Chapter Two Hundred and One
...
"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!" was Paolo's greeting as he entered the lounge room where his niece was pacing in front of the TV, shuffling a deck of cards between her expert hands.
He watched her for a brief moment, taking in the concern that creased her brow, the purple and black vest she wore, and noted that she'd been home long enough to remove her shoes and change her trousers as she paced barefoot in a pair of old grey sweatpants rather than her usual pin-stripe trousers from Jester's outfit. Paolo glanced down to his own outfit, the vest and trousers exact copies of Jester's black and purple form but in navy blue and burgundy red rather than the traditional sapphire and ruby. It was by design that Paolo also answered to Jester and had an outfit that mirrored his niece, as he refused to let her go to prison if he could be mistaken for her instead.
"Fucking fucker!"
"Hello to you, too, picola," Paolo said with a brief smile.
Jeslyn - Jester to the outside world - spun on her heel, dropping her deck of cards. "Paolo! You're okay?"
"I'm all right. It took longer to run here than I thought it would. My knees aren't what they used to be," he said with a soft groan as he lowered himself to the couch.
"Do you need a healer? I can - "
"No, picola, I'm fine. It's old age, not an injury. Now, why were you cursing like that when I came in?" he asked, patting the seat beside him.
Jeslyn sighed, ran a hand through her short hair, and sat beside her uncle. "The Blue Hearts and Green Spades were captured by Airborne and Earthstone, and Eddie had to be taken to the hospital but I can't visit him to find out how he's going. It's family only," she added, then stood and started pacing again.
Realising that she was walking over her favourite cards, Jeslyn sat on the floor cross-legged to pick them up, shuffling the deck once more.
"You can call the hospital; there's plenty of siblings with different surnames. You could be married to someone else and he's still your brother," Paolo suggested.
Jeslyn hummed in agreement. "Yeah, I can do that. Do I have any recent fake IDs? I can add the name under his next of kin."
"You say that like there's anyone in the Suite that doesn't already have you listed as their next of kin," Paolo said with a light chuckle, reaching out to ruffle her hair.
Jeslyn batted his hand away, then scooted backwards so she could sit against the couch, leaning against her uncle's leg. "It looked bad through the scope; Liv got into an argument with Airborne over it. He could've killed her with one flick of his finger."
Paolo sighed and rested a hand on Jeslyn's shoulder. "She'll be all right, Jes. We'll pay bail or break them out, but no one is staying in there longer than they have to, okay?"
"Promise?"
"Pinkie promise."
Jeslyn smiled and linked her pinkie with his, then glanced back to the TV as she heard the news headlines.
"Maxville is overrun by villains; Airborne reveals his anti-police views; and the rest of the Suite Quartet are behind bars. More on these headlines later."
"Earthstone's going to be pissed that he wasn't mentioned," Jeslyn mused.
"Probably; he did all of the same work Airborne did but on his own. He really needs to get a Hero Support person soon," Paolo said, shaking his head.
"Hmm; I prefer that he's easier to catch without help. Do you think he'd be pissed off enough to do damage to the prison if I taunt him one street over?"
"Maybe. Airborne's easier to anger, though. He can punch several things over like dominoes."
"Good point. I'm going to look at the Westville maps and see if I can organise something where the heroes release the prisoners for us."
"Don't stay up too late, picola!" Paolo called as she left the room.
"I won't. Don't forget to eat your dinner!" Jeslyn called over her shoulder.
...
Layla and Warren's beds were set next to each other as close as possible with their IV drips on either side and out of view of the television. Zero locked both of their beds, then ran around to set things up while others brought in a mass of bean bags, pillows, and chairs. Anita was sitting at the back of the room on the seat embedded into the wall, Heidi curled up on her lap and Zach beside them. Heidi was sleeping now, but Anita didn't stop the gentle movements of stroking her hair, and glared at anyone making too much noise with their chairs.
"Champ, can we raid your popcorn storage?" Zero asked brightly, 503 nodding eagerly beside him.
"Only if you bring some back for me," Champ said with a nod.
"Go help them, you twit," Killer said, nudging Champ with his knee.
"Fine; will you go find Lottie, love?"
"Yeah, good point. I'm surprised she's not down here already," Killer said, seeing Chayton and Lupo sitting side by side without either of their mothers in sight.
"Speaking of; where's Alice?" Buddy asked Kid, who realised at the same moment that Chayton was in the room.
"I'll go look; save us a seat, Bud?"
Buddy grinned and patted his thighs. "Got a seat for either of you right here."
Kid shook his head. "No, Bud."
"Yes, Bud."
Kid rolled his eyes and left after Killer to find where their girlfriends had gone.
"Should we go find Gemma?" Baby asked Ex, who seemed distracted and Baby wasn't entirely sure why.
"Not yet; I've got a surprise for you both. Uh... Soon though. Maybe you go look for her and I'll wait here?" Ex asked, still looking around without rhyme, reason, or a purpose that Baby could figure.
"You have a surprise for us?" Baby asked.
"Yep! Be patient," Ex said with a grin, then nudged him towards the door. "Go on, then. Give Gemma a kiss for me."
When Ex was sure Baby had left and was out of earshot, he hurried over to where Craig was splayed out across Jewel, Beau, and Grant's legs.
"Hey, Ex. You 'kay?" Craig asked, looking up at him lazily, Beau's fingers in his curls and caressing his scalp in a way that made Craig feel happy and loved.
"Yeah, I'm good. Did you bring the bag?"
Craig frowned. "The bag? Oh! The bag, yes. Uh, which jar did I put it in... just a sec," he said, drawing out a few jars from his arm and shaking two before pouring one out and reforming it. "There ya go. Oh, wait, I shoved some of the paperwork in there. It's the stuff about the Commander's tests that the Super Bureau did. Who wants first dibs?" Craig called out, holding up the papers and waving them.
Layla and Warren looked at each other, then grinned. "We'll take it," Layla said. "Ethan, you can read it next if you'd like?"
"Thank you," Ethan said with a nod, settling beside Zach and reaching across to squeeze Anita's shoulder gently. "We're all safe and home now, Ma."
"I know; I'm glad to see that. I've let your father know, he's very happy and relieved, and we'll have a play-by-play later when you're up for discussing everything that happened, okay?"
Ethan nodded. "Thanks, Ma."
"R&D just got the new style in, and it comes with a communicator," Honey explained to Feldon as she followed him and Adam into the room.
"Give Feldon a chance to talk, Honey; you've been talking about the wheelchair for the last ten minutes," Adam said, parking Feldon's wheelchair nearby.
"Sorry, you're right. Shutting up now," Honey said, clamping her hands over her mouth for good measure.
Feldon blinked, waiting a beat in case Honey started talking again, then a voice came from the speakers on his wheelchair. "I was interested in hearing more about the wheelchair. Can I do doughnuts?"
Honey laughed behind her hands and lowered them, grinning. "You can, but I wouldn't suggest it for longer than a few minutes; you'll get sick."
"I'll time you, Feldon!" Zero called out with a wave, then returned to his task of pressing buttons on the remote.
"Hey, isn't that the Security feed? How'd you get that?" Buddy asked, frowning.
Zero smiled, big and broad, and very pointedly did not reply.
"Let me know the minute you want to get out of here, okay?" Wendy murmured, leading Donny beside her.
He looked worn out like he'd spent far too long in the minds of evil scientists, traumatised victims, and friends who were gravely injured or dying.
"Donny?" Peggy asked, holding a hand out for him.
Donny swallowed hard, glanced at Grant beside her, then headed over to Ms. Read with Wendy. "Yes, Ms. Read?"
"You can call me Peggy, dear. I've been told you saved everyone at the end by realising the helicopter was approaching. Thank you for bringing my son back safely," Peggy said, hugging Donny firm and tight.
Donny's chin trembled and he hugged her in return, trying to keep his tears from spilling.
"Hey, c'mere. We're having a cuddle pile on the floor and everyone's invited," Justina said, waving Wendy and Donny over.
Remi had shifted to his bear form and was taking up most of the room, but Justina, Robin, and Terrence were all using him as a giant pillow, and there was still room for more.
"Where's... where are they?" Donny asked as he pulled away from Peggy's embrace.
There was a moment of silence as everyone realised he meant the Sylvan-Colores family.
"They're staying in the hospital levels for now. Barnabas and Decima wanted to thank you when you're able to visit them," Peggy said.
"Thank me? Why?" Donny asked incredulously, his eyes wide and tears finally spilling.
"You saved us, Donny. If you hadn't heard the helicopter pilot's thoughts, we'd all be dead," Honey said firmly.
Donny shook his head, wiping at his tears, and Wendy drew him close into a hug. "Stay or go?" Wendy asked, her voice soft in his ear.
"Stay," he sniffled, but headed to the back of the room where he'd have more privacy to cry.
Anita smiled, surrounded by her children, and held out a tissue box for Donny. "Here you go. And they're right: thank you, Donny."
Donny gave a brief and unconvincing nod, took the tissues with a whisper of thanks, and sank into the waiting beanbag with Wendy by his side.
"We're here! Did you start without us?" Lottie asked, bringing Gemma and Alice in with her, followed by Kid, Killer, and Baby.
Champ entered soon after with a box full of popcorn and 503 hanging off his bicep with a grin.
"Not yet; we're waiting on... oh, there they are! Hurry! Quick, quick!" Zero called out of the doorway.
Corvin arrived with Phineas and Finnley, each of them sporting hickies that were still healing; Sport and Ammie were following, both blushing and holding hands; and on their heels were Enzo, Angelina, and Milo with carts full of food.
"What was the popcorn for?" Champ asked.
"For fun. And to throw at the TV," Zero said with a bright grin, grabbing two bowls and taking them over to Layla and Warren carefully. "I'll take the papers over to Ethan now," he said, taking the bundle of paper when they both nodded.
Once everyone had their food, drinks, and bags of popcorn at the ready, Zero sat beside Honey and pressed play on the remote so everyone could see the earlier morning's adventure with Jetstream arriving unexpectedly.
As it came to the part with Jetstream entering Gemstone's, Zero and Honey both started humming 'Black Velvet' until they were shushed by others in the room.
Once Jetstream had left Indigo and flown off for Chicago, there was a brief moment of static before Peggy was on the screen, standing in front of the American Bank of America armed with a piece of debris.
"What's going on? How did you get this? The cameras were broken!" Peggy said, even as her screen self threw debris at the cameras around the bank.
Zero grinned. "You got the official journalist cameras, but not the CCTV. It just so happens that a wire was installed incorrectly and the journalists' still got the CCTV footage with the audio from the official cameras."
Peggy's eyes widened. "You got my monologue? Oh, no."
"You monologued?! Ma, tell me you didn't?" Grant asked with a soft laugh.
"I did. Oh, you'll see for yourself soon enough," Peggy said, wincing as she continued to throw debris after rock after anything to delay the heroes and save her son.
Grant squeezed her hand through her monologue, and Peggy felt breathless at how raw and anguished she sounded. The other parents murmured agreements with her words, and Peggy felt Ammie squeeze her shoulder gently, tissues offered next.
With the explosion blowing the vault hinges off and the door falling onto the two heroes and villain alike, there was a pause as Warren took in his father's death.
"I hate that that's the way he would've wanted to go out: fighting the Commander to the bitter end," Warren said with a sigh. "He should've died insignificant and alone, and forgotten by the world."
"Well, there's your eulogy for him," Nina said drily from the doorway.
Warren looked over, relieved to see that she was all right, then frowned at the man standing behind her. "Incredible Genius?"
"Ivan will do; I've decided to hang up my cape as of today. However, I am available for consulting; at a fee, of course," Ivan said with a brief smile.
Nina grinned. "You really need to charge more; he's already set up a website and the services are severely undercharged."
"It's initial fees until I get off and running; then the prices will increase in accordance with inflation. It's basic business principles. Ah, I'll be right back," Ivan said, glancing around the room and hurrying off.
Warren blinked at the exchange he'd just witnessed, and didn't know if he was drugged up enough or not enough to handle the idea of his mother having a crush on another supervillain. Nina might deny it, but the smile and fond look on her face wasn't something that was directed at anyone, and Warren hadn't seen that expression on her face since the last time she'd tried dating. Well, not the last time - the guy had been an absolute prick - but he remembered his mother's smitten expression far too well. As a child, he'd been fiercely judgemental and jealous of any other man even being near his mother, and had powered up several times to drive the unworthy men away. He felt similar stirrings of emotion now, but wasn't entirely certain that they were the same emotions. Protectiveness was certainly there, and he would light Ivan on fire from the inside out if he ever dared to hurt Nina, but... he hadn't seen his mother smiling like this in years.
Next to him, Layla felt the swirling of emotions on her wrist tattoo despite the drugs and pain, and reached out to grab Warren's hand. He squeezed her hand in return, and watched as his mother carefully made her way through the crowded room over to their beds.
"Are you all right?" Nina asked, glancing at the IV drip, the bruises that had formed from punches, the scorch marks from ray guns, and the scratches from the explosion's debris on his face. She reached out to caress his hair gently, moving her hand down to check for a temperature.
"I'm all right. It's not as bad as last time; we were better prepared against the Wardens. The others weren't much of a fight in comparison."
"I'm glad to hear that; how are you, Layla?" Nina asked, seeing similar debris scratches, but no bruises this time.
"I missed most of the fight, so I'm better than the others in a physical sense. I... mentally, I'm still processing what lengths the Super Bureau will go to in order to - y'know, I don't actually know why they did what they did. It feels like they're preparing for a war that no one else knows about. I'll need to think about it some more," Layla mused.
Nina frowned. "I can call Frieda to come pick you up early? I know she's been worried."
"No, it's all right. I'd prefer she doesn't have the same thing happen as last time; she had nightmares for days. I'll be healed and home soon. Oh, can I get my phone to call her later?"
"All right. I don't know where you left your belongings. Oh, thank you," Nina said in surprise as Craig held out a bag for Layla and Warren.
"Apologies for the delay; here you are, Nina. It's not the most comfortable chair I could find, but it fits within the room's remaining space," Ivan said, sounding breathless as he made his way through the room over to Nina, carrying two chairs.
Craig, who had been about to offer to create a chair for Nina, grinned and wiggled his eyebrows at her. "Now, isn't that a nice gesture, Ms. P?"
"It is, and you can stop making that face. Go back to your partners," Nina said, trying so very hard not to blush at whatever he was insinuating.
"You got it, Ms. P. Oh, before I go, can I get a hug?"
Nina knew Craig was a very tactile person, but he'd never asked her for a hug before. "Uh... okay?"
Craig grinned and hugged her. "Thanks, Ms. P. Your son saved our lives."
After everything she'd been through - the worry and waiting, watching Barron go through life and childhood, seeing her son leave dressed in black and a mask, seeing the destruction across Maxville, and every heightened emotion each of these brought - Nina hadn't truly thought of it as saving lives. Warren had been ready and willing to take on a large and global operation like the Super Bureau to rescue a friend, and while he'd never claim to be a hero, maybe there was more to being a villain than greed for money and power. It felt like a small epiphany, and she sank into the chair Ivan had set down for her. It was likely because of her own and Barron's views as to why she'd only ever thought of heroes and villains as black and white, but Nina had always known that Warren was so much more than herself or Barron ever could be.
"Ma? Are you all right?" Warren asked, concerned and confused by the unfamiliar expression on her face.
"Ms. P? You 'kay?" Craig asked, glancing between her and Warren like he'd done something wrong. "It was just a hug, I swear."
"I know. I'm just... I'm glad you're home. My emotions caught up with me. I'll be fine," Nina said, her voice wavering.
"Fine isn't all right, Ms. P. You want some water?" Craig offered.
"Uh... yes. Thank you, Craig."
He nodded, disappeared and reappeared a second later, gently placing the glass of water in her hands. "You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fi- ... I'm okay. Go on, they're looking for you," Nina said, nodding over to where Beau, Jewel, and Grant were waiting and looking over at Craig or possibly her.
"You're good, Cee. I'll look after her," Warren said, placing a hand over his mother's shoulder and gently warming her.
She blinked at the slow and steady rush of warmth, glancing up at her son and the IV drip hovering nearby. "Aren't you... "
"My worry about my mother is stronger than any painkiller in the world," Warren said gently.
"I didn't mean to make you worry."
"I know, Ma. Same goes for you, y'know," he admitted with a wry grin.
Nina wanted to protest that he was her son and she'd always worry about him, but figured he already knew that and felt the same way. "I love you."
Warren grinned. "I love you, too, Ma. Now drink your water before it gets warm."
She nodded and sipped at the cool water slowly, returning her attention back to the screen. The fights between Airborne and Earthstone with the Green Spades and Blue Hearts were playing now, and several people were laughing as Shifter became a guinea pig with a human head. Ivan sat beside her, watching the fights curiously, and glancing over at Nina every so often to ensure she was all right. Nina felt his gaze on her like a spotlight, and didn't know whether she felt like a deer caught in lights or a celebrity awash with adoration and attention. Maybe both.
"Do we need to follow up with Jester? How is she doing with the rest of the Suite Quartet in prison?" Layla asked as they watched the Green Spades unceremoniously thrown into a dumpster and the Blue Hearts tied up with power-repressing rope despite their civilian status.
Zero glanced at Honey, who was dozing gently beside him, then looked at Layla and Warren. "Jester is... managing. If you let her know when you plan your prison break, she can use the confusion to her advantage."
"Prison break? Wasn't that this morning?" Gemma asked in confusion.
"We're breaking out the people who pledged their allegiance to us. We have to do it soon; definitely before they're transported back to the Pen," Layla said.
"How soon is soon?" Gemma asked, looking between Layla and Warren, and then over to Zero.
Zero thought for a moment. "Oh. Sooner than anticipated: Monday evening."
"What? That's in two days!"
"Shh!" Anita hushed everyone as Heidi moved restlessly on her lap at the noise.
"Sorry, Mrs. D. Do we need to go plan this right now? We were meant to have more time than two days," Craig said, worrying at his lip.
"How many made it to the safe houses?" Layla asked.
"Uh... twelve made it, including Ivan. A few died, a few didn't pledge, and you've got... hmm, wait ten more seconds for the sunset deadline. Ah, there we go. That's twenty people to rescue," Zero said with a confident nod.
"Twenty?!"
"We need to plan and we can't be powered down for this," Layla said, looking from the cannula in her arm to the IV drip.
"Let me do it; please don't rip it out," Robin groaned.
"All right. I wasn't planning on ripping it out anyway," Layla said with a brief smile as Robin headed over to her.
"I'll believe that when pigs fly," they deadpanned, stopping the IV and going through the process of removing the cannula from Layla's arm.
"Would a guinea pig suffice?" Layla asked.
Robin snorted. "Yeah, sure. Like she wouldn't squeal all the way down until Airborne caught her."
"Hmm, good point."
"You too, Warren?" Robin offered.
"Yes, thanks. We'll take the flak from Dr. Spattle if she's upset about it," Warren added as Robin worked on his arm as well.
"Damn straight you will. Now, let's go plan a prison break," they said with a grin, running out of the room.
Several of their friends looked at each other, then grinned and raced out after Robin.
"Cheater!" Zach called as Craig spatially shifted instead.
"I think you mean winner!" Craig called back, his voice amplified.
Anita gave a soft sigh, standing with Heidi still sleeping in her arms, and left to find a quieter room where she could get her needed rest.
"Does it count as a win if he sent a copy?" Layla asked Warren as they moved off their beds at a slower pace, the room emptying of their friend group while the adults stayed behind.
"I think we'll leave that for Craig and Zach to argue about. Are you guys coming?" Warren asked, looking around at the Special Forces guys that were still seated with their partners.
"Uh... give us an hour?" Champ asked, his arm around Lottie's shoulders and stroking gently with his thumb.
"Make it two for those of us who know what they're doing," Ex said with a snicker.
"Ex!" Gemma groaned, her cheeks bright red.
"You can only go for two hours?" Alice asked, giggling as Buddy burst out laughing beside her.
"Oh, dearest Alice, I fucking love you."
Alice's giggles turned to hiccups as she stared at Buddy. "You - hic - love - hic - me?!"
"Damn straight I do. How about I spend three hours proving it?" Buddy said with a grin, kissing her blush-red cheek.
"I'll take that challenge, Bud," Kid said, a wicked gleam in his eye.
"Super fucking Jesus. We'll see you whenever we see you," Warren said, shaking his head as he left with Layla.
Zero wrinkled his nose at the adults, then gently tugged on Honey's sleeve until she woke up. "It's time to go, Honey."
She blinked at him wearily, frowned, then looked at her watch. "Oh. Oh, no; I'm going to be late!"
"Late for what?" several people asked in confusion, but Honey had already run from the room.
Zero just grinned and didn't answer their questions or querying looks. "I'd better go to bed; it's past my bedtime. Good night!" he called, running from the room before anyone could stop him.
Layla held Warren's hand as they headed up to the room where their friends had congregated. "What do you think four hours of sex is like?"
Warren grinned. "That depends on how you want me to answer."
"Hmm?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Well, on the practical and logical side: messy, sweaty, and messier. On the other hand: we can find out later," he said with a grin.
Layla laughed. "Oh, that was cheesy!"
"Yeah, I know. Prison break plans first; four-hour sex marathon later."
"We won't have to worry about the Super Bureau killing us; our friends will do it instead."
"Yeah, probably. Adam would be first in line," Warren mused.
Layla nodded in agreement, falling quiet as they approached the room filled with their friends. "Ready, hottie?" she asked, squeezing his hand.
"Ready when you are, hippie."
...
Morana stepped out of the third and final flight, completely exhausted and in pain. She shivered at the cold air and empty airport around her, then stretched her aching back. The second flight she'd been on had involved a small child kicking her chair like he was aiming directly for her sciatic nerve. His parents hadn't cared or stopped him, even when she'd finally turned to request he stop. It probably didn't help that she had the intimidating presence of a soft bunny rabbit in a pastel dress.
Okay, she wasn't making a lot of sense but it was fine. She already missed her husband, she wouldn't be getting a refund for her honeymoon, tax season was months away for reimbursement for three last-minute flights, and she had to drive to work while jet-lagged and sleep deprived. And really, really sore, she thought, rubbing the small of her back gently as she headed to baggage claims.
Her name caught her attention - it was rare to see it anywhere, but especially in an airport - and Morana focused in the direction properly. A redheaded woman was holding a sign with her name on it. It took a moment to sink in and make sense - Super Jesus she was tired - and Morana realised that someone had organised for her to be driven to work.
"Thank Super God," she breathed, the relief so potent she felt tears gathering in her eyes.
Heading over to the woman to explain that she needed to get her bag first, Morana saw a familiar suitcase with a rainbow strap securing it sitting beside the woman.
"Morana? It's nice to meet you; I'm Honey. Let's get you out of here, hey?"
"How did you know that was my bag?"
"The tag says your name. Also, the skull pattern kind of gave it away," Honey said with a grin. "Are you ready, or do you need food first?"
Morana felt queasy at the mention of food, and shook her head. "I'll eat when I'm home after all of this," she said, even as she realised that there was no food at home and she'd have to go grocery shopping.
Another layer added to her exhaustion at the thought alone and Morana almost started crying outright this time.
Honey's eyes widened and she tucked the sign under her arm, grabbed the suitcase with one hand, and Morana's hand with the other. "Let's get you to the car, hmm? You can sleep on the way."
Sleep sounded like the greatest thing ever, and Morana didn't protest as she was led out to a... limousine?!
"Wow. They're really going all out for Baron Battle, huh?"
Honey smiled, letting go of Morana to put her suitcase in the boot. "Please, get in. If you'd like to lie down, the seat can transform into a bed; just make sure to put the middle seatbelt on."
Sleeping on a bed in a limo was the greatest thing ever, and Morana practically crawled into the back of the limo in pure joy and utter relief. She was buckled in and asleep before Honey even made it to the driver's seat.
"Are you sure she can help? She seems awfully... small for a human who's meant to have such a great power," Nigel said doubtfully.
"Of course I am. You should know better than to judge a book by their cover."
"From what I understand, that's how most books are selected to be read," Nigel replied.
"Smart-ass. Just drive or I will," Honey threatened, and a second later, the limousine pulled out from the kerbside and headed towards Maxville.
...
End of the two-hundred and first chapter.
Thanks for reading!
Please note this will be my last update until the first week of August. I'm having surgery next week and need time to recover. Thank you for your patience!