Chapter Four

Cassie

When Meg landed in South Carolina, her sisters were still no where in sight. She could feel them in her mind, trying to get through, wanting to be sure she was OK. But Meg just needed a few minuets to herself, some quiet time to think. She had taken a big risk today, letting Bruce and Ollie see her files. She knew though that they wouldn't betray her trust. They were honest men, dealing fairly with everyone. She had complete trust in them. It was Superman that concerned her now. He knew that her life was entangled with Lex Luthor. And everyone knew of the feud between the two men. It worried her that the big man would somehow use her to get to Lex.

Meg walked into her home, finding the study empty, which was strange. She was used to having her mother there, sometimes her father, Ian standing in the corner with a brandy ready. As she thought this, her lips quirked. That was a habit that she had picked up from Lex. Her first sip had been when she was 15. And that night he seduced her, that had been the drink he had plied her with to loosen her up enough to loose her inhibitions. The habit had stuck after so many years, and she had never tried to break it.

A sound in the hall made her turn as the door to the study opened, revealing her parents. Her sisters stormed into the room from the garden, the anger radiating from them both. Jewel and Jami ignored their mother and father in favor of standing in front of Meg, their arms on their hips, angry green eyes flashing.

"You had us BLOCKED!!!!! What if something had happened to you? We would never have known. That was a stupid thing to do, Meg!!!" Jami yelled, once again ignoring the people behind her as she heard them gasp.

"Why did you do it, Meg?" Jewel's quiet voice asked. Meg looked up at her sister, staring into eyes so much like her own. She knew that she had scared them, that they hadn't known what to do. She didn't have a good reason, at least not one that would satisfy them.

"I needed time to think in my own head, without anyone seeing my thoughts. We're so used to looking into each other's minds that it would be second nature for you to peek. This was private, and I wanted to keep it that way." Meg's equally quiet voice stated. She watched as her mother came over to sit across from her.

"What happened?" That was all she asked. Meg waited until everyone had sit, watching as her sisters took notice of their father for the first time since they had entered the room. She watched as they went over and kissed him on the cheek, before sitting and looking to her for an explanation.

"It went fine until there was a confrontation in the dinning hall. This big guy, Booster Gold I think it is, was making fun of Flash. I didn't like it, or the way he looked at me. After I handled that," Meg paused as her mother nailed her with a glare, making her squirm in her seat. "We went into the kitchen, started talking. I told them that I supplied Lex with parts. Let's just say that they didn't take it very well."

"Batman did step up and tell the others that he thought they should listen to her." Jewel was quick to point out, as she saw her fathers face darkening. "Flash was standing beside me. He was not against her, he just wanted to know why."

"Green Arrow was the same. Though he was a bit more agitated at hearing the name." Jami blushed at the look from her mother. Both women's eyes became cloudy as they spoke telepathically. Meg and Jewel exchanged smiles as Jami's blush deepened. Meg waited until the women had rejoined them.

"I told them I that could prove myself, all I needed was computer. I was taken to the mainframe, which was made of Grant parts by the way. From there I was able to access my data base. Both Batman and Green Arrow are very intelligent, well versed in technology, so they had no problem telling Superman what they saw. And since Batman is an original member, I'm hoping that his word will be enough to convince the big guy."

"They'll come around, Meg." Ted startled everyone by speaking. Meg looked up at her father. "Batman is tough, but he's fair. He'll make them see reason. There's a reason why he's one of the riches men on the planet."

"You know who he is?" Meg raised an eyebrow, causing her dad to smirk, as he sat on the divan.

"I know more about those people than they may think. I also know that if they hurt my girls, they won't be alive for another mission." He looked at all three of his girls, his gaze lingering on Jami the longest. "Your mother just told me that you each have an interest in the League. I have no objections to Bruce and Wally, but Oliver is another story completely."

Jami's face fell at her father's statement. She had hoped that he would approve, but had known better. She was his youngest, only 18. And Oliver was in his 30's. There was little chance that it would work out, but she had hoped she would have that chance to find out anyway. It appeared that it wasn't meant to be. She and her sisters had been raised to be obedient. Until she was 21 she had to follow her father's wishes. And if he said she couldn't pursue Oliver, then she wouldn't. She looked up as her father spoke again.

"He's older than you, Jamison, he has more experience. He's seen and done things that I don't even won't to think about my little girl knowing about." He paused, making sure that Jami was listening. "But he is a good man. A man that is worth his weight in gold. He was married to Dana for a year before she was killed, I got to know him well during that summer they were here to train......." Jami cut him off.

"He was here? I never saw him!!" Jami knew who Dana was. If that was the kind of woman Oliver liked, then there was no reason why he should look at her. Dana and Jami were the complete opposites of each other..... Dana had been fair skinned, light haired and blue eyed. Jami had a dark olive complexion, with fiery red hair and brilliant green eyes.

"It was two summers ago, when you four went on your European tour for three months and left me here by myself. She called saying that her new husband needed some work, and she was too closely tied to him to do it. They flew down the next day." Her father gave her a stern look for interrupting. "As I was saying, I got to know him well, and other than the age factor, I have no objections to him." Jami looked from her father to her mother, the wheels in her head turning rapidly.

"Age is just a number, though, right. I mean, look at you and mama. There's twenty years difference in age, and yet after 30 years of marriage, you're more in love with each other than ever." Jami knew she had her father when he turned to look at Kathleen. Her mother merely smiled.

She's truly your daughter Ted. I would never have thought to point that out.

I know, my love, but it's because she's my daughter that I'm worried.

You needn't be, sweety, she can take care of herself, and if by some fluke of nature she can't, she has two older sisters that are very protective of her. But if Oliver's anything like he used to be, then we don't have anything to worry about. I'd be more worried about the other two, than our Jamison Leigh.

That's true. Batman can be a hard man, but Bruce Wayne is a womanizer. But then, Meg's not new to this. And I know that she can handle any man she comes in contact with.

Yes, she can. I don't know much about Flash, but what I do know I like. And Jewel is an excellent read on character. If she likes him, then we shouldn't stand in her way.

You're right, my love, as always. I don't know what I did to deserve you, Kathleen Grant.

You didn't do anything.

I love you.

Love you more.

The three sisters just sat as they watched their parents have their mental conversation. They had grown up with this, so they knew better than to interrupt, instead waiting patiently for them to realize that there were other people in the room. As they waited, Meg glanced at the clock, noting that she would have to change soon.

"Your mother and I have discussed it, and we have decided that, if you want, Jami, you may pursue Oliver. Though we will be laying down some laws if you actually start to date him. We'll talk about that if, or when it comes. Understood?" Ted finished with a stern look at Jami, that didn't hold as the girl squealed and jumped up, running to her father. She plopped down into his lap and gave him a tight hug.

"Well since that's settled, I need to change and be on my way to get Cassie. Thanks for the encouragement, Dad. It helped a little." Meg stood and made her way over to Ted, looking down on him as he held Jami.

"Only a little?" He asked with a smirk. Meg shook her head, then leaned down to kiss his cheek, leaning over to do the same with her mother, before waving to her sisters and heading out the door to change.

Only a short hour later, Meg stepped out of the car when her driver opened the door for her. She watched as the door to the airplane opened, and the captain stepped out followed by a red headed girl. The girl smiled when she spotted Meg, stopping only to shake the hand of the pilot before quickly descending the steps to run into her mother's arms.

Meg wrapped her arms around the girl, marveling at her height. She had grown while she was away at school this year, from coming to Meg's mid torso, to now standing nearly at her mother's collar bone. She squeezed her eyes shut, holding her daughter tightly in her arms, forcing the tears back as she thought of how much time she had missed with her little girl.

"Mama, I missed you sooooo much!!!!" Cassandra Alexys Grant said, raising her eyes to look into her mother's. Meg gazed into the green eyes so much like her own, before hugging the girl close again.

"I missed you too sweetheart. I don't think you'll be going back after this year. It's just too much time away from me." Cassie looked up sharply. Meg smiled down at her, taking her hand and pulling her to the car. Cassie smiled at Dan, the driver as he opened the door for them.

"Welcome home, Miss Cassie. I hope the flight was pleasant." He smiled at the little girl that had stolen his heart. There were not many people that she met that didn't fall in love with her after just one conversation. She was much like her mother. Dan looked up at his boss as the young girl ducked into the car. They shared a smile before she too ducked in the car.

No one saw the man dressed in black standing in the shadows with a camera in his hand. The man smiled, a glint of evil in his eyes. His boss would be pleased with this development.

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After the car pulled to a stop, Cassie didn't wait for Dan to open the door, but hopped out on her own, running up and into the house, shouting as she went. Meg smiled indulgently, waiting for Dan to open the door for her. When she stood, she saw the man's shoulders shaking with quiet laughter. She reached up and patted his cheek, before following in her daughter's wake, albeit at a more sedate pace.

She stepped into the house, heading toward the sound of laughter, her heels clicking on the marble floor. She opened the door to the study to see her daughter surrounded by her aunts and grandparents. Cassie was currently regaling them with the antics of the girls at her private school in England. It sounded at lot like some of the things that Meg had done in her own school days, although she was in public school.

"Mom?" Meg walked into the room and sat in her chair.

"What is it, sweety?" Meg watched as Cassie sat in her grandfather's lap, twisting her hands nervously.

"When did you powers start to manifest?" Meg's eyebrows raised into her hair. Cassie hadn't shown any signs of having powers.

"I started showing promise at the age of four. Why, Cassie? Has something happened?" Meg watched her daughter carefully. She flushed red, making her prettier. She slowly nodded her head. Meg rose from her chair, and went to kneel in front of Cassie. "Tell me." Meg saw Kathleen smile out of the corner of her eye. She would have to remember to ask her what that was about sometime in the near future.

"It was right before we left for break. I was concentrating really hard on packing, because I was the last one in the room. All the other girls had left to say goodbye to their friends. I wanted to get done so I wouldn't have to miss the big dinner that night. Suddenly my clothes started flying through the air, folding themselves and landing in my suitcase. When I realized what had happened, the ones in the air stopped moving and dropped to the floor. I finished packing and ran from the room."

The room was silent as Cassie looked around at them. Meg sat back on her heels, gazing at her daughter, her eyes thoughtful. If the truth were told, most all of them had given up on Cassie having powers of any kind. All three of the sisters had displayed talents at a far younger age than 12; Meg being the youngest at four. Year after year went by, and Meg had began to hope that her daughter would be able to live a semi-normal life, considering her mother went out every night to fight crime. But it seems that Fates had decided differently. Meg nodded her head before standing.

"That has made my mind up. You won't be going back to boarding school next term. You need to stay home, so we can teach you how to control your powers. And you need to learn how to fight." Cassie looked up with bright green eyes, her gaze holding her mother's.

"Will I be able to fight like you and Aunt Jewel and Aunt Jami?" She sat forward eagerly.

"Hey!!! What about me? I can fight too you know!!!" Ted side from behind the girl. Cassie shot a grin over her shoulder at her grandfather, before turning back to her mother.

"It will take a long time before you can fight like us, but eventually you will. I'll make sure of it." Meg smiled as Cassie looked to her aunts and smiled. "And there's no time like the present to start. Go up to your room and change into your yoga outfit from school. Your aunts and I will do the same. We'll meet you in the gym in twenty minuets."

It was actually closer to thirty minuets when Cassie got there, and even then she was out of breath. She opened the doors to see her mother and aunts moving together, music blaring from speakers that she didn't see. She watched as the three women did a complicated form of martial arts to the beat of the music. Cassie stood mesmerized as she watched. Her mother and aunts were really good, swinging their legs in graceful arches, punching the air with fierce jabs. None of them were even breathing hard, there wasn't even the gleam of sweat on their faces. The song was coming to an end, so they stopped moving.

Meg turned to her daughter, who was watching in the door. She motioned her in, and with a flick of her hand she shut the door tight, throwing up a shield, though why, Cassie couldn't figure out. Jewel and Jami stood off to the side, as Meg took the center of the mat.

"The first thing you have to do is learn to center yourself. So for that, we'll start every session with meditation. All four of us, and occasionally Grandpa, will do this." Cassie watched as her aunts moved to join their sister, then followed suit until the four of them were sitting cross legged on the floor. "Cassie what happens in the room, you can't tell anyone outside this family. It could be disastrous. Do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am. I understand." Cassie kept her eyes on her mother as she said this.

"Good, let's start. First close your eyes." The music changed, becoming the sound of the ocean, a soothing sound. "Focus on the sounds, clear you mind. Don't think about anything. Let it all go." For many minuets there was nothing but the sound of the ocean, until Meg spoke again. "Now that your mind is clear, you can focus on your power. Look for it in your mind. It will be like a thick corded rope, swirling around in your mind. Do you see it?"

"Yes, I see it. It's purple, with a dark blue at the bottom." Cassie's voice had a touch of awe.

"Can you touch it, Cassie?" Meg opened her eyes to see her daughter.

"Yes, it burns a little though."

"It will for a little while. This is your core, Cassie. This is where all your power will come from. The darker the color the stronger you are. Now I want you to feel around, and look for something that looks like a latch. This is what keeps you mind guarded."

"Do I need to do anything to it?"

"Not right now, we'll cover that later. That's all for now. Retreat from your mind, and clear it again. Focus on the music, Cassie. Let it bring you back." Meg watched for the signs of Cassie's consciousness coming back to her body. "Now open your eyes slowly, if you don't the light will hurt them." Cassie opened her green eyes to see three pairs just like her own looking at her. She smiled at them

"Are we witches, Mom?"

"Sort of." Meg thought for a moment, before continuing. "We have no need of wands, nor do we use spells. We simply think of what we want and it happens. I suppose that we could use spells if we wanted. I've never looked into it though, so don't try anything on your on."

"I won't. I was just curious." Cassie smiled at her mother, getting up to give her a hug. Jami figured she needed to lighten the mood a little.

"So," Jami started. "How did you like your first out of body experience?" At this there was a snort from Meg, and Jewel rolled her eyes at the younger woman.

"Don't pay any attention to your Aunt Jami, Cassie." Jewel smiled slyly. "She's been brain dead since she saw a man this morning in only a pair of workout shorts." Cassie laughed as Jami blushed.

"Stop it, Jewel!!! I have not been brain dead. Just had a little brain fart." Meg, Jewel and Cassie all laughed out loud at that. "Well since I can see that I'm not appreciated here, I will remove myself from your company. I have a study group to catch up with anyway. You said my cover for this morning was an OBGYN appointment?" She looked to Meg who nodded.

"See Mama before you leave for school tomorrow. She'll have an excuse from our doctor for you." With a nod, Jami ran out of the room, leaving the other three all laughing. Jewel got up not long after that.

"I've got to run as well. I've got a class to teach, and I need to brush up on this week's lesson." Jewel was teaching a martial arts class for kids ages 7 to 18 at the local YMCA. It had started as a self defense course for young girls after the Parcae had found a 15 year old girl being raped in an alley one night. From that, it evolved, becoming weekly lessons for all young people. The cost was $50 for the entire year, and all the profits went to the center. What ever was not covered with the course cost, Grant International took care of.

"So does that mean that I can go too, Mama?" Cassie was looking tired.

"Sure, just don't do too much for the rest of the day. You'll be tired after the first few lessons." She watches as Cassie jumped up and ran to the door, before stopping and running back to her. Cassie threw her arms around Meg, squeezed her tight then was gone. Meg stood there for a while, staring at the door, a sad look in her eyes. But then she shook herself, and returned to her workout.

Meg turned the music back to a good beat, then started to move, practicing her routine. This was what she was doing when the door opened and two figures came in, sitting on the bench watching their daughter move to the music, her movements quick and precise, staying with the sharp beat of the drums in the music. They stayed watching until their granddaughter came to find them. They left Meg as they had found her, working out all the tension in her body, letting the day go.

It was what she did. Always had, probably always would.