Disclaimer: I don't own Sky High.

Read on, oh faithful ones...

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Chapter Twenty-Three

...

"Excuse me, Mr. Mayor?" Layla asked, knocking on his door as she looked into his office.

"Yes, what is it, Lily?" the Mayor replied, looking distracted.

"Layla," she corrected.

"Right, Layla," he amended quickly.

"As your new PA, I had an idea that I thought might be useful," Layla said. Seeing his sceptical look, she continued before he could shoot her idea down, "It's an idea I thought of that would reduce the risk of reporters being injured, hurt, or worse, killed, like the reporter yesterday. As I'm sure you know, the election's coming up, and people are going to judge you on what sort of solution you think of to stop the unnecessary harm of people in the town when a villain is defeated."

Layla watched the Mayor for a moment, and she could almost see the cogs in his brain working overtime to think how her idea could benefit him.

"Tell me this idea of yours then, Layla."

"Yes, Mr. Mayor," she said with a quick smile. "There are two aspects to this idea, with the first coming to a compromise with the local media to ensure that they aren't put in any danger; the second aspect involves installing surveillance cameras throughout Maxville that the media can access and use in order to get the required footage they need. It sounds expensive, I know," Layla added at his expression, "but it's a small price to pay to save the lives of both reporters and any civilians that may get caught in the fighting area. If the cameras are used to record footage, then any damages to buildings or cars can be verified immediately, and there will be less expenses spent on unnecessary contractors."

The Mayor seemed to be thinking about her suggestion seriously. He looked up at her with a slight frown. "Exactly what sort of compromise would be required with the media? They don't take kindly to people telling them what to do."

"Just a small thing to ensure that they don't get in so close to the fight that they can be harmed, say a three-block perimeter around the area that is being fought in? If there's no need for the heroes to worry over civilian lives, then they'll be able to defeat the villains faster," she added when the Mayor didn't look overly convinced.

"They might agree to a two-block radius, but three is pushing it. State three, but don't go below two when you've organised to speak to the press about it next month," the Mayor said authoritatively.

"Next month? Do you really think it's a good idea to wait so long? I mean, with the election coming up, won't they want some sort of response to this tragedy that they can report on to the general public?"

"Yes... Good thinking. You can do it tomorrow afternoon then, gives you time to prepare your speech," he mused, then called out for Ms. Peace, who stuck her head in the office a moment later. "Get Layla the contact details for every media and press hound in town, would you?"

"All right," Nina replied, and there was an itching at the Mayor's head that he couldn't resist.

"Layla's doing a press conference tomorrow, where she'll suggest an idea that'll stop any more of them getting in the way of the heroes saving the town and getting killed again," he stated.

Not too impressed with his vague answer, Ms. Peace nodded briefly. Layla thanked the Mayor quickly, and left after her, telling her the idea in a rush of words.

"I really didn't think he'd agree to it though," she added breathlessly. "I've never had to talk to adults like this before, and I'm really nervous about it. I have to think of a speech to say for tomorrow afternoon. Oh god, I'm already feeling sick. What if I throw up?" Layla asked, her eyes wide.

Nina frowned, still trying to process the girl's fast-paced words about her idea. "I'm sure you'll be fine. You just need to speak to them with authority and don't back down. They'll probably try to take advantage of the fact that you're young and somewhat inexperienced, but don't let them walk over you... Actually, they're pretty ruthless. It might be best if I went with you. Don't worry, I won't tamper with them; I'll just make sure they don't harass you in any way."

"Is that really okay? You'd really do that for me? Oh, thank you!" Layla said, hugging her tightly. Then she stepped back quickly, coughing in embarrassment. "Sorry, it's just ... I'm really hoping they'll agree to this idea, and as you can tell, I'm a bit excited too. I'll have to put all of that energy into writing my speech," she said determinedly.

"Right, you go do that while I get the contact details for everyone. It shouldn't take too long since they've all got email addresses now, and you don't have to individually call them like the old days... Don't worry, I'll tell you what to write in the email so they'll all show up," Nina offered with a smile.

Thanking her once more, Layla went back to her desk to try and write something up for her press conference the next day. She hid her smile and buried her emotions at the thought of both the Mayor and Ms. Peace falling for her dramatics hook, line, and sinker.

...

"If you don't give me the details right now, hippie, I'm going to set fire to the whole damned bus," Warren muttered, finally out of patience after days of waiting.

Layla laughed brightly, kissing his lips gently. "I was waiting until you were no longer grounded. Now I can show you," she added, pressing the button on the bus.

A few moments later it came to a stop, and they both disembarked, Layla thanking the driver over her shoulder. Warren frowned when he realised that they were on the outskirts of Maxville and nowhere near any housing developments that he could see. What had happened to wanting to rebuild an old house into a Secret Sanctum?

As he turned around on the spot, trying to determine just what Layla had in mind, Warren noticed that she was walking down the street and no longer beside him. Muttering under his breath, he jogged to catch up to her.

"What on earth are you thinking, hippie? There's nothing out here," he said.

"Exactly. That bus goes by once every three hours, and I swear, for the next two hours and fifty-nine minutes, there'll be no one and nothing out here but us," Layla said.

"How are we getting back into Maxville then?" Warren asked pointedly.

"We wait. I'm sure we can find something to occupy the time," she replied, grinning at him over her shoulder. "But first, those details you so desperately wanted."

Warren could have powered up in frustration at that moment.

"Coming?" she called, and he saw that she was walking into a field off to the side of the road.

Still confused, but more than curious, Warren hurried after Layla.

"Right, stand there," she said, moving him slightly so he was directly in front of her. "Be quiet, and just watch," Layla added sternly when he opened his mouth to say something.

Not entirely happy, Warren simply nodded in return and waited.

"I was thinking of a forest here," Layla said.

Behind him, and blocking them from view of the road completely, a forest of trees erupted from the earth. The trees continued on either side of them, creating a large U-shape around them.

"Then, a house right here," she said, thin and leafless trees rising from the earth. "Entrance right there where you are," - two trees entwined together above his head to form a rough doorway - "a training room on the right hand side of the house, and on the left there'd be a changing room, kitchen, bathroom, and small laundry."

As Layla spoke, trees formed the individual rooms, and Warren could see the structure taking shape before his eyes. He waited for her to continue building the Secret Sanctum that they'd drawn in her notebook. When that seemed to be all she planned, Warren turned to look at her in confusion. He stayed silent for a moment longer, unsure if she was just gathering up her powers for the next lot of rooms. Layla seemed finished though, and not because she'd used up her power for the night.

"Where's everything else? The library? The meditation room? Hell, somewhere to sleep?" he asked, completely and utterly confused.

Layla smiled slowly and looked down to his feet. Frowning, he followed her gaze, but didn't see anything special or out of the ordinary.

"Care to elaborate, hippie?"

The tree-built house around him sank down into the ground, and as the earth stayed parted, Warren could see new 'rooms' taking shape beneath his feet.

"You mean ... you want to build under the house?" Warren asked, looking up at her as the earth became smooth once more.

Layla grinned broadly. "Not just under the house. Under the whole field. The trees will keep the earth strong, so then I can use their roots to alter large chunks beneath the ground, hollow out entire areas, and create a whole hive of rooms and passageways. Better than one crummy Sanctum, that's for sure," Layla muttered, looking at the earth as if it held the answer to life, the universe, and everything.

"Right. So who is going to make this underground hive then?" Warren asked. "Your trees might get the underground part working, but if you're planning on making it into a huge liveable area, then you'll need electricians, plumbing, and whatever the hell else is needed. I don't think my shovelling skills will help much," he added quickly.

She laughed, kissing him briefly, her lips curved into a smile. Before Layla could answer, the trees behind her started to shrink, and her body swayed slightly. She groaned in pain, and the forest disappeared in a matter of seconds. Warren hurried to hold her upright and saw that she was covered in goosebumps.

"Just let them go. We'll go wait by that bus stop, all right?" he murmured, trailing his hands down her arms to warm her.

Layla nodded and moved closer to Warren so he could wrap his arms around her properly. He grinned against her hair, his arms flaming briefly against her skin. Walking slowly, he guided her back to the bus stop. Since it was an out of town stop, there were no seats nor any cover available, and they still had two hours to wait. Just as luck would have it, it started to rain thirty minutes later.

"Warren?"

"Hmm?" he replied, trying to keep from shivering in the freezing rain.

"Kiss me?" Layla asked, sliding into his lap and putting her arms around his neck.

Surprised at her request, but not willing to deny her, Warren kissed Layla as best as he could manage while being pelted with freezing raindrops. It took him a few minutes to realise that he wasn't getting soaked, and he pulled away to look up. A large leafy vine was above them, blocking the rain.

"Take it down, Layla. I'll be fine," Warren said, even as the rain came down harder.

"Just keep kissing me, and we'll both be fine," she replied, drawing him to her once more.

Deciding that he didn't have much choice, Warren kissed her again, trying to keep his body from shivering as the temperature around them continued to drop. When they pulled away for air, Warren lit his entire body, trying to keep the flames as low and hot as possible without burning Layla. She shook her head at him, wrapped her hand around his wrist and kissed him again, flames licking their way along her skin. It didn't burn as she thought it might, but it still hurt, but she found that she liked the pain. Layla kissed Warren harder, her fingernails digging into his shoulders sharply. He groaned against her mouth, and she felt him shift beneath her.

"Stop, Layla. Fuck... Just ... Just give me a minute to get under control," Warren muttered.

"You liked that?" Layla asked curiously.

He nodded briefly, but wouldn't meet her eyes. Grinning slightly, Layla moved so she was straddling Warren's waist and kissed him, watching him intently.

"So did I," she admitted against his lips.

Warren didn't seem to believe her at first, but then she slipped her hands under her shirt and raked her nails down his chest, and he groaned in desire. Seeing that she was waiting for something in retribution, Warren trailed his fingertips down her back, feather-light touches against her spine. Then, before she could say something, he slipped his hands under her buttocks, lifting her up and giving her a resounding smack. Layla gasped in surprise, but any pain she felt was soon replaced by desire, Warren's hand stroking and soothing her.

"I'm not going to be able to sit for the rest of the week without being sore," she murmured, her pout turning to a grin when she looked at him. "That turns you on, doesn't it?"

"As much as it turns you on," Warren replied.

Layla laughed, pressing a kiss to his lips briefly. "Good to know. Come on, the rain's gone now. Let's walk down to the stop before this one. It shouldn't take too long," she cajoled.

Warren muttered but stood up, brushing off his pants with a grimace. Layla took his hand and pulled him onto the road with her, walking down the striped lines in the middle of the road.

"You're going to get hit by a car," Warren called as she jumped from line to line, laughing with each accomplishment.

"No, I won't," she called back over her shoulder.

"You will if you're not careful, hippie," he muttered, hurrying to catch up to her.

"I'm just trying to get some feeling back into my butt. You hit it hard, you know," Layla said with a pout.

Warren went to apologise, but then he saw the smile that was tugging at the corner of her lips and he scowled. "Not funny, hippie," he muttered.

"Sure it is. Besides, I made you think about spanking me again," Layla said, grinning.

"Like that's hard," Warren said with a heavy sigh. He picked Layla up and put her over his shoulder. "This'll stop you from jumping around like a damn rabbit."

Layla shook her head, then grinned and reached down to smack Warren's butt.

"Hippie! What'd you do that for?" Warren asked, trying to glare at her over his shoulder.

"You spanked me, I spank you. Those are the spanking rules," she said with a laugh.

"You've made rules?" he asked incredulously.

"Of course. I don't believe in flawed systems, but I'm not an anarchist."

"Of course," Warren muttered.

"I can walk on my own now."

"You'll stop jumping around like a deranged rabbit?"

"Yeah, probably."

Shaking his head, Warren set Layla down on her feet, stepping back in case she started jumping again. Raising her eyebrow at him, Layla turned and walked down the road casually. He hurried to catch up to her, muttering. After walking in silence for fifteen minutes, they could see the bus stop up ahead, this one with a covered seat. The air was still cold enough for Warren's power to be negatively affected by it, and they ran over together, eager for the warmth the small enclosure would provide.

"Don't worry; the bus is only another fifteen minutes away or so," Layla assured Warren, snuggling into his lap to keep him warm.

"It better have heating," he muttered, wrapping his arms around her body.

"I'm sure it will," she said with a smile, kissing him to take his mind off of being cold.

His hand ran up her spine to cup the back of her head, his fingers threaded through her hair. Deepening the kiss, Warren moved Layla so she was sitting astride his lap. They became so involved with their kiss that it wasn't until Layla saw the bus' headlights from behind her closed eyes that she realised they were about to miss their ride back into town. Pulling away sharply, she stood and waved for the driver to stop, Warren cursing behind her.

The bus driver stopped a further way down the road, but waited for them to board and take their seats before taking off again. Warren relaxed slightly in the warm bus, but had to push away the temptation to roast the driver for interrupting his make out session with Layla. He wasn't sure if she was as annoyed as he was, but for a moment, Warren was positive that the weed-covered paddocks on the side of the road were in bloom and covered in thorns.

...

"I understand that everyone is in mourning for their fellow journalist right now, but I believe that this meeting is important and necessary to ensure that this tragedy doesn't happen again," Layla said. "I have some suggestions that I think we should work on together in order to ensure everyone's safety."

No one answered, but she figured that they were listening since they were all looking towards her, and so Layla continued with her small speech.

"Now, the first thing I'm suggesting is to create a three-block perimeter around a superhero and villain's fight. This is for both civilians and other super-powered people, not just yourselves," Layla added quickly when a few of the reporters looked ready to argue.

Waiting for them to settle down and give their attention back to her, Layla watched each of the gathered reporters calmly. Nina was standing behind her, but no one seemed to be itching or in pain, so when they turned back to her again, Layla knew that it was due to their own curiosity.

"The second suggestion is to keep each other out of trouble. There's no point making these rules ... suggestions," she amended quickly, "only for you to try and sneak past any perimeters and get yourselves killed.

"My third suggestion is one that I hope will benefit both yourselves and your employers," Layla said, her words garnering more interest than the first two suggestions. "I have suggested to the Mayor that security cameras be placed throughout Maxville. These cameras will be turned on during a fight and each of you will be given access to the feeds in order for you to get your required footage."

"So you're not planning on using the cameras to keep tabs on the residents of Maxville?"

"Of course not. The crime rate in Maxville is the lowest in the state thanks to the Commander and Jetstream, so there would be no reason to keep the cameras on at any time other than a fight for your own requirements," Layla replied.

"You really think we'll stay three blocks away from a fight, even if those cameras ever did get put in place?" one reporter scoffed.

"I did say that these were suggestions," Layla reminded, looking at them all. "How far would you be willing to stay away from a fight then?"

"One block."

"Not happening," she replied immediately, shaking her head. "There would be no point in continuing this meeting if you were only going to stay back one lousy block."

"One and a half."

"What's that, an extra five, ten metres? You do realise that the Commander can throw a car over the top of Banks and Livingston Lawyers?" Layla asked, referring to Maxville's largest skyscraper at fifty storeys high. "Three blocks, and once the fight is over, you'll be able to take as many photographs of the winners as you can for five whole minutes," she bargained.

"How will you organise that?" one of the reporters asked, her tone caught between disbelief and curiosity.

"As the Mayor's PA I have connections, and just as I am discussing this with you, I will be able to discuss the same options with the Commander and Jetstream... Even if it is just over the phone," Layla added when a few of the reporters looked far too pleased at the prospect of getting an exclusive interview through her.

There were a few murmurs among the journalists, but Layla waited patiently for them to discuss and decide amongst themselves. This wouldn't work if they didn't agree to her terms.

"We'll make the perimeter two and a half blocks, and ten minutes of questions and photos."

"I will consider it, and inform the Commander and Jetstream of your compromise when I am able to talk to them," Layla said with a curt nod.

It was better than she had expected.

"I'll contact you again regarding their decision and whether they agree to such a lengthy interview and photo time," she added.

A few people muttered, but before they could voice any of their grievances, a look of pain crossed their features and more than one scratched at their head. Layla looked behind her to see Ms. Peace glowering at the reporters.

"Let's go before they get over that," Nina muttered.

Layla nodded and left with her quickly. When they were in Ms. Peace's car, Layla looked to her with a slight frown.

"Are you all right?"

"Fine," she replied, her tone clipped and blunt.

Nodding briefly, Layla looked ahead and they both lapsed into silence.

...

As they were nearing the Peace residence, Nina pulled the car into a nearby parking lot, turning the key off in the ignition with trembling hands.

"I'm sorry, Layla. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that, and I shouldn't have done that to those reporters either," she said, sounding as though she loathed herself for losing control like that. "They ... Being in there, in that room with them... It was just like I was living through Baron's trial all over again. Back then, I'd only ever been a hero, and had no idea just how ruthless the reporters were to get a story; to get a story that would sell. But then, during Baron's imprisonment, trial and subsequent gaoling, I learnt the hard way just how cruel they could be. I had journalists ringing up the house in the middle of the night, telling me that my husband would be freed the next day, just so they could get my reaction. I was followed constantly, and I couldn't even do grocery shopping without someone taking my photo. Being in that room, knowing that they probably wouldn't stick by anything they agreed to, I just ... I lost control for a moment."

Layla rummaged through her purse and brought out a small pack of tissues, offering them to Ms. Peace. She took one with a watery smile and dabbed at her tears before blowing her nose loudly.

"Oh, look at me. I'm such a mess," she said with a tear-filled laugh.

"Not at all. Thank you for sharing that with me, Ms. Peace. I'm not sure what I can do about it, but I'm hoping that these reporters will have more sense than to go against the rules that will be created to keep them - and those that they interview - safe from harm. It's probably very trivial, but I really hope it works."

"So do I, dear. No one should be hounded to the point where they pose a risk to themselves or others," she murmured, taking another tissue. "If you wouldn't mind walking the last few blocks up to the house, I might just take a few minutes to compose myself again. I don't want Warren to see me like this. He's hopeless when women cry," Ms. Peace said with another laugh that just didn't sound right.

"All right. Thank you for going with me, Ms. Peace. I really appreciate it," Layla said warmly, leaving the tissues beside her.

"You can call me Nina," Ms. Peace said, attempting to smile despite taking another tissue from the small packet.

Nodding, Layla squeezed her hand gently before getting out of the car and closing the door. A brisk wind whipped around her, and she shivered, pulling her jacket closed tighter. Heading towards Warren's house, Layla kept her arms wrapped around her body to ward off the cold. Fifteen minutes later, she found that she had to shake her hands a few times before she could bring herself to make a fist to knock on the door.

"Hippie? Why the hell are you blue?" Warren asked, staring at her goosebump covered skin and her pale face.

"Walked for a bit," she replied with a smile, trying not to let her teeth chatter.

"Geez, are you trying to freeze to death? Get in here," Warren muttered, pulling her inside.

She almost moaned at the feel of his warm hand against her freezing skin. Layla heard the door close, but then Warren wrapped his arms around her tightly, and with a sound similar to a lighter striking, they were both completely covered in flames. Slowly starting to relax, Layla sighed contentedly as her body began to warm up in Warren's embrace.

"Better now?" he asked, looking down at her to gauge whether she was warm enough.

Layla smiled and nodded, raising up on her toes to kiss him, her fingers threaded through his hair. "Thank you," she murmured against his lips.

"You're welcome... What on earth made you want to walk in that freezing weather?" he muttered.

Shrugging noncommittally, Layla pulled away from him. "Just thought it would be good to go for a walk. I was still full of nervous energy after the meeting with the reporters."

"How'd it go?" Warren asked with a grin.

"Better than I'd anticipated. I just have to get the Stronghold's to agree, and it'll be set," Layla replied with an evil smile.

The door opened behind them, and Layla quickly stepped forward to get out of Nina's way, her face neutral once more.

"Oh, Layla, thank god. I wasn't thinking; I shouldn't have asked you..."

"Don't worry, Ms. Peace. I wanted to walk off that extra energy, and Warren was kind enough to warm me up," Layla added with a smile.

"I'm sure I told you to call me Nina," she replied, raising her eyebrow.

Warren looked between his girlfriend and his mother, wondering exactly what he was missing out on. Shaking his head, he turned and headed to the kitchen. "I'll cook dinner while you two sort your story out. Then you can tell me what happened."

"Never misses a trick, that one," Ms. Peace said with a roll of her eyes, and Layla stifled a laugh. "Well, might as well get our story straight in comfort. Let's go sit in the lounge room, and then we can discuss where you'll be sleeping for the night," she offered.

"All right," Layla said, trying not to go beet red at her words as she went down to the lounge room.

Nina grinned to herself and followed Layla at her own leisurely pace.

...

End of the twenty-third chapter.

Thanks for reading!