Curate, connect, and discover
Inspired by this old post.
Upon formation of the team, Cassie, Jacqui, Takeda and Jin are given paperwork to fill out. Said paperwork contains the dreaded “Emergency Contacts” section. Special Forces needed next of kin to notify in case anyone was incapacitated, and—if killed—someone to deliver the remains to.
Jin considers telling Secretary Blake, to only notify his family if he’s dead. At least he wouldn’t be alive to deal with their bullshit. No way in hell, would he stay under their watch injured (and have them bitch about his life choices). He considers adding Takeda’s information and calling it a day. And then he decides, that burden shouldn’t be placed on the ninja. He ends up writing a note to contact the Shaolin, should anything happen.
Some time after Shinnok’s attempted takeover of Earthrealm, Cassie’s team is on another mission. Reaching the extraction point proves more difficult than anticipated. Jin decides to put himself in harms way, so the rest of his team can escape.
His comrades refuse to leave him behind. They’re able to get to their injured teammate and drag him to extraction. Keeping pressure on his wounds until medical staff can look at him.
Jin regains consciousness at the hospital. Saying the monk is shocked, would be an understatement. Were they really so overjoyed to see him alive? Even General Blade drops by to check on him.
When Johnny comes to visit, the monk expects a stern lecture about his actions. The redness in his mentor’s eyes catches him off guard. It’s obvious he’s been crying. Instead of a lecture, Johnny squeezes his shoulder and asks, “How’re you holding up?”
Jin plans to recover at the Shaolin Temple when discharged. The actor has another idea and insists his word is final. Cassie’s team ends up at the Cage family vacation home. Johnny admits he wanted to surprise them. A reward for the string of successful missions.
Cut to a small house, surrounded by a wooden deck. It sits on a hill overlooking the beach. The cloudy sky is tinted with pink and orange hues. The deck leads to a screened in living room. Kung Jin is sitting on the couch. His friends converse in the kitchen; it makes for pleasant background noise. Observing the sunset, he comes to a realization. He’s found people that don’t force him to walk on eggshells. For the first time in years.