Foes 01

This patrol was not going well. It was going about as far from 'well' as was possible without hitting 'total disaster.' I'd almost prefer we ran into Kaiser or Lung at this point. If that happened, at least then we'd be told to fall back instead of rushing in. I couldn't do much more rushing in.

"Come on, Braid! Keep up! We're at a new record today; what did you get, like, five stims? That's great." Shadow Stalker's comments should be encouragement and if it had been anyone else, it would have been. Coming from Sophia though, it was just mocking.

"Give - give me - a second," I wheezed.

"I'm going to make sure that everyone knows to give you the day off beforehand everytime! Just so that we can make absolutely certain your stamina holds out." The smile she flashed me was all teeth. She looked like a shark. It was enough to send a shiver down my spine.

"Stalker, Braid, we've got reports of a break-in a few buildings away from you. From the descriptions, it sounds like the Undersiders," Console said. It sounded like Chris was on duty tonight. My heart leapt into my throat at the confirmation that Lisa was nearby. What was she planning? Was she going to be okay? I didn't want to be set against her, and I really didn't want her to be anywhere close to being in Stalker's sights.

Stalker stood up straighter, her fingers locking around her crossbow. "Just tell me where."

"You don't have clearance to engage, just confirm if it's them or not. Once we have confirmation, Assault will make his way towards you to assist with an arrest," Chris said. "The Undersiders are slippery, and you in particular have a bad track record against them. Wait for backup."

"Just. Tell. Me. Where," Stalker snapped.

"The Penton building. Third floor."

Stalker didn't even hesitate, she just grabbed my arm and dragged me along in her wake as she ran. It was all I could to make sure that I stayed upright, barely able to catch my breath as we hit the outside of the building. Stalker glared up at the sides, scowling. "Grue's here. Look at those damn claw marks. Right on my fucking patrol too. This is a challenge. I'll show you motherfucker." She let me go, instead holding out her hand with her glove pulled up just enough to show skin. "Buff me."

Lisa's counsel from last night flashed through my brain, that I was supposed to avoid doing just that once she was close. I shook my head. "No. We're not supposed to engage."

Stalker twisted her head to snarl at me. "Fine, you don't want to do your job out here? Let's just head upstairs then. Then I'll be in danger and you'll have to buff me; and I can finally get that bastard."

Yeah we'll see about that. Lisa has a plan for you.

"Console, Stalker is heading into the building. I'm - damn, these are a lot of stairs - I'm - following."

"Braid, wait, you sound like you're barely standing. Assault should be there in ten minutes. Just wait outside and keep watch. I'll back you if the brass says anything. Stalker's deviating from orders."

"I - got - this," I spat, finally cresting the last landing, holding my hand over my rapidly beating heart. Why did Lisa have to pick such a high floor?

"Stand down, Shadow Stalker," Tattletale said. I could hear the smirk in her voice from the hall. "I'm seeing a real strong hunter instinct in you here. It's one, two, three…four against one, not counting monster dogs; and you don't even have your crossbow anymore! Bit of a butterfingers situation there, huh?"

"I can still kick all of your asses, bitch!" Stalker snarled. Yup, I was definitely at the right room. I slipped through the open door and took in the sight before me.

Hellhound and one of her dogs were at the back of the office near a smashed window, a very large smashed window. The dog was small enough to fit inside the room and it looked like the other two were milling about on the next rooftop just beyond the glass. Grue was next to Tattletale, his darkness billowing out of his helmet, but not really going anywhere. Regent was gathering papers from a safe under the main desk and throwing them into bags. Tattletale herself was tapping away at what was probably the secretary's computer.

"The only time you came close to doing anything was when you nearly murdered Grue, so if you want to go ahead and get stab-happy while you're already on probation and we're just doing a bit of corporate espionage during a B and E, well bully for you. I'm sure that would look just stellar on a performance review, now wouldn't it? That would show real character! How many strikes are you on, Stalk? One, two, oh no, you're already up to three! I'd be careful with that throwing knife, honey. You might hurt someone and get that one-way ticket to juvie back!"

"Braid get your ass over here and buff me," Stalker hissed.

I had finally got my breath back, so my voice was steadier than I expected as I stood up, lifting my hands from my knees and glared at the back of her head. "We are outgunned and the moment I buff you, I'm passing out so you'll be all alone against four of them, plus the dogs! No!"

"I will bury you if you don't buff me right now, Braid." Stalker's voice had gone deadly calm. It was disturbing on multiple levels.

"Try it and I shoot," Tattletale stated, a gun nearly materializing in her hand out of thin air.

I swallowed. That…wasn't what I had been expecting.

"Braid, is Tattletale armed now?"

"I don't intend to hurt anyone tonight, but again, the last time you ran into us Stalker, you literally tried to kill my teammate as we were running away. So forgive me if I brought a bit of backup to make damn sure that you don't try the same thing again. Shooting a man in the back with lethal steel-tips is the thing that villains do. You sure you're playing on the right team?"

"Let's just all calm down," I said, patting the air.

"As the man with the arrow through his gut, I'd rather not get shot again. Or stabbed this time I suppose," Grue commented, with a snort. "Stay where you are Braid, nobody has any problems with you, we just don't trust your partner. We'll be gone in another minute, we just want the files."

"I'm done," Tattletale said, standing straight, her gun not wavering. "Regent, you finished?"

"30 seconds, sweetheart!"

"Like hell I'm letting you get away," Stalker growled. She snapped her hand behind her, extending it towards me. "Buff. Me. NOW."

Tattletale's gun swung towards me. My eyes widened and I tried to say something, but couldn't even squeak.

I…I thought…I had to blink away the tears welling in my eyes. They wouldn't see me cry. Not now.

Whatever happens. Whatever threats are made at the end, do not buff Shadow Stalker.

Wait, Lisa had planned for this. And she hadn't told me, because my reaction needed to be real. She wasn't betraying me, she was leading Sophia into a trap. It was fine. It was…It was fine.

"If she steps towards you I shoot her."

"So your true colors are revealed," Stalker crowed. "Just like I've been saying."

"You're the one who dragged her into a fight when she can obviously barely even stand," Tattletale snapped. "And if you think I intend to kill her, you're an even bigger fool than I had thought. All I need to do is wing her and she'll pass out from the shock and the abuse you've already put her through tonight. Everyone's standing still enough that my power can let me make that shot easy; she'd barely even have a burn on her arm afterwards."

Lisa wouldn't really shoot me…right?

"I could grab her and she could easily power me up before your bullet hits her. Bet your reflexes aren't good enough to beat that."

Oh. Oh that was the trap…

Tattletale laughed, high and low, none of the amusement present that she used when talking with me. "You would really just yank her towards you and hope that my aim is still good enough to graze her instead of hitting your teammate dead on while she's moving like that? I'm not a combat Thinker, Stalker. I don't have aim like that and you know it. You've faced us enough. Out of everyone in this city, you in particular know what we can do the best don't you? How else could you hit Grue as we ran away? You know I can't Think my way around moving targets. You'd risk your partner's life for a battle you know can't win anyway? Is your murder-boner really that strong?"

"You motherfuckers are not getting away again," Stalker said. Her voice was still eerily calm.

"I'm done!" Regent chirped, tying the back of papers to one of the spikes on Hellhound's dog.

"Braid! Now!"

Chris keyed his radio, nearly yelling in my ear, "Braid, do not move!"

"I don't feel like getting shot today," I said, finding my voice again. "So no, I'm going to stay right where I am, thanks."

Her head snapped to meet my gaze, the fire in her eyes made my flinch. But I didn't waver. "They're just thieves. I'm not getting shot because of thieves. You can go to fucking hell, Stalker."

Regent climbed onto the dog with Hellhound who was already whistling for another one to jump towards the room for Grue and Tattletale. The latter two backed up slowly. As soon as they got to the dog, a wave of darkness flooded the room.

Stalker screamed as it surged towards us, then leapt into it, seeming to head towards where she had last seen Grue. I stayed right where I was, though I sank down to sit against the wall, trying to get my strength back.

Slowly, the darkness started to dissipate from around me. I was watching it slowly disappear as Assault burst through the open office door and knelt beside me, reaching for my throat with his fingers. I waved him off.

"I'm fine, just…really tired. Really, really tired."

He shifted to sit in front of me, holding my gaze. "You're not shot, right?"

"No. Tattletale knew I wasn't going to do anything. I'm just…too much…she made me do…too many buffs tonight…way too many. Can you help me…down to the van? I don't think I can walk…back to base."

"Of course kid. Let me get you up. Did you see where Shadow Stalker went?"

He levered me up, and I leaned on him as we hobbled down towards the waiting PRT van. "She ran off into the darkness. So she's either a smear on the alley after falling out the window like an idiot, or she floated down and tried to follow them on foot."

He grunted. As we got to the van, he stepped away to talk with Console more while I leaned my head back against the cool metal.

"You alright there, Braid?" one of the troopers asked. I recognized the voice. Was that…Dave?

"I'll be fine. I just need to rest. And to eat probably. I should eat. God I hate her…"

"Here, I brought a granola bar. Figured it might take some of the edge off after we picked you up." He handed over the food and I devoured it in moments.

"Thanks."

"No problem. Hey, you want us to give Tattletale a piece of our mind the next time we see her?"

I shook my head, still keeping my eyes closed. "She was protecting me. Didn't sound like it, but she was. Stalker's the only bitch here tonight."

"Which is ironic considering you met Hellhound and she's been telling people her name is 'Bitch' for years."

I laughed. There was a blurb about that on her PHO page. I had forgotten entirely. "Yeah, that is funny. I still stand by what I said."

"Well, I'll let you rest. Just bang on the divider if you need us to pull over."

"Okay. Thanks, Dave."

"No problem, Braid."

I heard the doors to the back of the van slam closed and we started off. As we did, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I groaned, but managed to get it out to glance at the screen.

I'm sorry if I scared you, T. Please know I would never have actually hurt you. It had blanks tonight just to be extra safe. Call me when you wake up? Please? Also, if I had my guess at the rotation right, I think one of your friends was on the radio. Make sure you get a copy of the recording before you leave the building. She gave us more than enough to-nevermind stupid expression and I can't think of another while my head is pounding. I'll talk with Vicky. See if we can't get you a restraining order within the next few days.

I slid the phone back into my pocket, feeling the smile spread across my cheeks.

I knew I had been right to trust Lisa.

"Taylor, honey, are you awake?"

I shifted the blankets off my head and grumbled as the light slipped in through the door, illuminating Lacey as she peeked inside my room.

"Your friend is here. It sounded important, but I can ask her to come back."

"Who?" I managed to mumble around the gravel filling my mouth. It was too early. What time was it? 5 a.m.?

"Victoria. Zoe came by as well, but when she heard you were still sleeping she said she'd come back later."

Aunt Zoe? What was she doing here so early?

"I'm up. I'm awake. I'm up."

Lacey shook her head, as she stepped back from the door. I could mostly make out the gesture through the blur. "Sure you are, honey. I hope you're wearing more than a shirt and panties under that blanket!"

"Lacey!" I gasped. She had already retreated, chuckled at my expense. I flopped back into the bed's embrace. That was all that I had time for as Vicky practically blew my door off its hinges as she literally flew inside a moment later. I sat back up blinking at the blur of blonde hovering in front of me.

"Uh. Hi?"

"Taylor. I can't believe you didn't - Wait, glasses. Where are your glasses? Were you sleeping? It's almost ten o'clock! Oh, shit. Christ of course you'd still be sleeping with how exhausted that bitch must have made you! Hang on."

I just blinked at the rush of words barely managing to process what she was saying as Vicky set down on the floor and trotted to the end table, rifling for my glasses in the drawer and placing them into my hand. As soon as the world was back in focus, she settled down on the bed, and pulled me into a hug.

I stopped breathing for a moment as my eyes widened and my muscles all locked up. Vicky didn't stop holding me or loosen her grip at all. If anything she squeezed tighter.

"You should have told me that you were having problems in the Wards," Vicky murmured.

I don't know what sort of sound I made, but it wasn't anything approaching dignified. My arms locked around her back and my head dropped onto her shoulder. I think I bit her shoulder too as the noise kept coming out of me.

"It's okay, Taylor, I got everything started and I already know who we can talk to help. My mom didn't care - big fucking surprise there - but you don't live with an attorney for years without picking up things. I know which judge we can go to; and your girlfriend already sent me the documents we need. I called Missy too. She's ready to be a character witness if we need it. She was saying something about bringing some PRT troopers also. So I think you need to go in costume for at least a part of it. We can take the mask off once the troopers and Vista walk out so that 'Taylor' can get the restraining order as well."

I finally managed to get my voice under control as I pulled back from her, wiping at my eyes and my nose. "You…she what? What about…"

"…Dean?" That wasn't what I meant, but sure. We could go with that. "Dean's an asshole." Vicky scowled. I didn't disagree. "I called him this morning too, after I got the video Lisa sent. By the way, you really shouldn't share Wards stuff like that with your girlfriend, that's skirting the line. I…" she trailed off, her voice cracking and her face turned to the side. "I get it. I get that you feel safe with her. But sharing that kind of stuff doesn't leave her safe. So just…remember that if this sort of thing happens again. That's all I'm going to say about it; and if anyone asks, you gave that to me, not her. Got it? Cool."

What was going on? I swallowed the lump in my throat, pulling more of my composure back. "Dean?"

"Oh. Right," she nearly growled. "Fucking bastard. It was like he honestly thought he could fix it! Don't ask, I'm too mad! Come on. Let's get you up. You need to get dressed. We have a court appointment in an hour, which gives us just enough time to get you ready."

Vicky pulled me to my feet, and turned towards the closet. Before she could step forward though, I gasped out, "Vicky." She paused and looked over her shoulder. "I-I just, I don't know what Lisa said to you, and I'm sorry I didn't say it myself, but I just want to say…Thank you. For…helping me."

Vicky twisted, pulling me into another hug. Her hugs weren't as warm as Lisa's. They were sturdy, strong, not so much an embrace as a prop. They were as different as night and day. I loved them both.

"That's what friends are for, Taylor."

\/\/~*.' '.*~\/\/

Forward

Vista closed her phone as she reoriented herself. Skipping twelve streets ahead in her search grid was all well and good on paper, but in practice, it got confusing. Thank god for GPS.

And thank god that the Simurgh hadn't destroyed all of those satellites…yet.

"Will you slow down!" Kid Win grumbled. He banked his hoverboard beside her. "We're going to miss her if we keep running around this fast."

"I thought your sensors were good enough to scan everything at this pace," Vista snapped.

"They are! At least, they are on paper. I've never stress tested them though, so I'm sorry if I'm a bit concerned. Where even are we? This isn't on the grid we're supposed to be following."

Vista shrugged. She lifted an arm to point towards a nearby building. "Close to the border of the Docks and Downtown. One of the troopers said that they saw Braid near here. It was close, so I thought we might as well swing by."

Kid Win shook his head. "I don't see why she would come here. There's just a lot of unfinished construction work. If she was going to try and bunker down anywhere, you'd think she would pick somewhere…I don't know. Better? Hell, I think there's an Endbringer shelter that got abandoned before it was even half finished here!"

"So this place is perfect to search then!" Vista said, glaring at her teammate.

"No, abandoned means no utilities, Vista. There's nothing to leech off of. No water, no power, no gas, at least up in the Trainyard the people have electricity. This place is a no-man's land. Could Braid disappear here? Sure. But she couldn't live here. I'll run my scans, but I guarantee, she was just passing through."

Vista scowled, pinching space again and stepping to the next roof. She didn't wait for Kid Win to catch up as she kept walking, glancing in each alley as she moved. She would find her friend, and as soon as she did she would thank that trooper personally. And she'd drag Taylor back home after personally punching Director Piggy in the face for being a bitch and making half the city think they were looking for Taylor because of something vaguely 'bad'. There was a way to talk about secrets without making things look awful.

That a thirteen-year-old understood that better than the PRT Director was just sad. Fucking PRT. Fucking Piggy. Fucking Sophia.

"Ow! What the hell!" Vista's hand snapped to her throat, feeling for whatever had just stung her. Her fingers had just touched the end of a dart as the world wrenched around her. What had been the gravel of a rooftop was replaced with black asphalt. A moment later, the landscape shifted again, and she was inside a room, her head spinning. Twisting, she tried to pinch space, throwing the dart towards whoever was attacking her, but all she succeeded in doing was falling over on her side, a groan issuing out from her numb lips. The world kept spinning.

She couldn't concentrate enough to reach for her power.

"I really don't like this Trickster," a male blur said from somewhere above her. Vista tried to reach up for him, her fingers hooked into claws.

"I - ki - 'oo -" Was that her voice? Of course that was her voice. That was a problem. She couldn't threaten them if she couldn't talk.

"Get over it, Ballistic. Five more minutes and she's not our problem anymore."

"She's a kid. What kind of person are we working for that kidnaps kids?"

So many pretty colors.

"The kind who can help Noelle."

"I'm starting to think this isn't fucking worth it…"

The world slipped into blackness as they grabbed her arms. Just wait, once she woke up, then they'd be sorry…

\/\/~*.' '.*~\/\/

"Braid! Now!"

The judge stopped the recording after replaying it for the fourth time.

"Miss Dallon, you've filed a Stalking Violence petition. Are you certain that's the petition you want to file instead of a Repeat Violence petition? Because from what I'm listening to here - in addition to the other evidence presented - I feel the latter is possibly more appropriate. Have you consulted with your mother?"

"Yes," Vicky grunted next to me. "She didn't feel the need to be here today."

The judge stared. "Really. Well, I think I may need to speak with the woman after court ends in that case. As it is, my question stands."

Vicky looked at me, and I winced, shaking my head and trying not to drop lower in my seat. "I think both are appropriate, Your Honor. Braid has experienced more of the Repeat Violence; Miss Hebert has experienced more of the Stalking Violence."

"Very well," the judge sighed. "Miss Hebert, your petition is granted under both aliases. The temporary injunction is in effect for fifteen days. Due to your, hm, unique circumstances, I can't quite order 'no contact' as neither of you would be able to perform your jobs. However, what I can do is to order no contact outside of Ward events. Inside of Ward events Shadow Stalker is to keep as minimal contact as possible with your Braid persona. There are to be no mutual patrols, no joint training, no team-building exercises involving you both, etc. The court will ensure that Shadow Stalker and her civilian persona are served with this order, as are the PRT personnel. The hearing to determine if this injunction will be made permanent will take place on March 4th."

I gaped up at him, wide-eyed. "I-I…"

"On a personal note, Miss Hebert, allow me to apologize for our city. Brockton Bay is supposed to be better than this; especially to our Heroes. Miss Dallon, thank you for standing up when your mother chose not to. You'll make a fine lawyer yourself one day."

The gavel banged and he left. I was still in shock as Vicky led me out of the small room. My hands shook as I stared at the paper in my hands. Sophia wasn't going to be able to come after me anymore? I was…free?

"Hey. How did it go?" My head snapped up, barely able to see through the film over my eyes. Lisa was leaning against the wall of the hallway.

I cried out and leaped across the few feet between us, throwing my arms around her and sobbing into her shoulder. She barely managed to stay upright as she stumbled back a step. "Wow, that good, huh? Vic?"

"Fifteen day injunction. There'll be a hearing on the 4th to make it permanent after Sophia's served." I was dimly conscious of Vicky walking up beside us and patting my back. "Also, my mom's in trouble so I'm probably going to get grounded at some point in the next day or so. If you need any more help, don't let that stop you from calling me."

"I got it from here."

"Lisa," Vicky said. "I…Thanks for telling me. I'll, uh, make sure to keep what you told me in mind."

"With the Sophia thing taken care of, it should get better. But thanks, more people looking out for Taylor will always be appreciated."

I heard more than felt Vicky walking away again and Lisa guided me to a bench as we sank down. I was still clinging to her. At least my bawling had lessened to sniffles.

"Feeling better?"

"A bit," I mumbled into her shirt, the fabric bunched under my hands. "She's really gone? This isn't a dream?"

"Well she's not gone. Not yet, sweetie," Lisa sighed. "But once the hearing is done, your bosses probably won't have any real option, except to move her to another city. After last night, I'm willing to put money on Big Red already advocating for something like that anyway."

I lifted my head from her chest, blinking away the last of my tears as I met her eyes. "I…wasn't sure at first…when you…"

"I know. I'm sorry." She looked away, focusing over my head. "Your reaction had to be real. Otherwise things might have gone wrong. I hope I didn't - I hope you know I didn't betray you, Tay. I never wanted to scare you, but it was the only thing that would get rid of the bitch without reflecting badly on you. There were other options, but a lot of those would have caused her to escalate later, or could have shown we were talking, or -"

"It's okay. Things worked out. You helped. That's what matters." I paused, the warmth in my cheeks betraying me, though I refused to look down. "Lisa, Vicky said something that I would like to clarify."

"Okay. Shoot." She grimaced. "Bad choice of words considering the context. What's up?"

"She called you my girlfriend. And not in a teasing way like on our day out. But in a, um, matter-of-fact way."

Lisa's mouth quirked into a half smile, half smirk and she tilted her head askance, still not meeting my gaze. "Did she now?"

"Why won't you look at me?"

"Because, Tay," she sighed, "I don't want a shortcut for this conversation. My power bulldozes through a lot. This is one of those things I would prefer to have it be spontaneous or at least natural. Not a cheating cheater who cheats."

"That's…"

"Appropriate? Funny? Too snarky? Too on-the-nose? Perfectly relevant? Actually it's not 'cause you really have very little reason to worry about me cheating."

"Lisa -"

"You know how many people I could get into a relationship with in this city? Four that I've met so far. One of them is old enough to be creepy. The other is my age, but he's so fucking boring that I'd probably gnaw my leg off by the end of our first dinner date. The third is actually a fairly nice girl and we could probably have had a beautiful thing together if I had been the type to want to settle down or go out on dates."

"Lisa -"

"But then I met you. And you push all of my buttons. Not just the danger ones, but the good ones too. So Miss Nice Girl has to accept her graceful loss, because I've pretty much fallen off the fucking cliff and it sucks."

"Lisa -"

"We're on opposite sides. You have major issues. You tweak some of my major issues. You didn't even realize half the things I said weren't exactly teasing, but testing the waters. And yet, despite all of that, I like you, Tay. Nothing about you pushes the meter on my power to TMI or Eww levels and this is probably unhealthy as hell for us both. I can have a real relationship with you, but I don't want to take advantage of you and I feel like I would be if I start something. Let's face it: I'm your primary support right now, Tay. So, yes, I like you. But getting you to a good place is more important than - mmph!"

She wouldn't stop talking. She wasn't giving me a chance to get a word in. Everything she was saying was probably right. She was usually right.

None of that stopped me from kissing her.