As Ray spun around in the office chair, Lew explained to them where everyone else was. Out on patrol, like they should be. Ray couldn't help but let out a sigh of exasperation, everything was boring without the others around. "So, Ray," Lew leaned against Dick's desk, "How's school going? You're not getting into trouble are you?"

"Who me? Trouble?!" Ray snorted, "School's... School is fine. Yeah..." they were dead silent for a minute, this lead Lew to exchange a worried glance to his boyfriend.

"How's Bill?" Ray quickly lit up, it was a bit concerning, "Haven't heard from him in a while." The room went silent and Ray just spun around like a toddler at the toy store. In that instant the front door flew open and a multitude of men in uniforms marched in, all of them stopped in their tracks once they spotted Ray. "Hey fellas!" The blonde chirped.

"Is that Ray Pearl?" one of the men beamed, "Where you been you son of a bitch?!" he hugged the blonde tightly, lifting Ray out of the chair they were in.

"Good to see ya too, Toye." Ray choked, "Can't breathe."

"What did you do this time Ray?" a ginger man teased, "Did you airdrop memes to everyone in your classroom again?"

"You know it, Donnie!" Ray wheezed after Toye placed them back on their feet. "Alex, Skip, the Tumbling Trio!" Skip and Alex just waved and nodded politely.

"Oh no," an intimidating officer groaned, "You again?"

"Miss me, Speirs?" Ray smirked, "Where's mom?"

"Don't call me that." Lipton said as he trudged out from behind Speirs, "Ray, it's good to see you're doing alright."

"Ray's here?!" an excited and gleeful voice chimed in, "IT'S BEEN AGES, HOW ARE YOU!?" Welsh happily ruffled the blonde's hair.

"I'm fine, Harry." Ray smiled awkwardly before nudging him away.

"Hey there stranger!" a small ginger beamed, "What brings you here?"

"Babe," Ray shook their head, "Still as pure as ever."

"Where's Davey?" Liebgott grumbled from the back of the room, "Just wondering."

"Do you miss him?~" Ray teased him, but before Joey could snap back a loud bang directed everyone's attention to the left of the room. Bill stood there brooding while staring down at his desk, the Tumbling Trio quickly slithered away to their offices, Joey picked up a book, Luz and Toye began to chatter softly amongst themselves, Lew and Dick had bailed a long time ago, Speirs and Lipton were nowhere to be seen. Fantastic.

Silence strangled the room, strangled Ray, it was probably strangling Bill as well. After moments of silence Ray cleared their throat, "Hey, Bill." they spoke calmly, no reply or nod of acknowledgement came from the man. "Bill." Ray said more firmly, this time gaining the man's attention.

"Why are ya here?" Bill grumbled, refusing to even look up at the blonde. "We don't need you anymore, we have Jake. He's a newbie, he's on his way here."

"Look, Bill, I just wanted to drop by and say hi. Is that a crime?" Ray slid up to him calmly, noticing Bill becoming more tense.

"You being here is a crime." Bill growled, still glaring down on his desk.

"Come on, Bill. Why do you have to be like this?" Ray placed a hand on his. The faint touch of Ray's skin against his drove him to the edge, Bill quickly shifted in his spot and gripped Ray's collar and pinned them to the wall.

"Don't," Bill growled, "Touch me, bitch." his face was inches from Ray's, he huffed in anger hoping to frighten the blonde; but he knew it would take more than a show of strength to make Ray tremble in fear.

"Sorry," Ray muttered, "Accident. Geez." Bill finally released Ray from his grip, dropping the blonde back on their feet. Ray sighed and straightened their hoodie before they bent down to swoop up their bag.

"What's in the bag?" Bill glared as he snatched it from them, "If it's a weapon of any sort then I'm gonna shoot you myself."

"Chill, Bill," Ray rolled their eyes, "It's my project and it's a secret and it's not done yet!" Ray tried to yank the bag from Bill's hands but he was quicker than them. Ray groaned and lunged at Bill again only to be dodged another time.

"Give it!" Ray growled, this time they were more irritated, "Now. I mean it, Bill."

"No." Bill scolded, "Not until I see what it is first."

"That's an invasion of my privacy!"

"Well, you ditched privacy when you decided to come in here in the first place!" he reached inside the bag causing the blonde to grow more tense and antsy.

"Bill, please." Ray begged, "Just give it back!" Bill ignored their plea as he pulled out a thick sketch book, Ray gulped and lunged at him. Bill let his guard down when he examined the book, soon he was on the cold tile floor with Ray on top of him... By now everyone's eyes were on them watching their every move, Ray's fingers were coiled around Bill's throat as hostility clouded the blonde's diamond blue eyes, they were like a rabid animal.

"I told you," Ray growled, "It's a secret and It's not done yet!" before Bill could respond, Ray was violently tugged off of his body- it was as if they were nothing but a ragdoll- and was being held by their hoodie.

"Rachel!" Dick hissed, "That is enough!" he had lifted the small blonde off their feet, Ray was kicking and flailing around in the air as Dick groaned. "Bill, why did you have to provoke her?"

"Why is she even here?!" Bill got back to his feet and dusted himself off, "After everything that's happened!?"

"Because we need her help!"

"Yeah- wait," Ray's eyes lit up, "You guys need me?"

"You," Dick snapped, "Shush."