"Easier said than done. On all accounts." Jaden responded.

"But I'll try." he told her.

"...on all accounts." he added.

"Anyway, I'll let you get back to... whatever you were doing." he then said.

"Lemme know if there's any changes with Dean." he added.

"...I know." Jaden responded.

"A shame history may never forgive me, though." he said.

"On the bright side, I made a difference in the world for a bit." he then reasoned with a bit of a self-depreciating chuckle... which turned into a heavy sigh, as he shook his head.

"Don't think I should drop THAT bomb on her early..." he muttered.

"But anyway! I... yeah, I should finish my breakfast and see if Desiree wants to spend time with me." he told her.

"Thanks for listening. About my questions and such."

"Yeah, there are always extenuating circumstances." Jaden said.

"But... well, yeah, not much left to do now but move on and try and get close to Desiree." he mumbled.

"Oh, yeah." he then said.

"Managed to pick up a bag or two of those Dark Oasis coffee beans." he told her. "The ones that go bad surprisingly quickly? Anyway, I have more than I'm gonna consume, wanna take half?" he asked.

"I forget if they're a bean that you like to have or not."

"Not sure." Jaden admitted.

"Still, I'll give you half." he told her.

"Just lemme know when you're gonna stop by and grab 'em." he said further.

"You know, just so I know to expect you when I'm here, or if you'll drop by while I'm gone." he reasoned.

"I know you have direct access to my apartment."

Jaden paused, as the gears finally clicked.

"Oh!" he exclaimed.

"Well, I'll let you know what happens." he said.

"And... Australia?" he then asked.

"Wait... are you in the middle of a hunt?" he asked her.

"Or, like, are you there BECAUSE of a hunt, I should say." he clarified.

"...ugh." Jaden muttered.

"He the one that still simultaneously thinks that what I did in Europe was horrible, but at the same time feels like I was doing the non-human world a favour?" he then asked her.

"Yep." Sydney responded.

"I hate him." Jaden growled.

"To this day, I still don't understand HOW he has any power at all." he admitted to her.

"Hmph." Jaden muttered.

"Wait." he said.

"Didn't you tell me you worked with someone that does that kind of shady stuff?" he asked her, not wanting to name the person for security and safety reasons, but knowing she'd know who he was referring to.

"Maybe THEY'D do it." he suggested.

"Odds are Peter being outta the picture would be motivation enough." he said further.

"Or do you think they won't or can't do it?" he asked.

"Yeah." Jaden responded.

"Anyway, I'll talk to you later." he then said.

With that, they said their goodbyes and the call was ended, leaving Jaden to finish his smoothie and stare at his phone for a few seconds... and then mentally slap himself.

'What are you, a TEENAGER!?' he scolded himself mentally, before sending a text to Desiree.

Hey, you drink coffee? was all it asked.

"Best start simple and direct..." he mumbled.

I have some good stuff that goes bad surprisingly fast. Was wondering if you wanted to take some off my hands. he sent in response.

And when I say surprisingly quickly, I mean in about 3-4 months. But I'll never use all I have in that time. he added in another text.

He then sighed and started to clean up a bit, wondering what to do next.

"If she accepted... meet her there? Have her come here...?" he wondered.

"Go elsewhere...?" he wondered further.

'Why am I fretting over this...?' he then asked himself mentally.

He read the texts and thought for a moment.

I'll grind a small amount of beans before we meet so you can taste it. he sent.

As for where... depends on you, I suppose. Where would you be the most comfortable? he then asked her.

I can easily meet you at your place, you can come to mine if you want, or we can meet up at a park or something. he then added.