Elizabeth sat down in front of a doctor, preparing herself as the latter looked through a tablet while smiling. She was wearing a white coat that was above her knees and was currently buttoned up, showcasing her attractive hourglass figure. Her loose wavy hair had a multitude of reddish highlights and ended just above her shoulder blades.
“It's good to see you again, Liz,” the doctor said as she looked at Elizabeth. “And no, I can't.”
“I haven't said anything yet,” Elizabeth replied amused as she looked at her friend's direction.
“We both know there's nothing wrong with your sight,” the doctor, Tamara, sighed as she massaged her eyebrows. “So, your either here to see me or to ask me for some medicine, and I can't do either.”
“Maybe I am here to see you, Tam,” Elizabeth teased. “Is that so bad?”
"I'm pulling off all-nighters almost every day, so it's impossible to hang out,” Tamara yawned as she answered. Elizabeth noticed an outline on her ring finger when she used her left hand to block the yawn.
“You're married? Why wasn't I invited?” Elizabeth asked in surprise.
“I did, but your phone was out of service,” Tamara rolled her eyes at Elizabeth. “And I know it's useless to email you. You never remember your password.”
“Cute,” replied Elizabeth with a smile. “So? Who's the lucky girl?”
“His name is James,” Tamara hesitated but still responded in a normal voice. She was hesitant to reveal that she married a man to her ex-girlfriend.
“Oh. Well ... this ... is awkward,” Elizabeth looked surprised again before looking away. “I'm sorta here cause of a guy too …”
It was Tamara's turn to be shocked as she watched Elizabeth shift in embarrassment with disbelieving eyes.
“Wait. You, the one who promised never to love a man in a century ... you are here because of a man?” Tamara asked slowly before gasping in a loud voice while covering her mouth. Her eyes went down to look at Elizabeth's stomach but the latter thought she was looking at her hand.
“You figured it out?" Elizabeth asked, embarrassment causing a bit of her Scottish accent to leak out. “It's not like it happened quickly, alright.”
“Well, congratulations!” Tamara squealed as she hugged Elizabeth. “So, what are you gonna name her? You know, Tamara works for both boys and girls.”
“Name what now?” Elizabeth asked, confused.
“The baby, silly! What are you gonna name your kid?” Tamara clarified while Elizabeth jumped up in horror.
“No, shite, no! No kid, none at all! I'm not pregnant!” She cried out. “Was that really what you were thinking?”
“Oh,” Tamara slouched her shoulders in disappointment while Elizabeth's mind started considering what Tamara said earlier.
What would they look like? She thought.
She pictured a boy with Jason's black hair, her blue eyes, and a perfect cream color skin that was not too pale. Then, she saw Jason holding a little girl while smiling at her. The little girl had her red hair and blue eyes but was more exotic with a slight tan. The girl's features were also similar to Jason; with a strong jawline and a face shape that was between a heart shape and a square.
Oh god, what am I thinking?! Elizabeth shook her head to erase her thoughts before looking at Tamara who was grinning.
“He's been admitted here just last night after the park attack,” Elizabeth dodged Tamara's amused stares and changed the subject, causing the latter to frown.
“Sorry, Liz, I can't help you,” Tamara denied her without hesitation. “I can't divulge any information on a patient, even if it's for you.”
“Tam, I'm-” Elizabeth had the perfect excuse but hesitated to use it for a moment. “He's my husband. We … married the other day.”
***
Jason groaned as he sat up, using his power to telekinetically lift himself up. He looked down and peeked at the bandaged wound on his shoulder, grimacing with disappointment at how weak he was. Yet, at the same time, a thrill of exhilaration stroked his combat instincts as he recalled how intoxicating it was to so close to losing.
In recent years, his strength and renown restricted him; there were not many strong opponents who would risk their lives in a fight with him. The only ones arrogant enough to challenge him were Practitioners, cultivators from myths that seek the path to immortality and godhood, who believed their inner strength was enough to kill him. Unfortunately, when he encountered them, he was already looking to help Helen and had to avoid most conflict to keep her safe. By the time he was free to battle, he was capable of slaughtering Adepts, the most common of Practitioners.
However, things have been different recently. His sabbatical for two years had him avoid fighting while taking care of Alina, and his recent life of teaching clearly dulled his battle instincts to such a point that he couldn’t stop a knife from wounding him. Had it been him when he was in his prime, he would have deflected it with a wall of magnetic force.
“I see that you haven’t changed a bit,” an exasperated Silvia said from his side. She had been watching him since he woke up and saw his battle-hungry smile. “You never truly cared for your well-being. Always willingly to injure yourself to kill your enemies.”
Jason’s smile faded at her words as he pictured Alina in his mind. He shook his head, admonishing himself for feeling like that. He can’t let his lust for war ruin the good life he had. The normal life that he always wished for.
“How’s everyone?” he asked while standing up.
“Emily and Alice have been moved as you requested,” Silvia answered. “The others are waiting outside.”
Jason nodded but looked down and grimaced again as he felt a breeze flutter through his back. He realized he was wearing a hospital gown that had his back exposed.
“God, I feel naked,” he muttered as he tore the gown off showcasing his scarred body in all its glory to Silvia who looked away annoyed.
“Yes, please show your shameless body to everyone, what a lovely sight!” Silvia said sarcastically as Jason who was looking around for his clothes rolled his eyes.
“Oh, please. It’s just you,” he replied while noticing that he had no change of clothes. “And ‘sides, I got my boxers on. Where’re my stuff?”
“That doesn’t help,” muttered Silvia before answering Jason. “They disposed of them, considering that they were tattered and unwearable.”
“The hell? My pants were fine, and that was my favorite jacket!” Jason cursed as he tore a small opening in the dimension near him and pulled a hanger that held a complete outfit on it. Silvia looked at him as soon as he released the small wormhole that looked similar to a black hole.
“I’ll never understand how you do that,” she said while shaking her head at how overpowered his ability was.
“Just a small pocket dimension that I keep in this little guy here,” Jason pointed at the pendant he was wearing. The pendant was a rectangular black jewel that had a silver dragon wrapped around it. The dragon didn’t appear like common fantasy kinds; it had bat wings similar to them but was elongated like an Asian dragon but its head was similar to a dinosaur. It was hanging on Jason’s neck with a thick black string.
“Despite the fact that it’s killing you?” Silvia asked in a sharp voice that stopped Jason in his tracks.
“What do you mean?” he asked back nonchalantly.
“Don’t play with me,” she said. “You were drugged and you told me quite honestly.”
Jason didn’t reply and looked at her with a composed face, it was as though he didn’t care about his life. Silvia shifted her legs while moving forward and staring at Jason with eyes that were cold and angry.
“I’ve been thinking about it. Your powers are manipulating any and all kinds of energy. But how does that work? There’s nowhere near enough energy around you, regardless of the psionic aether in the atmosphere. And you can’t defy the laws of physics, meaning you can’t create energy out of nothing,” Silvia paused and watched Jason’s reaction carefully but was disappointed when he continued staring at her apathetically. “At first I thought you gathered and stored energy within you like a battery, not unlike a Practitioner. But today I realized something.
“What happens when you don’t have enough energy stored? How do you still use your power?” Silvia took a deep breath as looked away in sadness. “That’s when you use your own life energy, isn't it? You used your life to help those four, didn’t you?”
“Maybe,” Jason answered coolly while using his holo-lens to contact A.V.A and ask her about what had happened when he was under the influence of anesthesia.
The AI observes Jason through his holo-lens and holo-watch when he's unconscious, so she would know if he really did tell her the truth. A second later, A.V.A replied in confirmation, and Jason's heart sank; it seemed like there was no way to deny it.
“Have you thought about what would happen if you die? About Alina?” Silvia asked sternly.
“Relax, it's not like I'm gonna die any time soon,” Jason said while shrugging. “I just won't live till sixty, which isn't a bad thing. I won't have to deal with old age.”
So, he's not omnipotent, Thought Silvia with some relief flooding her concerned mind. Truthfully, Jason was too stoned to understand the question about his powers, so Silvia decided to lie and see if Jason would tell her the truth. And it seemed to have worked perfectly.
“Just … just promise me,” Silvia was angry but also scared and the two emotions caused her to be flustered. “Promise you won't be so reckless.”
Jason who finished dressing smiled at Silvia who stood up while fixing her glasses. He was wearing a pair of charcoal jeans, a gray utility shirt, and a black leather bomber jacket.
“I promise not to die anytime soon,” Jason said as he walked up and hugged Silvia. “Thanks for … everything. Now, to see those kids and go shopping.”
“You're still in the mood to shop?” Silvia asked amused.
“Oh yeah. Especially since I'll be shopping for an upgrade to my suit,” Jason answered while smiling. “Well, Let's get going. Coming, Silvie?”
“I'll join you in a moment. Go on now,” Silvia said and Jason shrugged as he left. Silvia turned to look at an inconspicuous corner of the room. “Come out, Melanie.”
“How did you know Ms. Graves?” a sigh flitted through the room as a small part of a shadow unfurled itself to reveal Melanie.
“I taught you. I happen to know how you think,” Silvia answered, dislike apparent in her voice. To her, Melanie was far more dangerous than anyone else she had ever met, if only because of instability and her penchant for chaos. “And I knew you'd stay close and watch him, just like how I know that you could have dodged that attack if you wished.”
“Mmm … I'm not sure what you're getting at ma'am,” Melanie pretended to not understand and Silvia frowned at her playfulness.
“Why did you let that assassin near you?” Silvia asked.
“Isn't it obvious? I had no idea there were assassins nearby,” Melanie answered with her head tilted, confused. “And Jason, oh so heroically, saved me by taking the killing blow! Ah, how romantic!”
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
As Melanie squealed with blushing cheeks that were covered by her hands, her body wiggled with joy and embarrassment. Silvia looked cross as she watched Melanie perform an act that was unbelievable.
“I don't care what you think, make sure nothing like that happens again or I'll assign you to outside of Atlantis, is that clear?” Silvia told Melanie with a severe tone.
“Yes, ma'am,” Melanie answered with a hint of killing intent as Silvia exited the room to join Jason.
Hmm … she's starting to bore me. Maybe I should … no. Jason won't like that, Melanie tilted her head again as watched Silvia leave.
***
“No way, your luck can't be that good,” Asami told Alina. “That wasn't Hyde, uh nuh, no way.”
“You know anyone else that's a redhead, blind, and still so pretty?” Alina asked.
“It could have been anyone that's blind! Or maybe a die-hard fan!” Asami refuted.
Alina and Asami were discussing on how the former met Elizabeth Hyde while Jared sat with crossed arms, his foot tapping the floor incessantly. His patience on waiting for Ms. Silvia to take him to Emily was wearing off very fast.
“Relax, you'll get to see her soon,” Alina noticed his impatience and assured Jared.
“Sorry,” Jared stopped his foot tapping while Ken who had been at his sister's side approached them with a large brown paper bag.
“Hey,” Ken said to them but his eyes were on Alina who was silent. “Breakfast anyone?”
“Sure!” Asami grabbed the bag and pulled out a jam-filled muffin, tossing the bag to Michelle while taking a bite from her muffin.
“Nikki?” asked Alina, her voice tinged with guilt. Last night, Ken was a bit cold to her when she tried talking to him, but she understood how he felt and blamed herself for his sister's injury.
“She's alright,” Ken said. “Can't stop talking about how awesome Michelle is though.”
As Ken spoke he looked to Michelle, only to notice that she was holding the paper bag while a blank stare. She seemed too preoccupied with her thoughts as her eyes watched the hallway to Jason's room.
“Don't mind her, she's been like that since getting her first kiss stolen by Jason,” Asami told Ken through her full mouth. A rubber bullet hit her hand causing her to drop her muffin onto the ground and leaving her shrieking at the loss of her breakfast.
“Absurde,” Michelle hissed as her cheeks turned red. “I did- that was not a kiss!”
“Uh, what?” Ken tried processing what Asami said but failed.
“It's complicated,” muttered Alina.
“Is that ... legal?” asked Ken.
“Good question.”
“How could you?! She was my favorite! Oh my little muffin,” Asami ignored everything and continued lamenting on her fallen muffin before turning to the culprit. “Just cause I said you kis-”
A rubber bullet flew past her face, blowing her hair which was hanging in a side ponytail.
“Just cause I mentioned Jason grazing his lips with you- aah!” Asami corrected herself but Michelle still shot her before she finished. “Why?!”
As Asami lay on the ground asking Michelle weakly, the latter humphed and turned away. Unfortunately, Alina happened to be beside her so when she turned her head, her blushing face was exposed.
“Uh …” Michelle didn't know what to say as she was avoiding Alina since the promiscuous event with Jason.
“It's his fault not yours,” Alina sighed. “Just don't get too close to him unless you have to, alright? I don't want you falling for his charms.”
“True, one look and you know he's suffering from the Bruce Wayne Syndrome,” Asami butted in after picking herself from the ground. [1]
“The what syndrome?” asked Ken and Jared together.
“Uh, the Bruce Wayne Syndrome? Am I the only comic book fan here?” Asami stated as though it was obvious before muttering under her breath.
“Yes, you're the only Otaku here, now explain it,” Alina said.
“It's when you sleep with more girls than Superman has saved but can count the number of serious relationships in one hand,” Asami rolled her eyes as she explained but paused when she realized something. “Wait a minute, how do you know about otakus?” [2]
“That does explain his love life in one sentence,” agreed Alina while ignoring Asami's question.
“No, seriously, I wanna know!” Asami insisted.
“Looks lively here,” while they were talking, Jason had joined them in the reception of the private ward. “What?”
As soon as they saw him, Alina and Asami sent him strange stares while Michelle looked away. Ken still seemed confused while Jared, the only normal person, looked at him like a criminal.
“Something on my face?” Jason asked.
“You … don't remember?” Asami asked back carefully.
“Remember what? The fight? The bleeding? You gotta be a little more specific,” Jason replied and Asami's eyes glowed as she turned to look at Michelle.
“If you don't want him to know, then you have to stop shooting m- aaggh!” Halfway through her blackmail, Michelle shot her again before turning to Jason.
“You harassed me. Harcelées sexuellement,” Michelle said to Jason.
“I did?” Jason asked, stumped as he looked questioningly at Alina who answered by glaring at him. Jason turned to look a Michelle who couldn't look at him properly and had lowered her head.
“Did I … we … uh …” Jason tried forming a sentence but paused as he noticed Alina fuming with gritted teeth. “Uh, um, sorry. I don't remember what I did but I hope I didn't hurt you.”
Michelle nodded, accepting his apology while Jason changed the subject in a hurry.
“Right. So, uh, I have something to do. The rest of you can take the day off and visit Silvie's place,” Jason said. “You can check up on Emily and play with Alice, she'll be up in no time.”
“Mind if I tag along?” Alina asked.
“Not at all,” Jason replied, his eyes and smile turning gentle as he looked at her. “It'd be great to have some family time.”
“I need to go and check on Nikki,” Ken said while checking his watch. “She seems fine but the doctors wanted to do a check-up.”
“ … You know they're only doing that to draw her blood because of the poultice, right?” Jason looked at Ken strangely before telling him. “If she was still injured, she'd be nauseous, dizzy, and too dazed to be talking so energetically.”
“Damn it all,” Ken cursed as he jogged away. “I'll see you guys later!”
“And there he goes,” Asami leaned on Michelle while talking. “So, guess the rest of us are heading to Silvie's mansion?”
“It's Ms. Silvia, Chiba,” Silvia's curt voice came from behind Asami, causing her to freeze as cold sweat flowed down her forehead. Silvia on the other hand, glared at Jason, hinting that it was his fault that Asami was nicknaming her.
Jason shrugged before opening his mouth. “And that's our queue to exit. Quick, before she eats me!”
Jason whispered the last part to Alina in an audible voice as he dashed away. Alina rolled her eyes and sent an apologetic look to Silvia and then bade the others goodbye before following after Jason.
“Wow, that was … he's childish at times, isn't he?” Jared muttered. “Still don't like him.”
“Que veux-tu dire par là?” Michelle asked before clarifying. “What do you mean?”
“My sister hasn't been the same for a while,” Jared answered. “It was obvious she had a crush and I didn't realize that it was her teacher until today. So, that's why I don't like him. Not to mention …”
Jared turned to Michelle with a complicated stare, and Michelle realized that he heard how Jason nearly kissed her. Annoyance at the arm that was still leaning on her erupted, and she moved away, causing Asami to nearly fall.
“Alright children, that's enough playing,” Ms. Silvia said. “Follow me, I'll drive you to my home.”
“Aller. I won't be going,” Michelle said. “I must see ma famille.”
As the others walked to the hospital's main entrance, Michelle turned and walked deeper into the hospital, passing into the restricted military ward. She entered the reception and noticed a woman in a formal military outfit sitting on a chair and sipping some coffee while reading a file of papers.
“Mama!” Michelle's heart warmed at the sight of her and she ran to her with a childish smile that she never showed to anyone else.
“Michelle. It's good to see you, sweetie,” Colonel Watson stood up and they both hugged each other. After a while, they parted and Watson looked at Michelle closely. “You've grown up so beautifully.”
“I've missed you mama,” Michelle laughed as she wiped her tears away.
“Me too,” Watson said before hesitating. “If you're free … would you … are you hungry? Let's grab something to eat.”
“Sûr!” Michelle giggled as she grabbed Watson's arm and the two headed out.
***
Jason looked at Alina from the corner of his eyes with some apprehension while his hand held the steering wheel. Since leaving the hospital, Alina didn't speak, even after five minutes of driving. Jason, worried that she might be angry because of his actions, didn't speak either.
“Do you …” Alina who was looking out the window muttered to herself in a quiet voice before turning to Jason. “Do you really believe that, Jason?”
“Hmm?”
“When you were … you told me that you deserved to be hit,” Alina looked back out the window. “Because of Katie. For ruining my life. Do you really believe that?”
Jason didn't answer but took a deep breath instead. He refused to look at Alina and instead focused on driving. Alina noticed this and sighed.
“I would've died Jason,” Alina whispered. “I should've died. But I didn't. Because of you, I'm alive. So I forgive you, Jason. For everything. For Katelyn. For … my mother.”
Jason’s hand shook and he nearly lost control of the Baron. He quickly turned the autopilot on and let A.V.A drive the car. Closing his eyes, he opened them and looked at Alina with a myriad of emotions. Alina smiled back bitterly stroking the fear he had of one of his greatest sins he had committed.
“I knew, Jason,” Alina looked straight into his eyes as she spoke. “I knew about it. About you and Mom.”
Jason covered his mouth with his hand and broke his gaze away from hers. The hand that covered his face started massaging his mouth and chin.
“Before you say anything else-” Jason turned to Alina once he was more composed but Alina cut him off with a raised hand.
“Don't. ‘It's not what you think’ or 'I didn't mean for it to happen’ … I don't want to hear any of it,” Alina was calm as she spoke. “So don't, Jason. Just don't. Mom's gone and I don't want to …”
Alina's voice trailed off and she looked away. Jason understood what she meant and he too looked away.
“I know what you're thinking and you're right,” Jason said quietly. “It wasn't her that started it, and she didn't want to continue it either. So you don't need to blame her.”
“I don't blame her,” Alina answered in a low voice. “And I don't blame you either. Dad was … never around. And you were the … epithet of men so of course things would happen. Of course, Katie and Mom and God knows how many maids fell for your charms.
“It's just … I wish things were different,” Alina looked out the window to hide her tears. “And I wish I could've told them …”
Jason closed his eyes to avoid seeing Alina, but he couldn't stop seeing her sad face. Alina smiled and wiped the tears away before looking at Jason.
“I don't blame you,” Alina said as she touched his hand. “So don't blame yourself, Jason. I do hate that womanizing part though.”
Alina's voice went back to normal as she added the last sentence with a bitter laugh.
“Just … don't do the same to my friends, ok? I know how you are when it comes to relationships and women,” Alina said as Jason opened his eyes.
“I know,” Jason said quietly. “I promised never to hurt you again, Alle.”
“Thanks,” Alina said with a smile. “You know, you thought Michelle was Katie. That's why you were gonna kiss her.”
A look of pain flashed through Jason's eyes when he heard her and he cleared his throat.
“Did, uh, I say anything else to her?” Jason asked.
“Dunno, Michelle refused to say anything else,” Alina answered and Jason breathed a sigh of relief. Alina looked at him carefully before continuing. “Does she remind you of her?”
“A bit,” Jason admitted. “Just the eyes.”
“Yeah, they do share that stoic look, don't they?” Alina laughed before stopping and falling silent. She remembered how she saw a woman who looked similar to Katelyn right before the attack in the amusement park.
“You don't think she's alive do you?” Alina asked with some hope.
“No, she isn't,” Jason firmly answered with conviction in his voice. “She died that night, Alle. I saw it.”
“Maybe you saw it wrong? Or maybe she survived?” Alina continued and Jason looked at her strangely. “Maybe she escaped.”
“Why are you asking?”
“I … I saw her,” Alina said with hesitation. “Right before the explosion, I saw someone that looked like her.”
Jason sighed when he heard Alina.
“So did I,” he said quietly causing Alina to look at him in surprise. “Every morning I wake to her voice thinking she's right there. Every time I see a blonde girl with blue eyes I see her. Every time I …”
Jason looked at Alina and continued.
“It's called a ghost, Alle. Not a supernatural one, just one that haunts your mind. One made up from your guilt.”
“That's not what I saw,” Alina insisted.
“No? Look out the window, at two o'clock.”
Alina listened to Jason and froze when she saw a blonde girl in a maid outfit standing in the light drizzle holding out flyers. The cloudy skies covered half her face but her blue eyes noticed the car passing by and she made eye contact with Alina, whose breathing stopped as she saw Katelyn. As the car drove away, Alina turned to look at her again and noticed that the girl took off her blonde wig; Alina realized that it wasn't Katelyn.
“I saw her too,” Jason said quietly as Alina closed her eyes.
“Does … does it ever go away? Does it ever get better?” Alina asked.
Jason closed his eyes as well and could picture everyone who died as though they were right in front of him, their voices right before their death echoing in his ears.
The dead bodies of his team in Budapest, the smile Helen gave him before losing her soul, Katelyn with tears in her eyes as he left her to die, Alina's mom as she begged him to heal Alina, it all flashed through his eyes as though it happened yesterday.
“I … I don't know,” Jason confessed. “I'm … they still haunt me.”
The two remained silent as the car continued driving to their destination, each lost in their own thoughts that were as stormy as the weather outside.
[1] & [2] This is a pop culture reference, no copyright infringement intended.