A week and a half later
Saturday
Safehouse C

The training began.

We gave Josh a little lee way, as he was still healing.

But, damn, his Taekwondo is advanced.

Just as I underestimated Miranda, Josh put me down on my ass, too many fucking times and the fucker enjoyed it, too fucking much! He kept taunting me, which was really pissing me off!

Enough was enough, if I had to learn humility at the hands of Dave, Josh can fucking learn humility at my fucking hands. I had also noticed that Dave and Miranda were enjoying all this a little too much, too. Dave had that dorky grin on his face and he fucking laughed each time I landed on my ass!

"OK, you little fucker, training is over!" I growled, dangerously.

Josh flinched a bit, but held his stance and scowled back at me.

"Bring it on, bitch!" Josh snarled.


"Oh, shit!" I said when I saw Mindy's face set and heard the dangerous, Hit Girl, growl.

We watched the two fly at each other, this was getting serious.

Mindy was going all out, not pulling any punches. I was getting worried, but Josh was giving back everything he took. The two teenagers were whirling around the mat, literally beating the shit out of each other.

"We need to stop them," Miranda said, very concerned. Both Josh and Mindy were bruised and blood could be seen on both their bodies.

Josh had Mindy on her back and pinned, but I saw his mistake, just as Mindy pulled a leg free and brought it up into the boy's groin, I winced. Josh rolled off Mindy, grabbing himself for a second or two, before getting up and moving to attack Mindy again. Mindy had jumped up and was ready to defend herself.

This was over, now. I nodded at Miranda and we came around and behind each of the teenagers and kicked their legs out from under them. They both went down hard and were both disorientated and surprised.

"This fucking ends now, children," I yelled down at them.

"OK. You're both fucking bad-asses, congratulations. But what the fuck are you two doing? I'm calling both of you out, you both fucked up. Mindy, that was a low blow, don't ever do it again and you should fucking know better than to react to a little taunting, grow the fuck up! OK, Josh dumped you on your cute little ass a few times, get over it! Josh, you set yourself up for that beating, don't fucking taunt Mindy, only I'm allowed to do that. Neither of you will ever fight each other full on! Do I make myself fucking clear! Go get yourselves fucking cleaned up!"

Josh got up and held a hand out to pull Mindy up. She took it, after a short hesitation and allowed Josh to pull her back to her feet. They then shook hands and apologised to each other. The two teenagers looked thoroughly ashamed and were avoiding my eyes, as I watched them moving off to their rooms to change and cleanup.

"That was fun," I said to Miranda with a smile.

"We have some interesting times ahead," Miranda replied, with a smirk.


Josh is actually really skilled.

He held his own against me when I was raging. I have to respect him for that, only Dave has ever been able to put me down when in full Hit Girl mode and that was only with his superior strength. Josh is actually quite strong, that helped him to pin me down. OK, the kick in the balls was not called for, although at the time, it was my only way out.

I apologised to him, in private, for the underhand behaviour and told him that I respected his fighting skills and that I hoped we would still be friends. Josh just shrugged it off, but said any compliment from the famous Hit Girl was worth a kick in the bollocks. I actually blushed again, and left his room quickly.

It felt good to have another friend.

I always thought teenaged boys were immature jerks, well those at school were, they were all asking to have the crap kicked outta them! Josh is different, I see him as a younger brother and I hope he can see me as a big sister.

Yet again, though, Dave scared me a bit!


OK. I admit I was acting like a complete dick goading Mindy, like that and I got what I deserved, but she did land a low blow and it still stings a bit! She is one hell of a fighter!

I felt ashamed that I had let Dave down. Damn, he's scary when he yells at you, I wouldn't make that mistake again. Fighting with Mindy for real, was exhilarating, but we took it a bit too far.

I see Mindy as a big sister and I want her to see me as a younger brother. I've not had many friends, but I would like Mindy to be my friend, I like her a lot. It was nice of her to come through and apologise for the kick and she wants to be friends with me.

Dave told me that my combat suit should arrive today or tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to that! Mindy said once I have the suit, she will train me on some weapons. I'm good with a knife and my Dad showed me how to use the Glock 17, but that pistol is a bit large for my hands. I noticed Dave used a Glock 17, but Mindy uses smaller pistols. I'll ask Mindy what she thinks would be best.

I also learnt a few new swear words today, too!


The next day
Sunday
Marcus' House

"Happy Easter," Marcus yelled as he threw open the door.

"Happy Easter, Marcus," I said.

"Happy Easter, Marcus," Josh said.

"Happy Easter, Marcus," Mindy said.

As usual Marcus had outdone himself with the food. It smelt delicious.

"Food will be ready in about twenty minutes," Marcus said.

"You'll love Marcus' cooking, Josh," Mindy said.

We chatted until the food was ready, before sitting down. There was tons of it.

Marcus poured some wine for himself and me, offering some to Mindy, who blushed and refused.

"We wouldn't want to repeat Thanksgiving.. Or Christmas," Marcus said with an evil grin.

"What?" Josh asked.

"I'll tell you later, when these evil fuckers aren't around," Mindy said, sweetly.

"Dollar, jar," Marcus said, smirking as Mindy slammed a dollar bill down on the table, fuming.

"Marcus has a swear jar, so be warned, little brother," Mindy said, smiling sweetly at Marcus.

"Yeah, it used to be a fifty-gallon drum, when Mindy lived here," I said, laughing.

Marcus burst out laughing, closely followed by Josh. Mindy just raged in silence.

Once everyone had calmed down, Marcus raised his glass.

"Happy Easter and welcome to our newest member. Welcome to the family, Joshua!" Marcus said.

"Welcome to the family, Joshua!" Mindy and I said, together.

"Thanks!" Josh said, blushing.

"Let's eat!" Marcus ordered.

Two hours later we all sat in front of the TV, digesting the meal. Josh said he hadn't eaten a meal like that in years.

"At least I didn't humiliate my self this year," Mindy said.

"Night's still young, Hit Girl," Marcus grinned.

"Thanks for this. It's feels good to be part a family, again," Josh said quietly and Mindy gave him a hug, making him blush furiously.

We were all knackered by ten-thirty that night. Marcus went to bed and Mindy showed Josh to the spare room, while I got into bed in Mindy's room and waited for her.

Mindy came in and shut the bedroom door.

"You did well today, Mindy. I didn't need to carry you up the stairs, this time!" I teased.

"I have learnt my lesson, twice," Mindy responded, innocently.


I awoke to a noise.

It was still dark.

The noise was coming from somewhere outside the bedroom.

I pulled my shirt on and seized my knife from under the pillow. I carefully opened the bedroom door and listened, the noise was coming from Josh's room. I moved across the landing, holding the knife ready and pushed open the bedroom door.

I was shocked to see that Josh was lying in bed, shaking and crying.

I placed the knife carefully on some drawers and went over to sit on the bed.

"Josh!" I whispered.

"Mindy?" Josh answered in a very quiet, quavering, voice.

"Yes! Are you OK?" I asked, sounding very concerned.

"I had a nightmare, I'll be OK. Thanks," Josh said, sounding a bit ashamed.

I pulled him up and gave him a hug, he hugged me back and started to shake and cry again.

"I'm sorry, Mindy. I feel so ashamed," Josh stammered.

"Don't be so fucking stupid, Josh. You lost your Dad three weeks ago. I've been there, don't try to bullshit me," I responded. "Don't feel ashamed. As far as I'm concerned, I'm your big sister and I'm here to help. I've heard you crying at night before, please let me help."

Josh looked directly into my eyes and stopped crying.

"Thank you, Mindy. You don't know what this means," Josh tried.

"Yes I do. I had Dave and Marcus when my Dad died. They helped a stubborn little bitch, let her feelings out and grieve. It must be done," I said, quietly. It hadn't occurred to me how difficult this was, from this side. It must have been hell for Dave and Marcus, but they never let up and I'm glad they didn't. I was going to help Josh, somehow, for now I just hugged him tightly.

A few minutes later Josh stopped shaking and pulled away. I noticed him looking at me and realised my shirt was open and I was only wearing my bra and panties.

"Sorry," Josh said blushing and looking away.

"Don't be silly, Josh! I really couldn't care less, if you saw me naked! You're a boy, boys look at girls, that's life," I said, laughing.

"Thanks for being here with me," Josh whispered. "Will you stay, I don't want to be alone."

"Go to sleep," I said climbing into the bed beside Josh.


The next morning
Monday

I turned over to find Mindy gone.

I got up and went to check on Josh. I found Josh asleep with Mindy beside him, her hand was holding his. I noticed Mindy's knife on the drawers, what? I assumed Josh must have had a nightmare and Mindy went to lie with him. Mindy was enjoying being a big sister and took it seriously.

I poked Mindy, hard on the shoulder and stood back quickly. Her arm shot out to grab whoever had poked her, but I was just out of reach.

"Morning, gorgeous!" I said.

"Morning, hunk!" Mindy replied, sleepily.

"No hangover. That's new!" I teased.

"Fucker!" Mindy growled, sitting up.

"Problems last night?" I asked, looking at Josh.

"Nightmares," Mindy said with a grimace, standing up.

"I know how he feels," I said, darkly.


"Morning, kids," Marcus called, cheerfully as Mindy and I went into the kitchen.

"Look, no hangover," I said to Marcus, gloating.

"Only took two identical lessons!" Marcus said, dryly.

"Morning, Marcus," Dave said.

"No, Josh?" Marcus asked.

"He had a bad night, I had to stay with him," I said.

"Nightmares?" Marcus asked.

"Yeah. Been there before. I had to stay with him, be a big sister," I said.

"I'm proud of you, Mindy," Marcus said giving me a kiss on the cheek. I blushed furiously.

"I'm proud of you, too, Mindy. Both for Josh and for not getting drunk," Dave said, grinning.

"Thanks, Dave," Mindy said sarcastically.

"I'll go get Josh," Dave said.

I helped Marcus get breakfast ready. A few minutes later a tired looking Josh came into the kitchen with Dave.

"Morning, Marcus, Mindy," Josh said, smiling at Mindy.

"Hungry?" Marcus asked.

"Definitely!" Josh replied.


Just over a week later
Wednesday
Safehouse C

Damn, Firestorm looks cool in his combat suit. He looks like a shorter, skinnier, Kick-Ass, but with red highlights.

I attached four storage carriers to the back of the suit at the waist, followed by two holsters, one above each thigh, so the pistols could be drawn across the body.

"How do you feel, Firestorm," I said, grinning.

"I feel, good. The suit is nice to wear, I can move really easily," Josh responded, with a grin.

"You have the same armour as I do. The armour is heaviest over the chest and back and both of those areas are heavier than the girl's armour," Dave advised Josh.

"Come here, Josh," I said calling him to the workbench.

"Your new pistols. A pair of FN Five-SeveN Mk 2 pistols with twenty, 5.7-millimetre, round capacity. The pistol is a lot lighter than the Glock 17 and easier on the recoil. The rounds will go through most body armour including our armour, except for yours and Dave's chest and back armour. So don't shoot yourself in the foot!" Mindy said with a giggle.

"Read the manual, I expect you to be able to strip and reassemble those two pistols, by this afternoon. I am also giving you a suppressor and combined Tactical Laser/Illuminator that fits below the barrel," Mindy lectured. Mindy inserted these items into the storage carriers along with four empty magazines.

"You can load these magazines once I'm happy that you won't accidentally shoot any of us with a fucking negligent discharge!" Mindy growled.


I have to admit Josh is a very good shot, he told me that his Dad had shown him how to use the Glock 17, but it was too big for his hands. I allowed him to load his magazines, as he was able to strip, clean and reassemble his pistol to my satisfaction.

I was a bit surprised to find that Josh could handle a knife.

He picked up a Sykes-Fairbairn fighting knife and threw it hard at the target, it impaled the heart. I pulled the knife out and told him to do it again and again. The knife hit the same place every time. This earned Josh a knife carrier for three S-F knives on his right thigh.

"My Dad was a Royal Marines Commando and in the Special Boat Service," Josh said proudly.

"A fucking Elite Commando?" I asked with respect in my voice. Those Royal Marines Commando Special Boat Service guys were super scary. The Royal Marines Commando were considered an Elite fighting force. The Special Boat Service took those already Elite Marines and made them even better.

"Yes. Did Dave not tell you?" Josh asked.

"No the fucker didn't!" I growled looking at Dave. He ignored me.

I gave Josh a pair of pointed machetes, with eighteen-inch carbon-fibre blades. I was very impressed, as he was able to manoeuvre both blades successfully without cutting himself. I also gave him a pair of crossed sheaths to mount on his back, like Dave's batons.

I think the kid was over the moon with all the new toys.

So far we had left him with Marty each time we went out, but hopefully in a couple of weeks we would introduce him to some criminals!


I noticed that Josh and Mindy got on a lot better now. The first few days were a bit weird as they both checked each other out, culminating in the over-the-top fight. They seemed like brother and sister, constantly ribbing each other, but in a friendly way. Sparring between them was now controlled and more professional. They were both learning from each other.

Bringing up a teenaged girl as a Hero had proved to be hard, but now I have a teenaged boy and I remember what teenaged boys were like! Lots of bad memories! But it's good that Mindy can lay into somebody else other than me!

We had spoken with Josh to see what he knew about Ralph D'Amico, but he really didn't know much more than he had already told us. I hated bringing the D'Amicos up as the death of his Dad was still very fresh and raw.

It was actually good to be able to take them both to get pizza or to a movie, it let Mindy actually be a sixteen year-old girl for a change and enjoy herself chatting with Josh. Marcus was very happy with that, which wasn't a big surprise. While at a pizza restaurant Josh asked a question.

"Hey, Mindy. There was a rumour that Frank D'Amico was blown up with a bazooka. There any truth in that?" Josh asked.

"That was some fucking night. I assume you saw the internet video?" Mindy replied, thinking back with a grimace.

Josh nodded.

"That was my Daddy. I was in a really foul, fucked up, mood after he died. I persuaded Dave to help me attack D'Amico, but I fucked up and got cornered in a kitchen cupboard - not very Hit Girl!" Mindy said, with a smirk.

"Kick-Ass saved my life, using a jet-pack with Gatling guns, then after I got my ass kicked by Frank D'Amico and he was about to put a bullet into my head, Kick-Ass blew Frank D'Amico out of the window with a fucking bazooka! Kick-Ass saved my life twice that night, it was not my finest hour! Dave had to literally scoop me up and carry me out of there, I couldn't move. He's my fucking Hero!" Mindy said, giving me a kiss.

"The moral of that story is: Don't go into a situation in a fucked up mood and always have backup. I was Mindy's backup, never go into a situation alone, without somebody covering you. Remember, even the famous, purple assassin, Hit Girl fucks up every now and then," I said and Mindy blushed.

"I'm sorry about your Dad, Mindy... Gatling guns?" Josh asked.

"Yeah! They were really cool! Dave rocked!" Mindy said with a smirk. "I'll show you them sometime, we still have them somewhere."


Four days later
Sunday
Central Park

Dave, Josh and I spent that Sunday running around Central Park. Josh proved to be a strong runner and could keep up with Dave and I.

Dave bought us all hot-dogs and cokes. It was quite warm out and doing the six miles was exhausting.

"Now Mindy, eat the hot-dog, no playing with it, this time," Dave said, with an evil smile.

"You fucking cunt," I said feeling my face grow very warm.

Josh started to say something.

"Don't say a fucking word, Josh. Dave's got a sewer for a mind," I growled menacingly.

"Goes with a certain mouth, then," Dave needled, trying to hold the laughter in.

My face was burning. Josh was desperately trying not to laugh.

"Laugh, Josh and I turn you into a fucking girl!" I growled.

Josh just burst out laughing along with Dave.

"Men! Boys!" I screamed, before walking away from the fuckers to eat my hot-dog.


"Is she mad at us? She looked really pissed," Josh asked.

"She'll get over it. We need a good laugh in our line of work," I answered.

"What did you mean about playing with the hot-dog?" Josh asked with a smirk.

"Do I really need to spell it out to a thirteen year-old boy?" I asked, incredulously.

"Not really," Josh said, blushing slightly and eating his hot-dog.

He's a bright kid, complete opposite to me at that age! We had spent most of yesterday clearing the last stuff out of Josh's old apartment, which was now empty and we had handed the keys back to the landlord. This seemed to provide some form of closure for Josh as he'd had no body to bury or grieve over. I watched as Josh went over to Mindy, carefully. He looked to be apologising to her and I expected a Mindy outburst, but no, she surprised me yet again. Mindy turned and gave Josh a kiss on the cheek, which made Josh go bright red. They both turned and walked back towards me, I looked questioningly at Mindy.

"Joshua is very sweet. He wanted to see if I was OK and I thought that was very thoughtful, like a brother should be," Mindy stated, making Josh blush even more furiously.

"OK, siblings, time to go home."


Author's Note/Request: I have been planning the next 60,000 words or so and have various story arcs to create for 'Solitude', but every now and then I seem to meander in a different direction. The British kid, Josh actually came from no where one evening, but I intend for him to be a full character in the story, alongside the others. However, due to me being British and my having a limited knowledge of life in New York City, I am hoping that my American readers can provide me with some information to help me create an accurate story line. For now I would like to gather facts, stories etc concerning life in a New York school for a thirteen/fourteen year old boy - there is only so much you can get off Google! Would a boy, who was fourteen years old in July start 8th or 9th grade in September? What could a 'new kid' expect when he starts a new school? What could a new 'foreign' kid expect when he starts a new school? What is a typical american school day like? What are the classes/teachers like? Anyone who may be familiar with both British and American schools would be great, especially if they could provide some form of comparisons/differences. Also any other information concerning a thirteen/fourteen year-old boy growing up in New York would be useful. Any help would be much appreciated, thanks in advance. I will always acknowledge readers assistance and give full credit for their ideas when I use them.

Thanks to all who have supported this story, so far, with reviews and other feedback and as well as just reading my words. It is much appreciated.