Disclaimer: Don't own.

:}

Jade was still shaken by the day's events. Andre had been busy with some new kid, the same one she'd helped recruit. She wasn't upset, cause she hadn't really expected to just be hanging out like the old days. Sure, they'd had more then one day when that nostalgic feeling happened. Days when all of them were at the project for one reason or another, and they found themselves in the lunge, hanging out, having fun, even playing cards. Only, Jade had already resigned herself to years of an abnormal life before she'd be able to hang out with her friends. It was, to her, a gift each time they could just be kids.

No, the real change had happened after school. She'd stayed a short time to audition for a spot in a showcase, which she got, and now was feeling the difference. She hated that her girlfriend wasn't one of the people she beat out, there being so many open slots. Jade may have been falling hard for her Latina, but that didn't change the fact she so wanted to beat Tori Vega in a talent competition. However, after her special early audition, Jade had headed out to patrol with Blue Steel, and found herself in a world she wasn't ready for.

"Congressman, this is The Black Dahlia." Steel introduced her to another influential person..

"It's nice to meet a girl as interested as I am in helping youth offenders find their way back to the side of law and order." The politician said.

"Honestly, I thought we were just going on patrol." Her eyes scanned for any signs of trouble, as well as the exit, because Jade was far from ready for this.

"But this is a part of patrolling." Steel informed her. "Not often, but we're often called to show the colors, so to speak. And by attending public events, we not only generate a visibility of the program, all the police Mata Programs, we also help deter would be criminals cause they know we're out there. Honestly, this is serving multiple purposes. Also, I really haven't introduced you to the media yet. I know, you've had your introductions, but not properly. No, this party, at this youth center, it's a chance for us to be seen, and a chance to show the youth you care. They'll know you were here, and appreciate it later when you tell them you've been fighting for them, making sure they have a chance."

Jade had, by that point, developed a high tolerance for his enthusiasm for the job. She didn't agree, feeling she did the most good when she was stopping some menace. Only with her power, fighting was best reserved for a heavy hitter. Other hero's were better suited to stopping the day to day crimes around the city. Jade still did her part, but as Blue Steel said, it was about showing the colors. Being seen among the beautiful people, and those who couldn't hope to buy their way into an event like this. Jade was expected to make public appearances, and as her mentor said, this was to him her coming out party.

"The Black Dahlia? Here?" The voice belonged to Wade Collins, singer, celebrity, and all around jerk. Jade had read more then one piece about how selfish the man tended to be. She was left wondering what brought him to this kind of event, other then maybe hoping for some positive press. "I have got to meet her." His British accent blunted the obvious perception of what a jerk he was.

"Okay, nice to meet you." Jade said, accepting she was going to meet someone famous. "I'm the Black Dahlia."

"Why black?" Wade asked. "Sorry, but you seem kinda pale, and while I do prefer a nice tan, I can admire the curves under that dress. So, after the funeral, you want some comfort? I've seen Wedding Crashers, and can be very comforting."

"I named myself after a mysterious murder that happened during the late forties." Jade informed the man. "Death fascinates me, and she was basically cut in half, died a horrible death. Before, during her life, she'd earned herself a nickname, the Black Dahlia, and again, no one knows why she was called that, cause she was white. Guessing that's why the police at the time cared about her death. So, the whole names kinda in homage to her."

"Oh…." Wade looked through her, for just a second. "Still, assuming your legal, I think we should ditch this party, have us some fun. You are legal, right? Not gonna go through that embarrassment again. Had to marry the last one, and the divorce, costing me…."

"You do realize you're way off putting, right?" Jade wondered.

"Which is why I'm only asking for one night." He said smoothly. "I know my reputation. No way I'm gonna change it, not even by showing up at an event like this. Honestly, I only agreed cause I heard you'd be here, and I thought, what kind of thrill it'd be to be so close to someone like you. So, would I have to go all the way to gain some taste of your power, or would kissing be enough. Again, had no idea how attractive you really were, and I have no problems doing just about anything, assuming you are legal…"

Jade took that as her cue to walk away. 'What the hell…'

"The Black Dahlia, right?" Another celebrity asked.

"Not looking to date anyone." Jade cut him off.

"Good, cause my boyfriend might object." Hamilton Rothschild, former child star and advocate, said. The man was young, barely over eighteen, yet he had a long list of credits, mostly from Dingo made for television movies, but also from his slow shift first to a teen sex symbol, and now towards being a more main stream actor. In many ways, he was the biggest celebrity at the event. "I just wanted to thank you. You may not know it, but I have a cousin who works at One Police Plaza, and I'd have been devastated if he'd been killed. Plus, lets be honest, you beat Magmasar. That alone makes you unique. Unique, and very famous. I don't think we could find a place in this city, no this country, where they don't know about you. Thinking modified funeral dresses will be huge come Halloween. So, any chance I get get a selfy? I so want to post this…"

'I could be anyone in a funeral dress, so why are they so cray cray about meeting me?' The goth wondered, even as she posed for her forth selfy of the day. The celebrities who'd come to this event, many cared about the youth violence problems in the country, but still wanted a moment of her time. 'I don't get star struck, or this would be awkward. How'd I…' her eyes locked on Blue Shield and Vincent Carson, better known to late night viewers as Svengoobles. She felt her knees go week for just a moment as her own old fanship rose to the point where she almost screamed. 'SVENGOOBLES?! HERE?! I mean, I knew he didn't live in all those old markets, and the movies he hosts, not that popular. I'd heard he now has a show on horror dot net, but really….' Several half steps took her closer to her one time idol, even as she managed to wrestle her youthful excitement and fan worship under control.

"Oh, Dahlia, I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine, Vincent Carson, better known as…" Steel never got to finish his intro.

"SVENGOOBLES!" Jade said, her scream muted by a protective spell from her familiar.

'Control yourself woman. He's almost mortal, like you. Compose yourself, he wants to meet you.' Koval scolded her.

"I take it your a fan?" The aging actor smiled. "I get that a lot. First time from the hero set. But given your, um, abilities, I think I shouldn't be surprised." He took her hand, and for that moment, as he looked into her eyes, they both saw something they weren't ready for. "You're a part of the twilight court? No, not yet, but you're definitely a part of their wold. Interesting."

"You're a vampire?" Jade asked as she felt it, the old magics in him that sustained the ravaging undead. "Only, alive somehow…"

"I made a pact with the twilight court, years ago, because the lure of the spotlight beckoned me." He smiled a warm smile at her. "I was a small time actor back before I got big, and I wanted more. Late night hosting can be a very profitable gig, just ask anyone who succeeded at it. But to do so, I needed to show up on camera, cause before the digital ones were around, they used mirrors, and vampires, not big on mirrors. So I made a deal, lost the worst of me, and regained my soul, thus the ability to be photographed. I also gained a few other traits, and as long as I never kill for blood, I can stand the sunlight forever, and religious iconography, uncomfortable, but who isn't when some born again is asking you if you've found Jesus. I mean, for Christs sake, if you keep losing him, maybe it's not an accident on his part. Do you think for one moment he can stand those people any more then I can? No, he's running, hiding, and I won't rat the poor fellow out, even if I do know where to find him, which is among the kind of church goers who help build places like this. No expectations of conversion, just some place for the kids to go where they have something to do, and won't be so gang affiliated."

"Oh…." She was at a loss for words, starstruck and amazed at what a giving man he'd become, while also feeling like she was missing something.

"So, how's your first real taste of fame going?" Svengoobles asked.

"I, er, I had no idea this would happen…" Jade tried.

"You saved the city, and a good part of it was caught on camera." The late night host said. "I'm amazed it took so long for that footage of the tail end of your fight to show up. Lucky us there was that teenager trying to do whatever with his girl at the pond, cause we got the images of you freezing Magmazar, and wow, that was… Something."

"But how does that make me famous?" Jade wondered.

"Easy." Vincent said, smiling a knowing smile and nodding his head towards Blue Steel. "You made the news, and the more that happens, the more famous you become. Not always a good thing, mind you, but I'm thinking you're gonna be way popular, at least around here."

"Not just here." Steel jumped in. "I've had people from as far away as New York interested in an interview. V's been fielding the calls, and so far, doesn't want her charge whisked of into that part of this world until she's been properly prepared."

"V?" The vampire asked. "V's running Redemption now? I knew there had to be a reason for the successes they've had. I do know Masters is out, cause I keep my eye on him, and he's in that so called think tank now. I swear, if you needed proof of the corruption in this country, just look to the think tanks that exists, often funded to reinforce what their wealthy backers want, and they have no shortage of money. The amount that man is being paid to say those things… Yes, I don't like him. Also, I was never a criminal, and V had been one of my contacts, back when I was affiliated with the police. Only, as powerful as I am, as a semi-vampire, I'm a celebrity. I like my privacy, so not gonna risk it running around playing hero. You, however, you have all that magic, so hiding who you are, way easier. Thinking I'm gonna make it a point to get involved with the projects again, cause this just shows you need my skills. After all, who do you think taught this one how to handle the fame parts of the job?" His head again bobbed towards Blue Steel.

"He really is a great teacher." David added. "Thinking him and Mister Abra, gonna have them a fun time talking."

"They know each other?" Jade asked. "Wait, of course they know each other. God, this really is a thrill, but damn, complicating my life here."

"Don't worry, I'm here to help." The late night host assured her, and shook her hand for the camera's.

Jade walked out of the event, having met more celebrities then she could remember, and found so many of them wanted that moment of her time. "You'll find, as you progress in this lifestyle, that as the celebrities get to know you, the whole star struck bit fades." Steel was telling her. "Of course, there's always new one's, and some of them get flustered when they meet you. I mean, I'm the focal point of a LOT of the Los Angeles police public relations. Didn't want the fame, but now that I have it, I have to know how to handle it. A part, like acting, in that we project an image, and for our own sake, we need to make that image as real as possible. Like me. I come across as everyone's caring dad. Don't pretend you hadn't heard, cause I know I do. I work hard to be that person, the cop who serves and protects. Part of that is being there, inspiring those who need it. Fighting crime by preventing it. Give them hope, cause the lack of hope is the surest way to get some kid involved in the gangs. Hope, a future, those kinds of things help. And those are the things we, as symbols, can offer."

"Just, I'm not you." Jade said, feeling inadequate for the first time since Masters. "Thinking not everyone agrees with this idea of yours?"

"What makes you think that?"

"Masters." She tried not to smirk, but she had her proof. "I doubt he'd ever wanted me to be a public figure like this."

"Masters never understood that part of the game." David said. "Oh, I tried that hover bike thing the girls have. Man, that thing, it's amazing. Only, my car, kind of part of my image, so not giving it up. But I'm getting one, for when I have to get someplace fast. Plus, I've always wanted a motorcycle, and not just to annoy my wife. There's something to be said about the freedom one of those hints at, the ability to just get up and go. An American lifestyle."

"The romanticism of the American biker." Jade nodded. "Outlaw bikers, right? Like, there are a lot who like the whole outlaw part of the equation."

"They have layered rules, and can be more organized then people think, but yea. The image…" David sighed. "And that's what I'm talking about here. It's what Vincent, never call him Vinny, but it's what he'll help teach you. Image. You can be all dark and mysterious, just do so in a way that hints at the law, and society."

"Yea, lets just hope Vinny the vampire can help with that, cause while doing the right thing is starting to get easier, my image, not that heroic." Jade lamented.

"Only, we don't need everyone to be a golden angel." David explained, even as they drove off into the night. "Gonna get a new version of my car, one that can shift, look normal, somehow. Think Techbanger is up to working with Techfire to make it, cause I like the idea of just going home after one of these events."

"So, I'm no angel, huh?" Jade joked.

"A dark angel of justice." David corrected her. "And that's what we're selling. The desire to protect the world as a means of protecting what you love. Society is a service to us all, and you're ensuring we can live in a safe one. Take that to heart, and when you have to, you'll find that image carries you through. But for now, it's the fact that you beat Magmasar. That has to count for something, right?"

As soon as she got back to the base, Jade changed and found a ride to the Vega household. Her mother had insisted she not get her car back until she'd served her entire probation, despite her probation officer telling the Wests she was now trusted enough to drive herself. They'd even hinted she maybe should get her car back, to make her serving her probation easier on them all. Instead, she caught a ride with the Vega girls, waning some cuddle time. "So, how was it?" The singer wondered as Trina drove, or rather the autopilot Lenard had installed for her. The boy would do so much for her, just for her friendship. Jade worried she was taking advantage..

"I don't know, kinda off." Jade said. "It's like, I'm famous now, had people wanting my autograph, but they want Dahlia's. Why is it, if this is what I wanted, it feels so empty?"

"You're just realizing this now?" Tori wondered, and for a second, the sound of contempt edged into her voice.

"Tori, down!" Trina ordered. "You got to remember, she wasn't raised like we were. This whole world, new to her. So, Jade, listen, and I'll educate you on the reality of why I don't want my inevitable fame linked to Warpath. See, as great as she is, she's not really me."

"I kinda got that." Jade said, but her confusion was still lingering. "Wait, your not just talking about who people know about, are you?"

"Oh, I am." Trina assured her. "Warpath isn't me, and a part of me thinks, it'd be so easy to be famous as her, and then have my anonymity. Only, no one would ever know what a wonder I really am. Warpath, they'd know about her. They already do. I have action figures, of me, out there. Official one's. The bootleg one's where already out, and we decided that would be easier, you know, to control quality."

"I can see that." Jade said, thinking of her earlier statement about anyone in a long black, semi-revealing dress. "So, you want people to praise Trina Vega?"

"Plus, not having my family worried about reprisals is a nice add." The older girl said. "But the last thing to know is, when your in costume, it's a character. No mater how much of yourself you're putting into it, it's a character. Even dad knows that, just, you know, not so much on a conscious level."

"Plus, we were raised to understand the difference." Tori quickly added.

"Okay, story time. Don't worry, I'll keep it short." Trina rattled off. "As you know, mom married dad to have us, kids who might have abilities. See, back then, us, meta's, we weren't people to her. Honestly, to dad, criminals weren't people, just problems messing up the street. So, when he became The Constable, I'm told, his attitude, very much like Masters. Kinda the reason they were such fast friends. They both believed that criminals needed to be contained, removed, and had voided whatever rights they may have once had in the name of public safety. Only, mom and dad, they both reacted to their experiences vastly different then masters did. Dad had to put on this character, and as time went forward, that character slowly became more and more like who you know today."

"Dad's still very human, capable of making human mistakes." Tori added. "The way he thought of you, back when he got you into Project Redemption, he was scared. You were close to his children, so he wanted you contained. Only mom, she'd learned the lesson of the first Blue Steel."

"First?" Jade was shocked. "There was a first Blue Steel?"

"Paul Logan." Trina told her. "Currently locked away, cause while he has the same powers dad does, he lacked dads restraint. Wound up killing a lot of people as he went mad with power. Dad and LA Justice had to stop the killing spree. That's when they offered dad the Blue Steel identity, feeling he could pull off whatever act was needed to reform the character, while a new Constable was found."

"Marty." Jade tossed out.

"Henry." Tori corrected. "Man didn't last that long. Turns out, the process, not always permanent. He died on the job, and Marty took his place. But by then, some of the people involved had learned the lesson mom did."

"Caring." Trina spoiled whatever guesses Jade might have had. "Give those involved hope, but also make sure they care about people. Have people who care about them. Surround the subjects in support and caring, so they feel the things they stand to lose if they go dark. It can backfire, give them a reason to rebel, but every great hero cares about the world and the people they protect. It's why she wanted Beck to be involved, so you'd care about a teammate, and try harder. Only, Tori's luck snagged you first."

"Whats she's not saying is, during our youth, not a lot of caring about the masks." Tori clarified. "Loads of fame, but no one really cared about the people. Hero's care. So, she's fostering that caring in you, in all her charges, and while me and Treen care, we also see how that alternate identity really isn't us. We need to be responsible for who we are, and a good part of that is Victoria and Katrina." She squeezed her girlfriends hand. "And Jadelyn."

"Just Jade." The goth sighed. "My name is Jade, nothing more. Not even sure where Jadelyn comes from, cause Jade is a far more common name. Just, I'm Jade."

"Who's in love with Tori, and that's the reason you'll make it as a part time hero." Trina finished up. "And dad, he uses David Vega to be the less then perfect person he really is, so he can let go of the stresses of being so caring and fatherly all the time as Blue Steel. I mean, sure, he's developed like that a lot, but no one is that perfect."

Jade laughed at the realization as they drove towards the Vega residence, and if she was lucky, a few hours of hanging with her friends before she went to bed. 'Weekends coming, and I get the fleeing Tori's gonna want to make things between us a touch more… God, she wants to fuck me. So West, you up to this…?'

Koval smirked in the back of her mind, secure in knowing that intimacy, when it did happen, would only bind the two girls further together.

:}

Just some thoughts on Fame and the hero set, as my almost farewell to this story. There will be an epilogue.

Thoughts?