A few days later I heard footsteps and when I cracked open one eye I saw Max followed by Steel.
"Hey sorry we woke you." Steel said, moving to my left side. Giving him a weak smile I struggled to sit up and just as I did I saw something in Max's right hand.
"What's that?" I asked, rubbing at my eyes and Max grinned. Stepping towards me he handed over something. "A..get well card?" I muttered, opening the card. Then my grin widened when I saw a bunch of signatures.
"Yeah well I told Sydney, Kirby and Butch what happened to you. And they kind of wanted to help. I left out the part about you being a superhero." Max explained only to stare when I sniffed. "What's wrong? I thought the card would cheer you up."
"It does...sorry." I coughed, setting the card down on the bed before I wiped my eyes. "It's just...Berto hasn't been to see me since yesterday. Seeing that people care about me, whether I get better or not just..." I trailed off with another sniff.
"I thought Berto would be the first one here. That's really weird." Steel commented and Max nodded, looking a little shocked.
"Yeah. Wait here and I'll get him." Max offered, running back into the corridor and I sighed rolling my eyes.
"Where does he think you'll go?" Steel pointed out just as Shock entered, giving me a grin once he saw me sitting up.
"Hey how are you feeling?" He asked, setting a hand on my shoulder and I gently fist bumped his hand. "Better huh?"
"Jessie would be if Berto hadn't abandoned her, right when she needs him the most." Steel answered, his one eye glowing and I sighed again.
"He's probably just distracted trying to find Extroyer." I said, though I really couldn't believe he hadn't checked in on me. Feeling tears threatening I bit my lower lip, forcing a smile on my face. A few minutes later I heard footsteps and I looked towards the door, expecting both Max and Berto only to feel my face fall when only Max entered.
"He said he'll come past later." Max told me and I lay back, forgetting about staying positive. When a single tear slipped down my cheek he frowned. "Sorry but I...need to head back home. I kind of have homework and well, sorry." He told me and I lifted my head, giving him a nod.
"That's okay. I know what Mr Thornhill would say if you don't hand in your homework. Say hi to Molly for me." I answered and he gave me a grin, hurrying towards the corridor with Steel in tow. After he was sure they were gone Shock moved back to my side just in time to see me cover my face with my open palm, tears now streaking my face.
"Shh it's going to be okay." Shock soothed, giving my uninjured hand a pat. All that did was make me cry harder and he frowned, furious that Berto would upset me like this. "Berto has a lot of explaining to do. I'll be back soon, okay?" He said and I sniffed, not looking as he shot towards the doorway.
Right now Berto was sitting on his desk chair, too focused on the computer screen in front of him that he didn't even look up when Shock entered the room. Hovering just behind Berto, Shock waited patiently for the scientist to look up. Less than a minute later he coughed and Berto whirled around, only to see the Ultralink hovering there.
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Berto gasped, one hand pressed against his chest. Once he saw the glare Shock was giving him he frowned. "What's wrong with you?"
"I should be asking that same question. Why aren't you checking on Jessie? She's still recovering and you don't even care." Shock growled and Berto blinked, looking confused. "Your girlfriend?"
"I know she's still in the Medical Bay." Berto answered, turning back around and Shock actually growled before he shot forward. When he blocked Berto from using his keyboard, Berto stared. "Okay why are you stopping me from working? I need to find Extroyer and that is not helping."
"Jessie's more important but I guess you forgot that. I'll leave you alone now like you've been doing to Jessie lately." Shock muttered, heading towards the door. When Berto didn't respond he sighed, heading back towards the Medical Bay.
A few minutes later he returned to find his best friend asleep, having cried herself to sleep a few minutes ago. Giving her a slight smile he moved towards the bed, eventually hovering over her head. "Something's really wrong with Berto. I think it has something to do with your coma." He whispered, reaching out to gently stroke her forehead. "But he should be taking care of you."
Deciding to take care of Jessie, since Berto didn't seem to care, Shock stayed inside the Medical Bay. Jessie didn't even notice sleeping through most of the day though he did see a set of chocolate-brown eyes watching as night fell.
"Evening. How are you?" Shock asked and I yawned, sitting up slowly and he grinned. "You look a bit better."
"Feel a little sleepy...not sure why. Pretty sure I've spent more time asleep than awake." I muttered. "Berto...doesn't care about me." I added, glancing towards the doorway and he shook his head.
"I don't think he's himself. When you got hurt...well I don't know what to say." Shock answered and I sighed, fiddling with the blanket covering me.
"That's okay. He probably has a lot on his mind." I whispered, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Still it would have been nice to talk about...what happened. I know he's worried that something could happen again but...well it's not very fair being left alone. Oh...I didn't mean it like that." I quickly added and Shock just smiled, giving my hand a pat.
"I know what you mean. He should be taking care of you. He is your boyfriend after all." Shock answered and I nodded. It wasn't until the very next morning that I had company, besides Shock of course.
"Hey good to see you're awake." Max said, standing inside the doorway and I grinned back. "How's your head?"
"Still a little sore but I'll live." I replied, sitting up. "You haven't seen Berto have you? He's still looking for Extroyer since that's so much more important than me."
"Well it is important to find him." Steel answered, sighing when I chewed my lip. "Of course you're more important than him."
Grabbing the tray sitting on my bed I took a sip of my apple juice. Of course I did care that Berto still hadn't visited me though I didn't want to let it upset me, not when I knew I could be going home today. If Doctor Conrad gave me permission of course. What I didn't know was that Berto was making a decision that would affect our relationship in a big way.
"So am I well enough to go home? I mean it's nice being looked after so well but..." I trailed off when Doctor Conrad gave me a smile.
"I undersstand what you mean. After checking your pulse, heart rate and blood work I can honestly say...you're well enough to go home. If you want to of course." Doctor Conrad told me and I grinned, unable to prevent a giggle before my face went red. "One thing though or two things actually. I still need to remove your catater and your drip."
"I think we'll be heading to school now. Good luck with that." Max answered, quickly hurrying towards the doorway and I shook my head cheeks still burning. I knew what was coming and even with Doctor Conrad's assurances it wouldn't hurt I still winced when my catheter was removed. Having the IV drip removed on the other hand made me yelp.
"There. Now just make sure to keep the bandage on your head dry and come back in another day or so to get the bandage changed." He explained after I climbed from the bed, only to stumble and he helped me back onto the bed. "You need to take it easy."
"I'm a little woozy." I muttered, rubbing at my eyes. "Guess I need to start training again."
"Not for a week. Doctor's orders. You did just come out of a coma." Doctor Conrad answered, trying not to laugh when I blinked. "Now if you start feeling dizzy call me straight away." He added and I nodded, thanking him. After he walked through the door I heard footsteps and I thought that maybe he forgot something only to stare when Berto entered the room.
"Hey Jessie. How are you?" He asked and I crossed my arms, my eyes narrowed. "Look I meant to check on you I've just been busy."
"Yeah too busy to check on me." I replied, climbing from the bed. This time I managed to stay upright right until Berto hit me with a bombshell. Then I needed to sit back down, shaking when the news finally hit me. "You're...breaking up with me?" I whispered. "Tell me you're joking because that's not funny."
"Jessie, just hear me out. I was just thinking that taking some time apart would be good." Berto answered, fiddling with his wrist computer. When I narrowed my eyes he sighed. "It's just for a week."
"A week?! Just when I thought we could spend some time together you spring this on me?" I growled and he glared back, his computer forgotten.
"Excuse me but it was your fault that you wound up here." Berto shot back, inwardly cringing when I froze. "That didn't come out right."
"Oh I know what you mean perfectly well. Fine then we're not a couple anymore. Bye estupido." I muttered, ignoring Shock as I pushed past Berto, making sure to push him into the bed. He just stared after me, not making a move to follow me and as soon as I cleared the doorway I let out a tiny sniff. When I heard footsteps following me I chose to ignore them. "Just leave me alone. You've made your position perfectly clear." I muttered, not caring when Shock flew over trying to stop me from walking away.
"I didn't mean to say that to you, bella." Berto said, laying a hand on my shoulder and I whirled around my eyes taking on a green glow that made him back into the wall.
"No you don't get to say anything. We're done here, Shock." I whispered, looking straight into his eyes. With a shrug aimed at Berto, Shock linked with me and after taking a few steps back I snorted. "Let's rock, Flight!" I called out and once we changed modes I took to the air, not even looking back.
"That wasn't a good idea to blow up like that." Shock said as we flew through the air but I didn't answer, not caring. "Silent treatment, huh? Okay that's fine with me."
Of course the silence didn't last and a few minutes later he spoke up, distracting me from my thoughts. "Can't you just leave me alone? I saved you remember?" I muttered and Shock sighed, not giving me a moment's peace.
"I do know that and I appreciate it. It's just...you and Berto care about each other so why, after everything you two have been through, would you break up?" He asked and I sniffed again, heading for the nearest rooftop which just happened to be THI. Once I landed I changed to Base mode and after slumping to the floor I sniffed again, my helmet vanishing. "Jessie, you know he loves you." Shock said but that just made me cry harder and he gave me a gentle back pat.
"He...hates me! Why else would he break up?" I sobbed, hiding my face in my hands. Shock tried to get me to calm down though he soon realized that once I started to cry it was near to possible to stop me. "J...jerk! After everything I...I've done for him. I never want to see him again!"
"Is someone there?" Someone called and my head jerked up as Molly stuck her head out the window near where I was sitting. "Jessie? Are you okay?" She asked, taking in my tear streaked face and she sighed. "Come inside."
Now sitting in Molly's office, and in my street clothes, I thanked Molly as she handed me a box of tissues. "So Berto broke up with you?" Molly asked, sitting opposite me and I nodded.
"He just said that you two should take a break from each other." Shock piped up, getting a glare for his trouble. "His words not mine." He quickly added, hovering beside Molly. While I wiped at my eyes I kept thinking about the last few days and that made tears stream down my face.
"I'm sure Berto wouldn't really break up with you. You two seem so good together." Molly told me and I sighed, looking at the floor. "Jessie, just call him."
"I'm not running back to him with my tail between my legs. He's going to apologize to me and not the other way around. He messed up, not me." I muttered, lifting my head. "Thanks for talking to me." I added, standing and heading towards the window only for Molly to shake her head.
"I'll drive you back. Just give me a minute to grab my keys." Molly offered and I nodded, sniffing. Shock linked with me, unsure how to help right now though once we arrived back at the Vista View Apartments he spoke up again.
"If he calls you, and he will, just let me speak." Shock suggested as I climbed from my seat and after thanking Molly again, I watched her drive back to THI. Heading inside the building I made the short trip towards my apartment, trying not to think about how upset I was.
It wasn't until I dragged myself towards my bedroom that I whimpered, my anger towards Berto my now ex-boyfriend fading to be replaced by sadness. As soon as I lay facedown on my bed the tears flowed and I ended up crying myself to sleep, completely ignoring Shock's efforts to calm me.
So angry and hurt by Berto's actions I avoided bumping into him back at N-Tek, using Stealth and Speed. For once Shock kept quiet, siding with me even though he probably thought I was being silly. Which worked until I was called into the Com Room two days later and I saw him the moment I stepped through the door. My eyes narrowed at him I took a step towards my friends who stared at me then Berto, completely in the dark about our breakup. It wasn't until Forge took me aside after the meeting that I finally let out just what had happened.
"Jessie, I know something's bothering you. What's wrong?" Forge asked and I blinked, confused until he coughed. "You haven't been yourself and I thought that was because of your head injury. Though judging from the glare you gave Berto and the fact you've been avoiding him every chance you get..." He trailed off when I hurriedly wiped my eyes.
"I'm fine, Commander. I have to go if there's nothing else you need." I replied, a little too quickly and he nodded watching as I headed towards the nearest training room. My bad mood didn't let up and I found myself snapping at the tiniest things even my friends who were oblivious to my breakup.
It was only after Max gave them the condensed version, as I washed my face in the ladies bathroom, that they finally understood. But even with Kirby and Butch's jokes and Sydney telling me that it would be okay I just couldn't see anything worth dwelling on. So I headed home straight after school, even ignoring any incoming phone calls.
"Berto, she just needs time." Steel told Berto one afternoon as he tried, once again to contact me. "She's just hurting right now."
"And whose fault is that? I didn't say anything about breaking up and she just blows up at me. Fine if she doesn't want to talk or even see me I don't care." Berto growled, throwing his phone at the nearest wall. Steel cringed as the phone burst apart on impact but Berto didn't even react, angrily typing away at his keyboard. Muttering in Spanish he focused on upgrading C.Y.T.R.O, not even looking up when Max entered the room.
"It's about Jessie, isn't it? You miss her don't you?" He asked and when Berto didn't answer he shook his head. "Then maybe you should go and talk to her, let her know she still matters to you."
"But what if she doesn't want to see me? I don't think I can face that." Berto asked and Max gave him a pat on the back that nearly smacked him into the floor. "I just wanted to keep her safe. I thought if I stayed away she would focus on being careful and...that sounds really dumb. Wish I'd never even suggested taking a break."
"You care about Jessie enough to keep her safe but she's too stubborn for that. Besides she doesn't want to be apart from you anymore then you do." Max replied and Berto finally put down his wrench. "Good luck." He added after Berto set down his jacket. Not even looking back Berto hurried towards the hangar, heading towards his car.
Right now I was lying on my back, looking directly up at the ceiling as Shock hovered nearby. Finally he rolled his eye and shot into my line of sight, annoyed with my constant bad mood.
"Okay you have to cheer up and stop taking out my anger on everyone. And you need to call Berto and let him explain himself." Shock said, ignoring the glare I gave him. "That wasn't a suggestion." He added and I growled, rolling over onto my stomach.
"Not gonna happen. He's a colossal jerk and I don't want to talk to him. You can if you want." I grumbled and Shock sighed, throwing his arms in the air. Before he could try again we both heard a doorknock and I froze, staring towards my bedroom door. "That couldn't be...no I'm not going to answer it."
"Fine then I will." Shock growled, flying towards the open doorway before I could stop him. Shocked, I climbed off the bed and raced into the kitchen only to trip on the lounge room rug. With a yell I fell on my face, bumping my nose. Muttering under my breath I struggled to my feet just as the door swung open to reveal Berto, who blinked at me.
"Is this a bad time?" He asked as I rubbed my nose, fighting the urge to slam the door in his face. Shock let him in as I disappeared into my bedroom, still muttering something no one could understand except me. A few minutes later Berto stood inside the doorway, looking at me as I lay on my back. "Jessie, I came her to apologize. I shouldn't have said...what I said to you. But I was just scared to lose you."
"Well you did a pretty good job of losing me. Thanks for that and after everything I went through." I whispered, rolling onto my side as soon as I felt my eyes welling up. Stupid jerk treating me like this, I thought.
"You need to get through to her. Good luck you're going to need it." Shock sighed, giving Berto's shoulder a pat before he left the room. Now alone I sighed, hiding my watery eyes with a pillow.
"Jessie, don't do this. I thought if I distanced myself from you I wouldn't hurt you. That wasn't the smartest move I've made and I'm sorry." Berto explained getting a sniff in response. Giving me a smile Berto moved over to the bed and I curled into myself, not wanting to cry in front of him.