Disclaimer: The movie from which this story draws belongs to Brad Bird; the song from which this chapter draws belongs to LeAnn Rimes.


"In super news, the big story of the week is the search for Elastigirl and Count Malediction following their mutual fall off the Count's jungle obelisk on Thursday morning," said David Brinkley's face on the flickering television screen. "The National Superhero Bureau has dispatched teams to search the heavily forested area near where the fall occurred, but neither the heroine nor the villain nor either of their bodies has yet been found. NSB director Rick Decker has issued a statement saying that there is reason to believe that at least one of the combatants is still alive, but that any definite statement on the subject would still be premature…"

Bob Parr buried his face in his hands and groaned.

"Darling," said Edna Mode, touching his elbow with atypical gentleness, "you must not give in to despair. Helen is a remarkably resilient child; if any super could survive that fall, it would be her."

Bob did not respond, and, after a moment, Edna sighed and walked out of the room, over to the doorway where Derek Goellner, Modenheim's chief of security, was standing.

"Pretty sad picture, isn't it?" said Goellner. "Mr. Incredible, reduced to flipping through TV news shows."

Edna nodded.

"I mean, it's just wrong," said Goellner. "Someone this strong shouldn't be watching This Week."

Edna spread her arms. "Darling, nothing about love makes sense."