.

Love and all That There Stuff

The Next Day

"That girl is sick in the head," Monique remarked as she and Kim watched Yori comb her hair in the mirror, humming softly and obviously thinking about Monkey Fist.

"You can't choose love," Kim replied, trying to sound optimistic. "Well, in this case you really can't, but it's only a temporary setback. I'll have GJ get Jack Hench's antidote."

"Dr. Director and Will Du?" Monique asked.

"Nailed it," Kim said, smirking. "One of them has gotta be able to get through to Mr. Hench."

Just then her Kimmunicator rang. She frowned and answered. "What's the sitch?" she asked.

"Big hit on the site. Bavaria. Priority crisis," Wade said.

"Sounds bad," Monique remarked.

"A bunch of scientists have been kidnapped by Professor Dementor. They need help, stat," Wade said.

"Boy, they ain't the only ones," Monique replied, turning Kim's wrist so Wade could see Yori.

"Oh boy," Wade said, looking worried.

"On the plus side, Hirotaka's been surprisingly calm about it," Kim offered lamely.

"Calm? If you call freaking out on the daily calm, yeah," Monique corrected.

"At least he hasn't tried to assassinate Lord Fiske yet," Kim said, shrugging.

"Hirotaka is not a cold-blooded murderer who kills without honor," Yori said, approaching Monique and Kim. "My brother is a good man."

"I'm not saying he isn't, but if I were him, I'd be doin' a lot more than ridin' the wave," Monique said.

"Fukushima is much like you," Yori said. "He disapproves greatly as well, only not for my sake. For Monkey Fist's."

"Ron and I will deal with this thing in Bavaria as quickly as we can," Kim said, turning to Monique. "Think you can handle things solo for a bit?" After all, it wasn't so bad right now. Love never killed anybody. She frowned as she remembered a variety of different tragedies in literature and history that indeed ended in love killing someone. Still, it wasn't that bad yet. Right?

"Kim, I don't have GJ ties. Only time I interacted with them was during the apocalypse incident," Monique replied.

"I already contacted them," Wade said. "Either Will or Betty is going to try and talk to Jack. Just follow their lead and you should be set. No problem."

"Right, no problem," Monique dubiously said. Then again she did have the rest of the Cheer Squad to fall back on. Josh, Tara, Amelia, Hirotaka, Fukushima, Zita, Felix, Bonnie, Ned, Justine... Just to name a few. Oh wait, Bonnie and Zita were spending quality time with Junior. Josh, Ned, and Tara were working. Felix was getting work done on his chair. Justine was giving a symposium. That cut her resources back significantly. At least she still had Fukushima, Hirotaka, and Amelia though.

KP

"You are doing precious little to remedy this," Fukushima said to Hirotaka, frowning at his friend as they sat at a table outside a little sushi bar near a river. Albeit the sushi was subpar at best. And really, who were they kidding with the wasabi sauce?

"What can I do, Fukushima? Kill my sister? Kill Monkey Fist?" Hirotaka asked. "I despise him, yes, but may the gods strike me down if I do not respect him." Hirotaka flicked up a piece of gum, caught it, and began chewing. Fukushima winced a bit. The gum meant his friend was suffering more stress than he was claiming. Some girls passed by. Hirotaka slyly winked at them, giving them his winning and dangerous smirk. They giggled.

Fukushima rolled his eyes and focused on the topic at hand once more. "Have you not thought of the dishonor it would bring upon your family, Yori, and Monkey Fist?" he asked.

Hirotaka glanced warily back at him. "What dishonor? For her to wed the Ultimate Monkey Master would be our family's great honor," Hirotaka said, but Fukushima saw in his friend's eyes that Hirotaka was only lying to himself in case the worst happened and they never got the antidote. Under the surface, his friend was losing it.

"A great honor indeed, but Monkey Fist is not the Ultimate Monkey Master," Fukushima said. "He only should have been. My guardian deserved that title, not the Outsider. But he chose a dark path, and that path lost him favor in the eyes of the gods. All but one."

"How much do you truly know about the Mystical Monkey Legend?" Hirotaka asked his friend, leaning forward a bit.

"I know all my mother taught me," Fukushima replied. "She always said that the Wind Stranger would be the Monkey Master, but near the end of her… near the end of her life, she said little about it. In fact, she seemed worried and uncertain whenever I dared to bring it up. It did not take much to deduce what she had come to believe. That Monkey Fist had forsaken his destiny for the sake of power."

"Do you know if he will ever regain his title?" Hirotaka asked.

"No," Fukushima replied. "Perhaps, but I do not believe he will ever fully stop being evil, for it is against his very nature. There may yet be, though, a way for him to salvage his birthright."

"Does Monkey Fist himself know how much you understand of the legend he has for so long pursued?" Hirotaka wondered.

"He knows that I know more than I ever told him," Fukushima quietly said. "In time, perhaps I would have given him all of it. That was until he forsook me..." There was no guarantee he would never again open up to his mentor about it, but that all depended on Lord Fiske now. Fukushima noticed his friend's cup was empty. Bowing briefly to Hirotaka, he immediately refilled it.

Hirotaka frowned a bit. Normally he would think nothing of it. It was a simple, friendly gesture. He knew Fukushima, though, and he realized his friend's motives behind this were deeper than that. Pouring tea in this manner was a way of showing honor and deep respect to someone of a higher position than you which yes, technically he was, but on the day he had spared Fukushima's life, Fukushima had sworn to him a life debt and had vowed to be his servant forevermore. Hirotaka had wanted no part of that. He would not make his fellow ninja, his brother, into a slave. His refusal hadn't deterred Fukushima, of course, but thus far he had had little trouble casually sidestepping such actions or distracting his friend from them. His feelings on the matter remained the same today as they had then. Unfortunately, so did Fukushima's. They were both stubborn like that.

Fukushima was not blatant about his self-given status. After all, should Hirotaka ever catch his friend displaying his perceived worth through unconcealed submission, it would horrify him. Fukushima knew this, and so he only ever publicized his self-given status through what gestures of respect and submission he could manage to get away with. If his friend were ever to outwardly proclaim him as master instead of brother, it would devastate him, so instead Fukushima did things as small as retrieving an item for him when he expressed a desire for something he didn't currently have. Sometimes Fukushima would commit greater actions, such as throwing himself in front of zombie attacks for the sake of his wellbeing. Of course, Hirotaka had promptly put a stop to that display once he'd realized what it was Fukushima was doing.

"Your loyalty to your guardian drove your treachery. Your silence regarding the legend saved many lives," Hirotaka said.

"My loyalty belongs to you. My allegiance is with you," Fukushima said.

"I know your heart's loyalty still struggles," Hirotaka said sympathetically. "Part of you has always been in allegiance with your guardian. Before me, before Yamanouchi, there was him."

"Enough talk, I see Amelia coming," Fukushima said, pointing and promptly ignoring the remark. Hirotaka turned curiously in his seat.

KP

Amelia smiled, approaching them. "Hey Hirotaka, Fukushima. May I join you?" she asked.

"Of course Amelia," Hirotaka replied, smiling softly at her.

"Perhaps you will stop Hirotaka's wandering eyes," Fukushima teased. Hirotaka started and blushed before shooting a dangerous glare at Fukushima.

"Wandering eyes?" Amelia coldly asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He only says that to make himself feel better about his own wandering eyes," Hirotaka bit at his friend.

Fukushima, currently watching a group of young women in bikinis sunbathing by the river, turned quickly, eyes wide as if he'd just been caught committing some heinous crime. "My eyes were not wandering!" the youth insisted.

"Maybe I should get into a bikini all my own to keep your attention," Amelia said, giving Hirotaka a look mixed with a sly smile. Hirotaka started and flushed deeply. "Anyway, Hirotaka, I got to thinking. You know that night we went to see that movie and you had a brief mental health crisis? Some PTSD?"

"Fukushima was worse," Hirotaka immediately defended. Fukushima sneered at Hirotaka coldly.

"Well, if this works on you, we can try it on him too," Amelia said.

"Try what?" Hirotaka suspiciously asked, now guarded.

"I've made an appointment for you to visit a psychiatrist I know who I did a practicum with," Amelia said. "He's very good."

"A what?!" Hirotaka exclaimed. "Amelia, this is not necessary!"

"At least try. Please?" Amelia replied, pouting at him.

Hirotaka's eyes twitched. Fukushima silently counted down with his fingers. Hirotaka shifted uncomfortably just as Fukushima reached one, and said, "Very well." Fukushima smirked, cheering himself for his accurate prediction.

"Great! I'll go with you just in case you decide you want to leave or need some emotional support," Amelia said. Hirotaka grimaced in distaste but nodded. Amelia grinned and leaned over, kissing his cheek, then rose and waved, winking at him as she left. He watched after her for a long moment.

"You are so weak-willed," Fukushima bit.

"Go jump in the river!" Hirotaka snapped testily.

"Is that an order?" Fukushima asked. Hirotaka looked incredulously at him. He should make it one, he spitefully thought, but ultimately decided not to.

Drakken's Lair

"Shego, I brought you cocoa moo," Drakken sang, prancing up to Shego and offering her the drink as Evil Incorporated gathered there. Rather than staying in a hotel, Monkey Fist - and Nanny Maim it seemed, who apparently had called up Senor Senior and gotten a ride to Middleton likely for the sole purpose of spiting her son, though she'd pretended it was to visit Mama Lipsky - had opted to bunk with Drakken and Shego in their lair. Monkey Fist had been utterly disgusted upon discovering his mother there chatting to Mama Lipsky and drinking tea. Fortunately for him, though, Maim seemed to have at least a somewhat genuine interest in visiting Drakken's mother. Thus far most of her time had been spent mingling with the woman and probably swapping stories about their children. Drakken had been equally as exasperated, attention temporarily even diverting from Shego.

"Dr. D, that's so sweet," Shego replied, batting her lashes. "You know, all those times I told you it was ridiculous to call chocolate milk Cocoa Moo, I actually thought it was adorable!"

"Oh dumpling, you're absolutely perfect," Drakken said.

"Not as perfect as you, Drewbie," Shego answered, nuzzling him and grinning. Killigan made a gagging noise and motion. Drakken and Shego shot him annoyed looks before turning back to each other and making 'kissy face', as Shego had once dubbed it. Killigan decided to focus on Monkey Fist, hoping for some respite. Bad choice, he quickly discovered.

"I simply cannot be apart from her for much longer," Monkey Fist said, pacing restlessly. His eyes were distressed as he thought of Yori. "I must see her again."

"Ach, no' again," Killigan groaned. Every few seconds it was Yori this, Yori that, Yori, Yori, Yori!

"You don't know what it's like!" Monkey Fist yelled at him. "To be so devotedly and helplessly in love with someone…! Oh Monkey Spirits, I fear I shall die without her."

"What's this about being in love?" a shocked voice said from the door. They all turned, gasping. Maim had entered the room, and she looked suddenly very intrigued by this discussion.

"Oh gods help us all!" Killigan said. Now that she was here, it would just get that much worse. "Et was only an accident!"

"What was?" Maim suspiciously asked, eyes fixed on her son as if she were a vulture waiting to swoop down on something. She frowned curiously, though, when she noticed Drakken and Shego making out, Shego with her legs wrapped around her boss as she sat on his lap.

"Cupid Ray," Killigan answered, showing the woman the ad.

She glanced at it, uninterested, and brushed it off. "Unimportant. What matters is that finally my Monty is turning his attention to a woman. Even if not of his own accord." She put on a sickly sweet smile and looked towards her son. "Oh Monty!" she sweetly called. Monkey Fist looked quickly over at his mother with wide, desperate, longing, and slightly frightened doe eyes. "Come to mother, dearest, tell me who your heart pines for. Mommy will listen."

"Gods help us all," Killigan repeated again, throwing up his hands and rolling his eyes. No help would be coming from Nanny Maim for sure.

Monkey Fist immediately blurted, "Mother, she's absolutely perfect in every way! Her mind is perfect, her body is perfect, her fighting form is flawless... She's everything! Intelligent, independent, brave, witty, utterly breathtaking... And the grace with which she moves! Monkey Spirits, Shego fades in her wake. She battles as if she were born to, dancing among her opponents like a ceaseless wind, and her talent and skill and power... Oh yes power, such power! She is the embodiment of Japan itself! Gods, I feel I shall die without her! I need to be with her, I must be! I cannot stay apart from my love. If I have to, I will steal her away from this land!"

Maim, recovering from the shock of how vehement and certain her son was about this, was suddenly overcome with ecstasy. She grinned widely. Finally, there was hope! "Who, child, who?" she demanded excitedly of her boy. "What is her name?"

"Yori, mother. It is Yori whom I love!" Monkey Fist exclaimed, taking his mother's arms and grinning at the woman who gave birth to him.

"Yori! My word, Montgomery," Maim replied. She'd guessed as much, but to actually have him admit it? "Oh my darling, you have made mummsy so happy!"

"Et was the Cupid Ray!" Killigan insisted. "Ah'm tellin' ye', et's all en his mind!"

"Hush!" Maim sharply shot, causing Duff to back off with eyes wide. Oh there was no way any help was coming from his two friends, Shego, or Maim. "You must go to her, my son. Court her, woo her, and steal her back to England. I certainly hope you won't abandon her as you did Setsuka."

"Never, mother! I can hardly stay away from her! If she cannot be mine, if anything were to separate me from her, I would die of a broken heart, I know I would," Monkey Fist declared.

"An' tha's me cue t' leave," Killigan dryly said. He needed to find help stat. Somewhere. Anywhere!

GJ

Killigan couldn't believe he was actually desperate enough to come to GJ Headquarters. He was a criminal for Pete's sake! This was practically turning himself in. He looked around at the GJ agents, all ready to jump on him at the first sign of an attack. He was almost afraid to move. Where was Dr. Director, already? "At ease agents," her voice suddenly said as she entered with Will at her side.

"Ach, finally lassie," Killigan said.

"Duff Killigan. What prompts a villain to come to GJ for help?" she asked.

"The Cupid Ray," Killigan replied. Betty and Will's eyes instantly widened. Good, they knew what had happened, Killigan determined.

"Come in, Mr. Killigan," Betty Director said, nodding to the man.

KP

Betty, Will, and Duff sat in the conference room. "We're well aware of the Cupid Ray incident," Dr. Director informed the golfer.

"Via Wade Lode, we understand that Drakken and Shego, as well as Monkey Fist and Yori, were hit by the mist, is that correct?" Will asked.

"Aye, and et's bad," Killigan replied.

"Next question. Why should we care?" Will deadpanned.

"William!" Dr. Director exclaimed, horrified at her son's question.

"What? They're villains! The only one who isn't is Yori," Will defended.

"Just for that remark, guess who'll be helping the Mad Golfer, Agent Du," Dr. Director snapped.

"Wait, what? No!" Will protested.

"You will help him and you won't complain about it, young man!" Betty said.

"Aye, roll over far mommy, laddie," Killigan taunted, grinning cruelly at the boy.

"Mom, I can't…!" Will began.

"No arguments. It's settled," Betty said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll leave you both to your own devices. I need to try and speak to Jack about the antidote, and have a talk with Tiffany as well."

"The blonde assistant?" Killigan asked.

"We've been monitoring her for some time" Betty said, setting up a series of photos to play out on the screen.

"Mom's been monitoring her a long time," Will teased. Betty shot a dangerous glare at him. The boy knew perfectly well that wasn't so. It was protocol! It just so happened that it had the added benefit of keeping tabs on the woman who flirted shamelessly with her husband on a daily basis. Will grimaced and backed off.

Once sure her son wouldn't interrupt anymore, Betty continued. "She works in close proximity with Jack, which means she likely has Intel on any illegal doings Hench may participate in."

"Yer married t' the man and still tryin' t' bring him down?" Killigan incredulously asked.

"I have a job to do, Mr. Killigan," Betty replied.

"Not that she'd tell anyone if she did find something," Will bit.

"One more time, Agent Du, one more time," Betty warned. Will looked terrified and instantly shut up.

"Tiffany an' Hench make a cute couple," Killigan remarked, tempted to stir the pot. "Hardly a photo o' Hench wi'out his lovely assistant." The golfer glanced at Betty, eager to see her reaction. Betty blinked at him, eyes wide, then turned back to the screen, suddenly seeming uneasy. "Aye, a kiss on the cheek," Killigan pointed out, pushing it further and playing with her reactions.

"Typical," Will grumbled, frowning at the picture of his father with his lips planted on the cheek of a woman who wasn't his mother. No, no, he needed to stop that sort of thinking. Betty shifted uncomfortably and shut down the photo screen, frowning at Killigan. She wasn't jumping at the bait.

"Good luck Killigan, Agent Du," Betty said.

"Dr. Director, um, wh-what's for supper?" Will asked.

"There are leftovers in the fridge, honey. Heat them up if I'm not back until late," Betty said.

"Wha' d' ye' expect t' be doin' t' yer husband, lassie?" Killigan asked, eyes glittering mischievously. "Intensive interrogation?" Betty blushed hotly. Will looked mortified, mouth agape and eyes wide. Mental pictures, mental pictures, sick and wrong! Ew! Betty glared icily at the golfer. She harrumphed and left without another word. "Have ye' been told o' the birds and the bees, laddie?" Killigan asked Will, smirking coldly. "When a mommy and a daddy love…"

"Shut up!" Will barked sharply. Killigan snickered and followed the now agitated young man.

KP

Tiffany sat on the couch in Jack's office, still shaken after the incident at the auction. She was crying of course. Jack knew she was quite the drama queen. She'd come into his office babbling about how terrified and worried she'd been at the auction, thinking that something really bad was going to happen and steadily working herself into hysteria. Whether it was faked or not was debatable. He'd taken her arms and shaken her until she stopped talking. He'd let her stay in his office. Biggest. Mistake. Ever.

"Oh Jack, you're so good to me," Tiffany said, dabbing at her eyes.

Jack glanced warily up and smirked impersonally. "Tiffany, you know I make sure to treat all my employees well." At least, as well as could be expected from him.

"I know, but it actually means something to me," she said, smiling sweetly at him. "You're the only man I've ever worked for who hasn't tried to make a move on me or grab me. I respect that. I'm grateful for it."

"Honey, I'm a married man," Jack said.

"All the good men are taken," she said with a sad sigh.

"Trust me, Tiff, I'm not a good man," Jack said. If she knew even a fraction of the things he'd done, she'd realize it real quick too.

"You are to me," she said.

He paused and glanced up at her with a warning frown. "Back off, Tiffany," he said. He printed off a document and went to the couch, sitting next to her. "Look over these sales pitches and tell me what you think."

Tiffany frowned but obeyed, taking the papers and reading through them. She smiled, handing them back. "They're perfect, Jack," she said.

"Well, I wouldn't say perfect," he answered proudly. "But I was going for something a little different this time."

"I can show you something really different," she whispered huskily into his ear.

He started, turning to her in shock, but before he could even gasp, she'd thrown herself against him, crushing his lips with hers and knocking him back onto the couch with an 'oomph'! She straddled his body, keeping him pinned beneath her and causing his biology to react in a variety of different ways he really, really didn't want happening right now. Despite his body's response to the sudden assault, this woman on top of him was the last thing he wanted right now! He was too shocked to even try and push her off, eyes wide! She unzipped his fly and he made a sound of protest, about to push her away, but just then the door opened and he heard a gasp. He paled. Betty!

KP

HenchCo was closed, but Dr. Director had the keys and the codes to shut off the presumably lethal security. She made her way toward her husband's office with a smile on her lips, wondering what his reaction to her little late-night surprise visit would be. She reached the administrative office door and opened it up only to gasp, paling. There was her husband beneath another woman, kissing her!

"Jack?" she asked in shock, stunned. She felt like she'd just been punched in the gut! Wh-what was...? This couldn't be happening!

Tiffany quickly looked back at her. At least the woman had the decency to blush, Betty told herself. Jack shoved the blond off him and she hit the floor with a cry. He scrambled to his feet, pale. "Betty, this isn't what it looks like!" he blurted.

She shook her head at him, tears burning her eyes. "Don't even," she hissed, turning and quickly leaving.

"Betty!" Jack called, immediately going after her.

She didn't stop until he grabbed her arm and turned her around. With a furious scream, she went to slap him, but even now she couldn't bring herself to do so. Hand quaking, she lowered it and sobbed, turning away from him. "How could you?" she asked, head hung and eyes shut tight.

"I-I didn't," he replied, still shaken by the incident. "Please, Betty, I wouldn't do that to you!" She sniffed, wiping at her eyes. With every incident like this that she came across, she doubted his words more and more... She was nothing if not understanding, though, so she would hear him out yet again, but the spiel was getting old real quick. "Honey, she means nothing to me!" he insisted.

She looked angrily up at him, eyes narrowed. "And you expect me to believe you didn't see this coming from a mile away?! The late nights, the close working relationship, the dinners?! I've given you the benefit of the doubt time after time, Jack, but this needs to stop!" she insisted.

"It'll stop, I swear! It'll stop. No more dinners or lunches, no more late nights at the office," he vowed. If Tiffany tried to stay, he'd be more forceful in kicking her out. Asking politely clearly hadn't been getting the job done. "I'm sorry, Betty, I'm so sorry. You've caught me in bad situations so many times and it's always the same story, and each time I tell it I know I'm losing a little more of your trust, but I swear to you on my father's grave I've been loyal! I'll always be loyal!"

Her mouth quivered. Just then Tiffany approached looking annoyed. Betty frowned at her rival, eyes narrowing coldly, but said nothing. She was a grown woman. She wouldn't start a catfight over this.

"His body's so tantalizingly reactive," Tiffany bit. Jack blushed deeply, eyes widening. Betty looked ready to slap the other woman, immediately understanding her meaning, but with remarkable restraint controlled the urge. Jack not so much.

"Get out!" he furiously shouted at his assistant, pointing at the door. She harrumphed and calmly left.

KP

As soon as he was sure Tiffany was gone, he turned back to Betty. "Why did you come here tonight?" he asked, more than a little relieved the blonde was gone.

"It's about the Cupid Ray," she replied. Instantly she saw him shutting off, features becoming hard and angry. Clearly the battle that had broken out over the device had put him in a bad temper.

"Forget it," he said.

"Jack, they…" she began.

"Forget it!" he shot.

"You don't even know what happened!" she argued.

"They tried to steal from me, they were driven out," Jack stated.

"Drakken, Shego, Monkey Fist, and Yori were hit by it! They need the antidote!" Betty said.

Jack blinked blankly at her, trying to comprehend he'd actually just heard that. "Excuse me?" he asked.

"They. Got. Hit by it," Betty articulated.

Jack was silent. After a long moment, he said, "They stole the antidote too."

"It shattered on the ground," she replied.

"It what?!" he demanded. "Betty, that was the only one the boys down in Research and Development had made up so far! It took days to perfect!"

"Days?" she asked, eyes wide.

"And the ingredients used were rare, only found in a few locations around the world," Jack said. "We weren't ready to go into full production yet!

Betty was quiet, digesting this news and obviously thinking the matter through. "You know where those ingredient locations are?" she asked.

"Of course I do," Jack said. Then he saw the look in her eyes and his own widened. Ooh... "No," he immediately said, catching on. "No, no, no! Forget it! Let Drakken and Shego stay in love for all I care! Everyone knew it was going to happen anyway!"

"What about Lord Montgomery Fiske and Yori?" Betty asked.

"What about them?" Jack asked.

"You sound just like Will!" Betty shot. "Jack, the GJ agent on this case might need your help."

"And who's the GJ Agent?" Jack asked. If it was a rival for his wife's affections, the man wouldn't come back alive, that he promised.

"It's Will," Betty stated, and Jack's eyes widened. Okay, so his son was technically a rival for his wife's affections, in fact Will left him in the dust, but the boy didn't count so the promise was null and void. "Agent Du is working with Killigan to fix this mess. Under GJ surveillance, of course," Betty continued.

"You want me to work with Duff Killigan and Will Du?" Jack incredulously asked.

"Think of it as father-son bonding time with a third wheel," Betty replied.

"Traipsing through jungles, arctic tundra, and deserts looking for rare ingredients sounds like a blast. Thanks, but I have people to do the grunt work for me," Jack said.

"You can't handle it, old timer?" she asked, smiling teasingly and challengingly at him.

Jack started. Oh, she had not just pulled that old timer card. "You didn't just go there," he said.

"Old. Timer," she repeated, tapping his nose and smirking wickedly.

He seized her around the waist and pulled her close. "An old timer couldn't handle a fraction of the things I can do to you," he huskily said.

She blushed, eyes sparkling. "Is this a proposition?" she asked, playing naïve.

"Let's go with that," he answered.

"Very well. If you agree to go along with Will and Killigan, I'll show you things you've never experienced," she answered.

His eyes widened. "Deal," he instantly said. He could leave his office as it was tonight.

She smirked mischievously, but her smile soon fell. "Are you okay? Really?" she asked. He gave her a curious look. "If what was happening wasn't consensual between you and Tiffany... And the whole remark about your body being reactive? Are... are you sure you're alright?" she asked.

He hummed, considering her question. "It's not the first close call I've had," he confessed. "Nor am I optimistic enough to figure it'll be the last."

"Jack..." she worriedly began.

"It never gets much farther than where she got," he replied. "I'm not exactly an easy man to overpower, Betty. Not even on the worst of days. I can handle it. Right now, though, it's you I want to handle."

She started and flushed, then grinned up at him immensely pleased with the pass. He grinned, suddenly picking her up and settling her on his waist as she let out a little scream of surprise. Realizing what had just happened, she laughed and grinned, kissing him adoringly as he swayed her. She slid off of him, took his wrist, and led him out of the building determinedly.