"I still can't believe that Jason's helping us. How did you convince Forge?" Steel asked as he hovered near Max.
"Trust me it was the most difficult thing I've ever done. And that includes defeating Makino and fighting Mega Elementor." I replied as I rubbed the still healing burn on my neck. Even after spending a few hours resting I ended up being called to the Com Room, only to find that Forge had unlocked Jason's shackles. Now standing behind him I was still unable to believe I had agreed to this but there was no going back from our agreement. Despite everyone thinking he'd bolt as soon as he could, Jason proved them wrong and I was now looking on as he typed something into the computer.
"Right now Dredd's probably looking for me and wondering just how you managed to kidnap me." Jason said tilting his head slightly and giving me a slight grin before he returned to the keyboard. "Anyway he's still in his base though I'm sure he'll leave soon enough." He added and after waiting for a few minutes, and nothing much happening, Max grinned.
"I hate to tell you this but he's not really doing anything. Probably doesn't notice you're even gone." Steel said and Jason narrowed his eyes at the screen, looking pretty ticked off and I fought the urge to giggle at the face he pulled. It was actually kind of cute, I thought to myself, then I blushed furious and shook my head wondering just where that train of thought had come from.
I probably need to get out more, I thought hoping that no one saw my red cheeks. Thankfully no one did and I could go back to the task at hand; luring out Dredd and taking him down. Of course that would involve him actually leaving his underwater base and after a few more minutes of being patient I sighed, making everyone stare at me.
"Look I'm sorry but this isn't working. Maybe we should take a break." I suggested as I crossed my arms, bored out of my mind and Max agreed to it. But as I watched on Jason narrowed his eyes and I rolled mine, knowing what was coming.
"You wanted my help finding Dredd and that's what I'm doing. And now you want to give up? Pretty pathetic." Jason said and I glared at him, seriously regretting ever deciding to help him.
"You kidnapped me and forced me to help you. Besides I was the one who convinced Forge to let you out or did you prefer spending the next fifty years stuck in that cell?" I asked my eyes glowing a little and he cringed, making me grin before the excess Turbo energy vanished. "Man you are so easy to scare, chicken Naught." I giggled and he snorted, crossing his arms against his chest and turning his head slightly as Shock laughed.
"How does anyone put up with you and not pull their hair out? You would make even Dredd nuts...if he wasn't already." Jason shot back and I burst out laughing, actually enjoying our little argument. "Fine we'll take a break and since you've been ordered to watch me you lead the way." Letting out the breath I'd been holding in I walked in front of him and as Shock watched on he saw a tiny smile emerge on Jason's lips as he stared at my back.
"Don't get any funny ideas." Shock growled at the villian before he placed himself between me and Jason, and as we walked towards the caferteria I didn't notice them having a staring contest. Once I walked through the doorway I stopped so suddenly that Shock slammed into my back and unable to stop in time Jason smacked into Shock, sending all three of us to the floor.
"Oww!" I groaned as I lay on my stomach and hearing another groan close to my head I shifted slightly, only to find a set of orange eyes staring at me. Having fallen on top of me, Jason lay there a little winded before he struggled to sit up. And as he did we suddenly locked eyes and if it wasn't for a N-Tek agent nearby asking if we were alright I would probably still be staring at Naught. Climbing to my feet I offered Jason my hand but he just brushed my hand away and climbed up, adjusting his tie and dusting himself off. Though I noticed he was avoiding my eyes as he asked me where we were going to sit.
Lunch became a somewhat uncomfortable experience due to the stares we received from numerous N-Tek agents, who seemed to find the fact that one of their best agents was sitting down to lunch with a well-known villian pretty funny. Either that or the fact Jason had fallen on top off me only a short time ago. Apparently people still find that hillarious.
"Why did you join N-Tek anyway?" Jason asked me and I looked up from my soda, raising at eyebrow at him. "You could use those powers to rule the world and yet..."
"No offense but I'm not the world dominating type. Besides its actually pretty fun being a superhero, saving people and kicking villian butt." I replied and he snorted at that. "And what's so funny?"
"If I had your powers I'd rule the world." Jason told me and I laughed at that, remembering all the times Max and I had wiped the floor with his sorry hide. "Huh you're just jealous."
"Of what exactly?" I asked, grinning at him as I took a sip of my drink, waiting for his answer.
"My genius." Jason said with what I assumed was a sneer on his face and I nearly choked on my drink, having to have Shock whack me on the back. "Oh why do I even bother? My genius has always been unappreciated." He grumbled, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair.
"Okay if you're going to sulk I'm sorry. Look I like helping people and besides N-Tek rescued me before I even had these powers." I replied and he leant forward, looking at me curiously and I grinned. "At one point I was just an average teenage girl, getting attacked by Ultimate Elementor. Then N-Tek saved me and that's how I wound up here. After that my powers emerged and before they overloaded I met Shock and we linked. Now we're best friends...most of the time."
"That's actually sort of interesting." Jason admitted as he sat there and after a few seconds of silence he gave me a slight grin. "Though I've always been a genius." He added and I rolled my eyes, finishing my drink in the silence that followed.
"Look for the time being can we try being civil to each other? Otherwise I might tell Forge that you're being difficult and then you'd go right back into that Stasis Cell." I retorted setting down the empty soda can and folding my arms.
"No wonder Forge has grey hair." Jason muttered just loud enough for me to hear and I grinned at him, enjoying the power I had over him. Also a full minute later he decided to ask me something and that threw me for a few minutes. "You and Max both have the same powers, right?" He asked and when I nodded he grinned. "Then why is he a much better fightter than you?"
Before his eyes I rose from my chair and without answering I spun around and walked away, ignoring Shock as he tried to call me back. Annoyed at Jason, Shock glared at the villian as he stared at me then the Ultralink.
"Oh that's just great. Are you purposely trying to annoy her?" Shock growled as Jason rose from his chair, unhurriedly straightening his jacket and tie.
"Hmph I was only joking. Girl can't take a joke." Jason commented before he started to follow me, taking his time and by the time they both caught up I was seeing red. "Jessie will you wait up?" He asked as Shock shot over to me and I slowed down, arms still crossed against my chest.
"What is your problem?!" I yelled, not caring if anyone heard me. "Yeah I can't fight as well as Max but at least I can fight, unlike you."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Jason shot back, arms folded and as we glared at each other Shock finally had had enough. He shot forward and now hovering between us he crossed his arms this time.
"Guys we need to work together or we'll never capture Dredd. Or did you two forget that?" Shock said as he looked from me to Naught and back. As I stood there I realized that he was right and I was acting like a child.
"Sorry..."I muttered, my arms against my sides and as they watched I turned around. "I'll be in the training room if anyone needs me." Ignoring the fact I'd promised Forge I wouldn't take my eyes off of Naught I wandered away, looking down at the floor as I did.
"Okay why is she acting like that?" Jason asked as Shock watched me walk away, head down. "All I said was..."
"You pretty much said that she's useless and Jessie's worked for months training herself to be the best fighter she can be. Maybe she's not as good as Max Steel but she hasn't had the training or time to learn like him. Most of her skills were self taught so lay off her." Shock growled, glaring at the villian with his one green eye.
"Whatever." Jason muttered clearly not caring and that's when Forge walked into the hallway, wondering what all the shouting was about. The moment he saw Naught without me he frowned and Jason actually cringed, knowing what he was in for.
"Why isn't Jessie keeping an eye on you, Naught?" He asked, his voice low as he stared at Dredd's former lackey.
"He's here because he upset Jessie and she walked off. I'll watch him, okay?" Shock answered and Forge ran a hand through his hair. "Not okay, huh?"
"No its not. She practically begged me to trust him and I told her only if she watched him. But now she's gone back on her word." Forge answered and that surprised Jason, who blinked at Forge.
"Wait she chose to help me?" Jason asked and when Forge gave him a slight nod he rubbed his chin for a moment before he headed in the direction I'd left.
"Now where is he going?" Forge asked his eyebrows raised and Shock shrugged before he shot after Jason, leaving his commander looking pretty ticked off. "I give one simple order and no one listens." He grumbled under his breath before he walked in the direction of his office, wondering why he even bothered.
When Shock and Jason found me I was using the simulators to burn off some steam, otherwise I would probably have picked up and thrown Jason through a wall. Or walls, depending on how I was currently feeling. Focused on fighting Dredd, who right now kept sending his Turbo energy my way forcing me to dodge or get slammed into the pavement, I didn't notice two sets of eyes watching my every move.
"She's actually pretty good." Jason said as I dodged a blast of energy thrown my way and sent another back at Dredd. "Maybe she isn't as pitiful as I thought."
"Did you have to use that word?" Shock asked, taking his eyes off me for a few seconds and staring at Jason. "Jessie's an amazing fighter. I mean she took down Makino the first time he appeared on Earth."
"Huh I thought Max Steel did that." Jason said as he watched me shoot towards Dredd in Base Mode, forgetting in my anger that I couldn't switch modes.
"Let's rock, Flight Mode...oh boy." I muttered before Dredd laughed and seconds later I hot the ground. At that point the simulation ended and as I lay on the floor of the training room I let out a pain-filled groan. Instantly Shock was at my side and as Jason watched the Ultralink offered me his arm. "That...hurt." I mumbled as I rubbed the back of my head.
"That was impressive." Jason said and I looked up to find him watching me from a distance. Then he coughed like it wasn't all that great. "Though if you think its that easy to beat Dredd, you're wrong." He added and I managed a grin, grateful for the complement. To my horror I felt my cheeks growing hot and I turned my head, concerned as to why this was happening to me for the second time in the space of a few hours. I eventually came to the conclusion that there must be something wrong with me and resolved to get someone to examine me later in the Medical Bay.