1

Pulling up to the back entrance of the hospital, Yuri could vaguely make out the large crowd that had amassed outside the front door. The media was already swarming waiting for information, an inkling, anything about the state of the Number One and Number Two heroes. They're like wild animals. Bees swarming their hive. It was horrendous when you thought about it. There was no rest for anyone when the media was involved. She was going to wait to deal with them and would be making a statement once she felt stable enough to give one. A weight rested on her shoulders. If Yuri was any less of a person she would've slumped forward from it, but she had to hold her head high for her coworkers. There was no breaking point. No failure. Only looking forward.

"Ms. Hirano," a deep male voice cut through her musing. A tall male with a doctor's coat on held his hand out to her, "My name is Dr. Markoto. I am currently taking care of Endeavor and Hawks."

"Pleasure to meet you, Dr. Markoto," Yuri shook his hand firmly, "How are they both doing?"

"Hawks is good to go with a few scrapes and bruises. Although, he did get hit in the head so a possible mild concussion but so far he is showing no signs. A majority of his feathers are gone save the baby ones and one large one, but according to his file, those should grow back in 2 days or so. He's going to be grounded for the time being," Dr. Markoto explained as he leads them through the winding hallways of the hospital, "Since you are neither family nor an emergency contact, all I can tell you regarding Endeavor is that we were able to save his eye and he is going to make a full recovery."

"I understand. Thank you for letting us know," Yuri gave him a soft smile and nod in acknowledgment. They stopped in front of a room where Jay's voice could be heard outside. Oh, he was pissed from the sound of things. Yuri rubbed her knuckles against her temples. Why was everything such a headache today?

"Well good to know he's still himself right?" Aiko tried to reassure her. Mockingbird stifled a laugh behind his fist causing Yuri to glare at him out the corner of her eye. If only looks could kill.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Yuri pushed the door open to expose a scene that would be comical if they hadn't just gone through an intense battle. Jay was holding Hawks down by his shoulders onto the examination table while a nurse was trying to clean and bandage the small wounds he did have.

"I'll be fine! I can do it myself!" Hawks argued as he tried to wiggle free. Jay held a steady grip on him. His 6 foot 2 200 some odd points holding easily to Hawks' own 5 foot 8 maybe 185 pounds.

"You will sit still and let the nurse do her job," Yuri ordered as she walked further into the room. Hawks' turned to glare at her. His eyes alight with anger and frustration at being held against his will no doubt but beggars can't be choosers in this situation.

"You were in a rather large scale battle against what is essentially a bioweapon. You will stop acting like a child and let the nurse take care of your wounds!" Yuri stared down at him with her arms crossed over her chest while quirking an eyebrow at him as if begging him to argue with her. She had taken control of an agency today she could take control of him too if need be. Eventually, Hawks let a low growl escape from the back of his throat as he looked away. Yuri smiled in triumph. It would be a couple of minutes later when the nurse was finally done cleaning and dressing all the scratches that needed the attention. Save for the one of his face none truly required a true bandage just cleaning and a bandaid.

"All done!" The nurse exclaimed, "Now, just keep them clean and you'll be good to go."

"Thank you, nurse," Yuri waved as she walked out the door. She glanced over at Aiko who was steadily avoiding her gaze as was Mockingbird and Jay. Yuri couldn't help but smile at what was most likely running through their heads as she walked over to Aiko. The tense silence that had fallen over the group only grew as each stewed in their minds mulling over their emotions. Hawks looked around the room unable to understand or read the air in the room.

"Go ahead," Yuri said as she put a hand on Aiko's shoulder. Aiko looked up at her with glazed eyes before jumping up and throwing her arms around Hawks.

"You stupid birdbrain! You had us terrified half to death today!" Aiko cried as she hugged him tightly. Jay and Mockingbird joined shortly afterward piling around him in a massive hug.

"You had us so scared there for a second, boss," Jay said his husky voice dipping deeper with emotion.

"I know you always leave us behind but we are there to help you!" Mockingbird stressed tightening his grip around the two other people caught between them. Hawks stood frozen with a flabbergasted look on his face and it warmed Yuri's heart to know that his agency held him in such regard. It took a couple of moments before Hawk's hands twitched and he finally relaxed into Aiko's hug. A slight vibration in her pocket distracted her from the sight before her. Yuri grabbed her phone from her pocket instantly recognizing the unknown number. With a sigh, she silently made her way out of the room.

"Yes, President?" Yuri answered.

"Room 809A," the voice growled. Yuri walked further down the hallway as she began to prepare herself for what was sure to be an unpleasant conversation. She pulled out a small device no bigger than a thumb drive from her purse and set it in the breast pocket of her jacket. There would be no way out of this for either of them.

-With Hawks-

"I'm sorry guys," he said a sheepish grin forming on his face, "I just acted. Tried to get it done as fast as possible before it got worse."

"That's no excuse!" Aiko interjected, "You have an agency to rely on! You should've sent word for help or something!"

"I will remember that for next time," Hawks promised. Whether or not he was honestly serious in this promise would only be told over time.

"You better or you're going to give us all grey hairs fast," Jay joked as he released Hawks from his grip.

"Or give Yuri a heart attack from all the stress," Mockingbird laughed.

"But you all were amazing out there! You guys showed me how amazing we are as an agency. Coming together at a drop of a hat and coordinating so well!" Hawks complimented looking at both Mockingbird and Jay with pride shining in his eyes.

"We really were, weren't we!" Jay puffed his chest up in pride.

"We couldn't have done it without Yuri," Mockingbird pointed out. Aiko gave a slight squeal, a large grin bursting out on her face.

"You should've seen her, Hawks," Aiko raved, "She went from a little timid secretary to taking control of the entire agency as soon as Mockingbird and I came to her with the news. It was truly incredible!"

"Really?" Hawks shook his head in disbelief, "I didn't realize that was in your list of expertise." Hawks looked around Aiko's form toward where Yuri had been standing. Only it was empty.

"Where did she go?" Jay asked.

"She was just here. I don't understand," Aiko flung the door open frantically looking around the hallway, "She was so worried about you during the whole fight. For her, to just up and leave." The light atmosphere the room held descended into a heavy uncertain one.

"Should we go look for her?" Jay suggested.

"Or we could call her?" Mockingbird pulled his phone out and scrolled, "Uhhh… does anyone have her number?" Each pulled out their phones and looked dejected as they realized none of them had it.

"How is it that she gets in touch with us?" Jay asked incredulously.

"The phone at her desk has everyone's number saved on it and she has access to Hawks' communication link in his headphones," Aiko explained, "I've never actually seen her pull out a phone."

"I guess that means we should go search for her," Hawks said, his face serious, "I don't like the feeling I get from this. Mockingbird you and Aiko go left while Jay and I go right. Make sure your phone is on and if you find anything call!" The rest of the party nodded their faces pensive with the uncertainty of the situation. They split up with Hawks moving as fast as he possibly could. He wished for his feathers back so he could search for her faster. His baby feathers weren't going to be much use as their range was so small and his one large feather he had to keep for his next meeting. The end of the hallway formed a T with the windows overlooking the city.

"We should split up again. I'll go up and you can go down," Jay suggested pointing towards the left side. Hawks nodded in acceptance and started walking in the opposite direction. Just what was so important to pull Yuri away? Why on Earth was he chasing after her so much lately? Hawks let out a deep sigh as he continued down the stairs toward the 8th floor. Subtly looking into each room and alcoves while lost in his thoughts. Yuri had always been a good secretary keeping him up to date on everything that happens in the office while making sure all the paperwork was properly filed but she rarely if ever spoke about her life outside of the agency. The fact no one had her phone number showed just how little they all knew about her. Hawks knew she was quiet but this felt like it was more than that. It felt like she was keeping everyone at arm's length.

"This outcome was unacceptable, secretary!" A loud voice boomed from down the hallway, "He not only lost most of what makes him useful but also the opportunity to meet with an informant!" The sound of skin hitting skin had Hawks running down to the location the voice was coming from. He stopped just outside the door to a patient room when Yuri's voice filtered out. It was small and weak in contrast to the commanding tone she had taken with him not that long ago.

"I apologize, President. Had I known they would force him to the hospital I would have pulled them back." Hawks slowly peaked through the small window on the door to see Yuri standing across from the Hero Commission's President with her head bowed. Two men in suits stood on either side of her and held her arms back. Hawks felt his eyes widen at the scenario playing out.

"Sorry doesn't cut it!" The president brought her hand down again forcing Yuri's head to snap sharply to the side, "We expected better from you. Do NOT make us regret giving you this freedom." Yuri's frizzy red hair fell into her face shielding her facial expression from him as she shifted to straighten herself out. Even with the mass of hair, Hawks caught a glimpse of a small drip of blood slip out from her lips. The slap must have caused her teeth to bite into her cheek or the force caused her lip to split but he was too far away to see. His whole body froze and for once in his life, he didn't know how to act; he didn't know how to take control of the situation. He didn't have access to his full quirk and to go against the Commission went against everything he was trained in. Did he burst in there and play it off but the President was obviously abusing his secretary. His defenseless, quirkless secretary.

"Of course not, President," Yuri whispered, "If I may, we have an audience that should not be privy to such a conversation." Her head inclined toward the door. Hawks held his breath as the President's expression went from fury to emotionless and the two guards tensed.

"Fine, but do not think this conversation is over. If we must, remedial classes will be handed out," The President's lips twisted into a sinister smile, "For you and him." Yuri lifted her head at that giving the harshest glare Hawks had ever seen her give. If a look could kill, Hawks doubted the President would have walked out of that room. The guards let go of her arms as they made their way to the door. Hawks quickly hid in an alcove not far from the room pushing his back against the wall trying to remain out of sight. Never had he been so thankful for not having all of his wings as it made it easier to hide in such a small space.

-With Yuri-

Yuri watched as the Commission's party made their way out of the room hoping that whoever it was that was spying on them had the decency to hide. She had an inkling of who it could be but she dearly hoped that this all worked in their favor. Taking a deep breath to calm her raging emotions, Yuri wiped the blood off her face with the back of her hand as she stepped out of the room into the hallway. She could tell her cheek was reddening from the slaps she had received but she thanked her lucky stars that was all they were able to do. Yuri pulled the small device from her breast pocket and turned it off. The recording would be good leverage for those remedial classes. A stray tear ran down her face as she stared at the small device. It shouldn't be like this! Why did everything have to be so complicated!?

"Yuri?" Hawks' voice sounded to her left jolted her out of her thought as she hastily wiped her cheek.

"Hawks, what are you doing here?" She plastered a small smile on her face as she turned to him. His fierce expression deterred her from looking into his eyes. So he had been the one looking in on them.

"Looking for you," He answered.

"Oh? I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused," Yuri bowed slightly, "The President wanted an update on the recovery efforts in person."

"Right," Hawks said. He was not buying into it for obvious reasons, "Because that explains your red and swollen cheek?" Yuri brought her hand up to her cheek where she could feel the heat of her skin. She looked down. There was no other explanation but she couldn't bring herself to tell him the truth. She opened her mouth only for him to hold his hand up, stopping her.

"Before you think about lying, know that I witnessed exactly why your cheek is red," Hawks reprimanded his face stern with frustration. Yuri tugged at her fiery curls as she avoided looking directly at him. Her thoughts were scattered. She gave a harsh tug trying to think of an answer that would appease him.

"That is a personal matter and does not concern you," Yuri's voice came out colder than she wanted to but hopefully it would make him drop it. Consequently, it made him clench his fists tighter.

"I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong, Yuri!" Hawks implored.

"I am not some damsel in distress, Hawks," Yuri said, "What are you going to do anyway? Go against the Hero Commission?"

"I would find a way to make them leave you alone!" he insisted.

"Leave it Hawks!" Yuri commanded. She could feel a headache building at her frustration, "I do not need you to fight my battles!" She managed to lift her gaze and stare at him head-on. 'Please do not press,' Yuri pleaded in her head, 'Please just let it go.' She watched his expression twist into something else something more dangerous.

"Nor do I need you to fight mine," Hawks deadpanned. Yuri tilted her head to the side, her eyes roaming across his face.

"What do you mean?"

"You've been keeping tabs on me for them." Yuri tensed her eyes gaining a shadow over them.

"You would do well to remember that my contract is held by them and not you nor the agency," Yuri stated coldly, "If my position displeases you so much you may take it up with them. I implore you to think twice as my replacement will not be as willing to bend their rules as I am."

"So you are," Hawks strained, "Why?"

"I just said I was bending their rules!" Yuri huffed, "I would do no such thing! Honestly, do you think that little of me?"

"Then why-"

"This is neither the time nor the place," Yuri said, "I'll explain my position at one point, but aren't you late to your meeting?" Yuri swept past him not sparing him a glance.

"How did you-?" Hawks gaped at her. Yuri stopped shoulder to shoulder to him still not looking at him.

"I'm privy to all your missions especially the ones the Hero Commission puts you on." The hallway fell into a silence that seemed unnatural in such a setting. Like the entire hospital had stopped. The sound of Yuri's heels clicking as she walked away was the only thing she heard; however, Yuri could feel his eyes burning into her back the further away she got. The hallway in front of her blurred, but Yuri refused to allow any of the tears to fall, not as long as she was within his sight. Her confident gate crumbled with each passing step as she raked her hands through her curls trying to calm herself to some degree. The day's events pressing more weight against her shoulders pulling her down further and further. Yuri let her back hit the wall as she entered the staircase. It wasn't supposed to be like this! Yuri broke. Tears streamed down her face as her body shook with the force of trying to keep her sobs at bay. Her hands grabbed fist fulls of her hair as she curled in on herself.

"It's okay," Hawks' warm honey voice caressed her ears as she felt his arms wrap around her, "We're going to be okay. It's over now." Yuri shook as terror, frustration, and anguish consumed her body. Her sobs grew more insistent as she felt his arms tighten around her body. The warmth of his body pressing up against her gave her a sense of comfort more than his words did,

"It hasn't even begun!" Yuri cried as she hid her face in his chest. She felt his grip tighten and she didn't need to see his face to know it was set in stony determination.