A/N: Hey! Just want to point out that I do not in any way, shape, or form own any of the Sky High characters, places, or associated concepts. This applies to every chapter of this fic. Hope you all enjoy this!

The thing was, Layla considered as she watched Will fume and Warren continue his game with an expression that was just a little too blank, that just because Will had decided that Warren was his best friend didn't mean that Steve had agreed to it, or even accepted it. And to say that he hadn't accepted it seemed like an understatement.

It was almost funny. The Commander had been grateful to have Warren's help in subduing Royal Pain. Will's father was pleased to learn that his son had overcome Peace's resentment and found a way to get along with the other youth peaceably. But he just wasn't sure he could deal with Baron Battle's son in his house playing with his own son.

To give Steve credit, he was trying, the redhead thought. Probably because Will had asked and Josie had threatened him, but he was trying. He just wasn't always succeeding. Most of the time Mr. Stronghold was loud, exuberant, and reminded Layla of an overgrown child who just happened to have super strength. Every now and again, however, he said something, or did something, an offhand comment, a glance out of the corner of his eye or a raised eyebrow that subtly, or not so subtly, suggested that Warren, if not quite as bad as his father, was nowhere near good enough for his son.

The boys reached the end of the race and Warren put down his controller. "I think I'll head out," he said casually.

Will nodded and reached over to switch the game console off. His movements were exaggeratedly gentle because he was angry enough that if he didn't concentrate he was likely to stab the button hard enough to cause permanent damage.

"It's getting late," Layla said. "Maybe I'll walk with you for awhile."

Warren nodded as he rose smoothly to his feet and slung his leather jacket around his shoulders. The motion released a puff of odor and Layla was oddly comforted for a half second by the scent of wood smoke. Layla got to her feet, too, accepting the hand that Will offered her. She knew he was furious when he didn't pull her into his arms to try to steal a kiss. Wordlessly the trio tidied Will's room and trooped down the stairs, donning coats and hats as they went. It was November and beginning to be cold outside.

It wasn't until they were halfway down the street that Will asked, "Why didn't you want me to say anything?"

"You think I want to watch you fight with your parents?" Warren asked. "Besides, it wouldn't do any good," he continued shortly.

"So?" Will cried hotly. "He didn't have any right to say that!"

"I think you're over-reacting," Warren commented. "So what if your dad thinks I'm a bad influence? I don't care and it could make a convenient excuse." He shrugged.

"I would never use you as an excuse!" Will was aghast. "And you're not a bad influence!"

"And I don't believe that you don't care," Layla said.

"I don't care, hippie." Warren gave her a hard look; he clearly didn't want to discuss it.

"I just don't get it," Will sighed. "You helped save the school. How could that not be a good thing?"

"I don't think that's the issue," Layla answered him.

"Then what is?"

"Don't be dense, Will," Warren snarled. "He's clearly afraid that I'll be just like my father."

"That's so stupid!" Will exclaimed stamping his foot and making a crack in the pavement. "You are my friend! I know you'd never do that."

"You know it, but he doesn't."

"Maybe we should convince him," Layla suggested.

"You are never going to do that, hippie. Just don't worry about it. It doesn't matter anyway. This is my turn." Warren had shoved his hands in his pockets earlier, so he jerked his chin to gesture toward the street he would be going down. "I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Will nodded and Layla smiled. "Goodnight, Warren!" she called as he strode away, light from the intermittent streetlamps gleaming of his jacket.

"I do wish there was some way I could convince Dad," Will said.

"Yeah," Layla said thoughtfully as they turned the direction opposite of Warren and continued walking.

"What good is being a hero if you can't even help a friend?" Will complained.

Layla nodded in reply, studying the alternating light and dark swaths of pavement as she walked. Suddenly her head came up. "Wait, who says we can't help him?"

"Well, you heard Warren. He doesn't want to do anything. And I really don't see how we could do anything. I mean, I know I've talked to Dad and Mom has, too, and it just doesn't seem to be doing any good." Will shook his head and wrapped an arm around Layla's shoulders.

"Precisely," she grinned up at him mischievously. "We've tried being reasonable, right?"

Will frowned at her. "Right," he said drawing the word out in consternation.

"So maybe it's time we tried something different."

"Like what?"

"Like doing things that put Warren in a good light, like making your dad see that Warren isn't a bad influence."

"What do you want me to do, arm-wrestle him? 'Cause frankly I think he might win."

"No, silly." Layla rolled her eyes. "Like giving Warren the opportunity to do something good when your dad just happens to be around."

"How would we do that?" Will asked skeptically.

"I don't know right now. But we could come up with something."

"I don't know. Warren would probably fry us if he found out."

"So we'll just have to make sure Warren doesn't find out."

"I can't imagine my Dad would be too happy about it either."

"Obviously we won't tell him, either."

"Yea, but what if they do find out?"

"They they'd have to work together to take us out and it would work out anyway," she shrugged.

"Yeah, but I'd prefer to live through the experience."

"Then we'll just have to make sure that they don't find out." She smiled up at him and saw that he still looked doubtful. "Oh come on," she said. "We owe Warren! Where's your sense of adventure?"

"It's currently cowering before my sense of self-preservation," Will replied dryly.

Layla rolled her eyes again and gave an exasperated sigh. "Look, do you want to help Warren or not?"

"Of course!"

"Well then," she raised her eyebrows expectantly. "Are you in, or not?"

Will sighed. "I'm in. But if this backfires I'm hiding behind you!"

Layla giggled. "There's my big, strong boyfriend."

"Hey, I am strong," Will grumbled playfully as he squeezed her to him.

"I know." She stood on her toes and turned to kiss him with smiling lips.

They continued kissing until they heard someone clearing their throat. "You do have school tomorrow," Layla's mother reminded them gently. The glow of the porch light lit the indulgent smile on her face.

"All right, Mom, I'll be right there," Layla called. She turned back to Will. "I'll see you tomorrow. We can talk to the others at lunch and see if they have any ideas."

Will nodded. "Good night, Layla." He kissed her on the cheek.

"Good night," she replied kissing him back before turning to skip up the walk and onto the porch where her mother was still waiting. Layla turned to wave at the door and Will waved back. When the front door had closed and the porch light had gone out, Will shoved his own hands in his pockets and turned to walk home, shivering slightly in the breeze.