The Flight of the Blue Beetle 22
He was exhausted as he fell on the couch in the living room unceremoniously. Paco did something similar on the other couch. He wanted to sleep for a hundred years. He hadn't thought he would take his friend to face such a threat so soon. Though they didn't get to actually fight H'El, running through Superman's fortress filled with all of his 'souvenirs' from space had not been a walk in the park. He had used the Bleed too much to get through the force field and then to help people evacuate. When they made it to the West Coast to help people evacuate he was already tired. If it hadn't been for Paco, he believed they wouldn't have reached everyone on time. They stayed there until everything became calm again. Then, they had to fly back to El Paso. Even Khaji Da was quiet as they tried to get some energy back.
"Mijo, you have company," his mother called as she let whoever it was in, "do you need ice for that?"
"It will be gone in a few hours, but thank you Mrs. Reyes," he heard a familiar voice.
"Conner?" he sat up as his friend entered the living room. He actually had a black eye and quite a few bruises.
"Hey," Conner said a little awkward. He was dressed on loose plain clothes.
"Please tell me H'El is not back," Paco said from where he laid face down.
"He is not back. I just needed to talk to you," Conner said before he invited him to sit.
"I didn't know you swung that way," Paco said with a snicker before the TV control landed on his head, "ow."
"Shut up Paco," he said rotating his shoulder.
"It's regarding how I behaved back there," Conner continued with a frown.
"Are you okay now?" he knew something had been going on back then. It wasn't like Superboy to back off from a challenge. He had thought initially that it was because his powers had been changed and he felt insecure about them.
"Yes and no. Blue, I lost my memories," Conner said with a troubled look.
"Okay, I am not moving," Paco declared.
"That's why I was acting that way. I didn't remember you, so I didn't know if I could trust you. That's why I didn't say anything," there was an apology somewhere in there.
"That guy was a real asshole," he said with a short laugh. He had heard from Kid Flash, who was told by Flash, who was told by Wonder Woman of what happened (the hero grapevine) to H'El. He asked Khaji-Da to take note to never make Supergirl angry.
'Wise decision, Jaime Reyes' Khaji Da responded.
"It wasn't H'El," Conner said looking even more troubled.
"Then who?" he asked. Superboy wasn't there just to explain his behavior; he trusted them with some very important information.
"The people who made me, and I don't mean CADMUS. They are just the front. H'El was going to kill me back in Metropolis, and then someone interfered. It broke through H'El and my mental barriers as if they were made of wet paper. I saw what H'El really was, but I also got a feeling for whoever did that us. They are very powerful," and he looked sincerely scared. "They were able to access my mind without being present."
"You think it will happen again?" he asked. Khaji Da was already running countermeasures in case someone did get control of their friend.
"I think they only could that time because I was weakened by H'El, but I needed to tell someone in case it happens again," Conner said.
"And you chose me," he imagined this would be something he trusted Tim with, not him.
"Us, I am also here," Paco said from where he laid.
"Whoever they are, they were able to alter the memories of Superman, Lex Luthor and others. I believe your scarabs might be impervious to this," Conner said giving a glance at Paco.
'Physical contact would be needed to access memory files. Superboy's assumptions are correct,' Khaji Da and he wondered if Khaji Da had just sounded slightly smug.
"OH, he is picking the bugs over us," Paco laughed before a cushion hit him "shutting up."
"This is my memory," Conner handed him a black sphere.
'Technology no compatible' Khaji Da announced, which could only mean one thing.
"New Genesis?" he asked. It felt similar to the Super Cycle.
"If you ever see me like that again, give it to me," Conner told him.
"I understand, but I get the feeling you are not telling me everything," for something to frighten Conner this much could only mean it was not as simple as it seemed.
"The less you know the better," Conner said looking down at his hands, "for your safety."
He opened his mouth to tell him to not treat him like a little kid, but stopped. Through all the time he had known Superboy, he had always guided him as a peer and a friend. He knew what he could handle.
"Fine, but don't expect me to like it," he finally said.
Conner laughed and then flinched before his hands went to his ribs.
"You okay?" Khaji was already running scans on him. His ribs were slightly fractured but he also showed to be healing at an incredible speed.
"Yeah, I will be fine in a day or two," he said taking slow breaths.
They heard a car park in the front.
"You better get going before Milagro asks you for a lock of your hair, again," he had wanted to die the first time she did.
"You have to admit she is persistent," Paco said, "and how come she has never asked for mine?"
"I guess," Conner laughed carefully, "I have to look after Kara tonight."
He walked him to the back door of the house before he took off into the sky.
"You should tell them," Paco said behind him.
"It can wait," he said before they heard Milagro looking for Conner.
"I better get going too. I will try to patch things up with Piñata before leaving," Paco said before he wished him good luck and then he too left.
"Sorry brat, he just left," he told his little sister as he went to the living room.
Milagro pouted but it didn't last long. Soon after, she was dragging him to the kitchen to meet one more of her teachers. Since their grandmother left, she had been sending other magic users to teach Milagro how to use her abilities.
"You can take our son's room. He already moved everything to the trailer," he heard his father say.
"But I-" he heard a young woman's voice. He was a little surprised. Until then all the teachers abuela had sent were older people.
"It won't kill him to sleep on the couch his last night here," he heard his mother say.
"I am not gone yet and you are already giving away my room?" he said entering the kitchen. The young woman who would take after teaching his sister flinched.
"Don't be such a baby, mijo" his mother said before she turned the young woman around "this is Tracy."
"They call me Tracy Thirteen," she said extending her hand towards him to shake. He held her hand believing she would disappear the moment their skins touched. However, all he felt was a shock run through his body.
Her hair was like long, black wings of a raven. Eyes like those of a phoenix with long lashes. Full inviting lips. A little upturned nose which begged to be kissed. Light beige skin which looked warm to the touch… it couldn't be her.
"Forgive our son, he uses most of his brain cells during the day light," his mother said separating their hands.
"Jaime," he finally found his voice.
"Nice to meet you Jaime," Tracy said with a shy smile.
"C'mon Tracy! I will show you!" Milagro said before pulling Tracy along.
"Too bad you are leaving now. If you had stayed you would have spent a month knowing her," his father said teasingly.
"I already know her," he told them in a whisper.
"What?" his father asked.
"You don't mean to say she is the-" his mother was fast to understand.
"The same one," he told her with a grin.
"I will explain later Alberto," Bianca told her husband. "Does she-?" his mother asked.
"Probably not, but I am definitely coming back every chance I get," he said before sitting on one of the chairs and leaning his chin on his palm.
"Oh my, he has it bad," his mother declared before telling her husband what their son had seen in his Sandman's sand induced dream.
It was too early when he woke up. Khaji Da told him the time as someone pushed his shoulder.
"Milagro, go away," he muttered covering his head with the blanket.
"What are you?" someone that wasn't Milagro asked before he bolted up. "Ow!" Tracy said rubbing her forehead and stepping back.
"Tracy?" he asked wide eyed, "oh God, sorry. You… can I help you with something?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up," she said still rubbing her forehead. He took the chance to appreciate she was wearing summer time pajamas; shorts and a short sleeved shirt.
"What were you trying to do?" he asked her, not that he minded this girl trying to get a piece of him while he slept.
"Ehm… well I wasn't sure if to ask in front of your parents, but you are not normal, are you?" she asked looking temptingly towards the hall which led to the bedrooms.
"What?" he asked sitting and running a hand through his hair. This wasn't how he wanted to start with her.
"I mean, you are not Homo Magi like your sister, right? But, I can't make out what you are," she said looking at him with a frown, as if trying to read him.
"Oh," was all he could say. He remembered his dream clearly then. Tracy hadn't wanted him to be the Blue Beetle again. But then again, she was not an ordinary person herself in real life. Would that mean that they actually had a chance together?
"I am sorry, I didn't mean to-" she said starting to leave.
"It's fine! Really!" she couldn't leave yet, not just yet. The way his little sister clung to her meant that he would not get a chance to talk to her like this again before he left. "Is just that I didn't think a magic user would be able to tell," no other magic users had made comment of it at least. It was something he would have to look into.
"Is only very faint, like something that doesn't like magic and fights it," she said leaning on the couch narrowing her eyes on him. He wondered if she had an unusual ability.
"That sounds about right," he said with a short laugh. Even then Khaji Da was warning him about the non-sentical energies emanating from her.
"Is it a curse?" she asked him with a cute tilt of her head.
"Sometimes it feels like it," he told her.
Disengage dialogue Jaime Reyes. Non-essential energies can cause malfunctions
"Do you need help? I am sure I can find a way to take it off," she said still looking at the base of his neck.
"Don't worry about it," he said trying to block off the warnings Khaji Da was giving him about her.
"Of course, if you wanted it off your grandmother would have taken it off, right?" she said with a nervous smile. Was his grandmother that good?
"Not sure about that, but don't worry about it. It's annoying sometimes but it is also useful," he told her before Khaji calmed down.
"But what is it?" she asked him.
"I can't really tell you," he told her with a nervous smile.
"Oh, I see," she said and he couldn't help feeling bad for making her look so dejected.
"But is not bad, is just complicated," he told her.
"You are not a werewolf, right?" she asked him giving him a skeptical look.
"No," he said surprised.
"Vampire?" she asked again.
"No," he said wondering exactly what type of life did Tracy lead.
"Then we are good," she said crossing her arms as if deciding he was worthy being talked to.
"You don't like them?" he asked. He had never met either one but he was curious.
"Unlike what some books and movies might have people think, both of them are very nasty and selfish creatures. They usually leave a trace of blood behind them," she said looking slightly upset.
"Oh, so you have fought them," he asked her. He had never met someone who had fought vampires or werewolves.
"More like tried to hold them off until someone stronger comes along," she said sheepishly, "they are extremely resistant to human magic, and the spells usually require a lot of work."
"From what my grandmother said it takes a whole life time to get magic, right?" he asked her hoping he was right.
"Yeah, my mother used to say the same thing, but there are people who are very talented at it and they are around my age. Have you heard about Zatanna?" he nodded, "she is only a few years older than me and she is already part of the League, and then there is this guy call Constantine."
"I have heard of him. I was told he was someone to stay away from," though Bart seemed to like him enough.
"True, but even though he is no Homo Magi he is a lot more powerful than some Homo Magi who have studied all their lives," she said in a tone he recognized because he had used it himself when he felt he wasn't good enough.
"They set the bars high, right?" when he thought of the previous Blue Beetles he felt the same. They didn't have even half the abilities he did, and yet it felt what they had done had a greater impact in the world. Hell, one of them had funded a multimillionaire company.
"Yeah… Shoot, you are leaving early tomorrow and I am here keeping you up," she said starting to leave.
"I don't mind" he said taking hold of her wrist. When he realized what he did, he let go of her. "I like knowing who is teaching my sister especially since I won't be here for a while," and he didn't want to see her go just yet even if meant getting less hours of sleep. Paco could drive for a while.
"You must be a great big brother. She only has good things to say about you," she said with a smile leaning again on the couch.
"That's hard to believe," he laughed, "if it wasn't for you staying I am sure she would have already started taking over my room."
She laughed then. It was a beautiful ringing sound and he wished right then to tell her of the dream where he met her, sort of.
"I think you are great example for her. She asked me if someone who uses magic could also study to become a scientist. It seems she wants to follow in your footsteps," she said with a smile.
Khaji Da, remind me to get Milagro anything she wants for her next birthday.
Noted, Jaime Reyes.
"Are you sure we are talking about the same little munchkin?" he said knowing he was blushing.
"Very sure," she laughed softly before biting her lip and then saying, "I should let you sleep."
"Tracy…" he had to tell her something. This couldn't be the only time they actually had a conversation, "after you... I mean… would you… would you like to go out sometime. I understand that you are probably busy and won't have time to go to San Francisco but-"
"Okay," she said as her own cheeks started to turn red.
"Really?" he asked wide eyed.
"Yeah," her blush intensified.
"Okay!" he said knowing well his smile had turned silly. He felt like an idiot and the luckiest man in the world at the same time.
"Okay," she said biting her lip again. What a torture!
He opened his mouth to say something else, but then closed it. They had a moment of awkward silence before she laughed a little before waving good night at him and going back to what was once his room, to where he once slept. He covered his face with his pillow the more he thought about it. It was going to be impossible to go back to sleep.
When the time to leave arrived, his parents gave him tight embraces and his sister sobbed a little on his shirt. He would try to visit them as much as he could. He already couldn't imagine going on without his parents' advice and little sister's laughter. As he drove his car out of the drive way pulling the little rental trailer he kept watching them through the rearview mirror. Tracy waved at him good bye much like she had done the night before. He didn't lose sight of them until they turned to the next street.
"I never thought I would leave El Paso," Paco said leaning back on the copilot seat, "and what was with that strange atmosphere between you and that chick. I swear she couldn't keep her eyes off you."
"You are imagining things," he said with a smile.
"Ha, as if. You like her," Paco said.
"I might never see her again. She is only staying for a month," he knew when his friend got going there was very little that could stop him.
"So, what did you do?" great, he was going to try to drill him until he spilled it.
"Nothing happened," he said wishing something had. His world for a kiss was all he asked.
"I don't believe you, so what did you do?" Paco said not taking any hostages.
"Just drop it, won't you?" he said as a crooked smile escaped him.
"You sneaking little-!" Paco laughed.
"Nothing happened!" he shouted but he couldn't make his smile go away which gave a completely different message.
"She wouldn't stop smiling your way," Paco said fluttering his eyes.
"Just shut up, let's see Tye and Asami," he said before he tried to concentrate on something else.
"You are going to tell me eventually," Paco said with a smirk. He was right, but he would try to hold it as long as he could.
Their stop was short. They gave Tye and Asami a ride to school on their way out of town. Paco was sure to tell them of the mysterious Tracy Thirteen and how it seemed she had stolen his heart upon first meeting.
"We are so dropping by your house later and tell her all that she would ever need to know about Jaime Reyes," Tye said from the back seat with Asami.
"What are good friends for?" Paco said before they bumped fists.
"You guys are terrible friends," he said shaking his head in misbelief. With friends like this who needed enemies?
"True, but we are still dropping by later. I am curious to see who finally got you out of the Brenda blues," Tye said before placing his arm around Asami's shoulder and then whispering something to her he didn't catch.
"I didn't have the blues," he said with a frown, did he?
"You did for like the first two months," Paco said shaking his head sadly.
"I repeat, you guys are terrible friends. Asami, please tell your boyfriend to stop bullying me," he asked the girl who was listening to her boyfriend whisper on her ear.
"I would, but this is just too fun," she said with smile that said she was sorry but at the same time she wasn't.
"Tye has finally gotten to you, hasn't he?" the days of her being the voice of reason were gone. Well, at least it happened by the time he was leaving.
"I got to her a long time ago," Tye said snuggling into her neck before pushing her down.
"Gha!" Asami shouted before she stated laughing.
"Not on my leather seats!" he shouted at them.
"Wow, that's escalating quickly," Paco said giving them one more glance before turning his head to the front.
He stepped on the pedal and they were in front of the school the next minute.
"We are here, get out!" he shouted at them before they untangled.
"See ya later," Tye said laughing as he bumped fists with him and Paco.
"We will try to visit soon," Asami said before placing a kiss on each of their cheeks which had them blushing.
They watched their lifelong friend walk in cloud seven as he kept an arm around his girlfriend's waist.
"Lucky bastard," he said before he started driving again.
He had been expecting to come across a crime or another in their way but the most they did was help an old couple with a flat tire and gave a ride to a guy who was going to New Mexico. He almost wished something more would have happened. He had never driven for so long as then. The trip took a whole day without stops that lasted more than thirty minutes. He had to get their things to San Francisco and right after go to Kord Industries. He had already talked to Miss Martian about getting permission to use the Zeta Beams after explaining why he needed to be there. When they arrived to California, and then to San Francisco he realized he felt out of place. It was very different from El Paso.
"Earth to Super Geek," Paco said before he realized he had been calling him for a while now, "dude, calm down. Are we almost there?"
"Yeah," he said taking a familiar turn before stopping in front of building.
"You are kidding, right?" Paco said looking up at the building.
It was not the nicest of buildings, actually it looked like it had seen better days, but it was the same building he remembered living in with Tracy in his dream. He was sure the inside would be a lot better.
"It is cheap," he told his friend as they went up the stairs.
"They should be paying us to live here," Paco said as his foot almost sank on a broken step.
When he went to open up the place he found it would need a lot of work to be as nice as he remembered. Like the outside, the walls were cracked. There were also wet stops in the ceiling and the floor had seen better days. The water at first ran a dark greenish color for at least ten minutes before it started running clear. The stove looked like it had survived a few fires. Paco gave him a 'what were you thinking?' look as he brought out of the restroom a dead rat in a bag.
Between the two of them and their few possessions it didn't take long to unload the truck. When they finished they saw there would be a lot they would need to buy. They had beds, their clothes and a few others things.
"This is depressing," he said looking at the mess he had gotten in for trying to follow a dream. He wasn't so sure anymore he would be able to make things work out with Tracy.
"You said it, not me," Paco said before he stepped on a roach.
"Let's get going," he said handing his friend the keys to his car, "I will try to be back in a few hours."
"Wait, aren't you going to take a break, or at least a nap?" Paco said looking at the keys and then at him.
"I am fine, just get the rental truck to the agency and then see your mom," after madness was over, then he would go to sleep.
"My mom, right," Paco said as they locked the door behind them. Jaime knew this would be probably a more difficult day for his friend than for him. Paco's mother had gone back to El Paso to see him a few months ago to see him at the hospital, but since then learned that she had married, and had a little boy who was only three years old. The man his mother married also seemed to have a daughter from a previous marriage around his age, but didn't seem to like Paco's mother much.
888
Paco had never been in San Francisco and was thankful for his scarab more than before because of the included GPS. It didn't take him long to deliver the moving truck before he was on his way to see his mother. He found he couldn't move from the front seat when he got to the gate of a luxurious Beverly Hills home. His mother had told him she met her new husband while working. Did they meet while working there? Then, wouldn't he be getting them into trouble for coming to see them here?
"We aren't looking for any more help," a gardener finally snapped him out of his thoughts.
"I am not here for a job. I am looking for Carmen, she is my mother," he said shifting in his seat. Maybe he had the wrong address.
"El hijo de Carmen? Why didn't you say so before?" the gardener said before opening the gate so he could drive the car in.
There was a small drive way in front of the house where he parked. The entrance was as even grander than the gate. Tall marble columns made him reconsider him calling it just a home. The place looked like it could house at least four families.
"Get that garbage out of here before I call the police," now, those were the words he had been expecting to hear. Standing behind him was a young woman around seventeen wearing a tennis skirt and blouse. She was the portrayal of beautiful. She was tall with light skin, green colored eyes and strawberry blonde hair. He wouldn't be surprised at all if she was a model. This made it a little worse because she was glaring at him as if he was scum not even worthy of living under her designer shoes.
"Paco, is that you?" he heard his mother say before he spotted her coming out the front door. Now, that was a face he remembered and loved. He hurried to her and soon had her in a bone crushing hug. He had talked to his mother over the phone those past few months but nothing beat to actually seeing her. Still, he hadn't expected to see her in such elegant clothes. Just who had his mother married?
"I am telling dad you are bringing your lovers over," the young woman better known as Emily said from behind them.
"Mom?" he asked his mother turning around to look at the fuming young woman.
"Francisco, this is your step sister Emily, Emily this is my son Francisco," his mother said without pause.
"Paco is fine," he told Emily before she gave him a disregarding look. Alright, Emily was definitely off his gift list that year. Whatever he gave her he was sure she would throw away without even opening it.
"Then you are older than you look," Emily said to his mother with derision. He couldn't help laughing. That was so out of a telenovela. She just needed an eye patch and a cane to hit people with to complete the character.
"Oh calla Paquito," his mother said before pinching his shoulder.
"Sorry ma," he said before she hooked her arm proudly with his and led him inside.
"Entra, entra, tienes que conocer a tu hermanito," his mother said as she led him inside to meet his little half-brother. He found the three year old in the living room sleeping on a large cushion. It seemed he had just fallen asleep as little toys were spread around him. "Isn't he the cutest?" his little brother had his mother's dark curly hair and high happy eyebrows. The rest he imagined came from the father.
"He is so tiny," he whispered kneeling before the little boy.
"So were you at his age," his mother said with a soft laugh.
"Bertha, bring me something to drink!" Emily shouted from behind them which startled the little boy awake who then started to cry.
"Are you-" he turned to snap at her but felt his mother's hand on his shoulder before he took a deep breath. His mother had warned him about this, but he just couldn't believe someone could be so selfish.
"Is alright Cesar," his mother said picking up the little boy and rocking him gently until he stopped crying. "I want you to meet someone very special corazonsito."
"Hey," he said raising his hand before the little boy hid his face behind his mother's hair.
"This is your big brother Paco, he came to visit us to meet you," she said before inviting him to sit.
"I am very happy to meet you Cesar. I always wanted a little brother," he said as the little boy started to come out of his hiding place.
Not that he ever felt alone while living with the Posse, but nothing beat seeing his mother again and getting to know his little brother. He talked to her about the past few months but not too much as Emily seemed look for every chance to pass by and add a mean comment. His mother, always patient, ignored the comments. He, however, was getting sick of them. His mother seeing he was about to lose it, which was never a nice spectacle had him go to the extensive back yard with Cesar while she got lunch ready.
He held the little boy's hand as they walked around. Once Cesar got talking, he really got talking.
"-and I have this car that you can drive but mama never lets me go to the road, but cars belong in the road right," the little boy pointed at the little red car parked in a little garage. He was impressed.
"Not little cars little guy," he told him as he picked under the little hood. It was amazing the kind of toys they came up with.
"-so I drive it in the back yard. The other day I chased Princess, she is Emily's dog, with the car and she got really angry," the little boy said before showing him where he chased the little dog.
"She was probably worried about her dog," he told Cesar hoping he was doing the right thing as a brother. He had to ask Jaime for some tips.
"But Princess is always mean to me, she is always yapping and running around me and she makes me dizzy," Cesar whined before he picked him up and sat him on his shoulder.
"Some dogs are just playful," he told the little boy. Maybe he was getting hold of this whole brother thing. It seemed as long as you taught them not to be jerks it was fine.
"Do you have pets?" the little boy asked him.
"No, I am kind of busy so I don't have time to take care of one" he actually hadn't thought about getting one in a very long time. He doubted Jaime would agree with their hectic lives.
"Will you be living with us? If you do, I could help you taking care of the puppy," the little boy said almost making him fall.
"Puppy?" he asked when he was trying to ask 'live with you?' The mansion was definitely nice, but he didn't think it was the place for him. Their apartment needed some painting, but it would definitely be better for him.
"We can't have kitties because Emily is allergic," the little kid said.
"I see, but I am sorry little guy I can't move with you. I live with a friend, but I promise to visit every chance I get," he said before they spotted a tall man walking towards them and waving a hand.
"Papi!" the little boy struggled to get off his shoulder before he put him down. At once he ran towards the man who picked him up and also placed him on his shoulder, "Paco, this is my papi!"
"Nice to meet you sir," he said before shaking hands with the man.
"Same here Francisco," said the man who had married his mother. His name was Martin Lenov and he was some sort of corporate lawyer from what his mother told him. He could be an astronaut or a politician; as long as he took care of his mother and little brother he really didn't care.
"Paco is fine," he said as they shook hands.
"Paco…" the man said thoughtfully before putting the little boy down. "Cesar, please go and help your mama with lunch? We will join you in a little bit," the man said ruffling the little boy's hair playfully.
"Okay!" the little boy didn't take any time to leave. He was happy his little brother would grow up with a caring father. God only knew where his own father was, not that he thought much of the man as a father.
"I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but I heard you say you would be visiting. Did you move into the city?" the man asked as carefully as a lawyer could be. It took him a moment to realize he seemed uncomfortable with the idea.
"Not that far. A friend of mine is going to do an internship for Star Labs and I am getting back to a kind of normal life after all that happened," he knew his mother told her husband about him. It seemed fair since they were married.
"Carmen told me. You helped bring down a mob boss?" the man said not able to hide his doubts. The news had caught wind of La Dama going down, but not many details were revealed just that the Blue Beetle and some civilians were involved.
"Yeah," he said not sure where to start with that one. That was five years of hiding and trying to bring La Dama down.
"And you are sure she doesn't have any-" Mr. Lenov started to ask.
"None, the past few months we have been working on bringing down anyone who remained from her mob," he answered understanding better where the man was coming from.
"So, you work for the government," the man asked.
"Sort of, the group I worked with cooperates with DOMA when asked, but we… I mean they are independent," he had left the Posse before leaving with Jaime. He left in good terms with them and told he could return any time. Well, Piñata was the exception. She pretty much said she wouldn't care if got run over by sixteen wheeler truck.
"Vigilantes," Mr. Lenov said with a frown.
"More like the only people who actually care about keeping order," that's what they had been doing all those years and he knew they would keep at it no matter what.
"Are you planning to do the same here?" of course a lawyer would be worried about his reputation. He could afford this life for a reason.
"You don't have worry about me Mr. Lenov. I kept hidden from La Dama while operating with the Posse for five years," and he had his armor now. His face would be hidden at all time.
"You understand I have the right to worry about my family, don't you?" the man asked clearly looking uncomfortable.
"They are my family too, of course I understand. Why else do you think I had my mother leave El Paso?" he knew his voice was starting to take an edge, but he had to get his point across. He didn't want to hear excuses when he came over to see them.
"Just making sure," Mr. Lenov said with deep breath. "What else would you be doing besides, well you know," being a vigilante.
"I got a job at a tattoo parlor. They are friends of my friend so they understand my hours will not be regular. I passed the high school exam so after the summer I am going to attend the community college near my place. Thought, I still don't have idea of what I will study," he wasn't a genius but he knew it had to be something flexible. There weren't many careers like that.
"I see, at least you have a plan," but when the man said it, it wasn't in a disregarding tone, but one of regret.
"Is he asking you for money yet?!" as if signaled Emily asked from a window.
"Not now sweetie!" Mr. Lenov called before turning to Paco, "I am sorry about my daughter, my ex-wife spoiled her too much and I am afraid is too late to make her change."
"It's never too late," but it was not his battle. Well, as long as she didn't mistreat Cesar or his mother he didn't care.
When he sat with them to eat he realized that this was how a family was supposed to look, for exception of Emily looking as if she would prefer to be anywhere else but there. Mr. Lenov was an expert at listening and answering all of Cesar's questions even when he could barely make out half the stuff he said with his mouth full. His mother fretted over Cesar much like she used to fret over him when he was small. He was glad she had finally found happiness with someone who cared for her.
When he said good bye, he promised to visit the following week, but also told them he would be away for the summer because of work. Thankfully Emily was nowhere to be seen to tell him he wasn't welcomed back. As he drove back he played the radio as loud as possible. He was exhausted. He just wanted to get home, and get a good night sleep. While on a red light his cell phone rang. It was Jaime.
"What's up man, how did it go?" he asked his friend before placing the phone on speaker and then starting to drive again.
"This is a nightmare! I have to stay here the night. I will help you unpack when I get back," Jaime said regretfully.
"Because there is so much to unpack," he laughed.
"How did it go? Is your mom okay?" Jaime asked laughing too.
"She is great, and I met my little brother too. I think he just might beat Milagro on cuteness," he had little almond eyes like his mother, but his eyes were green like Mr. Lenov's and when he pouted it was as if he couldn't deny him anything. He knew he would have trouble if he became a father someday.
"Not difficult," Jaime scoffed but he didn't believe it for a minute.
"You got a little sister complex, admit it," he said laughing even louder.
"Nope," Jaime said in a deadpan, "and what about your step sister?"
"Pretty, but I wouldn't introduce her even to my worst enemy. Anyways, Mr. Lenov looks like a nice guy. I can't remember seeing mom so calm and relaxed before," she used to work two jobs since he could remember, or pull a double shift when one of the other jobs told her to take her days off. She never complained, but he knew it was stressing.
"You didn't tell her about-" having the armor.
"I still don't know how. I was thinking it would be better if she never knows," he almost died again. He remembered how much she cried when she saw him in the hospital bed.
"Paco…" Jaime said with a sigh.
"What? She has already gone through her fair share of grief. I don't want to get back in her life just to make her worry," he said fast and breathless. He didn't want to cut short her happy days.
"These type of secrets are not easy to hide from family, ask me, ask anyone," Jaime said.
"Maybe I will wait after the summer," he told his friend.
"You should before we leave. What we do is not-"
"Not for the faint of heart. I know. Remember I had to get a new one" he tried to laugh but it sounded fake even to him.
"Have you had any trouble with it?" Jaime asked fretting like he usually did.
"None since the darn thing activated. It's just hard to make it shut up," even then it was trying to tell him something, but he ignored it.
"Welcome to my world, oh did you see the news?" Jaime asked and he could hear the smirk in his voice.
"Not really," he said as he parked on the street where the tattoo shop was located.
"They are calling you the Red Beetle," Jaime said.
"God dammit! How many guys have red in the names already?" that's exactly why he didn't want to be called the Red Beetle. Thorax sounded so much better.
"Too many, that's why Blue is much better," Jaime said smugly, but he wouldn't have it for long.
"Blue Devil," he said.
"Just one," Jaime retorted.
"Blue-" he started.
"Fine I get your point!" Jaime laughed.
"Talk to you later. I am going to drop by the tattoo shop," he said checking the time on the phone.
"Good luck," Jaime said.
"Don't need it, I am awesome," he said before saying good bye to his friend and then hanging up. He reached for his folder of designs on the copilot seat and then went to the shop. Damper's friend, a meta who specialized on extracting dies from any material welcomed him gladly. Damper had already sent him some of his designs and was more than happy to have him join them. When he left the shop half an hour later after agreeing on his hours and pay he found his good mood cut short. Jaime's car was gone. "I am so dead."
Starting counter measure plans against Blue Beetle.
"No! It's just an expression" he said out loud before people turned to look at him, and even a few laughed. Right, just think it.
Understood
Can you find the car?
It's located two point five miles due northwest. A tracer was placed on the vehicle by Khaji Da due to the importance Jaime Reyes placed on it.
Thank God.
Confirming, Khaji Da was the-
"It's an expression!" he said out loud again before getting some funny looks. He rushed to a back alley where he allowed the armor to form. It was starting to hurt less. He no longer felt sick when his skin was covered by the tar like substance before it took another shape. He took off flying in the direction his scarab told him. It took him only a few minutes before he spotted the car and the culprit. He cursed under his breath when he spotted Emily.
Emily Lenov was camouflaging with a blanket on the back seat.
"Why didn't you say anything?!" had she been listening to his conversation with Jaime?
You were informed but you were also engaged in your conversation with Jaime Reyes.
"God dammit!"he ran a hand down his face.
Another expression?
"Yes!" he growled as he kept following the car hoping to get it back the moment she left it. So he would have to get Jaime a new set of keys but that wasn't as bad as losing the car altogether.
"You are friends of the Blue Beetle, right?" he stopped when he heard someone behind him.
Starting counter measures against Green Lantern
"It's fine," he said to the scarab before the Green Lantern gave him a curious look. "Sorry, I was telling the armor… never mind. Yeah, I am friends with him."
"Where is he?" the Green Lantern asked. He didn't recognize him from the usual Lanterns they saw on TV. He had to be the new guy.
"Busy, won't be back until tomorrow. I can tell him to meet you somewhere," he said as he started to fly to keep up with Emily.
"Actually, I need to talk to you," the Lantern said following him with a frown. He was flying slow enough to show him he wasn't trying something fishy. From what his scarab kept telling him the Lanterns were supposed to be dangerous to them
"Man, this is not a good time. Someone stole Blue's car and if I don't get it back he is going to be pissed," or at least have a heart attack.
"You are not serious, right?" the Green Lantern said flying next to him with a frown.
"Very, he loves that car and my step sister was the one to take. And she sort of hates me," he told him.
"Hm, need help?" the Lantern asked.
"Seriously?" he asked with a smile.
"Yeah, but then we talk," the Green Lantern said before descending towards the car.
"I will even polish your ring!" he said as he followed closely. He watched as the Green Lantern wrapped the car in a green bubble of energy before carrying it off. He could hear Emily shouted inside.
"Let me go! I will have my dad sue you!"
"You are under arrest for grand theft," the Green Lantern said, "you will be judged under intergalactic law. Your father if wishes to can represent you as long as he reaches the Lantern's headquarters by the day of the trial."
"Good one," he whispered before the Lantern smirked, of course not, but it was fun to watch Emily turn pale.
He landed the car on the parking of an abandoned building. He lifted the car barely off the ground so she wouldn't try to drive away.
"You… you were lying!" Emily bolted out of the car.
"We can still turn you in for stealing this car," the Lantern said.
"But I didn't steal it!" she said before looking at him "tell him!"
He crossed his arms and didn't say anything.
"Jubi it is, but if is any consolation I heard Orange is the New Black," the Lantern said with a wink.
"Great show," he said with a short laugh. He was still worried about Emily knowing.
"I know, right?" the Lantern said.
"Paco!" Emily shouted getting frustrated.
"Dammit, she knows," he said wanting to throw his arms into the air.
Silencing is suggested.
He sighed.
"I am guessing she wasn't supposed to know," the Lantern said.
"Just met her today," he said as he shed his armor.
"Rough," the Lantern could only shake his head.
"Get on the back seat, I am driving you back home," he said to her before turning to the Lantern, "can we talk in the way there. You know, without the Lantern suit?"
"I guess," the young Lantern said before he undid his suit to reveal a simple looking guy. He guessed he wasn't worried about his identity being found out.
"You don't say anything," he told Emily as they got on the car and then started driving. "It's fine if she listens?" he didn't want to get the new Lantern into trouble.
"Unless she finds a way to contact the Reach and give us away," the Lantern said, "name is Kyle by the way."
"Paco, and she is Emily," he said giving the girl a warning look. "So, what did you need to talk about?"
"Blue Beetle told Miss Martian you would be joining us for the expeditions in the summer," it was amazing how fast the news ran between the capes.
"That's right," he said knowing well what was coming.
"The other Lanterns don't think is a good idea. You are very new at this," Kyle said, but he wondered if he thought the same.
"Tell me about it. Not even a week and my identity was already found out," he said watching Emily carefully on the back seat, "but I am still going. I need to learn all I can about how to use the armor and I want to help escarabajo. He saved my life, you know? It only seems fair I watch his back."
And he also wanted to see other worlds. It was a chance he couldn't miss.
"You know it took Blue Beetle two years to get to where he is, right?" thought Kyle seemed uncomfortable saying this. He was also rather new.
"I spent five years hunting down a mob boss who also happened to be a witch and I had no powers. I am not as green as you think I am," he knew he still needed to learn more, but like hell he would allow anyone to look down on him. "I got my heart crushed. I know well what can happen," he added after a moment of uncomfortable silence.
"No matter what we say, you are going, aren't you?" the Green Lantern asked, though he didn't seem regretful.
"You bet your ass I am; besides you guys don't know Blue like I do. He had a tendency for getting into trouble since I can remember," he remembered when he took the dare of sneaking into an old abandoned warehouse only to end up chased by a dog. That chain had pulled the dog back just before it got a bite out of him.
"Alright then, hmm would you like me to have Miss Martian erase the girl's memories?" the Lantern asked.
"What! You can't do that!" Emily spoke up looking worried from one to the other.
"I am sorry to say, but I agree with her. It doesn't seem fair," he said scratching the back of his head. She was just a kid who heard too much.
"It also isn't fair for her to endanger the lives of others if she spills it out," Kyle told him.
"Like it or not, she is family now. Besides, who is going to believe a simple tattoo artist is Thorax," he said trying to sound sure, but he wondered if he would be able to live a somewhat normal life for long.
"Thorax? I thought it was Red Beetle," Kyle asked.
"Ugh! No! And make sure to tell that to the rest," he said exasperated.
"Fine," Kyle laughed, "you can drop me off here."
"So, you aren't going to insist?" he asked since Emily had also now seen Kyle's face.
"It wouldn't be the first time a civilian finds out the identity of one of us," Kyle said with shrug, "though if you change your mind…" he gave Emily a warning look. "See you later Thorax."
"Bye Lantern," he laughed before driving away.
The rest of the drive towards Emily's home was silent. It was only until they reach the majestic gate that he stopped and they remained in silence for a few moments.
"You do realize how serious this is, right?" he asked keeping his eyes in the front.
"You are human, right?" she asked him.
"Yes, for exception of my heart. If you didn't catch it I almost died when someone used their bare hand to crush my heart. The Blue Beetle used an emergency device from his armor to build me a new one, but it also gave me the armor. I was just able to activate it a few days ago," he thought being truthful with her would be for the best. He still remembered being her age. Teens had a sixth sense for BS.
"Oh," she said looking down at her hands. She frowned as she thought.
"Look, I don't expect you to be nice to me or my mother, but at least don't fuck up our lives. My mom had it difficult since my dad left her and then more after I had to fake my death so she wouldn't get hurt," every time he thought of the fake funeral he reminded himself he had to keep that from really happening.
"Yeah, because she sleeping with my dad so he would divorce my mom-"
"Dammit, I didn't need to know that, but if is of any help my mother told me she saw your mother cheating on your dad when she used to work as a maid. Something about a pool boy, I think. I believe the divorce was already on its way before they became tangled," by Emily's silence he had to guess she already knew this but chose to ignore it. "How many times has your mother come to see you?"
"She calls on my birthday, and sends me some presents from Paris. She lives there with… the pool guy," she couldn't keep the disgusted look off her face.
"At least you know where she is. My dad left when I was like one year old. Not even a note. My mom just woke up one day and found all his things and their savings gone," there used to be a picture of him. He remembered burning it when he was like five. His mother cried over it for a week. He remembered telling her that they didn't need her. He swore to her back then that he would take care of her. So much for that promise, he thought looking down at his lap. At lease he could try to keep her happy.
"We are not alike," Emily glared at him
"Hell no, you are a spoiled brat who only sees things the way she wants. Tell me, isn't your dad happier since he married my mom? Think about it," parents thought about them all the time, at least the ones who really cared. It was only fair they tried to do the same for them.
"I am not! And he is not!" she said before she opened the door. Her face was blotchy and her eyes red as she tried to keep her tears from flowing. She went to the gate, but didn't open it. She leaned her forehead against the bars.
"One day, you are going to move out and then Cesar. Then your dad won't have anyone else but my mom," he said leaning on the car, "or would you prefer for him to be alone?"
"I want them to get back together," she said in a sobbing voice, "I want thing to be the same way as before."
"Take it from me, life rarely ever goes the way we want it," he said.
"It isn't fair," she said.
"Look, I can't make you change your mind, and I really don't want to ask any Martian to mess with your mind. I heard is not a good experience," he told her, "but I ask you to grow up at least a little and think beyond what you want, and think about them and what impact your decisions have," he told her pushing the gate open so she could get inside. "You can't remain your dad's little girl all your life."
"Shut up!" she shouted before she ran inside. He watched her until she made a turn and he couldn't see her anymore. He really hoped he was doing the right thing.
888
The contract signing had taken about an hour. The only reason why he had taken so long was because they decided to throw an event to welcome him to the company though he didn't plan to be much involved. He was made to experience luxuries he didn't care for and much would have preferred to spend that time with his friends or at least getting his place together. Through a lot imposing of the lawyers he was made to take a 'payment' for being part of the company, which they explained by his contributions to the meetings every other week. They also insisted on it because as the major shareholder of the company there was an appearance they needed him to keep in case his identity was found, and they didn't doubt someone would sometime soon.
He pushed his pride to the side and agreed. He would still try to find a real job in San Francisco but for the meanwhile he would fix up the place. When he returned to San Francisco he found the apartment much like he had left it. Paco laid on a mattress which he laid on the living room. Containers of food lay around him in stacks.
"We need to get cable," Paco told him, "and a TV."
"The Lantern told me about your step sister," Kyle made sure no one over heard them at the time. He couldn't be more grateful for that.
"Are you serious?" Paco sat up looking at him wide eyed.
"Very, are you sure of what you are doing?" he asked leaning against a wall. He was exhausted.
"Not really, but it seems like the right thing to do," Paco grimaced.
"Red Robin is the leader. We will tell him and hope for the best," he told him picking one of the containers and then picking at the remains. He found he had no liking for caviar and was starving for real people's food.
"She is my family," Paco told him.
"You just met her," it wasn't like he didn't understand him, but the girl was still a stranger.
"Still family," Paco said falling back on the mattress.
Monitor her online movements and inform of any attempt she makes of reveling Thorax's identity.
Khaji Da lost no time getting the information Paco's scarab had on the girl before accessing the nearest internet connection.
No attempts detected, will continue to monitor.
"Fine, but we are keeping an eye on her," he told his friend, "move over." He said before collapsing on the mattress.
"Thank you," Paco said rolling over, "you really don't mind me going with you to space, right?"
"Nope," he said tiredly, "but we are definitely training before leaving."
"Not complaining," Paco said.
"Go get some food," he told him feeling like he had not eaten in days.
"I am not your maid," Paco said grumpily.
"We will go buy a TV after," he told him.
"Chinese? Burgers? Pizza? Fake Mexican?" Paco asked him getting up.
"A burger with lots of fries," he told him, "and a large soda," he had to get the taste of fishes' eggs off his mouth.
He didn't remember what Paco said after. He fell asleep and finally had a real rest.
The next few days passed fast. He went to Star Labs to start on the auxiliary internship. He was no better than a water boy in terms of the lab he was assisting. Still, any chance of seeing the practice was good. Though he got a few degrading looks from older interns he didn't respond to them. He had more important things to worry about. Like Paco, he found work with one of Damper's old friends. He was to work in a garage with wiring and sound. It was very different from his father's garage as they specialized car pimping. In their spare time he and Paco flew to areas where they would not be seen and taught him as much as he could about the armor. He hadn't realized how much he knew until he got started. Though Paco had been a terrible student back in the day, he seemed to absorb this type of teaching like a sponge. When the night finally arrived they would go buy something new for their apartment. Up until then, they had a TV (though they didn't have cable), a pair of couches, and two bases for their mattresses. Just those few things made quite a difference in the apartment.
Emily had not been a problem until then, and Paco talked to his mother often enough to know she hadn't said anything. Paco was not the best judge of character, but it seemed he might be right at the time. Just after he finished showering Friday night someone knocked at their door. He hoped it was the landlady. He was worried that the wet spot on the ceiling kept growing.
"Look, it's Kid Flash and Red Robin," Paco said in the living room watching the news. He stopped for a moment to see they had stopped a family who was involved in many crimes with the help of Solstice.
"My name is Kiran Singh," he heard Kiran say before she shed off her powers.
He would have stayed there watching if it wasn't for another knock at his door. He tightened the knot on his bathrobe as he kept an eye on the TV until reaching the door and opening slightly.
"Yes?" he asked picking before opening the door fully, "Tr…Tracy."
"Is this a bad time?" Tracy asked with a smile and standing at his door with a short red dress, a leather jacket and tall black boots.
"Chika chika wow wow," Paco said from the couch.