Reading Room

Welcome to the Reading Room!
This page is home to my original writings, starting with the novella series DarkFire. I recommend using the Table of Contents links to navigate to exact volumes or chapters.

DarkFire 1.0

Who first said villains are the bad guys and heroes are the good guys? Real life is hardly so simple. What’s the worst that could happen when sworn enemies find they’re not so different after all?

Chapter 01: Nights Like These

It was on nights like these when the villain known as Black Death counted her blessings.

Long, slim legs draped with baggy linen pants crossed beneath an oversized cardigan, a hefty book on her lap. She took a swig of her tea, spiced chai with almond creme and honey, as she hooked a strand of raven-black hair behind her pointed ear. Thunder rolled lazily in the distance, like some great beast meandering along the mountain tops. The constant patter of raindrops on the library window was a comfortable contrast to the crackling of the fireplace.

Taking a deep breath, she relished the scent of used paper and old books – which she was lucky to have plenty to choose from.

She had been rather tame as of late, the stormy weather calming her ire. Not that she felt she should be known much for raging tirades, but her damage record was high enough that most would likely disagree.

I think Ben is catching up, actually.

She was but one of an entire family line of villains, the lot of them unique in appearance. But while they were a sore sight to the eyes, all of them possessing sharp teeth, claws, pointed ears and some of them wings and tails, they were also gifted with a talent for destruction and enhanced durability. Many of them bore the ability to materialize an essence that was the key component of their talent. Whether it be chitinous armor over their form that could deflect bullet and blade, a thick crystalline skin that could encase the body and protect against heat and cold, or a hide of spikes that could be flicked off and used as projectiles. With this came strength that could tear and rend nearly anything, metal, polymer, rock and so on. As such, her whole family was a force to be reckoned with.

It was ironic how often they discussed what great heroes they would make.

However, as controversial as Daimo were, monsters in human form were hardly what the public or government wanted for their poster children. Even some heroes defected because of the falseness and hypocrisy of it all. It was well known that if a person did not prance around saying what they were supposed to say, smile at the right time, come when they were called and ask “How high?” when told to jump they were dropped or “disappeared.” And as much as any one of them wished to be seen in any light other than disgust, disdain, or fear, shackling themselves to the machine that was government control was hardly a worthy tradeoff.

She heaved a sigh, nibbling on the edge of her cup with her fanged teeth as she reread the last paragraph for the seventh time.

Yes, nights like these where she was able to sit and relax and ponder life in general prompted her to count her blessings. But wayward thoughts still got the better of her.

A faint thumping sound cut through those thoughts, and she raised her head, giving more attention to her hearing. As abruptly as it had come along it seemed to have gone. Her brows drew down and she narrowed her eyes, but all she could hear now was the pitter-patter of the rain. She looked back to the page of the book in her lap. Her instincts kept her on alert, so while she tried to continue reading, none of the words sank in.

Just as predicted, the thumping came once more.

She closed the book quietly, listening to the rhythmic thudding in the distance. As hard as it was to tell through the rain, her best guess was the sound was coming from near the front of the house. Her immediate thought was it was at the front door, but that made no sense.

Her home was nestled far up into the mountains.

It was the same for many of her family. They were not in a country that was accustomed to old castles repurposed for modern living, but the family took hold of the concept a few decades back and so started the tradition of building their homes out of rock. Her father had been no different, having picked this particular plot of land and built this very house with his own two hands. Of course, he had called in contractors for the things he could not do, other family and friends that were well trusted. So, here it stood – her modern-day castle and refuge from the world of villains, heroes, and general normal people who sneered and screamed. That said, it was not as if no one knew of her home and its location. If it was one of her siblings, cousins, nieces, or nephews, they would hardly be caught knocking.

The thumping came again, though this time it was slower and more muffled.

And definitely at the front of the house.

She stood, taking a long sip of her tea as she listened to the thumping fade once more. Setting the cup – too small for her large, clawed fingers – down next to the book on the table, she walked out of the study. She darkened the hallway as she went, her tail twining shadow from her form. Past the bedrooms, the entrance to the aviary, the hallway to the kitchen and dining room, the common room and finally the foyer. By the time she made it to her front door, the entire house was dark, swathed in the physical shadows she weaved.

For her name was not given based on a solid object that she materialized.

She was known as Black Death because the darkness she created from her form was so thick and absorbed light so thoroughly that being within it had been likened to being in the Valley of Death. Just like everyone else in the family, she had rolled with the name. Though, she found it as amusing as the others that the general populace never seemed to realize she had never killed anyone.

On purpose.

Or, unprovoked would be the better word.

She formed her shadows up and around her body, hiding her mundane clothes and leaving only her slim, pale face visible, as per the usual when she made any physical appearance to outsiders. She narrowed her eyes at the door. At six feet, seven inches, she could easily see through the panes of glass at the top. As such, she could usually see something of who was present. Even if it was just the top of their head. But in this case, she saw nothing. Tilting her head, she listened, wondering perhaps if she was wrong after all.

No. No, I’m not.

One benefit of having extra sensitive ears and darkness as a second skin was understanding sound a little better than most. And there was most definitely someone on the door. Not in front of it. On it. The patter of the rain was not hitting the wood of the bottom center. More importantly, in place of the raindrops, she instead heard the unmistakable sound of movement. Not a great amount of it, and rhythmic.

Breathing.

She tilted her head back and to the opposite side. Now, this is interesting.

She waited, continuing to listen as she subtly felt around using her darkness, feeling the perimeter of her home, going over every nook and cranny to make sure everything was just as she left it. It was. Nothing had been done to the inside of her home. She started to extend outward, testing the outside walls when movement at the door stilled her progression.

Heavy sliding, wet but not rough caused her to narrow her eyes yet again. A soft thunk – leaning an arm on the wood perhaps? Then came the thumping, once again. It was far weaker than she expected. And there was more time between each sound, which she now knew to be the raising of a fist to pound the meat of it against the door. With one particularly weak thump came a slide. She stiffened. With the movement came a soft wet noise that she recognized.

They’re bleeding.

She finally moved, closing the distance to the door and flinging it open. The figure stumbled back, the action of the door appearing to spur some adrenal response.

The breath left her lungs as she stared…

Into the eyes of her arch enemy.

The emerald motes of the hero known as Silver Phoenix looked at her from under that silver hair he was known for, now soaked and plastered to his face and neck. His normally trimmed and pristine beard was ragged and patchy. But as odd as that might have been, her eyes took in the rest, which all together created a sight more disturbing than she would have ever imagined.

He was naked. He had not a single scrap of cloth on his body as he stood shivering and soaked to the bone on her doorstep. What was worse was he had been injured and not simply from a trek through the woods in his birthday suit. Her keen eyes noted the bruising and raw red ringing his wrists and ankles, the dozens of red lines spiderwebbing his abdomen from an electrical wand, and the blood dripping down his sides and legs, presumably from some wounds along his back and sides. Her gaze darted back up, catching the angry gashes along his chest and rope burns around his neck. What horrified her further was what she finally noticed about his eyes. Those gleaming emeralds that she loved to hate were filled with quivering pupils. His eyelids were drooped as if he were but mere seconds from unconsciousness.

She was speechless, entirely unable to comprehend what she was seeing.

“Di… didn’t… know where else to go…” he croaked.

He wobbled.

She jolted forward, instinct guiding her faster than her mind could follow. He fell into her arms, and she took his weight easily, bending her knees as she wrapped her arms and darkness around him, lowering him carefully as she knelt to the rock floor. “S-Silver…” she managed, her deep voice wavering. “What happened?”

He shook in her arms, trying to lift his head. She reached over him to cradle her fingers around his neck and lift for him. His eyes met hers again, but they were unfocused, one eye closing completely. “M… my…”

It was too much.

His eye shut and he went limp against her.

Panic shot through her mind, and she adjusted her hold, feeling at his neck for his pulse. After a few tense seconds, she found it. It was weak and erratic, but it was there. However, the relief that came with finding it pulled something else along with it.

Memories ran through her mind as she gazed at his soaked and beaten face – how this man of fire ordinarily looked so confident and strong. He was almost exactly her opposite, aside from being her arch-nemesis. Sometimes, she thought he picked her on purpose. For while she commanded shadow and darkness, he commanded fire and light, her frigid night always at war against his blazing day. Their battles were constantly in the headlines and somehow each one was more memorable from the last. Despite their relatively small area of influence, it seemed the whole country had eyes for their altercations. They had made each other famous as much as themselves.

It was an interesting circle to be in when the reality was they did not hate each other. There was a guarded comradery between them. On more than one occasion they had surreptitiously aided one another. And they were guilty of being on friendly terms when not in the spotlight.

But it was a dangerous balancing act.

And as relieved as she was that he was still alive in her arms, tailing along behind that relief was something dangerous. Because she knew exactly what had happened to him.

Her arms shivered around him, but not from the cold. Her eyes stung, but not from despair. A deep breath shuddered into her lungs and her face contorted as she held him closer, cradling his head to her chest. A growl vibrated from down in her throat and she closed her eyes tight before turning her face to the rain and roaring out her fury.

And fury it was that burned in her bones, reaching out from the well of her inner being.

The same fury that came to life whenever she was faced with the reality of not what she was but what people saw her as. The same fury that clawed out of the depths when fighting the government lackeys that came to claim her like some animal.

Because she knew.

The very people this man fought for…

Had betrayed him.

***

Chapter 02: In A Word

The sound of her pacing steps filled the bedroom.

“Why is this taking so long?”

“I’m not a quantum computer, you’ll have to be patient.”

“Geez, Taz, act like you hate the man.”

She whipped around to the taller man, her cousin, and bared her teeth. “Shut your mouth, Ben! You know nothing about my relationship with him.”

“Is that so?” His seven-foot-frame shifted from one foot to the other as he rolled his eyes. “I’m beginning to think I have an idea-“

“Daniel, do you have a status or not?” she questioned in a voice a tic too loud, rounding back to the smaller man.

Daniel, the family doctor, pushed his rectangular, frameless glasses up his nose and turned to her. His mousy, brown curls fell into his face as he leveled her a stare, his blacked-out eyes gleaming in the lamps of the bedroom. “Miss Taz, I can neither rush nor slow down. The time taken is what it is, and you’ll have to live with that, regardless of how you feel.” He turned back to Silver Phoenix, his left hand never having left the man’s chest, and continued passing his right hand over various places of the hero’s body. “However, you can rest assured knowing he will certainly live.”

She let out a low growl, her nerves fraying as her tail frantically whipped back and forth in a physical show of aggravation. A touch to her shoulder had her jolt into stance, only to drop it a second later as Ben made a face. He angled his head, motioning towards the door. She glared but obliged. “Let us know when you need us, Daniel,” she said stiffly, turning to leave the room.

“Most certainly,” he responded, keeping his gaze trained on the body under his hands.

She tried to keep from clenching her fists too tight, having learned the lesson of piercing her palms with her claws in childhood. Her steps were heavy, those following her equally so as she trekked to the kitchen. “What do you want, then?” she asked, attempting to keep her voice level as she opened the freezer.

“I want you to calm down,” Ben answered none-too-happily.

“Good luck with that,” she shot, grabbing a bottle of vodka.

“Funny you should say that since you’re the one who’s usually the calm one.”

“Fuck you.”

“No thank you, we aren’t in-“

“GAWD, you’re insufferable!” she cut in, throwing open the cabinet door.

“Damn, Taz, what has you so wound up over this guy?” Ben crossed his arms and leaned against the island, stretching his long, lean form against it. “I thought he was your nemesis.”

“He is.” She grabbed two glasses, placing them with the bottle on the counter before reaching back into the freezer for an oversized ice cube. “But it’s complicated.”

“Oh really? We have a case of frenemies going on?”

She leveled him a glare, dumping the cube into her glass. “What does it matter to you?”

Ben sighed, standing away from the island and wiggling out of his leather jacket, tossing it at one of the stools on the other side. “For fucks sake, Taz, talk to me! You’re never like this, ever!” He slammed one of his hands to the counter, spikes already forming along his shoulders and elbows.

She gripped the vodka bottle, the near-freezing cold seeping into her skin a welcome distraction.

But not enough of one.

She turned her crystal grey eyes to his equally crystalline gaze and held it for several moments too long. Turning back as her shoulders slumped, she unscrewed the vodka lid and started pouring. Ben calmed, her ears catching the crackling of his skin as the chitin smoothed back down.

“See, that’s what I’m used to,” he mumbled.

Setting the bottle down with a sharp thump of glass on granite, she pushed his glass to him before picking hers up and taking a healthy swig. She listened as Ben groaned and leaned against the counter again. He grabbed the glass, also too small for his large, clawed hand, and threw back the whole thing like water.

“How’d you get blessed with the twenty-five percent overactive metabolism, anyway,” she chided.

“Growing chitin’s hard work, cuz – now don’t change the subject,” he flung back, grabbing the bottle.

She heaved a sigh. “It’s not,” a growl crept from her throat, “simple.” She wasn’t usually bad with words.

“Try me. I’m the master of overcomplicated.”

She cracked a small smile at that. “Yeah. That’s it in a word.” She took another drink, smaller this time as if the burn and taste were pleasant.

Memories flooded unbidden to the surface, causing her stomach to sink from more than the alcohol.

Through her mind wafted cheerful laughter and playful banter, restraint when brute force was called for, knowing glances when sirens went off, the faking of pain or injuries allowing for an easy escape… A moment swathed in darkness, where a real, very serious injury would have allowed his victory. Green eyes ringed in panic as he rushed to stop the blood, feeling around the debris of the inside of the destroyed forty-first floor of the office building for something, anything before giving up to use his hands.

They had been alone in that moment, the building evacuated during their encounter. He had managed to fling her into the structure, smashing her through glass and walls. That hadn’t been what did her in, however. A stray metal frame from the window had traveled with her to pierce her side when she landed. When he followed in through the hole, she’d lost too much blood already. Her shadows held no weight and receded too quickly. She tried to use her own hands and the thick of her Darkness, but it all happened so fast. His triumphant gaze was met with labored breaths and the façade fell instantly.

“What’s happened?”

“Don’t-“

“Show me, hurry!”

The urgency in his words had disarmed her just as fast and she allowed her shadows to fade. When his search for something of assistance failed and his hands were on her, his eyes boring into hers, she could hardly believe he was the same man.

But then, she’d known who the real man was all along, hadn’t she?

“I’m so sorry.”

“Why?”

It had been a challenge, not a question.

“You know why – I never meant for anything like this.”

Too little too late.

“Doesn’t matter now.”

“Yes, it does.”

“Spare me-“

“Don’t play dumb, not now!”

Crystal grey bored into vibrant green.

“Never.”

“I can fix this.”

Her breaths were heavy, hard-won.

“Oh really?”

“Yes. Don’t tell anyone. Please.”

Confusion tinged the fading light, what little there was to be had.

“Why would I?”

Warmth filled her chilled body, spreading from where his hands touched her.

“Because no one else knows.”

The pain melted away, and things that she hadn’t realized were out of place slowly moved to where they belonged. Feeling started to come back to her fingers and toes and her vision became clear.

“You…”

“I can only do so much.”

His voice was strained, but his hands were steadfast against her, his posture still strong. The warmth faded, leaving behind it a pleasant tingling.

“You’ll be alright, but you lost a lot of blood. You’ll still be weak. We need to find a way to sneak you out of this building.”

“Taz?”

She blinked back to the present, swallowing against the lump in her throat. Ben’s hand was at her shoulder, his grip strong and comforting, similar but different from the one in her memory. “Yeah.”

“Talk to me.”

Looking down to the glass in her hands, she heaved a sigh. “He’s my nemesis on paper. Just like we all have. But we aren’t enemies.”

Ben was quiet, waiting.

She stared at the counter, at a loss for words as to exactly what she wanted to say. “He… He’s a good person, Ben.”

A huff of a laugh escaped him. “Aren’t they all?”

“No, I mean he’s actually a good person,” she snapped.

“What, like one of us?”

The silence of the room rushed to meet Ben’s words and she felt the grip of his hand tighten on her shoulder. His tone held only a mild jest. Underneath the sarcasm was the solemnness in a question only people in their position could ask.

“Yes.”

It was quiet once more. The seconds felt like minutes until he finally removed his hand and grabbed the vodka. She took another sip from her glass as he drank straight from the bottle.

“Fuck me,” he spouted, letting the glass bottom hit the granite with a loud clank.

“I thought you said we weren’t-“

“Oi, can it, cuz.”

A soft snicker left her lips, but her small smile was gone in an instant.

“He was trying to get out, then?”

“I dunno. He never said as much to me. Not out loud.”

“But you do know.”

She leaned against the counter, toying with her glass, examining how the light shined through to play with the liquid and ice. “I could see it in his face. Hear it when he spoke about them.” There was no need to iterate who “them” was. Ben knew just as well as she, as well as the rest of their family, and as any other so-labeled “villain” in the world did. She heaved another sigh. “I think he had a plan. And I felt like soon he might ask me to be a part of it. But he never got around to saying anything on the matter.”

“You say that like you talked to him often.”

“And what if I did?”

“Now, now, cuz, don’t get all snappy. Clearly, you know him well enough that he had no issue showing up on your doorstep in the middle of the night with a raging storm leveling the mountain.”

She kept her lips shut, unwilling to either confirm or deny his unspoken insinuation; though, she could not be sure if it was her paranoia reading things between the lines that weren’t there.

“You sure this isn’t a ruse?”

Her mind turned the other direction and she thought seriously about the question. Despite his injuries, it was feasible. There had been other, less durable heroes that had been known to pull such stunts.

But memory assaulted her once again.

Those green eyes shined back at her in the darkness, absorbing her shadows and in return giving light and warmth. They opened up doorways to words unspoken, as touch traveled roads closed off and unseen. Soft voices and gentle heat accompanied an unsung song in the night and for the life of her, she could not bear to think she could be so wrong.

And of all the times she looked into his eyes, those eyes she loved to hate, she knew she really couldn’t be.

He hated his position.

He hated being a lapdog and a show pony and his fire burned inside with a fury that was waiting to be let out.

“Yes.”

“Yes?”

And she would be damned if she turned her back on him now.
“This is no amateur plan of attack by idiot higher-ups that think the same strategy will work twice,” she said, straightening as cold resolve melted down her spine. “He was hurt and hurt bad.” Her eyes slid to those that matched and she allowed a glare to grace her features. “And I will make them pay for it.”

Ben smirked, the look subtly more vicious on his face due to his angular jaw and pronounced cheekbones, rigid spikes adorning his brow like a crown sweeping up over his slicked back auburn fringe. “Sounds like a family outing to me.”

The corner of her mouth quirked up.

“Make the call, cousin.”

***

Chapter 03: Her Family

In any normal family, gatherings would be considered jovial affairs where everyone got together to cook, have fun and enjoy each other’s company. And in her family, this happened as often as they could orchestrate it. In this instance, however, there were far fewer happy faces and quite a few bristling postures to go around.

The bristling being literal as well as figurative.

“It’s nae two in th’morn and ye call us for thes?” her uncle, Ben’s father, shot, flinging his arms out. His spikes poked through his favorite shirt, clearly denoted by all the holes already made in the back of the material.

“Shush, Brutus,” huffed his wife. Lovely little thing, Ivy was. A normal human, through and through, having caught Brutus with sheer personality and not a few mischievous “coincidences.” She hooked a bright ginger curl behind her ear and looked up to Taz, her tiny five-foot-two frame dwarfed by everyone else in the room. “Go on,” she urged.

Taz took a deep breath, eyes glancing the other members of her family who answered Ben’s call.

Paulette, or Polly, her grandmother and matriarch of the family, looking not a day over thirty-six with silvery-grey tinted skin and metallic, steely hair done up in a messy bun, hilariously huge and fluffy robe tied tight and puffed up around her frowning face stood center of the fold, her concern as prevalent as her sleepy silver eyes could convey. She was bordered on either side by her sons. Brutus on one side, looking for all the world like a lanky werewolf with porcupine-like spikes poking out his back, arms and dusting his face, and Angus on the other, the tallest and boniest of the whole family, appearing more like a skeletal vampire trying to blend in with the crowd. Angus’ kids, Taz’s cousins, stood just aside their father. Ashton, eyes a milky white with a pearlescent sheen flicked his beetle-like wings incessantly, that same pearlescent gleam along the membranes flecking spotlights around the common room. Nessa, the youngest professional villain of the family, also bearing pearlescent white eyes, a stark contrast to her navy-black skin and blacker-than-black hair, held her arms crossed tightly, dangerously extra sharp claws hooked over her favorite hot pink sweater.

All of them had eyes trained on her expectantly and the absences were as heavy as the present gazes.

Taz’s brother was with his family, kids sick and wife pregnant. Her sister was one of the few normies of the hoard, with no ability to go with the oddities of her appearance, so she knew only that there was something happening, and was kept in the know only so that she could assist within her limits if the time came. Her other aunts, uncles, and cousins were of similar situations, either needing to be with children or of no offensive use in a Daimo conflict.

Ordinarily, such happenstances didn’t make her nervous.

She cleared her throat and crossed her arms as Brutus’ words rang in her head. “I realize it seems a nuisance, but Silver needs our help.”

“More’n a nuisance, lass,” Brutus commented. “He’s a hero, an arch-enemy even. Ye wan’ us te help the bast just ‘cuz he shows up on yer doorstep?”

“If he were a true enemy we wouldn’t be here talking,” she shot, her anger starting to boil. The shadows in the living room grew darker in show of the fact. “Why do you think he even knows where I live?”

“Why does he know where you live, hon?” Polly questioned, stepping forward.

Anxiety trickled down her back and she averted her eyes. “That’s the point. He’s not an enemy. He’s been here before and I’ve been to his home, too.”

“You hang in your spare time, do ya?” Ashton piped with a smirk.

“We have, yes,” she grated.

Angus’ deep voice cut into the back and forth. “You know him well?”

“Well enough to know this is real,” she answered. “And his injuries should attest to that more so.”

Polly sighed and cocked a hip, running her fingers into her eyes. “Honey, let’s say we take your word for all this. Firstly, we don’t have any idea as to where to start since he’s still unconscious under Daniel’s care. Secondly, is there some reason this couldn’t have waited until morning considering fact number one?”

Dread pooled in her stomach, and she clenched her fists against her arms. She was quiet a moment too long as her eyes hovered over the floor. Sure, it was Ben’s idea to call this late at night, but she hadn’t stopped him. She hadn’t told him why she was so keen on it either. The shadows darkened again, and she knew her expressionless mask was pointless. Closing her eyes, she ran a hand roughly over her face.

“He has a son.”

The silence was broken only by the gentle thunder and soft pitter-patter of the rain.

She lowered her hand to look up and was both relieved and anxious to see the horrified concern washing over her family.

“You didn’t tell me that,” Ben cut in.

“Thought it better to wait ‘til we were all present.”

“How old?” Nessa asked.

The newest mother of the group, Taz could only imagine the maternal instincts screaming in Nessa’s head. “Just turned fifteen.”

“No mother?” Angus followed up.

“Divorced years ago. She has nothing to do with them. No other family.”

“Sheeeht,” Brutus let out, resting his hands to his hips. “They took’m, then.”

She nodded. “I haven’t attempted to call their home, but we all know how these things go.”

“Oooh, we need to hurry,” Polly whined, tapping her fingers to her lips. “Do you know how long ago Silver was apprehended?”

“No,” she shook her head. “Daniel says he has to be suffering days’ worth of injuries, but he can’t reasonably say how many.”

“And he didn’t manage to tell you anything before he passed out?”

“No.”

“Dammit.” Polly turned and started pacing, the others subtly moving out of her way. “How long has Daniel been working on him?”

Ben huffed and pulled out his phone. “Like, three hours almost.”

“Oh, that’s a lot. They must be severe,” she murmured.

Taz grit her teeth at the comment, trying not to think too hard on that fact.

“We probably can’t wake him to ask anything then, huh,” Polly continued thinking aloud. “And the rain has been going for how many days, again?”

“At least three,” Taz answered.

“So, I can’t track him,” Nessa inserted, biting her lip.

Polly groaned and stopped her pacing, facing away from them towards the living room’s unlit fireplace. “No choice then.”

Taz narrowed her eyes. “What?”

“I’m gonna have to get Alfred.”

Her mind went blank. “Your boyfriend?” Her incredulity was infectious it seemed, as she glanced to see everyone else wearing the same confused expressions.

They had met the man a few times, Polly having dragged him to their random family gatherings. He wasn’t much to look at and even seemed rather nervous being around them all. Quite the opposite of Polly’s normal prey. However, she insisted this plain, clean-cut accountant with his sweater vests, button-down shirts and neatly combed hair hiding behind slim, half-rimmed glasses was perfect for her and the family. She insisted he just hadn’t “opened up” yet.

Polly sighed, her shoulders slumping. “Y’all know I can’t fall for any regular guy, and I keep telling you he ain’t regular.”

It was Angus who shifted his weight and crossed his arms, the very rare expression of annoyance gracing his posture. “And why would that be pertinent to this situation, mother?”

“Because” Polly turned to them with a smirk. “He can figure out who’s done this and where they are. Which means,” she pointed to Taz. “He can also track down where Silver’s son is too.”

Taz’s jaw dropped. “He’s a Daimo?”

Polly winked. “Yass girl, how many more hints could I possibly drop!”

“A lot more, actually!” Ben exploded. “Gramma, what the heck!”

Polly merely scoffed and waved her hand at him. “Shush it, boy, before I put your foot in your mouth.”

Ben crossed his arms with a growl.

Taz rubbed her temples and tried very hard to keep her voice under control. “Gramma. Please go get Alfred so he can help us.”

“On my way, girly!” she chirped. “Oh, and light the fireplace would you, it’s damn chilly in here and we don’t need an injured man catching a cold on top of everything else he’s got going on.” With that, she turned and sashayed directly toward said fireplace as crackling static raced around her body. In an instant, she was gone, presumably teleporting straight to her boyfriend’s home.

Angus and Brutus groaned in unison.

Ivy giggled from her position at Brutus’ elbow. “Are you really surprised?”

“Nae, but ye’d think she’d grow out of it by now,” he answered, moving to open his arms to her.

She hugged around his middle and nuzzled her face into his chest. “But then she wouldn’t be Polly,” she rebutted with a snicker.

“Aye, that’s our mother,” Angus conceded, moving to light the fireplace as requested.

Nessa sighed, uncrossing her arms as she started to the hall. “You still got vodka, Taz?”

“Oi, I didn’t drink it all!” Ben spouted after her.

“Didn’t say you did, boy howdy,” she called back without so much as a glance.

“I think I’ll second her motion,” Ashton said with a flutter of his wings, following her out of the room.

Angus muttered as he struck a match. “What’s with you kids and your alcohol dependence.”

“They get it from you, Bones,” Brutus chided, Ivy giggling under his arms.

“Pfft, hardly,” Angus scoffed. He flicked the match in, and the fireplace came to life, crackling loudly as the glow lit the room with warmth.

Taz took a deep breath, the familiar exchanges easing her mind. She had thought extensively in the past about her arguably questionable interactions with Silver. In the midst of their ongoing balancing act had been the recurring idea he meet her family.

He had been to her home after all, and she to his. Several times. And she had met his son, something she couldn’t imagine him allowing if he was concerned for the boy’s safety. “It would only be fair,” she would reason with herself. He was taking a risk, so she should take one too.

But she never quite managed to let the words fall from her mouth.

Now, he would indeed meet them. She only wished it were under different circumstances.

She twitched at the grip on her shoulder, glancing to Ben. “It’s gonna be okay,” he whispered.

Taz nodded but knew her enthusiasm was lacking. “I just hope gramma’s boyfriend can actually do…” she scrunched her brows down, “whatever she thinks he can do.”

“Knew there had te be more t’the nerd,” Brutus said with an amused air.

Ivy whacked him playfully. “Oh shush!”

“What? She said herself, she don’t go fer normal!”

Angus let out a hum, causing everyone to look up at him as he pulled his long reddish black hair over his shoulder. “Makes me wonder what he’s capable of.”

As if on cue the familiar spark-pop sizzling noise of Polly’s energy sounded off near the fireplace. She stepped out of the distorted airwaves created by her teleportation, arm wrapped around the unbalanced and groggy Alfred. He clung to her, his generous six-foot-four dwarfed by her seven-foot even, and pushed his glasses up his nose. “G-morn-morning- good morning,” he mumbled. “What’s going on, now?”

Taz angled her head to the hall. “Come on and find out.”

***

Chapter 04: Different

Taz bit back her frustration.

To say Alfred was less than enthusiastic was an understatement.

After nearly running from the room at seeing Silver’s still badly damaged state, looking about ready to panic at hearing the story so far, and appearing to fight off passing out when Polly asked him to help, Taz was a hair’s breadth away from throwing him out the front door.

However, Polly was showing a surprising amount of tact. She took the anxious man from the room to speak to him privately in the aviary and as much as Taz wanted to listen in on what she was sure was a pointless discussion, she knew her grandmother would immediately sense her attempt.

“Stop holding your breath, Taz,” came Daniel’s tired voice.

She took a deep breath and looked at the poor doctor slumped in a chair next to the reading table in the corner of the room. The small man looked exhausted, icepack to his temple while he held onto a mixed protein drink in his other hand. She’d known he hadn’t given her the gory details of Silver’s injuries but being this worn out after three hours of work with several more to go meant it really was bad. She glanced to the hero, still unconscious under the covers. If only Daniel could do what you did…

“You need anything else, Doc?” Ben questioned, his words a welcome distraction.

“I’ll be fine. I just need a rest,” Daniel reaffirmed, his eyes still closed, glasses folded and tucked into his shirt pocket.

“Lad really does look some shet, don’he?” Brutus commented, crossing his arms.

“Matches better that silver hair of his, unfortunately,” Ben followed up.

“Neither of you are helping,” Taz growled.

“Don’t worry, luv,” Angus soothed, stepping from the door to wrap an arm around her shoulders.

She huffed but leaned into his grip, his monstrous stature and large hand comforting. It always amazed her, even now as an adult, how he was so slim and lean, appearing so bony and frail, and yet he was so unbelievably strong, both physically and mentally.

“I’m sure mum’ll get her boy-toy working.”

She snorted. Loudly. Which avalanched the rest of them in the room into fits of giggles and laughter. Even Daniel snickered quietly.

Taz glanced back to the tiny man and narrowed her eyes. “Can you tell us anything about him, Daniel?” They all knew well his senses stretched further than he let on. None of them had thought to ask him about Polly’s new flame, and he had never volunteered any information either. He’d met Alfred at least once, as he was always invited to their get-togethers, even if he couldn’t always make them.

“Mmm, not really,” Daniel answered, lowering the icepack to take a swig of his protein drink.

“Oh?” Ben tilted his head. “Not like he’s a patient of yours.”

“Not what I mean.”

All eyes turned to the smaller man as he took another swig.

“What do you mean?” Angus’ voice was low, cautious.

Daniel took his time continuing with his drink but finally lowered it to replace the icepack to his temple. “Miss Paulette insists he is a Daimo like us. I have no reason to doubt her, but if that is the case, he is exceptionally good at hiding it.”

Taz averted her gaze to Silver, sudden anxiety bubbling in her chest. “Should we be worried?”

“She seems to trust him. I would argue that would be worth a little confidence.”

“After Takera, I might wonder,” Angus muttered.

Her anxiety skyrocketed. “Maybe-“

“Okay, everyone, sorry for the wait!” Polly spouted, bursting into the room.

Brutus scoffed and put his fists to his hips. “Took ye long enough!”

“Shush it!” she snarked, dragging Alfred by the hand in with her.

Everyone stared.

Previously dressed in hastily thrown on slacks and a half-hazardly buttoned dress shirt, Alfred was now sporting baggy linen capri pants and an oversized unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt with a slim fitted tank-top underneath. Walking stiffly in the uncharacteristic garb, it also became apparent he wasn’t wearing any shoes or socks, the absence of the clacking of his oxfords sticking out like a sore thumb.

Taz glanced to the man’s face to see him pale and tight-lipped, eyes to the floor in a clear attempt to keep his distress hidden.

“I guess we know what was in the overnight bag,” Ben commented.

Alfred cringed, his shoulders raising.

“Now, now, there’s a reason,” Polly interjected. “I know I wouldn’t mind him str-“

“POL- would- mgh.” Alfred bit his lip, cringing as he ran his free hand up his arm.

Enough was enough. “What the fuck is going on?” Taz shot, stepping away from the comfort of her uncle, her anger causing the room to darken.

“Don’t you take that tone with me, young lady!” Polly snapped, leveling a steely-clawed finger at her.

“PLEASE!” All eyes turned back to Alfred, his shoulders shaking, free hand up in a placating gesture. “Please… j-just let me explain,” he managed, looking to Taz nervously.

She stared at him without moving a single muscle, waiting with what little patience she had left.

He gulped loudly, running his hand through his also uncharacteristically mussed hair. Glancing to Polly, he pulled his hand from hers to clasp his fingers, worrying them at his waist. “I, em… I’m not as… comfortable sharing my… abilities as you all are,” he said haltingly. “I was raised in a… conservative household, to be kind about it. Disobeying rules was harshly punished, defying the mold was heresy and… and,” he took a deep breath, “and to be found to be a Daimo was akin to an unforgivable sin.” He jumped when Polly’s hand brushed gently against his shoulder. “So… when it was discovered I was… one… they did everything they could to beat it out of me. Because that’s how that works, after all,” he said with a twitch of a shrug and a wry smile. “Of course, that wouldn’t work, but… due to the nature of what I can do, I was able to conceal my ability. L-lock it away, if you will, like a bird in a cage. But in doing so, I, em… I made a kind of,” he glanced around the room as if looking for helpful words, “s-split personality is the best term, I suppose, but that’s not entirely accurate.”

Taz slowly deflated throughout his explanation and now she stood, arms crossed, nostalgia wafting through her mind as she remembered her own time growing up. Her family was not like other families. And other families had always been eager to remind them of that. “I’m sorry, Alfred.”

He looked up to her with a start. “It-it’s not really anything to be sorry for,” he stuttered. “I want to help, I do. I’m just… em-“

“If anyone is safe to be yourself around it’s us, dear,” Polly eased, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

He melted into her touch, but his anxiety was still written all over his form.

“So, what’s your other personality then?” Ben asked playfully. “You a kick-ass rock star or something?”

Alfred let out a tiny laugh at Ben’s attempt at lightening the mood. “No, not quite. It’s n-not even an accurate term, honestly. I don’t become another person. I’m fully aware of my actions and remember everything clearly, it’s just… I’m… different.” He shrugged.

“If ye’re look’n for diff’rent ye’re in the right place,” Brutus said with a grin.

Alfred nodded, a weak smile on his face. “Right. Exactly.”

A clearing throat had everyone turning to look at Daniel still in his chair, blacked-out eyes open and trained on Alfred. “What is your ability, if I may ask?”

The man went paler than he already was and glanced away. “T-telepathy… but more.”

Daniel narrowed his eyes. “But more?”

“Well, as you can imagine, I d-didn’t quite have access to materials or other persons who could help me, eh, identify, what I can do. But, um… over the years I’ve figured out some information.”

“What is the ‘more’ part?” Angus cut in.

“Um,” Alfred glanced away, squeezing his fingers tightly. “Something to do with electricity? O-or energy of some kind, I… I don’t really know, exactly… and um… I can s-see more than just what thoughts you’re c-currently thinking… but… m-more.”

“There’s that ‘more’ again,” Ben chided.

Alfred laughed nervously. “I apologize. I-I only know what little I’ve-“

“Don’t.” Taz lowered her head when his eyes jolted to meet hers. “Don’t apologize to us.”

He held her gaze for a few more moments before nodding, looking away when Polly wrapped her arms around him.

“See, love, I keep telling you,” came her muffled voice, face buried in his hair.

“Heh, yes, th-that you do,” he whispered, a small smile gracing his face.

“So, important question,” Ben pointed a finger upward before directing it at Alfred, “why the change of clothes?”

The man’s pale skin suddenly turned red as a flush raced up his neck. Polly’s giggling didn’t help. “Um… I ah… for whatever reason while I’m, eh, manifested, if you will, I grow distinctly unhappy with my usual attire. And, heh, worse yet, I… e-evidently lose my sense of decency and am n-not opposed to st-stripping down on th-the spot.”

Taz slowly reached up and covered her mouth while Ben busted up laughing, Brutus following suit. Angus’ subtle snort coupled with Polly’s even more spirited giggling were doing her no favors.

“I’m so happy you thought to bring a change, then,” Ben commented.

“Actually, that was me!” Polly corrected. “He was still half-asleep and had no idea what was going on.”

“Thank God,” Taz wheezed.

More giggling erupted in the room, but it was Daniel who finally calmed the mirth, tapping his drink on the arm of his chair. “Alright, alright, all well and good, but I suggest we get on with it.” He looked pointedly to Silver. “I’d like not to prolong this experience any more than we have to.”

“Good idea,” Polly nodded. “You ready, dear?”

“Eh, yes, I s-suppose,” Alfred answered, still in her grip. “Oh! W-wait, Miss- I-I mean T-Taz?”

She raised a brow in response, his re-heightened nervousness catching her by surprise.

“D-do you have re-remote access to your gen-generator?”

She tilted her head, staring into his wide honey-hazel eyes as the question stalled her brain. “I can access it remotely, yes.”

“Y-you’ll want to, em, t-turn it off.”

She blinked. “What?”

“To use his words,” Polly cut in, “when he manifests, dear, there comes with that a release of energy. In his apartment, because it’s a high rise on the city grid, it just makes the lights flicker. But for our houses,” she gestured in a circular motion over her head, “it’ll overload the geni and we’ll have to reset it.”

Taz nodded slowly, biting back the question on her tongue.

Angus wasn’t so reserved. “You know that from experience then?”

Snickering followed the question while Alfred’s blush returned, and Polly wagged a finger at her eldest son. “Don’t make me bend you, you know I can!”

She shook her head and crossed her arms. “Okay, okay. How long do you need?”

“N-no more than a f-few seconds m-maybe,” Alfred answered with his eyes averted, holding his arms under Polly’s embrace.

Taking a moment to weave her darkness, she reached towards the generator room, filling it and surrounding the machine. With the controls committed to memory, manipulating them at a distance with her shadows was no different than feeling around a familiar room in the dark. Which was her second nature. “Alright. Tell me when.”

Alfred nodded and stepped away from Polly, her hands trailing over his shoulders as if she didn’t want to let him go. He shifted nervously before jolting, reaching up to remove his glasses and hand them to Polly hesitantly.

Ben let out a curious noise. “You don’t need your glasses when ‘manifested’?”

Alfred looked a little odd without them to be sure, and blinked rapidly in Ben’s direction, clearly fighting to keep from squinting. “N-no, I do, if I w-want to see normally. But I d-don’t have to u-use them b-because I can see… um, di-differently.”

Ben glanced to the others, and she could see the question that was on her own mind. But she decided it best to wait. They’d get more information soon enough.

Alfred cleared his throat and looked in Taz’s direction. “N-now is good,” he mumbled.

“Off we go.” She spoke more for his benefit since she was unsure just how blind he was without his glasses and got to work on the control panel. Angus moved from behind her to lean out the door, hollering towards the kitchen that the lights were going out. Ashton and Nessa could see in the dark, just like most of them, but a warning was still a good idea.

The lights went off, the sizzling and clinking of fleeing electricity sounding into the now pitch-black room, the noise mixing with the patter of rain on the window. Rainfall was all that was heard for another few seconds and Taz narrowed her eyes, watching the layers of shadow for movement. A deep breath added into the mix.

And then light.

Alfred started to glow. His limbs and body built to a reddish-orange glow as if his bones were emitting light. Bright green-gold lines could be seen faintly trailing outward to his skin and Taz realized it was his nervous system that was lighting up. His head was the brightest, his skull showing like a bulb. He leaned his head back and arcs of energy flicked out from him like electricity in a plasma lamp. She watched as he moved his head side-to-side and rolled his shoulders, his posture relaxing as more arcs flared from his body along his spine. He lowered his head and she saw hair that hadn’t been there before fall in front of his face. He then opened his eyes, his irises appearing electric yellow in the dark, neon green pupils lighting them from within.

“That’ll do it,” he said, voice distinctly less anxious in pitch.

The glow receded faster than it came, and the room was swathed in darkness once again.

Taz shook her head, remembering the generator, and switched everything back on. The lights flickered back to life and the sight that met her was equally as shocking as the glowing.

A man who, by all rights, had to be Alfred stood next to Polly. But his ashy brown hair, previously cut short, was now falling long past his shoulders, and those honey-hazel irises were now a strange golden-green color. And stranger still, the forever nervous expression was replaced with a playful smirk as he glanced at Polly.

Who promptly squealed and threw her arms around him. “I LOVE watching you do that in the dark!”

Alfred chuckled. “Oh, I know,” he purred.

“Well,” Ben scratched the back of his neck. “That’s different.”

***

Chapter 05: Bird In A Cage

Ben’s words were the theme of the scene as Taz glanced around to the other members of her family. Her gaze caught Ashton and Nessa peeking into the room, pearly white eyes wide as they took in Alfred’s strikingly different appearance.

“See!” Polly chimed. “Doesn’t that feel so much better?”

Alfred shrugged, his arm wrapped unapologetically around Polly’s waist. “It always feels better when I can loosen up,” he said with a grin.

Ben gestured at the pair, amusement playing on his face. “That’s quite a glow-up there, Alfred.”

The man of the moment grimaced lightly. “Just call me Al. Faster and simpler, you know,” he said with a wink.

Taz took a deep breath, mentally shaking off the oddity they’d just witnessed. It wasn’t like it was the strangest thing a Daimo could encounter. “Right. Okay, Al. Let’s fast and simple get to business.”

“I hear that,” he piped, detangling from Polly to make his way to the bed.

His eagerness took her by surprise. She watched as he stretched his arms up and over his head, his gaze sliding over Silver to land on the still unconscious man’s face.

“Been a while since I’ve worked with someone who’s not awake, but it won’t be a problem.” Al ran his fingers through his hair casually, like it hadn’t been short in years, before extending that same hand out over Silver’s chest.

Before Taz could question that statement, she was dealt another surprise when Daniel hopped up out of his chair. The doctor cleared the opposite side of the bed and crawled up onto the mattress. While Silver was closer to the side Al was on, so it made a certain kind of sense that on the bed was the surest path from point A to point B, she still found it odd that Daniel felt the need to immediately be so close to his patient.

That did not help her anxiety one bit.

“You can function with an unconscious mind?” Daniel questioned.

Al retracted his hand at the doctor’s advance, giving a shrug. “Unconscious, unaware, unwilling – if I want in, I’m in,” he answered nonchalantly.

“Unwilling?” Taz shot.

Al turned back to her and tilted his head, a subtle smirk playing his features. “That was a long time ago in a situation I’d rather not revisit.”

Daniel seemed less perturbed by that statement. “Will you take anything from him?”

Taz blinked back confusion as she looked between the two of them.

“Hardly,” Al said with a smile. “He’ll get plenty from me, actually.”

“In what way?” Daniel asked sharply.

Al extended his hand, this time facing up, the center of his palm glowing as if lit from within. Those tiny arcs jumped up from his hand as they had from his body, fluttering in the air. “Like I said earlier,” Al commented. “I have a way with energy. He’ll receive a steady stream of it from me so long as we’re attached.”

“Can you prevent that?”

Taz clenched her teeth, her nerves bubbling the more this conversation went on. Clearly, Daniel now had a better idea of what Al was and could do. But his reservations were knocking her confidence in this idea down quite a few pegs.

“Stop it completely? Probably not,” Al said, his hand dimming as he let it drop back to his side. “Why, you think he’ll have a heart attack?”

Al’s flippant tone was also doing no favors.

‘Settle down, girly, we’ll figure it out.’

Taz froze, nearly missing Daniel’s words.

“No, I think not. But his body is weak. I have him stabilized, but I don’t want anything throwing him too far out of balance,” the doctor explained.

Al gave a nod and a shrug. “I’ll hold back as much as I can. But I gotta do what I gotta do if we wanna see what he’s got going on in there.” He pointed to his own temple.

“Mmmm.” Daniel looked down to Silver’s pale face. “You can stop at any time, correct?”

“I sure can,” he answered, resting his hands in his pockets. “I shouldn’t stop short, though. That’ll probably create those issues you’re concerned about.”

Taz watched Daniel adjust himself on the bed, sitting more securely on his feet. He was quiet a moment, eyes still aimed at Silver, fists balled up on his knees. “I can monitor while you do this, yes?”

That subtle smirk that had made a home on Al’s face faltered and he gave an exaggerated grimace. “That I don’t know, Doc. That’s something we’re just gonna have to find out.”

‘I promise, he won’t be hurt.’

A shiver raced down her spine as her eyes darted to Al, his gaze still directed at the doctor. ‘You’re in my head?’

‘Not quite. But your thoughts are too loud to ignore.’

A strange impression brushed into her mind, like the warm summer sun kissing her skin. It was a comforting notion. At a loss for anything to say, a quiet “Thank you.” echoed from somewhere in her head.

“Let’s get started, shall we?” Al sat on the bed, shifting close to Silver. Daniel did not protest and with everyone else in the room remaining quiet, Al went ahead and stretched his hand out once again. He lowered it close to Silver’s chest, the glow coming back, his skin a warm reddish-orange as the tiny electrical arcs jumped from his palm. They bounced to Silver’s still form, continuing to do so as Al trailed his hand further up. The arcs appeared to caress Silver’s skin softly as Al moved up his neck, over his face and finally stopped at his forehead. Al splayed his fingers out, the arcs increasing in number and reaching further along Silver’s skull. Al then tilted his head back, taking a deep breath.

An odd tingling crept up her neck and Taz shivered. Her lungs expanded when her vision suddenly became blurry and before she could say anything all sensation dropped from her mind. Darkness, constriction, her eyes ached, and pressure pushed against her skull. Her breathing was labored, each expansion of her chest hard-won. She was cold and wet and yet something warm trickled down her side and legs.

With a jolt, Taz recognized these symptoms.

But she remembered seeing them.

In an instant, she was disembodied from the sensations and saw their owner as much as she felt them in her own body. Her view of the scene was both clean and distorted as if looking through two camera lenses. One view saw everything with crystal clarity, the other was shifty and broken as if rain and debris were being whipped every which way in front of her.

And in the center of it all was Silver.

She suddenly became aware of the others of her family, as if they were beside her, behind her, above her, and below her all at once, and they were equally aware of her.

They all watched as Silver shivered and sank against a tree, rain and wind battering him as he held himself, his legs trembling. The distorted view changed. It showed, as if watching a video in fast forward, the man trekking down the ridge that led to her front door, collapsing against it, and pounding his fist against the wood. The view changed again, rewinding, his form backtracking to the tree. Then both views accelerated in reverse, Silver walking backwards into the trees, stumbling through brush and foliage, stopping to breathe or lean against a tree. Further back and back it went, faster and faster until he reached the river. It slowed, and they watched him splash into the water, crossing it backwards to the other side, his face in pain and his body trembling with the effort. Then the views whipped by even faster, and they followed at lightning speed his path running back through the forest until a flash of light erupted into the night.

Silver’s fire.

The crash into the forest reversed and he flew backwards out of the treetops, his flight cutting through the air angling further up into the sky. They followed with him as he arched down and then reversed to the south and the road came into sight, flying to them with breakneck speed. Then the view nearly stopped and in slow motion, they watched as an unmarked armored truck pieced itself back together, Silver’s break out turning into a break in. Then he was in the truck, suspended by his wrists with iron chains, a muzzle tight against his mouth as he looked up with a murderous glare at the guard sneering into his face. The view changed once more, and they were outside the truck, its colors and shape whipping around as if falling in and out of focus before it raced backwards along the road.

They followed its route, the road familiar to all of them despite the thing flying along with the speed of a fighter jet. Back and back it drove, suddenly surrounded by more cars, then a wider road, a turn here and there, an onramp, traffic, city lights in the rain, flashing by in a haze of colors, busses, cars, taxis, stoplights, overpasses, pedestrians, a parking garage-

The scene stopped and a building came into view with sharp clarity.

In the warehouse district of the city, it was a tall, unmarked building, solid with no windows or doors for foot traffic. Not simple steel with paneled walls, but solid concrete, rebar, polymer and military-grade metal, soundproofing and electromagnetic sensors – several too many floors, both above and below ground, laboratories, and expensive equipment, chemicals, and tools – holding cells, dozens of them, some were empty, and one in particular –

Silver was in the center of the room, stripped, beaten and injured, held in place by chains on his wrists and ankles.

Don’t let them know, don’t let them see it’s not working anymore…

“The serum is operating flawlessly. Full suppression. He’s as good as a chimp in a cage,” said a man in a white coat. The other one next to him, in an expensive suit, smiled.

Reversed further, in another room, looking more like a jail cell with a bed and toilet and clear polymer wall to observe the subject – Silver paced, his face a rage as he thundered out his fury. “You bastard! You’ll pay for this!” He ran and punched the wall, the skin of his knuckles splitting.

“I’ll do what I want. Haven’t you figured that out yet?” asked the man in the suit.

Director Robert Allendale of the Federal Daimo Observation and Consultation Bureau.

He was behind it all! They knew it! Everyone did but never did they have proof. Was this it, what they needed?

Further back, another section of the city, an apartment complex. It was simple, middle-class with one, two, and three-bedroom units, quaint, and homey. Third floor of an inward-facing building. Silver paced his kitchen and living room, the open floorplan allowing more room for his frenzied steps. He looked to a paper on his kitchen counter – scrawled in elegant script were the letters “BD” with ten numbers following.

Taz’s mental gasp made the scene flicker, but it continued, Silver’s thoughts breaking into their minds.

I shouldn’t… should I? I can’t. No, I can’t involve her. But… God, why is this so hard?

He ran his hands over his face as he started pacing again.

No, I can’t go to her with this. It’s too dangerous – I don’t want to risk her – but she said-

‘You SHOULD have, you idiot!! I told you, you can come to me with anything!’

Taz panicked as her thoughts screamed out into the scene, the visual’s rippling like water. But the scene quickly regained itself, speeding up to see Silver clear several more rounds before a bedroom door opened. A boy, appearing in his younger teens, fluffy brown hair and hazel green eyes, came into the room.

“Dad?”
“Hey, hey, good morning!” Silver smiled. It was clearly forced.

“Morning! You’re up early?”

“Yeah, couldn’t sleep-“

The scene sped up, the two going about morning routines in fast forward. Then the boy was at the door, getting his shoes on.

“Hey, Mickey,” Silver called.

“Yeah?” Wide eyes looked on with curiosity.

“Um… be careful today. Okay?”

Mickey tilted his head. “Yeah, I’m always careful,” he said with a smile.

“Yeah, yeah,” Silver laughed, glancing back to the kitchen. He then looked back, meeting his son’s eyes. No, son… God, why can’t I just take you and leave… “Just… be careful, okay?” They’d kill us before we got out of the city.

Mickey was still, his eyes held by his father’s gaze. He nodded. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll be careful, Dad.”

Silver nodded and reached out, Mickey closing the distance for a hug. Silver held Mickey tight.

Please let me be wrong… I just need to make it through this meeting and then we can pack up and leave within the week.
His memory flashed briefly to his computer screen with an email requesting his immediate and urgent attendance to an unscheduled private briefing at the Hero’s Affairs offices, the words curt and ominous.

“Love you, Dad.”

“I love you, Mickey.”

They parted and the scene sped up slightly, Mickey exiting and starting down the stairs. It then stopped and rewound, both the clear view and the distorted view, Mickey backtracking up the stairs, into the door and back into Silver’s embrace. Both views became fuzzy in a way, the room and visuals around the pair fading and flickering. Then the two of them started to distort, their forms spiking out and fluttering. An odd sensation of thick pressure crept in and overwhelmed their senses and the sound of static erupted from nowhere. Then the scene flickered back into the pre-established duel view, both clear and distorted. It restarted, Mickey breaking away from Silver and heading out the door.

The view also broke away from Silver.

I hope everything’s okay, Dad.

Mickey’s thoughts rang out as he jogged down the steps. The view followed him, his path taking him along the concrete walkway through the buildings and to the front of the apartment complex.

It accelerated, fast-forwarding through his trip on the bus to the high school, his conversation with friends, his trek to class. It slowed while he sat in second period, his leg bouncing wildly as he paid no attention to the teacher at the front of the room, his anxiety forming a tight pain in his chest. He looked at his phone, the screen showing multiple texts to his dad that went unanswered. C’mon, Dad. Something. Anything. He bit his lip, looking up and glancing nervously around the room. He looked back to his phone and backed out to the contacts, scrolling.

His dad’s voice filtered into his mind.

“Call her. If you have any reason whatsoever to believe something is wrong, call her.”

“You really trust her that much?”

“…. Yes.”

Mickey took a deep breath, glancing up again. Fuck.

The scene jolted forward, lunch period zooming by. In the next class, Mickey sat with his hand in his pocket, holding his phone tight.

“Michael Doe, please report to the principal’s office. Michael Doe, please report to the principal’s office.”

Mickey looked up with a start, panic cutting through his heart at the PA system’s call. No, no! The scene shot forward and he stared at a man he’d never met, wearing a clean dark suit and sunglasses, an earpiece wired into his collar.

“Something’s happened to your father. We need to take you to him.”

No. No, this is a lie. Dread and panic filled his bones and he clenched his fists to keep from shaking. “I need to make a call.”

“There’s no time, we need to go now.” The man reached for him, his face hard and expressionless.

“NO!” The grip on his arm was too tight and the man pulled him back from the door with force. “No- Principal Fleck! He’s lying! Help me!”

“Calm down, Michael! He’s with the H.A.” the principal said, somehow undisturbed by the agent’s manhandling.

“NO, NO! It’s a LIE! HELP ME!”

“Get in here,” the man yelled. Several agents burst through the door, responding to his call.

Michy flailed, trying to raise up and kick, but there were too many.

“Good God, I don’t know what’s got into him!”

The scene jumped forward, flashing to Mickey being dragged to a dark van, his backpack and phone taken from him once inside, his hands and feet cuffed, and a bag shoved over his head. The view backed out to the outside of the van and followed as the scene sped up, following the van as it raced through the city.

To the building Silver was held in.

The views jumped forward again, glimpses of Mickey being dragged, stripped, forcefully showered, clothed in hospital scrubs – a room, like a jail cell with a bed and toilet and a clear polymer wall for viewing.

The views of the scene suddenly changed, merging into one of hyper-clarity and focused solely on Mickey who sat on the cot, scrunched into the corner of the cell, folded into himself with his arms wrapped around his legs and his head rested to his knees.

‘Gotcha!’

Mickey froze, his form going stiff in the lowlight of the currently unlit cell.

‘What?’

‘Don’t give away the secret, kid. We’re coming for ya,’ Al’s mental voice chimed.

‘Mickey, it’s gonna be okay!’ Taz shot without thinking. ‘Just do what they say and don’t get yourself hurt. We’ll be there soon.’

‘Bee!’ Mickey cringed into himself, his stinging eyes felt by all of them. ‘Is this real?’ His mental voice rang with anguish and fear.

And hope.

‘It’s real, bud,’ Taz answered, hearing the desperation in her own mental tone.

‘Gotta cut it. Their sensors are gonna trip.’

‘Soon, okay, just stay safe!’ Taz yelled.

‘Bee-‘

An abrupt ringing noise filled her ears and Taz gasped, her vision black and her body stiff and achy. She felt strong arms around her at the same time her legs gave out.

“Ssshhh, Luv, I got’che,” Angus whispered into her ear.

It was then that she realized she was shaking. She reached her hands to her face, fingers running over tear-stained skin as she blinked away the blackness, her vision coming into focus.

“Hush, baby-girl, we’re here,” came Polly’s voice, her large hands running through Taz’s hair.

She took a breath, her lungs shaky, her eyes darting from Polly’s to see the rest of her family enclosed around her.

“I’m sorry,” Al said. “I didn’t-“

“Don’t.” Taz clenched her eyes shut, hanging her head. “Don’t you dare apologize.” Her shaking stilled, but her insides started to boil. Her Darkness melted from her tail and seeped from her limbs. Her breathing became steady as she bared her fangs to the ground.

“We’re getting him out of there.”

***

Chapter 06: Risk And Reward

The quiet of her room was broken only by the sound of shifting material, the buzz of zippers and popping of clasps.

The villain known as Black Death had been quiet as of late, the storm accosting the mountain calming her ire. However, there was now a different kind of storm raging silently in her chest, making her motions too smooth, her calm a tightly strung bow ready to be snapped loose, the arrow of her rage ready to fly free.

She just needed to get in front of her target.

Taz looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Her pale face was smoothed with her stoic expression, her raven-black hair up high and tight in a sleek ponytail. The collar of her bulletproof suit came up under her jaw and rode close to her neck, the rest of the material tight to her body like a wetsuit with the lightweight polymer-ceramic mixed plates mounted in place strategically. The black of the suit seemed a dark grey to her hair, but all would be swallowed by her darkness regardless. She stood, staring at the ensemble, a ruefulness melting into her mind.

She hadn’t had to wear her suit in months.

She and Silver never attacked to cause injury. If she were honest with herself, they more danced than fought. Their battles were elegant and artful, flowing like a choreographed show put on for their entertainment only. The last few times she could have sworn she heard the music in his head, the two of them dancing to the same beat, humming the same words.

Those words you sang to me.

Taz turned from the mirror in a flurry, her hair whipping the air behind her. Heading back to her armory closet, just on the other side of her normal clothes closet, she retrieved her belts. Moving mechanically and checking each blade and pistol without thought, she filled each sheath and holster available, leaving nothing to chance. Her Darkness was her greatest weapon, but one of the most important things her grandmother taught her and the rest of the family was that it was better to have and not need versus need and not have. “Never give the other person the upper hand. Because they’ll take it and it’ll be your blood on the ground.”

Those words were never truer than the day her father died.

And now that someone important to her was back from the brink and the other was still in the fire, she wasn’t about to become a casualty before getting the job done.

She hit the lights and left her room, walking down the hall with purpose. She glanced into the common room, seeing Brutus and Ben already in garb and checking each other. They were easiest, since most of their upper bodies needed to be bared. Ben’s chitin was already grown and hard, spikes, spurs and plates smoothly layered over his chest, shoulders, arms and back, his chitin crown branching from his brow larger and more exaggerated to cover the plates grown over to encase his head. Brutus’s spikes were thicker and stood taller, the ones on his forearms lying flat to extend past his elbow, but ready to be flared out and shot as projectiles.

They both sported belts and leg straps with pistols and blades of their own.

Passing them up to beeline to the kitchen, she spotted the still in use vodka on the island and took a swig right from the bottle. Just one. She needed her mind but needed her ire bridled if only a little in this interim.

A crackling sound from the common room indicated her grandmother’s return with someone. A quick remark told her it was Nessa. Ashton and Angus would be next. Polly was likely already garbed, either fully or mostly. She had no idea what the plan was for Alfred, though Polly briefly noted he would join them. The crackling erupted again signaling Polly’s departure. She knew she should join them. Help with checks to suits and armaments. Or just be present since this was the first time in a while the family was tackling a situation all together and it was all at her urging to begin with. But despite her determination, and her desire to be close to her loved ones, a nagging feeling held her in place.

They all knew how she felt about Silver and Mickey.

The strange dance with her nemesis that had been her carefully guarded secret for these last several months was now not only known, but the depth of it was out in the open. Which was hard to handle being that she had barely just admitted it to herself. Nevertheless, while they were all connected through Alfred, she was aware of them as solidly as they were aware of her. And she felt their realization and their understanding. As much as she knew they felt her feelings towards the hero and his son.

She’d never been one for “love.”

Despite the urgings of her family, she had made a conscious decision to stay away from any romantic relationships. Even if past experiences weren’t her own. Watching her mother walk away had hurt her. Watching her sister’s mother do the same, had stung. But realizing they were walking away from her father when he needed them most…

Had devastated her.

Sure, such circumstances weren’t always the case. Brutus and Ivy were still going strong. Angus lost Natalie to health, not mentality. Her brother and his wife were inseparable. But yet, she had never shaken the silent conviction that she would never have what they did. After all, she was on the wrong end of the spectrum. Taller than most men, she had claws that could rip through walls, teeth that could sink into flesh without thought, and didn’t even have the decency of her grandmother’s melodic voice, instead gifted with deep tones that had her sounding almost male. Even her sister’s vocals, while also deep, mimicked more the classic singer, Cher. That was a decent conversation starter and made her sister popular in a crowd. For her, she just got strange glances on the rare occasion she was out in public and tried to “blend in.”

Then Silver Phoenix came along.

Taz inhaled sharply, clenching her teeth tight. Whatever. It’s not important how I feel. What’s important is getting a kid out of danger. Turning to exit the kitchen, no sooner did she clear the counter did thudding steps catch her ears from the hall. Daniel skidded into the doorway, nearly bashing his shoulder against the frame. Panic shot through her insides as his blacked-out eyes landed on her.

“He’s awake.”

She remained stock still, legs frozen in place, her feet cemented to the floor.

“Well, go!”

She jolted at Ben’s sudden words, looking up to see him, Brutus and Nessa watching her expectantly. Movement from Daniel drew her attention to the doctor as he motioned anxiously for her to follow, already several steps back in the direction of the rooms. As if some invisible binding had been cut, she surged forward and hurried after him, her own motions frenzied.

The pit in her stomach threatened to swallow her whole as they cleared the door frame. She didn’t need Daniel to move out from in front of her. The tiny man about the same size as Ivy was no obstruction to her view. But she found herself grateful for the moment his departure provided. His small frame sped across the room to get to Silver and grip his shoulders, easing the battered hero back down into the pillows. The flash of green under Silver’s heavy lids pulled at her insides as she watched, rooted to her spot.

“I’ve gotta … got to-“

“Please, sir, you need to remain in bed. You aren’t strong enough yet.”

“N-no, I need to-“
“Silver.”

His groggy eyes, sunken into a face of exhaustion found her. She walked into the room, aware she was stepping with unnecessary slowness. He sank at Daniel’s prodding, eyes never leaving hers. In the moment it took her to reach the bed, she could see the shine in the light and the tiny changes on his ragged face told her how ready he was to fall apart.

“Call me when you need me,” Daniel said quietly with a gentle touch to her arm.

She held Silver’s gaze as she listened to Daniel leave. Remaining quiet, her mind was stalled as she looked at those emerald eyes she loved to hate.

Silver broke the stare first. “God, Bee.” A choked sob escaped as he raised his arms, digging the butts of his hands into his eyes.

She was at his side, seated against him, and leaning over to pull his head to her chest faster than she could think on the actions. His arms gripped her tight as he curled into her, his tears flowing freely. “It’s alright. You’re safe,” she whispered.

“It’s not… it’s not me,” he managed through heavy gasps. “Mickey-“

“We know,” she said softly, her deep voice rumbling through her chest. “We’re going to get him.”

“You know? Where he is?” He moved, his face brushing against hers as he searched desperately for her eyes again.

His scent, intermingled with the faintest remnant of rainwater, sterilized cleaning rags, and dusty metallic twang of dried blood on clean bandages, accosted her senses and his expression so desperate and scared squeezed her insides so tight it hurt. “Yes. We know. We’re getting ready now.” Her voice was too soft, and she knew it was only a matter of time before it betrayed her.

“I have- I have to go-“

At his attempt to get up, she moved fast, crushing him tight to her and holding him in place. “No.”

“I can’t let you do this alone-“
“I’m not alone.”

Desperation melted into his voice. “I can’t…” A fresh wave of moisture fell down his face before he clenched his eyes shut tight, leaning his head into her chest. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Confusion rushed her mind, and she shook her head, resting her chin to his hair. “Why would you be sorry?”

“I didn’t… I didn’t want to… I wanted to protect you. I thought I could… fuck.” He dissolved into a mess of heavy breathing and choked sobs, his face burrowing closer against her collar.

Somehow, despite his words and the gravity of the situation, she smiled. “How silly.”

“What?”

She ran her fingers up his neck, dipping into his hair and raking her claws up his scalp. He shivered against her and moved with her gentle prodding. She bared her too-large teeth at him, a grin she had given him before. “How silly you think I’d need protection.” Another shiver left him and a baser part of herself hiding deep behind walls of carefully guarded stoicism reveled in the way his pupils dilated naturally when looking at her fangs. But then he closed his eyes, a pained expression washing over his face.

“I didn’t want to involve you… you already risk so much for someone you hardly know,” he breathed.

Her smile fell. “I know you. We’ve had this discussion before.” Her words were stern, almost angry.

“But I keep so much from you-“

“And you think I’m any different?” At his hesitance, she continued. “You haven’t asked who ‘we’ is. You don’t know half of what you think you do. But if I turned around and said I’m a stranger to you, would you agree?”

He was quiet at those words, his expression mirroring the same he’d worn the night they’d had nearly this exact conversation.

The night he sang to her.

“You need to rest. Daniel can only do so much so fast. We’ll be back with Mickey.”

At the mention of Mickey, Silver’s grip tightened, and he looked to her with new urgency. “It was him.”

She tilted her head, not bothering to hide her confusion. “What?”

“They wanted Mickey,” Silver said, pain lacing his words. “I thought… I was afraid that maybe they saw… but it was Mickey.”

Her brows drew down and she shook her head. “I don’t-“
“He can do what I can!”

Silence rang in her ears, and she forgot to breathe.

Silver shook his head, new desperation washing over his face. “He can heal others in seconds, almost any injury without issue. We’ve kept it a secret, as much as we can, but,” Silver’s face screwed up in anguish, “he’s got such a big heart… during a school trip, when one of the kids got hit by a car – h-he did it without thinking and they tried to cover it up, but he- his teachers… someone fucking…” He stopped talking, finally loosening his grip on her to fall back to the bed, running a hand over his face. “Someone ratted him out.”

Taz leaned on her arm over him, her eyes staring at nothing as she took in this new information. “It never fucking ends.” A beastly growl followed her words and she felt Silver look to her. She caught his eyes, her own hard. She was silent, and so was he, the space between them thick with unsaid words. Breaking away from him, she stood from the bed, fists clenched with careful tightness.

“We’re getting him back, Silver.”

The quiet of the room surrounded them and she made no point to hide her fury, though only those closest to her would recognize it from behind her stoic mask.

“Anthony.”

Her mask cracked. Looking back to the bedridden hero, she couldn’t even muster the question.

“My name is Anthony,” he said softly, expression raw and unguarded. “Anthony Doe.” He then looked away, fist clenched in the blanket. “If you’re going to risk your life for me… and my son… the least I can do is tell you my name.”

She looked at Silver Phoenix, the hero whose name she now knew, and waited. When concern and a hint of fear crossed his face, prompting him to look back at her, she took a deep breath. Screaming voices warred in her mind, some yelling not to do it, it had to be a trap. Others begged her to open up – surely, she wasn’t so wrong.

Surely this was real.

“Anastasia. Anastasia Coalson.” His face bloomed into an awed expression she felt out of place. Perhaps it was simply her misgivings. She continued, the back and forth in her mind horridly loud compared to the quiet that shared the room with them. “The family calls me Taz. But you can still call me Bee if you want.”

They continued gazing at each other, the moment oddly serene within the situation they found themselves in.

“Anastasia,” he whispered, slowly, carefully, as if he needed to be sure of each syllable.

Suddenly that awe made sense and her pulse raced in her veins, her limbs tingled with an unknown energy and she clenched her teeth for want of anything to keep herself grounded.

“Be careful… please.” His emerald eyes gleamed in the low light, fresh tears falling down the sides of his face.

After a moment too long, she turned, speaking not another word. Her steps were heavy on the hardwood floor announcing her presence. And when she entered the common room, everyone turned to look at her. Each set of eyes hardened as they met her gaze. Each filled with an understanding that came without prodding of words and explanations.

“Are we ready?”

Nods of affirmation and growls of determination met her in answer, and she let out a deep rumble of her own to join the din.

“Then let’s do this.”

***

Chapter 07: Surviving A Heist

“Fifteen seconds.”

“You’re sure.”

“Yup.” Al tilted his head. “If it were just you lot on the roof it’d be different, but their latent psionic sensors reach outward with a thirty-foot radius from each plane of the building.” He tapped his temple. “They’ll catch me quick.”

Ben crossed his arms, thick chitin scraping along as he did so. “And you’re sure you can knock out the power?”

Al smirked. “Absolutely. I just don’t know how long it’ll take or what obstacles will present while keeping it knocked.” He shrugged. “I’ve blacked out a thirty-story building in two seconds flat, but that was residential with no backup generators and the like. So, this is a trial run of sorts.”

“Make it work,” Taz said sharply.

Al winked at her. “Oh, I intend to.”

“Ye sure about thes?” Brutus asked. “We’re relying heavily on ye.”

A close-lipped laugh preceded Al’s answer. “Don’t you worry, Lycan.”

Taz felt for her uncle. She was the same, unused to charging into a situation and getting pertinent information after getting onsite. But Al had already proven himself once and seemed ready, and not too eager, which was also a good sign. Usually those too eager were just looking for a fight. Their goal was to get in, get Mickey and get out.

If they had to fight more than one battle along the way, then so be it.

“Alright, then.” Polly stepped forward, her own slim bodysuit outfitted with armored plates and brightly lit seamlines for disorientation. “Grab on,” she said, raising her arms, “on guard on touchdown.”

“Be careful.”

They all turned to see Daniel in the doorway, standing stiff with his hands in his pockets, blacked-out eyes trained on the group. The shadows under his eyes were darker, the lines cut a little deeper in his fatigue, giving his normally cool and collected expression a bit more wariness. While they knew he was technically neutral to the activities of his clients, the fact remained his tie to their family was more than payment for his services. So, such simple words meant more when coming from him.

“Always, Danny,” Nessa chirped.

A huff escaped through the doctor’s nose and Taz rolled her eyes with the others, noticing several smirks at the familiar exchange. It was nice. She held the moment close, coupling it with the pleasant memories of times spent with Silver as she watched Polly raise her arms once more.

They were going to succeed.

She was sure of it.

“At the ready,” Polly called. They all took a ready stance, looking outward from their grip on her. “On mark.”

Taz took a deep breath.

“Three… two…”

And let it out slowly.

“One… Mark.”

The wash of static that accompanied being pulled along with Polly’s teleporting engulfed her body in an instant. In the next moment, it was gone, the barest hint of it flickering away as her warm, brightly lit common room was replaced with chilly night air paired with a dark and cloudy sky. She weaved her Darkness, forming it thick and wrapping it around the group with speed, giving them cover atop the building Al tracked them to.

“Fourteen,” Ashton called out, pearlescent eyes on his watch.

They all formed up around Al, taking defensive stance outward as he leveled his arms to the rooftop, body already glowing. Taz looked back at him, nervously watching as the energy arcs left him, fizzling along the concrete, and briefly touching her and others of the group, leaving a minute tingling in their wake.

“Eleven,” Ashton called.

“Come on, Al,” Taz ground out, massing more of her darkness and pushing outward, already reaching the edges of the roof.

“Nine… eight…”

A low chuckle left Al’s lips. Taz whipped around to look at him, catching his grin. Then a tingling flickered at the back of her neck and rushed up along her scalp.

‘Got it,’ rang Al’s voice from inside her head.

At the same time, her mind was flooded with information. The building had ten backup generators, five dedicated to five separate floors below ground level. They would kick on in sequence every thirty seconds that grid power loss was detected, with both digital and analog reset switches built into each one that took two to five seconds to flip – all interconnected to each other through hardline connections. ‘I’ll have to stay here and keep busy. But your boy is plain sight.’ A brief image, not unlike a blueprint, flashed into her head before a location illuminated. ‘Third floor above ground level, cell block three, unit five.’ Taz grit her teeth. Whether by accident or on purpose, she felt the distinct impression from Al.

There were dozens of other subjects.

‘Mickey first,’ Polly’s voice suddenly chimed. ‘We’ll see what we can do for the others after.’

‘We’re all connected?’ came Nessa’s voice.

‘Just you wait,’ Al’s voice rang.

‘Ye gotta be shite’n me.’

‘Doesn’t look like it,’ Angus answered his brother.

‘So, this is what you meant by seeing different,’ Ben cut in.

Taz barked a laugh, despite the moment.

Al was projecting his mental view to them, allowing them to see several floors of the building underneath them, as well as all people inside. He was kind enough to include mental impressions of who was soldier, scientist, subject and civilian.

‘How is this not frying our brains?’ Ben questioned.

‘I’m nice, that’s how,’ Al snarked playfully. ‘Now, you should get moving. I’ve been kicking the generators off this whole time and as you can see, they are preparing.’

‘Already on it,’ Taz cut in. Her Darkness was already surrounding the entire building, a solid barrier of shadow encasing the structure and melting in through the available openings.

‘Grab on. We’re going to Mickey first.’ Polly held her arm out. ‘Ash, stay with Al as defense.’

A little indignant whisp floated from Al. ‘Unnecessary-‘

‘Gramma’s orders,’ Ashton quipped.

Taz ignored the commentary, holding Polly’s hand as she gathered her Darkness around her, swallowing her own form up to her face. In an instant, the crackling swarmed and left her body, the inside of a metal walled hall with flickering lights met her gaze. Shouting voices, both panicked and stern, caught her ears and she had enough time to look to her left before gunfire rang out. Her darkness was up reflexively, shielding them from view as they dodged against the walls. Nessa’s roar exploded from her right, and she felt as much as heard her cousin dashing down the hall, her enhanced speed and agility allowing her to duck and dodge against the floor, walls and ceiling before clashing against oncoming soldiers. Ben shuffled to shield Polly against the polymer wall behind them as Brutus shot spikes through Taz’s darkness using the mental map provided by Al to aim.

‘Thes’s rather handy, ye know it?’ A fierce grin broke onto his face at the shouts of pain down the hall.

“BEE!”

Taz whipped around, seeing Mickey pressed against the wall looking at her. His call had been muted, the thick polymer funneling his voice through tiny holes near the ceiling. She pressed her shadow-clothed hand to the material. “Don’t worry, we’re getting you out.”

“I can’t get in there.” Polly turned to thump her fist against the substance. “They have EM generators in the cells. Even with Al doing his thing,” she glanced to the flickering track lights in the cell, “there’s just enough power. I can’t predict the off and on.”

“Get to choppin, Gus!” Brutus hollered from his position still shooting his spikes.

“Switch sides!” Nessa cut in, racing past Brutus as he stepped back around Angus to cover the other side of the hall.

Taz glanced to her uncle, seeing his eyes solidly bloodshot, wrists already cut and his blood pooling in thick globs from his fingers. In a breath of a second, the blood rose and conglomerated, forming into identical long-bladed axes in each hand.

“Stand aside.”

She looked to Mickey and motioned for him to back into the far corner of the room. He nodded and did as he was told, the others moving to give Angus more room.

Angus wasted no time, swiping the axes with steady accuracy, carving several lines into the clear wall. He then tilted his head, examining his handiwork. A shared realization hit them that the wall was at least twelve inches thick.

“Shit!” Taz let out a growl. ‘You left that part out!’

‘Don’t blame me for their fortifications,’ Al’s voice floated back distantly.

Angus huffed, seemingly unphased. He brought his hands together and merged the axes into a rod.

“The hall’s clear,” Nessa shouted. “But y’all can see from that mind-map that more guns are headed straight here.”

Angus appeared to ignore her and bent his knees, holding the rod close to his waist. “Stand clear.” His words were only a split-second warning before the rod extended both directions in the blink of an eye, the ends piercing the metal wall behind him and the polymer wall in front of him. From the rod’s entry point in the polymer, spears shot out, spiderwebbing into the clear material. Noises from behind them indicated he was doing the same with the wall at his back. Spikes shot outwards from the polymer, both towards them and the inside of the cell. More followed, forming a circle of bloody icicles before merging into single sheets. Angus then gripped the rod tight and horrendously loud cracking noises filled the space.

Taz grit her teeth, her nerves on end. Nessa was right. Despite her auxiliary efforts with her shadows, pinning or encasing scientists and civilians and incapacitating soldiers, this building was huge. And there were more soldiers moving faster than she could reach while her mind was occupied. Hurry up, please…

She stalled. Wait, we aren’t in each other’s heads?

Crunching and crashing drew her attention. She could have bounced in excitement as the giant chunks of clear polymer fell to the floor inside the cell, leaving a cracked circle in the wall. Mickey didn’t wait for her to call out. The teenager charged out of the corner, bounding over the chunks carelessly before hopping through the opening. He barely missed the retracting end of Angus’ rod as he ran for Taz.

“Bee! I can’t believe you’re here!” He collided with her, clearly unafraid of the frightening form she presented and those of the others around her.

She wrapped her arms around him gratefully, holding tight. “I told you, Mickey,” she whispered.

“Alright, hurry, hurry,” Polly chimed, motioning for the boy to come to her.

“What? Why-“

“Mickey,” Taz knelt, pulling his face to hers, “we have more work to do here, but we have to get you out first. Tempest will take you to your dad.”

His face lit up. “You found him!?”

She couldn’t help a smile. “No. He found me.” She pulled him into another quick hug, before detaching and pushing him to Polly. “Go, she’s gotcha.”

“Okay, see you soon?”

Taz clenched her teeth at his wide green eyes on her, so like Silver’s yet subtly different. “Yes.”

He nodded, going easily into Polly’s arms. She held him close, and they disappeared in her distortion, the crackling of her passing loud in the suddenly still air.

“Anyone else notice what’s missing?” Ben asked immediately.

“We aren’t connected anymore,” Angus answered.

“What happened?” Nessa shot, worry coloring her voice.

“Like we ought’ah know, lass,” Brutus huffed.

“Shut up!”

Everyone’s eyes shot to Taz as her own gaze aimed at the floor, her mind occupied and filling with dread. No sooner had she realized what she was feeling with her shadows did the building shudder. They were afforded only a moment to look around in surprise before the shudder turned into shaking. She took a knee, hearing Brutus throw himself against the wall and the ends of Angus’ rod spearing through the floor and ceiling for something stable to hold onto.

“What’s happening?” Ben shouted from his crouch close to the floor. “Taz, wanna fill us in?”

The lights in the hall and the cells flickered in a strobe before shining bright and finally blowing. Glass and sparks rained down on them as they were thrown into darkness, the building continuing to shake around and underneath them.

“It’s unstable, breaking apart!” Taz finally managed, wrapping her shadows around them protectively.

“What!?” Nessa’s voice preceded a touch to her arm. “I didn’t feel any charges go off- did you?”

“No charges, this isn’t a controlled demo. It’s literally breaking apart like something’s tearing it up.”

“AL!” Brutus yelled.

“You don’t know that-“ Angus’ voice was cut off at the unmistakable sound of groaning and snapping metal and crumbling concrete.

“Ye got any better thoughts!”

“Dad! You aren’t helping!”

“SHIT- the ceiling!”

Taz’s darkness, thick and durable as it was, would not hold more weight than she herself could. And a whole concrete and steel reinforced ceiling was a tall order. In the split second it took her to feel the collapse, she felt something else, hard and solid, sprout through her shadows.

Angus’ strained groan met her ears.

“Dad!” Nessa’s panic grated on her nerves as she felt around them, lining out in her head what Angus had done.

He’d created a dome with his blood, spokes at the edges supporting the rod in the center that he was holding tight. He was forcing more blood out to create a shelf against the floor, creating more stable support for what he was doing. But she could feel his body shaking.

“Dammit! Everyone reach up,” Taz ordered, strengthening her shadows, and forming several columns between the dome and the shelf Angus was stretching out. “Uncle, lower the dome, we can help support it.”

His labored breathing answered her, but she felt him do as she said. She reached up herself, sensing the others do the same. Rumbling sounded in the dark and the building shook harder around them.

“I don’t… know what good… if we fall…” Angus ground out.

“Donnae, worry, Gus. We jus’ gotta hold et til Mam gets ‘ere,” Brutus answered tightly.

“We’re right here, Dad,” Nessa whispered.

Taz solidified her darkness around the edges of Angus’ construction, in hopes that it would provide some buffer if his fears were realized. She was starting to slip, though. Her breaths were heavy, and her joints ached, her grunts of effort mixing with the others’ in the dark. Crunching, snapping and crumbling added to the distant rumble and she clenched her teeth against oncoming panic.

“Shiiiiiit!” Ben let out a growl. “Where’s-“

Polly’s crackling static erupted, followed immediately by the lit seams of her suit illuminating the dark. “Grab on!”

Taz lunged for her hand, catching in her peripheral the others reaching for any part of Polly they could touch. The instantaneous tingling of her grandmother’s teleportation washed over her, and the rumbling, shaking building falling apart around them disappeared, replaced with her very solid, very stable common room. She collapsed to her knees with everyone else, letting her darkness dissipate. Her gasp of relief was short-lived, however, as Nessa’s scream cut into her head.

“DAD!”

Her stomach fell when she saw her uncle on the floor, sprawled on his back. Blood was splattered down his front, his face covered with streams of it leaking from his nose, eyes, ears and mouth. Nessa was at him faster than anyone else, pulling him up and holding him close to her, one hand at his face and her other arm wrapped protectively over his chest. Ashton darted to his side, Brutus to the other with Polly next to him. Taz gripped his leg, his closest appendage to her, and froze at the horrible trembling under her fingers.

Angus breathed in as if to speak and a wet rattling left his chest before he started coughing.

“It’s okay, baby,” Polly soothed, her voice shaking. “Just lay still, I’mma get Daniel,” she said, reaching past Brutus to stroke her hand down the other side of Angus’ face. “Just be sti-“

“Red Reaper!”

All heads that could, turned to the common room entrance to see Mickey pale and wide-eyed in the doorway.

No sooner did manic hope rush Taz’s chest did Mickey launch himself into the room.

“I can help, I can heal him!” he shouted, his voice distraught.

Even as the others started speaking, maybe words of protest, maybe words of shock, Taz rose to her knees and caught the boy before he could fall onto them, pulling him closer as much as holding him back. The kid’s frantic motions only halted when he finally got his hands on Angus’ chest.

Golden light seeped into the space between them.

Taz’s breath caught in her lungs as Mickey’s hair glowed gold, waving as if caught in a gentle breeze. His skin radiated the light as well, tiny bright pinpricks flecking out from him like slowly falling sparks wafting into the air. Warmth filled her from where she held him, impossibly comforting as if wrapped in the softest blanket she owned, and yet revitalizing as if waking from the best night’s sleep she’d ever had. She looked to see the others grabbing ahold of him, not sure if it was the need to provide support, or awe, or something else that prodded their actions.

From underneath them all, Angus managed a deep breath, the rattling gone from his lungs. He raised his hand, gently placing it on the boy’s hand over his chest.

“Thank you.”

The glow faded, leaving as quickly as it came. Mickey let out a teary laugh.

That was Taz’s final straw.

She pulled him to her, leaning back to fall into a sit, dragging him onto her lap. Tears raced down her face and she ran her hand through his hair. She held him close, kissing his head and nuzzling his hair, vaguely aware that he was holding her back just as tight. A touch graced her shoulder, and she didn’t need to look to know who it was.

She detangled one arm and reached out. She didn’t care that she sank her claws into fabric. “Get the fuck down here, Anthony.”

Taz pulled Silver to his knees and wrapped her arm around him, squeezing tight while he snaked his arms around her and Mickey, clinging to the both of them.

***

Chapter 08: Come Fly With Me

“That’s so awesome!”

“You should see him make like twenty and make them all dance like marionettes.”

“What!? No way!”

“Heh, I’ll save that for another day.”

Taz was having a hard time keeping a smile at bay as she watched Mickey ogling Angus’ tiny constructs walking around the kitchen island, unphased by the fact they were made of the villain’s blood. Apparently, it was even considered “cool” by the kids who were well-read on hero and villain statistics. And Red Reaper was also evidently one of the rarest cards in a new trading card fad they hadn’t been aware of. Second only to Tempest.

Speaking of…

Taz redirected her attention to the tray she’d piled with the simplest of foodstuffs: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apple slices, some dried fruit and pretzels. Included were three cups, a carafe of coffee, and tiny jars of powdered cream and sugar. Sneaking out of the kitchen, she padded down the hall to the aviary. She paused at the entrance to watch carefully.

He was already enough of a wreck without her startling him.

At the farthest end of the aviary, huddled on the plushy couch wrapped in a blanket was Alfred. Polly was right next to him, halfway curled around him, having pulled him nearly onto her lap, arms holding him in a tight but comfortable hug. He was long past his hysterics, sitting with a numb sort of quiet. But he would jump at any little noise, and nearly hyperventilated when the voices from the others got too close.

Through his earlier mania, barely contained with Daniel’s help in forcibly calming his body periodically, they managed to find out that Alfred had been the cause of the building’s destruction. But it hadn’t been entirely on purpose. During his efforts in projecting to the team the mental map, he had snuck into the minds of all the other people in the building. Every scientist, soldier and subject had been touched, their memories opened to his scrutiny. Initially an attempt at learning more about what was in the building and determining the fastest way to rescue the prisoners, he spiraled down the rabbit hole.

He saw too much too quickly.

His broken sobs and incoherent mumblings eventually told how he saw the sheer multitude of live experimentations and brutal tortures that had been dealt and received in that building and others. Some scientists had operated there and in other locations, sometimes for decades. He’d seen it all. And what was worse was there was no other subject in the building that was any better off than Silver when he’d first shown up at Taz’s door. Mickey was the only one onsite that wasn’t broken and battered by their efforts, evidently because they had yet to decide what approach would be best with the boy.

And the others only had one thing on their mind by the time Alfred got to them.

Having connected them all to each other and himself entirely by accident, and allowing them an immediate outlet for their pain, all remaining subjects poured into Alfred an unnegotiable want for destruction. His own horrified anger at what he was seeing burning at an all-time high, their shared desire and emotion tipped him over the edge. Ashton had attempted to do something, anything, to stop what he saw happening. However, Alfred’s psionic presence had grown to an almost physical thickness, preventing Ashton’s approach. All he could do was fly around helplessly.

It had been Polly who finally managed to stop the tsunami. She knew Alfred well enough, was familiar with his mind and its feel. When his presence dropped from them altogether, she knew something was wrong. Porting directly to the roof after dropping Mickey off, she managed to catch Ashton, get him back to the house and then teleport directly into Alfred’s personal space, pulling him out of the situation. A split-second had Daniel in the room with a desperate request to knock Al out. With the deed done, she was back in the building to grab the others before total collapse.

Knocking him out seemed to have been the right move, as doing so appeared to have forced him to close his mind off. Now locked tight, repressed back into his state of normalcy, Alfred wasn’t at risk of causing more damage. Or losing his mind.

Hopefully.

Taz walked up slowly and carefully, but not too quiet as to startle with a sudden appearance at the lounge-table. She caught eyes with Alfred as he looked to the noise of the tray being sat down. He flinched, turning to bury his face back into Polly’s neck. Her grandmother gave her a tired smile, large, clawed hand stroking Alfred’s hair.

I’ll never know how you do it, Gramma. “There’s coffee too,” she said softly. “It’s already past seven.”

Daniel’s minute sigh drew her attention. The small man was reclined in a patio chair, looking even smaller than normal pushed down into the plush cushions. “I’ll pass on the coffee, Taz. If I may borrow one of your spares?”

She smiled lightly. “You know you can. But are you sure you don’t want to eat first?”

Daniel pulled himself up, his dark eyes heavily lidded. “I should, but it’ll have to wait.”

She reached out, catching Daniel’s arm as he stepped to pass her. “Thank you. For everything.”

His subtle surprise melted through his exhaustion. “Of course.”

Taz gave a half-smile as she let go, turning back to the pair on the couch as Daniel made his way to the door. “You two should sleep too.”

“Soon enough, baby-girl,” Polly whispered. “Thank you for the tray.”

“Yeah. You want another blanket? Some pillows?”

Polly shook her head lightly. “We’re good. When I get him more settled, I’ll probably port to my place.”

Alfred seemed to cringe more at Polly’s words and Taz bit the inside of her lip. She wasn’t so sure it was a great idea for Polly to be alone with him. But then again, she seemed to be his primary source of stability. “You can take one of the spares,” she offered. “If you don’t want to go too far.” She could have cringed herself at her grandmother’s knowing smile.

“It’s okay, hun. You only have so many extra bedrooms.” Polly then gave a nod towards the door. “Why don’t you go be with the others.”

She sighed at the gentle dismissal. “Alright. Call me if you need me, okay?”

“Same here, hun.”

Taz was stationary a moment before stepping around the table, leaning down to give a careful one-armed hug, her cheek to Polly’s hair. “Love you, Gramma.”

A hum of a laugh met her words. “Love you too, baby-girl.”

As she rose, a quick hiccup of a thought had her reaching out. Her gentle touch at his shoulder prompted Alfred to twitch. But then he moved his head, one watery honey-hazel eye catching her gaze. She nodded, trying to put on a comforting expression. She didn’t linger, though.

Once back in the hallway her steps grew slow. Just before the kitchen she glanced into the common room, seeing the faintest hint of grey light in the windows, a mild drizzle coating the glass. Having lost herself briefly in the moment of watching the clouds lighten up in the distance, she should have been startled to feel a touch at her arm. She didn’t jump though, and again knew somehow, without looking, that it was Silver. His emerald eyes looked up at her intently, heavy with tiredness, but radiating concern.

She managed a soft smile. “Hey, you.”

He huffed a laugh. “Hey you,” he mimicked. “How’s it?” He gestured back the direction she’d come from.

“Doing okay. Well enough, anyway.”

He nodded. “That’s good to hear.”

His hand was still wrapped around her arm, his grip gentle, thumb ghosting back and forth over the material of her shirt. Was she unusually warm where he touched her? Was it him, warming his hand?

“How are you?”

She blinked, catching his eyes again. For a reason she couldn’t identify, she found herself unable to answer. Taking a breath, her lips parted, though she was unsure what words she was going to say. Her odd inability stretched further when his eyes darted down, watching her motions. When he looked back up, she got the distinct impression that they were closer, though she didn’t remember stepping into his space or him into hers.

“Dad?”

They both jolted lightly, Silver turning to Mickey at the kitchen entryway. “Hey bud,” he called.

A radiant grin broke onto the boy’s face and Taz found herself smiling back, still warm where Silver held her arm, still mysteriously too close. And she was fine with that. Because at least he was safe. At least they were both safe.

The next thirty minutes went about prepping the remaining rooms, Silver insisting on helping Taz strip the sheets off the bed he’d lain in for the majority of the night and put on new ones. By the time they were done, Angus was already passed out in the third bedroom and Nessa, having already checked on Daniel, was guiding Mickey into the room. A soft assurance that she and Ashton would stay in the room with him to keep him company, with no protest on Mickey’s part, had Silver and Taz saying goodnight to the sleepy teen and leaving him in their care.

Silver hesitated a moment outside the door as if he were unsure where he should go. Taz took his hand and pulled him along with her further down the hall. He offered no resistance, following her to her bedroom. She reasoned that it felt rude to have him sleep on one of the couches after this ordeal, even if he would have some privacy since Brutus and Ben were gone to their home not far from hers. And despite how comfortable her couches were. And ignoring that one of them was a pull-out bed.

Once in the room with the door shut behind them, she finally paused, looking at her bed as if it were a foreign object. He was still behind her, but his grip tightened on her hand, prompting her to turn back to him.

“I… you don’t…” His eyes were low, his tone careful and expression guarded.

It didn’t seem right to see his face like that. Memory forced its way to the forefront of her mind.

The night he sang to her.

They’d been on the balcony of his apartment, Mickey asleep since it was near midnight, half a bottle of rum shared between them and music playing on the TV. Frank Sinatra had come on and he looked at her with that spark in his eyes. He sang perfectly in tune to “Come Fly With Me,” taking her hand and pulling her into a dance. She’d matched his steps and the words, and they’d twiddled around the balcony, smiling all the way. Goodness, she’d never remembered smiling so freely outside of her home or the company of her family. And all the while, his words held a weight that didn’t belong to the song. Their stop to lean against the rail was dizzying, more so than the dance or the alcohol should have caused.

And he kissed her.

“I don’t know how I got away with that.”

As if she’d let him if she were so opposed.

“What makes you say that?”

His expression had been open, his eyes searching.

“I wouldn’t expect you to accept a kiss from someone you hardly know.”

Oh, that was a right dumb comment.

“I know you. You know me. We aren’t strangers on the street.”

He seemed conflicted but couldn’t seem to find any words to say.

“Alright, then. Your turn.”

“What-“

She kissed him. It was gentle but more demanding than his. Her teeth at his lips, her tongue fighting to meet his. And he moved with her, not shying away, not recoiling. He leaned into her, matching her ardor.

When they broke apart, panting in the cool night air, she grinned, full and open.

“I wouldn’t expect you to accept a kiss from someone you hardly know,” she mimicked back at him.

He smiled, his skin warm, his silver hair gleaming in the moonlight.

And now, Taz stood staring at the same man, the hero whose name she now knew, looking unsure of himself in a way she’d corrected once before.

Time to correct it again.

She let go of his hand and smoothed her fingers over his cheeks, his surprise thick between them as he looked into her eyes. Stepping to him with purpose this time, feeling the air warm up with her proximity, she leaned close, her nose barely brushing his.

“Come fly with me.”

She didn’t wait for him to say anything. Her lips were on his, soft and gentle. He melted into her, his hands ghosting up her back, fingers catching under her shirt. Warmth followed his touch, and she knew he was doing it on purpose. Their lips parted in tandem, and her fingers wove into his hair.

The taste of his tongue against hers was the spark that ignited her need.

She pulled him with her, side-stepping her gear and suit thrown haphazardly on the floor earlier in the night. When her legs hit the bed, she kicked off her house shoes, fingers already pulling at his borrowed cardigan out of her closet. All of his clothes were hers, men’s clothes she kept around for whichever family member needed at any given time. Despite this, the fabric was not safe from her claws, and she could hardly make space in her mind to care. His own hands were just as urgent, the need to remove any restriction of skin-to-skin contact overriding both their better judgment. Her shirt was over her head, her hair slipping from the material to drape over the both of them. A laugh escaped him – that charming sound she loved to hear – and she grabbed him to her and leaned back. They hit the bed, and she giggled when they bounced, a sound she hadn’t heard from herself in so long it sounded foreign. But the next sound was equally strange to her ears as he dragged his body against hers, finding her throat to coax a moan from her.

He was hot, his skin too warm, but not uncomfortably so. She arched into him, one hand digging into his hair again while her other trailed his back. When her fingertips grazed something long and raised, she froze. He stopped and rose up on his arms, concern in his eyes. She couldn’t help looking down to see the scars adorning his body that she knew were from them. Softly, carefully, she moved her fingertips, tracing the lines. For a moment, all thought of continuing whatever they were doing halted, and she considered stopping this train from raging down the tracks. But then, his fingers closed around hers. Her eyes darted back to his and he held her gaze, pulling her hand to his mouth. Without looking away, he ran his lips down her fingers. He moved agonizingly slow and tipped her further over the edge when he kissed her palm, his eyes heavily lidded and dark, his emerald green gleaming in the lowlight of her room.

Her hand was out of his and she pulled him back down to her as much as she raised to meet him, their lips colliding with new vigor. Their fire burned hotter, and their motions became desperate. She ripped her own clothes as well as his, his hands searched every part of her he could touch. Her teeth were on his skin, her tongue savoring his taste while his small noises mixed with hers and his fingers played her with care.

When she cried out the first time, he went still, concern on his features once again. But she washed that away with her lips against his, with her insistent grip. And then they were moving with one another, a rhythm only they were dancing to. She called out his name and tore her bedding, and by the time he was screaming with her, the smell of singed fabric floated in the air.

When their high had cooled, whether five minutes later or thirty, she could hardly care, she was content to lay with him, his weight comfortable on top of her. Her claws raked gently through his hair, her other hand tracing lazy circles against his shoulder.

“Sorry about your comforter,” he murmured against her neck, his beard a pleasant tickle.

“I’ll get another one.”

He was quiet a moment. “What if this happens every time?”

She let out a tired giggle. “I’ll get a fire retardant one.”

He giggled with her, the noise musical to her ears. Raising up on one arm, he caught her gaze with his, the backs of his fingers gracing her cheek. “How about I try to be more careful?”

She grinned. “You say that like you’re the only one.” Glancing at one of the tears made by her claws, she started laughing. “I’m gonna need chain mail if I keep this up!”

“Pfft!” His face was against her neck again, his laughter mixing with hers. “I guess we’ll have to work out some kinks.”

Taz pulled his face back to hers and gazed lovingly into those eyes she loved to hate.

“Sounds like a plan.”

***

Chapter 09: Beyond The Horizon

“Okay, okay,” Polly tapped her pen to the notepad, her age showing in how she preferred to handwrite notes as opposed to type them on a tablet, “you said this happened at his birth, but I need you to think back.”

Taz took a sip of her tea as she listened, glancing between Polly and Silver.

A whole twenty-four hours later had everyone back in the kitchen, well-rested and far more willing and able to go over the situation at hand. Silver having already recounted as much of the events that lead up to his detainment as he could, was now discussing with Polly the intricacies of his and Mickey’s healing ability.

“Think back?” Silver asked with a raised brow.

“Yes, because it’s important to know if this presented at Mickey’s birth or at his conception. Or, really your awareness of it.” Polly rolled her hand flippantly, her other hand ready with the pen, only to look up when Silver continued to stare at her in confusion. She pursed her lips. “Okay, not enough info – so, the reason this makes a difference is you could have had this ability from the get-go,” she explained, gesturing her hand up and down at Silver. “And the way to determine if that’s the case or not is when you became aware you could do it. Because if you have reason to believe that you could do it after Mickey’s conception, then that means this facet of your ability came to exist as a result of that event. Your body is far more aware of the hormonal changes in others around you than your mind will ever be. And sensing your baby come to be would be more than enough reason to goad your instincts into something you weren’t able to do before, especially something protective – in your case, enhanced healing. But if you have reason to believe you couldn’t do this until after he was born, then it would likely mean you were actually capable of it and just didn’t have the right circumstances in which to become aware of it.”

Silver’s brows knit together as he leaned against the island counter. “I’ve never thought about it like that.” He crossed his arms, one hand stroking his still patchy beard.

Polly nodded, taking a quick sip of her coffee. “Mhm, well it’s because not many people are looking into it so thoroughly. Not many that we care to be involved with, anyway.” She pointed to Daniel, his tiny form moving sluggishly at the stove. “Daniel has several colleagues he works with who are researching how Daimo function. Cataloguing and studying our abilities is part of that research.”

“Trusted colleagues?” Silver questioned with more than a hint of reserve.

“Certainly,” Daniel answered, his back to them as he fiddled with a kettle. “They operate under the same conditions I do.”

“Which are?”

“Well, confidentiality for one,” Polly answered for him. “Daniel and his peers aren’t interested in what you do for a living, where you got your money, what your status is in life, where you came from – none of that. Their purpose is to do their job and that’s that. Daniel,” she gestured at him again, “is a doctor. He handles people’s health. Plain and simple. His associates all have similar views in regards to their areas of expertise. Hence why he, and they, are all trusted by plenty of us who otherwise wouldn’t have anyone to turn to.”

Silver nodded, his expression thoughtful. He looked to the smaller man, a quiet sigh leaving him. “That reminds me. I want to thank you, Doctor Amos, for your efforts-“

“None needed,” Daniel cut him off, turning on the burner under the kettle.

Taz smirked when Silver looked at them in confusion, giving him a wink. She lowered her cup to mouth “he does that” to which Silver smiled and shook his head.

“Well, I thank you anyway,” he insisted.

“You are welcome, Mister Doe.”

“Don’t let Danny fool you, he very much appreciates the thanks,” Nessa butt in, walking around Silver to stand right next to the doctor.

A small huff from “Danny” had Taz and the others snickering or trying not to. Daniel was not fond of being called by the nickname but had never given Nessa quite the same cold reproval as he had others who had done the same.

“Do you need any help?” Nessa asked him, slightly too peppy.

Taz closed her lips tight at Silver’s questioning glance. Averting her eyes did her no good as she caught Angus sitting next to her eyeing his daughter with a knowing smirk. She covered her mouth and held her breath, snickers from Brutus and Ben over at the dining table hindering her efforts.

“No, thank you,” Daniel answered, sounding far too tired to notice the subtle amusement wafting in the air.

“Okay!”

Then Nessa pulled her boldest move yet.

She brought her hand up and effortlessly weaved her long claws into Daniel’s thick curls, moving her fingers in what was likely pleasant scratching motions at his scalp. The man’s formerly slouched form bolted straight as a pole, his shoulders raised up and tense.

“What… are you doing?”

“Scratch’n your head.”

Taz crouched over the counter, her stomach tight and face aching as she clenched her teeth against the incredulous laugh she was attempting to contain. Angus was no better, his large hand plastered over his eyes as he hung his head. How Polly managed to remain seated was beyond her as she watched the matriarch clench her eyes tight, fist to her mouth. Alfred, who had been seated next to Polly the whole time was wide-eyed and flushed, his form tense at the unexpected exchange. And if the slight groaning of her dining room table was any indicator, Brutus and Ben’s faces were probably nearly as blue as Nessa’s.

When Silver’s high-browed disbelief was turned on her, it was all she could do to keep from popping like a wine bottle. But she managed to silently convey the message: She has a thing for Daniel. Silver had just enough time to blink rapidly and cover his mouth before Polly decided to attempt to rescue them all from the silent struggle.

“So yeah,” Polly managed, her businesslike tone completely opposing her overly amused body language. “If you could think about that and try to remember the details, that would be very helpful in determining the exact nature of this facet of your ability. Now,” she cleared her throat, the train of thought evidently sobering her mindset, “I would still like to introduce the both of you to a colleague of Daniel’s. I’ll be taking Al to him soon, too.” She glanced at Alfred with a reassuring smile. “This guy’s deal is strictly the abilities themselves. What they are, how they work, where they originate from, how they effect the body and long-term repercussions and side-effects that can be projected as a result of study and cross-reference to other similar abilities,” she finished, ticking off her fingers.

Silver nodded, the subject appearing to level his mind as well. “What would we hope to gain from this?”

Polly heaved a sigh, clasping her hands on top of her notepad. “So… the only thing we could reasonably expect to gain upfront is a better understanding of our abilities and how they work. But the hope is that this would lead to an understanding of where we came from. How we came to be.” She shrugged. “Daimo have only been around for a little over a century. I should know. They weren’t around when I was a kid, and I didn’t even properly present until I was seventeen.”

“How-” Silver stopped short, glancing to the center of the island as if the breakfast items they’d all been munching on were a sudden surprise.

Polly giggled. “I’m one hundred and thirty-seven.”

Silver let out a thankful sigh. “Sorry, I didn’t want to seem rude.”

Polly waved her hand at him as she picked up her coffee. “Oh please, it’s been a subject of debate forever now.”

Silver tilted his head. “Is that so?”

“Hmm – yup.” Polly reached for her plate, pulled on another biscuit, and scooped up some more hashbrowns. “There’s been thought that I could be ImLiv, but considering the lack of minute aging, the appropriate hormonal arch, and recently, the lack of Fever, and the fact that my physical appearance is permanent, we’ve ruled that out. But there has been talk if somehow it’s related.”

“How would that be?” he asked, picking up another biscuit himself.

“Well, remember the academic papers that circulated around the twenty-twenties trying to spread positive awareness about ImLivs before everything happened?”

“Yeah, I remember learning about that.”

“If you go back and reread those lectures, one proposal to explain their existence is that ImLiv are another evolutionary path of humans. One similar, but not identical way in which the human species could continue to survive and propagate. Some others have suggested that Daimo are another evolutionary path – a third option for the species to continue.” Polly rolled her eyes. “Personally, I think the whole thing is dumb, but it’s even more so to suggest Daimo are such because why would we suddenly show up like this?” She shrugged again, raising her shoulders higher. “It makes no sense if you consider how evolution is supposed to work. If this were the case, then Daimo would also be right alongside baseline humans and ImLiv through history, and really, we don’t see that.”

Silver was quiet, his expression thoughtful as he continued nibbling on his biscuit. “But what about ancient stories of creatures like minotaur and half-human, half something else?”

Polly shook her head with a smirk. “See, I’ve spent a lot of time looking into this, and one thing you find when you look deeper is that there’s always an ImLiv somewhere that can explain those stories. Even Lord Athena went over the whole Medusa situation and it was nothing more than her throwing a basket of snakes at a lady who was pretending to be her friend to get into her husband’s pants.”

Ben suddenly piped up from the table. “Didn’t her husband go for that, though?”

“Well yeah, she did worse to him, but that’s not the point,” Polly answered, rolling her eyes.

A loud metallic thunk and shuffling drew everyone’s attention to the stove.

Nessa giggled, her arms hooked under Daniel’s, the doctor appearing to have fallen backwards.

“You okay there, Doc?” Ben chirped, grin clear in his voice.

Nessa’s giggling only worsened when the tiny man hurried out of her grip with a jolt, aggressively straightening his shirt and pushing his glasses back up his nose. “Fine, thank you,” he answered tersely.

The kettle chose that moment to start whistling and provided the much-needed cover for a few breathless snickers.

“Anyway,” Polly continued, her smile betraying her tone, “the point is there are people who legitimately want to know and understand all this. And we have access to some of those people.” A knowing smirk melted onto her face as she reached for her coffee cup.

Silver nodded, his gaze drifting.

Taz watched him thinking, examining his features. Not that she needed to. She’d spent the better part of the last several months memorizing the planes of his face, the lines around his eyes. The way his mustache quirked when he smiled and how his brow raised at the end when he was feeling mischievous. But things were different then. Her mouth twitched as she tried to keep from biting her lip.

“Careful, lass, your ire is showing.”

She froze at her uncle’s whispered words and stared wide-eyed when Silver looked at the two of them curiously. Before he could ask and she could blunder, an excited voice cut into the room.

“Dad! Do you know what your villain name is gonna be?”

Taz looked to see Mickey bounding into the room, followed by a lazily strolling Ashton. His smug expression answered where Mickey got the sudden question from.

“I, uh, hadn’t thought about it, yet, bud,” Silver answered with a smile, wrapping his arm around the boy.

“I’d say you have plenty of time, but if you’re gonna make a statement anytime soon, you ought to think on it,” Polly said in a businesslike tone.

“I suppose so,” Silver mused quietly.

“You should be Death Phoenix!” Mickey spouted.

Several barely contained laughs rang around the kitchen.

“Contrary to popular belief, we don’t all get to pick our villain names,” Angus provided, reaching for a boiled egg.

“What? Really?” the teen asked.

“Yeah, bro.” Ashton knocked shoulders with his dad as he leaned onto the counter. “Only me and Ben managed to make our own names.”

“Wow… I never would’a thought. Your names seem so…”

“Fitting?” Polly suggested.

Mickey nodded. “Yeah.”

“Aye, we can at least thank the government overlords fer that much,” Brutus huffed, leaning back in his chair.

“If you fall, I’m not responsible,” Taz shot over the rim of her cup.

“Aye, aye,” he answered, waving his hand at her.

“If you do make a statement,” all eyes turned to Daniel, eyes shut and cup of tea held near his face, “data gathered from reputable sources suggests that doing so within thirty-two hours of a calamitous event is the best timeframe in which to make the most impact.” He took a sip before opening his eyes, the black depths narrowing in on Silver. “But you didn’t hear that from me.” He turned and made his way to the kitchen entrance, narrowly side-stepping Nessa still at the counter. “I’ll be in your common room, Miss Taz, should you need me.”

“Sure thing, thank you, Daniel.” She looked to Nessa and gestured from Daniel to the cabinet, to the food heaped on the island.
Nessa nodded, already reaching for the door.

At Silver’s questioning glance she rolled her eyes, though couldn’t help a smile. “He needs another serving, but he’s too polite.”

“Guy eats like a horse,” Ashton whispered, grabbing a slice of the spicy chicken sausage Taz had cooked up. “I mean, he needs to, cuz how he does his thing, but still. I’ve only seen Ben put down more, and he’s usually floored when he does that.”

“Hey!”

Taz ignored the banter and refocused on Silver. “He’s right, though. If you’re going to say anything worth saying, you need to do it fast.”

Silver took a deep breath and nodded solemnly, his arm squeezing Mickey closer.

Taz didn’t say anything more, growing thoughtful as she watched him. She glanced to the dining room window, spying the solid cloud cover turning a warm grey with the rising sun.

The storm of the last few days had calmed her ire. Another storm had ignited it. And now, the villain known as Black Death was quiet and calm, braced for the new storm brewing beyond the horizon.

***

Epilogue

“Is this the complete list?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“All for one boy.”

“Looks like one-four-nine pulled in a favor.”

“His location is still unknown?”

“Correct. Satellites weren’t able to track anything through the storm.”

“And the Blackbox was unsalvageable?”

“Also correct. He didn’t pull any punches. Melted the road under the truck, too.”

“I’d talk with Doctor Persha about the serum not working.”

“…”

“I know he’s dead, you can relax.”

Director Robert Allendale heaved a sigh as he looked at the incident report filling the holoscreens. He flicked from the damage survey to the employee roster to the list of attackers. Lycan, Goblin King, Raise, Specter, Red Reaper, Black Death… and the one and only Tempest.

“Black Death really came through for him, didn’t she.” It wasn’t a question.

“Looks like it.”

“And how did we miss this?” Silence met his words. “I’m waiting.”

“We don’t know, Sir. ASO has been going through his file to try to determine if we missed any markers and how.”

“Great. Make sure I get that info when it’s compiled.”

“Of course.”

Robert tapped a name on the list and enlarged the picture that came with it. “Who’s this one?”

“No idea. He’s a new player.”

The Director narrowed his eyes, taking in the human lightbulb that tore down his facility. He glanced at the name again. “What’s with this?”

“Working label. Picked as a result of interviews with survivors.”

“Enlighten me.”

“Aside from the documented telekinesis and observed dynamokinesis, he appears to be a high-grade telepath, exact range and scale unknown. But he projected a single emotion that all victims described with unity.”

He nodded. “Let me guess.”

“Fury. Other words used were anger and rage, but fury was the most common among all testimonies.”

“Finalize it. Get to work with VA to find out who this guy is. I don’t want anymore-“

“Sir.”

Director Allendale turned sharply. His assistant, Zen, a well-trained subordinate, wouldn’t normally interrupt. At his direct attention, Zen tapped his PDA a few times and nodded to the holoscreen. When he looked back, he could have thrown a very juvenile tantrum.

Front and center of the scene was Anthony John Doe, known by their system as asset SP-0149, or to the public at large, Silver Phoenix. He sat at a dark wood desk with a black backdrop, looking not horribly worse for wear considering the condition he’d been in when last they’d locked eyes. His silver hair slicked back into a low tail, his beard neatly combed, and a rather expensive looking black suit offset the expression of barely contained anger boiling on the man’s face.

“Is this a live feed?”

“No, Sir. Analytics confirm it’s prerecorded.”

“Are you tracking the signal?” he growled.

Zen heaved a rare sigh. “It’s being broadcast using Scatter Protocol.”

He clenched his fists. “How many stations is it reaching?”

The assistant’s pause said enough, but he diligently answered. “All of them.”

No sooner did Zen’s words leave his mouth did the visage of Anthony start in with his own.

“I am the hero formerly known as Silver Phoenix. And I will say my piece whether you choose to listen or not. The destruction of the facility in Old Denver’s commercial district was a direct result of the actions taken by Director Robert Allendale and the Federal Daimo Observation and Consultation Bureau. They stole my child from me. They used me as an experiment, a punching bag and a plaything. They tortured me to within an inch of my life. And I’m not the only one.”

Anthony lowered his head, his eyes boring into the camera like a stalking predator.

“To Director Allendale and his bedfellows: We know what all you’ve done. We know what you continue to do. You can’t hide in the shadows forever. Because we’ll meet you there. And soon, you’ll have no choice but to face the consequences of your actions.”

Robert took measured breaths, hanging on every word despite the revulsion such a necessity garnered in his stomach. Then movement caught his eye. As much as he shouldn’t have been, he was surprised to see the darkness behind Anthony flow languidly. It weaved large, long-fingered hands that draped over the man’s shoulders and withdrew from a point just above his head to reveal a slim, pale face, with sharp cheekbones and cold, silvery eyes.

Black Death stared into the camera, her stoic gaze a chilling contrast to Silver Phoenix’s fiery expression.

Immediate anger surged in his chest.

I’ll see that smug face of yours turned into pulp if it’s the last thing I do.

She lowered her head as if hearing his thoughts, the corners of her lips quirking in the subtlest of smirks.

“See you soon, Director.”

***

DarkFire 1.1

In a world of heroes and villains, it’s hard not to choose sides. Civilians are often caught in the crossfire, though many simply try to get on with their lives. This goal is hard enough without walking the thin line that crosses every shade of grey.

Chapter 01: Just Another Day

“Here’s your mail!”

“Thank you, Miss Ambers.”

A giggle erupted amid the chatter of the office. “Doc, I keep saying you can call me Lakky.”

“If I were to refer to you by any other name it would simply be your fist name, Miss Laquisha.”

More giggles and snickers sounded into the room. “Give it a rest, Lakky, he doesn’t do nicknames unless he’s known you for ten plus years.”

“Never a time like the present to start a new habit!”

Dr. Daniel Amos ignored the pleasant banter, his blacked-out eyes still glued to the computer screen.

“Do you need anything else, Doc?”

His newest nurse, Laquisha Ambers, was a spirited one. Always happy to be in for the day and just as cheerful leaving. She fit in well with his team. “No, thank you.” She also seemed unafraid of his appearance and abilities. Which was always a positive.

“Alrighty! Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will, thank you,” he answered distractedly, more concerned with the response from an orthopedic surgeon he was looking over. It wasn’t often that he had to request information from a specialist, but when he did, he expected no less than basic professionalism during interactions. And this one was being less than basic. Already knowing that looking was futile, he went ahead and hovered his cursor over the email screen, clicking in and around to determine if there was another attachment he’d missed or a follow up message he hadn’t noticed.

Neither.

He let out a small huff and typed up a concise reply, once again asking for the records of the patient’s procedures. “Miss Yu.”

“Yes, Doctor?”

“Please send follow-up requests for Mrs. Weston’s records to Dr. Sander’s office every hour on the hour until he responds.”

“Yes, Sir.”

He took note of the subtle amusement in his PA’s voice as he directed his attention to the mail Miss Ambers brought in. Only to find Miss Ambers was still standing at his desk, looking at her clip board. “Do you need something, Miss Laquisha?” He leveled his gaze directly to her face.

“Hmm? No, no, just checking my docket!” she answered sweetly, turning to start for the ledger desk at the center of the room.

He watched her go, eyes aimed at her but unseeing as his senses detected the minor deception: The sudden dilation and restriction of her pupils, slightly elevated heart rate, expansion of capillaries along her cheeks and neck. He was hardly so strict as to be aggravated by a moment of idleness. Though, despite her eagerness she was still new to his office while also being one of the youngest on staff.

He put the exchange out of his mind and focused on the mail pile. With nothing of great concern and not much to sort through, he had everything filed away within minutes. He was back on the floor at the ledger desk, sorting through the patient profiles to double-check a few medication dosages when his phone buzzed. The notification window read Coal. A split second of hesitation went nearly unnoticed even to his own perception before he flipped it open to read the text.

Relieved to see that it was nothing health related, he rather wished perhaps it had been. Medical situations were simple. Interpersonal relations were not. Though, being fond of this family in particular didn’t help matters.

[Coal, Paulette: We’re getting together tonight. Nothing special, just family dinner. Let me know if you can make it!]

It was both endearing and annoying that Paulette assumed he would jump at the opportunity. Perhaps more so annoying that she was correct in deducing he enjoyed their company more and more as the years went by. Which he thought about occasionally and reasoned that was hardly surprising. They were some of the kindest people as a whole that he’d ever had the pleasure to work with. Such would naturally draw anyone to their circle.

His musings wouldn’t answer her question, though.

Daniel glanced to the ledger in his hand as he did a mental calculation of what other items he had to attend to.

“Everything alright?”

He closed his phone with a loud snap, owning a “flip” phone for precisely this reason. “Yes, Miss Ambers. Did you check the Levalbuterol stock, yet?”

“Yessir! We’re at half-shelf.”

“Good. Patient Zimmer needs his dose upped fifteen percent and patient Ahmed needs a five present increase, please, thank you,” he said swiftly, sliding the ledger back into its slot.

Turning without another word he headed to the door at the back of the offices that lead to the maintenance hall. Making his way to the elevator, he pressed the call button and only had to wait a few seconds before the door opened. He was quick to enter and pulled out his keys as the doors closed. Inserting his elevator key into the slot next to the fourth-floor button, he twisted clockwise, unlocking the button’s function so he could use it.

Living on the top floor of the building was good for proximity but not for privacy. It only took a month after he moved in for him to accept the necessity of locks at every possible entry-point onto his floor. And even while already on his floor as an extra measure. Turning the lock back counterclockwise he stepped off the elevator and fiddled with his keyring as he continued down the maintenance hall. Once inside his door, locking it behind him, he started for his private office, passing the doors along the left side of the divider wall cutting the middle of the whole floor. While work related supplies and necessities were ordinarily stored on the third floor for employee access, he brought older and rarely used equipment and items up to his floor to provide extra space. Though, his own private library at the far end was for his eyes only. It was rare for a medical professional to keep hard copies of textbooks and medical journals and his collection was one of the few personal possessions he was overly protective of.

A small sigh left his nose as he walked through his office door, taking his starched lab coat off. Draping it over his chair he sat and rolled to his computer, unlocking it to continue what he’d been doing downstairs. He wasn’t anti-social as a habit, not with his staff anyway, but occasionally he needed space in which to better focus.

He found he needed space a bit more often lately.

Daniel heaved a proper sigh and leaned back in his chair, digging his phone back out of his pocket. Staring at the message a little too long he finally typed his reply.

[What time?]

Paulette replied within seconds, which didn’t surprise him.

[Coal, Paulette: Six!]

He glanced to the time on the computer screen. At just over two hours away, and with what little he had left to do for the day, he could feasibly attend. After several minutes sitting stationary in the chair thinking about it, which was to say he was mentally vapor-locked, he responded.

[I can make it.]

[Coal, Paulette: Perfect! Let me know when you’re ready!]

A small shake of his head at the instant reply, Daniel closed the phone and sat up to get back to his work.

Which didn’t last him too long. After fifteen minutes he was done with the accounting and was sifting through emails he’d already read or replied to. Landing on the one from Dr. Sanders he reread the thinly veiled insult. “…expect someone of your unique talents to need little in the way of paperwork…”

He huffed through his nose and closed his emails.

A text conversation with Miss Yu confirmed his staff had the floor covered for the remainder of the day. Meandering from his office to his living areas provided nothing else to do as he hadn’t left any tasks unattended that morning before heading down into the clinic. With literally nothing else to occupy him and not quite willing to settle down into some other fabricated task for the sake of passing time, he went ahead and collected his coat and texted Paulette he was ready when she was. He didn’t need to ask what she meant or where to meet, as he was long used to the hidden meanings in her words. And they had performed this maneuver often enough he hardly blinked at the prospect. Stepping out of his office and turning to lock the door, mind occupied with making sure he had anything he needed for a short trip away, he also didn’t need to look down the way to the maintenance door where she already stood waiting.

She bounced lightly on the balls of her feet when he made it down the short hall to her. “So happy you could make it!”

He looked up to her and nodded lightly. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“Anytime! You know that,” she said with a grin, offering her hand.

He took it and hardly bat an eye when the staticky sensation of her teleporting engulfed him. The first few times traveling with her this way had been disorienting, but after more than two decades it was no more shocking than stepping well prepared out of a warm house into a cold day. He inhaled deeply, as was the natural reaction when pulled so instantly from one location to another. The cool mountain air carrying with it all the musty, woody scents of the forest assaulted his senses.

It was nice.

It was also nice that Paulette was kind enough to use her ability so freely for his benefit.

Driving to Anastasia’s home was fifty minutes for him on an exceptionally good day. Forty-five if he drove in the dead of night with no patrols about. Forty-three a week ago when she called him after midnight to tend to a professional hero in critical condition. But Anastasia was the closest to the city of all the family. Paulette was hours into the wilderness.

“Thank you again for-“

“Oh shush – let’s get inside!”

The corner of Daniel’s lips quirked minutely as he gave a slight shake of his head, following diligently as Polly lead him off the deck into the house.

***

Chapter 02: Black And White

Paulette’s home was warm and inviting as usual.

The large castle of a house that belonged to the family matriarch was an odd juxtaposition of sections bridged together as a result of her incessant additions over the decades. It wasn’t unpleasant, each section flowing naturally out of the main structure and interconnecting like the spokes of an oddly shaped wagon wheel. Quaint and homey were words that came to mind, and despite the size, there was not a single space that felt empty or unlived in.

And as expected, most everyone was already there.

Daniel was unsurprised at the sudden gathering. The family had a tendency to want to get together after… certain events. And last week was without a doubt a qualifier.

“I got your coat,” Polly insisted, already waiting for him to deposit the article.

Before he could utter yet another thank you, his name called from close proximity had him looking to Nessa and Angus stepping up from the common room.

“I’m happy you could make it!” Nessa chirped, bending to give him a one-armed hug.

Only because her other arm held her daughter Isabelle on her hip.

As much as he tried to leave work at work, his senses zeroed in on the little one. Children had always been a priority for him, and he’d learned long ago when he was younger that it was easier to assuage his mind and move on than it was to suppress the urge and deal with the distraction for the duration of exposure. “Happy to be here,” he answered automatically, taking note of little Izzy’s heart rate, circulation, digestion, respiration and more. Inner workings appeared average, and she was bubbly and happy as usual, grinning her two-toothed smile at him. Her temperature seemed a little high, however. It was possibly due to excitement.

Possibly.

“May I hold her?” he asked, reaching his hands out.

Nessa narrowed her eyes at him, her suspicious expression more playful than serious. “You don’t have to ask so formally.” Despite the humorous intent, her body language was hesitant. And her heart rate jumped lightly.

Daniel remained motionless, arms held out, waiting. She gave an exaggerated sigh, handing over the eleven-month-old. “Hello, little Izzy,” he said in the soft tone he reserved particularly for young children.

She immediately grabbed his glasses.

He paid no heed, simply shifting his head to let them slip from his ears as he moved her to his hip. Made of titanium with lenses of cold-welded glass, they could handle almost any situation he might find himself in. Including babies. Besides, the absence of them was preferred as they would only hinder his second reason for increased proximity. He blinked rapidly, letting his eyes adjust to lack of correction. Though, correction wasn’t quite the right word for what those lenses did for him.

He could see perfectly fine without them. However, his eyes focused too acutely. Ideal for noticing the smallest of details, particularly of good use when conducting a physical examination or cleaning a wound. Not so good for functioning in a standard day-to-day environment. While not one hundred percent accurate, the closest example he’d ever been able to manage was walking around with magnifying glasses hanging over his eyes. And when poised with the question of if he could drive without his glasses… he’d noted walking would be in everyone’s best interest.

Daniel blinked against the achy sensation that came with the extreme expansion of his pupils, looking at the girl’s face as she nibbled his glasses. Her skin came into hyper-focus, and he looked intently, examining the appearance of the epidermal layer and the indicative coloration below the surface. At the same time, he centered his senses on her, taking in every ounce of information her tiny body provided.

“Has she been around a considerable amount of smoke recently?”

The heart rate spike and temperature jump from Nessa told him enough before she growled out her reply. “Well, if she has, she wasn’t fucking supposed to be.”

“Meaning?”

“Fucking shit – is she okay?”

“She’s fine, Nessa,” he assured, looking at her flatly. “She’s experienced nothing that her body can’t currently handle.”

At his pointed stare, Nessa heaved a sigh, crossing her arms. “Zack’s taken up smoking. I don’t give a fuck what he does in his free time, but I told him not to smoke in the same room with her.”

Daniel huffed through his nose. The situation with her former fiancé could be better. Though, he’d been under the impression the young man was at least attentive to their daughter.

Angus gripped Nessa’s shoulder and nodded into the kitchen. “Why don’t you get something to drink, luv. Don’t think too hard on it right now.”

Nessa looked from her father to Daniel, who gave a light shrug, before deflating. “Alright. You two want anything?”

“I’m good for now,” Angus answered.

“No, thank you,” Daniel followed.

She meandered on away from them, her mood expectedly dour. Daniel felt a pang of regret but didn’t let it linger. He’d rather they know than not. And he knew they’d rather he tell them than keep it to himself.

Looking back to Izzy, he grabbed the earpiece of his glasses. The girl gave a little squeal and yanked harder. He didn’t let go but offered no resistance. When she stopped pulling, he leaned back and to the side, tipping her forward. The trick worked like a charm, and she let go of his glasses in favor of grabbing his shirt. He then righted himself with a jolt, eliciting a giggle and excited bouncing. Fighting a tiny smile of his own, he brought his glasses close to her again. As expected, she reached for them, but he pulled them just out of her grasp. She giggled and waved her little fist at him and he did it again, once more evading her tiny fingers.

Deep chuckling at his side drew his attention to Angus who was watching his granddaughter with a soft grin. “She’s been acting fine since we got her back today, so I expect you’re right,” the tallest of the Coalson clan commented.

Daniel tilted his head. Angus was the hardest for him to read in terms of biological function and reaction. But he didn’t need to. The man’s silvery irises met his black depths and Daniel waited patiently for whatever question he knew was on the elder’s mind.

“Is there any way for you to determine if the smoke was from an illicit substance?”

Were it not for the fact he was so practiced at schooling his face, Daniel might have gaped. Instead, he merely blinked and looked back to the bubbly child in his arm. “Not without taking a sample and sending it to the lab.” He looked back up, his eyes aching slightly as Angus’ face came into sharp focus. The man was clearly disappointed, darting a look into the kitchen. Evidently, Nessa was still out of earshot.

“She’s voiced some concern. She has nothing to validate it, though. Only suspicions.”

Daniel remained quiet at those words, his arm moving automatically to keep his glasses out of Izzy’s reach. As much as he wanted to assist, a sample from a child would call into question both parents. And depending on what substance was found, could get her taken by CPS as a precautionary measure. In Nessa’s case… “It is best you handle this with him directly, if possible.”

“That’s the plan.”

The unique movement of Angus’ throat allowing for the slight growl to enter his voice was telling. Daniel said not another word.

“Izzy! Stop trying to steal Danny’s glasses! We don’t steal from friends!”

Nessa’s voice was cheerful, pitched accordingly for communication with a baby. While he could sense it was forced cheerfulness, he was glad for it all the same.

Despite her usage of the nickname.

His small huff didn’t go unnoticed, and Nessa smirked as she always did. He didn’t address it, handing over the infant to have a ginger ale pressed into his hand. He also didn’t address that he’d been given it unasked for. A passing glance told him it was the kind he drank, the only brand he would drink because it was entirely organic. Considering the name-brand version that was usually plain to see at the gatherings, he once again suspected this specific label was acquired just for his presence.

And once again, he didn’t question the happenstance.

The rest of the night went by smoothly and as expected. The younger Coalsons, young Michael Doe included, had their fun with the VG games in the “game wing” as it was playfully termed while the adults spoke comfortably, several groupings collecting and rearranging as the night wore on. Though, once again, Daniel had assuaged his senses on the younger children, briefly assisting the two little ones belonging to Anastasia’s brother with their bronchial inflammation and assuring his wife that all looked well with her unborn who was still three months away from due. More than once, he ended up with Izzy on his lap or in his arms as Nessa frequently went about to speak to other members of her family but would always work her way back over to sit or stand close to him. And little Izzy was rather fond of him for a reason he wasn’t sure of. He wasn’t opposed to entertaining her, though. Especially as it aided in keeping him from hearing more than he needed to when certain incriminating conversations came up. It wasn’t his business anyway, though the family’s trust in him was displayed every time they freely spoke on such matters around him.

One such matter, what to do regarding Anthony’s new affiliation with them, was something he tried extra hard to ignore.

It was a hard situation to be in. The former hero was now seen as a turncoat for reasons that couldn’t be displayed properly to the public because said reasons were sequestered in the head of an unknown telepath who’s first establishing act was to destroy a building, killing nearly a hundred individuals in the process. This particular circumstance, among other reasons, reminded him why he remained neutral in regard to hero and villain situations.

Society’s concept of morality being black and white was a long distant memory buried in the past.

***

Chapter 03: Shades Of Grey

Despite his best efforts, his thoughts were on the topics of the night when it was truly dark out, and the velvety black sky was scattered with little pinpricks of light. It wasn’t yet cold enough in the city for his breath to steam the air, but up here in the mountains, he should’ve had extra layers on while out on the main balcony admiring the view. But for an unimpeded look at the night sky, the constellations and Milky Way crisply on display, it was worth it.

Daniel was unsurprised to hear the balcony door creaking open and soft steps trek to his side. He didn’t need to remove his eyes from the stars to recognize it was Nessa. Considering her habit of finding her way close to him, he could’ve guessed it was her without reading her body. However, doing so in the present moment let him know her skin was improperly protected, the goosebumps rising along her arms and neck lighting his senses up like the stars above.

“You should be wearing a coat.”

Her giggle answered him. “It’s fine. You know I run hot.”

“All the more reason.”

Another, softer giggle escaped her as she leaned against the rail.

He glanced to her from the corner of his eyes. Her dark navy skin nearly blended her into the night. Or it would if she weren’t wearing her hot-pink sweater and light-colored jeans. Her pearly white eyes seemed to shine in the starlight, something he never quite had an explanation for aside from contrast. It was a pleasant juxtaposition.

“You seem distant tonight.”

Her statement surprised him. He hadn’t thought as much. But he went back over the night’s events and conceded he hadn’t spent a great deal of his time conversing. It was hardly unusual. “I suppose I simply don’t have much to add in conversation at this time.”

Nessa let out a laugh, though it sounded less amused and more reserved.

He waited, patient knowing his curiosity was less important than her comfort in speaking on whatever was on her mind. Shifting his gaze back to the sky, his eyes caught her clawed hands, clasped over the edge of the wooden rail. Ghost sensation tickled at the back of his neck as memory of last week washed over him.

Her act was… unexpected.

He could only assume his lack of insistence that she desist was due to his fatigue and overall surprise to feel her claws scratching under his hair. And while he was embarrassed at his temporary loss of function, he was ever grateful the family seemed less inclined to care.

“Sorry for invading your space before.”

He blinked. After a moment his brows twitched downward, and he looked back to her. She glanced at him quickly, the smallest smile quirking her lips.

“You know. Your hair.”

Oh. He nodded. Is that what concerns you? Rather than ask the question aloud he instead opted to reassure her. “It wasn’t particularly invasive.” Looking back to the sky he couldn’t help but wonder if it was an established thing to be un-invasively invasive. If so, that would be where that moment fell.

Nessa heaved a sigh.

He was suddenly less at ease.

“You say that.”

The statement was incomplete. And he found himself less patient than he had been previously. “But?”

“You always stay so distant, but you’re never actually… distant!”

Daniel remained quiet. He had nothing to say to those words.

He’d simply be repeating himself.

“Can you at least tell me it felt good?”

Tilting his head, he kept his gaze steadily at the stars. “What?”

Nessa groaned, a hint of a growl coloring the noise as she stood from the rail. “You never shy away from my touch, you never move away from me, you don’t say anything about how I talk to you, you never complain about how often I hand Izzy off to you – for fuck’s sake, I think you’ve held her more than I have tonight! Could you at least admit that you like-“

“Nessa.”

She stopped short at her name, all but glaring down at him.

Turning to face her, he huffed through his nose, hands planted firmly in his coat pockets. “We don’t need to have this conversation again.”

“Well, I think we do,” she shot, crossing her arms.

Daniel stared up at her. This was not the way he wanted to end the night. And he certainly didn’t want to say something regretful. However, he couldn’t help but feel like he was starting to sound like a classic “broken record.” Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly. “What you feel-“

“Is real dammit!”

“Certainly.” He would not deny her that. “But our affiliation-“

“Doesn’t matter anymore!” She thrust an arm out, finger held high to stop his words before they left his mouth. “I’m twenty-five now, Daniel. I’m not a child, I’m not a teenager, or some underage dumbass trying to be older than she is – I’ve been a grown ass woman for years now. And I don’t care how many times you want to go back to ‘I’ve been around since you were three, I’m a trusted male in your life, opposites attract is just instinct,’ so on and so forth, I know what I feel and I know what I want and I know you-“

“What you feel is only to be expected,” he cut her off. “You cannot discount a lifetime of connection simply because-“

Nessa let out an animalistic snarl, clawing at the air around her. “Why do you always act like my feelings don’t matter?”

“I do not suggest your feelings are invalid, only that they are not as genuine as you think.” He’d barely raised his voice above his average octave, but her silence forced him to pause. She tilted her head at him, gaze resolutely focused as she cocked a hip and dropped her arms. When she said nothing more, he heaved a sigh. A real one, his shoulders dropping. Why do you keep bringing this-

Nessa tilted her head down, eyes leveled at his. “Really, now?”

He kept his face schooled, bracing himself for what was sure to be another tirade. What happened instead was Nessa launched herself forward. He barely had time to yank his hands from his pockets before he felt the balcony rail at his back, his hands instinctively grabbing at the bars. Nessa’s hands were on either side of his head, and he sensed how tightly she gripped the wood. She leaned in close and inhaled deeply. His senses having no other target except for his own body, zeroed in on hers.

Oh…

Daniel gripped the bars tighter as his senses held him hostage, taking in Nessa’s elevating heart rate, rising temperature, increasing salivation, the specialized pupils of her eyes dilating… blood flow redirecting to key points of her body, her skin tensing, her breathing rate picking up, moisture accumulating, flesh expanding, tightening, and-

“What do you think I’m thinking now?”

No. No. No.

Letting his knees buckle and tilting to the side, he abruptly ducked down and under her arm. He righted himself without so much as a stutter-step and walked briskly around her towards the door. If she said anything, he didn’t hear it, his mind as blank as he could keep it while he opened the door and hurried inside, using the full length of his legs to what little advantage it gave him. He found Paulette without issue, the matriarch seated on one of the couches in front of the primary fireplace talking. Sparing not so much as a fleeting glance to even identify who was in her company he stopped just outside her space and cut off what she was saying without apology.

“Paulette, I need to go, now.”

She blinked up at him in surprise, but blessedly, didn’t question his rudeness. Instead, she showed concern, standing and holding out her hand. “Same spot?”

“Please,” he answered, gripping her hand too quickly. The static of her teleportation washed over him and never before had he been so grateful for the sterile smell of his clinic. “Thank you for having me,” he said a little too sharply, turning to walk the distance of the floor as if someone’s life was legitimately dependent on it.

“Anytime,” she called after him. “Let me know if you need anything, yeah?”

“Of course,” he said, head down and keys already in his hand when he reached his private office door.

Rushing in and locking the door behind him, he went straight for his computer, coat already off in his hands and draped over the chair. He sat smoothly, rolled to the desk and turned on his monitor. When his hand hit the mouse and his eyes landed on his screen background he froze. The silence of the room was deafening as he realized he had no idea what he was doing or why. With nothing to appropriately occupy his mind and no other target in the room, his body was subject to his scrutiny, his senses feeding back to him what he already felt as any normal human would. His heart and breathing rates were severely elevated, his temperature was too high, his muscles were tense in his limbs and core, and-

Daniel closed his eyes and forced a deep breath. Ten… nine… eight…

By the time he finished the first count and breathed out with a second count he’d managed to regain control over himself, forcibly calming his body as he would for any of his patients. He leaned forward, resting his elbows to the desk and running his hands over his face. Removing his glasses to rub into his eyes, he could only manage one thought.

What just happened?

Nessa was brash, she always had been. A chaotic little girl who’d been prone to chasing birds like a cat and climbing the tallest trees like a bear, her reputation for jumping headfirst into things was prolific even among her own family. He remembered setting her broken ankle when she was ten, having nearly ripped her whole foot off when she fell from a pine, the heal time with his effort had been a little under two hours; having to repeatedly visit the home when she’d hit puberty to assist with her growing pains and make sure her limbs grew correctly as both her and Ashton had issues with their growth plates; having to go over in explicit detail the dangers of inhaling diesel fumes when she was fifteen because the girl had an affinity for the smell and had been sneaking a small container of the fluid into her room for a month.

He remembered when she’d given him a Valentine’s Day card at seventeen and how flustered she’d been, his confusion cleared up when Angus and Natalie had informed him she’d had a “crush” on him for years.

Daniel sighed, leaning his head forward to run his fingers into his hair.

Her affinity for him was easy to explain. He had been in her life for nearly her whole life, setting up the contract with Paulette when the girl had only just turned three years of age. She was just as fond of him from the get-go as little Izzy appeared to be now, and it was no wonder with him being someone who helped her and healed her. Someone she could trust. But this “crush” had developed into her outright insisting she wanted something more.

With him.

But it was… inappropriate.

The face of little ten-year-old Nessa washed from memory behind his closed eyes. Only to be replaced with the one from only minutes earlier, her pearlescent eyes boring into his and all the other sensations that came with it.

“What do you think I’m thinking now?”

He closed his lips tight in a rare pang of frustration.

You could have been thinking anything. Such physical reactions can be manufactured easily.

His mind was no help, replaying how close she got, how deeply she breathed in when she was within an inch of his person. How her pupils dilated. How…

He sat up and pushed away from the desk, heading into his living areas. The only thing he could think to do was take a cold-water shower. His senses worked on his own body as much as anyone else’s. Regardless of whatever dilemma he faced at the time, cold water always jarred him both physically and through his ability to sense its impact on his body and acted like a reset button of sorts.

So that was what he would do. Reset. If he couldn’t think clearly, he couldn’t feasibly think of a solution. Though, some wayward part of his mind wondered what difference it would make anyway. He hadn’t managed to come up with a solution in the last eight years.

What could he hope to do about it now?

***

Chapter 04: Eye For An Eye

A week.

An entire week had passed since the night on Paulette’s balcony. And he hadn’t heard a word.

He hadn’t sent a word either.

Daniel huffed lightly through his nose, staring at the computer screen at his desk in the staff office. He’d reread the email about ten times and still had no idea what it said. Even the usually pleasant chatter of the nurses fell on deaf ears and he had no clue what was going on in the room. Having noticed he was spending longer and longer stretches in his private office to work, he had attempted to force himself among people in hopes that would keep his thoughts from drifting.

It wasn’t working.

Even his performance when handling his patients was waning, despite it being within only his notice. Small things, like asking a question twice, or forgetting he’d already written a prescription. While it wasn’t anything anyone else would glance at, he knew this was abnormal for him.

“You okay, Doc?”

Miss Ambers’ presence next to him was a surprise, and yet whether it be from fatigue or his own distraction, he wasn’t startled that he hadn’t noticed her. “Fine, thank you,” he answered, scrolling back up in the email.

“Do you need anything?”

He took a breath to respond, glancing over to see her leaning gently against his desk, one arm down, fingers touching the surface. Her darker skin caught his attention, making a different color of dark flare up in his mind’s eye. He darted his eyes back to the screen. “No. I’m fine, thank you.” His voice was tense, and he couldn’t unhear it. With another huff, his shoulders dropped minutely. “I apologize for my abruptness.”

“Not at all,” she said, her own voice softer than usual. “Let me know if I can help somehow. Okay? You might be a Daimo, but you aren’t superhuman!”

Her joke, while misplaced, was well meaning. He glanced up at her with what he hoped was a less stiff expression and nodded. “Thank you, Miss Laquisha.”

She gave a small smile and nodded back, her chocolate skin and honey-brown eyes a far cry from the image that refused to leave his mind but reminding him of it for some reason. As she turned and headed back for her station, he dropped his gaze to his desk. Staring blankly for several moments too long, hearing the conversations behind him but not registering a word, he decided to stop fighting the urge for solitude.

“Miss Yu.”

“Yes, Sir?”

“I need to attend to some items in my private office. You have the floor.”

“Yes, Sir.”

The trek back upstairs seemed to take longer than average. The wait in the elevator felt like minutes instead of seconds, and he couldn’t remember there being quite so many steps down the hall and across the floor. By the time he made it to his desk he felt as if he’d run a marathon. Despite turning on the computer screen, when his hand was at his mouse, he found himself staring blankly.

What is wrong with me?

With a sigh, he leaned back into his chair. Never before could he remember growing so anxious because of someone’s silence. He was used to silence. It was a regular part of his life, both on his part and the part of others. It was normal. But now it felt uncomfortable. As if it would extend beyond this moment and become… problematic.

And it was likely his fault.

Scarcely able to think on anything else, Daniel had replayed the event over and over again, trying to determine what he’d said or hadn’t said that made it play out as it had. Trying to figure out what he could have said or done that was anything other than walking away from the situation. Only to realize, he hadn’t so much dismissed himself from a conversation. Instead, he’d all but run from Nessa while she was trying to say her piece. And he hadn’t even bothered to say anything in parting.

He tried to rationalize it. Her actions were… not something he was accustomed to. And wholly unprepared for what she did, what she knew good and well she was doing, could he be blamed for distancing himself?

Panicking, actually.

Heaving a sigh, he took his glasses off and ran his hands over his face. No, he could be blamed. He acted with less than an appropriate amount of tact. At least a half-truth of an excuse could have left his lips, a simple admission that he needed… anything other than to be so close to her body sensing what she was feeling.

Sensing what he was feeling.

The vibration of his phone in his pocket made him twitch and sit up in his chair. Wishing he could just turn it off, he huffed through his nose and slid his glasses back on, digging it out and flipping it open.

[Coal, Paulette: I need to talk to you. Immediately, if possible.]

Staring at the message, he remained frozen in place. The words sounded ominous despite their simplicity, and he couldn’t fight the worry that it was about exactly what he feared. Knowing better than to assume she hadn’t seen the tiny words in the corner of the message marking that he’d read what she sent, he typed out a concise reply.

[Now is fine. My private office if you would like.]

[Coal, Paulette: Do you mind if I have someone with me?]

Daniel reread the question, fighting the very abnormal anxiety trying to get the better of him. Taking his eyes from the phone a moment, he forced a deep breath, exerting control over his body to slow his heart rate.

[Fine, so long as it isn’t anyone I am unfamiliar with.]

[Coal, Paulette: Perfect! Thank you!]

His brows drew down at the response. It felt out of place, and he wondered if perhaps his nerves were for nothing. Ah, that’s right. Mr. Vanderholt. The realization prompted him to turn back to his computer, grateful for the distraction. The visit with Deo was three days ago, he remembered, glancing to the calendar as he pulled up his emails. Paulette was perhaps the best client anyone could ask for, superbly organized, always punctual and known for asking pertinent questions. With her partner, Alfred, she was just as astute as with any of her relations. And it would be a lie for him to say he wasn’t just as concerned as she was for the man’s well-being.

A knock at the door of his office informed him of Paulette’s presence. “Come in,” he called, remembering he’d left it unlocked. No sooner did the door open did he sense that Paulette was accompanied by two persons. He knew immediately that one was indeed Mr. Alfred Vanderholt.

The other was Nessa.

He clenched his teeth, his body stilling as his eyes remained glued to the screen. As much as he should have known, his surprise hit him like a punch to the gut and he had to force himself to breathe again.

“Good afternoon, Daniel!” Paulette chirped, evidently not noticing his stiff posture. “We wanted to go over the visit with Dr. Chakrabarti. He said he sent you his findings?”

Her completely brushing over Nessa’s presence was not lost on him. “Yes, he did.” Using the keyboard command to cast to his rarely used tablet, he busied himself with pulling it from the charging station and unlocking it. He could only hope they didn’t notice his tense movements and deep breath, once again forcibly calming his body. “Follow me,” he instructed, turning to walk into his living room without looking up. “I assume Mr. Vanderholt doesn’t mind Nessa seeing these reports?”

“Not at all,” the man spoke up, a nervous tinge to his voice.

Unfortunately, there was no way to determine if the other man’s nerves were due to the visit or to the presence of Paulette’s granddaughter.

“Understood. Please, take a seat.” He gestured vaguely in the direction of the three seated sofa as he went to the head of the coffee table near the recliner at the wall. Trying to ignore everyone moving to sit, he placed the tablet on the table, scrolling through the commands to project the holoscreen. Once it was up and expanded to its largest size, he shifted through the email and opened the necessary documents.

The next thirty minutes were spent going over the assessment reports line by line, addressing Paulette’s specific concerns. Mr. Vanderholt evidently didn’t even know the correct questions to ask and sat quiet but at attention as he and Paulette went back and forth. As involved as the topic was, Daniel was barely able to keep his mind from drifting to Nessa at the farthest end of the couch. She said not a word during the whole exchange and as much as he wished he hadn’t noticed, her eyes were on him the entire time.

“When do you think you’ll be able to schedule a co-op appointment?” Paulette questioned, finishing up a note on her notepad.

Daniel shut off the holoscreen and walked back into his office area, both relieved and nervous to hear the others standing to follow. “Sooner than I thought previously,” he answered. “It’s been slow recently and I’ve had a few cancellations.” Sitting in his chair again, he pulled up his calendar. “Perhaps next week Tuesday, but I’ll have to confer with Chakrabarti.”

“That soon?” Alfred cut in.

He nodded without looking away from the screen.

“Perfect! Let me know as soon as you two have a date, yeah?”

“Of course.”

“Great! Well, that was all I wanted to discuss,” Paulette went on. “So, we’ll go ahead and get out of your hair unless-“

“Actually, Gramma.”

Going stone still, he kept his eyes glued to the screen, fingers tight on the mouse.

“I wanted to talk to Daniel about something real quick, if you don’t mind waiting a few minutes.”

Nessa’s voice was far less bright than it was ordinarily, and the spike in Paulette’s heart rate did him no favors.

“Yeah, sure! We’ll just be right outside, baby.” She was either a great actor or a horrible one, her voice it’s same melodic tones and pitches as always while her body told him just how worried she really was. “Thank you again, Daniel!”

He swallowed through his tightening throat and nodded. “You are very welcome, Paulette.”

The door opened and shut swiftly.

The room was silent.

He took a deep breath.

Closing his eyes as he let out a sigh, he gripped the edge of the desk and turned the chair, lowering his hands to clasp his fingers in his lap. When Daniel opened his eyes again, he looked up to see Nessa standing with her weight on one leg, arms crossed, staring down at him. Her expression was strangely blank, abnormal to her features, and altogether uncomfortable to see.

And he knew it was his fault.

Redirecting his gaze to the floor, he opened his mouth to speak but stopped short.

What do I say?

“Listen. I don’t want to hear the same old bullshit. I just want you to be honest with me. Don’t beat around the bush, don’t give me an excuse, don’t-“

“I’m sorry.”

Nessa’s rapidly beating heart lit up his senses as he continued to stare at the floor. “What?”

“I’m sorry. What I did was… inappropriate.” His words were soft as his shoulders inched downward.

Her silence stretched longer than he would have liked. But her posture changed in the meantime, his apology appearing to have assuaged her some. “Well. It wasn’t really your fault. I may have had one too many-“

“You just asked me not to make excuses. You shouldn’t make them either.”

She was quiet again and so was he.

“Why won’t you admit what we both know?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Her heartrate jumped again, and she shifted her weight, her hands on her hips. “You aren’t the only one who can read people, remember?”

Confusion swirled in his mind for a moment before he realized what she meant. Then her hands were on the arms of his chair, and she was much closer than she ought to be. Those unique eyes of hers were gazing straight into his and as he looked over the rims of his glasses, his vision readjusting and bringing her into sharp focus, his senses worked in tandem with his sight to map out the specialized thirteen-pronged pupil under the surface of the pearlescent sheath covering her sclerae and cornea. She was wrong to assume he’d forgotten that the outer prongs of her pupil allowed her to see heat, similarly to a snake’s pits along its snout.

However, she was right to assume he’d forgotten it worked on him as much as anyone else.

Rigid in the chair, fists clenched in his lap, Daniel simply stared back at her, unable to respond. What could he say? What should he say? What did she want him to say?

What am I afraid to say?

As the seconds ticked by, a growl built in Nessa’s throat, and she pushed off the chair to claw at the air. “GAWD – you are so- so-“

She was too fast.

Before he could even register what she’d done, her lips were on his. Her hands held his coat pulled towards her as she loomed over him, her knee on the edge of his chair between his knees. His hands were now wrapped around the arms of his chair, but the ache of his white-knuckle grip was nothing compared to the heat of her lips pressed firmly to his.

When she finally pulled away, all he could do was stare once more, at a complete loss for words. He was not incapable of continuing his observation, however, and his senses picked up the way her form tensed and her heat sensitive pupils dilated. Then he realized why. Heat was melting through his body, crawling up his back and neck to bloom across his face.

And she could see all of it.

He only had another moment to see the intent on her face before she leaned forward again. This time, her lips moved against his, a rhythmic motion that he could only follow helplessly. Pressing against his chest, she pushed him into the chair, trailing her hands up to dig one set of fingers into his hair and caress up his neck and jaw with the others. He shivered at her touch, her skin on his feeling far too warm to be normal. When he’d grabbed her wrists he couldn’t be sure, but instead of pulling away he merely held on. And that grip was all he had when she moved again, raking her knee up between his legs. He gasped at the contact and she took advantage of the moment, thrusting her tongue into his mouth. The taste of her, the feel of her, her motions, and her hold of him were too much. His senses enslaved him as he felt her blood rushing, her body tightening, moisture and heat growing – his own body reacting accordingly and his senses feeding back to him exactly how his body was affected.

When the moment became too much and he felt surely he would pass out, she pulled away with a gasp. He was no better, chest rising and falling with his panted breaths. Glasses askew, body stiflingly hot, his limbs tense and everything below his belt uncomfortable and tight, he could only tremble under her touch when she ran a thumb over his lips, her claw dangerously close to his skin.

“Now it’s my turn to run away.”

***

Chapter 05: The Question

The last twenty-four hours were the worst he’d had in a long time.

Nessa’s abrupt departure without another word was certainly what he deserved. However, he wasn’t so sure he deserved to be left in such a state.

Daniel had sat hunched over his desk for over half an hour trying to regain his faculties.

He was accustomed to the issue of his own ability working on his body just as it did for a body apart from his. This capability generally worked to his advantage, such as manually adjusting his physical reactions to keep his emotions in check. The disadvantage was any physical stimulation was twice received, both feeling it normally, then sensing it at the same time. Decades of life lived with this issue had taught him how to avoid problematic sensations and manage tolerable ones. He was not afraid to admit that he’d always viewed romantic situations as problematic. Hence, he was wholly unprepared for how severely impacted he might be as a result of certain… stimuli.

Of course, Nessa was just as unaware of this as he was. But that knowledge didn’t alleviate the situation any when trying to text Miss Yu to take over for the rest of the day. After seven attempts to type out a message, the first of which was a line of numbers as he somehow couldn’t figure out how to make words on a phone he’d used for more than a decade, he finally sent the bare minimum to get the point across. After which he stumbled to his bedroom to fall face-first onto his bed. It was only after three hours laying still that he managed to move without exacerbating his body and senses further. Though, he didn’t move far.

Rather childishly if he were honest with himself, he laid in bed the rest of the day, not even bothering to remove his lab coat or shoes or any other articles of clothing. At first, he’d reasoned that he was exhausted from the last week and what had happened, so he needed to simply remain stationary for as long as possible. But realistically he knew that was only a surface complaint.

He didn’t want to think about it.

He didn’t want to think about what just happened, what Nessa did, what that meant, what he should do about it, what he shouldn’t do… he didn’t want to think anymore. He was tired of thinking.

Truly, he was exhausted.

The ongoing argument with Nessa had stretched on for the better part of eight years – nine if he counted her seventeenth year. And nothing he’d done or said had made it go away. Not even when she had managed to find a significant other. During those times were when he’d been his most abrupt. As much as she seemed to enjoy the younger man’s company, as much as he would say to her it was best she be with someone closer her age, she’d always made it clear she would rather it be him. Even on the very day her child’s father had proposed to her, she’d been audacious enough to say she’d give the ring back if things changed. Few things rendered Daniel truly at a loss for words. That day, Nessa had managed to do so.

But now, after her brash actions, he couldn’t help but accept he hadn’t been entirely as honest as she’d always been.

It had never been necessary.

A freakish, tiny human from youth, he was never much looked at with anything other than disdain after the age of five. He remembered it clearly, how things had changed in his household when his eyes had gradually darkened and he’d been able to tell his mother how her heart would beat funny, his father how something was wrong inside of him, or sense how their bodies changed when he entered a room. Then, bullied incessantly by his peers growing up left him with not much care for other humans in the way of social interaction. But sensing their bodies, reading their metrics, and learning what they meant at least provided him something to hold on to. Then, learning what Daimo were, realizing that was what he was, gave him reason to strive for something. And so, he did. Getting a job at sixteen and working more than one, saving as much as he could, asking for advancements in his schooling so he could finish faster, leaving the house he grew up in at seventeen and entering medical school immediately were all steps he took to try to make something that was his. While it certainly worked, his “talent” was both a blessing and a curse. As many people came to appreciate what he was capable of and how he used his ability, there were just as many that were wary of him and even frightened of him. This was also true in known and unknown Daimo circles.

When even people of his classification couldn’t stand him, why would he try to form a romantic connection?

And then… Nessa came along.

What at first had seemed like the puppy crush of a child turned before too long into insistence that he was perfect for her in every way. As doubtful as that insinuation was, any reason he came up with to both explain and also dissuade was brushed to the wayside. He’d been around her for as long as she could remember; he was a trusted male who had aided both her and her family for the length of that memory; he was generally kind and pleasant to be around; he accepted her personality, quirks and appearance without judgement or question; and he was opposite of her in both color, gender and size, something that would naturally play on certain instincts of attraction.

And he was twenty-seven years her senior.

None of that mattered to Nessa, not in the way he tried to impart.

And now, years later, her insistence was as strong as ever, perhaps stronger. And her words from before were certainly true. She was no longer the child he’d tended to. Though, he’d not seen her as such for quite some time. And even if he had, he certainly couldn’t have thought as much after having delivered her baby. No, he knew full well her age.

Perhaps, that was what had made it worse for him.

It was… easy, to ward off the affections of a teenager. To pretend them away and allow them to fall on deaf ears. But a woman in her own right with wants and desires and a mind to make them known? That was not so easy to ignore.

The question then became, why?

And that’s what Daniel asked himself repeatedly all through the night and the next morning. After another cold shower, another text requesting his PA take over for him, a poor attempt to fill his empty stomach and countless laps around his living area and office.

Why was he so adamant about avoiding the subject? Especially when it wasn’t as if she made him uncomfortable. He wasn’t opposed to her presence, he didn’t mind her proximity, her company or her touch. In fact, all such things were pleasant for him. He could even go so far as to say he looked forward to their interactions; the way she said his name, the way she would watch him so intently, how she constantly looked for reasons to talk to him or be around him.

But that was just it, wasn’t it?

Why would she want anything to do with him? This vivacious girl he’d watched grow into a strong and beautiful woman could pursue anyone she wanted. Anyone willing to accept her unique appearance, he supposed. But having found someone who seemed a decent match, she still wanted him instead. And when that partnership failed to continue as expected, she only seemed to want him more.

But… why?

At a quarter to one, Daniel sat on his couch, phone in hand, staring at the message he had yet to send. Never had he considered asking for such a favor, but she always told him to let her know if he needed anything, if she could help him in any way. And while part of him felt this was the worst possible thing to ask of her, he was at the point where he didn’t think he could stand the three-hour drive. And a phone call wouldn’t be enough.

Taking a deep breath, he hit send.

[This is extremely short notice, but may I ask you for a favor?]

No sooner did he stand from the couch, did his phone buzz in answer.

[Coal, Paulette: Of course, is everything okay?]

Daniel swallowed his nerves, typing with sluggish fingers.

[I need to visit Nessa.]

Only after he sent it did he realize he hadn’t answered her question.

[Coal, Paulette: What time? Right now?]

He hesitated. Would it do any good to go back on the request? Would it only make the situation worse?

Probably.

[In ten minutes, if that is alright with you.]

[Coal, Paulette: Got it, see you in ten.]

Her leaving behind her question did not go unnoticed. He wondered just how much Paulette was aware of in reference to what had happened between he and Nessa during their last two encounters. Refusing to dwell on it, he hurried to get his coat, keys and wallet, the motions automatic despite his wondering if he needed any of these things amid his racing thoughts.

Ten minutes couldn’t pass fast enough, and by the time he sensed Paulette’s presence on his floor, he was already out the door, thought of locking it falling from his mind. Also forgotten was the thought to bring his medical satchel to try to hide the fact this request was entirely personal. It didn’t matter anyway. He reminded himself Paulette always knew more than she let on.

The barely hidden concern displayed on her face further attested to that fact when she held her hand out for him. Not a word passed between them as his clinic disappeared to be replaced with the openness of the mountain forest. It was cloudy again, damp hanging in the air and the smell of rain on the chilled breeze.

“I’ll leave you to it, then,” Paulette said, her voice lower and softer than her norm. “Let me know when I’m needed again.” A slight squeeze proceeded her releasing his hand.

He found it hard to look up to her but tilted his head her way and nodded. “Thank you… I will.”

The crackling announced her departure.

His feet remained glued to the ground. Looking up the walkway to the house he clenched his fists.

Angus’ home was the primary structure of the area, forefront and imposing amid the tall trees hiding their presence. The circular castle-like structure was connected by elevated breezeways to the two offshoot structures that were Nessa’s and Ashton’s homes. They had no desire to live away from their father, especially since their mother died, but Angus had insisted they needed spaces to truly call their own. It was an endearing setup on both ends.

He felt like he was intruding.

Daniel took a deep breath, suddenly aware of how cold the air was as it cut into his lungs. He couldn’t go back now. As rude as he feared he was being, it would certainly be more so to have wasted Paulette’s time. And he knew he wouldn’t rest until he gave in to the undeniable urge to know.

Why me?

Forcibly calming his racing heart, he stood straighter and cleared his throat. The noise was startling in the quiet and almost seemed to have a causative affect as the subtle sound of raindrops on the canopy and foliage met his ears. With no idea what he was doing or how he would do it, he decided it best to simply start walking. Perhaps in the hundred feet or so to the front door he would have some idea of how to proceed once he got there.

While walking, another problem crossed his mind. Did he really want to involve Angus in this by knocking on the man’s door? That would surely be uncomfortable for the both of them. But, knowing Nessa’s habits, he knew she had a tendency to spend her time in the main home more often than not. Where would this conversation happen if that were the case? He could hardly stand that he was here unannounced, let alone that he would be having such a private discussion within earshot of others. With a family who could hear as well as or better than fennec foxes, he was not looking forward to that prospect. But could asking her to speak alone in her home be seen as suspicious? He almost never had reason to talk one-on-one with any of them, as close knit as they all were.

So absorbed in his thoughts, he hadn’t noticed how far he’d gotten or how heavy the rain had started to fall. He hadn’t noticed how much water had soaked through his wool coat and how much colder he was. What did cut through his anxiety was the sound of the door swinging open with force.

He looked up with a start, his glasses slipping down his rain-soaked face. He was only twenty feet from the steps of the front deck. Nessa was halfway down the steps, frozen in place. He couldn’t read her expression, but her body told him everything he needed to know.

She was happy to see him.

Never before could he remember experiencing such a mixture of panic, confusion, frustration, relief and happiness. His insides were a complete mess and while part of him wanted to run and hide, another part wanted to blurt out everything on his mind, right here, right now in the rain.

Nessa smiled, a tinge of concern on her face. “We need to get you out of the cold.”

***

Chapter 06: The Answer

The trek across the deck and down the breezeway to Nessa’s offshoot was walked in silence. Her hand tightly gripped around his was the only thing he could focus on.

Until they got inside.

The shock of entering the warm air of her living room after having been out in the freezing rain did him in and he’d started shivering violently. Exerting manual control over his body was useful, but sometimes came with the drawback of suppressing necessary natural reactions. Nessa and the rest of the family were well aware he did poorly in cold environments. As physically small as he was, his metabolism did not allow for the accumulation of body fat, so cold weather was harsher on him.

Nessa did good to assist him quickly, taking his jacket off and wrapping him in one of the throws from her couch before steering him to her plushy, oversized recliner. He accepted her tending without complaint, sitting quietly while she went to the kitchen just off to the side and came back shortly with hot chocolate. Lactose intolerant from a young age, she used either water or milk substitutes, and in this case chose the latter for the mix. He knew she wasn’t fond of it, so the choice was entirely due to his preference.

And that made the silence even harder for him to bear when she sat on the couch end closest to the recliner, her gaze trained on him. His eyes were locked unseeing on the drink in his hands, his senses feeding back the juxtaposition of the cold water trickling down his neck and face from his hair mixed with the comfortable sensation of the heat melting through the damp material of his pants into his lap. His senses were also trained on her. So, he knew how measured her breathing was, how her sweat glands were overproducing and how elevated her heart rate was. Squeezing the mug tighter, he looked up slowly, gaze finding her face.

She was expressionless once again, but as the seconds ticked by, she tilted her head and a huff of a sigh left her lips. Standing to place her mug on the coffee table, she carefully plucked his from his fingers and did the same, before sitting at the very edge of the table, situating herself directly in front of him.

“Say what you have to say, Daniel.” The solemn expression she wore didn’t become her. Neither did the reserve she’d suddenly found, as odd as it felt to admit as much.

He simply stared, his mind conspicuously at a loss at the sight. She stared back, waiting patiently. A sudden wave of an emotion he couldn’t identify washed over him and he clenched his fists. Stinging in his eyes added to the mix and a rather juvenile desire to shout wordlessly hit him.

He hadn’t cried in decades.

Daniel averted his eyes, looking over the rims of his glasses at the fabric of the fluffy pink and black blanket she’d wrapped him in. The question slammed into his mind, the words at the tip of his tongue. With no real idea why it was suddenly so hard to ask the only thing he wanted to know and honestly afraid of the unknown that waited on the other side of the words, he closed his eyes.

“Why me?”

The moment of silence before her words was excruciating.

“Well.” She let out another huff.

Her tone had him looking back up at her. She was looking at him intently, as if examining him. Then, she leaned forward, hands gripped tightly to the edge of the coffee table.

“I suppose I could start listing off things liiike, you’re a genuinely good person, you have a heart worth more than your weight in gold. You’re intelligent – you can actually think – which is nice. You’re attractive, both personally and physically, even if you refuse to believe it. You’re wonderful to my baby-girl – any child, ever, actually – you are amazing with all children. You’re patient, kind, compassionate, and you’re even a very loving person, you just don’t show it very loudly.” She tilted her head with a smirk. “But I’m sure you’d say that I can find someone else with those traits.”

He didn’t say anything to that. Because she was right. Such statements had issued from him in the past.

“But see, there’s a problem with that.” Her gaze drifted down, her expression thoughtful. “I could find someone, anyone, maybe, possibly – ignoring how difficult it might be to do so – with those qualities, someone who has everything I could ever want,” her eyes drifted back up to his, “but they wouldn’t be you.”

That statement was probably meant to be reassuring. It wasn’t. It constricted his lungs and made his chest ache because it just wasn’t enough. He clenched his teeth tightly against the frustration welling and tried to calm himself. Whether it be from the shock of the temperature change, his tiredness from not tending to himself properly, or the stress of the entire situation, it didn’t work. He was unable to focus on anything but the words burning the roof of his mouth.

“What is it about me?“

Nessa was still a moment. She then stood from the coffee table and bent forward to rest her hands on the arms of the recliner. Already finely attuned to her as the only other person in the room, the proximity only heightened his awareness further, his eyes hyper-focusing on hers over the rims of his glasses.

“Let me put it to you this way… Let’s say my skin color, my eyes, my height, my hair were found on someone else in the world. Now, let’s pretend this other woman haaaad a voice that sounded amazingly like mine.”

She leaned further towards him, prompting him to lean back. She was already too close.

“Aaand maybe she liked the same kinds of things I do – the same clothes, the same music, the same food, same places to visit.”

His back was flush against the recliner, but even if they’d been on opposite ends of the house, he couldn’t have ignored the sensations swirling in her body.

“Perhaps she even has the same name as me. A whole ‘nother Nessa hanging out in the world, going about her life, doing her own thing. Maybe she’s a villain too. Maybe she’s another Specter running around causing trouble.”

Her voice was low, some odd cross between a growl and a whisper while her heart pumped harder and her blood rushed faster. His breaths were hard-won as he gripped the blanket on either side of his legs, trying to focus on her words despite his senses overwhelming him.

Despite his body betraying him.

“Let’s assume everything I just said as fact,” she whispered, her face within an inch of his.

“Would that woman be me?”

The question took a moment for him to process. With the reactions of both her body and his muddying his mind, it felt like trudging through mud to think. But even with his senses on fire, his body aching, and his mind failing, he already had the answer.

“No. Of course not.”

He saw her smile in the way her eyes moved.

Realization melted into his mind.

“Then, you have your answer,” she purred.

Stinging accosted his eyes once again. A cacophony of emotions welled in his chest. He felt altogether raw and torn open and couldn’t string together enough thought to understand why.

A pulse of a different kind shot into his senses from Nessa’s body and when she glanced down to his lips he could barely breathe.

“I didn’t ask you before, but I’ll ask now.” Her nose was touching his, her heat sensitive pupils dilated as far out as they would go. “Can I kiss you?”

Her proximity, their combined heat, and the sheer intensity of what was feeding into him through his senses was such that he was sure he would either melt or spontaneously combust. His mind was at the end of its usefulness as he tried to remember how to speak. Though, he didn’t need much. Just a single word.

“Yes.”

Her lips met his as soon as the word left him. The motion was soft, drawn out as she dragged her skin against his.

At first.

Then she moved quicker, insistent. He followed her lead helplessly, shivering as her fingers trailed up his neck to dig into his still wet hair. His hand found her wrist, his other ghosting up to graze her neck as if afraid to touch her. The recliner shifted back as she climbed onto it, her knee parting his legs like the day before to again take advantage of his sharp gasp. He grabbed ahold of her shirt, lost in her touch and her taste, her tongue finding his almost desperately. When she pulled back, he could only gasp for air as she nipped his bottom lip before trailing tiny bites down his chin and jaw. Her lips, teeth, and tongue against his neck stole what little breath he’d managed to take, and he arched up involuntarily, heat rushing his body as his eyes rolled back. A growl was the only warning that proceeded her knee hiking up further, raking against his painfully confined length. He wasn’t sure if it was a yelp or a moan or both that left his mouth, but the noise ignited something, Nessa’s body lighting his senses aflame while his own only added to the blaze.

Standing from the chair, she pulled him up with her, leaving him standing for only a moment before she knelt and picked him up. He could neither praise nor protest, his mind gone to the sensations from the both of them as she carried him to her bedroom.

Her bedspread was just as soft and plush as the throw she’d wrapped him in, and the heat was just as unbearable, though she hardly cared, and he couldn’t. Overly warm fingers removed damp cloth from wet skin and her lips trailed kisses all over his body. The noises issuing from his throat could hardly qualify as coherent let alone words. His hands found her skin when she was overtop him again, and her nimble claws tore her leggings, fingers guiding his. Her sounds overshadowed his before all he could feel was the flood of her body, in his mind and around his fingers. Then, a brief moment of cold, what was left of their clothes removed and she was above him again, her hands holding his tight above his head, their fingers laced together. They moved in tandem, strangely elegant yet demanding against each other. Too soon yet not fast enough the wave crested, and they were both lost to each other. He didn’t remember sitting up, and yet their arms were twined around each other, his lips at the base of her throat, her claws teasing his skin and tugging his hair. He wasn’t sure how they managed to build another wave, or how he survived the crash.

He also had no memory of when sleep claimed him.

When his mind gathered some semblance of consciousness back, he was comfortably warm under smooth sheets and a heavy blanket. The heartbeat against his face and ringing in his senses was soothing, as was her scent surrounding him. She moved, her fingers running gently through his hair. Opening his eyes took more effort than it should have, and when he looked up, the sharp focus made it harder to keep them open. Her smile was beautiful, more so than he ever remembered before.

But when she spoke, he couldn’t understand her words.

Noises and pitches of tone were clear, but nothing made it into his comprehension. He simply stared, examining her features as if they were new to him. She said more, the string of sounds familiar compared to the others, but he had no concept of what they meant. Her face changed, and he recognized enough to know it wasn’t a good change. Shifting him to his back and leaning over him, she spoke that familiar set of sounds again, her eyes going wide, her heart rate picking up. Running her fingers over his face, pushing his hair from his forehead, she spoke again, asking something perhaps?

“…you… alright… wrong?”

He blinked slowly, realization creeping up on him.

With it came concern.

She moved to get up. Gripping her reflexively, he curled against her, the concern abating some as she wrapped her arm around him again. “Donnemme…”

He had no idea what that meant, or what he was trying to say. Guiding his head back to look at him again, her eyes searched his face. Clearly, she didn’t know either. But when she spoke more, two words at the tail end finally made sense to him.

“… I’ll stay.”

A sigh left him as he nuzzled into her neck, her body wrapping around him protectively.

When Daniel woke up again, he knew it was hours past the first time. The fact he could understand that was unimaginably relieving. Nessa shifted around him, and he looked up, far more aware of his surroundings despite the darkness of the room. Her white eyes gleamed in the lowlight, and the silence stretched on as he saw and felt the small movements indicating she was looking him over. He also felt something else from her body.

“You should go pee.”

Nessa went stiff, her mouth hanging open.

“You’re in pain. You should go.”

After a moment, and a twitch of her legs, she groaned. “Okay! But only because I really gotta go – but you’d better be here when I get back!” She pointed a finger at him accusingly, her claw dangerously close to his face.

“It shouldn’t take you more than five minutes,” he assured, sitting up.

She growled and twisted in the bed, whipping the blankets up. “Be right back.” Hopping up to trot to the bathroom, she hit the switch for the string lights encircling her bedroom ceiling.

He blinked rapidly against the sudden brightness, his eyes aching as they simultaneously tried to filter out the light but also hyper-focus as usual. Searching the bedroom from his vantage point, he realized he had no clue where his glasses were. Spotting his shirt on the floor just over the edge of Nessa’s large, circular bed, he also realized he had no clue where the rest of his clothes were. He closed his eyes, rubbing them as he tried to think back. By the time the toilet flushed and Nessa was bounding back into the room, his hands were shaking and he was counting as he tried to breathe.

“Daniel!” The bed bounced as she jumped onto it, crawling over to him. “Daniel, what’s wrong?”

At a loss for words, he managed to look at her as she gripped his shoulders but opening his mouth to speak proved problematic.

“I swear to God, I’m gonna take you to a fucken ER-“

“Don’t!” His kneejerk reaction had him grabbing her face, a slight tremble still in his arms as he pulled her closer. Overwhelming concern was written on her face and screaming at him from her body as she followed his prompting, leaning on her arm and wrapping her other around his shoulders. When her forehead was against his, he swallowed against his dry throat, trying to figure out what to say. “I… I didn’t know… this would happen.”

She shook her head. “Didn’t know what would happen?”

Averting his eyes downward, he searched for how to explain what he’d concluded. Yesterday had been one thing, something a bit more within his experience. But today? Difficulty thinking and inability to think were two completely different things.

“Wait… wait a minute.” Before he could do anything, Nessa sat on her feet and yanked him to her in a hug. He wrapped his arms around her reflexively and waited, both comforted by her tight hold of him and unnecessarily bashful that she was squeezing her breasts against his neck and chest.

“Don’t tell me I’m the first person you’ve ever slept with.”

He was quiet. The answer wasn’t anything he felt ashamed of, but he’d never expected to have the question asked so directly. Following her prompting when she leaned away, he looked up to her face. Her expression said enough to know she knew the answer. Compelled to answer anyway, and yet unable to muster the word, he managed a small nod.

A very small nod.

Nessa slumped, her hands trailing his arms as she stared at him. She then let out a laugh and grinned. “Well, I hope it was good!”

His surprise lasted for only a moment before he smiled with her. A real, genuine, toothy smile he hadn’t felt on his face in a long time. Laughter escaped him and he ran his hand over his forehead to grip his hair, halfway hiding behind it as a flush crept up his chest to his neck and cheeks. Her giggling joined in before she tackled him back down to the bed, peppering him with kisses.

***

Chapter 07: Right Effect, Wrong Cause

“Here’s your mail!”

“Thank you, Miss Laquisha.”

“Do you need anything else?”

“No, thank you.” Daniel scrolled through his inventory spreadsheet, looking for the discrepancy that was causing his stock numbers to be off. It was a whole three months’ worth of entries and had taken him the better part of the morning so far.

“Doctor.”

“Yes, Miss Yu?”

“Paige says Miss Coalson is downstairs.”

The amusement in Yu’s voice did not go unnoticed. He ignored it, as had become his habit over the last four weeks. “She’s clear to come up.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Though, this would only be her third visit as far as his staff were aware.

Only a few minutes passed before Nessa rounded the corner of the divider wall. He kept his eyes trained, but examined her through his senses as usual, mildly relieved to find everything appeared to be in working order. Despite her public visits being relatively few, as a private contract, she wasn’t required to visit in-office at all. So, every time she walked through the door for everyone to see, he felt a light concern that there might be a legitimate issue.

The fact they’d been together two days prior was irrelevant.

“Good morning, Doctor!” she chirped as she made it to his desk. “May I sit?”

He bit his tongue to keep from saying she didn’t need to ask, instead nodding briefly in the direction of the spare chair. “To what do I owe today’s visit?”

Nessa sat down and rolled a little too close, ruffling through her purse in her lap. He closed the spreadsheet and turned to her, noting the natural hair, brunette wig and wrap-around holo-frame glasses. To anyone on the street, or in his office, the holo-frame glasses would appear to give her a different color iris, taking the place of cosmetic contact lenses. While he hated she had to hide any aspect of her form, he was not about to protest the likely life-saving practice. He wished she’d choose a different color wig, though. Brown of any shade didn’t look right against her skin. Though, he was sure nothing would look right compared to her natural raven-black.

“I was hoping you could check my prescription. I think the pharmacist filled it wrong.”

He blinked amid his unnecessary examination of her facial features and tilted his head. “What makes you think that?”

She pulled out the refillable, eco-plastic dispenser pod that held her birth control caplets. “Honestly, it’s nothing blatant, but I’m experiencing some odd symptoms that I haven’t been feeling otherwise.”

Hesitating a moment too long while her eyes met his, he held his hand out for the pod and turned to his computer. “Describe these symptoms.” Busying himself with searching for her file, he fixated on her once more with his senses. Again, nothing seemed amiss.

Nessa heaved a sigh. “Mood swings, mostly. Bouts of emotional upset.”

He narrowed his eyes, glancing back to her a moment. She raised her brows at him, nibbling her lip. Returning his attention to the screen, he pulled up her prescription file.

After Izzy’s birth, she’d had issues with her hormones rebalancing. He’d prescribed a condensed herbal formula in caplet form on a thirteen month regiment. Her actual appointment date to discuss this was in another two months. Perhaps the conversation needed to happen sooner.

Looking to the inserted tab on the side of the pill pod, he read the name of the medication listed. It wasn’t one he was familiar with, which gave him pause. He right-clicked the name of the prescription and expanded the list of generics. Near the bottom, next to last was the name. The top three were the most common, so he had no need to look further down unless circumstances such as these arose.

On that note, there should be nothing wrong.

He let out a huff through his nose, turning back to her. “This is correct. It’s simply a different generic than what you were given before. But it works the same,” he explained, handing it back.

Nessa took the pod, her fingers grazing his rather obviously. However, her eyes were on the container, her face melting with confusion.

“Are there other symptoms you haven’t mentioned?”

Her eyes darted to his, the holographic irises perfectly mimicking a natural sky-blue.

Practiced at reading both her expressions and her bodily reactions, he knew what she was asking without her having to say a word. “Miss Yu.”

“Yes, Sir?”

“You have the floor. I’ll be in my private office.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Her amusement was spread thicker with her words, but he ignored it. Locking his computer, he started for the maintenance door, Nessa following close behind. The ride on the elevator and subsequent trek into his office was quiet, Nessa forming a habit of waiting until within the walls of his private space before speaking.

When they breached the door of his office, she let out a monumental sigh, sounding more like a groan. “Gaaah, I love and hate this thing,” she snarked, digging her fingers under the lace front to pull off her wig.

“There is room for improvement,” he mused distractedly, already at his desk and unlocking his computer.

“You don’t need to start a report or anything.” Nessa deposited her purse, wig and holo-frame glasses on the far end of the desk counter right at the door, digging her nails into her real hair and scratching her scalp.

“I do have to start a report-“

“No, I mean…” She growled, sitting on the free space of his desk. “It might be nothing,” she muttered as she started unbuttoning her coat.

Daniel turned in his chair, clasping his hands in his lap. His gaze drew her attention and she slouched under his stare.

“Seriously, I’m probably just grasping at straws-“

“You haven’t said anything about any mood swings before-“

“That’s because I thought it was just me!” Hopping up from the desk and shrugging angrily out of her coat, Nessa tossed it onto her things before starting to pace. “And I mean, it doesn’t happen all the time, it’s not like a constant issue. It doesn’t happen when we’re together, either, so like-“

“What is ‘it?'”

“Just this, like, angry wanna claw at everything around me kind of feeling!”

He raised a brow. “Does it happen with regularity?”

“Nooo.” She stopped and crossed her arms.

He maintained his gaze. Her tone made it clear she knew more than she was saying.

With a petulant huff, she stared at the wall. “Okay fine, it only happens when I have to talk to Zack.”

This was no surprise. Well versed in dealing with patients in any status imaginable, he’d dealt with plenty of divorced individuals and those in complicated relationships. What did surprise him was that Nessa seemed to think this was abnormal. “What about this strikes you as odd?”

“I mean, okay,” she started pacing again, tail whipping about from under her pencil skirt, “I know I don’t like having to talk to him most of the time, anyway, yeah, that’s normal. But, like, usually it’s just annoying. I’d rather be doing anything else, but okay, it’s a necessary evil.”

Listening intently, Daniel focused his senses on her body. Even now when talking about the issue there were no unexpected fluctuations.

“But lately I’ve just wanted to,” Nessa stopped, bringing her hands together, fingers poised as if gripping into an invisible object, “rip his fucking face off!”

Still nothing unusual or abnormal. Her aggravation wasn’t caused by any chemical imbalance. “Have there been any changes surrounding your interactions with him?”

“No, not really!” She shot, giving an exaggerated shrug and letting her arms fall to her sides. “He’s his same ol’ asshole self.” She then growled and crossed her arms again. “But more.”

Daniel narrowed his eyes. “More?”

“He’s just up to his same dumb-ass macho-man shit! I swear, I don’t know why he can’t get it through his thick skull that it’s done – I told him, several times, months ago, that we’re done. We can be friends, whatever, fine, I’m okay with that, because Izzy deserves to have him in her life, but as far as a he-and-me thing? No, done, been done, gone, door closed! But now he’s, like, suddenly decided to be possessive all of a sudden?” She looked to him with an incredulous expression. “I don’t know why that shit’s made a comeback, but I never let him get away with it before, so why does he think he can get away with it now?” her voice was raising in pitch, teeth bearing as she growled with her words. “And he has the fucking gall to keep insisting I come over and ‘stay a while’ – like I don’t know what he’s fucking pulling! Literally, playing the ‘but I miss you,’ and ‘we were such a good pair’ bullshit! I’ve been shutting him down for over a year, what the fuck more do I have to do – rip his dick off!?”

Daniel waited patiently through her tirade, not batting an eye as she ended all out yelling. He watched her huff angrily as she glared daggers at the wall. “Do you feel better now?”

“No!… I mean yes, but no!”

A huff of a laugh escaped his nose. Her glare aimed his way did little to phase him, not even eliciting a flinch.

Deflating, Nessa slumped and trudged over to him. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled, rounding his chair to lean over from behind and wrap her arms around him, her chin rested to his shoulder. “You’re busy and I basically just came to rant at you.”

“Don’t apologize. You should have said something sooner,” he assured, reaching a hand up to hold her forearm, thumb stroking her skin.

“Well, I’m pretty sure I’m an angry kitten most of the time, anyway.”

He smiled. “Not really. Not without cause.”

“Mmmm.” She nuzzled into his neck, inhaling deeply.

He mimicked her action instinctively, breathing in with her, drawing in her scent now surrounding him. Thinking on the situation had him taking a mental check of the days. “You exchange Izzy tomorrow, yes?”

“Ugh, yeah.”

“Do you think perhaps you’ve simply developed an emotional aversion to being near him?”

Nessa remained quiet, her breath warming his skin through his shirt collar. “I suppose.”

He tilted his head towards hers. “You don’t have any concerns, do you?”

“I don’t think so. You mean like… for safety?”

It was his turn to stay quiet, though he did so more out of a desire not to implant any unnecessary fears into her mind. While a slightly underhanded tactic, he was used to prodding someone with very little words to allow them to speak out their frustrations until they solved their own situations. Perhaps there was more that Nessa had yet to admit to herself.

“I don’t think he’d do anything stupid,” she continued, unphased by his silence. “Well, unless you count smoking around her when I told him not to.”

“You hadn’t mention him still doing that.”

“I can’t prove he has. And you haven’t seen anything apparently, so… I guess that might also just be me.”

Silence caved in around them as they remained how they were, Nessa’s arms around him, one hand dug between his coat and his shirt, the other gripping his arm while he held to her forearm, still running his fingers over her skin.

She sighed.

“You’re uncomfortable around him.”

It wasn’t a question.

“Yeah. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

His suggestion halted on his tongue as he considered she may not appreciate it. But he wouldn’t know if he didn’t offer.

“Would you like me to come with you tomorrow?”

“Mmm, you don’t need to do that. You’re busy and it’s really short-“

“I’ll make time.”

Her eyes met his and he held her gaze securely. He didn’t bother going on about how he was always busy because that didn’t need to be said. What he would do despite such was more important for her to know.

Seeming to understand his seriousness she hugged him tighter, a small smile quirking her lips. “Yeah. Okay then. Yes, I would like that a lot.”

One corner of his lips twitched upward in response, and he squeezed her arm. “Just tell me the time.” His smile then fell. “Where is Izzy?”

“Oh! She’s with Gramma at the apartment,” Nessa answered nonchalantly.

He nodded. He used to forget Paulette owned an apartment building, as it was previously unnecessary information. However, with Nessa spending more time with him over the last four weeks, she’d developed a tendency to stay in her unit there more often. “Will you go back home tonight? To retrieve Izzy, I mean?”

Seeing Nessa’s smirk from the corner of his eye was his warning, her lips finding his neck just behind his ear. “Mmm, sure that’s what you meant.”

He clenched the fist not holding onto her arm, his eyelids fluttering. “That is what I meant.”

“Mhmm.”

“That won’t work,” he said in a subtly stern tone. This time spent with her had helped him practice fine-tuning his control over his body. Usually, with enough leeway, he could circumvent her less enthusiastic efforts.

Usually.

“Mmyeah?” she questioned, her sharp teeth delicately playing his ear.

It didn’t help that she could see when he was failing.

“I have work to do… Nessa.”

A musical giggle preceded her husky whisper. “Just a nibble.”

“Nessaa-ahhaah…”

***

Chapter 08: The Cause

It had been a long while since he’d been to the park. Visiting more often was generally in the back of his mind. He simply didn’t often have time to go enjoy such things.

Daniel readjusted his grip on the bubbly toddler in his arms. As was a frequent occurrence, Izzy wanted to be held by him as soon as she’d seen him the night before. That tendency stayed now that they were outside bundled up against the chilly weather. The girl nuzzled into his large scarf close to his face, by his estimation trying to further fight the chill. He always ran a full degree higher in temperature than standard, though Nessa was adamant Izzy’s affections had nothing to do with his warmth. He was happy to see Nessa better insulated today as well, having opted for her jeans and tall fleece lined boots to go with her double layer wool coat. Why she’d decided to wear a pencil skirt yesterday, he had no idea, but needless to say, she’d made a better judgment call today.

“We have a little bit of time. You wanna do a lap around the lake?” Nessa asked brightly.

“Sure. Would you like Izzy in her stroller?”
“Nah. Let her cuddle. Want me to hold her?”

He shook his head even as Nessa started reaching down. “It’s fine, I have her.” She failed to hide her little smile. He bit back a smile in response.

They did manage a single lap around the tiny man-made lake situated at the south end of the park, Center Grand Park, the largest in the city. It was nice to watch the birds and fish around the fountains and the other implanted wildlife going about their business on the tiny islands dotted around. It was also nice that most of the other park guests were doing the same, taking little note of Nessa’s skin color or his eyes. Luckily, little Izzy didn’t have to worry about rude stares, harsh glares and whispers behind her back. Her own golden blonde hair and light peachy skin were well within “normal” characteristics. Only her silver irises set her apart. For now.

Daniel let out a small noise of surprise, his hand patting a dozing Izzy’s back. “Her birthday is in three days.”

Nessa giggled. “Yup. We don’t really do parties like you know, but we’ll have a get together next week when I have her back.”

He nodded absently, eyes aimed at the water.

“You think you can make it?”

He was quiet a moment, going over his appointments that he could remember off the top of his head. “Probably.”

Giggling again, she reached her arm around him and squeezed his shoulder. “I hope so.”

Looking to her with a raised brow, he waited for what she hadn’t said.

As if feeling his gaze, she looked to him with a smirk. “You’re too good, you know that?”

An amused huff escaped him as his lips quirked lightly at the corners.

“It’ll be the first time with the fam since we… you know.” She glanced away, a soft smile on her face.

She wasn’t much for being bashful, and it certainly didn’t suit her. But he couldn’t deny that when the blood rushed her face and tinged her deep navy skin a subtle indigo he was always captivated. Her color, while dark, was rich and vibrant and more and more lately he found himself staring without reserve.

I ought not do that.

Before he could look away, her eyes met his and her smile turned sultry. Quickly switching to his side not occupied by Izzy, she leaned down, lips brushing his ear. “You keep looking at me like that and I’ll be forced to do something not suitable for public observation.”

He cleared his throat sternly, though it felt like an empty warning when combatting her laughter.

Her mirth died down abruptly when her phone chimed. She pulled it out and shot a quick text. “He’s here, at the north end by the walking tracks.”

Nodding and stepping that direction, he paused when she touched his shoulder.

“I’ll carry her.”

Something about Nessa’s tone didn’t set well but he didn’t push the issue. Her increasing heart rate and rapid-fire neural impulses didn’t sit well either and he wasn’t about to cause her further stress. He shushed Izzy softly as she started to fuss, unhappy with being disturbed as he passed her up to her mother.

“Is okee, baby-girl, is okee,” Nessa cued, bouncing her lightly and nuzzling her face as they started walking.

Too soon, they made it to the sporting section of the park. He pushed his glasses up his nose, scanning the area for the young man who was Nessa’s current bane. If not for him walking up to them, he may not have recognized him.

The last time he’d seen Zackery McCullen, he’d been a tall, well-built man with tanned skin, sandy blond hair, and blue-green eyes. Now, while still just as fit, he was pale and sported dark brown hair, almost black. Stranger still was the business-like attire he wore, consisting of dark grey slacks and a black peacoat with what looked to be a brand name scarf tucked into the collar. He knew the younger man was from a wealthier family, but the man himself had always been more casual, at least with Nessa.

Things had definitely changed.

“Hey babe, you’re looking good today,” Zack chirped with a smile, opening his arms as if for a hug.

Nessa smiled back, the motion stiff. “You too. Got somewhere to be?” She made no move towards his open arms.

“Nah, just got back from some business with dad. You know,” he said with a shrug.

Even without the aid of his ability, Daniel could read the smug arrogance rolling off him in waves. He could also read something else he wasn’t fond of.

“Good day, Mister McCullen.” He announced his presence a little too sharply, he was sure, but he didn’t care perhaps as much as he should have.

The young man’s mood soured instantly, recognition flashing in his face as he finally looked down at him. “What is he doing here?” He looked back to Nessa with disbelief, hiking a thumb his direction.

Her hackles rose, flashing in his senses like a lighthouse. “Don’t be rude! What’s your problem?”

“Why do you have the family doctor with you?” he questioned with distain, his voice filled with suspicion.

Daniel zeroed in on him with his senses, determined to find the reason for the man’s sudden defensive posture.

“Izzy had a checkup and I thought I’d be nice and invite him for a walk. What, is that illegal?”

“You’ve never ‘invited him for a walk’ before.”

“How would you know? I talk to him all the time!”

Restricted vessels in all four limbs, inflamed bronchi, fractionally rapid heart rate – inconclusive, due to circumstance – constricted stomach – empty – irritated jejunum-

Izzy’s fussing cut into his examination, the little girl understandably unhappy with her parents’ raised voices.

“No crying baby-girl, I gotcha,” Nessa soothed, giving Izzy exaggeratedly loud kisses to elicit giggles.

Zack sighed. “Ness, can I talk to you alone-“

“No,” she shot immediately. “Anything you want to say, you can say in front of him. I’ll probably talk all about it anyway.”

The look he gave her rubbed Daniel the wrong way, though the whole interaction dripped an uncomfortable feeling down his spine. “Is there a problem, Mister McCullen?” Keeping his tone amiable, he maintained his structured expression when Zack looked his way.

“Yeah, there kinda is Doc,” he responded with a sneer. “I have a big problem when I can’t talk to my-“

“Your what, Zack?”

A growl accompanied the tone of warning in Nessa’s voice. Daniel didn’t even flinch, watching the younger man closely over the rims of his glasses when he looked back her way.

Zack held Nessa’s gaze for a moment, his face childishly defiant, before tilting his head. “My daughter’s mother.” His words were slow and deliberate. It could perhaps be seen as an attempt to placate her ire. However, Daniel could clearly see the jab hidden behind the words.

He forcibly calmed his own body.

Nessa sighed. “Listen, Zack, it’s a nice day, you’ve got Izzy to spend time with, I have stuff to do after this – let’s just go about our business, okay?”

Izzy chirped happily as if in agreement as she shook a tiny fist and smiled at her father.

Zack watched Izzy for a moment, as if in contemplation before he gave a shrug, a more docile expression overtaking him. “You’re right. You usually are. Ain’t that right, Izzy-boo?” He closed the distance, focused on the toddler with a now pleasant smile. “Mamma knows what’s what.”

Daniel watched closely, his senses zeroed in on the three of them. Izzy reacted as expected when she was exchanged, happily reaching for her father as she did anyone she was excited to see. Nessa was still tense, but her vitals were calming some. Zack on the other hand, while outwardly appearing calm, had a racing pulse that wasn’t slowing down. His breathing was measured, appearing to be moderated with difficulty while his temperature rose sharply.

The man was furious.

When even Izzy’s happy burbling and hugging didn’t phase his pulse, Daniel wanted nothing more than to rip the child from his hands. He kept his clenched fists in his coat pockets, however, and nearly missed that it was time to depart when the two were saying their goodbyes.

Blue-green eyes met his and their gazes were locked for a few seconds too long.

“Have a good day, Doctor.”

“Likewise.”

Nessa turned to go but paused when he didn’t move. He watched Zack’s retreating form, focusing on both him and Izzy as they went.

“Daniel?”

He turned on his heel. “What would you like to do now?”

“Don’t let him get to you.”

He kept quiet as they started walking. Her concern was well-meaning though incorrectly aimed. His concern, however, would be better spoken when they weren’t at risk of being overheard.

They walked in silence, meandering back towards the lake. With neither of them asking or confirming they walked another lap and a half, both watching the animal life as they had before. He focused as much on her as he did the scenery, making sure everything was as it should be.

“I can’t believe he acted like that. It’s not like he doesn’t know me and my entire fucking Daimo family and it’s not like he’s never met you before. Was there a reason to be such a fucking rude-ass?”

Taking a deep breath as they both came to a stop, he kept his eyes at the water. “I think it has less to do with my being a Daimo and more to do with the fact I can tell you he’s under the influence of something.”

“I fucking knew it.”

He sighed, looking up as she crossed her arms and ran her fingers under her holo-frames and into her eyes.

“What is it?”

“I can’t tell you what it is. Only how it affects him.”

“Fucking great,” she growled, shifting her weight as she looked back Zack’s direction.

He kept talking, though he wasn’t sure what he had to say would ease her frustration. “The problem is there are a number of chemicals that could cause his reactions. Anything from illicit drugs, over-the-counter medicines to holistic combinations. Only taking a sample to test would give us a definitive answer.”

“Do you think Izzy’s safe?”

His pause was too long. But he couldn’t say his own misgivings weren’t influenced by his personal feelings. “I can tell you she isn’t being physically affected by anything that her body can’t handle. It is likely he still smokes tobacco around her, but not to a harmful extent.”

“What would make a ‘harmful extent?'” she questioned angrily.

“If he held her with him in a small, enclosed space with little or no ventilation for an extended period of time lasting longer than ten minutes.”

She deflated at his answer, slouching as she looked at him. “And you can say that’s not happening?”

Daniel tilted his head, glancing to the water. “Based on Izzy’s vitals when I’ve been around the times you’ve gotten her back, I can tell you it is likely that is not happening.”

Nessa recrossed her arms, appearing to think on his words. He continued watching the water, fighting with himself silently on if he should tell her he wanted to retrieve Izzy right that moment. Truly, there was nothing on the surface to suggest Izzy was in any danger. But he couldn’t ward away his sudden and immediate distrust of the younger man.

“You know…”

His eyes darted back to hers, watching as she continued to gaze at the water as he had done.

“I told you, that day, that if anything changed, I’d give the ring back.”

Nerves bubbled in his stomach at the abrupt shift to this topic.

“And my feelings haven’t changed,” Nessa continued. “They didn’t change, won’t change, and I’m certainly not going to give up what we… are now.” She bit her lip. “But he didn’t used to be such a fucken dick.”

His shoulders slumped as he huffed through his nose. Yes. He could safely agree that something had changed with her former fiancé.

“It’s like, like,” she gestured vaguely with her hands, looking around as if searching for words, “actually, when I got pregnant, I think. Yeah, his whole shit went stupid after that. Like, he thought he’d sealed the deal or something and could just do whatever he wanted! And I’m just like, why? What the fuck for?”

Not knowing what to say, he simply stood beside her, his mind at a loss as his gaze drifted. He also didn’t want to say anything that could be misconstrued. Yes, he was disappointed in how the man’s personality had sharply fallen to the wayside, but quite suddenly and without warning, an intense protective urge told him it was for the better.

After all, he’d seen this pattern before.

Not with Nessa or her family, but with other patients of his. While he wasn’t licensed for psychotherapy, he often found himself playing the role of therapist and confidant, listening to his client’s personal issues, and even probing to uncover them. In his experience, mental and emotional stress caused or impacted physical ailments with as much intensity as environmental factors. He had aided several of his clients with the mental impact of their situations, whatever the causative elements.

Nessa’s arm wrapping around his shoulders drew him out of his thoughts and he looked up as she caressed his cheek with her other hand. Looking over his glasses at her, his vision focused on the holographically projected irises, seeing the slight flicker of the light overtop her true eyes.

“I guess it’s okay, though. Since I’d rather have you anyway.”

He hadn’t thought he was so off guard, but the flush rushed up his neck all the same, his cheeks warming at her words.

She grinned before closing the distance, her lips gently covering his.

Daniel didn’t think about the fact they were in public, didn’t think about the strangers surrounding them. His hands left his coat pockets, one to cover her hand with his, the other to wrap around her wrist. His lips moved with hers in a soft dance, and they were both oblivious to the world.

***

Chapter 09: The Effect

Despite his attempts at keeping his thoughts to himself, when he and Nessa returned to his clinic the afternoon before, he spoke about how he felt leaving Izzy in Zack’s care. Far from aggravated at his interference, she instead admitted she felt the same, however couldn’t bring herself to keep Izzy from her dad with nothing but suspicion and difference of opinion on smoking in the same room as a toddler. After all, the elders of her family smoked cigarettes or pipe tobacco occasionally, though they had all stood on the strict rule of doing so away from the children during their younger years. She being the rule breaker she was, had frequently snuck into a room or out onto the deck to sit on Angus’ lap while he smoked, strangely drawn to the smell during her childhood. Daniel reminded her that Izzy was much younger than she had been, and she was right to be concerned over her child’s health.

He also reminded her that the act of siring a child did not make a man worthy of one.

He found himself drifting back to this conversation more than strictly necessary during his morning routine, and now that he sat in front of his computer conferencing with Doctors Chakrabarti, Ghaleese and Holms, he was having a hard time focusing on the task at hand.

“-don’t think this is something to be too concerned about, but Amos would have a better idea.”

“I apologize, please repeat that,” he said automatically, glancing back at his notes.

“That’s the third time in ten minutes, my friend,” Chakrabarti cut in. “Are you well today?”

“Fine, thank you.”

“I dunno,” Holms said with a smirk in his voice, “you’ve been a bit distracted lately.”

Daniel leveled him an unamused stare.

The psychologist grinned and shook his head. “Don’t give me that look, we’ve all noticed it.”

“I mean,” Ghaleese twirled one of her dark curls around her finger, “don’t let him make it seem like we’re keeping tabs on you or anything.”

“Pfft, yeah we are.”

“Geoff!”

Chakrabarti’s chuckle shut them both up. “We just want to make sure you’re alright is all. You’re usually so astute.”

Daniel huffed out his nose. Luckily, while Deo Chakrabarti was the finest telepath in the medical world, he was unable to enter another person’s mind without them feeling his presence. Despite the constant knowing feeling that Deo exuded, he had felt before the subtle tingling sensation that followed any intrusion. Therefore, he knew his colleague was politely keeping to himself and truly had no idea what was occupying his thoughts.

“I’m fine. I appreciate your concern, but there is nothing to worry about.”

The others stayed quiet.

“No, I’m not going to talk about it.”

Deo raised his eyebrows in a concerned fashion, while Ghaleese glanced away and Holms smirked.

“I’m telling y’all, it’s a girl.”

“OH my gawd, Geoff!”

“I’m sure he’d tell us. Wouldn’t you, Daniel?”

His eyelids fluttered as he fought the urge to roll his eyes. Very rarely did the urge hit him, but most often did so during his conversations with these three.

“Alright, alright, let’s get back to it, shall we,” Ghaleese redirected, failing terribly to hide her smile.

“If Mister Love-struck can pay attention-“

“GEOFF!”

Snickering abounded and he had to fight to keep his face schooled. He didn’t dislike their banter. Or their prying. These individuals were probably the closest he’d ever had to friends and the comradery was… nice.

The conversation went back on track smoothly, revolving back to the patients they were discussing, one of which being Alfred Vanderholt. The original question was if there was any physical damage being done during Mister Vanderholt’s usage of his psionic reservoir. None that Daniel could detect. More precisely, due to the heavy energy saturation of his tissues, if any damage was inflicted it was immediately repaired as his body’s healing factor was increased beyond natural human levels.

As they moved on the next patient, Daniel’s senses lit up like a flair. He whipped his head to his private office door in time to see the fuzzy visage of Paulette through the frosted glass of the window. She knocked on the door with what seemed a casual air, but her vitals shot a sliver of panic through his insides.

“Daniel? What’s wrong?” Ghaleese questioned, worry coloring her voice.

All three of his colleagues were aware of his private setup and knew there was literally no reason someone would be knocking on his door without his expressed permission to be on his floor first. In this case, his inclination wasn’t towards anger but apprehension.

“Please excuse me.” He quickly muted his mic and got up without looking at them, focused solely on Paulette’s anxiety. Flinging the door open without reserve, he got to see the concern written all over her face as she wrung her hands nervously. “What’s wrong?”

She took a deep breath, bouncing on her feet as her tail whipped around behind her. “I… would you?” She held her hand out.

He took it without thinking, trying in fact not to think so as not to imagine a needlessly horrendous scenario. His office was quickly replaced with crisp mountain air, the floor beneath his feet now the damp wood planks of a deck.

Angus’ house.

Paulette gripped his hand tight and bobbed her other hand as if she were about to say something. She instead shook her head and turned to open the French doors into the dining room. A loud roar met his ears, sounding more animal than human. His senses already told him who it belonged to even if he hadn’t recognized the voice. Paulette guided him past the tall dining table and chairs to the hall while noises of splintering wood and ripping fabric cut the air. Her hand left his to grip his shoulder when they came to the entrance of the living room, shattering glass flying by their feet.

“I’m gonna tear his fucking face off!” Nessa thundered, teeth bared and eyes wide as she stood amid the destruction she’d wrought to the furniture and walls. “Give me my phone or let me out!”

Angus stood at his full height, resolute and unmoving in the threshold of the room. “No. I won’t let you do something stupid.”

Ashton, in the far corner looking ready to tackle his sister, nodded in agreement.

Nessa roared once more, crouching into herself with her claws poised. “I’m TIRED of being the bigger person! I’m gonna rip his fucken throat out and shove it so far up his ass that the only way anyone will hear him speak is if he bends over and puts his face on the floor!”

“Nessa.”

All eyes turned to him. He’d already stepped away from Polly and now slowly made his way to stand next to Angus, eyes never leaving Nessa’s.

She stared, disbelief washing over her. Then her lower lip trembled, and her eyes started to shine. All at once, her anger fell away, and tears raced down her cheeks as she raised her hands in a useless attempt to hide her face. “Gramma… why did you bring him here?” she whined.

Polly said nothing. Neither did the others.

He raised a hand towards her, his eyes stinging as he tried to calm himself. “Nessa.”

Her breaths were now coming in halting gasps as she peeked through her fingers. Without another word she came, trudging through the remains of the demolished couch and broken coffee table and not making a single noise of pain walking barefoot over the broken glass of the shelves of the entertainment center now in shambles. By the time she made it to him she was sobbing uncontrollably and fell to her knees into his arms.

He held her securely, one hand in her hair and the other pressing her closer to him as she buried her face in his neck. It was a few moments before he spoke, giving her time to settle against him. “Would you like me to calm you?”

Nearly wailing at his soft words, she squeezed him tighter. “Ye-yeah,” she managed, her answer buried immediately with more halting breaths and unrestrained cries.

He did as he offered, closing his eyes and leaning into her as he carefully slowed her heart’s beating and opened up her restricted bronchi, allowing each breath she took to more effectively bring her needed air. He refrained from going so far as to incite further oxytocin production. The amount already flowing would do the trick.

It wasn’t until a full minute passed, everyone remaining quiet if not stationary, that he finally asked what he felt he rightly deserved to know.

“What’s going on?”

Nessa, still crying, but much quieter and less violently, squeezed him to her with a whine.

Angus moved forward, pulling out his phone. Dread crept into Daniel’s mind as he tried to keep his thoughts under control. A few swipes of Angus’ thumb and the phone was turned towards him, a text message displayed on the screen. A sick feeling gripped his stomach as he saw the picture first. It was him and Nessa at the park yesterday, taken from afar – the other side of the lake – during their kiss.

[Zack: You’re okay with Ness sleeping with a man old enough to take your place?? You really just letting this happen? The family doc too? That’s kinda fucked up, isn’t it?]

No words came to mind that could adequately express just how that made him feel. He took a deep breath, forcibly calming himself as he maintained Nessa’s vitals. Her tears continued to soak through his coat and shirt as she buried her face further into the crook of his neck.

“You, uh,” Ashton looked away at his gaze, hand gripping his phone tightly, “you don’t want to know what he sent me.”

“Yes, I do,” he insisted. He would have said more, but suddenly found himself unable to speak, merely holding his stare.

Ashton swallowed nervously, but obliged, running a hand through his grey-brown hair as he picked his way through the glass still on the floor.

He’d been right. Daniel’s stomach turned even worse when he saw Zack’s words to Nessa’s brother.

[Doucheface: You really letting your sister fuck the doctor, dude? What’s that about? Fucks for drugs or some shit!? The fuck is wrong with you??]

He closed his eyes. Calming himself proved harder this time. Nuzzling into Nessa’s hair, he breathed in, taking in her scent as his other hand gripped the material of her sweater.

“Well… This isn’t quite how I envisioned informing you,” he managed, his voice stiff.

Angus let out a huff of a laugh. “We already knew, Daniel,” he said gently.

“I would rather still have had the opportunity to tell you properly.”

Nessa’s heart rate spiked again, and his coat ripped as she bit down at his collar. He didn’t care, still leaning into her and still holding her close. Opening his eyes despite the sting working up, he looked around at the mess Nessa had made and suddenly felt it wasn’t enough. As satisfying as breaking inanimate objects could be, that wouldn’t solve what he now felt was a bigger problem than it once was. “So. What are you going to do?”

“We, Daniel,” Polly corrected in a soft voice.

“And the answer is we don’t know, yet,” Angus followed up. “Nothing too extreme until we get Isabelle back.”

His grip around Nessa tightened as if of its own accord and he clenched his teeth.

“I can just-“

“No, Mam,” Angus cut Polly off swiftly. “I don’t want to risk you invading his house to grab her unless it becomes necessary.”

“I think I have a plan,” Ashton suggested. “I don’t know if it’ll work…”

“Okay.” Polly huffed and closed the distance to the living room threshold. “We’ll go over options. But first, cleanup. And you two,” she placed a hand on Daniel’s shoulder and the other Nessa’s back, “go calm down while we clean.”

“Gramma-“

“No talk-back. Go.”

Nessa sniffed loudly but made no further protest. Neither did he, unwilling to contend with Polly but also unconvinced he would do so well enough if he tried. Nessa stood, leaving an arm draped possessively around his shoulders as they turned to the dining room. His arm encircled her waist and he had no intention of removing it. Following her lead to the dining room and out the French doors, he said nothing, not even once they made it onto the deck. She immediately went to her knees again and he welcomed the proximity, holding her close once more.

“I can’t believe him.”

Daniel moved as she did, looking into her eyes, puffy from crying. He still had no words. What could he say? Instead, he opted for gestures, bringing his hand around to run the backs of his fingers against her skin, touching his forehead to hers. Her eyes fluttered for a moment, but her expression marred once more.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“That this happened.”

He shook his head. “This is no fault of yours.”

She sniffed, her eyes glassing over again.

In lieu of a better idea of what to do, Daniel went with his instinct. He cupped her cheek and pressed his lips to hers gently. Nessa was slow to respond, but her ardor built once she did. Her arms hugging him closer to her at his waist, she leaned forward, deepening their kiss. His fingers trailed further into her hair then down her neck, his thumb ghosting over her jawline and down her throat.

It was too late by the time he’d realized what he did.

She gasped against his lips, a whisp of a moan leaving her as her eyes fluttered open. Already thrust further out of his experience than he ordinarily would be due to current events, he wasn’t sure how to respond when she leaned back and looked at him with an expression he couldn’t read.

“I knew it.”

He swallowed nervously.

A smile crept along her face. “Do it again.”

He hesitated. However, the look on her face, the feel of her thumbs raking up his spine and a random sense of abandon got the better of him.

Moving his fingers up her neck, he increased the sensitivity of her skin again, then slowly dragged his fingertips back down, just barely making contact. Nessa’s eyelids fluttered as her eyes rolled back and she bit her lip. Her body’s reaction said even more than her face and he quickly found his own working out from under his control.

“How long have you been doing that?”

The sudden playfulness in her voice was infectious. “Accidentally or on purpose?”

With a giggle she moved, swiftly hooking an arm around his legs and standing.

“Nessa! Why do you insist on picking me up so casually?”

Another giggle was his only answer as her mouth found his throat. It was his turn to bite his lip, eyes closed tight. He’d found his neck was naturally far more sensitive than he realized. Nessa had found this too. And she was good at taking advantage of it. Too soon, his senses were overrun, and he was gasping for breath in the cold mountain air. Managing to redirect her attention, their lips colliding once again, he was taken completely off guard when the French doors opened.

“Are you too al- oop!” Angus’ voice cut off with a sharp smack of the doors shutting.

Heat rushed his whole body, and he buried his face into Nessa’s neck as she laughed without reserve. “Can we please go somewhere more private?” he all but whimpered.

“Sure thing,” she breathed into his ear.

As he shivered, his mind chose that moment to remind him of the situation he’d left behind at his office. However, the only concern that made it from his lips was hardly the most important. “I still have my lab coat on.”

“And?” Nessa questioned, already walking toward her offshoot, still holding him securely against her.

“Yu will smell it.”

She stopped short. Then all out guffawed. “Yu’s a Daimo!?”

He groaned. “I can neither confirm nor deny,” he muttered into her hair.

“Well,” she continued her trek, “let’s give her something to think about, shall we?”

Without warning her tail made its presence known in a very delicate location.

“N-Nessa!”

***

Chapter 10: Retrieval, Retreat, and Relief

He wasn’t fond of using his reputation flippantly. But Daniel felt this situation was extreme enough that telling Miss Yu and his colleagues he had an emergency to tend to was justified. Though he did thoroughly apologize for his four-hour absence yesterday and the abrupt walkout that preceded it.

The park was chilly and cold, clouds thick and grey in the sky above. Even with extra layers, he was fighting the lower temperature. It did not go without his notice that Polly was standing closer than she may have ordinarily and placing herself against the breeze to buffer him from it. They were waiting by the lake, standing back while Nessa, Ashton and Angus waited at the athletic areas for Zack’s arrival. He would have rather they all been there together, but it was decided it best not to have everyone present so as not to scare the young man off. Especially considering he knew that Polly could take him anywhere she wanted, and no one would know any better.

They were a family of villains after all.

The disrespectful idiot was lucky they weren’t so vicious as their public personas made them out to be.

Ashton’s plan was simple: the story was the family had planned a surprise get-together for Nessa and Isabelle and accidentally did so during the week Zack was to have her. With the family already gathered, they were requesting to take Izzy back for the week and Zack could have her next week.

Of course, they had no intention of handing her back over to him.

Surprisingly, he had agreed to the exchange with no argument. Nessa had been the one to let him know of the fabricated circumstance, and with no response from either Angus or Ashton to his texts, there was no way really to know if he thought this exercise wasn’t legitimate. Either way, they weren’t going to let him change his mind if they could help it.

Polly bounced on the balls of her feet, looking north as if she could see what was going on despite the distance.

“They’ll let us know.”

“I knooow. I just hate waiting in the dark.”

“Would it ease your mind any if I mentioned it’s only,” he glanced at his watch, “ten-sixteen in the morning?” Quickly stuffing his hand back in his coat pocket, he looked up to see Polly stop bouncing and blink rapidly.

She looked to him as a grin crawled along her face. “Was that… an attempt at humor?”

He stared blankly, trying to determine if she was delighted or offended. Her metrics could indicate either way.

So could her grin.

She answered the question for him with a laugh, resting a hand to her hip and rubbing her brow with the other. Her cosmetic base held up well, staying easily under her touch. “My goodness, what has my granddaughter done to you?”

The question was unexpected, as were the answers his mind provided to her abruptness. Heat trailed into his cheeks, and while he would ordinarily have worked to prevent it, the urge to fight the cold won out to welcome the warmth.

Polly giggled then crossed her arms, her large, puffed-up coat ballooning as she did so. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound inappropriate,” she offered, smile still playing at her lips.

“It wasn’t,” he responded simply, glancing away to the ducks and swans going about their business in the lake.

“Thank you.”

Confusion swelled at the comment of gratitude, and he tilted his head before looking back up to the matriarch. “I’m sorry?”

“Thank you for being here,” she said softly.

Her gaze pinned him down with a subtle intensity he was unfamiliar with. Not knowing how to respond, or if he was expected to, he decided it best to give his honest input. “I’d rather be here than not.”

Silence passed between them. The question of why she thought he wouldn’t want to be present crossed his mind, but he let it pass by. Considering the person they were dealing with currently, he imagined it was refreshing to have someone show some basic decency.

“Took you long enough.”

He froze. “What?”

An amused hum escaped her. “You heard me.”

Before he could question further, Polly’s arm draped over his shoulders. The motherly expression gracing her face robbed him of words and he couldn’t even be embarrassed of his blatant staring.

“You’ve been a part of this family for a long time. I’m glad you’ve finally realized it.”

Those words echoed in his head, ricocheting from one side of his mind to the other. It wasn’t quite disbelief that met them, nor did some affirmation that they were true float in their wake. Perhaps it was both, surety and skepticism mixing together to form an amalgamation that had no real classification available to it. Nevertheless, Daniel found himself speechless, standing helplessly at Polly’s side. And yet, he leaned into her hold, not reciprocating, but unwilling to back away; unsure of the validity of this affection, but unable to see it in a deceitful light. It was certainly true that they involved him in so much of their lives outside of the necessity of a medical contract. The same had been true for years, a decade even, maybe more. In all that time, he had simply seen it as some obligatory kindness, as if they felt they needed to as some extra extension of payment for his services. However, that didn’t explain why he had grown so comfortable around every single one of them that being invited to a family gathering was natural and welcome; why he felt safe enough around them to stay in a spare room if his services extended late into the night or took too much of a toll on him… why they cared so much about him and he them.

“Thank you.”

Polly giggled. “That’s my line, silly.”

A smile tugged at Daniel’s lips, but he said no more.

They stayed that way for a while, in an odd yet comfortable embrace. Her warmth was more than physical, and it provided a welcome distraction from the very physical cold and the very emotional situation.

Until it started raining.

He shivered as the cold drops melted into his hair and trickled down his face. “It wasn’t supposed to rain today.”

“Are you surprised they didn’t keep their word?” Polly questioned playfully, pulling out a collapsed umbrella. Clicking the button to expand it, she quickly held it over them, staying close to him as she held it low over her head. “At least the wind stopped.”

“Mmm.” He burrowed his face further into his scarf, shoulders tense. “Has she-“

“Ah!” Polly reached into her pocket, effectively answering his question before he asked it.

He watched her hand as much as her face, her brows furrowed as she read. “He’s here.”

“And?” he prodded, looking at her over the rims of his glasses.

“He’s apparently not alone, but he’s the only one getting out of the car.”

Dread pooled in his chest. He watched quietly as Polly moved her thumb, typing out her response.

“Not liking that,” she muttered under her breath.

“Neither am I,” he concurred.

“She said you mentioned he was under the influence of something.”

Daniel met her worried gaze. “Yes. But I am unable to identify what the something is without testing. I can only speculate based on his symptoms.”

“There was nothing to suggest he could act as a result of the substance?”

He felt how his pause did her no favors, her heart rate increasing noticeably. “It’s only speculation.”

Polly cocked her head. “But?”

Her implication weighed on him and he swallowed against sudden anxiety. “I noticed an anger response when we met with him. I also noticed how it did not subside despite stimulation that ought to have assuaged it.”

She looked away, nibbling the inside of her lip.

“I did not take him for an anger-prone individual during the times I was in his company,” he added.

“Yeah. Neither did I.” She rolled her eyes and shrugged. “A little spoiled, maybe, but not rotten.”

He rose a brow. “Meaning?”

Polly heaved a sigh. “He was polite and well-mannered, though naïve to certain things in a way only a rich family’s kid can be, you know?”

Daniel nodded. “I see. Yes, I’d recognized that as well.”

Silence entered between them only broken by the sound of the rain hitting the umbrella and grass around them.

“There was a little hint of entitlement I wasn’t fond of.” His gaze drifted from the ripples of the lake’s surface back to Polly’s face, her eyes staring ahead but unfocused. “It usually went away fairly quickly, as if he was reminding himself not to be that way. But now I wonder,” her eyes narrowed, “if he was simply toning it down whenever me and Angus were around.”

He clenched his fists in his pickets. “You think he’s been intentionally deceptive?”

“I don’t know. Like you said,” she blinked and met his gaze, “it’s only speculation.”

It was only speculation. But that didn’t stop a surge of overprotective ire flaring to life in his chest, buzzing through his limbs to create an intense and immediate urge to run to Nessa’s side and see for himself that everything was going smoothly. Something about his expression must of spoke to this feeling, regardless of the schooled mask he was so used to wearing, because Polly tilted her head with a smirk.

“Oh, don’t worry. He’ll continue to behave if he knows what’s good for him.”

Yes. He will.

Daniel forced a deep breath, looking away as he calmed his body.

Polly’s phone vibrated again. She smiled when she unlocked the screen. “All done! They’re on their way back.”

He narrowed his eyes. “That easy?”

“Apparently?” Polly blinked rapidly. “We’ll just have to see when they get here,” she said lowly, looking to the north.

Moving around her, he watched too, looking over his glasses to the distance. It was uncomfortable to have his vision focus on something too far away, and he usually had no need of it so hadn’t allowed it in quite some time. As such, he was unsurprised when the ache in his eyes grew into pinpricks of pain for a brief moment. When the pain leveled back out to a tolerable ache, the pitches and courts of the athletic area came into sharp focus as if he held binoculars to his eyes.

He sighed in relief, seeing them walking quickly back to the lake. Even under the shade of the umbrella Angus held over her, he could make out Izzy wrapped comfortably in Nessa’s arms. “They appear to be fine.”

“Wait, you can see over there? Why didn’t you look earlier?”

He looked to Polly without thinking and flinched, squeezing his eyes shut. “Mmm. Multiple reasons,” he muttered, running his fingers under his glasses to rub against the sudden throbbing ache.

Polly giggled and gave him another one-armed hug. “Just had to risk it, huh?”

A strained “mmm” left his lips but he said nothing more.

The wait passed agonizingly slow, but once they were close enough, he and Polly closed the remaining distance to meet them.

“So, no fight? No argument?” Polly started off, grinning down at Izzy’s happy burbling. “Hey, baby!”

“No, not at all,” Nessa answered. “He said it worked better this way, cuz he had a business meeting with his dad to go to and was gonna ask if I’d take her back anyway.” She shrugged. “I have no clue how valid that is, and I don’t care.”

“And he didn’t say anything about Angus and Ashton being there?”

Daniel tuned out the conversation, raising his arms insistently towards Izzy.

Nessa passed her to him as if it was second nature, focusing on him while she answered. “Not a word. Barely even acknowledged them.”

Polly’s hand was at his shoulder and the cold, rainy air of the park was replaced by the warm, fire-kissed air of Angus’ living room. Izzy squealed happily in his arms, patting at his cheeks before grabbing his glasses. He let her take them, too concerned with her metrics to care.

Relief washed over him, and the tension melted from his shoulders as he looked to Nessa. “She’s fine.”

Nessa grinned and dropped to her knees, wrapping her arms around the both of them. “Good. All good – isn’t it baby-girl!” she chirped, nibbling Izzy’s hair and ear, eliciting happy laughter.

The rest of the day went by comfortably. While he probably should have gone back to the clinic to continue his work, the insistent urge to be close to Nessa and Izzy was overwhelming. And evidently the others weren’t too keen on him leaving any time soon anyway. He was not blind to their subtle changes in demeanor. While none of the family had ever been reserved around him in any way before, it felt as if they were somehow more open now, in conversation and expression. And while he reasoned it was surely due to the current situation, he detected an almost protective air in the way they moved around him. Nessa and Izzy were understandable, but he was rather surprised that it extended to him as well.

It was well past evening when Daniel stood watching Izzy as she drifted to sleep in her crib, set up along the wall close to Nessa’s bed. His arm was dangling over the rail, finger squeezed tightly in the girl’s possessive grip. He couldn’t properly express how monumental his relief was that she was safe back in her mother’s care. But he welcomed it, nonetheless.

Nessa entered the room quietly, placing two mugs on the dresser by the door before padding over to him and wrapping a hand around his shoulder.

“She’s sleeping.”
“Good. She’s had a busy day,” Nessa said with a soft giggle. She then reached down and grabbed Izzy’s stuffed cat, putting it on top of her and expertly wiggling the little one’s hand around Daniel’s finger to get her to grab the soft fluff instead. It worked, though not without some mild whining. It was smile inducing all the same as the little girl hugged the stuffed animal tight and drifted right back off without a care.

He let Nessa lead him away to the dresser where she handed him a mug of hot chocolate, made with almond milk for his liking. Letting the steam warm his face, he glanced up with a slight smile. “Thank you.”

She smirked back but her face fell slowly as she looked into her own cup. “Are you okay?”

The question was sudden and struck him as odd. He tilted his head as a result, examining her carefully. “Why do you ask?”

Her thumb stroked the side of her mug, and she took a deep breath. “You seem quiet… er.” she glanced away.

For a moment he did nothing but watch her. She wasn’t wrong. His thoughts had been heavy, despite his attempts to keep them at bay. That overwhelming urge to be near was a result of a different urge; one that usually wasn’t quite so strong.

Daniel looked to his mug, the dresser, then around the room. Making a decision, he placed his mug back on her dresser and reached up to carefully take hers and do the same. He then gripped her hand and led her to her bed. Without hesitation he stepped up and onto the mattress. When he turned, her confusion was clear, but he didn’t let it stop him. He leaned forward and wrapped his arms over her shoulders, pulling her close. She hesitated for only a moment before wrapping her arms around his middle and leaning into him.

The undeniable surge of protectiveness that he’d felt so clearly from the others throughout the day had raged in his own chest like a caged animal. He had no idea what to do with it, or how to use it properly. He only knew it was present and was showing no signs of fading.

With no idea how to say this to Nessa with words, he instead moved with instinct, kissing her cheek, again and again, trailing to her lips. He untangled his arms from around her neck to ghost his fingers over her skin and into her hair, cradling her head softly. Her lips moved with his and her hands clawed gently up his back, her tail wrapping around his legs as she pulled him closer.

They were quiet and careful, spending the rest of the night speaking without words.

***

Chapter 11: Another Day In The Life

Friday seemed to fly by, despite the extra work he’d accumulated through his absences. Luckily, Miss Yu was as thorough as he was, so standard patients were well taken care of without too much input from his end. She didn’t let him get away from her scrutiny, however, even if she didn’t say a word.

Her knowing glances and subtle smirks said enough.

By the time evening came, Nessa texting she was outside the maintenance door, he was hardly of a mind to remember the interactions. Izzy wasn’t present, staying with Polly over the weekend. He wasn’t sure if Nessa’s request to stay the weekend with him was entirely her idea or if Polly had a hand in it.

He wasn’t about to complain.

Despite her having spent the night with him at the clinic several times already, this stay felt different. The air around them felt lighter, their smiles coming easier than before, their laughter quicker. And when the hour was right, sleep was so comfortable and all-consuming that he’d almost commented at how bizarre it felt the following morning. But conversation was occupied with other subjects. Ones that put a damper on things. And reminded him why he made a point to avoid mainstream news outlets.

“Specifics are still incoming from this morning’s altercation between the hero White Wizard and notorious villain Red Reaper. Estimates right now are that-“

Daniel took a deep breath, eyeing the holoscreen of Nessa’s tablet.

“He didn’t really have a choice,” she murmured. “They were raiding in his territory, and he had to cause a distraction so the residents-“

“The details of his domain are not my concern.” Her silence prompted him to reiterate what she already knew. “My mission statement is that I treat anyone regardless of occupation, status or creed. I don’t need to know what any of my patients do outside of their interactions with me.” He felt her narrow her eyes.

“Wait a minute.”

He said nothing.

“White Wizard is a patient of yours too!?”

Remaining silent was both answering the question and avoiding it. It couldn’t be helped. He huffed through his nose, averting his eyes to hers.

Nessa groaned, rubbing her face. “Great.”

“As I said, my patients’ personal lives are their own. I only need to know specifics pertinent to my involvement with them.”

“It’s still gotta suck, cuz it’s not like you don’t know.”

He raised a brow with a muted hum in response. Looking back to the holoscreen, he raised a hand from his crossed arms, grasping his chin in thought. “Based on the report it’s likely he was taken to Hall Medical Center.”

“That’s right, you get hospital calls sometimes.”

“If my client is adamant, yes.”

“You think you might have to take off, then?”

“I won’t know until I get that call.”

Saying as much reminded him of his phone still charging at his desk. He walked the short distance from the small dining table in the kitchen area to retrieve it. As he unplugged it from the charge cord, he spied a small paper package just next to the power strip. He’d left it there the day before, purposely close to something he looked at regularly so he wouldn’t forget. Nessa’s presence had a tendency to sidetrack his mind, however. He grabbed the packet, checking his phone as he trekked back to the table.

“Nothing for the moment,” he commented absently. “Here. I forgot to give this to you last night.”

Nessa blinked in surprise but took the packet without hesitation. Upon opening it and looking inside she froze.

Paying more attention to the news report than her, he only looked over when the paper stopped rattling. “What’s wrong?”

Nessa tilted her head, her face unreadable as she upended the packet, a ring of five keys falling into her hand. “Are these what I think they are?”

Her metrics were hard to decipher, as was her tone of voice and body language. Though confused, he thought it best to simply identify them, as opposed to guessing what she was thinking. “They are a spare set of keys. I’ll show you which lock each one goes to, as I don’t make a point of idling when using them, so I’m sure you haven’t yet memorized-“

“You’re giving me a set of keys?”

Her pearlescent eyes were locked on his and he found himself even further confused and perhaps a little anxious at this reaction. “Yes. It will be easier than my having to- MPH!”

With scarcely a second of time to react, Daniel was wholly unprepared for Nessa to launch out of the chair, slide to her knees and engulf him in a hug, her lips tightly claiming his. She loosened her hold and leaned back, her face sporting a wide grin despite an odd apologetic air about her. “You don’t have to do this. It’s a huge leap of trust to just give me a set of keys to your whole… place!”

Despite his surprise, one brow shot up. “I’ve known you for twenty-two years.”

She erupted into giggles and dropped her head to his shoulder. “Okay, but you don’t give everyone you’ve known forever keys to your house!”

A smile spread across his face at her words. “I’m not giving these to everyone.”

“Oh – em – gee!”

He yelped when her teeth contacted his neck.

Their morning antics didn’t last too long, as he wanted to keep his mind in working order in case he got a call after all. However, the minutes turned into an hour and then two. Relaxing into the day, Nessa spontaneously reminded him they hadn’t showered yet. Both had agreed some time ago that if they were to shower together, it need be done so with the intent of actual bathing. No need to create a problem needlessly with his situation as it was. And having bathed together multiple times already, Daniel once again found himself curious as to how Nessa could perform the exact same functions he did, and yet somehow take three times as long to do so.

Though, he was aware how much of a handicap her hair was.

A slight, involuntary shiver ran through his shoulders as he stood at the sink, towel wrapped around his middle as he cut his nails. Her hair was her own, to grow to whatever length suited her. But he was immensely grateful she was overly aware of how much of it she lost regularly to shedding, keeping up with collecting and disposing of the spare strands as if it was a nervous habit.

“Okay, I have a question.”

He raised a brow, glancing to her over his glasses. She’d pulled back the clear shower curtain, keeping the showerhead aimed away to minimize splash, and was running her fingers through the current object of his thoughts. “Yes?”

She smirked, rousing his suspicion.

“So. I’ve spent the night several times, you’ve spent the night several times. And when you spend the night on purpose you have your night bag, like anyone does.”

He froze in his nail clipping efforts, keeping his gaze averted.

“And not once have I seen a razor.”

Oh no.

“I’ve also not seen a straight blade, or a laser light, or anything aside from your buzzer and a pair of scissors – it’s sinful how well you cut your own hair, by the way – and I know damn-good-and-well you don’t have the time or patience to go somewhere to get waxed. And that’s ignoring how that would absolutely fuck with your sensory overload.”

He said not a word, staring at his nails, hoping hopelessly that she wasn’t about to ask what he knew was the only possible question she could be leading up to.

“How in the world do you not have any body or facial hair?”

He hadn’t felt the overwhelming desire to both not move a muscle and yet run far, far away in a very long time. And yet, he could feel his face betraying him as he tried to keep himself reserved.

Evidently, his failure was easy to see.

“Oh my god, what?” Nessa questioned with a giggle. “I’ve been trying to figure it out for weeks!”

An odd noise left his nose as he dropped his hands to the sink. He heaved a sigh and looked at her over his glasses, embarrassment curling in his gut. “Please don’t tell anyone.”

It was Nessa’s turn to freeze, but he could see it clearly. She already knew.

“No way.”

He ran his fingers into his eyes.

“Oh my GAWD! You did not!” she piped, collapsing into laughter.

“Yes,” he admitted. “I stunted the hair follicles on my lower face and everywhere else below the neck.”

For her part, Nessa attempted to silence herself. She failed.

Her mirth was contagious and despite the heat rushing into his face, he smiled with her.

“Why, though?” she managed through her giggles.

This is because I was thinking about her hair, isn’t it? He shook his head, attempting to resume cutting his nails. “I don’t think you want to know.”

“Oh damn-straight, I do!”

A snicker escaped him, and he lowered his hands again. He was quiet a moment, trying to determine if there was any pleasant way to relay the information. There really wasn’t.

Best out with it, then. He shook his head again and closed his eyes in defeat. “I couldn’t handle all the hair.”

Nessa’s giggles sounded more like she was trying not to drown in the shower water. “We all have hair, babe! It’s natural.”

“You don’t understand.” It was his turn to try not to drown, but in his own embarrassment. “I… had too much hair… everywhere.”

“Nu-uh!”

“Nessa, I do not say this lightly.”

“I request proof,” she stated flatly despite the smirk on her face. “Pictures or I won’t believe you.”

He stared at her. Thinking.

Not fond of pictures of himself, he’d never found the need to keep any. That didn’t mean some didn’t exist.

Daniel narrowed his eyes. “I only have one.”

“You have a full-body-“

“No, but it will prove my point.”

“Oh really?” she jabbed, leaning against the shower wall and crossing one leg over the other.

“Back when I was at university, during a project that I took the brunt of the responsibility for, there was a stretch of time where I hadn’t shaved for seven days.” He resumed cutting his nails, eager to be done but also eager to keep his eyes averted. He was trying to keep his head on after all.

“Only seven days, huh?”

“You will understand, I assure you.”

After they’d finished up and dressed, he led her out of his living area and across the hall to the storage space that acted as his personal library. Unlocking the door and leading her in, he was oddly pleased to hear her gasp of surprise. It wasn’t common for most people to keep physical books anymore, no matter their purpose or genre. A good percentage of his were collected during his university years, the nature of his eyes making it hard for him to read screens for a great length of time. While his professional work wasn’t quite as demanding as his coursework had been, he still preferred staring at physical pages for extended reading.

He made his way to the end, Nessa following slowly as she looked over the plethora of titles ranging from dictionaries, terminology books, billing and coding manuals, volumes of surgical practices and procedures, essay and dissertation collections, medical journals and more, all stuffed in shelves or stacked on or under the utility counter built into the walls of the room. His target was at the back of the collection, buried behind his old school binders still filled with course materials he’d printed out and kept. Pulling the binders out and shoving them aside along the countertop, he reached to the back of the shelf and retrieved the university yearbook. He’d not been fond of it at the time, mostly because he’d had work to do and the students running it always had a habit of barging in at the worst moments. The picture of himself he wanted to find was a result of that exact behavior.

The spine creaked when he opened it, the slick pages stiff with age. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d looked through the relic, but he remembered where the “special projects” section was, finding it with ease. His class had been working on a simulation of a real-life medical mystery with virtual patients, each team having a different patient with different symptoms and circumstances to decipher. His team hadn’t taken the project seriously, but he hadn’t been willing to accept a failing grade due to their incompetence. Hence, he’d ended up taking on nearly every task himself.

He let out a huff through his nose as he spied the evidence of his exhaustion. “Here.” He smoothed out the page and turned to Nessa. “Your proof.”

She was at his side immediately, leaving her examination of one of the anatomy titles. Her face lit up when she saw the picture. “Oh… my goodness!”

“I don’t know why you’re excited.” he glanced back at the image. “I look horrible,” he mumbled.

“No, you don’t! Holy shit, look at you!” She knelt, leaning on the counter to get closer.

The picture in question had him standing next to the whiteboard he’d been using, his handwriting sprawled all over every surface not covered by pictures or medical journal page printouts. His sour mood was clearly visible to his own eyes, though he was sure it was simply his memory of that day because it was near impossible to determine his expression through the thick fluff covering his face and neck. Coupled with his naturally curly hair nearly passing his shoulders, he’d been harassed with the moniker of Charles Manson on many occasions.

“That’s more than a week’s growth.”

“That is exactly seven days.”

“No way.”

“Yes way.”

“How long is that?”

“Nearly a centimeter.”

“No way!“

Heaving a sigh, he crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. “As I said. There was simply too much. It was absolutely necessary that I shave every morning and if I wanted to be the same level of presentable by evening, I would have to shave again around one.”

Nessa smiled, eyes never leaving the picture. “How old were you?”

That question blind-sided him. Daniel tilted his head, thinking back. “Twenty-three, I believe.”

“Oooh, you were a baby!”

“That’s only two years younger than you are now.”

She gave him a playful smirk. “Still a baby.”

He huffed.

With a giggle she looked back, running her fingers over the picture. “Look at how long your hair is, too.”

“Yes. I took on heavy loads. Keeping up with my face was time consuming enough without worrying about my head hair as well.”

“Do you have any other pictures of when you were younger?”

Raising a brow he reached over to thumb to another section of the book, gently turning to the student body roster. He flipped a couple pages to his class, finding his portrait with ease. His hair was just as long, but he’d made a point to shave. He hadn’t smiled either. He’d not had much reason to, and no one was phased by it at that point.

“Look at yooouuuu,” Nessa hissed, picking the book up to look closer. “You look…”

His gaze darted to her face when she paused. Confusion marred her expression as she looked at him then back to the picture.

“You look exactly the same.”

He looked back as well. Examining the image more closely, he couldn’t say she was wrong. But then, there wasn’t much reason for his face to change to any great extent. Being a healthy individual his whole life and refraining from most activities that had a tendency to age the skin, it wasn’t that much of a surprise.

He narrowed his eyes, tilting his head to look over the rims of his glasses.

She had a point, though.

“Are you an ImLiv?”

The playful question jolted him from his scrutiny. “Hardly. I did not undergo a Fever during my thirties. ImLiv also don’t possess permanent physical manifestations as we do-“

“I know, I know, I’m just being silly,” she cut him off. “Sure could pass for one, though.”

“Hmm.” He decided not to debate her on the subject, especially with her self-admitted silliness at play.

“You ever gonna grow your hair out for me?”

“Never.”

“Oh, come on!”

“It’s time to put the book back now.”

“Pleeease!”

“No.”

“What if I kiss you till you can’t breathe?”

“You do that already.”

“… damn.”

***

Chapter 12: Unexpected Consequences

Monday was shaping up to be hectic.

They were dealing with an inordinate number of walk-ins, both regular patients and otherwise. This was the norm for the start of winter. However, with their routines well-kept and general practices and procedures strictly adhered to, his nurses were taking it all in stride. Thankfully so, as he and Yu had their hands busy.

Daniel rounded the wall divider, walking to his desk while focused on the forms attached to his clipboard. He wasn’t surprised to see Mr. Zimmer – White Wizard – in for an impromptu visit after Saturday’s events. The hero had managed to talk them into discharging him from Hall Medical, but only after a second overnight stay.

Angus did well, he mused, not for the first time over the last two decades.

Angus was particularly versed in how to injure someone painfully without the injury being fatal in the long run. He’d pierced Zimmer with dozens of short spikes, spread out along his ribcage like a spiderweb. They’d only sunk in about a centimeter. Zimmer wasn’t overweight, but he wasn’t underweight either, his BMI running between twenty-five and thirty during his seven-year contract. Hence the spikes hit more fatty tissues before reaching muscle and hadn’t gone deep enough to be truly worrisome.

Didn’t make for a happy patient, though.

Daniel sat and unlocked his computer, opening his email with the intent to request Zimmer’s temporary patient profile from HMC. A high priority email side-tracked his attention. He opened it to find it an urgent request for response from one of his private contracts. Reading the message, concerning a certain Mrs. Gearsa and an apparent accident involving her son and his hoverbike, he was surprised to see her mentioning he hadn’t answered her text messages. His brows furrowing, he reached into his pocket.

His phone was indeed missing.

He heaved a small sigh. Despite Sunday evening having passed calmly, Nessa spiriting away during the afternoon to help with sudden obligations, this morning he’d been woken up before his alarm by calls and messages from Yu and patients. Amidst getting ready to go downstairs, he must have left his phone on the desk while picking up other articles he’d found need of.

He could only imagine how many messages he’d missed already.

Only Gearsa’s appeared to be a mild emergency, so he could find relief in that. “Miss Laquisha.”

“Yes, Doc?”

“Do you have five minutes or less?”

“Yessir, sure do!”

“Would you find Miss Yu for me and let her know I will be absent from the floor for approximately ten minutes with possibility I will be needed offsite pending.” No sooner had he spoken did he sense Yu’s metrics heading towards the stairwell. “Actually, nevermind.”

“It’s fine, I can do it,” Laquisha insisted.

“Not necessary, please continue as you were.”

“Okay.”

He barely heard her dejected mumble over the bustle of the other nurses and staff in the office. Focusing on writing the email request for Zimmer’s profile, he resolved to check in with her when a spare moment arose. He’d noticed her moods fluctuating lately, and while he couldn’t detect a health-related reason, he didn’t want to go too long without addressing it. If she perhaps had a personal situation that needed tending to, he would rather give her the opportunity to handle it without causing her any undue stress.

Within a minute, both his email to HMC and a request for further details on Gearsa’s situation were sent and Miss Yu rounded the divider. He called her aside, relaying the message he’d almost charged Laquisha with delivering. While doing so, he couldn’t help glancing the younger nurse’s direction.

“She’ll be fine, Doctor.”

He looked to Yu sharply. “Oh?” The motherly tone to Yu’s voice was unexpected.

“I’ve got her covered,” his PA said with a wink.

Daniel stared, unsure what that meant or how to respond.

“You do what you need to, we’ll be here.” Yu turned and crossed the floor to her desk. “Though, it would be nice if you could push the walkout further around the clock,” she called across the space.

“I may suggest they go to an ER depending on her response,” he provided, locking his computer as he stood.

“Yeah, we like having you around, ya know,” Laquisha chirped, her happy-go-lucky demeanor apparently having returned.

He raised a brow as he pushed his glasses up his nose, failing to respond as the younger nurse started for the divider entrance and down the hall. Glancing to Yu didn’t help, his colleague already looking away with an amused smirk. Putting the comment to the side, he started for the maintenance door.

His steps stuttered to a halt.

That’s… odd.

He’d never admitted aloud to anyone just how far out his senses stretched. Though, he secretly found it amusing that no one had ever done the math to realize why he lived on the fourth floor of his practice with his living area situated on the side of the building closest to the almost always-devoid-of-employees retail storehouse.

As such, he could sense changes in the mood of a crowd like a ripple on water. And there was quite a massive ripple in the biological footprint downstairs.

Yu, as astute as ever to his mannerisms and body language, spoke out instant concern. “Doctor? What’s wrong?”

Daniel took a deep breath, readying himself in the face of the sheer panic radiating from below them. “Everyone.”

Several members of the staff were already looking his way at Miss Yu’s words. With his address, the rest of them within earshot stopped what they were doing to pay attention.

“I need you to remain calm,” he said, turning to walk slowly back to the center of the office space. His eyes were aimed down, but unseeing as he tracked the culprits. They were already at the south end stairs making their way up.

“What’s going on?” Yu asked, her metrics running high, readying her body for a fight.

“We have company. And I am afraid they won’t be pleasant.”

“How do you-“

Before the other nurse could finish his question, shouting and heavy steps were heard down the hallway.

Daniel put his hands in his lab coat pockets, clenching his fists as he focused his senses. The people making their way towards him were tightly controlled, practiced, their adrenaline surging, heart rates high, but breathing controlled, movements smooth.

These are soldiers.

No sooner did this realization wash over him did the first one, garbed in all black, with bullet proof vest, riot helmet and plated body armor, round the divider.

“Eyes on target!”

He forced himself calm as three more soldiers rushed in, their assault rifles aimed at him. Yu tensed at her position as the others of his staff in the office area remained stationary. No one uttered a single sound despite the rampant fight or flight responses rushing their bodies. He was proud they were remaining so composed.

But he needed to figure out what was going on and mediate the situation fast.

“Well, well. I have to admit, I didn’t think it would be so easy.”

The sound of a man’s dress shoes preceded the entry of an individual in a tailored, black suit. His dark brown hair was slicked back under a fedora, and he wore an earpiece in his left ear, his face clean shaven and sporting an arrogant smirk.

“Do you know who I am?”

Daniel stared at the man, unphased by his attitude or his lackeys. “No.”

He shrugged. “I’m not surprised. Most people don’t until they meet me.” He planted his feet wide, clasping his hands in front of him. “Name’s Jackal. Special Agent Christopher Jackal with the F.D.O.C.B.”

Silence followed the man’s words.

“Oh! Right, you don’t know why that matters. Well,” Jackal shrugged, his smirk taking on a menacing air, “that means you’ve been caught red-handed.”

He tilted his head minutely. “Is that so?”

“Yep. Photo evidence and everything.” Jackal chuckled. “It’s funny, really. You’ve gone so long with no evidence that almost everyone forgot you were on our suspect list.”

“And what is this offence that you have apparent evidence of?”

Jackal gave a sharp shake of his head. “Doesn’t work that way, Doc.”

Daniel said nothing in response, unsurprised by that answer.

“Here’s what’s gonna happen, Doctor Amos,” Jackal gestured to the assault team, “You’ll come with us quietly and without fuss. Your people here are going to be arrested and interrogated by local authorities. This building is going to be shut down and we’re going to confiscate everything inside.”

He remained motionless. “No.”

Jackal laughed coldly. “That’s funny.”

“You have no legal jurisdiction to arrest me or my staff without a warrant from-“

“Na-ah-ah! You don’t get to lecture anyone here about the law. You threw that right out when you decided to work with villains.”

He held the man’s gaze without reserve. “You are obligated to provide a warrant or other sufficient documentation-“

“Really?”

“-as you are trespassing on a private business as well as private property-“

“You really wanna do this?”

“-belonging to a rightful citizen and civilian-“

“Okay.”

Jackal broke his stance and opened his blazer, pulling out a handgun and pointing it directly at Daniel’s head.

Miss Yu let out a reptilian growl, jolting forward. She stopped short as the agent reacted seamlessly, the gun now pointed at her head.

“Now, now. No need to make this messy.”

Daniel’s pulse jumped. “No one else is involved in this,” he said calmly. “Please refrain from aiming your weapon at her.”

“So, you admit it?” Jackal quipped with a grin. “Now that’s more like it, Doc.”

“I admit to nothing aside from your stated intent to arrest me illegally.”

The man rolled his eyes and gave an exaggerated sigh. “Listen. Make this easy on everyone. Especially yourself.” He glanced to his men. “I could easily have them tackle you to the ground and tie you up.”

“And yet you haven’t done that.”

He smirked. “I’m trying to be nice. Management says I’m a bit too,” he tilted his head, eyes sliding to Yu, “trigger happy when apprehending criminals.”

“No crime has been committed except by yourself and your-“

“How about I give you until the count of three.”

“You can’t do this!” Yu yelled, her teeth extending as she snarled.

Jackal barked a laugh. “You gonna stop me, snake-girl?”

She glared, bending her knees and clenching her fists.

“Behave,” the man taunted. He looked back to Daniel and grinned.

“One.”

Daniel retained eye contact, expression schooled as his mind raced. The moment he conceded to this man was to admit guilt of a false crime. But not doing so could result in harm to his employees and patients.

“Two.”

Jackal’s heart was racing, his breathing measured, neurons rapid-firing as he held his arm tense and finger poised. The man had no interest in minimizing damages.

Or casualties.

He wanted to pull that trigger.

“Three.”

He acted as fast as Jackal’s trigger pull, the man’s arm lurching.

Searing pain exploded into his left shoulder.

Screams and shouting erupted as he fell back, his head bashing against the floor. More shots rang out, along with crashing and yelling, splintering wood and shattering glass. But he could barely think through the throbbing agony searing into his body and his senses. Bodies were moving everywhere, but how, and why, and to what end was drowned out, his eyes shut tight and senses blinding him with his own pain.

“Daniel, get up!”

He cried out as strong hands pulled him to his feet, the movement exacerbating the already overwhelming shock to his system. Trying to force his eyes open, he could barely see where he was being dragged to, his glasses now missing from his face.

“Go, go – run, get out of here!”

It was Yu. He realized too late she was shoving him out the maintenance door. It slammed shut behind him and only instinct kept his legs moving. His hand gripping tight onto his blood-soaked shoulder was as unbearable as it was grounding. Hitting the wall next to the elevator he removed his hand to smash the call button. The flair of pain was excruciating. As he stumbled into the opening doors he could barely think clear enough to wonder where he was going.

Upstairs… phone… gotta… call for help…

The elevator doors shut automatically as he slid against the wall, gunshots ringing out from down the hall. His left arm hanging useless at his side, he had to dig into his left pocket with his right hand. His pained groans grated at his ears as he fumbled the keys, his blood-slicked fingers doing him no favors, but he finally slid the key home and hit the fourth floor button. The ride up, the frantic stumbling down the hall, suddenly complicated mess of keys and jerky trek across his floor to his office took so torturously long. All the while the pain from his shoulder magnified with each passing minute, his body somehow bypassing a shock response and lacking no falter in sensation due to loss of blood.

How much blood had he lost already? He couldn’t think straight enough to try to calculate. Crashing into his desk counter, his body getting heavier, his limbs weaker, he couldn’t quite understand why he was smelling smoke. Was it mixed signals from his overstimulated brain?

Daniel managed to grab his phone before falling back into his chair, screaming at the impact to his shoulder. Leaning forward with difficulty, his body starting to twitch out of his control, he flipped the phone open as carefully and deliberately as he could. If he dropped it, he knew he wouldn’t be picking it back up.

The numbers looked like a foreign language and his eyes wouldn’t focus.

“D-dammit… pleeeasse- hah…”

He wasn’t sure who he was begging. Perhaps his own hand as he tried to figure out what to do. He ran his thumb over the keypad, trying to think as his blood coated the surface.

Redial.

A single button that was somehow utterly familiar. He pressed it, collapsing backward into the chair as he brought the phone to his ear. Two rings preceded a blessed click as it connected.

“Hey, Danny!”

His vision was dark, the wall of the office blurry. “N-Nessa…”

“Daniel? Daniel!? What’s wrong? Where are you?”

“… ha… hummm…”

The phone slipped from his fingers as his arm fell.

His body was sliding down in the chair, but he couldn’t stop it. He couldn’t do anything. It hurt so much. The pain had crept into every nerve ending like an infection and he couldn’t stall it. White noise filled his ears, and his vision went black as his eyes closed. The darkness was no reprieve. Somehow, that made it worse.

Too much… I…

The smell of smoke was stronger for some reason.

Please…

At least he was warm.

Nessa… I love… you…

So very warm.

Crackling broke through the ringing in his ears. Other noises joined in, familiar but foreign at the same time. There came pressure at his arm and his face next. It hurt. Everything hurt. But he couldn’t move. His eyes wouldn’t open. Even when his shoulder erupted with new agony, when that pressure wrapped under his legs and his back, he couldn’t move, could barely breathe. Was he still breathing?

The warmth changed, became less somehow. The pressure changed too, now cradling him. Something ran the length of his brow and pushed his hair up. More noises, frantic and high pitched vibrated into him from his side. Words? A voice?

Filled with fear.

More noise, more pressure.

And another kind of warmth. This felt different. It flowed into him like spring water, seeping into his skin, flesh, and bones, melting away the pain.

He took a deep breath, another scent filling his nose, familiar and much preferred over the smell of smoke.

Why was he smelling smoke in the first place?

“I’ve got you, Daniel. I’ve got you, babe, please… please, be okay…”

Nessa.

His body twitched. He leaned his face into her skin, her smell. She was close, she was with him.

Don’t cry…

He felt so heavy, he couldn’t think.

I love you.

Darkness caved in on his mind as he went limp, losing the battle to stay conscious.

***

Chapter 13: Lost In The Fire

The first time he woke up his mind was so thick he could barely comprehend his surroundings. But he registered the warmth underneath him, the familiar heartbeat thrumming against his cheek and into his senses. His eyes flickered open for a brief moment. He saw people shaped colors and blobs, heard their voices, gentle and calm as they spoke to him. He couldn’t understand them though. Letting his eyes drift closed again, he nuzzled into Nessa’s neck, burrowing away from the waking world as her arms gripped him tighter.

The second time he woke, he was far more aware of where he was and who was present.

He didn’t want to be.

The desire to go back to sleep in hopes that if he woke up it would all be a dream was overwhelming. He knew better. Sitting in clothes that weren’t his, wrapped in a blanket and waiting for Nessa to come back with his spare glasses he’d left with her on a whim, he couldn’t imagine such a vivid and horrific dream being produced by his subconscious.

“Here you go, Daniel.”

Polly’s words were soft as she handed him the mug of tea. He took it, letting the warmth seep into his fingers as he watched the liquid’s surface. “Thank you,” he said quietly.

“I um… I did what I could,” Silver commented from his seat on the edge of the coffee table. “Well, I mean, it kinda does the thing itself anyway.” He cleared his throat. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine, thank you.”

The silence dropped into the room like a rock. He had a hard time caring, though, he knew he should.

Taz heaved a sigh, crossing her arms. “You had us worried. Nessa said you would be fine in a few hours, but we weren’t so sure.”

Their attempt at avoiding the cause of this whole situation was obvious.

And not appreciated.

“If you would-“

“I’m back!” Nessa slammed the French doors on her way back in, rushing into the living room to return to his side. “Sorry, for a second I forgot where I put them.” She sat close to him, well within his space with her legs touching his and her tail wrapping around him from behind. Holding the glasses to him, she waited patiently, unfazed by his stillness at her arrival.

She knew him so well.

Daniel took a deep breath and let it out slowly before taking them from her. Now able to see without the distraction of his normal vision, he didn’t wait for careful tiptoe into the subject.

“What happened?”

Quiet followed his words.

Angus broke the tension, his deep voice calm with his gentle prodding. “Are sure you want to know right now?”

If not now, then when? “Yes.”

He felt and heard Angus’ gesture, Ashton responding to walk from the doorway. He turned on the TV, brand new since Nessa’s rampage the week before, and used the touchscreen to navigate to the “Local News” app and open the saved stories. He hit play and backed away to lean against the wall.

“Thank you for tuning in ladies and gentlemen for your news at nine. This is Jessica Narmin, and we’re following a developing situation in Old-Denver’s community-commercial district where the Federal Daimo Observation and Consultation Bureau is apprehending an apparent villain sympathizer. Doctor Daniel Amos, a civilian MD practicing independently for almost thirty years, owns and operates a clinic on Industrial Road that services hundreds of patients, including walk-ins and private contracts. It is believed that some of these private contracts might be known villains, both active and inactive as of the current date. An FDOCB combat team has been dispatched and is currently working with the aid of local police and swat teams to both secure the safety of the patients and ensure a peaceful collection of the doctor. D’Ante Smithe is on-scene now. D’Ante, what’s going on out there?”

The video cut to the field anchor standing behind a series of cop cars across the street from the clinic. The FDOCB armored trucks and swat vehicles were blocking the building front. “Thanks Jessica, yeah, we’re here live and it looks like they’re having no issues getting patients out the door – would you believe it? White Wizard was among the crowd. We’re hoping to get an interview with him soon. He’s looking in rough shape since the fight with Red Reaper. But that raises even more questions and perhaps answers the question as to why such a heavy combat presence was brought in to apprehend this medical doctor. I mean, I know I’m not the only one who was wondering why they thought high-powered weapons were needed, but if he really is treating villains and heroes perhaps there’s more to this guy than meets the eye.”

“That’s a good point, D’Ante. Looking at his data from public records, it appears the doctor is a Daimo himself.”

A graphic came on screen, showing Daniel’s picture from his public profile. “It’s clear to see, as he has a very visual manifestation with these dark, black eyes, but aside from that, it doesn’t appear he would ordinarily pose a threat. His ability per the info provided is related to biological manipulation, specifically helping the body to heal – which makes sense how he ended up in this profession.”

“My point exactly, Jessica. I’m not sure why such a show of force would be required against someone who clearly isn’t in the business of physical combat. I believe records also state he’s a very small person, only five-foot-one and slim built, so it remains a mystery in my mind-” The anchor stopped short, jolting and turning to look at the building as the unmistakable popping of gunshots was caught on the audio. “Wait, wait, something’s happening. Up there, second floor, right up the middle!” He pointed and the camera followed his direction, zooming in to the second-floor windows. Two were smashed, shattered glass falling from the frames. The HD camera caught flashing from inside. “We’ve got shots fired- this is not what I was expecting!” the field anchor commented, concern clear in his voice.

Daniel watched unblinking as the scene unfolded, more windows being blown out, flashes and darkness moving inside. He tried to think where he might have been at that moment. Probably in the elevator, already on his way up. His brows drew down.

Wait, what is-

“I can’t be sure, Jessica, but I think I see fire through the windows.”

The building was old. His equipment was four-star rated for fire hazard safety, but the building’s wiring hadn’t been updated in seventy years, common of the buildings in Old Denver’s classic districts. Another commonality was the low quality of the sprinkler systems, many of them having been disabled or completely removed due to how poorly they functioned and the high cost of maintaining them in comparison to modern fire suppression systems. His were disabled with plans to upgrade them when his funds would allow for it. He had twice as many fire extinguishers the law required for exactly that reason.

But clearly, no one had been concerned about putting out the flames.

“Confirmed, Jessica, that’s fire on the second floor and it looks like it’s spreading fast.”

“D’Ante, do you have confirmation the fire department is en route?”

“Yeah, yeah.” The anchor put his hand over his mic wrapping around from his earpiece, nodding and paying attention to the officer talking to him. “Yeah, we have fire trucks on the way. ETA five minutes.”

The reporting continued uninterrupted for another ten minutes before the trucks showed.

His clinic was engulfed. The fire blinded the camera as it reached for the sky, having already busted out the glass from the windows and consumed the walls. The buildings on either side were becoming scorched, windows from each also busted out due to the heat. That was where the fire trucks first focused their attention, wetting the walls of the office building and storehouse before turning their hoses inward.

It wouldn’t have mattered anyway.

The report ended and autoplay started the next one, showing both anchors in the studio.

“Good afternoon, folks. This is Jessica Narmin and we have an update from today’s earlier situation involving the apprehension of apparent villain-sympathizer Doctor Daniel Amos, and it’s looking grim. Give us the rundown D’Ante.”

“Thanks, Jessica. Reports are that a firefight broke out at the clinic as the combat teams tried to detain the culprit. No word yet on who shot first. Likely theory as to the cause of the fire is that it was electrical, as these old buildings are notorious for bad wiring. But they’re still keeping deliberate arson on the table until the investigation turns in its results. Death toll is estimated at fourteen people at this time, seven medical staff, five patients, the resident PA and the doctor himself. This is to remain unconfirmed, however, because the remains of the building have yet to be fully searched. They’re speculating that the doctor and some of his staff might have slipped away during the melee.”

“I can see why they’re doubtful though, with the damage done.”

“That’s right. FDOCB and Metro have cordoned off the whole area for the detectives and investigative teams to do their work, but let me tell you, there isn’t much to look at.”

“Thanks, D’Ante. We’ll keep you updated as the story progresses on this terrible and unfortunate situation.”

Ashton leaned over and tapped the screen to stop the autoplay. Daniel stared at the frozen faces of the anchors. His mind was blank.

What was there to say?

“Gramma wanted to go back and see if we could do anything,” Ashton provided. “But there really wasn’t anything we could do. There wasn’t enough time.”

He didn’t respond. Ashton was right. There hadn’t been enough time to safely do anything. Not unless they’d taken the time to try to extinguish the fire. And he wouldn’t have asked that of them even if he’d been conscious. It would have been too dangerous with the combat teams still in the building shooting wildly.

Nessa’s hand at his back brought him out of his thoughts. She ran it slowly over his shoulders, raking back and forth. His gaze drifted down, and he stared at the tea in his hands, still at a loss for words.

Polly weaved past Angus and sat on Daniel’s other side. She didn’t come as close as Nessa and made no move to touch him, instead clasping her hands in her lap. “Daniel. The reports are always skewed.” She tilted her head, getting a better look at his face. “What actually happened?”

For a few moments he wasn’t sure if he could answer. But his mind slowly provided the necessary information, memory inching back into the emptiness. “Do you know of Christopher Jackal?”

Everyone’s metrics answered the question for him.

“Yeah,” she said with a solemn nod. “We know all about him.”

“Jackal is their retrieval specialist,” Angus growled. “He is never involved unless there is definitive evidence of sustained contact between a target and a villain.”

“Bastard’s getting sloppy,” Ashton piped. He took a breath as if to speak but remained quiet, letting it out in a huff.

Daniel detected Angus movement, silently telling Ashton off. “He’s right.” All eyes turned to him, but he kept his gaze on the mug. “His plan was to collect me and my employees and impound all property in the building. But-” He stopped short.

Yu.

He swallowed against the lump forming in his throat.

No one said anything. Whether they were waiting patiently for him to speak again or accepting of the fact that he couldn’t he was unsure. He supposed it didn’t matter, either way.

“I want to see what’s left.” He tilted his head towards Polly. “If you think it is possible.”

She nodded and glanced to Ashton. “We’ll keep an eye on the reports. We might have to wait until nightfall. Or we might not get a chance at all.”

“Understood.”

She stood, heaving a quiet sigh. “In the meantime, you probably don’t feel like it, but you need to eat. Anything will work really, but something simple will probably be best. I think apple slices?”

“Thank you.”

“Okay. I’ll be right-“
“All of you.”

Feeling their eyes on him, he wanted to disappear from under their gazes. With his mind as empty as it was, he felt rather pathetic uttering only two words in light of the situation. But it was all he could muster.

“Thank you.”

Polly stepped back towards him, her hand squeezing his shoulder. She didn’t hover or say anything else, releasing her grip quickly to make her way to the kitchen. Nessa wrapped her arm around him and pulled him close to her. He leaned into her hold but said nothing more.

What more was there to say?

The wait was agonizing. Only interspersed conversations that he took no part in and faint whispers of the updating reports broke up the slow crawl. When night fell, it was finally deemed safe enough, but only from a distance. Polly insisted that Taz and Nessa accompany them. He didn’t question or dispute.

They arrived on one of the southern office buildings of the block, as far away as they could be while retaining line of sight. Without hesitation he walked briskly to the far edge of the roof, the others close behind. The steel skeleton of the building was all that indicated there’d been anything above the first floor, and even that was worse for the wear. The rest was blackened debris and ash, a few mangled and melted objects visible to indicate what the space had once been. Piles had been heaped up, paths cleared, and yellow tape and flags marking specific areas of interest. From their distance, only he could see what had caught the investigators’ attention.

If he really wanted to.

He didn’t.

“I’m ready to leave when you are,” he said under his breath.

The three women said nothing as Polly put her hand on his shoulder. Her crackling energy surrounded them, and they were once again in Angus’ dining room.

“How bad was it?” Ashton asked bluntly.

“Everything is gone.”

They were all quiet.

“It is what it is. There’s nothing to do for it.”

Those words sounded empty. Hollow, like his mind.

“Daniel-“

“It’s fine,” he cut Angus off.

Silver shook his head from where he leaned against the table. “No. It’s not.”

He had nothing to say to Silver’s statement. There were no thoughts in response. Nothing at all.

“It’s fine.”

Silence rushed to fill the void left by his words.

Nessa broke it. “I’m gonna talk to Daniel alone, guys.”

He didn’t argue or resist as she grabbed him around the shoulders and guided him out of the French doors of the dining room, shutting them none-too-gently behind her. She walked him further down the deck out of sight of the kitchen window and glass doors. Halting abruptly, she turned him to face her, gripping his shoulders tight.

“Stop.”

He stared at her. “What?”

“Stop doing what you’re doing.”

“What do you-“

She cut him off by picking him up to sit him on the rail. Pulling his legs around her hips, gripping his shirt tight and yanking him close to her, she brought her face within an inch of his.

“Stop closing yourself off,” she hissed.

The nothing inside wavered a moment. He held her gaze, feeling her heart rate increasing. Shaking his head, he opened his mouth to speak.

No words came out.

“Dammit, Daniel! Don’t act like this is something you can brush to the side!” Nessa yelled. “You might be the master of stoicism, but you aren’t a fucking machine! Those people meant something to you, that building was everything you worked for and inside was everything you made of yourself! And those bastards took it away, burned it off the face of the earth with no remorse – you can’t tell me you feel nothing!”

Stinging. His eyes were stinging. The trails down his cheeks were searing hot in the cold mountain air. Why hadn’t he realized he was so cold? Why hadn’t he heard the thundering of his own heart? When had it started beating such a furious tempo?

He gripped her wrists and lowered his head, eyes unseeing as he started to shake. “What… what is there to say?” he managed, his voice tight and breaking.

“It’s not about saying anything. It’s about what you feel. Don’t push it back and cage it up, you are more than what they’ve done to you, dammit!”

“I DON’T!” The shout left him without thought and he closed his eyes tight, face hot and wet in the cold. “I can’t…” he grated out.

“You don’t what? You can’t what? Daniel, just let it out-“

“I don’t KNOW!! I don’t know what to feel, I don’t know what to say because I can’t believe this! I don’t want to believe it! I don’t want it all to be gone, I don’t want to admit how useless I was, how I couldn’t stop it, how I couldn’t save her-” his arms were wrapped around Nessa’s form, his face buried into her neck, “-I couldn’t save YU!! I couldn’t save any of them, they’re dead – they fought for me and helped me get away but they’re gone now and I can’t do anything about it! I can’t even prove what happened! I can’t… I can’t… I can’t…”

His words gave way to incoherent sounds. His body ached and shook with violent sobs. Nessa’s hold around him was so tight it hurt. Her grip grounded him, keeping him secure.

He gave in to the emotion he’d held back so easily, filling the void of nothing like a raging river in the cold night air.

***

Chapter 14: Sifting Ashes

“Gawd, fuckin-“

A crash and a thump followed the outburst.

Daniel stretched his arms up, a yawn escaping him as Nessa wrapped back around his middle and buried her face into his neck. “What is it?” he asked groggily, reaching down to pet her hair.

“Fucken Zack,” she growled. Lifting her head, she put on a goofy expression. “‘I just saw the news, I’m so sorry, I’m here for you babe’.” she recited with a mocking tone.

He snickered. “I’m sure he made that face while typing.”

She let out a giggle. “Probably. Fucken jackass.”

“I don’t think your phone deserved such punishment, though.”

“Eh, it’ll live. It was just a toss.”

“Pfft.”

They were slow to leave bed, but being it was already past noon and both their stomachs were aching, it was reasoned best to get up. Besides, Izzy was still in the care of the others and Nessa didn’t want to be too inconsiderate – even knowing they would insist it was fine.

Daniel didn’t want to take advantage, however.

He already felt out of place settling into the realization he was relying completely on Nessa and the others for the moment. Entirely self-sustaining since the age of seventeen, this was leagues out of his element. As uncomfortable as this was, he was grateful for their immediate jump to his aid.

Though, he rather wished he’d left at least one change of clothes with Nessa.

Alfred had been gracious enough to donate some of his regular attire – surprisingly similar to his own preferences – but they were three times his size. Admittedly, they were a better alternative than walking around in Angus’ clothes. Having worn a spare set of the latter’s sleeping clothes the day before, he didn’t want to relive walking around in a dress of a shirt again if he could help it.

Making their way to the main house, they were unsurprised to find the others already swarming the kitchen, plenty of foodstuffs prepared and being snacked on. Daniel was quickly seated at the table, Nessa taking up residence to his right with Izzy nestled between them in her highchair. Polly made a point to fill a plate for him and placed it in front of him with a cup of fresh tea. He looked at the sliced fruit and cheeses with berries and crackers to the side. As hungry as he was, he was compelled to speak first.

“I…” he paused, feeling several sets of eyes land on him. “I want to apologize. Yesterday, I-“

“Don’t you finish that statement or I’mma whack you.”

He looked up with a start, spying Polly’s finger leveled at him. “What?”

“You heard me. Shush – food – now,” she insisted, gesturing to the plate before turning to continue at the counter.

Alfred snickered at his other side, straightening his glasses. “You’d better listen,” he whispered. “She’s quite serious.”

Silver chuckled from his spot between Nessa and Taz. “On the receiving end of some of those whacks, eh, Al?”

The man merely bobbed his brows while picking up his coffee to take a sip, his smile barely contained.

“Mam, you beating up on your boyfriend?” Angus piped.

“Oi! Shut yer maw!” Polly chided, whipping a dish towel at his head.

Laughter erupted at the table and Daniel couldn’t help a small smile. He’d always been fond of the family’s banter. It was a nice reprieve. Happy chirping at his side drew his attention to Izzy, leaning over to bat her little arm at him. He blinked.

“Oh.”
“Oh?” Nessa questioned.

“We missed her birthday.”

“Nah,” Polly chimed, “we’re right on track. We always do it late, remember.”

Her playfulness blended perfectly with the matter-of-fact way she spoke to disarm any negative thoughts that may have fought to enter his mind. “That’s true,” he commented quietly.

“Now – eat!”

Daniel glanced to her and quickly plucked a blueberry from his plate to pop in his mouth.

“PFFT! Don’t you turn into a teenager on me. I’ve handled plenty in my lifetime and I assure you I’ve not gone rusty from age,” she snarked, spinning the dishtowel as if brandishing a weapon.

More chuckling and giggling followed, and he couldn’t help laughing as well.

By the time he’d cleared his plate and was served another – this time filled with a vegetable omelet, thin slices of smoked turkey and orange sections – the conversation had bounced around from several non-descript topics and found its way back to yesterday’s events.

“I dunno, Dad,” Ashton said at Angus’ right, “I don’t see Jackal jumping to it just because of suspicion. He’s sloppy, but not dumb,” he remarked, reaching to the center of the table to grab a hummus toast off one of the serving plates.

“He said he had evidence,” Daniel insisted. “Photo evidence.”

Taz rolled her eyes. “Didn’t say what of, I’m guessing.”

“No. But I suspect it was Nessa and I at the park.”

Nessa sipped her tea a moment, expression sourly thoughtful. “I guess I should use my base makeup from now on.”

Polly, her silver skin testament to the necessity, took a deep breath, tapping her nails on the table. “I mean… I know why you don’t want to use it all the time, hun, but-“

“No.”

All eyes shot to Alfred. He sat rigid at the table, staring at his coffee cup. He shook his head before looking up to the rest of them. His gaze landed on Daniel. “It can’t be your appearance with Nessa.”

Daniel cocked his head to the side. “Why is that?”

“Because Nessa is proficient at appearing in public with no one knowing her true identity.”

He had a point. Daniel thought back to Nessa’s public visits to the clinic. Each time she had appeared with the brown wig and holoframe glasses, but without any makeup covering her skin. She had two reasons for not wanting to wear it regularly. One was a stated intent to perpetuate the idea that there were other Daimo aside from herself as Specter that had navy colored skin. The other was her confidence that, even if she were discovered, she could easily escape any attempts to apprehend her. To their knowledge her efforts were effective as she had yet to encounter any issues.

“No, it can’t be a theoretical appearance with Specter since her civilian personas aren’t well known, if known at all,” Alfred continued. “Despite Zack catching a picture, it would mean nothing to anyone else surveilling you, at least not so soon after the event.”

“What else could it be?” Silver questioned. “He’s kept his affiliations secret for, what, thirty years?” he suggested, glancing to Daniel. “For example, I never knew you worked with any named villains or heroes ever, even though I’d heard of you. That may not mean much, but as a hero operating in the same city as you, I feel like I would’ve heard wind of that, whether through the HA office or one of the others.”

“Certainly, they wouldn’t hack into his systems,” Angus mused.

“They couldn’t have without us noticing,” Daniel said with a shake of his head.

“You sure about that?” Ashton questioned. “We ain’t talk’n hometown hackers here.”

“Correct. But, while my technology wasn’t top of the line, per se, it was equipped with the standard security protocols that all MPNs are required to carry.”

“MP- what?”

“Medical Professional Networks. Anyone in the medical field that handles sensitive patient information is required to have an MPN as opposed to any other office setup. This comes with security protocols that are vastly more sophisticated than any other institution. Even banking networks aren’t as thoroughly secured.”

The varying levels of surprise at the table were almost comical.

“That’s all well and good,” Alfred put in, “however, one doesn’t take a photo of digital information.”

Something about his tone of voice caused Daniel to narrow his eyes on the man. Alfred lowered his hands to his lap, gaze down. He then looked pointedly at Polly. Her eyes met his as she tilted her head in confusion.

Then realization spread across her face.

“Oh my God, it was me,” she breathed.

Daniel looked between the two of them. Glancing to the others, he saw the same lack of understanding on their faces as was swirling in his mind. “What do you-“

“Thursday.” Polly stood straight, having been leaning her elbows on the table. “Thursday when we went to get Izzy back.” She crossed her arms, raising a hand to cover her face. “We were standing alone by the lake.”

“No, no, Mam” Angus shot, sitting up in his chair. “We were all-” he stopped short.

Ashton stood suddenly from his chair. “FUCK!”

Daniel’s stomach twisted.

The implication was clear.

If the FDOCB had been keeping him under constant watch, and they managed to see him at the park with Polly, that meant they saw all of them together – himself, Polly, Angus, Ashton and Nessa. Despite their attempts at disguising themselves, it wouldn’t be that hard to figure out who was who if someone had a mind to really sit down and put the puzzle together. And that was a problem.

The reality that they were all family was a well-kept secret.

“I highly doubt they’d take any note of possible familial relations,” Alfred said, spilling the concern out into the open. “There is absolutely no reason for them to jump to that conclusion, all of you together in one place or not. Besides, the only person who’s public identities are known to any degree is…” He glanced to Polly.

She was quiet, her eyes still closed as she rubbed her forehead. “For fucks sake, how could I be so stupid?”

“We don’t-” Daniel paused. “We don’t know that for sure.” Despite wanting to think it was anything else that could have tipped them off, he couldn’t say that it didn’t make the most sense.

“Unfortunately, we don’t know that isn’t the case, either,” Alfred said softly.

Daniel near glared at his plate, wracking his brain for any other possibilities to suggest. None came to mind.

However, a different idea presented itself.

He looked at Alfred. “There is one way we can be sure.”

Alfred met his gaze. They stared at one another a moment before Alfred took a deep breath and inclined his head. “Ah. Perhaps.”

“Ooooh!” Mickey, who’d been quiet at Silver’s side during the conversation, jumped up excitedly. “That’s right! You can do that tracking thing!”

“Only if you’re sure,” Alfred said hesitantly. “I, eh… haven’t tried since… then.” He averted his eyes. “And this may not be as straight forward as the last time, since there’s likely no physical contact to home in on.”

“If you think you can do it, then yes, I am sure.”

Alfred nodded, his previously calm demeanor waning some as nervousness crept into his expression.

“You’ve been doing good,” Silver said suddenly. “Don’t worry, we’re here for you.”

Daniel nodded. “Agreed. But I’ll not ask you to overstep any-“

“No, no.” Alfred raised his hands. “I- I can. I should.”

“Should?”

“Anything I can do to help, I should,” he clarified. “I, um-“

Polly wrapped her arms around him from behind, nuzzling into his shoulder. “Shush that.”

Her uncharacteristic quietness was almost painful to see.

However, the quietness gave way to surprise, arcs of brightly colored energy jumping to caress her face and limbs as Alfred opened himself up. The glow of his shift wasn’t nearly as brilliant in the light of day, but the transformation was intriguing all the same, the effect of his body being lit from within still as intense.

“You can tell me what to do but that doesn’t mean I’ll do it,” he said with a smirk.

Polly cracked a smile. “Very true.”

Alfred removed his glasses as his glow subsided, his honey-hazel eyes having melted once more into that odd green-gold color. He tossed the spectacles on the table and ran his hand through his hair, yet another ten inches longer, the low ponytail he’d sported now useless. “Why do you let me wear this shite?” he questioned playfully, undoing the top two buttons of his shirt.

“Shut up!” Polly chirped her smile turning into a grin, Alfred’s antics appearing to soothe her mind.

Daniel was glad for it. Regardless of if being seen together at the park was really the instigating factor, it was hardly anything she needed to feel guilty for. “I’m ready when you are,” he stated, angling the chair away from the table to better face the other man.

Alfred turned to kiss Polly on the cheek before standing and dragging his chair around, planting it and sitting directly in front of Daniel. “As I said, this may not be easy,” he said with a shrug. “But I suppose it’ll be a good test, eh?”

“If nothing else,” Daniel agreed with a nod.

Alfred raised both his hands, his palms starting to glow as arcs left his skin. When he brought them close to his face, Daniel closed his eyes and fought the tingling sensation at the back of his skull that Alfred’s energy always caused him. He’d yet to place why it happened, or what it meant, but when with Alfred under normal circumstances the concern was for him as the patient. His personal ongoings need not be looked at unless they became problematic.

When Alfred’s energy made contact and the flood of the other’s essence entered his mind, he felt he may have jinxed himself with that thought.

His senses ignited and pins and needles rushed his body. As quickly as he tensed into the sensations, however, they rushed away, replaced with a pulsing thrum that also died down within seconds.

‘Interesting…’

‘What?’ he responded to Alfred’s mental voice in kind, his confusion on display.

‘Let’s get right to the moment, shall we?’

A sensation of vertigo washed over him, lights, colors and sounds swirling all around until they landed at the park. He and Polly came into sharp focus while all around them was patchy distortion, as if their surroundings were being accosted by violent wind and rain.

‘I’ll hide those personal thoughts, no worries,’ Alfred suddenly chimed.

‘Oh?’ As soon as the word left his mind, he felt the presence of the others. ‘Ah, I see.’

‘Since most of you were there, I’d like all of you present. Maximize my range a little, perhaps.’

Nessa’s presence next to him was as real in this mindscape as it was physically, her hand touching his shoulder as her mental voice sounded in his head. ‘You do you, Al.’

‘Oh, I intend to,’ he purred.

The sensation was unique to be sure. Through the interconnection provided by Alfred, they could feel all at once the clarifying presence of their minds within the now shared memory.

‘So weird,’ Mickey commented. ‘Oops! Sorry!’

Amusement wafted from several of them, and Al’s snickering rang in their heads. ‘No problem, kiddo. You all might want to brace yourselves, though. This part might be rough.’

He proceeded to do something. The result was the distortion surrounding their memory selves suddenly lifted, racing away as if pushed back by an invisible dome. As the distortion expanded away, everything within range came into extra sharp focus, every individual person near them in the park as well as the elements in the park itself – birds, squirrels, dogs, and even the trees and grass – all of it came into almost painful clarity. It was a breathtaking experience, something akin to handling physically everything that was visible while also seeing every side of it at the same time. Then the focus shifted, moving to each of the family’s memory selves.

The memory, which had been standing static this whole time, finally played.

Each member could see the other as much as their own self, watching everything playing out all at once. Daniel focused more on his interactions with Polly while he felt the others direct their attentions elsewhere, looking outward within the dome of influence. Polly wrapped her arm around his shoulders, her words heard as little more than murmurs from a distance. He looked outward, trying to see if there was any suspicious activity or questionable persons. Amazingly, he could see quite far, almost to the other side of the lake. Just as he was about to ask if Alfred could move the dome of influence any further that direction, he was pulled away. In a rush, everyone’s attention was flung towards where Ashton, Angus, and Nessa were.

‘What do we have here?’

There was a maliciousness to Alfred’s mental voice that seemed out of place. Before anyone could address it however, the view became fuzzy, the area surrounding the others growing darker, seeming to flicker. Their forms started to distort, spiking outward and fluttering as a strange sensation of pressure overcame their awareness, the sound of static erupting from out of nowhere. Then, the distortions stopped and everything flickered back into sharp clarity again.

The new focal point of Alfred’s attention was curious as well as confusing. However, he was hyper-fixated in a way that all of them could feel almost physically, like a pair of hands holding their heads in place and forcing them to watch. They did so silently as Alfred followed the target, somehow doing so both backward and forward in the memory simultaneously. Moment by moment was sorted through his scrutiny to find something… unexpected.

By the time the truth was uncovered, the whole family was ready to live up to their savage reputations.

And Daniel was ready to let them.

***

Chapter 15: Broken Oath

The overcast sky gifted steady rainfall, mixing with the already cold air to increase the dreary atmosphere of the city.

The Darklight District suffered none for it, the neon signs dotting the slim streets and dingy alleys glowing all the same, calling out to the multitude of visitors seeking both careless fun and countless vices. A certain establishment, The Teahouse, situated in one of the older sections of the district saw many guests at all hours of the day and night. Quaint and nondescript on the outside, the inside was spacious and well worn. Having been around for more than a hundred years, the multi-level structure containing dozens of private rooms and several public spaces was a regular hangout for all types of patrons.

It was a sanctuary.

Creed and status were to be left at the door; the law of civility enforced by the owners without hesitation. What happened in the “warehouse” connected to the main building, however, was a different story altogether.

Nessa was waiting patiently in one of the warehouse’s dimly lit VIP lounges. Her navy skin was accented by the brilliant red blouse she wore, cut demurely in the front with a turtleneck and long, billowy sleeves gathered at the wrists, but seductively in the rear with an entirely open back to show off her skin. With her hair purposely styled to drape down her front, she was allowing the full effect of the missing material. Her skin-tight black jeans and tall leather boots completed the ensemble to give the effect of someone ready to go to a five-star restaurant instead of a questionable bar in the center of the city’s crime hub.

From his position behind the velvet curtains, clothed in newly acquired black and grey attire, and further concealed by Taz’s darkness, Daniel wanted nothing more than to steal Nessa away from the operation. It had nothing to do with concern for her safety.

He could barely contain his disgust at the thought of the cretin looking at her even one last time.

Though, assuredly, this would be the last time.

They’d found it true that the FDOCB had held him on their suspect list for over a decade. However, his priority had been dropped quite low due to lack of evidence. He was too good at being careful, both in how and when he met with clients. Despite such care, the one thing that he’d never thought to consider was the lengths a jealous former lover might go to in retaliation.

Zackery McCullen.

They should have known his acquiescence to their request had been too easy. It evidently wasn’t like him to do anything without an argument unless it was his idea. Yet, he’d been so ready to give in to Nessa’s demand. This abnormal passivity was because he’d been of the assumption it would be a step towards his primary goal.

Getting rid of Daniel.

Through Alfred’s examination of Zack’s memories, it came to light that the young man was rather humiliated to have lost his conquest to a man twice his age. The loss was only made worse in his mind by the fact that Daniel was so physically small. Certainly, such a diminutive waif of a man couldn’t compare to a specimen as appealing as himself?

The level of revulsion shared by all of them witnessing such self-absorbed arrogance had been overwhelming.

What was worse was what Zackery had chosen to do about this apparently inconceivable predicament. He’d prepared himself to be patient, knowing that it took time to find or manufacture evidence that could be used against someone. After all, the good doctor just had to have some skeletons in a closet somewhere.

He hadn’t planned on having a manufactured moment plopped right into his hands so soon after his plotting.

The evidence Jackal had referenced was indeed a photo of Daniel and Polly – courtesy of Zack’s contracted Private Investigator. This particular P.I. was dirty, however, specializing in paparazzi-like photos that incited all manner of questionable opinions. And he’d landed the Jackpot with Daniel and Polly’s moment to themselves.

They’d seen how the golden opportunity had warranted a small moment of hesitation. This was only due to Zack’s debate with himself on if he wanted to keep the soon-to-be situation at a local level or not. In the end, he figured the FDOCB would be involved eventually due to the nature of the photo. And while he hadn’t intended for Daniel’s removal to be as a result of his criminal affiliations, it was still the end goal that he be gone from Nessa’s life.

So, to the anonymous tip-line he’d gone.

While what resulted was almost as horrid as it could have been, Daniel nearly forgot about all of it in light of the nauseating possessiveness that this man harbored towards Nessa.

As far as Zackery was concerned, Nessa belonged to him.

Never before had he been so enraged by such a mentality. Sickened and disturbed by it, yes. Concerned for the safety of the person on the receiving end, of course.

This time was different.

For so many reasons, it was different. But fury filled his chest, dripped down his spine, and burned to the end his limbs all the same. Strangely, he didn’t need to calm himself as he watched through the curtain. Patience was second nature to him and had somehow grown with his anger. He supposed it was only natural.

After all, Zackery wouldn’t be leaving this room the same way he was going to enter it.

Nessa sighed, drawing Daniel from his thoughts as she looked at her phone. She was doing well to keep the solemn expression on her face, a far cry from how she really felt. After learning the truth yesterday, she’d managed to keep herself somewhat contained while with everyone. He had wisely chosen to do for her what she’d done for him the night before.

A whole section of breezeway needed to be replaced now, but that could wait until they were done.

She glanced to the door before placing her phone next to her purse on the table. Approaching footsteps could be heard drifting from down the hall. Daniel already knew one set belonged to Zackery and the other to one of the hosts of the bar. Luckily Zackery had been quite thrilled with the idea of meeting Nessa in one of their formerly favorite hangouts and hadn’t questioned her request that he do so alone.

Of course, not, Daniel mused, his mental words dripping with acid.

The younger man’s metrics certainly didn’t aid in his mood. Nothing pertaining to him would, but the man’s horribly contained excitement was doing him no favors.

After a few moments more, the host knocked twice then opened the door, smiling as she graciously gestured for Zackery to enter.

Nessa eyed Zackery with an unblinking stare, her pearlescent eyes stark in the lowlight of the room. “A bottle of Yuga Rose Wine and two glasses, please,” she ordered without looking at the host.

“Certainly.” With a tilt of her head the woman shut the door, leaving the two of them “alone” in the room.

Luckily this lounge was a larger one that could house twelve people, with a few furniture arrangements settled nicely in the space, and cinderblock walls covered with dark violet velvet curtains that paired ominously with the black-cherry stained wood floors. The lights were on a dimmer, but even at their brightest were too dark to see much by, especially in the corners of the room. Not that Zackery was paying any attention to the fact they were as dark as they could go, the curtains pushed from the wall by an extra foot or two.

“Hey, Ness,” he said, his voice toned to suggest concern. “You look… nice.”

“Yeah, well, I figure I could at least look good, if nothing else, you know,” Nessa quipped. She stood and turned away, walking further into the room, her eyes finding Daniel’s easily through the sliver of the curtain.

He did not hold her gaze long, his attention drawn away by another set of eyes.

His senses detected Zackery’s gaze scanning up and down Nessa’s back, the other man’s heart rate rising as his blood rushed southward. He clenched his fists tight, his own pulse racing as his anger boiled. Looking over his glasses, he took note of the subtle capillary inflammation in the man’s face, the way his pupils were dilated too far to be a result of the lowlight or dopamine release – which was already releasing at an accelerated rate as it was.

He’d made it known plenty of times that he couldn’t know for sure what substance was in someone’s body, but his ability being what it was, he could read symptoms with a level of accuracy that other doctors could only dream of. There was no doubt Zackery had taken a dose of SAT, classically known as Ecstasy.

Daniel took a silent deep breath but didn’t have it in him to try to calm himself. He was too far gone.

“I get that,” Zack said, still attempting to portray concern. “You always look good anyway, though.”

Nessa turned back, her heels clacking loudly against the wood floor. “Shove it, Zack,” she growled, walking passed him.

Zack tilted his head with a quirk of his lips. “Hey, I’m just speaking the truth.”

“Yeah, yeah,” she jabbed, turning at the door to walk down to the other end of the room. “I don’t even know why I’m here,” she mumbled.

“I told you, didn’t I?” Zack questioned, unbuttoning his peacoat. “I’m here for you. Whatever you need, however long, Ness.” He shrugged the coat off to toss it onto the plush seat closest to him, removing his scarf to do the same.

Not that he needed visual aid to tell him what his senses could plainly detect, but somehow seeing the man’s poor attempt at restraining himself was even further infuriating. Not because he could see it, but because he knew Zackery wanted Nessa to see it. She didn’t need visual aid either, but he wouldn’t be surprised if the idiot forgot she could see his heat signature.

Nessa didn’t even look at him, continuing a nervous pace at the far end of the room. “I know what you said, but I don’t know why I care.”

“Well, that’s a little harsh.”
“Is it?” Nessa stopped suddenly, turning a glare on him.

Zackery heaved a sigh, appearing to wilt under her attention. “Listen. I know I was kind of an ass-“

“‘Kind of?'” She barked a laugh. “You’re funny,” she all but spat.

“Okay, okay,” He raised his hands. “I was a total fucken asshat. I get it. But,” he shrugged and hooked his thumbs into his front belt loops, “I know it’s hard for you. I know he meant something to you.”

The subtle bob on the balls of his feet and slight tilt of his hips did not go unnoticed. It was all Daniel could do to keep his own legs stationary as theoretical fire seared down his backbone, his limbs buzzing with the effort of restraining himself.

Nessa scoffed. Then, a sultry smile bent her lips and she started towards him, her steps slow and deliberate. Reaching out to him, she ran her fingers over his shoulder and guided him into a pivot. He willingly turned to face her, his back to the curtain as she rested her forearms to his shoulders, clasping her fingers behind his head. “You know what else you are?” she asked in a silky tone.

“What’s that, hun?” Zack’s smirk was thick in his voice as he raised his hands to grip Nessa’s waist, smoothing them around to touch her skin.

Daniel no longer cared to wait for Nessa’s signal or what the others had planned. He couldn’t hear anything aside from the thundering in his ears, feel anything other than the ache in his fists and jaw and the burning in his blood. His senses were on fire telling him exactly what was going on inside the bastard’s body as he touched her.

He was touching her.

Daniel shifted silently through the curtain. His steps were strangely quiet. The back of his mind barely caught Taz’s Darkness muffling his footfalls. He wouldn’t have cared if the fucker heard him coming from a mile away.

With less than a foot of space between them, Daniel raised his hand, holding it within an inch of Zackery’s lower back.

“You’re a terrible actor.”

Nessa’s words rang with startling clarity in his ears, and he tapped a single finger to the other man’s back.

Zack’s reaction was immediate, turning with a start. “Wha-” before he could finish speaking, his knees buckled, and he crashed to the floor. “AH- FUCK!”

Daniel tilted his head, expression schooled as he watched Zackery start to get angry.

“My legs! What did you do to my legs you fucking-“

He gestured towards Zack’s throat, restricting his trachea. The younger man’s eyes went wide as he gripped his neck. When panic melted onto his face, Daniel took a step forward, hovering a hand over Zack’s chest. The panic remained in his eyes as his arms fell and his whole body went limp.

Zack fell backwards, landing hard on the floor.

Daniel stepped around his leg and knelt at his side, reaching to his throat and opening his trachea. He stared calmly as he moved his hand down the now helpless man’s chest.

“You know… everyone tolerated your presence in Nessa’s life because she was trying to do right by you.” He took manual control of Zack’s diaphragm, expanding and contracting his lungs smoothly. “I had resolved to do the same.” He forced the muscle to expand, robbing air from the precious organs. “Then you pulled that stunt of yours. And, as if that wasn’t enough, you decided to go even further for the sake of your petty arrogance.” Letting go of the diaphragm to let it continue its automatic function, he let his hand drift further, inducing myoclonus throughout Zack’s body. “You are responsible for the destruction of my practice, and injury or death to my patients, my employees… my friends. As for me personally? Well. Everything that was mine was burned in the fire.” His voice was low as he exaggerated the muscle spasms to the point of pain. “That includes my credentials. Which will probably be stripped from me anyway thanks to the efforts of the FDOCB. For all intents and purposes,” he tilted his head, “I am no longer a doctor.” He soothed away the spasms, letting his hand drift back up Zack’s body, inching up past his neck.

“So, what is it then that prevents me from ending your life?”

Wide, terrified eyes stared up at him, hanging on every word.

Daniel leaned forward, increasing cranial pressure as he held the gaze of the man beneath him.

“Nothing.”

Tears sprang to life and raced down the sides of Zack’s face.

A few moments passed and he watched, senses taking in the waves of fear filtering off the poor idiot. Taking a deep breath, he relieved the pressure and straightened back up. “Except that by killing you here and now, I’m the only one who would receive the satisfaction of knowing you’ve died for your crimes.” Reaching up to place his fingers gently against Zack’s forehead, Daniel gave the slightest nod. “Just know that whatever you wake up to, whatever decision is made, whatever they decide to do to you… is a result of your own foolishness. Sleep well.”

He forced Zack into unconsciousness, reversing the paralysis as he did so.

Unmuted thumps of heavy feet on the treated wood drew him back to the others as he stood.

“Remind me never to piss you off,” Taz said, grin in her voice.

Polly let out a sadistic chuckle. “Frankly, I’m impressed. Quite the breakout move to start your resume for joining the ‘dark side’,” she snarked with a giggle.

“Maybe I should piss you off more often?” Nessa closed the distance between them, draping her arms over his shoulders.

“That’s not funny,” he said sharply, his gaze stern.

“Well,” she shrugged, “you may be right. Does a poorly executed joke mean I can’t kiss you?”

He raised a brow. “Certainly not.”

Before he realized he’d opened the opportunity, Nessa slid her hands to his face, tilting his head up as she brought her lips to his. As aware as he was of the others in the room, he couldn’t help melting into her touch, his arms gingerly wrapping around her waist and holding her close.

“Now, now kids, wait ’til we leave, please,” Angus chimed in, stepping around to grab the collar of Zack’s shirt. “What are we doing with this mess, then?”

Nessa pried her lips from his. “Kill him,” she said flatly, re-draping her arms around his shoulders as she leaned into his hold.

“I’d rather not. I meant what I said,” he insisted.

She groaned. “But that means we have to fucking house the bitch. He doesn’t even deserve a damn doghouse.”

“I might have an alternative.”

Polly hummed curiously. “Is that so? Are you thinking who I’m thinking?”

Daniel glanced her direction. “Perhaps.”

Two knocks at the door preceded the host opening it, tray in hand. “I have your wine, ma’am,” she announced sweetly. “Are you sure you’ll only need two glasses?”

She didn’t bat an eye at the scene in front of her.

“No, thank you,” Nessa answered with a smile. “That’s it for now.”

Once the host sat the tray down and left, Polly checked her watch. “Sooo, I’ll be back in an hour?”

“Make it two,” Nessa chirped.

“What?” Daniel glanced between Polly and Nessa.

“Sure thing, baby-girl! Don’t have too much fun.” Polly smirked as Taz and Angus took her outstretched hands. The crackling of their departure left as soon as it came, and they were alone in the room.

Daniel looked up to Nessa with furrowed brows.

She grinned, running her fingers along his cheek.

“I dressed up for you, not him.”

His pulse jumped and he tilted his head, fighting to keep his face schooled. “Is that why you ordered the only wine I care for?”

Nessa bit her lip, rolling her fangs over her skin slowly. “Probably.”

His lips quirked despite his attempts. “I see.”

A low giggle escaped her as she ran her fingers into his hair. “And I’d love to share a glass with you. But I wanna taste you first.”

Despite what had just happened, their present location, and the unchanged circumstances surrounding his life at the current moment, Daniel felt that whim of wild abandon that only seemed to rear its head at Nessa’s prodding. He let himself smile as he held her gaze, mirroring the tender expression on her face.

“As you wish, my dear.”

***

Epilogue: Friends In Low Places

“Shug! I got food ready. You can come out or I’mma drag you out.”

She sighed at her mother’s threat, equally complacent about it as she was dreading it. “I’ll be out in a minute!” she yelled.

“You better!”

Laquisha Ambers ran her hands along her face, rubbing hard over sleep-deprived eyes.

It had been four days.

Four days ago her life was turned on end as the best job she’d ever had was burned to the ground after her friends and coworkers were gunned down by some twisted government goon. Her eyes stung again thinking about it. She wasn’t sure how. She’d cried so much she ought to be suffering dehydration. Staring at her computer screen, cursor hovering over a very important button, she also didn’t know what was holding her back.

It was a miracle she was alive. Having backtracked into the east facing office cubicles once the guns had entered the second floor, she’d gone completely unnoticed when they cornered Dr. Amos. Being virtually invisible due to focus on their target, she’d done the only thing she could think of.

Take out her cell phone and start recording.

Laquisha turned to step off her bed, pacing the floor for the umpteenth time – about as many times as she’d rewatched the video. On repeat all hours of the day and night she’d rewatched the footage over and over, hoping against hope that there was something she’d missed, that maybe there was some indication, some sliver of possibility that things were different than they appeared to be. But she knew how idiotic such hope was. The evidence was plain to see, she’d looked at it too many times.

Daniel Amos was dead. So was Miss Yu – Abigail. So were Jason, and Erica, and Rashi, the others… all of them gone.

She wiped her eyes as she made another circuit, once again fighting the guilt.

There was nothing she could have done. She kept telling herself that. She wasn’t a Daimo, she was a regular person and an average person at that. What could she do against soldiers with guns? Three self-defense classes at the age of eighteen weren’t going to help anyone. Even if her mind had been working, running was really the best she could do.

The image washed into her mind again.

Daniel so calm and collected, staring down the federal agent as if he was invincible. For a moment, Laquisha honestly thought he was. Then, the shot rang out. He fell so fast, his form swallowed by the chaos that broke loose. She’d already started running, bashing out the vinyl windows of the offices or slamming her body through the joints in the cubicle walls. By the time she’d climbed out the window and managed a controlled fall to ground level she was already smelling smoke. It wouldn’t have mattered. As soon as her feet hit the ground, she was running down the back alley and climbing the cinderblock wall as if she’d hopped it a hundred times.

Tears threatened to overwhelm her completely and her lip trembled again. “I’m such a fucking idiot,” she whispered.

Part of her wanted to deny it, but another part couldn’t bring herself to. She was hiding out with her mom, dad, and siblings possibly putting them in danger, she ran when she could have at least tried to do something and was hesitating to upload the only evidence that would refute the news – clear Daniel’s name. What was she if not-

“Laquisha! Get out here, now!”

“Oh my gawd, Mom, I’ll be there in a minute!”

“No, I need you right now!“

Something about her mom’s tone froze her pacing. Closing her laptop quickly, anxiety ate at her stomach like a parasite. Dreading what she would see, she opened the door and swore her heart stopped.

At the end of the hall standing by the front door was Dr. Daniel Amos. Clothed in black and wearing that same stoic mask she’d spent so many days memorizing, she briefly wondered if he was a grief-induced hallucination.

Until he spoke.

“Miss Laquisha-“

She was already flying down the hallway, all suspicion and hesitation thrown by the wayside. Falling to her knees, she collided with him, gripping him tight. “Oh my God, you’re alive!”

He was stiff under her hold but didn’t try to get away. After a few moments, he took a deep breath and his arms hooked carefully around her. “Yes, Laquisha. I’m alive.”

Laquisha sniffled, wiping her face as she tried desperately to quiet her crying. “I saw it, I saw what happened. I can’t believe it – you’re here!” She gasped, pulling away with a start. “Your shoulder! Oh-my-gosh, I’m so sorry, I-“

“Laquisha!”

Her mouth snapped shut as he grabbed her arms, those black-on-black eyes pinning her down.

“I’m alright. It’s been taken care of,” he said in a soft voice.

She nodded and bit her lip, eyes stinging anew as she threw her arms around him again. He held her in return with less reserve this time, and she was grateful for it. “What about the others?” she ground out.

He went still at her question. The answer was clear. But his quiet words answered her anyway.

“I was the only one.”

Squeezing his small form tighter, she shook her head against his shoulder. “How?”

A clearing throat caught her attention and she leaned away to see the other person in the room. She hadn’t noticed before, being so zeroed in on Daniel, but now was hard-pressed to miss the tall, navy skinned woman with long raven-black hair draped down the front of her dark wool coat. Even more catching was her eyes, no iris to be seen and pearly white in the light of the room.

She gasped. “Specter!?”

The woman smirked and shrugged her shoulders. “Probably.”

“Specter saved you?” Laquisha looked to Daniel in disbelief.

At her scrutiny he glanced away, his lips forming a tight line. “Actually, it was Tempest.”

She blinked slowly, sinking to sit on her feet as she stared at him. “So, you… you do know villains…”

“Did you say Tempest?”

All eyes turned to the owner of the new voice, Laquisha’s younger brother.

“Oh lawd, help me,” her mother muttered, slapping a hand to her forehead.

“Is she here? Can I meet her?” he questioned, a grin lighting his face up. “Dude, she’s like, my favorite!”

Laquisha glanced to Daniel who was staring wide-eyed looking like a deer caught in headlights. “Um…”

“Boy, they didn’t come all this way for you to play fanboy!”

“What? She’s here anyway!”

“Wait,” Laquisha tilted her head, “why are you here?”

As Daniel’s gaze met hers once more, dread pooled in her stomach. “We need to talk to you. Privately, if possible.”

“Now, hol’ up!” Her mom brandished her wooden spoon at Daniel like a sword. “You can’t just show up and-“

“No, Mom.” She stood, refusing to look her mom’s direction. “He’s right. There’s something we need to talk about.”

The woman heaved a monumental sigh. “Good grief, girl, what the hell-“

Sharp knocking at the door cut her off.

Specter smirked and rolled her eyes – how the motion was so obvious without irises to watch roll was curious – and opened the door. Leaning down with a smile was a giant, silvery skinned woman with bright silver eyes and steel colored hair wrapped loosely into an elegant bun overtop the black fluffy collar of her coal-black coat. She raised a hand and waved her fingers spiritedly. “Hello! I heard someone wants to meet me?”

Her brother’s excited screeching grated against her ears and her mom’s groan rattled her nerves.

“Well, hurry up, then, get in here!” her mom insisted, waving them in.

As Tempest and another person – a lanky man with long brown hair and weird greenish yellow eyes – stepped through the door, Laquisha gestured to Daniel and Specter. Slipping down the hall to her room amid the chaos, she led them in and shut her door quickly behind them. When she turned to look at Daniel, standing in her room, very much alive, very much okay, a new wave of tears broke through. She lunged for him and wrapped him in yet another hug, holding him tight. He was tense, but again wrapped his arms around her without hesitating.

“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe you’re okay.”

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It’s… hard to believe. I understand.”

She mimicked him without meaning to, inhaling deeply, the warm, clean scent of his hair filling her nose. As much as she wanted to hold him like this until her legs gave out, she knew she needed to let go. Doing so was hard, but she managed, her fingers dragging along his arms as she fought the urge to grip him to her again. Swallowing hard against her tight throat, she clasped her hands, if for no other reason than to occupy them with something. “So. You’re here. Is it… because-“

“We know about the video,” he cut her off. “Please, Laquisha, tell me you haven’t uploaded it anywhere.”

Her anxiety jumped and she shook her head. “No. No, I haven’t. How?” Her voice started wobbling as she tried to keep herself measured. “How did you know?”

He huffed through his nose. “That’s something I can’t tell you. But I can tell you you’ll put yourself and your whole family at risk if you post it anywhere.”

She nodded.

“So!” Specter held up a suitcase and grinned. “We’re here to steal your stuff.”

“Wha- steal?”

Daniel’s hand at her forearm drew her gaze back, his expression apologetic. “It isn’t enough to transfer the file from one device to another. There will be evidence of it, even if you do a factory reset. The safest option is to take the whole item.”

“You have insurance on your stuff, right?” Specter asked.

Laquisha looked between the two of them then at her phone and laptop on the bed. “Yeah,” she nodded, “I do.”

“Perfect. Open and shut theft claim and you get yourself brand new replacements!”

She nodded again before walking to sit on the bed and open her laptop back up. “Yeah. I guess you’re right.” Putting in her password unlocked the screen to the upload page she’d been staring at for more than a day. She heard both Daniel and Spector stop breathing. Their combined anxiety caused her to move carefully as she closed the upload window then exited out of the site altogether. Closing the laptop again and unplugging it from the charge cord, she was slow to hand it over, but not because she cared so much about the electronic. The same hesitancy followed as she passed her phone into Daniel’s hand. She kept her eyes averted, fighting the urge to stretch her fingers out further to brush his skin.

It was like a dream come true. But it was like a real dream, coming as a surprise only to be taken away so soon. Except she got to know it was fading away – and fading fast.

“Um, my passcode-“

“Don’t worry.” Specter said, closing the briefcase and snapping the latches. “We’re villains, remember? We’ll get in,” she said cheerily.

“Right, right.” Laquisha nodded and stood from the bed. She watched Daniel exchange a subtle glance with Specter, a clear and quiet communication. When he leveled his eyes back on her she felt her heart sink.

Will I ever see you again? She wasn’t sure why she didn’t ask the question aloud, though she wasn’t sure she could have with her throat constricting tighter and tighter. Watching as that stoic mask she had memorized throughout the last few months bent at the edges, Daniel’s brows dipping down and concern warming his features, she couldn’t fight the surge that rushed her chest.

She lurched forward, her hands cupping his face as her lips found his.

It wasn’t a surprise to her that he went entirely stiff under her touch, freezing completely, even his lungs stilling as if she’d knocked the air out of him. She lingered a little long, but when she did pull away, she did so quickly, clasping her hands tight as she looked at him timidly. His eyes were wide, the black an even darker contrast against his pale skin as his shoulders remained raised and rigid. Letting out a small laugh, she shrugged. “I’m sorry. If this is the last time, you know,” her gaze found Specter’s, the woman clearly tense, her expression on the edge of tipping from tight composure, “I just wanted to steal one kiss. Just one.”

She wasn’t oblivious. In this short-lived interaction, she’d managed to piece together that Daniel’s patient, Nessa Coalson, and Specter were the same person. As much as she had hoped that the unusual closeness that was clearly displayed between the two of them was simple familiarity, she couldn’t pretend to be that naïve.

Not anymore.

Specter took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing. The woman raised her hand, pointing one finger upward. “You get one pass,” she muttered lowly.

Laquisha giggled despite herself, rubbing her eyes as fresh tears sprang up.

Daniel cleared his throat, straitening his coat and tilting his head as if cracking his neck. “We should be going. We can’t linger too long.”

“Yeah, you’re right.” She smiled even though it felt like a lead weight was pulling on her shoulders. “You usually are,” she whispered.

Daniel’s looked at her as Specter opened the bedroom door. His expression softened. “Stay safe, Laquisha.”

“I intend to,” she said, wiping her eyes.

He turned and exited, making his way down the hall. Before Specter could follow, she touched the other woman’s shoulder. When her pearly eyes landed on her she held the gaze with resolve.

“Take care of him?”

She could have hit herself for how fragile her voice sounded. Specter seemed to appreciate her words nonetheless, a smile blooming. “I will.” She then tilted her head, a playful sternness coloring her face. “You take care of yourself, you got that?”

Letting out a warbly laugh, Laquisha nodded. “Yeah. I will.”

Following into the front room, her feelings were momentarily side-tracked by her brother’s antics. In the short time they were in her room, he’d evidently gone to his and pulled out some posters and his sketchbook. Tempest appeared to have already signed the posters and was happily looking at the drawings of her that he’d done.

“Oh, honey, I love how you interpret my tail!”

The gargantuan woman squeaked when the man next to her elbowed her lightly. Standing straight with a grin, she heaved a sigh. “Well, looks like our time’s up!”

“Oh man, already?”

“Devon! Manners!”

Laquisha smiled at her mom’s reproach. “Yeah, bud, they got villaining to do, you know?”

Her brother scoffed and Tempest giggled. “That’s right, girl! Oh! And, by the way,” she looked to Devon, pointed her finger at the sketchbook then grinned and tapped the right side of her mouth, “don’t draw my missing tooth! The media are told to keep that on the down-low as much as possible, so if anyone knows about it, they know who’s in the know,” she explained with a wink.

“Oooh, okay! Good to know! Or, not know,” he said with a laugh.

“Atta boy!”

“Thank you for answering the door, Mrs. Ambers,” Daniel said with a nod to her mother.

“We’re safe right?” her mom asked without skipping a beat.

Daniel glanced back at Laquisha. “Yes, ma’am. You are.”

“But remember,” the other man piped up, “you know nothing and no one, eh?”

“Oh yeah, nothing at all. I promise.”

She giggled at her mom, smiling wider when she threw a glare her direction. “See you…” Later? Is that ever going to be a thing?

“Sure thing, honey. Keep those eyes peeled,” Tempest replied with a smirk.

The villain wrapped her arm around the man at her side and draped her other arm over Specter’s shoulders while Specter gripped Daniel’s shoulder tight.

Laquisha looked at Daniel, eyes wide as his gaze me hers.

And then he was gone.

The now empty space at the front door made her heart ache but she knew it was for the best. In reality, she wasn’t surprised that he knew and worked with villains, just as she hadn’t been surprised when she realized how familiar Walter Zimmer looked when she first saw him. She knew Dr. Amos’ mission statement, and she’d understood how seriously he took it immediately upon signing on with him. This moment, him risking his life, and technically asking the others to risk their lives, all for her and her family, someone he didn’t know really at all, only drove home further his selflessness.

That was part of why she loved him so much.

Laquisha sighed, smiling as her brother spazzed out over the whole thing.

See you around, Doc.

***

FR Log 03.12.2162

Case File: Amos, Daniel G.

Specimen: Daimo

Event: Apprehension

Status: Failed

Subject: MIA

Agent: Jackal, Christopher J.

Audio Log 091 – file date 03.12.2162

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

||| transcript start |||

C. Jackal: “You can stop staring at me like that.”

Debrief Officer: “Like what?”
C. Jackal: “I was told he was a low threat level, dammit!”

Debrief Officer: “Was he?”

C. Jackal: “NO! And he had a fucking bodyguard? Where was that in the reports?”

Debrief Officer: “We had nothing to indicate-“

C. Jackal: “Oh, can it, you fuckin pencil-pusher! I was given shit data and you know it!”

*Interrogation room door opens*

(Agent identified: Director Robert Allendale)

R. Allendale: “You seem a little aggravated, Jackal.”

*Director makes a gesture*Debrief officer leaves room*

C. Jackal: “Director.”

*Director sits*12 second silence*

R. Allendale: “Why did you let him get close enough to manipulate you?”

C. Jackal: “I didn’t! The fucker was ten feet from me!”

R. Allendale: “The data specifies he has to be within inches of a body to-“

C. Jackal: “I don’t care what the data says, with all do respect, Sir. I was ten feet away from the little worm and he…”

R. Allendale: “He what?”

C. Jackal: “He did something to my arm! One minute I was pointing at crazy snake lady and the next I was over in left field. Lot’a good it did him since the shot hit him instead.”

R. Allendale: “And he did this from distance.”

C. Jackal: “Like I said. Ten feet at least.”

*37 second silence*

R. Allendale: “looks like we’ll have to update his specs.”

C. Jackal: “Sure shit do.”

R. Allendale: “This doesn’t change your failure to perform appropriately-“

C. Jackal: “The fuck you talking about, the whole operation would have gone without a hitch if-“

R. Allendale: “The whole operation could have been handled without involving public opinion. You realize how problematic this makes the situation?”

C. Jackal: “Since when has that ever mattered?”

*23 second silence*

R. Allendale: “You’re on probation starting today. Await further orders at your station.”

C. Jackal: “You’ve got to be kidding me-“

R. Allendale: “Jackal. Don’t push back on this. You’re getting off easy.”

*Director leaves room*57 second silence*

C. Jackal: “Beady eyed fucken rat is gonna pay.”

*Agent leaves room*

||| transcript end |||

Art Inclined

Join The Art Side

Reading Room

DarkFire 1.0

Chapter 01: Nights Like These

Chapter 02: In A Word

Chapter 03: Her Family

Chapter 04: Different

Chapter 05: Bird In A Cage

Chapter 06: Risk And Reward

Chapter 07: Surviving A Heist

Chapter 08: Come Fly With Me

Chapter 09: Beyond The Horizon

Epilogue

DarkFire 1.1

Chapter 01: Just Another Day

Chapter 02: Black And White

Chapter 03: Shades Of Grey

Chapter 04: Eye For An Eye

Chapter 05: The Question

Chapter 06: The Answer

Chapter 07: Right Effect, Wrong Cause

Chapter 08: The Cause

Chapter 09: The Effect

Chapter 10: Retrieval, Retreat, and Relief

Chapter 11: Another Day In The Life

Chapter 12: Unexpected Consequences

Chapter 13: Lost In The Fire

Chapter 14: Sifting Ashes

Chapter 15: Broken Oath

Epilogue: Friends In Low Places