Hello again, I thought I'd go ahead and get this second chapter out, I don't think it'll be much longer than five chapters, if it reaches that... I'm going to take the lack of any input that I'm not butchering any characters all that much. I hope everyone enjoys this!

It Started With A Wedding

Chapter 2- Cousins

The last day of Elizabeth's three day weekend passed far too quickly for her liking. She would have loved to spend more time lying about and doing absolutely nothing, but she knew that wasn't a possiblity, no matter what she wanted. She spent a good amount of time preparting for her added classes, making sure that she knew which students would be in said classes, and what had been done so far in the classes. She had never liked the way that they were taught. Save the Citizen was an idiotic game, but it had it's purposes, the whole point should have been to get everyone involved rather than to have one group holding the title of undefeated. She had some plans to impliment.

By the time her third period class rolled around Tuesday, she felt as if she were prepared to face the class, she was looking at the class much like she did her others. She wanted to make a difference to them, even if it was in the way of them using their powers rather than intelligence. She felt prepared. She'd been sure to wear flats that would give her easier movmement, and she'd worn something that looked professional while giving her room to move around.

Walking into the Gym, Elizabeth pulled her jacket off, earning a few catcalls, which she promptly ignored. She had her clipboard in her other hand and took another look at it. This might not be too difficult, she hoped. She wanted to get through with teaching the Gym classes, there just wasn't anything that was appealing about them to her. She wasn't a physical person most of the time, she relied much more on her mental capabilities.

"All right, settle down."

She raised her voice, the authority oozing from her. If there was one thing she knew how to do it was to keep a class under control. Though, these students were still speaking a bit, not bothering to even look at her.

"Pardon me, do you have something to say that's more important than my lesson?"

"Uh...no?"

One of the boys that had been speaking said, and he sounded as if he were amused, the smirk on his face obvious.

"Good, now hush up, I only have a bit to say before we can get started."

She stated evenly, looking down at her clipboard. She didn't even have a moment, she heard one of the girls mocking her accent. She only smiled and turned to the girl.

"I take it you find something about the way I speak amusing, Miss Delvers?"

"Yeah, you sound like a priss."

Elizabeth quirked a brow and crossed her arms, the clipboard dangling from one hand.

"Very well, you're entitled to your opinion, but do you think you could avoid disrupting class and mock me later?"

The girl looked shocked that Elizabeth had come off with that instead of seeming all that offended. She just nodded obviously confused.

"Good. I'm sure you've already realized that Coach Boomer isn't returning, the classes have been split amongst the teachers each period. I happen to have this period and sixth."

"For how long?"

A tiny boy toward the back asked without raising his hand. He was actually in one of her other classes, his name was Paul.

"Until Pricipal Powers can find a suitable replacement. For now, you're stuck with me. I've made a few changes, though. I don't believe that the way Save the Citizen has been operated in the past is very efficient or beneficial, so I've taken the liberty of organizing a tournament and giving you partners that balance the strengths and weaknesses."

"Why can't we pick our own partners?"

A larger boy complained, crossing his chubby arms in defiance. Elizabeth only smiled.

"You, being students, are more inclined to just pick friends as partners. That isn't going to have the best choice, considering the fact that your friends' abilities won't always compliment your's, nor will they always be helpful. Learning to deal with someone that you may or may not get along with to blance out your abilities is the best course of action."

Liz explained confidently. She proceeded to name off all of the pairs, and as expected, she recieved repulsion, among other things. The students were all complaining, though two took it a bit further. They were supposed to be partners and instead of dealing with that, they began to argue, and it was an uproar. One boy's fist was drawn back, preparing for a punch, and Elizabeth acted quickly, sweeping her left hand out and tilting it to the side slightly with a small wave, both boys freezing in their spot. The other students were surprised and shocked.

"What did you just do?"

"Stopped that lot from fighting."

She stated simply as she moved over to the boys she pushed them further apart physically, the whole classing watching with enrapt attention. Elizabeth had pushed them far enough apart that no one would be getting hurt and then she stepped back from the two as they unfroze, the boy who'd been drawing back springing forward and overshooting himself seeing as he had no one to hit, he hit the ground with a thud.

"There will be no fighting in this class that has nothing to do with Save the Citizen. That's detention for you Mr. Handler, as well as you Mr. Bertram. Both of you have a seat on those benches," Elizabeth pointed to the benches in question," I'll escort you after class has finished."

There were several more hitches in the class, but nothing to the severity of the two partners attemtping to fight one another. There were a few arguments, a few tears, and a few teams that were very unhappy, but Elizabeth had gotten through her first day of teaching the class, and she was happy with the way things had turned out. It hadn't gone too horribly.

As she was escorting the two boys to the detention room, she recieved several looks, though she didn't bother to acknowledge them. She was far too busy speaking with the boys about their behavior. Her blue eyes focused back and forth on each boy.

"You won't always be in a situation where the person you'll work with will be someone you get along with fine and dandy. You have to be able to put your differences aside, and you definitely need to learn when to pick your fights, gents."

She told them as her parting words as she ushered the two of them into the detention room.

"Remember that, and think about the fact that I paired everyone up for a reason, your powers and specialties should balance one another out, you could both use that to an advantages rather than being dunderheads about it. Think on that, and I'll see you both in class tomorrow."

Elizabeth offered as her parting words as she headed towards her own classroom, the bell ringing moments before she entered. Her arrival seemed to hush the class instantly, a large group of students gathered around Patrick Lopez's desk. The sophomore class stared at the red haired teacher as if seeing her in a new light and finding her something possibly dangerous. She offered a smile.

"Why are we all gathered at Mr. Lopez's desk, might I ask?"

"Just reading something, Ms. Warren."

Elizabeth cocked a brow and tilted her head at hearing that. This class complained about her assigning homework to read, they obviously weren't inclined to do so of their free will all that often, so it caused her to wonder just what they were studying exactly.

"All right, Mr. Lopez, what have you brought in that's so attention grabbing?"

Elizabeth said, approaching the desk, the other students scattered quickly, going to their desks. Patrick looked a little green, as if he were going to be sick, and Elizabeth smiled.

"Uh... I've...it's...paper."

"Paper?"

He gave a nod and held up a section of the newspaper, which caused the teacher to laugh as she held out her hand and he placed it there. She moved back to the front of the room, placing the paper on her desk.

"You can pick that up before you leave. Now, does anyone have questions about the chapter I instructed you to read?"

Silence enveloped the room, and she knew that none of them had read the chapter.

"How many people actually read the chapter?"

Elizabeth asked warily. Two people raised their hands. The red head groaned and rubbed her forehead, this was going to be a long day.

"All right, I'm giving you twenty minutes to read the chapter, Marisa and Bethany, you two may work on other homework or whatever you'd like while the others are reading the chapter. AT the end of twenty minutes we're going to have a discussion about the chapter, so retain what you read, please."

Elizabeth sat down at her desk and took attendence quickly before having a look at the section of the newspapter that Patrick had brought it. The picture there was probably what had them all in a tizzy. She was right there in the local section. Pictures of Zach's wedding littered the page, but three of them obviously stuck out. There was a picture of Warren escorting her down the aisle, then one of them dancing, and finally one of them talking at one of the tables, and Elizabeth seemed to be laughing while Warren smirked.

Elizabeth had forgotten that sometimes the local reporters enjoyed getting pictures from weddings for the papers. It didn't matter either way. She was quiet as she read the article that was congratulating Zach and Magenta. The captions on the pictures stated nothing other than the names and the fact that they were in the wedding party. The fact that the kids were so enrapt with attention at this was a little strange.

Studying the picture of herself, Elizabeth had to hold in a laugh. She was wearing a dark purple dress with a cap sleeve and a v-neck, it didn't hug the curves too tightly, though. It actually pulled away from the waist and was ankle length. Her hair had been done simplly in a french twist. She couldn't understand why this would be a big deal, unless it was the fact that she was in the paper and pictured with Warren Peace. She knew his past reputation, but he was also a hero nowadays. His father might have been a Villian, but Warren definitely balanced that out for himself. He was far from evil.

She decided to ignore the fact that the students seemed to be fascinated with the article, or something in it. She continued on with her class, going over the lesson on the possibilities of utilizing both strengths and weaknesses and taking those strengths and weaknesses and examining them.

The class passed quickly, the whole day did, though there were several jibes directed at Elizabeth, which she ignored. Even a few of her fellow teachers had decided that the picture was something that was amusing and something that was worth of their attention. It was rather annoying.

"You should wear dresses more often, Elizabeth, you've got a great figure, I'm sure students would pay more attention."

That was one smart comment that she'd gotten from the arse that taught in the mathematics area. Elizabeth was quite adept at ignoring the stupidity of others, though. She was able to ignore it all.

The next two weeks continued similarly, and it was annoying, but tolerable. She was glad for another weekend, though. Her weekends were almost always very calm and serene. She tended to stick to herself when she was at home on the weekends. From time to time she'd go out or she'd go to dinner with one her her parents, sometimes she even went to Brett's house for dinner, but she prefered to just lay about. It wasn't exactly a very socially friendly way of living most of the time.

She spent a quiet Friday night, grading papers and watching some television, playing with Teddy a bit as well before she went to bed early. She slept in the next day, but was up by nine o'clock, having coffee and getting some more grading done that way the rest of her weekend would be work free. She was seated at her breakfast bar, a red pen in hand as she made corrections on an essay that was turned in. It was actually short by about a page, but she was grading it anyway.

It had been a quiet morning, but it was broken by the phone screeching to life. Liz put her pen down and got up, grabbing the phone and pressing the talk button.

"Hello?"

"Izz! How're you, darling?"

Elizabeth smile at the voice on the other end, she knew right away who it was. It was her cousin Charlie.

"I'm doing wonderful, Charlie, how're you, love?"

"I'm doing wonderful, as always. I wanted to know if you would come to dinner with me tonight since I'm in town for a few days?"

Elizabeth grinned. Going out anywhere with Charlie was always a bundle of fun, and she couldn't think of anything she'd rather do.

"Where are we going to dinner at?"

She asked.

"The Paper Lantern, it's Chinese food, sounds good, eh?"

"Actually, it does. What time, Charlie?"

Her cousin was quiet for a moment.

"How about six, we'll have time to eat and then if we want to paint the town red, we'll still have time?"

There was an obvious grin in his voice and Elizabeth laguhed.

"Sounds lovely."

"Izz, do me a favor, and don't dress boring, we're going to have fun tonight!"

They both laughed. They spent a few minutes chatting, Charlie telling Elizabeth exactly what she could and couldn't wear. She was laughing at him and his clear instructions before they both got off the phone. She had no problem finishing up her grading and spent an hour or so cleaning her house and then picked out her outfit for her outing, showering and french braiding her hair to keep it out of the way. She even did a bit of make up, the dark contrasting with her pale skin, make up wise as well as clothing wise.

Elizabeth was wearing a pair of dark, black jeans and a green tunic. She topped that off with a pair of boots with very little heel, she really didn't need to be any taller than she already was. She let Teddy out before she left and then got into her car, driving to the Paper Lanter and waiting in her car for her cousin. She didn't have to wait long because he came running up to her car right after he'd pulled into a parking space.

"That wasn't an outfit that we agreed you could wear, Elizabeth!"

He teased, and she just grinned.

"I guess I'm just not adept at following the rules, love."

She said, getting out of her car and hugging her cousin, while pecking him on the cheek.

"You don't look too bad, though, I suppose. So, how's Brett and his brood?"

"They're good, Sophie is getting big, and for some reason lately she's fixated on 'Aunt Lizzie'."

Elizabeth grinned.

"That has to be adorable."

He said as they were seated. They both ordered quickly and settled into chatting. It would be difficult for others to tell that they hadn't seen one another in several years. Charlie had an awesome job that allowed him to travel, while Elizabeth stayed put.

"So, you're a teacher. I still can't see it. How the hell can you teach?"

"IT's actually fairly easy. I like making the students think. They teach me new things all the time."

She told him with a grin as she munched on some broccoli. He just stared at her.

"Darling, you're far too smart. I bet you're the sexiest teacher at the school!"

Charlie joked. Elizabeth laughed. They were interrupted by someone walking up to the table.

"Can I take any of your dishes?"

The voice was deep and familiar to Elizabeth. She turned to the person and grinned.

"Well, hello again, Mr. Peace?"

She teased, he didn't grin wide at that, but the amusement shone in his eyes.

"You know him, Izz?"

"He's a friend of Zach's, he and I had some interesting conversation at Zach's wedding."

She filled in, picking up a few of the plates and offering them to Warren with a smile. He took them, narrowing his eyes at the man that was eating with Elizabeth. He couldn't help that he felt slightly jealous at the prospect that she was out with someone else.

"Oh, you probably think I'm incredibly rude. Warren, this is my cousin Charlie, Charlie, this is Warren Peace."

She introduced with a smile. Charlie was checking Warren out, which he realized after the man had looked him up and down. Charlie didn't say anything embarassing, though, which Elizabeth was glad for.

"Have you heard from Zach or Magenta?"

Elizabeth asked curiously. Warren nodded as he picked up the dishes.

"I suppose they'll get aorund to calling me. Thank you, Mr. Peace."

Warren was obviously annoyed at her calling him Mr. Peace, but he was amused as well. He walked away, toting the dishes. Charlie stared at her for a moment.

"You are a complete and utter idiot, love! He is positively scrumptious."

She laughed at that.

"Perhaps you're right, but, Charlie, he's one of Zach's friends, and I'm not going to chase after him, I'm content as I am."

Elizabeth might have found Warren attractive, but she wouldn't chase after him. There was no point in it. She wasn't starving for the attention of the opposite sex, and she could handle being single quite well. She did better single most of the time.

"You have to get his number! Izz, he's gorgeous and he's not too short for you either!"

She only snorted at that.

"Charlie, drop it, darling."

"You're no fun!"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at her cousin and snorted as she took out her wallet.

"Elizabeth Eileen Warren, don't you dare, this dinner was on me and you k new it was going to be on me!"

Charlie gout out, swatting at her hand. Liz couldn't help but laugh and shake her head, putting her wallet away.

"You are batty, Charlie."

Charlie only grinned as he got up, taking out his wallet and grabbing the check.

"I'm going to pay, I'll return momentarily!"

He stated dramatically, as Elizabeth laughed. She didn't think that he'd be up to anything but he was. Charlie found Warren easily. He'd already taken out a pen.

"I'm paying you for our check, and there's something you might want on the back of that."

Charlie said pointing to the paper he'd handed over. The man was grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Warren lifted a brow at the man, holding hte money as he looked at the back of the receipt, seeing a name and phone number scrawled on the back.

Elizabeth Warren

246-0822

Warren had to hold back a smile, smirking slightly. Charlie winked.

"You better call her at some point, otherwise I'm going to be sorely disappointed!"

The two man shared a sort of look as Charlie walked away with a smirk. The two cousins left and had a drink before Elizabeth decided that she had to go home. Charlie pouted, but didn't mind too much.

Elizabeth unlocked her door and made her way inside, seeing that Teddy was lying sleep in the doorway, and stepping over him. The other thing she noticed was that her answer machine was blinking the number one, meaning she had a new message.