Just Another Job

"Not My Problem"

"Cobalt, just calm down," Jo advised me, exasperation evident in her voice. She was wearing a pair of my jeans and  one of my undershirts since she had shredded her clothes when she shifted. 

"Calm down?" I spluttered, raising my head from my hands to stare at her. I was wearing cargo shorts and a black t shirt under my leather jacket. 

"It's a pureblood thing. We can change into any animal within our species. I'm a cat, I can shift into different kinds of cats." She shrugged like it was no big deal. 

"This is crazy. I've never heard of this," I said, lowering my head back into my hands. "Have you always been able to do that?" 

"Yes. But we have more important things to think about right now." 

"She's right," Jasper interjected, stepping up to us. Ian sulked to the side, being tended to by Cassie. The fiery little cat had insisted on fixing up his broken wrist, though Jasper hadn't been pleased about it at all. Ian had worn a smug grin when the decision had been made, but after a few minutes of Cassie's interrogation about his life, his grin disappeared. 

"I'm sorry to say it," Jasper said sincerely. "But I don't think I can help you, Jo." His black eyes were concerned as he looked down at her. "Whoever is after you must have people watching all airports, and I just can't risk that with Cassie." His mouth was pressed into a tight line, telling me how he truly did want to help, but there was nothing he could do.

"I understand," Jo assured him. "Don't worry, I'll figure something out." She looked over at me for reassurance, but I was stubbornly mute. This was not happening to me. I wasn't going to be the one stuck with this. 

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" I asked, looking up and meeting Jasper's eyes. He hesitated, but nodded and stepped aside, allowing me to pass. I led him into the forest, only stopping when I was sure we were out of earshot of the others. 

"I'm not taking her," I told him emphatically. "I'm not watching over her anymore." 

"Why not?" Jasper asked, confused. 

I ran both hands through my hair. Jasper still thought of me as the innocent little brother he had left behind. I wasn't that person anymore. I killed people for a living, for god's sake! I didn't have to do this. I was a bad guy, not a good guy. It wasn't expected of me to keep Jo safe. 

"Because it's not my responsibility!" I turned back to face him. "I'm not a good guy, Jasper. I'm a mercenary, I kill people. I don't do 'good'." 

If Jasper was shocked by my statement, his face didn't show it. "So you're saying that what you've done for the girl already wasn't good? I don't know all of the details, but you obviously are somewhat concerned about her if you're contacting me to help you." 

"I'm saying that I've done enough. I've done way more than enough. Why should I be the one stuck with this responsibility?" 

Jasper sighed. "You hooked up with her, didn't you?" 

"Well.....yeah. But if I would have known things would turn out like this, then I wouldn't have!" 

"What do you want me to do?" Jasper asked, holding up his hands, palms up.

"I want you to take her," I said bluntly. 

Jasper estimated me with calculating eyes. "No," he finally said. 

"What?" 

"I said no," Jasper calmly repeated. 

My muscles quivered with anger. "Damnit Jasper!" I drove my fist into a nearby tree, wincing at the audible crack. "Why the hell not? Is this payback for before?"