As the elevator ascended through the multitude of floors that made up the Baxter Building, Valeria stood on the side opposite from Quentin. An uneasy silence prevailed between the two teenagers for a few minutes. Maybe she had reacted too harshly to Quentin's attempt at reading her mind, especially given that they needed his help. It was times like these that she wished she was more like Franklin. As goofy and annoying as he sometimes was, he had a natural way with people that Valeria just couldn't seem to grasp. It was something he shared with their father, a style of leadership and personality that inspired others and complemented his natural genius. Quentin eventually brought up the question she had hoped she wouldn't have to answer. While it wasn't a part of her plan to clue him in this early, Valeria knew she would have to build some trust it this was going to work. "We tried getting all the older heroes to help us out. They were interested at first but after a while they gave up when there were no results, so Franklin and I decided we would do this our way." She frowned remembering how all the adults they had looked up to and believed in just turned their backs and gave up on helping Jack so soon. Valeria knew then that they were on their own. "One of our friends is still missing out there, and if the grown-ups aren't going to be any help we thought maybe someone closer to our age could do the job. That's why we reached out to you." She turned to Quentin, her blue eyes locked onto his with an imploring gaze. "It's true we don't want our parents and their friends finding out about this, but that's only because they wouldn't understand. They think we're obsessed and we should just let this go. No one gets that we're just trying to look after our own and get our friend back. They think it's better that we just forget about him. But I won't, not so long as there are still ways to keep looking." Just as Valeria finished, their arrival to the roof was announced with a soft ping from the elevator. They both stepped out into the cool night air and walked over to Franklin. "Quentin, this is my brother Franklin. And this is... well, I think it goes without saying." Valeria eyed Spider-Man curiously, wondering if he was tired of Franklin's ceaseless yammering by now. "Alright. Now that we're all here, I guess you'll need to know who it is we're trying to find." Turning to her older brother, Valeria nodded to let him know he could take over. He had been closest to Jack, after all, and could give Quentin all the information he would need to find him. "You do the honors, Franklin?" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A fast moving blur blew into the shawarma restaurant, a strong gust of wind trailing in its wake. The next thing anyone knew, a young man was standing next to the table. His clothes were all askew and his wild mop of pale hair looked tossled and unkempt. He was almost a mirror reflection of Billy, although the cocky way he carried himself made it obvious they were very different. "What's up, nerds? Sorry I'm late to your little gathering. Inter-city traffic, cute hipster chicks walking the streets of Brooklyn, you know how it is." Taking a seat next to Riley, Tommy rolled his eyes at the way Billy and Teddy were hanging all over each other. He didn't have a problem with their sexuality, just the overtly lovey-dovey displays of affection. "So, Billy. What's the agenda for tonight? Besides calling us to a place that smells like goat meat." Reaching across the table, he plucked a piece of roasted chicken from Billy's plate and stuffed it in his mouth before chewing it voraciously. He wiped away some tahini sauce that dribbled down his chin and winked at Barbara slyly.