"Please, Eko, just go out there and support me," Jesse whined, hands clasped together as if she were in the middle of a dramatic plea. "Tell Matthew to behave and not to say anything to Toni. Then we can all have a nice, romantic evening. Just the four of us."

"Matthew's going to kill you, and I bet he's already texted Toni," Eko replied, shaking her head as she smoothed her hair back into place.

Jesse's whining grew more desperate. "Ek'sssssss...."

"Fine," Eko sighed, relenting. "I'll support you, but this is so not my problem."

With a burst of frustration, Eko spun on her heel and marched back toward their table, Jesse trailing behind her. The two men at the table immediately noticed their return, and an awkward tension settled over them.

As Eko and Jesse slid into their seats, Jackson took a too-loud gulp of his drink and turned to Eko. "Did you fix your hair? I didn't know it was broken."

"What?" Eko's eyebrows knitted together in a glare, making Jackson instantly wish he could be anywhere else. He couldn't really help that he was, well, Jackson.

Under the table, Jesse's hand shot out, smacking Eko hard on the thigh. The slap landed with an audible sound, thanks to Eko's mostly bare leg. "Haha, you're so funny, Jackson," Jesse laughed, her voice tight, as she stomped on Eko's foot beneath the table. The table wobbled slightly from the movement before it fell still again.

The group fell into an uncomfortable silence, each of them painfully aware of the tension. Matthew, more than anyone, silently willed the waiter to return and take their drink orders, anything to cut through the awkwardness.

"So, Jackson?" Jesse piped up, her voice overly cheerful. "What's it like on the administrative side of things? Must be demanding with all the workload, right?" She forced a smile, determined to salvage the evening, even as Eko shot daggers at her with her eyes.

Jackson smoothed a hand over his hair. "Not really, I just handle whatever needs to be done. Some days are pretty demanding with the long hours. The migraines are next level with all the screen time," he said, attempting to flex his muscles, though it was pointless since he wore a dress shirt that did little to show them off. "And on top of that, I do some technician work, but I won't bore you with the details."

Jesse nodded, forcing a smile to keep the conversation alive. Her mind scrambled to find another topic, anything to break the tension that hung over them like a cloud. Matthew and Eko's bewildered stares didn't help her nerves.

Jackson's eyes brightened as he continued, clearly more comfortable talking about his work. "I just feel like my talents aren't fully utilized, you know? But we all have to start somewhere. Allegiant needs people in administration and tech roles, and that's where I fit in right now. I'm committed to helping Allegiant reach its goals."

The silence that followed was almost deafening. Jesse glanced nervously at Eko, then at Matthew, who sat across the table with a look of utter judgment. Jesse knew that look well and the man who was practically her brother, was clearly questioning her choice in men.

What the hell did Jackson mean, exactly?  "Allegiant's goals?" Eko asked, her voice taking on a sharp edge, as if this were a job interview. "Could you elaborate on what you mean by that?"

Jackson scratched the back of his head, his confidence wavering. "I just want to be the best soldier I can be," he replied, his answer generic and lacking substance. Eko's estimation of him dropped another notch.

"So, Jackson," Eko said, leaning forward slightly, placing her elbows on the table and lacing her fingers over the menu, "why don't you tell me more about yourself?" Her tone was polite but probing, as if she were digging for something more substantial. She seemed oblivious to the fact that Matthew, barely containing his amusement, was already on his phone, texting Toni updates about the disaster of an evening they were enduring.

Jackson pursed his lips and tilted his head, searching for a response. "I'm a soldier, ranked twelve. I graduated in the same class as Jesse and Matthew here." He glanced at Matthew, who had momentarily pulled his attention away from his phone, looking mildly surprised. "I work in administration instead of being on the front lines, and I'm also a technician for the academy, handling mechanical upkeep and stuff." He paused, still thinking. "Oh, and I like that triad game all the kids are playing these days."

"Now that's a fun game," Eko chimed in, shooting a sly look at Matthew. A wicked smile spread across Matthew's lips as he met her gaze.

"I'm up for a round right now," Matthew nodded towards the exit, mischief sparkling in his eyes.

"No," Jesse interjected, pointing a finger at both of them, her voice firm. "There is a time and place for that. Do not move an inch, either of you!"

"For what, snookums?" Jackson asked, completely oblivious to the tension under the surface. "Maybe we could all play together?"

Eko clamped a hand over her mouth, struggling not to burst into laughter. She glanced at Matthew, who looked utterly mortified. She couldn't decide if it was Jackson's use of the nickname "snookums" for Jesse or the not-so-subtle sexual innuendo that had caused his reaction.

"I need a drink," Matthew muttered, snatching the menu from the table. He glanced around the restaurant, raising his hand in an attempt to get the waiter's attention. The evening had spiraled into a train wreck of awkwardness, and at that moment, he wondered if it could possibly get any worse than this.

Matthew's device pinged again, and he glanced down to see a message from Toni, who was in hysterics over the fact that Jesse was still continuing her date with Jackson. They now had a bet that Jesse was only doing this to prove she could pick decent guys to date, rather than the usual jerks she found attractive, and so far, it was failing spectacularly.

At least they were talking, Matthew thought wryly as he quickly texted Toni back, telling him to get down to the restaurant and save him. Matthew had zero desire to sit through another minute of this disaster. Jesse and Eko could stay and deal with Jackson's obliviousness, but he was checking out.

Just as he hit send, the waiter finally approached, and Matthew didn't waste a second. "I'll have something strong, please," he ordered, his tone dripping with frustration. He proceeded to order drinks for the rest of the table, ensuring there would be enough alcohol to blur this evening into a forgettable haze.

Meanwhile, Jackson, still blissfully unaware of the tension, continued his line of questioning with Eko and Jesse. "So, is this triad game something we all play together, or is it more of a one-on-one thing?"

Eko couldn't hold back her laughter any longer and let out a loud snort. "Oh, Jackson, you really have no idea."

Jackson's brows furrowed in confusion. "I don't get it," he said, looking genuinely puzzled.

Jesse shot Eko a warning glare, but Eko just shrugged, still amused by the whole situation.

"Okay, is there anything else you enjoy?" Eko asked, trying to keep the conversation alive despite her growing doubts. She could hear Matthew still talking with the waiter, and she silently hoped he wasn't ordering any alcohol; otherwise, she was definitely going to slap him later.

Jackson nodded, perhaps a little too eagerly. "Oh, definitely. I love gardening. There's something really calming about it, you know?"

"Gardening?" Eko repeated, momentarily forgetting about Matthew's ordering. She looked at Jesse, trying to mask her surprise. "Jesse, did you know... uh, that?"

Jesse hesitated before forcing a smile. "Uh, yeah, Jackson mentioned it. He's really into it."

Matthew, having finally finished placing the order, turned his attention back to the conversation. Almost immediately, he regretted it. Jackson had moved on to talking about his love for books, movies, and—God help them—long walks on the beach.

Who the fuck was this guy? Long walks on the beach? Matthew thought incredulously. His disbelief was palpable. He quickly took Eko's hand, bringing it to his lips, biting gently to keep himself from blurting out what he really wanted to say.

Eko turned her head to him, recognizing his habit of restraining himself when he was on the verge of saying something unfiltered. She smirked, a twinkle of amusement in her eyes, appreciating the effort he was making to maintain control.

Matthew's frustration was evident as he endured Jackson's monologue. A headache was beginning to throb at his temples. "Books, movies, and long walks on the beach," he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Eko to hear.

Eko stifled a laugh, nudging him slightly with her elbow. "Don't do it," she whispered back, though her smile betrayed her own amusement at the situation.

Matthew exhaled deeply, trying to find some humor in the situation. "So, Jackson," he said, forcing a smile, "do you also enjoy candlelit dinners and writing poetry in your spare time?"

"Matthew!" Jesse snapped, her voice sharp with annoyance. She found his comment utterly insulting, but what she hadn't expected was Jackson's response. The man lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Actually, I do enjoy writing a bit of poetry," Jackson said earnestly.

Matthew's jaw dropped slightly, and Eko had to stifle a giggle. This guy was unbelievable.

Jesse, always the optimist and determined to prove that her choice in Jackson wasn't a colossal mistake, ignored Matthew's reaction and encouraged Jackson to open up more.

While Jesse tried to help Jackson reveal more about himself, Eko's view of him soured. He wasn't giving them anything substantial, just vague generalities. Was he hiding something? Or was he just... boring?

She didn't think there was such a thing as a boring soldier at Allegiant. The soldier's life was fast and utterly dangerous, glamorous in a way that appeased her sense of adventure. It was a stark contrast to her stifling, privileged life that everyone had wanted her contained to prior to her life right now. Right now, the man next to her encouraged her adventures, wanted her to see more of the world, and wanted to take her places with him so he could experience it all with her.

Jackson, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. He was just like every other dull, polished prep-school prince she had ever met.

"So ah, tell us, what kind of books and movies?" Jesse asked with genuine interest. Her shoulders hunched together in anticipation. She hoped he liked the gory, blood-pounding, violent movies, the ones that were cult classics, in a so-bad-it's-good sort of way. The kind that Toni and she could binge-watch after a really shitty day. 

"You know, the usual," Jackson replied casually, taking a sip of his water.

Jesse managed to frown and smile at the same time, a bizarre expression that didn't quite fit her face.

Jackson seemed to ponder Eko's question for a moment, his expression growing serious as if he were considering the weight of the inquiry. He leaned back slightly in his chair, clasping his hands together on the table.

"Well," Jackson began, his voice steady, "in five years, I see myself having moved up in the ranks at Allegiant."

He paused, casting a glance at Jesse, as if looking for some silent sign of approval before continuing.

Matthew, now thoroughly bored, leaned closer to Eko and whispered, "This guy is like watching paint dry."

Eko stifled a laugh, nudging Matthew gently with her elbow. "Be nice," she whispered back, though the amusement was clear in her eyes.

Completely oblivious to the undercurrent of tension, Jackson carried on. "I think there's a lot of untapped potential in the technical side of our work. It's not just about the front lines, you know?"

"Eko?" Jesse's eyes sharpened as she locked onto Eko, her eyebrows arching in a silent challenge. Her hand hovered over Eko's thigh, ready to give a warning slap if Eko kept interrogating Jackson. Eko's relentless questioning was threatening to ruin any chance of a connection between Jesse and the man sitting beside her, turning what was supposed to be a pleasant date into an awkward and uncomfortable spectacle.

Realizing the need to shift the tone, Jesse decided to turn the tables on Eko, determined to give her a taste of her own medicine. Leaning forward with a sly smile, she prepared to stir the pot.

"So, Mattie, how was your day? I heard Clara talking about your little breakfast this morning," Jesse said, her eyes narrowing at Matthew, who was just turning back to the waiter.

"Mattie?" Jackson repeated with a grin, clearly amused.

Matthew's gaze snapped back to Jackson, his expression darkening. "Jesse's pet name," he clarified sharply, wanting to shut down any notion of anyone else using the nickname that never failed to irritate him.

"Right, of course, sir," Jackson said, nodding quickly as he tried to recover from the awkwardness. "I've heard some of the fan club mention it... uh, I mean," he stumbled, glancing at Eko and realizing his mistake, "I mean, nevermind, your girlfriend and all."

Eko raised an eyebrow at Jackson's flustered attempt to dig himself out of the awkward situation. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, enjoying the spectacle despite herself.

Jesse, however, wasn't about to let the moment slip by. Sensing an opportunity, she seized control of the conversation. "So, Matthew, about Clara...?" she pressed, her tone laced with curiosity and mischief.

"For fuck's sake," Matthew muttered under his breath. He really did not want to get dragged into this mess. Toni would be here in an hour; he could deal with this nonsense then. After that, he would take Eko back to the hotel room he'd just booked and try to forget about this entire disaster of a day.

"Clara was annoying," Matthew said, his eyes narrowing at Jesse, "but I had to stop psycho here from losing her mind over it. Other than that, Jessica, my day was fine."

"She learned her place," Eko chimed in with a confident air, raising her chin in a smug, know-it-all manner. Despite her own jealous tendencies when it came to Matthew, she didn't show a hint of it now. Eko believed the other girls needed to be put in their place and made it clear that Matthew was off-limits to anyone who dared to even eye-fuck him in her presence.

Eko had issued stern warnings to some of the girls in the bathroom early on in their relationship, making it clear they were not to address him with anything other than "Headmaster." Breathing heavily in his direction or touching him in any way was entirely out of the question. She'd pinned one girl against the wall to make sure the message was understood, and most of the fan girls had quickly gotten the point and backed off.

Gracie and her clique, however, had required a bit more convincing. One night at Hassel's, a single knock to the ground while they were drinking was all it took for the rest of the fan club to keep their distance.

"Could you elaborate on that?" Jesse asked, mimicking Eko's confident tone, trying to keep the playful banter alive.

Matthew shot Eko a pleading glance, his eyes slightly widening. It was the kind of look that clearly said, "If you just leave them alone, she'll leave me alone, and I want to be left alone. This is none of my business. Please do not make this my business."

Eko could read the message in his stare as clear as day. Not that anyone needed special powers to figure that out—Matthew's expression said it all.

Before anyone could respond, the waiter returned with their drinks, placing them on the table. As the waiter set down Matthew's drink, Eko quickly grabbed it and pulled it toward her.

"No way, nah uh!" she said firmly.

"What?" Matthew looked at her, clearly annoyed and confused. "Seriously, Eko, you can't cut me off right now?"

"Babes, no!" Eko scolded him, turning to the waiter. "Lemon, lime, and bitters, got it?" The waiter nodded, quickly scribbling down the revised order on his iPad before hurrying off.

"So, you, uh, don't let him drink?" Jackson's voice broke the momentary silence, drawing Eko's attention. She looked at him, confused by his question. "I'm not saying it's about control or anything," Jackson quickly added, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. "I was just curious."

"I don't keep him on a leash," Eko retorted defensively, her eyes narrowing. "You wouldn't understand." There was no way she was going to let anyone criticize her for keeping an eye on Matthew's drinking, not when his heart condition was at stake.

The tension thickened, making the air around them almost suffocating. "Let's order," Jesse snapped, cutting through the silence. The waiter stood awkwardly, eyeing the four of them nervously. "I'm starving."

Matthew exhaled, picking up the menu. "The usual, babe?" he asked, looking up at the waiter. Eko nodded, casually taking a sip from her own glass of wine.

Jackson's voice cut through again. "Oh, so it's both ways?" he said, lifting his own wine glass and studying them over the rim. "You're both overly co-dependent on each other? I see the dynamics here."

Matthew and Eko both turned to stare at Jackson, their eyebrows raised in perfect unison. They then shifted their attention to Jesse, whose mouth had fallen open in shock. She knew how close Matthew and Eko were, but hearing Jackson say it out loud framed it in a way that made her uncomfortable.

Matthew's expression hardened, his earlier amusement evaporating. "Excuse me?" he said, his tone icy. "What exactly are you implying, Jackson?"

Jackson shrugged, apparently unaware of the hostility emanating from Matthew. "Nothing, really. Just... observations, I guess. I mean, it's like you two can't make a decision without each other. I was taught that was co-dependency or something."

He took a drink of water, "just an intriguing facet about you both."

Matthew and Eko both turned to stare at Jackson, their eyebrows raised in perfect unison. Then they shifted their gaze to Jesse, who was staring at Jackson with her mouth slightly open in shock. 

Jackson blinked, momentarily startled by their stunned reactions. He opened his mouth, perhaps to backtrack, but Jesse quickly intervened, sensing the need to defuse the situation before things got out of hand. The waiter, catching the vibe, stepped forward, trying to fill the silence.

"Shall we order?" the waiter asked, his voice breaking the tense atmosphere.

"Great idea!" Jesse said, her tone overly bright as she seized on the distraction.

"Do you want to share the Glade's Swordfish and the Pier Salmon?" Matthew said curtly, his attention snapping back to the menu as if Jackson's comment had been nothing more than background noise.

"Add the truffle chips as well," Eko added with a sweet smile, trying to mask her irritation. "Extra tartare, please. Oh, and let's get some oysters. Who doesn't love oysters, right? And seriously, we need to order one of every dessert on this menu." she pointed at the selections available. 

The waiter nodded, scribbling down their orders as fast as he could, clearly eager to get away from the tense table.

Matthew leaned back in his chair, his expression still icy, as if he was trying to distance himself from the conversation and the absurdity unfolding around him. Eko, sensing his tension, placed a calming hand on his arm. Jesse, ever the optimist in awkward situations, forced another bright smile, desperately trying to salvage the mood.

Jackson, seemingly oblivious to the tension, blurted out, "Hey, Matthew, what do sea monsters eat?"

Matthew blinked, trying to comprehend the sudden shift. Sea monsters? What the fuck is this kid, five? Why was he asking what sea monsters ate?

"Fish and SHIPS!" Jackson exclaimed, laughing at his own joke, completely oblivious to the increasing tension around the table.

Jesse let out a giggle, but it sounded strained, like she was choking on it. Internally, she cringed at how terrible the joke was, but she did her best to keep the atmosphere from sliding further into discomfort. It was a bad joke, no doubt, and no amount of forced laughter could make it any better.

"I'll get a tequila sunrise," Jesse said to the waiter, her voice overly enthusiastic. Something sweet, pretty, and alcoholic would hopefully perk her up and help salvage this awkward evening.

"I guess I'll have a tequila sunset, then," Jackson added, attempting to continue the light-hearted banter with a grin.

"That's actually a real drink, did you know?" Eko responded, her voice teetering between amusement and disbelief. It was hard to tell if she was genuinely surprised or just playing along to avoid making things worse.

Matthew sighed inwardly, watching the exchange. He had a sinking feeling that this dinner was going to be painfully long and awkward, filled with more bad jokes and uncomfortable silences, how the fuck did he get into this situation. 

***** ******

As the hour dragged on, Jesse realized that their dinner had gone from bad to worse. With Toni suddenly showing up, the awkwardness only increased. If it hadn't been for the subtle jokes Toni and Matthew exchanged under their breath, Jesse was sure they would have been trapped in that restaurant even longer.

Now that they were finally out of the restaurant, Eko had pulled both of the "childish idiots," as she called them, off to whatever they were doing next. This left Jesse alone, linked arm-in-arm with Jackson, who seemed blissfully unaware of the tension that had permeated their evening.

They walked slowly along the stretch leading to the ocean, heading toward the carnival. Jesse's feet moved on autopilot, guiding them toward the familiar sight of the cotton candy stand. The scent of sugar and the distant sounds of carnival games floated through the air, providing a welcome distraction from the evening's events.

While Jackson's sense of humor occasionally veered into the awkward 'dad joke' category, his jokes, while well-meaning, often fell flat in the face of their more dynamic personalities.

And then there was Toni, who didn't make things any easier with his relentless interrogation. What was his deal with making fun of Jackson's dad jokes? Sure, they weren't great, but Toni's constant jabs felt unnecessary.

As they neared the cotton candy stand, Jesse abruptly stopped. Something clicked in her mind, a realization that made her pause. Dad jokes? Who tells dad jokes other than actual dads?

Jackson wasn't a dad... was he?

She turned to him, eyes narrowing slightly. "Jackson, can I ask you something?" she began, trying to keep her tone casual.

"Sure, anything," he replied, looking slightly puzzled by her sudden change in demeanor.

"You don't have any kids, do you?" she asked, half-joking but with a hint of genuine curiosity.

Jackson laughed, a bit nervously. "No, no kids. Why do you ask?"

Jesse shrugged, trying to play it off. "Just curious. You've got a real knack for dad jokes, that's all."

He grinned, seemingly relieved. "Well, you know, it's just a part of who I am." He paused, then added, "Mind if I ask you something?"

"Sure?" Jesse nodded, turning her attention to the cotton candy vendor. She quickly made her purchase, tearing off a piece of the fluffy pink treat and popping it into her mouth as they resumed their stroll along the pier.

"Do you think he would notice me if I did something drastic?" Jackson blurted out, his voice tinged with frustration and a hint of resentment.

Jesse turned to him, confusion and concern flashing across her face. "What?"

Jackson's eyes lingered on her face for a moment before drifting back to the carnival lights in the distance. "I just want to understand people. Especially people like Matthew. He's... fascinating, you know?" His voice softened, his expression almost dreamy. "All of you crystal warriors are fascinating."

Before Jesse could react, Jackson stepped forward so quickly that she barely registered the movement. There was a sudden sharp pain, a throbbing sensation in her side, and her breath hitched in shock.

Jackson's eyes widened in what looked like excitement. "Do you think this will provoke a reaction?" he asked, his voice almost detached, as if he were observing a science experiment.

"I want a reaction from him."

Jesse's hands trembled as she looked down to see a dagger lodged in her stomach. Blood seeped around the blade, staining her shirt a dark crimson. Her gaze snapped back up to Jackson, her mouth opening and closing as she tried to form words. "I—I don't understand..."

"What the fuck!" A scream pierced the air, shattering the surreal moment. Jackson glanced around, his eyes darting to the onlookers who had begun screaming and pointing at him. Glee flashed across his face.

Out of nowhere, a figure hurtled toward him. Jesse, her vision beginning to blur, recognized the shape of Aiden just before he slammed into Jackson, his fist connecting with Jackson's face in a solid blow. Jackson tumbled to the ground, the knife slipping from his hand, as Aiden stood over him, fists clenched, rage radiating off him like heat.

Jesse swayed on her feet, her hand pressed against the wound, trying desperately to stop the bleeding. Her knees buckled, and she crumpled to the ground, her cotton candy tumbling beside her, forgotten in a fluffy pink heap.

Chaos erupted around her as soldiers pounced on Jackson, pinning him to the ground while Aiden rushed to her side. He wrapped his arm around her, keeping her upright, his eyes frantically assessing the situation. Jesse's trembling fingers hovered over the dagger embedded in her stomach. She knew that pulling it out would trigger her healing powers, revealing the truth about her abilities to everyone around. But if she left it in, she could bleed out before they reached safety.

"Jesse, look at me!" Aiden's voice cut through the fog of pain. He grabbed her face, forcing her to meet his eyes. She could see the fear in his expression, his eyes wide with worry. "Stay with me, okay? Just stay with me. You're going into shock."

Before Jesse could respond, the noise of the crowd around them intensified. Screams and gasps filled the air. Jesse turned her head weakly, trying to see what had caused the commotion. Her vision swam, but she caught sight of Jackson. He was laughing, a hideous, maniacal sound that sent chills down her spine, even as he lay pinned beneath the soldiers.

Jesse clutched at Aiden, trying to steady herself, when something flickered at the edge of her vision. A mask of swirling magic appeared, shimmering in the air like a veil being pulled aside. Her breath hitched in her throat, panic clawing its way up her spine. She knew that magic. 

From the center of the magical storm, Xero stepped out, his grin wide and menacing.

"Play time's over children."