On the 16th day of the hero's 16th year
For one single precious held most dear
By the shade of evil with time in his hands
Choices will be made to determine who stands
The hidden hero will be proclaimed
After a fall leaves him heavily maimed
The day's weather will be fought
By winter, summer, and storms a lot
The land of choice is the original spot
Where she died and now lives reborn
In the world of the original's form
The Road to Happiness, The Long One
A/N: Please review!
Chapter 37: Day 13/16, Saturday
"Amber… Orson…" the woman said. They all stared in surprise.
"I see the resemblance," Mason said, not sure how to react to the news.
"Don't be ridiculous," Kara said, equally unsure how to react. "That's with parents."
"Not always," Mason said.
"Cal help me here," Kara said. "That's for parents and their kids only right?" Cal didn't answer; he was too shocked to say anything. Instead, Cal ran over to Amber and hugged her close and tight. Amber burst into tears.
"What happened? To you? To me? To our father?" Cal asked all at once. Amber shook her head, sobbing. Cal broke the hug and looked her in the eyes. Amber wiped her eyes.
"Later, when we're out of here…" Amber said quietly. Cal nodded and quickly examined the black veins on her face and neck. They had recessed a little, but not enough to make Cal think it was okay.
"Let's go home…" Cal said.
-Break-
Amber sat down on Cal and Mason's bean bag chair. Kara sat on Cal's bunk, next to Cal, holding his hand. Mason sat in his swivel chair, and Bartholomew stood, leaning against the wall.
"I'm 23, 7 years older than Cal," Amber began. "And my father gave up Callum when he was only about one year old." She looked around. "To this orphanage unless I'm mistaken. Anyway, when I turned 12 LESPAS kidnapped me without knowing who I was, and she brain washed me. When they brought you in, I couldn't do anything, and they took some of your blood. You were unconscious the entire time, and I couldn't fight Karla, so you never found out. But they put your blood in me, and suddenly I had super-powers. She made me use them for herself and against other people who didn't agree with her… I was never able to break it until she was focused on keeping you three under… But seeing Cal like that…" Amber looked away. "I couldn't stand by and do nothing like I had done with everyone else…" She paused, swallowing. "The black you see in my face and neck is basically blood poisoning. I think it's from Cal's powerful blood mixing with my own, but I think that her mind-control added to the speed of effect. They said when it reaches my brain… I'll die…" Amber finished, looking at the ground.
"Then I give you more of my blood," Cal said finally, breaking the silence. Everyone looked at him.
"Cal!" Kara said. "That'll make things worse! Her blood doesn't mix with yours!" Mason nodded.
"Are you feeling okay buddy?" Mason asked. "I think you need to rest some more before you do anything rash…" Cal shook his head.
"Look," Cal said. "Her blood doesn't mix with mine doesn't make sense. Everyone else who received my blood, any amount, blew up. But not her. Karla said that someone else said, 'His blood is the key to his power.' That added to the fact that they used only special compatible subjects mean that…" Cal frowned, losing his train of thought. "It means that Amber's blood can't be the problem. In fact, think about it. She was mind-controlled for over a DECADE. That mind control for that long must've affected the blood in some way." Bartholomew silently smirked.
"But should we really risk it?" Mason asked. "I mean, this is your newfound SISTER!" Cal looked at Amber.
"If we don't try, she's dead either way," Cal said with a somber look on his face.
"Bartholomew," Mason said. "What do you think?" Bartholomew laughed.
"I think that you need to consider you both are wrong, but also realize that Cal's blood couldn't possibly harm her any more than it already possibly has…" Bartholomew hinted slightly. Mason looked at Cal.
"Fine, in a few days we'll give her more of your blood," Mason said. Cal shook his head and got off his bunk.
"I'm fine, let's do it now," Cal said. Kara shook her head.
"No," Kara said. "I'm putting my foot down. You need at least one day to rest before you go and donate blood. Also, you're never allowed to donate blood to hospitals or anything like that if it blows people up." Cal shot her a look, but sighed.
"One day," Cal said. "By which I mean overnight and then I give her my blood." Mason and Kara nodded. Bartholomew went over and examined the black veins on Amber.
"You know," Bartholomew said, studying the black veins, much to Amber's discomfort. "I think Cal's blood isn't the problem…" Everyone looked at him. "In fact, I think it's what's keeping her alive…"
"Explain…" Cal said. Bartholomew laughed.
"There's a rare, docile disease that causes blackness in the veins," Bartholomew explained. "It rarely ever becomes active, but usually under extreme stress or mental troubles, IE mind-control, it can. I think that over a decade of this being active, it's by sheer luck that she's alive at all. This disease is supposed to kill someone in under a year, but she's still alive a decade later…" Bartholomew straightened up and turned to the trio. "She should be fine with or without Callum's blood; however, his blood should help counter-act whatever progress the disease has made by at least ten-fold."
"How do you get this disease?" Amber asked. Bartholomew looked at her.
"Do you want the truth?" Bartholomew asked. Amber thought for a moment, but nodded. Bartholomew sighed. "Sex is the most predominant cause…" Amber swallowed hard and looked away. Cal looked at her, studying her reaction. Mason and Bartholomew did the same.
"It wasn't consensual," Kara guessed. Amber rubbed her arm and nodded.
"I was a gift for someone who was supposed to join with LESPAS," Amber said quietly. "I was 16, and he asked for me personally…" Cal clenched his jaw and fists.
"Do you know who it was?" Cal asked, ready to strangle someone. Amber nodded sheepishly.
"Lex Luthor," Amber whispered quietly. Cal struggled to control himself from flying off and killing the man, but Mason grabbed his shoulder.
"That bastard!" Kara exclaimed. She hopped off Cal's bunk and went over to Amber. "Are you okay?" Amber nodded and wiped her watery eyes. "Here, come with me. Let's get a minute to ourselves… Cal, do you have anywhere private?" Cal motioned to the back room, and Kara quickly ushered Amber back there. Cal struggled and fought not to fly out and kill Lex Luthor right then and there.
"I'll kill him," Cal whispered. Mason nodded.
"And I'd hand you the murder weapon, but now's not the time for killing," Mason said. "We'll pay him back one day, but not today. Today is for celebrating the fact that you have a sister, and she's back. Maybe you can find out about your father now…" Cal sighed and nodded.
"Now is time to be with her," Cal told himself. "You can kill the rat bastard later…"
A few minutes later, Kara and Amber reentered, and they both looked somber.
"Who's up for some celebrating?" Mason asked. "To the return of an unknown sister, Amber Orson!" Bartholomew snapped and glasses of wine filled each of their hands. In his own, Bartholomew had a glass of whiskey instead.
"Normally I don't let minors drink," Bartholomew explained. "But it's a special occasion and in my time there wasn't such a dumb thing like a 'drinking age'." Everyone laughed and took a sip of their glass. They filled the rest of the daylight with laughter and happy memories, and even stretching deep into the night. Finally, everyone was tired.
"Well," Cal said. "There's plenty of spare rooms on this floor, Amber, Kara, take your pick." Kara gave him a shocked and slightly offended look and walked over to him.
"I can't be in here?" Kara asked. Cal raised his eyebrows.
"I think right now my sister needs to know that there are people here for her now, not to mention I don't think Bartholomew would be okay with us in the same bed no matter the circumstances," Cal explained. "Please, just one or two nights?" Kara sighed and kissed him.
"You're lucky I love you so much," Kara said. Cal took her by the hips.
"Oh, I know, believe me," Cal said, pulling her in and kissing her back. "I love you too…" Kara smiled and left to join Amber, who watched with a smile on her face at the scene. They walked down the hall, side by side.
"Hpw long have you two been dating?" Amber asked, a smiled on her face. "You two really enjoy each other's company…" Kara smiled to herself.
"Yeah we do," Kara said. "And to be honest we've only been dating for about two weeks…" Amber laughed.
"So it was love at first sight?" Amber asked, laughing. Kara smiled to herself.
"It was for me," Kara said. "And if we're being honest, I had my best friend, Batgirl, basically stalk Cal for a while…" Amber laughed.
"Ah, the things we do for love," Amber said. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. And I understand. Us girls are crazy." Kara laughed, but sobered up quickly.
"Amber?" Kara asked. "Do you think Cal had love at first sight too?" Amber sighed.
"From what I can tell, I'd be surprised if it wasn't that way," Amber replied. "The way he looks at you; there's no way he felt that way in under two weeks." Kara nodded. "So, you're both super heroes?"
-Meanwhile-
Bartholomew walked over to Cal.
"I must admit, I had my doubts about Kara, but she's really shown to me that she's worth it. Well, YOU really showed to me she's worth it to you, but I'm just saying, all good things must come to an end…" Bartholomew confessed. Cal smiled and nodded.
"Not anytime soon hopefully," Cal said. Bartholomew chuckled, but quickly became sad.
"Two more days, Callum," Bartholomew said. "Two more days and your bitter rivalry comes to an end…" Cal sighed.
"I know," Cal said.
"Are you scared?" Mason asked. Cal shook his head.
"I'm not, but I know I should be," Cal said. Mason nodded.
"Why not?" Mason asked. Cal sighed.
"I guess I mean something more like, 'not yet'," Cal admitted. Mason laughed.
"There we go," Mason said. "I guess there is some humanity in this guy." They laughed.
"Shoot," Cal said. "I forgot to ask Amber about our father…" Mason shrugged.
"There's always tomorrow," Mason said.
"Until there isn't," Cal mumbled sadly.
"What?"
"Hm?" Cal asked.
"Did you say something?"
"No…"
"Hm, must be going crazy…" Mason muttered jokingly. Cal laughed.
"Well boys," Bartholomew said. "It's been nice attempting to save Callum, but he saves us, but I'd better go home. Oh yeah, and before I forget, keep your wolf away from Batman. He's getting too curious." Bartholomew snapped and disappeared, leaving Ace in his place. Ace barked cheerfully and jumped on Cal.
-Break-
Cal laid on the roof of the orphanage, watching the stars in the midnight sky. Small, twinkling flecks of light in such a vast and diverse galaxy. Cal sighed in happiness. Quietly, Kara flew up and laid next to him.
"You know," Kara said. "I never did get to thank you for saving me… Even though I came to save you…" Cal smiled and looked at her.
"You're more beautiful than the sky," Cal admitted. Kara blushed and snuggled closer to him.
"They say actions speak louder than words," Kara said. "So how can I thank you?" Cal chuckled and looked at her.
"I think maybe a kiss or two should do it," Cal said. Kara looked at him, surprised.
"A girl lays the world at your fingertips and all you want is to kiss her?" Kara asked. Cal smiled.
"All I want is for her to kiss me," Cal said, kissing her. "But permission to kiss her is good enough…" Kara, smiling, shook her head in amusement.
"Do you think Potens is watching us?" Kara asked. Cal sighed.
"Bartholomew?"
"Yep." Cal sighed.
"If we're being honest, I think we're their own personal soap opera," Cal said. "'There's no way she could break up with HIM!'" Cal said, mimicking a high pitched girl's voice badly. Kara laughed.
"I suppose since everyone else kinda knows," Kara started. "I should tell you, I met your mom…" Cal frowned.
"My mom?" Cal asked. "I always thought she was dead…" Kara nuzzled her head in Cal's shoulder.
"No, and the day you told me you were The Protector, she was talking to me in my coma…" Kara said. She looked at Cal. "She wants you to know she loves you, no matter what…"
"I don't suppose she was a ghost then?" Cal asked. Kara laughed and shook her head.
"Better, immortal," Kara said. Cal sighed.
"Great, she's going to make me eat bran muffins when I'm 90 isn't she?" Cal joked. Kara laughed.
"I think she'll start when you're in your mid-40s," Kara joked back. They both laughed. Cal sighed again.
"You think Amber's okay?" Cal asked. "Mentally I mean." Kara nodded.
"She's tougher than she looks," Kara admitted. "Kinda runs in the family I guess…" Cal smiled.
"And I bet beauty runs in yours," Cal said. "Although a slow crawl would be more accurate…" Kara laughed.
"I think that was meant to be a compliment," Kara said. Cal nodded.
"It was," Cal said. Kara laughed again. Cal wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, Kara Danvers…" Kara smiled.
"And I love you, Callum Orson," Kara replied, running her hands through his hair and kissing him. Cal kissed back and they made out for a few minutes, finally breaking to catch their breath. Kara sighed happily and laid her head on Cal's chest.
"Cal?"
"Yeah, Kara?"
"When did you know you loved me?" Kara asked. Cal sighed.
"Well, on the first day of school, I saw this girl in my glass. Blonde hair, blue eyes, obviously unneeded glasses—" Cal started.
"Obviously unneeded?" Kara asked. "How?" Cal chuckled.
"She was too perfect for glasses," Cal explained. Kara 'oh'-ed. "Anyway, she looked amazingly radiant, and I was too anti-social to talk to her, so I figured I'd work up the courage eventually, but before I knew it, it was December. I saw the girl try to cross the street, but this really big semi—"
"Really big semi?" Kara interrupted. "Let's go with spaceship when we tell our kids…" Kara trailed off as she realized what she said.
"Let's go with giant alien aircraft," Cal said, not realizing the impact of what Kara said. "After all, space ship is too plain for our time, let alone theirs… What's the matter?" Cal noticed Kara had begun silently crying. He sat up, holding Kara. "Did I do something wrong?" Kara shook her head through her tears of joy.
"You did nothing wrong," Kara said. "Absolutely nothing wrong…" She pulled Cal's head towards her and their lips made contact for a few more minutes. Finally, Kara broke it. Cal wiped the tears from her face, kissing her once again. Kara sniffled.
"I said, 'our kids'," Kara said. Cal frowned for a split second, realizing what had happened. Cal smiled.
"Yeah," Cal said. "Our kids…" He kissed her. "One boy and one girl?" Kara smiled.
"Fine, but if it's a girl and then a boy I want another daughter," Kara said. Cal grinned.
"Deal," Cal said, kissing her. Kara beamed happily as she rested her head on Cal's chest again. For a few minutes, they were both quiet, listening to the pleasant sounds of nature. Finally, Kara fell asleep. Cal realized this and silently chuckled himself. Suddenly, the familiar flash of gold filled his eyes and a comfortable blanket was wrapped around the couple. Cal smiled and rubbed Kara's back soothingly as he fell asleep.
"I love you, Kara," Cal whispered, shutting his eyes and letting the exhaustion overcome him, sending him into a deep sleep.
-Break- 14/16, Sunday
Cal slowly opened his eyes as he heard Kara stir. Kara sighed and shifted herself on Cal's chest. She opened her eyes briefly, but closed them again. Cal rubbed her back gently.
"What time is it?" Kara asked, keeping her eyes closed.
"7:45," Cal said, checking his phone.
"We should get up…" Kara said, but she didn't move. Cal continued rubbing her back.
"Nah," Cal said. "5 more minutes…" Kara chuckled.
"Does that mean 15?" Kara asked. Cal sighed.
"I was hoping at least 20," Cal answered. Kara laughed and raised her head a little.
"As tempting as that is," Kara said. "And don't get me wrong, I would LOVE to just lay here all day, but I promised Amber I'd go shopping with her…" Cal sighed.
"Fine," Cal said. He sat up. "When she gets back I'm going to ask about our father…" Kara nodded.
"And you don't want me to ask for you," Kara guessed. Cal nodded.
"I never thought you would, but I get how curious you'd be, and I understand that, but for now let's just let her have a nice day…" Cal said. Kara kissed him.
"I was going to ask," Kara said honestly. "But I'm glad you asked me not to…" Cal smiled.
"I love you, my lady," Cal said. Kara beamed.
"And I love doth you, my shining hero of the highest caliber," Kara said mockingly. Cal laughed. Kara kissed him. "Okay, now I should probably sneak back into my room... Hopefully Amber is still asleep and doesn't assume anything…" Cal chuckled and kissed her back.
"If she's anything like me," Cal said. "She'll sleep till noon if she can…" Kara laughed and got up. Cal followed quickly. Cal took her hand.
"It's not like we did anything," Kara said, slowly walking across the room.
"And it's also like, oh, I don't know, we love each other," Cal said. Kara looked at him, faking confusion.
"We both do?" Kara asked, joking. "I mean, I know you love me, but…" She stopped as Cal pulled her close and kissed her.
"Well, either way I want you to know that I love you," Cal said. "Even if you don't…" Kara smiled.
"Who says I don't?" Kara asked, still joking. Cal laughed, and Kara kissed him back. Kara sighed happily. "Wow I love you…" Cal smiled.
"Alright," Cal said. "You should get back to Amber, and I'll get the blood transfusion stuff ready…" Kara sighed and nodded.
"See you in a bit," Kara said, leaving. As Kara left, she slowly let go of Cal's hand.
-Break-
Less than an hour later, everyone was up and ready to go. Cal gave Amber his blood, and the black veins receded to the point that they weren't visible anymore. In celebration, Kara took Amber shopping.
"We need to get you some more clothes," Kara said. Amber eagerly agreed, and Cal gave Amber his credit card without a word. Kara briefly called home, and took Amber shopping.
"Let's start with some shirts and hoodies," Kara said. Amber nodded and they went into the first few stores, buying whatever they wanted.
"So," Amber said. "You sleep next to Cal often?" Kara looked at her, surprised, shocked, and a little frightened.
"Not always," Kara said.
"But whenever you can?" Amber asked. Kara nodded.
"But we don't do anything," Kara defended, honestly. Amber laughed and nodded.
"That's why I said 'next to'," Amber said. "Don't worry, I trust you. Besides, it's Cal I'd beat up if anything happened." Kara laughed.
They continued shopping till lunchtime, and they took a lunch break. They sat down to eat, and Kara noticed someone admiring Amber.
"Um, 7 o'clock," Kara said. "Not-so-secret admirer." Amber discreetly glanced and saw who Kara was talking about. She blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear. They ate with pleasant conversation till Amber frowned.
"What is it?" Kara asked. Amber looked at her.
"You've got an admirer too," Amber said. "But he's definitely not someone friendly…" Kara frowned.
"Let's just ignore him," Kara said. "Hopefully he'll just go away…" Amber frowned, but nodded. They continued eating.
"Not to be weird, but he's walking this way," Amber warned. Kara frowned, but didn't look back. She swallowed.
"Whatever happens," Kara said. "We CANNOT use our powers." Kara studied Amber's eyes as she nodded. The admirer touched Kara's shoulder, and Kara looked up to see Jason staring back a her.
"I have a gun in my pocket, and if you don't come with me and text Callum to come here I will kill this pretty friend of yours," Jason said before Kara could say anything. Kara swallowed and looked at Amber.
"Ok," Kara said, getting up.
-Break-
Cal entered the abandoned warehouse cautiously, being wary of his surroundings.
'Why does it always have to be a creepy and really old warehouse?' Cal thought to himself. He got to the center of the warehouse and looked around.
"I'm here!" Cal shouted. "Now what do you want Jason?" Cal tried to see around the various boxes and pipes and catwalks. Suddenly, Jason appeared few paces behind Cal.
"Callum!" Jason shouted. Cal spun around.
"Where are they?" Cal demanded. "Let them go!" Jason laughed and shook his head.
"They're somewhere safe," Jason said. "Safe, but not forever. Sooner or later they'll need food, water, oxygen." Cal growled.
"I'll kill you," Cal threatened.
"Ah!" Jason said, putting his finger up. "But you don't know where they are, and they could die before you find them…" Cal clenched his jaw.
"What do you want?" Cal asked. Jason grinned evilly.
"Kara and her friend are watching us right now; listening, watching, waiting," Jason said. "And we are going to fight. The winner takes all." Cal glared at him.
"You're acting like Kara is a carnival prize," Cal said, fuming. "She's not." Jason laughed.
"You keep thinking that!" Jason said. "But life is at your beck and call if you take it by the throat. You're going to fight me, Callum, simple as that." Cal growled.
"Fine," Cal said.
"But one last thing," Jason continued. "It's to the death." Cal glared at him. "To the death or the females die." Cal stared him down a bit longer, but nodded his head. Jason grinned evilly and motioned for Cal to go towards him. Cal sighed and glanced at the ground.
Cal ran towards Jason, pissed off beyond belief. Jason ducked the first swing, but Cal hit him with the second. Jason stumbled back, clutching his nose. Cal tensed as Jason held up a finger.
"Ah, one sec," Jason said. Cal growled quietly. Jason straightened up and leapt towards Cal. Jason slammed his fists, but Cal easily blocked them. Jason whirled around and kicked at Cal. Cal jumped back to avoid it. Jason threw a few more punches, but Cal blocked them and retaliated. Cal swiftly punched Jason, and he fell to the floor. Jason jumped on the nearest machine, and Cal followed. Jason kicked at him, but Cal batted his foot away like an annoying fly. Jason backed away as Cal got closer, jumping off the machine and running up the only staircase to the warehouse's catwalks. Cal followed in close pursuit. Jason turned around to face Cal. Cal stopped slightly short. Jason laughed.
"You're better at fighting than I thought," Jason admitted. "But I'm still going to kill you!" He stooped down and pulled a box against the wall, reaching in and pulling out a gun. Cal's eyes widened in shock, and he jumped over the railing as the bullets rained down upon him. He rolled as he landed, displacing the otherwise fatal landing. Jason leaned over the edge, searching for Cal.
"You can't hide forever!" Jason called. "You'll have to kill me to stop me, and in order to do that you have to get close to me!" A sharp bang drew Jason's attention. "Kara's mine, Callum. After all I've been through I deserve her!" Another, more accidental sounding, bang sounded on the opposite side of the warehouse. Jason grinned. "Ha, you sly dog. You're trying to distract me so you can sneak up behind me!" Jason walked to near the stairs. "Come on and show yourself! I promise to kill you quickly, assuming you give yourself up." He backed away from the stairs, glancing through the catwalk holes and over the edge of the catwalks. "I know your around here somewhere, just give up and let me take my prize!"
"How about no?" Cal asked, directly behind Jason. Jason spun around, and Cal smacked the gun out of his hand. Jason stumbled back in fear, tripping over the edge of the railing. Cal lunged forward and caught his hand. Jason dangled from Cal's hand, eyes wide with fear.
"Let me go," Jason said. "I'll die and you'll win." Cal shook his head.
"I don't let people die," Cal said. Jason laughed.
"If you don't kill me I'll kill you," Jason said. "Now let me go… It'll be quick for me. I'll be glad to go, end my misery." Cal shook his head, sweating and his grip slipping.
"Just grab my hand and help me pull you up!" Cal said. Jason shook his head. "Where are they?" Jason laughed.
"Inside jacket pocket," Jason said. "But you'll only get it if you pull me up and kill me or drop me and search me…" Cal shook his head.
"I'm not letting you die!" Cal protested. Jason laughed.
"After all I've done," Jason said. "To you specifically, you don't want me to die?"
"No one deserves to die," Cal said.
"Is that what you were told as a kid, or just something you tell yourself to not hurt people?" Jason asked. Cal didn't answer, trying to pull him up. Jason chuckled. "To think, Kara's hot breath on my face as I took her… Oh that hot body…"
Jason fell.