Things got better for Jackie when Lincoln decided that she was worth keeping around. She was generally accepted into the group when they found out about her past and what she'd done for LJ, and became an integral part of securing the seventh Scylla card. Eventually they did get it, only to have it stolen away by Don Self. The team had tried to regain Scylla, but eventually it fell into the hands of an unknown buyer. Gretchen and T-bag had showed up, and eventually the team had been practically forced to work to get Scylla back to the Company.
Jackie had slipped away from the chaos quietly, telling Mike and Linc she was going to find LJ and get him back to the States. They both agreed this was a good idea, seeing as how LJ was almost completely out of the loop in Panama, though at first Linc was hesitant to put him back in danger. Jackie reasoned with him, saying that this time she would be with LJ at all times.
Jackie was now in Panama, trying to track down all leads that might bring her to LJ. Linc had given her the address of where they had been staying with Sofia, so Jackie tried there first. She rung the doorbell and then stood on the hot porch, sweating even though she was wearing a thin satin sundress. The door opened and she turned to look t the person standing in the doorway.
LJ looked back at her with shock etched in every line of his face. Jackie smiled at him and he fumbled with the latch of the screen door, pushing through it and finally pulling her into his arms, laughing with relief.
She was laughing as well when she finally managed to say, "Hi."
He looked into her shocking blue eyes and said, "Hey. What are you doing here? How did you know where I was?"
"I'm here to bring you back to the States. Lincoln told me where you would be."
"My dad?"
"Yeah, we've gotten acquainted."
"Wow. What have I missed?"
Jackie laughed at all the things he missed and then, deciding now was not the time to get into all of that, she murmured, "Nothing important."
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It didn't take LJ long to pack and say goodbye to Sofia. They hopped on a plane at the first possible opportunity and took a flight straight to Miami, where Lincoln was hunting Scylla with Gretchen, T-Bag and Self. Jackie told him of everything he missed on the way, leaving nothing out.
They took a cab to the apartment Lincoln was staying in and then entered it quietly, to hear Gretchen's voice. LJ's face turned white at the sound of it and Jackie turned to take his hand. He'd told her of everything that had happened in Panama, and Jackie knew it was going to have some lasting effects on him. His face then turned livid as he saw the bruises and cuts that were halfway through the healing process and his jaw set with determination. Jackie hadn't thought it was fair for him to tell her everything that had happened in Panama, and for her not to tell him everything that had happened to her as well. LJ had been disgusted that it was because of him that she'd been there in the first place, and his hatred for Gretchen had deepened substantially.
Gretchen's voice was saying, "Of all the mercenary humps I've thrown at guys in my lifetime, I think I'm due for one that I want."
Lincoln's voice from around the corner was layered with disbelief. "Don't flatter yourself."
LJ met Jackie's eyes and he made a silent gesture of revulsion. Jackie giggled and twined her fingers with his.
Gretchen was speaking again. "Too late. Name it; and I do mean anything,"
Just then, Jackie and LJ rounded the corner to see Gretchen standing not a foot away from Lincoln. Jackie grinned wickedly and said, "He's too good for you, Gretchen."
They whipped around and Lincoln's face was one of joy, while Gretchen's features first registered shock, and then displeasure.
"You two, huh?" was all she said.
"You son of a bitch…" LJ was growling under his breath.
"Its okay, LJ. She'll get what's coming to her."
Lincoln noticed the couple's hands joined and he quirked an eyebrow at his son. LJ just grinned and looked away quickly.
Jackie crossed the room and hugged Linc. "Hey."
"Hey. You taking care of him?" Linc asked, nodding at LJ while hugging her back.
"Of course!" she laughed.
When they pulled away, LJ hugged his father as well, and then took his place beside Jackie again, reflexively taking her hand again. Gretchen caught it this time.
"Well, well. Who knew the people I torture end up a happy couple?" she grinned.
LJ quickly threw an arm around Jackie and pulled her back behind him a few paces.
"Relax, LJ. Panama was all business."
"Business, huh? For business you certainly made it rather personal," he shot at her, keeping his arm firmly wrapped around Jackie's waist.
Just then, Self and T-Bag entered, holding large bags of what looked like the contents of a girl's apartment.
"Big fat load of nothing…" T-Bag was muttering.
Self stopped dead when he caught sight of Jackie and LJ, his eyes wandering to LJ's arm, still wrapped around her.
"Jackie," Self said.
"Don," Jackie replied, her lip curling.
Self saw her displeasure and bit his lip. "This should be fun."
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