While most of the Samurai were adjusting to their new living arrangements in Ninja Ops and in the Wind Ninja Academy, Serena joined her husband in what was their temporary room. Terran was sound asleep in a crib the Ninjas had prepared for him and James was passed out on the bed. Serena lay beside him but couldn't shut her brain down long enough to even think of sleep.

What Emily said had bothered her. Not the part about the wheelchair. Serena had talked to Leanne about that, and one would be arriving for Emily shortly, as well as a pair of custom crutches so Emily could travel places on the Academy grounds that didn't allow for wheelchairs. Serena had taken her sister's advice, leaned on her, and though the Wind Ninja Academy did still bring up thought of her time in the wheelchair, Serena wasn't as terrified anymore.

She couldn't be. What was really bothering her was what her sister had said after that. The reason the Samurai had been forced to escape hadn't been because of Emily – although she wasn't blame free. Serena knew that had she not gone and gotten herself arrested, the city never would have been able to connect her or her friends to the Samurai Rangers, and they wouldn't be hunted down. Serena had revealed her face, her name, and as a result, her identity and the identity of those around her. Somehow, and very quickly, connections had been made. Two and two had been put together, and now the world they had protected had turned against them.

And Emily blamed herself. Worse than that; Serena let Emily believe she was to blame.

She couldn't spit it out, though. No one really knew what she had done. She had mentioned going to jail, but then had been rushed out of the door. No one had time to question her and by now it seemed they had forgotten.

Just when Serena thought she would try to get some sleep, the bed shifted. James rolled over, opened his eyes and saw his wife lying next to him. Seeing her worried face, he sat up.

"We can talk now. About everything."

"The wheelchair thing freaks me out. This was where it happened," Serena said quickly. She had talked this over with Emily and didn't need to repeat the conversation with James, "It's the prison thing. I gave my real name."

"Why?"

"I think it's been established I'm a huge screw up," Serena groaned. "And I wasn't going to give Emily's name. She's the reason I did this. I couldn't have her…"

"Every time you try to help her, you screw up," James got out of bed and walked to the bathroom. "You always make things worse for everyone."

"Don't I get points for trying?"

"When are you going to tell the others?" James asked. "I think it's important they know…"

"How I got myself arrested?"

"How the city found out and why we're in danger."

"We?"

"I'm part of this. There's no way I'm not. Just knowing you is…"

"Don't go there," Serena growled and shook her head. Then she looked to James, "We're going to figure something out, right?"

"As a team. You need to tell them. It's the only way we'll get to the bottom of this. It's the only way we're going to be able to go back home."

"I'll tell them tomorrow," Serena promised. "Right now, I need a nap."

"I'm going to have a look around. I've always liked Ninjas. I want to see what the Academy is like."

-Samurai-

Kevin went around the room, organizing it the way he wanted, while Mia moved around some fragile or not-child-friendly decorations out of Riley's reach. Riley, meanwhile, watched her adoptive parents as they got settled in and tried to make a home out of just one room. Already, Riley's bed was a bunch of pillows and blankets on the floor.

"When are we going home?" she asked and didn't get a response from either parent. She frowned, "Ignoring people is rude."

"Sorry, Riley," Mia turned to the girl and shrugged her shoulder, "We don't have an answer, yet."

"Is this because of what I did at the money place?" Riley asked. "Are we bad guys now? I didn't touched any money. I didn't…"

"You're not in trouble."

"Are you in trouble with the lady? Does she want to take me away?"

Mia and Kevin exchanged looks and then turned to the clock by the bed. They were supposed to be in a meeting with Sabrina Clarkson, the social worker for Riley, but because their identities had been compromised they had to leave. Unfortunately, they couldn't leave Riley behind. They were responsible for taking care of her, and they were going to do it no matter where they were. Unfortunately again, missing the meeting and fleeing with Riley did nothing to help them, If anything, it hurt them. As far as Sabrina was concerned, Mia and Kevin were M.I.A. The coincidence would have been funny, had their future and Riley's well-being not been on the line.

"You know we're never letting anyone take you from us, right?" Kevin reminded the little girl. "Your home is with us, no matter where that is."

"Even here?"

"Even here," Mia nodded and then smiled, "You know, this place isn't that bad. They train Ninjas here. Maybe you can take a few lessons…"

"Or, I can get started on those swimming lessons I promised you and Aunt Lauren," Kevin smirked. Mia and Riley looked to him quizzically.

"Auntie Lauren can't swim?"

"Swimming isn't a to-do for Aunt Lauren," Kevin shook his head and turned to Mia, who still seemed confused, "Fire girl."

Mia nodded her head. Now she understood a bit better why the great, mysterious red Ranger couldn't swim, though it still seemed odd.

Kevin turned his attention back to Riley, "I know a sensei here: Tori. She's water just like me."

"You're water? Why? Did you melt? I didn't know you were an ice cube before."

"I'm the water Samurai Ranger, Riles. We talked about this."

"No you're not," Riley shook her head and giggled. Kevin was sure she was doing it on purpose.

"Do you want to learn how to swim or not? Tori's probably got a pool or a lake around here somewhere we can use. Might as well make the most of…"

"Swim? Like, in water?" Riley asked and started to shake her head fearfully, "Nahuh! No way! Water is stupid!"

"Riley…"

"I'm not swimming! I don't want to learn," Riley got up, ran to Mia and grabbed her legs tightly, "Tell him I don't have to learn to swim."

"Riley, it's a good skill to have."

"No! I don't want to! I hate water!"

"You're going to be fine. I'm not going to let anything happen to you," Kevin promised and gave Riley a comforting smile, "And Aunt Lauren will be right there. She'll be learning too…"

"No! Water is stupid! I hate it!" Riley screamed and stormed out of the room, slamming the door as she left. Kevin looked up to Mia with a tired sigh.

"Okay, that kid and I have to have something in common. This time, it wasn't me, right?"

"No," Mia shook her head. "Do you want me to talk to her? She still isn't your biggest fan. Maybe if she hears the idea from me, she'll be more open to trying it."

"Can you try? I really think this might help us, you know? Get her to trust me a bit more."

"You don't plan on accidentally drowning her so you can save her, right?"

"Of course not! Mia, why would I…"

"Just checking," Mia shrugged, "I mean, you did push her down the stairs."

"Not on purpose!"

"Sorry," Mia chuckled. She gave Kevin a kiss on the cheek, "I can talk to her. See what's bothering her. Just get those lessons started."

"Okay. Oh, and don't tell the others about Lauren. I don't think she's announcing that she can't swim."

"My lips are sealed," Mia said as she walked out of the room. Kevin finished arranging the little details of the decorations so they were perfect and then shrugged his shoulders.

"I wouldn't accidentally drown her," he said to himself, "but if she were to almost drown and it really was by accident, that might be a huge help… Then again, knowing that little hard head, she would still find a way to blame me."