"Very funny Roberto." I laughed as I tried to move away only to wonder why almost immediately. "On second thought maybe I'm fine right where I am." I added giving Berto a smile which he returned.
"Humans and their weird courting rituals. I've never understand you people." Shock said with a shrug. "I just came here to ask how you're going with the file we decoded. Of course judging from you two maybe I should come back." Reluctantly Berto let go of me.
"For what we've uncovered the missile was designed to be charged with Turbo energy. After that...we haven't really figured that out yet." Shock explained as Berto joined him beside the keyboard.
"And there's nothing in the file to show what the missile's designed to do. Other than be fired at a target which is another piece of information we're missing as well. There's nothing to show why it exists. I'm sorry we couldn't find anything more." Berto apologized and I shook my head.
"It's a great start. Maybe there's something else buried in the computer you used Shock that might give us more info." I suggested and they both grinned. "We can't give up just because of one little setback."
"You're right. We'll check out that computer again and see what we can find." Berto said and I had to agree with that. "But maybe we should wait until Forge isn't here. In case he catches us hacking into confidential files." He added and even though I was determined to find out what I could, I knew he was right.
"Yeah I remember what happened when he caught Steel and Shock using his computer. I hate to think what would happen if he caught you and Shock hacking into a restricted file." I said and all three of us cringed at the same time. "So that's a very good plan, Berto."
"I think so too. Now that we have a plan what should we do now?" He asked and I thought about this for a few minutes. "Because I have a suggestion." Not completely sure what he had planned I had no ideas of my own so I went along with it. And so an hour later the three of us were standing in the park both holding skateboards.
"I'm curious about something." I said and Berto raised an eyebrow at me. "Nothing bad or anything."
"What are you curious about?" He asked me as I set my bag down. Making sure the coast was clear Shock flew out and linked with me then I slipped the bag on.
"Why the park exactly? Not that I'm not grateful or anything." I asked him and he smiled at me.
"After everything that's happened, I was trying to find something that would get your mind off things for a while." Berto explained and that made me feel a little better.
"I appreciate that. Thanks Berto." I replied as I dropped my skateboard on the ground.
"He's a pretty nice guy. I can see why you like him so much." Shock said as I jumped on the board.
"He really is." I said to Shock as I waited for Berto to join me. Moments later we were speeding around the park, showing off our skills and generally just having a blast. Berto was right; I thought to myself, this was a great idea. At least now I'm doing something and not thinking about…things. Just up ahead I saw a tree and that's when I got a great idea. Speeding up I leapt towards an overhanging branch and grabbed it.
"Hah hah!" I yelled as I spun around it and let go, timing it perfectly so I landed on my board. When I came to a stop I saw Berto watching on.
"You are such a showoff." He commented with a smile on his face. "Still I have to admit that was pretty cool."
"Thanks but if it wasn't for you teaching me I wouldn't be any good." I answered and he shrugged. We ended up spending the next few hours just skateboarding around the park. Sometime that afternoon I jumped off my board.
"Is something the matter?" Shock asked me and I shook my head, watching on as Berto sped around the park. "Oh I get it you're watching him, aren't you?" When I didn't reply he knew it was true.
"I'm a little distant today." I said and Shock pointed out that I was. "I really don't know what's wrong with me. I'm not usually this…" I struggled to come up with a word to describe how I felt.
"Distracted?" Shock finished and I had to agree. "You haven't exactly had an easy few days. I'm to blame for that." He sighed and I smiled down at him.
"Hey don't say that. You didn't have anything to do with my mom's accident. Besides at least I know who my mom was and that's something. Plus she worked for N-Tek and that's makes me pretty proud that she was working on protecting the planet." I told him and he smiled. "Now I want to help her by finding what she was working on before she died."
"Did I miss out on something?" Berto asked as he joined us and Shock filled him in. "I guess that's one way to look at it. As soon as we can we'll find out just what Claire was working on. Since its getting dark should we head back soon?" And that's when I surprised him by my suggestion. "Umm…okay then." About half an hour later I was sitting in the kitchen of my apartment while Berto stood looking a little uncomfortable.
"Will you relax? I actually asked you here because I wanted to know if I could get a copy of that file?" I asked Berto and he smiled. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a usb and handed it to me.
"Already taken care of. I made this while you were asleep. "He told me and I grinned.
"May I see that?" Shock asked and I handed it to him. "So this is everything copied from that file?" When Berto nodded flew over to my computer and inserted the usb. Then as we watched on the file appeared onscreen and after a moment a folder appeared that we'd missed.
"What's that?" I asked walking over. Clicking on it I was shocked to find that there was a video. "That's my mom." I whispered as I leaned forward. "I need to see this."
"Okay." Shock said and the second he clicked on it I saw Copper Canyon.
"That's where I woke up." I said and Berto asked me if I was sure. "I'm pretty sure. Why was my mom in Copper Canyon?"
"This is Agent Claire. I am working on a missile that, if successful, will help prevent an attack from them. However we haven't been able to find a suitable source of energy to power it. The only energy I know of that's powerful enough to work is Turbo energy. Once this missile is complete I hope that we can finally stop the invading force." She said and that's when the video stopped.
"Is that it?" I asked and Shock shook his head. "Who's 'them' and what did she mean by that? What invading force?"
"I don't know but maybe the computer you found can tell us more." Berto said and I sighed in frustration. "Hey don't give up." He said to me, patting me on the shoulder.
"It's not that...I just wish I could remember her better. Stupid memory loss." I muttered as I stood up. "I just need a minute guys." As they watched I wandered over to my room and entered, closing the door behind me.
"This day just keeps getting better. Maybe I should go and talk to her." Berto said before Shock shook his head.
"I'll go and talk to her. Just give us a minute." Shock said and when Berto seemed confused, Shock sighed. "Look just trust me, okay?" When Berto finally agree Shock flew over and knocked on the door.
"Alright I'm coming." I called out as I opened the door. "Shock?" I said as I stared at the Ultralink.
"Could I come in?" He asked and when I moved out-of-the-way, he flew into the room. Sitting down on the bed I watched as Shock hovered in front of me. "I know you're feeling pretty down now and I understand that. I just wanted to say that there's someone outside this room who wants to help you find out exactly who you are just as much as you and I do. I'll always be here to help of course but I just wanted you to know that you're not alone." Shock told me and I managed to smile at him. "Oh and before I forget…" Shock added before he linked with me. There was a sudden burst of green light and I found myself wearing my Base suit again. When Shock detached I stared at him.
"Why am I in my Base suit?" I asked him and he smiled at me. Now even more puzzled I sat there in silence as he called out to Berto. Walking in Berto looked at Shock for a moment, probably as puzzled as I was, then at me. After Shock left the room I heard his voice in my head.
"Trust me on this, alright? I made a temporary adjustment to the Base suit that should last for about an hour." Shock explained and I asked what he meant by that. "That'll ruin the surprise. Anyway I'm going to be working on figuring out this file." I tried to ask him again but when I didn't get an answer I rolled my eyes.
"Is something wrong, Jessie?" Berto asked as he sat beside me and I shrugged. "Did Shock say something to you?" After I told him Berto stared at me. "I wonder what he meant by an 'adjustment'?"
"Hey I'm in the dark too. Shock wasn't exactly helpful. I really don't know what's going on half the time. But then what else is new, huh?" I muttered, rubbing at my eyes. Apparently sensing how unhappy I was feeling Berto put an arm around my shoulders.
"Hey you've been through a lot so far. Having memory loss and fighting villains on a regular basis isn't the easiest for anyone but you've handled it pretty well. So don't beat yourself up. We'll find out everything we can about you and your mom. Just give it time. And give yourself some credit too." He said and I somehow managed to laugh, despite how lousy I felt.
"How is it you always seem to know what to say to me?" I asked him, a slight smile on my lips and he grinned at me.
"Hey I am a genius after all." He said and I rolled my eyes at him. "Just kidding. It's probably because I've spent so much time hanging out with you that I can tell how you're feeling."
"Okay then let's test that. How am I feeling now?" I replied and he rubbed his chin, thinking. Without warning he reached over and started tickling me.
"Hey stop it!" I giggled as I tried to shove him away but he held on tight to me and I couldn't escape.
"Nope not letting go." Berto replied as I giggled. "Besides you looked like you could use a laugh." Then before I had time to react he leaned in and kissed me. As I returned his kiss Berto removed a hand from around my waist and went to place it on the bed. As he did he accidentally brushed my abdomen and I gasped.
"Are you okay?" He asked me, concerned and I shook my head.
"I don't know…wait a minute. I wonder if this has anything to do with the 'adjustments' Shock made to the suit." I replied and that's when we both came to the same conclusion. "This is what he meant."
"I get it. So you're way more sensitive than you usually are. Interesting." Berto said and I have to admit that my eyes went wide.
"Just what are you planning?" I asked as I wondered if I had time to escape. Apparently not when Berto reached over and gently brushed the fingers on his right hand across my abdomen. "Whoa…" I gasped and he grinned at me.
"Remind me to thank him." He muttered as he placed his hand on my stomach and started to stroke his fingers across the area. Unable to help it I groaned.
"Ohh…" I groaned and he chuckled as he sped up the movement in his hands. "Darn you…Shock." I mumbled as Berto pulled me against him and began to nuzzle my neck. As I leant against him, Berto kissing my neck, I couldn't help feeling a lot better. Soon Berto removed his lips from my neck and began to stroke my abdomen again.
"Are you feeling better?" Berto asked as I tilted my head back, eyes closed. When he saw the smile on my face he laughed. "I'll take that as a yes." As he continued I mumbled something to him. "Hmm what did you say? Was that 'stop' or 'don't stop'?"
"Don't…stop...ohh." I managed to say between gasps and he sniggered.
"Sure thing." He replied as he resumed stroking my abdomen with his fingers. "You really like this, don't you?" He asked as I moaned.
"Yeah babe…its feels amazing." I mumbled and that's when Berto noticed my eyes and hands were glowing. Before Berto had time to register what I was doing. I grabbed him around the neck and pulled him into a kiss. At the same time I fired the Turbo energy from my hands towards the ceiling, leaving a scorch mark. When we broke apart we both looked up at the ceiling for a moment. "Oops." I muttered and he laughed.
"Oh well. Want to keep going?" He asked and I nodded, my face flushed. "I thought so."
"You look so cute right now." He said and I looked away, embarrassed until he reached over and placed a hand under my chin, making me look at him. "Why are you so embarrassed?" He asked me.
"I'm not usually this helpless." I replied and he smiled at me, removing his hand from my chin.
"You're definitely not helpless." He answered and I smiled back at him. Then I caught him off-guard when I pushed him backwards. "Whoa!" He yelped as he sprawled on the bed. This time I began to nuzzle his neck and run my fingers along his chest and abdomen. "Wow..." He muttered and that's when he sighed.
"Now who's the helpless one?" I laughed as Berto groaned aloud. Apparently he was because he just lay there as I nuzzled his neck while stroking his chest and abdomen.
"Ohh…maravilloso." He groaned and I smiled. "Keep it up."
"Sure thing." I replied as I placed both hands on his chest this time. As I ran my fingers across his chest he moaned and his eyes closed. As I sped up the movement in my fingers he mumbled something.
"That's…amazing." He said and I grinned. Reaching over he grabbed my hands and I found myself lying face to face with him "You're amazing." He added as he brushed my fringe and I blushed. Then I leant in at the same time as him and we kissed. By the time we broke apart I could feel my eyelids growing heavy. Even Berto looked exhausted and that made sense if he had worked on decoding the file Shock found.
"I can barely keep my eyes open." I muttered and he yawned. "Maybe we should get some rest." I had barely finished my sentence when I realized that Berto's eyes were closed, his head resting on the mattress. When I reached over and gently touched his check he didn't respond and I smiled, finding that he was sound asleep. Getting comfortable I closed my eyes and soon drifted off.