The Aftermath
Part one of two

Jack rests his face in his hands as he takes a rest. Finding a fairly smooth rock in the woods takes some time, but is always worth the wait. He plops himself down, happily enjoying the relief as he removes his shoes. The running took up most of his time.

Those people could never find him here, Jack thinks to himself. He breaths in deeply, looking up at the cloudy sky, feeling the cool contrasting breeze of the mountains on his skin as he heats up inwardly, his mind to wandering back…to that day.

That stupid day.

“This whole thing is stupid.” He mumbles, burying his face in his folded arms resting atop his knees. “If only…”

They never even considered it was a kid until they found his name (easy enough when his identity is Jack Spicer evil boy genius) on the web and they knew where to look.

His basement was raided. They found everything; the robots, the machinery, the Wu, the plans…everything but Jack himself. He had been at Chase’s lair trying to convince the overlord of darkness to give him fighting lessons, poor Jack.

It was a nice afternoon all the same, enough to make Jack squeal a smile on his flight home. The sun was covered by several shady clouds and there was no wind. That meant perfect flying weather for him. He had gotten home in half the time, which meant he would be on time for dinner…

…

Jack happily swings his front door open with a kick and strolls into the living room whistling pointlessly. A small cough sends him tripping over his own two feet in sudden shock. He looks at the confusion before him.

Cops and detectives are all over his living room. His pale mother is being questioned, tears in her eyes as his father, red from frustration is pushing cameras and papers out of his face. Jack feels his knees growing weak and almost topples headfirst to the floor from the sudden spin. A cop approaches him slowly. Jack turns around but two deputies are at his front door. There is no mistake about it. These government guys are here for Jack.

“Don’t be frightened. Son, may I have a slight word with you?” The cop asks.

He had never expected the boy to look this pathetic or young in real life. He figured the title was more of a distraction, not a fact. A small boy of no more than fifteen, in a black coat that does nothing to hide his slim form and pale skin as if he were dying with his chattering teeth and giant tearing eyes…what a criminal, seriously.

But he can not get distracted by appearances because they have more than enough proof.

“lease, take a seat over here…on your sofa…”
Jack is persuaded by the deputies to go to his couch where he sits across from his parents. He looks at them desperately, wishing to sit with his mother.

“What’s your name, son?”

His eyes dart from the officer to his mother. Sinking his head into his jacket, he makes a slight nod.

“We’ll need you to speak up son…”

“J-Jack…” He stammers. “Look, Mr. Cop sir, w-whatever it was I didn’t do it!” He pleads waving his palms wildly.

“Calm down…we haven’t accused you of anything.” The officer notes the kids genuine fear mentally.

“So, Jack…just Jack, then?“ Jack’s body stiffens. “You’re home schooled yes?”

“Yeah…w-what of it? It aint a crime!” He stammers defensively.

“Of course not…but tell me, when do you go out? I mean after you finish your studies…you must hang out with kids that you know, maybe some in your neighborhood, cyber pals? Anything, son?”

“You mean hang out…eople I hang out with?” Jack looks to his parents. “I-I don’t. The friends and hanging out thing…I don‘t”

“Where did you come from just now then?” The officer asks, tilting his head.

“I was out…but I’m not often.” Small beads of sweat slowly drip down the curve of Jack’s slender neck as he trembles.

Already changing his story…what a typical kid.

“I spend all my time in the basement…”

The key words.

“Basement?” The officer looks to Jack’s parents.

“Our basement. You see Jack is a pale boy, he bruises and burns easily…he’s never liked being in the sun. He wined for a large space to play in so we agreed to give him the thing for himself. We never use it you see. At least its being used.” Jack’s mother tenderly answers.

“Well then…lets get to the point so we can get this whole thing straightened out. Used in what way?” The officer asks Jack, his eyes snapping to the boy with a somewhat hardened stare.

“Used…in what way? Like a basement, I don’t know! I just play-video games…and stuff.” He rolls his eyes to the floor as he blabbers his nearly incoherent answer.

Too bad for Jack, they already know there are more things in his basement than video games. There is an awful lot of…stuff; stuff that needs to be taken care of.

“Son, is this…your robot?” The policeman asks, holding a picture out to Jack before briefly showing his parents.

Jack looks up at the picture. His robot looks so cool, but he cannot say a thing. Bashfully he turns his head the other way and between clenched teeth negatives the question.

“I don’t build bots.” He mumbles.

“Jack builds models as a hobby officer…” His mother timidly offers. “This picture does look vaguely familiar.” She adds tapping her chin. “But, I don’t see how my son could have built a…”

“…but our son…could never build such a contraption as you say.” His father continues. “He’s just not that bright a child! No common sense to build a robot. Just models.” His father nods as he speaks.

“He’s home schooled, did you say?” The officer inquires.

“Jack is home schooled, yes. He does all of his work, he’s very, very bright. But I really don’t see how our son could construct a robot of that sort.” His mother admits. “Jack, officer, is rather peculiar you see…his antics are strange, but he would never go as far as to build an actual robot. He’s no genius.”

Jack sends his mother an unnoticed glare. One the officer himself takes strange. It is as if the boy was truly insulted just now. And the officer finds he is truly intrigued. The thought of this boy building robots out of his garage…is surreal.

“There was his grandmother, dear.” Her husband whispers, catching the officer’s attention.

Jack’s mother gasps as she hushes her husband. This draws more attention to the parents and causes Jack to forcefully grind his off-white teeth.

“Don’t even say a thing like that. That woman was mad off her rocker! Our son could never even consider such a god-awful idea as ruling the world!” She smacks her hand to her chest and turns from her husband.

“What a terrible thing to say about your own mother!” Jack’s father accuses timidly.

Jack’s mother collects herself. It is unlike her to speak so harshly as even the officers in the room note.

“Officer. My mother was mentally ill…she believed she could take over the world.” The last sentence is hushed as if so Jack can not hear. “But my Jack is mentally sane. He may dress like a clown, but he is not insane.” She states matter-of-factly.

“He may dress terribly with the worst fashion, but he sure is bright.” His father adds in. “No common sense, but he is bright. His paper graders tell us so.”

The officer takes in their words before slowly turning to Jack.

“Son. Your mother says you build models for a hobby. How many do you have?”

Jack chokes on his own cowardice. His father however takes the liberty of digging his grave for him.

“Jack builds those things all day…he must have dozens of them in the basement. I wouldn‘t know the number…my wife and I are often off on business you see. Never had the time to see them.”

“You’ve never ever seen any?” The officer asks. “Has Jack ever brought anything to you?“ His parents shake their heads.

“He did when he was younger.” Jack’s mother adds. “He’d come to me with this and show me that…odd little do-hickeys and gizmos. Nice little drawings and such, the typical for children his age. Nowadays he does show me his papers…all A‘s naturally. We have told you how bright he is.”

“All A‘s, huh? In every subject?”

“He has a particular taste for math and science. He does very well in English…doesn’t care at all for his history but what boy does? Hm, he does take a liking to astrology, greek myths and Chinese this and tha…” Jack’s mother stands up suddenly and hushes her husbands ongoing jabber.

“lease, Miss Spicer. May I see the basement where your son builds his models again?”

“Again!?” Jack cries, his eyes growing wide in horror.

“Yes, Jack. I want you to tell me about your little models.”

“If you’d like. You may take another look.” Jack’s mother offers, her petite feet heading for the basement. “But I’ll stay up top…I’m terrified of the dark!”

The officer notices Jack begin to sweat and shake. The small teen twiddles his thumbs and gnaws at his nails like his life depends upon it.

“Jack. Is there something down there you don’t want us to see?” The officer asks calmly.

“N-No…” Jack’s eyes dart back and forth. “There’s no need to go down there, there’s nothing really!” Jack pleads leaping to the officers feet and clinging to him. “If you’ve seen it once, it would bore you anyhow!”

“Son! Get up, you’re embarrassing yourself!”

“Don’t go down there! Where’s your search warrant? I want to see your graduating papers!” Jack nervously hollers as two deputies grab onto his thin arms.

Escorted, Jack is led to the basement door. They go to open it, but Jack throws another fit. He kicks and screams and squeals but is easily restrained. The door is slowly opened and the officer slowly walks inside.

There is a rocket, a tank, a submarine, maps, robots, shelves, glasses, plates, broken walls…staircases leading to deeper parts of his lair and a first aid kit with bandages thrown around it.

Slowly the officer walks up to one of Jack’s robots, broken on a bench.

“It’s a model! Just a model! Don’t touch it!” Jack pleads, his body half way in the basement.

“Oh is it now?”

The officer slowly touches the bot and it turns on. Eyes glow red and it speaks, asking for its master and if it will be okay; everyone goes quiet.

“Funny…the things they put on those voice boxes. The ones that come with the toys…” Jack breaths, realizing that he is probably going to jail for the first time.

“I found this little guy here earlier. I took a look at his awkward configuration. Bit eccentric for a mere model boy. I’m afraid you’re under arrest for being a danger to society.”

“A danger? You think I’m dangerous? That’s so cool!” Jack cheers, leaping into the air with his arms outstretched for a moment.

His mood changes as he is grabbed and cuffs are forced on his thin wrists. He remembers his panic.

“Jack!” His mother squeals.

“No! Let me go! Let me go! I don’t want to go! Mom! Dad! These people are crazy! I haven’t done anything!” He cries, tears pouring down his face. “Help me!”

“Sorry son. There’s no crying your way out of this. We have to place you under arrest…” the officer sternly mutters as he writes in his report from the top of the stairs.

Jack’s mother stands just outside the door and holds out her hand to the officer.

“Wait! You can’t just take him! You have no proof…those things down there are models. We’ve told you he spends all his time in that basement…he’s our only son.”

“Maim. This boy, God only knows how has managed to cause severe damage all over the planet. His mind is a serious threat to society. “ Jack cannot help but turn his head. “If there is any legitimate proof you have that he did not in fact build those…”

He stops as a scene he never would have imagined happen, happens. Two boys, both identical to the one in custody; one completely identical down to the stitching in his jacket and the other dressed in neat nick clothes from the fifties. They approach side by side, one frowning and the other smiling deviously.

“What the…Hell is going on here!? How many kids do you have like this one lady!?”

…

Jack lifts his head groggily. He must have dozed off.
How all of that could have just happened out of the blue. He had never once thought of getting caught and now he’s stuck fending for himself while detectives all over the planet search for him. He and his accomplices had literally been at the end of their ropes…and almost ready to sell their souls to bean.

At least…until…

She had found him and hid him; gave him a small place to stay till perhaps one day they would stop looking. Why she had been so kind…erhaps it was his other self that convinced her to aid the three runaways. He had a way with words and making girls listen when he concentrated hard enough.

Jack shakes his head to wake himself up. Starting up his heli-pack he takes to hovering above the ground so he can make his way to the temple by sunset. He is expected after all and it would be rude to be too late.

--

Sound echoes easily inside the vault, but word carries faster on the wind. As long as the door is shut, they will never know. They will never suspect either. At least I don’t think they will. No, most likely they don’t realize a thing, boys never do.

I leave the door unlocked, but closed. I fidget with my fingers as I wait…I always do. I never know if this is true, if it’s a dream or if he’s just after the Wu. But where are we to go…where no one would think to look? Today is my day to guard the vault…funny that I would plan every week to let the one person I’m assigned to keep out, in…the others would never suspect.

The vault door creaks as it is slowly opened, inch by inch in a desperate attempt to refrain from making any noise. As a shadow the figure enters and closes the door. With heels in the air he creeps down into the depths of the dark stairwell towards his objective. The whole reason he would venture through a dark wilderness and break the barrier of the pitch black temple grounds is somewhere in this seemingly endless darkness.

“Hello? Who is it?” She whispers a little shaken.

He sighs with the utmost relief. For another week she is here waiting for him. With unconscious ease he picks up his pace down the dark stairway. The faster he got to her the brighter things would be…she is after all, the dragon of fire.

“Y-You didn’t answer me.”

She’s startled.

“Who is it?”

He forgets his position for a moment. If only he could remember to not get so carried away with entrances.
He lunges at her with his arms wide open.

Fangs.

Glowing eyes.

Claws.

Tail.

In surprise she defends herself. Her hit is direct and painful, right in the sternum too. With a yelp he crumbles in two before falling flat on his face, his head swirling. Forming a ball of red hot flame in her hand she leans towards the attacker, still keeping her stance. But to her surprise it is who she was waiting for that she…

“Jack! Oh, I’m sorry!” Dropping to her knees, Kimiko lifts Jack’s head from the stone stairs. “I thought you were a jungle cat…the way you pounced on me…”

Dizzy, Jack slurs a quick retort. “Animal aren‘t I…but-I-am soooo sorry, Kimiko. I-just-thought…I’d surprise you. But you know how-scared-of-the-dark I am…I forgot to deactivate the monkey staff…”

Kimiko props him up against the wall, lightly nibbling at one finger nail as she taps his chest with the other. He winces, his fangs grinding against one another. There will be a bruise there tomorrow indefinitely As hard as she hit him, he’s lucky to get a bruise. The attack is quickly forgotten as her eyes wander up to his own, glowing in the dark as he has yet to drop his precious Wu. Lightly his tail wraps around her wrist and lightly Kimiko pulls her hand away with a blush staining her cheeks.

“You guys must be running low on supplies.” She whispers as if the walls really do have ears.

“Yeah, we are…mostly because the good me feeds the wildlife.” Jack grumbles.

“He means well.”

“And he knows nothing. It was his fault after all that I got caught.” Jack crosses his arms and pouts.

“Jack…he was the one who rewired Robo-Jack to obey you guys and ordered him to save you.” Kimiko runs her fingers through her hair and watches Jack blush through the night. She does not want him to get the wrong idea, but a little teasing never hurts a girl’s vanity.

“I suppose…but it’s still his fault that I’m so miserable.”

“You do that to yourself.” Kimiko grumbles.

“It’s getting worse…” He whispers to her in hopes of changing the subject, his will heavily forcing the staff from his hand.

Kimiko nods. Lips barley parted she whispers. “I know. But this obsession with the Monkey Staff…Jack you’ve dropped it. And look.” Her hands dangle in the air, her eyes wide and her mouth agape as she watches the spectacle.

Slowly his tail recedes back into his slowly reforming body. Kimiko hears a few small cracks. He arches his back as the fangs sink back into his jaw and he is Jack again.

“It’s hurting you, can’t you see that? You need to stop it…”

“-Hey, Kimi…your not my mother. She never raised a hand to me…you‘ve sent me up the river to bruisville countless times.” Jack shrugs his shoulders upwards so his extended coat collar flaps in front of his face. “You should be nicer to me” He adds plainly as if to just say the words.

Kimiko grabs hold of the flaps and folds them down, taming them into even side collars, just the way Jack hates it. His mother used to fold them this way. Crossing her arms, Kimiko returns to her feet and holds out a small china doll hand to Jack.

“I’m not trying to be your mother…” Jack rolls his eyes as he crosses his arms. “…but if this whole thing is going to go anywhere you need to consider a few things on my part first, mister boy genius.”

Slowly, Jack finds himself in an embrace. Soft and gentle like he always dreamed of when he was in his lair. She could be so loving when she wanted to be…sure rough at other times, but mostly sweet. Whenever they meet in the vault she was gentle as a lamb (scratch her almost death blow) …but only in the vault. If they were to be discovered she would do him the mercy of knocking him out so the others could not have their go at him.

Oh, how he would love to kiss her. She would never let him because they are friends and nothing more really to her. But…oh, how he wants to. She is his mother and he is her secret. Her dirty little secret…only less dirty and more of a secret really. Jack sinks his head into his jacket as she pulls away from him.

Looking at her now would just be awkward.

How they came to be meeting in the vault had become an answer to a series of life changing events for the both of them. It did not matter much to Jack…he just enjoyed the company. Everyone else, including fellow villains never wanted him around and when he was wanted it was to poke fun at his expense. Mostly they wanted him to do his ‘little girly squeal’ as they called it for kicks. Jack often dropped his head in shame around fellow villain esq. type people.

“Better days are here at last…beyond the edge of seas. I can’t help of smirking when we talk of cabbages and kings…”

His usual mumbo jumbo. If it meant anything it was that he enjoyed the two of them being together. Kimiko looks up at him, his red eyes barely seen in the darkness. He is slumped against the wall, shuffling his feet and nibbling on his lower lip. With a hesitating voice she beckons him to her.

“Why are you so depressed today? Is the weather bad where you are?” Idle chit chat, never good but it conquers awkward silences.

“No. Its fair…it’s the other two, they never help me the way I need help…not, that I really need the aid…I just, I don‘t know, hate not being able to go home, Kimiko. I miss my mommy…I miss my lair. I haven‘t been able to do anything evil in weeks!” Jack stops just in front of her. “You know…in the future I rule this planet.” He states almost more to himself than to her.

His whole being changes, enraptured by the mere thought.

“Jack…” It would never do him any good to go back to this.

“Really…My Jack-bots are perfected beyond belief…and Chase and Wuya are all in cages and stuff…” something sparks in his eyes.

Kimiko shakes her head, asking him to stop. He keeps on going, his voice rising as he speaks. His red eyes aflame with his lust for power.

“And I’m somebody…ruler of the planet…everybody listens to me, no one defies me. I have defeated everyone with my genius…even the Xiaolin Warriors are trapped in cages with no…”

She is facing him, but she does not look at him. Her stare goes right through him as she lightly shakes her head. Blinking slowly Kimiko raises her hand as if to outstretch it to Jack, but she pulls it back. She could never grow any emotion towards a man that every other second thinks about locking her up in a cage and taking over the planet.

“Kimiko I’m sorry.” Bashfully he whispers, his face aflame with guilt. “It’s just I get carried away ya know? Into the whole idea and stuff…if I kept at this evil genius stuff for another ten or more years, I really could rule the planet! If only I hadn’t been caught! I saw it happen, you saw it happen!”

“Yes.” She begins scaling the stairs, talking would do
nothing but enrage her further but she had to let him know how she felt. “You were a monster. Pure evil Jack. Everything you’ve always wanted.”

“Kimiko…” Jack stumbles after her. “lease don’t go…” He holds his hand out and clumsily manages to grasp her own in his small shaking pale hand.

With a nod Kimiko turns slightly around, enough for him to see her dazzling azure eyes glint her disappointment in him. He always vows to change…but rarely keeps to his thin words. Jack lingers behind her dominant form, his palm barely holding onto her hand though she does not pull away…he waits in silence for her voice.

“I know that all you’ve ever wanted was some respect, Jack…and I’m trying, really trying to give you some. Even just a bit. But I can’t respect you if you don’t…the Xiaolin side and the Heylin side are enemies…” Hardly conclusive enough even for her, Kimiko lets her souls touch the staircase and waits.

“Ya…its epic, and junk. But I don’t give a hoo-haw about all that really. I want to feel powerful and a little less pathetic than I know I am.” Jack stops and uses his free hand to smack himself in the face. “I’ve got to stop admitting at how lame I am!”

Kimiko takes a moment to look at him. Jack. Just Jack. A boy outcaste from society trying to make himself worthy for the world consider him just a little bit part of it. She smiles.

“I’m helping you because no one else will. You begged me so much that day I found you in the snow to help you, but not tell. In exchange for my help you’ve promised not to do anything evil and you are in my debt. You’re such a silly little boy. Don’t you know that Jack?”

“Si-l-ly?” He tests the word on his tongue. “You think I’m silly? That’s nice…” He grumbles.

“I’m glad I found you and you asked me to help you.“
Jack blushes slightly.

“You are silly. In a good way, Jack. In…a good way.”

Why she needed to repeat the sentence she did not know. She tests the word out again and again in her mind. Certainly her description of Jack is not anywhere near false…the Goth boy is rather silly.

--

The night air is tasted like a fine wine. Straightening his stubborn locks and patting the tamed adornment of red hair the pale boy looks out into the dark foreboding woods. He would wait as he always waited…

He had been waiting in the lair all day, the last day he remembered being there. That was the most tragic day of both of their lives…

The officer was sure enough that he saw him. He even looked away and back before handing Jack over to his fellow subordinates and headed for the remaining youth cautiously.

Good Jack shakes…he had never been in trouble before, not once. This man must be here for Jack. He looks around for Robo-Jack, but he is gone…ran off to hide most likely. With a call he would be back surely. Smiling weakly he advises himself that this is an officer of the law.

“Hello officer!” He quirks, waving fiercely. “Lovely day?” He quickly approaches the officer almost hopping as he walks. “Is it sunny outside? I haven’t been out to see.”
Good Jack stops just before the officer with his hands on his hips. When the man says not a word, the teen scratches his head questioningly.

“Sir? Is something the matter?” He asks innocently with the utmost concern.

The officer stares wide eyed. “M-Mam. Is this kid yours too? I recall you saying you had only one.”

Jack’s mother peers past the officers…at her ‘son’. He must be, not only does he look just like Jack-but he is Jack. She can feel it with all that makes her a mother and the bond that her and her son ultimately share.

“Officer…this…can’t be my child. I only have one…”

The officer goes to grab the boy, but her voice picks up again.

“…but he reminds me of my Jack…he looks just like him…feels like him…”

Not only does he look like Jack…but the boy has the same innocent look she remembers her boy having when he was still small enough to be tucked in. that wide smile, pleasing manner and shinning eyes…it makes her heart sink just a notch.

The officer looks to the boy in custody; Pale with red hair and eyes…strange markings below the eyes. He looks to the one just before him smiling only a little now-transfixed on Ms. Spicer. He has the same pale skin, the same- if only faded a little through an overuse of gel color of red hair and oddly enough…the very same markings under his very similar red eyes.

He turns to the boy and reaches into his pocket for his notepad. Two lower level cops descend the staircase and stop just behind their better.

“Son…” He tries to talk as not to scare the boy. “Tell me…what is your name?” The pencil rests lightly against the notepad.

“Of course officer…anything to oblige to the laws of good-good-good, wonderful good. Oh, it’s wonderful to have some company that isn’t on America’s most wanted in here!”

Good Jack urges the officers to a table and asks them politely to sit, which only the head officer does cautiously. Without a word he claps his hands solemnly and four Jack-Bots come from nowhere with tea and cookies.

“lease help yourself.” He says with a wave of his hand. “I haven’t had company in awhile. Not since…”

Jack interrupts, trying to fight the deputies off of him. “You idiot! Damn, why I let you out of the Ying-Yang world I’ll never know…stop conversing with the enemy and help me!”

Good Jack’s eyes grow wide as he slams his hands down on either side of his face. “Jacky! How many times have I told you…” He begins to scold his other half by waving his finger. “…how inappropriate that language is! And these aren’t enemies-they’re police officers. Mother always told us that we should listen to police officers. They are here to help you.” With a huff he takes a seat next to the officer and begins pouring tea.

“You idiotic goodie-goodie! Help me!”

“Mother? So you are Ms. Spicer’s son!” The officer questions loudly looking to a confused and shaking Ms. Spicer.

“Yes.” The boy admits truthfully. “I’m Jack.” Slowly he takes a sip of his tea and reaches for a cookie.
The officer just stares at the boy…feeling a bit insane himself…

“This tea is quite lovely…” Good Jack says to himself out loud, breaking the thought.

…

He looks down at the semi cracked cup…back when they were still living at home the cup never had a crack-but it does now. Everything seems to have a crack here and there nowadays.

There is a ruffling that catches his attention. Fast enough to be nothing caused by wind and accompanied by a soft humming…must be Jack. Setting his cup down on a nearby rock Good Jack approaches the beginning of the clearing and waits. Sure enough out from the bushes like a daisy through the snow comes Jack…tumbling out but in a popping sort of way.

“Oh Jack! I’m so glad your home! I’ve been so lonely!” He cries trying to give his counterpart a welcome back hug.

He is routinely brushed off and walked past. Jack determinedly enters the cave, takes a left and then a right…walks straight and feels for the trap door. Knocking three times he is relieved to feel the wall slide over and allow him to slide inside to his new lair. This time he took no chances of security…he wouldn’t be discovered quite so easily again.

Briskly taking a stroll directly to his mini-fridge Jack proceeds to pull from its scarce contents the last pudding cup. He takes his usual seat on a bean bag chair and opening the container begins to slowly eat. The entrance slowly opens and Jack hears the soft footsteps of his other half walking towards him.

“I told you not to go outside.” Jack mumbles after swallowing hard. “We need to stay as low as possible…that’s why I put this new lair underground…and deep in a secret cave in the middle of an uncharted wood.” He stops to snicker at his own genius. “You can’t wait the whole time for me, its dangerous.”

Good Jack stops behind him and peers down softly. He places his hand on Jack’s shoulder.

“Is she…okay? How is everything….back…at the-”

“-everything’s great.” Jack mumbles. Briefly, he looks up towards his counterpart out of the very last bit of corner of his eye.

He briskly brushes Good Jack’s hand away.

“She’s fine-says she worries about me…said to tell you hi.”

He takes a small gulp of his precious pudding cup as he tries to ignore Good Jack‘s beaming smile.

Why they needed lighting-Jack never figured…his counterpart could light a city by himself.

“You must be famished!” Good Jack cheers pulling his other self from the bean-chair and dragging him to a carved wooden chair. “Sit down and let me make you some tea and freshly gathered honey!”

Jack raises his eyebrow suspiciously. “Freshly gathered honey?”

Good Jack pauses as he pulls the tea from a wooden box. Slowly he lowers his head and then proceeds to place the leaves in a small pot with some bottled water.

“Jack you…”

“I didn’t get it.” Good Jack defends calmly. Turning his head briefly he almost whispers. “Robo-Jack, that dear brought it for me before he stepped out…”

Jack raises an eyebrow. “Brought it to you? The only thing that ungrateful bot ever did for me was steal my room and eat my cookies! Where is he?”

Good Jack simply states he does not know as he lights a small pile of wood with some spark stones. Jack leans back in his chair…which in fact was carved out of a fallen tree by his robot. He scratches his chin…thinking of Kimiko.

“Jack? I’m not silly am I?” He asks.

Good Jack looks over to his counterpart. “Of course not, Jack!” He smiles.

“Do you think…” From under his coat, Jack produces the Monkey staff. “…this is a bad habit?”

“I was awfully surprised you did not use the staff to return back home, Jacky.” Good Jack Admits. “You do, um-use the staff a lot. Addiction is classified by something that affects your life and well being…does it hurt you?” He asks suddenly, full of concern.

Jack watches quietly as his counterpart gently sets the tea down on the fold out table. He never liked tea…but even if it is just water with a few leaves in it, then it’s still better than just water.

Kimiko asked him to visit her again tomorrow. What she wants is a mystery, but talking to someone other than his current company (a goodie-goodie and an ungrateful robot) is good.

Especially if it’s Kimiko.

------------------

Disclaimer: I do not own these charcters or this show.