The Legion of the Killjoys

Plague

{Ashley's POV}

     Andy still felt extremely weak, and still slept on and off. At the moment, he was sleeping. I occupied the space beside him, holding his hand tightly and humming in his ear. I stopped when he stirred a bit, with a soft groan coming from his lips. "Hey, sweetheart," I said, running my fingers through his messy hair. 

     "Hi, Ashley." He replied, his throat still kind of hoarse and dry. 

     "Do you want some more water?" I asked. He nodded, rubbing his throat. I reached over and grabbed the glass of water Jet had brought in earlier, placing it at his lips and allowing him to take a few sips. When he was done, he sighed and thanked me.

        "Ashley...we need to talk about this," he suddenly responded after a moment of silence. 

     "What is there to talk about?" I asked, nonchalantly. Truth be told, I didn't want to talk about any of this. I knew we had major problems with the new events. I just wanted to figure out how to solve it and get it solved without too much hassle. I also didn't want to think about the possibility that I could lose Andy, ever again. 

     "Ash, you know what I'm talking about. Please, this could be really dangerous. What if I...go back to him? What if I hurt you guys?! What if I'm the reason the Killjoys die before completing their mission, and this whole world gets taken over by Better Living, or worse, F.E.A.R?!" He asked. 

     "Andy, honey, you're psyching yourself out! You know we're not going to let that happen. Please, stop worrying about it." I argued. 

     "We should be worrying about it a lot, Ashley! F.E.A.R is alive, and here, and he is trying to win me back again, and you're not worried?! I am terrified! I...I don't want to hurt you guys, or work for F.E.A.R, or...or die!" He looked up into my eyes, and I stared into his tear-stained, widened blue ones. "I don't want any of that, Ash," he repeated. 

     I sighed and wrapped by arms around him, rocking him back and forth and shushing him gently. "I know. I know, baby, of course I don't want that either. Listen to me, I promise you, we will get through this alive and well, all of us. OK? Just, trust me." I felt him nod against my shoulder, and pulled back, smiling and pressing my lips to his. He kissed back, a small smile spreading across his lips when he pulled away. 

     "I want food." he deadpanned, giving me a miniature pout. 

     I laughed so hard I teared up. "Alright, let's go get you food." 

     The two of us went out into the main room, where everyone, save for Party and Ghoul, was sitting and talking to each other. Jinxx looked up, saw us and gave us a smile. "Hey, Ash. Hey, Andy! How're you feeling?" he asked. 

     "Fine. Really hungry." Andy replied. 

     "We don't have a lot. The war with BL/IND took most of our resources from us. There's some small stuff in the fridge that Chimp stole from Battery City a few weeks ago," Jet explained. 

     I took Andy to the fridge and peered inside. There was a small box of apples, a carton of orange juice, some small packages of carrots and celery, some packs of string cheese, a pack of eggs, and a few different flavors of yogurt. Andy took some yogurt, and some orange juice, closing the fridge before going to sit down in the booths with the others. I followed, grabbing two apples and shoving one into Andy's hands, knowing he needed something a little more solid as well. 

     "Where are Party and Ghoul?" I wondered. 

     "They're out on patrol. Should be back in a few minutes, then Kobra and I are taking over after lunch," Jet replied. We all sat, having our own conversations, when I heard distant yelling from outside.