"Hold on, you're letting her go out- just like this?" Derek said in disbelief, gesturing to Alex with one hand.

Laurel glanced back and raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Well, yeah. What's the problem with that?"

"The problem is what she's wearing!" Derek sputtered, which earned him a death glare from Alex. "Excuse me?" She looked like she wanted to hit him.

"Your stomach is exposed- y'know, that part of your body that just about holds all of your vital organs? One shot and you're out of the game and into a hospital." Derek barrelled on, ignoring the angry looks Alex continued to send him.

"I'll be fine-"

"-No, he's right." Laurel said suddenly, turning to look at Alex. "Go put on a jacket or something. You too, Mark." She ordered.

"That's not fair!" Mark protested. "You guys go running around with cut outs on your outfits all the time, and I can't go out wearing a t-shirt?"

"No, you can't. They-" Laurel jerked a thumb at Derek and Kathy. "-Need those cutouts for their Circle marks to show and protect their identity, and I need my cut outs so that my clothing doesn't burst into flames every time I use my powers." She said dryly. "So go." She made a little shooing motion with one hand.

"Can you believe that guy?" Alex grumbled, leaning against the bathroom door. They were just waiting on Mark to change his pants now. "What do you mean?" Laurel asked, looking up from her communicator, where a paused game of Angry Birds could be seen. "Derek." Alex's lip curled. "He's ridiculous. I swear, he just brought up the whole clothing thing to spite me. 'Must still be mad that I beat him during our spar." She grinned despite herself.

Laurel rolled her eyes, smothering a small giggle. "You are completely clueless, you know that? He likes you. And he's just trying to keep you safe. It's sweet, really." She tilted her head and smiled.

"What? No!" Alex's cheeks were bright red now. "He's a hopeless flirt, and that's all there is to it."

"If you say sooo…" Laurel singsonged.

"Oh, but I'm the only one with guy troubles, right? How about you?" Alex retorted. "So far, you've already got Liam and Mark falling all over you. I wouldn't be surprised if Derek turned right around and joined the club."

Now it was Laurel's turn to blush. "You take that back!" She hissed, painfully aware that her face was heating up already. "You know that I don't feel that way about either of them."

The doorknob jiggled, and Alex fell back in surprise. "Ok guys, what'd I miss?" Mark said, turning up his red jacket collar. "N-nothing!" Laurel stammered, backing up slightly. "Just…come on. We've made the others wait long enough." With that, she marched away, and Alex fell back beside Mark, snickering slightly.

"What was that all about?"

"Ah, nothing. Just girl talk."