Chapter Ninety Three

...

Mrs. Quinton looked to the photos on her phone of her adorable babies - two greyhounds named Dino and Saurus (her husband's idea of a joke almost five years ago now, due to the greyhounds' size, but the names had stuck) - and closed the app with a tremble in her hands.

She was being blackmailed by someone who knew her love for her dogs outweighed that of her children or husband, and if she didn't do as the dog-nappers had said, she would never see her babies again. It was a simple task for the most part: simply follow Mr. Harland and try to determine whether Craig Forge was living with him or not. The worst part was that Mrs. Quinton was enjoying this. It felt as though she was a spy and gathering information on some foreign person and it was almost exciting.

But, of course, she was only doing this to get her babies back.

Looking down the street to where Craig Forge was accompanied by several young people - yet again - Mrs. Quinton pursed her lips at the sight. The boy was never alone, he was either with the young black boy and the Asian boy, or with the redhead and glowering brunette, or the other black boy and the tall blonde (sometimes with a younger blonde), or a brunette and a blonde who always seemed to get far too close to him to be considered proper.

Wrinkling her nose at the thought of those kind of people, Mrs. Quinton snapped a picture of the group and sent it to the anonymous number that had been included with the dog-napper's instructions. With her reconnaissance for the day complete, she put her phone aside and drove down the street to head home.

She would get her babies back soon.

...

Ethan frowned at the car that sped down the street, adjusting his glasses. "Adam, do you recognise that car?"

Adam looked from Ethan to the car that was turning at the end of the street. "It looks familiar, but I don't know the owner. Why?"

"Because I swear I've seen it four times this week. It was outside the Council building on Saturday, too."

"I'll see what I can find," Adam said, unlocking his phone and opening his back access to Maxville's traffic system.

"What are you guys talking about?" Craig asked from where he was draped around Zach's shoulders.

"It's possibly nothing," Ethan said with a frown.

"If it's nothing, then you can tell us, right?" Ry asked, grinning.

Ethan conceded with a nod. "I think I've seen a car following us; Adam's checking on it for me."

Adam read from his phone, "Black Jaguar, license plate QIN555. Belonging to Mrs. Quinton, who lives..."

"Down the road from Greta Auden," Donny finished, his eyes wide. "Shit, I completely forgot to tell you after the gala," he said, looking to Layla and Warren.

"Tell us what?" Warren asked.

Donny relayed what he'd heard from Ida overhearing the gossiping women at the gala who had been talking about Greta's house fire and Mrs. Quinton's observations while walking her dogs.

"That's not all," Adam said, looking up from the log of Mrs. Quinton's phone calls and text message conversations.

...

"We can't get to him, so we need to go with Plan C," Greta argued for what felt like the hundredth time in five minutes.

"What about Plan B?" Cara asked, glaring when one of the greyhounds howled yet again.

"Plan B relies on him being on his own just as much as Plan A did. We're doing Plan C. Quinton's photos and reports have shown that it can work, we just need to time it right."

Cara's glare faded as she looked to the whiteboard with plans A through to H listed. Of them all, she hated Plan G the most, and was glad they weren't resorting to that yet. C was a close second, but she could unfortunately see the sense in it.

Massaging her wrist where the prosthetic was attached, Cara winced as pain flared up her forearm. Greta was paranoid about using any sort of technology to detail their plans - Cara suspected that Greta didn't know how to use the technology in the first place - and the excessive amount of writing she'd done in the past few months was more than she'd done in probably years, so her hands were killing her.

"You're an important part of Plan C, Cara; if you don't agree to it, we'll have to do Plan G," Greta said, knowing how much Cara loathed that plan.

"Oh my god, all right. Fine! Can we just get rid of these fucking dogs already?" Cara snapped when both dogs started howling.

"Not until we know Plan C will work. Grab that pen and start writing, will you?"

...

"I can't believe it! A villain is finally on the border of Westville and Maxville, and Will didn't even pick me up to go with him!" Magenta seethed, seeing the fight airing on the café's TV screen.

"He's probably spent the morning patrolling and didn't have time to pick you up before the fight started. There will be other villains, won't there?" Layla asked, patting Magenta's hand.

Magenta clenched her jaw. "His mother can fly to the moon in twenty-three minutes; I live ten minutes away from Will by car, and I'm closer to Westville than he is."

"Do you want to go there now?" Layla asked.

"What?" Magenta asked, surprised.

"To Westville, to the fight. Warren fast-tracked his driver's license through Sky High; he's out driving with his mother now. I'm sure he won't mind driving us there."

Magenta looked to the TV screen where her boyfriend was waiting on the edge of 100th Street between Maxville and Westville, intently watching the fight between his parents and Villainess: blonde and big-busted. 'Y'know what? Yes, I want to go. Are you sure Warren won't mind?"

"He won't mind. Ms. Peace might though; she's not exactly a fan of the Commander and Jetstream. Sorry," Layla added with a wince.

"Why... Oh, of course. Never mind," Magenta said, waving it off. She glanced back to the TV screen. "Do you think a bus would get us nearby? I could help. Hell, I could be paid," she muttered, thinking of how she'd had to dig in the couch cushions just to find enough coins to pay for this brunch with Layla.

"You're not getting paid?" Layla asked in surprise.

"Not until we defeat a villain," Magenta admitted, sighing heavily.

"I'll see if anyone has a jetpack you can borrow, and you can - oh," Layla trailed off and her eyes widened as she saw the fight on TV.

Magenta turned in time to see Villainess straddle Will, her whip handle pressed against his throat. Will didn't seem to be in a hurry to get her off of his body and Magenta seethed when several people in the café laughed.

"I'd pay to die like that!" one guy crowed, his friends laughing.

Magenta forced herself to set the mug down rather than throwing it at the moron. She couldn't afford brunch and to replace the café's mugs.

"Terrence has a jetpack and he lives nearby. Are you sure about this, Magenta?" Layla asked.

"Yes," Magenta said, her face burning when Will tried to push Villainess away - right on her breasts, of course.

"Okay, come on. Before the fight's over," Layla added, glancing to the screen where the Commander and Jetstream were discussing their plan of attack for when Villainess crossed back over to Maxville.

Magenta nodded, grabbed her handbag, and followed Layla out of the café. As she ducked into a side alley to change, Terrence landed with the jetpack a few metres away from Layla. Magenta recognised him from Sky High, but couldn't place him; he definitely wasn't in their year, and she wondered how Layla knew him.

"You're sure you don't mind me borrowing your jetpack?" Magenta asked, suddenly nervous; she'd never flown one before since they were far too expensive for her parents with three children to put through Sky High and its tuition fees. She'd read about them, and seen others at Sky High use them, but what if that didn't translate to real life?

"Go ahead. The joystick can stick sometimes, so just jiggle it," Terrence said, slipping the jetpack off his shoulders and handing it to her by the handle.

"Thank you. How do I know where the fight is?" Magenta said as she slipped the jetpack on, resting her arms on the two controlling joysticks.

In the distance, a jet of water exploded up into the air as a result of the Commander knocking over a fire hydrant.

"That's probably a good start. Good luck, Magenta!" Layla called.

"Thanks. I, uh, I guess I'd better go," Magenta said, licking her lips nervously. Pressing the green button on her right, Magenta let out a small cry of surprise when the jetpack started, fire burning at her back and lifting her up into the air. "Okay. You can do this," she murmured to herself, using the joystick to control her direction as she headed towards the plume of water.

"Should I turn the jetpack off?" Terrence asked Layla, grinning.

Layla laughed and shook her head. "No. Not this time, at least."

...

"I'm sorry, Magenta! I didn't mean to leave you behind. I just... I was trying to protect you," Will said, pleading with wide eyes. "You know I wouldn't leave you on purpose. You're my girlfriend," he said.

"Am I, Will? Am I really your girlfriend? You haven't spoken to me or texted me in weeks!"

"I've been busy getting tutored. Mum's idea, she thinks I'm not smart enough to defeat a villain," Will added, a boyish smile on his face that Magenta didn't seem impressed by.

"Speaking of villains: how exactly were you planning on defeating Villainess today, Will? You didn't seem too upset with her practically dry-humping you, not to mention you pushing her off you by the breasts!" Magenta snapped.

"I... I was trying to get her off."

"Yeah, everyone could see that."

"Not like that, Magenta! She was choking me with her whip; I couldn't breathe. I just wanted to get her... away," Will said, wincing and rubbing at his neck.

"You didn't even try to get away when I landed! You're lucky your parents worked together to defeat Villainess with my distraction," Magenta said, though her gaze softened when she saw the purple bruise around Will's neck.

"I was..." Will trailed off, not sure how he could say 'trying to hide a boner' while not irritating his girlfriend further. It hadn't even been his fault; Villainess had been on top of him, pressed against his crotch, and he still was, after and despite everything, a hormonal teenage boy. "I was dizzy."

"You were dizzy," Magenta replied flatly.

"Yeah. I couldn't breathe and I was dizzy. And, y'know, thank you for distracting Villainess and getting her away from me." Realising that the flattery was stopping Magenta from questioning him further, Will continued, "You're the whole reason Villainess was caught, Magenta. You should be paid, not - "

"Will, I brought your father's bruising cream. Oh, hello, Magenta. I wasn't aware you were still here," Josie said, smiling briefly. "Will, you need to rest. Magenta, I'll fly you home. It's been a big day for everyone."

"Oh, yes. Of course. Thank you, Josie," Magenta said, slipping out of Will's room and waiting in the hallway for Josie. She played with the hem of her ill-fitting super suit, wishing she had her own already.

"Apply it tonight and again in the morning. The bruise is almost gone anyway, so you should be fine. Your father has the cream on his whip welt as well, so don't complain," Josie said.

Magenta tried not to laugh at the mental image; the Commander had been whipped across the ass when Jetstream had lifted him into the air and away from Villainess. He'd taken the whip as his trophy, much to the amusement of several journalists gathered, and the bright-cheeked embarrassment of Jetstream.

"Don't forget to study, Will. Mandy is coming by in the morning to see how you're going with your English essay."

"I know. Goodbye, Maj," Will called, rather loud and heartily for someone with a supposedly crushed larynx.

"Good night, Will. Take care. I'll visit you tomorrow to see how you're doing," Magenta said, smiling.

"That's a nice idea, Magenta. I'll come back with pizza for dinner. Love you both," Josie called, leaving Will's room and guiding Magenta downstairs. "Mandy will be here around nine o'clock," she said quietly, Magenta looking to her sharply.

"Oh. Okay. Thank you, Josie."

"Of course, dear. Now, let's get you home. I'm sure your parents are very worried after seeing the fight on TV," Josie said, picking Magenta up and flying out towards the Yolanda residence.

"I... Do you know when I'll be paid for today?" Magenta asked, gathering her courage now that they were alone.

Josie frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Well, today. I distracted Villainess which led to her being defeated."

"You did good work today, Magenta. However, you didn't defeat Villainess and neither did Will, so that means neither of you get paid."

"What? But I... I helped."

"You were a great help, Magenta. But the Commander and I were the ones that defeated Villainess," Josie said.

"Oh."

"I suggest you read your contract, Magenta. It's important to read every contract before you sign it."

Magenta didn't have a response for that and simply nodded. They landed in the Yolanda's front yard five very awkward seconds later and both Josie and Magenta straightened their hair.

"Thank you for flying me home, Josie. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Good night, dear. Say hello to your parents for me," Josie said, flying off before Magenta could reply.

Magenta sighed heavily and headed inside, frustrated that she wasn't going to be paid despite her efforts.

In the rush of family and questions that followed her entrance, as well as everything she'd been through that day, Magenta completely forgot that she'd borrowed Terrence's jetpack, which was still sitting in the Stronghold's home.

...

Will didn't know what to do or say. His girlfriend and his tutor were both sitting at his kitchen table, talking in rapid-fire Spanish, so it wasn't like he could get a word in even if he did know what to say.

"Good morning, Will. How are you feeling?" Josie asked, tilting his head gently to look at the yellowing bruise on his neck.

"Okay. It only hurts a little now," Will said, glancing over to Mandy and Magenta to see if he would get any sympathy from either of them.

"Sit down, I'll bring you breakfast," Josie said with a bright smile.

Mandy and Magenta were still talking and obviously hadn't heard Will's statement, so he just nodded and sat at the end of table. He realised this positioned him between the two girls and had a fleeting thought to another situation where he could be between them. Will thought of the boy with long black hair and wondered what it would be like with all three of them.

"Are you okay, Will? You've gone red," Magenta said, frowning at him.

"Fine," he answered quickly. "How are you both this morning?" Will asked, hoping to redirect the conversation.

"Good. Magenta and I were talking about Mexico and the best places to visit."

"That's nice. Are you planning on going to Mexico one day?" Will asked as his mother placed a plate of toast, sausages, bacon, and eggs in front of him. He started to cut up his breakfast and took a mouthful, looking to Mandy for her answer.

"Uh, yes. That's actually why I came by early today," Mandy said, looking from Will to Josie. "Do you remember that round-the-world competition that Labyrinth ran last month? I won it."

Will choked on his mouthful, drinking juice and smacking his chest carefully to dislodge the food caught in his throat.

"Oh, wow. Congratulations, that's amazing!" Magenta said, excited and jealous and glad Mandy would be going soon.

Will wasn't exactly subtle and she had no doubt that his tutor was the reason Will hadn't been replying to her texts. It was a shame though because Mandy was a great conversationalist and from the last ten minutes alone, Magenta could see that Mandy was only ever going to treat Will like a student, not a potential boyfriend. The discussion they had about Mandy's girlfriend also might have clued her into that.

"When do you leave? Do you get flights and accommodation? Where are you actually going?" Magenta asked, wanting to know everything.

Mandy grinned, her smile slipping when she saw the expressions on Josie and Will's faces. "I leave in two weeks' time. I thought I could continue to tutor Will for another week and hand over to another tutor, if that's okay, Mrs. Stronghold? I can recommend several tutors, if you'd like?" Mandy added.

Josie forced herself to smile. "That sounds like a good plan, thank you, Mandy. If you could write down the names and numbers of the tutors, I can interview them to see who would be best for Will."

"I was hoping you'd say that, so I came prepared with a list," Mandy said, opening her folder and taking out a sheaf of paper to offer to Josie.

"Thank you," Josie said distractedly, scanning the list and disappointed to see only male names listed.

She knew her son, and unfortunately, he did better when there were women to impress.

Mandy answered Magenta's questions, her excitement returning as she pointedly ignored Will's distraught expression and Josie's disappointed one. She was finally going to see the world.

...

Victor tightened the small strap on Elliot's hat and ensured that Elijah had enough sunscreen on his arms and face before they went out to the park. Both boys had a tendency to tug their clothes and hats off if they weren't happy, and while he didn't mind for the most part, Victor didn't want them to be burnt by the sun, especially with their already pale and freckled skin. Besides, Victor knew just how judgemental the other parents could be.

"All ready to go, boys? We're meeting Craig at the park with Ry and Connor. We've got lots of food and drinks for everyone, and you've both got your giraffe and elephant toys, as well as that bell ring thing that I have a hate-hate relationship with. I've got extra diapers and wet wipes, more sunscreen in case we stay out longer than four hours, your favourite jumpers in case it gets cold. I've even got the timer set for your nap time and I purchased your favourite nap time song so I don't have to worry about getting WiFi at the park," Victor said, Elijah and Elliot watching him curiously as he paced and ticked off everything. "Did I forget anything?"

Elijah laughed and Elliot giggled just before the doorbell rang. Victor jumped at the unexpected noise and ran a hand through his hair as he went to open the door. "Why are you ringing the doorbell, Honey?"

"Because I probably would've given you a heart attack if I'd just walked in unannounced. You forgot pants, by the way."

"They're both wearing... oh," Victor muttered, seeing he was still only wearing briefs. "Thanks, Honey," he called over his shoulder, heading back upstairs.

Honey shook her head after her best friend, and smiled at the twins. "Your dada's silly, isn't he?"

Elijah and Elliot both laughed in agreement.

Honey picked up the two rings with bells on them and shoved them deep in her bag. "Don't worry, they're useless for you two, and no one will miss them," she said.

"All right, I've got pants on. Thanks for the warning, guys," Victor said, grinning at Elijah and Elliot. He turned to Honey, frowning. "What did you do?"

"You mean besides remind you to wear pants?"

"Yes, besides that. Why are you here?"

"To visit my nephews and to go to the park with you."

"You hate the park."

"No, I hate ants."

"I told you that you shouldn't have watched Them! It was a stupid movie from the '50's and I told you that before we watched it."

"We were twelve, Vic. Besides, just because it's a stupid movie with shitty graphics, it doesn't mean it won't become nightmare fuel," Honey muttered.

"Yeah, all right. You've got bug repellent?"

"Of course. Oh, and your sunscreen says it lasts four hours, but the tiny writing on the back says it only lasts two; you might want to change your alarm."

"Wait, what?" Victor muttered, digging in the diaper bag to find the sunscreen. "That's not right. Hell, I don't even know if it's legal and I'm a damn lawyer."

"I know. C'mon, or we'll be late," Honey said, pushing the stroller out the door.

Victor changed his alarm as he followed her outside, closing the door behind him.

...

"Why can't I play with the others, Papa?"

"Because they don't know the difference between play fighting and real fighting. They can hurt you. Or worse, you could hurt them," Connor replied to his child's pouting question. "You need control before you can play, little one."

"I'm not little! I don't like you! I want Uncle Andy!"

Connor didn't know how to tell his child that Andy was deployed and not likely to be home for another year. The child in front of him was practically a stranger, as the last time he'd seen her in person had been over a year ago. His child was growing up and he was missing it, a year at a time. Connor didn't even know how to calm her down anymore, since last time he could have done it with a stuffed bear and a hug.

"Andy's overseas, just like Papa was last year. Andy will call us next week, okay? He'll talk to you then, and I'm sure he misses you just as much as you miss him."

A wet sob sounded and fat tears ran down his child's face, and Connor hated himself for being the cause of either.

"Can I hug you?" he asked, feeling like crying himself.

His daughter threw herself into his arms and sobbed against his chest. Connor had no idea what to do anymore.

A scream jolted Connor out of his memory and he looked over to where Ry was playing with Elijah and Elliot on the slides, one twin sitting in his lap while the other sat on Craig's and they raced each other down.

"Hey. Where'd you go?" Victor asked, smiling briefly.

"Back to when Ry was a child. I'd just got home after being deployed for a year; we were practically strangers and I did everything wrong. Andy called me an idiot when I admitted that to him; he told me I actually needed to talk with Ry and not try to guess what my kid was thinking or wanting. Doc said the same thing later," Connor said wryly. "It took me a while to start treating Ry like his own person, rather than just a smaller version of myself."

"Was it because of his power?" Victor asked, quiet and curious.

Connor nodded. "Probably. I thought because we had the same power, that he'd think the same way I did, or do things the same way. I wasn't around enough while he was growing up to realise that he was his own person and it took us both years to forgive me for that."

Victor looked from Ry to Connor, reaching out to take his hand and squeeze gently. "You're here now and Ry not only loves you, but he likes you too. I think you'll be okay."

Connor laughed, turning their hands so he could press a kiss to the back of Victor's hand. "Thank you, darling. I certainly hope so. Now, do you think either of us could fit on that slide to race the boys?" he asked, his hazel eyes bright.

Victor shook his head, grinning. "Not likely, Connor. All of these birthday parties and three square meals a day, and I've put on five kilos in the last two weeks."

"Good to hear," Connor murmured, kissing him.

"And here we have a bear couple attempting to mate in a public space," Honey announced, holding her phone camera towards them, grinning widely.

"Oh, my God. Honey, what the fuck?"

"I'm recording you both so that you can be embarrassed when you try to embarrass Elijah and Elliot when they're older. Don't worry, boys, Aunt Honey's got your back," she called over her shoulder, laughing.

Connor laughed, his noise petering off as he winked at the camera. "All right, then. Might as well give them a show. C'mere, darling," he murmured, pulling Victor close and kissing him until Victor had to cling on to Connor's shoulders for dear life.

"Ah yes, the start of soft porn in the park. Lovely day for it."

Victor grinned against Connor's lips and gave Honey the finger.

...

Magenta looked to Will, who was asleep beside her on his bed. She smiled gently at the sight of his boyish and innocent face, though he snored a moment later, which sort of destroyed the illusion of a perfect boyfriend. He was being attentive to her again now that Mandy was gone, and with only a few short weeks left of the summer holiday, Magenta planned on spending as much time with her boyfriend as possible. Both on and off the job.

She needed money and had turned down a perfectly reasonable job at the ice creamery in the mall (the outfit left something to be desired) because Will had promised that they would defeat a villain and she wouldn't have to worry about money again. She'd be famous, she'd be known outside of Westville, and she'd be paid so much money she wouldn't know what to do with it. So far, not one of his promises had been kept, but Magenta blamed herself. It was her own fault that she'd signed the contract without looking; it was her fault that she wasn't blonde enough or well-endowed enough to keep Will's interest over summer. She wasn't entirely sure how the lack of villains was her fault, but Magenta was sure her brain would come up with a reason eventually.

Speaking of promises, some awful part of her brain prompted, and Magenta glanced over to the nightstand where Will's phone was sitting.

Will had promised to delete the photos she'd sent to him of her half-naked (or in some cases, completely naked). Biting her lip, Magenta wondered if she should trust that he'd delete the photos simply because she asked. He loved her and he'd delete the photos, wouldn't he?

Would he? The awful part of her brain conjured up other promises that Will had broken, and the way he'd looked at Mandy and Villainess and Tasha. If Will wore his heart on his sleeve, then he wore his dick on his face.

Shaking her head at the analogy that didn't even make sense, Magenta deliberated about it for another minute before reaching over to grab Will's phone. Using the passcode that Layla had given her - the one that had been burning in the back of her mind for almost two months now - Magenta wasn't entirely surprised when the phone unlocked. Taking a deep breath, she navigated to his messages and opened the conversation with her name on it. Scrolling up through the messages - more received than sent - Magenta stopped scrolling abruptly when she saw a photo. A photo of herself. A photo of herself that Will had promised to delete.

Almost dropping the phone, Magenta gripped it tighter, not wanting to wake Will and scrolled up further, seeing every single photo that she'd sent him right there. Not seeing any of the texts she knew she'd sent between photos, Magenta frowned and dragged a photo to the side so she could see the date it had been received. Seeing that the photos had been received a day after she'd actually sent them, Magenta's frown deepened. Blaming her stupid phone provider, she scrolled up to the message where she'd asked Will to delete the messages she'd sent the day before. All of the texts were gone prior to that one text.

Shaking her head, Magenta wondered just how much her boyfriend took after his father. Closing the messages app, Magenta wondered if Will had saved the photos to his phone as well, and went to open the photos app.

"Maj?" Will mumbled, his face still pressed into his pillow.

Turning the phone over, Magenta set it back down and turned to face him, smiling briefly. "I was just checking the time. I have to go home soon."

"Mmkay. I'll fly you."

"Thank you, Will," Magenta said. "Um... You know those photos I sent you, like, a few months ago?"

"Which ones?" Will murmured.

"The, uh, the ones where I'm naked," Magenta said, her voice in a whisper.

"Mmm. Want to take more? Together, this time?" Will asked, turning to face her with a wide grin plastered on his face.

"Um... I was going to..." Magenta trailed off.

Will was the only boy who'd liked her and made her feel special. He had asked her to be his sidekick, and Magenta knew that if she said no to him now, that he'd fire her just like his father had fired All-American Boy. She couldn't get a summer job this close to summer's end and there was no way anyone would remember her as Airborne's sidekick without them actually defeating a villain. (Or villainess.)

"I was going to suggest that," Magenta lied weakly.

"Awesome! How about a photo where we're, like, joined as one?"

"What?"

"Y'know, me in your vee-jay."

"Um, okay," Magenta said, hoping she sounded interested and excited rather than confused and hoping the photo wouldn't look like some weird conjoined twins.

Somehow, the photo looked worse than weird conjoined twins, but Will didn't delete it like Magenta hoped, and she couldn't gain the courage to ask him in person when he was right there.

Text message was so much easier than speaking aloud, Magenta thought.

She suggested another photo just so she wouldn't have to see that thing again.

...

End of the ninety-third chapter.