My apologizes for this late update. I live in St.Louis We had this storm from hell literally appear overnight. 30 min before it, noting but sun and horrible heat. Next thing you know I'm watching a tree limb fall on my neighbor's car. It helps to have air conditioning and electric to write.

Also, I think this has been my hardest chapter to write. It's a transitional chapter, not a lot of action. I nearly dropped this chapter, until I finally found my angle.

So, enjoy and review. I'll be out of town for a couple days next week so Chapter 13 may also be delayed.

"Warren, you're being stubborn," Will dribbled the basketball closer to the hoop. He rarely beat Warren, coordinated s.o.b that he was, but Will enjoyed playing nonetheless. This time it looked like he might have a chance. Will could tell Peace was off his game. He darted around the taller boy and shot for the hoop. He ball bounced on the rim before sinking threw.

Will grinned delightedly. "It's not a big deal."

Warren glared at the younger boy. "It is to me."

"Look, I know it's kinda weird feeling . . . ." Will began, trying to mimic Layla's soft touch.

"Don't tell me what I feel." His face took on a familiar closed expression, like a door had been figuratively slammed shut.

Will kept knocking. "Nobody has to know and so what if they do. You can't let other peoples' opinion stop you from doing what you want."

"Been watching the lifetime channel again."

"Layla likes that maudlin crap. If you dated the same girl for more than three months we could suffer together. It's still good advice."

"Easy for you to say," he continued to grouse. "Nobody makes nasty comments about you behind your back." Warren flung the last comment out without a lot of thought.

Will's expression went from shocked incredulity to red-faced fury in about 20 seconds. Warren almost took a step backward from his normally even- tempered friend.

"I put up with your bad temper cause we're friends, but I draw the line at that bullshit. I'm sick to death of jealousy and spite and people who just want me to fail. Do you know what that's like? To walk to class and wonder how many people would love to see me trip over my shoelaces or get the crap beaten out of me in gym." There was a note of honest, painful bewilderment in his voice. "Everybody has an opinion about me. Only about a dozen people treat me like a real person. It seems everyone else wants something from me and most of the time I don't even know what they want." Will paused and took a deep breath.

"Maybe it doesn't measure up to having a father in jail, but don't say I don't know what it's like to be whispered about behind my back."

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"Warren," Josie Stronghold gently prodded him from his thoughts. He had that fight with Will two weeks ago. The next day he swallowed his pride and agreed to let Will fly him to France. He didn't know why he'd remembered it. Maybe because after turning Will down dozens of times, he was finally flying.

"We're flying over downtown Maxville." She sounded better than she had in days. "Take a look. It's beautiful."

Warren turned his head to look out the hovercraft's window. Ten billion lights blanketed the city; twinkling and gleaming like diamonds against black velvet.

"Will said the city at night was breathtaking. He was right."

"What were you thinking about?" Josie asked. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be nosy, but you had a rather pensive look on your face."

"Just something Will told me." He didn't elaborate further. Everybody wants something from me and most of the time I don't even know what. Warren hadn't realized till this moment how very true those words were. He wondered what Will was thinking about right now.

Nobody seemed to have much to say. Josie rested against her husband's shoulder. Warren, his head buzzing from the anti fatigue shot he'd been given thought Mr. Stronghold looked ready to pound his enemies into dust.

"So, when will we get there," he asked Stark.

"Thirty minutes. Any air sickness."

"No."

"Second thoughts?" the older man questioned.

"Not on your life. What about you?"

"A bit. I really shouldn't be dragging you into this."

"Will told me once you shouldn't let other peoples' opinions keep you from doing what you want." Warren rested his head against the window's cool pane and didn't say anything else. He let his thoughts drift back to his first meeting with Stark.

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When they'd arrived at Command, Steve and Josie had practically shoved Warren into a small room with a television and office furniture before rushing off.

He cooled his heels. Mrs. Stronghold had promised him if he kept a low profile and was a good boy, she would try to get him on the rescue team. Screaming out 'fiery tempered teenager with authority issues' would probably be detrimental to his chances.

Finally the door opened. A little nervous, Warren got to his feet. A tall, distinguished looking African-American looked at him appraisingly. Warren tucked his hair behind his ear. He wished he'd had a chance to clean up a bit.

"Mr. Peace," the man extended his hand. "I'm Gregory Stark. I understand you have volunteered to accompany the rescue team."

Warren quickly shut his gaping jaw and shook the proffered hand. "Yes."

Stark sat down at a round table. Warren also took a seat.

Stark got right to the point. "I cannot guarantee you will be afforded the level of safety a trainee is entitled to."

"Fine," Warren said automatically. "I can take care of myself."

"I don't doubt that. I've read your file. Can I trust you to follow my or the Strongholds' orders?" Stark's gaze drilled into Warren. "I can't afford a lose cannon."

"So the Scarlet Witch is involved," Warren said hoarsely. He hoped desperately that his father was off base. Those hopes were dashed to little pieces and he could only hope that was all that was broken.

Stark's sounded neutral. "Why do you believe that?"

"Pyro's are difficult to mentally control. Too much volatility. And the lady's got a phobia about us. Tried to take one on and it went very badly. That was my ace in the hole for the European slot. They wanted a pyro cause they were scared she was planning something."

"You're right. Espionage's plan to bring in Maximus has netted an even bigger fish. And he has your friends. I believe we can access them easily. Maximus only has a few thugs with him. The agent on the scene has supplied us with a detailed floor plan and disabled ground security. Maximus only abducted your friends as a contingency plan. He knew we were near to apprehending him. He was going to use Will Stronghold as leverage to keep us at bay. Then the Witch entered the picture. In approximately 30 min the villain apprehension team will be leaving. I have been given permission to accompany them. I am independent of them, but I cannot take my own team. It is felt that two teams would cause chaos. Espionage made the argument that they have been preparing for this for months. It was a valid point. Mr. and Mrs. Stronghold can accompany me, not as superheroes but as parents – that's why they're dressed as civilians."

Warren drew in his breath. It was all he could do to keep the flames under control. "I can understand screwing Layla, but how can they do this to Will Stronghold?"

"It's simple, the Scarlet Witch is higher profile that he is. Mr. Peace, I can accept you as my personal intern. Since you've been accepted for a European internship, you do not need to go through the vetting process. I've spoken to M. Rosier. Under the circumstances he has agreed to transfer you. Besides the very real danger, if things do not go well, everyone associated with this will have a black mark on their record. You are young and already have one black mark. A second might have a terminal affect on your career.

Warren just stared at him.

Stark pushed the clipboard across the table to Warren. Warren scanned it quickly before signing it. .

"I've solicited a great many peoples' opinion about young Mr. Stronghold. There is concern that he lacks the necessary ambition and confidence to be effective as a Hero. What do you think?"

Warren snorted. "I could list a dozen idiosyncrasies which drive me up the wall. He has a high anxiety level and can be totally clueless. But he's also tough and sharp and knows how to handle himself in a crisis. Will is a natural leader, he just doesn't like to limelight. There is nobody I'd rather have at my back than him." Warren had to stop to clear his throat. "They'll hurt Layla over his dead body. On her own turf, Layla could wipe the floor with any Hero, present company included.

Once again Stark extended his hand. "Welcome to the team. May God hold us all in the palm of his hand."

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Will tossed fretfully. It was so hot. He tried to push the blankets away but they kept being replaced. His head was lifted, cool fluid tipped down his mouth. He choked a bit.

"You're not having a good day, are you Will," Gwen Grayson smiled at him. She was wearing a preppy pink outfit that showed off her tiny waist and long legs.

"Your Dad never would have let this happen."

Will opened his mouth to argue but his throat hurt too much to say anything.

She leaned closer. Her long brunette hair swept against his cheek. "Didn't you learn anything from me. You fell for the same trick twice. That takes really stupidity."

"I didn't know. It was Layla's aunt," Will protested.

"An aunt she hadn't seen in two years. You should have known better. How long do you think it will be before your girlfriend looks for somebody who is not pathetically stupid?"

It was so terrible hot. It was hard to think clearly. "I'm not stupid."

"Let's see, superstrength and the power of flight yet here you are, chained to the wall in a cold dungeon, at the mercy of a sexually deviant egomaniac. Do you think your parents will recover your body? Maybe Layla's mother will let you be buried with her. If you're not thrown into the nearest landfill of course."

"Stop it." Will raised his hands to his ears, but her merciless voice continued to lash at him. "Or maybe she'll just make you her puppet. You're halfway there already. You make a good puppet, Will. It might be your one great talent. Not a lot of heavy thinking involved. Of course, you'll never live it down in the Hero community. It will be a lot harder for Layla to save the rainforest if her boyfriend is a complete laughing stock. Still, I guess that's preferable to dying."

"We're not going to die." Will tired to get up but something was holding him down. He felt as weak as a half-drowned kitten.

"William!" The voice calling his name was insistent. Will opened his eyes, blinking at the room's sharp light.

"You're not going to die. You're running a high fever, but you're not going to die. Tell me you understand that."

"I'm not going to die." Will said the words with as much conviction as he could muster.

"Good. You need to be strong just a little while longer. You've been very strong. Your parents would be proud of you."

He tried to focus. He turned over on his side and moved closer to her girlfriend. Her cheeks were flushed nearly as red as her ragged hair. She seemed to be sleeping. "Is Layla sick?"

"Same as you."

"No," Will struggled to find the words. This was very important. "She's always a bit sickly in the winter. She doesn't do well without the sun."

"It's going to be all right." Peterson whispered.