Bren stares at Jax for a while. He must have zoned out again. Bren calls his name several times and doesn’t get a response. He didn’t think he had been talking to Jerry, the pub owner, for that long. Jerry has just left to get them drinks. He ordered them both water, because he doesn't know what Jax likes, and he definitely wasn’t ordering Jax alcohol. Bren didn’t know if he had ever had any before, and he wasn’t in the mood to deal with an emotional drunk Jax. 

 Bren flipped the cardboard coaster in his fingers thinking about Jax. He is a mystery that they all have been trying to figure out. Bren and the others can’t get him to open up and talk. They  didn’t know a lot about Jax’s past except that he was in an accident three years ago and spent a long time in the hospital. He and Sina had noticed some strange behaviors and hyper senses that go beyond what a normal human has. He also becomes easily agitated, zones out, and frequently complains about headaches. Fuchsia knows more about Jax than she likes to admit and has kept her coworkers in the dark for too long. 

Earlier today when Jax knocked himself out, Fuchsia said he looked like something had scared him. They were all in shock when it happened. Bren had carefully placed him on the table as they waited for him to wake up. 

Jax hadn’t been on the table for more than ten minutes and Fuchsia was pulling equipment out and running scans on him. Sina and Bren both snuck peeks at the diagnostic screen. Fuchsia was too absorbed in reading the scans to notice what they were doing. Bren wasn’t sure what he had seen but he knew it didn’t look normal. Fuchsia did a series of rapid result blood tests and found evidence of Blue Cryo. She was really upset when she found out about the drugs, but it would have to be dealt with later. She didn’t tell them if she saw anything in the scan, but she seemed really stressed about something.  

Bren worries that if Jax finds out about what she did that he is going to be pissed and this will be a major setback for them. Eventually, she will have to come clean about all the lies including those about their work and even why she hired him. 

Bren finds himself staring again at Jax’s hair. It is silvery with a few strands of white and is cut off at his shoulder. He almost doesn’t look real as he sits motionless on the bar stool. His eyes are a beautiful gray with bright blue flecks and completely unfocused. His skin is unnaturally pale and flawless except for a few scars. A white tunic hangs loosely on his form and the black pants he wears are a stark contrast to the rest.  

Jerry brings the drinks back and he decides he is going to have to try harder to get Jax’s attention. He wanted to order food quickly so they could avoid the crowd. Jax’s appearance tends to draw attention, which is not something either of them want.

Bren reaches out and brushes a few strands of hair out of Jax’s face revealing several scars. Jax jumps and looks like he has been shot. Jax readjusts his hair after realizing what has happened and his once pale cheeks are now tinted pink. Bren smiles at his reaction but doesn’t say anything, looking back at the bar as if he hadn’t noticed. 

Jerry comes back to take their order. Jax looks indecisively at the chalkboard menu. He turns to Bren and tells him he will take whatever he is getting. Bren asks Jax if a hamburger is ok.  He nods quickly and looks away, obviously embarrassed.   

He orders a burger and fries for both of them. Jerry rushes back to the kitchen to make the food. After several minutes of silence, Bren asks Jax if something is bothering him. Jax shifts uncomfortably on the stool and then begins to talk. 

Only minutes into the conversation Bren realizes what has upset Jax.  He had spotted the ID card of the person he had jumped last night.  Bren is not ready to have this talk with Jax, his stomach now in a knot. Should he even try without consulting Fuchsia first? His explanation would be easier if there weren’t so many lies to begin with. He doesn’t know what to say but he is starting to think he needs a stronger drink to get through this conversation.  

Jax looks at Bren with exhausted eyes. He wants him to give him an answer that will make his worries go away. Although, deep down, Jax wants the truth. Jerry appears and drops their food off.

Bren orders a whisky and then returns his attention to Jax.  

He smiles and pushes Jax’s  food closer towards him saying “Nobody makes a better burger than Jerry.”  He secretly hopes that he will start eating and give him more time to figure out how to answer him. Jax nods but stares blankly at the plate and looks like he is going to break as Jerry drops Bren's drink off.

Bren says under his breath “Damn Fuchsia” cursing her for making this harder than it should be!   Bren swirls the amber colored liquid around and throws it back thinking “I will be damned if I take on this conversation without a little liquid courage.”