Audio

[thedifferencebetween]

[Jack has been uncharacteristically quiet over the network for the last week and some days. No announcements of his own, no responses to public broadcasts save the one where his shredded mask was so blasphemously displayed.]

[Which is what's brought him to finally broadcasting again, audio only.]

[It's no secret now. That friggin' bastard of a Psycho had ruined all Jack's hopes to keep his state quiet. Fine. Since everybody knows what happened anyway....]

[Jack's voice is low and rough. He's not a happy man. The message is simple and to the point.]

A very large sum of money to whoever brings me back my face.

Comments

Private Audio

[thedifferencebetween]

How the hell can you say you mean it, then tell me you love me?

[Jack sighs. He's so friggin tired. The anger's burned out, for the moment. At least that fiery, fierce sort of anger. It's more a dull thing, mixed with sadness and the pain that even the pills from the hospital don't wipe out completely.]

You know I didn't know it was gonna...end up like that. If I'd known... jeezus, Angel, you think I would have done that to you on purpose? I...I dropped the ball on that one, okay? I just thought it'd make your powers really strong. And then what the hell could I do?

I don't want to give up on us, baby. I've lost so friggin much...don't do this. Don't kick me when I'm down. We can still have something.

Private Audio

[brokencode]

No, Jack. We can't.

I don't care if it was a mistake. There is no coming back from it. You have made your bed. Now it is time to lie in it.

Private Audio

[thedifferencebetween]

We could if you'd friggin give me an actual chance.

You don't give up on people you love, Angel. And you sure as shit don't tell them they can't try and make up for a mistake. How the hell can your heart be harder than mine? I...I forgave you for that whole thing with the Vault Hunters.

And look at this whole damn thing. Neither one of us should be here, but we are. Both of us. The friggin universe itself gave me another shot. Why the hell can't you?

Private Audio

[brokencode]

It took me five years to give up on you. It does not come easy.

As for the universe... you didn't make it suffer near death for years. It doesn't know any better.

I do.

Private Audio

[thedifferencebetween]

So that's it? Screw you, we're done? You're just...gonna cut me out?

[There's a strangely quiet and calm note in Jack's voice.]

Then I guess it really doesn't matter what I do anymore, does it.

Good to know.

Private Audio

[brokencode]

[She's too exhausted with the conversation to pick up on the potential malevolence.]

No, Jack. It does not.


Good night.