Shattered (Sequel to Shadowfax)

The Hard Choices

              Jade had what the other members of her team affectionately referred to as "Mama-Bear Syndrome." Having inherited a fierce protective streak from her mother, Jade was inclined to shred through anyone she deemed a threat to her make-shift family with the temperament of a pissed-off grizzly bear. Usually, this was a problem for only the bad guys, as they were the ones getting red-eyed in the face. However, on the rare occasion they condemned themselves along with their attackers, Sphinx and Nutsy were subject to one of Jade's scathing tongue lashings. Jax had never experienced one such lecture before. His luck had just run out.

"What if he had killed you?!" Jade's screech had made new headway in the destruction of the sound barrier. She jabbed a thumb over her shoulder towards Sphinx. "Or Sphinx, for that matter?"

"Sphinx was safe the whole time, J." Jax had reverted to childhood nicknames, hoping for a sympathy pass. "I would never let Silas lay a finger on her."

"But you'll let him whale on you until you look like Bruce body-slammed you."

"Au contraire, sister. Here I stand before you, my battle scars only contributing to my roguish features."

"Yeah, the bruises on your chin really bring out the puffiness around your eyes," Jade commented drily. "And Sphinx didn't get off as Scott-free as you'd both have me believe. You think I don't hear your little squeaks whenever you do anything grander than sneezing?"

Sphinx blanched as Jade's pointed glare shot over to her. Her mouth opened in protest, then snapped shut as she thought better of it. 'Don't make any sudden movements,' Jax mouthed over Jade's shoulder. As if sensing it, Jade whirled around, finger jabbing him in the chest.

"I'm serious. What if Silas hadn't been alone? What if Sphinx hadn't caught you in time? There are a thousand things that could have gone wrong!"

"Oh yeah?" Jax was rallying behind his own irritation, and fired back with swift and practiced precision. "You're gonna sit there and lecture me about safety after the stunt you pulled? Your stunt with the Human Torch-ette didn't go unnoticed. You're not invulnerable, despite what you seem to think."

"Don't turn this on me," Jade snarled. "What I did was different—"

"Like hell, was it different," Jax hissed, "You let your history with Abby cloud your judgement, and rushed her, same as me. Next time, save the lecture, hypocrite."

The discussion was over. Jax pinioned on his heel, and, noticing Sphinx's wince when he grabbed her hand, scooped her up in his arms instead and carried her out—much to the shock of everyone. Before he completely disappeared through the doorway, he added over his shoulder: "By the way, Sphinx and I are dating. 'Night, team."

With a resigned sigh, Jade sank down onto the couch, head in her hands. Wanda, previously observing at a safe distance from the corner, plopped down beside her and rubbed slow circles on her back. "He didn't mean it."

"Yes, he did," Jade mumbled. "He was right, too. Anyone wanna add to me

deartháir's insightful appraisal of my character?"

Before Loki could open his mouth and say anything he would later regret, Scott Lang came racing into the room at a speed that almost had him slamming face-first into a wall. Nutsy was fast on his heels (they seemed awfully attached to one another) though he hit the brakes with a tad more finesse. He brandished a crumpled piece of silvery paper in his hand. Jade felt apprehension twist a knot in her stomach. She wordlessly accepted the paper as Scott passed it over. The hungry eyes of a wolf glared up at her.