Emma and Jordan wanted some privacy on their walk home, so Gia hung back with the boys. They were going to Jake's for the weekend, as he had invited them for a guy's night to relax after the party, and Gia and Emma were spending another night together, taking advantage of the fact that Emma's parents were still gone to enjoy having a place to themselves. Occasionally they joked about how they lived in the house more than Emma's parents.

"I brought all my favourite video games," Noah said to Troy as he showed the red Ranger the contents of his bag. Noah never went anywhere without his bag or his laptop and had even brought it to the dance with him. He didn't use it, but he felt better knowing his laptop was ready to use at any moment. "Some of the games are four player, so the three of us should have no problem."

Troy nodded his head. Video games weren't really his thing, but he knew he had to make an effort.

"Sounds fun."

"There's even some martial arts games," Noah pulled out a couple of cases he was sure would interest Troy, "We can do a bit of compromising."

Beside the blue and red Rangers, Gia and Jake walked side by side. Gia was mostly quiet on the walk home but Jake had a skip in his step. He knew the dance was nothing more than a group of friends hanging out (well, Emma was on a date), but he had gotten Gia to open up and relax, something she had admitted not being able to do often. He had seen her smile and she told him the night had been fun. For once, she hadn't seemed cold and aloof. She was happy, and Jake was proud to be a part of that. So when Gia came to him, asking if he could walk her home with the other guys so Emma could be alone with Jordan, he couldn't refuse.

"Alright, so I know you might kill me or something for saying this but here goes," Jake said and shifted slightly away from Gia, "You're even more beautiful when you smile."

Gia gave him a gentle punch on the shoulder, but there was nothing but playfulness behind it. Jake chuckled.

"Sorry. I just thought I would point that out."

Gia rolled her eyes and then grabbed Jake's arm to stop him walking. She called out to the other boys. When they turned to her curiously, she gestured down the sidewalk to where Emma's house stood. Emma and Jordan, who had left before the others, were sitting on the front porch steps with their lips locked together.

"Do you guys mind waiting a bit?" she asked. "This is a big night for Emma and I don't want to ruin it."

Noah and Troy both nodded and took a seat on the bus stop bench. Noah had enough battery in his laptop to show Troy one of the games they would play later that night. Jake and Gia sat down on the curb and looked out at the street.

"Thanks," Gia whispered. "This was a good idea."

"The dance?"

"Yeah."

Jake shrugged his shoulders, "I know you're not ready for anything, Gia, and I don't want to pressure you, but not every guy likes you just for your looks."

"It's hard to wrap my head around that," Gia said honestly. "If you heard half the comments I get or read half the things people write about me in notes or online or…"

"Yeah, I do," Jake said, "and it's always disgusted me. You deserve better than that."

"Emma says that too…"

"And she's right."

Gia sighed, "I know… I know, but… it's hard. You have no idea what it's like. The comments… they all started off innocent enough, but there's only so many times you can hear every guy in school say 'I'd tap that' before you start to think that's all they want. And when that's exactly what they do, first chance they get…"

"Mick and Alex weren't first, but is what the last guy did really any worse? I mean, I can't imagine it…"

"It was worse. Way, way worse."

"What did he do?"

Gia shook her head and then turned away from Jake. He regretted instantly having asked her and put his arm around her shoulder for a warm, friendly hug.

"I'm sorry. If you're not ready then… I won't pressure you. I promise," he assured her, "but… can you promise me something?"

"Jake, I…"

"Don't shut Emma out," Jake said before Gia got the wrong idea. He would wait for her, and if one day she did decide to give him a shot, he would take it without hesitation, but only if she wanted it.

Gia looked to him curiously, "I would never shut Emma out."

"Yeah, you would. I'm sure you already have, even just a little bit. You remember why I'm scared of hospitals?"

"Yeah."

"I didn't talk to anyone for about a month after my last relative died. It hurt way too much and I didn't think anyone else felt the same way I did. Dad never cried in front of me, and mom did her best to stay strong for me. But when I did open up, everything that felt so heavy suddenly got so much easier. I figured out my parents felt the same way I did. Maybe Emma didn't get… taken advantage of, but she was there for you through everything, right? She'll understand. So don't shut her out. Don't tackle this thing alone. You'll see, it'll be so much easier to deal with. And maybe we'll get to see that smile a little more often."

Gia leaned into Jake as he gave her a gentle squeeze. Then she pulled away, kissed his cheek, and got up.

"You're a good guy, Jake. I've got to go."

"See you Monday?"

"Sooner, if the aliens invade," Gia nodded and walked to Emma's house.

Troy and Noah had watched the scene since Jake had successfully gotten his arm around Gia and couldn't believe what had happened after that. Not only had Gia not given him hell for touching her, but it seemed she had opened herself up a little more to Jake and she had given him a kiss on the cheek.

"Dude…" Noah stuffed his laptop back in his bag and pulled Jake up to his feet, "How on Earth did you do that?"

Jake shrugged his shoulders casually and started to make his way down the sidewalk, headed for home, "You know, if you believe in yourself enough, other people start to believe in you too."

"She kissed you," Troy said. Though he was still the new kid, even he knew that was something special, "You just got Gia to give you a kiss."

"On the cheek," Jake brushed it off as though it was nothing, even though his heart was pounding. He turned to his friends, "So, video games until we pass out?"

Down the sidewalk, Gia reached Emma's yard and found the couple were still making out on the front porch. Gia was happy for her best friend, and knew this night had been a long time coming. She wanted Emma to savour every minute of it. However, enough was enough. Gia wanted to get inside and she couldn't do that without interrupting the date.

"Jordan," she said as she cleared her throat. Jordan pulled away from Emma and looked up embarrassed. He straightened himself out as he got to his feet.

"Sorry…"

"It's fine. Emma's a big girl," Gia shrugged her shoulders. She gave Jordan a pat on the back, "Just don't hurt her and we won't have any problems."

"Gia…" Emma groaned and looked to Jordan apologetically. He shrugged his shoulders.

"It's a fair deal."

Gia smirked to Emma and then turned back to Jordan as he started to leave, "Oh, by the way, sorry for being so harsh on you the other day. I'm sure Emma's told you I can be a little… protective. So, uh… tell your boys I'm sorry for scaring them.

Jordan gave a little nod, and then said goodbye to Emma one more time before he started on his walk home. Gia gave Emma the key to the house and chuckled as her best friend glared at her.

"You're so annoying…."

"I apologized to him. I think he's an okay guy. Isn't that what you want?"

Emma rolled her eyes and opened the door. The girls walked in. Gia took off her boots and started upstairs, more than ready for bed. Emma stopped her by clearing her throat. When Gia turned around she gave a little smirk.

"What?"

"Don't you want to know how my night went?"

"I saw how it went," Gia chuckled, "I was almost going to call up Gosei and ask if he had any crowbar cards I could use."

Emma followed her friend up the stairs and took her by the arm, "Jordan's really sweet. Did you know he wants to be a police officer?"

"Really?"

"We're going out tomorrow night. Is that okay? My parents won't be home, so you'll have the house to yourself."

"Fine by me," Gia nodded her head, "I'll order myself some dinner and make a night of it. Think your dad left his credit card behind?"

"Mom probably took it with her to do some shopping," Emma chuckled, "and they probably wouldn't like you using it."

"Worth a shot," Gia shrugged her shoulders and then she leaned into Emma, "So… anything else about tonight you want to share?"

Emma smiled and pulled her best friend up to her room.