You Called, I Answered (Salvatore Shield)

0.03: Clearance

The next morning, Hope shows up at the docks for a sparring match with Dr. Saltzman, as promised.

Josie and Lizzie are walking from the schoolyard to the front entrance and catch sight of the girl with their father, clearly holding herself back in his favor.
They stop in their tracks, mesmerized by the ease of her movements.

Lizzie sighs as she crosses her arms, "She's a pain in the ass, but I have to admit, she's strong."

"Yeah, no kidding. I mean...look at her..."

Lizzie raises an eyebrow at her sister, but she doesn't get the chance to comment on her sudden drooling as MG approaches the two of them, "Good morning! How are my favorite gemini twins doing on this fine day?"

Lizzie rolls her eyes, "We're the only gemini twins, MG. And we're just observing."

MG follows their gazes, pointed toward the docks, "Who's the new girl?"

MG wasn't yet enrolled at the school when Hope attended, so he's never met her.

Josie never tears her eyes away from the docks, "Hope Mikaelson, the most powerful supernatural in the world."

MG stares for a moment, "Hot one, too. Even from up here."

Lizzie elbows him harshly, shooting him a glare.

"What? She is." He shrugs his shoulders in defense.

Lizzie scoffs at him, but she doesn't necessarily disagree, "Free period's almost over. We should probably head to class," MG nods at her and the two turn around to go toward the front entrance of the school, "Josie, you coming?"

Josie finally breaks out of her trance, turning to look toward her sister and friend, "Uh, no...I'll catch up in a minute."

Lizzie gives her a weird look, but doesn't say anything else as she turns again to go to her class with MG.

Josie turns back toward the docks, and begins to make her way through the trees and toward the two.

As she nears them, she sees Hope knock her dad off balance, with him falling until his back hits the dock, and Hope aiming the end of the sparring stick toward his throat to pin him in place.

She can see the smirk on Hope's lips as she brags playfully, "And you're dead...again."

He groans and chuckles at her, "No one likes a bragger."

She continues to wear her smirk as she moves her sparring stick to the side and reaches a hand out to help him up, "No one likes a sore loser either."

He allows her to pull his body up and to his feet.
He opens his mouth to comment, but they both hear footsteps and suddenly turn in the direction of the sound to see Josie approaching the dock.

"Hi sweetheart, what are you doing out here? Don't you have class with your sister?"

Josie hesitates before responding, "It's free period right now. I still have a few minutes before warning bell."

Alaric's phone dings, and he pulls it from his pocket, looking over the screen, "It's your mother. I should really get back to the office."

He turns to Hope, who gives him a reassuring nod, "You go ahead. I'll clean up here."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I've got some stuff to do at the Shield Complex too, so if you need me, that's where I'll be."

"Thank you," He approaches Josie and leaves a quick kiss to her temple, "Don't be late for class, okay?"

She nods to him, and he makes his way up to the school, leaving Josie and Hope on the dock.