The fruit of your labor glowed dimly in the dark motel room. Set on the nightstand nearby, the vial of golden liquid illuminated Jack's pallid face as he slept in his own bed several paces away from yours.

Lying on your side and facing him, you studied his hardened features. Your mind was racing as you listened to his steady breaths, watched his chest as it rose and fell beneath his duvet.

You wondered how long he'd harbored romantic notions for you. You wondered if he even felt attraction towards you. What if McCree and Mei were wrong? What if Jack really was just an overprotective best friend?

A really... touchy, overprotective best friend who cared too much about your sex life...?

Then, you considered: What if Jack really was in love with you?

How would you address it? Should you even bring it up? Would confronting him about it be healthy for your friendship?

Your speculations were troubling, and they were giving you a severe case of temporary insomnia.

Briefly you glanced at the age-reversing agent, then back to your best friend. And when you realized his penetrating blue eyes were open and staring, you shot up in bed and gasped. "God! You scared me!"

He was looking at you with his head slightly turned, and there was an amused expression on his face. "You planning on sleeping at all tonight?"

You managed to reign your nerves in and answered him with a bold-faced lie, "I slept a little."

"Oh, so you haven't been up and checking me out for the past three hours?

"H-huh? I wasn't checking you out." You stammered a little this time—your bold expression faltering, morphing into mild panic. You couldn't explain the heat that was creeping up your face. And you hoped he wouldn't be able to see you blush in the darkened room.

"I can tell when you're asleep." He sat up in bed, too. And as he rose, you noticed the great deal of effort he exerted to move.

"Jack," You threw the covers off and swung your legs over the edge of the bed to get closer to him. "Are you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine," He answered, casting a brief glance down his tee-shirt.

But even in the dim lighting, you couldn't miss the dark discoloration in his shirt fabric. You sat on the edge of your bed for a moment, noting his reticence. Standing, you lit the table lamp and approached your best friend—your expression grim when you realized he was injured. "What happened?"

He laid back down after he looked up at you. "I'm fine."

"Really?" You stood at the side of his bed, looming over him. "Then why is there a fucking bloodstain in the middle of your shirt?" You motioned to his midriff, where a lateral patch of red was present.

"Don't worry about it and go back to bed," He sighed, closing his eyes and turning his head away.

Oh, I could kill you! You gritted your teeth at how incredibly patronizing he was and has been. Inhaling deeply through your nose, you worked hard to suppress your anger and stared at his face.

"Listen," You began, in a surprisingly civil voice. "If we are going to cohabit, then you can't keep things like... like this secret from me."

"Oh? Last I checked we weren't a couple."

Your heart did a weird skip.

"What does that have to do with anything?" You glared at him, restraining your irritation. "If I remember correctly, you were very involved with my health and well-being. You expected me to comply with you, and I did. So I expect you to have some decency and do the same."

He finally opened his eyes and looked at you. For a brief flash in time, you noticed a familiar look you were used to seeing in Gabe—you saw longing in Jack's countenance, but as soon as you recognized it, his face turned stoic.

"That's a fair point," He remarked, then sighed before pulling himself up to a seated posture.

You haven't told him about the pregnancy. Your conscience chimed the moment you felt victorious for making him cave. Nor will I.

You wouldn't tell him... at least not yet.

"Talon mercenaries," He said, looking down briefly at the crimson splotch in his shirt. "It's a knife wound. I cleaned it, dressed it, but ran out of my biotic emitters. I'm going to see Angela tomorrow for more."

"...drink this," You picked up the glowing vial, cupping it in one hand. "It'll heal you."

"We've been over this," He said, looking up at you. "I'm not prolonging my life. It's not natural. And if I take that, how would that make me any different from O'Deorain?"

"You were a part of the Soldier Enhancement Program," You pointed out, a softness present in your voice. "That wasn't exactly natural."

"That was different, and you know it," He grimaced.

"Okay, but you're risking your life every day. And while you may have this enhancement to your physique, you're not getting any younger. Who knows what kind of opponents you'll face in the future?" You sighed. "If you take this Jack, maybe you'll be even less prone to injuries."

He listened to your words, his eyes conflicted.

"No," he finally said after some thought. Resolution steeled his eyes. "I won't take it. Use it to cure Gabe."

"Fine," You conceded. You set the vial back down on the nightstand before you made your way towards the door.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm not letting you bleed out. I have some biotic doses in the car." You answered as you flew out the door.

The old soldier sighed again, then ran a hand over his face. You were going to be the death of him. Intending to follow after you, he removed the bedcovers completely off his person before sitting up.

"Hola." An unfamiliar, feminine voice triggered his awareness but she continued to speak before Jack could stand to his feet.

"I wouldn't move a single inch if I were you." She appeared several paces away from him, the barrel of her gun trained on his torso.

"Who are you?" He demanded, glancing past her to see if something may have happened to you outside.

"Let's just say I'm a friend on the fence." The strange woman with violet eyes and olive skin held a shrewd smile on her face. "You're Soldier:76, right?" She chuckled. "Or should I say... Strike-Commander Jack Morrison?"

"What do you want?"

"If you want my two cents, you and her act more like a married couple than Gabe--"

"I'll say it again—what do you want?" Jack snapped, interrupting her, finding no amusement in her jest.

"Alright, old man. Take it easy." She only laughed at his grouchy display. "I want you to take that potion of youth she made."

"Why? What will that get you?"

"That's for me to know, and for you to find out." Her smile grew sly as she made a light gesture with her hand. Hovering in front of her index fingertip was a holographic button. "If I activate this, everyone in Talon will know where you're shacking up. If that happens, you'll have to take that anyway." She motioned to the glowing vial with a nod of her head. "You don't want fight off hundreds of Talon mercenaries, do you? Are you going to risk [Y/N] getting hurt?"