Chapter 5

Surfacing

A/N: Slowly but surely I guess…whatever.

"Do you think it will happen again?"

Kotetsu looked up from staring at his hand, "Hm?"

Barnaby turned away from him, "Something like last night…with the android."

"Are you alright, Bunny?"

"I'm shocked that my parents research was being continued in such a way. But I could never know what my parents really wanted."

Kotetsu frowned deeply at the younger Hero until he heard Nathan's voice across the room, "Good morning Ana dear!"

Illiana pinched the bridge of her nose silently and the man frowned, "Is something wrong?"

Her sigh was loud and heavy it made the Hero's look her way. She beckoned for them all to stand closer and when they gathered she said, "All I will say is last night. Whoever has an explanation needs to come to my office."

Keith's cheeks tinted pink while Kotetsu and Barnaby looked at each other. Illiana nodded and turned to leave, "C'mon."

Following her dull steps to her office made it feel like a funeral procession. She entered the office and stood before her desk. She crossed her arms and hung her head forward. "Last night there was an explosion downtown over the main road. What happened?"

Keith raised his hand, "I apologize and apologize again. That was my doing."

"I have more than my name on the line in this position. If word gets out that I can't keep up with the actions of the heroes, my name and Judge Petrov's lose face."

The wind wizard nodded and apologized again. Illiana sighed, "From now on page me when there is an occurrence during your rounds Sky High."

"Yes."

"I know there's more…"

Kotetsu glanced at the silent Barnaby and still blushing Keith and decided to speak for them. "There was an android on a rampage, we tried to stop it."

"I stepped in and helped." Keith added on.

Illiana's face was one of shock and her hand covered her dropped jaw. Barnaby raised a brow at her reaction and she turned away from them, "You said an android?"

She didn't catch Kotetsu's worried glance to the other two before confirming again and Illiana whirled around to face them, "Thank you for handling the problem, you are dismissed."

Barnaby stepped up to her, "Is there something else?"

"You are dismissed." She repeated.

Once in the hall Barnaby stopped and glared back at the closed door. Kotetsu put a hand on his shoulder and tugged a bit, "She seamed upset, leave her be."

"Why would something concerning me and my parents upset her!"

"Bunny?"

"She's going to tell me the truth."

Barnaby moved a bit faster than the older man expected and disappeared back into the woman's office. He was glad Keith had already taken off down the hall; apparently he had someone he needed to thank.

Illiana didn't glare at Barnaby or yell. She just watched his infuriated face and tried to ignore the burning in her eyes. His gaze didn't soften in the slightest and he folded his arms, "What do you know?"

"Nothing…actually."

"You're a liar."

"I meant, nothing about this android. I thought your parents had stopped that research…"

"They would never stop their dream! They wanted to make an android that saved people."

Illiana took a deep breath, "They did, but they changed their mind after they helped me."

"You did know my parents. You lied."

"I never lied."

"What do you know?"

Illiana grabbed her jacket and reached into its pocket. She handed Barnaby the picture, face down, and moved to her door. "I only know what I wasn't supposed to say. But now I know it needs to be said. Call me when you're ready to talk."

Illiana tossed her gaze to Barnaby as Maverick gave his speech about Mr. Legend's point record and how he was he best. She kept a serene smile on her face for her job's sake but she didn't really want to be there. It had been a week since she handed over the picture and an invitation to hear what she knew to Barnaby and he still refused to contact her.

She was a little shaken anyway. The moment he broke that record Yuri had been present and Tiger had almost broken his arm. The older man had questioned why she stopped giving orders…

She had lied and said, "I didn't expect Lunatic to show up. I was surprised."

When the speech was over the teammates disappeared and Illiana lingered about for a bit. She danced with Keith and chatted with Karina and Lin.

It became obvious to Maverick that she was constantly checking her delicate silver watch and she jumped when his hand landed on the small of her back. "Do you need to be somewhere?"

"No. I just like to be aware of the time."

He nodded, "You're not obligated to stay here. Though I'm sure Barnaby would miss such a beautiful guest at his party."

Truthfully Illiana had tried not to bring out her best gown, a black, strapless, mermaid tail dress; but it was the only one she owned that was fit enough for the type of party. She chuckled, "I'm sure he would."

Maverick smiled once more and walked into a crowd of nearby sponsors to chat. She took her chance to leave and shrugged on her coat before moving into the hall, "Leaving?"

She spun to face Barnaby and frowned, "Yes. I don't really like parties."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Are you really?"

He frowned back and walked over to her. He gently took her hand and placed the picture in it with another piece of paper. "Your address? I hope you don't plan to romance it out of me…"

Barnaby rolled his eyes, "I'm ready to talk to you."

She sighed, "Alright."

"Tomorrow night?"

"That's fine."

Illiana placed her small purse firmly on the table next to the front door as she entered the house, "Yuri!" She wasn't really expecting an answer back since she could hear the shower water running above her head.

She started down the hall toward the steps, removing her small coin necklace and peaked into the kitchen, "Mama?"

"Yes yes, come in and let me see you."

Illiana entered the kitchen, her dress ghosting the tiles, "Are you enjoying your meal Mama?"

"Yes, aren't we dear?" the old woman turned to the empty seat across from her and spoke as if it would answer. "Tastes too bland, you say? Alright."

Illiana froze as the woman went on and faced Yuri as he entered the kitchen, he gently put his hand on her back as his mother said, "Yuri, do you mind getting me the vinegar?"

The man approached the table as she smiled and said something about him being rebellious, before barely standing from her wheelchair to get it herself. In a rush of black satin Illiana approached to help her from the floor.

Yuri glared, "How many times must I tell you Mama, Papa is dead."

The old woman roared in anger, slapping Illiana and making the young woman fall away before cursing at Yuri and calling him a demon. Yuri helped Illiana stand and glared at his mother.

She coward on the floor, "Such terror! Will you kill me too?"

Yuri scoffed and excited the room with Illiana bundled in his arms, "Are you alright?"

She snatched away from him, "Why do you taunt her like that?"

"She needs to know the truth."

"Yuri, just let her play out her fantasy." Illiana tenderly touched the cheek where she had been slapped, "It's what she needs." Yuri hung his head and she approached him, gently touching where his scar was hidden. "Hiding this doesn't make it any better, does it?"

He shook his head and put his forehead on hers. His open shirt opened some more and Illiana's gaze wandered to his chest. She squeaked in surprise when he kissed her forehead and headed up the stairs, "I'll be in my study."