"Well I guess we know who wears the pants in that relationship. And they fit her very well too." May commented, watching Jack and Ebony preparing plates of food for themselves before Jack pulled out a chair to seat Ebony. She sat at a café table with Trudy, who was feeding Brady. Trudy looked up, observing the couple, replying. "At first glance it appears that way, but look again. Look how Ebony looks at Jack, how she smiles when he laughs at something, how she is always seems to need to be touching him." May looked again, as Trudy guided another 'airplane' of porridge into Brady's hangar. Sure enough, Ebony sat, watching Jack as he related some story to Pride and Lex, smiling when he did and absently stroking his thigh. "Whoa. Who would have thunk? Ebony, former Queen of the Locos and City Leader, falling for geek-boy Jack?" May shook her head.
"Better she found love with Jack than pining after someone else's man." Trudy tilted her head in the direction of Pride. May gasped, turning thunderous eyes to the purple-haired girl. Trudy smirked. "Sorry, are my claws showing? Not so nice when the cattiness is coming at you is it? Think about that the next time you want to say something mean." She spooned the last bit of food into Brady's mouth, wiped off the little girl's hands and face, then carried Brady and the bowl to the sink before going over to talk to Jack and Ebony. She left May at the table, her arms crossed, sulking to herself.
She pulled out a chair, sitting down with the couple, Brady slapping her hands on the table and gurgling to herself. "Hey guys, I haven't had a chance to talk to you since you've been back." Trudy smiled at them over her daughter's head. Ebony looked arched a perfectly groomed brow at the purple-haired girl. "Oh is that it? Are we to believe that your visit had nothing to do with May sulking over there?" She inclined her head in the direction of the girl sitting alone. Trudy flushed. "Okay, you've got me; I could not sit at that table for a moment more with May. I would have just…" She was distracted by the arrival of a tall, dark-haired boy wearing a pair of blue-tinted glasses. She smiled broadly, her eyes lighting up. "Mega! Good Morning, Jay should be down any second."
Ebony's and Jack's heads swiveled to see who this newcomer was that walked over to tickle little Brady's chin, setting the toddler to giggling loudly. Jack stood up suddenly, knocking over his chair. "What the hell are you doing here? Trudy how can you allow Brady in the same room as one of those, those..." Jack's head swerved from Mega to Trudy, his face showing shock and anger. "One of those what, Jack? Monster? Enemy? Please let me know." Jay had come down the stairs and now stood by the table, garbed similarly to Mega, all in black: Lycra shirt, cargo pants and thick-soled combat boots. He was in the process of putting on his earpiece.
Jack's lip curled as he viewed Jay's attire and he spat out. "No. Murderers. You Technos are nothing but despicable, torturing murderers, no better than the Nazis." He stormed off out the café. Ebony got up to follow him, tossing a snarl in the direction of Jay and Mega as she went.
Trudy sighed, standing up with Brady, who was fussing and reaching for the spectacled Techno; "Me'a!" she cried out. He lifted her into his arms, tickling her stomach. The little girl giggled again, bringing a smile to her mother's face. "I don't know how you do it every time, making her laugh like that." Mega smiled slightly. "Oh this little angel and I bonded long ago, when she and I spent time together, getting her back to you." Trudy's smile slipped momentarily and Mega grimaced. "Trust me to speak when I shouldn't. I'm so sorry." A distant shout cut off her response. "Not now, Ebony! I just want to be left alone," followed by "Fine! I'll just go see my sister." Soon after, they saw Ebony racing up the main staircase.
"You know, I think that's our cue to leave." Jay smiled wryly. Mega nodded, handing Brady off to her mother. Waving to the little girl, both boys exited the mall. Trudy stared after them, snuggling her daughter close. "You like Mega don't you, don't you my darling? Well, I'll tell you a secret. Mommy does too."
Jack heard the door to the roof open and close. He called out over his shoulder, "Ebony, I told you to leave me alone. I'm not fit company right now." He sat on the roof's ledge, arms on up-drawn knees, surveying the other rooftops. He started as a soft hand grasped his shoulder. "Ebony! Didn't I just…" The words died on his lips as he turned and saw Ellie standing behind him. "Um, Ellie, it's you. Sorry, I thought you were…"
"I know who you thought I was. Is that all you can say? 'It's you?' What happened to all that we meant to each other Jack? I thought you loved me!" Ellie's voice rose at the end of her speech. Jack swung his body around to face her. "Sucks when the shoe is on the other foot, doesn't it?" Jack said sardonically. Ellie reacted as if she'd been slapped.
Her chin quivered and her eyes well up with tears. "Jack, we've been over this. I thought we had gotten past this. How many times do I have to say I'm sorry I chose Luke; I was confused and didn't know what I wanted at the time. But I told you before, before you…I'm telling you now, I love you." He stood up, placing his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes. "Ellie, I—I'm so sorry to hear that. I can't, I don't feel the same way anymore."
She looked down, shaking her head. "Nononono. This is all her fault! She turned you against me! You loved me, I know you did and you could again, if she wasn't here!" Jack's hand whipped out, raising Ellie's head so that their eyes met! "Don't. Don't let me ever hear you talking like that again. Ebony had nothing to do with my feelings towards you. If you want to blame someone, look at yourself. I could only stand being second place for so long; so I moved on. I suggest you do the same." He released his grip and with a final look over his shoulder, re-entered the mall, leaving the blonde girl a sobbing heap, collapsed on the ground.