After a full minute of staring at me, Jason finally shook his head and climbed off the bed. Or he tried to until the room did a sudden 360 and he almost hit the floor, only just grabbing the bed nearest him to keep himself upright. Letting out a groan, Jason pressed his open palm against his forehead closing his eyes for a moment and hoping that he wouldn't throw up.
Wouldn't look very good for the former THI CEO to puke on his own shoes, he thought as he leant against the bed taking several deep breaths.
"Jason?" He heard someone whispered and his eyes shot open, momentarily forgetting about being dizzy. When Jason fell to the floor, letting out a yelp as his backside hit the cold floor I let out a giggle. "Sorry...didn't mean to...startle you." I muttered as he glared up at me before very carefully gripping the bed and pulling himself upright.
"Well you did." Jason grumbled, embarrassed that he'd been so clumsy. He kept glaring at me as I sat up, only to watch on as I clutched my stomach. Hearing me groan, my eyes clenched tight, Jason's expression changed from one of anger to one of pity and he moved to my side. "Are you...okay?" He asked after a moment and I opened one eye, staring at him and he let out a slight chuckle. "Figured as much."
"Sorry...it hurts to talk." I muttered as I opened my other eye and that's when I finally noticed his arm in a sling. "Hey you're hurt too." I whispered, reaching toward his arm and just for a moment he saw tears welling in my eyes. Surprised by my concern about him and not myself Jason reached up with his uninjured arm and gently wiped my eyes. That made me stare at him, lower lip quivering as I fought off the urge to cry and he gave me a slight smile.
"Oh quit being such a cry baby." Jason scolded, my chocolate-brown eyes reflected in his bright orange ones and after a slight hesitation he leant closer. As his lips moved towards mine I tilted my head back and for a brief moment his lips brushed mine, gentle at first then a little harder when I responded with a sigh. His lips felt so warm and wonderful against mine that for a little while I forgot about being injured and just let him comfort me, his hand leaving my face and wrapping around my neck.
We were so distracted by each other that at first we didn't notice we had company, until I heard a cough and Jason's lips released mine. As he stood back slightly he turned and I blushed when I saw Commander Forge and Kat standing in the doorway, the latter giving me a slight grin.
"We came by to check on the pair of you." Forge explained as he walked over and that's when I noticed that glare he was giving Jason and I let out a giggle, only to start coughing.
"Jessie, take it easy. You did get hurt pretty badly." Kat said as she gave me a pat on the back. "Look up at the ceiling." She told me and I did so, turning my head when she asked. "Okay you don't have a concussion which is surprising considering what Dredd and Mega Elemnetor did to you."
"What can I say, I have a pretty hard head." I replied, rubbing at my eyes. I may have been feeling a little better but right now all I wanted was to have something to eat then curl up and sleep for the next twenty four hours. "Where's Shock by the way? I haven't seen him since I woke up." I asked, turning my head slightly to see past the doorway and to my relief the Ultralink shot into the room. The second he saw me awake he shot towards me and I let out a giggle as he wrapped his arms around my head, giving me a hug. "Heh nice to see you too, Shock." I laughed as I untangled him from my head though not before I returned the hug with one of my own.
"Nice to see you're okay. Oh and you too, Naught. I guess." Shock answered as he freed himself from my grasp and I let out a laugh as Jason frowned at him.
"Very funny, Ultralink." Jason growled, pouting a little I noticed and I sighed not wanting them to fight. But before I could interrupt everyone heard a sudden gurgling noise and I froze, confused before I felt my cheeks grow warm. Almost instantly I saw Jason crack a smile, forgetting about being mad at Shock and a few seconds later we all heard the same noise again. Only this time it came from Jason who was now staring at the far wall, pretending he hadn't heard anything.
"Well apparently I'm starving so I'm going to get food." I commented climbing down from the bed before anyone could stop me. "If anyone wants me you know where to find me." I added, just about to the door before someone grabbed my shoulder and I turned to see Jason shaking his head. "Oh come on, I'm not that bad."
"Yeah, yeah." Jason said, rolling his eyes and Kat tried to stifle a laugh as I pouted up at him. "Fine but I'm leading the way." He eventually told me and I nodded, not pointing out that he probably didn't know the way there. As we wandered away, Forge ran a hand through his hair and Kat shrugged.
"At least they're feeling better if they can argue." Kat said as she walked over to the doorway and peered out, watching with amusement as I hooked my arm around Jason's despite his protests. Though judging from the slight smirk on his face he didn't really mind one bit.
"That's what I'm afraid of. Can we really trust Jason not to turn on us?" Forge said as he joined Kat, watching as we headed around a corner and out of sight.
"Jason protected Jessie against Dredd so I think you know where his loyalties lie. Just give him a chance." Kat replied as she followed her Commander towards the Com Room. Letting out a sigh, Forge decided to take her advice crossing his fingers he wouldn't regret it.
As we walked towards the cafeteria, I couldn't help thinking back to the earlier battle with Dredd and Mega Elementor. Once he noticed me staring straight ahead, my eyebrows scrunched up he let out a chuckle and I looked up to see him staring at me.
"What?" I asked as he grinned back at me. "I was just thinking."
"It doesn't take a genius to know that. Which I am by the way. What's on your mind?" Jason answered and I rolled my eyes at him, getting a laugh in return.
"Modesty much? I was just think about the battle we had with Dredd." I stopped speaking the moment I saw Jason cringe and I sighed, giving his arm a squeeze. "Sorry maybe I shouldn't have brought it up."
"Yeah you shouldn't have." Jason shot back and I cringed this time, turning my head feeling hurt that he was angry at me. "Look I didn't mean it. Just kind of slipped out." He quickly added and I looked up after a few seconds, my eyes narrowed at him.
"Hey don't blame me. It's not my fault your former boss is a nutjob. At least Commander Forge never attacks his employees for making a few mistakes." I shot back just as we reached the cafeteria.
"And that's my fault, how exactly?" Jason said as we walked through the door and just for a few seconds he wondered why everyone seemed to be staring at us. Then he remembered that I still had my arm wrapped around his. Giving me a quick glance he noticed that I wasn't looking at him so he casually slipped his arm from mine before he turned to me. "Okay so what now?" He asked and I gave him a grin before I offered to get his lunch as well as my own.
"Before you argue you're the one with the sprained arm." I pointed out, not giving him a moment to argue and giving me a slight eyeroll he told me what he wanted. As I walked towards the counter I didn't notice him staring at my back.
"Okay why don't you like me?" Jason finally asked Shock as the Ultralink crossed his arms. "Haven't I proved to you that I'm trustworthy? I did save Jessie after all."
"Actually Max Steel saved you, you got pummeled. Besides Jessie trusts you, at least until you mess up again but as for me...not so sure." Shock answered as he hovered in front of Jason and the ex-villan rubbed his eyes. "Until you do something that convinces me otherwise we're work colleges, not friends."
"That's fine by me. Jessie's the one I want and not you." Jason shot back and Shock glared at him until I returned with one tray. I wasn't exactly sure why by best friend and once again possible boyfriend were glaring at each like that but I ultimately decided to ignore it for now.
"Okay I brought lunch so who's hungry?" I asked, giving them both a smile which Jason returned and Shock gave me a slight grin. As we sat down together at one of the tables closest to the wall, I noticed Jason seemed to be staring at the doorway and after a few minutes I cleared my throat making him look at me. "Something wrong?"
"No, everything's fine. Thanks for the sandwich." Jason answered as he reached for his drink and I reached out, setting my hand down on his. He glanced down as I gave his hand a squeeze then he looked up, a slight blush spreading across his cheeks. "Is there something you want to say?"
"Well...yeah. I meant to say thanks for protecting me against Dredd. Other than Shock...no one's ever cared enough to risk their life for me." I told him, turning my head slightly so he couldn't see the blush that spread across my face. "I appreciate it."
I was expecting Jason to just shrug off my thanks like it was no big deal but as I watched his eyes went wide. Before my eyes his lips twitched and that's when he gave me the biggest smile I'd ever seen on his face. "You're...welcome." Jason stammered and I giggled as he gave my hand a squeeze. Sitting there gazing into each other's eyes we completely forgot that we weren't alone and it wasn't until Shock made a gagging noise that I blinked and looked up, giving my best friend a frown.
"If you two are done making goo-goo eyes at each other, we probably should get back to the Medical Bay. I seriously doubt you're healed because no one heals that fast." Shock said just as my eyes started to drift closed. "See what I mean."
"Earth to Jessie, hello." Jason joked as I blinked suddenly, letting out a cough to mask my embarassment at almost falling asleep at the table. "Come on, I'll walk you back." He offered as he lightly tugged at my arm and I yawned, letting him help me to my feet.
With his uninjured arm wrapped around mine, Jason led me towards the Medical Bay keeping a close eye on me. As we headed back I set a hand to my forehead, not quite sure why I was feeling so woozy though by the time we reached the doorway I was barely able to keep my eyes open. Seeing me dragging my feet, Jason tightened his grip as he helped me towards the nearest bed. Once I was settled, Jason leant against the bed as Shock looked me over.
"Thanks...guys." I mumbled as I lay back, one arm resting underneath my head as I made myself comfortable. "Not feeling...so good."
"You do look pretty pale. I'll go and get Kat." Shock offered as he shot towards the door, leaving me in Jason's care. Once he left, I felt a hand against my forehead and I sighed as Jason stroked my head.
"You really are a nuisance, you know that?" Jason muttered and I let out a giggle just before sleep overcame me. By the time Shock returned with Kat, they found Jason sitting on one of the beds. To Shock's annoyance he had decided to crash on the bed closest to me. "Took you long enough." He told Shock, lying back and getting comfortable.
"Whatever, Naught. Is Jessie going to be okay?" Shock asked as Kat hunched over me, checking my pulse. For the next three or four minutes the Ultralink waited as Kat examined me and once she straightened she gave him a smile.
"Jessie's going to be fine after a few hours rest. Thankfully the blood was only from a cut in her mouth and nothing serious. What about you, Jason? How do you feel?" Kat asked as she turned around, only to see with a slightly amused smile that Jason had fallen asleep in the time she spent checking me over.
"I guess that answers that question." Shock muttered, arms crossed and Kat turned back to him. "Thanks for checking on Jessie."
"No problem. If you need anything else just call." Kat said as she headed back outside and Shock gave her a wave before he turned back to me.
"Maybe Jason has changed...or not. I'm going to keep my eye on him just in case." Shock muttered as I sighed in my sleep. Thankfully nothing interrupted my rest and I stayed right there in the Medical Bay, not even stirring when Kat entered some time later that day to check on both me and Naught.
To her surprise he was already awake, still lying on his back and looking up at the ceiling with a slight frown on his face. When Kat walked over to check on me he turned his head.
"How is she?" Jason asked as Kat leant over me and pressed her fingers against Jessie's throat. After a few seconds she straightened. "Is she okay?" He asked, getting worried when Kat didn't answer right away and that's when Kat grinned.
"Jessie's fine. Now how about you?" She answered as Jason sat up with a groan, body aching from lying down for so long.
"Arm still aches if that's what your asking. No thanks to Master...Dredd." Jason complained as Kat stood over him. "Though it could have gone a lot worse."
"That's true, Jason. You should be taking it easy too." Kat told him, watching with a raised eyebrow as Jason climbed from the bed. Shaking his head he stepped towards Jessie only to back away as her chest glowed.
"Whoa, take it easy." Jason grumbled, holding up the arm not currently in a sling as Shock floated above Jessie. His green eye narrowed the Ultralink glared at the andriod until he snorted, turning his back. "Well if you really don't want me here I'm going to find Forge." He explained, walking towards the open doorway.
"Why is he so interested in talking to Commander Forge?" Shock asked but as he did he shook himself. "Actually I think I know. He wants to go after Dredd. I just hope he doesn't plan on using Jessie to help him."