Mike's football practice was coming to an end, and he was impressed by what he saw. The year before, when he had joined the football team as a spy for Serena, football had been all about the sport: tackling each other, beating each other to the ground for a ball, and intimidating the opponents and anyone who stood in the way of the team: be it another team or a small ninth grader. This year was difference. Influenced by Serena from the year before, and encouraged to play nice by teachers and coaches who saw the error in their styles, the football team was more about playing, having fun, improving skills and making friends. Of course, the game was still rough. Football wasn't football without a few hard hits and very rough training, but the students seemed to be enjoying it.

Mike had played football for a while when he had been a teenager. His father thought it would teach him discipline and help him get motivated. Mike did like the sport, but at the time nothing could motivate him more than pizza and video games. He had picked up on a few tricks from playing, and knew a few moves he could team the players that stemmed from being a Samurai and being a Ranger. Fighting Nighlok was a little like playing football. In both cases, this team didn't want to be taken down. Some practice with speed, agility, an anticipating their opponent's next move would do wonders for the team.

He had to laugh at himself. Two years ago he never would have given learning a second thought. Now, his mind was racing with different ways to teach, and different ways to convey his lessons to his students. He had never imagined himself being a teacher or a coach. Now he couldn't imagine doing anything else. This job was much better than sitting behind a desk and in a cubicle all day.

As he packed up some of his gear, he noticed Frankie walking across the field. The team had gone to the change rooms for their showers, but Mike would take his at home. Seeing Frankie made him forget, and even if he was on the other side of the football field, he was too close to Mike. The former green Ranger felt his blood boiling once more as he tried everything he could to keep his cool.

He remembered the panic he felt when Emily had gone missing. He remembered the fear in not knowing whether she was dead or alive, and if she was alive, whether she was suffering. Then he remembered when he found out she had been kidnapped by some freaky kid with a stalker attitude and an insane crush. He remembered rescuing her, and how Frankie had messed with Emily's head. He had comforted her upon her return and had hated to see her so down on herself again. Because of what Frankie had made her do, Emily had returned home to Mike hating herself. She had kissed Frankie. She had given him the same kind of love she gave Mike and she hated herself for that. Emily was a good person and a kind soul. She would never do anything to hurt Mike or cheat on him – of this he was sure. She had felt dirty because of Frankie, and she felt like she had disrespected Mike in the worse way. He hadn't been happy when he learned about the kiss, but he had put no blame on Emily. Still, it had taken a while for Emily's tears to dry and Mike hated anytime Emily was upset. More than that, he hated anyone who made Emily upset.

He hated anyone who threatened to take Emily away from him, especially when she wasn't willing to leave.

Frankie made it across the field safely, but only just. He jumped the fence and walked down the road and Mike went back to packing his bag. He took a few deep breaths and knew that once he and Emily were both home, they were going to have a serious talk. He was scared of what he would do if he didn't ask for her help.

-Samurai-

Ji and Kate were the last to arrive for the dinner they had planned, but they had arrived with smiles. Even Ji, who had been nervous when Lauren left the Shiba House, had excitement radiating off him. When they took their seats at the table, Ji and Kate instantly ordered a round of drinks for the table, and a special alcohol free drink for the underage Emily (who let out a huff of discontent).

Though happy with the lack of alcohol, Emily was still excited. Like Jayden, she had her suspicions about an engagement between Ji and Kate, and seemed very pleased with the idea of her mentor and her aunt getting married. Jayden was somewhere in between. He was happy for his father figure, but Lauren's suspicions had him a little worried there was something more than just rings and vows in the near future.

Lauren was the most nervous. She had just come home to a family after being along for so many years. She liked Ji, and she liked Kate, and she figured them getting married would only make the Shiba House feel more like a home, and her little family would feel more like a family, but if she was right, there was going to be a new baby soon. As much as she loved her niece and nephew, she wasn't ready for a baby in her strange little family. She knew they took a lot of time from their parents and demanded a lot of responsibility. Lauren remembered not seeing as much of either of her parents when Jayden had been born, and missed out on a few special memories with her mother because of him. She couldn't let that happen again.

Her family was weird. She would be the first to admit that. She did like it, though. Ji was growing on her as a father figure. It was obvious he did love and care for her – having known her as a child. She was the daughter and the first born child of Ji's very best friend who died tragically. Ji was, is Lauren remembered right, her godfather. It was his responsibility to care for her now that her father had passed and she was home. She liked that. She loved knowing she had a father to lean on and rely on when life got in her way and presented her with new and difficult challenges.

Kate was also growing into Lauren's family. Lauren had never considered getting a new mother. She had always known about Ji, and in some ways was very happy he wanted to become a new father in her life, but Lauren had never considered the possibility of getting a new mother figure. Still, Kate had been kind and patient as long as Lauren had known her, and Serena and Emily had nothing but nice things to say about her. Sometimes, Lauren felt like Kate did treat her like a daughter. She listened when Lauren spoke, gave the girl advice using her own life experiences, and Kate even cared for Lauren. Though her hand was mostly healed from when she had rescued Riley from the trunk of a car by breaking the window, Lauren remembered the earlier stages of her recovery. Without being asked, and without Lauren making any indication of her hand bothering her, Kate brought Lauren frozen peas and ice-packs to ease the pain, and went out of her way to make sure her hand was healing properly. She had always been gentle and thoughtful towards Lauren, and in return, Lauren opened up to her. Thinking about it now, Lauren had never asked for a mother, but she was happy to have one.

So if Kate was pregnant, she would lose her parents for a third time. Nervous as she could get, Lauren was barely paying any attention to the table talk and wished Ji and Kate would just spit out their big news.

The appetizers came and the Samurai dug in. Jayden had just finished sharing Lauren's idea for a Samurai Academy and had passed the sharing of news over to Serena, who from the moment she had walked into the restaurant looked like she had something to say.

"How was the first day back?" Jayden asked her, "Anyone recognize you?"

"Plenty of people," Serena nodded and her hand started to shake as she lifted the nacho from the plate, "I recognized a few people too… and I've heard some students have come back."

"Really?" Ji asked. "Like a victory lap?"

"Remember Howie? I crossed him in the halls after lunch. He didn't earn enough credits to graduate. He's working for that this year."

"I remember Howie," Ji nodded his head and pointed a small glare at Emily. She shrunk in her seat sheepishly and turned to Serena.

"How's the nose I think still deserves to be broken?"

"He's healed up well," Serena said. "I don't think he'll be earning himself anymore broken noses. One was more than enough, Monster."

Serena then breathed in a deep sigh, "There's something else… something… worrying."

"Is that teacher that scarred me back?" Emily asked, sitting up in her seat, "The one that bullied you and hung up naked pictures of her and James doing things dogs would find shameful?"

"What?" Kate asked tentatively, not sure she wanted to know what her niece was talking about. Serena waved it off.

"Marissa's long gone. It's… it's… he's back."

"He?" Jayden stretched out the word a little, hoping Serena would pick up the hint and get on with what she wanted to say. Serena refused, though and with a shake of her head she turned to Ji.

"It's nothing that can't wait. Tonight's your night. What's the big news?"

"Serena, if you have something to say, you can say it," Kate assured her with a gentle smile, "Ji and I don't plan on sharing until dessert?"

Lauren heard this and winced. She would have to wait even longer now before finding out if her family would disappear once more. Jayden reached across the table and took her hand, mouthing to her that everything would be okay no matter what happened.

Serena leaned back in her seat, "I don't know how to say it gently."

"Just say it," Kate said, "We'll listen, don't worry."

"It's not listening that worries me," Serena turned to look at Emily, "Remember Frankie?"

Emily felt a lump form in the back of her throat and nodded her head, "Y-yeah."

"He's in first period gym, second period math, third period English, and fourth period with the guidance counsellor. Not that I'm stalking I just… happened to be walking the same way he was between classes and… Emily?"

"You know what I like. Order for me," Emily got up from the table as the waited came by to take their dinner orders, "I'll be in the bathroom."

"Emily," Serena called and got up after her sister, following her into the bathroom.

Jayden gripped his knife tightly as he told the waiter to give them a minute. Ji was visibly tense the moment Frankie's name was mentioned. Lauren sat up a little straighten, sensing there was something wrong (not that it was hard), and Kate seemed very baffled.

"Who is Frankie?" she asked Jayden and Ji. Neither gave an answer. Jayden continued to play with his knife while Ji shook his head.