A/N: So I finally came up with a back story for why Jessie has a chip-like hard drive in her head. I would like to thank KTaylorCSI for giving me the idea to write this chapter. I would like to also thank everyone else for giving me such great reviews. I will not be able to update for a while, but for now enjoy the newest chapter of Family.
Chapter 7: Counter Clock Work
-Flashback: 5 Years Ago, Jessie's POV-
Jessie entered the CybCom building with Gabriel. She just got hired and Jessie was on her way to becoming an agent here. Gabriel lead Jessie to to an office with a redhead sitting behind the desk. The woman looked up and waved them in.
"Have a seat, Jessie. Gabriel, I'd like to talk to Jessie alone," the woman said.
"Well do, Lillian," Gabriel replied, walking out of the office.
"You look nervous, Jessie," the woman named Lillian said.
"I am," Jessie commented. "Why did you call me in a week early?"
"I wanted to ask you if you would like to participate in something called Counter Clock Work."
"I would like to participate in Counter Clock Work. But what is it about?"
"For now, all you need to know about Counter Clock Work is that you are the perfect candidate for implanting a hard drive into your brain," Lillian said.
"Sounds interesting," Jessie said as her curiosity grew. "When do I get it?"
"Come with me. I'll show you," Lillian commented as she got up and gestured for Jessie to follow her.
Walking out of the office with Lillian, Jessie got a better look around the portion of the building she was in. They walked into a glass room that over looked the hallway in which Lillian and Jessie just left. Being introduced to Dr. Cassidy and Nelson, Jessie was informed of what the risks were for the implantation of the micro chip-looking hard drive. As long as Gabriel had the chip, Jessie was fine with having one in her head. The operation for the hard drive began not 40 minutes later when Jessie singed the agreement.
-48 Hours Later-
Jessie woke up disoriented and unsure where she was. Looking around, Jessie found that she was in a hospital room and Gabriel was fast asleep in a chair next to the bed she was in. Groaning, Jessie sat up and held her head in her hands. That's when she felt the strips of soft material on her head. They put it in, Jessie thought. She did agree to this and now she felt like a freak. There was movement near the door that made Jessie look up. It was Dr. Cassidy that walked in.
"How do you feel, Jessie?" Cassidy asked.
"All right, I guess," Jessie replied.
"That's good to hear."
"How long have I been out?" Jessie asked.
"Two days. You're lucky it wasn't any longer," Cassidy said. "And yes, it was a successful implant."
"Does Gabriel know about this?"
"Gabriel doesn't know. Now, that doesn't mean he won't figure it out. So, be careful."
"Ok. When can I go home?"
"Let me take off the bandages and, yes, then you can go home," Cassidy said. "And you might want to take him with you." Cassidy nodded to Gabriel.
Back at Gabriel's apartment, Jessie finally felt like she could settle down. Jessie was hungry and she knew she was because she hadn't eaten anything since the implant.
"So, what for dinner?" Jessie asked.
"Does pasta sound good?"
"Hell yes. I'm starving and I haven't eaten any crap in like four days," Jessie complained.
"Come on, Jessie, I want some help with dinner," Gabriel said. "It would taste better!"
"All right, Gabriel," Jessie said with a mocking tone. "Just remember: I make a damn good pasta sauce and you know it."
Jessie and Gabriel worked together to make their dinner and were rewarded with delicious pasta. Sitting on the couch and watching TV, Jessie and Gabriel ate their pasta and talked about whatever was on TV. After finishing their dinner, Gabriel cleaned up the dishes.
"So, Gabriel. Where am I going to sleep?" Jessie asked.
"Take my bed, Jessie. I'll take the couch," Gabriel responded.
"You don't have to do that," Jessie said.
"I know. I think it would be nice since you have been in the hospital," Gabriel replied.
"Thank you Gabriel. I won't steal it for too long," Jessie said mockingly. "Night, Gabriel."
"Good night, Jessie."
Jessie walked into Gabriel's room and plopped down onto the bed. Jessie hadn't tested the hard drive yet and she accessed Gabriel's chip. Seeing everything was amazing. The hard drive was nothing compared to the chip. Jessie had learned that the hard drive could only be accessed through the chip. And for that to work, Jessie had to be within a certain range of the chip to get access. But it was better than nothing. Jessie found Gabriel rendering a case and decided to leave him alone. Jessie found that the sensation of connecting to the information grid amazing. Finding an episode of Lost, Jessie fell asleep watching it.
Jessie woke up to the smell of bacon, eggs, and pancakes in the air. Groaning, Jessie got up and walked out to the kitchen. Finding Gabriel at the stove cooking, Jessie sat down at the counter.
"Good morning, sleepy head," Gabriel said without looking up. "Did you sleep well?"
"As well as I could. I hope that's breakfast your making, Gabriel," Jessie said teasingly.
"It will be ready soon, Jessie. You should get some different clothes on first."
"My food shouldn't be gone when I get back."
"Like that would ever happen."
After the shower and getting into a new pair of clothes, Jessie emerged from Gabriel's bathroom and found breakfast waiting. Gabriel was waiting for Jessie to get out before he started to eat. Smiling at Gabriel, Jessie sat down and they dived into their food. Jessie wished this moment could last forever. She and Gabriel having a typical family breakfast.