"I don't think it's working."
Jack paces behind Maya, who is standing with her arm outstretched. He squeezes his eyes shut in frustration. "You're using my technique. It has to work."
"It's not."
"Try harder."
Maya sighs. She drops her arm to her side.
"Jack, I don't know what I'm doing."
"You just need to focus. Your power is like an outburst of control. Just find the siren in you and focus on what you want it to do."
"I can't do it."
Jack stares at his feet. "I was afraid you'd say that."
"... What?"
"Even with Eridium helping you, I don't think you have the mastery to control your powers like that. It took decades for me to start controlling people, and even then it was difficult unless that person was very weak." Jack shakes his head. "I really didn't hope it would come to this."
Jack steps towards Maya and holds his hand near the center of her chest.
Maya takes a step back. "What are you doing?"
"Losing my patience."
"Jack, you said you wouldn't hurt me… you said…"
"I wasn't pissed then."
"I'm sorry, I just… I'm trying…"
Jack stops, closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath.
"You agreed to help me."
"You were going to kill me!"
"True."
"You said you wouldn't, though!"
"... Who said anything about killing you?"
"You were just… your touch… but…"
Jack smirks. "You realize I can't drain the life of other sirens, right?"
"I know."
"Then… why are you… oh. Oh, I get it." Jack's smirk widens. "You don't want to be controlled, do you."
"Of course not!"
"Sadly, it looks like this is the only way I'll see my daughter again." A pause. "I am sorry. Truly."
"Liar."
Jack laughs softly. "Yep."
Jack suddenly lunges forward, faster than Maya can react. He places his hand on Maya's chest tattoo. Maya, at first terrified, instantly calms down. Jack's tattoos slowly being to lighten.
He closes his eyes and starts to concentrate. Maya stares straight ahead.
"I really am sorry," he mutters.
Jack opens his eyes and looks apologetically at the unresponsive Maya. He slides his hand up to the side of her cheek. His thumb brushes her lips.
He meets her eyes.
"Shit." Jack swears and tears his hand away. His tattoos begin to fade.
Maya refocuses. "What? Why did you… what happened?"
"It's nothing."
Maya narrows her eyes.
"You just… you just reminded me of her."
"... Who?"
Jack turns away. He tightens his hands into fists out of frustration.
"My wife."