I Hate That I Love You (JeffxJane)

Assassins AU 4

(Jeff's POV)

"Is everything alright?" Jade jumps at the sound of my voice and staggers to stand upright.

"Yes, I am fully functional. Did you need anything? The doctor advised that you rest, I do believe standing up will hindrance your recovery." I find it odd that she was not in her usual straight and confident posture. I shrug and non chalantly puts my hands behind my head.

"We passed out 'cause of gas Jade, that's it. We'll be fine, when morning comes we should be allowed to leave." I says half-heartedly, acting as if death hadn't knocked on my door a few hours ago.

"But why are are you not inside recharging your energy?" She asks.

"I wanted to know what happened on your side."

"He came." She quietly states.

"Who? Was it Zalgo?" The question immediately erupting from my lips

"What did he do? He didn't hurt you did he?" A question led to another and I grip her shoulders tightly without even realizing. She shakes her head, as I bite my lip in frustration. I attempted to speak but decided against it; and instead gesturing her to elaborate.

"Zalgo only took the flash drive and left. I couldn't protect it." I can't help but give a look of disbelief. "No, he wouldn't be satisfied with just leaving. There had to be more than that." I pry, certain that she was withholding information from me.

"None." She repeats with an uncomfortable shuffling of her hands that were still behind her back.

"Did you just lie to me?" If she ended up betraying us, I'd be the one that gets rid of her.

My gaze pierces through her effectively searching for any signs of guilt. My actions seemed to have paralized her body from any movement of sorts. I hear her breath hitch when the proximity reached a personal barrier.

"Let me tell you something Jade, throughout my life I had met all kinds of people; it comes with the job. Murderers, rapists, scammers, etc. and thankfully they are what meets the sharp end of my knife.

They do all sorts of despicable acts, but what I really despise, is being betrayed by the people I trust.

Don't make me regret sparing you." It only occured to me that it sounded like a threat right after I say it. Rather than apologizing I dismissed the whole conversation.

"I'm going back inside. You should as well."

She agrees and bids me good night. I go back inside, but she doesn't follow.

After the whole incident, we had to go back to the drawing board and make a new plan.

That is, if only Jade had arrived already.

"She's normally punctual, where could she have gone?" Ben asks aloud.

"No idea. She seemed out of it when we returned home, wouldn't even face my general direction. Even told me she'll follow soon instead of going here together. It's like she's avoiding me." I say bitterly. Maybe I took it too far.

"What did you do? Another irrational argument from being overprotective?" He faces me skeptic, presuming that I would deny it. Basically saying "Don't think I never noticed."

"So what if I did?"

"Look man, I realize that your brother's death anniversary is drawing near. Is it starting to mess with your mind a little?"

"....."

"Was it too much to ask?"

"What do you think?"

"I-" he starts. "Don't answer that."

"Why are you so protective? You, more than anyone else should know that she's perfectly capable of handling herself. What are you so afraid of?" I stop and contemplate whether or not I should tell him the truth. He pleads by placing his hand on my shoulder. "Come on, you know I'll listen. What're brothers for?" He reinforces the idea. I sigh at the vulnerability I'm going to show.

"Someone important to me died because of my carelessness. I don't want to go through that again."

"Nobody would.... still, maybe you should tell Jade." He suggests, leaving me bewildered.

"Why would I?"

"She deserves to know after you basically threatened her not to betray you." He heard?

"Slender did the same thing! How come I have no right to do it?" I reason as my arms cross.

"Let's see. You practically forced her to join us for an unknown reason, you made Slender accept her despite her questionnable background, and you've always defended her everytime someone doubts her loyalty.

And let's not forget, you declared to Slender that if she were to go AWOL you'd be the one that finishes her off. These should all be clear actions that indicate how much you actually trust her. Then all of a sudden you backtrack by doubting her abilities and your trust? She needs an explanatìon, she deserves that much."

"You're delusional." I look away.

"If I am, then why have you been thinking that the reason she's not here yet is because of your exchange yesterday?" Ben said, with a smug smile.

"Fucking get out of my head, you creep. I swear, its like you invented a mind reading chip and implanted it in yourself."

"Language, Jeffrey." I roll my eyes at his nagging.

"Whatever Ben, you aren't my dad."

"He's not. But I am."

"Slender? Why are you here?" We both ask, as he enters; blacksuit and all.

"I'm disbanding your team and assigning you on a different mission."

"But-"

"Your lack in progress has led me to decide that perhaps you are fit for a different task. Sit down and I'll inform you of your new assignment." His voice was stern and kept low of his growing impatience and anger.

I stand anyways and head for the door. "And where are you going?"

"Shouldn't we wait for Jade?" I glance back.

"Sit down Woods." He dismisses, something was off. I could feel it.

"But she's-"

"Gone."

"What do you mean? She's just a little late." Ben retorts, still sitting on his chair.

Slender sighs and throws an envelope on the table. "It's a letter of resignation."

"No..... she wouldn't!" I exclaim in denial.

"Go ahead and see for yourself." He nudges the envelope closer to us but I simply pushed it back.

"I refuse to believe it." I stand my ground but Slender merely ignored me and proceeded to perform his own agenda.

"Here's the new mission, find Jade and eradicate her as promised."

"But were not even sure if she-"

"You're both dismissed." And he leaves, just like that.

I sit back down, my hands hide my face in frustration. After taking a deep breath I speak once again, my voice muffled.

"What are we gonna do Ben? I can't kill her!"

"Firstly, we should find out what made her leave. And no, it's probably not because of the argument you had last night. Jade isn't the impulsive type, she wouldn't quit because of one petty quarrel." Ben spoke rationally.

"She was definitely hiding something though. Remember we found it odd that Zalgo only came after the flash drive?"

"Definitely. If there was any better time to take Jade back or even kill her. That would've been the best opportunity they had, and they didn't do anything."

"Unless they wanted something else from her."