By the time they returned to the mansion the sun was out and Gemma had been fighting sleep the entire car ride. After everything that happened almost felt like she didn't deserve rest, not when half of her security staff was in the hospital. 

The moment that they stepped into the house they were practically ambushed by Jenny and the entire Reyes family. The news could be heard on the TV but it was difficult to make out anything that was being said over everyone asking multiple questions at once. 

"Callense!" Mrs. Reyes exclaimed, she wasn't necessarily yelling but the tone in her voice was enough to make everyone go silent. "Give them some room."

Everyone listened as they took a couple of steps back, away from Gemma and Jaime who couldn't help but feel a little relieved. As much as she appreciated their concern she had also felt overwhelmed by all of the questions. 

"Qué te pasó?" Mrs. Reyes questioned as she looked at Gemma with horror and concern. 

Gemma looked down at her blood stained clothes and realized that she probably looked like she had come right from the set of a horror movie. "It's not my blood."

"Come sit down." Nana urged taking her hand and building her down the hall into the living rooms. 

But the moment that they were all seated everyone started talking over each other asking questions. Gemma shared a brief glance at Jaime who looked apologetic not at all surprised by how eager his family was to get answers. They were all clearly worried which Gemma understood, but she was also eager to get started on working towards understanding why it had happened.

When everyone slowly ceased asking questions that was when Gemma and Jaime both began filling them into what had happened. They obviously omitted anything having to do with the conversation that they had before the attack, the last thing that they needed was more questions that neither of them had the answers too. 

"So what were you two doing out in the middle of the night anyway?" Milagros suddenly asked and Gemma couldn't help but hope that the ground would just open up and swallow her whole. She should have expected Milagros to have asked the question that the others were avoiding, but thankfully before she could even think of coming up with an answer that doorbell rang. 

"I'll get that." Javier stated as he stood up and walked down the hallway. 

"Tom." Gemma said as she stood up surprised to see him. 

"Gemma." He said looking relieved as he pulled her into a tight hug, She hadn't expected him to come, though it really shouldn't have been a surprise. He was one of her closest friends after all. But there were so many things on her mind that Thomas hadn't even crossed her mind. "I was so worried."

"Sorry I should have called you." She replied feeling a little guilty that he hadn't even crossed her mind. 

"Can we talk in private?" Tom questioned as he looked around the room making no attempt to disguise his annoyance. 

"Sure." Gemma said as she followed Tom to the backyard. The glass windows didn't offer much privacy and she knew that everyone was probably watching them. 

She could only assume that he wanted to talk about something confidential and that he didn't trust the Reyes enough to want to want to discuss it in front of them. They would also need to work together to find out what the intruder was after, not that it would be easy considering that the whole Ivo Tech building was now a crime scene that they didn't have access until after the police finished their investigation. 

"What are they doing here?" He asked the moment they had stepped outside. 

"They're my guests." Gemma said simply feeling that she didn't really need to give Tom a full explanation. He was one of her closest friends but she always knew that there was some tension between him and the Reyes. 

"I just don't know why you're still associating yourself with that Edge Keys trash."

His words were like a slap in the face, it was like everything that she thought she knew about Tom shattered.  "You didn't just that."

"It's the truth. You know it is." He insisted even though Gemma was hoping that he would say that it was just a terrible joke. Tom meant every word and his disgust was obvious. "You are so above them and they will never understand you. Not like I do. Things were so much better before you went back to Palmera."

"Thomas stop saying things like that." Gemma warned unable to deny the anger that she felt from his harsh and prejudiced words. She loved the Reyes regardless of what had happened between her and Jaime. They had taken her in like she was part of their family, and that was something that she would never forget.  

Thomas looked at her like her was sure she had lost her mind, when he was the one that was acting like a completely different person. "For someone as smart as you are you can be blind and naive sometimes."

"I think it's time for you to go." Gemma said firmly not wanting to hear anymore from him. When he didn't move Gemma stepped around him to walk back inside, but he suddenly got a tight hold on her arms. She attempted to pull away but his grip was like iron around her arm, before she could even ask him to let her go Tom was pulling her towards him. His lips almost painfully crashing onto hers. 

There was a moment where all she felt was shock and she froze. She didn't know if she should push him away or just let him kiss her and hope that he would realize that she didn't want it when she didn't reciprocate. But her instincts took over and she attempted to pull away from him. The quickly proved impossible because of his tight hold on her was tight. 

Suddenly Tom was being pulled away and Jaime was standing in front of her. Gemma couldn't help but feel relieved, but panic quickly took over that the realization that things could turn bad quickly. 

Jaime made an attempt to step forward but Gemma quickly reached out grabbing his arm, the last thing she wanted was for Jaime to start a fight. And from the look on his face that might have been what he intended. Luckily he seemed to understand and just stood between her and Tom. 

"You should go now." Gemma told Tom hoping that he would just do what she was asking. 

For a moment it seemed like Tom had realized his mistake, that he had done something that had ruined their friendship in only a matter of seconds. But instead of giving Gemma the space that she clearly needed he stepped forward in an attempt to reach out to her again.

Clearly Jaime had no intention of letting that happen as he blocked Tom's path again. Luckily he didn't seem to have the intention of starting a fight, but Tom seemed just as stubborn. 

"You think you intimidate me?" Tom snapped his face twisting in anger as he took a step towards Jaime, who stood his ground.

 "Hey man she told you to go."

After those words left Jaime's mouth everything happened so quickly. Tom raised his hand in a tightened fist, but Jaime was much faster as his fist made contact with Tom's face.

Gemma covered her mouth with her hand in shock as Tom fell back into the pool. Clearly Jaime had used more strength that was humanely possible, and there was a moment where she worried when Tom didn't surface. Jaime had to have realized that maybe he had gone to far as he took a step towards the pool.

In that moment Tom came up for air, immediately swimming forward and pulling himself out of the pool. He stopped looking Gemma in the eye like he was expecting her to defend him or say anything. But Gemma found that she had nothing to say, which then cause Tom to look at her with what almost looked like hatred. 

Gemma and Jaime watched in silence as Tom walked inside. She couldn't imagine how he possibly felt having to walk through the house with everyone inside after what had happened. He had to have felt humiliated, and Gemma couldn't help but feel a little humiliated too. 

She couldn't make sense of what happened. She didn't understand why Tom had kissed her, he had never shown that kind of interest in her before. Or was Tom right and she really was blind? 

"You shouldn't have done that." Gemma said once they were alone and the fact that they undoubtedly had an audience was not lost her

Jaime looked shocked as he looked over shoulder where everyone was probably looking at them from inside the house. "I should have done worse."

"I had it handled." She replied and it wasn't the fact that Jaime intervened that annoyed her, it was that way he did it. 

"He forced himself on you."

"I'm aware of that Jaime." Gemma practically snapped feeling incredible confused and still not fully processing what Tom had done. She wasn't even sure how she could ever talk to Tom again or if he would even want to. But he they had been partners for years and there were still so many unfitted projects that they had been working on together. 

Jaime sighed as he nodded though he didn't seem to agree with her at all. They had never really fought before not like this when they both clearly thought that the other was wrong. But either Jaime was just as tired as she was or he didn't actually want to fight. 

"You're right I might have overreacted a little." He admitted and considering how stubborn Jaime could be, she was surprised that he was willing to admit that he was wrong.  "Maybe I have been wanting to punch his face in for a while. And I'm sorry."

She appreciated his honesty but she also had to recognize that her reaction might have not been the best. "Look I..."

Before she could even get another word out there was a sudden red blur and she was being thrown across the yard. Gemma didn't fully register that pain from how the red blur hit her before she felt the pain of going through the glass window and inside the living room. 

She heard someone yell her name, but everything was a blur from the pain that shot through her entire body. When she opened her eyes she saw the same red blur and realized exactly what it was. It was the android that had attacked Ivo Tech only a couple of hours ago. She hadn't noticed it before but now in broad daylight the android appeared to move like a tornado, impossibly fast as she couldn't even see the android itself only the red blur. 

Sitting up instinctively she attempted to move way but luckily Blue Beetle was suddenly standing between her and the android. Jaime was holding a shield up to create a barrier from them and the red android. 

"Are you okay princesa?" Jaime asked as he looked over his shoulder to check on her. 

"I'm fine." She assured him before he flew off after the android, and suddenly she felt a pair of arms picking her up from the remains of what used to be a glass table. 

"We need to take you to the hospital." Javier declared as he carried her away towards the door, but the hospital was the last place that Gemma wanted to go too. 

"No." Gemma said immediately earning a look from Javier that told her he thought that she was crazy and probably had hit her head. She had hit her head and it was throbbing but she could still think clearly. Or at least she though that she could. "The last thing I want is for that thing to attack a hospital." 

Javier knew that she was right as he sighed before setting her down on the couch. Anyway a quick look at her arms told her that although there were a couple of cuts and scratches it was nothing that she couldn't take care of herself. 

"You sure you're okay Gemma?" Rudy asked as he moved a little closer clearly disgusted by the cuts on her arm, 

"Didn't think you cared Rudy." Gemma said attempting to lighten the mood taking in all the concerned faces. Of course she was in a terrible amount of pain, but she considered the fact that she was breathing a win. 

Rudy rolled his eyes clearly annoyed by himself and how caring about Gemma really went against everything her thought about billionaires and major corporations. "You're like the only billionaire I can even stomach looking at."

"Hey." Jenny said as she took a seat beside Gemma acting offended by Rudy's words.

"Fine one of the two billionaires I can stomach."

Knowing that there wasn't time for her to sit around and recover she attempted to stand, needing to get started on figuring out who was behind this.  Gemma's legs were shaking, not from the pain but from what she realized was fear. She always knew that she wasn't well liked in Metropolis because as much as she hated it she would always be associated with her father. She just never imagined that it would be as bad as for her to get attacked so violently. 

"I'm going to get myself cleaned up." Gemma told everyone noticing how they were all watching her carefully. Almost like they were expecting her to pass out and any second and were getting ready to catch her. 

"I'll go with you." Milagros declared quickly as she took Gemma's hand to help steady her. "Lead the way."

Although Gemma was originally looking for some time to alone to herself, she was also grateful to Milagros who clearly was looking to help. Aside from the body aches Gemma felt fine, thought that was partially due to all the adrenaline. She was sure in a couple of hours those aches would only get worse. 

"Is it bad?" Milagros questioned making no attempting to hide her disgust as she looked anywhere but the cut on Gemma's arm. 

Gemma couldn't help but find her reaction amusing as she cleaned the cut. Luckily the glass hadn't cut that deep, but her body still ached from the impact of going through a glass window and into the glass coffee table. She definitely needed a couple of hours to let her body rest but that didn't seem like a luxury she could afford. "Not bad at all."

They both fell into an unusual silence as Gemma gathered all the supplies she need from the lab and began disinfecting the cuts and scratches. Gemma could only assume that Milagros's silence was due to the fact that it had been twenty minutes already and Jaime still hadn't come back. They both had found themselves almost obsessively looking at the clock on the wall, and it really was impossible not be worried. 

"Are you okay though?" She asked stepping closer to Gemma now that she had covered up the wounds in bandages.  

"It was better than being thrown off the third tallest building in the city." 

Milagros didn't find Gemma's response the slightest bit amusing. It was rare to see Milagros this serious and suddenly Gemma knew that she hadn't been referring to the robot attack.

"You're talking about Tom."

"I always told you that I didn't like him." Milagros stated and she didn't have to elaborate on her state. Milagros was always one to speak her mind and she never kept her opinions of Tom to herself. Clearly she had seen something in Tom that Gemma had failed to notice in the years she had known him. Admittedly she was a little embarrassed that she had been so blind to who Tom was.

Apparently Tom was right about one thing. Gemma was one of the smartest people in the world but she was also incredibly naive. 

"Yes, I know." Gemma replied not sure if she was even ready to have a discussion about what had happened with Tom. Considering all the other much bigger things happening it just felt like an issue for her to deal with later. She also wasn't ready to admit to herself the kind of person that Tom was revealing himself as. 

Milagros was visibly frustrated and Gemma felt that maybe if she said the wrong word Milagros would snap. "Has Jaime told you yet?"

Gemma frowned wondering if she was referring to his little attempt of a love confession. "Told me what?"

"About what Thomas told him?" She clarified causing Gemma to become utterly confused. There must have been a ridiculous expression on Gemma's face from the way Milagros groaned in frustration. In that moment Gemma realized that Milagros had indeed snapped. "There wasn't a day that Thomas didn't tell Jaime he wasn't good enough for you. How he embarrassed you. That the best thing Jaime could do for you was to leave you. And leave it to that idiot to actually listen."

Gemma remained silent for a moment letting the words sink in. A part of her couldn't believe it, but she had just seen something ugly in Thomas that told her that Milagros was telling the truth. "And why didn't Jaime tell me this?"

"Cause he knew how important Thomas was to you." Milagros said simply as if the answer had been obvious and maybe it was.

"Well, that really doesn't change anything."

Milagros looked surprised, almost like she had expected a different reaction from Gemma. "What do you mean it doesn't change anything?"

It was impossible not to notice that Milagros was upset, Gemma couldn't blame her. After all Jaime was her brother and of course she would see things from his perspective. Milagros hadn't seen the mess Gemma was when Jaime left, whatever had lead to Jaime's decision to leave didn't change that fact. 

"The way that Jaime left... that really hurt me Milagros." Gemma replied unsure how to find the words to explain how she felt. After months of locking up her feelings and never really speaking about them it was difficult to dig them back up when all she wanted was for them to remain buried. But every second that Jaime and the rest of the Reyes remained under the same roof the more difficult that became.

"He was a mess."

"So was I."

"You were able to move on. He couldn't."

"Being alone isn't new for me. People disappointing me isn't either." Gemma replied simply, it had always been clear to her that Jaime was very different from her. To Gemma the biggest difference was that Jaime was able to grow up surrounded by family and feeling that love every second. For the most part Gemma had grown up entirely alone, the only constant in her life being Javier. And after the major disappointment her father turned out to, and now Tom it felt like Jaime was just another person that had let her down in some way. 

That was really the only way she could describe why to them it seemed she had moved on quickly. When Jaime left it felt like she couldn't live without him, but that wasn't true. She could live without Jaime Reyes. The problem was that she didn't want to live without him. But it was something that she had to do. 

"Jaime's an idiot." Milagros stated a smile on her lips clearly trying to lighten the mood. "But he's an idiot the loves you. I'm going to go check if he's come back."

Gemma sat in silence for a moment trying to process everything that happened in the span of less than 12 hours.  She couldn't help but feel a little grateful for a moment to herself. There was no doubt that she would need a couple more hours or even days to really understand the complexity of what Milagros had admitted. 

Not just what it meant regarding Jaime, but also what it revealed about Thomas. There was a part of her that wanted to find an explanation for what he had said or done, but there really was not excusing that behavior. In a matter of seconds Thomas had become a person that she didn't want to associate herself with anymore. 

Needing to get her mind off of Thomas and everything else that was going wrong, Gemma sat down in front of the computer doing the thing that needed her attention first. She needed to get the Reyes out of Metropolis, they were in danger just being around her and she would never forgive herself if anyone that she cared about got hurt.

Putting her hair up in a ponytail she began looking for the next flight to Palmera City. Just as she finished getting plane tickets for the Reyes and Javier the door to the lab opened, and Gemma couldn't help but feel relieved to see Jaime step inside. 

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." She assured him realizing that he was still in the Blue Beetle armor, his clothes had probably burned away during the transition and now he had no clothes to wear. He reached forward taking her arm and looking at the bandages. "It looks worse than it is."

Jaime was still holding her arm, and she could feel his thumb caressing her skin. "You went through a glass window Gemma."

"I've gone through a roof. A window is nothing." Gemma replied honestly feeling that she had gone through a lot worst in the past. But suddenly Gemma found herself regretting mentioning the kidnapping incident when Jaime got the Scarab. From the slight smile on his lips she could see that he was also looking back on that day. It had been a terrifying incident for them both, but it was also the day where their lives really came crashing together. "So what happened?"

"It was too fast." He replied looking frustrated but Gemma couldn't help but feel a little relieved that he hadn't caught up to it. They didn't know the scope of its abilities and Jaime could have gotten seriously hurt. "What were you doing?"

Gemma followed his eyes to the computer screen having entirely forgotten about what she had been doing. She really did hate that he still seemed to have that kind of effect on her where she could completely forget what she was doing.

"Getting plane tickets for your family. It's not safe for them here." She said as she turned to face the computer again pulling up the screen for him to see. "Can you just double check and make sure everything is correct?"

She did have a good memory when it came to dates, but she still wanted to avoid any mistakes or cause any delays. And she always felt more comfortable when she had her work checked, even if it was something as simple as buying plane tickets. 

"Looks good." He said softly and Gemma refused to move realizing how close Jaime had gotten. His chest was pressed against her back and Gemma had no doubt that Jaime knew exactly what he was doing.  "Hold on there's glass in your hair."

Gemma practically stopped breathing as Jaime reached and pulled the glass out of her hair. She could feel her heart starting to beat faster as she turned her head to look at the piece of glass between his fingers. It wasn't until that moment that Gemma realized that they were alone in the lab. And considering everything that was happening it was almost easy to forget their history, that they hadn't spoken to each other in months. 

Looking up to meet Jaime's eyes she knew that he had to feel as conflicted as she felt. She knew now that part of the reason that she and Jaime hadn't worked was because they never communicated. That was made evident by what Milagros had told her. 

Suddenly Jaime leaned forward a little and Gemma's thoughts were too scattered that she didn't realize as quickly as she should that he had the intention of kissing her. His was clearly hesitant himself as he leaned in slowly almost like he was waiting for her next move.

But before his lips could touch her Gemma leaned back slightly on the stool. "What are you doing?"

"I was going to kiss you." Jaime said as he took a step back looking a little embarrassed, which Gemma had to admit was a little satisfying to see. Because he should be embarrassed that he believed like he could just kiss her and act like the last couple of months hadn't happened.  "It just felt like there was a moment."

"Well, there wasn't a moment." She replied quickly still needing to process everything that Milagros had told her. Although she knew the reason why he had left her it didn't excuse what he had done. He had still hurt her deeply and it didn't change the fact that Jaime had left. 

"Is there any chance at all for us?" He said suddenly almost like he could read her thoughts.

"I don't know." Gemma said as she tried to focus on finishing buying the tickets, but the silence that followed her response had her looking up at Jaime. She was surprised to find that Jaime was looking at her with a slight smile on his lips that confused her. "Why are you smiling?

"Because 'I don't know' isn't a no. I can work with an I don't know."  Jaime replied with a smile as he moved even closer to her, and Gemma realized the implication of her words. Words that she should have chosen more carefully. Now it seemed like the door of them possibly getting back together was open, even if it was only slightly. 

Gemma rolled her eyes as she turned back to the computer to print the plane tickets. But Jaime was still close, and even she had to recognize that it was because she hadn't protested  having him so close to her. Because she liked having him close even if that was something that she would never admit out loud. 

"Okay some space." She said as she stood up walking to the other side of the room where the printer was. 

"I hope you're still not mad at me." Jaime said in a more serious tone as he followed her across the room, but this time he stood a couple of steps away just like how she had asked. 

"You're going to have to be a little more specific about what you're referring to."

"I was referring to Thomas," He said slowly clearly trying to choose his words carefully. "but it would be great if you forgave me about the other stuff too."

"I don't think you've done anything to deserve any forgiveness." 

"Did I not just save your life like a couple of hours ago? Twice might I add."

Gemma turned toward him finding that his argument was terrible. "So if you didn't like me would you have just let me die?"

"Of course not." He said quickly as he leaned casually back against one of the counters. "And I don't like you, I love you."

"Well, there you go." Gemma said choosing ignore what he said about loving her. She also just really needed some space away from Jaime. "Anyway I would have preferred if it was Superman who saved me."

Jaime looked genuinely offended at her words as he looked around the room almost like he was waiting for someone to confirm that he had heard Gemma correctly. "Superman?"

"Yes, Superman."

Realizing that she was only teasing him Jaime smiled. And in that moment it felt like maybe a brief moment had passed between them. "If I remember correctly it was my name that you were screaming."

"Eww." Jenny's voice practically echoes causing both Gemma and Jaime to go rigid. They undoubtedly both felt some kind of embarrassment as they looked at Jenny who had a disgusted look on her face. 

Gemma instantly felt her face become warm at the realization of what Jenny had heard. "It's not what you think."

"Yeah I know." Jenny replied with a smile clearly enjoying that she had made them uncomfortable. Of course Jenny was going to tease her but it felt like torture instead of teasing. "Anyway look what Rudy found."

Gemma reached out take the piece of red metal, quickly realizing what it was. "Wait is this..."

"A piece of our robot friend? Looks like it." Jenny replied with a small smile on her lips. They both knew what having the piece of metal meant, no matter how small it was. It meant that it would be possible to trace it back to whoever manufactured that weapon.

"I don't have access to my lab." 

"We can fly back to Palmera and get it done." Jenny suggested and Gemma wished that it was that simple. The truth was there were many reasons why flying to Palmera simply wasn't an option for her.

"The last thing I want is that thing attacking again on a plane full of people." Gemma said because the last thing that she wanted was for anybody else getting hurt. 

"Okay I'll fly us there."

"No." Gemma said immediately the thought of her feet being anywhere other than the ground causing her to panic a little. Even flying on a plane didn't feel possible after what had happened at Ivo Tech, but that almost felt embarrassing to admit after everything that was going on. Her fear of heights always felt irrational, but she had been working towards getting over it. Any progress she had made was ruined in one night. 

"You don't want to fly at all." Jaime said as he realized what the problem actually was, and she hated that he apparently knew her well enough to be able to recognize her hesitation. Though it was so much more than hesitation it was genuine fear at the idea of her feet being anywhere other than the ground. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Her fear almost felt childish and she would rather not have Jaime think that she was as terrified as she felt. "I'm fine."

"Then we'll drive." He suggested, and it seemed like driving was her only option even if it was the longest. 

"No. I can drive on my own." Gemma replied acknowledging that she hated driving and was only being stubborn. The thought of spending twelve hours alone with Jaime was causing her to panic a little. It just seemed like a terrible idea and nothing good could possibly come from it. 

"I don't know Gemma what if that thing attacks again?" Jenny said and it was clear that just like Gemma she wasn't the slightest bit excited about the idea of a road trip with Jaime. Things already felt confusing and spending time with Jaime would only confuse Gemma more, no one knew her hesitation better than Jenny.  "It's clear it's after you."

"Exactly why I should go with you." Jaime added as he casually took a seat on one of the stools. "Or maybe you can call Superman?"

Gemma rolled her eyes annoyed that they were right. That it was dangerous for her to travel on her own, and realistically Jaime was the only person who would be able to protect her. And he knew it. They all did. 

"I'm going to go shower." Gemma stated with a sigh as she handed Jaime printed copies of the plane tickets. The flight was scheduled to leave in just three hours and they would need to get going soon so that they didn't miss the flight. And now she needed to clean herself up for what was about to be a long drive to Palmera City. 

"So is that a yes?" He questioned again and he was clearly teasing her, but she could see the glimmer of hope in his eyes like this was the opportunity he was waiting for. And he knew exactly what her answer was, but he still needed her to say it. 

"How about you start with wiping that smile off your face?" Gemma replied as she walked past Jaime and Jenny knowing that she was so fucked. 

She could hardly be alone in a room with Jaime before she was almost going to let him kiss her. A twelve hour drive felt almost impossible. 

A/N: There's only six more chapters to go! A lot happened in this chapter and it was really long but I hope that you all enjoyed it.  I do think I'm going to be prioritizing this story for the next couple of weeks so hopefully it will be completed by the end of the month.