Hi! I hope you enjoyed the last chapter! You actually didn't have to wait forever…shocking isn't it? Well just to let you readers know, I will try to make the most of the summer and update as much as I can…I have a new beta reader to help be stay on track and brainstorm ideas.

Enough talking…on to the chapter!

*Disclaimer: I do not own JL, only the teens in this fanfic

O~O~O

Chapter Thirty-three: Regroup

The first beams of sunlight streamed through the windows, slowly filling the room with warm light. As the long fingers of light reached his face, Maddox began to wake from his deep slumber. As he leisurely woke, he turned his head to see the slumbering figure next to him. Carefully, to not wake Phee, he gingerly pulls her body close to his. Phee wraps her arms around his waist and rests her head against his chest. Marveled by how natural this all felt sent a wave of emotions through Maddox. He knew he truly loved her ever since the time they were together in that phone booth. A small smirk spreads across his face.

'It's funny how the rain always seems to bring us together.'

She softly stirs in his arms and a small wave of sadness washes over him. 'No, please don't wake up yet…'

So long had he loved her. So long had he waited for her to return his feelings for him. Many guys have courted her and she turned them down. He had hoped that amongst the many courters, she would turn and look his way. Truthfully, the wait had jaded his hope and slowly he thought that she would never see him as more than a friend. Penelope's interest had flattered him but he knew that it wouldn't work between them. His hope was diminishing but not his love…

Maddox gazed lovingly at the sleeping beauty next to him. He didn't want this moment to end. It was a moment he had longed for and now it was here. Nothing was going to ruin this special moment.

Unexpectedly, Maddox felt sharp vibrations coming from his pocket. Silently cursing, he pulls out his cell phone. It was a text from Rex.

Meet at Trinity Union 10:00 sharp.

Maddox knew that Rex wasn't the type of guy who just sent "Hey, what's up?" kind of texts. And there was a sense of importance and urgency emanating from the text. So he knew the upcoming meeting was significant.

He turned to the clock on the table next to him and saw that it was 6:45 A.M.

Taking in these last few minutes with his senses, he gently shook Ophelia, breaking the magical moment. "It's time to wake up Phee."

"Hmm?" She stirs awake and rubs her eyes. "What time is it?"

'She looks so cute right about now…'

Maddox leans in and kisses her forehead. "It's a quarter to seven love."

"Then why are you waking me up?" she groans as she pulls the pillow over her head. Maddox reaches over and pulls the pillow off her face. "Because," he begins explaining, "Rex sent a mass text telling us to meet him at Trinity Union at ten."

"Well, it's ten o'clock. Why do I have to be up so early?" Phee mumbles.

"Because I'm going to leave now," Maddox informs her. His statement wakes her from her sleep and she sits upright in bed. "Why?" she asks, almost in a pleading voice.

"I don't think your parents will be too thrilled to see me with you…in your room," Maddox jokes. As he sits up on the edge of the bed ready to get up Ophelia reaches out and wraps her arms around his waist, anchoring him down to the bed.

"Don't go," she quietly pleads.

Maddox turns and kisses her cheek. "I wish I didn't have to Phee but you know that I have to go. Besides I have to get back home and get ready for the day." He gets up from the bed and walks towards the balcony.

"Can I go with you?" she suggests.

"What about your parents?" he cautiously inquires.

"Pshh, forget them! I need to be out of this house!" Ophelia declares as she jumps out of bed. "Since the meeting is at ten, maybe we can go and grab some breakfast?" she flirtatiously suggests.

With a smirk on his face, Maddox walks towards her and kisses her cheek. "Alright," he relents, "Meet me outside of your balcony and we'll take my car." He walks out through the French doors and climbs down the balcony.

Ophelia squeals in delight as she runs into her bathroom, looking forward to getting ready for the day ahead.

O~O~O

As dawn cracks over the fields of Smallville, a young man is seen exiting the humble cottage of the elderly Kents. Despite the long and complicated previous night, Valen walked out with a newfound determination and perspective. The extensive conversation he shared with his grandparents shed light on his father's past. His father rarely opened up about his childhood and teen years, so hearing stories about him gave Valen an idea of the man his father was and why he acts the way he does.

Valen's face was stoic, a mask concealing the conflicting thoughts that were swirling around in his head.

"Valen, honey?"

His grandmother's soft voice brought his out of his reverie. "Yes Mammy?"

"Would you like to stay for breakfast? It's still very early in the morning and after all you've been through when was the last time you've had a good meal?"

Just as his grandmother pointed it out, Valen's stomach rumbled audibly. With a sheepish look on his face he accepted his Mammy's hospitable offer. "I guess you're right Mammy."

"Of course I'm right," she asserted and she walked back into the house ready to cook up a storm. "You're a growing boy! Why, when your father was your age, he was able to eat a whole cow. And of course he couldn't say no to my cooking. It's a good thing he's a superhuman, otherwise all that food would've turned him into one chunky barrel."

Gramps playfully elbowed Valen in the ribs. "You're gonna regret accepting her offer. She won't let you leave until you're so full, you'd probably be flying low the entire time…"

A small smile appeared on his grandparents' face as he enjoyed his grandparents' good nature.

O~O~O

In a small diner that stood juxtapose to the tall buildings of the Gotham business district, was a young man clad in a dark trench coat despite the warm weather. Many of the customers were suspicious about him – some thought that he was a private detective on duty, other thought little about his peculiar attire and just went on to eating their breakfasts. Despite their opinion, everyone knew that in Gotham, a lot of stranger things have happened. Nonetheless they were still wary of the colossal teen clothed in a dark trench coat, sitting at the counter.

To Sasha Baker, a seasoned, middle-aged waitress who has "seen it all," the young man was just another customer who's obligated to tip. "Welcome to the Crusade Diner," she introduced with a husky smoker's voice. "My name is Sasha and I'lls be yas serva for today. What can I get chya darlin'?"

"I'll have the Big League breakfast. But instead of four blueberry pancakes, I'll want the five Belgian waffles and instead of the three strips of beacon being pork, I want it turkey. Oh and can I have the eggs over-easy instead of scrambled?"

"Anything for you sweethawt," Sasha said as she scribbled down the order. "So 5 Belgian waffles, three strips of turkey beacon, and the three eggs over-easy. Is that right darlin'?"

"Yes ma'am."

"It comes with hash browns or home fries…"

"Home fries please."

"Do ya want toast or grits?"

"I would like whole wheat toast please."

Sasha scribbles the last details of Rex's hefty meal. "What would ya like to drink honey?"

"A cup of coffee please."

"With cream or milk?"

"Half-and-half."

She turns the mug on his table over and pours some freshly brewed coffee into it. "Allsright sweethawt," she said as she took his menu. "Your meal will be out soon."

"Thank you," Rex said politely as he took a sip of his coffee. He looks at the clock hanging above the baked pastries and saw that it was still nine o'clock in the morning. He took another long sip of coffee and listened to the faint hum of news on the television set.

'It's almost time to regroup…'

O~O~O

Within a blink of an eye, fraternal teen twins seemingly appear out of thin air unto the devastated Trinity Union High School football field. They regained their footing after an unexpected landing into a crater. As they crawled out of the decent sized crater, they surveyed the desolate and damaged school. There were bricks strewn all over the yard, windows were shattered, and the overall structure of the school building looked unstable. The fences separating the school from the athletic field were bent, as if they were suffering from an invisible weight and the condition of the field was in worst shape. Equipment along with loose pieces of dirt and debris were scattered everywhere. Some of the benches in the bleachers were damaged and the parking lot was littered with abandoned cars due to the disastrous demons. With its craters, the football field stood as a testament to the fight.

From a distance, Billy spotted Angie walking towards them. With her eyes downcast, her shoulders hunched, and her sluggish stride, the twins already imagined the kind of emotional stress she suffered last night.

Feigning an optimistic disposition, Billy greets his friend with much gusto. "Hey Angie!"

"Hi…" she whispered.

Lilly's heart went out to her friend. She knew the kind of pain she felt, however, she had Billy to help comfort her throughout the ordeal. Angie, unfortunately, did not have that companionship. She had to go through it alone.

From several yards away, Lilly can see Maddox and Ophelia making their way towards their growing group. She raised an eyebrow noticing the close interaction between the two. They weren't holding hands or anything, but she sensed that something has changed between them. She didn't have Maddox's ability but she knew her friends well and it's simply a girl's intuition.

Just as Maddie and Phee finally arrived into the group, Valen is seen coming quickly from the direction of the bleachers. "It's about time you all showed up," he stated in a pseudo serious tone.

"Whaddya mean? Lil and I have been here! Where were you?" Billy challenges.

"Yeah we didn't see you," Lilly added.

"I've been around. I was just checking out the bleachers a few minutes ago." A look of sadness comes across his face. "Imagine…our school is now in shambles…"A despairing look comes across their faces as they all realized that the damage was partially their fault.

"Hey? Where the heck is T-Rex? He called the meeting, how the heck is he the one late?" Billy complains. His statement snapped everybody out of their own pity parties.

"Yeah, where is he?" Maddox quietly asks.

"Right here," Rex states as he flies down.

"Are you crazy? What if someone saw you flying?" Billy spazzed.

"Oh yeah right, as if no one would notice you appearing out of nowhere!" Lilly defended.

"Last time I checked Sis, you appeared out of nowhere with me!"

"Well that's cuz –"

"Quiet!" the dauntingly silent Angie screams. A sudden hush comes over the twins and the rest of the group.

'Geez she really is Bruce Wayne's daughter!' the twins simultaneously thought.

Taking a hold of the reins of the meeting, Rex assesses his friends' conditions. He noticed that they all mirrored the same emotional exhaustion he experienced the night before. Dark circles and slightly puffy eyes tell the story that each of them went through a very long night. But he knew that it was a new day and they had to put the previous night behind them.

"I know we've all had a hard night," Rex began. "On top of being attacked by those demon creeps, we also find out that our parents are essential members of the Justice League. Our lives have changed in a matter of a day but we can't allow them to overwhelm us. We need to learn to adjust to our new lives…"

"How do you suggest we do that?" Ophelia asks.

"Simple…" he responds determinedly. "Our parents have to train us."

O~O~O

Dun, dun, dun…training? From their parents? How will the teens take to that idea? Find out in the next chapter! Review please!