Author's Note:Hey gang! Sorry for the long wait but I'm back with a brand new episode. I've been very excited to get to work on this episode. I hope not to disappoint my readers and will enjoy it.
Also I would personally like to thank a good friend and fellow fanfiction writer honour632 who has been contributing to Pulse as well as helping me write multiple scenes for this and other upcoming episodes. She is on so feel free to check out her work :) She's awesome!
Letting you guys know that there are going to be alterations to chapters I've already written. I want to make changes that I think will help tell a story further on. I hope you guys like what I do with it.
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
Also there is a scene from the season four episode of Teen Wolf, 'Weaponized' that I borrowed. I don't own it at all. Just playing with it :)
I should have said this earlier but the music I use doesn't belong to me either. I just like setting the mood for the scene.
All that said, here is Episode Nine
•••
•••
"Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life."
- Oscar Wilde
•••
Outside of the back entrance of the New York State Women's Correctional Facility, a large windowless armored van waits while two male armed guards stand next to the back doors.
A door to the man building opens to reveal two other guards and Warden Jennifer Edison walk out with a shackled inmate. It was the blond woman that was staring down Cassie when she and Danny visited Pam Puckett.
"Why did you want to oversee this prisoner transfer, Warden?" One of the guards, a clean shaven man with combed back light brown hair, asked.
"I was told it was classified." Warden Edison replied while staring down the inmate. "Ursula Derveaux, also known as The Barracuda. A genuine homegrown terrorist. They want her transferred to a federal holding facility. I want to make sure everything is set."
The inmate was an intimidating figure despite her average height. A blond bombshell with muscles to match her killer curves. Her long blond hair was tied back in a ponytail. She glares at the warden as the two guards open the back and are led inside the van.
"Who is 'they'?" The inquisitive guard asked.
"You ask too many questions, not the best idea." Edison stated.
The guard nods as goes to help his fellow guard secure Ursula Derveaux into her restraints. She stares at the guard that was talking to the warden and winks at him. This seems to make the guard a bit uncomfortable as he goes to sit in the driver's seat of the van and a slightly more stout guard sits in the passenger seat.
"The transfer will take place at a checkpoint twenty miles north of here." The warden told the guards. "No stops until you have reached the checkpoint. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Ma'am." The guard in the passenger seat said as the van started.
An athletic looking African American guard sits with Ursula. He glares at her, not liking her one bit as she smiles like a Cheshire Cat.
"You find something funny, Derveaux?" The guard asked her.
"When I get out of here... I'm gonna kill you." She said with a sinister grin on her face.
He gets in her face. "Keep talking, bitch, and I'll pepper spray that smile off your face."
Ursula smirks and sits back as the vehicle moves at a quick speed.
They drove for twenty minutes and the ride was quiet until the guards saw a large Humvee painted in camouflage colors.
"Is this the checkpoint?" The driver asked.
"I don't think so." The passenger said.
The driver goes for the radio transceiver. "We got an unauthorized vehicle blocking our route. Over." They hear nothing but static. "What the hell?"
Out of the Humvee, a man with a shaved head who was wearing a sleeveless black wife-beater and a flak-jacket over it. He had a cigar in his mouth as he walked toward the vehicle holding a military grade rocket propelled grenade. He points it towards the van.
"Watch out!" The guard in the passenger's seat screamed.
The man in the flak-jacket fires the RPG at the van and barely misses the left side of the vehicle. The explosion from the explosive caused the vehicle to rock violently.
"We need back up. Try the radio again." He said to the driver.
"That's not part of the plan." The driver said to the guard.
The passenger's eyes widen in horror as the driver pulls out a handgun and shoots him point blank in the temple. Blood splatters on the side of the window.
The guard in the back with Ursula hears the gunshot. "What's going on out there?"
Ursula pulls on the part of the van she was shackled to and it comes apart. She smiles as she attacks the guard by choking him from behind using the chains before he could react. He struggles to breathe until Ursula puts him out of his misery and uses the chains and brute force to snap the guard's neck.
The guard's body limps to the floor and Ursula looks down at his corpse with a sickly sweet smile. "Told you so." She said with a grin.
The driver pulls the vehicle over as the man in the flack-jacket walks over to the driver's side and opens the door.
"I do enjoy your flare for the dramatics, Maynard, but you almost blew us to pieces." The driver said to the man as he exited the vehicle.
"Complain all ya want, Howie. I got it done, didn't I?" Brock Maynard, the man in the flack-jacket, said. He spoke in a Southern accent.
The driver, Howard Redmond, smiles and they embrace with a manly hug. "Let's go check on our precious cargo."
The two men walk to the back of the van and open the doors to find Ursula using the dead guard's keys to unshackle herself.
Ursula looks up and shoots them a come-hither stare. "What took you so long?"
"You know me, I enjoy the foreplay." Howard stated as Brock offered his hand to help Ursula out.
"Such a gentleman, Brock." Ursula said grinning.
"Well, my mama taught me how to treat a lady." Brock said.
"Says the man who likes to sexually assault women?" Ursula asked with a grin.
"I only touch those who can't hit back." Brock stated.
Ursula stares at Howard. "For the record, I hate being kept waiting."
"Hey, we came, Mademoiselle. That's all that matters." Howard replied.
Ursula rolled her eyes and the trio walked towards the Humvee. "Are things set?"
"Everything is moved into place." Howard stated. "I have put together all the painstaking details. All you have to do is to arrive and raise hell."
Ursula grins like a bloodthirsty fish of her namesake "You spoil me."
They jump into the vehicle with Howard in the driver's seat, Ursula in the passenger seat and Brock in the backseat. "Want to do the honors?" Howard asked Brock.
"It'd be my pleasure, boss man." Brock said as he reloaded the RPG and Howard started the vehicle.
"Can't wait to get out of this jumpsuit. Orange is not my color." Ursula stated.
"Not to worry, mon petite. I've got a slinky black number waiting for you." Howard stated as he started driving. "We're going to a party."
As they drove, Brock pointed the rocket launcher straight at the prison van. He fires the van and blows up in a fiery explosion. He laughs maniacally as the trio drives past a highway sign reading 'Entering New York City Limits'.
•••
Elsewhere that night, Pulse stands on top of a tall building overlooking Yankee Stadium watching one of his favorite things - baseball. The Yankees were playing against the Seattle Mariners and the Yankees were winning by a few runs."
"How's it going?" Gabe asked via com link.
"It could be better." Freddie said as he used his goggles to zoom in one of the Mariners' batters at home plate ready for a pitch.
"I'm surprised you aren't spying on the Yankee vs Mariners game." Cassie said via the com link. "You are downtown, right?"
"Wait, how did you-"
"You do know that these com links have a GPS device on them, right?" Gabe stated.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that." Freddie said nervously. "It's been pretty quiet."
"Wanna call it a night?" Cassie asked.
"Think I should see as it's gonna be a full two days." Freddie stated.
"Hold that thought. I got a hit on something." Gabe stated.
"What is it?" Freddie asked.
"A silent alarm has been activated at The Bronx Museum of the Arts." Gabe told him.
"And bases are loaded, too." Freddie quips under his breath as he looks back at the stadium.
"Do you think it's Bast?" Cassie asked.
"She hasn't shown her slinky high tech catsuit clad self around lately." Gabe replied. "Maybe she's already moved on."
Pulse turns his head to the right and focuses on a figure running along the rooftops. He recognizes who it was.
"So much for that theory." Freddie said as he turns on the voice modulator and jumps into action, running on to another roof.
On another building, a figure dashes on to it. The figure looks around and reveals to be Bast. She looks at the edge of the roof and sees several police cars head towards the museum.
"What'd you take this time?"
Bast quickly turns around and finds Pulse standing behind her.
"Hey, Sparky. Fancy running into you here." Bast stated in her digitized voice.
"Considering I'm one of the few people running on rooftops at night, you're surprised to see me?" Freddie jokes. "Now what did you take?"
"I am appalled at your insinuation." Bast said, sounding offended.
"Well you are a thief so taking offense to that sounds pointless." Freddie stated.
"All right, no sense beating around the bush, now is there?" Bast said as she circles around Pulse. "I was hired to steal a painting for a client. He says the piece was taken from him and given to the museum."
"Why?" Freddie asked.
"What can I say, a girl's gotta eat." Bast gloated.
"Stealing is stealing." Freddie stated.
"That's the vigilante pot calling the thief kettle black." Bast chided. "Besides, the money makes up for a good time."
"You know, I'm not going to let you walk away with that painting." Freddie retorts.
"Well, you're welcome to try to take it from me, Sparky." Bast said as she faces him and pops her razor sharp claws. "But I won't go down easy."
"Good, neither will I." Freddie told her while his hands sparked with electricity.
[Soundtrack Note: 'The Bitter End' by Placebo plays]
Bast swipes at him but Pulse manages to dodge the strikes while managing to grab one of her wrists and twists her arm back.
With her free hand, she goes to backhand him but moves his head out of the way. He takes her arm and flips her in the air but she uses the momentum and kicks him in the head.
Pulse stumbles back but he recovers quickly when Bast goes to deliver several acrobatic kicks towards him. He dodges each volley and manages to catch her ankle then pushes her back causing her to fall backwards.
"Wow, thought you were supposed to be all chivalrous?" Bast said as she got to her feet.
"I'm defending myself. And not to sound childish but you started it." Freddie said.
Suddenly a spotlight shined down on them. They looked up to see it was a police helicopter.
"Freeze! Hands in the air!" The PA system on the aircraft.
"Guess that's my cue." Bast said as she elbows Pulse in the back and takes off running.
Pulse wastes no time and follows after the thief.
The helicopter begins to chase after the thief and the vigilante. "All units, we have a possible suspect in pursuit." The pilot said to a radio.
"Roger that." The voice on the radio answered back.
Pulse ran from rooftop to rooftop trying to catch up and trying to avoid the spotlight.
"I got a problem." Freddie said as he ran.
"Bast get away?" Cassie asked.
"I'm in hot pursuit but so is a police helicopter." Freddie said.
"And now they're chasing after you?" Gabe asked even though he knew the answer.
"Think that's obvious." Freddie stated. He looks around. "Athena, got any of your patented shortcuts?"
"Where are you?" Cassie asked.
"31st and Brubaker." Freddie told her.
After a moment of silence, Cassie speaks. "Follow my instructions carefully."
Bast ran from several different roof tops, checking behind her to see if she was being followed. She sees the helicopter in hot pursuit.
As Bast runs onto the building under construction, Pulse leaps out of nowhere and tackles her. They both fall through it and land on several cardboard boxes.
The two get to their feet and stare each other down.
"You are starting to annoy me, Sparky." Bast said, gritting her teeth.
"Feelings mutual, Bombalurina." Freddie quips.
Bast charges at him and the two exchange kicks and punches and deflect each attack with precision and accuracy. She kicks him in the stomach and goes up a scaffolding to escape but Pulse grabs her arm. She goes to elbow him in the face but he blocks it.
After they grab on each other's wrists, Bast laughs at this. "You've gotten better, Sparky. Have you been practicing?"
"Maybe, or maybe you've gotten soft since the last time we fought." Freddie said boastfully.
Bast goes for another strike but Pulse ducks. "Stand still and hit me!"
Pulse grabs both her wrists and delivers a mild shock to her. She wails in pain and falls to her knees. She looks up at him surprised. "How's that?"
"You dirty little cheater!" Bast said, getting to her feet.
"I don't mind playing dirty now and then." Freddie stated.
"Well, neither do I." Bast suddenly grabs his face and plants a seemingly passionate kiss on his masked lips with her own mask over her mouth.
Pulse is floored by this, not sure what to do or how to react until he realizes too late what she was planning to do - Bast knees him in the groin and he falls to the floor.
"Don't try to play dirty against me, Sparky. You'll always lose." She walks towards an open window and looks back at the downed vigilante. "By the way, kiss wasn't terrible." She blows him a kiss and with that, she leaps out the window.
[Soundtrack Note: Song ends]
"Pulse? Pulse, you okay?" Gabe asked.
"Not really." Freddie said through gritted teeth, sounding like he was in pain. "She got away."
"What happened?" Cassie asked. "She slash you."
"No, she... kneed me in... in the fuse box." Freddie said as he tried to get to his feet.
"Oh. OH!" Gabe said, sounding horrified by this.
"Fuse box? What do you-" Cassie realizes what he meant. "Oh. OOOH."
Pulse walks over to the window and watches as the police helicopter flies off, possibly in pursuit of Bast.
•••
At the precinct and there were a few employees working, Millie was sitting at the clerk desk, finishing some filing. It was fairly quiet as she went to place a stack of files inside of a filing cabinet. She hears a noise behind her and turns around but no one is there. She sighs and continues to put away the files.
Behind her, a shadow creeps over her and a hand reaches to tap her on the shoulder.
"Leopold, I don't think your boss would appreciate her youngest CSI scaring his girlfriend while she tries to do her work." Millie said to the person behind her without looking as she faced Leo who was indeed behind her.
"How did you know it was me?" Leo asked incredulously.
"Your shoes." Millie simply said which confused him. "The soles of your shoes make a slight squeaking sound even when you try not to."
"Wow, you really are the daughter of a cop." Leo said and it made Millie laugh. "I got em."
Millie looks at him with an excited smile. "No way!"
Leo pulls out an envelope which contains a pair of concert tickets. "Two tickets to the Cuddlefish concert. How much do you love me now?"
Millie grins and puts her arms around him. "I already liked you before..." She gives him a sweet kiss on the lips then looks back at him lovingly as she pulls away. "But the concert tickets are a nice bonus."
Leo smiles brightly. "I bet they are."
Millie pulls away and walks over to the desk. "How did you manage to get these tickets anyway?"
"They were Claud's but she can't go because her great uncle Todd died and she has to go to Albany for the funeral the same day as the concert." Leo told her.
"And she gave them to you?" Millie asked him.
"Sort of, I had to pay her two hundred bucks for each ticket, which was a bargain considering each ticket cost five hundred a piece." Leo said. "But that means I can't take you out to dinner before the concert."
Millie grins. "I don't care. As long as I get to have fun and spend time with you, I'm happy."
"Good. I'm just hoping you won't be spending the whole night checking your phone for texts." He said as he looked to see Millie checking her phone. "Like you are right now."
Millie sets down her phone. "I'm sorry. Freddie was sending me a text to check in."
Leo shoots her a curious look. "Is it weird if I ask if there's something going on between the two of you."
"Yes, because Freddie is a friend. That's all." Millie reassured him.
"Okay, fine. But what about a certain heir apparent you're friends with?" Leo asked. "I've read the gossip websites, guy has a reputation as a ladies man."
"Gabe is harmless. He and I have known each other since we were little kids. He'd never try anything with me... Because I would kill him if the thought ever crossed his mind." Millie said. "I'm sure once you two meet, you'll be fast friends."
"I find that very unlikely." Leo said.
"You two have a lot in common: you're both geniuses, both of you love comics." Millie mentioned.
"But I still prefer Manga, thank you very much." Leo stated.
"Really, didn't I see you reading a Batman comic earlier today?" Millie replied.
Leo bites his lip. "Well, I'm busted."
"The point is, I know you'll have some common ground once you guys meet." Millie said.
"Why do you keep saying that?" Leo asked. He looks at Millie and it reads guilty. "What did you do?"
"I may have... invited Gabe and Lucy to go with us to the concert." Millie said, nervously anticipating his reaction.
"Millie!" Leo exclaimed. "I spent half my paycheck getting the tickets for the two of us."
"I know but he managed to get two tickets and four backstage passes." Millie stated.
"How did he manage that?" Leo said, sounding annoyed.
"He's close friends with the drummer. Saved his life when he was choking on a Jordan Almond. We'll get to go backstage and meet the band!" Millie said excitedly. She sees that Leo isn't too pleased. "What's wrong? I thought you'd be happy about this?"
"I am. It's just- I don't like how Chuck Bass is flashing around his money to impress people." Leo said.
"I asked him to do it because I wanted us to have an unforgettable night." Millie said, seeming to be hurt by this. "Gabe's a friend and I was hoping you two could become friends. Sorry for being optimistic."
Leo walks over to her. "I'm sorry. I just don't trust him."
"A few months ago, I would've agreed with you. I hadn't spoken to Gabe since I was twelve... after my mother died. He was the one who found her body." Millie told him which surprised Leo. "I spent years blaming his family for what happened to my mom and it wasn't fair. Maybe if I had stayed friends with him, he wouldn't have acted like a total dog."
"Maybe." Leo stated. "But I still don't like him."
"All right, but can you at least try to be civil?" Millie pleaded and looked at him with her warm brown eyes while wrapping her arms around his shoulders. "For me."
Leo lets his shoulders drop and he smiles. "That's not fair, you used your brown eyes to get your way." Millie grins a bit. "All right. I promise to make nice with Barney Stinson."
"That's all I ask." Millie said grinning as she went to give him a soft but passionate kiss on the lips. She pulls away and looks around the room. "Now you scoot before my dad catches you in here."
"Too late for that." Victor's voice called from the door. The pair looks over and finds Victor standing at the door with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.
"Hi, daddy. How long have you been standing there?" Millie said anxiously.
"Long enough." Victor stated not taking his eyes off Leo. "Leopold, Nina has been look for you. I think you should go see what she wants."
"Yes, sir." He plants a quick peck on Millie's cheek and rushes out of the room.
Millie stares at her father and rolls her eyes. "Don't start. He's my boyfriend, learn to live with it."
"All I can say is that I prefer him over Gabriel because that would be the day you send me to the closest mental hospital." Victor said.
Millie groans. "This is the last time I'm gonna say this to anyone, Gabe and I are just friends. Nothing more. Got it?"
Victor nods. "Got it." He goes to leave as Millie looks down at her phone, staring at the text Freddie sent her that read: 'I'm ok'.
Millie let out a sigh of relief and went back to work. She sees a file marked 'Mockingbird' and begins to leaf through it where she sees an artist rendering of 'Mockingbird' who looked very familiar to her.
•••
At the Pulse Cave, Freddie limps into the main room now wearing his civilian clothing, a tight light gray hooded shirt with dark pants and all black Converse sneakers.
"I really hate dealing with that woman." Freddie said as he made his way towards the others.
Cassie anxiously stood clutching the silver ring that was the charm on her silver chain necklace. She wore a low cut black long sleeved top paired with tight dark blue jeans and tight high dark brown boots.
Pete stood next to Cassie and he was wearing a tight white T-shirt with dark blue jeans and dark boots.
Gabe sat at the hub reviewing some blueprints for a special project. He was wearing a brown long sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up, blue jeans and black boots.
"Have you always had girl troubles?" Gabe jokes.
"I appreciate the sympathy towards my plight, Gabe." Freddie said sarcastically as he rubs a deep scratch on his neck.
Cassie sees him do this. "Looks like Bast left you with more than a bruised ego." She goes to heal the scratch as Freddie tries to stop her. "Fredward, you can't afford to have too many scars."
Freddie rubs his neck. "Think you might be over-"
"Makes to easier for someone to recognize you." Cassie reminds him, silencing his retort. "Besides, you'd have to explain it to Spencer."
Freddie groans and gives in to the healing process. Instantaneously, the scratch was gone.
She takes a deep breath from exhaustion which worries the guys but she raises her right arm and gives them an 'OK' sign. She then pulls out a wet nap and wipes away the blood from Freddie's neck.
"Did you realize you mommed me just now?" Freddie said as he wiped the residue of the wet nap from his neck.
Cassie glares at him and throws away the used sanitary napkin. "The Mariners lost by the way."
"As if my night wasn't bad enough." Freddie said, still feeling the pain in his lower extremities. He walks over to Gabe. "You find out what exactly Bast stole?"
"Yeah, it's a piece called 'Crossing The Nile'. It's said to be worth at least seventeen million dollars. It was on loan to the museum." Gabe said as he pulled up a photo of the painting. It was a watercolor painting of a desert at sunset on what seemed to be parchment paper.
"Guess the money wasn't the only reason she took that painting." Freddie stated.
"The woman seems to have a particular modus operandi." Cassie replied.
"Anything Egyptian related." Pete stated.
"And thanks to me, she got away with a priceless piece of art." Freddie said feeling guilty.
"Don't beat yourself up, Freddie. You couldn't have known what she was going to do." Cassie stated kindly.
"I know. It's been a week since the Samus incident and I've been having better luck since we stepped up on my training. Guess I got complacent." Freddie replied.
"That and Bast clearly played dirty by kicking you in the groin." Gabe said.
"I did play dirty against someone who plays for keeps, not my brightest move." Freddie said.
"You should have gone for the throat like I taught you." Cassie said.
"I haven't quite perfected that move yet." Freddie reminds her. "I'm afraid I'll end up crushing someone's throat."
"The key is to hit it in a spot that's hard enough to only fracture the larynx." Cassie stated.
"Yes, that's helpful." Freddie quipped.
"You'll get it, you have picked up a lot of my party tricks fairly quickly." Cassie said. "But your main focus for the next couple days is to be 'normal'."
"Right." Freddie said, nodding.
"Is it because Spencer is visiting?" Gabe asked.
Freddie nods. "He's in New York City for a few days because he's got this art exhibition Saturday night. Cassie and I are going but Spencer said he can get us tickets if you wanna go."
"I don't have plans." Pete stated.
"Or a social life of your own." Gabe mumbled. Pete glares at him which unnerves Gabe.
"Um, what about you, Gabe? If you want, you can bring Lucy." Freddie interrupted to help Gabe feel better.
"Nah, Lucy and I are going on a double date with Millie and Leo. We're going to the Cuddlefish concert." Gabe told him.
"Oh yeah, I forgot." Freddie retorts. "Least one of us will actually get to have a conversation with him."
"I met him at the precinct. Nice guy, a bit of a smart mouth though." Pete informed them.
Cassie turns her head to Gabe. "Sounds like someone I know."
"Please, you're worse than Millie about you and the Pretty Boy Detective." Gabe said jokingly.
Freddie laughs lightly and grabs his messenger bag. "The only problem is that I don't have a suit to wear for the exhibit." He looks to Cassie who sees this almost pleading with his eyes.
Cassie realizes what he's doing and points at him. "I am not buying you a suit."
"Come on, you still owe me like sixteen years of back-birthdays and Christmas presents." Freddie stated. "If my math is right, that's thirty two delayed presents."
"Yeah, and me not telling your mom you're a crime fighting vigilante counts as twelve." Cassie jokes.
Freddie looks at her and starts to pout his lip. His brown puppy dog eyes are on full display.
"Oh! Oh you are not breaking out that face!" Cassie exclaimed. "You are WAY too old to pull the puppy dog eyes and think it'll work on me, Fredward!"
"Come on, please." Freddie continued making the face, almost exaggerating his features.
"No. No. A thousand gallons of 'No'." She stated while Freddie continued to make the face. "Ya want me to say it in Spanish? NOH!"
As Pete and Gabe stood there, waiting for Cassie to cave in, Gabe said softly. "In five, four, three, two..."
"All right! All right, I will take you to go get a suit." Cassie said.
"After we pick up Spencer and drop him off at his hotel?" Freddie stated.
Cassie groans. "Fine." She looks to Gabe and Pete "Thanks for the support, fellas."
The guys snicker as Cassie puts on her tan leather jacket. She looks at her phone and notices it was 8:54 and winces.
"We should call it a night unless we can fit another training session?" Freddie asked. Cassie rolls her eyes and she turns him to face the stairs and pushes him forward. "Guess that's a 'no'?"
"Sure, you heard that 'no '." Cassie retorts sarcastically. "Besides, I happen to have a prior engagement."
"At this time of night?" Gabe remarked, eyebrow raised.
"Yeah, meeting a friend for a training session. He wants to brush up on his martial arts skills." Cassie said as she grabbed a duffel bag from off the floor.
"This friend wouldn't happen to be Danny by any chance, would it?" Pete teased, trying to hide a hint of jealousy.
Cassie scoffs, strapping the bag to her back. "Nope. I've offered but Danny doesn't think there's much I can teach him."
"Who's the mysterious stranger you're giving asskicking lessons to?" Gabe asked. "It's been like two weeks, what's with the cloak and dagger?"
Cassie shakes her head and gives in. "My friend Alec. Tells he has become well versed in krav maga since college. But he thinks he could use a sparring partner and I am happy to oblige."
"He did pick a great one. You are the best teacher." Freddie compliments.
Cassie thinks and smirks. "That's up for debate."
Gabe begins to power down the main hub computer as he pulls out a special looking jump drive and places it in his bag. Pete watches him do this and the four walk up the stairs and enter the main floor.
"Have you talked to Danny recently?" Freddie asked Cassie.
"A little bit, he's been dealing with a lot of family issues." Cassie said while Freddie locked up using a high tech keypad Gabe had installed on the door.
"I still can't believe Danny has a long lost sister." Gabe stated.
"Sisters actually. Twins." Cassie said with a twinge of anxiety.
Freddie looks back at his aunt and sees she seems nervous. "What is it?"
Cassie looks at Gabe and Pete. "Could you give us a minute?"
Pete nods as he pulls Gabe out of the building by his shoulder. "Let's go, kid."
"Dude, why do I have to leave?" Gabe said in protest but Pete managed to get Gabe out.
Freddie stares at Cassie looking perplexed and anxious "What's going on, Cassie?"
"I really should have told you when I found out but Danny told me not to." Cassie said.
"What do you mean?" Freddie asked, seeming quite confused.
"You remember how I told you that Danny and I were going to a women's prison to meet the woman who told Danny's mom about having married and had kids with Danny's deadbeat dad?" She explained.
"Yeah, the day I faced off against Samus." Freddie replied.
"Yeah, well the woman we were meeting was..." Cassie swallows hard. "It was Pam Puckett."
Freddie's eyes widened "No way!"
Cassie nods. "She called Danny's mom and told her about being married to his dad... and having two kids with him."
"Wait, if that's true, then Danny is Sam's half sister." Freddie said, still in shock. "This is insane."
"Tell me about it." Cassie said. "I was going to tell you earlier but Danny told me to keep it quiet until he talked to Sam. But I think you waited long enough."
"I get it. It wasn't your place." Freddie said but he did begin to speak quickly. "I feel for Sam though. Finding out you have a brother you didn't know you had. Also, the fact that he's a cop, Sam doesn't really like cops... Well, any kind of authority figures for that matter but-"
"Freddie, Freddie, relax." Cassie said calmly. "You're gonna give yourself a heart attack."
Freddie exhales. "I gotta talk to Sam, make sure she's all right."
"Tomorrow, okay? You'll need your rest for tomorrow." Cassie said as she led him out.
"All right, fine. I just hope she isn't freaked out by this." Freddie said.
"I'm sure she's taking it in stride." Cassie said, trying to sound optimistic.
"Knowing Sam, you're probably right." Freddie stated as they exited the building.
•••
At Danny's loft, Danny sat in front of his laptop computer talking to someone on a video chat. It wasn't just anyone, it was Sam Puckett. The two seem to be having
"You kicked down this old lady's door?" Danny asked, seeming quite skeptical upon hearing the story.
"I thought she stole my laptop, I don't like it when people take my stuff." Sam said bluntly.
"And did she steal it?" Danny asked.
"Actually, no. Benson got the last part of the serial number wrong." Sam said, slightly embarrassed.
"And that's what happens when you write stuff on marshmallows." Danny stated.
"I didn't have paper!" Sam yelled which made Danny laugh. "So, how are things with you? Still looking for that superhero guy?"
"Pulse and yes. This week has actually been really quiet though." Danny told her.
"I just find it nuts that there is a guy with superpowers running around New York City." Sam stated, almost impressed "Sounds like something straight out of a movie."
"What movie?" A high pitched girl's voice is heard a couple feet away from Sam.
Sam turns to where the voice came from. "Nothing, just video chatting."
Danny then sees a girl with oddly toned red hair and a pretty pink dress step into frame - Sam's roommate and business partner Cat Valentine.
"Hello." Cat greeted her cheerfully.
"Hi." Danny greeted her, sounding nervous.
"Who is this? Your new boyfriend?" Cat asked, sounding coy.
Sam crinkles her nose and makes a disgusted face. "Gross."
"Why gross? He's kinda handsome." Cat said, staring at Danny. Danny laughs awkwardly as he runs his hands through his hair.
"Danny, this is my roommate Cat Valentine. Cat, this is Danny Parker. He's my brother." Sam said, making the introductions.
Cat looks at Danny then at Sam. "Wait, I thought you only had a twin sister?"
"I do but I found out about Danny almost a week ago." Sam told her.
"Oh. It is really nice to meet you." Cat said, trying to make the situation less awkward.
"You too, Cat." Danny replied.
Cat continues staring at him with goo-goo eyes which makes Sam roll her eyes and she has an idea.
"Cat, there's a quadruple rainbow outside!" Sam said as she looked out the window. "Means there could be unicorns outside."
"Quadruple rainbow!" Cat yelled as she ran out the door. "I'm gonna get a unicorn!"
Danny seems surprised "That actually worked."
"Yeah, Cat's sweet but not too bright." Sam stated.
Suddenly, Danny's phone rings and he checks the caller ID. "It's my mom. I have to take this."
"No prob. Tell her I said 'sup'." Sam replied, which made Danny laugh. "Talk to you tomorrow."
"Sure." Danny nods.
The video chats as Danny answers his phone.
"Hey, mom. Sorry I haven't been able to call you." Danny stated.
"It's all right, Daniel. I know you've been busy with work." Rita replied. "There's something I need to tell you."
"What? Did another one of dad's secret wives pop up?" Danny joked.
"No, thankfully." Rita said grimly. "You remember Rosanna Tobias?"
"My ex-fiancée, the woman who cheated on me with her boss who was one of my closest friends?" Danny asked bitterly. "What about her?"
"Well, I wanted to be the first one to tell you before you heard it from someone else." Rita said somberly.
"Mom, just tell me. What is it?" Danny replied.
"Rosanna and Keith are engaged." Rita told her son.
Danny's face fills with utter bewilderment. He couldn't believe what he just heard. "Engaged?"
"I am so sorry, sweetheart." Rita replied. "I didn't want you to find out from someone else."
"No, it's okay. I'm glad you told me." Danny said, trying not to sound devastated. "Um, look I gotta go."
"Oh, all right. Call me when you can, sweetheart." Rita said. "Good night."
"Good night." Danny replied softly as he hung up the phone.
Danny looks at the ceramic mug on his coffee table and picks it up. He holds it for a moment then he angrily chucks it at the wall.
He breathes heavily as he lies down on the couch.
•••
Inside a well decorated penthouse apartment in Manhattan, all white walls, a few pieces of designer furniture which included a long black suede couch. Mounted on the wall were a few photographs of landscapes and old looking historical buildings, some of which look like they were taken by an amateur photographer. On a fireplace was an old looking Polaroid of two fifteen year olds who were engaged in a friendly embrace, a male and female. The female girl had a recognizable shade of red hair.
On the coffee table that was off the living room, an orange colored one year old Tabby cat can be seen sitting at attention. The cat was watching something going on in the center of the room, however the house pet becomes bored by the movements and lies down on the table.
The sound of aggressive sounding grunts and groans are heard but before there could be any lewd ideas coming to mind, Alec, who was dressed in baggy workout clothes, goes hurling across the living room floor that had mats on it. He groans in pain as a hand offers to help him up. He lazily glances up and sees Cassie standing in front of him. She also wore workout clothes only she was wearing a sleeveless blue tank top, black yoga pants and sneakers. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.
"Ready to call it a night?" Cassie asked teasingly.
Alec shakes his head as she helps him up. "Not yet."
"We've been at this for almost two hours. I do have to go home and get some sleep sooner or later and, come to think of it, so do you." Cassie uttered, rubbing her right shoulder. She glances over at the sleeping cat on the coffee table. "Even Ginger is bored."
"She's a cat, they do that." Alec replied, adjusting his padded gloves on his hands. He holds up his right hand and points his index finger upward. "One more round?"
"Fine." Cassie groaned, more out of exhaustion than annoyance.
Both of them got back to the center of the matted living room floor. Cassie holds up her arms to get in a fighting stance.
"Offense or defense?" Cassie asked.
Alec smirks as he gets into his own stance. "Surprise me."
Cassie grins mischievously. "Big mistake."
Alec smiles but that fades as he starts to dodge a few of Cassie offensive strikes. He used his arms to defend each of Cassie's attacks. She comes charging towards him only for Alec to lunge forward and hit her in the stomach, knocking her back.
Cassie was winded by the counterstrike but quickly catches her breath and dodges some of his incoming punches. She counters with a right roundhouse kick but he ducks out of the way and goes to punch her chest again. Cassie blocks it with her forearms and slides back on the mat.
"Well, color me impressed." Cassie stated, catching her breath.
Alec smiles although it was short lived when Cassie hits him in his stomach, knocking him back a bit. Alec answers with a spinning heel kick but just as he is about to connect with her chin, Cassie catches his leg and throws him away from her.
With a battle cry, Cassie charges at a disoriented Alec and punches him back with a powerful blow. A punch that has a ripple effect in the air.
Alec grabs his left shoulder and seems genuinely surprised by this. "Whoa, wasn't expecting that."
"Yeah… neither was I." Cassie said, sounding both winded and astounded by that strong punch. "But you… You sir, have mad fighting skills. Keeping me on my toes."
"Thanks." Alec beamed proudly. He stares at his hands. "Couldn't have imagined that when we were kids that I'd be able to stand toe to toe against-"
Before he could finish his thought, Cassie comes swiftly at him out of nowhere. Alec had barely enough time to dodge the incoming strike. The two exchange punches and block one another's attacks until Alec catches Cassie's elbow before it could connect with his face.
"And yet you forgot rule number one in combat." Cassie reminds him. She sweeps his left leg and trips him, causing him to fall flat on his back. "NEVER take your eyes off your opponent."
Alec groans and lays on the floor as Ginger the tabby cat hopes off the table and walks over to I'm, nuzzling on his face. He smiles as he weakly pets his feline companion. "Least one woman shows me some sympathy."
"Need I remind you that you wanted these sparring matches." Cassie said as she grabs a clean towel off the coffee table and wipes the sweat off her face. "Not my fault that I am a smidge better at giving beatdowns."
Alec slowly sits up and stares at his friend. "Guess I had that coming."
Cassie smiles. "Don't sell yourself short, Al. You definitely have some serious training under your belt. Had me on the ropes a number of times since we've been doing this."
Alec smiles as Ginger rubs up against him. "I'm sensing a 'but' coming."
Cassie scoffs at the reply. "BUT you have a long way to go before you are close to my level. It takes practice and I had a BIT of a head start."
"That's putting it mildly, Sand." Alex joked.
Cassie playfully tosses her towel at Alex. "Watch it, Alejandro."
Alec smiles. "So… Do you have any plans this weekend?"
"Well, my nephew has a friend of his from Seattle coming to visit. Thinking I might be playing tour guide until Freddie goes back to class on Monday." Cassie informs her friend. "Why, you want to schedule another session? Because I would be HAPPY to squeeze you in."
Alec laughs weakly and rubs his neck. "I think this session was enough for now." Cassie smiles as she drinks from her personal water bottle. "I got some vacation time and my boss gave me a ticket to an art show at the Chateau Oculus. If you want, I could swing for him to give me another one."
Cassie shrugs and walks over to him. "Tempting but I'm not a big art person. You're the one who likes to take pictures of nature and old buildings."
"It's called being avant-garde." Alec jokes.
"Look, I would be happy to put up with boredom if it means spending time with my best friend." Cassie reassured him. "If I didn't have plans, I would be there."
"It's okay. We can do something else if either of us is free." Alec said, beaming.
Cassie pokes his chest with her right index finger. "Call it a rain check. Think I owe a few of those."
"Don't worry, I've been cataloging them just in case." Alec smiles.
Cassie punches him softly on the shoulder. "Well aware of your attention to detail." She looks at the digital clock on the wall and sees it was 10:45 at night. "And that's my cue to hit the trail. Got an early start tomorrow."
Alec nods. "Got it. Give me a call when you're free."
Cassie grabs her duffel bag and gives him a quick hug. "Count on it." She begins to walk towards the door but turns to face him. "Good night." She opens the door and walks out of the apartment.
Alec stands in the living room, alone. Until he feels Ginger rubbing against his legs. He smiles at his companion. "You know I want to tell her. But I have to keep her out of this. Keep her safe."
Ginger meows her rebuttal but before Alec could respond, his phone vibrates on his coffee table. He grabs his phone and sees a message from Mr N that reads. 'Are you still going?'
Alec sighs and responds with 'Yes… But I still don't know why I am?'
Seconds later, a response comes from Mr N: 'Call it a hunch. You're going. End of discussion'.
Alec groans and angrily types 'Fine'.
A second later, a message from Mr N comes in, reading: 'And don't forget the errand you need to do for me. Before the event, if possible'.
Alec sighs and sends back 'Before works'.
And on that note, he throws his phone on the couch and exhales deeply. He hated this. Every bit of it.
•••
Friday morning at a crowded and bustling JFK International Airport, Freddie, Cassie, Gabe, Millie and Pete waited at the terminal.
Freddie is now wearing a blue, gray and white button up plaid, dark blue jeans and a black hooded jacket. Cassie is in a sleeveless gray top with blue jeans and high heeled ankle boots. Of course rocking her tan leather jacket. Gabe wore a blue sweater with dark pants and dark shoes, Millie is wearing a fuchsia colored floral patterned top, black skinny jeans and matching ballet flats. Pete wore a white T-shirt with a black jacket over it, dark jeans and black work boots.
"When did you say Spencer's flight is arriving?" Cassie asked.
Freddie checks his Pearphone. "8:30. Should be here soon."
"I can't wait to meet Spencer. His art pieces are awesome and he was adorable as Baby Spencer on iCarly." Millie said.
Gabe smirks. "Somebody has a crush." Millie responds by smacking him across the chest. "Ah!"
"You deserved that." Millie replied, turning her nose at him.
"I respectfully disagree." Gabe replied.
Freddie laughs as he looks around the terminal where he sees Jane waiting with the man she had been with at the clock tower. He is surprised to see her. "Jane?"
Jane looks up to see her ex. She excused herself from the man and she walked over to him. "Hey, Freddie."
The group watches as Freddie walks over to Jane.
"What are you doing here?" Freddie asked. "I know it's none of my business but-"
"No, you're worried about me. That's being a good friend." Jane said, getting choked up. "I'm taking my dad to a hospice in Montpelier."
"I'm really sorry." Freddie said to her.
"It's okay. He's gonna be getting the best care. They're going to make his last days comfortable" Jane said, wiping away her tears.
"I know this sounds insensitive but what about school?" Freddie asked.
"I'm coming back, I just gotta make sure my dad has the best care." Jane said.
"Flight 143 to Montpelier is now boarding." An announcement is heard.
"That's us." Jane said and she gave him a quick hug. "Thanks for being a good friend."
"Yeah, that's me." Freddie said, trying not to sound halfhearted.
Jane walks over to her dad and helps him to his feet and they go to board their flight. Jane picks up a narrow cylinder with her.
Freddie walks back over to his friends as Jane and her father Albert make their way to their flight.
"So, that was Freddie?" Albert said to his daughter and Jane nodded. "He seems like a nice boy."
"Yeah, he is. He's really sweet." Jane said somberly.
"And tell me again why did you end it with him?" Albert asked his daughter.
Jane sighs as she holds up the cylinder she was carrying. "Because the mission is what matters."
Albert looks at his daughter with a small smile on his face.
Freddie and the gang continue waiting for Spencer's plane to land. Cassie spoke up. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Freddie told her. He notices her staring. "Really, I'm fine."
Cassie nods as passengers step into the terminal. One of those passengers was Spencer Shay. His hair was shorter and spiked up but he still dressed in a dark blue plaid shirt, blue jeans and a black jacket.
"Spencer!" Freddie called out.
Spencer looks around and sees Freddie with four strangers he didn't recognize. He flashes a big smile and goes to hug one of his little sister's best friends and his surrogate little brother.
"It is good to see you, bud." Spencer said as he hugged Freddie tightly.
"Yeah, you too." Freddie said.
As he hugs Freddie, Spencer notices something about the teenager. "Whoa, have you been working out or something? Your arms seem bigger."
"Yeah, I guess." Freddie said sheepishly.
The two pull from the embrace as Spencer looks at the four around Freddie. "Who are your friends?"
Freddie looks at his friends and his aunt. "Oh. Right." He stands next to Cassie. "This is my aunt, Cassie Sinclair."
"Hello." Cassie said, giving an awkward wave.
Spencer stares at Cassie dumbfounded. "Aunt? Aren't your relatives either crazy weirdos or incredibly disgusting? Like your Cousin Amanda?"
"We don't talk about her." Freddie said bluntly.
Cassie grins. "I'm his dad's sister."
"She's been looking out for me since I've been in New York." Freddie told Spencer.
"Oh. It's nice to meet you." Spencer told her, grinning.
"Ditto." Cassie replied smiling.
"And these are some of my new friends." Freddie said, indicating to Gabe and Millie. "This is my roommate Gabe Morgan."
Gabe offers his hand for a handshake. "Good to meet you, Spence."
Spencer shakes Gabe's hand and it hits him. "Morgan? Aren't you the son of that billionaire tech giant?"
"David Morgan, and yes." Gabe said, biting his tongue.
"Gabe is more than his trust fund, he's actually one awesome dude." Freddie told Spencer which made Gabe smile.
"I am pretty awesome." Gabe retorts grinning.
"And he says that without sounding too arrogant, that is talent." Millie quips, causing Gabe to roll his eyes.
Freddie clears his throat to keep from laughing. "Um, and this is Millie Flores. She was one of the first people I met in the city."
"Nice to meet ya, Millie." Spencer replied.
Millie beams at Spencer. "You too. I am a big fan of your art."
"Really? Do you have a favorite piece?" Spencer asked.
"Without question, Merry Sniffmas." Millie said enthusiastically, making Spencer grin from ear to ear.
"She was also a fan of iCarly." Freddie told Spencer.
"In fact, didn't you say you were a fan of the Baby Spencer sketches." Gabe retorts, causing Millie to glare at him.
Spencer smiles brightly which fades when he looks at Pete. He leans over and whispers to Freddie. "Who's the scary looking guy?"
"Oh, that's Pete." Freddie whispers to Spencer then he speaks up. "Pete, this Spencer Shay. Spencer, this is Pete Sawyer. He lives in the same apartment building as Cassie and we've become good friends."
"Good to meet you, Spencer." Pete said, offering a handshake.
Spencer seems reluctant to take his hand but does accept it. "You too." Pete's firm grip surprises Spencer as he pulls away. "Wow. That is quite a grip you got there? You could crack walnuts with it."
Freddie clears his throat. "Why don't we go get your bags?"
The group walks towards baggage claim and Spencer grabs his yellow suitcase. "So, how is school going?" Spencer asked Freddie.
Freddie stammers a bit. "Okay, I guess."
"What do you mean 'you guess'? You've always been good with book learning." Spencer joked as he went to grab his bag.
"It's different. I'm not in high school anymore. Plus I have bigger things to worry about." Freddie absentmindedly let slip.
"Things like what?" Spencer asked.
Freddie becomes a bit flustered until Cassie speaks. "I think he just means school. Higher education is rather difficult."
Freddie grins at her, almost as a 'thank you' for the save.
"I did go to law school so I can understand the pressure college can have." Spencer said.
"Spencer, you went to law school for three days." Freddie stated.
"That doesn't mean those three days weren't hard." Spencer replied as the others were amused by the exchange.
After going through airport security, the group began to make their way out of the airport.
"So Spencer, are you hungry?" Cassie asked. "I know this diner that serves the best waffles."
"Do they serve Canadian Bacon?" Spencer asked.
"I believe so." Cassie replied, slightly confused.
"Then I'm in!" Spencer said excitedly.
"Isn't Canadian Bacon just ham?" Pete asked, perplexed.
"It's good ham." Spencer stated which made the gang laugh.
In the distance, a man was watching the gang closely focusing on Spencer. He sees the group leave the building as he pulls out his cellphone. "This is Grouper to Man 'O War. The chum is in the water. Standing by for further instructions."
"Keep close but make sure you aren't made." Howard Redmond said to him.
"Understood." The man said as he hung up the phone. He calmly walks out of the airport.
•••
Danny sat at his desk, staring at a computer monitor. He was looking at a picture of Rosanna Tobias from her social media page. He clicks on another picture, this one of Rosanna with a man with reddish brown hair and brown eyes. He pounds his fist on the desk angrily.
"I believe we have rules against going on Facebook during our shift?"
Danny looks up and turns his head to see Victor standing beside him. "Sorry, just having a rough day."
"So I've noticed." Victor said, looking at the monitor. "Who's she?"
Danny quickly shuts off the monitor. "Nobody important."
Victor sighs. "Seeing as I am a detective, I can see when someone is trying to hide something from me."
"Except your own daughter." Danny stated bitterly which caught Victor off guard.
"Danny, I understand that you're upset about something but don't use any issues I have with Millie as your version of a diversionary tactic." Victor told his young partner.
"You're right. I'm sorry." Danny said, apologizing. "I-I... Her name is Rosanna Tobias and she's my ex-fiancée."
"Oh." Victor said as he sat on his desk. "It didn't end well?"
Danny shakes his head. "It's not something I want to go into but no it didn't."
"Sorry to hear that." Victor replied. "You're young, sure you'll find somebody better for you."
"If this is you insinuating that you're going to try to set me up, don't even try. I don't need my partner to play matchmaker for me." Danny said with a laugh.
"Don't worry, I have no plans to do that." Victor stated. "Millie on the other hand... I suggest you not tell her about this."
Danny grins. "Thanks for the heads up."
Captain Thompson steps out of his office and walks over to Danny. "Danny, may I have a moment?"
Danny gets up from his chair. "Sure." He followed Thompson into his office as Thompson closed the door. "Is something wrong, Captain?"
"No. I just got a call from Edith MacMurphy. She is holding an art exhibit at the Chateau Oculus." Thompson told him. "She wants to add extra security for the event and wants to use some of New York's Finest as part of the security detail."
"And you want me to be one of those on duty?" Danny asked.
"You'll be the only one on duty." Thompson replied. "MacMurphy is known for throwing some not so mundane events simply to get her name in the press. She has a taste for the theatrical and I can't not loan out all my men to please her."
"And yet you want to send me?" Danny said, smirking.
"Son, you still need to pay dues in this department. Or have we forgotten that our motto is to 'protect and serve'?" Thompson replied. "You're going to do it, no arguments."
Danny glares at him but straightens his shoulders and sighs. "When is it?"
"Saturday night. I might suggest buying a nice suit, you don't seem like the sort to have one lying around." Thompson said in a joking manner.
"I'll get right on that." Danny said bitterly, getting up from his chair.
"Good." Thompson said curtly. "Now get back to work."
Danny walks out of the office and closes the door.
•••
A car was parked across the street from an office building that seems fairly ordinary. The front of the building has a sign that reads 'Eastman Suites'. A few office workers are stopped by a pair of guards dressed in plain clothes to not draw attention. The two guards look at the identification badges, and the office workers are allowed to enter the building.
Inside the car, Alec sits patiently. He takes notes on a ledger as he continues observing what was going on. He sees a delivery man stop in front of the guards and he pulls out a device to gain a signature for the large package. One of the guards signs for the package and the delivery man leaves the package with the two men. Alec sees one of the guards take the package inside as the other stays at his post.
Alec pulls out his phone and sends a message to Mr N, reading: 'Package arrived. What do you need me to do?'
After half a minute, a message comes in from the mysterious man that reads: 'Tonight, you retrieve what's inside'.
Alec raises an eyebrow and sends back 'And if I run into any opposition?'
Mr N's response is 'See if your sparring sessions have paid off'.
Alec gulps and glances back at the building, this wasn't going to be easy.
•••
At a diner, the gang and Spencer sat around a table and were finishing up breakfast and Spencer was holding up a piece of Canadian Bacon. Freddie stares at him looking confused. "Aren't you going to eat that?" Freddie asked.
Spencer looks over at him. "I'm savoring it. Not everyday I can eat Canadian Bacon without-"
"Sam snatching it from your hands?" Freddie stated.
"Pretty much." Spencer replied.
"Spencer, how are things in Seattle? Still living in Bushwell Plaza?" Cassie asked.
"Yeah, I've decided to stay even though Carly is still with our dad in Italy." Spencer said. "But I'm not living alone."
"What, did T-Bo move in with you?" Freddie asked.
"No, he moved in with Socko's cousin." Spencer stated.
"Which cousin?" Gabe asked.
"I forget his name but he's the one who raises falcons for a living." Freddie said, trying to find the name.
"Faulkner." Spencer said.
Freddie nods. "Ah."
"So who are you living with?" Millie asked.
"My girlfriend Audrey." Spencer told them.
"Audrey, as in the only woman you've been in love with?" Freddie asked.
"That's her." Spencer said with a smile.
"Aww!" Millie said sweetly.
"She's catching a late flight tonight so she can be here to support me." Spencer told them.
"That's awesome. Can't wait to meet her." Freddie said with a smile on his face.
"Cassie, Freddie told me you're a private investigator. Is it like the movies?" Spencer asked.
"Well, yes and not. It's not as glamorous as the media makes it but I love helping people." Cassie said.
"And it doesn't hurt that she has more moves than La Femme Nikita." Gabe joked and Cassie answered by kicking him under the table. "Ow!"
Millie looks at her and stifles her laugh at his discomfort.
Freddie looks at Cassie who seems confused until her Pearphone vibrates. "You should probably take that."
Cassie checks the caller ID and smiles. "I think I should. Excuse me." She walks away from the booth and answers. "Gale, what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Nice to talk to hear from you too, Cass." A man's voice is heard. "I mean after two months of silence, I was beginning to wonder if I was ever going to hear from you."
"I'm sorry, I've been really busy." Cassie told him. "We should meet up, where are you?"
"Standing at the end of the counter." The man retorts.
Cassie's eyes widen as she turns to find Galen Lennox standing at the diner's counter. He was wearing a grey leather jacket over a dark blue T-shirt and dark blue jeans. A big smile forms on her face as Cassie walks over to him and he hugs her. "It's good to see you."
"You too." Galen replied.
"How did you know I was here?" Cassie asked.
"You and I both know I have my ways, Cass." Galen said smiling.
Cassie laughs at this. "So how have you been? Are you still working at the Centre?"
"I am, in fact, leading a group of troubled kids and helping them with their problems." Galen replied. "It helps the kids to know that someone has dealt with what they are dealing with now."
"It's definitely a good fit." Cassie said as she looked back at the gang who was trying to hide the fact that they were spying on her but were extremely bad at it. "There's some people I want you to meet."
Cassie pulls Galen over to where the others were sitting. Millie looks up and recognizes Galen from the other night and smiles.
"Guys, this is a very good friend of mine, Galen Lennox." Cassie said as she introduced him. Galen flashed a big smile as the group got up from the table. She motions to Freddie with her arm extended. "This is my nephew Freddie Benson."
"Nice to meet you." Freddie said, extending his arm for a handshake which Galen accepts.
Galen stares at Freddie with a curious look on his face. A look that seemed like he was focusing on something. Cassie notices this and Galen stops staring at Freddie and lets go of the teenager's hand.
"Sorry, I was- your Leonard's son, right?" Galen asked.
"Yes." Freddie said with a nod. "You've met him?"
"I did. He took me in after Cassie found me on the street. They practically saved my life." Galen told Freddie.
"I didn't know that." Freddie said, looking at Cassie then back at Galen.
Cassie nods and continues the introductions. "And this is Gabe Morgan. He's Freddie's college roommate."
"Yo." Gabe waves at the well built man.
"Wait, you're David Morgan's son, aren't you?" Galen asked.
"Yeah. I am." Gabe said, looking down embarrassed
"Don't worry, I won't hold it against you." Galen said jokingly which made Gabe smile.
"And this is Millie Flores, she goes to school with Freddie and Gabe-"
"We've already met." Galen told Cassie.
Millie nods quickly. "Yeah, he ran that therapy group Leo and I went to the other night."
"Oh... Small world." Cassie stated, laughing weakly.
"Very." Pete stated, cutting into the conversation.
Cassie looks at Pete. "Galen, this is Pete Sawyer. He lives in my apartment building and he's become a very good friend."
The two men stare each other down, sizing each other up. No words were exchanged but there was an unspoken understanding between them.
Cassie rolls her eyes and motions to Spencer. "And this is Spencer Shay, he's good friend of Freddie's from Seattle."
"Pleasure to meet you." Spencer said as he shook Galen's hand.
"You too. It's good to meet you all." Galen said to the group.
Galen turns his head and stares across the street, seeing the man who had been spying on the group at the airport. The man notices Galen's intense stare and quickly leaves the area.
"Galen, is everything all right?" Millie asked.
Galen turns to look at the group. "Yeah, I just thought I saw something."
"So, I should probably check into my hotel. I think I'm starting to feel the jet lag." Spencer stated.
"Okay, we'll drop you off. I have to take Freddie to get himself a nice suit for your event." Cassie said.
An idea popped into Galen's mind. "Mind if I tag along?"
"Uh, sure." Spencer told him.
"That's not a bad idea, I think that would free up space in my car." Cassie replied.
"I'll take a spot in his car." Millie volunteers.
"Same here." Gabe replied but before he could say another word.
"Shotgun!" Millie called out which caused Gabe to groan in annoyance.
The group begins to make their way out, Cassie grabs Galen's arm. "Not that I don't appreciate this but is there something going you want to tell me about?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing earlier." Galen stated which confused Cassie for a second until she understood what her friend meant. "Look, let's just say we gotta stick close to Spencer."
"Wow, you have mastered the art of being vague." Cassie jokes.
Galen laughs and the two exit the diner as well.
Cassie goes over to Black Beauty with Freddie and Spencer getting inside while Pete hops on his motorcycle and rides off.
"Where's your car?" Gabe asked.
Galen motions to a car parked on the other side of the street. "Over here."
Millie and Gabe made their way to Galen's car which was black 2014 convertible Ford Mustang. Galen gets into the driver's seat while Millie got into the passenger's side and Gabe jumps into the backseat.
Galen starts the car and the song 'Werewolves of London' by Warren Zevon began to play. Gabe smiles at this "Dude, I love this song."
"Yeah me too." Galen replied with a smile. He looks at Cassie who smirks at the remark and drives off with Freddie and Spencer.
•••
Inside the basement of an abandoned building, Howard Redmond and Brock Maynard were talking to Ursula Devereux who was now in a slinky leather body suit that hugged her curves. She was telling them something important.
"Are you sure of this?" Redmond asks her as he stares at a photo.
"Yep, the NYPD will have one cop to help with security." Ursula told them.
"The woman must not be paying them enough." Maynard callously jokes.
"This is going to make this much easier for us." Redmond stated. "How did you get this information?"
Ursula grins sinisterly. "I just pretended I was MacMurphy's assistant and asked them to confirm who would be doing security detail."
"Authority figures aren't the brightest bulbs, are they?" Redmond stated.
The three walk into another room and find their two dozen henchmen who were clad in all black militarized clothing. It looks like they were having a party but stop their reveling once the three walk in and Redmond begins to speak.
"Gentlemen, tomorrow night, we will begin our quest to free this country from it's oppressors." Redmond told the men. "We will gain a device with enough power to bring the US government to its knees. That will topple all it's military forces."
The men say indistinguishable things to agree with Redmond.
"We are just one step away from being liberators to this nation. We will free the people of the status quo." Redmond said to rally the troops. He lays down a picture on the table that the others can see. "The last piece we need is him."
"Shouldn't be too hard." Maynard scoffs. "Kid doesn't look like he can put up a fight."
"Today we will feast and rest because tonight is our first step to glory!" Redmond stated as the men cheered. "And no one shall stand in our way!"
The men cheered even louder as Redmond and Maynard looked at each other pleased.
•••
That afternoon at the Chateau Oculus, a twenty story upscale hotel that was filled with beautifully decorated glass walls to make it appear that the hotel was purely made of glass, the gang walks up to the door of Room 1111.
"Wow, Room 1111." Millie exclaimed. "That's got to be really lucky."
"That's what I thought." Spencer replied as he inserted his keycard into the lock.
"Least it's not Room 1408 then you'd be in real trouble." Gabe joked but this left the others staring at him perplexed. He groans. "Am I the only one who saw that movie?"
"The only one who cared to do so." Millie said sarcastically.
Galen whispers to Gabe. "I would've said Room 217 but there aren't enough numbers for that joke to work."
Gabe laughs at this as Spencer gets the door open. The gang steps inside to find a nicely decorated room with a large living area, a state of the art kitchen, a bedroom with a King size bed, a bathroom with a large whirlpool bathtub and large glass windows.
"Whoa, this place is gorgeous." Cassie stated. "It must cost a pretty penny just to stay here.
"Yeah, how can you afford to stay here?" Freddie asked.
"Well, the billionaire paying to have my art displayed is paying to put me up in this room." Spencer said as he went to put his suitcase in the bedroom.
Millie walks up to a large window and sees the view of the street below. "Whoa, that is a long way down."
Cassie walks over to the window and looks out the window. "We're on the eleventh floor, Millie. Imagine if we were on the nineteenth floor."
"I'd rather not, thank you." Millie replied nervously.
"You're afraid of heights?" Pete asked Millie.
"No, I just don't think buildings should go this high." Millie replied.
"If every architect had listened to you, buildings would be only two to three stories tall." Gabe retorts and Millie glares at him.
Freddie's eyes furrow and suddenly Spencer's phone rings. Spencer runs out of the room and goes to answer it. "Is that Audrey?"
Spencer looks at him perplexed. "How'd you know that?"
Freddie smiles nervously and shrugs. "Lucky guess."
Spencer answers the phone and takes the call in the bedroom.
"Real smooth, Benson." Gabe quips which Freddie responds with a scowl. "I'll be quiet."
"Smartest thing you've done all day." Cassie retorts.
Cassie checks the time on her Pearphone. "We should go, Freddie. Have to find you a suit for tomorrow night."
Freddie nods as Spencer reenters the room, looking depressed. "What's wrong, Spence?"
"Audrey can't make it." Spencer replied. "She said that her boss called her and wants her to work the entire weekend."
"Man, that stinks." Freddie replied.
"Now I gotta go to the event by myself and no one to protect me from the advances of the billionaire who likes to pinch my rear end." Spencer replied.
"Man or woman?" Gabe asked. Everyone looks over to him. "I'm open with either, just curious."
"Woman." Spencer answered and Gabe nodded.
Cassie speaks up. "I could be your plus one if you'd like."
"Really?" Spencer replied.
"Sure, I don't mind playing your sexual harassment bodyguard for the evening." Cassie said.
"And as far as bodyguards go, Cassie is the perfect fit." Freddie said.
"Yeah, anyone who even tries anything will end up being carted off to the hospital." Galen replied.
Cassie looks back at Freddie and Galen. "I think he gets it. No need to over sell me." The guys laugh at this. "What do you say, Spencer? Can I be your escort for the evening?" Gabe snickers and without turning her head. "Mind of the gutter, Richie Rich."
Gabe stifles his laughter.
"Sure, that'd be awesome." Spencer said happily.
"But that means I've got an extra ticket to the exhibit." Cassie replied.
"I don't mind taking it off your hands." Galen replied.
Cassie looks at him. "Really? You want to go?"
"Sure, I've certainly got no plans for tomorrow. Thinking it might be a nice change of pace." Galen said.
"Well guess that means I have to buy a new dress too." Cassie said. "Let's roll, Fredward."
"All right." Freddie said as he and Cassie went to make their way out of the room.
"Oh, we're coming too." Gabe said.
"Yeah, thinking you two need a male and female opinion on your respective ensembles." Millie said.
"I'm coming too." Galen stated and the others looked at him. "I got nothing better to do."
Cassie grins at this. "All right, fine. Let's go, kids."
"Talk to you later, Spence." Freddie told him as the group exited the room.
In the hallway, Cassie stops Pete and speaks to him privately. "Could you do me a favor and stick around here. Watch over Spencer."
"Why?" Pete asked, perplexed.
"Yeah, what's up?" Freddie asked.
Cassie looks back at Galen then at the others. "I just got a bad feeling. That's all."
"All right, I'll stick around for a while." Pete said.
"Thanks." Cassie said as she gave him a friendly hug.
Pete looks over at Galen as Cassie hugs him. What did he know?
The five walk down the hall and head over to the elevator.
Pete stands next to the door to Spencer's room and notices a strange man pushing a cleaners cart. He couldn't shake a feeling of danger as the man left the area.
•••
Inside of a Macy's downtown, Freddie was in a white dress shirt and black slacks as he looked at two neck ties - a blue colored one and a black one. He looked over at Gabe and Galen were standing next to some clothes. Galen was holding up a shirt for himself while Gabe seemed a bit bored.
"So... Which tie?" Freddie asked the guys.
They look up at Freddie holding up the ties. "What jacket are you wearing?" Galen asked. Freddie motions to a light gray suit jacket close to him. "Then go with the blue one. The black one will clash with the pants."
Gabe stares at him curiously. "Didn't think you'd be a fashionista."
"I'm not, but I'm also not color blind." Galen quips which makes the boys laugh.
The guys look over and hear Millie arguing with Cassie over the dress she was wearing - a short sleeveless black dress that was a bit small on Cassie.
"I look ridiculous." Cassie complained.
"Come on, nothing beats a little black dress." Millie stated, defending her choice.
Cassie looks over at the guys. "Be honest, it's short, isn't it?"
"Well... not really." Freddie stammered nervously.
"It's not that short... if you were going to be in a rap video." Gabe quips which causes Millie to kick him in the shin. "Do I have to start wearing protective gear around you?"
Millie smiles a bit and looks over at Cassie. "You said to find you something sexy."
"There's a difference between sexy and slutty." Cassie stated as she pointed at the dress. "This dress is borderline about to cross into 'video ho' territory."
"She makes a good point." Galen replied as he looked at Millie. "Bet I can help you find something for Lady Cassandra."
Cassie gives him a withering look as Millie takes Galen to the evening gowns. She looks at Freddie. "Hope you're having better luck with your outfit."
"Fortunately, I am. Galen has surprisingly better taste in clothing than Gabe." Freddie said.
"Well, excuse me for not being Tim Gunn." Gabe said as the two laughed.
Cassie looks around and sees someone in the store that she recognizes. "Pardon me, fellas."
The two boys turn to see Danny Parker standing next to a glass counter with cologne samples on them. He was carrying a suit inside a garment bag.
"Do you have a feeling he's following us?" Freddie asked Gabe.
"Well... Not us." Gabe stated as Freddie smirks.
Cassie comes up behind Danny. "I don't recommend the AXE body spray. Makes guys smell cheap."
Danny turns his head and finds Cassie standing behind him. "What? Are you following me?" Danny asked.
"I'm actually here helping Freddie buy a suit. He has to go to this art exhibition." Cassie replied.
"Is it that art exhibit for Spencer Shay?" Danny asked.
"Yeah, he's a really good friend of Freddie's." Cassie said, eyebrow raised. "Wait, how do you know about this?"
"Besides it being in the society page?" Danny quips as he holds up the bag. "Thompson wants me to help work security. I had to get myself a nice suit." He notices the dress she was wearing. "And why are you dressed like Mariah Carey in the 'Honey' music video?"
Cassie scoffs at this remark. "Believe me, not my choice of outfit. I'm actually Spencer's 'date' for the evening. And by 'date' I mean I'm his bodyguard."
Danny laughs weakly. "Obviously you'd be perfect for that."
Cassie squints and notices his nerves. "You okay? You look like you're going to have another panic attack... and I am not kissing you again." She says the last part in a whisper.
Danny nods. "I'm fine."
"All right." Cassie said, putting her arms up defensively. "So, how are things going with Sam? Did you talk to her?"
"I actually did. We've spent the past few days talking." Danny told her.
"Oh. So, how'd she take the news?" She asked, crossing her arms of her chest. "I'm sure she must have been freaked out by the fact she has a long lost half brother."
"Surprisingly, she took it well." He replied. "She was shocked at first but then we started talking and we seemed to have a few things in common. Except for the fact that she is a repeat offender who has warrants in a few states and I'm a law abiding citizen."
"Well, nobody's perfect, Parker." She retorts. "I told Freddie about it."
"Really?" Danny said, staring at her.
"Sam's one of his best friends. I figured he needed to know what was going on." Cassie said to him.
Danny nods. "I understand."
"Cassie!" Millie called out as she and Galen came back with several dress opinions. "We found some more dresses you might like."
"I'll be right there." Cassie told them. "Guess I'll see you tomorrow night."
"Guess so." Danny replied but as Cassie left he spoke up. "By the way." Cassie turns to face him. "You do look ridiculous."
Cassie throws a bundle of designer socks, that he barely catches, and walks back over to her friends. She grabs the dresses Galen had in his hands. "Please don't let me down, Gale."
The guys laugh at this as Millie exhales.
Danny looks back and sees Cassie walk with Galen. He thought to himself, who was he?
•••
Pete was still at the Chateau Oculus where he had been following the creepy guy who had been pushing the cleaning cart. He sees the man go into the stairwell and walks in after him.
Pete watches as the man runs down the bottom of the stairwell and sees him talking to Howard Redmond. He couldn't make out what they were saying but the man hands Redmond two vials of some clear liquid and Redmond leaves.
The man looks up but doesn't see Pete. He goes into another door and disappears.
Pete looks over the railing and starts to become more suspicious of what was going on inside the hotel.
•••
Later that night, Cassie walks into her apartment holding a garment bag in her right hand and Galen walks in behind her as he closes the door. "I'm surprised you didn't get a new pair of shoes to go with that dress." Galen replied.
"I've got a lot of shoes, Gale. Most of which I haven't worn yet." Cassie stated.
"Mostly because you still wear black combat boots with almost everything." Galen said jokingly.
"Hey, you can't go wrong with a good boot." Cassie boasted about making Galen smile. She sets down the garment bag on her couch. "Thanks again for today. I really missed spending time with you."
"Like how you've been spending time with Alec." Galen said in a serious tone which caught Cassie off guard. "His scent is strong on you."
"I would appreciate you not using your mojo on me." Cassie told him. "You and Alec are both my friends, you two have got to learn to deal."
"I have. There's always been something off about him. Ever since we were kids." Galen told her. "I don't trust him. That's all it is."
Cassie sighs. "But that's not what's bothering you, is it?" Galen stares back at her. "You have your skills, I have mine. What's wrong?"
"Something has been bothering me about your nephew." Galen says flat out.
"Freddie? Thought you two were getting along." Cassie inquired.
"We are. That's not what's bothering me." Galen stated. "Freddie's scent... it's been all over the city. It's strong. You said he's new to the city, right?"
"He is." Cassie said, nodding.
"Then why would his scent be all over the city for someone new to the city?" Galen asked.
"It's a touch complicated." Cassie stated.
Galen stares at his friend quite puzzled. "And by complicated, you mean-"
Cassie lets out a deep breath. "If I tell you, you swear not to tell anyone."
Galen goes to sit on the couch. "This must be big."
Cassie nods. She lets out a sigh while pacing around the room. She didn't want to do this but she needed to. "You know about this new vigilante in town?"
"Pulse, right?" Galen states and Cassie nods. "He's all over every kind of media. Pretty much everyone knows about this guy." Suddenly it hits him. "Wait a minute, you're telling me-"
"Yeah." Cassie replied looking down then up at him. "Freddie's Pulse."
Galen stares at her in shock. "Wait, they say Pulse can shoot electricity out of his hands."
"He can, and so can Freddie." Cassie told him. "Almost two months ago, Freddie got hit by a powerful stream of electricity during a science experiment gone bad."
"What kind of experiment?" Galen asked, his curiosity peaked.
"Tesla Coil." Cassie simply said.
"So, science gave Freddie superpowers?" Galen asked and Cassie nodded again. He bit his bottom lip. "Guess the two of us have something in common."
"You could say that." Cassie said frankly.
Galen smiles at his friend when her cellphone ringing interrupts the moment.
Cassie checks the caller ID. "It's Pete. I need to take this." Galen nods and she answers the phone. "Pete, is everything okay?"
"I'm not sure but I think we might have a serious problem." Pete stated.
Cassie raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I think Spencer might be big trouble." Pete stated.
Cassie looks over at Galen who appears to have heard what Pete had said. She shakes her head. "Don't you dare say 'I told you so'."
Galen smirks at her annoyance.
•••
Meanwhile at the office building at Eastman Estates, the lights were off and the workers had gone home. However, the two of the guards were now inside the building near the entrance.
The two men were sitting at the receptionist area of the main entrance, playing cards.
"Why do you think Eastman is holding this for him?" the much younger of the two guards asked as he dealt out cards.
"Hell if I know. I don't ask questions and neither should you, dumbass." The older man told his young counterpart.
"If still, who is stupid enough to break in here and take it?" The younger man asked as he looked at his cards.
Outside the back alley of the office building, a male figure clad in all black and wearing a black ski mask over his face climbs a chain link fence and jumps over it, landing on the floor closest to the building. He moves with almost catlike agility as he lands roughly on the ground with a grunt. This was Alec underneath this disguise and he walked over to the back entrance of the building. He pulls out a lock picking kit and begins to try unlocking the door, after a few quick attempts, Alec gets the door open.
With a triumphant sounding chuckle, Alec walks into the building.
As Alec walks inside, a hooded figure in a black leather suit with green outlines on it, clad in matching combat boots, watches him from the rooftop of the building across from the office building. He has a customized Oneida kestrel compound bow in his hands and a quiver full of arrows strapped to his back. He also has a utility belt that was equipped with smaller weapons and gadgets.
Under his hood was a mask that resembled a Japanese fox mask painted black with green outlines. He sees the door closing but before it could, he fires an arrow that keeps the door slightly open.
The archer repels down off the roof and lands gracefully on the floor below. He opens the door slightly to see Alec was entering a hallway, unaware he was being followed. The archer proceeds to walk inside and starts to slowly walk behind Alec.
Alec walks down the hall and glances back and forth to check if the coast was clear. "Now if I were a hired goon, where would I hide an important piece of information?"
Instinctively he reaches a door at the end of the hall and opens the door, finding a broom closet filled with cleaning supplies. What was unusual, he finds the large package tucked behind a mop bucket.
"Of course." Alec snarkily remarked.
Alec moves the bucket aside and starts opening the package where he finds a large box filled with straw. However, at the top of the straw was a smaller box. He opens the smaller box and sees a small flash drive inside.
"Jackpot." Alec replied happily, whilst putting the flash drive in a compartment of his belt. He turns around and finds the masked archer standing a few feet behind him, pointing an arrow at him. "Whoa… Hello."
"Hand that over to me, if you please." The masked archer demanded, his voice digitized by a voice changer.
"Or what?" Alec asked defiantly only for the archer to shoot an arrow close to his feet.
"Think you could guess what I'll do." The archer threatened. "Next time, I hit a vital organ."
Alec quickly grabs the mop and twirls the broom handle to distract the archer before he could fire another arrow. Alec rushes at the archer and kicks him into the stomach, knocking the archer off his feet. He makes a run for it only to find the two guards standing in his way, pointing their guns at him.
"Guess we found the one idiot, boy." The older guard stated.
"Damn, I owe you ten bucks." The younger guard replied.
Alec begins to back away, to them it seemed like surrender. Until Alec comes charging towards them and ducks down to dodge the incoming bullets, sliding across the floor. As he slides, he quickly strikes the two men in their groins with his fists.
Alec gets to his feet as the guards struggle to get up. He sweeps the leg of the younger guard and knocks him flat on his face. The older guard charges at Alec and goes to deliver a few punches which Alec manages to block and dodge with precision. The older guard does however get his hands on Alec's neck, applying a chokehold.
The younger guard gets up and tries to pick up his firearm, aiming it at Alec who struggles to get free. However, before he could shoot, an arrow hits his palm and he screams in pain. He turns and sees the archer staring at him, holding his bow ready to aim.
"Two on one really doesn't seem fair." The archer taunted.
The younger guard charges towards him only for the archer to pluck an arrow from his quiver and hit him in his left shin. The guard screams in agony but continues limping forward but the archer simply hits him in the other shin.
The guard falls to his knees and the archer hits him with a hard right hook, knocking the boy out cold.
Alec, in the meantime, makes an attempt to get out of the chokehold. He grabs the older gentleman by the wrists and kicks him in the lower abdomen, which successfully gets out of the hold. The older guard grabs his neck, feeling the whiplash from the attack.
The guard reaches for his gun and points it at Alec's face. "You're gonna pay for that, freak."
Alec manages to perform a judo wrist slap to disarm him, pulling his wrist forward. This knocks the guard off balance and allows Alec to take the gun from him. "This is yours?"
"Give that back!" The older guard shouted.
"If you insist." With that, Alec hits the older guard with the butt of the gun. The attack causes the man to be knocked unconscious. "Not so tough now-"
Suddenly, Alec is struck in the back of the head by a blunt object. The blow also knocks Alec out cold and falls to the floor.
Standing over him was the archer who looked down at the unconscious Alec.
•••
Late that night at Freddie and Gabe's dorm, the boys were both sleeping but only Freddie was having trouble. He was tossing and turning in his bed, having a seriously bad dream.
In his dream, Freddie was wearing the suit he had gotten but the tie and jacket were missing and the dress shirt's sleeves were rolled up. He walks in a hallway at the Chateau Oculus only it looked like a war had taken place. More of the windows were broken and glass was scattered all over the floor.
Suddenly, Freddie hears a loud cry for help and he recognizes the person screaming. "Spencer!" He runs towards the shouts but as he rounds the corner, Dream Sam stands in his way. She was in the clothes she had worn when he tried and failed to co-host iCarly.
"Where do you think you're going?" She asked.
"Get out of my way." Freddie demanded.
"You know you can't face those guys alone?" Dream Sam stated.
"Don't worry." Cassie's voice is heard. Freddie looks behind and finds Cassie, Pete, Galen, Alec and Danny standing behind him in their normal clothing. Cassie was holding a red fire axe in her hands, Danny had a shotgun in his hands, Pete seemed to have fire on his hands, Alec holding an assault rifle and Galen looked like he had long claws on his fingertips and glowing yellow eyes. "He won't be."
Freddie wakes up startled. He looks around and sees he is back on his bed. He lies back down, trying to figure out what this all meant.
•••
Elsewhere, Alec groggily awakens on the roof of a building. He slowly sits up and touches his head to shoe off the concussion but quickly realizes his face was exposed.
"Looking for something?"
Alec slowly turns his head and finds the masked archer standing on the roof with him. He sees the archer was holding the black ski mask Alec had been wearing.
"Didn't know there was more than one of you masked men." Alec remarked, getting to his feet and rubbing the back of his head. "Met the other one."
"Pulse?" The archer asked, vexation hidden under his disguised voice.
Alec nods as he walks closer to the man only for the man to be stopped by an arrow pointed at his face. "Whoa, whoa. Jeez, not the bad guy here."
"Your shopping item says otherwise." The masked man said, not refusing to lower his bow. "Do you know who you stole that from?"
Alec nods nervously. "Yeah, but I wouldn't have if I didn't have a choice." He then thinks and responds with. "Wait, you don't look like the typical mob enforcer. Why do you care if I steal that from him?"
The archer slowly lowers his bow once he realized that Alec wasn't going to try anything. He jeers at Alec. "Because you beat me to it."
"And why do you need this?" Alec asked.
"That's none of your business, you rank arrogant amateur." The archer said bluntly.
"Look, I am not taking it for my own benefit." Alec stated. "I am being asked to steal it."
"And why is that?" The archer asked.
Alex exhales, hoping to play to the masked man's sympathies. "To protect a friend. The guy who asked me to do this said that if this information is released, my friend could be targeted." He swallows the lump in his voice. "I can't let that happen."
The archer looks down at his utility belt, where he had placed the flash drive. "How do I know you aren't lying?"
"You don't. You just have to trust me." Alec replied.
"Sorry, blind faith isn't my strong suit." The archer said sharply, going to leave.
"Please!" Alec begged, panicking. "I can't let Cassie get hurt."
The archer stops dead in his tracks. He turns to face Alec and stares him down. "If you use this to hurt ANYONE, I will come looking for you." He tosses the flash drive at Alec who catches it. "And I will fill you with more holes than Swiss cheese, understand?"
"You have my word." Alec said, placing the flash drive safely in his own utility belt. "So, how do you get-" He turns around and finds the masked archer was gone. "Down?" He lets out an exasperated breath. "Of course."
Alec scopes around the rooftop, hoping to find the way down.
•••
Saturday morning inside the Chateau Oculus, an uptight looking thin blond woman in a white pantsuit was ordering the hotel staff to set up for the event. She was frantically bustling about behind two staff members who were bringing in Spencer's giant Newton Balls.
"Careful with that piece! That is Ms MacMurphy's favorite!" The woman snapped. She looks around the room "Has anyone heard from the florist? I need to know if the floral arrangements have arrived!"
At that moment, a man approaches the woman who appears surprised by him.
"Can I help you?" The woman asked curtly.
"I'm going to be the bartender for the evening." The man told her, his voice seeming familiar.
"What happened to the hotel's bartender?" The woman asked, seeming very confused.
"He came down with something, and couldn't make it." The man said.
"All right fine, go set up and make sure we are stocked for tonight." The woman said, pointing to the bar.
"No problem." The man said as it is revealed to be Howard Redmond. "We don't want anything to go."
A sinister smile flashed on his face as he pulled out two vials of clear liquid out of his pocket. He had big plans for tonight.
•••
At Alec's penthouse apartment, Alec was finishing buttoning up a vest over a white dress shirt. He groans in pain as he finishes up. He was still feeling the effects of the last night as he walked over to the mirror mounted on the wall. He sees a small welt a bit under his right eye, touching it which he quickly regrets and he winces in discomfort.
Ginger walks up behind him and rubs against his legs as he looks down at the feline. "Don't give me that look. I know it looks bad but it could've been worse."
His phone vibrates and Alec walks over to the coffee table where left it, expecting a text from Mr N. Instead, he picks it up and sees he was getting a call from 'The Boss'. Alec gulps and he answers the phone. "Sir, I'm surprised you called." He listens to the caller at the other end who was the Maestro then speaks. "Yes, I am. Thank you for giving me this much needed time off." After more words were exchanged, Alec stated, "I understand, sir. Be back to work next week, refreshed and ready to work."
After that, the line goes dead. His 'Boss' had heard what he needed to.
Alec catches his breath and he sits on the coffee table, his shoulders slumped. He was exhausted but he knew tonight would be a long night.
•••
Back at the dorm later that day, Freddie was now wearing the dress shirt tucked into his black slacks and tried to properly tie his blue tie but he couldn't get it straight. There was a bit of frustration on his face as he struggled to get it right.
Gabe walks out of the bathroom, dressed for a casual night out. He wore a black T-shirt over a white long sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He was talking on the phone with Lucy. "Don't worry. I'll be there to pick you up in a little bit." There was a pause and he spoke again. "See ya soon. Bye."
"Are you ever going to tell her?" Freddie asked as Gabe hung up.
"We're not at that milestone yet." Gabe informed his friend. "I like her... A lot. This is my first real monogamous relationship and I'm new to the concept. I don't think I'm ready for those 'three little words'. Doesn't mean I'm not against the idea either."
"Makes sense." Freddie said as he continued to struggle with the tie and groaned in frustration.
"You all right?" Gabe asked amused.
"I hate wearing ties. Never could get them straight." Freddie said as he undoes the tie and starts over.
"Dude, you are making me cry." Gabe said smiling as he went over to his friend. "Here, let me help you."
Freddie relents and watches as Gabe ties it effortlessly. "Wow, you're good at that."
"Thanks, I've been to so many black tie events that I could do this with my eyes closed." Gabe boastfully replied. "I learn from the best."
"Your dad?" Freddie asks but Gabe glares at him. "Not your dad."
Gabe swallows hard and shakes his head. "Lucius actually taught me how. While my dad was too busy running a billion dollar company to teach me the stuff most fathers are supposed to teach their sons, Lucius stepped in. He was like my surrogate dad."
Freddie smiles. "I'm starting to like Mr Hawkins a bit more."
Gabe shrugs as he finishes up tying the tie. "There, all done."
Freddie looks in the mirror and sees the tie is perfectly straight. "Whoa, it's perfect."
"Looks good." Gabe said grinning. Freddie lets out a deep breath. "What's up?"
Freddie raises an eyebrow "What do you mean?"
"You have the same look you have whenever you have one of your weird dreams that seem to come true in a vague manner." Gabe said.
Freddie sighs and sits on his bed. "I just keep having this feeling that something bad is going to happen tonight. I keep telling myself it's me being paranoid but I can't shake this feeling."
"Dude, you're a crime fighting superhero. I've read enough comic books and seen enough movies to know that heightened awareness comes with the job." Gabe replied.
Freddie laughs at this. "So should I just ignore it so I can have a good time?"
Gabe shakes his head. "Your 'Pulse' senses are tingling and they haven't steered you wrong before. Never hurts to remain on Def-con Three until the night is over."
"Sounds like a good idea." Freddie stated as he looked at his Pearphone. "It's almost four. I gotta head over to Cassie's. She wants to talk to me before the event."
"Why don't I give you a lift over there?" Gabe offered.
"Since when do you have a car?" Freddie asked as he put on his suit jacket.
"Since my dad let me borrow one of his cars because he still feels guilty for what happened with Wynter." Gabe replied.
"Which car?" Freddie asked.
"An all black four door Jaguar." Gabe said with a smile. "After I drop you off, I'm going to pick up Lucy and we'll meet Millie and Leo at Pini's where we'll grab dinner before the show."
"I love Pini's, the place has the best lasagna." Freddie said.
"I prefer the Veal Marsala myself." Gabe said, grinning. "I was even able to get us backstage passes so we can hang with the band."
"Wow, you are either trying hard to impress Lucy or one-up Leo." Freddie said.
Gabe glares at him. "I could just let you catch a cab, you know."
Freddie puts up his hands defensively. "Sorry, forget I said anything."
"For the record, I'm not trying to one-up Leo. I don't even know him." Gabe said as the boys made their way out. "I just wanted to do something nice for Lucy and Millie."
"Oh. So is this more for Lucy or Millie?" Freddie asked. Gabe stares back at Freddie while finishing locking the door. "Okay, nevermind."
Gabe just smiles as the two boys walk off down the hall.
•••
Danny was at his loft fixing his black tie on his black suit that made him look very dapper. His hair was combed neatly and looked like he had shaved.
"Lookin' sharp, Detective." Sam's voice is heard saying from Danny's open laptop. This made Danny chuckle softly. "Who's the lucky lady?"
"Thanks and nobody. This is a work thing. Playing security for some art exhibition that this billionaire is throwing." Danny explained.
"You sure, because you look like you're trying to impress someone." Sam insinuated.
"Don't read too much into it but there is a woman who is going to be there that's... She's interesting." Danny said.
"And by interesting, you mean?" Sam asked.
"I said not to read too much into it." Danny stated as he put his gun holster on his belt. He puts two more rounds of ammo in the back of his belt. Better to be safe than sorry, he thought.
"Thing about me that you should know is that I never listen to authority." Sam told her half brother. "Cramps my style." Danny rolls his eyes. "So who's the artist this billionaire is wasting money on."
Danny puts on his suit jacket. "A Seattle artist. I think you might know him, Spencer Shay."
"No way! Spencer's in town." Sam said happily.
"You told me he's your best friend Carly's older brother, right?" Danny asked.
"Yeah, he's like one of the few cool adults I've ever met." Sam said. "But don't tell him I said that."
"Your secret is safe." Danny said with a smile.
"So does that mean Freddie is going too?" Sam asked curious to know.
"He should be. His aunt was helping him buy a suit." Danny looks at Sam who was waiting for an answer. "Did something go on between you two?"
"Nah, he's just a really good friend." Sam said, trying to play it off.
"Sam, I'm pretty good at my job to know when someone is hiding something." Danny said.
Sam blushes but quickly hides it. "Maybe I do have a soft spot for the little nerd but we're just friends, that's all."
Danny smiles. "I can see this is making you uncomfortable so I'll let it go."
"Much appreciated." Sam nodded.
Danny checks the clock on the wall. "I got to get moving. Duty calls."
"All right, tell your 'girlfriend' I said 'hi'." Sam joked. "Talk to you tomorrow. Later."
The video chat ends and Danny walks towards the front door. Before he can leave, he gets a text message from his mother that reads 'Rosie and Keith are in New York'.
Danny looks thunderstruck at the news. What could they be doing in New York?
•••
Freddie knocks on the door to Cassie's apartment and Cassie answers the door. She was wearing a black silk bathrobe, her make up was almost perfect with just her eyes needing mascara. Her long red hair was down and waiting to be styled.
"You're not ready yet?" Freddie asked as he walked inside.
"Hey, it takes a lot to look presentable to the normals." Cassie jokes, making Freddie chuckle.
"So, what's up? You wanted to tell me something important." Freddie asked.
"I do." Cassie breathes deeply. "I did something you're probably not going to like."
"And I officially don't like the sound of that." Freddie stated grimly. "What did you do?"
"I... May or may not have... Told someone that you're Pulse." Cassie winces out as she braces for a major freak out.
"You did what?!" Freddie exclaimed. "What part of secret identity don't you understand? I can't believe you, Cassie!"
"I had to. I trust this guy more than anything and I wanted him to know." Cassie said.
Freddie takes a deep breath in to calm down and exhales. "Who did you tell? That Alec guy-"
"No, not Alec." Cassie told him. "I-I told Galen."
Freddie's eyes widen in horror as he tries to find the words. "Galen? As in the guy we spent the entire afternoon with yesterday? What on Earth would possess you to trust a guy I've only known for less than twenty four hours with my biggest secret?!"
Cassie stares at her nephew and her demeanor becomes somber. "Because trust him." Freddie notices she wasn't being defensive. Cassie seems genuinely remorseful. "Galen has had my back for a very long time. He's like a brother to me and I trust him with my life."
"You know this is like Pete all over again, right?" Freddie stated.
"And my instincts were spot on about him, weren't they?" Cassie retorts.
"Jury's still out." Freddie sighs.
"Tell me this, if you had a chance to tell one of your friends from Seattle you were Pulse, would you?" Cassie asked.
"That's not the point." Freddie stammered out.
Cassie grins. "So you would? Let me guess... Sam, right?"
Freddie glares at her. "Do not change the subject! How do you know Galen won't turn around and betray you by going to the cops?"
"Because he's... different." Cassie said anxiously.
Freddie raises an eyebrow. "Different? What do you mean-" A look of realization comes upon his face. "Galen has superpowers?"
Cassie nods. "He does and like you, they didn't come by then naturally."
"What, was he in some lab experiment or something?" Freddie asked, trying to remain composed.
"More like he was a lab rat. Galen was a homeless teen who got kidnapped and experimented on by some psychotic geneticist." Cassie told him. "I helped save his life."
Freddie stares back at her in stunned silence then swallows hard "What can he do?"
Cassie sighs and plays with the sleeves of the bathrobe. "He's a hybrid."
"A fuel efficient car?" Freddie quipped.
Cassie chuckles and punches him lightly on the shoulder. "No. The doctor did some gene splicing by using animal DNA to turn him into a human/animal hybrid."
"Seriously? But he looks... Normal." Freddie said. "Granted, the guy is better looking than your average guy but he doesn't seem out of the ordinary."
"Because he's had years of learning control. When he was younger, it was hard. Like controlling a caged animal." Cassie stated. "Almost tore me to pieces once."
"What kind of animal was he spliced with?" Freddie asked.
"Timber wolf."
Cassie looks past Freddie who turns around and finds Galen standing at the door. He was dressed in a dark suit but wasn't wearing a tie.
"So you told him." Galen said.
"I told you his secret. Seemed only fair." Cassie said as Freddie and Galen stare at each other. "Well, this isn't awkward."
Freddie exhales and tells him. "Honestly, I'm not sure what to say. What I do know is that Cassie trusts you and I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt."
"I'm sensing a 'but' or 'however' coming." Galen retorts.
"However, if you so much as think of ratting me out, you'll find out what happens to a wolf that gets struck by lightning." Freddie threatened.
"Um, the same thing that happens to everything else?" Galen asked in a joking manner.
Freddie cracks a smile but tries to put a serious look back on his face to show he means business.
"It seems the two of you have a bit to talk about on your way to the hotel." Cassie said.
"Wait, how are you going to get there?" Freddie asked.
"Spencer is going to pick me up in a limo. You two could use the car ride to get better acquainted." Cassie said as she pushed the two out the door. "Now I have to finish making myself look pretty."
As she manages to push them out the door, Cassie waves at them. "You kids have fun now." With that, she slams the door shut.
Freddie and Galen look at each other and are completely perplexed. The two of them make their way down the hall.
As they leave, Cassie pokes her head out the door and grins like a Cheshire Cat.
•••
Millie and Leo wait outside of Pini's waiting for Gabe and Lucy to arrive. Millie was wearing a dark purple long sleeved top with a black pleated skirt and knee high black boots. Her hair tied back in a braided ponytail. Leo wore long sleeved blue shirt that had the sleeves rolled up halfway with black dark blue jeans and black Converse with white laces.
"He better not have ditched us." Leo uttered almost under his breath.
"Gabe wouldn't do that. This was his idea, remember?" Millie said, defending her friend.
"I still think we should've gone straight to the concert." Leo stated.
"And end up waiting for four hours in the arena parking lot until the concert started? No thank you." Millie stated.
"What's the matter, Millicent? Do big crowds scare you?"
Millie winces with annoyance as she and Leo turn around and find the constant thorn in Millie's side, Heather Chase. The blond young woman was in a short gold colored cocktail with matching Stiletto heels. Her blond hair was done perfectly as well as her make up. She looked stunning.
"Well, if it isn't the bane of my existence." Millie snidely quips.
"Hun, I think you mean 'pain'." Heather ignorantly commented.
"Actually, Millie's right. The phrase is 'bane of my existence'." Leo corrected the blond mean girl as she put his arm around Millie.
Heather scoffs. "Who asked you?"
"Um, no one but I think anyone who passed seventh grade English would know that." Leo told her, defending Millie's honor.
"Who are you anyway? Besides clearly being too good looking for Millie to be dating so you must not be straight." Heather chided him.
"Not that it's any of your business but I am straight and Millie is my girlfriend. So why don't you take your Regina George wannabe mug out of her face." Leo told her which made Millie grin from ear to ear.
Heather got in Leo's face. "Watch your tongue or I'll-"
"You'll sic your boyfriend on him?"
Millie and Leo look behind themselves and find Gabe walking over to the couple with Lucy by him. Lucy wore a sleeveless shiny silver top and tight leather pants with matching high heel boots.
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea. I mean, it shut you up when you made fun of me." Heather told him.
"Go ahead but I don't think he's been speaking to you lately. Not since your nearly naked selfie got sent to half the school and is living on the internet forever." Gabe smugly stated.
"Bite me, Morgan." Heather snapped.
"I would but I don't want to catch something I'll probably need an ointment to treat." Gabe answered back as the others snicker at this.
Heather lifts her head to turn her nose up at him and stomps inside the restaurant.
Gabe looks back at the others in his company. "I think I hurt her feelings."
"Yeah, and I care why?" Millie said coldly. She snaps out of the icy demeanor and smiles at Leo. "Leo, these are my friends, Gabe Morgan and Lucy Shepard. Guys, this is Leo Maxwell... My boyfriend."
Leo grins as the group starts getting to know each other better.
"It's good to finally get to meet you. Millie has told us so much about you." Lucy said cheerfully.
"Really?" Leo said as he sheepishly combs through his hair.
"Yeah, she says you're some forensics whiz kid." Gabe said.
"I am. Well, granted I'm not as smart as the offspring of David Morgan." Leo stated.
Gabe scoffs at this. "Despite inheriting my father's brilliant mind, I am nothing like him."
"Yeah, tell that to Page Six." Leo said in a smarmy manner which caused Gabe to glare at him.
Millie laughs uncomfortably and she pushes Leo inside the restaurant. "Why don't we head inside before one of you says something insulting you can't take back."
Leo and Gabe stare each other down and the four walk inside.
•••
Freddie and Galen exit Galen's car and walk towards the entrance of the Chateau Oculus. Freddie had remained quiet through the whole ride there. Not knowing what he could say.
Freddie reaches to open the door to go inside the hotel but Galen grabs his arm and pulls him aside. "What are you doing?" He asked.
"You don't trust me, do you?" Galen asked him. Freddie stares back at him. "I'm pretty keen at sensing these kinds of things."
"Because of your... Superpowers?" Freddie asked, whispering the last part of the question.
"Something like that." Galen said frankly. "You don't have to worry about me. Fair to say I'm pretty good at keeping secrets. Not just mine, Cassie's as well."
"So you know she can... heal?" Freddie asked and Galen nodded. "How long?"
"Since the day I met her. She saved my life, convinced your dad to take me in. If it weren't for them, I don't know where I'd be. I would never betray her trust by exposing you." Galen stated to Freddie who listened intently. "You don't have to trust me but I want you to know that your secrets are safe with me."
Freddie nods "Okay."
The two men head inside the hotel where they find Pete waiting in the lobby. Pete was in an all black suit with no tie and his hair slick back.
"Where's Cassie?" Pete asked.
"Finishing getting ready. Said Spencer was picking her up." Freddie informed him.
"I did see him leave a while ago." Pete said as they headed to the elevator.
"How'd your recon go?" Galen asked Pete, causing Freddie to stare at the two.
"Nothing out of the ordinary. A delivery van has been parked in the loading dock for two hours now. Other than that, nothing worth reporting." Pete told him.
"Um, you two care to tell me what's going on?" Freddie asked in a hushed tone.
Galen and Pete look at each other then back at Freddie who was looking for answers. "Pete thinks your friend Spencer is in danger. He's been keeping an eye on him the last twelve hours."
"And you guys didn't think to include me in these concerns?" Freddie asked, struggling to remain composed.
"We didn't want to worry you if it turned out to be nothing." Pete said.
Freddie lets out a deep breath. "Cassie told you not to tell me, didn't she?"
"Yeah." Galen answered.
"She did." Pete simply said.
"Well, guess I will just yell at her later." Freddie said as the elevator doors open. "Just hope you are being paranoid about this. Nothing can go wrong tonight."
"Which is why I'm here."
The three turn to see Danny standing behind them.
"Oh, hey Danny. What are you doing here?" Freddie asked, not trying to sound nervous.
"Captain has me doing security for the art exhibition being thrown. Not exactly how I want to spend my evening but I got nothing better to do." Danny said. He looks at Galen and he seems familiar to him. "Who's your friend?"
"This is Galen Lennox, he's an old friend of Cassie's. Galen, this is Detective Danny Parker. He is Millie's dad's partner." Freddie said introducing the two to one another.
"Nice to meet you." Danny said as he extended his arm for a handshake which Galen took. The handshake is firm but not as aggressive as the one he got from Alec.
"You too." Galen said as they broke the shake.
"I'll be frank. You seem a lot friendlier than the last friend of Cassie's I met." Danny told Galen.
"And I take it you're talking about Alec Grayson?" Galen estimated and Danny nodded. "Yeah, he's not exactly one of my favorite people."
"Good to know I'm not alone in that sentiment." Danny said smiling.
"And my ears are burning. Guess Gale must be talking about me."
Galen's smile fades as the men turn to find Alec standing behind them. Alec was dressed in a tuxedo with his hair combed neatly. He also sported a small bandage where the bruise was.
"Well, look at what the cat dragged in." Galen said bitterly.
Alec jeered at the remark. "Good to see you too, Rover."
Galen scowls at him. "Keep talking. I'd be happy to wipe that smug look off your face."
"I'd like to see you try." Alec taunted.
Galen lets out a low growl and goes to attack him, causing Alec to put up his hands in a defensive fighting stance. However before Galen could mail Alec, Freddie puts his arm in front of Galen to stop him. Danny and Alec are surprised by the speed he did this.
"Galen, I don't think Cassie would be too keen on the idea of two of her friends fighting in public." Freddie said to both men. "I may not know the two of you all that well but I know Cassie and I know that's the last thing she'd want."
"Wait, Cassie is coming?" Alec asked, curiosity in his voice.
"Uh-Yuh." Freddie retorts which made the other men snicker. "She's my friend Spencer's bodyguard for the evening. She's here because I'm here so…"
"Hold on, you're friends with Spencer Shay?" Alec asked.
Freddie nods. "He's the older brother of one of my childhood friends." Alec nods in understanding. "Now, you two promise not to kill each other tonight?"
Galen nods and both men calm down. "I promise not to lose my cool."
"Thank you." Freddie replied as he pushed the button for the nineteenth floor.
Alec walks over and offers Freddie his hand for a handshake. "Sorry we didn't meet properly."
Freddie smiles and nods, accepting the handshake. "It's cool, Mr Grayson. As long as we can play it cool, I think we're good."
"Just call me Alec." Alec said in a friendly manner. He turns to Pete and stares at him. "You're Cassie's neighbor, right?"
Pete nods. "I am."
Alec nods back at him, being polite. "Good to meet you."
Pete smiles politely. "Likewise."
Danny leans over to Galen and whispers to Galen. "Sure, he's nice to HIM."
Galen laughs as the elevator doors open and the five men walk inside.
"We should probably head up." Freddie said, interrupting the conversation.
The four men step into the elevator and the doors begin to close when a woman's voice yells out.
"Hold the elevator!"
Danny extends his hand which opens the door and a blond haired woman in a tight black low cut evening gown steps into the elevator. Her hair was in an updo and wore some expensive jewels around her neck.
"Thank you so much." The woman said to Danny.
"You're welcome." Danny said as the elevator doors closed.
Unbeknownst to the guys, they were riding in the elevator with Ursula Devereux AKA the Barracuda.
Freddie and Galen look at each other then at the woman. Something didn't sit right with them about her.
•••
Back at Pini's, the double date was moving along nicely as the two couples were enjoying dinner and engaged in conversation.
"I was trying to maneuver the car, my mom kept yelling at me to turn. I panicked and turned the wheel... Only to end up hopping the curb and hitting a fire hydrant." Lucy told the group. "It was a nightmare."
"Oh my god. That's pretty bad." Millie said giggling.
"Please Mills, bet you have a ton of dad stories that make that look like a cake walk." Gabe joked as he put his arm around Lucy supportively.
"True but they're stories that shouldn't be heard unless I have access to a memory worm to make you forget." Millie said to them.
Leo remains quiet as he listens to the conversation.
"What about you, Leo?" Lucy asked. "Bet you have a ton of embarrassing parent stories."
Millie's eyes widen as Leo speaks. "Um, not really." Leo said, trying to keep his emotions in check.
"Come on, everyone has at least one." Gabe said laughing.
"Guys, don't." Millie told them.
"No, it's okay. No sense hiding anything." Leo replied. "My parents died when I was eleven years old."
"Oh, god. I'm sorry." Gabe stated.
"Yeah, I wouldn't have pushed if I had known." Lucy said sadly.
"It's okay. It sucks but I'm okay." Leo stated. "I lived with my… grandfather until I graduated from college three years ago. After I did some… traveling abroad, I managed to get a job at the precinct in the forensics department."
"I still think that's fairly impressive." Gabe told him.
"Guess so." Leo said sheepishly.
Millie looks over at Heather who was sitting at a far away table alone. "Guessing Ricky didn't show."
The other sees that a depressed looking Heather is sitting alone eating a small salad and drinking from a wine glass. "They served her alcohol?" Lucy asked.
"Sure hope not." Gabe stated.
Millie turns and changes the subject. "So, I think that you and Leo might have more in common than your genius intellect."
"Is that so?" Gabe said as Leo stared at him.
"Yeah, Leo has a huge collection of comic books." Millie stated.
"Really?" Gabe questioned Leo.
"Yeah but I don't like to brag." Leo replied. "You got a favorite?"
"Well, read a lot of stuff but I'm mainly a Marvel guy." Gabe stated, sipping from his drink. "And you?"
"I mostly own DC stuff. I'm a huge Batman nut." Leo stated.
"Oh, so that means you're on that side of whole 'who wins in a fight: Batman or Ironman?'" Gabe questioned.
"Obviously Batman would win. He trained himself to be a perfect weapon to fight crime. Ironman just built a high tech suit." Leo stated.
"Because Tony Stark is a technical genius." Gabe said
"With a substance abuse problem." Leo retorts.
"You want to go there? At least Tony Stark doesn't have an obsessive compulsion to fight crime." Gabe said defensively. "He might be just as crazy as the criminals he locks up inside Arkham."
Millie and Lucy lower their heads as the boys continue to make their points. "This isn't going to end well." Millie stared.
"I blame you." Lucy said in a mortified manner.
"I hope Freddie is having more fun than we are." Millie said as the boys continued to argue.
•••
Freddie, Galen, Danny and Pete were standing inside of the art gallery set up the Chateau Oculus, the four holding a glass of wine, Freddie more so that he could fit in with everyone else. Alec was standing by the bar, not making eye contact and blending into the crowd.
[Soundtrack Note: 'Burning Gold' by Christina Perri plays over the sound system]
Freddie seemed to notice the uncomfortable tension between Danny and Pete as he played with the liquid in his wine glass by swirling it.
"So what time are Spencer and Cassie supposed to get here?" Pete asked Freddie after a while.
"Soon. Cassie had to get all fancied up." Freddie said, looking up from the floor.
"I figured she would have just shown up in her usual attire." Danny said. "Black leather, combat boots."
"Honestly, so did I. But I stopped by her apartment on the way here and she was getting all dressed up." Freddie replied.
"Besides, I don't think she's worn BLACK leather in some time." Galen said as he sipped from his drink.
"How long have you known Cassie?" Pete asked Galen.
Galen looks over at him and simply says. "Not as long as she's known Grayson but a long while."
"Don't feel like burdening us with details?" Danny asked.
Galen smirks. "You could say that." He turns to Freddie and starts up a conversation. "So Freddie, I was wondering, what kind of stuff do you do around the city?"
"Not much. I study, my friends and I hang out most nights and simply venture around the city." Freddie replied. "We have a good time."
"That probably isn't the safest thing to do." Galen said.
"I know, but with Pulse around, the streets feel a bit safer." Freddie said.
"Pulse is a vigilante. He's breaking the law." Danny said matter-of-factly.
Freddie scowls, pulling his Pearphone out and playing up a video on Splashface that Brad had posted. "If Pulse was so bad, why would he save the cops inside some frozen cars when that ice freak Wynter was on the loose?" He asked as Danny watched the video in silence, pursing his lips at the end.
"How did you find this video?" Galen asked when it was over and Freddie had put his phone away.
"My friend Brad filmed and posted it. Wynter had iced his foot and Pulse saved him." Freddie said. "It already has two million views."
"He's still a vigilante." Danny said.
"So? He's saved more lives in a few months than the police force have." Freddie said and Danny frowned. How would he know that?
The chance for talk was quickly muted when the four saw Cassie walk in with Spencer. Spencer was in a fancy tuxedo and looked awkwardly dapper. However, Freddie, Pete and Danny were surprised by Cassie's choice of wardrobe. Cassie was wearing a red dress that hugged her curves, black heels with it and her hair down in curls. She looked absolutely stunning.
Cassie's entrance caught Alec's attention as he went to make his way over to the group.
"Wow. You clean up nice Cassie. You too Spencer." Freddie said and both adults smiled.
"Aren't you a little too young to be drinking?" Spencer asked. Cassie gave Freddie a look that made Freddie hand Cassie the glass.
"Haven't taken a sip." Freddie said.
Spencer nods. "Let's hope not."
Cassie looks at Danny who is staring at her. "Um, my eyes are up here, Dan Dan."
Danny shakes his head to regain composure. "You- um- you look lovely."
Cassie bites her lip and flashes a smile. "Aren't you sweet?"
"Do I detect a hint of sarcasm?" Danny asked.
"Boy, nothing gets past you." Cassie said sardonically as she sips from the wine glass she had taken from Freddie. "See, that was sarcasm."
Danny rolls his eyes. "And that is my cue to swallow back some hard liquor to make this evening slightly more bearable. Excuse me."
The group watches Danny head towards the bar.
"Your sparkling charm strikes again, Cassie." Galen said, which caused Cassie to glare at him.
Once Danny is gone, Alec makes his presence known. "Wasn't expecting you at some stuffy art exhibit, Sand."
Cassie turns and smiles. "Al, hey." She gives him a quick hug. "Why didn't you say THIS was where you were going to be?"
"Well, you did say you weren't planning to do anything but be a tour guide. Color me pleasantly surprised." Alec replied playfully.
Cassie grins as Galen groans quietly. "Besides, I tried to tell you last night but you never answered your phone."
Alec blinks, remembering what he had done last night, then quickly tries to come up with a good excuse. "Had a bit of a rough night. That's all I will say."
"That wouldn't have anything to do with this?" Cassie said, using her index finger to tap on the bandage on Alec's face which causes him to wince.
"Probably just fell off his bed and hit his head on his night stand." Galen guessed.
Alec smiles knowingly and rubs his bruise. "Sure, why not?"
"Please, who would go through that level of slapstick?" Pete jokes.
Freddie glances over at Spencer who was confused. "I know a few people who have fallen into those kinds of situations."
Spencer stares at Freddie sideways. "Because I'm the only one who has. You're almost as accident prone as me."
"Yes but those 'accidents' were mostly Sam's pranks so your lack of coordination is not my fault." Freddie retorts, causing the others to laugh but Alec to raise an eyebrow. Freddie sees this and clears things up. "Sam's a mutual friend."
"I figured." Alec said in a friendly manner. He looks at Spencer. "I'm Alec Grayson. It's a pleasure to meet you, Spencer."
"You too, dude." Spencer stated.
"I had a chance to look at some of your pieces." Alec said, indicating the art.
"Let me guess, you think they're childish." Spencer assumed.
Alec shakes his head. "No. I think they're good. They show that you embraced your inner child. Besides, you can't really judge an artist. It's their vision and everyone else be damned."
Spencer grins and points at Alec. "I like this guy."
"And Alec is a bit of an artist himself." Cassie stated.
"Really?" Spencer asked, sounding amazed.
"I take pictures. Photography is a hobby of mine." Alec said bashfully.
"Taking selfies doesn't count, suck-up." Galen teased.
Alec glares at him. "Bite me, Fido."
Freddie and Cassie groan in unison as a small squabble erupts.
"You sure you want that? My teeth are a lot tougher than most." Galen said, flashing his pearly whites.
Freddie goes to try to quell the situation but Cassie stops him. "Allow me." She replied.
Before a full blown argument, Cassie stands between them and grabs both their left earlobes. She yanks hard which causes the two men to double over. This catches the attention of a few of the guests and surprises Spencer but Freddie and Pete simply act casual.
"Okay, so not the time for the two of you fighting like we're still in high school. Now, I am going to let go and when I do, I want BOTH OF YOU to act civil." Cassie demanded, slowly letting go of the two. The two men both grab their left earlobes, making pained expressions. "There's no reason the two of you can't get along so let's just have a good time, okay?"
"Got it." Alec said, grimacing.
Galen breathes deeply to ease his pain as well as keeping the animal inside him in check. "Noted."
Cassie puts on a warm smile. "Good." She turns to see the few guests staring. "Show's over, folks. Keep gawking and I'll start charging."
The guests stop their staring and get back to their businesses.
"That was… almost familiar." Spencer said to Freddie.
Freddie clears his throat to cover his nerves. "So… where is the extremely rich millionaire who paid you an absurd amount of money to put your art on display?"
"Spencer!" A woman with a thick Scottish accent called. The group turns to see a blond haired woman in a flashy magenta evening gown make their way to them. "I have been looking everywhere for ya."
"I just got here, hope you don't mind me being fashionably late?" Spencer said to the woman and he turned to the group.
"Well, I didn't think you'd be in the middle of this hullabaloo." The woman stated, indicting Cassie who scoffs at this remark.
"Guys, this is Edith MacMurphy. She paid for this exhibition." Spencer stated. "Edith, these are my friends Freddie Benson, Cassie Sinclair, Pete Sawyer, Galen Lennox and Alec Grayson.
"Pleasure to meet you all." Edith said to the group.
Cassie spoke up. "So, Mrs MacMurphy..."
"Miss, darling." Edith told her.
Cassie curtly cleared her throat. Freddie, Pete, Alec and Galen could tell she didn't like that. "MISS MacMurphy, are you from Scotland?"
"Born and bred in Glasgow." Edith boasted proudly.
"Oh, my great grandparents were from Glasgow but moved to Edinburgh after my grandmother was born." Cassie told her.
"Oh." Edith stated and suddenly she started to speak to her in a foreign language, Scottish Gaelic. What surprises everyone is that Cassie spoke the language right back to her.
"So you're Spencer's girlfriend?"
"Actually I'm just escorting him for the evening. His real girlfriend couldn't make it."
"It's a pity that he isn't single."
"I would call it 'a blessing in disguise' but that's just my opinion."
Freddie, Pete and Spencer stand there with their mouths agape as Galen and Alec find the scene humorous. The few times they'll get along
"Well Spencer, you have such... Colorful friends." Edith stated, speaking English.
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Cassie said in English, folding her arms over her chest.
Edith clears her throat. "Well, shall we look at your work, Spencer?"
"That's a good idea." Spencer said.
Before the group split off, Freddie pulls Cassie aside. "Okay, what on earth was that?"
Cassie smiles and simply says. "You're Scottish on your dad's side."
Freddie grins as the group began to look at the other pieces.
Danny stands at the bar with a drink in his hands as he notices a woman with tan skin and light brown hair enter the room with a man with light colored skin and reddish brown hair. He seems to recognize them as he down his drink.
Danny sets down his glass on the bar top.
"Another drink, sir?" The bartender asked.
"Yeah, Whiskey watered back." Danny told him.
"You got it." The bartender said.
What Danny doesn't realize is that the bartender was Howard Redmond, better known as The Man 'O War. Redmond prepares Danny's drink but pulls out the vial he had been given and pours the clear liquid into the drink.
Redmond sets down the drink next to Danny. "Enjoy."
Danny nods and takes a drink. He notices it was rather bitter but ignores it as he stares at the crowd.
•••
Back at the restaurant, Gabe and Leo were having a spirited debate regarding comics this time regarding the Scarlet Speedster of DC.
"The best Flash is hands down Barry Allen." Gabe stated.
"Please, Wally West is way better." Leo answers back.
The girls groan in annoyance "Okay, can we stop with the fanboy debate and talk about something else?" Millie asked, frustrated.
"Yeah, the weather, what movies you liked, the effects of thermonuclear war." Lucy listed which causes the others to look at her. "Sorry, that last one sorta popped into my head."
Gabe looks up as the waiter walks over to the table "Can we get the check? Thank you."
The waiter nods and walks off.
"Do you need help with paying the bill?" Leo asked.
"It's all right. I got it." Gabe said, pulling out his wallet and wiping out a credit card.
Millie looks over at Heather's table and notices her arguing with a waiter.
"Dude, I have no problem helping out." Leo insisted.
Their waiter drops off their bill and gives it to Gabe. He looks at Leo and shows him the bill. Leo looks at it as well and sees the cost. His eyes widen and hands Gabe the bill back to him.
"I think my financial situation trumps my male pride." Leo stated and the others laugh.
Millie gets the group's attention. "Check it out."
The group looks back and sees Heather was still arguing with the waiter until another man approaches. He was well dressed and seemed to be in charge.
"Wonder what's going on?" Lucy asked.
"Don't know." Millie stated.
"I'll be snoopy and find out." Gabe said as he got up from the table. He approaches Heather's table, finding out what is going on.
"This is ridiculous. I know I have cash in my account." Heather yelled. "This has to be a mistake."
"Your credit card reads otherwise, Ms Chase." The waiter said.
"Can you please try again?" Heather begged.
"We have. It's telling us to confiscate the card and notify the authorities." The manager told her.
Heather stood there mortified as tears fell down her cheeks. "I-I didn't do anything wrong. I-I can pay."
"Excuse me." Gabe caught their attention. "I have no problem paying for her."
"It's quite alright, Mr Morgan. That won't be necessary." The manager told him.
"And I don't need your help." Heather stated.
"Could've fooled me." Gabe replied. "I'll pay for my table and for Heather. It's fine."
Heather stares back at Gabe then looks over at Millie. She turns away as Gabe hands his credit card to the waiter. The waiter and the manager walk off as Heather gets up from her seat.
"Don't expect me to be grateful." Heather stated as she walked past him and left the restaurant.
"A simple 'thank you' would be nice." Gabe called back.
Heather says nothing and leaves while Millie, Lucy and Leo walk over to him.
"You didn't have to do that." Millie stated.
"Yeah, she wasn't exactly nice to any of us." Lucy said.
Gabe just shrugs. "Doesn't mean I wanted to get arrested. She's suffered enough." He exhales. "We should get ready to go. Concert starts in an hour and traffic is gonna be a pain."
Leo looks down and smiles, part of him admiring what Gabe had done for someone who he didn't like. Made him realize there's more to Gabe Morgan than he knew.
•••
Back at the hotel, Cassie paces around another one of Spencer's pieces - the Snow-woman. She stares back at it tilting her head to one side.
"Have to say, most of these are... odd." Cassie said as Galen and Freddie walked over to her.
"I'm more curious about the 'fan of hammers' and why one of the hammers is missing." Galen asked.
"Because one of them flew off and nearly hit Carly in the head." Freddie said matter of factly.
"Oh." Galen said with a nod.
"It's interesting to know who actually bought it." Freddie replied.
"How much do you sell it for?" Alec asked.
"A lot less than what we got for our Penny-Tee." Freddie stated.
Alec shrugs. "Don't want to burden us with the details."
"My mom always told me to discuss money in public. It's how you get scammed." Freddie stated.
"And yet she bought those Tahitian Red Beaks for 20,000 dollars?" Cassie teased.
"Hey, it wasn't her fault she couldn't get them to… make babies." Freddie told them, making the same hand motion he made that long ago.
"Wait, aren't those the rarest chickens in the world?" Alec asked.
"Unfortunately." Freddie sighed.
Cassie looks around. "Where's Pete?"
Galen motions to Pete who remained close to Spencer who was drinking from a wine glass standing next to Ms MacMurphy.
"Sweeping the perimeter while he keeps a close eye on Spencer." Freddie stated.
"Okay. Good." Cassie said.
Alec leans over to Cassie and asks. "Is there something happening I need to know?"
Cassie swallows as she looks at Freddie, who nods to give her the go-ahead. "Um, there might be somebody after Spencer."
Alec raised his brows, his curiosity piqued. "Do you know who?"
"No but we have a good theory that it's someone who might want to hurt him." Freddie stated.
"Um, have you told the cops?" Alec asked. The trio turn to him and are puzzled by the question. Alec sighs. "Never mind, stupid question."
"Took you long enough to figure that out." Galen taunted.
Before Alec can give a rebuttal, Cassie stops him. "Let it go."
Alec sighs. "I have to get some air. I'll be back." He walks out of the exhibition area and goes off down the hall.
Cassie exhales and looks over and sees Danny still drinking at the bar. "I'm gonna go grab something stronger to drink."
"I thought alcohol had no effect on you." Galen uttered as Cassie turned to face him and Freddie.
"Doesn't mean I can pretend like it does." Cassie said and continued to walk to the bar.
At that moment, she accidentally bumps into a woman in a black evening and sees she bumped into Ursula. She had inadvertently knocked her drink out of her hands.
"Hey, watch it, Pippi Longstocking!" Ursula snapped. Cassie glares at her and continues to walk off. "What, no apology?"
"Apologies are for people with manners which you are sorely lacking." Cassie said, not stopping her stride.
Ursula goes to attack her but a look from Redmond at the bar stops her dead in her tracks. She scowls at him and slips back into the crowd.
Freddie and Galen witnessed this and sensed something wasn't quite right. "You saw that too, right?"
"Oh yeah." Galen stated.
"I'll keep an eye on the bartender, you watch for the blond bombshell." Freddie said and Galen nodded. The pair goes off in different directions.
Cassie made her way to the bar and stood next to Danny. "Rough night?"
Danny looks at her. "Not really in the mood, Sinclair."
"Padron Moi." Cassie said to him as she turned to the bartender. "Can I get a Whiskey Sour?"
"Coming up, miss." Redmond said to her.
As Redmond prepares her drink, Cassie notices Danny staring a hole in the couple he was focusing on earlier. "What's the matter? Does that guy owe you money or something?"
Danny snaps out of a trance-like stare and looks at her. "Sorry. I was... distracted."
"I noticed." Cassie stated as Redmond hands her the drink. "Thank you." She continues looking at Danny. "Out with it, Parker. Who are they and why are you looking at them like Beatrix Kiddo staring at the people on her revenge kill list?"
"Wouldn't go that far, Red Sonya." Danny said with a small smile on his face. "The woman is Rosanna Tobias and her date is her... fiancé Keith Malloy."
"And judging by the look of disdain, they aren't friends of yours." Cassie quips.
"Keith was actually." Danny sighs "Back in Chicago, I dated Rosanna for two years. We were engaged for almost a year. She worked alongside Keith at the district attorney's office, he was the ADA."
"And I'm guessing that since you aren't married that you broke off the engagement?" Cassie estimated.
"Yeah, after I found her in bed with Keith." Danny stated which caused Cassie's jaw to drop. "Rosie cheated on me with a man I considered a friend. That was one of the reasons I transferred to work for the NYPD."
"I am SO sorry." Cassie said, genuinely sounding sincere.
"Thanks." Danny said, swigging back his drink.
There was a moment of silence between them until Cassie spoke up. "Want me to teach her some decorum with my fist?"
Danny laughs at this and says. "I don't want Rosie to be hauled off on a stretcher."
Cassie smiled at him. "If she comes over here and gives you a hard time, my offer still stands."
"I'll keep that in mind." Danny said.
Cassie smiles and walks off holding her drink in her left hand. She walks up behind Rosanna and Keith and stands half a foot away. Rosie begins to move backwards and Cassie fumbles her drink out her hand which causes it to spill on Rosie's short light blue cocktail dress.
"Oh my gosh. I am so sorry." Cassie said, feigning innocence and sounding mortified. "I am such a klutz. I'm really sorry."
"I-it's fine. No harm done." Rosie stated as she watched as the stain began to set in. "Guess I'll have to take this to the dry cleaner."
"Again, I am really, REALLY, sorry for that." Cassie said.
"It's okay." Rosie replied as she walked off to find the restroom.
Cassie glances at Danny and smirks as she walks away from Keith.
A small smile forms on Danny's face but the smile is replaced with a look of disorientation. His vision became blurry but went back to normal and he saw Keith Malloy staring a hole into him.
•••
At the precinct, Victor was finishing up some paperwork when he sees a man in a black suit walk into the building. He had short dark hair combed neatly and his suit seemed almost a government issue. Like he was one of the 'men in black'.
The man walks over to Victor and asks. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Captain Irving Thompson?"
"Is there some kind of problem?" Victor asked.
"It is imperative that I speak with Captain Thompson." The man said bluntly.
Victor seems troubled by the man's stern demeanor and gets up from his chair "Right this way." He leads the man to Thompson's office and they walk inside as Thompson prepares to leave for the night.
"Captain, this man requested to speak to you." Victor said.
Thompson looks up and sees the man in the black suit enter the room. "I'm Special Agent Aaron Reid of the Homeland Intervention Tactical Agency."
"What seems to be the problem, Agent Reid?" Thompson asked as Victor went to leave. "No, no. Victor, you can stay."
"I must discuss this matter alone, Captain." Agent Reid stated bluntly.
"Detective Flores is one of my most trusted men in this department. Whatever you have to say to me, you can say it in front of him." Thompson said as bluntly as the agent.
The agent looks back at Victor. "Come in and shut the door behind you."
Victor complies and shuts the door after entering the office.
"Care to explain to me why a member of H.I.T.A. is in my precinct?" Thompson asked.
"There is a threat to national security that has been set into motion." Agent Reid stated as he hands Thompson a file. "A couple nights ago, Ursula Devereux was being transferred to one of our federal facilities but a well organized breakout was perpetrated."
"Who is Ursula Devereux?" Victor asked.
"She is a high ranking member of the terrorist cell known as The Pequod." Reid told Victor. "She is also known as The Barracuda. A former member of the Canadian Armed Forces who was dishonorably discharged for rumors of brutally dispatching enemy soldiers and assaulting her commanding officer. Don't let appearances fool you, she is deceptively strong and quite vicious."
"Pequod? Isn't that the name of Captain Ahab's ship in Moby Dick?" Victor asked.
"They have a bit of a nautical theme in their codenames." Reid stated. "Devereux is part of a leadership triad."
"Who are the other's in this triad?" Thompson asked.
"First is Howard Redmond, who goes by the codename The Man 'O War." Reid told them. "Redmond is a master of disguise who is only known through sketches. No one knows what he really looks like because most witnesses are killed by him in disguise."
Victor and Thompson look at each other, trying to suspend disbelief.
"The final member of Brock Maynard, otherwise known as The Piranha." Reid explained. "Maynard is a former member of the Aryan Brotherhood with a penchant for brutal assaults on people with ethnic backgrounds. He is a sexual sadist who brutalizes women and rips them apart piece by piece."
"Alright, these sound like horrible people but what exactly are they planning?" Thompson asked.
"From a few of our field agents, The Pequod is planning a kidnapping of the son of our commanding officer." Reid told them. "They are after Spencer Shay."
Victor looks at Thompson who was horrified by this. Because one of his men was in the building. Danny. And he was in grave danger.
•••
Cassie and Galen were against a wall in the exhibit, both in terms of a conversation they were enjoying. "I am sorry, I just thought you were trying to impress me." She said in mid laugh.
"Sorry, Cass, but not everything revolves around you." Galen teasingly said.
"Shame, be a tiny bit better if it did." Cassie jokes. She looks up and stares across the room, seeing Alec return to the room. "He was gone for a while."
"Probably had to call work. He was always an overachiever." Galen said smiling. Cassie stares him down which makes him say. "Wasn't an insult, that was observation."
Cassie shakes her head and starts to head Alec's direction. "Sure you can entertain yourself, Gale."
Galen watches as Cassie makes her way over to her friend. He swallows hard and remains leaning against the wall.
"So…" Cassie spoke up, getting Alec's attention. "Not having any fun?"
Alec laughs and looks at her. "I really just needed some fresh air."
Cassie grins. "Sure you did."
[Soundtrack Note: 'Can I Be Him' by James Arthur begins to play on the dance floor]
"You know, this reminds me of prom." Alec reminds her.
Cassie scoffs. "Yeah, except with stuffier people."
"Think we both know how much high school sucked for the both of us." Alec replied.
"It wasn't all bad." Cassie said with a smile. "I had you. And Galen. Both of you kept me sane."
Alec beams. "Glad I could help."
"I was glad you were my date that night. I couldn't bring myself to go alone." She becomes surprisingly somber. "Especially after-"
"I was happy to do it." Alec said, not wanting to upset her. After a long pause, he exhales and takes her hand. "Come on."
Cassie seems shocked by the action but reluctantly follows him. Alec then takes her hands to begin to slow dance. Cassie seems amused and follows suit, letting him take the lead.
"You still remember how to do this?" Cassie asked.
Alec thinks and laughs. "Not really."
"Then we fake it." Cassie wraps her arms around his waist to pull him close. "How's that?"
Alec laughs nervously. "Um, perfect."
The two dance closely, Cassie trying to feel less nervous while Alec breathes deeply.
Galen watches from afar and seems interested but there was no anger in his demeanor. It was pity.
In the meantime, Danny sat at the bar with a drink in hand, his back to Redmond the bartender as he stared out at all of the people. Just then, Freddie walks up to the bar and stands next to Danny.
"Hey. Is it alright if I join you?" Freddie asked and Danny shrugs. Freddie sat down and Danny turned back around. Freddie looks at the bartender. "Would it be possible of I could have some ginger beer?"
"One ginger beer coming right up." Redmond said.
Freddie turns to Danny and sees him staring intensely at Cassie dancing with Alec. "So, I noticed you've been staring at Cassie all night."
"Just doing my job kid." Danny said, taking a sip from his drink.
"Sure. Because you've been checking out my aunt all night. Is that a part of your job?" Freddie commented with a smile.
Danny scowls at the teenager as Freddie's drink is placed in front of him and Freddie takes a swig.
"I have to ask, what do you have against Pulse?" Freddie asked.
"You want to have this conversation here?" Danny asked, having trouble finding words.
"Well, they do say alcohol makes you a bit more lucid. Might get an honest answer from you." Freddie said, a grin hiding his true intentions.
Danny sighs as he sets down his glass. "He's a criminal. A superpowered thug who thinks the law doesn't have any kind of merit." He said bluntly.
"With all due respect, what good has the law ever done for us?" Freddie asked
"It saved lives." Danny replied, sipping from his drink.
"So has Pulse. He goes out of his way to help people. I honestly don't see how it's a bad thing." Freddie said.
"He's taking the law into his own hands." Danny said. "That's not legal in the eyes of the law."
"Have you ever thought that maybe he's trying to change things and make them better? Pulse might be a vigilante, but at least he's getting out there and trying. The police sit and wait for orders." Freddie said.
"It's a tiny bit more complicated than that." Danny said. "Besides... At least we don't cause a ruckus."
"Okay. I understand following the law, but it's obvious that you don't understand that the world isn't black and white. If you really want to prove a point, get your facts straight. Pulse saves lives and if I remember correctly, Pulse saved your cop buddies too." Freddie said.
"What do you even know about Pulse?" Danny asked.
"A whole lot more than you." Freddie replied, downing his drink and then standing up. "I'm not going to argue about this. But think about this, you've had more than one chance to shoot him right?"
Danny nods. "Yes."
"So then why haven't you?" Freddie asked before he walked away, leaving a confused Danny alone.
In another part of the room, Spencer leans back on a wall with Pete standing next to him. Spencer was sweaty and looked pale.
The commotion gets Cassie and Alec's attention as well as the other guests.
"What's going on?" Alec asked.
Cassie observes the scene and remarks. "For once, I haven't got a clue.
Freddie sees this and rushes over to them. "What's going on? Is he all right?"
"I don't think so." Pete said.
"I am the Lizard King!" Spencer shouted as he became weak in the knees while Freddie and Pete caught him before he hit the floor.
"We need to get him somewhere safe." Freddie told Pete.
As they drag Spencer upright, Ms MacMurphy walks over to them. "Good Lord, is Spencer all right?"
"Yeah, think he just had too much to drink. We'll take him somewhere." Freddie said, taking control of the situation. "Excuse us."
Freddie and Pete drag Spencer away, leaving Edith MacMurphy utterly confused.
Alec turns to Cassie and asks. "Do you want me to see if everything is okay?"
Cassie stares at him. "You sure?"
Alec simply follows after Freddie and Pete.
[Soundtrack Note: 'Begin Again' by Measure starts to plays]
Danny sat back in the barstool as he saw Keith arguing with Rosie and was pointing his direction. Just then, Keith stomps over to Danny. "We need to talk."
"Keith, don't!" Rosie begged.
"Hi, Keith. Long time no see." Danny said, sounding sarcastically friendly. "Last time I saw you, you and Rosie were doing the beast with two backs and I'm aware of the fact that I am bastardizing a Shakespeare term but I think it's a fair statement how you two betrayed me. It's rather poetic really."
Cassie watched the scene closely, this wasn't going to end well.
"Dan..." Rosie began.
"No!" Danny said angrily, raising his arm and getting off the bar stool. "You have lost the right to speak to me. I know you two are engaged."
"Is this your way of congratulating us?" Keith asked coldly.
"No, my congratulations would come in the form of me punching you in the face over and over again until my fists bleed." Danny snapped at Keith.
Keith got in Danny's face. "I wish things hadn't ended the way they did but I love Rosanna and I'm going to marry her and if that makes you uncomfortable, I don't care."
"You two deserve each other." Danny said, his voice sounding slurred. "The traitor and his wh-"
Without hesitation, Cassie rushes over and grabs Danny before he says another word. "Okay, I think it's time I stop you from saying something you'll regret later. Excuse us."
Rosie and Keith watch as Cassie pulls Danny to the middle of the dance floor where other couples slow dance.
Galen watches this closely again but for different reasons.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Danny said, sounding a bit woozy and inebriated.
"Stopping you from acting like a drunken buffoon." Cassie said as she placed her hands on his shoulders. "Now shut up and dance with me."
Danny looks back at Rosie and Keith who try to avoid his gaze.
"No. No, no, no." Cassie said as she grabbed him by the chin. "Don't look at them. Focus on me. Okay?"
Danny looks at Cassie and starts starting into her eyes. Her pale blue eyes. Her intense icy blue eyes. However, when he focuses on them, a strange familiarity washed over him. Almost like he had seen them long before.
Danny tried to find the words in his alcohol-addled brain. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because I'm kind of trying to be your friend and I'm keeping you from doing something stupid. Now shut up and dance, all right?" Cassie commanded.
Danny nods as they continue to dance to the rhythm of the music.
"And for the record, for someone who is drunk, you are very nimble on your feet." Cassie said to Danny.
"Um, thanks. I think." Danny said as he struggled to remain standing.
"I'm going to rest my head on your shoulder. To try to make your ex-girlfriend jealous." Cassie said as she looked quickly back at Rosie.
Danny nods quickly and Cassie moves her hands to embrace him then she places her head on Danny's right shoulder. He felt a strange sensation as her body lay close to him. Her heart was beating quickly and the alcohol seemed to be opening up some long forgotten memories. A voice from his childhood echoed in his mind.
"You know, you don't talk very much." A male child's voice is heard in his head. "I like you."
Danny blinks and shakes his head.
Cassie notices this and looks up at him. She appears to be concerned. She stares back at him and looks into his eyes. His normally soothing blue eyes seem dazed. Glossy. This wasn't just because he was intoxicated.
"You all right, Parker?" She asked.
"Riley?" Danny struggled to say but he became weak in the knees and collapsed in her arms. She tries to hold him up but struggles a bit.
[Soundtrack Note: Song ends]
"Okay, I will take that as a 'no'." Cassie said with a weak smile. She looks around and whispers. "Gale, a little help?"
Without warning, Galen stood next to her. "You called?"
Cassie smirks. "What took you?"
Galen shakes his head and he helps Cassie take the unconscious Danny off the dance floor.
Freddie and Pete were holding Spencer upright as Alec frantically pushed buttons on the elevator. "This thing is taking its sweet time."
"We have to get Spencer out of here." Freddie said, genuinely worried for him.
"Not arguing with you, kid." Pete replied.
The three men turn to hear approaching footsteps and see Cassie and Galen dragging an unconscious Danny.
"What happened to him?" Alec asked.
Galen motions to Spencer. "Thinking that might be what happened to him."
"More than likely." Cassie said. She looks at Galen. "Do you have any idea what it is?"
"Not sure but it could be some kind of neurotoxin." Galen stated.
"How do you know?" Pete asked in a confused manner.
"I can smell it on their sweat. Kind of overpowering." Galen said.
Before Pete could ask another question, Cassie interrupts them. "Less questions, more moving quickly."
"Agreed. I'm guessing whoever did this might be looking for them." Freddie said while the seven go to the elevator on the north side of the hall.
The doors to the elevator open and the group step inside as the doors to the elevator at the south end of the hall open as Brock Maynard and almost a dozen men in all camouflage military gear run out of the elevator.
Maynard sees the elevator at the north end of the hallway close but only catches a glimpse of Freddie and Cassie. He shrugs it off and continues walking.
At that moment, Maynard and members of The Pequod burst into the main room where the exhibit was being held. He points his assault rifle and fires into the air causing the partygoers to scream and crouch down in fear.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we're tonight's entertainment." Maynard said in his Southern drawl.
Just then, an Hispanic man in a tuxedo pulled out a gun to shoot. "Freeze! Nobody-" Suddenly, he gets a bullet to the head from Redmond who was standing at the bar. He walks around the bar in a confident stride towards the body and pulls out a badge.
Another person stands up, a woman with dark brown hair pulls out a 9mm handgun to shoot but Ursula grabs her wrist, twists it roughly and kicks her in the abdomen. The woman falls to the ground in pain as Ursula points the woman's gun at her head.
"That wasn't very smart, Agent." Ursula stated. She fires the gun and kills the agent.
"Everyone, please calm down." Redmond told the partygoers who only panicked at this.
"Hey, he said shut your damn pie holes, ya one percenters!" Maynard shouted roughly.
The partygoers became quiet. Edith MacMurphy seems quite petrified at what was happening.
"Before we start making demands to the police. First things first, does anyone know where Spencer Shay is?" Redmond asked.
•••
Inside the elevator, Freddie, Cassie, Pete, Alec and Galen look down at Danny and Spencer who were lying on the floor. Still out of it.
"This is bad, isn't it?" Freddie asked.
"It will be if we don't get this toxin out of their systems." Cassie said.
"And fast, their heartbeats are becoming slow. They could go into cardiac arrest in ten minutes." Galen informed the group.
"I hate sounding like a broken record but how do you know?" Pete asked him.
Galen looks at Cassie then back at Pete. "Let's just say Cassie and Freddie aren't the only ones with powers around here."
Alec seems curious at that particular exchange, wondering what they meant. "Freddie has superpowers?"
Freddie and Cassie glare at Galen as the hybrid human being realizes his error. "Oh crap."
Alec looks over at Freddie. "Whatever it is, it's safe with me."
Freddie nods. "Look, let's focus on the two people lying on the elevator floor slowly dying. We can deal with everything else later."
"That seems fair." Pete stated.
Cassie opens her black clutch purse and pulls out two unopened syringes with two long needles.
"I'm not even going to ask why those things are in your purse." Freddie replied.
"Cassie is like a Girl Sprout, she always comes prepared." Alec spoke up.
"What I am going to ask is what are you planning to do?" Freddie asked.
Cassie opens one of the syringes and sets it up. "I'm going to burn out the toxin from their bodies."
"Wait, how?" Freddie asks only to get his answer when Cassie stabs the needle from the syringe into the main vein in her left arm. "Oh!"
Cassie begins to remove blood from arm and it is filled into the syringe. She quickly pulls the needle out and hands it to Pete. "Hold that for me." She then does the same process with the second syringe and inserts the needle into her right arm. She hands the second syringe filled with her blood to Galen who doesn't flinch at her doing this.
"All right now you two are going to inject each of them with my blood." Cassie ordered Pete and Galen.
Freddie stares at her with an incredulous look on his face. "That's your plan? Giving them a blood transfusion?"
"My regenerative blood has a stronger metabolic rate than any human being. It's going to burn out the toxin from Danny and Spencer's bloodstream." Cassie explained.
Alec seems surprised. "I didn't know that."
"Yeah, it makes sense if you don't think about it." Cassie said. "If we had options, I wouldn't do it. I'm paranoid about my blood being used for less than ideal purposes."
"And now?" Her nephew asked her.
Cassie sighs. "It's the only way."
Freddie relents as he watches Galen kneel down next to Spencer and Pete kneel down next to Danny.
"Inject it into their thighs. You'll have access to the femoral artery. Pump it into the heart then into the rest of the bloodstream." Cassie explained to the guys.
Galen and Pete look at each other and after a count of three, they stab the needles into the poisoned men and inject the blood into them.
After a moment, Spencer snaps awake which makes everyone jump. He looks up at the people around him. "Um, what's going on? Why am I on the floor?"
"Well, um... You were drugged but it only knocked you out for a while." Freddie said as he helped Spencer to his feet.
"W-who drugged me?" Spencer asked.
"Not sure yet but I think we're going to find out." Cassie said to him. She looks down at Danny who was still out of it.
"Did he get drugged too?" Spencer asked, pointing at Danny.
"Yeah, not sure why he isn't awake yet." Cassie wondered anxiously.
Pete goes to check Danny's pulse but suddenly Danny snaps awake and begins to strangle Pete. He struggles to get Danny to loosen his grip without hurting him but Danny would not let go.
Danny's vision was blurry and hearing was muffled and he wasn't seeing Pete as he choked him. He saw Keith Malloy's face.
Alec tries to get Danny off Pete only for his attempt to be halted by Danny punching him in the face.
"Ah! That made things worse." Alec said, rubbing the bruise on his face.
Cassie kneels down and grabs Danny's wrists, managing to get his hands free from Pete's neck. She pins Danny down and he stares into her blue eyes.
"Calm down." Cassie stated in a soothing voice. "Easy. It's all right."
The guys watch as Danny begins to simmer down and his vision begins to clear. He sees everyone standing over him then looks up at Cassie.
"Um, what's going on?" Danny asked. "And why are you on top of me?"
Cassie smiles. "Are you feeling better?"
"Think so. Yeah." Danny said, nodding.
Cassie slowly gets up and off him then helps him to his feet.
Danny looks around. "Alright, does someone want to explain to me what's going on?"
Cassie looks over at the guys who glance at her to tell him or come up with a convincing story. "Both you and Spencer were drugged. We brought you in here to keep you safe from the people who did this."
Danny looks at her skeptically. "So, who exactly drugged us?"
Cassie looks at Freddie and then he speaks. "We don't exactly know."
"Think you should be grateful that you aren't at the mercy of whoever did this." Alec said bitterly.
"Not the time and place, Grayson." Galen spoke up.
Alec turns to him but says nothing .
Danny stares at them then looks down at his hands, opening and closing them. "It feels strange. Is the drug still in our system?"
"Sort of, there might be some... side effects." Cassie said, alluding to her blood in their circulatory system.
"What kind of side effects?" Spencer asked but suddenly, his arm twitches and he almost hits Galen in the face. Galen grabs his arm before it could strike him.
The guys look to Cassie who didn't seem all too surprised by this. "Um, like that." she replied. "Your nervous system is gonna be a touch out of whack. Don't worry, it's only temporary."
"Let's hope so." Danny breathed as he tried to stay on his feet.
The group looked at the buttons on the elevator and saw the light on the buttons stopped at '12'.
"I thought you pressed '11'?" Alec asked Freddie.
"I did." Freddie said as the others looked very nervous.
The doors open to reveal a muscle bound mountain of a man standing at the door. He was wearing the same militarized garb as the rest of the members of the Pequod.
"Oh. Hello." Freddie said anxiously. "We seem to be pretty full here. Try the other elevator."
Suddenly the man grabs both Freddie and Alec by the neck and hurls them out of the elevator. They slide across the floor and slam on the walls.
"Ow. Okay, that hurts." Freddie said, wincing in pain.
Alec felt the pain more due to him still feeling sore from his night out. "Everything's in pain."
Cassie quickly opens her clutch purse and pulls out a baton, handing the purse to Spencer. "Be a dear and hold this for me."
The men watched as Cassie ran out of the elevator. She flicks a button on the baton which causes it to elongate two feet. She twirls it and strides towards the man.
The man who grabbed Freddie and Alec by the neck again and pinned them to the wall. "Boss says everyone needs to be collected. You and your friends are coming with me."
Suddenly, Cassie strikes him in the back of the knee that causes the muscle man to topple backwards, loosening his grip on the two. He looks up and sees the red haired female standing over him.
"Nobody lays a hand on my boys." Cassie said while Freddie and Alec got up. She motions for him to go with the others.
Alec tries to refuse but Freddie grabs him by the shoulder and pulls him back to the elevator.
The man gets to his feet and shouts a battle cry, preparing to attack. He goes to punch her only to have Cassie grab his wrist, twisting it back and cracking him across the ribs with her baton.
Cassie slams the man at the wall as the guys watch the spectacle.
"I think we should help her." Danny said with concern in his voice.
"We'd only be getting in the way." Galen stated.
"He's right. I think she's got this." Alec said, rubbing his neck.
The man turns to face Cassie who tosses the baton in the air and catches in a display of boastfulness. He tries to strike her again but she dodges each attempt and hits him across the jaw with the baton.
Cassie attempts to hit him again but the man grabs her wrists and squeezes them hard. She hears a cracking sound, letting out a soft gasp and winces in pain, dropping her baton.
The man throws Cassie hard against the wall. She looks at her wrists and sees they are badly bruised, possibly broken but hides it as she heals.
Cassie looks up and sees the man pick up her baton and break it in half and tosses on the ground. She scowls at him and gets to her feet. "I REALLY don't like it when people break my things."
"What are you gonna do about it?" The man goaded her.
Cassie grins while she begins to slip out of her high heels. She had a devilish grin on her face while picking up one of her shoes.
The man charges at Cassie only to have her throw the high heeled shoe like a throwing star which lands in the center of the man's palm and the heel imbeds itself on the wall.
The guys are stunned by this particular display of violence. Spencer is staring at this with his mouth hanging open.
The man wails in agony as Cassie strides towards him and unleashes a swift spinning roundhouse kick across his face. The kick knocks the man out cold and lands seated on the ground due to his hand being stuck to the wall.
Cassie goes to pull her shoe from the man's palm. She begins to slip on her shoes as the guys walk over to her. They look at the unconscious man and then back at Cassie who finishes putting on the heels.
"You boys can stop looking at me like I brutalized the Pope. Guy was asking for it." Cassie said frankly.
"No arguments here, Sand." Alec replied.
"Now what?" Spencer asked, still confused.
Freddie looks around and hears marching headed to their direction. "He must be working for the guys who drugged Danny and Spencer."
"And they might have friends who might not take too kindly to the fact that I just whooped his ass." Cassie stated.
"Let's move." Freddie said as they head into a service stairwell and head down to the eleventh floor.
As the group makes their escape, four members of The Pequod enter the hallway. They find their fallen comrade on the floor.
"Whoa, what happened to him?" One of the members asked.
"Whoever it was, I sure wouldn't want to meet him." Another member stated. He motions for the men to help the unconscious man to his feet and they haul him out of the hallway.
•••
In a long traffic jam, Gabe drove the Jaguar with Lucy sitting next to him in the passenger side while Millie and Leo sat in the backseat.
"This traffic jam has to be all the way to the arena." Millie said.
"I would say we should've gone to the concert first but my negativity wouldn't be helping matters, would it?" Leo stated.
"You are correct." Gabe said. Suddenly, his phone chimes to alert him and he checks his phone.
"What is it?" Lucy asked.
"Don't know." Gabe said as he checked his messages. "Well, whether we made it there or not, it wouldn't have mattered anyway. Concert has been cancelled."
"What?" Millie stated.
"No way!" Leo exclaimed.
"Apparently the band contracted some disease while in Guadalajara and can't play tonight." Gabe said.
"What disease did they catch?" Millie asked.
Gabe reads the email. "Uh, Jungle Worms."
Millie and Lucy simultaneously shudder. They were studying to be nurses but they knew not to mess with Jungle Worms.
"But it also says that anyone who purchased tickets will be refunded their money and receive free tickets when Cuddlefish plays New York City again." Gabe said.
"And I'm guessing scalped tickets don't have that same deal." Leo said, sounding a bit mortified he was out 400 bucks.
"Well since the concert's a bust, why don't we crash an art exhibition?" Millie said. "Spencer said we could bring people if we wanted to go."
"Never hurts to try." Lucy replied.
"I'll call Freddie and tell him we're on our way." Millie said as Gabe heads for an exit and turns into a different street. Millie calls but stops. "It keeps going to voicemail."
"I'm sure he's just busy or his phone is off." Leo told her to reassure her.
"Freddie never turns off his phone. Something must be wrong." Millie stated.
Gabe turns on the radio and a news report plays.
"We have reports of a hostage situation happening at the hotel the Chateau Oculus." The radio DJ informed listeners. Gabe and Millie's eyes widen in horror. "No clear answers on who is responsible but authorities are handling the situation. We'll update you on any further developments. Keep it locked to KZ100. Your home for the best music. Now, here's some Ed Sheeran."
[Soundtrack Note: 'Don't' by Ed Sheeran plays on the radio]
The four seem very worried as the song plays for a moment until Gabe shuts off the radio.
"We need to get down there." Millie stated.
Gabe nods as he speeds off the opposite direction of traffic.
•••
In the lobby of the hotel, Victor and Captain Thompson enter with Agent Reid and some men in SWAT gear. Victor, Thompson and Reid wore bulletproof vests as several guests and hotel employees scramble for the exits.
"Orderly fashion! Exit the building in a calm and orderly fashion!" A security guard shouted to the panicked crowd.
Reid walks over to one of the male agents in SWAT gear to get a follow up. "Agent Blake, status update."
"We've swept through the entire hotel and found two dead bodies in the loading dock as well as an unmarked moving van." Agent Blake informed him.
"Guessing where The Pequod transported their troops." Reid stated.
"More than likely, sir." Blake replied. "They've also managed to cut off entrance to the higher floors. Several armed members are guarding the stairwell access to floor ten. Not one of our personnel can go any higher."
"What about the security system?" Thompson asked.
"It went down fifteen minutes before The Pequod made their assault." Blake told the group. "All cameras have lost visual almost five minutes."
"And the elevator?" Victor asked.
"When the security system went down, so did both sets of elevators. There's no way to get up there." Blake stated.
"Any word from Rollins or Fabian?" Reid asked. Before Blake could answer, Reid's phone rings as he recognizes the number and answers the phone, putting it on speakerphone. "Fabian, what does the situation look like upstairs?"
"Terribly sorry, Agent Reid, but Agent Fabian can't come to the phone right now." Howard Redmond's voice is heard saying. "He's... indisposed. So is Rollins."
"Redmond, you and your men will release those hostages immediately!" Reid ordered.
"Not until we get what we want." Redmond stated. "We both know what that is. As does your CO."
"You'll never get your hands on it. Not as long as I'm breathing." Reid spat.
"My men are armed with several rounds of ammunition and about... 90 or so human targets." Redmond stated. "If the device schematics aren't delivered to me, we'll start shooting. Including his son."
"He's bluffing," Thompson said to Victor.
Redmond laughs evilly. "I can assure you I'm not. But allow me to demonstrate."
Suddenly, a loud crash is heard outside coming from the top of the hotel and the shape of a man crash lands on a squad car outside.
The four men look closer out the window and see the body of the Hispanic agent, Arturo Fabian had crashed down, his form now broken because of the fall.
The crowd that was gathering outside witnessed this and started yelling in panic.
"Fabian was already dead, Agent. But I may get antsy and start throwing out the live ones." Redmond warned. "You have until Midnight. Choose wisely."
The call ends abruptly. Reid stares at Thompson and Victor, not having a clear answer for them.
"You need to try to get a hold of your partner again, Detective." Reid said to Victor.
Victor nods and hits the speed dial on Danny's number then puts the phone to his ear. "Come on, Danny. Pick up your phone."
•••
Back with the Pequod and their hostages, Redmond poured out wine into three glasses for himself and his two associates. The hostages were now bound and gagged and huddled together on the floor.
Ursula reenters the room no longer wearing her evening gown but instead wears a black figure hugging bodysuit with matching military combat boots. She had weapons strapped to different parts of her which included a weapons' belt. A 9mm handgun strapped to each leg. Her hair was now down and flowing.
She and Maynard walk over to Redmond who hands them each a wine glass. "Isn't it a little premature to be celebrating?"
"Please, we just completed the hard part. All we have to do is wait for them to act." Redmond said as he sips from the glass.
"Shame we can't find where the cop and Shay went off to." Ursula stated.
"We've got ten floors sealed off. No one can get in or out. We'll find them and whoever took them." Redmond said smugly.
"Either way, it's gonna be a good night." Maynard retorts. He looks down at Rosanna who whimpers and huddles next to Keith. "Say, do I have time for a quickie?"
"Not now. Let's remain focused." Redmond told him. "After tonight, you'll have the pick of any woman you want."
Maynard grins as he drinks from his glass.
Suddenly, the man Cassie had assaulted was brought in by other Pequod members. The trio see the state the man is in and seem a bit surprised.
"What the hell happened?" Maynard asked the men.
"We found him like this." One of the men said.
"I found Shay and the cop." The injured man said. "They seem to be alive and kicking."
Ursula glances at Redmond seeming shocked. "I thought you put that toxin in their drinks?"
"I did. Spiked both their drinks. Both of them should be out and easily disposed of." Redmond replied.
"And yet they ain't!" Maynard snapped. He looks back at the injured member "Did the cop do this to you?"
The man shakes his head. "No, they had friends. A teenage boy, three guys and a... hot redhead." He winces in pain. "Ashamed to say she did this to me."
"A woman did this to you?" Maynard asked, getting his attention.
"Yeah, probably give The Barracuda a run for her money." The man gasped laughing.
Ursula stares at Redmond and Maynard. She gives them a look then looks back at the man. Redmond nods and Maynard just smirks. She smiles and pulls out two handguns, repeatedly shoots the men dead.
The hostages react horrified as the man falls down dead. His blood pours out of his body.
Ursula simply reloads and puts her guns back in her leg holsters. "No one is better than me."
Redmond rubs his left temple and Maynard is in hysterics, laughing himself silly. Redmond looks over at the group that found the now dead man. "Do another sweep on each floor. Find those people and bring them to us."
The men do as instructed and leave the room.
Ursula looks to Redmond. "With all due respect, I'd like to find my so-called competition. See how much better she really is."
Maynard grins. "You just want to make her bleed, don't you?"
"Maybe." She said with a grin. "If there's anything left, I'll toss her your way. Have your fun."
Ursula confidently strides off with Redmond and Maynard looking on.
•••
In the stairwell, the group heads to the eleventh floor. Freddie pokes his head out of the door leading into the main hallway to the eleventh floor. He sees two Pequod members guarding the hall near Spencer's hotel room.
"I don't think we were the only ones who thought of going back to your room, Spence." Freddie said, looking back at the others.
"How many?" Pete asked.
"Two. They aren't armed automatic weapons, but I have a feeling we all charge in at once, more of their fully armed buddies will show up and provide moral support." Freddie stated.
"Cut off one head..." Cassie began.
"Two more shall take its place." Galen finished which drew puzzling looks from the others.
"If one of you says 'Hail Hydra', I'm outta here." Alec joked.
"If they have any other weapons, I can't see." Freddie informs them.
"So, who's going to step up to these flunkies?" Pete asked.
"I'm game." Cassie said.
"You sure you're up for it? You recover from your last brawl?" Danny asked.
"Look a lot better than you do right now." Cassie said to him which made him glare at her.
"I'll go in with her." Galen volunteered.
"You up to it?" Pete asked. "Could get ugly."
"Don't worry, we can handle these clowns." Cassie said, looking at the guys then at Galen. "You guys sit tight. Be right back."
Freddie, Pete, Alec, Danny and Spencer remain in the stairwell as Cassie and Galen step out and walk into the hallway.
"Sure you're ready for this?" Cassie asked. "You haven't seen much action these days."
"Doesn't mean I've lost a step." Galen told her. "Like the good old days, right?"
Cassie smiles and they walk in the middle of the hallway as the two Pequod members see them. The two pull out two collapsible batons with sharpened metal tips at the ends.
Galen smiles. "And they even brought us weapons. How thoughtful." He turns to Cassie "Got a plan?"
"Just hold my hand." Cassie stated.
Galen raises an eyebrow, but reaches out to take Cassie's hand. He feels an object in her hand and nods. "Central Park."
Cassie grins. "Thought you'd forgotten."
The guys poke their heads out and watch as Cassie and Galen let go of each others' hands, dropping a length of thin rope between them. As the men in black approach, Galen and Cassie step apart and pull the rope taut. The men run into the rope, getting clotheslined by it.
Cassie picks up two of the batons and twirls them as one of the men gets to his feet and charges at her. Before the man could reach her, Galen grabs him by the neck, slams him down hard to the ground with animalistic force, lifts him off the ground with ease and tosses him hard through a glass partition.
The other man grabs his fallen batons and advances on Cassie but she is able to deflect each attack using the batons and answers with a swift kick to the midsection then clocks him hard with the batons across the face.
Cassie and Galen look over their handiwork and she speaks up. "Your form's gotten sloppy."
Galen smirks at her as Freddie, Pete, Danny, Alec and Spencer walk towards them.
"T-that was really violent." Spencer stated, still in awe.
"You should see us when we're trying." Cassie replied.
"That wasn't trying?" Danny said as he pointed at the guy who was thrown through the glass partition.
The member Cassie had knocked down was beginning to come to and looks up to see the seven individuals standing over him.
"Okay, time for you to answer some questions." Danny stated.
"I-I ain't saying n-nothing." The member said defiantly.
"Aw, how adorable. He thinks he actually has a choice." Cassie replied.
Pete and Galen pick him up and hold him against a wall. Danny gets right in the face as Freddie watches closely.
"You're going to tell us who you work for and why they wanted to drug me." Danny demanded.
"Um, they did drug me too." Spencer pointed out. The group looks back at him which makes him feel uncomfortable. "I'll be quiet."
"Just tell us what you know." Danny said calmly.
"What is this? Good cop, bad cop?" The member said to Danny.
"It is, and I'm the bad cop." Cassie said. She punches him square in the face. He cries out in pain as she backhands him across the face. "That was me being nice. You really don't want me to get mean."
"Never ends well." Alec retorts.
The man relents. "They call us the Pequod. We're freedom fighters, looking to liberate America from oppression."
"Most people consider that term the equivalent of 'terrorist'." Freddie said, folding his arms over his chest and glaring at him.
"Think what you want but after tonight, we'll have what we need to complete our mission." The member stated.
"What does your mission have anything to do with drugging two people who aren't connected to this?" Danny asked.
"You? Nothing. Boss just wanted you out of the picture." The member then looked over at Spencer. "Him on the other hand. We were going to take him hostage to ransom him."
"Me?" Spencer asked, completely horrified. "Why me?"
"Ask your daddy." The member replied. The group stare at each other perplexed.
Suddenly, two shots rang out and the member was killed by two gunshots. The group turns to see the member Galen had tossed and shot his fellow member dead. The man goes to aim his gun at Freddie and fires which Alec sees. He pushes Freddie out of the way and ends up getting shot in the right arm.
"Alec!" Cassie yelled.
Alec grabs his arm and Freddie checks on the man who saved his life. He sees a gush of blood leak from the wound but Freddie sees there was a long rip where the bullet hit Alec.
The member tries to fire again only for the gun to get jammed. He knew he was screwed.
Cassie angrily strides over to him and kicks the gun out of his hands before he has a chance to fire again. She stomps on his chest, filled with rage for what he had done. The gunman gets hauled to his feet by Pete and Galen.
"Now you're gonna start asking questions!" Danny spat.
The member starts speaking in a foreign language. Sounded Scottish or Irish.
"Anybody know what he's saying?" Spencer asked.
"He's praying." Cassie replied, having understood what he had said.
The member whips out a vial of liquid from his pocket and drinks it.
Cassie knew what he was doing. "No! Don't you-"
The member slumps to the ground before she could say another word.
Cassie goes over to check on Alec as Danny bends down and checks the gunman's pulse. "You're gonna be okay." She assures her friend.
"Still freaking hurts, though." Alec said through gritted teeth.
They glanced over at Danny who was still checking the man. The look on his face told the others the gunman was dead.
Cassie and Freddie gingerly haul Alec to his feet. Alec grabs his injured arm, a bit more blood on his hand he used to hold his arm.
"What do we do now?" Spencer asked.
Freddie takes a breath and looks to the others. "We need to hide." He said as he leads them down the hall to another room.
"This isn't my room." Spencer said.
"If these people are trying to ransom you, figure that would be the first place they'll look." Freddie stated as he grabs the handle on the door and turns the knob. He closes his eyes and focuses on getting the computerized lock to open the door and after a moment, the door unlocks.
"How did you do that?" Danny and Spencer asked simultaneously.
"I'm a tech whiz. I know for a fact these locks have their flaws." Freddie said as he opens the door. "Come on."
The group heads inside and closes the door behind them.
•••
Outside the Chateau Oculus, Gabe pulls up and he, Millie, Lucy and Leo get out of the car and join the throng of people gathered outside the hotel.
"This must be really serious." Lucy said as she saw dozens of emergency vehicles surrounding the area.
"In this day and age, it always is." Leo stated.
"I hope they're okay." Millie said to Gabe.
"I think we share the same sentiment, Mills." Gabe replied.
Millie looks around and sees her dad talking to Captain Thompson. "Dad!"
Victor looks up and sees his daughter. He excuses himself and walks over to her. "What are you doing here? Thought you were going to that concert."
"It was cancelled. We heard about this on the radio. What's going on?" Millie asked.
"There's a hostage situation. That's the best I can tell you." Victor told her. "I'm here because Danny is in there. What would possess you all to come down here anyway?"
"Freddie's here. He came to support his friend Spencer." Millie told him.
"Cassie and Pete are here, too." Gabe replied.
"Oh my god." Victor uttered.
"Do they know who these guys are?" Leo asked.
"I don't think I'm allowed to answer that question, son." Victor said.
Gabe looks over Victor's shoulder and sees Agent Reid talking to Thompson. "I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is more than a local problem."
Victor sighs. "Sometimes you're too smart for your own good, Gabriel."
Gabe's phone vibrates and walks off as Victor goes back to work.
"Has Detective Parker responded?" Reid asked Victor.
"No sir. It's possible that his phone might have died." Victor told him.
Gabe stares at his phone and sees an email from Freddie reading: 'Look through government records and try to find anything on a group called The Pequod'.
"Gabe, what is it?" Millie asked, noticing his unease.
"Freddie's all right. Not sure for how long." Gabe said. "Tell Lucy I left something in my car."
Millie watches as Gabe walks to his car. Lucy notices this and asks "Where is he going?"
"He left something in his car." Millie stated.
•••
Gabe gets into the backseat of his car and pulls out his new Pearbook laptop and starts it up. He then pulls out a small jump drive. The same jump drive Pete saw him pull from the hub.
He inserts it into the Pearbook and maniacally type on it. The front of the screen was the same background as the monitors at the hub. He starts to work his hacker magic.
•••
Ursula walks into the hallway on the eleventh floor, flanked by four Pequod members. She sees the two dead bodies on the ground.
"Shay's room is on this floor?" She asked.
"Yes, Ma'am." One the members stated.
"Check there first. If he and his friends aren't there, sweep the rest of this floor. They can't have gone far." Ursula ordered and the men did so.
Ursula stares down at the member who had poisoned himself.
•••
Inside the room they had broken into, Freddie and the others looked nervous. Danny looks out the window and sees several emergency vehicles and news trucks surround the building. Alec was sitting on the edge of the bed, still holding his arm with Cassie standing next to him. Galen leaned against a wall and Pete sat on the floor.
"Good news is that help is here." Danny said.
"Even if they are here, it won't matter if those people kill us first." Pete stated.
Spencer glances at Pete. "Maybe we should think positively. If the police are out there, I'm sure they'll rescue us."
"And I'm sure in your world, monkeys wear big fancy hats." Pete quips in a sarcastic tone.
"You don't have to be a hothead." Spencer told him when he began to flex his arm.
"Um, why are you doing that?" Freddie asked.
"No idea. My arms keep spazzing." Spencer said. "Must be because of that drug that knocked me and..." He looks at Danny. "Sorry, throughout all this, I never got your name."
"Danny Parker." Danny told him as he checked his cellphone for reception.
Alec lets out a pained gasp which got the others' attention. He clutches his arm, gritting his teeth in pain. "Ah! Okay… pain is flaring back up again."
"This is your first time being shot?" Pete asked.
"Yes!" Alec said emphatically.
"Let me see." Cassie stated, going to begin helping him.
Alec gulps as he moves his hand from his gunshot wound. Freddie sees the fresh blood on the jacket and recoils with a look of regret. "How bad is it?" Alec asked.
"Can't tell. Gonna need to get a better look." Cassie stated. "Take off your clothes."
Alec clears his throat. "I'm sorry?"
"I can't see through the fabric, dumbass. Take off your jacket so I can get your shirt off and get a better look." Cassie said in a friendly but blunt tone.
Galen smirks at Alec's confusion as Freddie helps Alec get the jacket off. Once the jacket is removed, Freddie backs away. "Think you don't need my help with the rest." Freddie retorts.
Alec manages a smile as he unbuttons his vest and shirt and slowly gets the shirt off to reveal he was wearing a white short sleeve undershirt. Cassie sees that there was blood and it was a gunshot wound but it didn't look serious. "What's the damage?"
Cassie breathes a sigh of relief. "Good news is that it's just a graze. But I am gonna need to do some makeshift first aid."
"Meaning?" Galen asked, raising an eyebrow.
Cassie looks back at Spencer and says. "Could you please go into the bathroom and grab some hand towels for me?"
Spencer nods and goes into the bathroom to do as instructed.
"Pete, check the mini bar and see if you can find any hard liquor." Cassie asked her friend.
Pete gets up and walks over to the mini fridge and finds a few bottles of clear fluids. "I found a few bottles of Vodka."
"That works. Bring me three of them." Cassie said as Pete does so.
"Why three?" Alec asked, grabbing his injured arm.
"One to clean the wound and two for you so it can numb the pain." Cassie said with a smile as Spencer returned with two hand towels and gave them to Cassie. "Thanks."
"You got lucky. These guys seem like they're well trained in weaponry. They could've done a lot worse than just graze you." Pete stated.
"He wasn't aiming at me." Alec informs them then he looks over at Freddie. "He was trying to hit you."
The others look over at Freddie who is genuinely surprised and horrified by this revelation.
"Me?" Freddie asked, sounding incredulous. "What'd I do?"
"Thinking these guys don't care who they hurt. They might have been trying to get back at us for the beatdown we gave them." Galen stated.
Cassie pursed her lips, placing Vodka on one of the hand towels and angrily responded with. "Well, I officially want these guys dead."
Alec sees what Cassie is doing and clears his throat. "Um, you know you could make this easier on you by-" Cassie quickly slaps the damp towel on the wound to quiet her friend which Alec reacts but panicking. "Ow! What was-"
Cassie motions with her eyes to both Danny and Spencer. "Ixnay, Al."
"Oh." Alec muttered. He motions with his head at Freddie and Pete. "Do they-" Freddie and Pete simultaneously nod. "Oh. Oh okay."
Danny groans in agitation, attracting the focus of the others. "Anyone having reception issues? Victor's been calling but the call cuts off."
The others look at their phones and shake their heads. Cassie pulls out her phone from her clutch and checks for service and smiles. She tosses him her phone which he catches in his hands.
"Call him back. Try to find out what's going on." Cassie replied. "He's on speed dial eight."
"Thanks." Danny said as he walked into the bedroom and made a call.
"I'm gonna go sit in the bathroom and pretend this is all an elaborate prank on me." Spencer said and he goes into the bathroom and shuts the door.
Cassie exhales as she finishes dressing Alec's injury. "Okay, better make this quick." She places her right hand over the bandaged arm and it starts to glow with her blue aura. After a swift flourish, Cassie pulls her hand away. She breathes deeply and nods. "All done."
Alec touches his arm and checks for any discomfort. "Did you-"
Cassie shakes her head. "Not completely. If I did, people would get suspicious."
Alec nods in understanding. "That makes sense."
"That and I had… ulterior motives." Cassie said with a mischievous grin.
Alec raises an eyebrow. "And that is?"
Cassie thumps him on his bandaged arm with the knuckle of her middle finger. "That."
Alec groans in pain and rubs his arm.
"Cass, easy. The guy saved my life, cut him a break." Freddie said, defending him. He stares at Alec. "I need to thank you for that. You got hurt because of me and I am so-"
Alec shakes his head as he puts his dress shirt back on. "Don't blame yourself. Despite the pain, I'm glad I did it so no apology is necessary."
Freddie smiles as Galen laughs to himself, he knew Alec had his own ulterior motives for what he did.
All of a sudden, Freddie's phone rings and he quickly answers it, putting the phone on speaker. "Gabe, you're on speaker. Got something?"
"Lots. You guys are alone, right?" Gabe is heard saying.
Freddie, Pete and Galen look at Alec with doubtful expressions and Cassie turns to him, cocking her head sideways. Alec nods, he knew he had to earn their trust.
"You're in the clear, dude." Freddie said, he didn't fully trust Alec but he had to give him some leeway. Especially for what he did for him.
"I found out a fair bit of info. Pequod are a terrorist cell composed mostly of white supremacists, military defectors and social anarchists." Gabe told them. "They're being run by a trio who have been on the FBI's Blacklist. Worst of the Worst."
"Blacklist? Thought that was just a TV show." Cassie jokes.
"Trust me, these three make Raymond Reddington look like Mother Teresa." Gabe quipped. "The Pequod and their troika leadership are on numerous government files but a lot of them have been redacted by most agencies. All but one."
"Who?" Freddie asked.
"The Homeland Intervention Tactical Agency." Gabe said. "I managed to break into their systems but it was very difficult. H.I.T.A. has a heavily protected mainframe."
"But you managed to get in?" Pete asked.
"Of course." Gabe stated confidently. "The Pequod has been targeting individuals who part of super secret weapons project. Something called Project Nortcele."
"Nortcele?" Galen asked.
"That's the word electron backwards." Freddie figured that out quickly.
"Yep, these guys aren't exactly clever at coming up with names." Gabe said. "It's a weapon, a high powered EMP bomb to be exact. It has the capability of frying an electrical grid of a country as big as Washington DC."
"Guessing these clowns want to fry the grid in DC." Galen replied.
"That'd be my guess too." Gabe stated. "The project was shut down four years ago due to a security breach. One of the Pequod trio was masquerading as a technician who also murdered the real technician he was pretending to be. He was also caught trying to trade secrets to other countries."
Freddie thinks back to something the member had told Spencer.
'Ask your daddy.'
"Gabe, check who was in charge of Project Norcele." Freddie replied. "I want to see something."
After a moment, Gabe spoke up. "There's one person who was in charge of that project. An Air Force Colonial."
Freddie's eyes widened, fearing the worst.
"What's his name?" Pete asked.
"It's-" Gabe began but stopped and seemed terrified "Oh god."
"Gabe, what is it?" Cassie asked.
Gabe gulps. "The guy in charge of the project was Colonel Steven Shay."
Freddie and Cassie look at each other and are shocked.
"Do you know who that is?" Alec asked softly.
Cassie nods. "Yeah."
"He's Carly and Spencer's dad." Freddie said somberly.
"That's why they want to ransom Spencer." Pete retorts.
"To get the Colonial to give up the plans for that weapon." Galen replied.
"Do you know who this trio is or what they look like?" Freddie asked.
"I'll send you some pics." Gabe stated.
As they waited, the four look at each other and tried to figure out their next move.
•••
In the bedroom of the hotel room they were hiding in, Danny spoke to Victor on Cassie's phone "A terrorist cell?"
"They're called The Pequod." Victor said. "Did you have any run-ins with them?"
"I have but never engaged. I'm still a bit woozy." Danny told him. "They drugged me and Shay. Think they were trying to incapacitate the two of us."
"So who fought them off?" Victor asked.
"Take a guess." Danny said.
Victor sighs. "Cassie."
"The one and only." Danny said, half smiling.
"Cassie fought these clowns off? She have a death wish?" Victor asked.
"You're surprised by this?" Danny asked.
"Not really." Victor stated.
"She wasn't going one on one against them, not that she couldn't have." Danny informed him. "She has some of her friends with her and they were pretty effective as a team."
"She certainly does know how to make friends." Victor takes a breath and speaks seriously. "The top floors have been sealed off by Pequod grunts. No one can get up there and no one's been able to get out."
"So we're trapped in here?" Danny said with worry in his voice.
"Afraid so." Victor said. "Do you have any decent back up there?"
"Besides Cassie, I got her nephew Freddie, her neighbor Pete Sawyer, Alec Grayson who took a bullet in the arm that was intended for Freddie." Danny swallowed hard. "A guy named Galen Lennox. You know who that is?"
"He runs a youth center in Queens. Nice guy." Victor replied. "A little mild-mannered, to be honest"
"You wouldn't do that for long if you had seen him throw a guy through a glass partition. Practically shattered it to pieces." Danny stated, still a bit surprised. "I'm not sure about Freddie, Alec or Pete but Cassie and Galen can certainly handle themselves."
"We're doing everything in our power to get everyone to safety but you might be on your own for a while." Victor said nervously.
"Victor, what aren't you telling me?" Danny asked, sensing his apprehension.
Victor sighs, he knew he had to tell him the truth. "The leader of The Pequod has demanded that if he doesn't get what he wants by Midnight, he's going to start killing hostages."
Danny takes a breath as he looks at the clock on the wall. He sees it's 10:47 PM. "This is just perfect."
"I'll call you back as soon as I get more information." Victor stated.
"Do you know who I'm dealing with?" Danny asked.
"Not enough." Victor stated. "These government agents aren't exactly helpful."
"Government agents? FBI?" Danny asked.
"H.I.T.A. actually." Victor stated.
Danny seems curious after hearing this. "Never heard of them." He replied.
"Before tonight, neither had I. They're supposed to be some kind of global security agency." Victor told his partner.
"Well, tell them they're doing a good job." Danny said sarcastically. "Let me know if you hear anything important."
"Will do. Be careful." Victor said and hung up the phone.
Danny walks back into the room where he finds the group gathered around. "I got more information. I know what The Pequod is. They're some kind of-"
"Terrorist cell." Freddie stated, even though he knew the answer.
"How did you know that?" Danny asked.
"Gabe used his computer skills to do some research for us. We also know why they're after Spencer." Freddie stated.
"Their leaders are a trio of criminals. Howard Redmond, also called The Man 'O War. Brock Maynard, The Piranha. Ursula Devereux, The Barracuda." Cassie told him.
"They have some kind of theme going." Danny replied.
"If it's ocean life, it doesn't make sense. Piranhas are freshwater fish." Galen said which surprised the group. "I studied biology in college. Also, it's common sense."
"Gabe also found out they want to ransom him to his dad, an Air Force Colonial, in exchange for blueprints for some kind of super weapon." Freddie stated.
"Oh god." Danny said. "Victor just informed me that if they don't get what they want, they're going to start killing hostages."
"If things weren't bad enough, a time clock." Alec retorts.
"We have to get the hostages out of here." Freddie stated.
Danny sighs. "I agree but the only way they'll let them go is-"
"If we hand Spencer over?" Freddie asked angrily. "We can't do that!"
"We aren't saying we are, Freddie." Cassie assured her nephew. She looks at Danny. "Are we?"
"No, no of course not." Danny stated. "But we don't have a lot of opinions at this point."
"I have to agree with Detective Parker." Alec stated. "If we can't think of anything else-"
"We'll have no choice but to give him up." Pete stated.
Freddie combs his hands through his hair nervously. He was trying to think of a plan that might work.
"Hand me over."
Everyone turns to see Spencer standing at the open door to the bathroom.
"Are you nuts?!" Freddie exclaimed.
"If it's the only way to save everyone, just hand me over to these guys." Spencer told them.
Freddie walks over to him. "You can't be serious. You have no idea what these guys are capable of. They're terrorists, Spencer."
"They'll more than likely kill you even before they give them what they want." Pete stated. "You're just collateral for both sides."
"I-I don't care!" Spencer yelled, failing to hide his fear. "I don't want anyone to die because of me."
"Spencer, we're not going to let you do this." Cassie replied. "But if you do try to surrender yourself, I will knock you unconscious and carry you to safety."
"Y-you wouldn't do that." Spencer stammered nervously.
"Yes, she would." Freddie, Pete, Danny, Alec and Galen said in unison.
"We're going to get out of this. No innocent people are going to die." Freddie told him. "You're not going to surrender yourself. End of discussion."
Spencer stares back at Freddie. He saw a confidence and assertiveness he had never seen before. There seemed to be a fire behind his eyes.
"So what are we going to do?" Spencer asked the group.
"We need to try to get the stairwells clear and get the elevator operational again." Freddie stated. "It's the only way we're going to survive this in one piece."
"I say we split up. We'll cover more ground that way." Cassie suggested.
"When has splitting up been a good idea?" Spencer asked. "Never works in horror movies… or on Scooby Doo."
"Well, we'll be dealing with way worse than some guy in a costume chasing people around an amusement park." Alec joked.
"Besides, I've heard worse ideas." Danny replied.
"That almost sounded like a compliment." Cassie quips, making Danny groan. She starts to shiver. "Are they blasting the AC? It's freezing."
"You probably feel naked without your leather jacket." Freddie stated.
"That might be true." She replied, shivering.
Danny removes his suit jacket and he walks over to put it on her shoulders. "Don't want our best fighter to catch a cold."
Alec, Pete and Galen watch this scene closely. Alex more so, a twinge of jealousy flashed in his eyes.
Cassie was surprised by the gesture. "Um, thanks." She said while finishing putting on jacket. "We'll split off into groups of three. Galen, you take Spencer. Think he could use someone like you watching his back."
"What, like a guard dog?" Spencer asked.
Cassie Alec and Galen share a knowing look the others don't understand.
"Something like that." Cassie said, continuing to assign teams. "Pete and Freddie, you guys go together. I'll go with Danny and Alec."
"I don't know about this, Sand." Alec said, reluctance and envy in his voice.
"I'm with him. Shouldn't you be going with your nephew?" Danny asked.
"Yes but he's in good hands with Pete." Cassie told the two men then she looks to Danny. "Despite his injuries, Alec can take care of himself. You, on the other hand, aren't looking well. You're gonna need protection."
Danny tried to argue the point. "I don't need-"
Cassie lifts her hand and holds up two fingers. "How many fingers do you see?"
Danny stares at her hand and squints his eyes. "Four."
"You definitely need my protection, Mr Magoo." Cassie replied.
Freddie looks at Cassie and speaks up. "Why don't I go with Danny and Alec? You go with Pete."
Cassie raises an eyebrow. "Sure that's a good idea?"
"Don't worry, Alec and I can work together and watch out for Danny." Freddie told her.
"With Freddie with them, you can be sure Alec won't abandon him." Galen said, knowing Alec a bit better than even Cassie does.
"I wouldn't-" Alec began but he stopped when his eyes met Galen's and he just drops it. "Nevermind."
"I'll take care of them both, I promise." Freddie assured his aunt.
"I'll hold you to that, kiddo." Cassie said.
The two exchange a look of understanding and agree.
Suddenly, the handle on the door began to rattle and the door shook. Pete walks over to the door and checks the peephole. He sees Ursula standing in front of the door.
"It's the Barracuda." Pete whispered so only the group could hear.
"Isn't she one of the Pequod members?" Danny asked.
"She's one of the trifecta's of leadership." Freddie stated.
"You remember the woman who caught my attention at the prison?" Cassie asked him to which he nodded. "Well turns out that she was the Barracuda and I'll go out on a limb and say she escaped."
"How'd she escape?" Danny asked.
"If we knew that, we'd let you know." Alec stated.
"Does anybody have a plan to deal with She-Hulk out there?" Spencer asked.
Cassie looks at Freddie who share the same look which Spencer, Alec and Galen take notice of. Spencer recognizes Freddie's expression while Alec and Galen recognize Cassie's.
"That's your idea face." Spencer, Alec and Galen uttered at the same time with Spencer pointing at Freddie as Alec and Galen motioning to Cassie.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Freddie asked her.
"Pretty sure, yeah." Cassie answers. Danny pulls out his service weapon and goes to hand it to her but she puts her right hand up. "I don't like guns. Besides, you'll need that more than I will."
Danny puts his gun back in his holster.
•••
After a few moments, Ursula uses her strength to kick down the door. She walks into the room and goes to check the bedroom but it's pitch black inside. In the darkness, the guys stand against the wall to go unnoticed.
Ursula goes to turn on the light but a noise coming from the bathroom breaks her concentration. She strides to the bathroom and steps inside, seeing the shower curtain was covering the tub. As she pulls back the curtain, she finds Cassie standing there nonchalantly.
"Hi." Cassie retorts.
Ursula goes to pull out one of her guns only to have Cassie kick the gun out of her hand. Ursula reaches for her other gun only for Cassie to tackle and wrestle her to the ground.
"Move!" Cassie yells out, struggling to pin Ursula down.
The guys rush out of the bedroom and head out the open door.
Ursula kicks Cassie off which causes Cassie to slam against a wall. Ursula gets to her feet and grabs Freddie by his right arm as he was the last one to run out of the bedroom.
"No one's going anywhere!" Ursula snapped.
Freddie instinctively punches Ursula square in the nose with his free arm. Ursula howls in pain and grabs her nose. He realizes what he did and panics. "Oh! I am so sorry."
Ursula scowls at him and goes to attack him but Cassie grabs her by the shoulders, turns her around and hits her with a right cross. The punch knocks Ursula to the floor.
"Go!" Cassie yelled.
Freddie reluctantly goes and follows the others out of the room. He meets up with the guys in the hallway. "We need to go!"
"What about Cassie?" Danny asked.
"We can't leave her." Alec insisted.
Before Danny and Alec could get past, Pete puts his arm up to block their path. "No. I'll stay behind. You guys get out of here." He stated.
The sound of marching feet and indistinct shouts approaching cut off any objections. Freddie, Alec and Danny run one direction and Galen and Spencer run off the opposite direction.
Pete stares towards him and sees four members of the Pequod marching forward. His hands begin to heat up and they become fully engulfed in flames.
"This is gonna hurt me a lot worse than it hurt you." Pete stated,
With that statement, Pete unleashes two long streams of fire at the men.
Meanwhile in the hotel room, Ursula was back on her feet and returned with her own right cross and a hard jab at Cassie's face. Cassie blocks another incoming blow, grabs her head and applies a headlock, kicking her in the abdomen repeatedly.
Cassie delivers an elbow blow to the back of the adversary's head and knocks Ursula down, making her drop to her knees.
Ursula sees her fallen gun on the floor and smiles. She picks it up and points it at Cassie as she runs out the door, shooting at her only to waste her gun clip when Cassie barely avoids the bullets.
Cassie runs down the hall and rounds a corner to see two smoldering bodies on the ground. She is in shock as she sees Pete fighting off two other members. Seeing flames engulfing his hands.
Pete uses his flaming fist to punch one member through a wall. The other goes to attack him but Pete grabs his arm and burns him. The member screams in agony as Pete breaks his arm, reaches for neck and snaps it.
Cassie watches in horror but she sees the member Pete had sent through a wall getting to his feet. "Pete, watch out!"
Pete turns and instinctively hurls a stream of fire towards the member that sends him flying backwards and kills him.
Cassie and Pete's eyes meet. A look of shame washes over his face after seeing the horror in her face. She walks over to him, looks down at one of the men. She pulls something from the man's belt and tosses it aside.
"I just pulled three grenade pins. We have less than a few seconds before they blow." Cassie told him. Once she says that, the two quickly take cover behind a wall.
A loud explosion sounds off and echoes through the hallway. The explosion partially destroyed the four bodies and blew out a few of the walls in the hall.
Pete looks at Cassie and a look of reassurance comes on his face.
"That, my friend, was a cover up." Cassie stated. She helps him up as she hears Ursula enter the hallway. "We have to go."
The two take off running as Ursula loads another clip and begins to fire. Both of the superpowered individuals manage to avoid the gunfire until they run into a stairwell access then up the stairs. Ursula shoots up at them but only misses.
"I hate moving targets." Ursula stated.
•••
Outside the barricade that had been set up around the hotel, Millie and Lucy sat on a bench waiting for any word. Leo walks up to them holding two cups filled with hot beverages.
"I managed to find a coffee shop that was still open." Leo said, handing the girls their drinks. "Any word on what's happening?"
"No. My dad said he'll let us know if there is a change." Millie said as she nervously tapped her fingers on the cup.
Leo kneels down and looks her in the eyes. "Hey, it's gonna be okay. They're going to save your friends."
"I know. It just doesn't seem right." Millie said.
"I would come up with something witty to make you feel better but I don't think it's the place for it." Leo stated.
Millie smiles. "You just being here helps."
Leo smiles at her and takes her by the hand. A small smile forms on her face and squeezes his hand.
Lucy looks around at the crowd. "Gabe hasn't come back yet. Is he okay?"
"Yeah, he must've gotten lost in the crowd." Millie said, looking around.
"Why on earth did he go to his car anyway?" Leo asked.
Millie bites her bottom lip and tries to hide the truth. "Not a clue."
•••
Galen and Spencer enter the fourteenth floor of the hotel but Galen stops dead in his tracks. He sniffs the air almost like a dog picking up a scent.
Spencer seems quite confused. "What are you-"
Galen shushes him and shuts his eyes. When he opens them, Galen's irises glow golden yellow. "There's five guys around the corner. Armed." He whiffs the air again. "Nine millimeters."
"How do you know all this?" Spencer whispered.
"Got a good sense of smell." Galen simply said. "Stay here." Spencer nods as Galen goes around the corner and faces the five Pequod members. "Hey, you boys looking for a party?"
The members draw the weapons and open fire but Galen somehow dodges the gunfire with uncanny speed and agility. After unloading their clips, they were fresh out of ammo and now confronted with a pissed off Galen.
With animalistic rage, Galen punches one of the men hard in the face, clearly breaking his jaw with the punch, while elbowing another in the face. The blow also broke that man's jaw.
The third man came at Galen with a military knife and tried to stab Galen but Galen grabbed his wrist and crushed it with one hard squeeze. The man cries out in pain as Galen punches him in the stomach then in the face, knocking him down.
The last member goes over to kick him but Galen reacts quickly and grabs his leg, shoving him against a wall. Galen growls at the man and elbows the man's femur, breaking his leg. The man falls to the floor and grabs his broken leg.
Spencer steps into the hallway and sees the injured men writhing on the floor in agony. He was shocked by this display of violence.
"Dude, you okay?" Spencer asked him.
Galen tries to regain composure and pops his neck a bit then turns to face Spencer. "I'm fine."
Spencer nods when suddenly his arm extends and he accidentally punches Galen in the face. He reacts to this shock while Galen growls. "I am really sorry. That was a total accident. I swear."
Galen calms down and nods "It's fine. We have to move."
Spencer watches Galen move forward. He could've sworn he saw that Galen had canine fangs. He dismisses it and follows him.
•••
Inside the fifteenth floor of the hotel, Freddie, Danny and Alec hide behind a wall and try to remain quiet. The three stealthy reach a corner of the hall and stop close to the edge. Danny gets Alec's attention by tapping his injured arm.
Alec exclaims in pain but Freddie covers his mouth so the noise doesn't attract attention of their pursuers. He gives Freddie a side-eye which causes the younger man to move his hand.
"Sorry." Freddie whispers.
Alec nods then looks at Danny. "What?"
"Go see if there's anyone there." Danny ordered.
Alec scoffs. "Why don't you look?"
"Not the time to act like a brat. We are in a life or death situation here." Danny mutters.
However, before an argument can start up, Freddie breathes in and quickly looks around the corner and sees four Pequod members in the hallway patrolling area.
"How many?" Danny whispers.
"Four of them." Freddie whispers back. "One of them has a shotgun, the other three have handguns."
"Damn it, I wish my vision too wasn't impaired. I'd be able to shoot them down from this distance." Danny said whilst rubbing his eyes. "What did they give me?"
Freddie remained silent as he and Alec exchanged knowing glances. They both knew that Danny had been poisoned and was close to death if they hadn't injected him with Cassie's blood.
"Wish I knew." Freddie replied, looking back at the terrorists. "I think we can take 'em?"
"Unless you're bulletproof, I don't think so." Danny stated.
"Think I've already proven that I'm not." Alec retorts, pointing to his bandaged arm.
"Then we make them waste their ammo. A nine millimeter clip has a specific amount of round, right?" Freddie stated. Danny nods. "I'll distract them and make them waste their ammo. You rush in and we take them down before they have a chance to reload."
"And while you do that, I'll take out the one with the shotgun." Danny stated. "That's... Not a bad plan."
"Thanks." Freddie replied.
"Didn't I save you from being shot and now you want to act as target practice?" Alec remarked.
"Trust me. Cassie would." Freddie simply said, making Alec fall silent.
"So what do you want me to do?" Alec asked.
"Once I take down the one with the shotgun, you go assist Freddie in fighting the three once they've wasted their ammo. Won't even the odds but should give him a better chance at survival." Danny instructed, he looks at Alec and sees him rubbing the arm that got shot. "If you can do it.
Alec scowls at the detective. "I can handle it.
Freddie breathes in deeply, anxiety in his escaping air.
Danny and Alec stare at Freddie and notice the boy's unease. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Danny asked.
Freddie exhales and nods. "Yeah. I'm good."
"On three." Alec stated. "One..."
"Two..." Danny stated.
"Three!" Freddie yelled. With that , Freddie steps into view of the three members. "Over here, Cannon Fodder!"
As predicted, the three with the handguns draw and chase after Freddie. They open fire but Freddie manages to avoid the gunfire. He mumbles a count of the rounds as they chase him.
Meanwhile, Danny rounds the corner and sees the member with the shotgun and strides towards him. The member marches forward and holds up his shotgun.
"Hands up, Pretty Boy!" The man demanded only for Danny to punch him square in the face. He manages to disarm him and strikes him in the head with the butt of the gun.
The member falls to the ground as Alec, practically doing a ninja run past Danny to go help Freddie. This action caught Danny off guard. How was he able to do that?
Freddie continues running down the halls until he hits a dead end. The three members reach him with their guns drawn.
"Think Redmond will mind if we kill one of the hostages?" One of them asked his fellow member.
"One less thing we'll have to worry about." The other answers.
They go to fire but realize their guns are out of ammunition.
Freddie smirks. "How fast can you guys reload?"
The members try to do so but Freddie runs at them and clotheslines a pair as he kicks the third one in the chest. He quickly gets to his feet and gets into a fighting stance as one of them gets up and goes to attack him.
The member tries punching Freddie who deflects each strike and on his last attempt bends his arm back slightly and twists it. This makes the man angry and he catches Freddie with an elbow to face.
Freddie stumbles a bit as the man goes to reload his gun but Freddie kicks him hard in the stomach, making the man drop his gun. All of a sudden, Freddie chops the man hard in the throat with his hand. The man grabs his throat and tries to speak only for Freddie to hit him with a hard right cross that knocks the man out cold.
Unbeknownst to Freddie, the other member gets to his feet and goes to attack him from behind an aggressive battle cry is heard. The remaining member standing turns too late to see Alec in mid air, aiming a downward punch which slams the bad guy to the ground. Alec lands on the floor and gets up right and faces the man he struck who was not happy with the lawyer.
The man comes swinging at Alec only for Alec to dodge each attempt to hit him. Alec back up slightly to give him room to perform his own version of a wire fu kick that hits the man in the abdomen that sends the man off his feet and causes him to crash on to the wall. The attack knocks the man out.
Freddie and Alec catch their breaths as they stare at each other, surprised at their own respective fighting skills. A moment of mutual respect fell between them.
"Cassie teach you?" Alec asked.
Freddie nods. "Same?"
"Yeah." Alec said with a nod.
However, they are unaware that a different member of the group of three goes to attack the two.
A shotgun blast rang out.
The sound got the man's attention as he saw Danny standing in between Freddie and Alec.
Danny cocks the shotgun with one hand and points it at the terrorist. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size?"
The man shoves Alec and Freddie and he charges at Danny but Danny simply fires and hits him in the shoulder. The man howls in pain as Danny walks over and uses the gun like a baseball bat and bludgeons the man in the head.
As the man reels from the assault, Alec grabs his left arm to turn him to face both him and Freddie. Alec hits him with a hard jab in the chin and Freddie dropkicks him back towards Danny.
The man stumbles and finds himself back in Danny's clutches. Danny hits him with several hard left and right punches that would make an MMA fighter jealous until he finally hits the man hard with an uppercut. The man falls unconscious on the ground next to his buddy.
Alec, Freddie and Danny stare at each other, both of them trying to catch their breaths.
"How did you do that?" Freddie asked.
"I have combat training." Danny then points at the man Freddie and Alec had beaten up. "What's your excuse? Where did you learn how to fight?"
Freddie flashes a bashful smile on his face to mask the truth. He points at Alec. "Why aren't you questioning Matt Murdock over here?"
"Well…"Alec began to try to come up with an excuse until he gave up. "It's a long story."
The three go around the corner to leave when they are swarmed by a dozen Pequod members with their weapons drawn.
"Hands in the air! Now!" One of the members ordered.
Freddie, Danny and Alec slowly put their arms up to surrender.
"If this was a part of your plan, your plans suck!" Alec said to Danny, sounding frightened and annoyed.
Freddie gulps as the three men lead the two out of the hallway.
•••
Cassie and Pete were walking down a hallway on the fourteenth floor, looking for the others or any Pequod members they would have to fight off. "With all these windows and partitions, it's like a glass maze." Cassie said.
"That should make it easier to spot those Pequod freaks." Pete stated.
Cassie then grabs Pete's arm and turns him to face her. "I think it's time to stop ignoring the elephant in the room."
"What do you mean?" Pete said feigning ignorance.
"Please don't do this. Not now." Cassie retorts, not letting him ignore the subject. "Why didn't you tell me you had powers?"
Pete takes a breath and tells her his reasoning. "Because I didn't think it was too important. You were dealing with your nephew and his emerging powers. I didn't want to compound the issue."
Cassie looks at him with raised eyebrows. "That's your excuse? Pete, if anyone is going to understand what you're going through, it's me."
Pete looks down. "I don't like lying. Never have. It's just-"
"Complicated?" Cassie stated. "Yeah, been there done that." Pete manages a smile. "Look, I say we discuss this later when we aren't fighting for our lives."
"So they'll be late?" Pete asked.
Cassie smiles. "You'd have to do something really awful for me or my loved ones for me to hate you, Petey. So, no worries. Okay?"
"Okay." Pete said with a smile. "So me killing those guys didn't bother you?"
"Considering the fact that they were trying to kill us, I'd count that as self defense even if you roasted them." Cassie replied.
Pete beams at her.
They then become focused when they hear two sets of approaching footsteps. The two cautiously make their way towards the footsteps. They exchange looks and nod.
The two quickly go around the corner to attack only to find Galen and Spencer. Spencer yells and puts Galen in front of himself.
"There you guys are." Galen said as he pushed Spencer off him. "You okay?"
"We're fine. Shell-shocked but fine." Cassie stated.
"We heard an explosion coming from the eleventh floor." Spencer asked. "What happened?"
"Grenades." Cassie said frankly. "Have you guys seen Freddie and the others?"
"No." Galen told her. "You don't think they got captured, do you?"
"That might be a high possibility." Cassie retorts.
"So wait, we split up so the three of us could get captured?" Spencer asked, agitated. "Was this part of your plan? For your nephew and boyfriends to get captured!"
"First of all, neither Danny or Alec are my boyfriend!" Cassie said bluntly. "Secondly, it is part of the plan."
"What do you mean?" Pete asked.
Cassie looks behind the guys and sees a fire extinguisher and a fireman's ax behind a glass case. She walks over to it and breaks the glass using her elbow.
"We're gonna take the fight to them." Cassie replied.
Spencer and Pete are taken back by this but Galen just smiles.
Cassie reaches into the case and pulls out the fire extinguisher, handing it to Spencer. "I heard of what you can do with one of these."
"Um, the last time I tinkered with one of these I turned it into a flamethrower." Spencer replied.
"And I'm assuming you can do it again?" Cassie said smiling.
It clicks in Spencer's head. "Oh."
As Cassie pulls out the red ax and tests it's balance, a lone Pequod member stumbles on to the scene who sees them. He was only armed with a pair of handguns. He whips out one of the guns but Cassie swings the ax with the back of the weapon, knocking the gun out of his hands. He tries to grab the second gun but Cassie strikes him with the handle of the ax then connects with a hard right hook. The volley of attacks knocked him out.
Cassie looks back at the men in her company who had mixtures of emotions who saw what she did. She shrugs her shoulders. "What?"
"Think that thing is well balanced, Cass." Galen replied.
Cassie's cellphone rings and interrupts them. She quickly answers. "Victor?"
"Cassie? Is Danny with you?" Victor asked.
"No. I think he, Alec and Freddie got captured." Cassie said somberly.
After a long pause, Victor spoke. "I'm assuming you have some sort of plan."
"We might have a way to save everyone and stop The Pequod." Cassie said, looking at the others.
"I'm listening." Victor stated.
•••
Outside the building, Gabe walks towards his friends with his laptop in his hands. "Millie! Where's your dad?" He asked.
"Over there." Millie points past the barricade.
"Still talking with the cops." Leo told him.
Victor walks over to the group. "Gabriel, Cassie tells us you could get the security system back online."
"I can." Gabe said frankly.
"Good, you're coming with us." Victor said and Gabe goes over the barricade and Victor leads him inside with Agent Reid, a few police officers and H.I.T.A. agents, wearing SWAT gear, following close behind.
"What's going on?" Lucy asked.
Millie grins. "I think they figured out how to stop them."
Leo has a seemingly knowing expression on his face, Lucy appears confused but Millie knows for a fact she wasn't talking about the authorities but her friends.
•••
In the nineteenth floor where the hostages were being held and The Pequod set up shop, Ursula Devereux and a few Pequod members lead Freddie, Alec and Danny into the room. They weren't restrained but the guns were insensitive enough to not try anything.
Howard Redmond and Brock Maynard look up to see the sight. Rosanna is surprised to see Danny among the captured trio.
"Good evening, Detective. I was wondering where you'd gone off to." Redmond said. He turns to look at Freddie and Alec. "And you two are part of the group giving my boys a hard time."
"Not just that." Ursula stated, pointing at Freddie. "He's related to the woman who-"
"Wait, you encountered that tough broad, who is your competition?" Brock said with a laugh. "How badly did she hurt you?"
"Bite your tongue, you drunken hillbilly!" Ursula spat. She regains her composure and stands behind Freddie. She roughly takes off his suit jacket, tosses it aside and rubs her arms. "My, my, my. You aren't a little boy, are you?"
Freddie felt uncomfortable with the groping and pulled away.
Danny and Alec eyeball each other, weighing the peril they were in.
"Down, Devereux!" Redmond ordered.
Ursula steps away from Freddie and walks over to Redmond. "Spoil sport."
"Y-you're the one who drugged me." Danny said, glaring at Redmond.
"Drugged?" Redmond scoffs at the incorrect hypothesis. "Detective, I poisoned you. Dosed you with enough that should've killed you." He informed him. "You must have quite the angel on your shoulder."
Danny appears confused and he stares back at Freddie and Alec.
"What are you really after, Redmond?" Alec spoke up.
"I want what we all want. Freedom." Redmond said. "I'm going to liberate this country from corruption and oppression."
"By using some weapon to destroy DC's power grid?" Freddie said. "Rule over us? Replace one 'oppressive' regime with your own?"
"Hold your tongue, boy!" Maynard snapped.
"It's all right. Kid's entitled to his opinion." Redmond replied. "All right, let's get this over with. Where is Spencer Shay?"
Freddie scowls at him. "We aren't telling you."
"There are better things to die for. Save yourselves the painful torture so we can give you a quick death." Redmond threatened. "Where is he?"
Freddie looks at Danny and Alec, the three exchange looks of understanding. Freddie continues to stand his ground, not saying a word.
A sinister smile forms on Redmond's face and looks at Maynard and Ursula. "He thinks his silence is bravery. Not stupidity."
Freddie holds his head up when he notices something but says nothing.
"Any last words, boys?" Redmond asked as Maynard pointed his shotgun at the three.
Danny looks up slightly as a small smile forms on Freddie's face. "I got one - Geronimo."
The men look confused until they look up to see Cassie acrobatically head down using a long piece of drapery as an aerial silk to descend down. She lands between two goons and pulls out the ax that was strapped to her back. She clocks one of the men with the handle of the ax and hits the other with the blunt end of the top of the ax.
The three smile at this and use the diversion to get away from their captors and move over to Cassie.
"Hi." Cassie breathes as she twirls the ax upward.
Ursula stares Cassie down while Redmond scoffs at her arrival and looks back at Freddie, Danny and Alec. "This is your back up? One plucky redhead with a short fuse?" Maynard jeered.
"I think I'm all they need to take out your low paid goons." Cassie gloated.
"Brock, shoot her." Redmond ordered.
"With pleasure." Maynard said, pointing his shotgun at Cassie.
However, before he could fire, a falling body of a man crashes down from above and falls to ground, landing on Maynard. Everyone looks and sees Spencer had landed on Maynard and knocked him out.
Cassie grabs Spencer by the arm and pulls him with the others. "I told you to take the stairs."
"I wanted to make a dramatic entrance." Spencer said, rubbing his back and picking up his fire extinguisher. "I think I pulled something."
Alec looks at Danny and smirks. "Oh look, the cavalry"
The hostages see a glimmer of hope with the arrival of our heroes.
"You laugh now but the numbers game is going to bite you-" Before Redmond could finish, the sound of screaming and fighting was heard outside the doors.
"Doesn't sound like your men are doing too well, Redmond." Danny remarked.
Suddenly, three Pequod members come crashing through the doors. With that, Pete and Galen step into the room who now weren't wearing their suit jackets and the sleeves on their shirts were rolled up. Pete has his hands crossed over his chest and Galen holds another Pequod member tightly by the throat.
"Nice back up you have here." Pete said as Galen tossed The Pequod member aside.
The two join their friends as the Pequod begins to surround them.
"This isn't how we wanted this to go." Redmond replied. "You've ruined everything!"
"You know what they say about the best laid plans?" Freddie said.
Suddenly, the police and H.I.T.A. agents burst into the room. The agents began to open fire on Pequod members as well as lead the hostages out of the room.
The team begins to beat up The Pequod members. Now the fight really begins.
One of the Pequod members tries to grab Freddie only to get elbowed in the face by the young man. Freddie grabs the man's head and kicks him in the abdomen several times until he kicks him hard and causes him to fall to the floor.
Galen and Pete each viciously attack several Pequod members. Pete grabs two by the neck and the men scream in pain and their skin smokes. He shoves them backwards, sending them crashing through a table. Another member tries to attack Pete but Galen grabs the man by the ankle and flips him to the ground.
The two stare at each other with Galen noticing Pete's smoking hands and Pete seeing Galen's glowing eyes. They say nothing and get back to beating up on more Pequod members.
Alec was facing off against a member of the Pequod who pulled out a knife from a holster. The man goes to stab Alec but Alec manages to perform a bursting technique and punches in the stomach with his right hand and blocks the knife with his left arm. This forces the man backwards and gives Alec room to hit the man with a spinning roundhouse kick that takes the man out of the fight.
Alec picks up the knife as he sees Freddie being ambushed by another member. Alec throws the knife which lands in the back of the member's head and he falls over dead. Freddie looks back at the man who saved his life for the second time that evening.
They nod to one another in mutual admiration as they get back into the fray.
Cassie and Danny stand back to back with Danny holding up his gun and Cassie holding the ax. "How many of them are there?" He asked.
"Too many!" Cassie replied.
Two Pequod members go to attack Cassie but she swings the ax and slices them down. Two others come at Danny but he shoots them both down using his service weapon.
Both of them react when Maynard shoots at then with his shotgun. Danny throws a bottle of wine at him, distracting Maynard.
Cassie charges toward Maynard and knocks the shotgun out of his hands. She swings the ax in an elaborate swing.
Maynard laughs hardily. "Girlie, you don't have the-"
Suddenly, Cassie strikes Maynard in the groin. He reacts with pain etched on his face.
"Well now, neither do you." Cassie said as she pulled out the ax head.
Maynard falls to the floor unconscious, hands at his crotch.
Danny stares at her, horrified.
Cassie looks past him to see Ursula point her guns at him. "Danny, watch out!" Just before Ursula opens fire, Cassie jumps in and gets him behind the bar.
Danny looks at her, grateful she saved his life. "Thanks."
Cassie nods. "Do me a favor, take care of Freddie."
"Wait, where are you going?" Danny asked while she got up.
"Going fishing." Cassie simply said.
Ursula looks around for Cassie only to have Cassie tackle her into adjacent room, crashing through a glass door. The two women struggle to get to their feet and stare each other down.
"You looking for me, Barracuda?" Cassie asked, touching her bloody lip.
"Oh yeah, we got some unfinished business." Ursula said.
Alec sees this and tries to go in to help his friend but the battle stood in his way. He did his to fight his way through with defensive strikes and kicks at anyone standing in his way.
Cassie punches Ursula so hard her head nearly snaps off. Ursula responds in kind, twirling and backfisting Cassie. They face each other, the handshake over.
And they begin. The fight is fast at first, a blur of moves and blocks, kicks and counters, brutal but also balletic, intelligent rage. It takes them about the room - Cassie smashed into the large mirror, Ursula knocked back over the end table - and it never lets up.
Meanwhile, Freddie goes next to Spencer who was caught in the chaos. Spencer pulls the pin on the fire extinguisher and points the nozzle at some Pequod men. Suddenly, a large stream of fire shoots out and hits the men.
Unfortunately, the stream of fire stops. "Story of my life." Spencer said annoyed. One of the Pequod members goes to grab him but Spencer's arm spasms and he punches the guy hard in the face, knocking him out cold.
A surprised Freddie grabs Spencer and pulls him to safety behind the bar. "Stay here."
"Where are you going?" Spencer asked.
"I gotta try to end this." Freddie said. "Stay here, okay?"
Spencer nods and Freddie takes off. He couldn't shake this feeling that something strange was going on with Freddie.
Freddie punches and kicks his way through Pequod members. He uses some agility to avoid being swarmed until someone grabs him from behind. Freddie elbows him in the abdomen to get free and the Pequod member tries to attack him but is interrupted when Galen roars and jumps on the man.
Freddie looks and sees Galen viciously slashing at the man. The man screams in agony until Galen knocks him out. Galen looked up at Freddie but his face was different with long canine fangs and glowing yellow eyes. He shifts back to normal and the two stare at each other.
Freddie extends his right hand and helps Galen up. The two of them grin a bit and jump back into the fight.
Spencer looks around and finds a barrel of a gun pointed at his face. Howard Redmond was in front of him, holding the weapon in front of Spencer?
"Hello, Mr Shay." Redmond stated. "We meet at last."
Spencer stares at the gun, terrified.
Freddie, Pete and Galen continue fighting when Freddie sees Redmond talking Spencer away at gunpoint. Galen and Pete see this as well.
"Go. We got this." Galen stated.
Freddie nods and races after Redmond and Spencer
•••
Inside the security suite of the hotel, Gabe sat at a console trying to get the systems fully back online with Agent Reid standing over him.
"Hey, G-Man, wanna not crowd my space? I got this." Gabe stated.
"For the fate of this country, you'd better have." Reid told him.
"I'd prefer to think about the fate of my friends but okay." Gabe jokes as he maniacally types on keys.
•••
Ursula and Cassie continue to fight and The Barracuda gains the upper hand. Ursula gets Cassie in a lock from behind. They strain at each other, sweating, Ursula's mouth at Cassie's ear.
"As soon as I'm done with you, I'm gonna enjoy torturing that kid of yours." Ursula hissed. "I'll bet he's a screamer."
Cassie slams Ursula back into the wall, breaking her grip. She throws her up onto the couch. Ursula stands in front of a window, as Cassie runs up, jumps off the couch and tackles her.
Ursula kicks her off and the two get back to their feet. Cassie punches Ursula in the stomach but has little effect this time. Ursula grins maniacally, grabs Cassie's arm and picks her entire body over her shoulders. "This is why no one can touch me!"
With one fluid motion, Ursula slams Cassie's back onto her knee. The impact shatters Cassie's spine and causes Cassie to scream out in pain.
Ursula drops her body on the ground and throws her hard at a wall. "This was fun but I have to go kill your friends."
Suddenly, a punch connects with her jaw. Ursula stumbles and sees who punched her: a very pissed off Alec who was cracking his knuckles.
"I don't normally hit women but think in your case, I'll make an exception." Alec said, malicious anger in his eyes.
Ursula comes swinging at Alec but blocks and dodges each strike. Alec backhands her across the right cheek. Ursula rubs her jaw and face and fuels her rage, she grabs him tightly by the neck and slams him against a wall next to the opening of the shattered door.
"You're obviously one of her friends." Ursula said in a sinister tone, Alec struggling to catch his breath. "Guess I'll start with you."
Alex laughs nervously at this, uttering. "Lady, I was just a distraction."
Ursula seems confused until she hears a sound behind. She turns to see Cassie getting to her feet from the crippling assault. This makes Ursula drop Alec who falls to the floor.
Cassie reaches behind her back, seemingly rearranging her vertebrae back into place. "Okay. That... really hurt."
Ursula's eyes widen in horror as Cassie strides over to her with no problems. "W-who are you?"
Cassie simply punches her hard in the face. The punch throws Ursula for a loop and knocks her out.
"Someone who is sick of that question." Cassie retorts as she rubs her knuckles. "Ow."
Alec catches his breath as Cassie walks over him and offers her hand to help him up. He grins and accepts the help. "Feeling okay?"
Cassie shrugs. "Like someone snapped my spine. Other than that, I'm peachy."
Alec playfully slugs Cassie in her left shoulder which Cassie responds by giving him her own love tap on his right arm. However, she neglected to remember his injury and he groaned in pain.
Cassie winces in mortification. "Sorry."
Alec laughs weakly as he rubs his arm.
Galen and Pete rush into the room to find the pair. Cassie notices the concern on her friends' face.
"What's wrong?" Cassie asked, sounding worried.
"Redmond has Spencer, Freddie went after them." Galen told her.
Without saying a word, Cassie ran out of the room and the three men chased after her.
•••
Howard Redmond pulls Spencer by the neck and drags him to the twentieth floor but Freddie isn't far behind him.
"Let him go, Redmond!" Freddie yelled which caused the man known as The Man O' War to stop and look at him. He still had the gun pointed at Spencer's head. "It's over."
"You don't decide any of this, runt!" Howard stated. "You and your conformist friends ruined everything. I was going to be a liberator! A hero!"
"By killing people then taking over for the government you toppled. You'd become the people you hate. You'd only prove yourself to be a hypocrite." Freddie explained.
"I won't be talked down to by a boy!" Redmond snapped.
"Fine. You want a hostage? Take me." Freddie offered. "Let him go."
Spencer's eyes widened in horror. "Dude, don't!"
"It's okay." Freddie reassured him. "Take me instead of him."
Redmond smirks. "You must be the bravest man alive or you're unbelievably stupid."
"Doesn't matter, you'll have me. Let him go." Freddie said to him.
Howard throws Spencer to the ground and points the gun at his forehead saying. "I'm going to count to three and then I'm going to kill you."
Freddie glares at him and says something that surprises Spencer. "You think you can scare me?"
Howard grins evilly. "No, I think I can kill you. I just thought the countdown would make it more exciting."
Spencer could only watch as Howard Redmond placed the barrel of the gun on Freddie's forehead.
"So...One..."
Freddie's eyes shift to Spencer then back to Redmond. He could easily use his powers but he'd expose his secret to Spencer and to this sleazy bag terrorist.
"Two..."
Freddie shuts his eyes, shaking and praying for intervention.
All of a sudden, a gunshot rings out except Freddie's face is splattered with blood. He opens his eyes to see Redmond standing there with a neat bullet sized hole in the middle of his forehead.
Freddie spits up to get the blood out of his mouth as he watches Redmond fall to the ground next to Spencer who backs away in horror and stands to his feet.
The two look over and see Danny standing a few feet away with his gun drawn. He walks over to the pair. "Are you guys all right?"
Freddie sputters to get the blood out of his mouth when sees a cloth napkin on the ground and uses it to nonchalantly wipe the blood off his face. "Ah. That's nasty."
Danny and Spencer stare at him perplexed. How was he so calm about this?
Cassie, Pete, Galen, Alec and Victor run into the room and witness the scene. Everyone looks at Freddie's bloody face and Redmond slumped dead on the ground.
Cassie shakes her head and looks at her nephew. "I leave you alone for five minutes..."
A small smile forms on Freddie's face as he whips off the blood.
"So, is it over?" Spencer asked.
The six heroes look at each other all breathing collective sighs of relief.
"I think so." Freddie said.
•••
Half an hour later, the police and the H.I.T.A. agents lead out still conscious members of The Pequod while they load Brock Maynard into one of the ambulances with two agents going with him.
Two H.I.T.A. agents struggle to pull a restrained Ursula Devereux out of the building as she rants like a madwoman. "She's-she's not normal!"
From a safe distance, the six watch the scene now being joined by Millie. Alec however wasn't with them. A big smile forms on Cassie's face as they drag her away.
"She has no idea." Cassie said with knowing smiles on Freddie, Millie, Pete and Galen's faces.
"This evening could've gone better." Freddie said out loud.
"Could've gone worse too." Pete stated which the group agrees with.
Cassie looks at Freddie's face which was still stained with Redmond's blood. She instinctively takes out wet naps from her purse and begins to wipe the blood off his face. "You missed a few spots."
"Would you stop!" Freddie said, swatting her hands away. "You're worse than my mother!"
Cassie's mouth hangs open aghast and the other snicker at the comment. She simply smiles, "I guess I deserved that."
Freddie smiles as he takes the wet nap from her and cleans his face himself.
Edith MacMurphy walks over to the group. "I need to thank you all for what you did." She told them.
"There's really no need to thank us." Cassie said, acting as the group's unofficial spokesperson. "We're just glad we could help."
"I do apologize for getting off on the wrong door with you, Ms Sinclair. I was out of line." Edith told her.
"It's fine. I have a prickly personality myself and I gave into the cliché that two strong women can't get along." Cassie told her. "There's really no need for an apology."
Out of nowhere, Edith hugs Cassie which catches the group off guard, Cassie more so.
"Um, wow. Okay." Cassie reacted surprised.
The group snickered at this and Cassie looks back at them with a full on glare which causes it to stop.
Cassie glances over at an ambulance where Alec was having his gunshot wound treated by an EMT. "I'll be right back." She said while she politely pulls away from Edith and goes over to her friend.
Danny looks around and sees Rosanna and Keith talking to an officer while Edith walks away.
"Excuse me for a moment." Danny told the group as he makes his way over to his former acquaintances.
"I don't know who took care of this but they did a good job." The male EMT told Alec as he redressed the injury on his arm. "But they should've been more careful with MacGyver-ing first aid."
"I'll remember that for next time." Cassie interrupts, getting the attention of Alec and the EMT. The EMT looks Cassie up and down as Cassie crosses her arms. "How's he doing?"
The EMT stammers a bit at her presence but quickly regains his composure. "He should be fine. Probably going to be quite sore in the morning but he'll be fine."
"Would it be okay if I have a moment alone with my friend?" Cassie asked.
"Well, I'm all done here. Have to see if any of the hostages need my assistance. Excuse me." The EMT said as he leaves the two alone.
Alec rolls his sleeve back down and Cassie sees the sleeve was mostly blood red. "This is gonna be a bitch of a stain to scrub out." He said as he got his suit jacket on.
"On the bright side, sick bullet scar. They say chicks dig guys with scars." Cassie said in a jovial manner.
Alec manages a smile. "I'd laugh harder but it hurts to do so."
Cassie beams at him. "I'm starting to feel like I'm a hazard to your health, Al."
"Are you trying to apologize for what happened to me?" Alec scoffs. "Cassie, you don't have to be responsible for me all the time."
"Well, it is a bit of a force of habit." Cassie replied.
"I know. You can't help it." Alec stated as he looked past her. "Besides, you seem to have your hands full." Cassie turns to see what he is referring to Freddie then she looks back at her friend. "I saw how well he can fight and I think you had a lot to do with that."
Cassie blushes. "Look, there's a lot I want to tell you but…"
"I get it. Not a secret, is it?" Alec stated. Cassie grins at him, knowing exactly what he meant. "But you know you can trust me, don't you?"
Cassie smiles and she hugs him tightly but this only makes Alec groan in discomfort. She quickly backs away and gives him space. "Sorry. Sorta forgot."
Alec clears his throat and adjusts his shoulders. He then hugs her back in a gentler way, which makes Galen feel nervous but also very angry.
"Come on." Cassie said as she grabbed Alec by the wrist.
Alec glances at the group and his eyes meet Galen's steely glare which makes him feel nervous. "That might not be such a good idea, Sand."
Cassie looks back at her friend and laughs. "Don't be afraid of the big bad wolf." With that, she manages to drag Alex over to the group.
Millie perks up at the sight of Alec. "Hi." She said with a playful wave.
Alec blushes from embarrassment. "Hello."
"Al, this is Millie Flores. Millie, this is my friend Alec Grayson." Cassie introduces the new face to Alec.
Alec smiles which turns Millie bright red, amusing the others. Even Galen got a bit of amusement from seeing this.
As this goes on, everyone's attention is put on Danny who would have made his way over to Rosanna and Keith.
"Rosie?" Danny said. The couple looks at Danny. "There's some things I need to say to both of you."
"And you should. You deserve to hate us for what happened." Rosanna said.
"I did hate you, at first." Danny told them. "I loved you. I was ready to marry you, Rosie. Made me think that it was wrong to believe I could be happy."
"Don't think like that. You can still be happy." Rosanna told him. "Don't let what I did make you give up on finding your happily ever after. I see you already have."
Danny looks back at what Rosanna was looking at and sees she was looking at Cassie who still stood next to Alec. "Oh no. Cassie's just a friend. We're not-"
"Dan, I can see the way she looks at you. That reads as more than friendship." Rosanna said to him. "You don't have to listen to me but you can't deny it to yourself."
Danny nods. "I'll keep that in mind." He goes to leave but Keith's voice stops him.
"I know nothing I say is going to make up for what I did but I hope we can put this all behind us." Keith told his former friend who turned to face him. "I can offer you an olive branch... I want you to hit me."
"Excuse me?" Danny asked incredulously.
"I know it won't help but it might make you feel better." Keith explained. "It's a dumb idea but-"
Suddenly, Danny punches Keith square in the nose. The punch knocks Keith backwards and he grabs in pain while Rosanna tends to him.
The group reacts with surprise except for Cassie who cups her mouth to stifle her laughter.
"Huh, you're right. Did make me feel better." Danny said as he walked away and went over to the gang.
"Um, what was that about?" Freddie asked Cassie, a question the others wanted to ask but he got there first.
"I'm not at liberty to discuss that." Cassie said with a grin on her face. She looks around then looks at Millie. "Where's Leo?"
"Gabe offered to drive Lucy back home. We said good night before he left." Millie said.
"Did that include a good night kiss?" Cassie asked sneakily.
"Okay, when did you turn to me?" Millie said jokingly, making the group laugh. "There was, if you want to know."
"I was looking forward to meeting Leo." Freddie said. "Might be nice to get an actual read on the guy."
"Don't try to go all big brother on me, Fredward." Millie teased.
"I know Leo. He's a good guy." Galen announced.
"And you'll get to meet him soon. I want him to meet my friend and the city's hero." Millie said before editing herself. "I mean it's-"
"You mean because Freddie and company helped save a bunch of hostages, including me, from a bunch terrorists?" Spencer asked.
"Yes, that's exactly what I meant." Millie said, laughing nervously.
Alec stares at her sideways but before he could ask, Cassie nudges him with her elbow. "Leave it, Al." She stated that he didn't.
Danny walks back to the group. "I don't know about you guys but I am ready to crash on my bed and take a ten hour coma."
"I feel ya." Freddie replied as the others were in agreement.
"THAT I will agree with, Detective." Alec spoke up.
Cassie notices Danny seems groggy. "Are you feeling alright, Parker?"
"Sort of. Feeling a bit of vertigo though." Danny said, rubbing his forehead.
"Do you want us to drive you home?" Galen offered.
"No, I brought my car. I can probably get home if I drive home very, VERY, slowly." Danny said.
"Must I give you a vision test again?" Cassie teased. "I'll drive you in your car and the rest of us can follow."
"Fine, tonight kind of proved to me that I shouldn't mess with." Danny said, handing her his car keys.
"Didn't think it'd take you this long to figure that out." Cassie said smugly.
Alec sees the obvious flirting and does his best to hide his jealousy. However Galen saw through this and smiled to himself.
"Can I get a ride home too?" Millie asked. "I got a feeling my dad's gonna be here all night."
"No problem. I'd be happy to drive you home." Galen said.
"Thank you, you hunk of sexiness." Millie said, hugging him. She then realizes what she had said. "I said that out loud, didn't I?"
"Yeah, you did." Galen said as the others hid their laughter.
Millie blushes as she breaks from the hug. "Don't tell Leo I said that."
"Don't worry, secret's safe." Galen said with a smile.
"Didn't you think you liked them young, Odie?" Alec taunted.
Galen turns his head to face Alec, his eyes glowing yellow. "Zip it, Grayson."
Alex gulps. "I'll shut up."
"It's like watching you and Gabe fight, isn't it?" Freddie whispers to Millie.
Millie grins. "Always wanted to see it from a different POV." Freddie laughs at this.
As the group goes to get into the cars, Pete looks back at Agent Reid who was talking to Agent Blake. "Actually, I'll meet you guys later. I got something to take care of first."
"Um, okay. Anything important?" Cassie told him.
"Nothing, really. I'll meet you guys there." Pete told them.
Galen and Alec stare at Pete, they could both sense something was amiss. Despite their animosity, they share a look of understanding.
"All right. See you later." Freddie said to him.
Freddie, Millie and Spencer get into Galen's car as Galen gets into the driver's seat. Danny goes into the passenger seat and sits down while Cassie gets into the driver's side. Each driver starts the car and drives out of the parking lot.
But someone was missing from that group. Someone was still there, going unnoticed.
Pete walks towards Agent Reid who finishes talking to Blake who leaves him. Reid looks up to find Pete standing beside him, he seems to recognize Pete.
"Peter Sawyer, what do I owe the pleasure?" Reid asked.
"Good to see you too, Aaron." Pete said sarcastically.
"Well, it's not everyday I run into one of Division 6's more lethal agents." Reid stated.
"That's not who I am anymore." Pete told him.
"So those burnt up corpses on the eleventh floor that you used a grenade to cover up weren't signs of a little bit of the old you?" Reid stated.
"Don't have time to read the riot act." Pete said bluntly. "I was fighting for my life. Protecting myself and my friends."
"Relax, I'm just giving you a hard time. I know you and Leonard Benson are helping H.I.T.A. locate the remainder of Division 6." Reid stated. "Specifically Gordon Frost."
"I'm aware of how important it is to find the super soldier. But that is Leonard's mission, Agent." Pete stated. "I'm on a different mission."
Reid chuckles. "What's going to happen when Sinclair finds out you're only looking out for her and her nephew because her brother asked you to."
Pete glares at the agent. "That isn't the only reason." He pulls out a slip of paper and tosses on the ground. "He wanted me to give you that. He'll be in touch."
Pete walks away and Reid picks up the slip of paper. Reid opens up the crumpled up ball and sees there are coordinates written on it.
Pete starts to make his way to his motorcycle but finds Alec standing in his way. "Can I help you?"
Alec shakes his head. "Just curious what you have to talk about with some government agent."
Pere gets in his face. "That isn't your concern, Alec." He put emphasis on the other man's name. "Have a good night."
"If you're hiding something from them, especially something that could hurt my friend, you will answer me." Alec threatens as Pete got on his bike.
"Funny enough, I was going to say the exact same thing to you." Pete said, not facing Alec as he turns on his bike and rides off.
Alec watches as Pete rides off, a mountain of guilt hitting him in the stomach as he goes over to his vehicle, a Mercedes-AMG C 63 S in silver. He hops in and speeds off with screeching tires.
Meanwhile, Agent Reid whips out his phone and starts to make a call.
"Get me the Colonel." Reid stated and after a moment of listening to a voice on the other end. "I don't care what time it is. I have something that will help find Frost."
•••
Cassie walks Danny to the door of his loft. Both of them seemed to be quite exhausted after the evening's events. "How are you feeling?" Cassie asked.
"Annoyed that you keep asking that every five minutes." Danny snapped.
Cassie shakes her head. "And he is back."
Danny pulls out his keys and starts to unlock his door. "You didn't have to follow me up. I'm not as dizzy as I was earlier."
"I know but I wanted to make sure you got up here safely." Cassie said. "As your friend, I'm making it my obligation to make sure you're alright."
"So, we're friends now?" Danny questioned.
"Parker, at this point, I'm the best friend you've ever had." Cassie jokes.
Danny fumbles with his keys to find his house key and tries to get it into the lock. He drops the keys but Cassie catches them.
"Guess I'm a bit out of it." Danny said as she used his key to open the door. The two of them go inside the loft.
"You must still be feeling the drugs in your system." Cassie said. "Compound that with all the hard liquor you drank, it'll take you a few hours to feel better."
"Redmond said he poisoned me." Danny admitted to her. "He said he gave me enough that it should have killed me."
"And you believe him?" Cassie asked, seeming a bit anxious.
"Not sure. Tonight has been… surreal. I'm probably not going to remember half of it." Danny stated.
"Not even saving Freddie from Redmond?" Cassie asked with her arms crossed.
Danny smiles. "I figured that you saved my life, I think I owed you."
Cassie sighs and remembers she was still wearing his suit jacket. She takes it off and hands it to him. "I think this belongs to you."
"Um, thanks." Danny said as he tossed the jacket on his sofa. He grabs his head as if he has a headache. "My head is killing me."
"Well it comes with being 'poisoned' and drinking lots of alcohol." Cassie quips. "It's gonna turn into a wicked hangover by morning."
"You're hilarious, Sinclair." Danny said sarcastically. "I'll pop some painkillers and get some sleep."
"Sounds like a good idea." Cassie said.
"I'm surprised you aren't feeling sore after all this. You gave and took some brutal beatings." Danny pointed out.
"Don't worry about me." Cassie said with a smile. "I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself."
"Okay." Danny simply said. Just as Cassie was about to leave, he spoke up. "Cassie?"
"Yeah?" She asked.
"I want to thank you for what you did. Helping me not make a total ass of myself with Rosanna and Keith." Danny said. "I'm lucky to have someone like you watching my back."
Cassie smiles. "You're welcome." She walks to the door but stops and turns to face him. "Um, sleep on your side. Don't want you to choke on your own vomit if you get queasy during the night."
Danny laughs weakly and nods. "I will. Good night, Cassie."
"Good night, Parker." Cassie said as she walked out of the loft and closed the door.
Danny looks down and goes into his bedroom. He throws himself on his bed and stares at the ceiling.
•••
Gabe pulls up to an apartment building with Leo in the passenger seat. "We're here." Gabe told Leo.
"Thanks for the lift." Leo said. "But why did you drop off Lucy first? My place is closer."
"Because I wanted to talk to you in private." Gabe replied.
"This isn't your attempt to convince me Ironman is better than Batman?" Leo joked. "I thought that after all that happened tonight-"
"That's not it." Gabe said, being very serious. "I need to know something and I want you to be completely honest with me."
"What is it?" Leo asked, both nervous and curious.
"Do you love Millie?" Gabe said. The question catches Leo off guard. "I need to know if you love her."
"Why do you care?" Leo asked, not sounding bitter but genuinely curious.
"Because I care about her, Leo. Millie is like my best friend and I need to know how you feel about her." Gabe said, sounding sincere. "If you're not, I need to know if it would be fair for me to pick up the pieces in the aftermath?"
"You want me to be honest? Fine." Leo looks at him "She's honestly the best thing in my life right now. I'm just not ready to say 'I love you' just yet."
"And when you are?" Gabe asked.
"I'll let you know." Leo said.
"Good." Gabe answered. "But I want you to know this - if you ever intentionally hurt her, I will kill you like a chicken."
"Acceptable terms." Leo said as the two shared a look of understanding and Leo got out of his car. "See ya around, Gabriel."
"I'm sure I will, Leopold." Gabe said as he watched him enter his apartment building.
Gabe sighs and drives off.
•••
Elsewhere, Alec returns to his apartment and finds Ginger napping on the couch. He quietly shuts the door behind him and limps inside but the sound rouses the pet's attention. The cat purrs and jumps off the couch then walks over to Alec.
"Hey Ging." Alec said with a weak smile on his face as Ginger rubs against his legs. "Yeah, I had a rough night. But I'm betting you already knew that."
Ginger meows, as if to give him an answer.
Alec bends over and pets Ginger who savors the attention. "Wasn't all bad. Got to spend some quality time with my best friend." He grimaces while standing up straight and rubbing his injured arm. "Could've done without the gunshot wound but-"
All of a sudden, the sound of a door slamming shut is heard. The noise startles Ginger and makes her hiss at the sound.
Alec creeps closer to where the sound came from, knowing he was still feeling sore from the night. He walks down a hallway in his apartment and he hears a different sound. It sounded like running water.
Alec walks closer to the sound and reaches one of the three doors in the hall. He gingerly goes to turn the doorknob and opens the door. He looks inside the room, which is actually his bathroom, and saw that his shower had been turned on to the hottest setting. Alec walks into the steamed filled bathroom and goes to turn off his shower, but has a bit of difficulty due to the heat. After another attempt, he manages to turn it off.
Alec seems a bit freaked out by this but when he turns his head to look at the bathroom mirror, he finds a chilling sight:
Written on the fogged up mirror were four words – "I'M WATCHING YOU"
Alec gasps, he might be in serious trouble.
•••
As Cassie unlocked the door to her apartment, Spencer stands behind her holding a now sound asleep Freddie. She opens the door and leads him inside.
[Soundtrack Note: 'Be Still' by The Fray starts to play]
"All right. Get him on the couch and I'll make us some coffee. I need a pick me up." Cassie told Spencer.
Spencer goes inside and gets Freddie to the couch and laying him down. He then goes into the kitchen.
"Today was a huge mess. I'm so tired." Spencer said as the two made the coffee, continuing to look over at a sleeping Freddie.
"Same. I think Freddie's the most exhausted though." Cassie said.
"True." Spencer said as he noticed a bit of blood on her elbow. "You're bleeding."
Cassie appears confused until she stares at the blood on her elbow. "It's just a flesh wound. No biggie." She uses her hand to wipe a bit of the blood away to disguise the fact she's fully healed. "Today wasn't a total nightmare. We did have a good time... Till those 'party crashers' showed up."
"Party crashers?" Spencer asked.
"It's more politically correct than calling them the bottom of the barrel, ignorant scum." Cassie said as Spencer shook his head. "It'd be accurate though."
"You know, for a moment back there, I thought Galen would have ripped my throat out." Spencer said.
Cassie laughed nervously. She knew full well Galen was capable of it. "Yeah. He said you were driving him insane. That and you punch him.
"I don't handle scary situations well. And the punch was a spasm." Spencer replied and Cassie smiled.
"It's all right. Galen has always had some... anger issues. But the next time I see him, I'll tell him you're sorry." Cassie said.
"Thanks." Spencer replied, sipping coffee.
For a while it was silent, the two adults keeping an eye on Freddie, Freddie was completely asleep.
"Cassie, I think there's something going on with Freddie. And I think we both know what it is." Spencer said.
Cassie sighs. "What do you think it is?"
"I know this is gonna sounds stupid, but I honestly think he has superpowers. No one can be as calm as he was through all of that. Even you were freaking out a little." Spencer said.
"I was fighting blond She-Hulk so I had my reasons to panic." Cassie said with Spencer staring at her. "He's been through a lot in the past few months. I think he's learned how to keep calm in dangerous situations."
"So I am right?" Spencer asked and Cassie nodded, making Spencer sigh and lean against the wall.
"It was his decision to try and save the city." Cassie told him. "He's Pulse, the vigilante everyone is talking about."
Spencer eyes widened and points to Freddie. "He's Pulse? That guy who is cleaning up the streets of New York City?" He looks back at the sleeping Freddie. "In all of the time I've known him he's never been that brave and heroic. He's always been brave and he did save my sister from being hit by a taco truck, but still."
"He was freaking out at first, but then, after a few very serious injuries, he decided to keep trying to change things." Cassie told him "Or at least try. He knows of the dangers, but he still persists."
"Can't believe it." Spencer sighed, still staring at Freddie.
Cassie grabs his arms and turns him to face her. "You can't tell anyone about this. Not his friends. Not the police. You gotta keep this a secret."
Spencer stammers "I'm a really bad liar. I don't think I can-"
"Please, I wouldn't ask you to do it if it weren't important." Cassie told him, eyes filled with worry.
Spencer sighs "Just promise me that you'll take really good care of him."
Cassie nods "I'm already trying my best."
"Okay. Well, I should get to my hotel and get some sleep... Wait, I can't. My room got trashed after you went toe to toe with Lady Bane." Spencer stated jokingly.
"Where are you going to stay?" Cassie asked.
"Those government guys are going to put me up in a motel where they're going to keep a close eye on me." Spencer told her. "I was wondering, how did you manage to walk away without a scratch?"
Cassie thinks back to The Barracuda lifting her up and cracking her spine with her knee and she laughs nervously. "Um... I really don't wanna talk about it."
"I understand. Flashbacks aren't fun." Spencer stated. "I still have nightmares about this insane cat clawing off my face."
"Harmoo?" Cassie asked and Spencer stared at her. "Freddie told me about it."
"Oh." Spencer nods and goes to leave. "Tell Freddie I'll come by in the morning and take him out for breakfast or something."
Cassie smiles as she walks him over to the door.
"I'll keep my word, Spencer. I'll keep him safe." Cassie said as Spencer was leaving and Spencer gave a small smile before leaving.
Cassie walks over to the armchair and sits down and watches Freddie sleeping.
She gets up from the chair and grabs a quilt that was on top of the couch. She places the quilt over her sleeping nephew and brushes hair from his face.
•••
Millie walks toward her apartment building and waves to Galen from his car. Galen smiles as he watches the bubbly young woman go into the building. He stares at his wrist and sees drops of blood.
Galen remembers tearing apart the man who attacked Freddie. The momentary glimpse of fear in Freddie's eyes.
He sighs and leans back in his seat.
•••
Pete had returned to his furniture-less apartment. He goes into his bedroom and lies on bed.
He looks guilty for lying to people who now trusted him. It pained him to lie to people he considered his friends.
Especially lying to Cassie.
•••
It was the crack of dawn the next morning, Danny walks into the living room and picks up his suit jacket. He notices a stain on the elbow of the left arm.
Danny turns the sleeve inside out and sees it was a blood stain. His eyes widened.
Was this Cassie's blood? She didn't look like she was bleeding.
•••
[Soundtrack Note: Song fades out]
At Cassie's apartment, Freddie was holding his Pearphone in his hands. He was wearing different clean clothing and anxiously paced about when Cassie walked into the room.
"Ready to go, kiddo?" She asked him. "Spencer wants to have breakfast before his flight."
"Yeah, there's something I need to do first." Freddie told her. "I'll meet you outside."
Cassie smiles and walks out of the apartment.
Freddie stares at his phone and presses a few buttons. He puts the phone to his ear and hears it ringing until someone picks up.
"Freddie?" Sam's voice said on the other end.
"Hey, Sam." Freddie greeted with some nervousness in his voice.
"How are you?" Sam asked. "I heard about what happened at Spencer's art show? You okay?"
"Yeah, we're fine. It was dicey for a while but we're okay." Freddie told her.
"Good. I'm glad." Sam said.
Freddie exhales. "What about you? I heard you have a long lost older brother."
"Yep." Sam said, trying to sound cool and calm but couldn't hide it from Freddie.
"Sam. You don't have to lie to me." Freddie told her. "It must be tough to have something like this fall on your lap. I know you'd rather hide than admit your emotions."
"Yeah, as I recall, I put myself in a mental hospital." Sam said.
The two laugh at this statement.
"Listen, if you ever need to talk about how you're feeling or need to vent, I'm here for you." Freddie told her. "I need you to know that I'll always be there for you."
"Thanks, Benson." Sam told him. "I really appreciate it. I gotta go. Text me later?"
"Sure. Later." Freddie said. She hangs up and he stares ahead of him. He lets out a deep breath.
•••
•••
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
Jane Louis/Bast - Vanessa Morgan
Detective Daniel 'Danny' Parker - David Giuntoli
Guest Stars
Spencer Shay - Jerry Trainor
Samantha 'Sam' Puckett - Jennette McCurdy
Cat Valentine - Ariana Grande
Galen Lennox - Tyler Hoechlin
Alec Grayson – Colin Donnell
Rosanna 'Rosie' Tobias - Serinda Swan
Keith Malloy - Diego Klattenhoff
Albert Louis - Lennie James
Warden Jennifer Edison - Judith Light
Heather Chase - Ashley Benson
Howard Redmond/The Man 'O War - Aaron Hendry
Brock Maynard/The Piranha - Michael Rooker
Ursula Derveaux/The Barracuda - Natalya Neidhart
Agent Aaron Reid - Adam Baldwin
•••
Yeah, it's a long one. For those of you who made it here, thanks for reading.
As I stated, there are going to be reedits for episodes until I get to episode sixteen and hopefully finish the season.
Reviews are gold to me so tell me what you think. Can't wait for you guys to see what is coming ;)
