#𝟎𝟎𝟖.

★ ⋆ 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲⋆ ★

★ ⋆ ━━ Jessie wasn't proud of herself, much less surprised. Her fragile composure during their moment yesterday didn't help at all. Which contradicts her usual attitude she displays to everyone and how she presented herself with Johnny then.

   In all honesty, she was afraid of commitment. The action that has a turning point in life and one has to abide by its rules. Take the butterfly effect. For example, the tiniest, miniscule action made could affect the future as a whole to come. She didn't want that kiss to change the direction of their already stable relationship. It may seem annoying to worry over but not for her.

   Commitment has always scared her and till this day, does scare her. Especially with how her relationship with Johnny ended in high school. It was the way Johnny acted during their dating years ago that made her feel this way. It wasn't his fault, she'd never blame him. It's just an unfortunate fear she never got over.

   She knew what he was feeling at the moment, and she despised how she felt the same. How she craved to kiss him, feel his lips against hers. Run her hand through his soft brown hair to pull it. She yearned for him, which made her shiver in fear.

   Johnny didn't hide it as much as he pretended to.

   So she avoided him all evening yesterday, practically drowned herself in her food, and left right after. She will have to apologize to Queen Sindel and her daughters at some point for her early departure. It was most likely seen as disrespectful.

   She also told Kenshi what went down between them. He promised to keep her personal thoughts between them two only. As long as she just dealt with his flirtatious endeavors she didn't have to worry about the commitment to a relationship.

   To add on, earlier today she witnessed Raiden defeating the beast named General Shao. It was definitely a sight to see. Earthrealm has won, but there job wasn't done just yet.

   She sat on the wooden ground, waiting for Kenshi, Liu Kang, Kung Lao and Johnny to show up. Liu Kang said he needed them, them four specially that morning for a discrete mission. Needless to say, she didn't want to keep wearing her usual Jean jacket and typical earth clothing. She probably already worn them out.

   But knowing Johnny, she already has a new set of clothing. It consists of a metalized chest plate that wraps around her whole front and back, from the top of her chest and stops above her belly button. It seems to act like an amor type clothing against attacks. What was unexpected is how flexible she was in it. She also has on a crop jacket with a mix of red and black patterns throughout. Black gloves that gave her a slight discomfort in her movement. Her black pants consists of golden Japanese lettering on the sides. Lastly, with a red wrap cloth around her waist that covers more of her visible stomach.

   She's fixing her gloves as a figure in her peripheral comes closer. Their slow, steady steps and body shape was more definite and visible as they walk more towards her. Not needing much evidence, she knew it was Johnny. She curses under her breath and continues to fumble with her gloves.

   "What's happening, Jess!?" Johnny greeting her made her internally smile. She looks up and sees him leaning against a wooden pole that was inches away from her. She took a moment to observe his knew clothing as well. His entire attire was pretty cool, it hug him very well. His body shape was more detectable in it compared to his Hollywood dress attire. The metal on his a was similar to hers.

   Shaking her thoughts away, she smiles and looks back down. "Nothing, what's got you all happy this morning?"

   "Oh, you know," He slides down the pole and speads his legs out fully. His left leg grazing Jessie's right one. He rest his right arm against his knee that bends upwards and hugs it to his chest. "Just excited to finally go on a mission..." She feels his thick, masculine fingers touch her arm, soothing it slowly. She finds his eyes once more and waits for his response. His eyes confess differently than what he responds with. "With kenshi."

   Her stiff laugh sounds more like a quick exhale. She grabs his arm and threw it away from her direction. "You play too damn much."

   "What can I say," He drags a hand through his brown hair. "They don't call me
Mr. Playboy for nothing." Sharing a laugh, the silence following after fills the morning ambiance.

   Jessie began to hear Johnny coughing violently but in a rhythmic pattern. Most likely to catch her attention at something he needs to say. "Do you need something else Johnny?"

   "It's just -" She sees his eyebrows quiver back and forth as he looks out ahead of him. "Were you mad at me yesterday? You left early and didn't talk to me at all during the banquet. I mean you talk to Kenshi so, I hope I didn't do anything wrong."

   At that she sees him turn to her with a face she recognizes from yesterday when they sat by eachother in the afternoon. It was vulnerable, and puppy like. How he goes from a happy attitude to a sudden vulnerability makes her believe he actually does care what people feel about him deep down.

   She took ahold of his metal shoulder and shook it in comfort. She smiles with her white teeth at him which makes him look down automatically. "No Johnny, I didn't feel..." She didn't want to lie but she didn't want to discuss the topic it was about. "good that night. Went to bed early. And who will get mad at you? I mean look at you- who'll get mad at that?" She felt bitter about his flirtations with princess Kitana as well but couldn't help that situation, she gulps and give a reassuring expression.

   Johnny watches as Jessie looks at his body from head to toe. He feels hot being observed under her brown eyes. But to mask his uneasiness he plays it off. "I mean I was among the top sexiest men of 2022."

   "See," Jessie congratulates. "There's the Johnny I know. Now," Jessie dusts herself off and opens her hand up to him. "Wanna help your best friend off the ground?"

   Johnny smirks and stands. "You just wanna chance to hold my hand don't you?'

   "Whatever helps you get by. Now come on," Jessie gestures with her open hand once more. "Help a brother out. My back is killing me."

   "Alright, alright just cause you asked so nicely." Johnny gently grabs her hand in his, folding his fingers around hers, her soft slender fingers feeling nice upon his. With his other hand, he guides it behind her back as support to help her up. When she fully stand he doesn't let go and bits his lips. Leaning his head down and looks at her clothing.

   Jessie saw this and groans. "Oh god, what is it this time?"

   He simply shrugs and keeps his hand behind her back as he other one dusts her shoulder. "Just admiring my handi work on what you're wearing. Of course Liu Kang helped me but," He drags his hand down her shoulder to the inner part of her chest, where his hand lays dormant on the crop jacket. "I added my spontaneous ideas to it."

   Jessie stands still as his hands kept in place on her. She shivers but didn't budge against it. She wanted to push him away for how uncomfortable he makes feel. Not that he himself makes her uncomfortable it was the sheer feelings the were rising in her chest about him that did. She fixes a strand of hair from her face. "Was this outfit really necessary Johnny? I mean my stomach showing really isn't martial artsy."

   He laughs as his head lifts up, he comes closer and holds her by her waist. "Most definitely, your curves stand out like from our highschool dance..." Johnny sighs. She finds him looking as if he was imagining something. "Can still picture it perfectly."

   "Her outfit isn't to drool over Cage, please get ahold of yourself." It seems they both didn't hear Kenshi right beside them. They both turn to see Kenshi with his arms crossed together, staring at Johnny specifically.

   They quickly let go of eachother. Johnny looks off to the side in embarrassment while Jessie stood in amusement at his reaction. "I wasn't doing anything weird with your sister." He tells Kenshi.

   Kenshi gives a look of 'wtf' and looks to Jessie for an explanation. She shrugs and laughs it off. "Did I say you were?" He asks.

   Johnny huddle into himself more as embarrassment himself even more in front of Jessie. "No, but it was written on your face-"

   "Look, Liu Kang is coming." Jessie beckons as all three of them find Liu Kang walking towards them with Kung Lao following behind. Trying to end the semi awkward situation for Johnny.

   Once he makes it to them they all bow with respect. "Good morning," Liu Kang starts, "I have called upon you all for a mission that requires your full discreetness. As I have mentioned before of the name, Shang Tsung." Liu Kang hands Kenshi a piece of paper that is a portrait of the said Shang Tsung.

   Jessie walks a little closer to see. Kenshi notices. He shares it between them. "So we find him in outworld and bring him in for questioning?" Kenshi asks.

   She stares at the photo and began to wonder how Johnny would look like with long hair. Her mind tends to wonder off.

   "Yes. If what I fear has happened, he is a grave threat to the realms." Liu Kang adds on.

   "Anything else?" Kenshi questions as he puts away the portrait.

   "Shang Tsung is a master of deceit. Do not trust a word he utters." Liu Kang states.

   Jessie eyebrows scrunch together at her confusion. She leans on one leg and crosses her arms. "We just, I don't know, forcefully detained this man and bring him to you?"

   Liu Kang smiles sadly at Jessie words. "I'd advise not, for he is a sorcerer. If anything, persuade him with a deal as much as I dislike to allude this proposition to you."

   A groan was heard beside Jessie. "Sounds a lot like my first agent."

   Jessie nods and jabs his arm with hers. "And the fact that you paid them more than me." She mentions.

   "Actually" Johnny states as he faces Jessie with a finger raised. "I was naive back then, didn't know he was scamming me Jess."

   Kenshi watches with amusement and returns to Liu Kang for the subject at hand. "It's a tricky mission. I'd rather Raiden go along with me and Jessie than this one." Kenshi nods his head towards Johnny, playfully.

   Johnny found it offensive and stood up for himself. "Hey," He announces to Kenshi. ""This one" is up for the job."

   "This mission must be done quietly." Liu Kang says as he walks closer to the four. "I am breaking my word with Empress Sindel by sending you into Outworld without her knowledge. Due to the tournament, Raiden is now a familiar face there. Sending him will only increase your risk of being discovered."

   Jessie then sees him pull out a spherical object which resembles a compass. It's red glow already giving her a sense of dred when it reaches it destination. "This talisman is attuned to Shang Tsung's chi. Follow it to him." He hands it out towards them, waiting for one of them to grab it.

   Jessie was going towards it when Kenshi also was too. He saw this and lets her take it. She nod as a way of thanks and grabs it. She then feels Liu Kang put a hand on her shoulder tenderly. "And be careful." He looks into her eyes, saying it more to her than the rest. "And here," He reaches in the air and magically makes her miniature sword appear. "Do not forget your weapon. You may encounter others that unfortunately do not respect your kind."

   She mutters a thanks and sees Liu Kang awkwardly retreat his hand. He gives one more glance over them and speaks. "May the elder gods protect you."

.⋆｡⋆˚｡⋆｡˚｡⋆.⛓🎬 ⛓.⋆｡⋆˚｡⋆｡˚｡⋆.

   They all travel along a sandy path, following the compass being held by Jessie. Kenshi stood behind her as Johnny walks behind him and Kung Lao walks behind Johnny.

   It was dark, sand somehow gets in her mouth every now and then. Which made her cough aggressively. Both Johnny and Kenshi had stopped a few times to check up on her. She suspected she was the only one who inhaled the sand, she was the only 5'4 among them. Who where no doubt taller than 6'1. Johnny was 6'1, she was his manager, of course she knew his height. She obviously didn't search it online...

   She whistles as she follows the compass, as her other hand held a flashlight.

   "Ugh, are we there yet?" She listens to Johnny complain from behind. She laughs and continues walking. She actually counted how many times Johnny complained on their journey...29. 29 times, this'll be his 30th. Jessie was not suprised by his sheer commitment to complain about everything and anything.

   "Again? How old are you, five?" Kenshi asks, irritated by Johnny.

   "What can I say? These boots weren't made for walking." She hears him respond.

   "If that is the most pain you feel today, consider yourself lucky." Kung Lao buts in to say.

   "Oh I'm already lucky. Got a beautiful best friend leading us to our doom," Jessie quickly gives him a middle finger not looking behind her. Johnny pretends to grab it and place it on his chest. "I will forever treasure your generosity Jessie." He spoke a little louder for her to hear.

   "Whatever." She responds.

   Kenshi rolls his eyes as Johnny attempts at hitting at his sister.

   "And," He held the last letter longer as if he was surprising someone. "I've got sento strapped to my back."

   "I will reclaim it cage." Kenshi responds.

   "Got three million? It's yours." Johnny replies. Jessie shook her head, still in disbelief that Johnny really wasted 3 million for the sword that was Kenshi's.

   "You know I don't have it." Kenshi admitts.

   "I bet your Yakuza pals could come up with it." Jessie bit her lips in frustration at his unaware arrogance. That hit her differently after finding out she came from them with Kensh. "Oh that's right, you blew them off. Eh, if there's one lesson in Hollywood's taught me, is never burn bridges. You never know who can help."

   She suddenly hears all footsteps stop and hears Kenshi yell at Johnny. She turns and finds Kenshi right in Johnny face with his flashlight. "I grew up in that life and I never understood it. Why my gain required others' pain. I got out," At that Jessie sees Kenshi face her direction for a few seconds before reverting back to Johnny. "I need my clan out, too. We can't be part of their crimes any longer."

   At that Kenshi quickly walks towards Jessie and smiles sadly at her. "May I?" He gestures towards the talisman.

   "Of course." Jessie hands it over and saw him continue walking. Looking back, she sees Kung Lao also flash a light in Johnny's face.

   She hears him groan and waits for him. Grining from ear to ear. As he makes his way right by her she shines her light in his face. "Ugh, you too?" He complains.

"Hey," Jessie raises a hand in defense. "I wasn't the one to get on Kenshi nerves. And to think you two were finally getting somewhere."

   Johnny rolls his eyes and laches an arm around her smaller frame. He had a little slouch as he gestures her to walk with him. "As long me and you don't backtrack I'm fine as hell."

Jessie smirks and held around his waist. "That you are, Johnny..."

Johnny nods and continues walking until he fully digested her words. "Hold on," He stops and lets go of her. He shines the light in her face this time, giving her same treatment she did to him. "You just complimented me Jess. Say it again, I gotta record it-" Johnny begins to bring out his phone.

   "No," Jessie states. "Let's go, we're falling behind."

   "Aw, come on Jess-" What surprised him was her grabing him by his hand, holding it tightly as she speed walks to Kung Lao and Kenshi. She gave him a smile as she did so. He may not had gotten the picture he wanted but the moment she held his hand and smiles back at him will be implemented in his mind forever.