TWELVE

"I am protector of the weak and defenseless," Timothy said suddenly. "I oppose evil wherever I may find it. I will use my powers to provide aid and comfort wherever it is needed. And I will be true to my calling as the defender of the innocent. This I swear by all that is good and holy."

"You know the code?" Worthington asked.

"Of course," said Timothy. "Any serious collector does."

"What code?" Phoebe asked.

"What I just said," said Timothy. "It's the creed of the Hero Legion. It's an oath they take when they join the Legion. A vow to always use their powers for good and the protection of the innocent."

"Then you understand," said Worthington. "You know I can't just turn my back on them. I've taken that oath. It's what I stand for now."

"You've forgotten one thing," said Timothy. "The second part of the code. It was only given twice. The first time was in the first issue, of course. To let the readers know what the Legion stood for."

"I remember," said Worthington. "I guess it was just economically more feasible to include only the first part in later issues. To save on printing costs."

"Yes," said Timothy. "But it was given a second time. In issue thirty-six. Remember? When Black Hawks' powers seemed to be going hair wire and he couldn't seem to control them."

"I remember that," said Worthington. "But his powers were increasing. He just had to learn how to use them again. Which he did by issue thirty-nine."

"Yes," said Timothy. "Grey Wolf – the leader of the Legion at that time – quoted the second part of the code to Black Hawk. To remind him why he became a superhero in the first place."

"I know," said Worthington.

"And let me never forget," Timothy quoted, "that my responsibility is to protect and safeguard those that cannot protect and safeguard themselves. That I must never endanger or cause harm to those I am tasked to protect. That I am accountable for the good and ill that I do. And may I never place my own desires over the welfare and safety of those I protect. That first and foremost I am a servant of those I protect. And I will cause no harm."

"It's not the same thing," said Worthington. "Black Hawk couldn't control his powers. He was putting the innocent in danger with his uncontrollable power. I can control my power. It's not the same thing at all."

"Remember what Grey Wolf told Black Hawk?" Timothy said. "He said that not controlling his powers was only part of Black Hawk's problem. He was also putting his own desire to be the savior of mankind over his duty to protect the innocent.

"It's exactly the same thing. Don't you see? Your powers could end at any minute or you could have them forever. But that's only part of the problem. Just like Black Hawk, you're putting your desire – your need – to be their savior over the safety of the innocent you're trying to protect. What happens if your powers suddenly stop and an innocent you're trying to protect gets hurt because of it? Can you honestly say that's worth the risk?"

Worthington just looked at Timothy. Suddenly Worthington glamoured and returned to his normal, non-superhero self.

"My God," said Worthington. "What was I thinking? How could I have been so selfish? I was so absorbed in all the good I was doing I never stopped to consider that someone might actually get hurt. If you're right, and I do suddenly loose my powers, someone could get hurt. Or killed. How could I have been so blind?"

"Yeah, that would be the euphoria created by suddenly gaining your powers," said Piper. "We've all been there, trust me."

"The good thing," said Prue, "is that you're finally listening to reason. Look, Worthington…."

"Please, call me Jessup," said Worthington.

"Okay, Jessup," said Prue. "Look, we aren't telling you not to help people. It would be a shame to have your powers and not help people. We're just saying that the superhero biz is not the best choice, that's all. We just have to figure out a way for you to be able to help people without putting anyone at risk."

"You think I can?" Jessup asked. "I can still help people?"

"Sure," said Cole. "Look at Leo and Timothy. They help people all the time. In fact, Timothy helped you when you needed it. And no one was ever put in danger because of it. Well, not directly, anyway."

"It did cure me of my hemophilia," said Jessup. "I'm not a bleeder any more. I don't have to worry about that any more."

"That and any other medical problems you might have had," said Leo. "The Elders said the transfusion would have acted like our natural healing ability. If you had any medical conditions the White Lighter blood would have cured them."

"Elders?" Jessup questioned.

"Yeah, you'll learn all about them," said Piper. "Right now I suggest we get back home. We may have persuaded you not to be a superhero anymore but we still have to figure out what you're going to do next. And before we can do that we have to figure out if your powers are permanent or temporary."

"The Elders can probably help with that," said Leo. "Now that he's not orbing all over the place they should be able to determine what affect the transfusion has had on him. Of course, that will mean taking him up there so they can look him over."

"Up where?" Jessup asked.

"Don't worry," said Timothy. "Leo and I will be with you the whole time. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. The Elders are kind of our bosses. They know just about everything."

"Well, not everything," said Leo. "But they will be able to help us figure a few things out. Cole, can you see the girls' get home okay?"

"Sure, be glad to," said Cole.

"What about my collection?" Jessup asked.

"It should be okay until we get back," said Leo. "And once we get back you can move back into your own house."

"Oh, this is my house," said Jessup. "I inherited it from my mother when she died. I haven't been able to rent it out recently so it's been empty. That's why I decided to make it my secret hideout."

"We'll wait for you at the manor," said Prue. "Maybe we can figure out what Jessup can do now. I'm sure we can come up with something. We just have to give it some thought."

The girls linked arms and Cole took Phoebe's hand. Then he shimmered them out of the house, returning to the manor.

"What was that?" Jessup asked.

"It's called shimmering," said Timothy.

"Well, he said he's not a White Lighter," said Jessup. "So, what kind of being can do this shimmering?"

"That's going to take a little explaining," said Leo.

Together, Leo and Timothy orbed Jessup to the White Lighter realm.