The next morning came and went as I stayed inside the Medical Bay waiting for my injury to heal itself so I could return to school and the front line. Though it would take another few days before I would be well enough to leave. That fact was completely lost on me because I was still sound asleep and so far all attempts to wake me had proved unsuccessful.
"Man she's a sound sleeper." Shock commented as Berto tried, for the fourth time in the last hour, to wake me. Instead the only response he got from me was something between a snort and a sigh before I turned over. "What now?" He asked the young scientist who seemed to be wondering what to do about his girlfriend.
"Hmm…wait I know." He said and as Shock watched on Berto leaned over and began tickling my chin. Semi-conscious I groaned and tried to bury my head in my arm but Berto didn't give up. Soon I shifted and attempted to push his hand away and as I did he caught my hand in his. When I found that my hand wasn't in my control anymore I finally opened my eyes and blinked up at him, still half asleep.
"Can't a woman sleep in peace?" I complained and together Berto and Shock shook their heads at me. Knowing I wasn't going to get any rest with them there I finally sat up and Berto removed his hand from mine.
"Good morning. Or should I say midday?" Berto said and I blinked at him confused. "It's lunchtime." He added and I rubbed my eyes with one hand as he chuckled. "Hungry?" He asked me and I didn't have time to answer when my stomach growled. Trying to hide the growing blush that was spreading across my face, and failing, Berto offered to go and get me something. "And before you argue you're still recovering." He said before he left me with Shock.
"Okay…that was interesting. Now I'm apparently helpless as well as injured." I commented giving my limbs a stretch as I waited for my boyfriend to return. "Though it is kind of nice to be looked after too so I guess I can live with that."
"Just let him take care of you without complaining. You have gotten hurt a lot lately come to think of it." Shock said as I rubbed my forehead only to grimace and my Ultralink hovered level with my face, a question mark on his face.
"My head still hurts." I told him and he sighed before reaching over and patting me on the shoulder. "Owww." I whimpered as my head throbbed and Shock rolled his eye at me. "A little sympathy would be nice you know?" I pouted and he chuckled. By the time Berto returned he took one look at me with my arms crossed against my chest and a pout on my face and fought off the laugh that he knew would upset me further.
"How are you feeling?" Berto asked as he walked over and stood next to my bed. As soon as he set a tray out in front of me I grinned as I saw the two burgers sitting there. "Since I haven't had lunch yet either I thought it might be nice to have lunch together." He added and I smiled at him as Shock looked on. Reaching over I went to pick up one of the burgers when Berto's hand brushed against mine and I blushed slightly before picking up my burger and avoiding his eyes as I ate. This confused Berto who glanced at Shock who shrugged just as puzzled by my odd behavior as he was. As I ate I was wondering why I'd blushed as he was my boyfriend. By the time I'd finished eating I was still confused and after a few minutes of an awkward silence Shock made an excuse and left before either of us could ask why. Not sure what to say I remained silent until finally Berto spoke.
"Why would Shock just leave like that?" He said and I shrugged. "Is something wrong?" He asked me and when I didn't answer he frowned slightly. "Did I do something wrong?" He added and I shook my head at him. Picking up the tray he placed it on the bed opposite and after I moved over he sat beside me.
"I really don't know why I'm acting…funny. Maybe it's because of my head injury. It's not like we haven't held hands before." I replied and he gave me a smile before he reached over and took my hand. This time I didn't blush as I gave his hand a squeeze and after a few minutes of looking at me he moved closer. After he did he leaned forward and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. This time I blushed and as I did he chuckled then he kissed me again and within seconds I pressed my lips against his. To my complete shock I suddenly felt his tongue move against mine and after the shock passed I began moving my tongue against his. "Mmm." I mumbled as he increased the movement of his tongue. Before I knew what was happening he began nibbling my bottom lip as he kissed me and I yelped when his teeth suddenly bit down. Instantly I gasped from the sharp pain but soon I groaned when he began licking the spot and I reached up, grabbing the back of his head with my free hand before pushing his face against mine. As we kissed we ran our hands through each other's hair and I soon forgot about the pain in my head right up until I heard someone's footsteps and we broke apart to find Max, Steel and Shock standing in the doorway. A blush spread across my face as we blinked up at our friends and I managed to frown slightly, a little annoyed at being interrupted.
"If you two are done Forge wants to see us in the Com Room." Max told me and I noticed that he had a grin on his face. Ignoring him I stood and that's when Berto asked if I was alright to walk the distance.
"I'm pretty sure I'm okay." I replied as he stood and when he looked a little worried I smiled at him. "But if you want to walk me there that's fine." I added and he took my arm. As we walked Max and Steel exchanged a look of amusement and before we arrived at the Com Room I asked Max what he found so funny.
"You two obviously. Every time you and Berto are alone for a while you two start making out." He commented. Knowing it was true apparently I saw Berto blush as we walked and I raised an eyebrow at Max who just chuckled thinking he'd won.
"What? Are you jealous or something?" I said and the surprised look on his face was priceless. Even Shock thought it was funny as he laughed and soon Steel joined in. As we reached the room I heard Max mutter "Hah hah very funny." and I smiled knowing I'd won that round. Once inside the room I noticed Forge was already waiting for us though I was surprised that Kat and Jefferson were nowhere to be found.
"In case you're wonder why Kat and Jefferson aren't here it's because I wanted to see you and Shock. As well as Max and Steel." He told me and I looked at Berto, not really wanting him to go. Giving me a quick smile he said he'd be in his lab before he walked away. "Anyway after our last failed attempt at capturing an Ultralink I've realized that we need two Turbo users. And that's where you and Shock come in."
"Okay so what do you want us to do?" I asked him and for the next few minutes he went over the plan. "So you want me to be backup for Max and Steel? I guess that's okay though we could take down any of the Ultralinks without a problem. Well maybe not the Metal Elementor after what happened last time." I replied as I rubbed my forehead which still ached from time to time.
"The only problem is; are you well enough to fight?" Shock said and I sighed.
"My head does hurt a little now that you mention it but other than that I'm fine." I replied and when he stared at me, unsure, I rolled my eyes. "I'm definitely up for a fight." I added and that seemed to convince him. "So when do we leave?"
About an hour later we were on our way to a specific spot in Copper Canyon. Instead of using Flight Mode Forge had a couple of N-Tek agents drive us in a couple of R.O.C.C vehicles and after I questioned that plan he explained that it would save us the Turbo energy we needed to catch the Ultralinks. As I sat back on the seat I again rubbed at my forehead as the headache I had flared up and I considered whether I should tell anyone. Then I decided not to say anything because I wanted to fight and prove I wasn't weak. But as we arrived I flinched when my head throbbed and although I tried to hide it Shock asked if I was okay, having caught me.
"No I'm good. Let's go catch us a Ultralink." I said, acting cheerful to hide the fact that I felt like lying down and going to sleep. Walking outside the vehicle we soon found ourselves set upon by Blast, Chomp and Prism Link. To my relief Metal Elementor was nowhere to be seen and inwardly I sighed with relief as I got ready for a battle.
"Let's rock, Strength!" I called out and the second we changed modes I rushed headlong into the fight as Max Steel did the same, switching from Base Mode into Turbo Cannon Mode. As I dodged an oncoming blow from Blast Max charged his mode than suddenly shot forward, slamming into all three and knocking them down. Not giving them even a second to recover I changed to Speed Mode and was about to charge in when I heard Berto called out to me. As C.Y.T.R.O flew towards me something shot out of a compartment on his back and I caught it, taking a moment to find that it was a new weapon.
"It's awesome!" I said as I examined the weapon and found it was a cool looking gun. "Thanks Berto." I called out and from his lab he grinned. Detaching from me Shock linked with it and it took on a bright green glow. With a grin on my face I aimed for Blast Link who was on his feet and getting ready to fire. The moment I fired the new Turbo Gun at him the blast of Turbo energy knocked him backwards and into the other two. As they lay in a heap I grinned and ran towards them before taking aim again. But before I could Chomp's vines suddenly shot towards and wrapped around my legs, making me drop the gun and fall over. Unable to move I was stuck as he lifted me up off the ground and threw me, sending me into the canyon floor. I gave a pained yell as I collided with the ground and instantly changed to Base Mode again. Quickly detaching from the fallen weapon Shock raced towards me, only for Prism to shoot several sharp crystals at him with knocked him out of the air. Ignoring the pain in my head I raced after Shock and managed to get to him before the three Ultralinks did.
"Are you okay?" I asked him and he shook himself before linking with me again.
"Yeah but that hurt. Time for some payback." He said and I nodded before going after Prism first. As we ran we changed to Speed mode again and I raced towards them. Faster than I had ever run before I used my feet and fists to knock them over again. Max Steel was all set to help out when he saw me stop suddenly and giving him thumbs up I waited for him to take them down. Giving me a nod he used Turbo Cannon Mode again and that's all it took before we had ourselves three Ultralinks. As they were led in handcuffs to a waiting R.O.C.C vehicle Shock detached from me. Standing there, still feeling pretty good about our plan coming together, I noticed that my head was throbbing again and I put a hand to my forehead. As I did I saw C.Y.T.R.O join me and even without seeing my face I think Berto knew something was wrong because the robot took my arm suddenly.
"You feeling okay?" He asked me as my helmet vanished and that's when he got a good look at my face. I wanted to tell him that I was fine but as I opened my mouth I suddenly felt queasy. Quickly clamping a hand over my mouth I raced away tapping into my Speed mode as I got as far away from my friends as I could. When I was out of range of my friends I doubled over and I ended up throwing up my lunch. After I finished being sick I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. I managed to walk a short distance before I ended up falling on my rear end. My head still throbbing from my not quite healed fracture and my stomach hurting I just sat where I was until C.Y.T.R.O showed up and I ended up being carried in his arms as he walked back to our friends.
"Are you okay?" Berto asked me as his robot carried me and I wanted to answer but as I lay in his arms I began to feel really tired suddenly. I didn't even manage to say one word before I got comfortable and closed my eyes. "Hello?" He said to me but I was already asleep. Apparently having figured out that I wasn't going to wake anytime soon he flew me back to N-Tek. Now in his lab Berto tried to wake me again and when I didn't respond he started to get worried. "Can you hear me, Jessie?" He asked and this time I moved slightly. "Gracias a dios." He muttered as he reached over and shook my shoulder until I groaned and opened my eyes.
"Huh? Can a woman sleep?" I muttered as I finally sat up. "Hmm...how did I get here?" I added and Berto shook his head at me. As I went to jump down I almost fell and Berto only just caught me in time. "Whoa…that was dumb." I said as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"You're still not healed. I'm taking you back to the Medical Bay and no arguments." Berto told me and I didn't even utter a word, my head throbbing so bad that I couldn't see straight. By the time we reached the room I could barely stay on my feet and had to be helped to the bed. Even then Berto had to put a hand on my shoulder to keep me there. "How's your head?" He asked me and I put my hand on my head as I grimaced. "I'm going to get a doctor." He told me and hurried away. As he did Shock detached and I jumped slightly having forgotten he was there and he eyed me.
"Calm down it's just me. What's going on?" He asked me and I moved back trying to get comfortable and not fall off if I felt faint.
"Still feeling woozy. My head hurts." I mumbled before the room spun. Gripping the bed I took a few deep breaths as I fought to stay conscious. As I waited for Berto and the doctor to get back I thought I was okay as the throbbing in my head subsided a little but just as they returned I felt a sharp pain flash through my head and I cried out before I fainted.
"Jessie!" Berto called out. As he watched on Doctor Alexander examined me and after a few minutes he looked up. "Is she going to be alright?"
"She's just fainted. Her head hasn't healed yet and the strain of fighting's exhausted her. Just let her rest and she'll be alright." Doctor Alexander told him and Berto sighed, relieved that his friend was going to be okay. Once he left Berto stood beside the bed and touched Jessie's forehead as she lay there, out cold.
"I knew you shouldn't have fought. I hope you're okay." He said and Shock hovered over his partner.
"If you want I can check her vitals." He asked the young scientist and when he nodded Shock brought up an image of Jessie's heart and brain waves. After a moment or two of studying the information he told Berto that she was fine. "The doctor's right. She needs to rest for a while." As the image vanished he turned to Berto who seemed to be lost in thought. "Is something bothering you?"
"Oh…no I was just wondering what made her run away like that?" Berto replied and Shock sighed.
"You don't want to know." Came the Ultralink's reply and Berto just stared at him. "Okay well she basically threw up." He added and Berto grimaced this time. "I did tell you that it wasn't something you wanted to know."
"It's not that. I didn't know she wasn't feeling well." Berto replied and he left for a few minutes, returning with a slightly damp cloth. Curious Shock watched on as Berto gently ran the cloth over his friend's face. Still deeply unconscious she didn't react and he sighed as he continued doing the best he could to help her get better. For a while she didn't react and finally Berto was all set to leave when he heard her mumble something. Leaning in he listened as she groaned and then he heard her say something.
"Head…hurts." I mumbled and Berto smiled before he resumed carefully washing my face with the cloth. "Thanks…Berto." I mumbled after a few minutes before I fell back asleep. Thankful she was a bit better he went to get her some water, asking Shock to keep an eye on her while he was gone. After he left the room Shock rolled his eye and hovered near his partner's head as he waited for Berto to return.
"What does he think I'd leave you alone when you're not well?" He said to Jessie who moved onto her side, sighing in her sleep. "You did pretty well fighting those Ultralinks even when you weren't well. I'm pretty impressed by that." Reaching over he brushed a loose strand of hair out of her face before he continued watching over her. Soon Berto returned with a glass and he asked if Jessie had shown any signs of recovery. "It's only been a few minutes." Shock replied and Berto's face fell. With a sigh Shock added "though she did respond to you so I might be wrong."
"Sorry Shock I'm just a little on edge." Berto replied and the Ultralink nodded. Together they watched as Jessie moved again and mumbled something. "What's that?"
"Thirsty." I mumbled as I opened my eyes, blinking and soon I found a glass being gently pressed into my hands. I went to take the glass and as I did I almost dropped it. Thankfully Berto had the sense to hold the glass tightly and he lifted it to my mouth. Grateful I took a few sips and that made me feel better. When I began to feel sleepy again I told him so and I lay down as he set the glass down. Before he had even turned around to check on me I had fallen asleep and he raised an eyebrow at me before he leaned over. Planting a kiss on my forehead he left the room and Shock followed him after a moment as the scientist walked back to his lab.
"Where did they take the Ultralinks?" He asked Berto who stopped walking and turned to the Ultralink curious.
"To the stasis chambers. Why?" Berto asked and Shock tried to think up an excuse. Before he could Berto frowned. "You want to know more about yourself don't you?" Not able to give him a reasonable answer Shock finally admitted what he planned.
"I do want to know what I am and where I came from and the Ultralinks know something I don't. Plus Metal Elementor called me a 'traitor' so maybe I used to be on their side. I hope not." Shock told him and after a moment Berto nodded. "You won't tell Commander Forge?"
"No and I'll even go one better. I'll help you find out what you need to know. Plus they might know something about Jessie's dad and that helps everyone if it works. When do you want to ask?" Berto said and a smiley face appeared on Shock's face. Together they decided to work out what to ask before sneaking into the stasis chamber and confronting the Ultralinks inside.