Thank you to all my readers for following my story thus far! You've no idea how much it means to me!

Salistina, as long as you give credit where it's due, you can go right ahead and draw the Jack Pack! That sounds really fun, can you send me a link when you're done?

******JP******

Jack stroked the lightning bolt of his new blade, sensing its pulse from the tips of his fingers to the ends of his hair. He hadn't quite found a name for it, but he knew it was connected to him, like the Notus Hammer was to Zephyr or the Wudai Weapons to the monks. It had the makings of a security blanket, since a feeling of relief engulfed him every time he held it.

"Hey."

He looked up and gave Cinder a weak smile, scooting over to let her sit on the bench. She sat and looked out at the rocky garden, her hands gripping the stone seat as she thought of something to say.

"Are we really staying at the temple for two more days?" Jack asked, his eyes back on his sword.

Cinder's spine froze and he tightened his hold on the hilt.

"Cinder."

"Zephyr thought it would be a good idea," Cinder spat out timidly. "I mean, you did just wake up and he isn't healed all the way and we don't know what's waiting for us at Chase's castle-"

"But you know we can't wait for much longer!"

"I know, but we're not ready now and-"

"When are we going to be ready?" Jack shouted, standing up from the bench. "What is it with everyone worrying about preparation around here?"

"Jack-"

"I've seen them," He pointed his sword at the main temple, "do quite a lot without being prepared! Heck, they've beaten Chase and Hannibal on whims and loose ideas! What makes this any different? Why can't they hurry up already?"

"Because those times there wasn't a hostage!" Cinder reminded him, jumping up from the bench. "They're trying to be sure that us going there isn't going to hurt Stryker more than help him!"

Jack considered that, his back to her, then shook his head.

"I don't buy it," he told her. "There's something else."

"Why does there have to be something else?"

"Because there's always something else!" Jack shouted, finally turning to her. "Nothing is ever as simple as 'we just can't get in' with them! They're planning something!"

"Jack we have to trust them on this one, they aren't the enemy-"

"Since when? They've always been my enemies! Why not now?"

"They know when to put that stuff aside, Jack."

"Then why didn't they tell me we were waiting again?"

Cinder sagged and hugged herself. Jack softened and scratched his neck, looking down at the sand.

"We were afraid you'd run off," Cinder admitted. "We didn't want you to get hurt doing something..."

"Stupid?"

Cinder glanced at him warily, then nodded. Jack sighed and looked up at the sky.

"Guess that makes sense," he grumbled.

They were silent; Jack stuck the sword in the dirt, then came over and touched her shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I'm just...not myself."

"I know," Cinder squeaked. She touched his hand and gently led it off her shoulder, holding it in front of her. "We're all recovering still I guess."

"Yeah..."

He stroked the back of her hand with his thumb, thinking of how he could say the next part carefully. After a moment he sighed and just said it.

"I'm going tonight," Cinder jolted and stared at him. "I'm going whether you guys go with me or not."

Cinder's heart dropped.

"Jack...please don't say that."

They met eyes and Jack gave her an awkward smile.

"Then come with me. I think it's time for the Jack Pack to get back together, don't you?"

Cinder shook her head, then smiled and looked down at their hands.

"May as well," she said, squeezing his hand. "What else could we do on a Saturday?"

Jack smirked, then they both looked back at each other, examining their faces.

"Your face is red," they said at the same time.

Cinder laughed and Jack smiled, ignoring the sting in the left side of his head.

"I'll talk to Enny," Cinder offered. "She's been itching for action, so I don't see her disagreeing."

"Leaving me with the difficult one then, huh?" Jack said with a tired laugh. "I don't know how gung-ho Zephyr will be. He's convinced we should wait, and it's going to take a lot to change his mind."

"Well, we are a lot, so it'll only take us."

He smiled again, then reluctantly let go of her hand and stepped back, rubbing his nose.

"Why don't we both talk to Enny?" he asked. "If any of us would convince ole Zeph it'll be her."

"You noticed that too? I thought it was just me."

They smiled and started to the temple. Jack cringed at another pain in his head, ignored the hiss of breath in his brain, that little reminder that he wasn't the only one inhabiting his body. Cinder noticed the pain on his face and touched his arm. Jack grabbed her hand and held it tight. It was the only warmth he felt at that moment, and he didn't want it to go away.