"You're not just saying that to make me feel better, are you?" I asked and Berto almost rolled his eyes at me. "Just checking."
"Anyway I probably should get back to…" I started to say until Berto frowned at me. "What?"
"If you're about to say 'school' or 'studying' then the answer is no. We need to run some tests to figure out what happened to you." He told me and I sighed. "And before you complain it needs to be done. What if it happens again and you're in a crowded area?"
"Geeze thanks for freaking me out." I replied, grimacing and he rubbed his eyes.
"Look I didn't mean to scare you. I'm just worried about you. You were unconscious for ten hours and I…don't know what to do to help other than this." Berto told me and I softened, knowing he wanted to help.
"Look I'm sorry. Let's go and run whatever tests you need to, okay?" I said, giving in and that brought a smile to his face. "At least I have Saturday to look forward to." I added and he chuckled. Not long later I found myself in one of the Training rooms. As I watched on Berto walked outside the room and started to type something into the computer.
"Okay now I'll run a Level 1 training simulation and you try and beat it however you want." He called out and I raised an eyebrow at him. "Look I know you can easily beat this level but I just want to make sure that you don't get hurt."
"Sure. Let's go, Shock." I said and Shock nodded before linking up with me. As I stood there the simulation brought up a hologram of downtown Copper Canyon. With a shrug I started walking along the street until I came to a building. "I wonder where we are."
"I really couldn't tell you. You know Copper Canyon better than I do, remember?" He answered and I grinned.
"Not really. Amnesia remember?" I replied tapping my forehead with a finger. "Let's just keep walking and see what shows up." Of course I soon wished I hadn't said that when someone dropped to the pavement, growling at me. "A goop monster? Really?" I commented, stepping backwards as it took a swipe at me. "I can wipe the floor with these things, no problem." Without even changing modes I attacked, leaping into the air and kicking it squarely in the face with one foot. Seconds later it blew up and just missed covering me with goop.
"That was pretty easy. Maybe a little too easy." Shock commented as he detached and I shrugged.
"Easy is fine. Just bring 'em on and I'll knock 'em down." I responded and that's when three more showed up. Not even bothered I launched myself at them, smashing my fist into one. Then I leapt on top of another and threw it into the other, accidently merging them.
"Whoops?" I muttered as the newly merged monster attacked me. Still not breaking a sweat I back flipped to avoid their attacks. "Let's rock, Strength mode!" I called out and Shock linked. The resulting blast of Turbo energy knocked the monster back as I changed modes. Wordlessly I rushed it and slammed my fists into it. Raining blow after blow I laughed before I moved back and it, too, exploded.
"Huh that went pretty well." Shock commented and I rolled my eyes.
"Why do you sound so surprised? We can kick butt." I replied as I changed back to Base mode. Feeling pretty good I didn't realize that Berto had planned this. Though I did realize something was a little off when I was attacked by Naught.
"I guess you spoke too soon." Shock said and I grinned underneath my helmet. As Naught went to fire a shot at me from his arm I ducked and kicked out, knocking him on his rear and then following through with a kick to his face. When he grunted I grinned and struck him again. After a few seconds of this he vanished and I sighed.
"That's not fair. I wanted to kick his butt some more." I complained and that's when I heard someone laugh. "Was that you, Shock?" I asked.
"No. I think it was Dredd." He answered and I frowned. "Told you it was too easy." Not sure what to say I tried instead to figure out where the villain was. But it proved to be a waste of time when I was struck by a blast of Turbo energy and slammed into the pavement. As I climbed to my feet Dredd landed in front of me, laughing.
"Miles Dredd?! Really?" I yelled up at Berto. Annoyed I changed to Knight Mode and charged at Dredd, dodging his attack and countering with one of my own. Lashing out I struck him with my sword then, in quick succession, my shield. Knocking him backwards I attacked again, only for Dredd to take to the air. "Let's rock, Flight!" I yelled changing modes and taking to the sky. Of course I was too wrapped up in taking down Dredd, even a simulation one that I didn't think.
"Um Jessie?" Shock said and when I didn't answer, he raised his voice. "Hey Jessie!"
"Not now Shock. I'm about to beat Dredd." I replied just as Dredd stopped mid-flight and hovered. Suddenly he raised his arms and started siphoning my Turbo energy. Gasping I struggled but I couldn't get away and soon I changed back to Base mode, falling to the ground with a thud. As I lay there, seeing stars, Shock detached and stared down at me.
"I tried to tell you that it was a trap but you wouldn't listen." He told me as I sat up, holding my head. Sighing he linked with me again.
"Ohhh that really hurt." I mumbled as I struggled to my feet as Dredd landed in front of me. I stumbled towards him and took a swing at his face but he grabbed my arm and threw me into a nearby building. "And that really, really hurt." I muttered. Walking over to me, Dredd grabbed me around the neck and lifted me, struggling in vain, until I was face to face with him.
"You're as useless as that agent was." He taunted and I growled, anger building up within me. This time I grabbed his arm and shoved him backwards. Landing on my feet I charged towards him as I felt my Turbo energy build up again. Engulfing me the energy shielded me as Dredd launched wave after wave of stolen energy at me until I slammed my fist into him. Then I let out a yell as I launched the energy at Dredd except the energy vanished before it hit him and he laughed at me as I struggled to stay standing. Woozy I saw Dredd vanished as the simulation ended and Shock detached asking if I was okay. Rushing in Berto grabbed my shoulder as I swayed on my feet, trying to stay awake.
"Jessie?" He said and when I looked at him, he frowned and started helping me out of the room. Dazed I let him led me to what I realized later was the Medical Bay. Soon I was sitting as Berto stood in front of me, frowning for some reason.
"What happened back there?" Berto asked as Shock hovered nearby, his arms crossed. When I stared at the both of them for some reason I started giggling. "You're starting to worry me." That really set me off and they both exchanged a worried look as I cracked up.
"I'll get help." Shock said as he flew away, leaving Berto to watch over me. Eventually I stopped laughing and Berto sighed, making me tilt my head.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" I asked him and he frowned. Silently he set his hand on my shoulder and I looked him straight in the eyes. "You're acting weird." I commented and when I saw the distressed look on his face I blinked at him. Not sure what was going on I stayed silent until my friends arrived.
"Hey guys." I grinned and they all exchanged a look of confusion. "Geeze what's up with everyone today?" I muttered as Kat walked towards me. Kneeling she shined a light in front of my face.
"Follow the light." She asked and I did or tried to anyway. Frowning she held up two fingers and asked how many she was holding up.
"I dunno…four?" I said and she sighed, straightening.
"I think that energy overload may have done some damage to her mind. You should keep an eye on her for the next few hours." Kat told Berto who nodded, unable to hide the concern on his face. When they all left I sat there, still wondering why everyone had stared at me.
"What's wrong with you?" Berto asked and I crossed my arms. "You used your powers to stop Dredd, again, and now you're acting really weird."
"I'm not sure what you mean." I replied and he sighed. "Okay maybe I went overboard. I still don't get why you're so worried." As I sat there Berto sat beside me. "You're way too serious." I added as he put an arm around my shoulders.
"I care that's why." He told me as I leant against him, resting my head on his shoulder. Hovering overhead Shock crossed his arms again.
"Does she have a concussion?" He asked and I sighed, not wanting to move. Bringing up a visual of my vitals Shock and Berto studied it.
"Whoa…cool. How'd you did that?" I asked and Shock rolled his eye ignoring me. "Fine don't tell me." I sulked and Berto fought the urge to chuckle.
"Hmmm her head did sustain a decent blow. Plus the power overload added to her concussion." As soon as the visual vanished Shock seemed to study me.
"What… are you… lookin' at?" I mumbled and the Ultralink frowned at me.
"Maybe she should rest and we can check on her every two hours." Shock suggested as I snuggled closer to Berto, eyes closing.
"You're both ignoring me. Well two can play that game." I mumbled as I started to fall asleep. When Berto tried to wake me up I refused to open my eyes.
"Come on Jessie time to wake up." Berto said and I muttered something under my breath. "You can't sleep now."
"Says…you." I replied and that actually made Berto grin. "Too tired." I managed to say before I dozed off.
"Now what?" Shock asked Berto who raised an eyebrow, looking at his girlfriend now using him as a cushion.
Almost two hours later Berto walked into the Medical Bay to find Jessie sprawled on the bed. As he watched, her foot occasionally twitched and as he walked over Jessie mumbled something.
"Hmm…Berto." I muttered and, now curious, Berto knelt and listened closely. "That…feels nice."
"Okay. What exactly are you dreaming about?" He said and I must have heard him because I shifted and opened an eye. "Hello."
"Oh…hey." I mumbled sitting up and rubbing my eyes, yawning. When I noticed a grin on his face I blinked. "Um…why are you staring at me like that?" I asked and he chuckled.
"That must have been an interesting dream you were having. What was it about?" He asked me and I tilted my head to one side. "I heard you say my name." The second he said that I blushed and when he figured it out he laughed.
"It wasn't…like that. Quit laughing at me." I grumbled and he smiled at me, making me want to vanish into the floor.
"It's actually pretty cute." Berto said and I frowned at him. "Come on you can tell me." Sighing I told him what I could remember and soon he smiled, making me more embarrassed. "I didn't know you liked me that much."
"I…don't know why...I dreamed that." I said as I tried to avoid his eyes. Grinning he sat beside me and wrapped an arm around my waist. When I didn't look at his face he put his hand under my chin and turned my face towards him. Then he leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. After a moment of surprise I kissed him back, closing my eyes. Then Berto pulled me closer to him until I was pressed against his shoulder as he continued kissing me. Soon his lips left mine and I opened my eyes. Before I could ask why he started nuzzling my neck. Confused I didn't react for a moment or two then I tilted my head back and closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of his mouth on my neck.