So I desperately need to get back to writing, so here's a short little one shot to try and get me into form. It's set during 3.5, and is about what would happened if Armsmaster wasn't such a dick.

Sound Reasoning

"Abandon this charade, little bug girl, before you bite off more than you can chew. Tell me what you know, right now, then go home. I don't care if you put your costume away for good or if you sign up for the Wards, but don't go on with the solo act. That's my recommendation."

That stung. I tried again, "I gave you Lung, full credit. You can't give me the benefit of a doubt?"

"You...!" He shouted, but cut himself off from the rest of what he was about to say. Armsmaster let out a heavy breath, and paused for several seconds. My dad would do the same thing to keep from yelling. A part of me felt embarrassed that I let the conversation get so heated. A smaller part resented the fact that Armsmaster was the one acting adult. I knew it was silly, he was the adult, but still I could tell it only proved he was right about me being too young.

"Lung was almost dead when I brought him in. Do you realize that? He was barely breathing. As far as anyone knows that's on me."

"I didn't mean to," I protested. I wanted to argue more, the amount of venom in his system shouldn't have been lethal. I was sure part of it was due to the tranquilizers, but right now I needed Armsmaster to listen to me.

"I understand, and I'm not unsympathetic. That's why we have to Wards. To help kids like you from going overboard. Learn the system and to know when to stop before they hurt someone."

I almost growled. I was so sick of hearing about the Wards. The more he brought it up the less I wanted to do it. It felt like he was trying to talk me into sitting at the kids table to avoid annoying the grown ups. I was a hero, or I was trying to be. He should respect that. "I don't want to join up. Not now. Not when I have a chance to do real good. I just need you to trust me."

He shook his head. "You don't get it. I can't help. Not like how you want."

"You don't get it. I just need a little more..."

"No, you don't understand. I literally can't help. What you're asking me to do, what you're planing, it breaks everything I've sworn to uphold. This is what I mean by learning the system. Your spy operation is illegal. If it didn't get you killed anything you'd give me would be thrown out of court."

"...but" I hated how weak my voice had gotten. I almost wanted to cry. I was sure, so sure, that this was my big chance. My way of making a real difference, become a hero. To learn that it was all a lie. No, not a lie, a fantasy, a stupid dream I made up in my head, and Armsmaster's words were like a cold bucket of water to wake me up. I should have known better than to think I could make a difference.

"Look, you seem like a good kid, a little overzealous but you seem like you really want to make a difference. I might not be able to help get in deeper but I can help to get you out. You say they're planing something? Tell me, or tell me what you think you can without letting Tattletale know and we'll bring them in."

"It won't hold them, and if they get out they'll try and kill me."

"I won't lie and say they can't ever get out, but even the best Villains take time to stage an escape. We can offer protection if they do escape and seek revenge. I can even see about relocation." His voice trailed off, waiting for my answer.

I thought about it. I...didn't hate the idea. A chance to get away from Emma, from the absolute mess of a hero career I had so far. A fresh start, a new life. I really thought about it. There was one big problem.

"My dad," I said. "He doesn't know about any of this. I'll have to tell him everything."

Armsmaster gave me a long look. "Is your father the reason you triggered?"

"What?! No."

"Then tell him. The longer you try to hid this, the worse it will be if he finds out."

"I know, that's not even the problem," I knew what I was about to say would effect me forever, but if I couldn't trust Armsmaster I was never going to trust anyone. "My name is Taylor Hebert, my dad is Daniel Hebert, he's a big shot on the dockworkers Union. He's built his whole life around Brockton Bay. He won't want to go, and if he has to leave because of my mistakes..."

I looked down, imagining the way dad would look after having to abandon this city, all his dreams, because I was an idiot. Suddenly a heavy hand pushed my chin up, Armsmaster looked at me, without his helmet. I was so frozen up that all I could think was 'he has really pretty eyes'

"My name is Colin Wallis, and I promise you, if you father is any sort of parent you're life and future will mean more to him than this city ever could. No matter where you are sent, no matter what happens you will be safe even if I have to call in every Protectorate member in the country to make sure of it."

"Y-you really mean that?"

"It's the least I could do for a fellow hero."

What could I say I smiled, before I tried to school my features into a heroically stoic expression. Despite my practice my lips didn't seem to want to stop. Clearing my throat I got back to business.

"Alright, here's what I know."