Tina hugged herself tighter, but even her warmest winter jacket couldn't protect her from the cold. It wasn't even the howling wind swaying the naked branches of the oak tree in the Grants' backyard, but the knowledge that her sister had been kidnapped. And now, here she stood, waiting for Sam to show his face and present his solution for her rescue.

So far, only Jerry and Jimmy were present, pacing the length of the yard, leaving deep prints in the fresh snow, their concerned faces only half visible in the little light from the kitchen window. She didn't like this, didn't like how much the two of them looked alike at the moment, didn't like the pensive air Jerry had, as if he could unravel this situation and manage it. It was unmanageable. They were in over their heads and had always been. Jerry had never denied it, yet here he was now, acting as if this was his world.

The thought scared Tina, because she didn't feel the same. She was terrified. This wasn't her world and she didn't want it to ever be.

The back door opened and she jumped. Jimmy and Jerry also stopped their pacing and turned towards the newcomer. Kyle made his way towards them, his face set in concentration, his gait confident and powerful. Tina shivered again and her eyes drifted behind him. Kay and Jessica followed.

A strong surge of dislike overwhelmed her and she missed Kyle's words, but they didn't matter. It was something she wouldn't be a part of anyway. What really bothered her was the fake look of concern on Jessica's face.

"What is she doing here?" she asked before she could help herself.

Everyone fell silent. Tina studied Jessica, enjoying the crack in her mask as she openly glared at her. There she was, the real person behind the cutesy attitude. The stone hard bitch who acted her way out of everything and got under people's skin.

"Tina, come on," Jerry whispered in her ear.

She snapped out of her reverie and only then noticed that Jerry had his hand wrapped around her arm and was gently trying to pull her away, towards the darkness. She let him, satisfied with the effect of her words. Surely, the others had finally noticed the real Jessica coming out to play.

"What's wrong? Why wouldn't Jessie be here?" Jerry asked the moment they were out of earshot.

"Come on, Jerry, please tell me that at least you can see right through her."

Jerry let her go and stepped back, confusion shooting across his face. "What are you talking about?"

"Her mask. She acts the way everyone wants her to, overly friendly, just begging to be liked..."

"No, I'm pretty sure that's her," Jerry interjected.

Tina glared at him. "Don't tell me she has you wrapped around her finger, too."

"Where's all this coming from?" Jerry narrowed his eyes. "Is this Alice talking?"

She looked away, biting on her lower lip. Alice had been her friend in the jungle, the only one who made her feel better in all that mess, except for Jerry. Alice had also seen through Jessica's act from day one. Not that it had helped. She'd still stolen her boyfriend. And Tina had tried to make peace with it. Who Jimmy dated was none of her concern. But it bothered her that stealing Jimmy was not enough for Jessica. She had to have everyone's attention, be everyone's friend, get so touchy with Kyle it made Tina sick. If she were Kay, she would've throttled Jessica by now.

"It's not Alice talking. You're men. You just don't see her for what she is."

"Tina, Jessie is our friend," Jerry said in an exasperated voice that dug deep into her. "And she's never acted like anything else. You never said anything before this."

"I really didn't want to argue, but it's hard to help myself when I'm so stressed."

"There's nothing to argue about."

She swelled, putting her hands on her hips. "If everyone likes her, it doesn't mean I have to. Her attitude is so fake, it makes me sick. And the way she constantly flirts with Kyle drives me up the wall."

Jerry grabbed her arm again and leaned in so close that their noses almost touched. "Don't ever said that again. They are just friends."

Tina gritted her teeth, fighting the urge to cry, pull away, walk out of this place where she was obviously not welcomed.

"Hey, guys, come on, we have more important things to discuss here," Kyle called out.

Jerry held her gaze for another second then finally let go and headed back to the others. She hugged herself again, and even if she wanted to just blend into the background, she urged her legs to propel her forward and join the circle.

"I've spoken to Herrison," Kyle said the moment Jerry retook his spot next to his twin. "They're sending us on another jewel mission."

"What?" Jerry asked. "Where?"

"We don't know yet. It was more a heads up before the official briefing comes," Kyle explained. "Herrison's been cool like that lately."

"We do know where we're going." Jimmy shoved something in Kyle's hand.

Kyle lifted what looked like a post-it and read it with a frown. "Well fuckety fuck."

Tina flinched, and so did Jerry, but he didn't comment on his brother's language.

"What?" Kay asked, taking the note from her boyfriend.

"Sam and Tom are gone," Jimmy snarled. "They left for Paris a few hours ago. They're up in the air right now. Just like we suspected, Snitch Gravel had a hand in Angie and Christine's disappearance. So I think it's safe to assume the jewel in also in France."

Jerry looked from Kyle to Jimmy, then at the girls. With a defeated sigh, he sat down cross-legged.

"So let me get this straight. Sam and Tom left for Paris and we've been assigned to find another jewel with little to no clue as to where it is." He raised pleading eyes towards the group. "How are we going to do that? It's always Sam who finds the jewel, the one who touches it first? How are we supposed to come anywhere near it without him?"

"If we're going to France, we're surely going to get Angie and Christine and meet with Sam and Tom way before we find the jewel," Jessica said with annoying certainty, as if Christine was any concern of hers.

Kyle nodded and turned to the others. "Well then..." He hesitated a moment before letting out a defeated sigh. "We should go get your car from the airport, Jimmy, since Sam and Tom left it there. Also, we need to start research immediately. Kay, where are Snitch Gravel's notes?"

"I..." Kay hugged herself. "I don't have them anymore."

"Wait, what?" Jessica asked, surprised. "What did yo do with them?"

Kay looked into the ground, her boot digging in the snow. "Snitch Gravel took them away before we escaped the shrine," she said in a barely audible whisper.

Kyle frowned, but wrapped an arm around her and pulled her against him, then turned to the group. "Okay, we'll use what we sent to the agency. As far as research goes... Jessie, can you handle it?"

She nodded, a stoic expression on her face.

"We're probably going to have to do research regarding France," Jimmy said. "Jerry should do it, since he's the only one who can speak French."

Kyle nodded. "Okay, fair point. Jerry, you take over research. Jessie can help you."

"Of course," Jerry said with a serious nod, and finally stood from the snow.

"Why does she have to help you?" Tina said between her teeth. Why not her? She could speak French, too. Though, to be completely honest, she had no idea what research meant and she wanted nowhere near this mission. "Why can't Kay help you? Or Jimmy?"

Jerry squeezed her hand so tightly, it hurt, but didn't answer her. Instead, Kyle was the one to speak up.

"They'll have other things to take care of." He tilted his head, an adorably confused expression crossing his face. "Are you okay?"

She just nodded, pulling her hand out of Jerry's grip and hugging herself again. She wanted to go home.

Kyle didn't seem convinced but gave up on the conversation and turned back to Kay. "I think you and Jessie should stay here until we leave."

"What?" Kay asked, pulling away from him and glaring. "No way."

"I agree with Kyle," Jimmy interjected. "We're going to be very busy over the next few days so it's best we all stick together."

"Jimmy, we can't stay at your place," Jessica said, propping her fists on her hips. "What will your parents say?"

Oh, so now she was concerned with propriety.

"You don't have to worry about that. We'll figure something out. We've become proficient at lying." Jerry let out a deep breath. "I agree with Jimmy and Kyle. You can't go home. That goes for you too, Tina..."

Her entire body tenesed. He couldn't be suggesting... "No, I can't leave my father alone! I have to somehow cover up for Christine missing." She bit her lip, a sense of dread overwhelming her. "I'll be alright. I live nearby anyway."

Everyone looked at each other and seemed to be considering her statement. Jimmy and Kyle finally nodded. Jerry on the other hand kept staring at his feet, worrying his lip.

"Jerry?" Jimmy asked.

"Yes, she's right," Jerry said, annoyance lacing his tone. "I hate it, but we can't let anyone know what happened." He turned to her, his face set in foreign determination. "But you're spending all your day here and one of us will take you home in the evening."

"What about school?" Jessica asked quietly.

"We should continue going," Jimmy answered. "We're going to leave anyway and miss enough classes. Plus we'll have to cover up for Sam and Tom missing." He paused and rubbed the back of his head. "We should speak to the headmaster about leaving."

"Man, we have a lot of things to take care of." Kyle put his hand on his forehead. "I've never fully appreciated how much work this is since Sam usually took care of it. Let's get moving." He faltered as he looked down at Kay. "You and Tina should stay here until we come back. Though I'm not sure exactly where..."

"Go to Sam and Tom's room. We'll be back as soon as possible." Jimmy took Jessica's hand and turned towards the street.

"But what if your parents find us there?" Kay asked worried.

"Lie. Lie like you've never lied before." Jimmy smiled and they were all off.

Kay and Tina were the only ones left in the backyard. Kay kept digging into the thin sheet of snow with her boots, watching the white disappear into muddy brown. Tina rubbed her arms, her gaze drifting to the swaying oak tree. The atmosphere was so awkward, and for a moment she regretted lashing out at Jessica. She and Kay were friends, and even if Tina had always gotten along with Kay, it was obvious whose side the latter would take.

"I don't want to go in there," Kay finally said, looking towards the back door. The little light coming from the kitchen window created the illusion of warmth.

"Me neither, but I hate the idea of standing out here more. I know you can take care of yourself in case we get attacked, but I'm hopeless. I'd rather we went in."

"Good point. Let's just try to do this as quietly as possible," Kay said.

They lingered in the dark for another few seconds until Kay finally sighed and headed for the back door. Tina followed, her pulse drumming in her temples as if she were about to do something forbidden. She could just turn around and go home. She'd be there long before Jerry returned.

But the darkness could hold unforeseen dangers, so she steeled herself and entered her boyfriend's house.

The kitchen was empty and clean, just like Jerry had left it before stepping outside. Kay looked around as though hoping for salvation, then headed out. Tina followed, wondering how much longer their luck would last.

It turned out, not much longer at all. The moment they set foot inside the living room, they came face to face with Jerry's parents. Freider and Maxi Grant, gawked at them, and for good reason. They were inside their house when their boyfriends weren't home. Kay instantly started shaking like a leaf, not helping the situation at all.

"Girls, what are you doing here at this hour?" Maxi asked, worry lacing her tone.

"Well..." Kay stuttered looking from left to right. "Kyle told me to come over so we could... um... talk."

"Where is he, then?" Maxi asked with a frown.

"They all went out for a bit," Tina interjected. "They should be back any second. Is it okay if I wait for Jerry to take me home? It's already dark and I don't feel safe."

"Yes, of course," Maxi said, waving her hand absently towards the couch. "Have a seat, Tina." She then turned her attention back to Kay.

Tina had her seat, feeling a small stab of jealousy that Jerry's parents were a lot more interested in Kay than her. But she'd rather avoid that kind of attention, especially from their father.

"Kay, is anything wrong?" Freider suddenly asked with concern.

Kay rubbed the back of her head, and finally seemed to lose the nervousness. "The truth is we've had a vermin infestation in our apartment building, and they're cleaning it up, so we have no place to stay for a few days. That's why Kyle called me, so we could think of a temporary solution."

Tina had to give her props for the creative lie, especially since the parents seemed fooled.

"You don't need to think of a temporary solution. Isn't it plainly obvious that you can stay here until the problem is solved?" Freider said.

Both Kay and Maxi turned to him shocked. Tina gaped too, unable to believe her ears.

"Thank you, Mr. Grant," Kay stammered, a rosy blush climbing to her cheeks.

"Yeah, thanks, darling," Maxi said happily, rising on her toes and kissing her husband on the cheek.

His chest puffed up and a pleased smile lifted the corners of his moustache. "Should we get a room ready or will you be sharing..." He left the question floating.

Kay flushed violently, but managed to keep the strained smile on her face. "Don't worry about me. I'll be sharing with Jessie, if it's okay for her to stay, too."

The satisfied look on Freider's face dropped a hint, but Tina noticed, and it confused her. Why would he be disappointed by proper behavior?

"Okay then," Maxi said, clapping her hands. "Let's go upstairs and get you settled."

"Um... why not wait for the boys to come back?" Kay threw Tina a pleading look.

"Oh." Maxi's smile slid of her face, but then she recomposed herself. "Let's all have a seat then."

Kay dropped next to her on the couch while the parents took seats in nearby armchairs. Awkward silence filled the room and Tina only wished Jerry would get there faster.

❄❄❄

Bam! Tina POV! So curious what you think about her and how it felt. Not much to say at this point. This chapter is mostly set up for what's to come. Everyone has a lot of preparing to do.

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