As Shock went on ahead I slowed down and took my time. Would he forgive me for walking out on him, I thought, or would he…break up with me? That thought stopped me in my tracks and I watched as Shock turned the corner, not realizing that I wasn't following him anymore.
"I can't do this." I whispered and I was about to turn around when Kat and Jefferson rounded the corner. Still not sure what I was doing I noticed that Kat had a folder in her hand.
"Hey you're back. Did you come to see Berto?" Kat asked me and when I didn't answer she seemed to study me.
"I can take those files to Forge." Jefferson offered and after handing them over, Kat walked over to me. After Jefferson walked away she looked at my face.
"What's wrong?" She asked and I sighed. "Come on I'll walk you to the Medical Bay and you can tell me what happened." She said and I gave her a nod. As we walked I told her what had happened at school, including throwing Butch into a table.
"I really didn't mean to do it I just…" I said and she nodded. "I don't know if I can face going to Copper Canyon High School again."
"You'll be okay. Anyway we're here." Kat said and I looked up, surprised when I realized that we were right outside the Medical Bay. "I know he wants to see you. And I know you want to see him." She said and left before I could think of anything to say. Sighing to myself I stepped through the door and found Shock hovering just inside.
"I got scared okay?" I said before he could speak. He continued to stare at me and so I stared back.
"Hey everyone gets scared sometimes." Shock said and I smiled. "Go and see your boyfriend. I'll wait for you in his lab. Take all the time you need."
Once he left I walked over to Berto and looked down at him. Still sleeping he looked so peaceful and I gently reached over to touch his forehead. Not wanting to wake him I was all set to leave when he stirred. "Sorry did I wake you?" I asked as he opened his eyes. When he saw it was me he gave me a tired smile.
"No. How are you?" He asked and I almost laughed, before I remembered what had happened to him.
"I should be asking you that." I replied taking his hand in mine and focusing on not letting him see how miserable I was. Noticing the change in my expression he frowned slightly.
"What's wrong?" He asked me and when I avoided his eyes he sighed and attempted to sit up, only for me to place a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "I'll be okay. It's you I'm worried about." He said and when I finally met his eyes, he cringed when he saw the tears welling up. "Please don't cry." He told me and I nodded, rubbing at my eyes.
"I'm sorry you got hurt." I whispered, trying to keep from breaking down. "I'm such an idiot." Feeling awful about what I'd done I didn't notice him reach up and wrap his arm around my neck until he pulled my head down. When he hugged me that made me finally break down. As I cried he spoke to me, trying to make me feel better even when he wasn't.
"You know it's not your fault that I'm sick. Toxzon did this to me and not you. So why do you keep blaming yourself?" Berto asked as he held me. When I didn't respond he sighed and continued to hold me. Soon I stopped crying and, wiping my eyes, I lifted my head to look at him.
"I know that but I can't help feeling that it's at least partly my fault." I replied and he reached up to stroke my face.
"I wish you would stop blaming yourself for everything that happens around here. I hate seeing you upset and after what happened to Claire…" Berto winced when he realized what he'd just said and looked up at me, worried that I'd start crying again. Somehow I managed not to burst into tears and that surprised both of us. "I didn't mean to say that."
"Don't worry about it." I replied as I tried to smile. Obviously it wasn't a very convincing one when Berto raised an eyebrow.
"You still look pretty shaken up. Maybe you should stay here at N-Tek for a while. And before you argue I want to make sure you're okay." Berto told me and I nodded, not willing to argue with him.
"Alright then I'm crashing at N-Tek for a while. Maybe I should stay here." I said and he smiled at me. When he blinked suddenly I asked if I should leave him in peace and in response he took my hand and gave it a weak squeeze.
"I want you to stay here." He told me and that brought a genuine smile to my face. Finding a chair I moved it over to him and sat beside him, resting my head on his chest. Placing a hand on my head he ran his hand through my hair and I closed my eyes, feeling safe. Soon I found myself beginning to doze and after fighting the urge to sleep, I eventually gave in. As I started to lose consciousness I noticed that Berto had already fallen asleep and I soon joined him.
A few minutes later Shock decided to check on his friend, wondering why she hadn't returned, and by the time he returned to the Medical Bay he discovered that Jessie was apparently using Berto as a makeshift pillow. Flying over he nudged her arm and when he didn't get a response he rolled his eye.
"You were supposed to meet me back at Berto's lab you know." He said. Not willing to disturb them, he left and decided to find something to do while he waited for his friend to wake up. It wasn't until several hours later that Berto woke up. Feeling better he decided to try and sit up again, only to realize that something was preventing him from doing so. Or someone as he found out when he discovered that I had my head lying on his chest. Smiling he placed a hand on my shoulder and attempted to wake me.
"Hey Jessie." When he didn't get a response he tried again and this time I mumbled something.
"Five more minutes." I mumbled as I tried to get comfortable, only to feel someone take hold of my hand and give it a gentle squeeze. Giving up on going back to sleep I lifted my head and opened my eyes, only to find Berto grinning at me.
"Rise and shine." He said and it took me a moment or two to realize that he was awake and looking better.
"I've used you as a pillow haven't I?" I asked as I rubbed at my eyes. "Sorry about that."
"No hay problema. Do you feel any better?" He asked me and I gave him a smile.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" I replied and he chuckled. "But I'm fine thanks. What about you?"
"A lot better than yesterday. Thankfully I don't feel sick anymore." Berto answered just as his stomach growled. Before I had time to laugh at him, my stomach did the same and I blushed. Then we both burst out laughing and that brought Shock into the Medical Bay, wondering what had happened.
"Nothing much. Where'd you go?" I asked him and he crossed his arms.
"I was working on finding out what I can about Makino. You'd know that if you'd meet up with me before." Shock replied and I grimaced slightly. "It's fine. You looked pretty miserable before anyway so I'm glad you stayed here."
"Thanks Shock. I have to agree with that. You didn't look very well when you showed up yesterday." Berto agreed and I sighed. "Don't look so embarrassed." He added and I shrugged. "So what did you find out anything?"
"I spent hours on the computer but so far I haven't been able to come up with anything new." Shock answered and I rubbed my eyes in frustration. "I wish Forge would tell us something, anything but of course he's being stubborn."
"So we're back to square one. Oh well what can we do? For the time being let's go and get something to eat because I'm starving." I replied and Berto gave me a nod. Standing nearby I wanted to make sure he was okay so I waited for him to stand up. As he climbed to his feet and took a few steps towards the door, I noticed how unsteady he still was and so I offered my help. With a smile he accepted and I wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Walking the short distance to the cafeteria gave me time to think and I began to wonder if we'd ever learn the truth about Makino. When we arrived I helped Berto into a seat and despite his protests I walked away to get something for both of us to eat, leaving Shock and Berto to exchange a look.
"Do you get the feeling she's more determined than ever to learn about Makino?" Shock said and Berto sighed. "
"You know what she's like and I know too. I just hope she doesn't get herself into trouble trying to uncover the truth." Berto said as he made sure that I wasn't within earshot.
"Heh you know she'll get us involved somehow." Shock replied and Berto gave a tired laugh.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Berto said and Shock rolled his eye in disbelief. "And you know you'll be right there beside her too."
"Kinda have to be. Hey she's back." Shock said as I walked back. As I set down the two trays I noticed that the two guys were watching me.
"Okay did I miss something?" I asked and Berto asked me what had happened yesterday.
"Nothing really. I just went for a walk." I answered and that's when Shock frowned at me. "Geeze fine I went to school. It…didn't go so well. There, are you happy Shock?"
"What happened?" Berto asked as he set down his burger. Knowing I couldn't avoid it I finally told him everything. When I finished he stared at me for a long minute and then he sighed. "Oh Jessie."
"Hey I didn't mean to throw him into the table. I was just upset and I lost control for a second. I probably won't be able to show my face around Copper Canyon High School again." I sighed and that's when he smiled at me.
"Actually I think people will be pretty impressed by what you did to Butch. Still maybe you should learn a little more control with your emotions." He told me and I raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe not."
"No you're right. Maybe I'll apologize for what I did. Possibly at some later date. Like the end of the millennium. Anyway I'll try to control my temper next time." I answered as I took a sip of my soda.
"I'll help you in any way I can. Oh and before I forget you're not really going to break up with me, are you?" Berto asked and my eyes went wide. "I thought I was dreaming when you said that to me. Seems I wasn't imagining things."
"I'm sorry. I was…upset at the time and I thought it was safer if I stayed away from you." I replied, looking down at the floor. "I don't want to be separated from you."
"I don't want you to go either." He replied taking my hand and I looked up. "Believe me." Blushing I smiled and he gave me a grin, only for Shock to pretend to gag. "Hah hah Shock." Berto said as I giggled.
"Should I come back? Because if you two are going to act like this I want to know in advance." Shock said and I grinned.