Disclaimers and Useless/Useful Stuff to Know:
Don't own any of these characters. Never will. Wish I did. Major spoilers for "Countdown to Infinite Crisis". Good idea to read the comic first. Also, spoilers for the Question six-issue miniseries.
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Warning: The Pool is Contaminated
by Alba Aulbath
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"It's your fault for sitting around outside, being obsessive. While it rains and SNOWS."
The Question grumbled.
"Don't look at me."
Still, he grumbled, pulling the blanket over his head. "M'fine."
Ted placed a finger to his temple, shaking his head. "Was it this bad for J'onn when we were in the League?"
"None of us had to have J'onn take care of us whenever we caught a cold," Booster remarked.
That was true.
A day after getting questioned by the police department, the Question had - for reasons that Blue Beetle was incapable of grasping - spent some time outside in the cold yanking weeds out from the garden, in the cold with no gloves or anything of like. Ergo, Vic caught himself a cold and somehow managed to be worse off than Booster was previously. 'Previously' spoken, since Booster Gold's health was much better than the day before.
The three of them were in Vic's bedroom, struggling to get him to eat or do something that would be constructive for his health. It shouldn't have been but much to Ted's surprise it was being much more difficult than he had assumed.
Ted leaned over, pulling the blanket away from Vic. "Look, I have... are you sure this is chicken soup?" The brunet glanced down at the bowl in his hand that was steaming with yellow tinted broth and noodles.
"Chicken-flavored ramen. Hey, I don't cook, okay?" Booster held up his hands in defense.
"Well, it should be okay..."
Vic muttered, "Too much sodium. Dehydration. No nutritional value."
"What do you care? It's all you ever eat," Booster told him.
"Getting better from a cold means ingesting something healthy. My daily diet's not the problem."
"Actually, if you don't eat enough of the right vitamins, it effects your entire immune system," Ted pointed out. "Okay, so no instant ramen. And it's not looking like since you last went grocery shopping you picked up any canned soup, so..." He turned to Booster. "Hey, what about that frozen veggie mix?"
Vic stared at Ted as though he'd been issued a date for execution. "No." Pulling the top of the blanket back, he hid himself away a second time.
"You are such a baby." The inventor shook his head. "All right, I know you're hardly a cook, but think you can handle boiling, Booster?"
"Well, I shouldn't burn anything..." Booster murmured as he stepped out.
"Not gonna eat it," Vic growled.
"I'll have Booster pre-chew if I have to," Ted threatened. "And then have you swallow it. I swear to God I will. Now drink your tea."
The Question muttered something incoherent, taking his mug of tea and silently drinking.
"Didn't help you at all did you didn't sleep. Again. How do you manage to avoid being in the loonybin?" Ted remarked.
"Didn't want to sleep."
"Didn't want to- Vic, you have to sleep if you wanna get better!"
Scowling, Vic shook his head. "Can't. Shouldn't..."
"Oh my god migraine," Ted grumbled without pause, rubbing his temple.
Booster Gold returned with a plateful of the various vegetables; essentially, he had thrown in whatever he could find. In way of apology, he had brought up a glass of orange juice without much thought, considering their unfortunate sick companion had more to complain.
"Don't like pulp," Vic muttered.
"You BOUGHT it with pulp." Ted was close to tearing his hair out.
"Because Booster wanted it. I didn't."
Booster shrugged. "So I like to chew my orange juice..."
"Just drink it." Ted held out the plate with various greens. "And eat."
Vic stared at the steaming plate of a variety of vegetables, as if it was complete foreign. "...Nngh."
"Dear God, you're such a baby."
"It's disgusting, and I don't want it."
Booster whispered aside to the Question, "You'd better do it, or he's gonna use the choo-choo train."
Vic stared at him, but his view was blocked when Ted held out a forkful of spinach. "Eat your goddamn greens! And for the record, it's NOT a train. It's an airplane."
"I don't like either. Not much for public transportation- UGHNF." Vic's mouth had been abruptly stuffed with spinach, and he reluctantly chewed.
Ted stabbed a carrot with the fork. "There. That so hard?"
The Human Enigma gave him a dirty look, and swallowed.
"Nn. After being sick with a cold, I'll be sick with this," the Question grumbled.
"Shut up and eat. Carrot." Ted waved it at him.
"Don't like carrots cooked. Bitter. Mushy."
Booster rubbed his chin. "You know, I just really noticed something - most things that are supposed to be good for you taste really awful. You know, like medicine and stuff."
"Grape-flavored medicine's okay," Vic grumbled.
"Yeah, well, congratulations - you have boiled carrot-flavored medicine," Blue Beetle responded flatly. "Open your stupid mouth and eat so you can get better." Grumbling to himself for a moment, the Question reluctantly accepted the carrot.
---
Early October, and Inspector Nick Bounty still had his injuries as far as broken bones went. He supposed that it had been his past and most impressive works in the force that managed to keep him on board; the chief had been incredibly upset that he had accused a blind man of those actions. But he knew the truth. A man who claimed he was blind had beat the living crap out of him.
Though he'd been told to leave the three men alone, he couldn't sit idly by knowing the truth. Nick had to investigate; it was his job, and he was going to do it.
A man with fake papers. Playing blind very, very well. A good actor. A suspicious scar on the left side of his face.
Made a man wonder.
Nick Bounty, after his patrol had been done three times over, had gone curiously into the neighborhood, scowling to himself.
"Interesting, isn't it?"
Turning his head, Nick eyed a woman standing a few feet behind him. She was pale, though not drastically so; standing about his height - maybe 5'9" - and was fairly slender from what he could see; she was wearing a full-lengthed yellow coat, made of fleece. Her hair was a calm pink, going just past her shoulders in curls.
Definitely not someone familiar.
"You live in this neighborhood?" Nick raised a brow.
"Not at all. But I knew this city." Offering a dainty hand, she introduced herself, "Wendy. Wendy Crown. I joined the force a week ago; I was originally in New York City."
She was in the police department? Nick narrowed his eyes. He doubted that very much. He knew almost everyone. Still, he accepted her hand for the moment, "Nick Bounty."
"I know, Inspector. They're talking about you a lot lately, Mr. Bounty." Wendy smirked faintly. "You're interested in the three men that live in that house - so they say."
"And they're right."
"You're blatantly honest, even though the chief told you 'no'."
Nick grinned. "I know when something deserves my attention, Wendy. I didn't beat myself up, you know; it was that guy, Matt Murdock."
"Have any way to prove it?"
"Not yet. But I'm going to."
Wendy smiled faintly at him. "How about a little bit of help?"
"You want to help me?" Nick had already began to consider - but the problem was, he didn't trust her. There was no reason he should. "Let me see your badge, Wendy."
"O' ye of little faith." Reaching into her coat, she offered her badge. "Like I said, I was moved last week - don't believe me still, Mr. Bounty?"
Scowling, the inspector observed the badge in his hand. It wasn't forged - but he still found it odd. Nick didn't remember her at all, but it appeared perfectly legit.
But then again, so had Matt's papers claiming he was blind.
"Let's say, for the record, you are a cop, Ms. Crown-"
"Mrs. I'm a married woman," Wendy responded sharply.
"Mrs. Crown," Nick amended. "Why are you so interested in helping me?"
"You have a decent record, Mr. Bounty. Even if you disliked someone, I doubt you'd go out of your way to hurt yourself to make it look like a blind man beat you. There's something else going on. You may want a little bit of help. I'll be happy to provide a bit in what ways I can without endangering my own job."
Nick considered, frowning.
Well... maybe.
For now.
---
"You have to understand - I need the information you have on him."
His mind was being torn in half - that was what it felt like. Part of him was being torn away from his own body, yet half remained. Incomplete...
But his mind had never been so clear before.
"I need to know where to find HIM."
A woman was screaming and there was fire and, oh hell he was burning, she was burning-
"Vic?"
There was a clear shot, gray matter and blood everywhere.
And there was still screaming, she was screaming, unable to do a thing-
He screamed, too.
"Vic!"
Burning, burning-
He was shakened and his eyes were wide open; awake, but dazed, stuffy, soaked with sweat.
"God damn, I think your fever's getting worse."
The Question turned his head sharply, staring tiredly at Booster. "You... still here?"
"No, I'm a figment of your imagination," Booster told him. "Try to get back to sleep, okay?"
"...Can't. No. Can't." He shook his head and laid his head back down. "No..."
Booster bit his lip. "Nightmares?"
"...Yes."
"You looked like you were in a lot of pain, and... well..."
Turning his head, eyeing him, Vic asked, "What?"
"You were screaming pretty loud. Did it get worse?"
Reluctantly, Vic nodded. "Don't make me talk about it..."
Booster sighed. "I won't, but... what the hell am I supposed to tell Ted?"
"Just a rough night."
"...Uh-huh. Look, it's been awhile. I don't know how much longer you can put off telling him."
Vic frowned. "Michael..."
"I'm serious. He's worried. Hell, I'm worried, okay? We have to tell him sometime." Booster paused. "Try getting to sleep. I know you're having bad dreams, but... you need it if you're gonna get better. I'll be right here, all right?"
"You've been watching me."
"Ch'yeah. You always watch us; figured it was my turn." Booster stood up. "Be right back." Turning, he stepped out of the bedroom.
Sighing quietly, the Question attempted to sleep again after closing his eyes.
Booster Gold shut the bedroom door behind him, frowning. He didn't like keeping it from Ted; he did want to protect his best friend - hell if he was ever going to chance losing him again - but this was a bit extreme. Then again, it was the Question, who took almost everything to an extreme.
Maybe it was to a ridiculous amount, but they both had a silent agreement on that kind of feeling. Ted was their friend, and nothing was worth the risk of worrying him or hurting him somehow. Something like a nightmare shouldn't concern him, even if it did bother Booster.
He started for the staircase, but he had immediately felt a hand to his shoulder; glancing over, he was a bit alarmed to be facing with Ted. "Uh... it's kinda late...?" Booster tried to subtly suggest that bed was a very good thing and Ted should be giving it attention.
Then he remembered his incapability of subtly.
"It's late and I heard Vic screaming loud enough to break windows without having to jump through them," Ted responded flatly. "Did he tell you what happened?"
"No?" Booster again attempted to suggest that he knew nothing, nothing at all - perish the thought!
However, Ted did not look convinced, and had his arms folded as he eyed his friend.
Sighing, Booster rubbed the back of his neck, "It was a nightmare. You know, fever dream."
"He's been having nightmares since that Psychopomp guy came around." It wasn't a question; Ted spoke with definition. He knew.
"...Yeah."
"You been holding out on me?" Blue Beetle eyed him.
"Q asked me to!" Booster held up his hands. "I'm almost perfectly innocent."
Beetle grated with, "Almost. Why aren't either of you telling me anything like that?"
"Well... it's... you know, a little complicated? ...Look, he doesn't want to worry you."
"Doing a real good job," Ted grumbled.
"Really, he doesn't! You've had enough crap to deal with, Ted; Q doesn't want to add anymore weight."
"Booster... You know what really aggravates me? Is if I had to find out because he was suffering. I know he is; he hasn't had a decent night's sleep since probably before he left Hub to help me out - and it's only gotten worse now. Now, if either of you decided to tell me, we could probably have tried to figure out a way around this nightmare problem." Ted let out a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Where were you going to go after walking out of his room?"
"Downstairs. Uh, for water."
"You do that. I'm going in there. For a change of pace, I'll be the sleepless one. I'll be damned if I let this go on any further." Turning away, he went to the bedroom door. "I know why you did it, Booster. And it's okay for us to protect each other - but don't keep me uninformed about things, either. Okay?"
"Okay. But I dunno if Q is gonna be so agreeable." Booster turned and walked down the steps.
That was fine, and predictable; the Question was one of the most stubborn people that Ted had gotten to know. Though he could be agreeable to a certain extent with subjects, in general he was the most unmovable man ever. After all, he'd been so stubborn to stay with Hub City for so many years in spite of a lost cause in many people's eyes, stubborn to pull through for Ted, stubborn enough to stay alive against all odds.
Stubborn enough to try to protect him needlessly.
Stupid jerk.
Ted found a chair in the darkness - which meant a bit of bumbling around - and pulled it up by the mattress. Not very surprising, Vic was not asleep, and turned himself to eyed at the inventor darkly.
"Supposed to be asleep," Vic told him sharply.
"So are you. Guess we just love breakin' the rules."
An irritated sigh escaped the Question. "It was nothing; no need to check."
"Yeah, except you're having crazy nightmares since that Psychopomp guy went into your head, right?" Blue Beetle narrowed his eyes. "Booster didn't have to tell me to get me to figure that one out, Vic. But it's gotten real bad tonight."
"It's nothing."
"The hell it is!" Ted had wisen up to not slamming his fist against things anymore, considering his newfound strength as of late; so instead, he gripped his fist tightly. Which was sparking wildly with electricity. Noting this, Ted grumbled and took in a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "I'm serious, Vic. You have to tell me these things so I can at least try to help, all right? What were your nightmares about?"
"Don't want to talk about it."
Ted muttered something possibly obscene under his breath as he held onto the bridge of his nose. "Vic, stop trying to be an unmovable rock. 'Cuz yer not. So tell me or I'll possibly break something without meaning to."
"You died," the Question told him.
"Yes, I did. I was there," Ted remarked flatly.
"Nightmare. You died. Repeated itself. Was in Max's point of view, so... I was pulling the trigger."
"Oh." Ted hesitated. "How detailed...?"
Vic frowned. "Much more vivid than would like to say..."
"So, every night?"
"Every night. Dream it. Something else, can't comprehend it very well. Something with Max. Tonight, bad. A ... woman was burning."
That made Ted wince. "Do you know who she was?"
"Couldn't tell," the Question admitted. "Don't know how important it is. Don't know... Just can't sleep."
As much as Ted had declared that he would help, he wasn't entirely positive if he could. Holding his chin, frowning and thinking, he tried to consider what little options he had. "Well... I know you don't want to. I don't blame you - but you need to sleep, Vic. You're sick, you have to rest. But I'll tell you what, okay? I'll sit right here. So whenever you wake up, you know I'm not dead."
"That's not necessary..."
"Hell if it isn't," Ted scoffed. "When Booster comes back with water, you drink it and go back to sleep. Don't argue with me, okay? You need to sleep."
The Question watched him carefully; his face had stubbornly held onto a relatively calm but stern expression before, but he had let it go and allowed himself to look weary - perhaps disturbed, even, considering his consistant nightmares throughout each night since his mind had been invaded. Letting out a quiet sigh, Vic asked, "You'll stay?"
"Yep."
Slowly, Vic nodded. "...Fine." He lowered his head against the pillow.
It was satisfying, for the moment; though, for future nights, Ted knew he was going to have to figure something else out. It was ridiculous to even consider doing this every night to make sure that Vic would sleep. He needed a way for someone to really get in touch and help him.
Well, it wasn't as if he didn't know psychics...
In spite of feeling angry at the League, it was an option, if only there was no other choice. At this point, it was not a good idea to make Vic see a therapist. Maybe he wouldn't be happy at all to see someone with psychic powers or anything of the like, but Ted knew he had to find him some help.
Somehow.
For now, he was just satisfied to have Vic sleep for the night.
---
Early October, and it was snowing lightly. Some might call it "flurries", but snow was snow was snow. And any form of snow was downright evil in Booster's book. Which was probably why so many supervillains had the 'ice' thing for their gimmick. Icicle, Mr. Freeze, Captain Cold, Coldblaine, and so on. It never, ever ended.
It almost, almost made him miss Kooey-Kooey-Kooey.
Almost.
It was the afternoon, and for the tenth time that week - and it was only Tuesday - he'd been given chicken soup. It turned out that Vic was perfectly capable of cooking - but he never wanted to. Ted had convinced (i.e., threatened him for over an hour until Vic got tired of it) him to make soup. After all, two out of three of them were still stuck with a cold, even if the Question liked to pretend he was one hundred percent healthy.
It was a fact that Vic had it worse off than Booster Gold about their respective illnesses.
"My nose hurts," Booster whined after he finished blowing his nose. "What's this tissue made out of, wood chips?"
"Aloe costs too much," Vic muttered, eyeing at his bowl of chicken noodle soup - which, by the way, had several wonderful green vegetables Ted threw in (Vic did not appreciate this).
"So? Batman's funding us."
"I'm not using his money," the Question mumbled bitterly.
Booster snorted - or tried, with his stuffed nose. "Why not?"
"Want nothing to do with them. Them. Batman, and the JLA."
"Way I see it - they owe us."
Question shrugged. "Want nothing to do with them..." He eventually stood up with the filled bowl in his hand, starting to make his way towards the bathroom.
However, just as he was walking in the direction, Ted had come around from the hallway, snagging Vic's arm. "You're not flushing it down the toilet this time."
"...Wasn't going to-"
"Yeah yeah yeah, SIT DOWN." The inventor led Vic back to the sofa. "And eat. Or do I have feed you with a spoon again?"
Vic merely grumbled in response, reluctantly taking his seat at the couch.
What came next shocked all three of the men. It wasn't a sound they expected to hear, nor should they have. After all, they were relatively isolated from the rest of the city, and practically the world, in spite of their suburbian neighborhood. They had made little to no attempts to be acquainted with neighbors, for all of their different reasons - dead rodents and cops aside. They should have only heard that sound after receiving a phone call from the JLA, if they were going to come.
At any rate... the door had been knocked on.
None of them moved for all of a minute, when the knocking sound came a second time.
"I'll get it," Vic said darkly, absolutely prepared to take a violent approach - or, likely, he was eager to.
Ted held up his hand. "No you don't - you're going to EAT, you're going to SLEEP, and YOU ARE GOING TO LIKE IT."
"Can you like... use your x-ray vision or whatever to see who it is?" Booster peered at him.
"It's called feng shui, and no. I'm sick, and I can't use Sight."
"Ah-HA! You admit you're ill!" Ted pointed at the Question.
Vic glared at him. "Let me go see who it is."
"And do what, if it's an enemy? Probably waste the soup by throwing it at them, that's what! You're not getting around your greens, Vic. Eat your goddamned food. I'll check." Ted folded his arms. "I don't wanna hear you trying to talk me out of it, either!" Turning around sharply, the inventor cautiously approached the door.
"So, this... fang shoe..." Booster wondered.
"Feng shui."
"Didn't I say that? Is it like... the Force?"
Vic peered at him.
"You know. Jedi mind tricks and stuff."
The Question did something he didn't do very often. He sighed and held his head. Then, he muttered, "Pop culture references from Michael. My day's complete. ...Do I still have to eat this?"
"YES!" Ted shouted in response from the front door.
Where Blue Beetle was, he had tried to get to his toes to peer through the peephole. However, it was apparently made for people with the height of Atom Smasher since he couldn't reach it. With a sigh, he hesitantly undid the five locks Vic installed two weeks ago, including the extra three Batman had put in, and the two the house came with.
Seven goddamned locks. Why did he have to have a paranoid landlord and roommate?
Making the door ajar, Ted hesitantly looked through the crack... then his eyes widened in surprise.
"Ted!" The door was forced open, and the inventor was pulled into a tight hug by a green-haired woman. "I'm so glad you're okay, and thank GOD nobody ever stays dead these days!"
"Bea!" Ted was still shocked. "How'd you-?"
Beatriz DaCosta gently released him, looking cross about the half-asked question. "It was all over the headlines weeks ago: Blue Beetle Found Dead, or R.I.P. Blue Beetle, and all that. Newcasters went on and on, conspiracies... I finally went to the JLA and was this close to frying Superman's sorry cute butt if he didn't tell me what happened. But he did, and I still don't get it. Not that it matters; you're okay, and I'm glad. The JLA gave me the address, so I packed my bags and here I am! You going to let me in or what? It's freezing out here."
"Booster apparently agrees with you about the cold." Ted stepped aside, shaking his head and grinning faintly.
Beatriz picked up the two suitcases she had with her, stepping inside. "Nice place. You couldn't have possibly afforded it."
"Thanks for your blatant honesty, but you're right. It's one of Batman's. He's basically lending it to us." Ted shut the door.
"Who is it?" Booster called out.
"Whoever it is, they'd better like soup with every possible bitter tasting vegetable in existence..." the Question muttered to himself.
Setting down her bags, Beatriz stepped into the living room swiftly, holding out her arms. "Ta-dah!" There was a pause as both men stared at her, one in surprise and one with a flat expression. "...Well, don't you look miserable! And here so many of us said 'Booster's too stupid to catch a cold'."
However, even the jab at his intelligence didn't seem to bruise his pride or surprise for the moment. "Fire! You couldn't have been here SOONER - I've had this cold way too long now!"
"Insinuation does wonders for the mind," Vic murmured, still poking at his soup. To himself, he mumbled, "Green. Bitter. Hate it." He paused, glancing up to peer at Beatriz. "Never met you."
"Then it's a pleasure. Even the dyed hair doesn't fool me, Mr. Vic Sage." Beatriz smiled broadly, placing a delicate-looking finger to her lips. "You look better in real life than on the television screen. Haven't done any reports lately, though, I see."
"Not capable. Incapable. Can't."
"Hard to believe you'd hide your face when you're tearing up the streets," Beatriz mused. "Oh, does the poor boy also have a cold?"
Ted approached from the front of the house after having dealt with Fire's bags, rolling his eyes. "I wouldn't call Question 'poor' at all. It was his fault, and he's being so damned stubborn about eating. Vic, didn't your mom ever make you eat your greens?"
Vic narrowed his eyes, and didn't respond. The reaction wasn't exactly one Ted had expected, but didn't have a chance to say much when Fire spoke up again.
"Ted, Ted. If you want to make someone do something, especially a man, you pet their pride and give them incentive," Beatriz told the inventor.
"Y'know, if you wanna give Ted advice, you should probably do it when we're not in hearing range," Booster pointed out, gesturing with his spoon.
"With loads of irony in my DIET now, you aren't the one who's giving me a hard time," Ted remarked, jabbing a thumb towards Vic.
"Well then!" Beatriz circled around the couch, sitting down beside Vic, smiling brightly. "What's this I hear about Ted having died and all? Not that anyone's outright announced Ted Kord's death, but everyone's talking about Blue Beetle. I haven't really checked with KORD, Inc.; I suppose they may have marked you missing at the moment."
"It'd figure," Ted murmured.
However, immediately after Ted made his remark, Vic was blunt with his answer, "Maxwell Lord shot Ted. He died. Scarab brought him back. You want my soup?"
"Vic!"
"Wait, what? What!" Beatriz glanced between primarily Booster Gold and Blue Beetle. "Max? Max killed you?"
A bit sheepishly, Booster scratched his head. "It's, uh... well, it's complicated! ...Is it complicated?" He looked at Ted, as if to make sure.
"Yes, it's very complicated," Ted agreed.
"Max killed Ted because he knew too much about Checkmate and refused to join him in his quest of self-justified metahuman wipe-out," Vic explained flatly. "Are you going to eat my soup?"
"Stop trying to give your soup away!" Ted snapped at him.
"What?" Beatriz had her hands clenched tightly into fists, her eyes darting between Ted and Booster. "What the hell is going on?"
"Funny, she was so damned happy just a minute ago," Booster noted.
Ted rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Unfortunately, Vic has this effect on people..."
"Maxwell Lord is involved in the government program Checkmate. His goal is to either wipe out metahumans or at least control them because they're considered a danger to the world from his perspective. Ted found out after going by some leads and found his hideout. By himself, because Michael was hospitalized and no one in the League decided it was worth their time to listen to him. Max asked Ted to join him. Ted said no. Max shot Ted. Ted came to me afterwards, asking for help. I did. Got Michael's help. Scarab brought Ted to life. Has powers now. Here we are. I don't want to eat this." Vic eyed the inventor.
"Tough cookies. Eat it."
"I wish it was a cookie," Vic mumbled.
Beatriz let out a heavy sigh. "Superman tried to give me an explanation, and it was only half of that and I still... I can barely process this. Max? Ted, is he right...?"
"That's one thing I won't joke about," Blue Beetle told her flatly. "As unbelievable as it is."
"It was him," Booster assured. "It was. Not that, uh, I saw him... shoot Ted, but... I know it was him. I saw him with Checkmate, and it's not like he denied anything."
"It's just... of all people, Max? Max Lord, our sleezy businessman Max Lord? I can't really wrap my head around it." Beatriz shook her head. "I believe you guys, but... it's just... Max. You know?"
"I know," Vic muttered, darker then his tone had been previously.
"So, the reason why you're all cooped up in this house - along with dying your hair I can see - is to hide?"
Booster Gold rubbed his chin. "Well, I dunno about you, but I'm pretty happy with not running all over the country trying to hide from a government faction so intent on trying to blow me up or whatever. Hiding's kinda okay with me right now. Keeps us very very alive."
"Batman funds the house and expenses, basically. Have our own accounts. Going by different names - GGHNUF." Vic found his mouth stuffed with a spoonful of his soup, and he glared at Ted.
Beatriz stared at both of them, raising her brow. However, at being given a lack of explanation, she decided to simply shake her head at both of them, continuing on with the conversation. "Well, I have to say, Booster - you looked much better as a blonde. But, I suppose if you're going to be in hiding, it's all very suiting-" Fire was cut off by the sound of the phone ringing.
Sighing heavily, Ted dropped the spoon back into Vic's bowl. "I'll get it. You, eat your damned soup." Blue Beetle stepped away from the other three, traveling down the hall to the kitchen.
Snagging the phone, he answered with a bit of hesitance, "Hello?"
"Ted?" the other side asked hopefully.
"Barbara!" The day was just full of surprises. Oracle was calling him.
The voice sounded pleasant. "That's my name, it's already worn out. Ted, I'm so sorry for-"
"Hey, look. Apologies? Later. Much later. I already have Bea here finding out what's up. Pleasant surprise and all, but... it can wait. Thanks, though."
"Ted." She sighed. "Ted, it really bothers me. We should have listened, done something-"
"You did try, Barb," he pointed out. "So don't worry about it, okay? And seriously, right now, I don't want to think about it. What's up?"
"Checking up on you boys, mostly. All three of you okay?"
"They both have a cold and Vic refuses to eat soup and is going to drive me up the wall since he's freaking out the neighbors and getting detectives to investigate us - but otherwise? Hunky dory."
Barbara was smirking. "Sounds absolutely normal, then, as normal as our lives can possibly be. Look, Ted... I understand things have been a strain, right?"
"Obviously, with the kind of roommates I have and the fact that I have to hide from Checkmate and top of everything else? Yes."
"Okay. Then you can't blame me for arranging you an appointment with a doctor at the medical center that's downtown from where you are."
Ted's eyes narrowed. "Barb..." He wasn't really looking forward to leaving the household. "I don't need to check with a doctor-"
"Yes you do. You have a heart condition, you've been under a lot of strain from all of the crap you've been through - you are going to see a doctor. All three of you. You? You have an appointment today at 3:20. I'm e-mailing you the address, along with the rest of the appointments for Booster and Victor."
Ted let out a sigh.
"You don't want to leave the house, do you?" Barbara sounded concerned.
"Not really," Ted grumbled. "Sorry. I just... you know, don't feel comfortable leaving. With what's been going on. You know, my house blew up? Then the Bug - it's kinda gotten to the point where I... well..."
"You don't feel safe anywhere?"
"No. I feel sorta safe here. Just... not really outside."
Barbara sighed. "Ted, that's not healthy."
"Duh. I know that, but that's not really my fault either," Ted told her bitterly.
"No, it's not. ...Ted, you have the scarab, right?"
"Actually it's inside of me. Left a tattoo on me."
"Right. And it gave you powers?"
"Yes. Why?" Ted frowned.
"Ted, you have powers now. If you have the same as your predecessor, you have strength, lightning powers, and flight. I think, out of you, Booster, and Victor, you have the least to worry about. You don't have to worry. Besides, I know that Booster and Victor are going to watch your back. Okay?"
"Yeah."
"Good. If you need anything - and I mean it, Ted - you can call me. Now, make sure you see that doctor, and you tell me how you are."
Ted nodded, even though she couldn't see. "All right."
"Okay. Talk to you later, Ted." Barbara hung up.
"Right." Placing down the phone, he turned towards the living room hesitantly, scowling. Ted really didn't want to have to go...
But he also knew it was for his own good.
As soon as he stepped into the living room, he somehow didn't feel very surprised at finding what he found.
"I could do it!" Booster snapped at Beatriz.
"Uh-huh, I'm very sure. After all, you're not a blonde anymore," Bea mused under her breath.
"I could! I'm more responsible than you think, Bea!"
"Or you think you're more responsible than you're capable of thinking," Fire remarked.
"I, uh... whatever you said, it's totally not that!"
"I rest my case.
"This might come as a surprise to you, but I'm not entirely comfortable sitting in the middle of two people arguing," Vic announced in a low tone.
"Especially when one of them can burst into flames?" Ted supplied.
Booster turned to face his best friend, frowning deeply. "Bea's treating me like I can't uphold any kind of responsibility."
"Specifically a job," Bea elaborated. "How often has he screwed that up?"
"At least Ted screwed up with me!"
"Ted had KORD, Inc. under a lot of responsible and mature control before he died," Bea clarified.
"What about Q? He hasn't done a broadcast in a long time!" Booster pointed out.
"It was a personal preference to stop. Don't confuse it with maturity," Vic told him flatly.
Ted held up his hands. "As much as I'm sure it's lovely to hear you all bicker, I have to go. Oracle set me up with an appointment with a doctor."
"Is there somethin' wrong?" Booster frowned.
"No, no. Just a check up, you know. She set you and Vic for appointments, too, but I don't know when." Ted shrugged. "Look. Try not to break windows or burn down the house or something while I'm gone, okay?"
It shouldn't have been surprising, considering incidents as of late, to hear a concerned tone from the Question. But he was still surprised, hearing him say, "Be careful. Yes?"
"I'll be fine. Going to print out the directions and go." Waving his hand, Blue Beetle turned and went for the computer.
"So, let me ask: what do you boys do around here?" Beatriz tilted her head.
Vic murmured, "Define 'do'."
"Besides sitting on your behinds and watching TV?" the green-haired woman elaborated.
"Take walks. Ted reads a lot."
"Sometimes Q does something and it leads to wacky hijinks," Booster added.
"For heaven's sake - was it just my imagination that I didn't see a car in the driveway!" Beatriz frowned. "Batman funds you three, right?"
"Yeah," Booster responded, confused.
"Good. Vic, I'm going to take you out to come with me and get a car." The green-haired woman stood up, but not without snagging the Question's arm first.
Raising his head to eye her, the Human Enigma appeared faintly skeptical. "What about this soup?"
"Do you want to eat it?"
"...No."
"Good, leave it behind. Get yourself ready - we're going to go out. Right now."
"Wait a second!" Booster frowned, looking up at both of them, particularly Beatriz. "What about me?"
Placing a finger to her chin, she quirked a brow before asking, "Good question - what about you?"
"Hey!" Booster scowled at her. "Why don't I get to go? Q has to pretend he's blind anyway! It's not like he can help pick!"
"Yes, but I'm sure he'll be reasonable company."
"Only because he doesn't want to eat his veggies!" Booster accused.
However, the Question could only shrug and say, "True..."
"Oh, don't fret, Booster. Vic, be a dear and go get ready?" Beatriz nudged the Question faintly.
The dark-haired man glanced over his shoulder at her, brow lifted faintly. Turning his head to Booster, he placed a hand lightly to his shoulder in silence before stepping out of the living room, Bea following.
"Okay, leaving now! ...Oh crap, where the heck did Bea and Vic disappear to?" As soon as Ted walked into the living room, a look of dread formed on his face as soon as he realized both the Question and Fire were missing.
With his arms folded and - heaven help him, but he was - pouting, Booster eyed up to his best friend. "Bea took him to go buy a car."
"Ten minutes and that woman is already making demands," Ted grumbled. "...Wait, what? What the crap! Vic didn't finish his soup."
"What're you gonna do, ground him?"
Holding up a finger, Blue Beetle told him, "I swear, if that's what it takes, I will. Didn't his parents ever discipline him? Jeez!" He paused, taking a careful look at his friend, scowling faintly. Noting the pout, he let out a quiet sigh before asking, "What's the matter?"
"Bea's not letting me come."
"Look, we're not abandoning you or anything, Booster. Don't let her get you all worked up." Ted waved the sheet of paper in his hand. "You know, she keeps insisting that you aren't responsible, or maybe haven't changed - well, most people wouldn't believe that, but that's not important - so you should do something about it. Prove her wrong."
Lifting his head, Booster only looked baffled. "How?"
"I dunno. Get a job or something. You know, whatever screams responsible at you." Checking his watch, Ted frowned. "Look, I gotta go - don't let her get to you, okay? You like being a pain in ass, she likes being a pain in the ass, and Vic just kind of has a knack for it without needing to enjoy it. It's like a system of things. Just don't let her get to you, and prove her wrong. I know you can." Turning, Ted quickly stepped out.
It took a minute for it to sink in. Get a job? Of all times? Booster could only pout more at the idea.
It was irritating. Sure, before, he could be called out at being irresponsible. And once, he did believe that people and things didn't change - not deep down. To extent, he felt right. He felt right about that, until recently. Things had changed so drastically - and people did change, too. The League had changed from what he had once known, he realized bitterly sometime ago. And even though Ted was still his best friend, he had changed, too. Often, Booster wondered if it was for the worst, considering all that had happened. Surely, Booster had also changed. He was more responsible - but deep down, who he was hadn't really changed. And that was good.
But he could be responsible. Hell, he'd have to prove it. Especially to Beatriz.
He leaned over and peered at the newspaper neatly folded on the table.
Booster Gold opened it to check the 'help wanted' ads.
---
"So you play blind?" Beatriz mused, gently holding onto Vic's arm as they strolled down the sidewalk. "You have me convinced."
"Have just about the entire police force convinced," the Question remarked.
The pair had gone in the opposite direction Ted had left in; up the street to the nearby bus station was where they were headed. Beatriz had every intention of getting to a car dealership immediately. It wasn't as if cost was necessarily an issue or anything, but Vic certainly had less degrees of excitement than his female companion.
Bea raised a brow. "The police...?"
"There was an investigator bothering us. Took us down for questioning. Convinced the police was blind." Vic sounded vaguely amused. "Have had to act plenty in the past. Not difficult. Surprised Ted."
"I'll bet," she chuckled. There was a pause after she had mused over Vic's compact version of the story, then asked softly, "How've the two troublemakers been?"
"Disturbed. Possibly still in shock. Neither sleep well. But then, neither do I. Been recovering better. Think your visit will do well for them." There was a faint frown from the dark-haired man. "They don't have good sentiments towards many others, especially in the League. I don't, either."
Taking a moment to stop by the sign of the bus station, Bea turned to fully face the Question. "Look, I understand that some members of League were a bit stuck-up - hell, I know Batman can be. When isn't he? But that's not a reason to blame them all."
"What was it like, when you were part of the League?" he inquired abruptly.
"Frustrating, especially with all of the trouble Booster and Beetle got us into and with Guy there, how could I not be annoyed? But... you know, I miss those days," Beatriz admitted. "Batman wasn't as uptight, and I miss J'onn and... what's your point?"
"What's the League like now?" Vic didn't wait for her to answer. "It's a business association. They work together, and that's all. They're constantly in fear of one another, gaining too much power. Which is why they simply tolerate each other to a level. Your League was different. Your League was a family. Was. This one isn't the one you knew."
"And do you have any proof of that?" Bea narrowed her eyes.
"There's a satellite in the sky that spies on the League, on all people who consider themselves heroes. Ted deleted these files to help save us all - with little gratitude from the League," Vic hissed sharply. "And would you like to know who made this satellite? It wasn't Maxwell Lord. He merely attained it. No, the satellite is one of Batman's exclusively failed plans."
This was something she found almost difficult to believe - almost. If only because Batman was one of the most paranoid people she had ever come to know. "A satellite? Spying on us?"
"Every metahuman, every costumed individual, every masked citizen. Files on all of us. You, Michael, Superman, Wonder Woman, the Atom, Ted, me - he didn't miss a person. And that was Max's advantage. Not the first time someone has taken Batman's plans for their own personal gain," the Question told her. "Ted only knew that there was a satellite, that there were files being used by Checkmate. ...But he doesn't know their origins."
"You haven't told him?"
Vic frowned. "I don't like the League. He knows that. You know that. I don't like a lot of people. ...But I like Ted. And I don't like upsetting him."
There was a pause between them as this was processed to the green-haired woman, and then Beatriz peered at the Question faintly before smiling softly. "Thanks for taking care of them. If I'd known... do you believe me, when I say I would have helped them?"
"I do. You're different. Some bare few in costumes and with powers are different." Vic leaned his head back. "There's an exception to every rule."
"Shall I take that as a compliment?"
"If you want."
Beatriz grinned faintly. "So they say you're crazy. Unsocial as they come, even compared to Batman..."
"Who is 'they'?"
"It's what Superman had to say about you."
Vic snorted. "Would you like to hear what I have to say about Superman?"
"Oh, I can imagine that just fine, thanks," Bea smirked. "But my point is, why did you agree to come with me?"
"I'm waiting to see what the real reason is of this trip. You'll tell me eventually," the Question told her.
This seemed to alarm Beatriz faintly, and she frowned silently in response.
The bus finally pulled up to the stop.
---
Ted couldn't help but feel a bit of anxiety.
He was positive that Oracle had good intentions and all. After all, the entire series of events as of late were strenuous on him; it'd be stupid to not check on his heart. Though he'd been positive he hadn't felt anything, heart-wise.
But then, could be that male machoism telling him stubbornly that he was perfectly okay.
The check-up was simple. A physical, checking his pulse, heart rate, and so on. It didn't keep Ted from feeling nervous about the results.
So once he heard the doctor speak, he wasn't sure how to respond. "Looks like you're perfectly okay, Mr. Parker."
The brunet paused, frowning. "I... what?"
"You're fine. Healthy as a horse, as they say. All that."
Ted hesitated. That... couldn't be true. "But, uh. You know, um. My family's been known for heart conditions. Are you sure...?"
The doctor let out a soft sigh, smiling and shaking his head. "Mr. Parker, I'm positive. Your heart is steady, your pulse is great, you've obviously been keeping in shape - the only thing that caught my attention was that tattoo of yours. You're in perfect condition; I'd stake my job on it."
Somehow, Ted could only feel skeptical. Probably because he hadn't had a track record of 'good luck' lately. Was it possible that he didn't have anything wrong with him anymore (stress aside)?
The scarab did heal all of the injuries he had before he died. Broken arm, burns, head... wound and all. Maybe his heart, too?
"Um. Okay." Ted rubbed the back of his head.
It was rare to hear good news, he mused as he stepped out of the office.
About damned time, too.
---
"So what do you like? A Lexus?"
"No. Reminds me of Luthor."
"Please don't say 'Ford'..."
"At least it rhymes with 'Kord'."
Beatriz peered at her companion. "You're going to begin to frighten me soon."
"'Soon'?" the Question muttered drily.
The pair had arrived into the car dealership, with Beatriz leading the way with her arm still linked to Vic's. She was finding rather quickly that it was going to be a bit difficult to get the Question to even care about getting a vehicle. It didn't seem the least bit important to him. He seemed to have it in his mind that there was some other reason why she had dragged him out there.
Which, there was, but that was no reason to suspect of her priorities. Really.
"Isn't there any kind of car that you like? You know, most men are very specific about their vehicles," Fire pointed out.
"'Most men'," Vic quoted. "Even from what little you know of me, you know that I'm not most men, Beatriz. Care more about gang members in the streets than the kind of transportation I'm going to use. Should have taken Ted or Booster instead - if that was your real objective. But it isn't. Why are we really out here?"
"What? I can't have a little innocent outing with a friend of friends?"
"Not this time."
Beatriz raised a brow at him. "So I have a hidden agenda?"
"Just because it's hidden doesn't make it necessarily bad," the Question told her. "But would prefer you to be more honest. Want to know the real reason we're out here."
"Look, I..." Fire glanced around hesitantly, then nodded to a few chairs conveniently set up inside of the dealership. Leading the dark-haired man over to it, the pair sat down as she took in a deep breath. "I'm still trying to absorb everything. I know this is going to sound silly, but did you ever hear of the 'Superbuddies'?"
Vic raised a brow behind his sunglasses. "No."
"Not surprising. Maxwell Lord's idea, a couple of years back. He dragged out a few of us - Ted, Booster, myself, Ralph Dibny, even Sue was there, Captain Atom for awhile, Mary Marvel volunteered... Anyway. It's just hard to believe that someone like him would be behind all of this, Vic. It's... nuts. It doesn't even feel possible." Beatriz frowned. "But it's true, isn't it? Checkmate, him, all of it...?"
"Every single thing. No reason to lie to you."
"Yeah well." Moving a hand through her hair, the green-haired woman glowered as she continued to think about it. "The Maxwell Lord we knew, all of that time - he wasn't some scheming, horrible man. ...In general, anyway. Sure, we all got on each other's nerves, but ... we cared about each other, Vic. That part's true. I swear, it is. How could Max do such a thing?" Clenching her hands, Beatriz had a twisted cross between a grimace and a snarl as she looked at Vic. "How could he do that! That's not the same guy we worked with! It isn't!"
In a horribly calm voice, Vic told her, "Maxwell Lord shot Ted, at the top of his skull, immediately killing him after Ted refused to join him. I know it was him. Things may have changed more drastically than you really know from back when you were with the League."
"How do you know it was really him!" she hissed, seething; the tops of her hands were sparkling with flames.
"Because I have nightmares about it, every night now. Because I could See it, when Ted came to me after he died. I have the ability to See what others can't, in a different plane of existence. I See energy, chi - of our cities and forests and deserts and everything beyond that in our planet, including those who have died. Those who can't let go or were condemned and damned to their death, those who are still in torment. When I Saw him, that he was dead, I Saw what happened to him." To, presumably, distract himself, Vic was rubbing his thumb over the top of his cane. "How he died. Not quite in graphic detail, since it was on a different plane of existence that I Saw, but I could See it. Max killed him. And that's the utter truth that maybe the League wants to conceal, too."
Beatriz lowered her head, letting out an angry shudder, frustrated - but the flames went out from her hands. "I just don't understand it. How could things have turned out this way? From 'bwa-ha-ha' to insane lunatic out to kill us all."
"Things change. And not for the better, always," Vic said quietly.
"Wise words from the experienced?"
"It took me several changes to accept it as a fact," the Question muttered lowly.
Lifting her head, Bea took in a deep breath through her nose, fingers rubbing at her eyes. "Sorry... I..."
"Something in your eye?" Vic offered.
Smiling wryly, Beatriz looked at him. "Yeah."
"Why did you bring me instead of Ted or Michael?"
"I don't think I could have been very well composed in front of them. I know them a lot more personally than I do you, Vic. Besides, you seem like a straight forward kind of guy; it would have been easier to get answers from you - ironically, Mr. Question." Bea smirked softly. "Do you think Ted and Booster can mend things with the League?"
"That's up to them. Me, never had anything to do with them in the first place - not my business. If they want to stay mad, that's up to them. They've been ignored. Can relate to that."
Letting out a sigh, Beatriz shrugged. "Guess you know how to be optimistic," she grumbled.
"I'm a realist. Michael is an optimist," Vic told her. "But optimism has nothing to do with it. Just don't like the League, personally. If you want them to forgive the League, that's something you deal with. Not me."
"Right, right." Beatriz rolled her eyes faintly. "Well, come on. I'm not leaving this place until we grab a car."
---
When Ted arrived home, nobody had been there, not even Booster. While he was a bit concerned about what trouble Beatriz, Vic, and Booster could get into, alone or together or in a pair somehow, being without them was also stress-free. It was a mixed blessing.
Letting out a soft sigh, he flopped onto the couch, ignoring the fact that it had been claimed by two sick people, feeling far too good to let that bother him about his health.
He was fine. No more heart condition. No disease, anything. Blue Beetle was completely healthy, and he felt incredible.
Ted turned over onto his back, staring at the ceiling. When Beatriz had arrived earlier for the visit, it had been a pleasant surprise. He did wonder how long she intended to stay - but immediately, he didn't feel like that mattered much. It was good to see her, and it made him faintly wonder about others he knew. Just how determined was anyone else who was wearing spandex or had once to see him and Booster? (He would have included Vic into the thought, but he did recall, from what he knew of him, that he didn't have many friends, especially those of the costumed variety considering his dislike for the League)
Hopefully, he wasn't going to be expecting a blubbering G'nort at his front door.
Ted winced at the thought.
It was then he heard the door slam shut with Booster calling out, "I'm baaaaack! Anyone home?"
"Booster?" Sitting up, Ted looked over his shoulder. "Hey - how'd it go?"
Looking incredibly smug, Booster approached, carrying a box with him. "I, the incredibly responsible Booster Gold, have gotten a job." He held out a booklet to the brunet.
Taking it, Beetle read outloud, "Get-a-Pet?"
"I work at a pet store!" Booster told him, completely full of glee. "And I got Question something!"
"What? A fish? I'm not sure if he could even keep a pet rock alive, Booster."
"No, seriously, this completely suits him." Setting the box down at the coffee table, Booster pulled a small tank out. "Check it out!" He held it out to show his friend.
Who immediately screamed at the top of his lungs, launching from the couch in flight and a small explosion of electricity, clinging to the ceiling.
Booster peered up at Ted. "You really think he'll hate it that much?"
"You got him a spider!"
"A tarantula," Booster specified.
"It's got eight legs, it's freaky, it's a spider!"
Frowning, Booster considered this. "You know, your name is a bug, too. Bugs don't freak you out."
"Beetles are totally different from spiders!" Ted told him sharply.
"Uh-huh," Booster responded, not sounding entirely convinced. "You think Q will like it?"
"Heck, I dunno, maybe he has a fetish for eight-legged things for all I know."
"Great! I'll leave it-"
"Not here! Not here!" Ted begged.
Rolling his eyes, Booster said, "Not here." Turning, he left with the tarantula to the kitchen.
"Dear God, not in the kitchen! I go there to eat!"
"It'll be fine! Jeez!"
---
"Vans?"
"Not really."
"Jeeps?"
"No."
Beatriz let out a heavy sigh. "What kind of car have you driven in the past?"
It was at this that the Question hesitated, turning his head aside. "It wasn't mine," he told her. "It was my friend's... I'm not sure if they'd have one like it here, honestly."
"What? What was it?" Bea turned, trying to get face-to-face with him. "Come on, we can try. Just tell me what it was. It'd be a start."
"Volkswagon beetle."
"Oh." Beatriz rolled her eyes. "Was it blue, too?"
"Red, actually," Vic told her. "It belonged to my best friend, Dr. Aristotle Rodor. ...Used to get it pretty banged up a lot. Never got upset with me about that..."
Bea's expression softened faintly. "Looks like we've all lost a best friend at some time or another?"
"...Yes."
"I can relate," Beatriz murmured.
"I know..." Vic sighed softly, seemingly wanting to say something else, but did not. "..."
"What is it?"
Vic kepted his face turned a different direction. "Michael is lucky..."
Smirking, Beatriz told him, "He can be. But you know - Ted's our friend. I can't say I wanna argue with fate too much right now."
"I know that, too." Vic frowned, nodding. "Would not change it for anything. Would not change having him alive for anything else. ...When he didn't realize it before, he reminded me to live. Sometime ago."
"He can be a sweetie, even without realizing it. Oh, the charm of Ted Kord." Bea smirked. "Come on. We'll go ask if they have any Volkswagons."
Continuing to take lead, Beatriz approached the center of the dealership for the main desk. It was a surprise when a man approached them, very apparently not a car salesman; he was about Vic's height and wearing similar clothes, all down to the fedora, but had an arm in a cast and sling, along with a bandage patch on his cheek. She paused and frowned faintly.
Luckily, he spoke first, "Mr. Murdock."
Vic didn't hide a sneer. "Nick Bounty. What do you want?"
"Answers, of course."
"Clearly, you're asking the wrong person," Bea muttered under her breath.
Nick turned his head to look at her, frowning. "Have we... met? You look familiar."
Smiling broadly, she told him darkly, "No, we have not."
"And who might you be?" Nick lifted a brow.
"Am I obligated to answer?"
Nick shrugged with one shoulder. "I'm a cop, you just might be."
"Someone who shouldn't be pestering us," Vic responded flatly. "Am I going to have to call the department on you, Nick?"
"It wouldn't matter either way, Matt. I know what I know, and that's more important than my job. I investigate, and I find criminals and crazies and put them away - if I find out you're one of them, count on being dragged kicking and screaming to be put behind bars," Nick responded sharply.
"Excuse me - you'd better watch your tone, Mr. Bounty," Beatriz growled.
"And you - what the heck is your relation to him? You don't live with Matt, Peter, and Scott."
Beatriz looked smug. "For now."
Nick looked amused. "Really?" Vic, who could not keep from looking a bit baffled, mouthed 'really?'
"Yes. Matthew and I are engaged. I'm moving in shortly," Beatriz informed him firmly.
"Oh?"
"We'll be getting married soon. And you're not invited."
Vic remained absolutely silent.
"Oh, well..." Nick glanced towards the dark-haired man. "I didn't realize..."
"Of course you didn't," Beatriz told him haughtily. "Do you mind? You're in our way."
At a loss of words, Nick stepped aside; immediately, Beatriz took Vic with her, leading him to the desk where they were originally headed for.
"Thank you," Vic told her quietly.
"But of course," she responded, smirking.
"And never lie for me again."
Beatriz let out a sigh. "So sensitive, aren't we? Don't worry, I'd never dream of being weighed down by marriage with anyone, no matter how cute they look."
---
"If I find that thing in the bathtub, or... or anywhere! I swear, it's gonna be a squished terrifyingly hairy spider!"
Sighing, Booster carried the tank under his arm from the kitchen. "It'll be fine. Jeez. Stop getting so worked up over a small thing."
"That thing is NOT small! It's hideously huge and... and... and hideous!" Ted pointed wildly at the tank as his friend walked by, staying by the ceiling fan.
"Uh-huh. Look, I'll just leave it in the front of the house at a table so it'll be a nice surprise for Q, okay?"
"What if someone knocks on the door!" Ted complained.
Booster shrugged before he set the tank down at one of the tables. "I'll answer it. You're kinda busy being up there right now, anyway."
However, the door was not knocked upon; it merely opened, with both Beatriz and Vic reentering. After the door was shut, the Question took off his sunglasses and set aside the cane by the door, but immediately glanced towards Booster. "...What's in the tank...?"
"Oh, well..." Booster was about to begin before Ted yelled out.
"It's a freak of nature!"
"It is not!" Booster shouted back. "Anyway, I went out and got a job at a pet store! And, um... well, since we don't really go out and do anything, and I know that we're not exactly personal or whatever, but I thought, well... you know, we could use more company! Well, you mostly. I guess it's kind of like a thank you gift? Er, yeah! Anyway, here! It's for you, Question." He offered the tank out to the dark-haired man.
When Vic silently took it into his hands to look inside, Bea also peered, looking mildly offended. "It's a spider."
"Tarantula!" Booster told her.
"Hmm," Vic mused softly.
Rubbing the back of his head, Booster looked at him carefully. "Do you like it?"
Tilting his head, the Question continued to observe the tarantula as it crawled up the side of the tank towards him. Then, he nodded, turning his attention to Booster. "...I'm not... very good with 'thank you's..."
"Then I'll pretend you said it, and I'll say 'you're welcome'." Booster grinned broadly.
"Does she have a name?" Vic wondered, seemingly fascinated by the eight-legged creature behind glass.
"Well, I didn't really think of anything, except when I saw it, I figured 'hey, that just screams Q-would-own-this' and-" Booster began.
"You couldn't have gotten him a hamster!" Ted grumbled.
"Can you imagine the Question owning a hamster? No, I don't think so. Anyway. I kind of just thought 'so it's a taranutla, that's kinda cool' but I didn't think 'Q-Tarantula' sounded that nifty, so I thought 'Q-Spider' instead, and... um, I guess that's kind of dumb."
However, Vic shook his head, reassuring in a quiet voice, "I like it. Q-Spider's fine."
Looking very pleased with himself, Booster glanced at Beatriz. "See? I'm totally responsible."
"Will wonders never cease?" Bea walked into the living room to peer up at the ceiling. "...Is he...?"
"See? Ted's got powers now!" Booster grinned.
"And putting them into such nice use."
Ted grumbled, folding his arms as he peered down from the ceiling.
"How was your check-up?" Vic asked, setting the tank aside for the moment before he glanced into the room.
"Oh." Coming down slowly, Blue Beetle seemed much more glad to talk about something other than the tarantula. "I don't have a heart disease anymore. Though, considering Booster just brought home eight-legged death, I might develop a new one."
"Q-Spider's not eight-legged death!" Booster defended the tarantula.
"Whatever. Did you guys get a car?" Ted glanced towards Bea and Vic.
Beatriz nodded. "It's in the driveway. How about it, boys? Wanna take a look?"
After the round of nods, the four turned for the front door; Vic paused when the phone rang. "Go ahead. Will get it."
"Just don't make them pee their pants or something," Ted told him, holding up a finger. "Which somehow reminds me: so going to yell at you for not finishing your soup." Turning, he followed Booster and Beatriz outside.
The Question picked up the phone, pressing the 'talk' button as he returned to where the tank with Q-Spider was. "Hello?"
"Question? This is Superman. I need to talk to Ted."
Vic's eyes narrowed.
---
Notes:
Q-Spider is totally and utterly the creation of Lakidaa, who completely rocks. DEPLOY Q-SPIDER.
And wow. Wow, this was long. Sorry for the wait and the LENGTH. But hope you enjoyed. :D