Always Something There to Remind Me (A Black Lightning Jen X Khalil Fanfic)

Chapter Thirty-Five- Aftermath

Chapter Thirty-Five- Aftermath

Khalil's POV

Khalil felt his frustration at the unwanted interruption bleed into his suddenly tense muscles as he groaned, "Philky- what are you talking about? We were having a private conversation-."

"I know, my bad," Philky replied, sounding the opposite of chastened. Khalil's eyes narrowed suspiciously at the self-satisfied grin on his friend's face. He was up to something. "I just couldn't help overhearing part of it, and I see that Jen missed out filling you in on some pertinent points. Just wanted to make sure the whole story is told."

Glancing down, Khalil saw Jen step forward, her arms folded across her chest. Her chin jutted out in a stubborn way that made a fond feeling sweep over Khalil and she snapped, "And this concerns you how? This is between Khalil and me, it's our history. You don't have to be involved."

"Khalil has been my friend for the past three years. This does concern me, and I am involved." Philky walked into the kitchen and sat on one of the breakfast stools, swiveling until he was facing Khalil and Jen. "I know he wants to help you out, wants to help avenge your friends death, and I'm cool with that. But I think he deserves to know the truth."

Khalil stiffened. He knew there was something that Donald, TC, and Philky had omitted when they told him about the kill code, it had been written all over their faces. But the idea that Jen, with her earnestness and convincing tone, wasn't telling him the whole truth as well... Khalil didn't know what to think. And Painkiller was silent too as he digested what Jen had told them. Khalil wasn't gonna get any help from him.

"I don't- I was getting there," Jen burst out, her lips pinched as she glowered at a beaming Philky.

Nodding like he was agreeing with her, Philky said, "Yeah, okay, you looked like you were about to tell him everything, alright."

Khalil knew what his m.o. was. Philky was trying to piss Jen off, for reasons unknown to Khalil, and it was working. Jen was vibrating with emotion, and Khalil put a steadying hand on her shoulder and sighed silently as she leaned into his touch.

"Look, man, this isn't the best time to start with all that-," Khalil started, shooting Philky a look that screamed 'stfu.'

Completely ignoring Khalil and talking over him, Philky said, "I think it is. Because you knew about it, bro. It was all you could ever talk about when the conversation of the Pierces came up." Philky nodded knowingly as Khalil eyed him questioningly. "It was important to you- they were important to you. When you first got here, you talked about what had happened obsessively. I listened to every word. When TC wiped your memories, that was over and done, and I hoped you would move on, but now Jen is back in your life, and if you're serious about helping her, all cards need to be on the table. There's a reason you left Freeland."

Philky's words echoed in Khalil's ears as he turned to Jen, searching out her pensive face. His hand was still on her shoulder as their eyes locked. Waves of tension rolled off her, and instinctively, Khalil knew that Philky, despite the insensitive way he had gone about it, was right.

"Is this true, J? Something else happened between us?"

Chewing nervously on her full bottom lip, Jen gave a reluctant nod. "...yeah. I was hoping that there would be the right time to tell you but thanks to Philky, that's not gonna happen now."

She scowled at Philky over Khalil's shoulder, and Khalil pushed back against the grin that was threatening to pop onto his face. He could totally see why he had fallen for her the first time around, she was so feisty.