~~Patience~~
Jazz's POV, Words:489
I scowled at the smoldering mass in front of me.
"Great, I've shot another civilian."
"It's ok Jazz, I used to do it all the time," Danny tried to comfort me, "Do you want to try again?"
"Nah, we've been at this for hours, we should probably take a break."
With a nod, Danny shut off the target simulation and the rest of the cardboard cutouts slid back into their hiding places. It was ironic really, mom and dad had no idea that their so called 'worst enemy' actually used their own lab as a headquarters and training ground. We headed upstairs and before he could head for the couch I nudged him into the kitchen. He was too thin, and I know he was skipping breakfast too often. Thankfully he didn't argue, he used to, but I think he's gotten used to it.
"Want anything?" I wasn't what you call a chef, but I wasn't anywhere near as bad as my parents.
"Just cereal," Danny said over his shoulder as he picked out his favorite sugar cereal form the pantry. We fell into a comfortable silence as he fixed his cereal and I started putting together a sandwich.
When he and I finished, I thought it would be a good time to bring it up.
"Danny, I- well Tucker, Sam, and I have an idea."
"Huh?"
"Danny, you're not getting enough sleep. Ghosts have been showing up more at night now and it's been wearing you down. The three of us have decided that together we could patrol a few nights out of the week so you could get some sleep.
"Jazz I-"
"I know you can handle it now Danny, but for how long? You're going to burn yourself out like this. It's bad enough you come home bleeding every week but adding sleep deprivation is a path to-!"
"Jazz…" The quietness of his voice stunned me out of my argument, "I appreciate your help when we fight together, but I can't let you out on patrol without me being awake too. What if a more powerful ghost is on the prowl and you have to call me in? By the time I wake up and find you guys something terrible could happen. I know that's a part of the job but the longer we go without you guys getting injured enough for our parents to notice the better."
I think I realized it then, with his firm, gentle voice replacing the former argumentative stance, he was being patient with me. Like a parent being patient with their child, or a teacher with a difficult student. When did the roles switch? When did he become the older brother?
"Ok," I answered lamely, but I wasn't done just yet, "Don't think you've heard the last of this little brother, one way or another I will find a way to help you."
He smiled, "I know sis, I know."
Author's Note:
I can't remember which episode the cardboard cut outs were featured in but the idea is cannon. So my sister and I are trying this new thing about Thursday being the day she reviews and edits whatever I have so I hope it means I'll update more often but no promises.