Just Another Job

Lucky

So I had a mental block for a title for this chapter, obviously. Why not, I've had a mental block on everything else lately, why not the title too? I intended for this chapter to be longer, but I needed to put something out, so I'll write the other half later. Sorry about the delay, and I hope you like it! 

I woke up in the morning with Jo pressed tightly up against me. The cold air nipped at my back, but my front was warm with Jo's body heat. Reluctantly, I moved away and stood up. The fire had died in the night, and Ian was nowhere to be seen. 

I leaned over to the wood pile and chucked in a few pieces, stirring up the hot coals until the flames caught the dry wood. I heard Jo sit up behind me. 

"Good morning," I called over my shoulder, laying two more pieces of wood onto the flames. I turned to see her yawning and stretching her arms over her head. 

"Morning," she greeted sleepily. Her hair was tousled and tangled, but she was spared the smudged makeup, because she wore none. Okay, even in my obviously infatuated mind, she didn't look all that great. I was about to tell her my thoughts when Ian ambled into sight. He stopped and looked at both of us. 

"I have returned," he announced, spreading his arms wide. 

"We were so worried," Jo retorted. 

"Quiet, bitch," he instructed, holding up a finger. "Jo, whatever," he corrected himself when he saw my glare. "I know you missed me. You don't have to pretend otherwise for Cobalt's sake." 

"Ian, I missed you like I miss a headache. You're completely unwelcome and serve absolutely no purpose other than to make me nauseous." 

I was busying myself with cooking the morning meat, anything to make me look uninvolved. It was one of those scenarios when picking a side would result in my immediate and certain death from the other person. My best friend and my sleeping partner were fighting. Could it get any more impossible? 

"Oh, very clever, Miss Preston. God, you have no idea how much I want to wipe that smug grin off your face." 

"If I have to listen to your stupidity much longer, you can believe that the smile will disappear." 

Ian growled and took two steps forward, but stopped himself before he reached Jo. "It's your lucky day, bitch. I don't beat up girls, even if they are smart-ass slut mutants." 

Jo's gaze turned dark with anger when he spoke, but her voice was calm and regulated when she said, "Meaning that you're afraid, because you know I could beat your ass into the ground." 

I took the meat off of the fire, studying it closely and pretending to be uninvolved. "Hey guys, food is done," I offered tentatively. 

"Ha! I'd like to see you try," Ian scoffed at Jo. "You may have mutant blood, but I've got these!" He rolled up his sleeves and flexed his impressive biceps. He looked down at Jo, smirking. "Stop drooling, you'll make Cobalt jealous." 

"Fine. Come at me, give it your best shot," Jo challenged, standing up. 

Ian dropped his arms. "Not a fair fight, mutant bitch, and you know it." 

"I'll even the playing field," Jo said, not backing down. Ian took a step closer, and they were nose to nose. 

"Hey guys, bacon!" I said cheerily, waving the meat around in front  of their faces in a vain attempt to distract them. Neither batted an eye. 

"Here, I'll give you a fair shot," Jo said, taking a step back. She dropped down to her hands and knees. 

"What the hell? No, this is not what I meant!" Ian protested. "I'm not gonna fight a tiger or a lion or something. No way."