Them. | The Final Installment of the Him Series | Joe Jonas Fanfiction

Thirty.

"Y'know, you guys pushing me to the side is really getting on my nerves."

"Stella," I sigh, turning to face her, Londyn taking the gym bag out to the car. "It's not that we don't want you with us. It's not that I don't want you to help anymore. I just want you safe and the best way to keep you safe is to keep you out of the rest of this as much as possible. I don't want you physically involved."

"Addie," she sighs. "I want to help. I don't care that it's not the safest thing ever. I know that it's dangerous. It's been dangerous the entire time-"

"But now it's getting to be confrontation time. Something you never experienced a lot when we were involved. I was always the one David brought to those things. You were kept home. You don't have a lot of experience with this part and honestly, I don't want to have to worry about you while trying to finish this."

She gives me a look. "So then what am I doing here?"

"You being here, means you're safe. If Jason knows we're gaining on him, you're in danger. If you're here, I know you're good."

She rolls her eyes. "This is so annoying. We're adults and somehow I'm still your little sister that isn't allowed to do anything."

I roll my eyes at her dramatics, holding her hand. "I love you so much and I just want to make sure you're safe until this is all over. Kay?"

She sighs, nodding. "Okay, I'll sit here and-"

"Begin formulating a plan. That can be your job. The next most important part."

She shrugs. "Okay."

"We'll be back in a bit," I tell her, winking before leaving the house, ready to take on another training day with Londyn.

Catching up on new combat training techniques has been a lot, if I'm being honest. I'm not used to being physical like this anymore, so trying to catch up on the past almost ten years of missing out has been insane. Granted, do I think I'm going to have to use any of this? Probably not. But I'd rather be safe than sorry. Especially when the goal is to get home to the girls. The fact that it's already been two weeks since Londyn returned, and I'm not home yet is already bothersome enough. But she wouldn't let us move forward until we did this training. I get it. She wants me to make it home.

"You said today's the last session before we can zone in on a plan right?" I ask, climbing into the car.

"Yes, Addie, today's the last session," she tells me, giving me a look. "I know you're eager to get back to them. They want you back too. But I'm trying to make sure you're prepared."

I nod. "I know that. I just don't like that they aren't protected, and we haven't' even started on a plan yet."

She nods. "I understand. I promise, today is the last session. We can start on the plan tonight if you'd like."

"Stella's already brainstorming. It's the job I gave for her today since she's so angry about not being included."

"Well, I get where she's coming from. She went from helping you every day to me and you running off to train while leaving her at home. It's got to be frustrating."

"I just want her to be safe."

"I know that. I think she does too."

I nod, sighing. "Let's just get today over with."

She laughs lightly, nodding.

After finishing the last day, my body aches and I'm tired as hell, but more grateful that it's over, ready to start forming a plan to finally take Jason down and get home to the girls and Joe. Five weeks since I've talked to them and their little voices are still echoing in my head on a loop. Willa asking me to come home being the majority of what repeats. I want to be with them more than anything. I need to be there.