Hey guys! With this quarantine going on, I've been more busy staying at home and taking care of my grandfather (Papa as we all call him), so my free time is mixed with shopping for my mom and I, my Papa, and his older sister. I don't get much time to write, but I did take some of my spare time to write and fix this chapter.

I definitely recommend listening to the second song while you read it as it gives a bit more of a view into Hornet's mentality. The song is called Screw Loose from the Broadway musical Cry Baby. I may or may not have hinted to this on my tumblr with a gif from the show.

Anyway, my darlings, I hope you enjoy!

The dinner date had gone fairly well, however, it seemed as though conversation would fall flat if the topics weren't all that interesting. As the dinner was coming to an end, Miles mentioned the kart racing track that had opened in Pinellas Park not more than a year prior. Lugnut claimed that he had heard about it from one of his friends, but hadn't gone. Before the girls had a chance to get a word in, Miles spoke up once again, stating that he had gone with Skids a few times and insisted that they all try it sometime.

"I've done that before," Giggles piped up. "It's really fun. Every time we go, I end up winning."

Struts nodded, having gone with Giggles and a few of the girls a couple of times. "She's really good. I came in second place once and I was still really far behind her."

"Oh, yeah? Well, how about a race, then, Blondie?" Miles teased, positive the blonde surfer couldn't beat him, a professional racer, at a simple go-kart race.

Giggles scoffed, rolling her eyes, and crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't need to race you to prove I'm as good as I say I am."

"Oh, so you're a chicken," Miles claimed, a smirk settling over his face.

"Real mature." Giggles shook her head at the biker. "How old are you, again? Seven?"

Struts snorted as the laughter she'd been holding in, burst forth. "You two are worse than me and Skids on a good day," she chuckled. "Why don't we all just go racing tonight so we can see who's better?"

Lugnut gave her a small, confused look before speaking, "Sherry, we're all dressed up, it's-"

Struts waved him off gently before interrupting him, "We can go home, get changed and still go over to the racing place before they close, right? It wouldn't be a problem and I'd really like to see who wins."

Giggles smiled and turned her attention from Struts to Miles yet again. "I agree with Sherry."

The two boys shared a look before agreeing to what the girls had proposed.

Things had been quiet at the Sparx headquarters. Too quiet, if you'd ask most of the members. Just as they had previously, a few of the mechanics would fix the occasional vehicle that needed repair work in the front of the building, while the rest of the crew would be in the back. However, things just weren't the same anymore. Most of the girls had left, leaving only Hornet and Bandit, the latter only staying as her boyfriend was the head mechanic. Most of the men who were in a relationship with someone who left, followed suit, leaving a skeleton crew of mechanics and a few spares.

Their group of twenty-three had whittled down to only eleven.

The thing that bothered the remaining few wasn't the fact that Juliet was gone. Though her disappearance was a partnering factor, their unease was caused mostly by Xander's behavior. The almost twenty-one-year-old had been avoiding staying more than a few minutes at the hangout, only really staying for longer periods after everyone had left for the evening. While it wasn't good for morale, those who understood his situation, knew not to ask Xander questions.

The ever-confident, cocksure leader, had been brought to his knees by the only girl he had ever loved.

Even the most oblivious of the Sparx crew, could see Xander's inner turmoil. Before she left the group, Victory had found Xander staring distantly at one of the photographs of himself and Juliet. A mechanic named Ralph had seen Xander come in wearing a shirt that Juliet had embroidered with "X + J" in small letters on the chest pocket. One of Xander's longest and closest friends, a racer named Calvin "Firecracker" LaGrant, had seen Xander not long after the breakup, retouching the stitches on Juliet's pink leather jacket.

It was all too obvious that Xander was pining after Juliet.

That night, after the last of the mechanics had left, Xander resumed his routine of visiting the headquarters. He entered through the back door that lead into his office, dropping his helmet onto his desk before making his way into his chair.

He wasn't exactly sure why he did this every night, but he couldn't stop himself. It wasn't the drive to work, that was for sure. He hadn't done anything productive since Juliet-… since she left him. With a heavy sigh, Xander leaned down, pulling open the drawer that held all the information on anyone who stood in his way. It took a moment for the biker to realize that Juliet's bright pink jacket was missing. He was positive he had left it in front of the folders, neatly folded and protected. He began pushing folders aside, checking to see if maybe the jacket had found its way to the back of the drawer. One he realized it wasn't between the first few folders, he began yanking folder after folder out of the desk, tossing them aside, no caring where they landed or what kind of a mess he was leaving.

"Looking for something?" a female voice called from the doorway leading out of Xander's office and into the common area.

Xander bolted upright, instinctively reaching for the weapon he kept in the back of his jeans. A flash of recognition crossed his face before a sheen of rage took over. Hornet was standing in the doorway, a saint-like smile on her face and a bright pink, leather jacket covering her black shirt. Xander rose from his seat, his hand still resting over his handgun as he watched Hornet cautiously.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he asked her.

Hornet giggled, "Well, I thought I was here alone, but I guess I was wrong."

Xander released his hold on his weapon; he didn't want to allow his emotions to get the better of him and, most of all, he didn't want to get arrested for something stupid. "Why are you wearing Juliet's jacket?"

Hornet's emotions flipped, in a matter of seconds, disgust and anger took hold of the previously chirpy red-head's face. "Why do you have to bring her into this? Can't we be happy for two minutes without her being in the picture?!" she screeched.

Xander straightened his posture, keeping himself alert. He hadn't seen this side of Hornet since her brother, James, died. She had practically attached herself to Xander back then. Hornet was a heartbroken, scared, little girl at that point in her life and Xander was all she had left. It wasn't too long after James' death that Xander met Juliet and had decided to be with her. He and Hornet had gotten into a pretty large argument over inviting Juliet to come around their old hangout. He always believed Hornet was just upset to no longer be the only girl in the group, but he had noticed, in the back of his mind, that Hornet always chatted amiably with the other girls, yet had kept a certain kind of detest for Juliet.

As Xander came to the realization of what this could mean, Hornet approached him, sitting on the edge of his desk. "Well, she and I just broke up, the feelings are fresh."

"Hopefully not for long," Hornet scoffed, picking at her fingernails.

"Hopefully," Xander played along, trying to see where this would lead.

"I always said she was no good for you," Hornet chortled.

"You did," Xander agreed. "I should've listened.

Hornet hummed in agreement, happy that Xander was finally taking her side like he used to. "I always watched from the sidelines. Every argument you two had, every little moment where she was being all prissy and snobby; I was there for all of it."

Xander sat in his seat again, keeping himself rigid, yet at ease enough for it to keep Hornet at ease. "You were?"

"Of course I was," Hornet said with an eerie smile. "I knew she was the wrong girl for you. You need someone who's strong and smart and fun to be with. Someone with a backbone who doesn't mind getting a little blood on their hands."

"Don't you mean dirt?" Xander pondered aloud.

Hornet glanced over at him questioningly before shrugging. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess."

The pair sat in silence as Xander processed what he was hearing. Hornet, a sixteen-year-old child, was admitting to Xander that she would have no problem killing someone if it meant she would get what she wanted. Hornet, on the other hand, picked at her nails and hummed softly to herself. It wasn't long before she started softly singing.

{Hornet}

You're on the phone with your girlfriend, she's upset, she's going off about something that you said 'cause she doesn't get your humor like I do. I'm in my room, it's a typical Tuesday night. I'm listening to the kind of music she doesn't like. And she'll never know your story like I do.

Xander could feel a chill in the room, as though the room had dropped a few degrees in a matter of seconds. He and Juliet had only gotten into a few fights over the phone as, for the most part, the only times they had really called each other had been when he first moved the group back to Florida and Juliet had been left in Texas. Whatever phone call Hornet had listened into, had to have been from quite a while ago.

But she wears short skirts, I wear T-shirts. She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers, dreaming about the day when you wake up and find that what you're looking for has been here the whole time. If you could see that I'm the one who understands you. Been here all along, so, why can't you see you belong with me, you belong with me.

Hornet looked to Xander with a beaming smile, hoping he would take the hint right then and there and ask her out. When he simply sat there, watching her, she dropped her smile a fraction before continuing her song.

{Hornet}

Walk in the streets with you in your worn-out jeans, I can't help thinking this is how it ought to be. Laughing on a park bench thinking to myself, "Hey, isn't this easy?" And you've got a smile that could light up this whole town. I haven't seen it in a while since she brought you down. You say you're fine I know you better than that. Hey, what you doing with a girl like that?

But she wears high heels, I wear sneakers. She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers, dreaming about the day when you wake up and find that what you're looking for has been here the whole time. If you could see that I'm the one who understands you. Been here all along, so, why can't you see you belong with me, you belong with me.

Hornet stood from her seat on the edge of Xander's desk, moving so she was standing directly across from him. Xander gave her a light smirk, knowing if he tried to force anything more, she'd probably jump him with excitement. She gave him a small giggle in return before leaning over the desk as close as she could to him without touching him.

{Hornet}
Oh, I remember you driving to my house in the middle of the night. I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're 'bout to cry. I know your favorite songs, and you tell me about your dreams. Think I know where you belong, think I know it's with me.

'What the actual fuck, child?' Xander thought to himself. 'Has she been stalking me or something?'

{Hornet}

Can't you see that I'm the one who understands you? Been here all along, so, why can't you see? You belong with me. Standing by and waiting at your backdoor; all this time how could you not know, baby? You belong with me, you belong with me. You belong with me.

Have you ever thought just maybe you belong with me?

Hornet leaned down close to Xander's face, smiling gently at him, even though Xander could see something ominous in her eyes. Xander made sure to flash her a small smile before standing and ruffling her hair as he used to when she was younger. Hornet's smile widened, smoothing down her hair as she followed Xander to the main room of the building.

"You belong with me."

Once the group of four had returned to their neighborhood, Struts threw together a simple outfit before rushing herself toward Big Momma's, hoping to find anyone along the way. Not far from Lela, Butchy and Mick's house, she spotted Kiki and Caitlynn chatting by the water. She rushed over to them, bouncing with excitement.

"Girls!" Struts exclaimed in order to get their attention. "Get everyone you can find and meet us at the dirt racetrack in Clearwater."

"Us?" Kiki asked.

"Yeah," Struts confirmed, "me, Giggles, Larry and Miles."

"Larry?" Caitlynn snorted. "Since when are you two so close?"

Struts made a grumbling noise before letting out a huff of air. "That's not the point! The point is, Giggles and Miles are going to race go-karts at the racetrack."

"GiGi will annihilate him," Kiki remarked with a big smile, having heard stories about Giggles' racing abilities.

"Exactly," Struts noted with a broad smile.

After listening to Hornet's possessive song, Xander sat the redhead down in the main living quarters for a chat. They talked for a while before Hornet decided to leave, telling Xander she would leave Juliet's jacket in the trash can on her way out. Xander merely nodded, watching the teenager peel of the pink jacket and throw it forcefully into the bin by the door. Hornet turned back to Xander with a giggle, sending him a small wave before leaving. Xander took note of something on Hornet's arm, yet waved it off as he rose from his seat, watching through a side window to make sure Hornet had actually left before pulling Juliet's jacket from the trash can and brushing it off. He took the object back to his office, setting it on his desk while he contemplated the behavior he'd seen in Hornet.

Hornet, on the other hand, was skipping her way to her home, humming to herself. As she made it to her street, Nick, one of the boys who left the Sparx to be with his partner, Max, called out to her from his porch. "How's it hummin', crazy train?"

"You talking to me?" Hornet asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

Nick laughed, "No, your imaginary friend over there. Did you lose a few playing cards on your way, 'cause you sure aren't playin' with a full deck anymore."

Nick's partner lightly smacked Nick's chest, turning to Hornet with a small, yet kind smile. "Ignore him, he's drunk."

Nick let out a barking laugh at the remark, "Nah, Maxie, I'm jus' sayin'! If the kid didn't have all her screws loose, she'd have left Xander's crew by now. I bet'cha she still has a thing for him too!"

Hornet felt a twinge of anger. She wasn't some empty-headed Barbie doll who only thought about boys! She had only ever had eyes for Xander before, she wasn't a tramp who went around liking every guy she came across. She had known Xander a lot longer than Nick had; Nick had no idea how close they'd been before Juliet came around. If anything, Nick was the one with the screws loose.

"Alright," Max began firmly, taking Nick by the arm and pulling him to his feet. "It's off to bed with you. No more harassing children."

Max helped Nick to the door as Hornet turned back in the direction of her house, her arms falling to her sides, deflated. 'I'm not a child! I have grown-up feelings. Children can't get drunk or get tattoos or party, I've done all of those. So, ha!'

"'Loose screws," Hornet repeated out loud as she pulled her house key from her pants pocket. As she entered her house, she tossed her keys into a bowl by the door and kicked her shoes off. "Is it really so crazy for me to like him?"

{Hornet}

Screw loose; that's what they say I've got. Or maybe they say I'm not playing with a full deck. But hey! What the heck can I do-oo-oo? Baby, I've got a screw loose for you.

Hornet twirled around her living room, glancing at all the pictures she kept on her walls. She had saved up quite the collection over the last few years. She had a few photos of herself and her brother, yet most of the walls had pictures of her biker family, all with one thing in common…

All of the photographs had Juliet's face burned out of them.

"Bonkers." That's what they're calling me. Not metaphorically, they mean truly insane, but they can't hear the voice in my brai-ai-ai-ain giving orders to keep loving you!

Juliet marched her way to her room, a surge of confidence throwing her inhibitions aside as she sang her heart out. No matter what others would say about her, she knew she would never stop giving Xander all of her affection and her undivided attention.

Eccentric! Erratic! Toys in the bell-free, bats in the attic! But I just don't see the harm in carving your name in my arm...

As Hornet paused, glancing down at the tattoos she had on her inner arms, her right arm hosting the name "Xander" while her left arm held "Murdox". She had done it herself with things she found around her house. She wanted to prove, not only Xander, but to herself that she was a devoted and loyal follower. Her loyalty to Xander and his cause would be permanent, just like the ink in her arms.

She tore her eyes away, turning her attention to one of the any photographs of Xander that were either pinned or taped to her walls. Hornet leaned onto one of the bigger pictures, looking the picture version of Xander in the eyes as though he were actually there.

Darling, it's so hard to be sixteen and schitzo! But I know it's worth the cost; I made up my mind which I have lost...

Screw loose!

Clinically certified!

A panel of doctors try to lock my away. But until that day when they finally do…

Hornet thought to what her doctors had told her at her last visit, just after the big race had happened against The Rodents. With a shake of her head, Hornet smiled up at the picture of Xander, gazing almost lovingly at it.

I'll be here if you need a loose screw…

By the time the group had assembled and headed for the go-kart track, the rest of the bikers and surfers had already piled into Kiki and Tanner's Volkswagen buses and were on the road to the track. While the buses were only meant to fit about nine people each, they managed to squeeze everyone into the two buses - probably only breaking two laws in doing so. When the group of twenty-three arrived at the dirt track, they started to question Kiki and Caitlynn's sanity as there was nobody there besides them.

Not more than a few minutes later, Lugnut arrived with Struts on his motorcycle, Miles following them on his own with a green and white motorcycle tailing close behind. Once the motorcycles had been parked, Miles and the jean jacket-clad biker dismounted, chatting amiably as they took off their helmets. Giggles turned to the group of her friends to see them all staring at her with dropped jaws.

"Giggles?!" the group roared in stunned unison.

Giggles laughed, "Hey, everybody. Ready to watch me grind Miles into dust?"

The partially stunned group let out a few cheers here and there, but, for the most part, they were too busy wondering when on earth Giggles of all people had learned to ride a motorcycle. She was a surfer and a very dedicated one at that; nobody would've ever guessed that she knew how to ride. Giggles settled her helmet onto the seat of her motorcycle before unbuttoning her jean jacket and turning back to the three people she rode to the track with.

"Ready?" she asked.

Miles nodded, tugging off his leather jacket and tossing it onto the seat of his bike. "I called ahead and the guy who owns the land said he left a few karts out for us to use. Rules are, don't hit his plants and don't wreck his karts."

"Sounds easy enough," Lugnut claimed, running his comb through his helmet-hair.

Miles snorted, shaking his head. "You do realize that he has part of the track going through his corn field, right, Lug?"

Struts giggled as she and Giggles decided which of the carts they would use. The brunette biker girl leaned over to Giggles and began speaking to her softly, "I've seen you race. You're totally going to win, Gi."

"Thanks, Sher," Giggles replied with a smile. "I heard that in Mick's world, they have these indoors. I would love to try that sometime."

Struts nodded as she settled into her go-kart. "That would be nice. I'd love to try that thing she was talking about at the party. Oh, what was it called? Black-light bowling?"

"Yeah! I can't imagine everything glowing while you're bowing. It must be fun."

"Not as much fun as winning a race," Miles interrupted, sliding into his seat.

Giggles scoffed, shaking her head as she started her kart's engine. "I guess we'll see, Miles."

"I guess we'll see."