▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐄𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ━︎━︎ 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐞 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎"𝐈 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓 to make something clear." Marcos spoke, staring at the sisters with Lorna, John, Clarice, and Artemis at his side. "We're working with you on this because the Hound program is a threat to all of us. But if any of you think that being here means―︎"

     "We're friends now?" One of the sisters cut him off, disgust on her face. "Oh, you made it clear that we're not. We're just here to get a job done. Same as you."

     John turned to look at Marcos. "Marcos, they're right. Stay cool."

     "I don't see a move here." Lorna commented. "The Hounds are already out there. They're kicking our asses and our best defense is unconscious because she was tested on."

     "It's a secret program." Esme spoke. "We can kill it, but it has to happen soon. Our sources tell us Dr. Campbell is working his political connections to take it national."

     Artemis frowned. "What do you mean?"

     "He's attending the Humanity Today Summit in Charlotte tomorrow."

     "'Humanity Today'?" Clarice scoffed. "Is that seriously what they call it?"

     "I guess the thought it sounded better than 'Kill the Muties'. Every major anti-mutant figure will be there. Politicians, business leaders. . . purifiers." The last word all three siblings said in unison which made Artemis roll her eyes.

     "Security will be massive." John told them. "All right? There's got to be a better. . ."

     "We're out of time." Esme cut him off. "This is our chance to grab Campbell and use him to smash the program."

     "So we're kidnappers now." Clarice hummed, narrowed her eyes. "I thought we're supposed to be the good guys."

     Lorna rolled her eyes whilst Esme said, "Let's not get high and mighty. I don't suppose you've shared your criminal past with everyone here?" Clarice straightened. "Do they not know about your old friends? Because we do. But the past is in the past. Right now, we have work to do."

They all went their separate ways, Artemis making her way up to her room, glancing down the hall when she saw Clarice and John having a quiet argument. She raised an eyebrow in curiosity, but nonetheless turned away from it and entered her bedroom. She froze in her tracks when she saw her mother sitting on the edge of her bed, her red hair wild on top of her head. A wide smile spread across Artemis' lips.

     "Mom?" Aphrodite turned to look at her daughter and offered her a gentle smile, standing up from the bed and chuckling softly as Artemis engulfed herself into her mother's embrace. Aphrodite held onto her, looking down at her before kissing her on top of the head. "I thought. . . I didn't know what to think. I'm just glad that you're awake. How are you feeling? Are you alright?"

     "I feel like I have been hit by an 18-wheeler truck." She admitted. "A shower might help."

     Artemis pulled away from her. "Well, go take one. I'll tell John and the others that you are awake. They're about to leave to execute a plan the Frost sisters came up with, but I'm sure you can catch them if you take a quick shower. When you're out, I'll fill you in on everything that you've missed." With another smile she was quick to run out of the room, telling John that Aphrodite was up, before telling Clarice.

When she got out of the shower and got dressed, she made her way from her room, stopping when she came face to face with Lorna. The two stared at one another for a moment before Lorna rushed forwards and embraced her into a hug. They held onto each other for a moment, neither saying anything because they knew that if they said something one of them would break and they didn't have time for that right now. Lorna pulled away, asking a silent question to which Aphrodite nodded in reassurance.

     "Lorna we gotta go―︎Dove?" Marcos looked from his girlfriend to Aphrodite and a smile graced his lips. "Thank God." He dropped his bag to the ground and hugged her tightly. He pressed a kiss to the side of her head before pulling away. "We've been worried sick. How are you feeling?"

     "I'm fine." Aphrodite assured. "Listen, you can worry about me when you get back. Go. If you're late those three twins are gonna say something about it and I really don't feel like listening to their synchronized bullshit."

     Marcos chuckled before nodding. "Glad to have you back, Dove." And then he and Lorna were walking away and she watched them go before a soft sigh left her lips.

She ran a hand through her damp hair, about to walk away when a hand gently grasped her wrist. She knew who it was. She felt her heart pick up but forced herself to breathe as she turned her head to look at John. She turned to face him, watching as he stared at her for a few moments before he pulled her into a hug. She hugged him back, closing her eyes as she felt her shoulders relax. She felt safe in his arms, and she wished that she could just tell him that.

     "I thought. . ." His voice was choked even though he was trying so hard to conceal his emotion. "I thought I had lost you too. I couldn't―︎I can't―︎"

     "Hey, hey," Aphrodite pulled away, her voice soft as she looked at him. She placed a hand on his cheek, meeting his eyes and shaking her head slightly. "You won't lose me John. I'm okay. I promise. Artemis told me where you guys were going. What you planned to do. She doesn't want me coming and by the look on your face I can tell you don't want me coming either, so I won't. I'll stay here. Protect the Mutant Underground. You just get the job done, okay?"

     He nodded once. "Yes, ma'am."

     God she wished he wouldn't say it like that, it made her knees go weak. "Be safe for me."

     "I will."

     "Come back to me."

     "Always."

She smiled at him, moving a strand of hair that had fallen his face and placing it behind his ear. She wanted to hold him close to her, she didn't want him to leave. She didn't want to be out of his protection because even though she was strong and could protect herself, she wanted John to protect her and to make sure no one would harm her ever again just as he promised to do so all those years ago. She opted to give him a kiss on the cheek instead of professing her undying love for him. Without saying anything else, she turned to walk away, a gasp falling from her lips when he grabbed her wrist once again, spun her to face him, before quickly pressing his lips against hers.

She took a sharp intake of breath in surprise, but immediately she relaxed. She kissed him back, grabbing onto his arm to keep her balance. She didn't want to let go and neither did he, but they both knew that they had work to do so they moved away from one another at the same time. John looked at her and all she could do was nod, breathless.

     "I'll see you when you get back." Aphrodite whispered. "Go. They're waiting for you." After a moment he let go and he reluctantly walked away. Aphrodite stood there, watching him until he was gone and she couldn't help the smile that spread on her lips.

     "Gotta admit, that was hot."

     She snapped her head towards the sound of her daughter who was making her way towards her with a drink in her hand. She had a smirk of amusement on her lips and Aphrodite rolled her eyes. "Shut up."

     "If I had known all it would take was to knock you out for three days to get him to kiss you I would've done that three years ago."

     "Have you told Lauren you like her yet?"

     Artemis pursed her lips. "This isn't about me."

     "It will be until you stop talking."

     "Fine, fine." Artemis huffed before pointing at her. "Just know I'm not gonna let you live this down. You won this time. But when I do tell Lauren my feelings, you will have nothing to blackmail me with."

     Aphrodite scoffed. "Please. Artemis, you're my kid. I know what you've done your whole life. I'll always have stuff to blackmail you with." Artemis narrowed her eyes and Aphrodite chuckled before wrapping an arm around her shoulders as they made their way through the facility.