Chapter 2. Brotherhood Worried.

"Would you just get out here already!" Lance shouted from the driver's seat of his beat-up jeep.

"I don't get it, yo. How is it that the fastest guy around is always the last to get ready?" Todd shook his head, then looked over to the big teenager sitting next to him.

Fred shrugged and Tabitha provided the answer from the passenger's seat.

"He takes too much time gazing at himself in front of the mirror," she said, leaning back with her arms propped up behind her head.

"You spend just as much time," Pietro said, opening the car door and getting in."

"Nah, Tabby still hasn't broken your record," Fred said as the car started.

"Though she did come close."

"No she didn't," Pietro cut off Fred and Todd's discussion.

"Why are you arguing, it's not like it's a good thing."

"It's still MY record."

"That's dumb."

"No-it-isn't."

As Todd, Pietro, and Fred started yet another heated argument, Lance let out a silent sigh, gripping the steering wheel a little harder.

Tabitha, who had stayed out of this conversation, turned to him. "What's the matter Rocky? You haven't complained in the last five minutes," she had a grin on her face but behind her sunglasses, her eyes betrayed her concern.

"Just another headache."

"You-really-need-to-do-something-about-that."

The talk in the backseat had ceased; Lance hadn't even noticed the unnatural silence.

"'Tro's right, you're having way too many lately."

"It's nothing," Lance didn't look at the youngest Brotherhood member, though it might just have been because he was driving. But he did know the three boys were peering at him closely, and he gave a brief glance at the rearview mirror to check their reactions.

"But your aspirins disappear as fast as food does with me."

"Freddy's right. I know you bought another bottle yesterday," Tabitha said, confirming Fred's statement as the car pulled up into the parking lot and took a vacant spot.

"Look, I can handle this all right?"

"You obviously can't," Pietro looked at Lance accusingly but the hints of worry in his eyes couldn't be hidden.

"I'm fine, it's not like I've never had these before. It'll pass; they all do," Lance got out of the car. "Come on, we'll be late for class," His voice told them to drop the subject.

"And we can't have that can we," Pietro muttered sarcastically but got out as well, followed by the rest.

As they made their way inside the school building, the four Brotherhood members gave occasional (and suppressed) glances toward each other and Lance, but kept silent.

"See you at lunch," Lance said and with a light wave, left for class.

"What do you think? He seemed okay," Fred asked as soon as their friend was out of hearing range.

"Yeah... Lance said he's fine, maybe we should just listen to him?" Todd looked at the other two of the worried quartet for confirmation.

"You're right; and like he said, it's not like this is new," Pietro said after a brief pause.

"Whoa, Speedy. You realize what you just said? You just admitted Toddy was right," Tabitha grinned.

"I-did-not!"

"I heard it man! Aw, 'Tro!" Todd joined in on the grinning.

"Oh-shut-up."