Chapter 53: Chapter 14.1
Elizabeth sat down in front of a doctor, preparing herself as the latter looked through a tablet while smiling. She was wearing a white coat that was above her knees and was currently buttoned-up, showcasing her attractive hourglass figure. Her loose wavy hair had a multitude of reddish highlights and ended just above her shoulder blades.
"It's good to see you again, Fey," the doctor said as she looked at Elizabeth. "And no, I can't."
"I haven't said anything yet," Elizabeth replied amused as she looked at her friend's direction.
"We both know there's nothing wrong with your sight," the doctor, Tamara, sighed as she massaged her eyebrows. "So, you're either here to see me or to ask me for some medicine, and I can't do either."
"Maybe I am here to see you, Tam," Elizabeth teased. "Is that so bad?"
"I'm pulling off all-nighters almost every day, so it's impossible to hang out," Tamara yawned as she answered. Elizabeth noticed an outline on her ring finger when she used her left hand to block the yawn.
"You're married? Why wasn't I invited?" Elizabeth asked in surprise.
"I did, but your phone was out of service," Tamara rolled her eyes at Elizabeth. "And I know it's useless to email you. You never remember your password."
"Cute," replied Elizabeth with a smile. "So? Who's the lucky girl?"
"His name is James," Tamara hesitated but still responded in a normal voice. She was hesitant to reveal that she married a man to her ex-girlfriend.
Oh. Well ... this ... is awkward, Elizabeth thought, looking surprised for a moment before looking away from Tamara. "I'm sorta here cause of a guy too …"
It was Tamara's turn to be shocked as she watched Elizabeth shift in embarrassment with disbelieving eyes.
"Wait. You, the one who promised never to love, or marry, a man in a century ... you are here because of a man?" Tamara asked slowly before gasping in a loud voice while covering her mouth. Her eyes went down to look at Elizabeth's stomach but the latter thought she was looking at her hand.
"You figured it out?" Elizabeth asked, embarrassment causing a bit of her Scottish accent to leak out. "It's not like it happened quickly, alright."
"Well, congratulations!" Tamara squealed as she hugged Elizabeth. "So, what are you gonna name her? You know, Tamara works for both boys and girls."
"Name what now?" Elizabeth asked, confused.
"The baby, silly! What are you gonna name your kid?" Tamara clarified while Elizabeth jumped up in horror.
"No, shite, no! No kid, none at all! I'm not pregnant!" She cried out. "Was that really what you were thinking?"
"Oh," Tamara slouched her shoulders in disappointment while Elizabeth's mind started considering what Tamara said earlier.
What would they look like? She thought.
She pictured a boy with Jason's black hair, her blue eyes, and a perfect cream colour skin that was not too pale. Then, she saw Jason holding a little girl while smiling at her. The little girl had her red hair and blue eyes but was more exotic with a slight tan. The girl's features were also similar to Jason; with a strong jawline and a face shape that was between a heart shape and a square.
Oh god, what am I thinking?! Elizabeth shook her head to erase her thoughts before looking at Tamara who was grinning.
"Like I said, looking for someone. He's been admitted here just last night after the park attack," Elizabeth dodged Tamara's amused stares and changed the subject, causing the latter to frown.
"Sorry, Liz, I can't help you," Tamara denied her without hesitation. "I can't divulge any information on a patient, even if it's for you."
"Tam, I'm-" Elizabeth had the perfect excuse but hesitated to use it for a moment. "He's my husband. We … married the other day."
***
Jason groaned as he sat up, using his power to telekinetically lift himself up. He looked down and peeked at the bandaged wound on his shoulder, grimacing with disappointment at how weak he was. Yet, at the same time, a thrill of exhilaration stroked his combat instincts as he recalled how intoxicating it was to be so close to losing.
In recent years, his strength and renown restricted him; there were not many strong opponents who would risk their lives in a fight with him. The only ones arrogant enough to challenge him were Practitioners, cultivators from myths that seek the path to immortality and godhood, who believed their inner strength was enough to kill him. Unfortunately, when he encountered them, he was already looking to help Helen and had to avoid most conflict to keep her safe. By the time he was free to battle, he was capable of slaughtering Adepts, the most common of Practitioners.
However, things have been different recently. His sabbatical for two years had him avoid fighting while taking care of Alina, and his recent life of teaching clearly dulled his battle instincts to such a point that he couldn't stop a knife from wounding him. Had it been him when he was in his prime, he would have deflected it with a wall of magnetic force.
"I see that you haven't changed a bit," an exasperated Silvia said from his side. She had been watching him since he woke up and saw his battle-hungry smile. "You never truly cared for your well-being. Always willingly injuring yourself to kill your enemies."
Jason's smile faded at her words as he pictured Alina in his mind. He shook his head, admonishing himself for feeling like that. He can't let his lust for war ruin the good life he had. The normal life that he always wished for.
"How is everyone?" he asked while standing up.
"Emily and Alice have been moved as you requested," Silvia answered. "The others are waiting outside."
Jason nodded but looked down and grimaced again as he felt a breeze flutter through his back. He realized he was wearing a hospital gown that had his back exposed.
"God, I feel naked," he muttered as he tore the gown off showcasing his scarred body in all its glory to Silvia who looked away annoyed as a blush made its way to her face.
"Yes, please show your shameless body to everyone, what a lovely sight!" Silvia said sarcastically as Jason who was looking around for his clothes rolled his eyes.
"Oh, please. It's just you," he replied while turning around, noticing that he had no change of clothes. "And 'sides, I got my boxers on. Where're my stuff?"
"That doesn't really help," muttered Silvia before answering Jason. "They disposed of them, considering that they were tattered and unwearable."
"The hell? My pants were fine, and that was my favorite jacket!" Jason cursed as he tore a small opening in the dimension near him and pulled a hanger that held a complete outfit on it. Silvia looked at him as soon as he released the small wormhole that looked similar to a black hole.
"I'll never understand how you do that," she said while shaking her head at how overpowered his ability was.
"Just a small pocket dimension that I keep in this little guy here," Jason pointed at the pendant he was wearing. The pendant was a rectangular black jewel that had a silver dragon wrapped around it. The dragon didn't appear like common fantasy kinds; it had bat wings similar to them but was elongated like an Asian dragon but its head was similar to a dinosaur. It was hanging on Jason's neck with a thick black string.
"Despite the fact that it's killing you?" Silvia asked in a sharp voice that stopped Jason in his tracks.
"What do you mean?" he asked back nonchalantly. Jason turned his face away from SIlvia, intent on hiding his face from her.
"Don't play with me," she said. "You were drugged and you told me quite honestly."
Jason didn't reply and looked at her with a composed face, it was as though he didn't care about his life. Silvia shifted her legs while moving forward and staring at Jason with eyes that were cold and angry.
"I've been thinking about it. Your powers are manipulating any and all kinds of energy. But how does that work? There's nowhere near enough energy around you, regardless of the psionic aether in the atmosphere. And you can't defy the laws of physics, meaning you can't create energy out of nothing," Silvia paused and watched Jason's reaction carefully but was disappointed when he continued staring at her apathetically. "At first I thought you gathered and stored energy within you like a battery, not unlike a Practitioner. But today I realized something.
"What happens when you don't have enough energy stored? How do you still use your power?"
Silvia took a deep breath as looked away in sadness. "That's when you use your own life energy, isn't it? You used your life to help those four, didn't you?"
"Maybe," Jason answered coolly while using his holo-lenses to contact A.V.A and ask her about what had happened when he was under the influence of anesthesia.
The AI consistently observes Jason through his holo-lenses and holo-watch when he's unconscious, so she would know if he really did tell her the truth. A second later, A.V.A replied in confirmation, and Jason's heart sank; it seemed like there was no way to deny it.
"Have you thought about what would happen if you die? About Alina?" Silvia asked sternly.
"Relax, it's not like I'm gonna die any time soon," Jason said while shrugging. "I just won't live till sixty, which isn't a bad thing. I won't have to deal with old age."
So, he's not omnipotent, Thought Silvia with some relief flooding her concerned mind. Truthfully, Jason was too stoned to understand the question about his powers, so Silvia decided to lie and see if Jason would tell her the truth. And it seemed to have worked perfectly.
"Just … just promise me," Silvia was angry but also scared and the two emotions caused her to be flustered. "Promise you won't be so reckless."
Jason who finished dressing smiled at Silvia who stood up while fixing her glasses. He was wearing a pair of charcoal jeans, a gray utility shirt, and a black leather bomber jacket.
"I promise not to die anytime soon," Jason said as he walked up and hugged Silvia. "Thanks for … everything. Now, to see those kids and go shopping."
"You're still in the mood to shop?" Silvia asked amused.
"Oh yeah. Especially since I'll be shopping for an upgrade to my suit," Jason answered while smiling. "Well, Let's get going. Coming, Silvie?"
"I'll join you in a moment. Go on now," Silvia said and Jason shrugged as he left. Silvia turned to look at an inconspicuous corner of the room. "Come out, Melanie."
"How did you know Ms. Graves?" a sigh flitted through the room as a small part of a shadow unfurled itself to reveal Melanie.
"I taught you. I happen to know how you think," Silvia answered, dislike apparent in her voice. To her, Melanie was far more dangerous than anyone else she had ever met, if only because of instability and her penchant for chaos. "And I knew you'd stay close and watch him, just like how I know that you could have dodged that attack if you wished."
"Mmm … I'm not sure what you're getting at ma'am," Melanie pretended to not understand and Silvia frowned at her playfulness.
"Why did you let that assassin near you?" Silvia asked.
"Isn't it obvious? I had no idea there were assassins nearby," Melanie answered with her head tilted, confused. "And Jason, oh so heroically, saved me by taking the killing blow! Ah, how romantic!"
As Melanie squealed with blushing cheeks that were covered by her hands, her body wiggled with joy and embarrassment. Silvia looked cross as she watched Melanie perform an act that was unbelievable.
"I don't care what you think, make sure nothing like that happens again or I'll assign you to outside of Atlantis, is that clear?" Silvia told Melanie with a severe tone.
"Yes, ma'am," Melanie answered with a hint of killing intent as Silvia exited the room to join Jason.
Hmm … she's starting to bore me. Maybe I should … no. Jason won't like that, Melanie tilted her head again as she watched Silvia leave.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone