Chapter 4: Pain in the Ass
11 Years Earlier: Cody & Guy's Apartment, 3:17AM - few weeks after Jessica's kidnapping
๐ฐ๐๐๐๐...๐๐๐๐ข...๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐.
๐๐๐'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐๐๐.
๐ฐ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ธ'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐' ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐' ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐'๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐!
๐น๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐.
๐ฐ๐๐ ๐ข๐๐'๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐.
Cody sat up suddenly, sweating - he was gasping for breath. He rubbed his forehead gingerly as a curse escaped his lips. There went that stupid nightmare again. Why was his subconscious pushing so hard?
Deep in the recesses of his mind, darkness threatened his hopes and dreams. He was a fighter, but not being able to physically squashโฆwhatever this wasโฆwas beginning to feel insurmountable. Jessica stirred next to him. The first time this happened, it was quite a scare for the both of them. And nowโฆit was becoming routine, at the expense of their quality of sleep.
"Honeyโฆwe gotta talk about itโฆ" she muttered in a dreary haze, eyes unopened.
"I know, I know."
He heaved a frustrated sigh as he got up to splash his face and dry off in the bathroom, noting the new circles under his eyes. Why did this keep happening?
"It's just a stupid dream," he muttered to himself irritably. Cody hated feeling afraid. Fear never helped him at his worst. It was a sour way to wake up, and even worse to expect before falling asleep. He would then be probed by Jessica, which annoyed him further since they were both asking the same question - what was going on?
He was a "hero" according to Metro City, and yet he had no peace in his own mind - his brand of justice seemed to come with a burden he hadn't anticipated.
Cody overcame tons of trials and tribulations for the entirety of his life - why did these silly night terrors rock him to his core?
After drying off, he slid back into bed, trying his best not to disturb Jessica more than he already did. Looking at her face always provided a sort of ease nothing else could, but the idea that he could lose her merely layered onto his anxiety.
That was a reality that wasn't just relegated to his subconscious, which was decidedly worse than some ridiculous nightmare. He couldn't stand that she had to deal with his issues.
She's got enough to worry about as it is.
"Forget about sleepโฆjust lay here with me," she mumbled incoherently as she rolled over, nuzzling into his neck. She was still asleep, but she seemed used to the ordeal. "I'm here for youโฆ"
"I knowโฆ"
A few hours laterโฆ
Cody was getting out of bed earlier and earlier each day - he'd always been an early bird, but this wasn't of his own volition. He started heating up some water - he wasn't much of a coffee drinker, but he didn't want to be asleep on the job over at Tom's gym today.
"CodyโฆI know you had a nightmare last night," Jessica came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He groaned as he turned around to look down at her, her face a respite from his woes. He couldn't help but kiss her forehead. "Hey, you. I was hopin' you'd forget."
"How could I forget anything when it comes to you?" she booped his nose. "Especiallyโฆsince today's your birthday!"
"โฆBirthday?"
"Yes, silly," she smiled as she kissed his surprised face on the mouth, making her way to the boys' kitchen table. "I got somethin' for ya." She passed along a neatly wrapped gift. "Happy birthday, sweetheart!" She couldn't contain her excitement as he unwrapped it, revealing its contents. It was a quality baseball jersey with his last name embroidered on the back.
"Whaaat? This is a genuine Metro City Dodgers jersey!" he grinned. She loved it when he smiled. "Number 01?!"
"Because you're the best!"
Cody was charmed. She always just knew how to make him feel on top of the world. He knew it was expensive and Jessica was likely planning this customized jersey for months. Birthdays hadn't traditionally been a happy occasion for the brawler in his rough life, and he thought it a miracle each time he saw another year on these streets. The way she pushed so hard for himโฆit made him melt. No one ever cared about him so deeplyโฆ
"Thank you so much for this, Jess. Iโฆdon't even know what to say."
"Seriously. You didn't even realize it was your birthday, my love," she motioned for him to sit down. That meantโฆit was time to talk. He sighed - might as well get it out of the way.
"Don't you tell me 'it's nothin'.' What's goin' on with you?"
He hated being put on the spot, and he definitely hated worrying her. "I honestly don't know. I feel like somethin's changed in me since the wholeโฆincident," Cody started, not knowing how to put it. "In a real scary way."
"I can tell, honey. You haven't really been yourself since. I guess the experience changed all of us, in a wayโฆGuy's off to hone his skills even more, and dad's more protective now than ever - if that's even possible," she hoped that would elicit even a smirk from her sweetheart, but he seemed lost in thought. She was worried about him since she lay eyes on him after those agonizing 24 hours in Mad Gear's captivity. As traumatic as the experience was, it wasn't something she wanted to reliveโฆever.
Jessica had seen many sides of Cody over the years, but never in her life had she seen the fury he unleashed on her captors that night - not that she could blame him. She almost didn't recognize him at that momentโฆbut he was still Cody. Guy left Metro City on a temporary reprieve as he insisted there was more training to be had - as a student of Bushinryu, he had a long path to follow. Her father went back to his office, the work of tying up loose ends of their rampage taking up most of his day. All three men were lauded as heroes by day and a new hope was beginning for Metro City now that its corruption was targeted at its core.
Unfortunately, the nights for the both of them had been more and more difficult to sleep through since the incident. More often than not, Cody would jolt awake in the deep hours of the morning, insisting he was all right. She knew in her heart that he came out more scathed from the torment than he let onโฆ
"When's Guy coming back to MC again?" she asked suddenly as she flipped through the boys' unmarked calendar (after she wrote in both her boyfriend's and Guy's birthdays, of course).
"I think he'll be a couple more months or so. Why?"
"I've been thinking," she started. "The whole incidentโฆit was just awful for both of us. I thinkโฆwith everything going on, maybe we just need to clear our heads. Guy's got the right idea to retreat now. And you've almost got your passport, finally! We should just get away from it all!"
Jessica took his hands into hers, and she could still see the exhaustion in his eyes that hadn't left since that fateful night. All she wanted was to take it all away for him.
"You made it another year today. Let's take an extra-long vacation and just celebrate being alive - being us. It'll just be you and me against the world, living our best life. Besides, I'm sure Daddy will also feel better knowing we're outta the city for a little bit," she wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him, eyes shining.
"You said it yourself the night you rescued meโฆ'we should live like no one else can.' Whaddya say?"
How could he possibly deny that face?
"Y'knowโฆthat's not such a bad idea. I'd be a bozo to turn down an extra-long vacation with my super sexy girlfriend," he held onto her, smirking. "How do you do it?"
"Do what~?"
"Justโฆbe so smart and thoughtful all the time, even when you go through so much crap." He held her close and kissed the top of her head, unable to scratch the surface of his gratitude for her. "I'm crazy about you, Jess."
1 Month Later: Between London, France, Italy, and Spainโฆ
After the rattling events of Jessica's kidnapping, an extra-long vacation seemed to be what the doctor ordered. On top of that, the young couple hadn't had a chance to truly relax and spend as much time as they wanted to with one another once Cody's training and Jessica's classes picked up, so this was a much-needed respite from the many facets of their eventful lives. They could finally take it slowโฆand enjoy each other in the process.
Every day was the same. Wake up to some sort of fascinating view, try out the restaurants they wanted to experience that day, participate in some sort of excursion, discover new recipes in the kitchen and bedroom with one anotherโฆtheir back-to-back nights of lovemaking would be as sweet or as fiery as their palates desired. It was heaven on earth, each day as long as the sun was up.
They were quite an adventurous couple, and it was easy to feel good during the day.
Every day was the sameโฆ
Unfortunately, only one of them was still sleeping at night.
They could enjoy each other to the fullest, only each other as a distraction during the day - in mind, body, and spirit. They didn't have to worry about the dangers of their hometown - between the museums, and the fun, the dances, walks, talks, and the sunโฆ
Each time they were together, it was magic. But when the night fellโฆJessica would be safe and sound by his side taking refuge in peaceful sleep, but he'd stare at the ceiling. When the night fell, and his thoughts were all his own, all he could think of was fightingโฆfighting to protect her, fighting to keep his hometown safe, and fighting for the hell of it.
Every night was the sameโฆand the day would begin again.
2 Months Later: Flamenco Tavern, Spain
"Cody! Are you evening listening to me?!"
"Huh? Wha? Sorryโฆ" he yawned.
Jessica sighed. This was becoming a very frustrating pattern. "Codyโฆif you're so bored, we could just go," she huffed, clearly annoyed. "You're the one who picked today's spot! You know this dress is impossible to zip up!"
"I knowโฆugh, I'm sorry. I'm just a little tired."
Jessica's face softened, seeing that he looked as tired as he sounded.
"Listenโฆif you're tired on vacation, I think that means it's time for us to go back, honey," she sighed, empathy resonating. He seemed oddly resistant to the idea of returning when she'd brought it up before, which surprised her. "You know you can tell me anything, right? What's eatin' ya?"
"I'm all right. Just got a lot on the brain."
"Are youโฆhaving nightmares, still?"
A couple of days earlier, Haggar reached out to give Cody a heads up - Guy's fiancรฉe, Rena, had been kidnapped while they were traveling on the other side of the world, just a continent over from where the two of them were now. His instinct screamed to go and help out, but the last thing he wanted to do was completely upend the vacation they both desperately needed. Haggar insisted they stay away, for both of their benefits as he had it under control with Maki and Carlos by his side โ it was a rare moment for Haggar to completely leave Jessica in Cody's care.
Cody couldn't believe that Haggar trusted him so deeply after years of nothing but criticismโฆand yet, he still hated that he couldn't help. Was everyone's loved ones a target no matter what? He sighed.
"Noโฆit's justโฆif we go back now, you'll be a target again - but I'm losin' my mind being here. It kinda feels likeโฆwe're just runnin' away from it all."
Jessica hadn't thought about it that way. To her, it was just a temporary respite from the chaos. They both survived growing up in the city and then some - it wasn't as if they couldn't understand where each other was coming from.
"I'm so sorryโฆI thought all of this might have been a silly ideaโฆ"
"What? No," Cody seemed more annoyed at himself. He hated talking about his messy feelings because they would always end up coming out all wrong. "Ugh. That's not what I meant. I'm happy we're spendin' all this time together - you know that, Jess. I mean likeโฆI can't stand down when I know somethin's wrong. If anyone ever threatens you again, it's gonna be a big problem."
He was hesitant to let her know that Rena had been kidnappedโฆthe exact thing he'd been worrying about. He hated that he couldn't help her as Guy helped him, all because he was licking his woundsโฆhe felt like a disgraceful friend.
"I'm not worried about anything when I'm with you, no matter where we are," Jessica replied, oblivious to his plight. She leaned on his shoulder and rubbed his arm in an attempt to reassure him of her faith. "You know that, right?"
"YeahโฆI know. Which is why I was thinkin'โฆand I'm sure we gotta run this by your dad 'cause heaven forbid we don'tโฆbut I think we should move in together," he said suddenly. Jessica felt her heart skip a beat.
Is that what had been stressing him out? He just wantedโฆto take the next step? He turned to face her nervously as the crowd cheered - they missed the biggest part of the show.
"Whaddya say?"
"Wโฆwill that make you feel better about everything?" she whispered, hugging his arm and knowingโฆjust knowing he was being impulsive. But she wanted to be with him.
"I'll never let anyone hurt you again," he said with a frightening air of determination.
Jessica made Cody happy beyond his wildest dreams. And it was that exact fact that broke his heart into pieces day by day. As long as he felt this way, she was going to be a target. He couldn't let that happen. He had to protect her the best way he knew how. Sure, they were plenty distracted now on their beaches, restaurant visits, travels, poker games, and very lovely evenings and mornings, butโฆ
She wasn't sure if it was about their relationship, or his desire to protect. How could she possibly be upset? Everything was about to go back to normal - and his normal was fighting.
What ifโฆthat's not enough?
Flight back to Metro City - International Airlines - 11:00PM
It was time to go back home. Jessica hadn't expected a single vacation to cure all of their woes, but it was a start. For a few blissful weeks, it was all about each other. They seemed like they would be closer than everโฆbut both of them knew that Cody's last excursion really changed him, deep in his core. He seemed more distracted, and Jessica couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't getting any better, despite his insistence.
The idea of possibly losing Jessica frightened Cody to a depth he hadn't realized existed. She was terrified too - wondering if her dad, the love of her life, and her good friend were going to make it when they put their lives on the line for her.
The most important people in her life had been at risk of dying for her sakeโฆwhile her body was being stripped, ogled, poked, and prodded. She lost her mother to the very violence her father swore to protect her against. She saw what it did to her father behind closed doors, and to think Cody nearly had a similar experience. The thought of losing themโฆ
It was torture. She didn't want to live in the past anymore.
"I felt so carefree when we were away from the city. I wish we could justโฆnot ever have to worry about the hard shit anymore," Jessica said suddenly, her eyes watching the ground disappear below them outside of the window as the plane began to liftoff. Cody snapped out of his thoughts and squeezed her hand as he always did each time the plane would lift. She always said it made her feel safe.
He wished the same as her. But he knew that would not be the reality, not with what he witnessedโฆwhat he did. There was just too much evil in the world. He was starting to sound like Guyโฆhow was he going to balance this?
It was too risky. As long as Cody had enemies, Jessica was going to be a target. He nearly killed a man for her. Jessica wanted to study abroad in her next semester anyway. They figured this vacation would make up for the few months apart. He knew she would be safe if they couldn't get their hands on her. He had to keep fighting. It was all he'd ever known.
The more time they spent with each other, the more he couldn't bear the thought of her living life as an infinite target. As much as Jessica dreamed of living their exciting, new lifeโฆthat simply wasn't his reality. Jessica didn't deserve to live her life in danger. She deserved the world. It wouldn't be able to come from him.
He hadn't realized that loving one person so much could bring him to his knees.
"I want to be with you forever, Cody," Jessica whispered as she turned to look at him - they were so close to the stars, she could almost feel it - perhaps they were close enough that their deepest desires could be guaranteed. "No matter where we are." He looked at her with an almost sort of longing, as ifโฆas if her notion were a fantasy.
It hurt that they sat so close to one another yet felt so far away.
He didn't want to make any more broken promises. She wanted to be the antidote to his poison. Yet they couldn't help but wonder if they'd be strong enough for each otherโฆ
Cody concluded that none of this would be happening if he had been able to protect Jessica in the first place. He couldn't let it happen ever again. She deserved better than that.
"You'll always have my heart, Jess."
A few months after their return from Europe: Metro City Detention Center
He knew it. Cody knew he was going to see the face of the old man before the one that always comforted him.
Except, this time - it wasn't full of rage. Not even annoyance. It was disappointment. The brawler felt his stomach sink, but he had to hold strong. A sermon was coming and he did not want to hear it this time.
"What the hell, Travers. You're landing yourself in custody now? We're really at that stage?"
"I ain't do anythin' I don't normally do."
"And that's exactly the problem!" Haggar slammed his fist into the divider. "I can't bail you out this time. This is ridiculous. Forget about me - are you thinking about your brother or Jessica when you're making these choices?!"
"Of course I am. This is how I'm going to protect them. All I was doin' was stoppin' a trade. Keepin' that crap off the streets. I know what I'm doin', pops."
Thinkin' of all you guys is all I ever do. You're the only family I've got, after all.
"Cody," Haggar pinched the bridge of his nose. "We have a police force for that. I'm runnin' this city the best I can! You don't think your reckless vigilantism is a slap to the face? I worked hard to get where I am today, goddamnit. The press has no shame about painting me as picking favorites every time your name was tied to an incident, you know."
Cody shrugged, as Haggar clenched his jaw.
"Did it ever occur to you what could happen if you end up being killed?"
"Ain't we all born to die anyway?" Cody sneered, his eyes averting his gaze. Haggar couldn't take it anymore. He watched this boy grow up through the worst of it, finally trusting him as a man to do the right thing only to be met with an infuriating level of apathy for his actions.
"I lost my wife to this kind of violence, Cody!" Haggar shouted as the younger man felt the sharp spread of ice in his veins he hadn't felt in a long timeโฆgenuine fear. When his anger was pierced, the fear he refused to feel reared its ugly head with no mercy. The fear that made him walk away from Jessica the first time. Fear never helped him in his most dangerous situations growing up. His fists always got him through. They were bound now.
It wasn't as if he wasn't frustrated at being in this situation, either. He was just doing what he believed was right, and perhapsโฆalleviating a little boredom. There was nothing that made him feel more alive than the daily adrenaline rush of knocking out thugs while keeping Metro City safe - two for one.
How could he possibly turn his back when he witnessed a shakedown in progress? Why would he turn the other cheek when a woman was being chased against her will? How could he ignore cries for help if he had the capability to protect those who couldn't protect themselves? He knew he could keep the streets safe if his knockout list was any indication.
He could feel himself starting to lash out because he could sense devastation incoming - no one could make him back downโฆyet he was worried that was exactly what was about to happen. He didn't want to end up admiring Haggar. But he did. And now, it was going to blow up in his face; the words he was most afraid to hear.
Haggar inhaled through his nose deeply, as his furious tears liberated themselves from the hell of his mind. He didn't like reaching there either - that's where the memories of his dying wife would never leave his mind. Cody was gutted - he was able to deal with anger, but sorrowโฆ
"I'm not gonna tell you how to live your life - but I'll be damned if you ever let your irresponsibility wreck Jessica's."
"Bull," Cody growled as he narrowed his eyes. All he wanted to do was punch a wall - but his hands were bound as if he were a caged animal. "You and I both know what it's like to take things into your own hands, especially in this hellhole! She's at risk every day by virtue of being your daughter, mayor! I don't get why you talk down to me like we're not facin' the same problem here," he said, heart pumping hard with indignation - he was going into that territory. He didn't like pushing Haggar's buttons, but he needed to back off. "All anyone ever wants to do is control me and no one can do that."
"I gave you a chance because that girl loves you with her entire being," Haggar retorted. "And after you put your life on the line for her with no hesitationโฆI respected you more than anyone. Hell, I care about you, too! But do you understand how hard it can be when it's clear you don't even give a damn about yourself?"
"Yeah, yeah. Saved the city, saved a girl, but couldn't save myself," Cody mocked, trying to get a handle on his own emotions. He knew was going to have to start learning how to cool down all on his own. It's not like exploding would get him out of the cell. He couldn't go to that angry place again. Not after he almost killed a manโฆhe just understood what had to be done. Justice seemed to think otherwiseโฆlife just happened as it did for Cody.
"Why bother?"
Haggar sighed and stood up. There was no reasoning with him right now. "I truly hoped despite all of your challenges and given your talentโฆyou'd have a lot more sense than you do right now. Guess I was wrong. I can't tell Jessica how to feel about you, but I know she damn well doesn't deserve this."
โฆMike wasn't wrong. Cody was the one behind the partition, after all.
Cody came to the difficult conclusion that he couldn't give Jessica the world as she had given him. He knew what he had to do.
His dreams died along with his spirit that night.