Chapter: 9

Livia peered over at Stephanie raising an eyebrow skeptically as she munched on her salad silently stealing a fry from her friend's plate. Conversations rang on around them as students milled about the scattered tables in the cafeteria, occasional shouts, scuffles, and yells could be heard as well but more or less the two of them were in their own little corner within the expanse of the room,

"You just said that, in front of everyone in the class?" Livia asked, once she swallowed her food, the fry included,

"I signed that, in front of everyone," Stephanie confirmed, nodding, taking a fry herself,

"Eat shit and die?"

"Eat shit and die," Stephanie echoed,

"What did she do?" Livia demanded incredulously. Stephanie was saved from answering by a loud metallic crash followed by a furious,

"What the hell man!" and an equally irritated response, "Fuck off," in a very familiar tone. Livia and Stephanie looked up to see Tim striding away from another Gotham Academy student, drenched in their lunch with their tray rattling loudly on the food-spattered linoleum floor. Livia and Stephanie shared a glance as Tim finally reached their table. With a huff, Tim's shoulders slumped as he let the two bags, he'd been hefting fall onto the stone bench before finally addressing the two of them,

"Have either of you seen Darren?" Livia belatedly realized the second rucksack Tim held was Darren's bag and felt a slight prickling of unease slide up her spine,

"Nope," Stephanie stated, popping the 'p' while Livia shook her head silently in answer, "I'm sure he'll show up, it's his lunch break…where there's food there's Darren." While each of their free periods did not often align, on this one day of scheduled classes they did manage to all be available for lunch which was nice and a relief, eating alone wasn't the greatest feeling. At least Livia and Darren had more frees together though they knew they both would like to see their other friends more often throughout the day.

Free periods were either shorter or longer than the regular time allotted to academic classes. The shorter periods were just that, free periods, while the longer periods coordinated to various lunch hours of the school day at Gotham Academy whereby the cafeteria was open to students. The meal centered free periods were labeled early, middle, and late lunch naturally; a messed-up system as students with early lunches had to stock up for later in the day or be starved until they arrived home while those who had late lunch would need to bring snacks or even lunches to survive through the day. A factor that was especially challenging for Darren whose metabolism made him twice as hungry twice as fast.

Stephanie's bright tone did nothing to ease Tim's sour expression as he twiddled with his phone as if debating calling or texting someone. Livia eyed Tim before her gaze fell to the lone and crumpled backpack on the rounded bench to her left…worry and guilt twisting her stomach in knots…was Darren's disappearance tied to what she'd stumbled upon a few days ago. An incident the two of them did not get a chance to smooth over nor an answer found for what Livia should do concerning Darren's sudden shift to self-harm. Or was she being selfish in thinking Darren's absence was because of her…or was she even wrong about his seemingly return to self-harm, was that even what happened?

The lights overhead flickered, responding to Livia's increasing consternation. Throwing a quick glance up, mentally stilling the flickering—she was still working on finetuning her control Constantine may be an ass, but he was right that Livia wouldn't have the ability to constantly fix her mistakes without consequences control was her best route in improving her magical abilities—before taking a deep calming breath,

"Did something happen?" Livia questioned. Tim looked up from the phone he still juggled between his hands as if considering whether to respond while Stephanie merely continued eating her grilled chicken and pesto sandwich,

"I-I he…he had a panic attack," Tim muttered finally, sitting down across from the two of them for the first time since arriving in the cafeteria, glancing around as if speaking the words would make Darren magically appear annoyed that such information was being shared,

"What triggered it?" Stephanie asked, her light brown eyes locked on her sandwich though she was very much invested in the conversation,

"Al," Tim said flatly. Livia squinted in confusion while Stephanie glanced up expecting more of an explanation,

"Al?" Stephanie and Livia echoed in unison, equal uncertainty in their voices,

"His special ed teacher," Tim explained, at the continued vacant stares he sighed before furthering his explanation, "Darren didn't like going…it, felt…no it doesn't matter why, he just was uncomfortable, so I went with him today,"

"Moral support," Livia supplied,

"Don't call it that in front of Darren," Tim stated wryly earning fond grins around the table, "But in all essence of the words, yes moral support. It was going fine and then Al tried a congratulatory shoulder pat…and, well you can guess what happened,"

"Ah, Al went in for the metaphorical kill," Stephanie said nodding solemnly,

"And that was when you lost him?" Livia wondered,

"Nope…I found him, took most of second period but I found him. I lost him after I went through the effort of getting us notes excusing us from class. Which he didn't even take," Tim hissed with exasperation, waving the slip of paper in the air at nothing in particular,

"Ha, you ditched second period," Stephanie snorted,

"Yes, I ditched second period to help a friend in need," Tim echoed dully,

"Well, he wouldn't leave—?" Livia started only to be interrupted by Steph's loud and suddenly very enunciated voice and friendly yet exuberant wave,

"Heyyyy Darren!" Tim and Livia started, following Stephanie's gaze to the entrance of the cafeteria nearest to their table. There Darren was weaving his way through the exorbitant crowd looking somewhat sheepish as he neared. A relieved grin stretched across Livia's face only for it to morph into an expression of mild surprise at the sight of a roughed up, light blue-haired guy following a few steps behind Darren, uncertain and nervous, "Oh-h, and hello Darren's friend…?" Stephanie crowed lightly.

All prior conversation stopped as Darren, the new guy in toe, reached the table. Darren seemed to sense the mild tension around the table as he took his seat by Livia with the blue-haired mystery guy following suit by sitting on Darren's other side, though he took it as disapproval perhaps on Tim's part. Darren's gaze traveled from his backpack tossed on the bench next to Tim, to Livia and Stephanie before settling on Tim once again who appeared to be trying his best not to glare,

"I'm sorry," was all Darren said in response to such a stare, "I shouldn't have disappeared like that…I, just…I'm sorry," his tone was flat, and Livia couldn't help but bite at her lip with worry. It came off as an uncaring apology…a practiced one that seemed to be more so out of obligation than with feeling though it didn't seem Tim cared either way,

"It's fine, I'm just glad you showed up. It wasn't anything serious,"

"Besides, you've had a rough morning," Livia said kindly as she put a hand over his resting lightly on the table, giving it a light squeeze of comfort. Darren grimaced slightly before pulling his hand out from Livia's reach,

"Perhaps," he muttered, throwing Tim a meaningful stare, while Livia tried not to gape at her hand still on the table…a swirl of fear and guilt and hurt echoing painfully inside her chest at the mild rejection,

"Don't look at me that way you know your track record with this sort of thing," Tim insisted,

"Whatever," Darren muttered tonelessly, rolling his eyes. Tim looked as if he wanted to say more but his gaze cut across to the blue-haired stranger still sitting among them before he silently shook his head instead, he brandished the slip of paper Al had given him,

"Here, get this to whoever you have for second period," Tim stated, sliding the note across the table, "Today's been enough trouble as it is, best to get a head start on a better day tomorrow," Darren eyed the paper sullenly before slowly snagging it up and shoving it into the pocket of his school uniform which Livia was sure would never see the light of day again…unless Alfred found it in the wash.

Livia swallowed the babble of emotions crawling under her skin as she tried to mentally decipher Darren's avoidance of her offer of support and instead focused on the new kid that still sat with them eyeing each of them with sharp blue eyes his nerves still seeming to have the best of him as he had yet to say anything. Livia decided to take the initiative, she was once the new one in this group and the Bats could be rather intimidating whether purposefully or not,

"What's your name?" she questioned,

"And what happened to your face?" Stephanie chimed in, taking another bite of her sandwich oblivious—or pretending to be—of Livia's inner turmoil, Tim's irritation, and Darren's cloudy demeanor,

"Steph you can't just ask that of someone…especially someone new," Livia muttered, bringing a hand to her face in exasperation,

"I'm sorry, but he looks like he ran into a wall," Steph stated, gesturing at the guy as if he and his face were an explanation,

"It's not that bad," Tim chimed in, "You're being alarmist,"

"Well, someone's gotta be," Stephanie stated sharply, crossing her arms, and throwing Tim a glare. The new kid was frowning and rubbing at the light bruises dotting under his eye and along his cheekbone,

"His name's Sal," Darren stated, looking nonchalant pulling the rest of them from their slight squabble, "We met in the hallway,"

"Oh yeah, he totally saved my ass from a bunch of bullies," Sal said, a grin on his face though Livia understood that perhaps he was slightly embarrassed to need such help…though he didn't seem to show it,

"Oh really. Tell me you at least got a few swings in?" Stephanie demanded, raising an eyebrow. Sal was lightening up, looking less shifty and more relaxed among them. Livia wished she could relax and stop overthinking Darren's small rejection as well, as Sal seemed to have forgotten his nerves though it seemed it would take more work for Livia to get over hers. It wasn't the first time Darren pulled away from her and it certainly wouldn't be the last but usually, it wasn't so observable…perhaps it was because they were in school in public with others around them. But she wasn't sure. A strange kind of paranoia ran rampant in her mind,

"Not really, they all ganged up on me, but you should have seen the look on Derek's face when he tried to corner Darren!" Sal said gleefully. The name 'Derek' seemed to electrify the energy surrounding the table as the name bounced harshly around their small table as if there were invisible walls surrounding them,

"Derek?" Tim couldn't help but echo. Sal abruptly shut up; Livia could hear the click of his teeth as his gaze darted from person to person as if wondering what faux pas he stumbled upon. Livia's own gaze settled on Darren, who sat with his eyes closed a slight grimace on his face before he let out a breath of air, his eyes fluttering open to stare down Tim. Suddenly Darren's sullen behavior made sense, for whatever reason he didn't want the others to know he'd had a confrontation with Derek at all. Was it embarrassment, pain…something he pushed away that he didn't want to explain to his friends? Tim, Livia, and Darren—even Sal—sat stiff and tense in their seats while Stephanie remained unbothered by that revelation. Leaning her elbow on the table and her cheek on her hand she threw Darren a smirk,

"Please tell me at least you hit him," she mumbled, "That would be amazing,"

"Trust me I wanted to but no, we just exchanged insults," Darren replied, a small and hesitant but grateful smile crossing his face,

"Oh, do tell,"

"I'd rather not," Darren stated, his expression flickering for a moment before returning to an expressionless and neutral show, "but his father may have been mentioned,"

"Ooh, aggressive, I like it," Stephanie drawled,

"Steph, don't encourage him," Tim muttered, "He shouldn't have antagonized Derek at all,"

"Oh, so I was just supposed to leave Sal in the hallway?" Darren monotoned, "That's not what we do," Tim opened his mouth to respond but threw Sal a glance, who blinked incomprehensively at Tim in response, before closing it once more,

"Not when we're here," Tim stated finally. A cryptic response only to Sal. Livia and Steph both knew where Darren's disgruntled defensiveness was coming from as well as Tim's odd look…they were referencing their dual identities a secret only Livia was privy to, "And Derek—,"

"—Was fine!" Darren cut in his expression wavering between rage and vulnerability before settling back into something uncaring. Whatever was said still settled heavily over Darren and Livia knew the others saw it too. Stephanie and Livia shared a glance while Tim was more focused on preserving their secrets and Darren's newfound Talon status. Darren was in the public more often now and couldn't be as careless with his abilities as he was at home or on patrol,

"Why wouldn't he be fine I thought you just 'exchanged insults?'" Tim questioned sharply,

"We did!" Darren insisted jerking upright with indignation before slumping, all the same, seemingly deflating, "Though I did also shove him into a locker or two…," Tim glared and Stephanie giggled, Livia didn't know what to say or feel still too trapped by her insecurities despite knowing in part the reason for Darren's earlier behavior. Whatever Tim was going to indignantly mutter across the cafeteria table was drowned out by another voice ringing above the din,

"Scooch your toosh," Livia and Darren glanced behind them to see Allison standing over them, a tray of food in one hand the other resting on her hip as she stared down the two of them—more likely Darren than Livia—expectantly,

"Oh, hello more friends," Stephanie muttered almost viciously as she searched for a crunchier fry to eat. Livia rolled her eyes as she threw Steph a look,

"So sorry I actually have other friends besides you three," Livia crowed sarcastically earning a glare from both Tim and Stephanie, while Sal stared on blinking uncertainly at the banter clearly trying to make sense of the relationships surrounding him at the table. Darren on the other hand merely glared behind them at Allison. Neither Allison nor Darren necessarily hated each other, it was merely an apt mistrust as they both vied for Livia's attention. They were somewhat territorial and tried to actively outdo the other, Darren was more subtle about it while Allison was very expressive. Livia wouldn't lie and say she didn't find their innate competition flattering or that she didn't drink it up sometimes. Perhaps she also saw an opportunity to at least make Darren regretful of his slight rejection…though Livia felt somewhat ashamed for thinking of using both Darren and Allison's personal behavior around her to do it,

"Hello? Scooch. Your. Toosh?" Allison monotoned, raising an eyebrow at Darren who scowled,

"There's room next to Sal," he insisted,

"Who?" Allison questioned, blinking at the unexpected response. A slight cough sounded as their resident blue-haired newbie raised a hand from his seat on Darren's left,

"Um…hi," Sal stated,

"Uh…hi," Allison echoed with an observational tilt to her head, then, "Well you're cute," she smiled at Sal who merely flushed a deep red unsure of how to react,

"Don't you have a girlfriend?" Livia questioned,

"Of course, and I love her dearly, but I'm not blind. There's a reason I don't despise Dare-Bear here outright, and it's not because of his bright and charming personality," Allison threw Darren a teasing smile which he scowled at,

"I won't even dignify that with a response…and I could have gone my whole life without knowing that," Livia mused, blinking with slight shock. Sal glanced over at Darren,

"Dare-bear?" he questioned lightly,

"Don't…just don't," Darren monotoned mutedly. Allison merely let out a humored snort before refocusing on her more pressing dilemma,

"Well, as I said, I want to sit here," she tapped her toe twice lightly on the floor as if to indicate her intentions.

Livia internally groaned while Allison and Darren's conflicting personalities were endearing it could only go on so long before it bordered on problematic as well as slightly entitled mainly on Allison's end as she merely saw her and Darren's competitive banter as a game while Darren retained their back and forth as meaningless and irritating. This time Livia was the outsider looking in on the glance Tim, Steph and Darren shared. Livia tried not to grimace,

"Here, I'll move over," she tried to alleviate the tension, if not for Darren's sake then for Sal's,

"No, no, I don't want to squish you," Allison admonished,

"Oh my god for the love of all that is holy just take a goddamn seat," Stephanie groaned, massaging her temples,

"Darren, why don't you just get up and get some food," Tim surprisingly suggested,

"What?" Darren demanded, his tone sharp as he stared stormily at Tim remaining in his seat his own paranoia seemingly weighing on his own mind,

"Food, Darren. You need to get some lunch before the café closes," Livia said almost soothingly, deciding then to intervene. Tim's insistence was encroaching on overprotectiveness something that was not necessary and was grinding Darren's last good nerve to dust. Livia didn't know where Tim's newfound need to step on Darren's toes came from or why he suddenly felt Darren was at such risk to himself and maybe even their double lives, but it was nearing overboard. Livia could tell she wasn't the only one who saw it, if Stephanie's knowing glance at Livia was any indication.

Darren's gaze swiveled to Livia the fierceness in his gaze lessening as their eyes met though the distrust and suspicion didn't quite leave his gaze and only worsened as he looked back to Allison, the invisible defeat swirling bitterly in his posture,

"Right," was all Darren muttered as he got up and scurried over to the sandwich cart. Darren for all his love for food, hated Gotham Academy's menu. He said it was an aftertaste that only his enhanced senses picked up. It was unpleasant and made it hard for him to choose something to eat, a fact that also weighed heavily on someone with his dietary needs. Despite that, Darren did love the sandwich cart which allowed students to pick out the toppings for their own sandwich or in Darren's case sandwiches…that was the only thing Darren liked and he would pile high everything available onto his sandwich. Though just as confoundingly, Darren's love for food was often disrupted by occasional moments of forgetfulness concerning his need for food, something that was becoming somewhat more obvious during school hours,

"If I had his metabolism I'd never forget to eat," Stephanie muttered as they watched Darren go,

"The fact he nearly forgot is a problem," Tim huffed, as the three shared a concerned look before they each turned to look at Sal with his blank expression of confusion for their antics…words…behavior…everything. Allison merely ignored the trios' discussion in favor of stealing Darren's seat positioning herself between Livia and Sal, her gaze focused only on her phone. She was used to their antics and still riding the high of a mental victory against Darren. Sal appeared an outsider looking in, and it was then that Livia couldn't help but realize she would have been him if Darren had never tackled her in the street that day. She would have been an entirely different person…perhaps she wouldn't be here at all the Baudelaire curse doing her in before anything could be done. Forcefully brushing that fact aside Livia instead settled her attention on Allison,

"Must you feel the need to do that?" Livia reproached, throwing her friend a critical gaze,

"Do what?" Allison asked, a raised eyebrow peaking over her phone. Livia opened her mouth, ready to give her friend a piece of her mind—Livia adored Allison, but Darren was not someone to be in conflict with, and she was getting weary of their silent battles—when Tim cut in instead,

"Sal. What happened between Derek and Darren?"

"Seriously?" Stephanie hissed, "I thought you sent him for the food, not to collect 'intel' behind his back,"

"He lies," Tim monotoned back,

"We all lie," Livia broke in, "I don't see why he would about this," Sal and Allison merely watched, Sal's expression one of confusion, Allison one of mischievous glee,

"What have we here, Powers' drama?"

"Crowne," Tim, Livia, and Steph all corrected in unison,

"Darren's last name is Crowne. He was never adopted by them," Tim stated, looking disgusted by the mere thought, "And this is none of your business,"

"And how is this yours?" Livia interjected. Allison opted to ignore Tim, turning instead to the newcomer,

"Sal…spill," the guy in question glanced around the table uncertainly. Clearly debating between his loyalty to his sudden new friend and his need to fit in with the whole of the group,

"It was just as he said happened. Nothing serious. Everyone walked away…fine," Sal insisted,

"See. Was that really necessary?" Stephanie huffed,

"Was what necessary?" Darren questioned, now glaring down at Allison before shuffling over to Livia's other side as Steph generously made room for him,

"That amount of toppings…is that really necessary? Looks like the sandwich will explode," Allison muttered expertly covering up their conversation, "And your stomach." If anyone other than the Bats understood the concept of secrets and cover stories, it was Allison, even if she would just as likely use them to her advantage as protect them,

"Not his stomach," Livia stated, shaking her head,

"Never my stomach," Darren agreed, shoving as much of the overflowing pile of food between two slices of Kaiser rolls in his mouth as he could. Faces were made all around as Steph pushed her tray away looking a little green, Sal looked on almost mystified and Allision nearly gagged, Tim as someone used to Darren's eating didn't look phased at all,

"Yeah, not the most appealing thing to watch," Livia agreed, though she still stabbed a cherry tomato with her fork and put it daintily in her mouth wishing that she had not gone the salad route for lunch that day. As she did so, Livia's gaze caught the barest hint of the black bands encircling Darren's forearms, peaking out just under the sleeves of his uniform's coat. He wore them often, especially at school when surrounded by strangers. Livia couldn't help but think back to that night not so long ago and the near desperation in Darren's voice as he begged for time…she didn't know what the time he wanted was for and the longer she sat with that secret on her shoulders the more she couldn't bear it. Perhaps it was wrong, perhaps it was selfish but they—the two of them, Livia and Darren—were not at a place where holding onto that secret was enough. It was fine when she, Tim, and Canary were on an even playing field…they all knew the same information but now things were changing, and Livia couldn't be the only one who knew about that moment. Darren wanted time, but Livia couldn't give it…at least not alone,

"Tim, you want to go get some milkshakes?" Livia questioned, nodding toward the cafeteria. Tim squinted at her in question but smoothed his expression over at the urgency in her gaze,

"Sure, the line's not too long," A risk, one borne out of love and caring, fear and worry…a paradox. Livia left the table with Tim, glancing back to see Darren laughing lightly with Stephanie, Sal, and Allison—their perceived competition not enough to deny their budding companionship—wondering if that peace would shatter if Livia did not play her cards correctly,

"What's up," Tim questioned as they stepped in line, pulling Livia's attention back to the matter at hand. Livia shook her head, putting a finger to her lips,

"Wait," she mouthed, glancing at the milkshake machine. Waiting for the cafeteria faculty member to start it up the absurdly loud buzzing drowning nearly everything out, "He can't overhear this," Livia explained. Tim's expression morphed from confusion to surprise as he threw a sheltered glance back to where their friends sat,

"Go on," Tim muttered.

When Tim and Livia returned to the table, milkshakes in hand, Livia felt loads lighter though still heavy with guilt and perhaps anticipatory adrenaline. Worrying that Darren had still somehow overheard them,

"Can I have a sip?" Darren asked, his expression so purely open that Livia's heart broke a little bit…feeling like she betrayed Darren, yet still feeling what she did was necessary. Another paradox parading itself before her,

"Of course," she said brightly, offering the drink. The crackle of the speaker system cut through the chatter—and Darren's taste of the milkshake as he grimaced at the irritating noise—casting silence through the lunchroom,

"Darren Crowne to the Headmaster's office. Darren Crowne to the Headmaster's office," Darren glanced up as if searching for the source of the voice,

"Well, that didn't take long," he muttered almost expectantly,

"I thought you said no one got hurt!" Tim hissed,

"No one did! But apparently, someone's ego got bruised instead and he went crying to mommy," Darren insisted,

"As they typically do," Sal interjected, earning a look of appreciation from Darren and slight exasperation from Tim,

"It's true," Stephanie added, nodding in agreement,

"Yeah…it is," Tim muttered, "But this was not the best day for a call to the headmaster's office,"

"Well, I gotta go," Darren sighed, shoving the remains of his sandwich in his mouth before hurrying from the cafeteria with not much of a wave in goodbye. Livia watched after him, her heart thrumming uncertainly in her chest a bad omniscient feeling shrouding her with unyielding, heavy unease. Whether for what awaited him in that office, the future of their relationship, or some other unknown reason Livia could not tell…only feel the depravity of it all in the pit of her chest.


A/N: Wow, a chapter with no line breaks...surprising! Hope you guys liked it though! Sorry about not posting on Saturday, it was my birthday and I was like Nah, I'm not worrying about posting chapters today, so a Sunday update it is.

This chapter used to have several sections to it, but the flow and the length got a little too complicated so I split the original chapter up and had this 'section' be its own chapter. So it's slightly shorter but A LOT happened within it. I also really like this chapter because we get to see Darren interact with characters other than the core group of the Bats and Livia, even if only slightly. You also get to see more of Darren in school from another character's perspective. I secretly enjoy Allison and Darren's 'non-banter' as I put it...for some reason, it really works for their characters even if Allison isn't a main or OC character...she's an 'NPC' like Sal. I hope you enjoyed their interactions as well.

I also wanted to build up on Tim...well being Tim...and kinda show from another perspective how his 'interventions' are growing to be overbearing. And there IS a reason for Tim's behavior, and that will be hinted at throughout the next few chapters and addressed in this story. His actions aren't out of malice but there is also that saying 'smothering with love' and Tim is stumbling very close to that metaphorical edge. But this also begs the question, given Darren's history and past behavior/actions...is Tim really to blame for being overly cautious? It's also not just Darren himself on the line, it's also their secrets and the balance of their civilian and secret lives at stake if Darren brings attention to himself...which Darren in all honesty doesn't always remember or really care about. Tim sometimes cares a little too much about protecting that side of their secret identity, that he forgets about the 'real-life' civilian aspect of who they are, and I feel that shows in these past few chapters.

Now Livia and Darren's interaction in this chapter surprised even ME! I needed a reason for Livia to spread the word to Tim. And while it's not the purest or most reasonable scenario, Darren's public rejection of Livia's affection just popped up and supplied the push Livia needed. Whether it was the right thing to do or for the right reason is questionable...and that's kind of the point.

That's kind of what drives these first few chapters of this story a bit. Is Tim right for being overly protective of Darren, is he overstepping, where is the line for that? Was Livia right in going behind Darren's back about something like this? Was it for the right reason...does there need to be a right reason? Was it selfish because Livia only said something to Tim as a reaction to what Darren did, or didn't, do? Was it wrong to alert another friend rather than Darren's doctor/therapist, did Livia even have the right to do that? Is 'a right' necessary for something like this? Was it fair for Darren to have Livia and Tim, bear the burden of knowing something about Darren that is potentially dangerous and life-threatening for his sake when that kind of behavior or thinking and manipulation is dangerous and life-threatening in itself? Is Darren using their affection for him...the knowledge that they don't want to lose him or his trust and their relationships with him...against them to keep this secret from the rest of his family all because he fears their rejection, their reaction, and the potential of losing what Darren thinks is so important to who he is/is becoming: Renegade, his ability to train and fight and to have his family's trust in being that persona. Is that a knowledgeable manipulation or something Darren isn't aware of doing?

So honestly it's a really complex and fucked up situation...which will also be addressed in this story. And also inspired the title of this series...these situations are paradoxes in a way. You want to help someone, to protect someone but in doing so you hurt them or behave illogically to get to a certain endpoint. Your intended actions lead to something contradictory or illogical even with the purest intent.

I'm genuinely interested in hearing what you guys think of Tim, Darren and Livia's interactions/actions throughout this chapter. Who may be right, who may be wrong...is there a right or wrong? So, as always PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW.