"Berto can you hear me? Please wake up." I begged as I held Berto's limp body in my arms and after having secured the Ultralink, Ven Ghan rushed over. "Please don't be hurt."
After a few seconds Berto's eyelids flickered and as his eyes slowly opened I managed a smile as he focused on me. "Jess?" He whispered and I burst into tears which surprised everyone present. Suddenly I pulled him into a hug and he gasped having his air cut off for a moment before I realized I was holding him too tightly and I relaxed a bit. "Thanks...but why are you...crying?" He asked lifting his head and I didn't answer as I sobbed. "Hey its alright. Sshh." He whispered as he gently stroked my hair looking at Ven Ghan in confusion.
"You were Ultralinked. She is upset because of that." Ven Ghan explained and even though that didn't really explain anything he just nodded. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Not so sure about Jessie." Berto replied as he held me in his arms and when my cries finally subsided I lifted my head cheeks tear streaked and he sighed. "Are you okay, babe?" He asked me and I nodded not trusting my voice afraid that I would start bawling again. Helping him to his feet we walked out of the alleyway and as we reached the pavement I saw Max Steel land and hurry over.
"Where were you?" I said and everyone was a little shocked to hear the anger in my voice. "You should have been helping us fight Mega Elementor and rescuing Berto." Once I realized just how mean I was being I took a deep breath. "Sorry guys I don't mean that...not sure why I said it. Can we just get back to N-Tek?" I sighed and that's when Max asked where Mega Elementor was.
"I am sorry but he managed to escape while I was preoccupied with unlinking Berto." Ven Ghan said as he sheathed his sword.
"No its okay, Ven. Thanks for you help." I told him and he nodded before he teleported to his ship. "I just want to go home." I muttered and that's when Shock suggested going back to my apartment. "Maybe we should." I replied and Berto suddenly spoke.
"I'm going with you. And no buts okay? I just want to take a break from saving the world." He told me and even I know that was a lie but I just nodded glad to have him with me again. As I changed to Flight Mode Berto told Max and Steel to tell Commander Forge that we were safe and well. And after telling him to be careful getting back to N-Tek Berto left with me and Shock. As we flew back to my building I couldn't help noticing just how quiet Berto was and as we got closer I wondered just what he was thinking about. Landing in the alleyway just a few feet from the apartment building I changed to Camo Mode and before he could protest I wrapped an arm around his shoulder and helped him towards the front door. "You know I can walk." Berto said though he was touched by my concern for him as he had a smile on his face. Once we reached the door to my apartment I reached into my pocket for my keys and as I did I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist and startled I dropped my keys on the carpet floor.
"Huh Berto what are you..." I began to ask before I felt him brush a light kiss on the back of my neck and I smiled. "Doing." I finally finished before he nuzzled my neck. "Oh...wow." I mumbled as he kissed my neck again and as his teeth brushed against my throat I let out a sigh.
"Really guys? Right here in the hallway?" Shock muttered as he detached and retrieved the keys from the floor before he managed to get the door open. " At least wait until you're inside." He told us and I giggled as Berto let go of my waist only to grab my hand and pull me inside the apartment. "One track minds and after being Ultralinked too." He added and that instantly spoiled my good mood as I rememebered Berto screaming as the Ultralink forced its control over him. When my face fell Berto sighed and gently hugged me giving Shock a glare. "Oh yeah...sorry Jessie."
"But it was my fault. I let my anger at Toxzon get the best of me and I didn't see that Ultralink until it was too late. I'm so sorry Berto." I whispered and instead of trying to talk me out of feeling sorry for myself Berto instead swept me into a hug. Without speaking he held me tight and after a few seconds I buried my face in his chest just wanting to be held. Reaching up Berto gently ran a hand through my hair and that seemed to help me calm down. Eventually I sighed and as he held me I nuzzled his chest, surprising him. "Berto...you smell nice." I muttered and he stopped stroking my hair for a moment.
"Um okay." Shock said as Berto stared at me and when I finally lifted my head he saw my red eyes and he blinked. "Are you okay, Jessie? You don't seem like yourself."
"I don't know why I'm acting strange. Sorry guys maybe I'm just tired or something." I answered as I gently pushed away from Berto and silently walked the rest of the way towards my room. Watching me walk inside and close the door Berto wondered just what was making me so upset and as he thought about it Shock hovered nearby, just as confused.
"I wish I knew why she's so depressed." Shock said and Berto stared at the Ultralink who just shrugged. "I can't read her mind but still something's really hurting her. Maybe when you got Ultralinked..." He trailed off then as Berto sighed and thinking he'd said something wrong he tried to apologize. "Sorry Berto I really shouldn't keep bringing that up."
"Its fine. Anyway I think its more than just that. Jessie hasn't been herself for a few days now and that worries me. Maybe if I just ask her and..." But Berto had even finished talking he heard what sounded like an argument and without a word he rushed towards my room. As he hestitaed in front of the door he heard my voice and another that sounded very familar.
"Why are you hesitating? You know you want him and he's right there. So what's the hold up?" Dark Jessie asked and I growled at her as she watched me from my bathroom mirror.
"Enough! I'm not like you okay? I don't just see Berto and want to make out with him just because I can. Unlike you I actually care about what he wants." I shot back and she rolled her eyes at me, clearly not convinced.
"That's what you say but a few minutes ago you almost jumped him. Maybe you should be honest with yourself and admit that we're the same. Because I am the other, darker side of you in case you forgot." Dark Jessie pointed out looking down at her fingernails and I glared at her. "Huh nothing to add? That's a surprise."
"Jessie are you okay? Can I come in?" I heard Berto call out and I sighed before I told him that, yes it was fine. As the door to my room opened and he found it empty he frowned until he saw the door to the bathroom open and he sighed. "What's wrong?" He asked until he saw my reflection and he frowned. "Oh she's back."
"That's not very nice, Berto. We're both Jessie if that escaped you. Anyway Jessie won't admit it but she wanted to jump you before." Dark Jessie said and I blushed furiously wanting to smash the mirror. Noticing me holding my hand up her eyes narrowed. "If you do that I won't go away and you'll hurt your hand." She pointed out and I gritted my teeth lowering my hand as I realized she was right.
"Jessie its going to be okay." Berto said as he took my hand in his and when I turned my head he could see fresh tears falling. "Jess." He muttered and as he went to hug me Dark Jessie laughed.
"Poor Jessie. Always going crying back to her boyfriend instead of fighting back. How pathetic." She taunted and without warning I sent a blast of Turbo energy at the mirror instantly spliting it in two. "Heh so powerful but no control." Frustrated with her and myself I rushed back into my bedroom and slumped on the bed, trying to control my temper and the fear I felt. As I lay there I heard Berto's footsteps and as he sat beside me I couldn't face him.
"I know you probably hate hearing this but it will be okay." Berto told me as he reached over and gently stroked my head. "We'll figure this out together." He added and hearing me sigh he riased an eyebrow before moving closer. I was then taken by surprise when he lay beside me and wrapping an arm around my waist he pulled me against him. "Jessie I know you're afraid but you're not alone." He whispered and getting no response he leant closer and kissed the back of my neck. Knowing he was trying his hardest to comfort me made me feel just a bit better and I snuggled closer, one of my hands covering his.
"Thanks Berto. I'm just really scared I'll lose control and I won't be able to stop myself from hurting someone." I told him and he rested his head against mine his grip tightening. "I appreciate everything you do for me...and everything you put up with." I added and I heard him chuckle at that.
"Jessie if I didn't love you would I have stuck around for this long? You're not the easiest person to put up with." Berto replied and I tilted my head at him and he grinned at the pout on my face. "Just kidding bella." He said and I managed a smile. Content to just lay beside him I found myself begining to fall asleep and hearing my breathing slow he smiled. "You're tired aren't you?" He asked and I sighed trying not to close my eyes and he gently kissed my neck holding me against his chest and pretty soon I couldn't stop myself. As I dozed off he grinned and by the time Shock finally decided to check in on us he found both of us holding each other and fast asleep.
"Hmm I wasn't expecting this. Well goodnight you two." He said as he turned off the light.
