Roxana jumped up from the couch and wrapped her arms around Alex. "The date's tomorrow and I've got nothing fancy enough for a date and he's going to think I'm fat and ugly and it's going to be a disaster and I'm going to be embarrassed and..."

Alex rubbed Roxana's back between her shoulder blades. "Chill, girl. Breathe. What have I told you?" She wriggled out from the embrace, steering the other woman to the door. "You are ridiculously beautiful, and I promise wwe'll find something for you to wear. Though I think you'll hate me for where we're going..."

"Why?" Roxana asked, suddenly alarmed. "Where are we going?" I don't wanna go if it's not a place I'll like. You said it was safe." With an effort, Roxana pushed back and twisted out of Alex's grip. "I need a hoodie!" The one she pulled from her closet was one of her older ones, still comfortable, though it was a little tight. It had cat ears on the hood, which Roxana pulled over her head.

Alex rolled her eyes and proceeding to exit the apartment. "It is safe. The guy is just a little weird, which is why you'll hate me. I don't think you'll need to worry about him hitting on your gorgeous ass though, because I'm pretty sure he's gay."

Safe in her hoodie, though still very aware of the openness around her, Roxana mumbled, "My butt is too big. Makes me look fat."

"Pfft." Alex said, with emphasis, "Your butt is fine. Goes great with your legs. If anyone should be complaining about their body, it's me. I mean, seriously, my boobs are pathetic compared to yours."

Folding her arms across her chest defensively, Roxana shook her head. "You're thin. Men like thin. I'm all big and fat. Big boobs, big bum, big feet."

"Pffffft." Alex gestured at Roxana's body. "Men like that. Trust me, when you watch everything because you can't hear anything, you notice things. Hell, even under your layers right now there's been two guys who double checked you."

"Um..." Roxana stopped, folding in on herself a little. "Wanna go home if people are just going to stare at me."

Alex shook her head. "They aren't staring, just a few who realised you were hot and glanced back for a moment. And anyways, taxi time now that we're closer to a main street."

Mumbling something about her looks, Roxana stood close to Alex. "it's scary," she said, "There's too much up."

"What do you mean 'up'?" Alex asked, confused, waving a taxi in. "Epic Mall, please," She added to the cabbie.

Roxana ducked into the taxi and visibly relaxed. "No ceiling outside. Too much up."

Alex looked at Roxana with a raised eyebrow. "Y'know Rox, sometimes I worry about you. But I can understand. I prefer being closer to the ground," she said quietly.

Roxana took Alex's hand. "I try to be better," she mouthed, so the driver wouldn't hear. "Lady Lift wasn't shy, but I go outside and it's scary and I just want to hide again."

Alex nodded. "be you, and be confident in being you. Because you're amazing."

"I hope Dragon thinks so," she replied silently. "I really like him."

"He will," Alex murmured without hesitation. "And we're here. The shop I had in mind is right at the back. Usually pretty empty, oddly enough." Roxana let Alex get out first, and tugged her hoodie tighter before following. She reached out and took her friend's hand. Alex pointed as the store came into view. The front was elegant, pristine, and conveyed and air of the rich. A bright, gaudy sign read 'Sqee's Emporium'. "In we go Rox, it'll be quiet inside."

"If you say so," She replied, looking around as they went in. Everything inside was fancy, to the shop fittings and the hangars. Nothing had a price on it, and all the products, down to the shoes and the little pieces of fabric hanging under a subtle 'lingere' sign.

"Miss Newt! What a surprise to see you!" came an exclamation. A shorter man, dressed in bright clothing came upon them from the side, though he hadn't spoken until Alex could see him. "What can Sqee do for you today?"

"I need a hell of a dress for a hell of a date for my friend here," Alex said. Roxana startled, jumping an inch to the side. She hadn't seen the little man coming at all.

"Oh, I'm sorry to have startled you, my dear...?" He left it as a question.

"Roxana." She held out a hand to shake, but turned to Alex hoping the hood would cover her mouth. "I can't afford this stuff."

Alex shook her head. "You aren't paying," she said quietly.

Sqee took the offered hand gently. "Well, my dear, I'm more than certain I've got something that'll help accentuate your already natural beauty. If I may enquire about the date, it may help me find something more suited for the specifics."

Taking a deep breath, Roxana stopped herself halfway. "Can I say Epic things here? I'm a secret still."

Alex nodded. "He won't talk, and nobody's dumb enough to try and make him talk. He designs most of the costumes for the heroes."

"It's for a date with Dragon Heart and I really want him to think I'm pretty." The words tumbled out of Roxana's mouth, before she looked around and closed it, shining white with embarrassment.

Sqee measured up Roxana with interest. "Now that is a date, my dear. We'll want elegance and to show off your curves. But not to open. We want him to use his imagination, after all. By the time we're done here, there will be no doubt of your beauty in his eyes. Why, just that he's got a date with your is sign enough, I say."

She nodded. "I think I should show off my legs. I like them." But she turned around and looked at the windows. "Um... Is there a room or something?"

"Of course dear," I wouldn't dream of making my customers dress in an open space. If you'll follow me..." Sqee said, already moving further into the store.

Alex pushed Roxana forward. "Play along. He'll have the perfect dress. Skirt. Whatever." Once in the back, the duo found themselves surrounded by half-finished work and mannequins of all sizes. Sqee came back with several outfits in his arms, humming jovially to himself.

Roxana looked at a blue dress over Sqee's left arm. "Can I try that one first? Blue's happy." Sqee nodded, and Roxana picked it up, noticing there wasn't a hood. "Where do I go?"

Sqee pointed. "Behind the curtain. It is fully furnished, dear."

"Alex?" Roxana reached for her friend, and took a deep breath. If she can be confident, I can be as well. She headed to the back and changed, which took longer than she thought. "Alex, I can't reach the zip."

Sqee motioned to Alex, feigning a zipping motion. Quickly, Alex helped her friend, whistling as she caught sight of her. "I'm super envious right now. I could never pull that dress off."

Roxana breathed in, but put a finger down the bust and pulled it forward. "It's tight," she grumbled, "My fat boobs are squashing it."

A second dress, lilac in colour, came over the curtain. "Perhaps this will be more comfortable," Sqee said from the other side.

Roxana took the dress, but didn't take the blue one off yet. She leaned over to the mirror, hitching the hem up a little. It was tight on top, but not that tight. But it was also tight on the bottom, and showed off her legs. It clung to her in a way she'd seen on some TV celebrities. "This doesn't look bad, does it?"

"Rox, it looks great. I envy you right now," Alex said.

The faint white glow across Roxana's skin began to tinge blue. "But it's no fun just trying on one dress." She smiled into the mirror and reached for the zip, snagging it and pulling it to the small of her back. A shimmy of the shoulders later, and the dress was in a puddle at her feet. "I think Dragon would like that if he likes me."

"I can guarantee he'd love that, goober." Alex laughed.

"I'm a goopy goober girl," Alex sang as she picked up the lilac dress. "How does this go on?" She asked. "There's no back or sleeves or anything."

"Pull it on from the bottom, like pants. It's a strapless," Alex said with a shake of her head. "We really need to get you out more."

Roxana blinked. "Then what covers the front? I don't know if he likes girls that much."

"Just put it on, you'll see," Alex laughed.

Like she was told, Roxana pulled on what she guessed was the bottom of the dress."This is the front?" She asked Alex, holding it. "That's not going to hold anything in place, I mean look." Holding it up, she gave the other woman how little it would cover. "I've got a bikini that covers me more."

Alex stifled a laugh, readjusting the dress a little. "Better?"

"Still," Roxana covered herself. "My boobs are too big."

"You. Are. Ridiculous. Try walking around."

"And they'll fall out."

"It's just you and me, goober," Alex sighed. "Oh no! Boobies! I've never seen them before! My innocence, it is ruined!"

Roxana stuck her tongue out at Alex in response. It might have been true that they'd seen the other's before, but that wasn't the point. "If you want to see boobs, go call the police lady you were flirting with last night."

Alex punched Roxana lightly on the arm. "I was not flirting. And how would you know that anyways?"

"I was distracted by having sexy in the room, not oblivious."

Alex playfully bumped Roxana's shoulder with her own. "Alright, alright, she was kinda cute. Hey, Sqee! Next dress?" Roxana pulled herself out of the half-dress, taking care her underwear stayed.

A third dress came over the curtain, this one a deep emerald colour. It was somehow smaller than the last, or at least that was how it seemed. Alex brought it over, looking at it. "String goes in the back. I'll have to tie it for you."

"OK." Roxana turned around and put it on, wondering how her butt would fit. Alex tied the string around the back of her neck, shifting the dress to settle better on Roxana's figure. She immediately looked down, to see how high up the thighs it went. "I can't bend over in this," Roxana said, proving the point by doing so.

Alex giggled, undoing the knot. "Next!" she called.

A fourth dress came over, a ruby red colour, with thin layers like a dress make for dancing. "This is the last I have picked out, girls," Sqee announced.

Finally, a dress Roxana could put on by herself. She twirled experimentally, watching the light skirt layers flare as she turned. "I like this one..." she said, "But I like the blue more."

"Blue suits you," Alex agreed. "Fit the best too."

"This is why I like you liking girls. You know where boys look." Roxana smiled and hugged her. "can we get shoes and extras here too?"

Alex raised an eyebrow. "You know it's not just girls. but I get your point." She shook her head, laughing quietly for a moment. "And yeah, Sqee will have the other stuff to compliment the dress."

"I'm not sharing Dragon, if he likes me," Roxana said, taking off the red dress. Would Dragon really like her curves over Alex's model figure? She suddenly felt self-conscious again, pulling on her layers and hoodie.

"You wouldn't need to. I'm not interested in him." Alex shrugged.

"But he's gorgeous and muscles and big..." Roxana trailed off, biting her lower lip.

"And not my type. He couldn't handle me anyways. The Traveling Trickster..." Alex muttered. "Honestly, sometimes I'm surprised you're still putting up with me."

"You're my best friend." Roxana hugged her.

"And I'm... different," Alex settled on. "But anyways, quit being so worried. I'll bet you five hundred that he loves you and you become official within a month."

"I don't have five hundred," She reminded Alex, "But I'll bet you a kiss."

"Shame, I always wanted to know what your lips felt like. And here you're betting it, and I'm going to win without a single worry." Alex pouted.

"Um... I meant a chocolate kiss," Roxana explained. "But we can do the other kind if you win. Once."

Alex shook her head. Don't worry about it, because I'm going to win. I don't care what I win, because I know I'll win. That's why I'm willing to risk five hundred." She thought for a moment. "How about this? When I win, you help me find a date for myself."

"But you get people talking to you all the time," Roxana picked up the blue dress, and folded it. Then unfolded it. Was she supposed to put it on a hangar? "I had to go home by myself last week because that guy at the bar didn't have a friend."

"It's not the same as what you've got now," Alex said sadly, taking the dress.

Roxana hugged her friend. "I have a date. You have dates. You still win." With a little mischief in her voice, she added, "You also get to sleep over more often."

"Because I'm a Trickster," Alex laughed. "Anything is possible when you know what buttons to push. But I don't think anyone pays attention like I do. And anyways, I'm just a notch in people's belts."

"You showed me your belt." Roxana reminded her. "And you've got to tell me that trick again if Dragon wants to take me home. You know the one where your parents called me because you hadn't answered your phone in twelve hours?" She perked up, looking at the blue dress. "This needs a belt too. Like one of those thick ones for the waist."

"I've got that already, dear," Squee spoke up.

Alex sighed. "Fun is fun. But it's not just one trick, Rox. And I don't think you want to mix lust this time around. Sure, it's nice and all. But you have something here. We'll save the tricks for the second or third date, huh?"

Roxana eventually decided to put the dress back on its hangar. "So no fancy underwear?"

"I didn't say that. Just no special tricks to melt his mind. Make sure he wants you for you, y'know?" Alex explained.

"Does the bra with the front clasp that you got me count as a trick?"

Alex shook her head. "That's up to you. You do make your own tricks."

"I don't have any tricks."

"You do, you just have to find them," Alex said simply.

She frowned. "Like the dress thing I did?"

"Exactly," came the simple reply.

Two thoughts bumped into each other, and the sound of the collision came out as, "Can I even wear a bra with this dress?"

"Mhmm. You'll have to test that and find out," Alex said mildly. "Either way, does it matter?"

Roxana looked at her. "Of course it matters. I don't want to look silly or stupid or cold. My hoodie is fine, but this is just one layer."

"With or without a bra, you'll look amazing, Rox," Alex shrugged.

"But..." She subsided.

"But nothing. You're gorgeous, and the dress is really going to make that pop."

Another thought occurred. "What do I do if he wants take me home? My place has that big poster of him and that'd be really embarrassing."

"Perfectly acceptable," Alex supplied.

"But that's..." She hadn't allowed herself to think any further than what had happened last time she went on a date with a boy, back when she was a teenager and had to be escorted by her cousins. The thought of actually... with Dragon Heart... "Mmph." Roxana sat down on a stool. She could have sworn smoke was coming out of her ears.

"Perfectly acceptable," Alex repeated, laying her hands on her friend's shoulders. "Look, Rox, you really like him don't you?"

"Mm-hm."

"And I'm positive he likes you. So let things go however feels natural, okay? If that means you do the dirty... Nothing wrong there," Alex shrugged, squeezing Roxana's shoulders slightly.

Roxana badly wanted to curl up into a little ball. Or get some private time. Or both. "But with Dragon...," she mumbled into her hands.

"I imagine it'll be better than anyone else you could choose," Alex said dryly. "Look, Rox, don't worry about it. Just worry about being yourself and having a good time."

"I'm not worried." She coughed and took a deep breath.

"You're lying," Alex laughed. "But whatever helps."

Roxana managed a half-hearted glare. "You're putting thoughts in my head."

"My, you dishonor me!" Alex mocked. "Of course I would never use such tricks on my best friend, even if it was for her best interest!"

"Now I'm going to think of doing that with him all the time!"

"Until it happens, anyways," Alex shrugged.

Roxana frowned, trying to ignore the ideas. "I just wanted to kiss him. And cuddle him. And have him touch me. And..." She went red again. "Alex!"

"I'm not the one thinking it," Alex accused with a laugh. "You'll get plenty of cuddle and kissing either way, I'm sure."

"But it's your fault."

"Such dishonor!" Alex exclaimed. "I am a perfectly innocent little girl, thank you very much." She ruined the effect by laughing.

"Innocent my fat butt!" Roxana replied. "But you are little."

Alex scoffed. "Now you insult me. Pffft."

Roxana got up and put her hands on Alex's chest. "Small."

"They're not small, they're..." She sighed."Okay, they're small. You win this one."

"Yes. Revenge." Roxana pulled am her tongue out. "I'm bigger than you and you can't do anything about that." She opened her hoodie and leaned forward. "I win."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "No offense, Rox, but I could do a lot about it. I just refuse to harm a friend in any real way." Roxana covered her chest again. "Not like that, silly," Alex laughed. "Now come on, let's get the rest of the stuff and get going."

"A belt, and shoes. And maybe a purse and something to put on my head." Alex nodded.

Squee came back, neither of the women having noticed his disappearance, with the extra accessories in hand. "I believe this will sort everything out, dear."

Alex nodded. "Charge my account, Squee. The usual."

Roxana took the belt and other accessories. "Can we portal home? I wanna try it all on." Alex nodded, waving her goodbye to Squee before opening a doorway. "After you..."

With no small amount of relief, Roxana stepped directly from the store to her comfortable, safe, home. She sighed, putting everything on the back of the couch for now. "Thank you, Alex." She hugged her friend as soon as she came through. "Now I'm going to look perfect."

"Of course, Rox. That's what friends are for," Alex shrugged. "You need anything else? I don't want to be a burden."

"A second opinion," Roxana said, changing into the dress again. "Now the belt goes like this..." She dressed up completely, except for the zip, which gave her a little trouble. Again.

Alex pulled the zipper up, nodding slowly. "Really comes together, I think. You'll have to alert me when you get dressed tomorrow so I can pop in real quick for the zipper."

Roxana danced around the room, sweeping her puppy plush into her arms. "I'm going on a date, I'm going on a date!" She sung, the room mostly lit up by her happy blue glow.

"You could have stayed with us a bit more." Martha looked at her daughter troubled. "You don't have to shoulder all this burden by your lonesome, sweetheart." She gently caressed Teagan's tear stricken face.

"I know, Ma." Teagan rasped. "I don't plan on doing it all alone. I just thought it would be best to take her home as soon as possible so she could start adapting to it. Instead of having her calm down in yer place to ship her to my house right after."

Martha considered for a moment. "You might have a point there." She peered at her daughter intently. "But I know you, Teagan. You will always try to fix things and exhaust yourself in the process. And you won't call me and your dad so as to not worry or burden us." She squeezed Teagans hands. "This is not something you should do alone. Raising a child, even a young adult as Megan, it's something you should share. Please, let me and your dad help." Martha pleaded. "Even if just a little."

Teagan's phone buzzed, alerting her to a new text message. She glanced at the screen and upon seeing Regan's name picked it up. 'Hey, I just wanted to let you know I'm off work, in case you wanted to drop a line... or something.' The text read.

"Who's Regan." Her mother asked beside her, trying her best to appear as if she wasn't peeking into her daughter's private conversation.

A small, small smile graced Teagan's lips. She didn't mind her mom's prying. "I met her during the Rat King incident. She's PART."

"One of those officers who track down rotten Epics?" He mom asked.

Tegan nodded.

"Is she pretty?"

The firefighter colored adorably. "Ma!"

"Oh, don't 'Ma!' me, young lady. I know you too well. Whatever this Regan texted you, made you smile that smile."

"What smile?" Teagan looked at her mother suspiciously.

"You know." He mother grinned. "Your 'I'm smitten' smile." Came the gentle answer and Teagan blushed even more. She buried her face in her palms.

"I shouldn't be thinkin' about that know. I need to take care of Megan." She admonished herself.

"Oh, Teagan, sweetheart. You will." Her mother assured her. "I have no doubt about that. But like I said. Don't do it alone. It won't be good for you. And it certainly will not be good for Megan. If this Regan is making you smile like that, welcome it. You've been alone for so long. Always helping others. Always putting them before yourself. You're thirty-seven, honey. If this woman calls to you, answer. Me and your dad will be here for you and for Megan." Martha finished her little pep talk with a squeeze of Teagan's hands. "Now..." She continued, peaking at her daughter with a playful light in her eyes. "You didn't answer me. Is she pretty?"

Teagan allowed a slow smile to stretch her lips. She brought Regan's face in her mind's eye. "She's gorgeous!" She answered, her voice trembling. "She drove me to your place when you called to tell me about Megan. She... She said she would be there for me if I needed to talk."

"That was sweet of her." Martha commented with a smile. She was starting to like this Regan and would have to grill her wayward daughter more on the subject when she was a little bit more stable on her feet. "Will you?" Martha asked. "Talk to her?"

Teagan hesitated. "I... I'm not sure I'm ready."

"You're talking to me." Her mother countered.

"That's different, Ma."

"How?" Martha debated.

"You're my Ma. I can talk to you and... and..." Teagan didn't finish.

"And not feel vulnerable." Martha finished for her.

Teagan slouched, sinking in the sofa cushions.

Martha pulled her up and made her sit straight. "Teagan Heyes, if there is one thing I'm absolutely sure of, it is that my daughter is no coward!"

The firefighter was taken a little aback by her mother's vehement declaration. She thought for a moment. Was she acting like a coward in not calling Regan. Sure, she felt self-conscious opening herself up to possible heartbreak. But how did one find a companion to share their heart with, if not through an act of valor, a leap of faith of sorts. To put your hart on a platter as the saying went. To open yourself up to the possibility. No! She most definitely wasn't a coward!

She gently took her mother's face in her hands. "Thanks, Ma. I love ye!" And kissed her on the forehead.

"I love you too, dear." She stood. "Now I'll go and fetch your dad from beside Megan's bed and we'll leave you alone, as if I'm not mistaken... You have an important phone call to make." She winked at her daughter.

Teagan just smiled and shook her head. She rose and followed her mother to Megan's room.

They entered and found Rory Heyes sitting besides Megan's bed, gently stroking her hair and singing a lullaby. "It doesn't matter she can't hear me." He'd stated. "As long as she knows I'm doin' it, it'll sooth her." And he'd turned out to be right, of course. The exhausted young woman'd fallen right to sleep.

"Let's leave our girls to rest, dear." Martha approached her husband. When he turned his eyes were wet. He rose, not trying to hide his tears.

"She'll be hurtin' for quite some time." The man stated helplessly and took his wife's hand in hers.

"Yes." She answered squeezing hes hand. "But we'll be here for her." She looked at her daughter meaningfully. "All of us."

Teagan simply nodded and escorted them to the door. A few hugs and kisses later she was alone in her leaving room. She padded back to Megan's room and cracked the door. She was still sleeping. Closing the door Teagan pulled out her phone and headed for the leaving room. She plopped down on the sofa and called up Regan's contact. She stared at it for a long time, before mustering up the courage to call.

"Hello, Teagan." Came the slightly unsure sounding answer. "I didn't expect you to call."

"I know I said I wasn't ready to talk this morning, but..." Teagan wasn't sure how to continue. What could she say without it sounding too forward. Finally she decided to settle on what felt right, but couldn't get the words out in time.

"But you still feel the need to." Regan finished what Teagan'd wanted to say.

"Yes." She whispered.

"Megan?" The PART officer simply asked.

"She's sleeping." Came the quiet answer.

"May I tell you a story?" Regan asked.

Teagan thought she heard a trace of sadness in her voice. But since she really didn't know what to talk about and didn't want to end the call, she answered with a quiet 'yes'.

"There was this girl." Regan began telling her story. "She was an orphan. They'd told her her parent's had died. She didn't really remember them, so she wasn't all that sad about them dying. And of course she didn't feel abandoned like most of the other children in the orphanage. So she wasn't at all a sad orphan. Oh, sure life wasn't easy. The orphanage was supported financially by the ECPD and people donate money and stuff often. But still, there were a lot of kids and the money had to be divided wisely."

Regan paused for a second. She didn't know why she'd volunteered to tell Teagan her life's story. But if it helped her forget her troubles for just a few moments, she didn't mind. And it's not like she kept it a secret. "So the children were well taken care of and didn't want for nothing. Even if they didn't have the fancy clothes, toys and the such. Even if they had to do chores on top of classes. And when the girl was eight years old the dream of all orphans came true for her. She was adopted! By a good family of a lady cop and her sweet writer of a husband. And it is then that the girl realized what it meant exactly to have someone to rely on. She knew with absolute certainty that those two sweet people would spare no means to make that little girl happy. Even more so when, after she'd turned fifteen, they'd told her the truth about her parents."

Regan hesitated. That part of the story was dark and she didn't want to burden Teagan even further. But she'd begun and she wanted to finish. Somehow she felt she needed to tell it all. "They sat her down on the sofa and with gentle voices and compassionate looks had told her how her teenage mother was raped by a crazed Epic and left to die, broken and bloodied on the streets." There was a muted gasp on the other side of the line, but Regan pushed on abandoning the anonymity of the story. "When I asked them if my mother'd abandoned me of her own volition, they told me they honestly didn't know. Mum and Dad didn't hide anything from me. They were and to this day are always honest with me. For the good and for the bad. So, you see, Teagan... When I told you Megan was lucky to have you. It wasn't just empty encouragement. I lost my parents before really knowing them and so felt no pain. If I were to lose Mum and Dad, i'd be a wreck."

There was silence on the other end of the line. And then a shaky voice. "Regan, I didn't know. I..." Teagan's voice betrayed her. Here was this woman who hadn't had the easiest of lives, and she was so courageous, so compassionate, so understanding. "Thank you." She hastened to say. "Thank you for sharin' yer story with me. It..." Teagan thought for a minute. She understood why Regan'd shared it with her. "It helped. I know I feel inadequate in consolin' Megan. But all she really needs is to know I'm there for her."

"Yes." Teagan could hear the younger woman's smile across the phone.

"I..." Teagan stuttered. "I mean..." What was she trying to say?!? "I need to be here for her..." The firefighter tried again.

"Teagan, it's alright." Regan tried to reassure her.

"No... Jesus..." Teagan was blubbering helplessly. "Shait! Come on, Heyes!" She encouraged herself and Regan couldn't help but smile at her obvious fumbling. She heard the older woman take a deep breath. "Lets try this again. What I'm tryin', and failin' miserably, to say is that I like you. And I would like it very much if you would do me the honor of goin' out with me..." She hesitated. "But..." She didn't finish.

"But you have Megan to think of." Regan finished instead, heart pounding wildly in her chest. "I think we both feel there's a connection between us. I know Megan's you're priority right now. I don't want to interfere with that, but I would also like to see where this thing we have can go. So you're not getting out of this so easily, Heyes." Regan grinned. She couldn't help it. Teagan'd asked her out. Of sorts. "Here's what we'll do. You lead. And I'll follow. How's that?" She asked suddenly apprehensive.

There was a moment of tense silence on the other end of the line. Then a shy answer made Regan release the breath she'd been holding. "I think I would like that very much."

"Good."

"Hey, Murphy?"

"Yeah?" Regan smiled. The mood had lightened up a bit. She could feel it by how Teagan'd called her 'Murphy'. She too used the other woman's family name in similar manner.

"Thanks for tonight."

"Always." Regan stated simply. "Can you tell me a little bit about Megan now?"

Teagan's heart swelled. She should have been expecting her to show interest. She'd seen first hand the compassion she was capable of during the swarm rats' assault.

The two women ended up talking for another hour or so. Tegan telling the younger woman about Megan. About how she was born deaf-mute. How she'd saved her one faithful day from that forest fire. Regan'd interrupted her than.

"Your back?" She'd asked gently, contained horror coloring her husky voice.

"Yes." Teagan'd answered simply.

"She seems like a fine young woman." Regan said after Teagan'd finished her story. "She will heal. It'll take time, but she'll get there." She assured.

"Yes." Teagan agreed. "Thanks, Regan. I know I said I wasn't ready, but I really needed to talk it out..." A slight pause. "With ye."

Regan couldn't contain her smile. "I'm glad you called. Go to bed now, Teagan. You need to rest. Don't make me come there and put you to bed, Heyes!"

Teagan laughed. "Ye don't even know where I live, Murphy." Although the idea of Regan putting her to bet was most appealing.

"Heyes, you forget. I'm a cop." Regan mock growled.

"Oh, posh!" Teagan countered. "Ye'd never abuse your authority like that."

"Don't provoke me, Heyes!" Regan warned laughing now. "Just go to bed already, woman!"

"Yes, Corporal!" Tegan saluted.

"Oh, shut up, you..." Regan was giggling like a school girl. "Say 'good night', Heyes."

"Good night Heyes." Teagan obeyed and more laughter followed. "Night, Regan." She finally rellented.

"Night." The younger woman answered. "Sweet dreams." She added.

They disconnected and Teagan set on the sofa for a long time, a silly grin plastered all over her face. Somewhere out there in Epic City Regan sat on her own sofa with a similar expression.

Finally Teagan stood, went to Megan's room, peaked in and when she assured herself the girl was still sleeping, left the door ajar and went to her own bedroom punching out for the night.

Previously...

"David Lin, welcome to paradiso," crowed Kenny, pushing open the run-down fence. If he hadn't looked twice, he would have looked completely past it, and only now could he see the well-oiled hinges disguised by the trash-heap of a door. They went through the decrepit foyer of a long forgotten building and up a set of stairs, stopping in front of a surprisingly well-kept door.

"Uh...is this--" he began.

"Looks cliche, doesn't it? Yeah, it kinda is." She shrugged, pulling a key from her belt and slotting it into place. As the door opened, David was caught off guard by a sudden blast of bass. Kenny pushed him forward and shut the door quickly behind him.

"Ernie, shut that shit up! We have a newbie here." Kenny threw her coffee cup across the room, where it bounced off the wall, hit the power button for the outrageously loud amp, and bounced into the can after. David blinked. How the fuck--

Then he noticed the decor. Outside had looked ugly as all hell, but in here...it was like any old apartment. If he was honest, it was a ridiculously clean apartment, apart from the snack wrappers and empty Monster cans lying around.

"Fuck off, Kenny," the man she had called 'Ernie' glared at her. "I was just finding my groove there."

"You'll be okay, big guy," said Kenny, bouncing into an overstuffed armchair. "Where's Garfield and Vince?"

"Probably fucking in their room," grumbled Ernie, gingerly setting down his guitar. "Swear to god, they haven't stopped since they hooked up last week. Maria left an hour ago. She could hear them grunting through the walls."

"Horny bastards," Kenny muttered. "And how about Hannah? I thought she'd be around."

"She had a dance lesson," Ernie said. "Thanks for reminding me: I was gonna try and make something for our anniversary tonight. Got groceries and everything." He glanced at David. "Yo, nice to meet you, man. You like chicken parm?"

"I...I guess?" David hated himself for stuttering, but he really hadn't expected any of this. Maybe a group of druggies getting high or something?

"Dope. Let me know if you're sticking around, otherwise I'll eat your bit too." Ernie disappeared into the kitchen, and a moment later a FWOOM could be heard as flames erupted out from around the corner. "Shit!" came Ernie's voice. "My bad, guys."

What had he gotten himself into?

---

The night passed quickly, and David found himself watching the sleeping forms of the people around him. Why not? The Rat Swarm had been taken care of, and Phantom had already found that the petty criminals were either already being handled by other Epics and the Police, or they were hiding after the swarm invasion of the evening. He'd basically been reduced to a glorified babysitter.

He took the time to review what he'd learned, while he watched Kenny sleep. Not that he was being weird or anything: she was lying on the couch opposite his body. Everyone else was in their own rooms.

Everyone else. Ernie, Hannah, Garfield, Vince, Maria, and Kenny. Kenny didn't live here: these people were her closest friends, but she lived with her aunt and uncle across the city. Her aunt and uncle weren't the most supportive of her career choice, or so she'd told him after a few drinks.

Ernie and Hannah were an item, for two years now. Ernie's lumbering frame, coupled with Hannah's tiny one, was a strange juxtaposition, but they seemed happy together, and David didn't know them enough to say anything else.

Vince and Garfield were a ghost writer and a classically trained flutist, respectively. They were also both newly out of the closet, and after years of sharing a two-bed room, they finally snapped. When he got he tour of the house, David saw that their beds had been pushed together to make a queen-sized one instead.

Maria...holy shit. When David had first met her, he reacted like he'd met any other person. He smile, cracked jokes, and shared a few quality memes he'd recently found. But for fuck's sake...he couldn't stop looking at her. She dressed well, like she had been taught how to flatter herself perfectly: and god damn, did she have looks worth flattering. Her eyes were a dark chocolate brown, but they shone out of the tawny skin of her face, so easy to get lost in. He hoped she didn't notice how much he was staring, because he wasn't trying to be some weirdo creep after first meeting the girl. But Jesus Christ, she was magnetic.

Maria had found his memes "interesting", even smiling a few, but Kenny had howled with laughter, along with Ernie and Garfield. Somehow, by the time they all went to bed, David felt as if he'd known them all his entire life. They all were a little bit different, but somehow they all lived, loved, and got along. Hannah was a sound designer: she made sound effects and recordings for the industry. Maria was a singer and a voice actor, and Ernie was a producer, like himself, as well as a pianist.

All in all, a good group of people that he was glad to have--

"HOLY FUCK DAVID WHAT THE FUCK--" Kenny's voice jarred him, and he shot up three feet in the air toward the corner. "No no no what the fuck dude please tell me you didn't die--" She started to hyperventilate, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing.

Without thinking he swooped down in front of her. "No, no, Kenny. Kenny don't freak out, I'm fine, I'm just--"

"Ohhhhhh." Kenny's terror rapidly faded. "Oh, shit! Dude! You're an ep--"

"Yeah, I'm...I'm special." He made hushing noises with his hands. "Please, please keep your voice down."

Kenny nodded, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "You're one of us, man! This is fuckin' awesome!" She reached down and grabbed the TV remote from the couch. "HEY GUYS!" she shouted, and David winced as he heard the shout through two sets of ears. Kenny threw the remote without looking, and it flew across the room, bounced off the wall, and hit the lightswitch. "DAVID'S ONE OF THE BOYS!"

With a start, David's Phantom vanished, and he lurched upright on the couch. "What the fuck, Kenny?" he asked angrily, even as doors opened and lights began to turn on. He resigned himself to the worst, as the room started to fill. He'd really fucked up this time. Why hadn't e just been an invisible Phantom like normal?

"Dude, this is so cool," babbled Kenny. "I didn't think we'd find any other musical people like us, but here you are. This is fuckin' dope, we're like...some kind of musical Epic ninja team."

Wait, what?

Alto felt there was a little more to it then what she said but as long as she didn't really have evil intentions then he was fine with whatever it was.

"Well, I'd be down for surprising people." He said, flashing a smile to boost her confidence a little.

Friends, huh? It was a shame to admit he didn't really have any. He used to before he got the Vice Claw and right after that he just became distant. He wasn't exactly in the business of making friends but maybe he should start.

"...Say, how old are you, actually?" He asked out of the blue.

@Regitnui

"28 year-old girl missing, suspected kidnapping."

The headline sent Edward into a rage, it could have been unrelated, but he couldn't help but know that this was the one, it was Nudd, and he was here for sure. Edward swung the paper through the air angrily, watching as it caught fire. That was completely unintentional, and now he couldn't actually read that paper, good thing he'd managed to catch the girl's name and her parents'.

A few minutes and a lot of convincing later, he'd managed to learn where the girl had been kidnapped, and apparently a large swarm of insects had appeared just before she disappeared into the distance. This was all Edward needed to hear, Nudd had his first victim, and Edward was sure she was already dead. Hopefully Edward could find him before he took a second.

It was useful to be as fast as he was, he had found out more information in a few minutes than the police had in hours. Including the fact that a factory had been suddenly infested by a massive nest of Killer Bees, far north of their usual range, and the workers had been evacuated pending an extermination. Edward knew that this had to be Nudd, attempting to set up a safe haven, he'd have to attack the castle before Nudd could get settled. He approached the building quickly, the windows broken out and a massive number of both bees and other flying creatures exiting and entering as was common with bee infestations.

Edward had lost to this man once, never again, he would not let him take another life. Edward clenched his fist and growled, charging towards the abandoned factory and crashing through the wall with a leap. He rolled to a stop in the center of the room and looked around at a crouch. There were spider webs everywhere and insects flew by his ears every second, but they all seemed docile, not curiously approaching him as insects usually did. The machinery was all still in place, however infested it was. At the other corner of the room was a silhouette, standing just out of the sunlight. Edward grinded his teeth and focused on him, Nudd, as he knew it was.

"Nudd!" he yelled. "Where's the girl?" Nudd was still out of the light and his actions were hard to make out, but by the tone of his quiet voice, Edward knew he understood.

"Free," he whispered out in a soft, sweet voice like a kindly grandfather. All of the insects suddenly stopped loitering and alertly moved to his position as he strode into the light. His mutilated face shining wetly in the sunlight as insects crawled in and out of his mouth, ears, and even eyes. His bloated stomach twisted and deformed with every passing second.

"Hello sir, what a pleasure to have you in my home," he said sincerely. "I see you've already heard my name, I'm not sure who from, but yes, I am Nudd Richards, humble drifter." His calm demeanor was off-putting, as was his attempt at a smile, hideous due to his lack of lips or eyelids.

He scratched his head, freeing a hornet from just under his skin.

"And to who do I owe this pleasure?"

"Cut the shit, Nudd, I know who you are, and I'm here to stop you." For good if necessary. Nudd snickered with a shake of his shoulders.

"How rude, and how utterly cliche as well, I've heard that line enough times to know that it's not coming true," he stated happily, almost gleefully. Edward took a step back and stuttered, Nudd had completely changed, he was so... nice, not like a murderer should be.

"Uhh... yeah... well, I've not had the time to come up with something better, what with my mind being filled with revenge and all that." It was if Nudd had eaten the rage right off of him, though the disgust and confusion remained, especially with the repugnant odor Nudd was letting off.

"Oh, revenge eh? By any chance do you happen to be Edward Iwan?" Edward's eyes shot open.

"So you do remember."

"How could I forget my best friend?" Edward grunted, this felt wrong, not at all like the climatic battle he had expected. "You know I was going to free you first, I was surprised to find your... friend, rather than you."

And the rage was back, even stronger than before.

"Free us? You murdered my boyfriend! You're lucky I didn't tear your arms off and feed them to you!" Nudd laughed loudly.

"Oh, you don't understand at all, do you? It's fine, fate won't have her dirty hands on you anymore after I'm done here."

He took a knife and pulled it across his wrist, sending out a veritable horde of killer bees. Edward snorted and ran right through them, grabbing Nudd by the collar and punching him so hard his jaw only remained attached by a few strings of flesh. No blood leaked out of the wound however, instead a group of insects shot out towards his face, Edward had to back away rather than deal with them.

"You've gotten stronger since we last fought. I'm impressed, fate must not wish to part with you quite yet," he complimented as a group of ants re-secured his jaw to his face. "Too bad I've made my choice."

Nudd opened his mouth and a great number of insect species poured out, spiders, wasps, scorpions, all large and presumably dangerous. Holding his knife in his left hand, Nudd gestured upwards, and all the insects that still remained in the room gathered on him, forming a cloud around his body. Edward shot around the pack and struck at Nudd, only to be surprised when he hit nothing but insects. Nudd replied by bringing his blade down on Edward's neck, yelping in shock when it failed to pierce Edward's durable skin.

Nudd leapt back, enraging Edward, who begged to whoever that would listen that this next punch connected. He charged forth, all of his focus on directing his fist, only to be surprised by a sudden searing pain in his midsection as Nudd's knife hit home. At that speed, no matter how durable his skin, the knife could pierce, not quite as deeply as on a normal human, but deep enough. Ignoring the pain, Edward threw a volley of punches, killing enough of the insects to get to Nudd's face, which he punched at least ten times, hard enough to send one of his eyes flying from its socket, still attached but barely. Nudd grabbed at Edward's arm, grabbing it tightly, but Edward slapped it away and knocked Nudd away with a speedy punch, sending him across the room with a groan.

Edward looked at Nudd, scared finally, as his eye was pulled back into the socket, and he pulled himself to his feet and was flown away by a group of flies. Edward had him on the ropes finally. He prepared himself once more, and then took off at a run.

Only for a great number of burning pains to suddenly appear on his lower right arm, a less painful one on his left. He collapsed to the ground, in an incredible amount of pain. Nudd approached, chuckling.

"I thought you would notice, I really did." He raised an arm, and a group of insects crawled their way out of Edward's sleeves. "Bullet ants, one of the most painful stings in the animal kingdom, Fat-tail scorpion, possessed of an exceptionally deadly venom, and American dog ticks, with a numbing agent in their saliva, preventing you from noticing the large number of insects crawling up your sleeves," he explained matter-of-factly.

"When I noticed that you couldn't be hurt by my knife, I knew there had to be another way, when you impaled yourself on my knife, I knew I had to use your speed against you, so I grabbed you and planted the insects on your arm, to be activated when you next took off. The ants would stop you in your tracks, and the scorpion's venom would free you, easy as that." He tittered. "I always remembered you as the smart one, though it looks like I'm your better now."

Nudd pulled on Edward's hair and planted a foot upon his back, putting painful stress on his lower spine.

"I told you I would free you."

Edward groaned in pain as the bullet ant stings horrifically burned at his arm, but with a cry, he threw his head back, cracking Nudd's cheekbones as his nose wasn't there to hit. As Nudd grabbed at his face, Edward stumbled to his feet and took off, his vision beginning to blur as his expedited metabolism quickly spread the poison through his body.

He made it to the middle of the streets before finally his legs gave way, and he collapsed, bouncing along the concrete and crashing into a parked car. He realized just how badly he had fucked this up just as he passed out.

James placed his bowl in the sink with the rest of the dishes, deciding to wash them up later this evening when he got back home. With a content look he walked back into his room to change shirts, having stained his current one with a dollop of sauce, swiftly replacing it with a plain white tee as he balled up the soiled one and tossed it in the general direction of his clothes basket. What to do? That was the question that haunted him, as a celebrity epic, James was quite well off, the salary he received from the ECPD as a 'volunteer' covered basic living costs whilst the various other incomes, company sponsorship, ENTV guest appearances and even the occasional job in the private sector allowed him to live in excess. This in turn however freed up a lot of his time, not actually having a proper day job left gaps in ways to occupy himself, perhaps he'd just hit the gym again. James stretched out an arm behind his shoulder blade, the dull ache that ran up from his rib gave him the answer to that question. Pub? He quickly shook his head at the thought. Bad press, drinking this early in the day. He gave it some more thought to no avail, throwing on a pair of thongs before heading out the door, not quite sure where he was headed.

Spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch. He recited in his head, his hands instinctively imitating the catholic practice of making a sign of the cross while he mentally went through the check list, he didn't exactly possess spectacles, or a watch for that matter, but the tradition he had learned from his uncles demanded they be listed. He wondered how the old boys were doing, last he saw of them they had been doing shift work at a lumber mill somewhere in Oregon, as rough and hardworking as ever. Although not actually related to them, his uncles Kyle and Liam, two brothers who had befriended his mother upon her arrival in the country, had been his biggest role models growing up. They were both jokers, but held that 'work hard, drink hard' kind of mentality in their life, they looked after both him and his mum in their early days, helping them adjust to their new lifestyle, while helping keep a younger James out of the public eye, away from the gaze of malicious groups that may of harmed him for being what he was. They had kept in touch with his mother, gracing the two of them with the occasional visit after they moved to Epic city when James was sixteen, it had been a much needed reprieve with the uncles acting as mediators between a somewhat unruly teen James and a mother trying to maintain her authority as a parent. James visibly cringed at the memory of his younger self as he walked out of his apartment complex.

"James?" A familiar voice called out, James whipped around, his eyes resting on a short fellow with short black hair styled in a faux hawk. Green eyes full of mischief, shone out from behind a pair of round glasses, the fellow hid half a grin behind his hand as he scratched at the stubble on his cheek, awaiting his friends response.

"Mother-fucker." James said with a smile, the word sounding almost musical as he formed it, he held out his arms and embraced the other man in a brief hug, each of them giving the other a heavy pat on the back.

"Looks like I just caught ya, I've always been one lucky sonofabitch, down for some coffee?"

"God damn Boost, only if you're paying." James replied, earning him a chuckle and a certain hand gesture from his friend.

"Naturally." Boost said, shaking his head as the two walked side by side to an old haunt of theirs, Tanya's bakery. It was a popular joint when they were teens, serving some of the best and freshest pastries this side of the river.

The two of them shot the shit and caught up on each others activities from the past two years, James had been doing much the same, having just started his rise to fame when Boost had left the city to tour around the states. The two of them had debuted as a duo team in Epic city at the age of 18, scrapping with small time villains and taking on the local drug operation in their area. James had been a bit more conservative in his look back then, relying heavily on Boosts ability to carry them through the fights.

"You know, I still think I have tank top with the old insignia on it." James chimed in while they sipped at their drinks, the coffee was shit, but the crisp, buttery croissant more than made up for it, with James humming contently to himself as he took a bite.

"No shit! We'll have to dig it up at some point and hit the streets for old time sake. I can see it now, Boost and The Defender, back at it again."

A smile lit up James face as Boost performed the accompanying theatrics to his announcement.

"Boost and Stark crusader." James corrected, waggling a finger at his friend. "Public gave me the new name a year back. Didn't you read the emails I sent you?"

Boost shook his head apologetically, before giving a shrug. "You always were a boring fucker, so I gave 'em a skip." He replied with a grin. James tossed the remainder of his croissant in his direction.

"Oi! ya cheeky bastard!" Complained Boost, throwing James a look of incredulity.

"That's what you get ya prick." James said in a light hearted way, catching the butchered remains of his morning tea that Boost passed up from his lap. Cleaning up after themselves, James and Boost paid for their meal and went on their way, idly chatting between themselves as they walked downtown.

@Bluetommy

A figure stepped out of the shadows, walking forward. To anyone who noticed, a chill would run down their spine and they would want to run away from the sight.

A writhing mass streaked out, touching the hero as the figure drew nearer.

"The Mistress has need of you," a low voice could be heard as Edward was carried off.

---
<Some time later. Deep underground>

"Awake!" A female voice sounded, oddly distorted, as Edward was dragged to his feet. "I have healed you from the toxins, and now you will repay me."

As Edward came to and opened his eyes, he'd find himself in a dark underground lair. Freaks were all around, Nightmare directly in front of him, and a woman looking figure could be made out from the shadows on the far side of the room.

"You have failed in your duties. You must seek redemption," Nightmare said in his deep gravely voice. "The Mistress will show you the way."

Robert was really starting to regret his decision. Between waiting in a horribly long line to walking into stores with Emily trying everything but buying nothing, you can understand why. He tried to cheer himself up by thinking that at least she was having fun. She had her mind out of that weird trance she was last night. It was just so out of character. For him, it was odd and he didn't like it. At all. It really made him think how much of her he actually knows... or, how little.

"So? Do I look good in this dress?" His attention snapped back to her as she was wearing a form fitting red dress.

"No."

"Really? I thought I looked great in this one." Emily pouted before heading back into the dressing room. She then slid the curtain open and then showed him two more dresses - a white one and a red with black hues. "Which one do you think I should pick?" She asked, raising it more as if shove it in his face.

Robert placed his hand on his chin in thought. "I'd say go for the white one."

"You think so?" Emily asked with uncertainty in her voice. She looked at the dress then back at him. "Wait a minute, didn't you rank very low on our fashion exam before?"

"Yes."

"So why are you giving me fashion advice?"

"Why are you asking me?"

Emily nodded. "Good point. I'll try on a few more dresses." She said before disappearing into the changing room once more.

Robert eyed the person sitting on the chair. He had finally vacated it and the red haired male quickly claimed it for himself. Now, it is another game of waiting. He crossed his arms and then leaned back on the wall. He should have brought a game console or something. Surfing the net doesn't seem so appealing right now, to be honest.

"Mommy, mommy, look! It's that man that saved me!" A young girl pulled her mother towards him. Robert looked up. What the hell? That was one of the young girls he rescued when the Rat King attacked. But he had a mask on at that time, there was no way she could have known it was him. But she looked so intent and she even faced him.

"I... uh, think you have the wrong guy." Robert quickly said before looking up to the mother.

"See, Yue? You told me that the man who rescued you had a mask." The mother said before turning to Robert. "I'm so sorry for bothering you."

"No! That is him!" Yue insisted. "I know it's him! I know it!"

"Yue..." The mother took her hand but Robert motioned her to stop. "What is it?"

"I'll talk to her." Robert said before looking at Yue straight in the eyes. "Who am I?"

"You're Robert Dalhinsky, First Emergency Responder and Epic." Yue replied with the utmost confidence. She also had a wide grin on her face. At that moment, Robert understood. This girl was an Epic herself.

He looked at the mother. "She's right. I am the one who saved her while I was in disguise as an unknown Epic Hero. Your daughter is gifted with powers as well, it would seem. Did you know about this?"

The mother sighed. "Yes, but I'm trying to keep her from using it. It's a very dangerous power. I... think she can look at people's memories. That's how she knows who you are behind the mask."

"It's a useful skill, if she knows the limitations of it." Robert pointed out before smiling at Yue. "Hey Yue, am I a hero?"

Yue nodded enthusiastically. "To me, you really are!"

Well, that's a first. Robert patted her head. "Then promise me that you won't look at people's memories if they haven't given you permission. It's very rude and they will hate you."

Yue's smile turned to a frown. "You don't hate me right?"

"No. Of course not. But don't tell anyone else okay?"

Yue nodded. With that, the two said goodbye. Robert sighed and then leaned back. To think that his secret just extended to two people who he didn't even know. Then again, a lot of people who can read minds probably know who he really is. But that kid was really young to have gotten such a power. Wonder if the High Clairvoyant is helping her hone that power. He doesn't hold it against her but how far did that girl see? Way back to his childhood? That's a real breach of privacy. But it isn't like he had any secrets to keep so he guessed it wasn't much of a problem.

"I'm done!" Emily exclaimed as she walked to him with a bag. "Onto the next shop!" Robert stood up and took the bag and followed her. Well, at least he got to pass the time with them.

Magus was nearly thrown off the van as it began moving erratically from the windstorm inside. The elementalist was barely able to grab onto the edge of the van while his legs flew over the opposite side. With an effort, he pulled himself back onto the wildly swerving vehicle, stabilizing his position in a low crouch with one hand gripping each side of the van. He quickly adjusted his position as a bullet came through the roof of the car a little closer to him than he would have liked. He shifted his position again and again as more bullets flew through the roof, most of them missing him, but a few ripped holes in his jacket, and one even grazed his arm halfway between his shoulder and elbow. The wound wasn't enough to cause any real damage, but it was enough to make Magus yell in pain.

Magus took some time to decide on his next move. He knew the robbers weren't going to stop at a safe house as long as there was a risk of an unwanted passenger accompanying them, which meant they were just randomly cruising the city, but it gave Magus time to decide what to do next to cause mischief for these people until he could unload their precious cargo and hopefully bring them in to the ECPD for the crime. It took a minute, but he finally placed the head of his staff over one of the holes in the roof, humming a certain nursery rhyme, just loud enough for the passengers to hear, as water began to condense on the metal head of his staff. "It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring." And suddenly a deluge of water was pouring into the van through the hole in the roof where Magus had planted his staff.

@Flamelord

Gordon Smith knocked on the flat door, checking the address one final time. "Ms Hayes?" He called, rapping on the door. This was his last case for the day, after which he could head home. "Ms Haynes, this is Gordon Smith from the Department of Child Services. May I please speak to you?"

When the door wasn't immediately answered, he looked around nervously. While this was a paradise compared to some places he'd been forced to retrieve children from, the police were fiercely protective. He nodded to a tenant who had the look of officer about them. Tough people, almost as bad as Epics. "Ms Hayes, I have paperwork for you to sign regarding Megan Robinson."

@ihinka

---

"I'm eighteen," Melissa replied defensively. Then, aware she'd raised her voice slightly, immediately dropped back into a whisper. "I might look like a kid, but I'm not." Being one of the oldest in the class and having what felt like every other girl look older than her had made Melissa a little touchy about her age, though in the opposite direction to most. Her mother may have said looking young was a blessing in disguise, but it didn't help at all when you wanted to be taken seriously.

And like many teenagers trying to assert their identities, Melissa badly wanted to be taken seriously. "Why, am I too young for you?" She asked, all her anxiety replaced by the old irritation. "I'm graduating end of the school year. So I'm old enough to..." She coughed. "Old enough."

@RoflsMazoy

Teagan swam up from the haze of sleep. She couldn't figure out immediately what had woken her up. And then it made itself known. A quick tok-tok-tok on the front door. She grunted. The events of the past couple of days and the minimal amount of sleep had finally caught up with her. She felt sluggish. Kicking sheets aside she crawled out of bed wondering who might it be. Not her parents. They would have called. It couldn't be Regan! A quick thought crossed her mind. She shook her head, navigating her house towards the front door. Of course it's not her, ye muppet! She finally reached the door and as an afterthought looked down at herself. She was in her flannel boardshorts and a tank top. Considering the hour, presentable, she decided and opened the door.

There stood a fidgety looking man. "May I help you?" She asked trying to sound not too irritated by his presence.

"Ms Haynes, I'm Gordon Smith from the Department of Child Services." The man introduced himself. "May I please speak to you?"

Teagan scowled intimidatingly. Why would child services be knocking at her door. It couldn't be about Megan, could it? I mean, hadn't Sara and Jorge made her Megan's official guardian in case of such unforeseen tragic circumstances? Well only one way to find out, she supposed.

"What's this about?" She asked, trying really hard not to sound like an old grump.

"Ms Hayes, I have paperwork for you to sign regarding Megan Robinson." The man answered hastily.

Teagan raised an eyebrow at him. Paperwork? What the...? She took a hard look at the man. He didn't look much and Teagan decided she could handle him if he tried anything funky. Unless he was Epic. In which case things could go sideways.

"Just a moment." She closed the door in his face, leaving him to stare at it dumbfounded. Quickly snatched her phone, stuffed it in her pocket and opened the door again. "Sorry." She apologized and let the man in. "Come in."

While he entered she palmed the phone in her pocket pressing #3 on her speed dial list and toggled the mic to mute. Pick up, Regan! She silently implored. Stalling for time until a connection was established she ushered the man to the living room.

"So, Mr Smith." Teagan felt a vibration as Regan picked up on the other end of the line. "What's this about paperwork regarding Megan?" She asked, injecting just a tinge of threat in her voice.

@Regitnui

He had feared such a reaction. The part of his job that he found most dangerous was dealing with the guardians. "Well, Ms Hayes, if we can sit down, I'll explain." He found a chair, hopefully one that didn't have any significance. Opening his briefcase, he placed the documents on the table.

"These documents, Ms Hayes, are routine paperwork needed to finative your adoption of Megan Robinson," Gordon Smith explained. "I understand that the girl's parents made the necessary arrangements to have you legally declared godparent, but the City requires further information to declare you the child's next of kin." He was well aware his smile was not at all comforting, so he instead added, "It is all routine, Ms Hayes, largely a formality."

He had caught a surreptitious movement of her hand, and believed he knew what it was. "Please, Ms Hayes, feel free to put your contact on speakerphone. I encourage you to speak to someone you trust. I am simply here to deliver the forms and make sure you understand their contents." He hoped he hadn't overstepped.

@ihinka

Alto wanted to chuckle a little bit but he felt like it'd be in bad taste. So she was older than him, but she felt younger. He felt like it was good to have time to be young and not have responsibility, but he was well beyond that stage already so maybe he just didn't know what it felt like on the other side.

"I'm 17 you know," He said with a small smile. "I'm younger than you, but I still don't feel like I have much time to be young left."

He wondered what kind of career trajectory he would've had if he'd grown up more normally. What would he be doing right now? There was always the possibility that he'd still be here in this very moment doing just about the same thing he was doing now but the difference between the possibilities were what he carried with him.

"Don't think too much about it," He said. "Just tell me what the date is and where I'm supposed to go."

@Regitnui

The man fell silent and Teagan stared at him long and hard. Her jaw clenching and unclenching. She wasn't all that concerned he would try to take Megan away from her. What concerned her was that if he tried, she would have to fight him tooth and nail and Megan would suffer for it. She sincerely thought child services war not that cruel. Their job was largely an ungrateful one. But when the system worked, they did well. She thought of Regan growing up an orphan. A child service agent was surely involved in her adoption.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket. Obviously the man was used to such subterfuge, for being able to catch her furtive movements. She squared him with a look and unmuted her mic. "Regan, stay on the line, will ye. I'm gonna put ye on speaker."

"I'm here." Came the simple quiet reply. She'd heard enough of the conversation and understood why Teagan'd called. Caution was always advised. And she was glad the firefighter had thought of her first. "Mr Smith." She interjected after a moment of silence. "Know that I'm a police officer and you're credentials are being confirmed as we speak." Satisfied, she fell silent again.

"Ye have my full attention, Mr Smith." Teagan said placing her phone on the coffee table and shifting forward on the sofa. "I hope ye understand that given the hour I'll reserve the right to sign any documents or release and personal information at a later time... Even if it is just a formality."

@Regitnui

Fumbling with a broach, Melissa took it off and hid it in a fist. She did what Gecko asked. He didn't need to hear the next bit. "Um..." She reached forward with her free hand and touched Alto's. "Maybe we can go on a normal date first? Like to the movies or something?" Her heart was beating through her chest, and she swallowed her resurgent anxiety.

The next words got stuck in her throat, so it took her a little effort to say. "I mean, if you're feeling old and all, maybe we can do something that normal people do. Like movies. Together. Or something." She looked up, trying to see acceptance or rejection in his face. He'd said yes to prom. Maybe he'd like her as her too?

@RoflsMazoy

---

"I understand completely, Ms Hayes." Gordon Smith replied. "As I said, I'm merely here to deliver and explain. You're welcome to drop these off at City Hall's Social Services department any time within the next two weeks." He flipped over the uppermost and most important form. "This one is our primary concern. It simply lists your and the girl's identification details, social security numbers and other essential details with which to update your records. If you or the girl wish to change her name or surname, say to Megan Hayes, this would be the form to do it with."

He was pleased. For this late in the afternoon, this was one of the more pleasant visits he'd had. "If there is a significant other you'd bring into her life, this would be the form to fill out," he brought out the appropriate form. "And finally, this is the planned residence and education form. Not strictly necessary, but allows us at City Hall to understand the level of care provided to the girl. Does this all make sense, Ms Hayes?"

Teagan scanned the forms as the man was handing them to her. On the surface it all seemed legit. The phone on the table buzzed. She took it and read the message from Regan. 'He checks out, Teagan.' The firefighter breathed an internal sigh of relief. She waited for the man to finish his speech and to stop handing out forms.

"Alright, Mr Smith." Teagan looked at him a bit more warmly. "It would appear you check out. Ye'll forgive me the cold reception. But Megan's been through a horrific ordeal and I'm not about to allow her to suffer any further. I appreciate ye coming to bring the paperwork personally." She rose and waited for the man to follow suit. "Rest assured I'll look through these carefully and when we're done with them, I'll make sure to come and file them away." She extended a hand for a handshake and pumped the man's hand when he took hers. They both said their goodbyes. "Have a nice evening." She finished and led him out the door.

She quickly backtracked to the living room and picked up her phone. "Regan?"

"I'm still here." She affermed.

"Sorry for callin' out of the blue like that." Teagan apologized. "It's just I was groggy from sleep... and after the thing with those rats..." She was rambling again.

"Teagan, it's alright." The younger woman interrupted her. "I'm glad you called. I kinda like knowing you're ready to count on me for something so important."

Teagan released the breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Thanks."

"So..." Regan dragged out. "Now it's going to be official official?"

Teagan flopped down on the sofa, grinning from ear to ear.

"You're grinning silly, aren't you." Regan laughed.

Teagan didn't answer, just grinned some more.

Regan laughed some more. "Okay, Heyes. You know the drill. Off to bed with you, or else!" She mock threatened.

"Ye know..." Teagan finally said. "Than's not exactly a threat." There was the tiniest, blink and you miss it, suggestion in her voice.

Regan was quiet for a second. "Just go to bed already, you old lech."

"Oh, ye're gonna pay for that 'old' barb, Murphy." Teagan warned, but she was laughing through it.

"Promises, promises." Regan sing-songed. "Night, Heyes."

"Night, Regan. Sweet dreams."

They disconnected for the second time this evening. And for the second time Teagan checked on Megan, who was still sleeping. She's so exhausted. Teagan thought stretching out on her bed and once more giving herself over to sleep.

"Sure... I guess?" He said.

He didn't see the harm in it, and he didn't feel like he didn't want to. This wasn't really the first time he'd been asked something like this, but it was probably the first time someone had taken the time to ask like this. Basically it was the first time he'd met a person doing this who he didn't feel like saying no to, which sounded cold in writing but it was probably okay for now.

"I'm free most of the time, what'd be a good time for you?" He asked.

@Regitnui

"Tomorrow?" She ventured. "It's Friday, and I don't have to work here." Melissa brushed her fingers against his hand. His good hand. She didn't know what the other one was like. But the more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea. He was cute, and maybe he liked her. "I don't know what kind of movies you like. I mean, there's Ghost in the Shell, Boss Baby, Beauty and the Beast," She giggled, and put her hand against her mouth, hopefully passing it off as a hiccup. The tip of the broach stabbed her palm, and she dropped it, hissing, "Ow."

Her hand clapped down on it, when she realised it had hit the table, and she shoved it into her pocket. "So... Um..."

@RoflsMazoy

"Tomorrow sounds good..." He said, trailing off.

It'd been a long time since he went to the movies. He didn't really know what he wanted to watch... Maybe Ghost in the Shell? The rest of them were kind of mundane if you thought about how they compared to what some people saw on a daily basis. Maybe he should be considering what she wanted but he kind of wanted to watch Ghost in the Shell.

"I think I want to watch Ghost in the Shell," He said. "Are you going to want my phone number, by the way?"

@Regitnui

Finch

Things were still going well, even though he had had to switch to the gun. At the very least his men were keeping things from getting too bad in the wind as he tried to deal with their passenger, but the guy was proving a tad bit frustrating in his ability to stay with them in spite of what he could do. He was going to have to think of some way to deal with him once and for all before they could really get out of here. It seemed to be the only thing that was going to be successful in dealing with the problem.

Then things took a turn for the worse as water starting pouring into the car. Admittedly the hole itself wasn't all that big, but there were a lot of hols and there was a lot of water coming in all of a sudden. Some of it did drain out, but it was not to an extent that would really stop the van from beginning to fill with water as they moved along.

"You've got to be kidding me," Finch grumbled as he stopped shooting for the moment. Instead he did what the guy wanted, throwing the sliding door of the van open so the water could drain before swinging himself out further as he hung on to the door. "No hitchhikers," he called as he took a couple potshots at Magus with the new handguns that one of his guys handed him. he might not hit, but maybe it'd spook him into doing something that would get him thrown off. That would be nice.

@Sedjwick