Why anyone would have so many useless apps on their phone, Emma had no idea. But here she was scrolling though Stanford's phone from one bit of rubbish to another. Some two-bit display of the family progression for the throne that ran a mile long and longer still. Another spouting new clubs and idle gossip of celebrities, what a load of bunk. She did find the remote setting for the Reverb that should quite a bit of promise for mischief in the future. Emma yawned dryly reaching his contact list which Emma was simply awestruck that the phone had enough memory for it all, no surprise there. A salon or two was listed as well, if Emma had to guess some overpriced windbags with flashy scissors.

The thief tucked the phone away before leaning back, enjoying the comforts of her newly constructed room. Sage had made quick work of it during Emma's short time there, a bit bare to begin with but then she could always fill in the empty spaces. She had already put up a few posters of muscle cars with some foreign beauties among a few license plates she had accumulated from a few shops in Handler's Corners or from what she had tucked away in her trunk. The bed was of a reasonable size, she could stretch out easily with room to spare or a cozy fit for two. A single shelf hung over her bed littered with tools and knickknacks. A few magazines and abandoned scribbles littered simple desk in the other corner just a step away from the door.

A few compartments were hidden away with what clothes and personal belongings she had with her. It was within reasonable accommodations, she'd ask for a window but technically being underground the only view she would get would be dirt. All in all, it would do. She had full facilities and didn't have to pay rent, which was okay in her book.

Emma hummed lightly kicking up her leg over her knee bobbing it lazily as she stared at the ceiling. She had left a lot of her stuff behind, of course with the forces chasing her out of Las Vegas she didn't exactly have time to make a sweep to her house and pack. She'd have to go back when the smoke cleared. She let her mind wander back to the city of sin. Her crew had scattered to the winds when the cops showed up, someone had tipped off the feds. No honor among thieves, after all. There were a few guys shady enough to want her out of the picture. Jobs don't come easy and if you didn't get the job, that's less money going in your pocket. It was a dog eat dog world and when it came to boosts, and Emma was top bitch. She could get the job done and do it with flare.

She was lucky enough to get away when the getting was good. Did her crew have the same luck? Her boys were smart, but there wasn't exactly a lot of escape routes and there were not a lot of options open. Did they get out? Did they get caught? Are they hiding out? Who was the rat who squealed them out? These questions were buzzing in her head, so abuzz she almost didn't hear the rapping and tapping at her door. She sat up, her legs thrown over the edge of her bed and her hand rubbing a knot out of her neck. "Enter at your own risk." Emma looked up with the distinct whir of the door and grinned lightly at her guest. "Hey, sugar."

Vert leaned against the doorway, dressed in his t-shirt and jeans, as was she, and in a good mood judging the smile on his face.

"I came to check on you."

"You don't say."

"Yeah, you know since Agura wailed on you across the salt flats."

Emma ignored his attempted humor as she dropped her head with a small smirk. "You heard, huh?"

"Everyone did, Agura's been bragging in the break room."

"Frick."

Emma had to admit, Agura knew her way around the Tangler. The hunter had won, but it was far from a landslide. Agura had a better advantage with the Tangler's ability to climb rock faces cutting her time going around them. Emma drove like a speed demon, but Agura had the upper hand and she used it. Emma's pride took a hard blow, but she knew when she was beat. Agura had her bragging rights, so she should.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, the girl got game and she beat my ass with it." She lifted her head, smirk a little wider. "I'm not hiding out if that's what you're asking?"

"Nah, I figured as much." Vert smiled lazily, Emma shook her head.

"Of course you did."

"Yeah, well me and the guys are gonna watch a movie. You in?" Emma snorted back a laugh.

"A movie?" Emma repeated with a full catlike grin. "Wow, you sure know how to charm a girl don't cha Sugar?"

"It's not like you have anything better to do. Do you want to or not?" He argued lamely, a tad pink around the ears from her teasing which made Emma laugh and turn his pink to a pale red.

"I'd love to." Bracing her hands on her knees she stood up and walked up patting Vert playfully on the shoulder. "You made that way too easy, Vert."

"Whatever." The thief had the pleasure of watching the fearless leader harrumph with a frown border lining a childlike pout. Vert stepped out of her room. "Come on."

"Right behind you." Emma tucked her hands in her pockets with a Cheshire grin from ear to ear as she followed Vert. "So what the movie?"

"I don't know Spinner's the one who picked it up."

"..…" There was a short pause. "Should I be worried?"

"Nah, he's harmless. Cheesy but harmless."

"Nothing wrong with that." Vert nodded, Emma cast a quick glance towards Vert's back as they walked down the hall. "Hey Vert."

Vert looked over his shoulder. "Yeah?"

"Anyone ever tell you, you have a cute butt?"

Vert stumbled over his feet, sputtering a sting of incoherent words trying to catch himself. Emma threw back he head and roared with laughter. The whole team seemed to hear them; all eyes were on them as they walked into the break room. Well Vert walked, Emma did a spur-of-the-moment bounce step around him. "Too easy, Sugar." Her mischief sated, Emma jumped over the couch promptly plopping on the cushion next to Sherman. Stanford had dibs on the easy chair, Vert sat with Agura on the other couch, Zoom was manning the floor and Zoom was squatting in front of the TV. "So what're we watching?"

"Slug Bots: the Movie." Spinner exclaimed excitedly. Emma raised her brow.

"It's a movie?" She glanced at Sherman who shrugged. "Huh, go figure."

"Yeah. Turns out the game was based off this movie from the eighties." Spinner held up the DVD for all too see. Ah, the eighties. Back when special effects were just blossoming in CGI. This wasn't going to be cheesy; this was going to be uber cheesy. "I found it in some thrift store. Who would throw away a treasure like this?"

"Someone with taste?" Sherman murmured out of the corner of his mouth. Emma nearly snorted. Thankfully it was quiet enough out of ear shot. She was convulsed in a quick silent laughter.

"Good one." Emma quietly chortled.

"Alright," Spinner stood, having put the disc in the DVD player. "Prepared to be amazed with the awesomeness that is—Hey!"

"What?" Emma was confused by Spinner's outburst.

"You're in my spot!" Spinner pointed a disgruntled finger at her spot on the couch. Emma double blinked.

"So?"

"So." Spinner all but whined. "So move Ems, I was sitting there."

"No way, I just got comfortable." Emma squirmed deeper into the cushions. "I like this spot."

"I don't care, move it."

"What's the big deal? It's a cushion. I'm not killing anybody sitting here." She turned to the younger brother for support. "Sherman, you care if I sit here?"

"No."

"Vert?"

"Not really."

"Stanford?"

"Meh."

"Zoom? Agura?"

"You're good, bra."

"Nope."

"See, no one cares."

"Just get out of my spot!" She didn't answer for a while and the others watched with full amusement as Emma glared daringly at Spinner lifting both her legs onto the coffee table, crossing one over the other before resting her arms behind her head grinning her Cheshire grin. She wasn't moving willingly.

"You're move, little man." The room grew quiet except for the upbeat music of the DVD's menu waiting for Spinner's next move. She was taller than he was, and she was probably heavier too. Plus they'd seen her duke it out with Kalus so they knew she wasn't afraid of a fight. Spinner was a scrapper too. Chances are Emma could probably pin Spinner to the ground. The way she was holding herself certainly screamed her confidence. "Well?"

It was like a mouse staring down a hungry cat.

He didn't say a word, he grumbled a little but never a word as he slumped on the cushion left on other couch. He caved. Emma's grin simmered to a proud smirk.

That's what I thought.

They started the movie without further ado, the movie was as cheesy and corny as the popcorn, which was often ammo and thrown across the room, Spinner often the main target of attack. She was charmed by their clowning around, acting like the fate of the multiverse wasn't in their hands or hanging out in some underground secret base. She gave a shout as a wave of popcorn came down on her, quickly using Sherman as a shield and throwing kernels back over his shoulder. Sherman curled over laughing arm covering his head. He was good sport.

At one point they were so caught up in their little war the movie was momentarily forgotten as they took cover in uproar and laughing as the kernels flew. Someone's soda exploded with fizz and unleashed itself without mercy covering most in sticky cola. Nobody cared…well almost; Stanford got hit and ran out in order to preserve his appearance. It was only after Sage came down to see what was going on and got caught in the crossfire did things simmer down and red-faced and giggling they finished watching what was left of the movie which was about ten minutes short of the credits.

Spinner wanted to watch it again; the others groaned and left him to it. Gathering popcorn bowls and soda cans they cleaned up the mess and later fought over who got to wash up in the bathroom when they managed to pry pretty boy out of there and who the kitchen.

Emma claimed the kitchen, so she and Agura were rinsing out their shirts in the sink scrubbing the tackiness off themselves when they heard the cat calls and whistles from the doorway. The bra clad girls turned, Agura's lime green with yellow trim, Emma's black bordered with pink, and glared dryly at the boys who gathered there.

"Grow up you guys." Agura said in exasperation.

Emma put a loose fist on her hip, the other holding a damp rag. "Take a picture, why don't you?"

"I'll get my camera."

"Out!" Emma wadded the rag and flung it at them; Agura grabbed the spray nozzle from the faucet and sprayed them shouting and sopping out of the kitchen. They had only laughed and rung out their shirts. "Is it always like this?"

Oh yeah." Agura laughed throwing her shirt over her shoulder. "Think you can handle it?"

"Handle it?" Emma laughed openly, Cheshire grin and all shaking out the last drops from her own shirt. "Darling, I live for it. Frankly, my day isn't complete without spinning my tires and busting my gut otherwise I won't get any sleep at night. "

"No kidding?" Emma batted her golden eyes innocently holding up her hand in mock salute.

"Scouts honor."

"You weren't a scout."

"Cross my heart." Emma swore, crossing an 'X' on her chest. "Wasn't for very long thou, I kept eating all the cookies." Agura was overcome with snickers.

Emma was laughing with her. This was good. She liked this. A bit unorthodox what with the threat of aliens and robots, but still good. Her crew had been like this. Laughing, fooling around, having fun. From boosting cars and running from cops out chilling out relaxing and sharing a couple drinks. It wasn't honest work they did, but having them there made it fun. Like nothing could touch her.

She could feel it here. With these people who fought not only for themselves but for billions even trillions of other life forms out there and here they are talking and laughing without a care in the world. Emma liked this. It was fun. It was comfortable. It was right.

Emma could honestly get used to this saving the world business.

"Think they're still out there?"

"Nah," Emma laughed, glancing quickly at the empty doorway before turning back. "But just to be safe, got any water balloons?"

Chapter 7!

I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!

There are not enough words in the dictionary to tell you all how sorry I am. I was busy with work and classes. I know some of you may have given up on me continuing my stories but I promise now that I'm done with my courses, I'll be devoting my spare time to updating my stories.

You have every right to chew me out. I deserve it.

Reviews are welcome; critiques are needed to make it better.

I love you all.

I hope you enjoyed it.