got up to check on Jayden, I noticed Evie wasn't next to him, so I came looking."
Ji nods and the two lapse into silence, watching as Evie danced.
Eventually it becomes clear she was going to be awhile.
"Best to leave her to it, she can dance this for hours."
Antonio nods and they head back inside, but Antonio doesn't sleep. Instead, he lies in bed, it's almost an hour later when he hears the sound of Evie's footsteps as she returns to her room.
He hears her move around the bathroom, watching the light under the door, until finally he can't hear anything else. Only then does he roll over and shut his eyes, letting sleep pull him under.

A/N: I chose Red Shoes as Evie's cathartic piece because of Dance Academy, if you've seen it you'll understand why :)