"I take another shot, need the Novocaine,
Wish it would numb my heart, way it numbs my brain."
- FLETCHER
The sand crumbled beneath the pressure of paws as three dogs run wild, heading straight for the ocean. Zeus, Blue and Logan happily barking and chasing a soggy tennis ball that was almost torn to shreds. The sun was slowly setting on the continent, warm orange and yellow hues burning in the sky, the last speckles of warmth being carried by a gentle breeze powered forward by mild waves.
Alex and her mother were walking side by side along the shore, smiling at the dogs ahead of them. For Pam, she was studing the profile of her daughter; Alex was clearly more relaxed now that she knew Cody was safe, and for one of the few times she's able to say that she has her own daughter under her roof.
Screaming behind the two caught their attention and both turned to find Tobin recording as Cody and Jack hoisted a flailing Jeri in their arms as they clumsily took off in the direction of the sea.
"Put me down! This is betrayal! I thought I was your favorite!" Jeri screamed as she kicked the air. The sound only drowned out by the laughter erupting from the childhood friends. The dogs eventually came to her rescue, or so it seemed, as they barked up at Jack and Cody's victim, only to jog behind the two, urging them forward faster.
"You all suck!" Was all that was heard before the splash of impact. The dogs all jumping in beside the soaked aunt, splashing her even more. She audibly grumbled as she stood to her feet, with the help of Blue as Zeus shook out his coat.
"Sorry, Jer. I'm her favorite," Jack winked before throwing an arm over Cody's shoulder and guiding her back to Alex's.
By their second day in Orlando, news had spread within their circle that Rachel had left Jack and the adults had already noticed the subtle changes in the blonde. Despite Cody's efforts at helping her best friend, and trying to keep her happy, it was clear that the emotional toll was catching up with the Dash player.
Which is why Tobin had taken it upon herself to invite some of their fellow pros to Florida, with a specific person in mind, while Alex and Jeri taught Cody and Jack to surf. In theory it was easy to teach the two, but in a practical, real-world scenario, it was an absolute mess. Eventually the two had to be seperated in order to actually learn.
They didn't have a lot of time to spend together while in Orlando, knowing that the Olympic rosters were to be announced as early as next week. Cody was under no illusion - she knew she wasn't going. Not when she's just getting back to full fitness after such a serious injury. There are far more logical options for a spot on the roster, and while the younger Morgan wanted to compete at the Olympics, she also wouldn't feel right going in this situation - others simply deserved it more than she did.
For now.
"That's it, you're getting it!" Alex cheered from beside her daughter as Cody finally managed to ride a wave, before eventually falling backwards into the ocean, but re-emerged with a grin on her face. Alex helped Cody up onto her own board before they went again.
Slightly further down the shore, Jack and Jeri were sitting on their own respective boards. "—Cody told me when she got there that Rachel was already gone." Jack muttered bitterly while watching her best friend.
"Wow," Jeri muttered. "I'm sorry, Jack."
"Yeah. It's whatever."
Jeri sighed, softly shaking her head. The blonde beside her was a lot like Cody. "No. It's not. You deserved better than that. Is that why Cody's been extra attentive?"
Furrowing her brows, Jack tilts her head in silent question. "I guess. I don't know what I'd do without her."
"Probably not throw people in the ocean," The older woman mumbled, but the laughter from the blonde indicated that she heard loud and clear. "Look, I know that Cody worries about you. You're important to her. But you're important to everyone else too, okay? So, if you ever need anyone to talk to, you have my number."
Nodding, Jack smiles. "I do. Saved under 'That Crazy Lady'."
The two eventually got back to their task - surfing, but Jack was happy that Cody's craziest relative was someone that she could go to and know that she would be a mature adult for that. It was nice to see a different side to Jeri, even if it was reserved for Jack - Cody had enough mature adults around her.
In airports across America, several USA athletes were waiting to board planes heading to Orlando. It was something akin to a small, all female, Heath organized army. All with one purpose, one mission - Get To Florida.
"I need more coffee," A freckled face human squirrel grumbles, lifting her head from her friend's shoulder.
"You just had coffee," Christen points out, her eyes focused on the screen of her phone.
"I know. Now I need more." Kelley glares at her teammate. "What is so urgent that we need to make it to Orlando by tomorrow?"
"I don't know," A-Rod yawns, handing the two their own starbucks cups, nodding as she's sent smiles of thanks.
"They don't look upset or anything," Kelley mumbles, pointing at Christen's screen which was scrolling through different IG's. Mainly the Morgan mother and daughter duo and Jack's.
"Well, we'll find out soon." Amy shrugs. "It's not like Tobin to assemble the troops for nothing."
A/N - writers block is a bitch. Hoping to get this finished before the end of the year.
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