Power Rangers Samurai

Jayden/Antonio Pre-Slash and Slash

Fallling Hurts But Love Heals

Summary: Set during "The Blue and the Gold". Instead of helping Antonio up the hill Kevin lets him fall. And when the other rangers find them they learn what/why it happened and Jayden realizes something he's been feeling for awhile.

Note: I was recently told that only the Author's Notes should be in bold and not the story itself. I apologize because I did not know that, I write all of my stories in bold but I will fix it with this chapter.

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Chapter 4: Antonio's Choice

Antonio's Pov

Waking up I could feel that my body was mostly numb except for my head which throbbed with pain every now and then. But that's not what I was focusing on. What I was focusing on was what I had heard that woke me up: Jayden saying he loves me.

At first I thought I was still passed out and dreaming or that my mind was playing tricks on me due to my head injury. But then I knew that it wasn't a dream or some illusion, because I had never heard anything more truthful come from Jayden in the entire time that I had known him.

Focusing on something other than my thoughts I could feel pressure on my hand. Slowly I opened my eyes to see Jayden holding my hand. He looked very sad and guilty but I could still see the love in his eyes. So I thought it was finally time for me to "wake up" and tell him how I feel.

"Jayden?"

He wiped his head towards me and relief washed over his face. He gripped my hand harder, as if he was afraid that something would happen to me again.

"Antonio, how are you feeling?"

"Fine for a guy who fell and knocked himself out" I laughed lightly at myself trying to play if off as a joke but Jayden look deadly serious. He wasn't going to let this go.

"Antonio, you can't avoid this. What Kevin did to you wasn't right and we all agreed that he needs to be punished"

"Okay, what have you guys decided?"

"Well Ji thinks that Kevin should be suspended from the team but he left the decision to me. However I don't think that it's my choice. I failed as a leader so I don't deserve to make the choice as leader"

"So who's going to choose?"

"You"

My eyes widened. He really wanted me to punish Kevin?

"Jayden, I don't think I could it. Kevin already hates me and this will only make things worse"

"You're not going to be the one to punish him. I'm giving you the choice on whether or not he should be off the team"

"Alright then let's go"

With that I slowly turned so that my feet were planted on the floor. Then I carefully lifted myself to stand only to lose my balance. It was a good thing that Jayden was there to steady me before I fell on my face. I turned to him and smiled in thanks and he returned it.

Slipping my arm around his shoulders and him around my waist I was steady enough to walk. Slowly we crept towards the door where the others I'm sure would be waiting to here the verdict.

"Wait" I told Jayden before he openend the door. He turned to me with a confused look.

"Before we go out there I have something I need to do and say" He arched an eyebrow in question. So quickly before I could lose my balance I grabbed his face in both my hands and gave him a chaste kiss. Pulling back I could see that he was a mix of still confused, pleasure and happiness. With his head still in my hands I made him stare straight into my eyes as I said this:

"Jayden, I'm going to say this once and I know you won't believe me but I'm going to say this anyway: You are not responsible for what happened. The only person who could have stopped this was Kevin and he didn't. You had no way of knowing, now lets go"

He opened the door and together we walked out into the living room to see that everyone was waiting for us. They all looked up when they heard us enter and ran over once they saw me and helped me down into a seat. Once I was settled they all kept asking if I was okay and if I needed anything.

"Guys I'm fine, let us just get through this" They all nodded and sat down. That's when I first noticed Kevin. He was leaning against the wall on the far side of the room, as far away as he could get from the rest of us without leaving the room. He never looked up. If I had to guess it was because he was afraid that looking at me or Jayden would make us mad.

Ji stepped forward and patted me on the shoulder, his personal way of showing me that he was happy I was alright. He stepped towards Jayden who was leaning against the wall behind me, staring Kevin down.

"So Jayden, have you made your decision?"

"No, it's not my decision"

They all looked confused, except Mentor. It seemed he always knew what Jayden was going to do.

"Then who's choice is it?" Emily asked.

"Mine"

They all looked at me with shock, even Kevin was suprised but he looked mostly scared.

"Jayden felt that since I was the one in the accident that I should be the one to decide if Kevin should be suspended" I looked down at my hands, afraid that they wouldn't agree.

"So what did you decide?" Mia asked.

Looking up I could see that they all were eager to hear what I had to say. Kevin on the other hand was looking down in defeat, he seemed ready to leave and that's when I knew my answer. I stared directly at Kevin and told them but mostly I was telling him.

"I'm not going to suspend him" Everyone gasped, even Kevin seemed shocked by my decision.

"But why? After what he did to you..." I stopped Emily right there.

"This is why Em: The whole reason we are in this position is because Kevin didn't trust me as a Ranger. I wouldn't be a good Ranger if I made him leave what he was born to be. And it wouldn't make him trust me anyone, It might only make things worse. And to be honest I understand why he did what he did. None of us liked it but I'm not going to punish him for what he thought was right" Everyone looked hesitant but they all nodded in understanding.

Mentor walked over so that he was standing near Kevin. We all looked over to see what he was going to say. But first he handed Kevin back his Morpher.

"Kevin you are still the Blue Ranger. However you still are to be punished. That will be decided by the rest of the team except Antonio, he will be in recovery while you serve out your punishment. Before they decide I do have one thing I would like to start with as long as it's okay with your fellow Rangers: Kevin, you are not allowed to be left alone with Antonio until we see that you can be trusted with him"

"I couldn't agree more" Jayden said and you could hear the malice in his voice.

"Well this has been very intimidating but I think it's time for me to go"

And with that Jayden grabbed me again and together we walked back to my room. I was ready to start my recovery so that I could be a Ranger again.

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Author's Note: I'm happy to announce that I will be doing a sequel for this story once it is finished. That is all.