Author's note: Shout out with a megaphone to SomeoneForeign for the ideas! Gonna throw a mix in here. I like trying to develop their relationship even more… so yaaaaaaaay! :D

Warning: Lots of songs. This is how I write! And study! And do everything….. All my YouTube is Boyce Avenue cos I am basic Afffffffffffffff.

Also, my timeline is now in winter (Firecracker was set in the Fall) cos where I live is hot as balls and I am dreaming of colder months. :3

…..

Chapter 6: Safe and Sound

….

Nodding her head to the simple and beautiful guitar melody, Lily leaned forward on the stool opposite Jet on the little make shift stage. String lights created a soft glow above them, and the rest of the winter lights twinkled around the restaurant. It was now late November and the entire town was lit up for Christmas. Candles flickered on tables as conversation lowered to hushed whispers. Everyone stared at the young couple, both clad in simple white button down shirts rolled to the elbows and blue jeans. Jet focused on the strings and Lily's hand wrapped around the microphone as she began to sing;

I remember tears streaming down your face when I said I'll never let you go
When all those shadows almost killed your light
I remember you said don't leave me here alone
But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight

Their gazes locked as he joined in her in singing the chorus;

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down
You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now
Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound

Then Jet sang by himself. Lily looked out into the crowd, seeing the widened eyes of their team mates. 006 and 007 gave a little muted applause. The rest smiled on.

Don't you dare look out your window, darling everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold onto this lullaby even when the musics gone, gone

Francoise leaned over to Joe. "I never knew Jet could sing so well!" she whispered, excitedly. Joe nodded, placing his hand over his mouth, "I heard him singing in the shower sometimes," Francoise giggled quietly. "But this is different. This type of music suits him," Joe continued. Albert spied a look around the establishment. Everyone was focused on the performance. Some people even swayed in their seats. Another couple of people peeked in through the entrance doors and the seating hostess dashed over to greet them. "GB, this was a great idea! Even more people are coming in!" Chang whispered. GB gave a little bow. They turned their attention back to the stage as the song finished. Applause rang out around the room.

Lily smiled as everyone quietened, except for GB who was shouting "Bravo!" from the back. "Thank you everyone. That song was 'Safe and Sound', dedicated to our wonderful teammates, who always keep us safe and sound." Awes and a "Wooo hoooo!" from Chang filled the silence. "This next song is a bit more fitting to us. I am sure you know it, it's 'Fast Car'. Thank you." Jet smiled and started to strum again. Lily reached down, picking up a little shaker and Tambourine. Lily started the song again;

You got a fast car
I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
Won't have to drive too far
Just 'cross the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living

Jet leaned forward to the microphone as Lily continued to keep the beat with the shaker;

You see my old man's got a problem
He live with the bottle that's the way it is
He says his body's too old for working
His body's too young to look like his
My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said somebody's got to take care of him
So I quit school and that's what I did

Lily looked at him, recalling all those times on the roof of Dr. Kozumi's house, playing and practicing. She had convinced him to gain confidence in singing by singing what had meaning to him. Surprisingly, he chose Fast Car, after hearing different covers online. She smiled at him singing softly with his eyes closed. She took over again for the next short chorus;

You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way

Jet felt his heart flutter as he looked out at all the smiling faces in the crowd. Joe gave him a little thumbs up. He nodded as he joined Lily for the chorus;

So remember we were driving, driving in your car
Speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

They two continued the set with several more songs and ended with Jet's dedication to Lily; 'Signal Fire'. The restaurant erupted in applause when they finished. The place was now full, many people standing with drinks as all the tables were occupied. Jet took Lily's hand as they got down off the stage and went to the storage room to leave their instruments. Once out of sight of the crowd, he pulled her in for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and looked down at her. "Thank you for convincing me to do this, Lily." She smiled back up at him. "You were FANTASTIC, Jet! You stole the show. Let's go out and see the others, they'll agree with me," she moved towards the door but Jet pulled her back. "You look so beautiful, everyone had their eyes on you," he whispered, this thumb stroking her freckled cheek. Lily's face turned scarlet. "No, no. I'm nothing to look at," he replied, staring down. Jet guided her by her chin back to his gaze, "Don't do that…" She was about to argue back when the door swung open and in charged Chang. "Oh my goodness! The place is full! I want you back here singing again, thank you so much!" He pulled them down into a hug, floods of tears streaming out of his eyes. "Alright, water works, you're welcome! C'mon, let's all get a drink," Jet announced patting his shoulder.

….

Jet and Lily sat with the rest of their team mates at the table. Everyone chattered about the upcoming holidays. Lily found herself zoning out a bit, realizing that this would be the first holiday season she would be away from her family. She quickly swallowed down the thought. She was with a crowd of people who had the same story as her, many much more sorrowful. Over the past couple of weeks, she had got to know her team mates better since they were now all set up in Japan. It was a bit harder on board the Dolphin when traveling, as they were on constant alert and ran patrols here and there on their way. She was much closer to Chang and GB as they were much more fun than the rest of the group. The trio were often seen (or rather, heard) in the kitchen. Lily was learning how to cook from Chang and therefore spent time with him in the kitchen helping with the food prep. Although she had her internal translator, she was not yet so confident in speaking Japanese with customers.

Lily looked around the table. Everyone seemed at ease. She took a sip of her drink, thinking how lucky she was to have ended up in this group, given her circumstance. Not that they could ever replace her old friends, but she still felt lucky to have them. After all, if it was not for the cyborg project, she would never have met them, especially the first generation. She felt Jet's hand rest on her knee. Lily looked up at him as he gave her a wink. 'Yep, definitely lucky,' she thought. But she felt a squeeze of sadness again at the pit of her stomach. She rested her hand over it, as though it was a physical pain. Jet's arm found its way around her shoulders. "You okay?" he whispered quietly. Lily nodded, "Yeah, just holiday talk. Holiday equals family." Jet gave her a little squeeze. "How about we get out of here and walk home together?" Lily nodded, thankful that Jet could pick up on what she was feeling.

…

The waves lapped on the shore lazily as Jet and Lily walked hand in hand. "We look good matching tonight. Maybe we'll do this next time too," Jet smiled at her. Lily tugged at the end of her shirt and chuckled to herself, recalling her breakdown in a store with Francoise. She was trying to get her to try on dresses and Lily was having none of it.

"Come on, Lily, you would look so great in this!" Francoise cooed excitedly, holding up a lilac abomination with RUFFLES. "No, Francoise. That is not my style. I don't do dresses. I have one skirt and it's enough." Francoise's shoulders dropped. "But you should make an effort for the performance," she pouted. "Francoise, I will buy that dress for YOU if you get off my back, deal?"

"So, what's troubling you, Firefly?" Lily sighed trying to find the right words. "I really miss my family, Jet. It's hit hard lately and I don't know what to do." Jet stopped walking and motioned for Lily to sit down at the base of the sand dune. Lily looked at him sadly, "I'm sorry. I am so happy to be here with you, with all of you. But… I just can't help thinking of them, back at home. Rosa and the twins would be back home from university. Mama would be arranging parties with her Spanish friends. Or, would they? I wonder how me being gone has changed…." Lily mumbled, digging her feet into the sand. Jet wrapped an arm around her. "I don't know what to say, Lily. I can't relate to you." She looked at him but his eyes were hidden under his bangs. "Christmas was not a big deal for my family. It was the same as every other day. But, I knew the other kids around were having a good time and that got to me," Jet continued quietly. Lily leaned into him and wrapped her arm around his back. "There were some holidays that I spent with friends' families, and those were pretty nice. Even last Christmas, it was just us, the team I mean. Francoise went off to Paris. It was simple but we had good food, drinks, and people talked to fill the silence. At least this year, I have you," he turned to her smiling.

Lily felt her stomach sink. She felt terrible. 'Here I am, having a pity party about my Christmas and Jet never had a family like mine…. Never had a Christmas like mine….' Lily gave him a sad smile and looked out at the sea. 'I can't talk to him about this. It's not fair,' a tear threatened but Lily blinked it away. Jet stared out at the waves too. "You know, I'd prefer if we were on high alert. It takes my mind off things," he said quietly. Lily nodded, "Yeah, I get that. Looks like everything seems have to settled down." Jet took her hand, causing her to look at him. "I hope so, Lily. I never want to go through what we did again. I don't want to lose you." Lily pushed him playfully. "C'mon, Jet. I can take on anyone. Don't worry!" Jet pushed her back lightly. "Here I am tryna have a moment with you." Lily chuckled glad of the change of subject. "Jet, you should be only supporting your girlfriend; I'm the indestructible one after all!" Lily crossed her arms and gave him a smug look. Jet sighed and gave her a lopsided smile. "Yeah, but if anything happens, I won't lose my girlfriend, I'll also lose my best bud." Lily raised her eyebrows. "I thought Joe was your best bud?" Jet chuckled, "Nah, he's too much of a wet blanket. Bud, but not best bud." Lily looked a little closer and saw that he was blushing slightly and then threw her arms around him. "Naaaaawwwwww! You're my best bud too! But you gotta stop worrying about this fight stuff. If I was a guy, you'd only be egging me on." Jet squeezed her tightly. "Fine, I'll do my best not to worry, and let you go and get yourself killed." Lily nuzzled into his neck. "And I'll tag you in, just like in wrestling, okay? We're a team, you and I. Remember that. You seem hell bent on protecting me. Maybe I am the one to protect you?" Jet turned to look at her, seeing that she was no longer joking. "Then I am the lucky one, Lily," and with that he pulled her in for a kiss.

…..

Propped up on his elbow, Jet stared at Lily. She was sprawled on her side of the bed, one arm draped over her face and snoring slightly. He smiled to himself. 'Yeerp. I'm the lucky one.' The house was empty as everyone was still out at Chang's restaurant, so they took advantage of this. He reached over and plugged her nose with his thumb and index finger. Lily flayed her arms and woke with a jolt, smacking him away. He laughed at her expression and wheezing. "Jet! Why?!" she gasped. "Just because, buddy," he smiled at her playfully. Lily grabbed the pillow and whacked him lightly. "I don't think buds do what you did to me, pal. In fact, I don't think that's legal for unmarried couples in many cultures," she smirked at him. Jet reached over and ruffled with her hair. "Well, what if we did get married?" he asked smiling. Lily hooked an eyebrow at him. "Pfffft, yeah right. Francoise would have a heart attack if us trash people got married before her and Prince Joe," Lily snorted. Jet laughed, "Yeah that would be a shocker." Lily sat up, wrapping the bed sheet around her. "I wouldn't have pegged you as the marrying type, Jet. Isn't it something that strikes fear in the hearts of men?" she asked coyly. Jet lay back and put his arms behind his head. "Heh, I never thought of myself as the relationship type either, till I met you. Lily Link. Has a nice ring to it, right?" he teased. Lily hit him with a pillow again. "Oh stop. Plus, my name is too good to change, so no deal," she winked at him. Her ears pricked at a door opening downstairs.

Jet pulled her close to his chest as his hands trailing down her lower back. He tucked her hair behind her ear and whispered, "Silent mode?" Lily nodded and kissed him back, rolling on top of him….

…..

In the early hours of the morning, Jet lay curled behind Lily with one arm wrapped around her waist, the other under her knees. He nuzzled into her neck. She felt warm. Much warmer than before. At first he thought he was imagining it but now he knew for sure. Ever since the coma, her temperature ran a little higher than it used to. Though technically his body temperature was now lower than a human, he noticed that Lily's was now closer to what used to be "normal". He recalled how Dr. Gilmore had explained to them that Lily was more like Francoise. They were the most human of the cyborgs. Lily's only evasive surgeries were the procedures for her internal transmitter, translator, detector (since removed of course) heart, spinal cord and artificial skin. Her rejuvenation ability worked from her heart and spinal cord to the rest of her cells. Dr. Gilmore compared it to nano technology but without the robotics. He was still unsure, as only dangerous evasive surgery could show more. Lily called it black magic and chaos. Duh. Whatever it was that kept her going, Jet accepted it. After all, some degree of magic had to be involved in keeping them all moving….

Jet smiled to himself. 'Only another month before we set off on our travels. New York, Orlando, then over to Italy, Sicily, Croatia, Germany, Switzerland….. then, somewhere else.' Jet smiled to himself, trying to remember the whole list they had planned that night in Mesilla. 'Just hope nothing comes up to mess this up for us….. Aw man, I'm gonna jinx it!' Lily stirred in her sleep. Jet tensed but then she relaxed again. 'She rarely has nightmares now. I just wish I could make her happier, about this whole holidays thing. I wish I understood what she misses. I just wish I was enough for her…' Lily stirred again and turned in her sleep, cuddling up close to him. Jet stroked her hair. 'I just wish I could be enough family for her…' he pulled her close and kissed her on her forehead.

…

Author's note: More songs. Sorry, not sorry! Saw so many cute pictures of Jet playing guitar sooooooo… this is how the clogs in my brain worked.

Just worried I have made him too soft…? I dunno. He strikes me as an absolute softie with the right people. Also loved his reincarnation in the VS Devilman series. He was much softer, spoken and cuddly with the mystery woman. (Eva from the manga?!) So yes, working with that image!

I also want to work on Lily a bit more. I guess I don't want to run the risk of her being too perfect or anything. Ehhh.

Bit of drama coming up next. And feels. Yaaaaaaaaaasssssss. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx