Omake: Does She Know?

By: Major Session

Set Between Chapters 10 and 11.

"I've been thinking about what you said the other day?"

"Oh, any big decision?"

"Yeah, I really think that the…"

Taylor brushed past, self-consciously ducking her head, letting her dark curls sweep forward and hide her face. She fidgeted, fingers tugging at the edge of her shirt, trying to pull it down. She shouldn't have worn it, should have put on something else, something normal. People had been looking at her and it was weird.

"…if Andrew is still dating Chelsea?"

"No, I heard they broke up at the party last week, something about…"

Taylor tugged at her shirt again, wishing it didn't expose her midriff. For one, it was cold out, even with her new jacket unzipped over the top. She should have worn an old hoodie, something dark so she could blend in, not… not what she was wearing. But seeing her dad's face light up when he saw her in new clothes, the warmth in his smile when she said she was going shopping… She couldn't have changed, didn't want to at the time.

She was regretting it now.

"…wonder if we'll see any capes?"

"Well, we can always book a tour of PRT, the Wards always show up there."

"I suppose, but it's awfully…"

Taylor passed the group of tourists nervously. As she kept walking Taylor looked to her right, taking in the bay and the shimmering glow of the force-field around the Protectorate Headquarters out in the bay. She smiled slightly at the sight. To think she was one of them now, a Cape, a Hero! More though, there was so much more, so much better…

"This is good, now whatever you do… Don't fart."

"What?!"

Walking past what felt like the millionth group of girls out shopping this afternoon, Taylor paused to examine the contents of a store's window. There were books, the newest best sellers and some popular imports from Earth-Aleph, the high end stuff Taylor expected of the Boardwalk.

Normally Taylor would have taken the chance to browse, but she only had so much time. Sabah had invited her over for dinner again and it was already nearly three. Sabah's class at College finished at four, and Taylor wanted to be there when her friend got home. To be able to greet her at the door and make sure Sabah knew just how much she appreciated her. After she'd put up with Taylor's ranting and accusations a few days ago… The comfort she'd offered while Taylor cried... Taylor wanted to be a worthy friend, to show Sabah that she hadn't been wrong, that Taylor would be a great friend, the best friend Sabah had ever had.

So here she was on a Saturday afternoon looking for a present for her friend.

Passing by the bookstore Taylor kept looking, trying to find a store that both sold something Sabah would like and was within her price range. It was a fairly precarious thing, fitting that criteria on the Boardwalk. Leviathan's presence and the damage it had caused to the shipping industry… Though from her dad's rants that had mostly been the insurance companies panicking… had made the price of most goods skyrocket.

"Wait, is that… it is!"

"Is what?"

"That girl there. See her? She's wearing Doll House!"

Taylor blushed as someone commented on her clothes, ducking her head still further and hurrying on. She so dearly wished she'd worn something else. She was a little cold and the fact her stomach was showing was making feel self-conscious and awkward. Even if she'd worked off her paunch over the month and half since the hospital between her morning runs and late night escapades being a cape and now had a flat stomach, if not quite abs… Showing it off was just not her. She still loved the shirt though.

It had been a present from Sabah.

Once she was out of earshot of the girls who'd been commenting on her clothing, Taylor paused to look in the window of a jewelry shop. Ignoring the rings and necklaces on display Taylor instead studied her own reflection.

She still had the same too wide mouth and thin lips, though Sabah had promised a little lipstick would solve that. There were the same watery blue eyes, made far too big by her glasses. Without her paunch now she was rail thin. Even if she no longer looked like an upright frog she now looked like someone had taken a normal person and just tugged on them to make them taller while forgetting to tug sideways too. She was too skinny, gangly even, all knees and elbows and stick limbs. The only good thing about herself was her hair; long dark curls, thick and lustrous spilling down to the small of her back. They were a pain to keep clean and took forever to dry and ate a lot of her allowance to keep looking nice… but when Sabah ran her fingers through her hair and complimented her on it… It made it all worthwhile.

Especially since Sabah had promised to help her braid it tonight, like her mother had used to do.

Continuing her self-examination Taylor looked at her clothing. Her shirt was more of a crop top, exposing a good three inches of her now flat tummy. The shirt itself was a pale blue. More important though was the doll mask and threaded needle embodied on the front, which proclaimed for all those who knew that her shirt was a creation of 'Dollhouse clothing,' Parian's brand. Her denim jacket had the logo too, smaller and embodied on the back left shoulder. The dark blue of the jacket somewhat clashed with the faded look of her old jeans, but they'd been the nicest she owned… Except for that pair and there was no way she was getting into those jeans again without Sabah there to make her. They seriously felt painted on.

Shaking her head Taylor looked up, spotting the sign. Tiffany's wasn't a store she'd normally shop in but she decided she might as well try. It wasn't like anything else she'd seen while window shopping had leapt out at her.

Walking inside Taylor felt distinctly out of place. There were a few other people browsing, but they all appeared older than her. And richer… though she supposed that her own clothing was a little misleading on that considering that she was wearing Cape brand clothing. While Taylor didn't know a lot about fashion, she was learning thanks to Sabah. Still, Taylor had already known brand clothing was always 10 times the price, and she dreaded to think how much more expensive Cape brand clothing would be.

Stepping inside properly a shop assistant seemed to teleport to her side making Taylor start at her sudden appearance.

"Can I help?" The shop assistant asked, a bubbly blonde girl who looked about Sabah's age.

Taylor felt herself blush as she caught a look down the girl's low cut top, darting her eyes away.

"Um, no? Maybe? I'm just browsing." Taylor said.

"Okay, anything in particular you might be looking for? Are you looking for a necklace, earrings? Maybe something to go with your lovely jacket? Or for perhaps you're shopping someone else? My name's Emma by the way." The assistant, Emma, replied in the same perky, upbeat tone as before.

Taylor couldn't help the flinch she made or the way her head ducked at that name. While she knew this wasn't Emma, her ex-friend didn't have a monopoly on the name after all, the name Emma would always drag up bad memories for her.

Swallowing Taylor lifted her head again to see the girl still smiling at her and she returned a weak one of her own.

"Um, I'm looking for a present for my friend. I… I want to show her how much she means to me, she's been a really big help to me recently. I want her to know she's my best friend." Taylor said, unsure what to say as she didn't know what she was looking for.

"Hmm. Is she your best friend or your best friend?" Emma the assistant said with an eyebrow wiggle.

Taylor was confused. Wasn't that just repeating the same thing?

"Um, yes?" Taylor replied, unsure.

Emma stuck her tongue out of the corner of her mouth, head cocked for a moment before she snapped her fingers.

"I think we've got just the thing. The perfect first gift for your 'best' friend." Emma the assistant said with a giggle, turning and gesturing for Taylor to follow as she headed for a side counter.

"Okay?" Taylor said, still unsure and now uncertain about what she'd gotten herself into as she followed.

Dealing with people had never really been her thing. Sure, years ago, she'd have best been described as a motor-mouth… but that had only been with people she'd known. It had always been Emma who had introduced her to people, who dealt with the strangers.

Still, Taylor would like to think she was doing okay and even if she wasn't… Well, she didn't have a choice. She needed to show Sabah how much her friendship meant. After she'd promised to always be there, had shared her own story of loneliness and neglect… Taylor had to show Sabah that just as she'd promised to always be there for her… Taylor would always be there for Sabah.

"Hmm, let's see how about this?" Emma the assistant said, showing Taylor a silvery ring set with a red stone.

"No." Taylor shook her head. The ring wouldn't do. For one, it was a little tacky. For two, Sabah couldn't wear rings, they would interfere with her power and if she didn't absolutely focus, detonate and take a finger off.

"No rings." Taylor said, seeing Emma the Assistant reaching for another.

The blonde sales assistant pouted. "Okay, something more subtle than."

Subtle? Taylor briefly wondered. What would subtle have to do with anything? This was a present to show she appreciated her friend, subtle wasn't really the idea here.

After another few tries Taylor was feeling a little annoyed. Making her excuses and preparing to leave she was stopped when Emma the assistant spoke, almost yelled as Taylor turned her back.

"Wait! I've got it! These will be perfect." Emma the assistant said, holding out a box containing four items.

Taylor turned back and looked at the box, examining the jewelry. The sales assistant was right, these were perfect. One set for her and one for Sabah.

Looking at the price Taylor felt herself wince. They were more than she'd really wanted to spend. If she bought them she would not only be making a significant dent in her meager savings but it'd be hard to justify buying her favorite brand of tea-tree oil shampoo.

Still…

They were perfect…

And she was getting a job at Doll House soon, they were just waiting on Ingrid for the paperwork…

And Sabah was worth anything…

"I'll take them." Taylor said with a firm nod, jaw set.

"...I just can't believe it. The fucking dick!" Sabah lamented, speaking to Taylor from the dining table.

Taylor nodded sympathetically, giving an appropriate hum in response. It really wasn't hard to believe, not in Brockton Bay. But the the fact it had happened to Sabah? Taylor wanted to try out her New Costume and go bash a head in.

"I mean, I know Saturday classes are a little different, they're for extra study or part timers like me. That still doesn't give random assholes likes him the right to just wander into our lectures! I mean, you have to pay to study the course. Even then I probably wouldn't have noticed, let alone minded if he didn't insist on trying to talk to me the whole time. Ugh! It was so annoying and distracting. Especially when I kept telling him to shut up and pay attention. But noooo. Mr. Pretty Boy can't take a hint. He has to try and grope me! Even when I kept pushing him away he wouldn't stop, the prick. I had to scream 'rape' to finally get him to leave. Then campus security came and I've never been so embarrassed!" Sabah wailed, burying her head in her arms and sobbing.

Noticing the distressed state of her friend, Taylor grabbed a tea towel and quickly wiped off her hands. Rushing over to Sabah, Taylor drew a seat over and sat next to her friend, draping her arm over her and squeezing tight.

Sabah lifted her head up, turning to pull Taylor into a hug, headless of the food scraps on the apron the younger girl was wearing. Taylor wrapped her other arm around Sabah as the older girl put her head in the hollow of Taylor's neck and sniffled, trying not to cry.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you had to put up with that Sabah. I should have been there. I should…" Taylor said, trailing off when Sabah squeezed her tighter, shaking her head under Taylor's chin.

"It wasn't… It wasn't your fault Taylor. It was his. It was that utter dick who wouldn't leave me alone." Sabah said, her breathing slowly evening out as the pair hugged.

Taylor gently stroked her friend's shorter brown hair. She turned her head leaning her cheek against the soft straight locks, rubbing her cheek against them for extra comfort and breathing in their scent.

Lilies.

Taylor smiled, her mother had used the same scent too. While she preferred the tea-tree oil she normally used, the smell of lilies would always hold a place in her heart.

The pair stayed like that for a few minutes, before Sabah gave Taylor a gentle nudge.

"Go on." The Arabic girl said, reluctantly unwinding from the embrace. "Get back in the kitchen there Miss Master Chef. Show me what you got if you're so determined to cook."

Taylor released her friend, sliding her chair back a bit. She smiled and reached into her pocket. Now was as good a time as any, better really, as Sabah could really use a pick me up after being sexually assaulted in class. Even if the College weren't calling it that, just a 'misunderstanding between two students*'… Taylor knew that's what had happened and it made her bloodboil. She wanted to summon Melody of the Lost and gut the guy who'd hurt Sabah. But Sabah wouldn't want her to kill anyone, not even for that, and she really didn't know who he was or even what he looked like.

So instead she'd settle for giving Sabah her gift now, instead of after dinner.

"Sabah. I don't really know how to say this, but… I really um, admire you. You're so brave and strong. I… I don't think I'd have ever been brave enough to call out like that, even if… even if he'd done something even worse to me. I… You're so amazing and good. You didn't lash out with your powers like so many other capes would have." Taylor said grasping the package in her pocket.

"You're helping people, even if it's making clothes, you're helping everyone and creating a whole new industry. You're brave and strong and amazing and everything I want to be as a cape. You do so much for me and always make me feel welcome and wanted. You… You're the best friend I've ever had and I… I want you to know how much you mean to me. So, here. I got these for you." Taylor said, looking down embarrassed. At the end she pulled out at the small box and handed it to Sabah.

Sabah blinked, surprised and trying not to blush at what Taylor was saying. Taking the small case she admired the soft red box before spotting the Tiffany's logo on the front. Looking up at Taylor with wide eyes Sabah quickly shoved the box back at her.

"I can't accept this Taylor. It must have cost a fortune. You aren't even properly employed yet. You can't afford to just be spending all your money on…" Sabah stopped when Taylor pressed her right hand over the older girl's mouth, mindful her left was caked in a mixture of beef and cheese.

"I can and I did. You're worth it besides… It's sort of for us to share?" Taylor finished with a self-conscious smile. She hoped Sabah wouldn't mind. She wanted it to signify their friendship, so having a pair each, wearing them together so everyone could see they matched…

Slowly, almost reluctantly, Sabah brought the gift back to herself and turned it around. Opening the case her mouth dropped open at what she could see inside.

Four silver hair clips stared back at the Arabic girl. Each clip had a white enameled lily on the end, inlaid with gold leaf to resemble the throat of a blooming lily. Lifting a pair out the Arabic girl stared in awe at the present, darting glances between it and a nervous looking Taylor.

"Taylor… I, you…" Sabah trailed off, unsure how to voice her question.

Smiling shyly, Taylor wiped her hands on her apron before taking the clips from Sabah's hands. Gesturing for the older girl to lean forward, Taylor then carefully slid clips into her friend's hair, pinning the brown bangs back away from her friends face in an even parting.

Taking the hint, Sabah retrieved the second pair, the older girl brushed Taylor's hair behind her ears before using the pins to keep it place.

Leaning back Taylor beamed at her friend, happy and proud Sabah liked her gift so much.

"Taylor, you… I… Are we…" Sabah began, stuttering.

Taylor nodded sort of glad, but also sad, Sabah was having as much trouble as she'd had realizing how much the older girl meant to her. There were no words for how much Taylor appreciated her friend, and if she had to spend every day for the rest of her life cooking, cleaning, buying gifts and anything else she could think of to show it? Taylor would do it.

Sabah was worth it, because…

"Best friends forever." Taylor said smiling, hugging Sabah again.

Sabah just hugged her back, too shocked and happy to reply.

Leaning back again Taylor smiled once more.

"I'd best get back to dinner. Otherwise you'll never get to try my Mom's lasagna. " She said, getting up and walking back around the table into the kitchenette.

Sabah could only stare for the remainder of the time, watching Taylor prance about the kitchenette and shaking her hips as she cooked, bobbing to the rhythm of a beat only Taylor could hear. She looked so adorable in her apron, wrist deep in a mixing bowl, dicing things or hands covered with mitts as she took dishes out of the oven.

"Does she even know what she's doing to me?" Sabah whispered to herself, mesmerized by Taylor's swaying hips as the younger girl placed a pot full of extra saucy lasagna down, another tray full of roasted vegetables with lashings of oil and garlic already on the table next to it, a loaf of homemade garlic bread wrapped in tin-foil joining them a moment later.

Taylor just smiled at Sabah as she took off her apron and began serving them both up.