Amy and Wilborn laid there for a few more minutes relaxing and exchanging some verbal insults. The crowd of Marines had dispersed, with some going out on patrol in the streets around Marine HQ, and others to get enough sleep for their nighttime patrol. Smoker took a sip of coffee from his mug and looked at the two teenagers lying in front of them. He chewed them out for a few more minutes before taking another sip of coffee.

"It feels better to let out your emotions than to hold them in right." Smoker said casually. Both girls groaned and attempted to sit up. Covered in bruises, if you squinted, they looked exactly the same. Minus the skin tone and their hair colors of course.

"Honestly, you're kinda right." Amy said wincing after she accidentally touched one of her bruises. She had pulled off her gloves now, and while her long sleeves hid her arms, it was obvious they were bruised up. They were going at it pretty hard.

Wilborn remained silent and groaned in pain. Smoker worked her hard enough today, so he would let her rest for now. Eventually, she sat up next to Amy, both looking like scolded children. Smoker sitting on a recliner in the middle of the training gym didn't help to change that look.

"Give me your hand." Amy said, turning to Wilborn. She stared at Amy for a few seconds before taking her hand. A minute later, the bruises on Wilborn turned a pinkish color instead of blue and purple. "I just changed the color to your bruises. They'll still hurt but they won't look as bad as before."

Wilborn stared at the pinkish bruise on her arm, poked it, winced and grinned. "Yay! I'm still normal."

Amy scowled in return. "Don't make me regret this." At least Amy wasn't trying to kill Wilborn anymore.

"You got a meeting with the PRT PR department in an hour Wilborn." Smoker went back to his cat videos. These were...oddly entertaining. "Tashigi should be here by then so she'll escort you. Gunderson and Kazuki will follow as well. Shower and get dressed before then. You stink again." Amy giggled at Lisa's misery. Turning his attention to Amy. "You stink too. Go shower." Now it was Lisa's turn to laugh. Smoker went back to his video.

"Man, this will be like my third shower today." Lisa complained as she slowly stood up. Amy remained seated and laid back on the floor once Lisa was gone.

"Thank you." Smoker heard her say. He didn't do anything really.

"I didn't do anything." Was his blunt response. Heh, Armsmaster trying to get a cat off of a tree was pretty funny.

"I mean it." Amy sat back up again and was staring at him. Smoker didn't bother looking up. "Thank you for letting me stay here and...for listening to me."

A grunt was the only response she got. With a lazy smile, Amy got up and patted Smoker on the shoulder as she walked out. Miss Militia drawn as a cat? Smoker would have to show Tashigi that picture later.

Putting his phone away, Smoker looked around the training gym.

"Who's dumb idea was it to bring a recliner in the gym?"

Probably Alby.

Amy was glad she was using Tashigi's old room. It had a bathroom attached to it, which meant she didn't have to go use the big communal one that the Marines had to use. Plus she got to show it off in Lisa's face. Walking out of the bathroom with a towel around her neck, Amy spotted something on her bed. She had seen a lot of them before.

A Marine cap. Slowly grabbing it, Amy got a better look at it. The front said MARINE with their classic font as well as their logo. Turning it around, Amy paused.

Her name was stitched onto the back. Placing it gently back on the bed, Amy dried her hair and changed into a plain t-shirt that had some Japanese letters and blue jeans. Grabbing the hat again slowly, Amy turned to the mirror on the cabinet.

With shaking hands, Amy placed the cap on her head. She gasped and leaned against the cabinet.

It...fit perfectly. Amy's phone started ringing again. Vicky was calling again…

Amy wasn't ready to go back home. Carol probably wouldn't even let her come back or even take a step in their house. Suddenly, someone started knocking at her door frantically. Opening the door, Amy was greeted to Kazuki's scared face.

"Brandish and Glory Girl are outside! Captain Smoker stopped them from entering."

What? They were here? Amy's legs felt weakened, but she started running for some reason. Her legs were already on fire from her fight with Lisa, but she just ran faster. After almost running into a petrified Alby and a surprised Shoko, Amy made it.

Smoker was blocking Carol and Vicky from entering Marine HQ, its double doors wide open. Hiding behind one, Amy's hand started shaking.

You're a monster, just like your Father.

"Let us in. Victoria already told me that Amy comes here after school when she's skipping her hospital visits." Carol said. Amy's eyes widened when she saw smoke spreading everywhere. It was...comforting.

"I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about Mrs. Dallon." Smoker's impassive voice said. Vicky remained silent throughout the conversation.

"I'll press charges for kidnapping Smok-"

"That's Captain Smoker to you Mrs. Dallon, and I will be pressing charges for trespassing on private property." Smoker responded sarcastically.

Do you want to be a villain?

Amy wrapped her arms around herself. She was just a coward. She couldn't even face them. Maybe she was just like her Father. Amy should have been at the hospital. How many families lost their loved ones just because Amy was too focused on her own problems? Taking a deep breath, Amy was ready to get up when Smoker spoke again.

"The next time you come here I will be calling Child Services and reporting child abuse."

Carol scoffed. "Child abuse? I've never laid a hand on her. In fact, she's the one who slapped me!" This...was starting to turn pretty ugly.

"Child abuse includes mental abuse as well." Smoker said simply. Carol sounded like she was about to argue when Victoria interrupted her.

"Mom let's go." Amy heard Vicky say dejectedly. After a few seconds, Amy heard them leave. She let go of the breath she didn't know she held in.

"You ok?" Amy looked up from her hiding spot to see Smoker standing over her. Amy nodded before looking down.

"You know she's a lawyer right? That wasn't just a threat."

Smoker just shrugged. "I dont give a damn." Hr gave her Marine cap a glance. "You're one of us now even if you still are a member of New Wave officially." Amy smiled softly.

"The Marines have more manpower than New Wave does." Smoker continued. "Plus I managed to defeat Lung with help from Weaver. An opponent that has defeated the combined strength of the Protectorate and New Wave several times." Smoker was smirking now. "New Wave is old news now and havent made any high profile arrests recently." For a man that hated politics and bureaucracy, he certainly knew how to play them. "They can't touch me."

Smoker was pretty strong. The pessimistic side of Amy thought that Carol...probably wanted Amy back since she was...the most famous person in New Wave. Panacea was a world famous healer after all. She was basically New Waves walking PR magnet.

"She'll be back."

"I don't care." Smoker brushed off some imaginary dust off of his shoulder and offered a gloved hand to Amy, which she took. "You can go whenever you want." Amy nodded. The sound of a motorcycle interrupted the silence after and Tashigi walked in with a masked Weaver. Amy hadn't spent much time with the Marine's bug specialist, but she seemed alright. A bit standoffish and quiet, but Amy wasn't the most talkative person either.

"Hiya Captain Smoker." Tashigi smiled. Smoker nodded at them for his greeting. Lisa then sauntered up to them with a black mask on her face, Kazuki walking beside her.

"The whole gang's here! Well, everyone important that is." Lisa had her signature grin on her face.

"Not for long. Gunderson's bringing the van around front." Kazuki said, which got him an elbow to his stomach.

Not even ten minutes later they were gone, leaving Amy and Weaver alone in Marine HQ's visitor room. Smoker had gone to his room to brood.

"Soooo...read any good books recently?" Weaver asked awkwardly.

Yeah, this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship alright.

A/N

I need to flesh out everyone's relationships before the juicy stuff happens. I have fight scenes planned, showdowns and rivalries, the eventual endbringer.

This may not be the most popular story, but I'll keep writing this until I'm burned out or have completed it. Thank you to everyone who comments, watches and likes.

I appreciate each and every one of you.