overtime | clark & martin

forty-two.

"Okay listen up everyone," Sydney Colson says as they gather in the locker room. It was their last practice before they would fly to Indiana for their first game of the season. Jessica was sitting on the floor in her practice uniform.

"Tomorrow we're playing in the most important game in young Jessica Williams's life," Sydney says and Jessica's brows quirk at the words, "If Jessica calls for us to assemble on the court, we assemble on that court. If they come for her we come right back. If she wants to throw hands we throw hands right behind her. We're not gonna let Indiana punk us out."

"I mean we've never let Indiana punk us out," Kelsey says as she looks around the locker room and everyone nods along.

"I'm just saying, if Clark wants to get scrappy, we can too."

Jessica laughs, "That's not going to happen. This is going to be a peaceful basketball match. We're going to go in there, get our first win of the season, and come home. A good ole business trip."

"Seriously?" A'ja asks, "I mean you're not feeling the slightest bit messy? It's okay if you do we love a little messiness over here."

"Yeah," Alysha nods her head in agreement, "A little trash-talking."

"A nice shove in the back," Sydney says, "Maybe stick your foot out as she runs by."

Jessica smiles, but shakes her head, "I will not be doing any of those things. But it's good to know that you guys have my back. It means a lot."

"Well duh," Kelsey says, "You're our baby Ace."

"Our Rookie of the Year," A'ja says before frowning at Jessica, "And possibly my competition for MVP. I don't know how I feel about that yet."

"All I know is the Liberty better be fucking ready 'cause they're not beating us this year," Kelsey says.

"Let's win a championship, ladies," Alysha says with a coy shrug.

"I mean I'll have to check my schedule but that seems fun," Kate says, and everyone laughs.

Jessica looks at Jackie who is sitting quietly at her locker just listening to everyone and Jessica smiles as she gets off the floor and goes over to Jackie's locker, sitting beside her. Jackie side-eyes Jessica with a smile.

"What do you want?" Jackie asks.

"So everyone adopts a rookie and Kate was adopted by A'ja and Kelsey last season so you have to adopt me, no takebacks. I'm social you're not we balance each other out, also I need you to help me destroy the Fever tomorrow."

"You're already going to do that," Jackie says.

"I am but I need to tap into my inner Jackie Young," Jessica says, "I need to be the Silent Assassin."

"But you like to talk shit," Jackie says.

"I have to limit it tomorrow. They're gonna be watching me. I'm the villain, Caitlin's the hero if I go in there shit-talking, I'm basically confirming the narrative," Jessica says, "I don't want to be the villain."

"You know you're not," Jackie tells her.

"I know," Jessica says, "But I want to quiet everything once and for all. And that at least starts with this game."

"Well, you're going to have to do something that's impossible for you," Jackie says.

"Yeah?" Jessica asks.

Jackie smiles, "You're gonna have to shut the fuck up for once."

Jessica laughs, "That is impossible."