I Hate the Way...

Part 5: "Must Be Fate."

She only nods slowly to the girl, answering with an irrefutably defeated tone, "I don't." She turns to the two guys, "I'm gonna go for a run. Call if you need anything."

She disappears out the door, and Josie eyes her judgmentally as she sees her climb the stairs to the loft overhead to change into running clothes.

Her thoughts are interrupted by MG questioning Raf, "How's she doing?"

Raf sighs, shrugging a shoulder as he contemplates the answer, "It's kind of hard to tell with her. She's freakishly good at hiding her emotions."

Josie thinks she's probably just a psychopath with no emotions at all to show, but she doesn't say it aloud.

"I mean, she always channels all of her hurt and anger into work...The Mikaelson's still try to call her all the time, but she never answers."

"The Mikaelson's?" Josie cuts him off, confusion evident in her expression and tone.

Raf furrows his eyebrows, figuring the girl already knew, "Yeah...Hope's family..."

Josie almost chokes on the sip of coffee she'd taken in, "She's Hope Mikaelson? As in the Tribrid?"

The two guys nod to her in confirmation.

Josie takes a moment to let the knowledge sink in.

No wonder the girl is so annoyingly egotistical and entitled.

Military, supernatural, and a Mikaelson.

Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

A triple threat in the worst way.

Hope is exactly the concoction of an individual that Josie's father would despise.

"What the hell is a Mikaelson doing living in a homey beach house and enlisting in the military? That family's got more money than they can wrap their minds around. They don't need jobs." Josie speaks aloud her thoughts.

MG carefully constructs his answer, not wanting to dish out too much of the Tribrid's personal life,
"She doesn't really accept the family name anymore. And she's not necessarily in the military for the pay or benefits."

Benefits. Like health insurance and housing...Josie could definitely use some of that right about now, with her rent being past due, her medication needing to be filled, plus her sister in need of more support than ever with her inheritance taken over by their father.

Josie huffs, "Maybe I should've just enlisted in the military."

MG picks up on her exasperation, "What were you saying before about your sister's inheritance? There's nothing you can do?"

Josie shakes her head, "No, Alaric has complete control over her trust, now that she's been declared 'medically unfit.'"

MG tries to encourage her, "You still have yours though, right?"

The look on Josie's face is enough to dispute his attempt at consolation, "My father decided to spontaneously alter the terms of my trust. So now I won't gain access to it until I turn 30 or get married, whichever comes first."

Josie also believes the delay is an attempt for her father to allow himself more time to think of some way to gain full control of her inheritance as well.

Greedy bastard.

Josie let's out a dry chuckle, sarcastically adding, "Crazy thought, would either of you like to marry me?"

MG goes along with the joke, "I don't know..With my feelings for your sister, I think that might be a little messy."

Josie laughs and nods, "Okay, fair. What say you, Raf?"

Raf chuckles, "If I were straight and single, I would most definitely marry you. But, I'm kind of seeing someone. And a fake marriage in the military is definitely illegal."

Josie smiles teasingly at Raf, "Ooh, who's the special guy?"

Raf smiles bashfully as he responds, "His name's Ethan..."

MG pushes for more information, "How'd you meet him?"

"Actually, Hope introduced us. She was dating Maya at the time, and Maya and Ethan are twins."

MG jokes, "Guess he'll get to enjoy those military spouse benefits instead."

Military spouse benefits...

Curiosity nips at Josie as she picks up her phone, tuning out the two guys as they carry on their talk.

She opens up Google, searching 'Military spouse benefits"

Full health benefits, which could be useful in paying for Josie's suppressants...

Basic housing allowance, and given that Josie can hardly ever afford her rent, that sounds pretty damn nice.

Separation pay, during deployments.

And so much more that all adds up to a decent sum of money.

Plus, the added bonus of gaining access to her trust and keeping the money out of her father's hands. She could take care of Lizzie and pay off her debt...

Raf glances up toward the window, "Oh, there's Hope. I should probably go get dressed before we head to base. You both are welcome to stay as long as you'd like." Raf offers politely before excusing himself to get into uniform.

Josie looks out the window to see Hope steadily jogging back towards the house after her run, heading directly up the stairs to the loft to change into her work attire.

And perhaps the dumbest, craziest idea Josie's ever had crosses her mind...