Los Angeles

Nic

"You don't--"

He stops and dazes out a moment, his breathing halted. I watch him closely and keep him close, used to this but still not too comfortable. When he snaps out of it, he gasps and looks at me with frightened eyes.

"Their house," he whispers. "Now."

He grips my wrist and we both disintegrate, appearing in Jackie's house.

Jackie

We're already on the highway, my stomach not feeling good, and i realize I left my phone at home. So did Ray. I wake but she's still uncontious, probrably due to her sickness, "Ray, wake up," I murmer, my vision blurry.

Nic

They're gone.

From the looks of it, they left in a hurry; but the expression on Jace's face suggests that they were taken rather than leaving on their own free will.

"Who took them and where are they going?" I ask, knowing that, even if he didn't see that part back at the hotel, he would be able to find out.

His eyes scan the room, hover over the broken-in front door for a few moments, and then return to me.

"Just follow," he says before disappearing.

Almost groaning, I obey and tail after his aura.

Jackie

I start coughing, some sleeping gas being let in, and Rayah still doesn't wake, which scares me. I refuse to fall back asleep and cover my nose and mouth, leaning against the wall. Something happens and I'm knocked to the other side of the trunk, hitting my head against the metal and passing out once more as we get there. They pull us out, locking us in a room with no windows, no door, and I wonder how they got us in here in the first place. Someone shakes me, Rayah's voice, and her eyes are red again, "C'mon," She whispers, "We're getting out of here."

Nic

His aura becomes untraceable, and I stumble out of midair in a room without windows or doors. The walls are smooth and bright white, and the floors are the same. Rayah holds Jackie up in the middle of it.

"Holy sh*t," I mutter. "What the hell is this?"

I hurry toward them and take over holding Jackie up for Rayah, scooping her up in my arms. Her skin is almost green, and that worries me.

"What happened?" I ask. "Did Jace show up?"

I still don't feel him, and he hasn't appeared.

Jackie

Rayah shrugs and I cough, wrapping my arms around my stomach. Rayah studies me feeling around the walls to see if theres a secret door somewhere.

Nic

I watch Rayah for a moment, not liking this at all, before remembering that I can teleport.

Dumb*ss. Why didn't you think of that before?

Wait... will that do anything to the baby? It shouldn't hurt either of the girls, but what effect will it have on what's growing inside Jackie? I'll just have to risk it. If it's part me, it should be able to handle it. Jackie's no wimp either.

"Hold onto my arm," I order Rayah. "I'll get us out."

Jackie

[i]What?[/i

He teleports us, making me freak out in the process, and right when we set foot on land, I double over and go on my knees, "What the f*ck, Nic?" I whisper so only I can hear, coughing once more. Rayah swears, kneeling before me, trying to get me to calm down.

Nic

Maybe that wasn't the best idea I've had...

I crouch beside Jackie and make sure she's okay, my eyes darting between her stomach and her gaze.

"Sorry," I say. "Usually, people are okay."

Studying her, I remember our last conversation and keep my hands to myself.

"You're okay, right?"

Jackie

Rayah tries to calm me and I don't respond to Nic, closing my eyes but doubling over once more. My eyes dart to my stomach and I start getting emotional for no reason, my eyes tearing up.

"Oh no..." Rayah whispers.

Nic

Oh hell. Now I've done it.

"What's happening?" I ask.

I worriedly study Jackie and glance between her and Rayah. Jace pops out of nowhere behind me and accidentally falls atop me, taking me to the ground. After I shove him off and ignore his apology, I focus on getting an answer.

"Seriously, what's going on?"

Jackie

"Hormones..' Rayah mutters, hesitating before wiping my tears. I slap her hand away and I sit back, wiping my mouth.

Nic

I take a deep breath and relax, sitting back on my heels. My eyes don't take themselves off of Jackie, and Jace's don't seem to move from Rayah. He moves closer to her and makes sure she's okay, and a part of me wishes I was allowed to comfort someone like that.

She might hit me, though. Or worse.

So I stay put.

Jackie

Rayah assures Jace she's okay, and I hesitate before standing and running into my house without another word.

Nic

I hesitate, but stand and follow Jackie inside. We need to talk. She wouldn't let me before, but maybe she will now. I just have to be ready to duck flying objects and any other form of rage she might have.

That's what hormones do to girls, right? Make them angry?

"Hey, can we talk?" I ask, shutting the door quietly behind me. "I promise I'll apologize and try my best not to act like an a*sh*le."