Sally was interesting.

Like her ancestor, she didn't always feel the need to speak, so being so quiet helped her notice things.

Things like Jackie.

To Sally's well trained and experienced eye, she could see that the girl had built a wall around herself, a wall she wasn't even aware existed.

Sally was not the oldest in the group by any stretch, but sometimes she just knew what to do in the situation, she was one of those kinds of people.

After the incident where Jackie had almost frozen the meeting room, Sally had become a little protective of her, not enough to get in her way, but enough for her to see Jackie as the little sister she never had.

In Sally's mind, Tina was her sister, close enough to be twins, while Jackie was the kid sister who everyone looked out for.

So when Sally caught wind of Jackie being bullied, she wasn't going to stand for it. Yes she was short, but she could put on this air that made people suddenly wet themselves.

You didn't want to mess with Sally.

Sally suspected that she wasn't supposed to know, Tina had called Jackie away to talk about it in private and it wasn't as if Jackie couldn't look after herself. However, it didn't mean that Sally wasn't going to attempt something.

Sally was in position, on a bench that was directly on the school route. She had a book open in her hands, but she wasn't reading it, instead she was waiting for school to end.

The bell rang and Sally scanned the surge of teenagers leaving the high school, looking for a familiar face.

She quickly spotted Jackie, walking away at a normal walking pace. Jackie hadn't seemed to notice her, which was probably a good thing. The last thing Sally wanted Jackie to think was that they were keeping tabs on her.

Sally frowned in concern as a group of teenagers approached Jackie from behind. Sally had noticed that Jackie had never said anything about friends. She always had time for her Branch, and she never said that she had to dash to go and meet someone.

That could mean nothing, but it could mean everything.

Sally stood up from the bench as the teens put their hand on Jackie's shoulder, pulling her to stop. From here Sally couldn't hear what was being said, but when the other teen started pushing Jackie, she decided to get involved.

It was breaking a lot of rules, but Sally charging up wouldn't help anything. Someone showing up the bullies would only make things worse.

A stream of golden sand snaked its way through the crowd and wrapped itself around the legs of the bullies. A quick tug from Sally and the bullies fell to the ground, not taking Jackie with them.

While the bullies floundered Jackie took the sensible option and walked away. Sally couldn't tell if Jackie had noticed the Dream Sand, hopefully she'd just think that the bullies had had a bout of dizziness.

Sally sat back down and got back to her book, not noticed a cold presence until it was too late.

"You didn't have to do that."

Sally started and looked to her right where Jackie was standing. Sally bit back a curse, Jackie had noticed.

"Jackie-."

"Don't."

Sally blinked in surprise. Jackie could be distant, sometimes cold (if you pardon the pun) but never rude.

Sally took a good look at Jackie's face and saw something that almost scared her. Jackie was angry.

She'd been slowly letting go of her rigid emotional control around them, if you ignored extreme circumstances, but Jackie seemed to be the kind person who rarely got angry, she would just take it in her stride. It wasn't obvious, raging anger, but the look in her eyes and the clenched fist showed her quiet anger.

When Jackie spoke next, her voice was shaking slightly.

"I appreciate what you and Tina are trying to do. I really do, but you don't have to."

"You mean that you don't want us to."

"It's not an issue."

Sally put her book down and regarded the teenager.

"It is an issue. I know you don't us to get involved, but you're one of us now. We protect each other."

"I don't need protecting!"

Sally jerked back in the bench. Jackie had never raised her voice like that, ever. For the first time in the time that Sally had known Jackie, cracks were appearing in her mask. Jackie looked livid.

That scared Sally.

Jackie seemed to realise the reaction she'd had on Sally and pulled back, regret leaking through the mask.

"I...Um..."

Sally stood up, having recovered. She gave Jackie a stern look and shook her head.

"You are not alone any more Jackie."

With that Sally walked off, leaving a confused Jackie in her wake.

Jackie shook her head as she walked home, scowling and muttering to herself.

"What does she mean that I'm not alone, I know that! It's not their business."

Give over, it's not as if you'd know the difference

Jackie winced and shook her head again; it had been just under a year since her thoughts had started to spiral like that.

Just under a year, around about when I met HOG and Jamie...

Jackie frowned, not quite able to fathom it. Was that it? HOG and Jamie had stopped that.

And Jack.

Yes, that was true. Something did feel lighter when considering those six, but for the life of her Jackie couldn't quite put her finger on exactly why.

I care about them sure. When HOG was overrun I was scared out of my mind for them, and Jamie and Jack did stay at the lake to make sure I was okay, and they were worried after that whole thing with Pitch in Burgess.

They care.

The conclusion hit Jackie with the speed of a bullet train, causing her to stop in her tracks.

That's it! Is it? No, yes? I don't know...

Still a little confused Jackie continued walking, but this time with a slight spring in her step. In her mind she made a promise to apologise to Sally at the earliest opportunity.

If it seems like I'm rushing to upload these, it's because I am. I realised I had a day until I planned to upload Howling Shadows, and I still had a bunch of one shots to get through, so I'll try to stagger them out over tonight and tomorrow. After that it will be back to normal updating with Howling Shadows.