You Called, I Answered (Salvatore Shield)

1.02 | Cargo

Hope doesn't even get two minutes down the road before she senses another presence with her.

She furrows her eyebrows at the slightest sound, almost a shuffling coming from behind her.

She pulls over, getting out of the car and walking to the trunk.

When she opens it up, her body deflates, and she punches the bridge of her nose in frustration, mumbling under her breath, "Fuck."

"I can explain," Josie holds her hand up in defense.

"Great, you can explain while I drive you back to the Complex."

"Okay...Or...You can let me stay with you.."

"Not a chance. What the hell were you thinking?"

Josie mumbles, "That you wouldn't figure it out until we were further down the road..."

Hope deadpans at the girl for a moment, "Get out of the trunk."

Josie sighs, doing as she's told, while also persuading the Tribrid, "Why can't I just come with you?"

"Josie—"

"I can keep you company on the road. I even brought a bag with some equipment, so I can help you monitor our scanners for any more geomagnetic surges—"

"You can monitor from your office at the Complex," Hope opens the car door for Josie to get in, and Josie visibly deflates, though she does adhere to Hope's signal to get in.

When Hope gets into the driver's seat, Josie continues her attempt to convince the girl, "Come on, a nearly 20 hour drive will be boring without anyone to keep you company."

"I can talk to Vision."

When Josie seems to be struck with discouragement, Hope sighs softly.

"Josie, I have no idea what I'm about to walk into, or what threats I may have to face... And your parents would kill me if I let you do field work—"

"Then I'll stay on the sidelines. You have to admit that having my help with the tech stuff would be more efficient for you." She raises an eyebrow at the Tribrid, who doesn't look at her as she contemplates that.

It's true. It would be a lot easier if she didn't have to handle operations, communications, and tech.

Hope sighs, feeling conflicted by the whole situation, "A part of me thinks this is a really bad idea."

"Okay, well can I talk to the other part?"
Hope pinches the bridge of her nose.
"Come on, just say yes. Please?"

After another moment, Hope relents reluctantly, "Call your parents. Let them know you're with me."

Josie beams with excitement, settling back against her seat and buckling her seatbelt as Hope puts the car in drive.

Hope tells Vision to update Roman as well.

Eventually Josie gets off the phone with her parents, sighing as she puts her phone down with a sarcastic remark, "That went well."

Hope raises an eyebrow, "What did you expect? You essentially snuck out to go on a field assignment against their orders. I wasn't even supposed to tell you about the mission, let alone involve you in the operations."

"Why did you?...Tell me, I mean?"

Hope glances over to the girl briefly, sensing the real question behind her words, "Professional reasons, not personal...I just thought you deserved to know why I've had you studying the geometric readings and power surges in New Mexico...Why did you come?"