The Stranger

As they arrived back at the doors of the lab, Go-Go breathed a contented sigh. She couldn't imagine why she hadn't done this sooner. Of course she hadn't known Hiro all that long before, only having heard about him from his brother Tadashi before his untimely death, and when she actually had met him it was obvious that he was a little young for her. Still, even then she had found Hiro kinda cute, particularly for someone who was as smart as Tadashi claimed that he was, and she found the way he'd called this place the "Nerd Lab" to be especially endearing (she herself referred to it as much before she first stepped in here).

Anyway, she had found tonight's outing (she still cringed somewhat inwardly at the idea of it being referred to as a "date") to be rather enjoyable, and it helped that Hiro was keeping it light by shying away from traditional date-like activities and not insisting on doing things like holding hands. It made spending time with him like this easy, not having to worry about what other people would think.

"Hello? Go-go?" Hiro said to her, bringing her out of her musings, "Did you hear me?"

"Sorry, I was lost in thought," Go-go apologized, fervently hoping those thoughts weren't showing on her face, "What did you say?"

"I was asking if you really were wanting me to take you back here, rather than back to your home?" Hiro asked her.

"I'm sure," Go-Go confirmed, sighing inwardly in relief at the innocent nature of the question and answer, "My project for midterms is coming due next week, and that bank robbery we stopped yesterday had cost me some precious time, so I've got to get some work done on it tonight."

"Yeah, I guess I do as well," Hiro said as he scratched the back of his head, "Would you like a hand?"

"That'd be great, thanks," Go-go replied smiling. "I could use the help."

"Not a problem," Hiro told her, "Anything for a good friend."

Go-go then felt a small twinge in her chest as Hiro said this. She didn't know why Hiro's statement upset her, but until she did she determined that she wouldn't let it show as she turned and open the doors, the lights automatically coming on. Go-go blinked in the sudden brightness, surprise rooting her in place as she found they weren't alone in here. All their friends; Wasabi, Fred, Honey Lemon and even an activated Baymax were standing just inside, looking at them in anticipation. From the corner of her eye, Go-go saw that Hiro hadn't been expecting to see everyone here either as Wasabi said with a knowing smirk on his face, "So, guys, how was your date?"

Go-go gaped at him for a moment, then she focused her gaze to glare daggers at Honey Lemon, who waved her hands franticly as she said defensively, "I swear! I didn't say anything!"

"She didn't have to," Fred told her, "anybody could see it. Even Tadashi, while he was still here, had predicted this."

"The neurotransmitter levels of you and Hiro have been rising steadily in the weeks since we had stopped the alien invasion," Baymax explained, "with you two improving more on an emotional level than the others, particularly when in close proximity to one another. Only Wasabi and Honey Lemon seemed to be displaying a bond nearly as strong."

Wasabi and Honey Lemon glanced at one another, then they shifted slightly apart as Hiro retorted, "It's not like that, guys. Go-go and I are just really good friends, that's all."

Go-go felt another twinge in her heart, and she didn't look in Hiro's direction in case it showed in her eyes. Before anyone could come up with anything more to say, however, Go-go heard the hum of the elevator just before the ding that signaled its arrival on their floor.

"Were we expecting anyone else here tonight?" Hiro asked them.

"It's probably just security, doing their rounds," Fred guessed. From the slender silhouette of the slumped figure that showed through the glass windows, which were currently in frosted mode, and the labored breathing they heard in the hall outside, Go-Go had a feeling that it wasn't security.

Her suspicion was confirmed moments later when the doors opened, the young woman leaning on the handle to hold herself up. While the woman appeared to be wearing some sort of outfit like an uniform, it certainly wasn't one the Institute's security personnel wore. Despite the fact that this lady was obviously in some sort of trouble, Go-go couldn't help but feel jealous of this woman's supermodel good looks. Her slender build, which might have appeared sickly on someone else, made her appear glamorous and graceful in spite of her bland uniform. In addition, despite that her perfect complexion was marred by a number of cuts and bruises, she still looked stunningly beautiful.

When the woman's legs started to give out from under her, Hiro rushed forward to support her, and Go-go felt her feelings of jealousy intensify as Hiro asked the stranger, "Miss? Are you alright? Do you need us to call anyone?"

"No, Hiro, I'm afraid that it wouldn't do any good," the woman replied, her shoulder-length platinum-blond hair framing her face as she struggled to stand upright again, "and I'm afraid that there isn't enough time anyway."

Go-go saw her shock reflected in the faces of the other even as Hiro asked in surprise, "You know my name?"

"Yes," the woman responded as she pushed herself upright, her legs still wobbling, "I actually know quite a bit about you….and your friends."

Go-go narrowed her eyes in suspicion as she asked, "Just what's going on here? Who are you?"

"My name is Mirag….I mean it's Cadet Odette Asis," the woman told them pleadingly, "I'm afraid I must ask you guys for your help."