Magenta on the prowl.

[jla_extras]

Dark Angel gave her an image, something to look for, and what to do with it

Comments

[fleet_feet]

Wally has to blink a few times.

"You... you kept that?"

[jessequick]

"It's NOT here. I know it was. It's not now. DAMN it," she says as much to herself as to Wally, then she stops and looks at him. "Well...um..."

Blush.

[fleet_feet]

He just reaches out to wrap his arms around her again.

"Dammit, when'd you get so sweet?" he whispers, feeling even worse now about what's happened.

[jessequick]

Jesse shakes her head, looking away from his rather intent gaze. "I'm not, West. I'm sort of counter to sweet. Sweet is Sue Dibny or... I don't know. Someone else. Not me."

[fleet_feet]

He just kisses her forehead.

"Shut up, sweetness."

[jessequick]

"I'll tell you what's sweet is you being here and not being all pissed about our date. I'll make that up to you sometime." Jesse kisses Wally's jawline before adding, "I'm going to have to find somewhere else to live now. Damn it. I liked it here."

[fleet_feet]

"If I was all pissed about our date instead of the fact that you've just had your home invaded, you'd have to dump me on the spot."

His arms tighten around her as he sighs.

"This is awful."

[jessequick]

But having him here helps more than he might ever know, and she is recovering herself in a steady way. Jesse hates being off-kilter. "Well, it sucks, yes. The implications are what really suck. But the pictures are mostly okay - just need new frames - and the rest is just stuff I can replace. It could have been worse. I just don't know who would have been so pissed at me that would know where to find me. And who'd take that...

"...."

"Wally, you don't think IVY did this, do you?"

[fleet_feet]

He stiffens a bit at that thought.

"Yes, in fact, I do. But I think Ivy's responsible for everything that's wrong with humanity right now, so I'm hardly an objective opinion."

A glance back to the mantle.

"Did anyone actually know what that crown was from?"

[jessequick]

"Plaz, maybe. That's about it. It makes no sense. The thing's around here somewhere. WHY would someone steal it? Unless it was so..."

Jesse's head cocks toward Wally. "It's the only thing I really have that's about you and me. The one picture of us together is a Titans deal. This was personal. But they'd have to know what happened to know to take it, right?"

Now she feels nervous.

[fleet_feet]

Unpleasant thought.

"I'm sure it was just some asshole, thought he'd be funny. You get those kinds of jerks all the time - bust into someone's home, start wearing their clothing while they break stuff, run off cackling to tell their friends about it and beef up their 'ain't I crazy' reputation..."

How would they know what happened? How could they know what that even was?

[jessequick]

"You're right. I'm just making way more out of this than needs to be made." The sigh she releases is titanic, especially for her. "So, um...can I stay at your place tonight?"

[fleet_feet]

"I was going to insist on it, yeah."

The cops should get here soon. Philly cops are good, right?

His arms tighten even more around her.

Poor girl.

[jessequick]

The cops, yes. And the building management. And probably a few heroes in civilian clothing, hopefully including Ralph.

As she stands in Wally's arms, enjoying the embrace and his strength and warmth so close by, she looks past him at the shelf.

No, the crown's definitely gone. Someone knew to take it. Someone knows about her relationship with Wally.

What the HELL?