"Why's that Shock?" I asked picking up my soda and taking a few sips.
"So I can get the heck out of there as fast as I can." Shock answered and that made me laugh, only to choke when my drink went down the wrong way. Coughing I heard both Berto and Shock ask if I was alright. Unable to speak now I held up a hand. After about a minute I managed to talk, my eyes watering.
"I'm…okay. Went down the wrong way." I coughed and they both blinked. "That was a dumb move."
"That seems to be a recurring thing with you now." Shock said and I gave him an annoyed look which brought a smile to Berto's face.
"You know you're pretty cute when you're angry." He commented and I giggled causing Shock to roll his eye at us.
"Seriously are you two trying to make me gag?" Shock said as he looked on, crossing his arms.
"Technically you don't even have a mouth so how can you throw up?" I asked him and he uncrossed his arms.
"I'm gagging on the inside. Trust me on this. So what are we going to do about this 'Makino'?" Shock asked us and I thought about this for a minute or two.
"Frankly I have no clue. Any ideas Berto?" I asked looking at my boyfriend, who seemed lost in thought. Or so I thought until I noticed that his head kept drooping and I sighed, standing and walking to his side. "Hello?" I said and he looked up suddenly, blinking and I rolled my eyes at him. "You should have told me you were tired."
"Huh? Oh I guess I'm a little sleepy." Berto told me and I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms against my chest. "Fine I'm exhausted." He admitted and I gave him a slight smile.
"Need any help getting back to the Medical Bay?" I asked, offering my hand and he took it. Once on his feet I wrapped my arm around his shoulders and together all three of us headed back to the Medical Bay. Along the way I saw Forge walking towards us and I stopped, keeping a firm grip on Berto's shoulders if he started to fall asleep.
"Where are you three heading off to? Not hacking into anymore restricted files?" He asked and I frowned slightly.
"No Commander. I was just taking Berto back to the Medical Bay." I answered as I felt Berto's head on my shoulder. "Is there something I can help you with?" I asked as I readjusted my grip on Berto, which made him raise his head and rub his eyes.
"I just wanted to make sure. That's all I wanted to know." He said and moved over so we could walk past. As I walked past, half carrying Berto, I had to know who Makino was. Even if I would get into trouble. Now inside the Medical Bay Berto managed to get his feet under him and walk the last few feet to the couch. Once there he sat and I set a hand on his shoulder.
"How are you now?" I asked as he yawned. "I guess that answers that question." Lying down Berto shifted a little as he got comfortable. "Do you need anything?" I said and he lifted his hand slightly.
"I'm good, thanks." He told me. As I watched on he placed one hand under his head and his eyes began to close. In less than a minute he was asleep and I reached over, gently running my hand through his hair.
"Do you think he's going to be okay?" I asked Shock, who flew over and placed his hand on my shoulder.
"With you to look after him, he'll be fine. Maybe we should leave and let him get some rest." Shock suggested and with a nod, we walked out.
"So where to now, Jessie?" Shock asked me as we walked down the hallway.
"I don't really know. I'd like to find out a bit more about Makino but I don't want to leave Berto out of the loop. Hmmm." I replied as I thought. "What to do now?"
"I have an idea. Wanna find Max and Steel?" Shock suggested and I nodded. Taking out my phone I gave him a call.
"Hey it's me. Is this a bad time?" I asked after he answered. After a few minutes I hung up with a grin on my face.
"Good news I'm guessing?" Shock said and I told him that Max would meet me at school tomorrow. "You do remember what happened yesterday, don't you?" He pointed out and I sighed.
"How could I forget? Look I'll apologize to Butch because even though it pains me to admit it, it was wrong to throw him into a table." I replied and he nodded. "So much for 'the end of the millennium'." I added walking towards the Hangar. "Come on, let's go home." When we got back to the hangar we switched modes and took to the skies in Flight Mode.
"I never get tired of this." Shock said as we flew towards our apartment.
"It's pretty cool being able to fly. " I replied. "Hopefully nothing happens to us and I can have a peaceful day tomorrow." Landing on the pavement I hurried into an alley and, after making sure we were alone, I changed back into Camo mode. Then I walked the rest of the way back to my apartment, only to bump into Max as I turned the corner.
"Hey sorry. Where'd you two come from?" Max asked helping me to my feet.
"From N-Tek. Just got back actually." I answered as I dusted myself off. "What about you?"
"Just back from hanging out with Sydney and Kirby. They were asking about you." He told me and I flinched, making Max raise his eyebrows. "They wanted to know if you're okay."
"That's a relief. I thought it was about me…" I said and he nodded.
"No offence but pretty much everyone knows about you throwing Butch into the table." Max told me and I rubbed my face. "Hey you weren't exactly yourself and he was being pushy. Don't worry about it."
"It wasn't like he didn't deserve it. " Steel added and I managed to smile. "So where were you two headed for anyway?"
"Pretty much on our way home. It's been a long day and I thought I'd get an early start for school tomorrow. "I said and he grinned, telling me that he was heading home too so we walked back together. As we walked Max asked how Berto was. "A lot better now. He's more like his old self again, thankfully."
"That's a relief. He didn't look too good after Toxzon poisoned him. Oh geeze, sorry Jessie." Max replied and I rolled my eyes.
"What are you apologizing for? Toxzon's the one who should be sorry after what he did to my boyfriend." I answered as we reached the Vista View apartments. "He'd better not cross me again."
"Judging from what happened last time, I hope not. I've never seen you blow up at someone like that." Steel agreed as I walked inside, closely followed by Max. I didn't speak until we got to my floor and then I turned around.
"I don't intend to. But he almost…look let's just drop it and move on, okay?" I muttered and Max gave me a nod. "Berto's getting better and I'm happy with that. " Saying goodbye to him and Steel, I walked into my apartment and closed the door. Once I did Shock detached and flew around the room as I walked over and sat down at the kitchen table.
"Something tells me that you're not completely over what happened." Shock said and I frowned.
"Yeah I guess it is pretty obvious. Toxzon did almost…well you know already. If I hadn't 'blown up' as Max said, he might not have handed over the antidote. Then what?" I replied as I stood and started to pace.
"We would have lost a friend." Shock answered and I stopped in mid-stride, closing my eyes for a moment. "But we didn't and we will stop Toxzon."
"I know but how? And we still haven't figured out who Makino is. I have to know why my mom died to stop that weapon. I haven't forgotten about that." I answered opening my eyes and facing my Ultralink. Giving me a look he flew over and nodded.
"We will. But for now can you please focus on not getting into trouble at school or with Commander Forge? And taking care of Berto." Shock asked me and I stared at him for a moment before I sighed.
"Okay I promise to behave myself." I told him and he grinned. "Besides Berto's my boyfriend and I'd never abandon him. What kind of person would I be if I did that?" I added with a grin.
"Not the sort of person I'd want to be Ultralinked to, that's for sure. So what now?" Shock said and I yawned suddenly.
"Well I guess that answers that question. Maybe I should go to bed early tonight." I said as I headed for my bedroom. Opening the door I walked over and sat on the bed, stretching my tired limbs and trying to figure out how to explain what had happened in the cafeteria. As I sat on the edge of the bed I found myself constantly nodding off so I eventually gave up and laid down on the bed. "Much better." I sighed, shifting until I got comfortable. When Shock flew in I was almost asleep and when Shock hovered in front of me, I sighed and opened my eyes. "What's up?" I asked as I grabbed my pillow and placed it behind my head.
"Just wondering if you want me to wake you for school tomorrow?" He asked me and I smiled up at him.
"Yeah thanks. Goodnight." I replied, closing my eyes.