*DISCLAIMER*: All of the respective characters, plots, settings etc. are the property, both intellectual and non, of the respective owners of Loonatics Unleashed IP (Warner Bros. Animation) I am IN NO WAY with the owners, creators or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.

Expendable:

The bright light irritated Ace's eyes. He hated the monthly check ups, however, after some time, he had begrudgingly accepted it into his routine. He was glad Tech was still as vigilant as when they first started. But that light still irritated his eyes.

"Do you really need to shine that light in my eyes so long, Tech?"

Tech offered a wry smile at Ace's discomfort. After ten years, he had come to expect it.

"Just long enough for you to get uncomfortable. I know how much you love these check-ups."

Tech moved the light away from Ace's eyes and switched it off. Ace blinked harshly as his pupils readjusted to the light. Tech made some notes on his computer.

"Alright… I just need some blood work and then we're done for this month."

Ace moved over to the dentist-like chair where Tech was waiting to extract a blood sample. Ace sat down then promptly leant back in the chair, his arms positioned on the armrests, giving Tech unobstructed access to his veins. The needle was inserted with Tech's signature surgical precision. Once a sufficient sample was collected, he removed the needle, placed it down in the sterile tray and bandaged the puncture area after swabbing the area with disinfectant. Ace stood up and cast a disappointed look in Techs direction.

"Anything else you need Ace?" Tech tilted his head. Ace adopted a hurt expression

"Don't I get a lollipop?" Tech ignored the rhetorical question and turned back to his computer. While the computer archived Ace's blood sample, he let out a relieved sigh. Ace saw Tech visibly slump in his chair.

"Everything okay Tech, buddy?" Tech ran a hand across his face before replying.

"No nothing's wrong. It's just… ten years of doing this. We're not twenty-somethings anymore. I guess I just feel like we've had all that time taken for this-" He gestured at the lab he was sitting in. "- and it feels unfair." Ace appraised his long-time friend. He looked tired, extremely tired. The first beginnings of silvery fur were beginning to show on his muzzle.

"It has been a long time, Tech." Ace agreed "But we've helped loads of people. That's what we do, that's what heroes do. The fact we lost that time is just a sacrifice we must accept." Tech straightened, a sheepish look on his face

"I guess you are right Ace." He shook his head quickly as if to dispel those thoughts. "Anyway, we are done with the check-up. If you need me I'll be here working on some stuff." He turned back to his computer, engaged in his ever-present pile of work. Ace bid farewell then left the room. As the door slid open Ace was almost knocked over by a red blur followed by a hasty apology. Ace chuckled as he exited the room and the door slid shut. Rev seemed to have gotten faster in his older age. If that was even possible. Ace made his way into the kitchen to get some food. Slam was currently working his way through the food reserves for the week. Ace moved quickly to snag a couple of carrots and soft drink before Slam could devour them. Slam uttered a greeting in between handfuls of food. Ace returned the greeting as he exited the kitchen, glad he didn't have to clean up the mess Slam left behind.

Passing the couch as he headed for his room, Ace accidently bumped into Duck. Duck rebounded off him and landed on his back with an indignant squawk. Ace offered a hand to Duck, who took it with murmured thanks. Duck then pushed past Ace, turned on the television and flopped on the couch with an audible thud.

Ace watched as Duck changed channels, pausing only slightly between button presses. When Duck finally settled on a channel, Ace could only let out an amused sigh. It was the Misty Breeze Show. Like it always was. Even after all this time Duck was still a sucker for Misty Breeze.

"Even after ten years, Misty Breeze still looks heavenly," Duck sighed "How is it that she still looks so young?" Ace had the perfect snide comment lined up but a voice behind him stole it from him

"I believe it's called plastic surgery, Duck" Lexi brushed past Ace to address Duck. Lexi looked as good as she did when Ace first laid eyes on her. Her tan fur glistened, suggesting she had recently had a shower. Lexi glanced over at him, catching him staring at her. Ace abruptly tore his gaze away from his second in command and focused back on Duck.

"You're just jealous Misty Breeze is famous and attractive," Duck retorted with a sniff. Lexi just rolled her eyes at Ace, making fake gagging motions behind Duck's back. Ace chuckled at her perfect encapsulation of their reaction to Misty Breeze. Lexi jerked her head to the side and gave him a questioning look

"I was going to train. You wanna spar?" Ace smiled, giving her a brief nod, then followed her into the training room. Duck watched them leave, then slowly shook his head

"Such a waste of time. There hasn't been any major crime in years." Duck snorted. The advertisement break ended and Duck was once again captivated by its flickering lights and colours.

Ace and Lexi entered the training room at the same time. The room was split into two parts; one side was sparse, used for sparring bouts. There was no need for a mat as Tech had installed a super soft polymer hybrid just above the ground. It absorbed the inertia created by a body hitting the ground, removing the risk of injuries. As such Ace and Lexi did not need any protective equipment when they sparred. The other side of the room contained various fitness equipment that the team had regularly used when the people of Acmetropolis had still needed them. Everyone on the team still trained and acted like they all still mattered. They were only lying to themselves.

As they normally did, Ace and Lexi started their sparring session facing each other, about an arm- length away from each other. Suddenly Lexi closed the gap between them until she was close, extremely close. Ace gulped as he looked Lexi up and down. She really was as beautiful as the day they met. Lexi raised an eyebrow as she watched Ace check her out.

"See something you like?" Ace had the decency to look suitably chastened, even blushing a little. Lexi let out a wry grin. She leant even closer towards Ace, so close their noses almost touched. Ace's breath quickened at Lexi's proximity to him. He never noticed Lexi position her foot behind his, that is, until he crashed back onto the floor. He didn't feel any pain, but the wind was knocked out of his lungs. Lexi towered over him, not a single hint of remorse on her face.

"Now that I like seeing." She said as a mischievous smile broke out on her face. Ace, having recovered and murmuring something about 'dirty trick', positioned himself opposite Lexi and the two adopted their fighting stances. The sparring began. Ace and Lexi were mostly evenly matched with Ace possibly having a slight edge in a straight fight. Punches and kick missed and connected as Ace and Lexi both dodged and ducked, counter attacking and blocking. It was a beautifully violent dance. Eventually Ace called a halt, which both took gratefully. Both combatants were panting heavily, sweat glistened off their grey and tan fur. Ace held out his hand to Lexi who took it, acknowledging an equal. Ace stepped towards Lexi, so close that his chest pressed against hers. Lexi's hands naturally fell so they rested on Ace's chest. Ace smirked.

"See something you like?" he mimicked Lexi's voice near perfectly. Lexi once again raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Possibly… depends on what you mean by like?" Ace smiled at Lexi, who returned it. The next thing Lexi knew she was on her back on the floor. Ace craned over her, a sly smile touched his features.

"Now we're even." The smile grew even wider as he reached down to help Lexi up, only to be replaced with a look of shock as Lexi used his own body weight against him, bringing him down to ground level. Ace shock grew as Lexi landed on top of him, leaning heavily on his chest.

"I guess I win." Lexi triumphantly stated. Ace was silent from the shock of what was taking place. He really hoped no one walked in right now. Lexi was still panting from the training session. The silence stretched out as they both realised just how compromising their position was. Lexi was blushing heavily as she got to her feet then helped Ace to his. Ace also had a crimson streak running up his neck. Lexi looked decidedly flustered as she grabbed a towel to dry herself off. Ace was still lost for words. The smooth sound of the door opening jarred both out of their daze. Tech rushed into the room, a mass of papers clenched in his hand. Tech went straight over Ace, stopping briefly to acknowledge Lexi then addressed Ace

"Chief, I need you to look at this right now." Ace gestured around the room

"We're kinda busy here Tech, can't this wait till-"

"You need to see it now" the tone in Tech's voice got Ace's attention. It was deadly serious. Tech pushed the papers into Ace's hands. Lexi realised that this was serious and excused herself and quietly left. Ace focused on the papers in his hands. His eyes widened as he read the paper. He looked up at Tech, hoping that it was some elaborate prank. Tech's face was a grim.

"Th-This has to be a mistake… have you checked it?"

"Three times. It's no mistake." Tech was cold, almost mechanical as he answered Ace. Ace's face grew pale

"Then that would mean…" Ace paused, unwilling to voice his thought. That would make it real. That scared Ace beyond all belief. Tech held up a hand to stop Ace's panicked ramble before it began.

"Come with me to the lab. I can explain the whole thing from the start…"

Ace and Tech left the training room post haste. They headed straight for Techs lab and didn't stop until they were inside. Tech locked the door to ensure they wouldn't be interrupted.