Not On Mode < Jaime Reyes >

-| Chapter Seven |-

After Jaime was covered in blue armor like mine, our beetles started to chirp and glow. It was wasn't until moments later we flung at each other, back to back. Our wings had interlocked causing us to stick together.

"Jaime...what do we do?" I tried to sound less scared but it didn't come out that way.

We are dealing with uncharted territory here and I couldn't help but be scared of it. After everything I've been through today, I think this has to be the second scariest, black beetle will always be my number one fear.

"I-I...I don't know." He replies, "But maybe my team can help.."

Interlocking hands we make our way back into the house. Step by step we make it out the front door and down the sidewalk. The father we got the more we got the hang of walking like that. We made it to a zeta tube and before we step through Jaime tells me, trying to calm me, "Don't worry, these are good people. I promise."

We step through the tube, Jaime first, the computer's voice rings out his alter egos name alerting everyone in Mount Justice of his presence. "Guys, I need a little help. We've got a little problem."

We turn to the side, exposing me to his teammates. A giant blur rushes past everyone and is in front of me in an instant, I've heard about this superhero. He's a speedster like the Kid Flash and the Flash, I think they call him Impulse. "Woah, I've heard so many stories about the Silver Beetle but we thought them to be myths."

"Blue, how did this happen?" A guy with a bluebird on his chest, Nightwing, asks as he and the rest of the team make their way over to us. I couldn't help but grab Jaime's hand as my anxiety grew.

He gives my hand a gentle squeeze before he speaks explaining to his team what had happened only to be cut off by loud erratic chirping noises coming from our scarabs, "Well after we both armored up our scarabs started to make sounds and glow, then we were pulled-."

Everyone but the green boy, Beast Boy, cover their ears when they hear the two scarabs chirping begins, it seemed like Beast Boy could somewhat understand what they were saying. Once the chirping dies down everyone turns to Beast Boy and he shrugs his shoulders saying, "What? Not all arguments aren't soft."

"Wait, what do you mean arguments? Can you understand what they're saying?" Nightwing quickly asks as he steps closer to the boy.

"Well, I could only tell that they were arguing because of the tones they were using. Both scarabs seem to be upset about something." Beast Boy replies, giving us more piece to the puzzle.

It didn't make any sense, what were they upset about. But then I remembered the little vision I had gotten when I was in the Reach pod, it was of Blue Beetle and Silver Beetle. Maybe they were in love with each other and then got separated. I didn't see the whole picture.

The chirping tones soon turn soft and the armor soon gets pulled back but we're still stuck together, beetle to beetle. It sucked because at least with the beetle armor on I could make myself taller but now I'm left standing on the top of my toes. I was struggling since the height difference. It also didn't help that I wasn't wearing any shoes.

"Jaime, could you um..crouch down a little?" I ask, he soon notices my problem and complies, crouching down a little so I could plant my feet on the ground.

Nightwing is quiet for a few seconds before he says, "Impulse, Wondergirl move them to the living room, I'll get Palmer and Zatanna down here to see if they can split them."

After a few complications, we finally get to the living room. They sit us on the couch but I have to sit on some pillows to make up for the height difference. "How did you find the scarab?"

"I didn't really find it, it found me. The Silver Beetle before me was dying. The beetle came off, curiously got the best of me and picked it up. It ended up fusing to my spine. I don't know if it was due to shock or smock inhalation I passed out. I woke up in the hospital later that night." I tell him, explaining the cliff notes of what happened. As I remember the events now, was she telling the scarab to scan for the Black Beetle?

Oh my god. If black beetle could kill the last host he could easily kill me. I'm probably going to die..by black beetle's hand none the less.

I quickly bury my face in my hands, I couldn't let these people see me break. I have to be the strong one. I had to be strong for my dad and for my sister. If I wasn't then who would?

Wiping away the tears that had sprung free from my eyes I place my hands back in my lap, trying not to cause any suspicion or make anyone nervous. "When the Reach had me they told me I couldn't find you, like if I did it would ruin their plans. They said that if I was on mode it would basically make turning you easier."

Voicing out my theory, "I think our beetles are connected to each other."

"Maybe that's why Blue goes on mode in the future, because he doesn't meet the silver beetle." Impulse says speeding over towards the couch from the kitchen holding a bag of chips in his hands.

"Or maybe because black beetle kills me." I interject, "He killed the one before me, I'm sure he'd do it again without even blinking."

I bring my knees to my chest as the image of black beetle fill my head. Why didn't he kill me? He had every chance and he didn't, why? Maybe the Reach still think they can turn me on mode?

Wondergirl approaches me while Jaime and the others are quiet, "Um, how did you escape?"

"My scarab gave me directions and as I was about to escape Black Beetle caught me. We fought started fighting and then he just stopped, he wanted to know why my scarab hated the Reach so much. I took that opportunity to jump up out of the whole on the ship." I reply explaining how escaped the Reach ship they held me captive on.

I couldn't see Jaimes' facial reaction to what I just said. I don't know why I cared so much about his opinion. His opinion shouldn't matter but somehow it made its way to the front of my brain.

I felt an odd sensation in my back and in my spine. Our scarabs make a high pitched whining sound and then I feel my back start to heat up. "Winter? Do you feel that?"

"Y-Yeah...it's getting really hot." I reply back to the boy sitting behind me.

He lays his hand in the side of the couch and he mumbles as sweat rolls down my face, "Nosotros hacemos esto..."

"Juntos..." I tell him grabbing his sweaty hand, it gave me comfort and a sense that somehow everything was going to be okay.

The heat starts to become too intense and Impulse and Wondergirl leave the room to alert Nightwing of our condition. "Jaime, tengo miedo..."

"Estará bien, copo de nieve." He replies making me smile at his little nickname. Snowflake.

The heating quickly cools and we're pulled apart. A glow covers his and my arms and a spot on his neck. Everything feels faint after that, my vision was clouded with dots and my legs felt like jello. I tried to reach out for Jaime but it didn't work out too well. My legs buckled out from underneath me and the world went blank as my head hit the ground.

Rest.

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Spanish Translation :

Nosotros hacemos esto - We do this

Juntos - Together

Jaime, tengo miedo - Jaime, I'm scared

Estará bien, copo de nieve - It'll be okay, snowflake

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Edited.