Jessica's Point of View

When we reached the Grey Area, Roxas was just inside the room. "Hey, Roxas," Axel greeted.

"Axel. Oh, and Jessica, too. You actually got her out, huh? Hey, have you seen number XIV?" Roxas asked.

I tuned out their conversation as I looked around the room. I was more interested in everyone's reactions, waiting to be yelled at. I couldn't imagine anyone was actually happy with me. Luxord was sitting on a couch. When he saw me, the corners of his lips tilted upward in a slight smile, and he winked at me. I saw Xaldin at the other side of the room with his back turned. He hadn't seemed to notice me. I looked in the center of the room to find Saix staring at me intently. I nervously gripped Axel's hand tighter and stepped back, so I was more behind him. When Roxas and Axel finished their conversation, Roxas got his mission from Saix and left. "I need to ask Saix about Xion. You go and talk to Xaldin. He's been worried," Axel said.

"But Axel-" I started. The minute I said something, Xaldin must have heard my voice because he turned sharply toward me and approached me soon after. Axel had let go of my hand and started to head for Saix.

I couldn't look Xaldin in the eyes. I knew he was disappointed in me. They all were. When I stayed in my room, it was easy to push away thoughts of shame, but at that moment, shame was all I could feel. "He brought you out. That's a relief," Xaldin commented.

"I'm sorry," I apologized. It was all I could say.

"You haven't been getting the sun you need. If you go somewhere, make sure it's a place where it's daytime," Xaldin instructed as though I hadn't said anything at all.

I started crying because I realized Xigbar was right. They were all just concerned, or at least remembering what it was like. "Why aren't you mad at me? That would be so much easier," I sobbed.

Xaldin hugged me. "We all know that this recent trauma has put you over the edge. What purpose would being mad serve? It would only drive you further into isolation."

"Hey, Jess, you ready to go?" Axel inquired. I pulled away from Xaldin.

"I told her this, and I'll tell you as well. She hasn't gotten enough sun. See that she goes to a world where it's daytime," Xaldin ordered.

"Sure," Axel agreed.

"I don't want to hear anything about you misbehaving, Jessica. Do you understand me, girl?" Xaldin checked. I nodded in response before he went through a dark corridor to his mission.

"You must have been really bad off to have Xaldin that worried. I mean, I know almost everyone here has a soft spot for you, but that was excessive," Axel mentioned.

"I haven't been out of my room since Xemnas and I- We had another fight," I explained.

"You're not going to shut yourself up again, are you?" Axel wondered.

"I don't know. Anyways, I guess I get to figure out where we'll go," I brought up. I was very eager to change the subject.

"You say that like it's going to be hard. We're going to Twilight Town, right?" Axel said.

"Half my missions are in Twilight Town. Why would I go there when I can do whatever I want? Isn't there some other world you'd like to go to?" I asked.

"Hm. Oh, I know! You haven't been to the beach in a while. That place has plenty of sun," Axel suggested.

"Yeah!" I cheered loudly. I realized I had done so in the middle of The Grey Area and felt my face turn red from embarrassment. I glanced around the room to see that Luxord and Saix both had amused looks on their faces. Though I was still embarrassed, I was relieved that they didn't seem irritated.

"Okay, if you want to bring anything, now's the time to grab it. Swimsuit, pail and shovel, beach ball, whatever," Axel reminded.

"Come on, Axel. I'm not a little kid anymore," I laughed.

"Oh, yeah? What about Luna? Doesn't she love the beach?" Axel smirked.

"Well..." I trailed off. I didn't want him to always think of me as just a kid. "I'm a little old to treat a stuffed animal as a person, don't you think?"

"Okay, point taken. But seriously, if you want to bring some more leisurely clothes, feel free. I don't think you'll have much fun in your coat. After all, what's the point of the beach if you can't dip your feet in the water and feel the sand?" Axel commented.

"I mean, I guess," I reluctantly agreed. I went back to my room to grab an extra pair of clothes. I always had at least a few outfits other than my coats ready in case a situation called for it. I grabbed a pink sleeveless top and a green skirt, and a pair of sandals and went back to Axel. "Okay, I'm ready."

Axel summoned a dark corridor, and we went through it. We ended up on Destiny Island. Axel took me to a small shack. "You should be able to change in here. I'll watch the door."

"Thanks," I replied before going inside and changing clothes. When I came back out, I saw that Axel had also shed his coat. He was only wearing a black t-shirt and pants. He had even taken his boots and socks off. "What happened to you?"

"What? You didn't expect me to let you have all the fun," Axel remarked.

"I guess not. What should we do with our coats?" I wondered.

"We'll just stash them on the beach. It'll be fine. No one here knows their value," Axel assured me.

I folded my Organization uniform and placed it next to Axel's messy pile of clothes. "So, what now?" I wondered. I didn't know what to do next. Axel grabbed a frisbee from his pile of clothes. I recognized it as the frisbee that Axel used to fight with when I first met him. "You still have it?"

"I found it in the rubble of the ruins. Figured I could still use it for something," Axel explained.

I laughed. "Do you remember using this as a weapon, and you were stupid enough to challenge my friend?"

"Vaguely, I guess? You know, he looked a lot like Roxas, didn't he?" Axel mentioned.

"I've been thinking that they might be the same person. Xemnas denies it, but I don't trust him. I think it's too much of a coincidence," I brought up.

"Nope, not possible. I know who Roxas's somebody is, and it's not your friend," Axel denied.

"Really? How can that be? I thought for sure that he would be Ven's Nobody. Maybe he's a relative of Ven, then," I mused.

"Who knows. Maybe. Anyway, time is wasting away. Wanna throw this around some?" Axel suggested.

"Yeah," I agreed. I moved a few steps back to give Axel some space, and we passed the frisbee around some. When we got tired of that, we went to the water and splashed each other in a water fight. One minute I was laughing and having fun, and the next minute, I threw myself at Axel and started crying. I didn't know what came over me. We wrapped our arms around each other. "Please don't leave me again. I don't know what I'll do if I lose anyone else."

"Hey, I'm right here, okay? I'm not going anywhere," Axel reassured me.

"Promise?" I sobbed.

"Yeah. I promise," Axel swore.

I stayed in Axel's arms until I noticed that it was getting late. I wrung out my hair. "Let's go home and dry off," I prompted.

"Alright. Get changed, and then we'll go," Axel said.

I grabbed my clothes and went back into the shack to get changed. When I was done, Axel and I left. We talked while walking through the dark corridor. "You got really choked up back there. You okay?" Axel checked.

"I am now. I'm just really happy to have you back. You're like a big brother to me, you know?" I smiled.

"Yeah. I guess I get it. You still had Saix," Axel commented.

"Oh, you mean Mr. Follow Xemnas's Orders Without Question? Yeah, I still had that jerk," I huffed.

"That's some big talk for someone like you. He's still our friend," Axel sighed.

"Your friend, you mean. He doesn't care about me as a person. Only me as another body to do work. He doesn't like me, and I don't like him," I scoffed.

"Hey, that's not true. Saix still cares about you. He's just been tense with half the Organization gone," Axel defended.

"If you say so," I groaned.

When we left the dark corridor, Xemnas was in the Grey Area. I wanted to hide behind Axel or run to my room, but I knew that would make me look weak. Instead, I made direct eye contact with him. Xemnas approached us, and I had to look away. I couldn't bring myself to look at him any longer. I didn't even want to talk to him. Luckily for me, his question was directed to Axel. "Why is she wet?"

"We were on Destiny Islands, sir," Axel answered.

Xemnas turned to me. Despite myself, I grabbed Axel's arm with the unrealistic hope that it would protect me. "Go dry off, and then we'll talk," Xemnas ordered.

"No," I stated. When Xemnas's gaze hardened, I subconsciously took a step behind Axel.

"Jess, come on. Be reasonable," Axel urged, gently shoving me back out in front of him.

"Just because I left the castle doesn't mean I'm ready to talk," I elaborated.

"Very well," Xemnas agreed. I began walking out of the room, and Axel followed me, but Xemnas had more to say. "When you wish to retrieve Luna, she is in my office." I froze. "I'll be waiting." I turned around to see that he left through a dark corridor, likely using it as a faster route to his office.

"Did he just take your stuffed animal as a hostage?" Axel asked in disbelief.

"I think he did," I answered.

"I know I've been gone a while, but how did it get like that? He never would have done something like that before," Axel wondered.

"This is why I've been on strike. Xemnas is a psychopath," I explained.

"I'm not sure I would go that far, but something is definitely wrong with this picture. Are you sure you want your stuffed animal back? You could always just leave that one in his office and get a new one," Axel suggested.

"No. I have to get Luna back," I replied.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Axel offered.

"Thank you, but no. I have to go by myself. I'll be alright," I declined. I made my way to Xemnas's office and went inside. Xemnas was sitting in his chair.

"That was faster than I anticipated," Xemnas commented.

Luna, who was on his desk, jumped into my arms. I was a bit surprised when she moved of her own accord in front of Xemnas, but he already knew about her. "You have my attention. What is it you wanted to say?" I snapped.

"How was your outing?" Xemnas inquired.

"I would really appreciate it if you would get to the point?" I grumbled.

"My point is trying to understand where you are emotionally so I can determine what is best for you," Xemnas stated.

"I have an answer for both where I'm at emotionally and what is best for me! I hate you, so what's best for me is if you leave me alone!" I shouted.

Xemnas held up his hand. "Stop. There is absolutely no need to yell. You won't get anywhere with that attitude." When my only response was a glare, he lowered his hand, stood up, and walked toward me. "I understand that you are hurting, but blaming me for all your problems will do you no good. I am only trying to help you."

Xemnas went to put his hand on my shoulder, but I swatted it away. "Stop trying. I don't want your help," I declared.

"What you ask of me is impossible. I will always do what I perceive to be best for you. You may not realize it now, but you will one day," Xemnas said.

"May I go now?" I requested.

"After you promise me one thing. You will leave this castle tomorrow, and you will come back by the end of the day," Xemnas decided.

"Fine. I'm not going on a mission, but I will go off-world," I agreed.

I thought I saw a glimmer of mischief in Xemnas's eyes, but it was gone as quickly as it came. "We'll see about that."

I took a brisk walk to my room. Once I had my door closed, I began talking to Luna. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. He didn't do anything to me. He only took me to his office and talked to me for a while. It was strange. I almost had memories of him from The Moon Kingdom," Luna mentioned.

"Almost had memories? What do you mean?" I gasped.

"It was almost as if those memories were being blocked somehow," Luna explained.

"I suppose that's not the strangest thing we have encountered," I mused.

"I'm sorry for worrying you. I tried to get him to let me stay in your room, but he refused," Luna apologized.

"You have nothing to apologize for! He's a monster!" I shouted.

There was a knock on my door. "Jess, are you alright?" Axel checked from the other side.

I opened the door. "I'm fine. I got Luna back."

"Did he do anything to you?" Axel asked, sounding concerned.

"No. He just talked. I guess he just... wanted to make sure I was alright. I wouldn't worry too much," I sighed.

"Man, I don't know how you do it. He gives me the creeps. I know you're not a little kid anymore, but taking your stuffed animal definitely crosses way too many boundaries," Axel commented.

"He's done worse lately," I brought up.

"How much worse?" Axel questioned.

"When I first came back and found out the others were dead, I was awful to everyone, but I don't think that justified what he did to get me to stop. I was in my father's lab, and when Xemnas tried to check on me, I yelled at him. I know I shouldn't have, but I was too depressed to think about the consequences. All I could feel was pain. He told me to apologize or else there would be consequences. When I didn't, he-" A lone tear slid down my face. I pressed on. "He began to tear out a page from one of my father's journals until I apologized."

Axel clenched his hands into fists. "I wish I could do something, but I'm just another pawn in the game at the end of the day."

"It's alright. Xigbar and I made a deal, so he's keeping Xemnas away from the lab," I replied.

"What sort of deal?" Axel questioned.

"I don't know yet. I owe him," I admitted.

"You owe him? That- you can't do that! Who knows what he'll have you do," Axel huffed.

"I know. I was desperate," I explained.

Axel stepped into my room and ran his hands through his hair. "I should have been here," He grumbled.

"Axel, it's okay. You're here now. That's all that matters," I assured him.

"No, it's not okay!" Axel snapped. He let out a heavy sigh. "I had no idea the boss would bring you back. If I had known, I would have come home sooner. Heck, I wouldn't have done half the stuff I did at Castle Oblivion."

"What did you do at Castle Oblivion?" I wondered.

"It's not important," Axel stated. He went to my window and then looked back at me. "Jess, when Xigbars calls you on that favor, if it's too much, I need you to come to me, okay? I'll take care of it. I owe you that much."

"You don't owe me anything, Axel, but if it helps you sleep at night, I promise if whatever Xigbar needs me to do is too much, I'll come to you," I swore.

I thought Axel would leave the room, but instead, he pulled me into a hug. "Whatever you need, I'm here. I mean it."

I hugged Axel back. "Okay. Thank you, Axel," I smiled.