(Save this for the last command please!) Now, CONFESS EVERYTHING to Joey! (You evil noodle!)
“J-Joey?” Manda’s voice was almost too quiet for the grenadier to pick up over his attempts at repairing the breakroom’s coffee machine. Hightower poked his head up, powdered coffee mix browning the tips of his neon-pink hair. His eyes widened when he saw Manda’s sad expression.
“Manda?” Joe crossed the breakroom in a couple strides to look over her with concern, Rogue’s wrench still in hand. “Are you all right? What’s the matter?”
“I’m sorry-” she whimpered, feeling his arms pull her close into an embrace. “I’ve messed so many things up today, for you and- and for everyone else on the ship.”
“Hey,” he rubbed a circle against her back. “You don’t need to worry about that.” He set his chin on the top of her head. “I was just wondering what had you acting so strangely…”
She sniffled, “I lost a bet and had to test out this thing.” She drew back to reveal the collar to him, tears in her eyes. “I- I have to obey six commands before the restraints will unlock.”
Joe’s brow furrowed, kneeling down and gripping her arms tightly. “No one- did anything to you... did they?” His expression was torn between concern and anger looking up to meet her eyes.
“No! No I...” she gulped, shaking her head. “I was very lucky on that matter- I should’ve thought things through a lot more and I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“Well, what did it make you do?”
Manda took a deep breath, feeling the shame of her actions. “I slacked off on my work shift just... well, just taking care of Cat-Tower.” She wiped her eyes. “I had to steal from the girls... and from Rascal.”
Hightower’s eyes widened at that. “Wait what did you take from them?”
Manda sniffled, opening her bag. “A bunch of things from the girl’s barracks... and I had to try stealing Rascal’s glasses.”
He raised his eyebrows, “which I’m guessing you weren’t successful at?”
Manda gave him a watery laugh. “No... I wasn’t for that.” She motioned to the wrench in his hand. “That’s Rogue’s by the way.”
“WHAT?!” Joe yelped, nearly tossing aside the tool. “You gave me Rogue’s wrench?! Are you crazy? If she found out-”
“I know, and I would’ve totally explained it to you at the time but... well...”
“It was another command?” Joe grimaced. Manda simply nodded in response. The soldier let out a sigh. “Okay so that’s what- four of the commands?” He met her eyes. “What about the other two?”
Manda looked away, still feeling the Psionic influence compelling her to keep going. “I uh- I had to sabotage the Avenger’s engines. But Rex stopped me before I could do any damage to the power generators.”
“That’s- wow... How did he stop you?” Joe gave her another once-over to make sure the former ADVENT Captain hadn’t harmed his precious girlfriend.
“I guess... there’s a couple words that stop the current command besides completing it.” She shrugged. “Like ‘stop’ or ‘enough’.”
“Okay,” Joe placed his hand on her cheek, turning her so she would face him properly. “And what about the last command?”
Manda’s lips trembled, struggling to hold back tears. “I- I had to admit everything to you, Joey.” Her breath hitched. “P-please forgive me!”
“Hey...” Joe pulled her into a hug. “Of course I forgive you, Manda...” He sighed, “this collar thing forced you to do things that you’d never do.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I know you’re not a traitor. Not a thief or liar. And definitely not a slacker.” He chuckled, drawing back to gently brush away her tears. “I’m just glad that you’re all right, Manda.”
Manda buried her face in the crook of Hightower’s neck, sobbing and trembling with emotion. His arms instinctively wrapped around her, caressing her back and waiting as long as she needed.
The tiny recruit could feel the Psionic influence lifting from her -once and for all- like a weight off her chest. The collar unlocked with a ping, prompting her to draw away from the embrace to catch it.
She placed the collar into her bag, motioning to the wrench. “Guess I-” she took a breath. “I’d better get this stuff back where it belongs.”
“I’ll go with you.” He tugged at her wrist before she could turn away. “In case that thing acts up or... in case you need help explaining what happened.” He got to his feet with a grunt, his expression turning dark. “And besides... whoever put this thing on you-”
“Joey, please.” Manda placed a hand on his chest. “I know what I did was misguided...” She took a deep breath. “But this whole thing was never with malicious intent. I promise you.”
“Still...” he pouted, “whoever’s in charge of this experiment deserves a piece of my mind!”
Manda sighed, but a smile crossed her face. “Okay... but help me return all of these first?” She hoped that would at least help him cool his temper.
Joe nodded, pulling Manda into one last hug before they made their way out of the breakroom hand-in-hand.
“You know...” Joe brushed some of the powdered coffee mix from his hair with his free hand. “I really think that I was making some progress on that coffee machine.”
“Well, you certainly smell like a big cuppa Joe.” Manda paused and then snorted at the play on words.
Hightower groaned but smiled. “Good to see that you’re back to normal. Nerd.”
Command [6] of [6] *Completed*
Everyone Except Manda © @commanderplease
