Author's Note: Hey gang! Hope you all are enjoying this story. I want to give you guys awesome stuff and I hope I'm succeeding in that. I want to give the people what they want but I usually come up short. I don't mince words about that but I'll try harder.

I've been doing my best to go back to reedit all the episodes so I can FINALLY get to episode sixteen and hopefully get to season one done. Hopefully you guys like the alterations I've made.

Disclaimer: Apart from the originally created characters, I own nothing that is the property of Dan Schneider and the team of Schneider's Bakery. That includes any characters, places or items created by him or his production company. I'm just having fun playing with them :P

I also use scenes from the CW show 'Arrow' more specifically the season two episodes 'Broken Dolls', 'Heir To The Demon'. and 'Time of Death'. Arrow is one of my inspirations for Pulse.

I should've said this earlier but the music I use doesn't belong to me either. I use what I like or fits scenes.

All that being said, let's head into Episode Eight!

•••

•••

"The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be."

- Socrates

•••

Pulse stands in the center of the room filled with police officers in SWAT gear who surround him in a circle. Red lights from their assault weapons pepper Pulse's body. These men mean take him down or kill him if they had to.

Detective Victor Flores just stands there with the men standing around him and Captain Irving Thompson standing next to him.

"We have a lot of questions to ask you." Captain Thompson stated.

"I am not your enemy." Freddie's disguised voice told them, trying to sound calm and hiding the fact that he was petrified.

"Prove it. Surrender to us peacefully." Victor told him.

Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass interrupts the scene and glass shards rain down from the skylight on the ceiling. Along with the shards, a figure of a woman in black lands crotched down in front of Pulse.

The woman wore a black overcoat, black leggings, stylish black combat boots and black gloves. She wore a black haired wig and a domino mask over her eyes but her piercing ice blue eyes revealed to us that this was Cassie.

Victor and Thompson get a good look at the mysterious woman and Thompson sees the domino mask and glares at her. "You."

Cassie wastes no time and holds up a device in her hand and a bright flash of light flares out and blinds everyone except Pulse. She gets up and grabs Pulse by the arm.

Pulse stares at her and the pair exchange stares of understanding. He knew this was his aunt.

They rush toward the exit and manage to run out of the building.

The men recover and all realize both Pulse and the Woman in Black are gone.

"Canvas the area! We can't let them get away!" Thompson ordered.

The men in SWAT gear did as instructed and went in the direction Pulse and the Woman in Black ran to.

Victor stares at Captain Thompson. "Think that was the woman Danny saw. His 'Woman in Black'."

Thompson rubs his eyes. "That so? Because back in my day, she called herself Mockingbird."

Victor stares at him in shock.

•••

Pulse and the Woman in Black continue running until they reach the back alley behind the precinct. They look around and see a fire escape ladder leading to the rooftop of another building.

"Come on." Cassie whispers as she grabs Pulse by the arm.

The pair effortlessly start climbing the ladder but stop when they hear approaching footsteps heading towards them. They see four SWAT team members enter, taking evasive maneuvers to avoid being seen.

"Oh crap." Freddie whispers.

"Persistent, aren't they?" Cassie quipped. "Go. I got this."

"What are you-"

Before Freddie could finish his sentence, 'the Woman in Black' jumps down off the ladder and lands on the floor below.

As soon as she lands, the members point their weapons at her. She responds with almost lightning fast speed and precision and kicks the gun out of the closest SWAT member using a roundhouse kick. The gun hits the only female member and knocks her off her feet.

The larger sized member of the group shoots his weapon twice only for the Woman in Black to dodge out of the way of the gunfire by jumping on to a dumpster. The man rushes towards her only for her to somersault on the dumpster and land hard on his chest, knocking out cold.

Another male member tries to grab her from behind but she jumps on his shoulders and wraps her legs around his neck, performing a triple spin headscissor. She finishes him off with an overhead slam.

The main SWAT member she first attacked got to his feet, going to attack her; however, she sensed his oncoming attack and she elbows him square in the nose. She then grabs his right arm, pins it down, flips the arm over her shoulder, elbows his nose again. She twirls and quickly hits him with a right roundhouse kick to the back of his head. This knocks him unconscious.

The Woman in Black breathes in deeply but her relief is short-lived when she hears the click of a gun.

"Hands in the air." The female member ordered, pointing her rifle at the disguised woman's shoulder. "Unlike them, I don't have a problem shooting a woman."

Suddenly, a jolt of electricity courses through the female SWAT member and she limply falls to the ground, causing her to drop her weapon.

Cassie turns to find Pulse standing where the SWAT member was a few seconds ago.

"Well, I don't mind having to taze a woman either." Freddie remarked teasingly to the unconscious female member.

Cassie catches her breath and smiles. "Didn't I tell you I had this?"

"I'll take that as a 'Thank You', if you don't mind." Freddie joked.

"Let's get out of here before their friends come looking." Cassie said as she and Pulse climb back up the ladder and onto the rooftop like they intended to do.

However, from across another rooftop, a shadowy figure watches Pulse and the Woman in Black make their escape. The figure isn't identifiable but it is clear they saw what Cassie had done.

•••

At Sacred Heart, Gabe was being given a tight hug from Millie with Pete looking on. "I'm so glad you're okay." Millie said.

Gabe gasps for air in her embrace. "Um, Millie... I'm feeling... the love but... can't... breathe."

Millie's eyes widen as she loosens her grip. "Sorry."

"It's okay. I'm just glad I can feel anything. And I didn't lose any fingers or toes." Gabe said, breathing deeply. "The doctors said I suffered from moderate hypothermia. If Pulse hadn't found me, I would've been dead."

"We're all happy he got to you in time." Millie stated.

"How is Freddie? Guy went through a lot trying to save me." Gabe said as his face falls. "Including-"

"Freddie would've done the same for anyone else." Pete said.

"He just fought twice as hard to save your life." Millie told Gabe to soften Pete's blunt honesty.

"I just wish he was fast enough to save Cassie." Gabe said sadly which causes looks of confusion to spread among Millie and Pete.

"What are you talking about? Cassie's fine." Millie stated, a puzzled expression on her face.

"She can't be. I saw Savage stab her with some ice spikes." Gabe said aghast.

"Trust me, she's fine." Millie reassured him.

Gabe is still in a state of confusion but he quickly changes the subject. "How is Freddie?"

"He's fine. A little chilled but fine." Pete said.

"He saved my life." Gabe said softly.

Millie beams with joy. "Welcome to the club."

"There's a club?" Gabe asked, smiling. "Can I be presid-"

"I'm president. You can be the treasurer." Millie joked.

Gabe laughs at this. "I am pretty good with money."

At that moment, Lucy Shepard enters the hospital room and the three focus their attention on her. Her eyes were puffy and tear soaked like she had been crying for hours. When she looks up and sees Gabe, her face lights up.

"Lucy, hey." Gabe greeted softly. Lucy says nothing and rushes over to hug him. Gabe strokes hair as she embraces him. "Hey, it's okay."

"I didn't think I was going to see you again." Lucy sobbed, holding him tightly.

"It's alright. I'm okay." Gabe insisted, struggling to breathe through the tight hug.

Lucy pulls away and stares deeply into his eyes. "Gabe, you could've died."

"But I didn't." Gabe said honestly.

"Because of Pulse." Millie said, trying to bring down the tension.

Lucy looks at Millie then back at Gabe. "For real?"

Gabe nods. "Yeah. He saved my life." Every time he said that, the words became more concrete.

"Wow. You two have your own superhero guardian angel." Lucy said to Gabe and Millie, a smile on her face.

"I think he's more like this city's guardian angel." Millie said proudly.

Lucy looks around. "Hey, where's Freddie? I thought he'd be here."

Millie and Gabe struggle with coming up with an answer.

"After the dorm got trashed, Freddie stayed with his aunt to wait for any word on Gabe." Pete said, lifting the worry off the two teenagers. "Probably dozed off and hasn't heard the news yet."

"He has had a rough few days." Millie told Lucy.

"Oh. That makes sense." Lucy said. She then looks back at Pete. "Also, who are you?"

"Oh right." Millie said, realizing Lucy has never directly, "Lucy, this is Pete Sawyer. Pete, this is our friend Lucy."

"Pleasure to meet you." Pete replied.

"You too." Lucy said cheerfully.

"I'm sure Freddie will be here in the morning." Gabe said hopefully, changing the subject.. "He's got enough to deal with right now.

The four look at each other. The three of them are quiet with the real truth.

•••

One the roof of Cassie's apartment, Cassie stands near the edge of the building no longer wearing the mask, the wig or the overcoat. She had her arms crossed over her chest as her flowing red hair blew in the crisp night air.

"I am resisting the urge to say I told you so." Cassie said to a figure standing in the darkness.

Out of the shadows, Freddie steps out wearing his civilian clothing and holding his bag in his hands "Keep fighting it. I got it, I screwed up."

"It was more than just a 'screw-up', Fredward." Cassie said as she turned to face him "They were moments away from riddling you with bullets."

"I know, I was there." Freddie said sadly. "Can't believe Detective Flores did that."

"I'm surprised Danny wasn't part of the squad. He's pretty gung-ho about trying to take Pulse down." Cassie stated.

"Hmm, hadn't noticed." Freddie said sarcastically as he and Cassie make their way inside through the roof access door.

•••

Cassie and Freddie enter her apartment and she continues delivering her lecture. "You're really lucky I followed you," She said.

Freddie looks back at her as she closes the door and locks it. "Thought you weren't going to be my safety net?"

"Well, seeing as how you're still making rookie mistakes, I'll have to hone your skills a lot more." Cassie said. "Besides, protecting you is a tough habit to break."

Freddie smiled at his aunt. "I didn't mean to put you in that position. Especially you having to beat up a bunch of cops in order to protect me."

"Nah, those guys were total pushovers. I was holding back, though." Cassie stated.

"THAT was 'holding back'?" Freddie joked which Cassie snickers at. He then becomes serious. "I still am sorry for what happened. I sometimes think these powers are making me think I'm invincible. Well, not like you."

Cassie's shoulders fall. "And it's back to me."

"Thought you saving me was gonna get you off the hook." Freddie said with a grin. "How long have you-"

"Been Deadpool minus the fact I can't break the fourth wall?" Cassie said with a smile. "Not sure I can give a clear answer." Freddie folds his arms over his chest. "I guess I've had it for my entire life. I've never been sick a day in my life. I never even strapped my knees when I played on the playground at school and I was a very rough and tumble kid."

"Guess that hasn't changed." Freddie stated.

Cassie smiles. "I didn't notice until I was twelve years old when I fell off the monkey bars at the park. It felt like I broke my arm. Hurt like hell. When the teacher came to help me, I noticed that my arm didn't hurt anymore. My teacher even thought I was faking it to get attention."

"Wow." Freddie exclaimed, going to sit on the couch. "She sounds worse than Ms Briggs."

"Please, you've told me horror stories about Briggs and her pointy boobs." Cassie joked which puts Freddie at ease. She clears her throat to get back to the original subject. "After that happened, I started... experimenting."

"Experimenting? Like how?" Freddie asked.

"Well, I started slicing my arm with my dad's straight razor. I did that about fifty times and the cuts healed perfectly, like they were never there." Cassie said as a shocked Freddie stares at her. "I tried hard to keep my powers a secret. The only people who knew were my friend Alec... and your dad."

Freddie stares at her with curiosity. "Um, did he-"

"No. For all I know, he was perfectly normal. I was the walking sideshow." Cassie reassured him.

"What about my grandparents?" Freddie asked.

Cassie sighs. "They might have known but I never got the chance to ask." She looks down. "They died in a car crash when I was fifteen."

"Oh. I didn't know. I'm sorry." Freddie said somberly.

"It's okay. There's stuff I tend not to broadcast." Cassie said, swallowing the lump in her throat.

Freddie changes the subject. "So… my dad knows your secret."

"And he did his best to hide it because I sure as hell didn't make it easy." Cassie said "Even before our parents died, I had a major chip on my shoulder. I was angry, always got into fights. Even got into fights with guys. Was in and out of a few juvenile detention centers."

"Sounds like someone I know." Freddie said grinning, remembering the wild hurricane that is Sam Puckett.

Cassie smiles. "I had to learn to channel my rage. I focused on something."

"You seem to have it under control." Freddie said.

"It's not easy, every day's a struggle." Cassie said. "It's nice not to be the only freak anymore."

Freddie rolls his eyes as they stare at each other. A calm moment. "I'm glad you're watching my back."

"That doesn't mean you need to be reckless. You got lucky." Cassie stated with seriousness. "There's going to come a time where I won't be there. You'll have to work without a net."

"I know. I'm just hoping it isn't too soon." Freddie replied.

•••

Meanwhile at an airport, several travelers are going through security. Indistinguishable orders are heard over the PA system instructing travelers on proper procedure. One traveler was a tall intimidating man with short dark hair that was hidden under a dark baseball cap, sunglasses, a long black coat and mostly in all black.

The man gets to the front of the line and removes his hat and hands his passport to the TSA agent. The agent looks it over the passport which read the name 'Ewan Edmund' "Business or personal, Mr Edmund?"

"Business." The man said, speaking in an Australian accent. "Strictly business."

The TSA agent scans his passport and pulls up the information from his passport but suddenly another screen pops up reading 'H.I.T.A. Security Alert' and pulls up a different set of information.

The TSA agent tries to remain composed as he looks back at the man. "My computer froze. Can you hold on a sec? I'll be right back."

The man nods politely as the agent walks off. He looks around as another TSA agent behind him receives a message through his earpiece. The man's eyes shift from left to right and an agent approaches the man pointing his gun at him.

"Down on the ground! Down, down." He orders the other travelers in the area who did so. The man doesn't flinch as the agent points the gun at his head. "Put your hands on your head."

The man looks behind him at the agent pointing the gun with steely calm.

"I said, hands on your head!" The agent ordered the man. "I will shoot you."

The man did as instructed and slowly place his hands behind his head. With almost lightning speed, the man grabs the agent's armed hand and slams his head into the hard glass partition of the security booth, knocking him down.

Another TSA agent rushes at the man only to have him grab a ball point pen from the security booth and stab it into the agent's arm. The agent screams in pain as the man kicks him in the left knee and punches him hard in the face.

The man grabs another agent and chokes him and swiftly strikes and kicks him. He grabs the agent's baton as two more agents approach and try to hit the man with their own batons but the strikes are deflected and he beats them senseless with the baton.

After subduing all his attackers, the man grabs his suitcase.

A PA system message plays as the man walks off.

"Welcome To New York City"

•••

Early the following morning in Gabe's hospital room, Gabe sat up on his Pearpad and was playing a fast paced game of PacRat. A knock at the door breaks his concentration as he pauses the game to look up to see Freddie poke his head into the room.

"Yo yo." Freddie greeted Gabe.

"Hey. I didn't think that you'd be here so early. Especially on a Saturday." Gabe said while setting aside his Pearpad.

"I wanted to make sure you were all right after last night." Freddie said, entering the room.

"I'm better. Thankfully, none of my fingers or toes were lost due to frostbite so counting that as a win." Gabe quips, making Freddie laugh. "Listen, after everything that happened last night, I never got the chance to thank you."

"Dude, you don't have to-" Freddie began.

"Yeah, I do." Gabe insisted. "You saved my life."

"Well, what are friends for, right?" Freddie joked.

"I wouldn't know." Gabe stated while Freddie sat in the chair next to his bed "Apart from Millie, I've never had any genuine friends. From fancy grammar school to the elite private school my parents shipped me off to, I knew kids only liked me because of my trust fund. I knew and I didn't care."

"So, I'm your only real guy friend you've ever had?" Freddie asked.

"Pretty much." Gabe simply said.

"Glad I can't count myself in a distinct minority." Freddie said. "Where is Millie? Thought I would've found her by your bedside."

"Her dad came around midnight. He seemed in a much more sour mood than usual." Gabe stated.

"He has a good reason to be." Freddie said

Gabe stares at his friend with a raised eyebrow. "What did you do?"

Freddie sighs. "I may have inadvertently... been set up."

"Victor set you up?" Gabe asked.

"Yeah. He and his captain had a SWAT team swarm around me. I wanted to believe nothing was going to happen." Freddie said. "It was a major rookie mistake."

"I'm assuming that you got away seeing as you're here and not being on the morning news in handcuffs." Gabe stated.

Freddie nods and says something that surprises Gabe. "Cassie saved me. She burst down from a skylight and blinded the cops using this weird device that emitted this bright flashing light. We managed to get away but not before Cassie beat down a few of the SWAT members."

Gabe stares at Freddie, a question plaguing him. "Cassie? Is she all right?"

"Sure. Why wouldn't she be?" Freddie replied.

"Because Savage impaled her with icicles. I saw her do it." Gabe exclaimed. He sees Freddie's expression changes to one of apprehension. "What is it you aren't telling me?"

Freddie bit his lower lip. "I think this is something Cassie should be telling you-"

"I'm asking you." Gabe stated bluntly. "What's going on?"

"Um, Cassie... She can heal." Freddie said.

"Dude, I already knew that. She's like a healer." Gabe says until he sees Freddie's face and realizes something about what his friend meant. "Wait a second, she can... HEAL? As is-"

"She's a female Wolverine." Freddie stated.

"She's a short, ill-tempered, hairy Canadian with an adamantium skeleton?" Gabe stated.

"No!" Freddie said, mildly agitated and amused.

"So you're saying… Cassie has a healing factor?" Gabe asked.

"I guess. I found her completely frozen and I thought she was dead. I freaked out when she popped back to life." Freddie said.

"Wow, that makes her even more hardcore." Gabe said smiling.

"Yes, 'cause it wasn't enough that she's a butt kicking badass." Freddie joked and Gabe laughed. "Are you going to be released today?"

"Yeah and not soon enough. I hate hospitals." Gabe stated. "In zombie movies, it's the last place you want to be."

"I feel ya. I don't like hospitals. Never have." Freddie said somberly. "People die in hospitals."

Gabe tries to lighten the mood and turns on the TV. "Let's see if Pulse made the morning news again. Heck maybe CNN or MSNBC are taking notice."

Freddie rolls his eyes as Gabe changes it to a news channel. Two commentators were in a heated debate. A graphic on the bottom of the screen reads 'Pulse: Hero or Menace?'

"You can't deny that this so-called vigilante is making it increasingly difficult for the law enforcement agencies to do their jobs." An upset sounding man in his early forties with graying black hair. "He thinks he can take the law into his own hands!"

Freddie looks down and lets out a sigh. Gabe sees the anxiety in his friend's demeanor.

"Be that as it may, you can't deny the results." A fifty year old commentator with white hair stated. "Since this vigilante has hit the streets, crime has taken a significant twelve percent drop in the last month. And let us not forget the kidnapping of Gabriel Morgan who faced certain death if not for the intervention of Pulse."

Gabe looks at Freddie who has not taken his eyes off the screen.

"Also, social media has also responded to him. At least several dozen mentions of him on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr. His presence has had an impact." The white haired man said.

"Yes, but how long before other individuals follow his example and decide to put on costumes and become vigilantes in their own right?" The first commentator asked. "They could end up hurting themselves or other innocent bystanders."

Gabe quickly decides to turn off the television. "Too much TV is bad for you anyway."

"It's okay. I know doing this has me facing scrutiny from not just from the authorities but also the media." Freddie said with a smile.

"Hey, if Spiderman can deal with, so can Pulse." Gabe jokes.

Freddie gives him a half smile.

•••

Inside the precinct, Victor and Captain Thompson stand in the aftermath of their attempted ambush on Pulse. Thompson was fuming while Victor remained silent.

"Four of them got outclassed by her." Thompson replied, pacing back and forth. "Four highly trained individuals got taken down by ONE WOMAN!"

"And they freely admitted to that?" Victor remarked with a hidden smirk.

Thompson glares at Victor "This plan should have worked."

"You underestimated him. It's obvious a guy like that has friends." Victor said. "But I'm guessing you do, seeing how you've had problems with a vigilante yourself."

Thompson rubs his eyes from frustration. "She called herself Mockingbird. When I was still working as a detective, I had several run-ins with her. My guess is that this 'Woman in Black'' and Mockingbird are the same person."

"And I'm going to guess that you two had a falling out." Victor said, crossing his arms over his chest.

Thompson stares at him stone faced and says. "She killed my son."

Victor was thrown by this as Millie walks into the precinct. She looks around and carefully tries to avoid stepping on the broken glass.

"What happened?" Millie asked as she made her way towards them.

"What are you doing here?" Victor asked while Millie finally stood next to her dad. "You don't start work until two."

"I wanted to make sure you were all right. You left early without saying a word." Millie said then she looks up at the broken skylight. "Whoa! What happened?

"Nothing. Everything is fine." Victor replied, trying his best to reassure his daughter.

Millie looks at him intently. "And you're a terrible liar." Victor sighs. "What happened?"

Victor stares into her eyes and places a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Pulse showed up at the precinct last night."

"Wait, what?" Millie asked with astonishment in her voice.

"We tried to apprehend him but unfortunately he managed to get away." Victor stated.

Millie was speechless until she asked. "How?"

"Someone crashed down from the skylight, created a distraction and managed to save him." Victor explained.

Millie shakes her head and wrings her arms to get him to stop. "No. No. No. How were you able to get him here? I'm not an expert on vigilantes or anything but most of them don't go waltzing into a police precinct." Suddenly, she realizes what had happened. "You set him up."

"Millicent." Victor said calmly.

"You laid a trap. You tried to ambush him, didn't you?" Millie asked with disgust in her voice. "Pulse has saved my life... Twice. This is how you repay him?"

"Millie." Victor tried to explain.

"How could you do that? Why would you do that?" Millie yelled.

"Pulse is a criminal. He's breaking the law." Victor frankly told her.

At that moment, Danny quietly walks into the precinct.

"Apart from taking the law into his own hands, what laws has he broken?" Millie asked curtly and as Victor tried to list some charges off. "And don't say assault and reckless endangerment because the criminals he beats up obviously have it coming!"

"Your father is just doing his job, sweetheart." Thompson said.

Millie glowers at Thompson, pointing at him. "First of all, don't 'sweetheart' me. I find that incredibly condescending. Secondly, didn't he save several officers from a frozen car? Also, besides rescuing me, he also saved two of my friends. The guy has earned my respect." She scowls at her father. "And I'm slowly losing respect for you."

Millie turns her heels and walks off.

"Millicent, come back here." Victor demanded. "Millie!"

Millie continues walking, failing to notice or acknowledge Danny's presence.

"What was that about?" Danny asked but looked around. "Or the better question: what happened?"

Victor looks back at Thompson who nods.

"Last night, we set up an ambush on Pulse." Victor told his partner.

Danny stares at him. "You're serious? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you were dealing with the issues with your mother. Figured you couldn't focus on this properly with your family problems and trying to find Wynter." Victor said.

"That's your excuse?" Danny asked, sounding incredulous "I am more than capable at doing my job."

"It wasn't his call, son." Thompson stated. "It was mine. Victor wanted to tell you but I advised against it.

"So what made you all think I couldn't focus on this secret plan of yours?" Danny said in an incensed voice. "I could've helped."

"Not when you're chasing after your 'Woman in Black'." Thompson told him. "You were focused on trying to find this woman we thought may or may not have existed."

Danny looks at the two men. "What do you mean 'thought'?"

Victor sighs and looks at his partner. "We had Pulse surrounded but..." He points to the broken skylight "Your 'Woman in Black' leapt into the scene and saved him."

Danny stands there dumbfounded "She- she was here?"

"She not only helped Pulse escape, she also single handedly took down four members of the SWAT team." Thompson told Danny.

Danny scoffs. "Don't know whether or not I should be offended or impressed."

"And it gets worse." Victor said, looking at Thompson then back at Danny. "Apparently she is a vigilante from his early days as a detective named Mockingbird."

Danny glares at Thompson "So now you believe me? You kept telling me to stop chasing windmills and you knew who she was the whole time?"

"Son, I was unaware of the connection between these two women or the fact that they were one in the same." Thompson told him.

"I'm not sure I can deal with this right now." Danny said, sounding dejected.

"I think it's best if you take a few days off to clear your head." Thompson told him.

Danny looks at Victor and shakes his head. "Fine. But only because I have personal business to attend to." He goes to leave but turns to face them. "I may be young, I'm not an idiot. Let that sink in the next time you both decide to keep me out of the loop."

He turns back and leaves the building.

Victor looks at Thompson. "Hope your little vendetta didn't just ruin my relationship with my partner and my daughter."

Thompson goes to walk into his office, leaving Victor alone with his thoughts.

•••

Inside a swanky hotel room, the man who brutally attacked the TSA walks inside being flanked by two men in suits.

On a leather armchair, Alec Grayson sat with a tray of alcohol on the large table in front of the chair.

"Good morning, Mr Samus. How was your flight?" Alec cordially greeted the man but he said nothing. "Not well I take it."

"Where is he?" Samus asked Alec.

"Who?" Alec asked as the man glared at him.

"Your boss? The man who hired me." Samus said impatiently.

"Well, my boss had some personal business to attend to and couldn't get himself away. So he sent me in his stead." Alec said as he gestured for the man to sit in the armchair next to his. "Please have a seat."

"I haven't got time to make polite conversation. If you want this done, don't waste my time." Samus said.

"If you wish to get paid, I suggest you humor me." Alec said confidently. "Have a seat." Samus sits in the chair. "May I offer you a drink?"

"I do not partake in alcohol." Samus told him. "It dulls the senses."

"All right, I hope you don't mind if I have a drink then." Alec said as he served himself some scotch in a clear glass and took a sip. "So, I'm aware of your background."

"That so? What have you heard?" Samus asked.

"Well, Liam Samus, you are a dangerous man sought after by several world government organizations including the CIA, FSB, Interpol, HITA, just to name a few. Meaning that you are skilled at what you do." Alec said, speaking in an even manner.

"You are also aware that I am a man of integrity who only accepted those missions because those who hired me were in the right." Samus told him. "It isn't always black and white, Mr Grayson."

"So I've heard." Alec said, swirling the drink in his right hand.

"And what exactly does your boss want my services for?" Samus asked.

Alec pulls out a folder with some paperwork inside. "This is your target and what my boss wants done with him."

Samus opens the file and starts to look through it. After a moment of reading, his eyes widen as he looks up at Alec. "You cannot be serious."

"You aren't sure you can do it?" Alec asked smugly while sipping his beverage.

"I never said that. I frankly don't see the point. What kind of threat does he pose?" Samus asked.

"Keep reading." Alec said to him.

Samus leaves through some of the pages and sees something that makes him raise an eyebrow. "This is what your boss wants?"

"He wants to know what he is made of. What kind of man he really is." Alec said. "The Maestro believes he picked the right man for the job."

Samus smiles. "He has indeed."

The two men bring in a large wooden crate into the room and place it in the center of the room.

"This is your equipment?" Alec asked.

"Yes, I always send my weaponry ahead of me. Thankfully I got it through customs without any incident." Samus stated.

"You can thank me for that." Alec said "With the proper notarization, you can get anything past customs." Samus opens the crate and looks inside. "I'm curious to know what weapons you prefer."

"I use the tools of the samurai as well as the code of bushido." Samus pulls out two long samurai swords in sayas. "Tell your boss his mission will take a day or so."

"He understands." Alec said as he made his way out of the hotel room. "Happy hunting."

On the table, the folder lay open to a page of the police sketch of Pulse.

•••

Cassie was on a red Pearbook, tapping on a few keys and a legal pad was next to the computer with a few notes written on them. There was a knock at her door.

She walks over to the door and opens the door where she finds Danny standing at the door.

"Wow, ten on the dot." Cassie said, looking at a clock on the wall. "No one's gonna accuse you of not being punctual."

"Most people say 'good morning'." Danny said. "Guessing that most people don't accuse you of being well mannered."

"And if it weren't for the badge and the cash coming my way, you'd be seeing stars, Detective." Cassie stated while placing her hands on her hips.

"Really starting to feel that's all talk, Sinclair." Danny said as he walked inside.

"Most men do." Cassie said as she closed the door. "Then I introduce them to my right hook."

Danny smiles but he notices her grimace in pain. "You okay?"

Cassie feigns a smile as she adjusts her shoulders to shake off the pain. "Still sore from last night. You do remember I went up against Elsa, right?"

"I remember. Still don't know how you survived that." Danny acknowledged.

Cassie smirks. "Guess I'm made of sturdier stuff."

An amused Danny pulls out a folded up slip of paper and hands it to her. "I got the info you needed."

Cassie looks at the intricately folded piece of paper. "Whoa, didn't figure you for being into origami."

Danny groans as Cassie unfolds the paper and reads it. "That's the phone number that woman called my mother from."

Cassie walks over to the coffee table and sits on the couch and begins to type. She looks up and sees Danny just standing there. "Um, could you sit down, Parker. You're making me nervous."

Danny shrugs and sits down on the edge of the couch. He was mildly agitated. "How long do you think this will take?"

"Relax, Parker, Rome wasn't built in a day. It's gonna take some time. Especially with my less than stellar computer skills.." Cassie said as she types on the computer keyboard.

"You own a computer but you don't know how to use it?" Danny remarked in a teasing tone.

"I know enough to get by. Especially apps that are INCREDIBLY user friendly." Cassie jokes. "If I ever have problems, I do have a nephew who is a tech whiz so I save on going to a repair shop." She looks up at him and sees his anxiety and stares into space. "You all right?"

"What?" Danny said as snaps out of it. "Yeah. I'm f-fine."

"That right? Because you seem like you're gonna jump out of your skin." Cassie comments.

"I s-said I'm fine." Danny said to change the subject. "Can w-we leave it at t-that?"

"Okay." Cassie breathed, dropping the issue. Noticing that his stutter got worse the more agitated he was. "I've got this program that'll show me where this phone call was made, should take a few minutes unless it was made on a burn out phone. But the good news, it's a New York area code so that'll narrow down the search."

"Didn't know it was so easy to be a PI." Danny joked.

"Please, I'll make it look easy." Cassie gloated with a surprising hint of humility. "Considering I only deal with philandering husbands and low level con artists, I don't have to try too hard. Not exactly the hardcore criminal element."

"But you do have very good deductive reasoning." Danny stated.

Cassie raises an eyebrow. "Was that a compliment?"

"Can you take one without having to alert the media?" Danny said, scowling.

Cassie shakes her head and continues her work but relents and gives him some details. "My dad was a cop and so was my brother. Everyone figured I'd follow in their footsteps."

"And why didn't you?" Danny asked, his curiosity peaked.

Cassie looks at him, some trepidation in her expression. "If you must know, my juvenile criminal record. At one point, I spent a year in and out of juvie after..." She cleared the lump in her throat.

"Now you get quiet, Sinclair. After what?" Danny said playfully.

Cassie swallows hard and speaks. "After my parents died."

The room filled with awkward tension which was broken when Danny sighs deeply. "I am very sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up."

"It's okay." Cassie said reassuringly "It's been seventeen years and it still doesn't get easier."

"Is it okay to ask how it happened?" Danny asked calmly.

Cassie takes a deep breath. "Car accident. It was on New Year's Eve. They decided to spend it in Atlantic City while my brother took me and my friends to Time Square to watch the ball drop. We came home around two in the morning when there was a police cruiser waiting. There was ice on the road and..."

"Look, let's just forget it. You don't have to tell me anything if it's making you upset." Danny said.

Cassie sighs as she wipes the tears near her eyes. "It's fine. The therapist they made me see while I was in juvie told me it's good to vent. Even if it's with someone you don't know."

"Yes, because you've always been an open book." Danny quips.

Cassie scowls at him when her computer beeps. "I got something."

Danny inches closer to the computer. "You found her."

"Not exactly sure where the call came from." Cassie said and read the location. "It..." She stares at the screen and cocks her head to one side. "Huh?"

"What is it? Where'd the call come from?" Danny asked anxiously.

Cassie looks at him. "New York State Women's Correctional Facility."

Danny looks at her incredulously. Things were going to get interesting.

•••

Freddie and Gabe walk toward the door to their dorm room at the St George. Freddie stayed close to his friend as Gabe limps a bit down the hall. The door had been repaired early that morning but there was still police tape strapped around the door frame.

A few students that were in the hallway quickly went back into their rooms after Gabe and Freddie entered the hall.

"Great, nothing like being a pariah to do wonders for your self esteem." Gabe quips as he removes the tape from the door.

"Please, try having someone tell all of the internet you've never been kissed. That'll make you feel like an outcast." Freddie said which made Gabe chuckle.

Gabe opens the door and finds the place still in disarray with broken debris on the ground, including the shards of Gabe's Pearbook. He reaches down and picks up a large chuck of it.

"Well, I was meaning to get a new one anyway." Gabe said.

"Did you back up everything on the external hard drive?" Freddie asked as he tried to clean up.

"Everything but the stuff from Project Sub-Zero which is good. Last thing I need is for my dad to find out I helped steal those files." Gabe said as he crouched down to pick up the pieces of the broken computer. "Oh and remind me to get those files back into the archives. Don't wanna be caught red handed."

"Will do." Freddie said as he picked up Cassie's hunting knife. "Can't believe Cassie carries around a knife like this."

"Would've surprised me if she didn't. She seems like the sort to be prepared for anything." Gabe replies as Freddie puts the knife away in his backpack with intent to return to Cassie. "If she had… you know, knowing that she tried to save me, I would've never forgiven myself for-"

"Dude, it's over now. Everyone is okay so no need to stress about it, okay?" Freddie assured his friend.

Gabe nods "Okay."

Freddie quickly changes the subject. "So… is your dad still mad about the mini heist?"

"If he still was, he didn't really show it." Gabe retorts "He stayed a few hours after the doctors made sure I was okay then he left to tell my mom how I was doing. She didn't get to come because she was still resting."

"At least your dad stayed, that says a lot, doesn't it?" Freddie said as he straightened up.

"It only tells me he felt guilty for what happened. My father has the habit of making things about him about him even when they're not." Gabe replied. "One of the many bad characteristics he genetically passed on to me."

"Come on dude, you aren't a TOTAL narcissist." Freddie said to reassure his friend. Gabe just laughs when there is a knock at the door. "I got it."

"So, what's the plan for tonight?" Gabe asked, throwing the pieces in a garbage bag.

"Fight crime. Save some people. Crack some bad guy skulls. You know, the usual." Freddie said nonchalantly. He opens the door and is surprised at what he finds.

Standing that the door was a pretty young woman who was his age. She had long pretty auburn hair and wore stylish but fun clothing paired with an aqua blue scarf wrapped around her neck.

The look on Freddie's face suggested he knew her. "Wendy?"

It was Wendy Trent, the gossip queen of Ridgeway who he and his friends were close to. "Hi, is this Gabe Morgan's-" She looks at him and is just as surprised to see him. "Oh my gosh. Freddie? Freddie Benson?" Freddie smiled as she went to hug him. "What are you doing here?"

"Um, I'm Gabe's roommate. What are you doing here?" Freddie asked while Wendy pulled away from the hug.

"I'm actually here to interview Gabe." Wendy informed him. "It's part of my assignment for my journalism class."

"Yeah, I forgot that you got into Columbia." Freddie said as he looked at Gabe "This is Wendy. She's a friend of mine from Seattle, we went to high school together."

Wendy smiles and waves at Gabe. "It's really nice to meet you."

"Same here." Gabe said in a friendly manner, flashing a smile that made Wendy blush.

"This has to be total serendipity." Wendy explained excitedly. "Last time I saw you was at the Graduation party I threw."

"I remember. I also recall you making out with Shane the whole night." Freddie said grinning.

"Well, I had to find out if he's a good kisser before we both went our separate ways." Wendy stated "Heard he got into CalTech."

"Yeah, I got a few emails from him. Kinda gets jumpy when I mention either Carly or Sam." Freddie said laughing.

"Well, he did end up falling down an elevator shaft because of them so that'd make any normal person a little jumpy." Wendy said.

"Wait, your friends threw him down an elevator shaft?" Gabe said with eyes wide in horror.

"It's a long story." Freddie said, not wanting to get into details.

Gabe smirks then he glances at Wendy. "So, you're writing an article about me?"

"Not exactly." Wendy said frankly. "You may be the Crown Prince of David Morgan's tech empire but you aren't the biggest game in town anymore."

"And who is?" Freddie asked, curiosity peaked.

"If it's Wade Collins, I will hurl myself over the balcony." Gabe said in a jokingly mortified manner.

"Ew, no!" Wendy said, nearly gagging. "I'm actually doing a story on the city's masked vigilante."

"I didn't know the Arrow had moved to New York." Gabe quips.

Wendy laughs. "I'm talking about Pulse, duh."

Freddie looks at Gabe and they share a quick look of concern as he looks back at Wendy "Y-you're writing a story about Pulse?"

"Yeah, I'm interviewing people who came into contact with him. People he's saved, that sorta thing." Wendy said.

"And you want to interview me to get my thoughts on my experience." Gabe stated.

"You don't mind, do you?" Wendy asked Gabe.

Gabe gives his trademark winning smile and shakes his head. "Not at all. Take a seat anywhere."

Wendy goes to sit on Freddie's bed while Gabe sat on his own bed across from her. Freddie leans against the wall, ready to hear the interview. She pulls out her cellphone and holds it like you would hold a tape recorder. "So, you came into contact with Pulse last night."

"Yeah, he saved my life." Gabe said frankly. "I was taken captive by a woman who had a major ax to grind with my dad."

"Really, what did she have against your dad?" Wendy asked.

Gabe smiles. "I'm actually not really at liberty to discuss that."

"Why is that?" She asked.

"Because I know that if you don't get your facts straight, my dad's army of lawyers will come after you and sue you for libel." Gabe warned. "My dad likes to cover his bases.

"I'm aware of your dad's habit of doing that." Wendy said laughing. Freddie rolls his eyes at Gabe laying on the charm. "All right, let's move on. From your interaction with him, what was he like?"

"I actually don't remember much. My brain is still feeling the effects of hypothermia." Gabe told her. "What I do remember is that the guy pulled out all the stops to save me."

Freddie sheepishly looks down.

"And why do you think that is?" Wendy asked curiously.

"I don't know. I think you'd have to ask him." Gabe stated as he looked at Freddie for a second. "Is that all you need or would you like to get to know me a bit better?"

Wendy blushes and Freddie laughs a bit. "Yeah, I think what you told me will work. Thank you." Wendy got up from the bed. She looks at Freddie "Say, if you aren't too busy this week, maybe we can grab a smoothie and catch up?"

Freddie smiles. "Um, yeah. That'd be great."

"Great, I'll email you, okay?" Wendy said beaming as he walked her out. "Later."

Freddie nods as she leaves and he closes the door. He lets out a sigh of relief. "That was awkward."

"First it was your friend Brad trying to get Pulse on tape, now another friend of yours wants an actual interview with him." Gabe addressed the situation. "Awkward doesn't begin to describe it."

"I just hope that she isn't trying to get more than just experiences from those I saved." Freddie said.

"Like her wanting a one on one interview with the genuine article?" Gabe suggested.

Freddie looks down. "My life really is awkward."

"What are you gonna do?" Gabe asked.

"I honestly have no idea." Freddie said in a worried tone.

The two friends stare at each other with great concern.

•••

Danny was speaking on his cellphone with someone while Cassie made coffee in the kitchen. He finishes his phone call and walks into the kitchen.

"It's done. The warden has a meeting with the inmate tomorrow at ten." Danny told her.

"How'd you manage that?" Cassie asked, handing him a mug.

"She told me one of the inmates had been making unsanctioned phone calls in the last month." Danny said while drinking from the mug. "They managed to find out who and once I told her about the connection to it, she wanted me to question her."

"Did they tell you who it was?" Cassie asked, sipping her coffee.

"She said her name was Pamela Puckett." Danny told her, causing Cassie to do a sip take and cough. "Whoa, you alright there?"

"Yeah... I'm ... Fine." Cassie said, still coughing. She is able to speak once she manages to clear her throat. "You sure... she said Puckett?"

"Yeah, why?" Danny asked "Do you know her?"

"Sort of." Cassie said. "She's the mother of one of Freddie's best friends, Sam Puckett."

Danny looks stunned. "Oh."

"Maybe she isn't the woman who called. She could be covering for someone else." Cassie retorts.

"Do you know anything about Mrs Puckett?" Danny asked.

"Well... from what Freddie's told me she's a crazed, man-eating, serial monogamist who has been arrested in several states." Cassie stated.

"And her daughters?" Danny said.

"I've never had the pleasure of meeting either Sam or her twin sister Melanie but Freddie is best friends with Sam." She told him.

"What's she like?" Danny asked.

Cassie grins knowingly. "I'll put it this way – if and when you meet her, you'll be in for a wild ride."

"That's not very comforting." Danny groans. "I'm going to have to ask Puckett why she contacted my mother. She has to have some logical reason for doing so."

"Granted this is a woman who got arrested in Las Vegas after rushing the stage at a Celine Dion concert and yanked out her hair extensions because she thought Celine was lip syncing." Cassie said.

Danny rubs his eyes. "This isn't helping, Sinclair."

"Don't worry, I'll protect you from the lunatic." Cassie said jokingly.

Danny shakes his head when there is a knock at the door. "Are you expecting someone?"

Cassie shakes her head and heads to the door. She opens the door and finds Alec standing there. "Al? Hey, what are you doing here?

"I was in the neighborhood and was wondering if you were free for lunch." Alec said.

"Really, Mr I-Have-A-Penthouse-On-The-Upper-East-Side was 'just in the neighborhood'?" Cassie jokes.

"As I recall, we both grew up in this neighborhood, Sand. Remember?" Alec said.

"Thought you'd forgotten." Cassie said with a smile.

Alec senses something is a miss. "Is this a bad time?"

"Kind of. I'm working a case and my client is here with me." Cassie informed him.

"Oh, well bring her along. She's probably been to where I want to take you." Alec said.

"Actually HE isn't my usual clientele." Cassie said as she bites her bottom lip when Danny steps into frame "Danny, this is Alec Grayson. Alec, this is Danny Parker."

"Yeah, I think we sort of met a few nights ago at that rave we went to in order to find your nephew." Alec informed him as he sized up Danny.

Danny senses the icy stare of Mr Grayson and gives him his own steely eyed stare.

Cassie gets between them and breaks the tension. "Down boys. We can all be friends here so no need for the Alpha Male posturing, all right?"

The two men stare at each other until Danny offers his hand for a shake. "Nice to officially meet you."

Alec stares at the hand and takes it, gripping it tightly as Danny grips tightly as well. "Likewise."

Cassie groans and grabs the wrists of the two men and squeezes tightly causing the two to let go. The two grab their wrists in pain and stare at her with varying looks of annoyance. "You two want to act like petulant children, I will treat you like it."

Danny looks at Alec. "Has she always been like this?"

"Yes." Alec bluntly said which caused her to punch him in the arm. "Ah! Ow!"

Cassie's phone chimes and a text message from Freddie reads 'Come to the Cave. Team Meeting.' "And as much as I love to cause you two physical pain, I've got some family issues to attend to."

"Guessing lunch is off the table?" Alec said, rubbing his arm.

"Yep, but maybe you two could go to lunch and get to know each other better." She said as she ushered them out the door. "I'll see you tomorrow at ten, Parker."

"You're going to slam the door in our faces, aren't you?" Danny asked.

Cassie grins. "Who says you aren't smart?" With that she slams the door hard. She sighs and leans against the door. "Boys."

•••

Danny and Alec stare at each other confused and Alec just walks away. "Don't expect me to take you to lunch, Detective."

"As if I would accept the invitation, Counselor." Danny said as Alec leaves. He runs his hand through his hair and leaves the opposite direction of the hallway.

•••

At the main facility of Morgan Innovations, Gabe and Freddie exit an elevator into the floor where his dad's office was. "Thanks for coming with me. I don't think that I would've gotten into the archives without drawing attention." Gabe said as they walked past the secretary.

"No problem, man. Besides, we're a team, right?" Freddie said smiling.

Gabe laughs as he greets the pretty twenty nine year old secretary who had long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail and wore a tight black dress. "Morning Lana."

Lana looks up at him. "Gabe, hey. How are you? I heard about what happened."

Gabe takes a breath and gives her a reassuring nod. "Obviously everyone knows, huh?"

"Everyone is really glad you're okay." Lana said as she playfully touched his cheek. "I know I am."

Gabe smiles and Freddie rolls his eyes. "Is my dad here?"

"Yeah, he's having a meeting with Mr Hawkins while having his session." Lana explained.

"Poor Lucius. I have to put up with my dad's multitasking." Gabe said sincerely.

"Session?" Freddie said quizzically.

"You'll see." Gabe said as Freddie followed Gabe into his dad's office.

Inside the well decorated office, a tall African American man with a shaven bald head stands a few feet away as two fencers are in the middle of the heated exchange.

"David, I still don't think this is a wise investment." The man said as one of the fencers thrust at his opponent, landing a touch.

"I'm aware of your apprehension." The fencer who landed the touch said it was David Morgan. "Skylark Tech is our biggest competitor. The fact that we have a chance for a buyout is unprecedented."

The other fencer made an attempt to strike him but David effortlessly deflects it, scoring another touch.

Freddie watches this intently while Gabe seems bored. "Your dad's pretty good." Freddie comments.

"Should be. He's been taking lessons since he was a kid. Tried to get me to take lessons but I chose to take guitar lessons instead" Gabe said. "Musicians are chick magnets. Fencers, not so much."

Freddie grimaces which turns into a smirk.

David turns and sees Gabe and Freddie. "Boys." Lucius also turns and sees the boys inside the office.

"Gabriel, what are you doing here? You should be resting." Lucius said with concern.

"I'm fine, really." Gabe said to him as he hugged Lucius. "Freddie has been keeping a close eye on me."

"Hey." Freddie said politely to Lucius and David.

David looks to his fencing instructor. "Think that's enough for today."

The instructor nods and bows to him and leaves the room, leaving his equipment including protective body gear and face mask. David removes his face mask and looks at the boys.

"That was really impressive, Mr Morgan." Freddie stated.

"Thank you very much, Fredward. And please, call me David." David said, flashing the trademark charming smile he shared with his son. "What brings you two down here?"

"Nothing, just wanted to show Freddie what goes on around here." Gabe said. "Freddie's a big tech buff and wanted to see if it lives up to the hype."

"And what do you think so far?" Lucius asked Freddie.

"Honestly, this place is awesome." Freddie said enthusiastically.

"You should see the stuff in the R&D department." Lucius said in a friendly manner that puts Freddie at ease. "There are a lot of fun projects down there."

"Freddie, this is my dad's business partner, Lucius Hawkins." Gabe introduced him. "Lu, this is my friend Freddie Benson."

Freddie extends his arm to offer a handshake. "It's nice to meet you, Mr Hawkins."

Lucius smiles and accepts the handshake. "You as well. I've heard a lot about you."

Freddie smiles sheepishly and looks at David. "Mr Morgan..." David gives him a look and Freddie corrects himself. "David... Gabe said you've been fencing since you were a kid."

"That's correct. Fencing has been in our family for generations, dating back to the eighteenth century. My great grandfather was an Olympic class fencer and won several medals for the United Kingdom in his prime." David bragged. "Unfortunately, my son never showed a passion for it."

Gabe lets out an annoyed sigh as Freddie picks up a saber and holds it up. Balances like an expert would which David notices.

"Do you fence, Fredward?" David asked.

With a bashful smile, Freddie said. "A little."

David grins and motions his head to point at the equipment. "Care to demonstrate your skills?"

"Dad, come on." Gabe said in a mortified tone.

"It's okay, I don't mind." Freddie reassured his friend.

"Well, put on some gear, I believe in safety first." David said to him.

Freddie shrugs and begins to put on the Kevlar vest then the mask. He picks up the saber and stands face to face with David.

[Soundtrack Note: 'Wildest Ones' by ZAYDE WOLF plays. Please enjoy]

Gabe and Lucius stand back and get ready to watch.

"Please tell me your friend can actually fence." Lucius said worriedly.

Gabe simpers at Lucius. "Dad's about to find out."

"En gardé." David calls out as Freddie holds up the saber.

"Oh gosh." Gabe said facepalming.

David and Freddie clang swords and begin to engage. The two men are locked in armed combat and David sees an opportunity to score a touch but Freddie notices he left himself open to attack and he deflects the attack and scores a touch on David.

David appears surprised at Freddie's skills. As are Gabe and Lucius who stare in surprised awe.

"That wasn't beginners' luck, was it Fredward?" David stated.

"Nope." Freddie said confidently.

"Well, I had planned to go easy on you but that seems rather pointless." David said as he readied to go again. "I won't be holding back now."

"Okay." Freddie said anxiously. He holds up his saber. "En gardé."

The two continue their fencing battle with David on the offensive but Freddie countered with defensive tactics such as circle parries and ripostes. After some trying, David did score a touch on Freddie using a remise tactic.

David lifts up his mask and stares at Freddie "Not bad, Fredward."

Freddie also pulls up his mask and grins at David. "Thanks, but this isn't over yet."

David beams as he and Freddie lower their masks and prepare for another match up.

Gabe and Lucius watch this thoroughly entertained. No one has ever been able to match David in fencing skills. Until now.

"Êtes-vous prêts?" David exclaimed which was French for 'Are you ready?'

"Allez" Freddie answered. Meaning 'Go'

The two men engage in a battle with swift and furious moves with parries, thrusts and lunges. Neither one gives the other an inch.

Gabe watches this amused, wondering whether or not Freddie was using his enhanced strength and speed to gain the advantage but was too pleased to care.

Freddie was going to go for a last lunge to win but David plays dirty and uses his saber to trip his feet. This causes Freddie to land flat on his back.

"Whoa!" Gabe stated as he and Lucius reacted.

[Soundtrack Note: Song ends]

Freddie groans as he removes his mask when all of a sudden, David touches the center of his chest. A victorious smile on his face.

"What the hell!" Gabe said angrily, walking closer to them.

David looks over at Gabe and removes his mask. He realizes what he's done and appears remorseful. "I am sorry, Fredward. My competitive spirit got the better of me."

"Understatement." Gabe said while Gabe helped Freddie get to his feet.

"Relax, it's not a big deal." Freddie said, dusting himself off and looking at David. "You're really good."

"Hey, you aren't too bad yourself." David said. "Your movements were quite fluid. You almost had me."

"Till you cheated." Gabe said under his breath which caused David to glare at him.

"Dude, chill. It's cool." Freddie adamantly reassured Gabe.

"Sure?" Gabe asked.

Freddie nods. "Yeah, totally fine."

"That was quite spectacular, Mr Benson." Lucius replied.

"Thanks." Freddie said sheepishly, removing the vest.

"Now don't be so modest, Fredward." David said. "How long have you been taking lessons?"

"Since I was thirteen, guess you could say fencing kind of in my blood." Freddie said. "My great grandfather was a part of a fencing troupe for the Tingling Bros Circus."

David raises an eyebrow as a playful smile forms on his face. "You wouldn't by any chance be talking about the Fencin' Bensons?"

Freddie seems surprised. "Yeah. Have you heard of them?"

"Why, yes. My great grandfather took my grandfather to one of their last performances." David said.

"No way." Freddie said in astonishment.

"Yes. My grandfather told me how one of the performers used two sabers that were on fire." David said.

"Wow. No wonder my mom thought fencing was dangerous." Freddie said with a laugh.

Gabe just shakes his head in amusement when he looks at his Pearphone. "Um Freddie, we gotta go."

Freddie looks at Gabe then remembers calling a team meeting. "Right. I almost forgot."

"It's all right. We have a meeting with Skylark Tech. It's rather important." David said.

"Let's motor, Benson." Gabe said.

Freddie sets the saber down and walks with Gabe out of the office.

"Hope you boys come back soon." Lucius said. "Give Freddie a tour of the R&D department."

The boys look back at the adults. "We'll take you up on that offer, Lu." Gabe said and the two boys left.

•••

The boys walk out of the building side by side. Gabe stares at Freddie still stunned and Freddie notices "Dude, what?"

"You told me you were good at fencing but you never said you were THAT good." Gabe stated.

"Yeah, it's something I don't brag about." Freddie said as they continued walking. "Like you said, fencers aren't exactly beating girls off with a stick."

Gabe pats Freddie on the back. "And I will eat a bit of crow, my dad never made fencing look that cool."

"Guess it doesn't hurt that I have practice because of my night time activities." Freddie said laughing. "So, Lucius seems like a pretty cool guy."

"Yeah, Lu is awesome. He's more of a father to me than my dad ever was when I was growing up." Gabe said. "In fact, he's my godfather."

"Wow." Freddie said, exhaling. "Really needed that fencing session to get my mind off the Wendy situation."

"Still stumped about what to do?" Gabe asked.

Freddie shakes his head. "I think I know what to do. I just got to run it by the others first."

"Good call. Last thing you want is to keep Mama Cass in the dark." Gabe said.

"I'm more worried about Millie, I'd hate to have her mad at me." Freddie said.

Gabe laughs. "Who would've thought this would be the biggest problem you'd have."

"For now, I hope that stays that way." Freddie said as they walked off.

•••

Inside Liam Samus' hotel room, he was sharpening his swords with a flint and was chanting under his breath. Using the scrapes of the flint as a sort of metronome.

Samus was deep in meditation as he set down his sharpened swords on a table with several sharp bladed weapons including a few throwing knives.

He picks up one of the throwing knives and gets up off the floor. Looking over at something on the wall, he throws the knife at what he was staring at.

Taped to the wall was the sketch of Pulse and the knife landed right between the eyes.

•••

At the Pulse Cave, Millie was punching a practice dummy in the dojo. Her punches seemed okay but her form was lacking. She was frustrated for another reason.

Footsteps are heard and a figure enters the dojo.

"Plant your feet."

Millie turns around and finds Cassie entering the dojo and walking up to her.

"Strong foundation." Cassie said as she grabs Millie's waist and moves her leg back to get her in a better stance. "Equals a stronger punch."

Millie nods and throws a much better punch at the dummy.

"Not bad." Cassie which makes Millie smile. Cassie then goes behind the dummy and faces her.

"You know what my dad did, right?" Millie said angrily as she threw a few punches.

"I was the one who rescued Freddie so yeah." Cassie said.

"Why would he do that? I thought he trusted Pulse? He saved my life and he set him up like that!" Millie asked, still punching hard until her last punch caused her to hurt her hand. "Ow!"

"You okay?" Cassie said with concern as Millie rings out her hand in pain.

"I'm fine. Just threw a punch too hard." Millie said as she checked her knuckles.

Cassie walks over to her. "Let me see."

"It's nothing." Millie insisted.

"I'll be the judge of that." Cassie said, motioning for her to show her injuries by using her palms.

Millie gives in and shows her the injured hand. Cassie inspects it and sees a deep and bloody scratch on her knuckle. "Okay, it might be something."

"Doesn't look like you need stitches but it's pretty deep." Cassie stated as she stared at the wound. She places her hand over the injury.

"What are you doing?" Millie asked wide eyed.

"I'm healing you. Now hold still. It makes it easier." Cassie said as her hand glowed in a pale blue light.

Millie tried to decline the offer. "You don't have to-"

"I'm not going to have you go back to your dad and have you try to explain this." Cassie said, indicating the wound.

Millie sighs and relents. Cassie focuses on healing Millie as Millie stares in wonder at the wound slowly disappearing. After a few seconds, Cassie moves her hand away and Millie stares at the back of her hand in amazement.

"Wow." Millie exclaimed. Cassie smiles weakly and catches her breath. "Are you all right?"

Cassie nods. "Yeah. Just take a bit out of me in order to do that."

"If it hurts you, maybe you shouldn't do it anymore." Millie said.

"I don't mind." Cassie said, half smiling. "I've got so much strength, I'm giving it away."

Millie smiles. "You certainly seem like you can take care of yourself."

"While most girls were playing with dolls, I was climbing trees and doing balancing acts on the monkey bars at school." Cassie said as she mimicked walking on a tightrope with a line on the floor. "Still played dress up but I would use a towel as a cape and pretend to be a superhero or put on my brother's bomber jacket and pretend I was Kelly Garrett."

"Who?" Millie asked with a confused look on her face.

Cassie looks back at her, knowing she wouldn't get the reference. "Nevermind." Millie grins a bit. "Can I ask you something?"

"What?" Millie asked.

"Why are you so eager to learn how to fight?" Cassie asked which caused Millie to look down. "You aren't considering joining Freddie out in the field, are you?"

Millie shakes her head. "No." She sits down on a wooden bench and sighs. "I-I don't want to be weak. I'm sick of being the one having to be rescued. I-I wanna be strong. I wanna feel powerful, like you."

Cassie looks at her with a sympathetic smile and sits down next to her. "Being strong has nothing to do with being able to beat people up. Granted, it's a nice bonus." Millie laughs at this. "A wise woman once told me that true power comes from the heart. I know it sounds like a cliché but it's true. And you've got the biggest heart that I've ever seen."

"Really?" Millie sounded surprised.

"Absolutely. Look at all that you've been through so much and I'm not just talking about the stuff you've been through since Freddie got his powers." Cassie stated "And you're still here. That's real strength."

Millie smiles, "I still want to learn."

Cassie nods. "I'll teach you. Just don't expect to be Buffy Summers overnight. It takes practice."

Millie places her arm around Cassie's shoulder.

A big smile comes upon Cassie's face as footsteps are heard inside the hideout.

The girls go into the main area where they find Freddie, Gabe and Pete walking into the main room. Gabe sees Cassie and he runs over to Cassie, giving her a hug.

"Whoa." Cassie exclaimed in surprise. "Um… hi."

After a long awkward moment, Gabe realizes what he did and pulls away from the hug. "Oh, man. I'm sorry. Just really glad you aren't dead."

"Right back at yeah, Richie Rich." Cassie said, smiling.

Freddie reaches into his backpack and pulls out her knife. "You left this at the dorm. Probably forgot it after what happened."

"Thanks, kiddo." Cassie said as he handed it back to her. She straps the holster to her leg. "So, why did you call the meeting?" She asked. "Wynter bust out?"

"Did my dad find out who you are and is coming for you?" Millie asked, sounding concerned.

"No and thankfully no." Freddie said. "Something happened and I want you guys to know first."

"What's going on?" Pete asked.

"Yeah, Freddie, spit it out." Cassie said.

"Um... Wendy, a friend of mine from Seattle, is trying to score an interview for her journalism class." Freddie said nervously. "With Pulse."

"Wait, another one of your friends is trying to find Pulse?" Millie said.

Freddie nods. "Yes."

"Man, kid, you've got some rotten luck." Pete stated.

"I'm aware of that, thank you." Freddie said, rubbing the right side of his temple with fingers.

"How do you want to handle this?" Cassie asked.

"That's why I called the team meeting." Freddie told them. "I want to give her the interview."

"What?!" The four exclaimed in unison which caused Freddie to recoil in surprise.

"Are you out of your mind?" Millie asked.

"You barely escaped from a police ambush and you want to be interviewed by one of your high school friends?" Millie asked.

"If I knew this was gonna be your idea, I would've talked you out of it. This is beyond a bad decision." Gabe stated.

"That's putting it mildly." Cassie said sternly. "I didn't save your tail last night from the cops for you to blow your secret to one of your friends so she can write an article."

"I don't want to reveal my secret identity to Wendy." Freddie said. "I'll let her interview me or at least give her something to put in her article without having to reveal my secret to her." The four glance at each other. "I know it's a stupid plan but I need to do this. Just to help out Wendy."

Cassie looks down at Freddie. "You're right, it is a stupid plan... but I will respect your decision."

"Hey, maybe you can kiss her and make her forget you're Pulse." Gabe stated as the others stared at him confused "What? It worked for Superman in the Richard Donner films."

"I think what Gabe means is, we're behind you. Even if you end up crashing and burning." Millie said.

"I gotta agree with Cassie on this one." Pete spoke up.

"You would." Gabe mumbles under his breath.

"I mean, this plan doesn't sound very solid." Pete said, ignoring Gabe's comment. "What if a bunch of low level thugs decide to pick a fight with you and your friend gets caught in the crossfire?"

"A million things could go wrong if this isn't done carefully." Cassie stated.

"I gotta at least try." Freddie said. "It's my call, okay?"

The four stare at each other and Cassie lets out a sigh. "Where do you wanna start?"

Freddie breathes in and exhales. "I have Wendy's email address. I was think we could send her a message but make it untraceable so she can't use it to find us."

"Your friend is tech-savvy?" Gabe asked.

"No but she's sweet and charming enough to ask someone to trace it for her." Freddie said. "Think you can send her an untraceable message to Wendy?"

"Should be easy enough." Gabe said as he walked towards the hub.

"Maybe you don't have to." Cassie said, which makes everyone turn to her. "Freddie, last night you were able to find Gabe. Do you remember how you did it?"

"Yeah, I- uh- I used electronic magnetic frequencies and digital information to go through Gabe's files that he had already found the night before." Freddie said matter-of-factly.

"Wait, since when have you been able to do that?" Millie asked.

"I don't know, a couple weeks or so." Freddie stated.

"Makes sense, his powers are evolving. Including his cyperpathic powers." Gabe explained. "Him being able to manipulate certain EM frequencies seemed like the next logical step."

"So you could've hacked into the mainframe of the Archives on your own?" Pete asked.

"Not that simple." Gabe said, shaking his head. "From what I've read about cyberpathy, a person's brain has to be focused. Freddie's brain IS evolving but it couldn't have disabled the security cameras AND disarmed the actual security system. It'd tax the brain. He either would've passed out and that's the best case scenario."

"And worst case?" Cassie asked.

"His brain would've fried." Gabe frankly stated.

"Fried?" Millie gasped.

"Well, more cook than fry." Gabe said with the others expressions of horror.

"Um… Back to a more pleasant topic..." Freddie looks over at Cassie. "Why did you ask about how I found Gabe?"

"Maybe you could use those powers to send your friend the message." Cassie suggested. "Email is basically electronic information, right?"

"Well, the human brain works using electric pulses. Essentially a cyberpath's brain works like a wireless computer." Gabe said.

"Maybe but what if it doesn't work and my brain... cooks?" Freddie asked apprehensively.

"You know Wendy's email address, right?" Gabe asks and Freddie nods. "So that means you can pinpoint an exact IP location and send a message electronically. It's gonna take some serious focus but your brain will be under less stress if you had to find her without it."

"All right, but walk me through this. I've never done this before." Freddie said nervously.

"I don't think I'll have to." Gabe said reassuringly. "It's innate, you'll figure it out."

Freddie sits on the chair in front of the main computer monitor of the hub.

"Do you know what you're going to say?" Cassie asked.

Freddie nods. "I have a pretty good idea." He takes a breath in and closes his eyes. The room became so silent that you could probably hear a pin drop.

Freddie's eyes snap open to reveal they are glowing bright blue.

•••

Outside of a fancy brownstone home, Wendy exits with Daphne Waller who seems to be doing better than the last time she was seen.

"Thanks again for the interview." Wendy said cheerfully.

"No problem. It's a good thing you came here early. I don't think my mom would've let you interview me." Daphne said with a smile. "She's been very protective since the incident."

"It's totally fine. I'm glad to get your experience with Pulse." Wendy said. Her Pearphone chimes to tell her she had an email. "I have to go. It was nice meeting you."

"You too." Daphne said to her as she went back inside.

Wendy pulls out her phone and checks her email and sees the recent one reads 'Want to Meet Pulse?'. She seems rather puzzled by this and wants to delete the email thinking it might be spam or a prank but something compelled her to click on the email which she began to read.

'Wendy Trent,

Word on the street is that you are looking for a one on one interview with Pulse. I believe I can get that for you. I am a close friend of Pulse and I can get him to meet with you.

Before you decide this might be a hoax, don't. I want to help you.

Go to the apartment building on 25th and Amethyst and go to the roof. Pulse will meet you there at 8:05 pm.

PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS!'

Wendy stares at the email perplexed and tries to reply to the email but finds she is unable to do so. She seems worried about this. What if it was a prank by one of her tech savvy fellow classmates in her journalism class?

Worse, what if this was a psycho trying to lure her into a dangerous situation? But how could a perfect stranger know about the article she was writing? So many questions swirl through Wendy's head that it makes her head spin.

Wendy puts her phone away and walks off as she mutters under her breath. "I am an idiot for doing this."

•••

Back at the Pulse Cave, the four watch as Freddie sits in the chair. Suddenly, Freddie closes his eyes and breathes deeply which catches them off guard. His eyes open and they have gone back to normal as he tries to catch his breath.

"Freddie?" Millie asked with concern.

"Dude, you okay?" Gabe asked.

Freddie looked up at them and there was a small trickle of blood running under his nose.

"Oh god. You're bleeding." Millie said as Cassie pulled out some wet naps from her jacket pocket. She takes one and places it underneath his nose.

"These always come in handy." Cassie said.

"Oh wow." Freddie said surprised as he grabs the wet nap from his aunt and finishes wiping away the blood. "It's done. I sent Wendy the message."

"Now what?" Gabe said.

Freddie finishes wiping the blood and looks at his friends. "Play the waiting game."

Millie looks at her Pearphone. "Well, you guys are gonna have to do that without me. I have to work."

Cassie raises an eyebrow. "You're still going?"

Millie smiles brightly at her friends. "I may be wazzed off at him but seeing as I need the money so I'll suck it up and deal. Later."

Cassie looks at Freddie who gives her a look that reads. 'Tell them.' "Wait a sec." Millie stops and she, Gabe and Pete look at her. "Before you leave, I need to show you guys something."

Millie appears confused, Pete stood there stoically and Gabe braced himself. He guessed what she was going to show them.

Cassie grabs her knife from the leg holster while the gang watches. "You know how I said that I can heal? Well, I wasn't just talking about healing others." She takes the knife and slices her forearm from elbow to wrist. Her tendons are visible from the open wound.

"What the-" Millie gasped.

The four recoil in horror and watch as the deep slash begins to heal quickly. The sound of the squishing of muscle tissue is heard as the slash fully heals in a matter of seconds.

"Whoa!" Gabe exclaimed.

"Holy chizz!" Millie stated.

Pete remained silent while Freddie was taken by surprise. Despite the fact that she told him her secret, this was still an amazing sight to behold.

Millie gulps and pulls out her Pearphone. "I'm taking a sick day."

Cassie smiles and breathes a sigh of relief, glad this was finally out in the open.

•••

Danny was at his loft on his laptop computer. He was watching videos online, more specifically an old iCarly podcast. More specifically one of the many with the 'The Cowboy and the Idiot Farm Girl Who Thinks The Cowboy's Mustache was a Squirrel' sketch.

"I like your squirrel." Carly's voice is heard said in the ditzy Farm Girl tone. "I'm gonna pet it."

"Dang flabbit, girl! If I ain't told you once, I told you a thousand times, there be no squirrel on my face!" Sam's voice is heard saying in a country western accent.

"You're stupid." Carly's voice answered.

Danny seemed mildly assumed by this but his attention was focused on the blond. This girl could very well be his half sister.

Suddenly, his cellphone rings and he checks the caller ID. Danny lets out an agitated groan, lowers the volume and answers. "Now you want to talk to me, Victor?"

"I owe you an apology." Victor's voice is heard saying. "I wanted to tell you but the captain thought you were emotionally compromised."

"If it was about the Woman in Black, who turns out to be a vigilante named Mockingbird, hope the both of you are having a nice helping of crow right now." Danny said in an annoyed manner.

"Not just that. It was also your family troubles. I thought you should focus on that instead of our failed attempt to try to catch Pulse." Victor said.

"I am still upset but it's died down a bit." Danny told his partner.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" Victor asked.

"Cassie did, actually. You were right, surprisingly enough she does know what she's doing." Danny said with a laugh.

"What did you learn?" Victor asked.

"Well, it turns out that the woman who called my mom made the call from the New York Women's Correctional Facility." Danny frankly said to Victor.

"Are you serious?" Victor asked, astonished.

"Trust me, Victor, I couldn't make this up if I tried." Danny said laughing "The warden told me an inmate had been making unsanctioned phone calls for about a month or so and the person who called is indirectly connected to Cassie's nephew."

"What do you mean?" Victor asked.

"The inmate making the calls is the mother of one of Freddie's friends from Seattle." Danny said.

"Gibby?" Victor asked.

"No, Sam Puckett. It's not definite but it might be a solid lead." Danny said, looking at the computer screen at the podcast. "Tomorrow I'm going to the prison with Cassie to get answers from her mother."

"You two are becoming a bit attached, aren't you?" Victor said with a chuckle in his voice.

"Don't you start." Danny demanded. "You're reading too much into this."

"Says the man who groped her last night." Victor joked.

"This is strictly professional and I frankly don't need to say anything more than that." Danny said, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"All right, all right." Victor said. "I'm just glad you're taking my calls."

"Millie's giving you the silent treatment?" Danny asked.

"Worse. She didn't show up to work." Victor said. "Also, every time I try to call her, she sends me back text messages with frowny faces. She only does that when she's really upset."

"I get why she's upset but she's not the kind of girl to hold a grudge." Danny reassured him.

"I know my daughter and, believe me, she can." Victor replied.

"I might not know her like you do but she'll come around. She loves you too much not to." Danny said.

Victor sighs. "I gotta finish up the paperwork on the Wynter case."

"Sounds like fun. Glad I'm missing it." Danny said and Victor laughed. "I gotta go."

"Good luck tomorrow." Victor told him.

"Thanks." Danny said as he hung up the phone. He stares at the screen at the podcast and laughs.

Whether or not Sam Puckett was his sister, it didn't matter. Danny knew he would get his answers tomorrow. One way or another.

•••

The sun had set and night had fallen quickly in the city.

At the Pulse Cave, Gabe sat in front of the hub working with an electronic device. Millie and Cassie sat on the floor facing each other.

Cassie runs her knife across her palm and a deep gash forms on her hand. Millie's eyes widen as she and Gabe watch as Cassie's gash wound heals in a matter of seconds. "Ah, that still stings." Cassie gasped.

"That is amazing." Gabe replies as Cassie pulls out a wet nap and wipes the blood from her formally injured hand.

"And you can heal from any injury?" Millie asked.

Cassie nods as she cleans off the blood from her knife. "Pretty much. Stabbing, gunshot wounds, broken bones. You name it and I can bounce back from it."

"What about decapitation?" Gabe asked.

"I've never had the courage to test that but I go by Highlander logic." Cassie stated.

"What does that mean?" Millie asked, genuinely confused.

"Meaning if she loses her head, she's dead." Gabe said, not looking up from his work.

"Oh." Millie simply said. "Do you feel pain?"

"I do." Cassie said. "One time I dislocated my shoulder and I had to pop it back into place by myself. The pain was pretty… excruciating."

"So you have to reset broken bones yourself?" Gabe asked.

"Basically, yeah." Cassie replied.

"Well, with the exception of your head, can you grow back any of your other appendages or internal organs?" Millie asked.

"I can actually." Cassie stated. "When I was fourteen, one of my first tests was to take a pair of pruning shears and cut off my big toe on my right foot."

"Wait, what?" Millie stated in a surprised tone.

"That's what I call an extreme pedicure." Gabe joked which made Cassie chuckle.

"Same thing Alec said." Cassie stated.

"Hold on, your friend Alec knows what you can do?" Millie asked.

"Yeah, he was one of the first people I told. He was there for me the first few months after I discovered my powers." Cassie said. "Don't let my cool demeanor fool you. When I was a kid, I was a borderline nervous wreck. Alec helped me through it."

"Now that's friendship." Millie said with a smile.

Freddie enters the room wearing his battle armor and holding his mask and goggles. "Pete says he's already at the building."

"And how do you-" before Millie could finish her sentence, Cassie's phone chimes and she sees a text message from Pete reading ' the apartment. Tell Freddie to be ready'

Cassie grins and shows her the message. "You gotta stop asking that and just take his word for it, Millie."

Millie grins as Freddie's eyes furrow. "What is it? Wendy showed up early?"

Freddie looks at Millie. "It's for you. Your boyfriend's calling."

Suddenly, Millie's phone rings and she looks at the caller ID. Millie gulps and quickly answers the phone. "Leo, hey."

"Hey, Sillie." Leo said playfully which made Millie giggle. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing, just having a study group session with my friends." Millie told him.

"Is it strange that I find it peculiar that a nursing student is in a study group with two guys studying computer engineering?" Leo asked.

"Not strange, paranoid but not strange." Millie said laughing. "Is my dad mad I didn't come to work?"

"Not really. He just mutters under his breath that he's a colossal moron." Leo stated.

"Good. He deserves to feel that way." Millie said, almost sounding like a child having a temper tantrum.

"Maybe you should cut your dad some slack. He was trying to do this job." Leo said.

"So, you're on his side?" Millie said.

"No, of course not." Leo said.

"Pulse has saved me twice. I owe him and I thought my dad felt the same." Millie said as the others listened to the one sided conversation.

"I'm not gonna change your mind so how about I change the subject." Leo retorts. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Not sure. Why do you ask?" Millie said in a playful manner which made Gabe groan and Cassie grin.

"Well, I have to help my friend with his group therapy class tomorrow." Leo said. "I know it isn't exactly a date but I don't want to bail on him. I thought we could use it as quality time before our official date."

Millie beams until she looks at Freddie and she frowns "Oh. I-" Freddie smiles at her and gives her an 'OK' signal. A smile forms on her face. "I'd love to help."

"Awesome. I'll call you tomorrow and pick you up at 4:00." Leo told her "The group therapy doesn't start until five but my friend likes to set up early."

"Sounds great." Millie said.

"I gotta go." Leo said.

"Okay, bye." Millie said then Leo hung up. She looks over at Freddie. "Thank you so much."

"No problem." Freddie said with a smile. "Just because my social life is on the skids by choice doesn't mean your life has too." Millie grins and hugs him tightly. "Um, Millie... it's... getting hard to breathe."

Millie backs away, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Sorry."

"It's okay." Freddie told her as he looked at Gabe. "That was-"

"Like a vice grip? I know the feeling." Gabe nodded, to which Millie responded by punching Gabe in the left shoulder. "Ow!"

"You deserved that." Millie said bluntly.

Freddie slips on his mask and prepares to put on his goggles.

Cassie walks over to him. "I still don't like this plan."

"Cassie, I know what I'm doing." Freddie informed her.

"Really, because it seems like you're playing this all by ear." Cassie said.

"Thought you said it was my decision." Freddie asked.

"It is. Doesn't mean I have to like it." Cassie said with her arms crossed.

Freddie smiles then puts the mask to cover his mouth and the goggles over his eyes. "Wish me luck." He goes to go out the window but Cassie calls back.

"Wait!" Cassie said.

"What now?" Freddie asked, slightly annoyed.

"I don't think you should go through the window tonight." Cassie said.

"I've done it like a million times." Freddie insisted.

"I just have a bad feeling about it." Cassie said.

"I'll be fine." Freddie said, with that he exited out the window.

"That boy is stubborn." Cassie said as he looked at Gabe and Millie. "Don't know where he gets that from."

Gabe and Millie look away and bite their tongues.

•••

Pulse runs down an alleyway and rushes up a chain link fence and grabs the edge of a building. He climbs up and leaps on to the roof.

From the point of view of a pair of high tech binoculars, Pulse ran along the rooftops of different buildings with great agility.

Liam Samus, who was dressed in high tech all black Samurai like body armor with his two swords strapped to his back. He also had several weapons attached to the suit, was using the binoculars with a laser like focus on Pulse. "Now where are you off to in such a hurry?"

He puts the binoculars away and leaps to another roof top and makes chase. Despite his size, Samus moved with uncanny speed and grace.

•••

Wendy enters Cassie and Pete's apartment building and walks into the lobby. She looks around and doesn't pay attention and bumps into someone.

"Oh. I am so sorry." Wendy said apologetically.

"It's alright." A familiar voice said to her. Wendy looks to see it was Pete she had bumped into. "I wasn't looking where I was going either."

Wendy smiles, blushing at the handsome stranger. "Um, I'm supposed to meet someone here."

"Oh. Which apartment do they live in?" Pete asked.

"They didn't really say. They told me to meet them on the roof which honestly seems like a prank or a trap." Wendy said, nervously laughing.

"I could go up there with you if you'd like." Pete suggested.

"No, that's okay. I'll be fine." Wendy said as she made her way up the stairs. "But thank you though."

Pete watches her go upstairs and once she is out of hearing range, he presses the com link that was hidden in his ear. "Lois Lane is headed to the roof."

"I'm on my way." Freddie's voice is heard in the com link.

•••

Pulse continues running on the rooftops when suddenly a woman's cries for help are heard in an alley. Pulse stands near the edge of the building and sees a woman being forced against a wall by a burly looking man.

"Actually, I'm gonna be a little late." Freddie said as he climbed down from the building using the fire escape and ran off.

"Come on, Sweet Cheeks." The burly man said to the frightened woman. He had a switchblade pressed against her face. "I just wanna show ya a good time."

The woman, mid 30s with a slight frame and straight blond hair struggles to get away to no avail. "Please - please let me go." The woman pleaded with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Ever heard of the term 'no means no'?"

The burly man and the woman turn to see Pulse standing in the alley. "Well, well, well. The masked man. Come to teach me a lesson?"

"I won't have to if you let her go." Freddie said to him, standing his ground. "I suggest you do what won't cause you too much discomfort."

The burly man shoves the woman down, causing her to fall to the floor. He charges at Pulse but when he throws a punch, Pulse dodges it and strikes the man with a hard left.

The man falls to the floor and looks up at Pulse with a sneer on his lips. He reaches for his knife. "Bad move, freak!" He gets to his feet and charges at Pulse in order to stab him but Pulse grabs his wrist and squeezes hard. "Ah!"

"Just so you know, I hate knives." Freddie told him.

With a quick twist, Pulse snaps and cracks his wrist and disarms the burly man who grabs his wrist writhing in agony.

Pulse walks over and checks on the woman. "Are you all right?"

The woman breathes heavily and nods. "Thank you."

Suddenly, clapping is heard coming from several feet behind them. Pulse turns and finds Liam Samus standing there, applauding Pulse's actions.

"Well done, kid." Samus stated. "That was quite impressive."

Pulse stares at Samus but then looks back at the woman. "Get out of here. Go."

The woman nods as she gets to her feet and runs off. Samus chuckles in amusement.

"What's so funny?" Freddie asked.

"That you believe chivalry isn't dead. Good to see I'm not the only one who believes in that virtue." Samus stated.

Pulse continues staring at Samus who also doesn't take his eyes off the vigilante. "Who are you?"

Samus smiles. "You'll find out tomorrow."

"What happens tomorrow?" Freddie asked, intrigued and concerned.

The burly man slowly gets to and sees the other man along with Pulse.

With a smile, Samus uttered. "When I kill you."

The burly man goes to attack Pulse but Samus grabs him by the shoulder, strikes him in the shoulder so hard it breaks his collarbone, punches him in the throat crushing his windpipe and throws him over his shoulder causing the burly man to land hard on his back.

Samus pulls out one of his swords to go for the killing blow but Pulse shoots a ball of lightning at Samus' back and stops him.

"Don't. Even he doesn't deserve this." Freddie stated.

Samus groans in pain then he smiles and puts his sword away. "That ideology will end up costing you dearly."

With that, Samus just casually walks away from the scene as if he hadn't a care in the world.

Pulse checks on the man to see if he was still alive.

"Everything all right?" Gabe asked via com link.

"Have emergency services send an ambulance to 24th and Adams." Freddie told him.

"What happened?" Cassie asked through the com link.

"I'll explain later. Right now, I have an appointment to make." Freddie said as he leapt up the fire escape and jumped onto the roof.

•••

Atop Cassie and Pete's apartment building, Wendy stands waiting on the roof. She was shivering from the cold night air and bundled herself in her coat. Looking at her Pearphone to check the time, Wendy sees the time and groans. It was 8:25.

"Almost half an hour." Wendy complained. "Knew someone was playing a prank on me."

She turns to leave only to find Pulse standing a few feet behind her which startles her.

"Hello Ms Trent." Freddie said in his disguised voice.

"Oh. Hi." Wendy said nervously. "Wow, you're real."

"It would appear so." Freddie jokingly said to make her feel at ease. "My friend told me you wanted to meet."

"I do. Just wasn't sure you would show." Wendy said with a smile. "Who is your friend? Do I know him?"

"You do and let's just say, I owed him a favor." Freddie said.

"Okay, that's isn't frustratingly vague." Wendy said. She pulls out her Pearphone. "I'm going to record this interview."

"On video?" Freddie asked.

"You don't mind, do you?" Wendy asked.

"I would prefer it if you didn't." Freddie said with some anxiousness in his voice.. "I've spent the last two weeks being chased by people with cameras."

"Okay, can I record your voice or do you have issues with the voice memo?" Wendy asked.

"Seems fair." Freddie asked. "What do you wish to ask me?"

Wendy stammers nervously. "All right. For starters, what's your real name?" He tilts his head to one side, body language reading 'Really?' "Can't blame a girl for trying, right?"

"With all due respect, Ms Trent, but I don't have time for games." Freddie said, trying to remain serious so as not to blow his cover.

"Right, sorry." Wendy stated. "Okay, where did you come from?"

"My mother." Freddie jokes.

Wendy smiles at this. "And he has a sense of humor."

"In my line of work, you have that. Otherwise I'd be some brooding wet blanket." Freddie said.

"Guess that makes sense." Wendy replied, smiling. "Have you always had your powers or did something happen to you?"

"Something happened to me." Freddie told her.

Wendy stood there for a moment, waiting for more but he remained silent. "Care to give any details you can share?"

Freddie chuckles. "Lab accident. Cliché superhero trope."

"What made you decide to fight crime?" Wendy asked.

"I wanted to help people, Ms Trent. I see the world differently and it's dangerous." Freddie told her. "Just want to make it a little safer."

"You've been a target of the police. They call you a vigilante." Wendy stated. "Is that a fair statement?"

"It's an accurate statement but it isn't a fair one." Freddie said. "I simply want to help. I understand their apprehension, they think I am dangerous because of what I can do. In some ways, I am but I wouldn't hurt anyone who didn't deserve it."

"Like those low level thugs you put into the ICUs of several different hospitals." Wendy asked.

Freddie stares at her. "Most of them had it coming."

"And why do you feel you can pass judgement on them?" Wendy asked.

"It isn't judgement, it's about what's right." Freddie told her. Wendy nods and stares at him. "Is something wrong?"

Wendy walks closer to him. "This is going to sound crazy but it feels like we've met before."

"I get that a lot." Freddie said, brushing it off. She gets even closer to him and he slowly leans away from her. "What are you doing?"

"Honestly, I can't shake this feeling. I really can't." Wendy looks closely at Pulse's face. "Who are you?"

Pulse backs away from her. "You've gotten your interview, Ms Trent. Now I have to go."

Before Wendy could say another word, Pulse jumps to the closest roof top and disappears into the night. She stares at her Pearphone and stops the recording.

From a distant roof, Liam Samus was watching. He couldn't hear the conversation but something told him that he had found Pulse's weak spot and he'd use it to his advantage.

•••

Back at the Pulse Cave, Cassie was pacing a bit as she waited for Freddie to return. Gabe was sifting through some records and Millie had fallen asleep on her textbook.

"He should've been back by now." Cassie said with a bit of worry in her voice.

"Cassie, relax. Pete would've told us if something bad had happened." Gabe said to reassure her.

Just then, the door to enter the hideout opens. The noise wakes Millie from her snooze. Someone enters and Cassie's stomach drops as she sees Pete walk down the stairs.

"Where's Freddie?" Cassie nervously asked. "He was supposed to be following you."

"He was." A familiar voice called. Everyone turns to find Pulse leaping down from the window. He takes off his goggles and mask and looks at them. "I thought I'd make you sweat a bit."

Cassie groans, walks closer to him and points at Freddie "If you value your internal organs, you don't EVER do that again. Am I clear?"

Freddie smirks. "Crystal."

"How'd it go with Wendy?" Gabe asked. "Did she get what she wanted?"

"I think so. But I did have a moment where she thought Pulse looked familiar." Freddie told them.

"What did you do?" Millie asked.

"I hightailed it out of there before she started getting any other ideas." Freddie informed them. "However, that wasn't the strangest thing I encountered tonight."

"Is that why you needed an ambulance?" Gabe asked.

"While I was on my way to meet Wendy, I stopped some creep from assaulting a woman in an alley." Freddie told them as he removed his gauntlets.

Cassie rubs the left temple. "Please don't tell me you put another guy in the hospital."

"No!" Freddie insists but Cassie stares at him. She knew better than to just take his word for it. "Alright, I broke something but it was only his wrist only because he was trying to stab me."

"Hmm, when will they learn?" Gabe asked with a grin.

"Why did the guy need an ambulance?" Pete asked him.

"After I subdued that guy, this other guy showed up. He was this massive guy in battle armor, it looked like samurai armor." Freddie explained. "He also had these two swords strapped to his back. Guy looked like he was armed for battle."

"What did he do?" Cassie asked.

"Nothing at first. He clapped at what I did and complimented me for my chivalry." Freddie said. "I asked him his name but he said I'd find out tomorrow."

"Why tomorrow?" Millie asked.

Freddie gulps. "He said that because tomorrow he was going to kill me."

The room became dead quiet until Gabe spoke up. "Maybe this guy's all talk and he'll crumble like a paper mâché doll the moment you two square off."

"And I would've agreed with you if I hadn't seen him lay waste to the guy I injured. Broke his collarbone, crushed his windpipe. He was about to cut his head if I wasn't there to stop him." Freddie stated.

"Oh my god." Millie gasped.

"So basically a ninja assassin wants you dead?" Gabe said.

"He sounds more like a samurai." Pete stated.

"His look was more militarized than just a guy in all black footie pajamas that likes hiding in the shadows." Freddie stated.

Cassie exhales in exasperation. "Now I don't want to go anywhere tomorrow. Not with you on the hit list of one of the Ronin Warriors."

"Cassie, I'll be fine." Freddie replied.

"This stubborn streak of yours is seriously getting annoying." Cassie stated.

"This isn't me being stubborn, Cassie. I'm trying to prove that I don't have to run to you for everything." Freddie told her.

"You have to prove your point when a sword wielding maniac is trying to kill you?" Cassie asked, frustration in her voice. Freddie stares at her. He wasn't backing down. "You are taking a big risk here."

"I've taken a lot of risks, Cassie. This is no different." Freddie said frankly. He looks at Gabe and Pete. "I have a feeling I won't be alone."

"Fine but don't expect me to have to explain to your mother what happened to you because I will be on the first flight to Edinburgh faster you can say 'haggis'." Cassie stated.

Freddie grins and nods. "Fair enough."

"I thought Big Bad Cass wasn't scared of anything?" Gabe jokes.

Cassie looks at him and raises her eyebrow. "You've obviously never met his mother."

Laughter filled the space as the five stared at each other with the focus being switched to Freddie who looks slightly unsure of his predicament.

Freddie knew he had to face this head on but was worried about what was going to happen next.

•••

At Columbia University, Wendy walks into her dorm room where she finds it dark.

"Jazz?" Wendy called for her roommate Jasmine. "You here?"

Wendy notices a note on her desk in white stationary with dolphins on it. The note reads:

'Wen,

Went out. Don't wait up. I'll give you the deets tomorrow.

XX

Jazz'

Wendy grins and puts the note back on the desk. She pulls out her blue Pearbook and takes a pad and pen next to the computer. She goes to turn on the lamp that was on the desk.

The light fills the room and reveals Liam Samus standing in the corner of the room.

"Tell me about your boyfriend?"

Wendy whips around to find Samus in her room but before she could yell out, he rushes forward and places his hand over her mouth then pulls out a sharp serrated hunting knife near her throat.

"You scream and I'll slit your throat." Samus warned calmly.

Wendy whimpers in fear, her eyes filled with terror.

•••

Back at the dorm, Freddie and Gabe were sleeping in their beds. Actually, Gabe was sound asleep while Freddie was tossing and turning. He couldn't get to sleep and stared up at the ceiling.

Freddie lets out a deep breath. "Go ahead." He turns his head and finds the apparition of Sam Puckett lying next to him. She was dressed in clothing Freddie had never seen her in: a long lilac colored nightgown. Her hair was down and flowing. She was also barefoot. "Just tell me the vague clue or riddle you have to tell me and get it over with."

"You seem to go out of your way to hurt my feelings." Dream Sam stated. Freddie closes his eyes. "You're scared, aren't you?"

Freddie turns his head to face her. "You talking about the sword wielding assassin who said he wants to kill me? Yeah, I'm a little scared."

"That's the obvious fear mulling around in the super charged brain of yours." Dream Sam said, poking his forehead. "You're worried your old friends might be getting too close to your new life."

Freddie sighs. "Maybe."

"Can't lie to me." Dream Sam said as she touched his right temple. "I'm in here."

Freddie bites his lip. "I'm scared my old life is going to collide with the new one. It's inevitable, right?"

Dream Sam smiles and she strokes his chest. "She'll tell you."

Freddie stares at her confused. "Wha- What do you mean?"

Suddenly, Freddie snaps awake and sees that Dream Sam is gone... again.

Freddie lies back on the pillow and sighs "Of course."

•••

The next morning at the New York Women's Correctional Facility, Danny and Cassie go through security with Cassie leaving her knife that was in leg holster with the security guard and Danny leaving his service weapon with the guard.

"I don't know why you're carrying that thing." Danny asked with annoyance.

"You weren't saying that when I used it to fight off Tara Barrow." Cassie said.

Danny rolls his eyes. "The warden told me she'd meet us here. She has the inmate in a private area so we can talk to her."

"Good. The sooner we finish this, the sooner we get out of here." Cassie stated.

Danny grins at her. "Thought you'd feel at home here?"

"Parker, just because I spent time in a detention center, doesn't mean I'm comfortable locked up." Cassie said. "It's claustrophobic."

Danny nods and a woman in her late fifties with short blond hair walks towards them. Cassie stares at the woman, seeming to recognize her.

"Detective Parker?" The woman asked. "I'm Jennifer Edison, warden for this facility."

"Good to meet you, warden." Danny said as he motioned to Cassie "This is Cassie Sinclair-"

"I know who Ms Sinclair is." Warden Edison stated as she looked at Cassie. "It is good to see you again, Cassandra."

"Same here, Jennifer." Cassie said.

"You two have met?" Danny asked.

"Yeah, the warden was in charge of the juvenile facility I was locked up in." Cassie said, looking at the warden. "Glad to see you've moved up in the world."

"And I'm glad you've managed to stay out of trouble, Ms Sinclair." Warden Edison stated.

Danny sighs. "So, where is this inmate you want us to meet?"

"Follow me." Warden stated as she led them down a long corridor.

"Can you tell us a bit about her?" Danny asked.

"She's got a lengthy record. Ranging from assault to vehicular infractions." Warden Edison said. "The only reason we found out about the phone calls is because her cell mate told us."

As they walk past some cells, Cassie notices a blond haired woman who was well built but still had femininity to her frame. She was doing pull ups in her cell. The inmate jumps down and glares at Cassie.

"Ms Sinclair?" The warden's voice breaks Cassie's concentration. "Just ignore her. The Barracuda likes the attention."

"Don't feed the animals. Got it." Cassie said with a smirk.

They end up at the last door in the corridor where a male guard stands by the door.

"You have twenty minutes." Warden Edison stated as she motioned to the guard to open the door.

"This woman isn't dangerous, is she?" Danny asked.

Warden Edison looks at Cassie then at him. "Let's just say, you should be grateful she's going in there with you."

Danny stares at Cassie. "She must think highly of you."

Cassie shrugs as the guard opens the door to let them in. The two walk in and find Pamela Puckett sitting in front of a table in the nearly empty room. She was wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and was handcuffed to the table.

"How ya doing, Sweet Pants?" Pam asked Danny.

Danny looks at Cassie as the door shuts behind them.

•••

At the Flores residence, Millie washes dirty dishes in the kitchen sink. She was aggressively trying to get some stuck-on food off a plate.

Victor walks into the kitchen dressed for work. He notices Millie hadn't turned to face him. She didn't even speak to him when she got home from "study group", she just went straight to bed.

Victor lets out a deep breath. "Need a hand with those." He asked his daughter.

Millie remained silent until she coldly answered. "You've never asked before. Why start now?"

Victor sighs heavily. "I'm getting tired of this attitude."

Millie turns around and glares at him. "And I wish you hadn't done what you did to Pulse. Guess it's a bad day for the both of us, isn't it?"

"Millie, I had no choice. My job was in jeopardy and I wasn't about to risk it for some superpowered vigilante." Victor told her.

"And yet he risked his life for mine." Millie said. "He saved me from Emil Dahl, he got me away from that thug at the rave. He put himself in harm's way for me."

"And I am grateful for what he did but-"

"Pulse has saved lives and I'm not talking about mine or did you forget that he saved Lucy, Daphne Waller and those other girls? He saved Gabe, dad!" Millie yelled. "I get Gabe isn't your favorite person but we're friends now."

"And now you're friends with Pulse? Is that why you're sticking up for him?" Victor asked.

"Think what you want, I don't care." Millie grabs her purse and makes her way to the door.

"Where are you going?" Victor demanded.

"Out! Don't wait up!" Millie said as she opened the door.

"Young lady, this conversation isn't over!" Victor said angrily.

Millie doesn't give him a chance to speak and walks out , slamming the door shut.

Victor lets out a deep sigh. Why was she acting like this? What wasn't she telling him?

•••

At the dorm room, Freddie was on his phone trying to call someone while Gabe was sitting on his bed, watching a movie - American Hustle.

"Ah, Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence making out never gets old." Gabe said grinning.

"Is that why you keep rewinding it back and forth to that scene?" Freddie said.

"Dude, I once wore out an old VHS copy of 'Wild Things'. It wasn't a good movie but 90s Denise Richards and Neve Campbell making out totally made up for it." Gabe said. Freddie groans and roughly hangs up. "What's wrong?"

"Wendy isn't answering her phone. This is my fifth time calling her." Freddie told his roommate.

Gabe pauses the movie. "Do you think something happened to her?"

"I don't know. Maybe. I don't want to jump to conclusions." Freddie replied. After a long pause, he asks. "Maybe I should visit her at school?"

"Thought you weren't going to jump to conclusions?" Gabe said with a smile.

"I'm not. It's better to be safe than sorry." Freddie said. His eyes furrow and he breathes a sigh of relief when his phone rings and he sees on the caller ID that it was Wendy calling. "It's Wendy."

"See? And you were worried over nothing." Gabe said while Freddie answered the phone.

"Hey Wendy, I was kind of worried." Freddie said "I was calling to see if you still-"

"Is this Pulse?" A familiar voice asked on the other end that made Freddie's blood run cold. It was the man he encountered in the alley, Liam Samus.

"W-who is this?" Freddie stammered out. Gabe sees his friend's face filled with terror.

"I ask the questions, boy." Samus hissed. "Are you Ms Trent's boyfriend, Pulse?"

"No. I'm her friend. Where is she?" Freddie asked through gritted teeth.

"She's alive and her survival depends on what you do for her." Samus told him.

Freddie looks at Gabe as he puts the call on speaker. "What do I have to do?"

"Give a message to her vigilante boyfriend. Tell him to meet me at the old church on 61st and Romita at 8 tonight." Samus told him.

"How do you know I won't call the cops or Pulse won't show up early?" Freddie asked.

"Because if you breathe a word to the authorities or if he arrives a minute early, I slice her open like a fish." Samus warned.

Freddie and Gabe's eyes widen in horror. "Why are you doing this?"

"It's nothing personal, kid. It's business. Now will you deliver the message or should I just kill her now?" Samus asked.

"I'll make sure he gets the message." Freddie said in a low angry tone.

"They have ten hours. Time is a factor if he wants his lady love to live." Samus said and the line went dead.

Freddie looks at Gabe who was in shock. The boys look unsure of what to do.

•••

Inside of a rundown and abandoned Catholic Church with stained glass windows with many religious saints and figures on them, Samus stands at the pulpit and tosses the phone aside onto the altar where Wendy is sitting with her arms and legs tightly bound and she is gagged.

"Don't worry. Your boyfriend is coming to save you." Samus told her. He walks over to her and crouches down next to her. "I want you to know, I don't want to hurt you. I just want him to prove what he's made of... Or he'll die trying."

Wendy's eyes widened. She knew this man was going to try to kill Pulse but if Pulse didn't show, he'd kill her. It was her life or his. It didn't seem right. All she knew now is that someone was going to get hurt.

•••

Back at the correctional facility, Danny and Cassie were now sitting in front of a shackled Pam Puckett.

"Ms Puckett, I'm Detective Danny Parker and this is my friend Cassie Sinclair." Danny said "We'd like to ask you some questions."

"Shame, for a second, I thought this was New York State's idea of a conjugal visit?" Pam asked as she undressed Danny with her eyes.

Danny's eyes widen as he swallows hard. He was definitely uncomfortable.

"Back off, lady. You aren't his type." Cassie said, defending Danny.

"Don't think you should be fighting your boyfriend's battles for him, Sunshine." Pam said "Makes men feel emasculated."

Cassie glares at her as she turns to Danny. "He wishes he was my boyfriend."

Danny clears his throat. "Actually, this is about the phone calls you've been making."

"Look, I only called the big shot mogul I was having drinks with to know if he was gonna bail me out." Pam explained. "After the third 'this number has been disconnected', I got the hint."

"Wow, three times? You must be desperate because that is incredibly sad." Cassie said sarcastically.

Pam glares at Cassie then looks at Danny. "Hey, GQ, tell your girlfriend to step off or I'll drop her yoga toned behind to the floor."

Cassie gets in her face. "If you weren't handcuffed, I'd show you how toned my behind really is."

Pam just smirks. "Think these pretty bracelets can hold me?"

Suddenly, she pops out of the cuffs which catches them off guard. Pam leaps at Cassie, tackling her. Danny goes to pull Pam off but before he could Cassie swiftly blocks each of Pam's attempts to strike her and she grabs Pam's wrist, bends her arm behind her back and shoves her against the wall.

"FYI, it's a Wing-Chun toned behind. Do remember that." Cassie hissed to Pam.

Pam smiles with a mildly pained look on her face. "I like you."

Two corrections officers and Warden Edison burst into the room.

"Take Puckett back to her cell!" Edison demanded.

"No! We aren't done talking to her." Danny adamantly stated.

"Not your call. I can't risk your safety when this lunatic can get out of her restraints." Edison said.

"Relax, Jenny. I'll be a good girl." Pam promised.

"Wish I could take your word for it, Puckett." Edison firmly retorts.

"Jennifer, I got this." Cassie said as she looked at Pam. "I think we've come to an understanding. Haven't we, Pamela?"

Pam nods, making a pained expression. "We sure have, Kung-Fu Strawberry Shortcake."

Warden Edison motions to the guards. "Restrain her again. Make sure she can't get out again."

The guards take Pam from Cassie as Danny looks at Cassie.

"So, Wing-Chun, huh?" He asked, mildly intrigued.

"One of my many party tricks, Parker." Cassie answers with a wink.

Pam is restrained again and Cassie and Danny take their seats in front of Pam again. "You aren't expecting an apology, are you?"

"Unless it's sincere, not really." Cassie said. "Now answer the man's questions, all right?"

Pam smirks in amusement. "You're all right, Merida."

Cassie rolls her eyes as she brushes a loose strand of her red hair from her face using her breath.

"Anyway, this is about the call you made to a woman named Rita Parker." Danny said.

"Yeah, I called her. What about it?" Pam asked until it hit her. "Hold up... Parker? You're Rita's kid?"

"Yes." Danny simply said. "Now why did you call her?"

"Well, your mom seems like a stand up lady considering your daddy left her for me and had the grace to raise you on her own." Pam said.

Danny glares at her. "Does this story have a point or is this psychological torture by proxy?"

"My point is that I had a feeling she'd tell you." Pam said. "Gordon always talked about his only son."

"Gordon?" Danny asked.

"Your daddy, his name's Gordon." Pam said.

Cassie looks at Danny who now seemed very weary. Almost as if he was going to be sick.

"S-so why did you want her to tell me?" Danny said.

"Because I need someone to protect my girls." Pam told them.

"Sam and Melanie?" Cassie asked.

Pam smiles. "They mean the world to me even though I don't show it. Melanie's a sweet girl and Sam... She's a fighter. Strong enough to put up with me for years."

"Then w-why do you need me to protect them? From who?" Danny asked.

Pam sighs and, after a moment of silence, she speaks. "From their father."

"Their father? You mean my father?" Danny asked.

Pam nods. "Gordon is... He's a very dangerous man. When he wasn't beating the crap out of me, he was running around doing God knows what. I used to think he was in the Mob but I never bothered to ask."

"Why do you think I can protect them?" Danny asked.

"From what I've heard about your daughter Sam, she can take care of herself just fine." Cassie said.

"How do you know Sam?" Pam asked bitterly.

"Relax, Cougartown. Your daughter is close friends with my nephew, Freddie Benson." Cassie said.

"Benson, huh?" Pam stated. "Liked that kid. Little uptight, more than most guys Sam liked. He did spend the night one time at our house but Sam told me they were just sleeping-"

"I don't need to know." Cassie said, putting up her hand. "My point is, Sam's a tough girl. She can take care of herself."

"Which is why I worry about her. Melanie is safe in her private school but Sam is in danger out in the open." Pam stated. "Sam is Gordon's favorite and I'm afraid he'll try to find her. She shouldn't be alone with that man. She is strong but rebellious. Gordon hates defiance and does what he can to snuff it out."

"And t-that means he'll hurt her." Danny said and Pam nodded. "Do you know where he is?"

Pam scoffs at him. "I haven't seen the bastard in sixteen years. He's probably on some tropical island somewhere and that's the best case scenario."

"Why do you think I can protect Sam?" Danny asked.

"You're a cop, right?" Pam asked. Danny nods. "As much as Sam has a mistrust in cops, she'll trust you."

"What, because I'm family?" Danny asked.

"Not just that, Angel Cakes." Pam said, which makes Danny and Cassie simultaneously shudder. "You seem to have a good head on your shoulders. Probably due to the fact that Gordon didn't have a hand in raising you."

Danny weakly smiles. "It's a possibility."

"Look, I ain't got any cash I can offer you but I need to know my girls will be looked after." Pam pleaded.

Danny looks at Cassie who also waited to hear his answer and he sighs. "I'll see to it that they're safe. You have my word."

Pam smiles but it fades when the two guards enter the room.

"Time's up. Warden wants her back in her cell." One of the guards said.

"Fine. I'll go quietly." Pam stated. The guards began to remove the excess shackles and pick her up from the chair. "I'm gonna hold you to your word, Detective."

Danny nods.

Pam looks back at the pair. "For the record, you two kids make a cute couple."

Danny was taken aback by the statement while Cassie looks down with a sheepish grin on her face.

•••

At the Pulse Cave, Freddie stood with Gabe, Pete and Millie standing around him. He had told them about Samus kidnapping Wendy and Millie looks at him with sympathy. Two hours have gone by and the clock was still ticking.

"Now Pulse has until 8 o'clock to show or he's going to kill Wendy." Freddie said.

"What if he's bluffing?" Millie asked nervously.

"Not likely. This guy sounded like he meant business." Gabe said "That and the guy had an Australian accent. Anyone with an Australian accent is not a person you take what they say lightly."

"Do you know who this guy is?" Pete asked.

"We did some digging on several law enforcement agencies and this popped up." Gabe said as he held up his Pearpad to show a photo of Liam Samus. "Guy's name is Liam Samus. He's a high paid mercenary and assassin wanted by several agencies - the CIA, Interpol, the FSB. Everyone wants this guy for several jobs he performed."

"The question is why does a high profile mercenary want me dead?" Freddie asked.

"I think the bigger question is who is the big shot that hired him?" Gabe asked. "A guy like Samus isn't the kind of guy who is about 'dirty deeds done dirt cheap'."

"Maybe we should call Cassie. We might need the back up." Millie suggested.

"No." Freddie said bluntly which caught them off guard. "I can handle Samus."

"What, are you tired of living?" Gabe asked, which caused Freddie to glare at him.

"I have to agree with him. This isn't a good idea, kid." Pete stated.

Freddie looks at him with a raised eyebrow. "Now you have an opinion?"

"I'm only saying that this plan is troublesome." Pete said. "You're clearly walking into a trap and your friend is the bait."

"You expect me to leave her there? If so, you don't know me that well." Freddie said, glaring at Pete.

"We weren't suggesting anything, Freddie." Millie said.

"I'm just- I'm sick of seeing people getting hurt because of me." Freddie stated. "If Samus wants a fight, I'll be happy to give him one."

The three stare at each other then at Freddie. "Don't worry, we got your back no matter what foolhardy decision you make."

Freddie shakes his head as his eyes furrow. He looks at Millie. "It's Leo."

Suddenly, Millie's Pearphone rings which she instantly answers. "Hey Leo."

"Hey, I'm really sorry to do this but my friend needed me to set up early so I can't pick you up." Leo said. "I hope aren't mad."

"Oh. Th-that's okay. I can find a ride there." Millie told him.

"I'm really sorry but I promise to hold it up to you." Leo stated.

Millie smiles at the prospect. "I'll hold you to that. Maybe in shiny trinkets?"

Leo laughs. "I'll see you in a few?"

"Wouldn't miss it." Millie told him. He hangs up and she looks at the boys. She realizes what she was doing and frowns. "Okay, now I feel like a total Clyde."

"Don't. We can handle Samus, don't worry about it." Freddie assured her.

"You sure?" Millie asked.

"Yes!" The guys answer in unison.

"All right." Millie said smiling as she looked at her phone. "Maybe if I book it, I can catch the next train."

"Save the fare. I'll take you." Pete offered.

"On your motorcycle?" Millie asked.

Pete smirks. "I promise not to go too fast if it makes you feel better."

Millie smiles and the two head up the stairs but she stops and runs back and hugs Freddie. "Promise me you'll be careful."

Freddie sighs and hugs her back. "I promise I won't die."

Millie pulls away and leaves with Pete.

Freddie looks at Gabe then at the phone he uses to call Victor. "Say, can I make other disguised phone calls on that thing?"

Gabe looks at him perplexed. "Why?"

Freddie looks sternly at Gabe. "I think Pulse needs to have a word with Mr Samus."

•••

On a highway road, Cassie was driving Black Beauty back to the city with Danny in the passenger seat. "Good news is that you got some answers, right?"

[Soundtrack Note: "Dark Blue" by Jack's Mannequin plays on the car radio at 1:21]

Danny gulped. "I guess. D-doesn't make me feel any b-better."

Cassie looks over and notices Danny looked a bit ill. Almost like he was about to throw up. "You all right?" She asked him.

He turns to look at her, snapping out of his near stupor. "Yeah. I'm f-fine."

"You sure because you look like you're gonna puke and I would advise against it because you're paying to have my car cleaned." Cassie said in a joking manner.

"Pull over." Danny demanded.

"Um, I don't appreciate passenger seat drivers, Parker." Cassie said.

"P-pull over. Please." Danny said, almost hyperventilating.

Cassie stares into his eyes and sees sincerity... And pain. She nods as she sees the rest area and pulls into the parking lot.

[Soundtrack Note: Song stops playing as the car comes to a stop]

Danny quickly gets out of the and runs into the restroom.

Cassie sighs and chases after him. "Danny, wait!"

Inside the restroom, Danny leans against the wall of the restroom, struggling to catch his breath when suddenly Cassie bursts in.

"W-what are you d-doing?" Danny asked wide eyed. "T-this is the men's room."

"I'm not some prude, Parker." Cassie said. Danny continues to hyperventilate and he falls to his knees, trying to breathe. Cassie kneels down and tries to help him. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"I-I can't b-breathe." Danny stated.

Cassie came to a realization. "Wait, are you having a panic attack?" Danny nods. "Oh. Um, okay. Is there anything I can do to help?" She was genuinely worried.

"I-I need to f-focus o-on something." Danny said in shallow breaths.

"Okay, let's see." Cassie said as she tried to think of something. "Try to… Uh... Think of happy things. Good things. Friends, family..." Danny looks up at her, mortified. "Okay, not family. Oh god. Um, try to slow your breathing."

"I-I can't." Danny breathed and clutched his chest.

Cassie takes a deep breath and grabs his face "Shhh. Look at me, Danny. Look at me. Danny?"

All of a sudden, she plants a kiss on his lips.

[Soundtrack Note: Song replays at 1:57 at the kiss but softens when the kiss ends]

Danny's eyes widen from sheer shock but he closes his eyes. After a small moment, Cassie pulls away and the two stare at each other in bewilderment.

"W-why did you do that?" Danny asked, still thrown by her actions.

Cassie realizes what she has done. "Um, I- uh- I read somewhere that holding your breath can stop a panic attack. So, when I kissed you... You held your breath."

Danny stares at her. "I-I did?"

Cassie sheepishly smiles. "Yeah. You did."

Danny seems impressed as well as grateful. "Thanks."

"I just read it somewhere." Cassie said to him. "No big deal."

The two sat on the bathroom floor, looking awkwardly at each other and they both began to laugh a bit at the situation.

[Soundtrack Note: Song end at 2:22]

•••

Liam Samus was pacing as he looked at Wendy. She was struggling to get free but unsuccessful. "Keep trying, I know how to secure a knot. You are going anywhere until Pulse comes to save you."

Wendy whimpers as she keeps trying to get free.

All of a sudden, Wendy's phone rings. Samus picks it up and sees it's a block number. He then answers it. "Boy, you had better have delivered my message."

"He did." Freddie's disguised voice answered.

Samus smiles. "You must be Pulse."

"What gave it away?" Freddie answered. "I believe you took something that belongs to me."

"I did and you have three hours to claim her or else... bad things will happen." Samus said to him.

"Samus, let her go. She has nothing to do with this." Freddie demanded.

"You know my name." Samus said, sounding surprised and impressed.

"I did my homework." Freddie stated. "I also know you are paid to take out your targets. Why not attack me directly? Why the games?"

"It isn't a game. I have no true intentions of hurting Ms Trent. She is just insurance. I want to make certain you will come face me." Samus said. "Make your choice, you or her."

"In four hours, you'll have my answer." Freddie said and hung up the phone.

Samus grins sinisterly, he already knew his answer.

•••

At the Pulse Cave, Freddie sets the phone down and looks at Gabe. "Got the exact location?"

"Oh yeah. But I doubt Samus is trying to hide from you." Gabe said.

"He wants me to find him." Freddie said.

Freddie stares at the computer monitor and sees the location. He knew he was walking into the lion's den and he didn't care. No one was going to get hurt because he was frightened. No way was he going to let fear win out.

•••

Pete pulls his motorcycle into the front of an old looking recreational center with Millie hanging on to him as he turns off the bike. "We're here."

Millie looks up to see they've stopped and breathes a sigh of relief. "That was your idea of slow?"

"I did have to obey the speed limit." Pete said which made Millie grin as she got off the bike.

"Pete? Could you do me a favor?" Millie said.

"Don't worry, Millie, I'll be by to pick you up later." Pete said.

"Actually, Leo is gonna take me home but thanks for the offer." Millie said with a big smile. "Make sure Freddie doesn't do anything stupid."

Pete smiles. "You have my word, Sunshine."

Millie smiles and heads inside the rec center as Pete starts his bike and rides off.

•••

Millie is inside the old building and finds Leo talking to a girl his age with short jet black hair and dressed in all black clothing. He looks over and sees Millie and walks over to her.

"You came." Leo said happily.

"You thought I wouldn't?" Millie said playfully as she kissed him on the cheek.

Leo looks over at the girl he had been talking to. "Millie, this is my best friend Claudia Moon. Claud, this is my girlfriend Millicent Flores."

"Nice to meet you." Millie said cheerfully. "But just call me Millie, everybody does."

Claud stares Millie up and down then smiles. "You're the ethereal Millie. Leopold has told me a lot about you."

Millie blushes a bit. "Has he?"

"Yeah, my boy bills you like some goddess. You are pretty though." Claud said grinning. "So he wasn't lying about that."

Millie blushes again.

"Cool it, Claudia, you're wigging her out." Leo warned.

"No she isn't." Millie said smiling which made Claud grin. "So, Leo told me this was a group therapy? Therapy for what?"

Claud shrugs nonchalantly. "It's for the outcasts. Social misfits. The pariahs that society doesn't give a crap about."

"I think what Claud means to say is troubled youths."

The three turn to find a strapping twenty eight year old man with short dark hair and scruff on his face. His most striking feature were his eyes which were greenish blue.

"Millie, this is Galen Lennox. Galen, this is my girlfriend Millie Flores." Leo introduced Millie.

Millie extends her arm for a handshake. "Nice to meet you."

Galen smiles at her cheerful exuberance and accepts her handshake. "You too, Millie."

Millie notices him staring at her intently and looks away. "What?"

"Nothing, you... You seem familiar." Galen said to put her at ease.

•••

Meanwhile at the rest area, Cassie and Danny made their way back to Black Beauty. "So, does that happen a lot?" Cassie asked him.

"The panic attacks?" Danny asked, then he shook his head. "Like the stutter, I used to get them a lot when I was a kid but I went to a psychiatrist for a number of years and they stopped. The doctor said they were both caused by extreme personal turmoil and stress."

"Like today?" Cassie asked.

Danny smiles. "Guess what happened with Pam qualifies"

"Don't worry, this doesn't change what I think of you, Parker." Cassie said teasing.

"Yeah sure, rub it in, Sinclair." Danny said. Cassie pulls out a slip of paper from her pocket and hands it to him. "What's this?"

"Sam Puckett's phone number." Cassie said matter-of-factly.

Danny seems surprised. "Where'd you get this?"

"Freddie gave it to me. He gave me a list of phone numbers in case of emergency." Cassie said "Her number was at the top of the list. Even ahead of his mom."

"Why are you giving it to me?" Danny asked.

"Because Pam was right." Cassie stated. "The girl needs someone to look out for her, I couldn't think of anyone better than her big brother."

"She doesn't even know me." Danny said.

"Doesn't matter. You two are still family." Cassie told him. "Take it from someone who knows the old saying is true, blood is thicker than water."

Danny stares at the slip of paper. "Thanks." The two began to get into the car. "And thank you for what you did back there."

"You mean the thing we will never ever talk about and if you breathe a word of it to anyone I will deny everything or kill you?" Cassie said with a mischievous smile. "No prob."

Danny just mouths 'Wow' and gets back into the car.

•••

At the rec center, the group therapy session had begun and a group of twenty three teens and young adults sat in a circle with Galen sitting with them. Millie sat next to Leo who had Claud sitting on the other side of him.

"It's been about four months since I took any of my Mom's prescription meds from her medicine cabinet." A boy with light brown hair said. "It's been really hard since she just got a refill of Valium."

The group claps to support him. Millie looks at her phone and sees the time is 7:45. She has been there for almost four hours.

"All right, who wants to share next?" Galen asked.

"How about we let the new girl go next?" One of the girls in the group, a seventeen year old with long bleach blond hair and gothic makeup asked looking at Millie. "She's been real quiet since the meeting began."

"Leave her alone, Simone." Leo stated

Millie stares at Simone then at the rest of the group. "I'm sorry. I've just had a lot on my mind."

"Care to share?" Galen asked as Millie looked nervous. "Don't worry, Millie. What is said here stays here. No judgments."

"Yeah, we get that enough at home." Claud quips which makes Millie chuckle.

"It's just- I've been dealing with a lot of issues lately." Millie said.

"Please, what possible problems could you have, Princess Buttercup?" Simone snidely commented.

"Cram it or I will come over there and kick you so hard in the rear end that you'll be tasting my boot polish." Claud threatened.

"Claud, Simone, enough!" Galen yelled authoritatively. "You know the rules, there's no violence or threat of violence in this building."

"Right, sorry Gale." Claud said as Simone backed off.

"Go ahead, Millie." Galen said encouragingly.

Millie breathes deeply. "Well for starters, it's just me and my dad. My mom died when I was little. Besides being extremely overprotective, my dad's a cop so I never get away with anything." That statement made the group laugh. "I actually started college a few months ago, I'm studying to be a nurse. In that time, I've been kidnapped, found or been around a dead body, had a gun pointed at my head, and most of my friends have been in harm's way. So other than that, I'm your average half-Filipino half-Chinese All American girl."

What she just told them caused the group to stare in stunned silence as Leo put his arm around her. "And she's all mine." Leo playfully told them as Millie laughed and Claud snickers.

Galen clears his throat and grins "Thank you, Millie. Anyone else?"

Millie looks down and blushes and looks down at her phone and sees it's 7:55. She knew Freddie had minutes to meet that assassin or the man would kill his friend Wendy. She lets out a worried sigh.

•••

Pulse was standing on the roof of an abandoned building overlooking the church Liam Samus was hold up in with a captive Wendy.

"Find the place?" Gabe is heard over the com link.

"Yep. It's an old abandoned church." Freddie told him.

"Guy is setting a scene." Gabe stated. "Total theatricality."

"Seems that way." Freddie said.

"You sure you want to do this alone?" Pete asked.

"Yeah, we can call Cassie. Sure she'd be down there in no time." Gabe said.

"We've been over this, I have to do this on my own." Freddie said. "Gotta see if I can do this without the safety net."

"Safety net?" Gabe asked, perplexed. "You seriously have some kind of death wish."

"I can do this, all right?" Freddie stated.

"Fine." Gabe said. "Good luck."

Pulse looks back at the church and sighs. "I can do this." More saying it to himself.

With that, Pulse leaps down and runs towards the church. He walks towards the doors to open them but realizes this might be what Samus wants. He was probably waiting for him to walk through the door.

Backing away, Pulse sees a large hole in a broken stained glass window. He walks over to it and leaps up and jumps through the hole.

•••

Pulse lands inside and finds himself inside the church hall. He looks around to try to find Samus only instead finds a bound and gagged Wendy.

Wendy looks up and sees Pulse was now inside. A mixture of relief and grief fell on her face as Pulse walked towards her.

Pulse goes to untie her but Wendy tries to say something through her gag. He pulls it off and Wendy gasps for air. "Are you all right, Ms Trent?"

Wendy nods quickly. "I'm fine... But you shouldn't have. That guy wants to kill you."

"Don't worry, I can handle him." Freddie told her. He sees Wendy look behind him and her eyes widen in horror. He hears the sound of bladed projectiles headed towards him.

"Watch out!" Wendy yelled.

Instinctively, Pulse grabs Wendy then shields himself by using the altar for protection. Two throwing knives land on the wall above him and Wendy.

Pulse looks back at Wendy who's eyes were still filled with terror. "Stay low." Wendy nods and does as she is told while he gets to his feet and finds Samus standing at the entrance to the church's hall.

"You never cease to amaze me. Lesser men would have ended up with at least one of those lodged in their back." Samus said as he strides forward.

"I'm here." Freddie said as he also moved closer to him.

"Yes and..." Samus looks at his watch and checks the time. "Right on time."

"I know that you're supposed to be some high paid assassin. Wanted by several international agencies." Freddie said.

Samus smirks with a hint of pride. "Guilty. Well, not really. They haven't been able to catch me to convict me."

"And they never will." Freddie said gritting his teeth and in a very threatening tone.

Samus chuckles as he pulls out his two swords. "You talk a big game, boy, but do you have they skills to back it up?"

"You're going to find out." Freddie stated.

[Soundtrack Note; "Give Me Back My Life" plays during the fight]

Samus twirls his swords and advances on Pulse who barely dodges the swipes. Pulse fires a stream of energy at Samus which knocks him backwards and makes him drop his swords.

Wendy had poked her head slightly to watch the fight. She is terrified but excited to see what she was seeing. "This is so awesome."

Samus gets to his feet and whips out his hunting knife, quickly going to strike him with both his unarmed fist and weapon filled hand. Pulse manages to block each strike until one of the strikes catches Pulse in the jaw. He uses the momentum to swing his body to a swift spinning heel kick that sends Samus staggering back.

"Ha! You have a warrior's spirit. It seems like a waste to have to kill you." Samus said as picks up one of his swords. "You would've been a wonderful student."

"Sorry, I got a teacher and she hits harder than you." Freddie said jokingly.

Samus charges at him while swinging his sword only to have Pulse duck and slide past him to the opposite direction.

Pulse looks around and finds Samus' other sword and picks it up. He turns his head and faces Samus.

Samus raises an eyebrow. "Do you know how to use that?"

Pulse looks at him then at the weapon. "Nope." Samus swings his sword but Pulse deflects the strike. The two stare each other down for a moment until Pulse sends an electric current through the swords into Samus' rear back.

"You have power but you only use it to survive." Samus said as he put away his sword. "Without them, you wouldn't last five minutes."

"Maybe so, but I can still beat you." Freddie said.

"Yes, but can you kill me?" Samus asked which threw Pulse. "Would you be able to kill me if it meant saving the ones you love?"

Unbeknownst to Pulse, two knives pop out of Samus' wrist gauntlets.

"If I had to." Freddie said with hesitation in his voice.

"Your words sound like the words of a hero but your voice sounds like a terrified child crying for his mother." Samus said.

With a battle cry, Pulse charges at Samus but Samus hurls the two throwing knives at Pulse. Pulse deflects one but isn't fast enough to block the other and it strikes him in the left shoulder that makes him drop the sword.

Pulse rears back in pain as Samus punches him hard in the face. He yanks the knife out of the vigilante's shoulder and swipes at his head. Samus grabs him by the head and places several hard knee kicks into Pulse's abdomen.

Pulse grabs Samus' wrists and delivers a mild shock but it only manages to piss him off. Samus delivers a final hard kick to the ribs, so hard that it sends Pulse rolling to the floor.

Wendy gasps in horror at the entire scene. It didn't look good for him.

Pulse looked up at Samus, there was a deep gash on his forehead where Samus struck him and he clutched his bleeding left shoulder.

Samus picks up his other sword from the ground and pulls out his second sword. It looks like he is going for the killing blow.

Pulse gasps in pain as he looks up at Samus who swings his swords. What happens next he didn't see coming.

Samus holds the swords close to Pulse's neck but does nothing.

[Soundtrack Note: Song ends at 2:53]

"W-what are you doing?" A pained Freddie asked as he took in deep breaths.

Samus grins as he takes the swords and puts them away. "I wasn't sent here to kill you."

"What are you talking about?" Freddie asked, confusion filling his body along with pain.

Samus helps Freddie to his feet and pats his shoulder. "The man who hired me wanted to know how to assess you. Find out what you're made of."

"Wait, this was a test?" Freddie asked horrified.

"Indeed and my assessment is that you failed." Samus told him.

"I failed?" Freddie said both confused and flabbergasted.

"You have heart. I'll give you that. You fight with power and honor, a true warrior spirit." Samus said as he collected his weapons.

"So why did I fail?" Freddie asked.

"Simple answer, you lack conviction. The drive to do what you are doing." Samus told him. "You may have the power and posture of a hero but you lack what it takes to do what is necessary. You could have easily used your powers at full capacity to kill me but you chose not to because of some strong sense of self righteousness. One day, it will cost you dearly."

"What was the point of any of this?" Freddie yelled, still in pain.

Samus stops but does not turn to face him. "You gave a hell of a fight, kid. But a good fight won't be enough to stop him."

"Stop who?" Freddie asked.

Samus looks back at him. "The Maestro. He's the man who hired me and he's VERY interested in you."

"So you weren't going to kill anyone?" Freddie asked.

Samus stops. "If I wanted to kill you, you would not be standing."

With those words, Liam Samus disappears into the night.

Wendy walks out of her hiding place and runs over to him. She slowly down and touches his chest. "You okay?"

"I'll be fine." Freddie said as he grabbed his ribs. He slowly gets up off the floor and picks up Wendy's cellphone off the floor. He then hands it to her. "Call the police. Tell them what happened. I have to go."

"Wait, where are you going?" Wendy asked while Pulse went to leave.

Pulse turns to face her. "I'm a vigilante, remember?"

Wendy dials 911 and when she looks up, Pulse is gone. A look of relief came upon her face.

•••

On top of the roof of the church, Pulse rubs his injured shoulder then turns on the com link. "Loki?"

"Dude, you all right?" Gabe asked.

"You heard all that?" Freddie asked, pain in his voice.

"Yep. You okay?" Gabe asked.

"Not really but I'll live." Freddie said. "Do me a favor?"

"Name it." Gabe said.

"Call Cassie." Freddie said "And don't say I told you so because I know you want to."

Pulse hears police sirens and runs off into the night.

•••

At the rec center, Millie was helping Leo, Claud and Galen straighten up. Millie and Claud fold the chairs and Galen and Leo stack them up.

"Thanks for volunteering to clean up, guys." Galen said.

"No problem." Leo said.

"We are getting paid, right?" Claud quips.

Millie smiles. "I think that's why they call it volunteering."

"And others call it community service." Claud retorts. "So Millie, you were really kidnapped or was that to get a rise out of Simone?"

"Unfortunately everything I said was true." Millie said. "Some crazed mad scientist kidnapped me. Wanted to use me as bait."

"Bait? For who?" Claud asked.

"For Pulse." Leo told her before Millie could. "Millie said he saved her life."

"So you've met New York's newest vigilante? That's killer." Claud said excitedly.

Leo raises an eyebrow and looks at Claud who shoots him a knowing smile.

"It was pretty awesome, except for the certain doom that loomed over me." Millie said.

"It still sounds pretty amazing." Galen replied.

"Yeah, guess it was." Millie said. Suddenly her phone chimes. She looks and sees a text message from Gabe reading 'He's safe.' This makes her smile.

"Who's that?" Claud asked.

Millie looks up and puts her phone away. "Um, just a friend. He wanted to check back with me."

"It's not some other beau you have on the side, is it?" Claud teased.

"Claud, behave." Leo stated.

"Don't worry. I only have eyes for one guy and he happens to be a tall lanky forensics genius." Millie said as she hugged Leo.

Leo points at himself. "That would be me."

"Obviously." Claud taunted.

Galen stares at Millie, recognizing the look on her face. A look of relief. He knew she was hiding something.

•••

At the Pulse Cave, Cassie hurriedly made her way down the stairs where she found Gabe and Pete near the hub. "What happened? Did Samus show?"

"Worse, the dude actually kidnapped Freddie's friend." Gabe told her.

"Oh my god. Why didn't you guys call me sooner?" Cassie asked, perturbed.

"Freddie told us not. Told us he wanted to work without a safety net." Gabe replied.

Cassie was incensed at what she heard. "He used my words as justification. Is Wendy okay?"

"Yeah, she's safe." Pete said as Cassie seemed relieved. "He managed to rescue her but he got seriously injured. He's in rough shape and not just physically."

Cassie takes a deep breath. "Where is he?"

Gabe and Pete motion to the dojo.

Cassie sighs and slowly walks towards the room, apprehensive at what condition her nephew was in. She opens the door, enters and finds Freddie sitting on the floor.

Freddie turns to face her and she sees the deep gash on his forehead and that he seemed in a lot of pain. He had his hand on gauze that was wrapped around his stab wound, simply to slow down the bleeding until Cassie arrived.

"Oh god." Cassie gasped.

"This is the part where I get the lecture, right?" Freddie said, slurring his words due to blood loss. "Tell me how I'm a ginormous idiot for going after Samus alone."

Cassie goes to sit next to her nephew, gingerly removing the gauze to check the wound. "Seems you figured out that it wasn't one of your more brilliant ideas all on your own." She saw the stab wound had stopped bleeding but it was still fleshy and pink. She starts to heal Freddie's stab wound as Freddie sits in melancholy. "But I think this beating you took is enough of a lesson."

"He was testing me." Freddie simply said which surprised Cassie. "The only reason he went after me was because the guy who hired him wanted to test me."

"He told you that?" Cassie asked, finishing up healing the stab wound.

Freddie nods. "You know what his final assessment was? I suck."

Cassie stares at him and places his hand on his ribs.

"Guy had me pegged, Cassie. A professional killer had me figured out." Freddie said, genuinely sounding dejected. "He told me that I lack conviction. That I may look like a hero but I'm not. Told me that if I'm not willing to do what is necessary, I'll never be a true hero."

"And you believe that?" Cassie asked.

"No..." Freddie said, unsure himself. "Maybe. All I know is that I need to be stronger, be better. I have to find my conviction or I'm just some guy playing dress up."

"You do realize you're taking advice on how to be a hero from a guy who kills people for money?" Cassie said. Freddie stares at her. "Freddie, whether he was right or not, it doesn't matter. Someone once told me that 'a hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself'. You're sacrificing so much to do this. That's a hero in my book and you've got that in spades."

Freddie takes a breath. "I still want to be a better fighter. So I don't rely so much on my powers... or you."

Cassie gives him a reassuring smile. "Let me make something clear - I'm going to teach you to be a warrior, not a killer."

Freddie nods and after a moment, he speaks. "Can I ask you something? And promise you won't get mad."

Cassie nods. "I promise."

"Have you ever killed anyone?" Freddie asked seriously.

Cassie sadly looks down and stares back at Freddie in the eyes. "I have. I have had to do things I'm not proud of in order to survive. Which is why I don't want you to be better than me because I know you can be better. Okay?"

Freddie nods. "Okay."

Cassie sees the gash and goes to heal it but pushes her hand away. "What are you doing?"

"Not that one. You can heal the rest of me but I want to keep this one." Freddie stated.

Cassie smiles understanding. "You need a battle scar."

"Need a reminder that this guy is still out there." Freddie said. "It's a war wound, I want to wear it with pride."

Cassie nods as the two sit quietly in the room.

•••

Elsewhere, Liam Samus returns to the hotel room to find Alec standing in the room. "Is it done?"

"Yeah, I tested the lightning bug." Samus told him.

Alec stares at him with an eyebrow raised. "And?"

"The kid poses a threat but not one that will affect your boss' plans." Samus said. "I also gave him a beating that shook his confidence."

"The Maestro will be happy to hear it." Alec said. "Did you tell Pulse who hired you?"

Samus smiles knowingly. "He's still in the dark. And even if he did, he won't be too much of a problem for the Maestro to handle."

Alec scowls at him. "You had better not have told him or else-"

Samus quickly unsheathes one of his swords and points it at Alec's throat. "Do not threaten me, boy. It'll be the last mistake you ever make. Understand?"

Alec gulps. "Understood." Samus pulls the sword away and Alec begins to leave the suite. "Payment has already been wired to your account."

"Tell him it was a pleasure doing business with him." Samus said with a grin.

Alec shuts the door behind him. He stands on the other side of the door, practically leaning against it. He lets out a breath that reads pure exhaustion.

He pulls out his phone and makes a phone call. After two rings, he speaks. "It's done. He got what we needed. Kid's not a threat." When he finishes getting a response, he speaks. "Understood. You will get a full report in the morning. Have a good evening."

Alec hangs up the phone but once he tries to put away his phone, his phone vibrates . He quickly pulls it out and sees there was a text message from a 'Mr N' which said: "Is he okay?"

Alec texts back. "He's alive. 'Boss' is still in the dark. More details to come'.

Alec stuffs his phone in his pocket. He starts walking down the hall at a frantic pace.

"You're doing this for her." Alec uttered to himself, sounding like a reminder. "You're doing this for her. You're doing this for her."

With that, Alec exits the scene.

•••

The next morning, Victor was preparing breakfast by making Millie's favorite - banana nut pancakes.

Millie walks out of her room dressed for school and sees the mess her dad made breakfast. "Whoa, what happened here?"

Victor turns and sees her. "Oh. I wanted it to be a surprise."

"You cooking? That is a surprise." Millie said smiling.

Father and daughter look at each other as a silence falls upon them.

"I'm sorry." They said simultaneously which made them both laugh awkwardly.

"Um, you first." Millie said.

"Well, as much as I was right about my stance on Pulse and still think I am, I should have told you." Victor said. "We're a team and I should have been able to tell you."

"As much as I was right about being angry, which I was, I was out of line." Millie explained. "I'm really sorry."

They stare at each other for a while until Millie decides to hug her dad.

"Can I ask, why did you really forgive me?" Victor asked.

"Because I spent last with people who have it way worse than me and it made this seem petty." Millie said. "But you're still a little bit in the doghouse. You're going to make up trying to earn my trust back."

Victor nods as he looks at the stack of pancakes. "Are banana nut pancakes a step in the right direction?"

Millie grins. "It's a start."

This makes Victor laugh.

•••

At Columbia University in Wendy and Jazz's dorm room, Wendy was lying on her bed with a bandage on her left wrist.

[Soundtrack Note: 'Hurricane' by Fleurie plays]

Her thoughts were about last night and her ordeal with Samus and her encounter with Pulse. She couldn't believe what she had been through in twenty four hours.

Suddenly there was a knock at her door. Wendy slowly walked to the door but was afraid to answer. "Who is it?"

"It's Freddie."

Wendy beams and she quickly opens the door where she finds Freddie standing at her door holding two smoothies in a drink carrier. He was also sporting a large white bandage on his forehead.

"Hey!" Wendy said softly.

"Hey." Freddie replied weakly. "This a bad time?"

Wendy smiles as she invites him in. "Not for you. Come in."

Freddie walks inside the dorm room and Wendy closes the door when he is fully inside. "I heard about what happened, how are you doing?"

"I'm okay but still a bit freaked out." Wendy said but she realized something. "Wait, how do you know what happened?"

"I saw the news. They said a Pulse saved you." Freddie said, feigning ignorance.

"Oh." Wendy bit her lip.

"So, it's true?" Freddie asked, playing the part.

"He did. He fought off this crazy assassin guy in Samurai attire who had kidnapped me. It was really weird." Wendy told him.

"Seriously?" Freddie asked.

"Yeah, he took a real beating." Wendy said "And that wasn't the weirdest thing."

"Um, what do you mean? A vigilante fought an assassin to save you." Freddie said.

"The guy thought I was Pulse's girlfriend." Wendy answers with a laugh in her voice. "Can you believe that? Me dating a superhero?"

"Hey, it worked for Lois Lane." Freddie jokes.

Wendy grins a bit and notices the smoothies in his hands. "What's this about?"

"Well, the other day you said you wanted to grab a smoothie and catch up." Freddie said as he handed her one of the smoothies. "But since the media is sorta camped outside your dorm, I thought I'd bring the smoothie to you."

Wendy smiles and pinches his cheek. "You're sweet."

Freddie smiles and brushes the hair from his face which makes Wendy notice the bandage.

"Oh, what happened?" Wendy said, wincing.

"What? Oh, this?" Freddie said, indicating his bandage and Wendy nodded. "I-uh had a hit and run... with a pole. If you want, can I show you the stitches?"

"I believe you, Freddie." Wendy assured him "No one would lie about something so embarrassing."

Freddie laughs uncomfortably. "So, were you able to finish your article?"

"Actually, I finished it an hour ago." Wendy told him. "Can I get your opinion on it?"

"Me?" Freddie asked anxiously.

"Yeah, I need an honest opinion and you're sort of the most honest guy I know." Wendy said.

Freddie smiles. "I'd love to give you my opinion."

Wendy beams and pulls out her Pearpad and taps a few keys and pulls up a document.

Freddie sees the title that reads 'My Dangerous Night with Pulse'. He smiles secretly as he reads.

•••

Danny stands in his loft, pacing back and forth. He had his cellphone in one hand and the piece of paper with Sam's phone number in the other.

He was debating whether he should call her. Did he have the right? How would she react? Would she care?

Pam had told him she thought Sam needed someone to watch over her. The way she had talked about his father frightened him and if she was right, these girls needed to be protected.

The hardest part for Danny was to tell Sam he was her brother.

Danny bites the bullet and dials the number. After a couple rings, someone answers.

"Yo yo." Sam's voice is heard.

"Is this Sam Puckett?" Danny asked.

"You my mom's lawyer? Because I ain't bailing her out again!" Sam shouted.

"N-no, I'm not." Danny stammers.

"Okay, Stuttering Joe, who the hell are you?" Sam said in her prickly yet charming demeanor.

"My name's Danny Parker." Danny said and he sighs "I'm your brother."

After a long pause, Sam is heard saying "Oh."

[Soundtrack Note: Song Ends]

•••

•••

Main Cast

Fredward 'Freddie' Benson - Nathan Kress

Cassandra 'Cassie' Sinclair - Melissa Archer

Millicent 'Millie' Flores - Ashley Argota

Gabriel 'Gabe' Morgan - Landon Liboiron

Peter 'Pete' Sawyer - Charlie Hunnam

Also Starring

Detective Victor Flores - Daniel Dae Kim

Detective Daniel 'Danny' Parker - David Giuntoli

Guest Stars

Lucy Shepard - AJ Michalka

David Morgan - David Morrissey

Alec Grayson - Colin Donnell

Liam Samus - Manu Bennett

Wendy Trent - Mary Ann Springer

Lucius Hawkins – Khary Payton

Leopold 'Leo' Maxwell - Dylan O'Brien

Daphne Waller - China Anne McClain

Warden Jennifer Edison - Judith Light

Claudia 'Claud' Moon - Bex Taylor-Klaus

Galen Lennox - Tyler Hoechlin

Pamela 'Pam' Puckett – Jane Lynch

•••

And that was episode eight! Hope you guys liked it :)

Also before I forget, there was a scene I borrowed from MTV's Teen Wolf and if you're a fan of the show, you know which scene. I do not own it, I'm simply having fun with it ;)

Please comment & review