Disclaimer: I do not own any of the aforementioned characters besides DJ Kirra. The Runaways were created by Brian K. Vaughn and Adrian Alphona. They exist in the Marvel Universe.
Runaways:
California Soul
Pt. 2
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The La Brea Tar Pits, 2:10 P.M.
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The lift to the new hideout of the Runaways squeaked as the three made their way down the shaft. DJ shifted incessantly much to Alex and Nico's annoyance.
"Is he always like this?" Nico asked.
"I hope not." Alex replied, "Otherwise we'll have to tie him to something large and heavy and pitch him in the pacific."
"You know I'm right behind you guys right?" DJ remarked, "We don't care." Nico answered turning around, "Okay, just letting you know."
Nico put her hand to her face, "What the hell am I doing…" She thought shaking her head.
The lift stopped with a loud creak and Nico pulled the door up. She stepped off first.
"Chase?" Nico shouted.
"Over here Nico, you really owe me…" Chase stopped dead in his sentence and his track, his eyes growing narrow, "Nico, Alex is behind you."
Nico turned around and looked at Alex who looked at her then switched his gaze to chase. DJ shifted his eyes from everyone in a couple second increments just to make it look like he was as tense as everyone else.
"What in hell is he doing here?" Chase answered.
Nico put her hand on his shoulder, "We need to talk."
"Oh I sure as hell hope so." Chase replied.
Alex looked at DJ for the first time, DJ shrugged at him and put his hands in his pockets and stepped off the lift.
"YOU STAY IN THERE!" Nico shouted.
DJ quickly hopped backwards onto this lift, "Well this bites so far."
Chase and Nico sat down at the dining table, behind them was the giant ship they used called the Leapfrog. Nico rubbed her temple as Chase worked out his reasons to just go after her.
"He was dead Nico. How is he standing in that lift, you saw him die, you told me yourself he was dead. Why'd you lie to me?" Chase snarled.
"I didn't, I watched him die, but right now, that's not important. The important thing is, he's down here and he knows where we live which makes this overly complicated." Nico snapped back, "He has no idea what happened or how he came back so there's no point it beating him up for something he doesn't know."
"He's a liar and you know it Nico, you let him bring you here because you still got a thing for him!" Chase shouted.
"What's all the yelling about Chase?" Gert asked.
DJ poked his head around the wall, "I think we are the reason." He replied.
"What the hell're you two so rude to him for, making him stand there." Gertie answered pointing her finger at DJ's head, "Crying out loud, you two are rude." She started walking over.
"Gertie no!" Chase cried.
Gertrude turned the corner and saw DJ but her gaze went to Alex and she screamed at the top of her lungs. She stepped backwards and fell off the small ledge hitting the floor. A quiet rumbling came from one of the corridors. A giant green velociraptor came screeching around the corner and eyeballed Alex. DJ's mouth dropped and his eyes widened.
"HOLY SHIT!" DJ screamed.
The thing charged the both of them with DJ screaming at the top of his lungs. Chase and Nico jumped out of their chairs and raced at the dinosaur. DJ let out another blood curdling scream.
"Molly come quickly!" Nico yelled.
Nico grabbed the Velociraptor's tail and pulled, Chase grabbed its side and tried shoving it backwards. The two together made about as much headway as the Nazi's in the Soviet Winter. Molly came rushing in as fast as he little 11 year old legs could carry her. She raced over and went underneath Old Lace and lifted it up off the ground and started walking as best she could, carrying the thing over her head.
DJ was lying on the ground covered in slobber, his eye twitched, "I know what Fred Flintstone feels like now..."
He spit off to the side and wiped some of the drool off his face, "She smelled the Hot Dog." Gertrude answered rubbing the back of her head.
"Oh…" DJ answered, "That's nice. I think I'm going to lay here a while."
Gertrude walked past the victimized and looked at Alex. He was curled up in a ball in the corner trying to avoid eye contact. She put her hands on her hips; Chase came up behind her and took her hand.
"You have a lot of explaining to do here." Gertrude replied.
"Can I get a towel?" DJ asked.
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A couple minutes later...
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DJ wiped his face off in the wash room, his skin felt like it'd been liked clean of any and everything, "I should've just gotten another hot dog and left that kid…" He muttered.
"I know your lying Alex." Chase shouted, "You're a good actor, but you can't fool me twice. Nuh uh."
"I'm serious, I don't know alright! I remember being fried and then I remember a diner that I showed up at on the edge of Los Angeles! I have no recollection of the events afterward!" Alex said defending himself.
"I still think he's lying." Gertrude replied, "He's playing with our heads Nico, trying to make us think he's here to be our friend till he gets a shot to rat us out again."
DJ stepped out of the wash room; he looked at the four of them sitting at the table. The anger was swelling off the other girl, Nico was indifferent and Chase was just playing tough. DJ could feel the whole thing, like a wave hitting him. He put his hand to the wall and claws slightly.
"Are you okay?" Came a sweet innocent voice.
DJ turned around and looked at Molly, "Of course," He answered, "What's your name?"
"Molly, I pulled Old Lace off of you." She giggled, "So what's your name?"
"DJ, and thanks, I was worried it was going to eat me, I didn't expect it to try and lick my face off like Odie in the Garfield comics." He replied rubbing his face.
He turned his gaze back to the Table with the three of them tearing Alex a new one as if his guilt already wasn't bad enough. If they could see the giant black hole inside him eating away at all the good things he had for memories, they'd try to be as considerate as possible. Then again, kids, especially teenagers never gave anyone, even another of their own a lick of a compliment after they get screwed over. Alex just sat there and took it all in.
"Hey Mol, what was all the commotion about, I was taking a nap till I heard that scream? Did Nico have a nightmare again?" Karolina answered.
"Nah, Old Lace got a tad excited with DJ." Molly said smiling.
"Who's DJ?" She asked.
"I am, Miss?" He replied turning around and see how unbearably hot the girl was.
"Karolina Dean." She answered, "Hopefully Old Lace didn't give you too much of a scare."
"I know, I scream like a girl, but I saw a giant dinosaur with the look of wanting to turn me into a pile of feces, you can't begrudge me when I think about screaming."
"I don't, I screamed too when I first saw her, but I got over it." Karolina replied, "So what're they yelling about?"
"Apparently, this dude you guys don't like, Alex Wilder? Yeah, he and I kinda got ambushed by Nico, the Gothic chick. So far from what I'm catching, their debating on killing him and then just dumping his body in the pits." DJ explained.
"Alex!" Karolina shouted and rushed past Molly and DJ, Molly looked at DJ who shrugged, "What's everyone's deal with the guy?"
"He was a very bad person…" Molly answered, "Well that sums it up, I guess." DJ answered.
He stood there for what seemed like hours as they went at him. He could feel the anger intensify with each passing word. This wasn't going to end well, someone was going to get hurt and it was more then likely someone who was already hurting enough. Molly tugged on his purple shirt.
"Are you an angel?" She asked.
"Why do you say that?" DJ replied.
"I dunno, you just seem nice and happy all the time, even when you're standing there and their yelling, you have a smile on your face. I think they need to be quiet. I want everyone to just calm down."
"Want to go tell them?" DJ asked with his smile.
"Okay, but only if you come with me." She answered.
"Fine by me." DJ replied and the two walked over to the table.
"You guys need to chill out and think this logically!" Karolina shouted, "Yeah, you two are sitting here plotting to murder him and his sitting right across from you!" Nico added.
"Hey! Can the four of you shut up?" DJ asked, "Because honestly, all this is going to add up to one big pile of crap that's going to come flying into all your laps and you'll all be as guilty as he is!" He yelled over them.
"Yeah, you're all being stupid heads about this!" Molly answered pushing herself up on the table.
DJ grabbed her and lifted her up and put her on her shoulders to her delight, "Listen, you guys are arguing like a bunch of Italians in the Godfather. If you haven't notice, this kid hasn't said a word in his defense since you started after him with insults. Not once has he said you were wrong and he was right!"
"What're you his lawyer?" Chase snapped.
"Bite me, I know what I feel and right now, I'm feeling this kid's guilt from a mile away! He's sitting here and contemplating suicide while you guys keep metaphorically slapping him in the face and if he won't stand up for himself then damnit I will! I don't care how much grief he's caused, but killing him won't make you all feel better!" DJ retorted.
"I think you might be dead wrong on that one." Gertrude replied.
"Then go ahead and kill him and find out. I can already tell you what you'll feel afterword. You'll kill him, and for one moment you feel that piece of happiness then reality will sink in and you'll instantly feel so terrible that you'll want to just mope for the rest of your life because you realize you're worse than him!. And that thought is what will send you down a path of self destruction where you'll end up either killing yourself or going to jail till you're dead!" DJ gritted his teeth.
"So?" Chase replied.
"SO! Is that all you have to say is SO!" DJ screamed, "I'm going to say this once and let it sink in…" He looked at Chase, then at Gertrude, "To error is human, but to forgive is Divine. Look it up in the bible, those are God's words and I think they hold true to this exact moment. You either forgive him for all this or you kill him and end up being nothing but a pack of murderers."
Molly, Alex, Nico, Gertrude, Karolina and Chase all looked at him in surprise, "Whoa." Gertrude answered.
He took a breath and set Molly down, she had tears coming down her eyes, "Easy girl. Just take it easy."
DJ looked at them all and turned and walked away leaving the six sitting there, their gazes following him. He turned the corner and walked down a random hallway.
"Jeez, talk about intense." Gertrude replied.
"No kidding." Chase remarked.
"I say give Alex another chance." Molly chimed in, "DJ seems to think he deserves one."
"I agree, the kid made a very dynamic point." Nico said, "Yeah, he seemed to just know it in his heart." Karolina replied, "If that was acting, then he'd be a high paid one in a lot of movies 'cause I know my parents could say that."
"Gert, Chase?" Nico asked, looking at one then the other, "Fine." Gertrude replied angrily, "Yeah, okay." Chase snapped.
Nico looked at Alex who was sitting across the table; his gaze was still where DJ had turned the corner. She nodded for him to follow her. The two of them got up while Gertrude and Chase sat there with their heads down. Karolina and Molly left the table leaving the two sitting there. Alex and Nico went to her room which was tricked out with everything gothic, even her bed spread had skulls on it.
"No ones ever stood up for me like that before." Alex muttered.
"I know, damn where'd the guy come from?" Nico asked.
Alex huffed a bit in a laugh, "I met him at the bus stop. I sat down as he was eating a hot dog. He told me he was abandoned when he was younger and hitch hiked to Los Angeles to get himself a Hot Dog."
"A hot dog?" Nico asked raising an eyebrow, "You've gotta be joking."
"I wish." Alex answered, "He's crazy!"
"Like a fox." Nico replied, "But what'd he mean when he said he could feel your guilt from a mile away?"
"I don't know." Alex answered, "The guy's strange that's for sure."
DJ put his back to the wall and sank down to his knees. He pressed his thumb and index finger against the bridge of his nose and sighed. Tears rolled down his eyes and gritted his teeth. He sobbed and tried to keep it under control.
"DJ?"
He looked up and saw Molly and Karolina, he turned his back on them, "You okay?"
"No." DJ replied in a hoarse voice.
Karolina sank down to her knees and put her hand on DJ's shoulder. She turned him around to face her, "What you did was probably the bravest thing I've seen in a long time."
"I shouldn't have though. I yelled at you all and defended someone who you guys probably have no love for. How is that brave?"
"It's brave because you were the only one to put your foot down against the odds. I think that's pretty brave if you ask me, I'd've never done it."
"True, but you don't feel things like I do. If you had any clue as to what Alex is going through right now, you'd probably keel over. And I'm sharing the whole thing, along with Chase and Gertrude's anger and Nico's conflict. There's nothing keeping me together."
"It's okay to cry DJ." Molly said coming over and looking into his face, "I cry all the time. I miss my parents a lot, I know they did bad things but I could never really just hate them."
DJ let out a slight laugh, "Crying out loud, you guys must've had a rough childhood. Who were your parents, super villains?"
"Yes actually." Karolina replied, "How'd you know?"
"Guess," DJ replied, "probably do to the release I'm getting at the moment."
"Release?" They both asked.
DJ nodded, "Yeah, you guys are the closest so I'm using your emotions to let these terrible ones I'm bottling up go."
"What are you?" Karolina asked, "A mutant?"
"I dunno, but for the longest time, I could read people by their emotions. It saved me a bunch of times and it helped to know when people were lying to me. I'm my own lie detector. Only problem is, when too many negative emotions circle around, I sometimes can't control myself and I break down. You all had a serious and terrible grudge against him. He wasn't kidding and I can see that his grief for all the pain he caused is paled in comparison to all the anger you guys have for him."
"I know, sometimes it's hard to let go…" Karolina replied, "It must suck when you break down."
"It's only temporary." DJ answered, "I could use a place to sleep though.
"Yeah sure." Karolina answered.
The three of them, went down the hallway, Molly and Karolina helping DJ walk. He rolled onto the bed and laid his head back with a thump. He breathed heavy.
"Does someone sleep here?" DJ asked.
"It's my room." Karolina said, "Can you give me and DJ a minute alone?"
"Fine whatever…" She said and walked out of the room put off.
She sat down next to him and stared up at the ceiling, "You're like a blank."
"Excuse me?" Karolina asked.
"Your feelings, you're like a negative, there's nothing there."
"I wouldn't doubt it." She replied, "I'm complicated."
"So am I, doesn't mean I can't read you." DJ answered.
"I dunno how to say this lightly, but I'm not from here." Karolina answered.
"So? Bunches of people come to Los Angeles." DJ remarked.
"No." She retorted, "I'm an…"
DJ took her hand and he felt it finally, he needed to make full contact, "You're an Alien from another planet. You have no idea which one but you wish you did." He spouted out monotone, "You're so confused at the moment you're not sure whether or not you should kiss me or just leave me laying here. You got feels for Nico but their different, more of a loving relationship then a family relationship, but now that Alex is back in the picture you feel worse."
"Holy mother of…" Karolina answered pulling her hand away.
"Gah!" DJ uttered aloud, "Jesus, what the hell was that." He looked over, "What happened?"
"You read me like a BOOK!" Karolina answered, "I did?"
"Yeah! You did. How did you know all that stuff about me?" She cried.
"Huh?' DJ responded, "I don't know, I blanked out when I touched you. Please tell me I didn't insult you."
"No you didn't, but you scared me half to death. Does that happen every time you make contact with someone?"
"No." DJ answered, "This is the first time that has ever happened period." He shook his head, "Damn I feel strange now. Like I'm going to hurl or something. Whoa, like a feedback loop from hell."
Karolina pushed off from her bed, "Listen, you didn't say anything to insult, me you just freaked me out a bit. Anyway, get some rest you look terrible."
DJ made an 'O' with his thumb and index indicating an okay. Karolina shut the door and put her back to the wall. Her eyes grew wide with shock. She felt what he felt; she'd drawn in all the things DJ had taken. He was like a giant emotional antenna. She could fell the guilt Alex had, it was a monster of one and Gertrude and Chase were equally as angry with DJ as they were with Alex. She brushed her hair blonde hair back and took a breath.
"Jeez…" She muttered quietly, "He wasn't kidding about breaking down."
She felt her hear which was beating rapidly; she opened the door back up. DJ rolled over and looked at her.
"Speaking of looking terrible." DJ remarked.
"Oh my god…" She replied.
DJ looked up with concern and rushed quickly over and held her up making sure to hold her with an article of clothing between their skin, "Jesus, I felt it. I felt everything through you DJ. It was awful."
DJ hugged her, his eyes wide, "I'm sorry." He whispered into her ear, "I'll be alright. But I guess I shouldn't lie to you. I'm an…" She bit her lower lip, "I'm an Alien, DJ. I didn't want you to think I was a freak or anything."
"Why would I think that?" DJ answered, "You look normal."
She pulled the medical bracelet off and felt the warmth spread over her again. DJ recoiled from the emotions as they flew out at him like a train. All the discord of it was hitting like a Gail force wind or a blow to his nuts. She pulled him into a kiss so heart felt DJ that DJ was as into the moment as she was. The light was overwhelming but he felt the calming of the discord in her. He was mentally doing his best to keep himself and the feeling under control. She pulled out of it and looked at him. She was out of breath and smiling like she'd wanted to do that for a very long time. Her whole body was colors of the rainbow and to DJ that was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
"I rest my case, you're a babe." DJ smiled.
She smiled back, "I thought about what I would be, I thought I was never going to find a guy. I switched my sexuality, and I still have a cruse on Nico, but there's something about you DJ, something that I can't shake."
"It's okay Karol," DJ answered, "If I was going to give you any grief for what you're preferences are I'd just be another bible banger. And I've dealt with way too many of them." He answered, "Although, I think you oughta know you're lucky. I touched the memory of when you first flew and I've never felt as free as that. You should keep that memory and cherish it."
She smiled; DJ smiled back and lowered his head, "Night."
"Good night DJ." She replied.
This time she walked through the door, she pulled her bracelet on and watched the light fade. She felt alive on the inside, like she was set free and could just do what she wanted. She felt this same feeling the first time she flew. DJ, she thought, I think I'm falling for you.
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Later that Day
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"Dinner is served." Nico replied holding up some bags of McDonalds.
DJ, Nico and Chase set the bags down, "Alright, who wanted the Big Mac, everything on it with a Dr. Pepper."
"That was me." Gertrude replied.
DJ tossed her the burger and handed her the fries and drink, "Double Cheese Burger was for me, with fries and a Sprite." He said setting his place.
"Alright, so who wanted the 20 piece McNugget?" Nico asked rummaging through her bag, "That's Mine and Molly's." Karolina replied.
Once everyone had gotten their food, they immediately started chowing down. DJ bit into his burger taking a massive bite out of it.
"You know…" He said with his mouth full, "I've never felt more at home then right here."
"It's good to be back with everyone as well." Alex responded taking a fry.
Gertrude and Chase shot Alex a look of contempt, DJ, "Guys, knock it off. Go on Alex."
"You guys, you have no idea how horrible I felt after I did that to you all. Right before I was killed, I saw everything you all saw me as and I knew. I knew how terrible of a mistake I was making. I understood how much you guys trusted and relied on me and I let you down. This time though, I want to start with a new slate. I want you guys to trust me again and I want to show you guys that you can. I don't know what else to say but I'm sorry. If I'd've known all this before hand, I probably would've helped you stop all this without helping my parents." He brushed away a tear, "I never, ever want to feel this bad ever again, and I never want to see that look that you all had after that."
"Word up." DJ answered, "To a new beginning, I say we stick together, through thin or flush, apples to oranges and of course balls for bearing, we play it like the Musketeers but just a little less lame."
"In your words DJ, hell yeah, bring it on." Alex said.
Karolina held up her McDonald's cup, "To us."
They toasted, "To us!"
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After Dinner
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Alex and Nico went to her room. Alex looked at her; she was letting her hair down. She looked at him in the mirror and smiled.
"You know, I'm glad that you brought me back now." Alex replied, "With this new lease on life, I want to make up for it all. I want to make it up to you guys and myself. My parents can rot; I want to be with my friends till the end, where ever that is..."
"You can be pretty convincing when you want to be." Nico answered, "And I trust you Alex. That new kid was right when he said we needed to give you a second chance. I just hope you don't follow the same path."
"You and me both Nico." He said sitting down in a chair and reclining it a bit, "You and me both."
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DJ had hit the sack early, and was fast asleep when Karolina came in. She took off her shirt and put on her pajamas and went under the covers. DJ was as silent as a graveyard and was sleeping on top of the covers. Karolina rolled over and put her back to him. He simply rolled onto his stomach and became still again. She was up for a better part of the hour before she went to bed. All the while she was thinking about him. How he must feel when someone gets angry which is way too often and when he sees a person in depression or feeling guilty or pained. He must've had a terrible life. Hopefully he would come out to her about it, because she had done it for him. She fell asleep holding his hand with her pajama's sleeve blocking the physical contact.
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Chase and Gertrude were the only one left at the table again. They simply sat there quiet like the first time, letting their thoughts stew.
"You think we should?"
"Trust him?" Gertrude finished, "I don't know anymore."
"I don't trust the DJ guy, he seems weird. Whenever were looking at Alex with anger he always snaps at us. I wonder what his deal is." Chase muttered.
"I don't know, but for right now, I say we just get some sleep and figure it out in the morning." Gertrude answered.
"'Kay. Did I tell you that you look cuter when you're angry?" Chase smiled.
She blushed and they got up from the table and shut off the light behind them.
Author's Space: Wow, a pretty powerful chapter if I don't say so myself. I didn't think it'd turn up this quickly but hopefully I know where the hell I'm going with this thing... I think.