The mission on the CyberSite of Weatheria is chaotic—storm clouds swirling from a corrupted algorithm and unpredictable lightning everywhere. The team splits up to solve math-based puzzles, with Matt and Jackie working together while Inez assists Digit.

Jackie whispered, "You really need to stop looking at me like that when I'm trying to focus."

Matt, smirking, "What, like I'm crazy about you?"

Jackie teasing, "Exactly like that."

Jackie gently nudges him with her shoulder, and they chuckle. They solve their part of the equation and high-five, their hands lingering a bit too long.

Later, Inez jogs over, notebook in hand.

Inez says, "Guys, the last number in the sequence is off by one. Matt, your side—did you use negative integers?"

Matt stated quickly, "Uh—yeah, totally. Negative... stuff. Numbers."

Jackie jumped in, "We'll double-check it. No big deal!"

Inez muttered with her narrowing eyes, "You two okay? You've been acting... weird."

Back at Motherboard Control, Jackie wears a familiar orange hoodie—Matt's. Inez notices but doesn't say anything. Later, Matt walks in with a very visible smear of lipstick on his cheek.

Inez asked, raising a brow, "So… whose lipstick, Matt?"

Matt quickly rubbed his face fast. "Oh! Uh—Digit was doing a prank. Classic Digit."

Digit asked from the background, "Wait, what did I do?"

Later, Jackie bends over to grab a data cable, and her collar slips just enough for Inez to catch a glimpse of a faint hickey. Jackie notices the stare and adjusts quickly.

"That's it. I'm not imagining this." Inez thought

She set her mind to confirming what her instincts already knew.

Jackie said awkwardly, "What? I bruise easily."

Inez asked, "On your chest?"

Inez returns to Motherboard Control early after going with Digit to check something for Motherboard. Control Central is quiet—too quiet.

Inez walks in, and the sound of whispering and soft giggles makes her freeze. She peeks around the corner—

Matt and Jackie were on the couch. Deeply kissing. Intensely. Jackie straddled Matt, his hands tangled in her hair. Matt has bright pink lipstick all over his cheeks and chin. Jacke's lipstick was smeared across his face. Jackie's tank top collar is slightly lowered, revealing a cluster of hickeys.

"Oh. My. CYBERSPACE." Inez shouted

Matt and Jackie spring apart like they've been zapped by a voltage spell.

Jackie quickly scrambled to say something, "Inez! You're early!"

Matt grabbed a pillow. "We were just—uh, talking. Very close talking."

Inez crossed her arms. "With your tongues?!"

Inez drops her bag on the floor.

"How long has this been going on?" Inez muttered

Jackie stated quietly, "A few months..."

"We didn't want to change things between us. You know, the team." Matt told her

"So instead, you snuck around behind my back and thought I wouldn't notice?" Inez asked

Jackie stepped closer. "We weren't trying to hurt you. We just didn't know how to tell you. You mean the world to both of us."

Inez's voice cracking, "You're my best friend. Do you even know how weird it's been watching you two act like I'm not supposed to see what's going on?"

Silence.

"We're sorry, Nez. We were scared. That you'd be mad at us, that we'd mess up the team." Matt claimed

"Mad? Why would I be mad? I'm happy that my best friends are together.. It's just the point that you guys hid it from me.." Inez fumed

After a long pause, Inez sighs.

"I'm not mad that you're together. You're actually kind of cute. I'm just... hurt you didn't tell me. I thought we trusted each other." Inez told them

Jackie reaches out. "We do. And we messed up. But we'll earn that trust back, if you let us."

Inez smirks slightly. "Starting with no more lying. And no more couch make-outs when I'm coming over."

Matt grinning, "Deal."

Digit popping in "Wait, wait, wait—you guys are dating?! How did I miss that?!"

Everyone laughs.

Later, everyone was back in Control Central after another successful mission

"Whew! We did it again, heroes! The Hacker's got nothin' on us!" Digit noted

Matt laughed teasingly, "Credit goes to Jackie's algorithm and my incredibly good looks."

Jackie nudging him, "Emphasis on the algorithm, babe."

Inez rolls her eyes and gets up, muttering. "I'm getting more popcorn. I need a distraction from all the lovebirds in here."

Jackie called after her, "Or maybe you just need a date."

Author's Notes

I hoped you enjoyed this one, and I'm so sorry for not updating in the last few days. I've been having some writer's block, so I'm trying to get over that, and I hoped you enjoyed the little Slynez reference I put at the end. And I'll hopefully see you guys next time! Bye!