"How's my team of world-savers doing today?"

"Dad, you should be resting! You're only just out of the hospital. Mom, tell him."

The general shrugged in defeat. "You know how stubborn he is, Cass."

"Yeah, we were made for each other," Johnny retorted with a sappy grin that Sonya couldn't help but return.

"God, honeymoon period 2.0. Gag me."

"Cassie, you're an adult-"

"And you two are still on duty, need I remind you. This office romance of yours is highly unprofessional."

"That promotion of hers is goin' to her head."

"This, from Mr. 'My Team of World-Savers'?"

"Where's the lie?"

"You're infuriating when your ego shows."

"Only because you can't say I'm wrong."

"Is this normal for them?" Takeda whispered to the younger Cage's oldest friend.

"Used to be," Jacqui replied with a nostalgic grin, eyes never leaving the Cages.

Three days had passed since the battle with Shinnok and his forces at the Sky Temple. Much to the chagrin of the many, many people Johnny bragged about it to, his team of mentees had, in fact, saved Earthrealm and all the rest from the mad god's would-be conquest. In particular, it had been his very own daughter than had delivered the decisive blow that ended this conflict that had been brewing for well over a decade.

To say he couldn't be prouder was a substantial understatement. And to say that it was frustrating for those around him to have no just cause to demand he have less overbearing pride in his daughter would be even more so.

Of course, Johnny himself had seen a little action in the conflict, only facing off with Scorpion and being tortured by that bug bitch, D'Vorah. Cassie and Jacqui had made sure she hurt for what she'd done to their dads (Jax was recovering nicely).

Johnny would have been healed in the Jinsei itself, had Fujin and Raiden not been concerned about any lingering corruption from Shinnok. Thus, he would need to heal up the old-fashioned way. And that was the reason he was now supposed to be resting at home, not coming into work to see his team.

"There are certain medicinal beliefs that positive thinking can stimulate the healing process," Kung Jin said from Takeda's other side, not particularly bothered about keeping his voice down. "Probably bullshit, but who knows?"

"Looking at him now, you'd almost believe it," Jacqui declared.

"He can harness the power of love, so…" Takeda added.

"You know, I never did get an answer to my question," Johnny observed. "How is my team?"

"We're good, Dad. Now, go home."

"Okay, okay. I know when I'm not needed. You guys proved that the other day. I could retire today, knowing Earthrealm's in good hands. I'm proud of you four. And I'll make sure the whole world knows how great you are in the movie version."

"Assuming this version gets that far."

"Ouch. E tū, Jin?"

"Okay, old-timer. Let's get you to bed." Sonya pulled Johnny gently, but firmly through the door, where Kenshi stood waiting. "Kenshi, please take him home."

"You know I don't drive, right?"

The door closed on the conversation between the older generation, leaving the newer generation to bask in the sound of Cassie's deep, deflated sigh.

"It's good that he keeps you grounded," Jacqui teased. "She gets way more of her personality from her dad than she'd want you to believe," she added for their teammates' benefits.

"You really wanna go there, girlfriend?" Cassie responded wickedly. "You boys wanna hear what Jacqui did at her first high school slumber party?"

Jacqui gasped, deathly serious. "You wouldn't."

"Try me, girlfriend."

"And there's the General Blade in her," Takeda said in a bid to defuse the situation.

"Well, I'm heading out," Jin said, redirecting the conversation more successfully as he stood up.

"Where are you going?" Cassie demanded.

"Uh, bed?"

"You're not dismissed yet, Private."

"I'm actually a Specialist-going-on-Sergeant."

"Oh, I didn't hear about that, congratulations, bud."

"At least she still has some humility," Jacqui quipped to Takeda.

"Aside from the whole 'trying to hold me hostage' thing, sure," Jin retorted.

"Hey! I'm not trying to hold you hostage. I just think we should all hang out for a while."

"We've spent more than enough time together lately," Jin countered. "I want some time to myself."

"One night! Just one night together."

"Barking up the wrong tree, sister," Jacqui quipped.

"Not that kind of night! Just us four, hanging out."

"So, a slumber party, like the one you mentioned earlier," Takeda observed. Jacqui elbowed him in the side, pouting.

"Basically, yeah. We did good together, us four. I don't want us to just be work colleagues who only get together for work. Especially since Jin and Takeda have other groups and responsibilities to get back to. I want to be able to look back on fun times we had, not just fighting bad guys. I want us to be friends."

Even Jin was taken aback by this explanation. Several ideas about her upbringing came to mind for both of the boys, while Jacqui knew exactly which one was correct. Being the daughter of the – for a time – reviled Johnny Cage had left her isolated from her peers for much of her adolescence, save for her one reliable friend. Additionally, her mother's group of close allies had completely fallen apart in the wake of the battle in Edenia, and it was clear that Cassie feared the same thing happening to her more than anything.

Jacqui was on her feet and wrapping her arms around her bestie in a flash. This level of openness with her emotions struck a chord with Jin, leading him to say, "Okay, I'll stick around for a bit."

There was no smugness in Cassie response of "Thanks." She was touched.

"So, what's on the agenda, sis?" Jacqui asked, trying to move things back into more light-hearted territory. "Spin the bottle, talking about boys?"

"Painting each other's nails?" Takeda added.

"Cards?" Jin suggested. "It's not entirely peaceful, but some friendly competition couldn't hurt."

"I have an Xbox in my quarters," Takeda suggested.

"You play vidja?" Cassie asked, suddenly reinvigorated and intrigued.

"Yeah. You like fighting games?"

"Never let this man go, Briggs."

"You got it, boss."

"So, what are you into, Tak? Streets? SoulCal?"

"I'm more of a DOA man, myself."

"Ah. A boob man, I see. You're in for a treat then."

"Cass!"

"No, not that. I- …Well, yeah, that too."

"You old dog."

"I just like the Holds mechanic. Can't beat a good Parry."

"Fair, I guess. What about you, Jin? You much of a gamerTM?"

"Not really. Can probably still kick your ass in any you put on, though."

"God, here we go…" Jacqui sighed.

"Art though challenging moi? Moi? 'Saviour of Earth' Moi?"

"You don't have to be good at games to beat Shinnok."

"You know," Takeda said to Jacqui as the two pulled away from the conversation to make their way to Takeda's quarters, "if circumstances were different…"

"Those two would make a really cute couple," Jacqui finished for him. Takeda grinned at their like-mindedness.

"I can't fight you now. I'm picking a team game – us vs them."

"I think one of them bitching all night about losing would be bad enough."

"Huh, point taken. Is this what being a leader is like?"

"I guess so. I have newfound respect for the Aunt Sonya…"

The four spent hours playing just about every fighter Takeda had access to, learning about each other's playstyles and favourite characters. The eventual tactical decision was to arrange matches between the new couple to come right after matches between Cassie and Jin, to distract from the outcome with a scandalous couple's match.

At around 4AM, Cassie left to get food for the group, opting to spend some of her lovely bonus from saving the world to treat her friends and teammates. By now, the games had wound down, leaving the Xbox to be played more casually by whoever wanted a go. Jin ended up spending the most time on it while the new couple made out on Takeda's bunk.

When Cassie returned, the group just… talked. It reminded Cassie of their time in those cells back in Outworld, only with Cassie's self-confidence far exceeding what had been left of it after Kotal's betrayal.

They talked about all sorts, from their upbringing, training, techniques and technology to favourite food, movies, places and hobbies. Jacqui showed off some of the new designs she'd been working on, Jin explained more of the benefits the White Lotus offered compared to the Shaolin they recruited from, Takeda talked about his late mother and their life back in Thailand, and Cassie opened up about her schooling and how the ever-shifting public perception of her famous father affected that for herself and even her two cousins.

"But Jim and Jan made it out the other side okay, I think. They're not the fighting types, so they don't have to get involved in all this Outworld crap."

"That's good," Takeda offered, not having much else to say that might help lift her spirits again.

"I'm happy for them," Jin offered. "Family can be as much of a curse as a blessing, so I'm glad they're doing alright."

"And Cass is on her way to being an auntie, now that James is gonna be a dad," Jacqui added onto the positive vibes.

"Ooh, Mr. Cage is gonna be a great uncle," Takeda chuckled. "That's one step removed from being a grandpa."

Cassie giggled. "Trust me, it's not escaped his notice."

"He's got nothing to worry about," Jin said before realising how Cassie might interpret his words and added on, "He's still looks better than most guys a decade younger."

"Oh, yeah, good genes," Jacqui agreed. "Grandma Carlton's gorgeous.

"Oh!" Cassie suddenly exclaimed, catching everyone by surprise. "New topic: Who was everyone's first crush?"

"Cass, for real?" Jacqui asked, indignant.

"Yes, for real. I gotta know what the boys' taste in their gender of choice are."

"Hell, I'm game," Takeda shrugged.

"Tread carefully, Takahashi," Jin warned, eyeing up Jacqui.

"It's fine. Most people start with a celebrity or a teacher, right?"

"Can attest," Jacqui agreed.

"Same," Jin admitted.

"Well, there's an exotic nature to other races – though that's not why I like you, Jacqui."

"Good save."

"It might be different for you girls from the States, but people in Hollywood have this almost… ethereal beauty when you're not exposed to them in your normal life. All my friends growing up had crushes on Western celebrities."

"And you?"

"Cindy Ford. She was so beautiful back then."

"Ouch…"

"You know that's my dad's first wife, right?"

"Yeah, now. Back then, I had no idea who Johnny Cage even was."

"You seen her lately?" Jacqui asked. "Oof!"

"Satisfying to see, huh?" Jin, of all people, added.

"After meeting Mr. Cage, yeah. Inner ugliness really does diminish outer beauty. What about you, Jacqui? Who was your first?"

"You know, I'm actually not comfortable talking about this," Jacqui replied in an unusual display of shyness.

"It was my dad," Cassie revealed immediately.

"Hey!"

"Ooh, that must've been awkward," Jin teased.

"Uncle Jax was not friendly with my dad until Jacqui said he didn't like him anymore."

"How long did that take?" Takeda asked, intrigued.

"From age 5 to, like… 16?"

"Ooh, damn."

"I get it, he's easy on the eyes," Jin admitted casually.

"Was he yours too, Jin?" Takeda asked.

"Nah. First after I realised I was gay? Yes."

"Ugh," Cassie groaned, "does everyone have a thing for my dad!?"

Takeda held up a hand sincerely. "I don't. Your mom, on the other hand…"

Jacqui playfully swatted Takeda's arm, but Cassie curled up into a ball and tried to will herself into oblivion. Alas, this was not a power her bloodline had bestowed upon her.

"Who was your first crush then, Jin?" Jacqui asked, desperate to not have to address her own childhood crush any further.

"The wife of one of the farmers back home. She was always really kind to us neighbourhood kids. Couldn't have any of her own, apparently, so she really spoiled us. Good woman."

"I'm… sensing she's not around anymore."

Jin shook his head in an uncharacteristically solemn manner. "She and her husband were killed during Shinnok's invasion. Fengjian was hit especially hard because of the connection to the White Lotus. Shinnok must've really had it in for Liu Kang and Raiden for beating him back in the day."

"Ah. I'm sorry to hear that."

"Don't be. I'm confident they both made it into the heavens. And if not, I'll just kick the Elder Gods' asses until they change their minds."

"Liu Kang did it," Takeda offered. "I guess half our team has god-killing in its blood."

"And what's the other half got?" Jacqui asked teasingly.

"Being very pretty."

"Good boy. Now, that just leaves Cassie. Go on, Cass. Tell them about your first crush. He was very pretty, wasn't he?"

"In retrospect, it may have been a mistake to suggest this topic," she said apologetically.

"Planned on distracting us with another topic before we got to you, huh?"

Cassie nodded silently, now very red in the face.

"You know her so well," Takeda teased.

"You're cruel, Jacqui," Cassie pouted.

"At least my crush was a real person and not an anime character."

Cassie's face was now bright red, bordering on glowing. Takeda and Jin were laughing and Jacqui had to suppress her own laughter to not feel like they were collectively bullying her friend.

"Let's give her an out and say it was probably Ichigo," Jin suggested, deeming this humiliation more than enough for one night. "He's hot. Got a nice voice too."

Jacqui, however, decided that this was not quite enough humiliation for what she had been forced to reveal. "Eh, could've been worse. Cassie could've had a crush on my dad. He's her godfather."

"Mr. Cage isn't yours?" Takeda asked.

Jacqui snorted. "God, no."

Not long after, the team decided to turn in for the night. Cassie and Jin refused to take Takeda's bunk before he could even offer it, not wanting the man to face the awkward situation of denying his new girlfriend the chance to snuggle up together in comfort. However, this meant the other two took the floor of the cramped room, and were unable to sleep until the sounds of their comrades kissing and giggling finally died down a half hour later.

"You still up?" Cassie whispered into the now quiet darkness.

"After all that?" Jin responded from right beside her, clearly annoyed.

"Yeah, fair."

"What's on your mind?" Cassie was surprised Jin would care, but then she felt this was an unfair assessment of the man. He had started to open up more since their mission in Outworld began, and she understood why that was so difficult for him to do.

"Thanks for tonight."

"It's not something you need to thank me for. It's just hanging out."

"Yeah, I know. But it's you. Takeda's super easy-going and Jacqui's like my sister. It means a lot that you agreed to stick around as well."

"You make it sound like I was planning to leave the team or something."

"I mean… aren't you? You've got the White Lotus and San Fransisco to deal with, and-"

"I mean, yeah. I've got other responsibilities. But so do Scorpion Jr. and farmgirl over there. We won't always be around but were not gonna just up and abandon you. We did good work together under you; we'll be there when you need us. Besides, I'm sure the general's already got a list of new recruits to add to the team once things've settle down. New comrades, new friends. And you're the one leading them – the girl who kicked an Elder God's ass. You're gonna be alright, Cage."

Even in the dark, Jin could see the vast whiteness of Cassie's eyes as she took in Jin's pep talk. Kung Jin, of all people, was making her feel more confident about the future. Then, he saw the vast whiteness of her teeth.

"Thanks, Jin. You really know how to pick a girl up."

"Sorry, I only pick up guys." She could see the whiteness of his teeth now.

"Then let's hope my mom picks some cute boys for us both to pick up."

"You wanna be my wingman, huh?"

"You were mine at the Sky Temple. It's the least I can do."

The two shook hands, as awkward as it was to move their arms while lying on their sides, facing one another. Meanwhile, up on the bunk, Takeda and Jacqui grinned to each other.

This chapter spawned from the idea of the team discussing their first crushes. I also used it to set Cassie's mind at ease before [nothing goes wrong ever again]. I also threw in a couple of voice actor gags; can you find them both?