Tempest

Eleven

[inter spem et metum / between hope and fear]

If it was one thing Tessa loved about her mother, it was her ability to be understanding of nearly everything. So when Tessa and her friends headed into the house and piled around the kitchen table with Capri-Suns and Doritos as they recounted their quest, all her mother did was smile sympathetically.

"You five must have had one big day." She nodded. "You're free to stay here as long as you like."

"Thank you, Ms. Brennan," Mark said, stifling a yawn. "Would we be able to freshen up too?"

"Of course!" Ms. Brennan exclaimed. "You all do whatever you need to do. Let me know if you need anything." She glanced back to Tessa, and a sadness filled her eyes.

Tessa bit her lip. "You guys go on upstairs, I'll be up in a bit." 

Her friends glanced at Tessa and her mother before getting the message. They got up from their seats and headed down the hall, climbing the stairs to find the guest rooms and bathroom.

"Tessa, I've been so worried," Tessa's mother said at last. Her voice sounded fragile, like it was on the verge of breaking. "I know that staying at camp is the only way to keep you safe, but after three years, I didn't know what to think." She pressed a fist up to her lips to keep from crying.

Tessa took a deep breath and managed a weak smile. "Mom, I'm fine," she said, reaching across the table to cover her mother's hand with her own. "You don't have to worry."

Except for the fact that I'm about to face my worst fear and possibly die, but no biggie. Tessa forced the thought away from her mind.

Tessa's mom blinked away her tears. "I know, I know." She laughed weakly. "But I'm your mother, worrying comes with the territory."

Tessa actually managed a laugh. She leaned back in her chair, a proud smirk lacing her lips. "If I can take down a Hydra single-handedly outside Union Station in under five minutes, you don't have anything to worry about."

Even as confident as Tessa was, her mother was able to see through it. She gave Tessa a knowing look, a mischievous look in her hazel eyes.

Tessa's smirk melted. "Alright, I had help from my friends."

Another look.

"Alright, without them I wouldn't have been able to destroy it for good."

"That's better." Tessa's mom smiled. She looked up at the ceiling, and back at Tessa. "They seem like wonderful kids, dear."

Tessa opened her mouth to concur but from upstairs, the shower began to run and judging from the sound of Mark yelling in Ancient Greek, it was either too hot or too cold. She burst into laughter, running a hand through her hair.

"Wonderful friends, but slightly inept at things from time to time. I should go help Mark before he complains about it later," She stood from her seat, crossing over to her mother's side. She leant down and wrapped her mother in a tight embrace. "Thank you, mom."

"Anytime, Tessa, that's what I'm here for." She pulled away and smiled.

Tessa smiled back, although it felt like anticipation of something going horribly wrong had embodied itself and was breathing down her neck. Images of what the fire at camp had showed her at camp rushed to her mind. She forced the images away, leaving the table and heading upstairs. This was a grace period, and her petty fears were not going to destroy that.