A/N: Here is a story that I have always wanted to get out. Crossover between Samurai and Ninja Storm. Pairings include Jayden/Emily, Kevin/Mia, and Blake/Tori!

Disclaimer: Neither StarSlingerSnitch nor I own Power Rangers!

We apologize for the tardiness!

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Power Rangers – Tainted Stone

By: DreamStar14 & StarSlingerSnitch

Chapter 20: Mother

It really does take Jayden a lot of strength to hold himself back. If what Emily said was true (and he didn't doubt for a second), this man is the source of Emily's (and Dustin's) troubles.

Jake Brooks, Dustin and Emily's biological father, who apparently wasn't really much of a father, to either of them.

And the more Jayden thinks about Dustin's situation with Jake (as well as bad memories), the more sympathetic he becomes toward him. Jayden's own father may have separated him and Lauren, but at least he had a good reason to (to help perfect the Seal and defeat the Nighlock once and for all).

It takes all Jayden has to even keep his usual straight, stoic face on.

Hunter can relate. Fortunately, Blake is there, but he probably won't be much help when Blake cares about Dustin a great deal as well.

Since the others can't really lash out on Jake (who is clearly in pain because he actually believes his two kids hate him), the room is overcome with an intense, awkward silence.

At least, until the doorbell rings, and everyone breathes a heavy sigh of relief.

Jii answers the door. "Oh, Lilia. Great to see you again. Sorry you had to come on such short notice. Come on in."

Because Lilia is here, everyone's ticket to the answers they need. (Because Jake is refusing to start without Lilia.)

"It's alright," Lilia softly replies. "I'm happy to help in any way I can."

But the room grows silent again when Jake and Lilia finally meet eyes.

"L-Lilia..." Jake mutters, not knowing what to say to her, to anyone right now.

"Jake...h-hello..." Lilia quietly whispers, her voice so low, the other Rangers had to strain to hear it.

Jake is about to say something else to her, in an attempt to start a casual conversation with the woman he still loves, but Lilia beats him to it, with a topic he's definitely not thinking of.

"Jii, where's Emily?" She asks.

"In the kitchen, why?"

Lilia places her pastel yellow purse on the gap sensor table on her way to the kitchen.

"I need to see if she's okay..." is the momma bear's answer.

Did Lilia say that just to avoid speaking with him? Jake grows sorrowful at this thought.

He's probably overreacting (like Emily was earlier, though that was mainly his fault), but he really does want to smooth things over his ex.

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"Hey honey."

"Mom!" Emily leaps up, throwing her arms around her mother. It hasn't been that song since she left her home but it feels like years. In the midst of all this uncertainty, it's nice to have a little something of home.

"How are you feeling?" Lilia asks after a few moments and Emily buries her head into her mother's shoulder, not wanting to face her eyes just yet.

"A little overwhelmed, actually. What about you?"

Lilia smiles wanly. "I'm okay."

"How was seeing..." Emily can't bring herself to call Jake by his name. But Lilia knows who she's talking about and merely shrugs one shoulder.

"It's alright. We didn't end on the best note but Em, this is about you and Dustin and the rangers. Not me."

"Mom..."

They're both quiet for a couple of minutes, neither ready to go back into the living room and face everyone. All attention is going to be on them and they've not exactly comfortable with the spotlight.

Like mother like daughter.

"How's Serena doing?" Emily asks, an ache of longing in her chest. She misses her older sister more than she could ever admit and with all this newfound information, she wants her sister's logic now more than ever before. Serena would know to react to this and be able to soothe things over easily. Emily's just lost.

"She's not getting worse." That's all Lilia says but Emily reads between the lines- she's not getting any better either.

"She wanted to come," continues Lilia and Emily's eyes widen.

"Really?"

"You know your sister, she doesn't like being out of the loophole for long," Lilia says and they both smile at that. "But it would've been too much for her. She made me promise to tell her everything."

"Of course."

"She says hi."

Emily smiles wistfully, wanting nothing more than to have her sister there. "Tell her hi back."

"I will."

Their moment is shattered by Dustin coming into the kitchen. He looks down at his feet, not able to meet either of their eyes.

"Jii told me to come and get you."

"Dustin."

He stiffens when Lilia says his name but doesn't move otherwise.

Lilia stares at him. Now that she has a closer look, she sees traits in him that neither Emily nor Serena has. The slope of his nose, the curve of a cheek, even a small freckle at the base of his neck is exactly the same as Jake's. It makes her heart hurt.

"I'm sorry, about all this. I know it's a lot to take in."

Dustin swallows, unsure what to say. "Yeah."

"I didn't mean for any of this to happen," continues Lilia and Emily touches her arm.

"It's okay mom, we forgive you."

Dustin's head shoots up and he raises his eyebrows as if to say we do? Emily merely gives him a pointed look, promising they'll talk about it later.

"It's nice of you to say that but I know it'll take longer than this to forgive," Lilia says. "But perhaps if you know the whole story, that'll make it easier?" She's looking to Dustin almost hopefully and he meets her eyes for a split second before they flit away.

"Maybe."

Lilia sighs to herself. It's not much but it's a start.

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A/N: I am co-writing this with StarSlingerSnitch. We are both terribly sorry for the late update. Hopefully, the next chapter will be up soon. Review, please! :) They are very much appreciated.

Confused? Don't be afraid to ask either one of us! We'll be happy to explain it to you.