Not On Mode < Jaime Reyes >

-| Chapter Eight |-

I awoke to a small pounding in my head, it seemed to disappear with each passing second. When my eyes adjust to the light of the room I sit up, looking around at my surrounding trying to remember where I am.

My eyes soon land on Jaime who is fast asleep in the medical bed in front of me with his arm outstretched. There was something different, a silver pattern trailed his skin. Maybe this was a side effect of us being stuck together.

Sitting on the side of the bed I notice I have the same markings but they're blue. What is going on? What do these markings even mean?

You will find out in due time, Winter Dorris. You and the Jaime Reyes are connected just like the Blue scarab and me.

"Connected how?" I ask aloud bringing a hand to my head. Khaji wasn't making any sense.

I cannot say, that is something you will figure out on your own.

"Well, that's helpful!" I yell out in frustration accidentally causing Jaime to stir.

He sits up and notices the same markings. I'm assuming he gets the same answers as me because he says the same things I do. There's a small pause and he glances at me. I watch him closely as he draws back the blankets and sits on the side of the bed, there was nothing but sleep in his eyes. He must still be tired.

Planting my feet on the ground, I shiver at the sudden coldness. Walking forward I open the door and walk out, finding my to giant opening in the mountain. This is where we came in. Nightwing and a few other heroes were there like Miss Martian and Superboy. Walking over to them I ask, "Can I go home now? My dad is probably worried sick about me."

"Yeah, I can take you home." Nightwing replies as he steps away from his monitor, "I want to talk to you about something anyways."

I follow Nightwing to the zeta tube and he types something in. We step through and we're teleported to the zeta tube in El Paso. As we walk Nightwing asks, "Would you like a piggyback ride or something, that must be hurting your feet?"

"It's alright, it doesn't hurt." I replied giving him a reassuring smile.

We pass a few more houses and he says, "We don't know a whole lot about the scarabs just that they're of Reach origin. Blue joined the team to help like everyone else and there is always room for more. You two obviously have some sort of connection and I was curious if you'd like a spot on the team."

I was completely taken aback by this, it stopped me in my tracks. I didn't even think I could qualify for something as seemingly sophisticated as the team. "The only fight I've been in was with black beetle and I still don't know how I managed to get out of that one. I don't even really know how to fight or use the beetle armor, it's just been as a defense mechanism."

"You should have seen Jaime, his armor was literally fighting with him." He tells me, a small chuckle escapes his lips.

Realization started to sink its nasty teeth. I tell him, "I can't be a superhero. I have a little sister to take care of."

After my statement we continue to walk, reaching my house a few minutes later. He says handing me a card, "Well if you ever change your mind."

I take the card and a small smile escapes my lips. Don't get me wrong, I want to be a superhero and help people but....I have a family. I make my way up the stairs and open the door to find my dad sitting there on the couch, tears were streaming down his face when he saw me. He flew off the couch and pulled me into a hug. I hug him back and bury my face into his chest. My father was a sense of normalcy I wanted to keep.

"Winnie where were you? Your sister said you left and a boy named Jaime came over." He says as pulls away from me. "Did he hurt you?"

"Dad I'm fine, he didn't do anything to me." I reply debating whether or not I should tell my dad about this whole mess. I remember the Khaji's warning about not telling anyone but people already know but then again their superheroes so it's different. "But I do need to talk to you.."

I motion for him to sit on the couch and I say, "So you remember that night I went to the hospital a few days ago?"

He nods, "Yes but what does-."

"Well, I went to the spot we use to go to with mom and I found a woman with silver armor on like Blue Beetle's. She was dying and she gave her scarab to me." I lift up my shirt and show him the silver beetle that's attached to my spine. "It's got an artificial intelligence called Khaji, it's kind of like my jiminy cricket."

My father continues to stay quiet so I continue on with what I'm saying, "I guess I have a connection to the blue beetle but I'm still trying to figure this whole thing out. That's where I was last night. Our scarabs had to talk or something it was very weird and confusing."

"I don't know what to say, novia. This is just all so much.." My Dad replies putting his head in his hands. Maybe I shouldn't have laid all this on him all at once. I'm not even sure I can bring myself to tell him about the Reach and Black Beetle and them kidnapping me from school. Maybe I should keep that between me and the young justice team.

"There isn't much to say, papá. It's weird and crazy but it's still me. Nothing can change that." I sit next to him and grab his hand as he removed it from his face.

He gives my hand a small squeeze and asks, "Does Deana know?"

"No, she doesn't." I tell him, "And it's going to stay that way. She can't find out about my scarab, she'll think I'm a superhero."

Dad looks at me and quickly asks. "Are you a superhero?"

"No...I'm not...I can't be one. I have to many responsibilities to you and to Deana to be a superhero." I remove my hand from his and pat his shoulder softly. Getting up from the couch I make my way into the kitchen and grab a soda from the refrigerator.

Opening it I take a couple of sips before setting it down on the counter. "I called the school and said you were sick and took a day off of work. I wanted to be here in case you came home."

"Dad, I know it's your job to worry about me but I'm gonna be okay." I tell him trying to ease him of any future worry. I know that's going to be impossible because of the whole Reach part but I sure can try.

He gets off the couch and walks over to me, picking up my arm he asks, "And what is this?"

"I'm guessing part of my connection to the blue beetle." I reply pulling my arm away from him. "Dad I'm gonna...go for a walk. Clear my head. A lot happened these past few days."

My dad lets out a small sigh but doesn't say anything, I'm guessing he could tell how strung out I was. I needed a break, I needed peace and quiet.

So I changed and threw my hair up into a pony before heading out the door. Making my way back to my stargazing spot. Back to the spot where I first found the silver beetle.

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Spanish Translation :

novia - sweetheart

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Edited.