CHAPTER 10

The next morning...

Sleeping together, there were no clothes obstructing the path that her hand was slowly tracing on his body. Hawke opened his eyes and was met with the sight of Caitlin, propped up on her side, watching him as he met her gaze.

"Hey, handsome," She said as she gently traced his lips.

"Hey, beautiful," He said brushing her hair aside. "Sleep good?"

"After that workout, how could I not," Caitlin said her impish grin shining through. "Last night was the best of my life,"

"Yeah, it certainly was for me as well," Hawke grinned as he met her lips.

"String, things are moving very fast between us and.."

"What?" He asked.

"Well, I'd love to go on a date," She said. "What I mean is, not being taken to the local bar for beer and steak. While the rest of his friends make you feel like one. I want to go on a dinner and movie kind or a fancy wine and dine. A walk on the beach at sunset holding hands, bowling, horseback riding, picnic in the park...anything,"

"You want to be romanced," Hawke said with a wide smile. "I understand,"

"You do? because I don't want you to think I have doubt's about us," She said. "I just never had a proper date,"

"I know you don't," He said as he gently stroked her cheek. "We'll try again tonight,"

"Great, and this time I'm meeting you outside my building," Cait chuckled.

"Good Idea," He said as he rolled on top of her. "But right now, I can't resist the temptation to have you one more time,"

"I was hoping you'd say that," She said as she met his lips.

Early afternoon...

"I take it your date went very well between the two of you yesterday," Dominic said as he walked into the kitchen. "Or shall I say all night?"

"Yes, it did," Hawke said. "We're going to try..I mean go out again tonight,"

"Oh really, that's great to hear," Dominic said.

"Dom, did you tell Clara about where I went last night?"

"No, she doesn't know," Dominic said. "She thinks you were at the cabin with your friends,"

"Good, keep it that way," Hawke said. "I'll tell her I'm going out tonight,"

"I'll look after her," Dominic said. "But I wouldn't advise a sleep over if you get my drift,"

"Don't worry wasn't planning on it," He said. "Cait, wants to do the dating thing for a little bit,"

"Well, you get to know each other better," Dominic said.

"I know, it'll be fun," Hawke said.

"So what are you two gonna do?" Dominic asked.

"I don't know yet, but I'll think of something," He said. "In the mean time, I gotta go spend time with the other special lady in my life,"

"Well, before you go and do that there's something I gotta tell ya," Dominic said.

"What is it?"

"Remember when I said that with my luck they'd hack the Pentagon?"

"Oh no..." Hawke said.

"Those little rascal's did just that and Mi6" Dominic said. "Archangel wants us at his office,"

"She used the machine!" Hawke said. "Maybe it isn't a good idea to let her have this control,"

"String, she didn't use the machine," Dominic said. "Those little criminal masterminds did it all themselves with their own program,"

"Why didn't the machine stop them?" Hawke wondered.

"String, she probably told it not too," Dominic said. "Their little minds joined together is turning into a pretty dangerous thing,"

"Where is she?" Hawke asked.

"Last I saw her, she was in her room," Dominic said. "She knows now what they did was wrong. She's terrified String, don't go in there with guns blazing,"

As Hawke climbed the stairs he wondered if this was the beginning of future similar acts. Trying to figure out how to punish her, a word that even made him cringe with the knowledge of her horrific past. The usual is beyond pale to what warrants this situation.

Hawke stood at the closed door taking a deep breath before entering.

"Clara?" Hawke said.

He entered her room looking around even checking under her bed. As he stood back up he heard a small sniffle emanate from the closet. Slowly he opened the door to find her sitting on the floor with her three precious cats. Looking up to him with her big eyes, red and puffy from crying.

"Clara, come out of the closet," Hawke gently said. "Come sit here,"

Doing as she was told she stood up and slowly walked out sitting next to her father on her bed. Her head held down unable and afraid to look at him. She felt so horrible at what she had done. She let him down and afraid now he would love her less.

"Clara, Grandpa told me what happened," Hawke said. "I'am not happy about this and I'm shocked that you and your friends would do something like this,"

"I'm sorry, Daddy!" Clara cried. "I really am!"

"Clara, why did you and your friends do that?" Hawke asked.

"It was a dare," She said.

"What?" Hawke said. "Who dared you?"

"We were playing a game and that was one of them," Clara said. "We each write a dare and put it in a jar,"

"What kind of dares?" Hawke asked "Please let it not be the traditional ones,"

"It's computer and science stuff," Clara said.

"Who wrote this dare?"

"Sherlock," Clara said. "Tony picked it,"

"He hacked the Pentagon on a dare?"

"Yes," She said.

"Did you tell the machine not to stop him?"

"Yes," She said.

"But I don't understand why MI6?"

"That was Sherlock," Clara said. "He wanted something about his Daddy,"

Hawke sat for a moment trying to digest everything. Their version of truth or dare was a dangerous one. Dominic was right their minds joined was extremely dangerous and heaven knows what lies ahead with their combined forces. In a way they can't help it, he understands all the knowledge in their tiny minds need to explore and learn but the recklessness can not go unseen.

"Is that the truth?"

"Yes, I'm sorry," Clara cried. "Please, I didn't mean to do anything bad,"

Hawke put his arms around her holding her tight to him. "I know, Clara, but I can't let you go without some restrictions,"

Clara sniffled as she nodded her head in agreement.

"For the next month, no play room and play dates with your friends," He said. "When you come home from school, you will do your homework and no television. You will use the computer for school only and only in my presence. There will be no candy or junk food and you will eat your dinner without any complaints, and go to bed right after dinner. Lastly, I'm removing your bedroom door to make sure your following the rules, Understand?"

"Yes," She said.

"Alright, now we have to go see Uncle Michael," Hawke said. "He want's to talk to you and your friends,"

"He's gonna be really mad at me," She said. "I'm scared,"

"Don't be scared," He said. "He'll be a little upset, but he's not going to yell at you,"

As they headed down the stairs Hawke couldn't wait to see Archangel's face finding out it was caused by an innocent childhood game. At least they gave him and Dominic a small pleasure in watching him react in shock.

While Clara took care of her pets before they left, Hawke explained to Dominic the how and why of the precarious situation.

"Well, what did she say?" Dominic asked. "Why did they do it,"

"It was a dare," Hawke said.

"A dare?" Dominic asked. "You mean to tell me they were playing a game?"

"Yup," Hawke said. "Their version of 'Truth or Dare' is not your normal kid version,"

"String, you know this is just the beginning," Dominic said.

"I know what will they think of next," Hawke said.

"I'm sure we'll find out soon enough,"

The Firm...

Clara and her friends sat before Archangel with their respective parents standing behind wide eyed at the severity of their children's infraction. He sat there in disbelief looking at the little children before him shocked and amazed at that they hacked into the system so easily where other's have failed. Shocked even more that little Clara was part of this. He wished he could of seen Hawke's face upon finding out that this little angel was possibly a brilliant little criminal in the making.

"I want to know why and how you all came to do this?" Archangel asked.

"It was dare by Sherlock," Tony said.

"A dare?" Archangel asked.

"We play a game called 'Truth or Dare' but our version involves Computers, science, math," Tony said.

"I'm not surprised it was my son," Mrs. Stark said. "Tony, are you that bored?"

"Yes, it was a great challenge but it was way to easy," Tony said. "You guys need a new Firewall, I could make one for you,"

"We write them down and put them in a jar," Clara said. "Whatever we pick, we do it,"

"Though one time we dared Sheldon to eat a pizza with pepperoni, pineapple and onions," Abby said. "Instead of his usual sausage, mushroom and olives,"

"That's light olives, there's a difference," Sheldon said. "My stomach suffered, I had so much gas I thought i was gonna light up hot air balloon,"

"He has OCD, every Thursday at one a.m he has to have pizza," Sherlock said. "We actually were thinking of changing the time as well,"

"Really?!" Sherlock retorted. "I'll get you if you change my creamy tomato soup day!"

"Sheldon, take that back!" Mrs. Cooper said. "The good lord.."

"That's a good idea Sheldon," Patterson said. "Instead of Wednesday eat it on Friday instead of Chinese food,"

"ENOUGH!" Archangel interjected. "I can't believe sitting before me are six year old kids who managed to easily hack into two of the world's most covert agency's,"

"It was too easy," Tony said. "And it took them a pretty long time to figure out they were hacked,"

"Did you guys see anything you shouldn't have?" Marella asked.

"You mean Nuclear missile codes?" Tony said. "See, there's an example as to why you need better security,"

"YOU SAW THE CODES!?" Archangel exclaimed.

"Yes, but we logged out as soon as we saw them," Patterson said.

"That's when they realized we were in the system," Clara said.

"They wouldn't have found out it was us," Abby said. "But because Sheldon entered the wrong key, we were made,"

"Sure blame it on me!" Sheldon said. "Sherlock wrote it down,"

"You typed it in wrong!" Sherlock shot back.

"Did not!"

Hawke and Dominic could not hide their pleasure as they watched Archangel and Marella being taken down by a couple of genius kids. Watching them squirm with shock was the second most satisfying part of his day. Also the children arguing amongst themselves ignoring the glares from the shocked pair. They truly were in a league of their own

"Alright, stop it," Archangel said. "I've got six little felon's in the make here, god knows what else you guys are genius at. But leave the covert, top secret government stuff to the adults. If I find out any of you tried something like this again, there will be consequences. Right now you will have to deal with your parent's punishment,"

"Don't worry, Michael I've already put restrictions on Clara," Hawke said. "We had a discussion before we came,"

"Okay, I need to speak to you before you leave," Archangel said.

"How are you dealing with your daughter?" Mrs. Stark asked.

"Well, I'm grounding her for a month. Which means no play dates, she's only going to see you guys at school. She's going to bed right after dinner, no playing in the back yard or pool and her play room is off limits as well and also I'm taking her bedroom door off so I can make sure she's following the rules. Other various little things also such as no television,"

"That sounds like a good idea," Mrs Stark said. "A month long grounding is ideal for this situation, and also give us some breathing room before the god knows what's next,"

"A MONTH?!" Tony exclaimed.

"Yes, all your little toys and gadgets are being taken out of your room and the house," She said. "Your lab room is off limits as well,"

Tony sat there pouting along with the rest of the gang. They did look adorable but it had to be done.

"Sheldon, I'am taking away your comic books along with all that Star whatever stuff," Mrs. Cooper said. "Especially that weird looking Jewish elf,"

"That's Mr. Spock and he's a vulcan!" Sheldon said. "That's blasphemous! Take it back!"

"Whatever, he looks like part of the devils army with those pointy ears," She said. "School, homework, bible study, church every Sunday and no making armed robots to guard your room from your sister. Last time you burnt her eyebrows off,"

"MOM! Not bible study!" Sheldon pouted.

"No more Shelly or I'll have Grandma teach it to ya,"

"Sherlock, I will inform father of this," Mycroft said. "I will leave out the detail regarding Mi6 but in the meantime, I agree to the one month grounding,"

"How?"

"Taking your books," Mycroft said.

To the other's that may have not sounded like punishment but for Sherlock it was near the end of the world.

Patterson and Abby's parents used the similar grounding rules as Hawke's.

"I CAN'T GO TO THE DUMP?!" Abby exclaimed in sign language. "But.."

She was cut off by her father with an abrupt show of his hand.

"I think it might be a good idea to inform the school of their situation," Archangel said. "Keep an extra eye on them or maybe separate you guys for a little while,"

"WHAT!?" They all exclaimed in unison. "NO!"

"I'll die of boredom!" Tony exclaimed.

"Everyone else is stupid!" Sheldon said. "You might as well take away my flags and dig my grave now!"

They all started to cry at the reality of not being together at all. Their punishments they could handle but being forced apart at school was heartbreakingly unbearable for them. Dominic saw how genuinely pained they were and it bothered him enough to speak out.

"Michael, I think that might be a little too harsh," He said. "Look at them, it's like their already withering away at the thought,"

"Yeah, he's right Michael, let them be at school," Hawke said. "The teacher's will keep a close eye on them,"

The children made their goodbye's it was a heartwarming scene to see that they cared so much about each other. They were a little kinship that nothing or no one could break them apart. Hawke like the other parent's worry about the future that lies ahead and the shenanigans that are to come. Hacking the Pentagon is just the beginning where else could they go from there.

"Clara, did you use the machine to do this?" Archangel asked.

"No,"

"Do your friends know about the machine?" Archangel asked.

"No, they don't know," Clara said. "Don't worry, I won't tell them,"

"Come on, Clara it's time to go home," Dominic said as he ushered her out the office.

"I still can't believe it," Archangel said. "Her mind must be extraordinary for her to get involved in something like this,"

"They run out of challenges much quicker than the average human being," Marella said. "It's not surprising, in a way with their IQ's together it's difficult to come up with,"

"She was pretty terrified when I got home, so she understands it was wrong," Hawke said.

"Let's hope so," Archangel said. "I don't want another one of these meetings,"

"Aren't you going to tell him sir?" Marella asked.

"Tell me what?"

"Tony was right, they were in there a full five minutes before they were detected," Archangel said. "If it wasn't for their little game, we may have never known how vulnerable the system was,"

"They actually helped us," Marella said.

"But don't tell them that," Archangel said.

Hawke grinned. "I won't,"

When they arrived home Clara went to tend to her pets while Hawke removed her bedroom door. A small wave of nausea came over him as he unhinged her door. This was the first time he had to really severely punish her and in his heart he felt like he was joining the long list of people who hurt her. As he finished he turned to see Clara at the end of the hall. Her eye's big and full of sadness as she saw him with the unhinged door. The reality had set it of their reckless infraction.

"Daddy, can I get some of my coloring and puzzle books from my play room before you lock it?"

"Yeah, you can get what you need," Hawke said as he gave her small kiss to the top of her head.

"Thank you, Daddy,"

"Clara, It breaks my heart to do this," He said as he picked her up. "But, I have to so you learn that there are consequences,"

"I know, Daddy," Clara said. "I promise, I'll follow the rules,"

"Before we go to the play room, I have something to tell you," Hawke said. "Tonight, I'm taking Caitlin out to dinner,"

"Really?!" Clara exclaimed.

"Yes," He said.

"I'm happy for you Daddy!" Clara exclaimed. "But we have a problem now,"

"What is that?"

"I won't be able to fall asleep until you come home!" Clara said. "I'll be breaking a rule,"

"Well, since I should of waited to tell you," Hawke said. "I'll give you a pass just for tonight only on sleeping. The rest you have to follow,"

"Where are you taking her? Is it fancy? Do you need a last minute reservation?" Clara shooting off a barage of questions. "Because I can get you one.."

"Clara.."

"Just name it and it's done! and don't worry about the bill.."

"Clara stop, I've got it covered," Hawke said. "It's okay,"

"Okay, but where are you going?" She asked.

"Not telling," Hawke said. "Because I'm paying the bill,"

"Fine," Clara said with a slight pout.

Later on Hawke after Hawke left for his date with Caitlin, Clara excused herself to her room. Once upstairs she quickly headed for one of the guest rooms. Swiftly grabbing the phone speaking her commands to the machine. Breaking another rule will be worth the extra punishment.