There was a limit to what she could allow. It was something that often played in the back of her mind at home. There was always a thin line between what she could live with and what she would die for. There were moments that kept Jessica Drew from saying she was a level-headed person. She was logical out of necessity, but she was still human. It happened when Bruce died. When an entire army came for one scared, sick kid, putting her own child at risk. When a family of hungry hunters threatened everyone she called family. As often as she liked to blame things on her upbringing, just as much could be blamed on being a professional hero. Hanging around people like Peter Parker could get inside a person. There were only so many times she could hear the story of Steve Rogers and his simple and shattering No, you move. before she began to believe that her power meant something. That it could be used for something so much better than annoying petty thieves for kicks.

In this world, it felt somehow easier to find that line. It would have been so much better for Jules if Jessica could not find it, if she could just ignore the world collapsing around her and go to the market or take her son to the park. But some responsibilities weighed heavier than others. It was not within her power to ignore the things that were going on in the city. Pete tried to convince her to leave if things got too bad, and she considered it. It wouldn't be fair to make that decision for Jules and Jeremiah, to put her in danger without her consent just because she could. It would have been nice to leave, too. The world would go quiet and she might get one beautiful night of sleep. She could watch Gerry smile and play without interruption.

Then the message came, a dark beacon on the horizon. Children were in danger and Jessica was torn between what was right for the person she knew best in this world and what was right for everyone else. In the instant she hesitated, Jules's voice, clear and resolute, filled her mind. We have to help them. Jessica turned her head to watch Cooper interact with the little boy who somehow seamlessly became both Gerry and Jeremiah over the last year. When he was with his father, Jeremiah was sweet and attentive as ever. When he turned to Jessica, she could see her baby in those big blue eyes. It was not so much a change as it was harmony. Jeremiah helped Gerry see the danger in crawling out the window while Gerry let Jeremiah see it was possible in the first place.

They’ll understand. Eventually. Jules answered the question before Jessica could think it. It was not a decision Jessica thought she would have to make so soon and with so little planning, but the day had come and the literal apocalypse was looming.

For all of the disagreements and friction after Cooper found out about her, Jessica was impressed with how well he had adapted to taking cover under her roof. He cooked and cleaned up after himself, and when Jessica asked him to grab up the boy and take a drive with her, he was happy to comply. She tried not to feel any guilt about it, pushing aside the knowledge that Jules’s relationship with the father of her son was difficult and complicated. She wondered what they’d been like when Jeremiah was small, before they’d realized they were never meant to be more than parents of the same child. It must have been similar to the way she and Cooper danced around each other now, aware of each other’s presence but never leaning into it. His demeanor changed, however, when he realized just where Jessica was taking them. When he asked her why, she could only shake her head. How did she go about explaining the chance of danger but not the certainty of it? How did she show him that so much of their lives would depend on luck and sacrifice?

The plans were less than twelve hours old when she handed over a sheet of paper with the flight information Cooper would need. She’d packed a bag for Gerry and pulled together everything she could identify as Cooper’s into his own backpack, and now they were both staring at her, confused, but packed. The airport around them was busy and imposing. It overwhelmed her senses to be around so many people at once, her trained brain wanting to focus on exits and disturbances. Gerry deserved better than that, though, and that was the whole problem. He deserved better than all of this.

With a sigh, Jessica looked Cooper over, wondering what kind of father he would be to her son. Or if her son would fade away the longer they were gone. This trip did have a return date, but she’d already explained that he should only use those tickets if Jules called him. There was a moment, strange and complicated, when Cooper stepped toward her and looked at her as if they had a history five years deep. The buzzing in her mind went quiet as she watched him decide to put his arm around her in a hug that she returned. Jules wanted to say thank you and good luck and a hundred other warnings and wishes, and Jessica would have allowed her to do all of those things, but the afternoon sun was beginning to dim and her phone was already buzzing with plans.

Jessica wanted Gerry to know that she would have given all of it up if he asked her to. If he understood what was happening and told her that he needed her more than the world did, she would have climbed onto that airplane with them. She hoped he’d understand this day if he had to remember it, but she also hoped she would see him again soon, safe and happy and alive. Crouching down, she pulled her son to her chest and ran her hands through that blond hair. With a smile like sunshine, Gerry pulled back to look at her, his tiny hand on her shoulder.

“No crying, Mama.”

“It’s okay to cry sometimes.”

“I love you. I’ll see you soon.”

“I love you, too.”