When she says she loves me...

It's a long shot. It's such a long shot, so much so that I have this feeling that everything would work out perfectly for Rob. He'd find Secret in the middle of God knows where and she would have seen what happened in the middle of God knows what and then we'd be able to disconnect everyone, God willing.

Hell. Who am I kidding? Rob would have been smart enough to figure out all those dials and knobs and flashing lights. I know, even before trying that if we're going by my luck, we're already doomed. Especially when I haven't a clue where to start.

We race aimlessly, avoid guards, they're too busy anyways. We enter every room that might possibly be housing her. Experimental this. Research subject that. They're some freaky shit, I'm telling you. Like 12.0 on a barf meter of ten. But sooner than later, we find her.

"Suzie!"

I bang hard on the glass, but it doesn't help. She's in a tube, and there some thin blue energy flickering inside of it. Whatever it is, it sure looks painful. Can we say DEO déjà vu? Her eyes are open but not focused. She jerks every time the blue stuff rips through her. I bang again, c'mon girl, give me a sign.

Lobo's touching the glass around her and looking at the monitors. They're measuring something in jigawatts and my Hollywood education clicks in. The blue stuff is electricity, glass isn't a conductor, but apparently Secret is. Here we are, once again, back at display screens and dials. The system's in default accessed by log in and password. We're back to square one.

Lobo takes another look at the readings, touches the glass again, and looks at me. I just know what he's going to do without him saying anything. He pulls his fist way back, waits patiently while the electricity hits a lull in the cycle, and then, thud, smash, some sizzling and I swear I saw his skeleton for a moment.

The glass falls to the floor and the electricity is bouncing in the tube unaware that Secret's slumped out and without her it doesn't have anywhere to go. There's only one problem-- okay two. Lobo's hair got more than a little singed. It had to hurt because he's breathing heavy and two, Secret's still slumping. I mean she's almost gone through the floor and who knows where she's gonna go next.

Before I can blink, Lobo makes a grab for her and sticks his hand in the electricity again. He's crazy, but it works. Literally shocked, Secret's body jerks. She's still out of it thought but she's no longer falling. Lobo motions with a nod towards the computer console.

"What good is that gonna do?" I ask.

"The coffee," he clarifies.

I get it but he's crazy. "You're crazy."

"No choice."

And there's a very good reason why coffee and electricity don't mix. The liquid provides a perfect conductor over most of her body. Her scream is ear splitting and Secret launches herself up and away and has gone right through the ceiling. Damnit! If it's not one thing it's another. Thankfully, she's back in less time than it takes to say Jiminy Jilikers .

"Are you okay?"

She nods, her nerves-- no matter what they're made out of-- are shaking.

"Where is everyone?" she asks and with that statement I know my plan just turned into a impossibility.

"This way. Let's go."

We made our way back to the hallway. Autopilot Max must still be continuing his siege. Secret gasps in horror at the sight of everyone. She doesn't know what to do and that she can't help. That frustrates me more than it does her.

"We're not leaving them here," I assert. It's all or nothing.

Cassie hasn't changed. She's still on that plastic slab, half slumped half standing. They're all still breathing and the beeps are going at the same rate, at least I'm pretty sure. If it weren't for the room, the wires, the uckies, she might actually be able to pass for sleeping. If only she would open her eyes. God, if she would just do that.

"But what do we do?" Secret protests. She floats behind the tables behind the monitors through the wires trying to do something, anything productive.

"We can't just leave 'em," Lobo says and just yanks the wires from above Anita's head out of their sockets.

The effect is instantaneous. Sparks and groaning metal drown out my shout of protest but it's already too late. What the hell is he doing? It's a risk that isn't his to take. Shit! Anita's convulsing. She's going into shock. I blow the restraints still pinning her down and lay her on the floor, hoping it will end soon.

"Shake it off Anita. C'mon..." and I think the Top Teen is truly insane. He notices something I haven't, her eyes are open and no longer unfocused. The convulsions stop and she's breathing heavily but thank God-- she's still breathing.

We give her a moment, more than that really, to get her bearings then hash out the details with her. She was out and doesn't know what happened either. It looks like there's only one way to go. Lobo reaches for Cass but I stop him.

"She might remember, Imp was clocked," Lobo points out.

I'm selfish. I'm selfish. I admit that and if something happens to Bart I'll never be able to forgive myself but if something happens to Cass I would never be able to live with myself.

I pull rank whatever that counts for. Bart's next. Cassie's last. And that's just the way it's gonna be. Lobo steps back, the meaning clear. If I'm the one protesting this, I'm gonna be the one that does it. Anita and Lobo hold Bart up while I blow the cuffs. I take a deep breath and then yank the wire.

So here it is, take two. Instantly, he starts to convulse. His eyes are open but I don't think he comprehends anything he's seeing yet. His whole body is shaking and hopefully nothing will-- shit, shit, shit, no no no no no no no no no-- too fast. It's too fast, he's vibrating... shit shit shit.

Anita tries to grab his shoulder, but it's a no go, she goes right through him. We should all know better than to try. "Mon! Look at me! Try to stay calm! Try to focus!" she commands.

It's all my fault. I kneel down on the floor. "Bart," I start softly but firmly. "Listen to me. I need you to listen. You need to calm down. It'll be okay. Calm. Calm. Nice and easy."

His eyes lock with mine, and thank God he starts slowing.

"That's it. Shhh... just stay calm."

And slowly, slowly, he stops. We're all crowding around him stealing the air but we can't help but be concerned. He blinks and finally registers everything.

"I don't feel too good," he complains weakly. It's the understatement of the year, and we all just sort of smile to relieve the tension. That's the Impulse we know and love.

We take a rest after Bart. Emotionally, we need it. We recover quickly simply because there's not enough time. Anita and Lobo hold up Cass and the restraints go first, I take another breath and here we go. One, two, three. Yank! They drop her to the ground and I get a flying right to the as and she just goes spastic. I mean insane, and it's not a good sign. Open your eyes Cass! Open your eyes! Come on Cass! Cass!

"Open up your eyes!"

They fly wide open and she gasps for air.

"Easy, easy," I coax. "You're gonna be fine."

Her eyes lock with mine and she struggles to stop.

"Kon--" and just by the look in her eyes I know what's she's going to say. Her eyes have that twinkling blue essence. She looks so run down, so weary, but her eyes have light. I know what it is. It's love without the words.

"I know, babe. I know."

I help her to her feet and she clings to me unsteadily. I hold her tightly, I ain't ever letting go.