OMG, finally here's the next chapter! I apologize for it taking so long, but my mom and I got the box set of LOST on Tuesday, and didn't do anything else but watch them 'til we were done yesterday. It's just so addicting! Well, I hope you like this chappie, it's a little fluffier than usual, but I thought the idea was cute.

The next day in school seemed like any other. Fatima's ankle didn't hinder her in any way; all she did was hover and glide around the halls and no one gave her a second glance. For the first time, she was glad that she was in a high school for super heroes. She sighed and went around her classes as usual.

As she paid for her lunch she glanced over and saw that Warren was already sitting at his usual table, reading a book like always. As she approached, she noticed an empty table a little further on. She debated on what to do, but finally decided to go for the empty table, not wanting to push her luck with Warren. As she passed by him, he stopped her with a word.

"Hey," he said, and she turned to look at him. He was still reading his book. "I don't need the whole table you know." Fatima smiled and started to make her way towards the opposite end of the table.

"Fatima." She stopped in her tracks. That was the first time that he had called her by her name. She turned again, and this time pail eyes met dark ones. He pointed to the bench in front of him wordlessly. She made her way back over and sat in front of the flamethrower. They spent the rest of lunch in silence, in which Fatima was able to hear people whispering around her. It had started as soon as her butt had hit her seat. Just great, now everyone's going to think that something's going on between us. Whatever, their ignorance I guess, she supposed and pulled out a textbook.

Sure enough, by the end of the week, rumors spread like wildfire about Warren's new lunch-partner. People were even approaching her in the halls and asking her questions about it. She tried her best just to smile nicely and run away. The most uncomfortable encounter stuck out in her mind.

She had stopped off at her locker on her way to lunch when she felt the shift in the air to her left. She glanced over and saw none other than Legs leaning against the lockers next to her, a sly look on his face.

"Hey there gorgeous," he said, making her cringe. That had to be the worst line in the book.

"Hi Legs," she replied casually, trying to figure out what books she needed so that she could get out of there.

"Hey, call me Johnny," he said and she looked back over at him. She guessed that she was supposed to be swooning by this point according to the look on his face. He wasn't that bad looking actually. He had longish brown hair brought back in a ponytail except for two parts in front that hung free and were dyed green. Fatima glanced over his shoulder and saw Whip standing a few feet away, his dark hair up in their usual spikes and his green eyes narrowing at her. She looked back to Legs who was talking again.

"So, that was a pretty awesome display in Save the Citizen the other day," he said, his gray eyes seeking hers. She wondered why he would compliment her on an activity during which she sent him into a crater in the gym floor, but then again, she really didn't understand guys sometimes. She decided to remain silent.

"So, you gonna' sit with us today?" he said, leaning a little closer. Fatima stuffed all the books she needed into her bag and closed her locker.

"Oh sorry, I usually-," she started and turned but stopped when he backed her up against the lockers. He put his arms on the lockers on either side of her, cutting off her only escape routes.

"Everyone's seen you with Peace. They've seen the way you two look at each other. What do you see in that guy?" he asked, eyes flashing.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Fatima said, trying to duck under one of his arms but was thwarted. He leaned a little closer, making her panic a little. She was ready to use her powers if he tried anything.

"Well, if there's nothing going on…" he trailed off and leaned in. Before Fatima could blast him back, he pulled away with his shirt on fire. As he danced around trying to put it out, Fatima saw Warren standing behind him, a hand still flaming. He looked to her and extinguished the flame. He then reached over and took her hand firmly.

"Come on, we wouldn't want to miss lunch," he said, loud enough for Legs to hear, and with a smirk he knew Legs could see. And with that, he strode down the hall with Fatima in tow; she practically had to jog to keep up. Legs growled after them as Whip helped put out the smoldering remnants of his shirt.

"Warren, slow down! My legs are a lot shorter than yours!" Fatima complained when he wouldn't slow down. After a while he did and she was able to catch her breath.

"You know… you didn't have to come to my rescue. I could've handled those guys," she said, watching his face for a reaction. "But thanks." He looked over and smiled.

"I know you can take care of yourself, but don't let him get that close next time," he said as they entered the lunchroom and he casually dropped her hand.

Believe me, I wont, she thought to herself and entered with him.

-----

A week later, Fatima had gotten into a nice routine that got her through each day. But of course, wouldn't you know it? As she walked out of the school after last period it was raining. A slew of expletives streamed out of her mouth as she made her way over to her backup plan… a bus. She was literally growling by the time she stepped aboard, and scared the driver half to death. Relieved to see that she was one of the first people to arrive, she walked quickly to the back and sat down, wishing that she could be home already.

As students filed onto the bus, they finally got underway, and Fatima had a red head sitting next to her. She was chatting happily with everyone around her in a peppy voice that Fatima tried to ignore, but couldn't. After their seatbelts were in place the redhead turned to her.

"Hi, you haven't been on the bus before," she said and stuck out her hand. "I'm Layla."

"Fatima," she stated and shook her hand, brushing a piece of hair out of her eyes. A look of recognition came over her face.

"Hey! You're that girl that Warren hangs out with right?" she asked. Fatima rolled her eyes. Great, another one.

"Look, we're just friends, we are not dating, and anything you want to know about him you'll have to find out for yourself," she said, leaning her forehead against the window, watching the stormy clouds roll around them. Layla almost laughed at her remark.

"Oh no, that's not why I asked. See, I'm a friend of his, and I wanted to meet you since we have a mutual friend," she said and Fatima looked back at her skeptically.

"You're a friend of Warren?"

"Sure, we all are," she said and a few people around them turned and waved. "This is Zack, Ethan, Magenta, and Will," she said, pointing to each in introduction. "Will is Warren's best friend."

"So it was your dad who put his in jail," Fatima said, killing all conversation. She turned back to the window and was thankful to see the ground approaching. As she got off and limped into her house—her ankle still bothering her a little—she felt slightly bad about how abrupt she had been. After all, they were Warren's friends… or so they claimed. But then again, that girl had seemed sincere, and whoever said that they were Warren Peace's friends and weren't telling the truth ran the risk of being barbequed. She smiled.

-----

A month later… Fatima heard the phone ring.

"Hello?" she asked, baby Justin balanced on one hip. Out of the receiver came the familiar voice of Warren Peace.

"Hey, what's going on?" she asked after his greeting. "We still studying together today?"

"Your floor is being fumigated? Oh… uh, did you want to come over here then?"

"Okay, see you at six then." Click. Justin started fussing and she hugged and soothed him. "Oh come on, you've met Warren before. He's not that bad." Justin made a face and Fatima laughed.

-----

Warren slowly made his way up to Fatima's front door, hoping that she wasn't going to be too mad at him. He knocked and waited. He was expecting a lot of things, but not what he was about to see.

Fatima opened the door wearing a pair of jean short shorts, and a lacey spaghetti strap shirt that was too small for her. Her hair was up in a sloppy bun and she had Justin balanced on her left hip.

"Warren!" she exclaimed. "You're early! Is something wrong?" She tried to ignore the fact that she was dressed so scantly in front of him. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Well," he started, looking away. "I ran into a friend of mine, Layla, on the way over, and since she needed to study too she sort of invited herself along." He glanced over to check her reaction.

"Oh, redhead right? I met her the other day, it's fine," Fatima replied.

"Uh, well that's not all really." He paused and Fatima looked at him expectantly. He sighed and continued. "She had been planning on studying with some other people, so it's not just her. One person called another and so…" Fatima looked over his shoulder and saw that his car was full of people.

"So you brought everyone you know to my house!" she said, exasperated. She rubbed her forehead. "Fine, but you owe me mister," she pointed a finger at him. "Just, let me get a shirt on." she started toward the stairs but stopped. "Here, take him and put them in the living room." She handed Justin to Warren who held him uncertainly. He looked down at the kid who blew a spit bubble and giggled.

"You can say that again," he said and went to retrieve everyone who was waiting in his car.

Fatima made her way downstairs having changed into a black T-shirt. As she stepped into the living room, she saw Warren, Layla, and everyone that she had tried to introduce on the bus sitting on the couch and chairs, waiting for her. She walked over and relieved Justin from Warren.

"Hi Fatima," Layla said. "Sorry for imposing on you like this, but I figured that since we all needed to study, we'd be able to do it together, and get to know each other too." Her smile was infectious. Fatima sat down and Layla re-introduced everyone.

"Um… well, not to sound offensive," Fatima said after a pause. "But, aren't you all, you know… hero support?" Most of them nodded. "Then…"

"How are we supposed to study together?" Magenta, the goth girl with purple highlights finished for her.

"Well, hero support needs to know how their heroes think so that we can help better, so we learn a lot of the same things," Ethan, the boy who could melt, said.

"Oh, that makes sense," Fatima said.

-----

After a few hours, they were all stuffed with information.

"If I see another definition, I'll puke," Zack complained. Everyone groaned in agreement.

"So I guess we're done for the day?" Will asked and everyone started gathering their books together.

"Hey, while we're all together, do you guys want to do something?" Layla suggested.

"Hey, they just got some new games in at the arcade in the mall," Zack said enthusiastically. Fatima looked around nervously as they all started nodding in agreement. She picked up Justin and stood.

"I don't think that I can go," she said and everyone turned towards her, surprised.

"Why not?" Layla asked.

"Yeah, why not?" Warren wanted to know.

"Well, I can't leave the kids alone, someone's got to watch them," she said. "Sorry, I couldn't possibly go."

"Of course you can." Everyone turned to see an older girl with curly black hair standing by the front door. She walked over to Fatima who was trying not to scowl.

"Gina, I thought you were working late tonight," she said through gritted teeth. The older girl relieved the infant from her with a smile.

"No, I have the night off, remember? So now you can go out with your friends and don't have to worry."

"I don't want to make you take care of them all. I should stay to help." She tried to take Justin back, but Gina stepped away swiftly and grinned even bigger.

"Oh come on, you know that the twins are spending the night at Erin's house. Greg is on a field trip. Madison and Elise are at a slumber party. That just leaves me with Eduardo, Rachel, and little Justin here. Nothing I can't handle. Now go," she gave the super teen an enthusiastic push towards the door.

"Just… let me get my jacket," Fatima said and ran up the stairs. After a second, Warren went up after her. He found her sitting on the end of her bed, her head in her hands. She looked up at him as soon as he stepped closer.

"What's the matter?" he asked, leaning against her desk. She gave a weak smile.

"I know it's probably obvious, but I've never really had any friends before." She looked away from him. "And now suddenly I have a crowd of them it seems… it's a little overwhelming."

"Well, there's no complaining now because once this group attaches itself to you, and they have, there's nothing you can do to get rid of them. Believe me," Warren said. Fatima laughed a little.

"So that's how it happened," she said, grinning at him. "I always wondered how you became friends with a bunch like them." She stood and picked up a jean jacket and put it on.

"Well, if I have no choice in the matter, then we might as well get to it," she said and they made their way back downstairs and out the door. Everyone was standing by Warren's car.

"Come on, get in already," Warren said as they approached.

"Well, there's a slight, uh…" Zack started.

"There's not enough room," Magenta interjected. "There's six seats and seven people."

"We can strap the popsicle to the roof, no problem," Warren said, making Ethan's eyes bug out. Fatima smacked Warren's arm lightly.

"Or Layla could just sit in Will's lap," she said. Everyone piled in and they began the drive to the mall.

"So, where is the mall anyway?" Warren asked after a while, glancing sidelong at the others in the car with him.

"You mean you don't know where you're going?" Will said. Warren shot him a look. People started trying to direct Warren where to go, but he was getting conflicting instructions. If he would turn one way, people would object. Turn the other way, everyone else would object. He gripped the steering wheel harder and did another U-turn. Fatima leaned forward in her seat behind him.

"You doing ok?" she asked, looking him over. His eye twitched a little and it looked like he was just about to break the steering wheel into pieces.

"Let's just say I'm real close to frying everyone in this car," he said. Fatima patted his shoulder sympathetically.

"Hey everyone!" she said, getting their attention. "Since none of us seem to know how exactly to get to the mall, if indeed there is one at all… do you guys want to just go back to my house and hang out?" Everyone agreed and soon they were making their way back to Fatima's house by way of a convenient store—they needed supplies after all. Shortly after they all were walking back into Fatima's living room with arms full of soda and chips. People called their parents to let them know where they'd be so they wouldn't worry… or form search parties.

"So what do you guys want to do?" Zack asked after they had been snacking and talking for a while. The sun had just set and the sky was being lit by its last few beams of light. Everyone thought of what they could do, play board games, watch a movie, play cards, prank calls… but it was Magenta who finally spoke up.

"Well, we're a bunch of teenagers sitting around on a Saturday night. It's obvious what we should do. Let's play spin the bottle." Everyone gaped at her. She was definitely the last person they would have expected to make such a suggestion.

"I guess that'd be fun," Layla chimed in. They all agreed and moved the coffee table out of the way and sat down on the carpet in a circle. They placed an empty soda bottle in the middle.

"So… who goes first?" Ethan asked.

"Well, it was Magenta's idea after all," Fatima said and grinned at the look she got from the goth.

"Fine, I'll go first," she said and spun the bottle. It spun once then rolled into her shoe. She tried again but it kept on rolling away.

"Uh, this isn't working." She picked up the bottle. "Any ideas?"

"Hold on," Fatima said and ran over to a closet and began rifling through board games until she finally appeared again and held up the spinner from Twister.

"Ta-da!" she plopped it down in the middle of the circle. Magenta gave it a spin and it landed on Ethan. She rolled her eyes and gave the dork a quick peck. A bit flustered, he spun the spinner and it landed on Will. Everyone burst into laughter and the two grudgingly kissed. Will tried not to spin it too hard—he didn't want to break it—and was very relieved when it landed on Layla. The couple kissed happily. Layla leaned over and flicked the spinner and Fatima watched in horror as it spun and slowly came to rest, pointing to her. She looked up at Layla who shrugged and smiled.

"Uh, I'm going to get a soda, anyone want one?" Fatima said quickly and practically ran into the kitchen and out of sight. She leaned up against one of the counters and cursed herself. She could hear everyone talking, yelling at her to come back, asking why she had run away. What was her problem? Why couldn't she have just gone through with it?

"So, what's taking those sodas so long?" she heard a voice from behind her say. She turned and saw Warren standing there. Fatima opened the fridge and handed him a soda and took another out for herself. She leaned back against the counter and looked at the floor.

"It's not that I don't want to play," she said. "I really do, honest. It's just…" she tried to explain, but looked away, embarrassed. Warren stepped up to her.

"You don't want your first kiss to be with a girl," he said. Fatima looked up at him, surprised.

"Silly right?" she asked, blushing a little. She looked away but he hooked a finger under her chin and brought her gaze back to his.

"Not at all," he said, and in an out of character but just can't help himself moment, he leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. Fatima blinked. Had he just… but he was already stepping away.

"Come on, if I have to kiss Stronghold then you can kiss the flower child," he said as he walked back into the living room. Fatima followed shortly, trying to busy herself with handing out sodas, while trying to get rid of the blush in her cheeks. After that she had no problem with playing and they all had a blast.

-----

"Ok, that's the third time I've kissed Will, anyone want to play something else?" Zack asked. They had been playing for a while and everyone had kissed just about everyone else more than once.

"Hey, you guys want to play Truth or Dare?" Fatima asked with a grin.

"Well, since you're so confident all of a sudden then why don't you start us out?" Will said. "Truth or Dare Fatima?" She scowled at the super strong teen and folded her arms in front of her.

"Truth," she replied.

"What's your middle name?"

"Oh you suck!"

"Well?"

"…"

"What was that? You'll have to speak up."

"I said it's Minnie!" She threw some popcorn at him while they all laughed. She looked around the room, trying to decide who her victim would be.

"Zack! Truth or Dare?" she said, surprising everyone. The glow stick debated for a second before replying.

"Truth." Fatima smiled.

"Is it true that you have a crush on Magenta?" Zack blushed and looked away while fumbling for words. Magenta looked over at him, curious.

"Yeah, sort of…" he managed to get out. "Will, Truth or Dare?" he tried to change the subject quickly.

"Dare," he said and everyone oohed.

-----

An hour later they were still at it. Ethan was wearing a pink dress that they had managed to find, Layla had just got done with her rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, of which she only knew half the words, Zack had done the hula while standing on the coffee table, Warren was shirtless and scowling, and Magenta was staring daggers at Layla. She had been dared to dance around in guinea pig form and sing a cute little song.

Fatima sat down after she had gotten done. Ethan had dared her to dance around in a bikini, but she knew that it'd been Will's idea, the pervert. She shivered.

"Dude, can I change back now? I'm freezing my butt off," she said accusingly at Ethan. He looked at his watch.

"In a half hour you can." Fatima growled.

"Fine! Will, truth or dare?" He thought for a second.

"Dare." Fatima smirked.

"I dare you to give Ethan a lap dance." The living room erupted with laughter.

"No way! I pass!" Will demanded.

"Really? I thought you would have enjoyed it because some of those kisses looked pretty hot and ow!" A can of soda bounced off Fatima's head. "Fine fine, but that's your last pass mister." Will sat back and thought for a second, then leaned over and conversed silently with Layla who nodded her head with a smile.

"Warren, truth or dare?" The flamethrower had been wearing a look that said, 'If anyone else makes me take something off I'll roast them alive,' ever since Layla had dared him to go shirtless for the rest of the night.

"Dare," he said. Will smiled.

"I dare you to hold hands with Fatima for the rest of the night," he said. Smoke began to rise from under Warren's hands.

"What about bathroom breaks?" he asked. Will considered for a second.

"Two minutes each should do it," he replied. Warren looked over at Fatima who was trying very hard to blend in with the carpet. "Well get over here," he said and held out a hand. She walked over and took the offered appendage and sat on the couch next to him.

"We have got to get Will back for all this," she muttered under her breath at him.

"You're tellin' me," he agreed.

-----

A half hour later, Warren and Fatima were given a two-minute break so that she could go upstairs and change. She was walking back out of her room, infinitely glad to be properly dressed once again, when she saw the face of a four year old peeking out of a door down the hall. She walked over and opened the door and saw little Rachel in her jammies clutching a teddy bear.

"Oh, baby, did you have a bad dream?" The little girl nodded. Fatima led the girl back into her room to put her back to bed.

"Ok, it's been more than two minutes," Will said, looking at his watch. "Go get her Warren." They all watched semi-amused, and semi-scared as the pyro stood and stalked up the stairs. But when he reached the top, he stopped and listened. He heard singing… very soft, but it was there.

"Wishing on a dream that seems far off
Hoping it will come today
Into the starlit night
Foolish dreamers turn their gaze
Waiting on a shooting star"

Warren stepped down the hall carefully until he reached the door where the singing was coming from. He peered in and saw Fatima sitting beside a little girl's bed singing her to sleep.

"But, what if that star is not to come?
Will their dreams fade to nothing?
When the horizon darkens most
Well all need to believe there is hope

Is an angel watching closely over me?
Can here be a guiding light I've yet to see?
I know my heart should guide me but
There's a hole within my soul

What will fill this emptiness inside of me?
Am I to be satisfied without knowing?
I wish then for a chance to see
Now all I need
Is my star to come…"

Fatima smoothed a curly piece of blonde hair out of the girl's face. She was asleep already. Smiling, she turned only to see Warren Peace standing in the doorway. Why on earth Layla had made him take off his shirt was beyond her, but he was a sight to behold. Fatima stopped her train of thought and exited the room, shutting the door behind her quietly.

"What are you doing up here?" she asked as they made their way back to the stairs. He took her hand.

"Will sent me up after you. Said it'd been more than two minutes," he replied.

"Rachel has nightmares sometimes. It's her favorite song; it helps her sleep." They began to descend together.

"You sing it well," he said, not able to think of a better way to say it. She glanced over at him and smiled a little.

"Thanks." They walked back into the living room and sat with the others.

-----

"I dare you to not use any of your powers for a week."

"What!" Will couldn't believe what Fatima was trying to make him do.

"Ah ah ah!" she waggled a finger at him. "You already used all your passes Mr. Stronghold. You have to do it!" She laughed with everyone else as they all laughed.

"An entire week?"

"Ok, I'll be nice. The school week. Monday through Friday. Five days, no powers."

"Oh you're enjoying this aren't you?"

"Immensely."

-----

The song is Wind's Nocturne. If anyone know's who it's by please tell me so I can give the proper credit.