After a while, I think it's time to return to this! Enjoy!

The Next Morning…

As the sun rose that morning, it was also a quiet morning, well, as quiet as it can get. Sirens wailed in the distance, almost like any other morning.

The sun rays shined inside a particular bedroom where it slowly showed ruffled bed sheets…

After a kiss on the shoulder, two lovebirds snuggled together while half awake.

"… How does that feel, my sweet?" Arnold asked with a smirk. Spinelli reached behind and touched his cheek. "Keep going, Arnold… Don't stop 'till I tell you to…" She purred sexily.

Arnold caressed her thighs as he started kissing her shoulder again. Spinelli giggled and soon looked at the time. She then looked back at him.

"Hey, Arnold, we still have a good amount of time here… What do you say we…?" Spinelli smirked. Arnold smirked back before realizing what she said. "H- Wait. What time is it?" He asked.

"Only like eight o'clock, why?" Spinelli replied with a small shrug. Arnold sighed briefly. He caressed Spinelli's cheek. "Spinelli, I'm really sorry but… but I have to go with my mom toward our company tower. While I'm at it, I also have to bring back spare parts for Phoebe. Probably doesn't seem like much but it really is, sweetie." Arnold finished with a kiss on her forehead and soon sat up.

Spinelli wrapped an arm around his waist. "And did you really think I wasn't gonna tag along?" She asked with a smirk.

"What? Why would you, is the question. I honestly don't think you'd be interested in any of the stuff Mom and I have to attend to." Arnold looked over at her. "I don't want you to tag along and make you waste your time when you could've gotten some rest. You need more than me." He smiled and kissed her cheek.

"I'm still tagging along, boring or not, alright?" Spinelli grabbed his hand and held it. Arnold smiled. "You're the best wife I can ask for, you really are." He raised her hand and kissed it. "Now come on, if you insist." He smiled as he got out of bed.

Spinelli rolled her eyes with a smile. "You know damn well you can't last without seeing me." She soon got out of bed while smirking.

Arnold soon turned around and yanked Spinelli by the hips. "You know me too well, Spinelli…" He smirked. He soon started kissing her passionately.

They briefly separated. "You know, maybe being a minute late won't hurt…" Arnold smirked. All Spinelli did was yank his head for a kiss.

Later At The Spinelli-Shortman Inc. Tower

One of the many outstanding accomplishments by Arnold and Spinelli was not only their crime-fighting lives as Vigilantes, having three kids, or even all the money they have. Their second biggest accomplishment (behind having their three beloved kids), was their company and tower. Their company strived to make their city the best city it could be, and not just by fighting crime. They aren't billionaires for nothing.

"Man, this place feels different every time we come here." Spinelli told Arnold as they walked in.

While the first floor didn't seem like much, almost like a hotel lobby, somewhat, a secret warehouse was hidden behind a wall. All it took was an eye and fingerprint ID to open the secret warehouse entrance where only authorized staff and members were allowed, and not visible to the public. How does one get scanned for ID? The secret is in the wall itself, a hidden button that triggers Impulse's security measures and ID scans.

Spinelli scoffed. "Man, I hate having to go through this crap." Arnold shrugged after letting Impulse scan his eyes. "You know our rules, Ashley, we made this company after all. Plus, we can't let our sensitive tech fall into the wrong hands! Tech this powerful in the hands of the Militia or anyone else… I don't even know…"

"Access granted. Have a nice day." A female voice spoke instead of Impulse.

They stepped into the manufacturing warehouse which is where they get parts for their vehicles or manufacture their vehicles. Several backups were seen in the warehouse. All one could smell was oil, gasoline, and pretty much the same thing at a local mechanic, somewhat…

"Man, that smell never gets old…" Spinelli took another deep whiff. Arnold smirked at her. "Next time, instead of roses, I should get a bottle full of gasoline." He snickered.

Spinelli whacked his back. "You better not be serious…" She gave an intimidating look.

"Are you really thinking I was serious?" Arnold chuckled as they walked up to the head mechanic.

"Ah! If it isn't Mr. and Mrs. Shortman! How may we be of service to you two today? Spare parts? Need a spare?" The mechanic greeted the two.

While Spinelli had a hand over Arnold's left shoulder and another hand wrapped around him, Arnold looked around for a brief moment. "Uh, actually, has my mother come by yet? She said she'd meet us here."

The mechanic thought for a moment as he set the clipboard on a toolbox. "Uh… Oh! Right! Yeah, she swung by here, but I believe… I believe she said she'd be back in a few minutes, not sure where she can be at right now. If you'd like, you can stick around 'till she comes back."

Arnold and Spinelli shrugged at each other. "I don't see why not. Speakin' of which, think you can spare us a few parts? Specifically, our QR Jet? Ariel ran her usual diagnostics test and found out something weird was going on with the engine. And to be on the safe side, she decided it's better off-limits."

The mechanic soon looked back for a moment. "Sure! I'll have someone send the parts for the engine. Hey, Rich! Ship over some spare parts for our bosses, will ya?"

Arnold chuckled. "Come on, Matt, you don't have to call us boss, you can call us by our first name." Matt shrugged. "I know, but I like being formal, mainly 'cause I'm old school, you know?" He adjusted his cap backward.

"How are the kids, Matt? Been a while since they were here." Spinelli asked. "Oh, Mrs. Shortman, they're doing great and growing up healthy. You know, I really have to thank you two for this incredible opportunity. I struggled to maintain a proper job, but the chance you took on me, I'll never forget, Mr. Shortman. And with the salary you pay, it was enough to support my family finally. Thank you." He smiled at them.

Arnold smiled back. "That's what our company is for, Matt. We give back to this city that has given us so much. And we're happy to hear about your kids and your family."

Matt soon picked up his clipboard. "Alright, Mr. Shortman, you should have the parts at your place later today… Um… Let's see… Hmm…" Matt noticed something on his clipboard.

"What is it?" Arnold asked.

"Odd, but, it looks like I need the UFRT down here for inspection and for the monthly vehicle checks. I thought we had brought in the Hybrid earlier this month, I guess not though."

Arnold shrugged. "I guess it shouldn't matter too much. We'll have it here later today. Thanks for everything, Matt." They shook hands and smiled.

"Always a pleasure, boss." Matt soon walked away to one of the employees.

Arnold soon looked at Spinelli, but mainly at her cropped hoodie. "Why do I feel like you wore that on purpose…"

Spinelli smirked. "What? At least it's not showing anything else! Besides, you're probably right, 'cause we have unfinished business…" She lightly purred in his ear and kissed his cheek.

Arnold smiled and kissed her back. "So, you heard him, right?"

"Yeah, I'm not deaf." She rolled her eyes.

"Guess that side will be deactivated 'till we get the UFRT back. Remember last time one of our vehicles failed inspection and had to stay until it was fixed?" Arnold asked. Spinelli shivered a little. "I still have no idea why the Hybrid failed the inspection, there's nothing ever wrong with it! That thing is tougher than me or Sapphire!" She answered.

Arnold grimaced for a moment. "Actually… there were a lot of issues than you may have expected. I'm not gonna get into detail, but… yeah. Just a bunch of wiring and electrical issues. Guess that explains why it randomly started the engine at night, even scaring Allen and Pammy awake. I'm just not sure why it never picked up on the diagnostics…" Arnold started to think.

"Maybe because we never do it on those vehicles?…" Spinelli lowered an eyelid and raised her other eyebrow.

"Don't you run diagnostics on your stealth cycle?" He frowned.

"Hey! That's my cycle we're talking about here! I'm the one who mainly uses it so quit yapping about it!" She replied. Arnold took a deep breath. "Alright, alright. Let's not debate about what versus what…"

Soon, Stella came by. "Hey, you two!"

"Hey, Mom!" Arnold hugged Stella with a smile. "Where've you been? I thought you were gonna take longer."

Stella shrugged after they let go. "I went to get a coffee from Starbucks. I didn't wake up early for nothing."

"That makes two of us…" Spinelli added while brushing off her non-painted nails on her hoodie.

"So what are we doing here, Ma? What's so important anyhow?" Arnold asked.

Stella sighed. "Well, we're meeting with the police Chief about opportunities of funding the police to be better equipped along with improving their academies. Although, I don't see the point of it." She explained. The mayor is meeting with us too about an opportunity for a charity fund for several children's hospitals and other charities. But knowing him, I guess he has more up his sleeve."

"So, to sum it up, it's just boring meetings? Why didn't you tell me?!" Spinelli looked at Arnold. He shrugged. "You wanted to tag along, but you can back out now if you'd like."

Stella smirked and crossed her arms. "I thought you would know since you're in ownership with your husband."

Spinelli's expression dropped. "Oh, right… But in my defense, I rarely attend these meetings."

"Not sure how it's much of a defense but okay." Arnold shrugged as they started walking toward the secret entrance, which could also be used as an exit. The employees had their own exit.

"Still plan on sticking around?" Arnold put an arm over Spinelli and smirked. Spinelli shrugged. "Eh. Might as well. After all, I haven't done much of a good job as an owner and being there." She replied.

Arnold kissed her cheek. "You're the best no matter what." He smiled, lighting up Spinelli's attitude.

Hours Later

From eight o'clock to around two-thirty six, Arnold and Spinelli were back home after a lengthy meeting with PD and the mayor, but they were also with the others reminiscing of the early days. Specifically, when the police were against them.

"Remember that time we broke into the HPD headquarters just to steal all the info they had on the criminals?" Arnold started. "Not to mention they had us on the FBI's most wanted list."

"You know, you guys were insane for that, but it worked somehow." Ariel shrugged. "But I do remember how cold that winter was too, those were crazy times back then." She added.

"And who am I to lie that I didn't enjoy smashing my knuckle against those cops?" Spinelli shrugged. "Oh, but I know you two remember how violent it got during stealth!" She smirked at Arnold.

"Yeah. You gave one cop traumatic brain injuries, left one hanging from a gargoyle, and dropped down on this guy while smashing your fists into his HEAD." Arnold raised an eyebrow. Spinelli smiled and hugged him. "Awww, you do remember what I'm like! I'm touched."

Ariel chuckled. "Arnold, you're no different. You guys give any street thug traumatic injuries regardless." Gerald snapped his fingers. "Hey! How about this one street thug Spinelli once took down? I remember hearing a loud bone cracking, turns out she had smashed his head into a wall."

Arnold then looked at his wife. "… Remind me to never get on your bad side…" All Spinelli did was giggle and kiss his cheek. But she then whispered, "No guarantees, maybe… Just kidding…"

Flashback To The Early Years…

After immediately getting into the elevator to avoid the police firing their rifles at them, they had to get up to the roof immediately since Ariel was headed over with the QR Helicopter and couldn't stick around for too long.

"We got what we came for, now let's get the hell out!" Spinelli said as she took a deep breath.

"… No argument here…" Arnold finished uploading the police data to Impulse's database. "Alright, the majority of the info is uploaded to Impulse, but we'll have to upload the rest back at home."

Soon, the elevator was on the top floor. The elevator doors opened, only there was a person on the other side. A young Commissioner Gallup.

The elevator doors creaked open and revealed two masked white-eyed Vigilantes. Gallup immediately reached for his revolver, but Spinelli immediately threw it out of his hand and yanked his arm behind him.

"We don't want to hurt you, so stay out of our way if you want to keep your arm!" She threatened.

"Never!" Gallup answered angrily.

"Listen, we're on your side!" Spinelli decided to let go. The Commissioner looked at her in disgust. "My side?… My side works within the law! My side doesn't leave suspects with broken bones, missing teeth, or internal injuries! We've earned Hillwood's respect!" He exclaimed.

"If that were true, then we wouldn't be here!" Shadow answered.

Heavy footsteps came running up the stairs.

A police Sergeant with two SWAT Units came up. "Gallup! Clear the line of fire! I'm takin' 'em down!" The Sergeant shouted.

Gallup raised his hand at them as he stood between them. "Hold your fire! If they move, take 'em down!" He looked at the two Vigilantes. "You have nowhere to run…!"

Shadow and Scarlet stood in frustration, but they knew what to do despite having rifles pointed at them.

"Move, Gallup! I'm taking 'em down!" The Sergeant warned one more time as his finger was on the trigger.

POOF

PEW

PEW

PEW

PEW

PEW

PEW

CLANG

PEW

PEW

Shadow had dropped a smoke bomb. Scarlet immediately pushed the Commissioner against the elevator doors with Shadow beside her.

CLANG

"Ugh!" A bullet reflected off Shadow's armor.

With the smoke slowly clearing, the Commissioner was knocked unconscious, giving Shadow and Scarlet a chance to quickly take down the SWAT units and the Sergeant.

Present Day

As the smoke cleared from the flashback, black smoke was seen in the present. Why is that?

An overhead shot showed a massive car pileup on a freeway, on both sides which was the worst part. Multiple police patrol units were already on the scene while ambulances and fire trucks arrived.

Swoops flew overhead to analyze the area and report any hazards and/or threats.

"Hey! Montgomery! We got one over here!" Shadow signaled him over.

"On it!" Travis came over as Shadow kept looking around while sirens wailed in the distance.

Swoops screeched from above after spotting something.

"What'd you find, boy?" Arnold asked over his earpiece. Swoops screeched again.

He looked ahead to see a trashed SUV. "Hey! Scar!" He shouted to Spinelli. She came over after dealing with an injured motorcyclist.

"Think we got another over on the North side!" Shadow told her.

They soon ran over to find Swoops at the window. He was poking inside to see if the victim was conscious. Unfortunately, she was out cold. Blood was smeared against the windshield.

Swoops looked behind and noticed the two. He screeched twice.

"Unresponsive female? Alright, Swoops, we'll take it from here, boy, you continue sweeping the area." Shadow answered. Swoops flapped his wings once in agreement before taking to the skies again.

Scarlet checked the victim's neck for a pulse. "… Pulse is hardly there… Arnold, I don't think she can wait for the PRT, we gotta get her out and to SilverStone now…"

Shadow went on his earpiece. "Ariel, we need medevac over here now! Trav, Warren, we need your help on the North side of the freeway! Get the spreaders from the UFRT! Shadow to main, I need a landing zone on the North side of the freeway for medevac, one critical female patient!"

"Copy! I'm on my way over with the QR Chopper!" Ariel answered.

Shortly, Travis and Warren came over.

"Montgomery, I need you on the other side of the car and get a c-collar on her! Warren, get a backboard ready, we'll need more hands!" Shadow told them as he took the hydraulic spreaders.

"Copy!"

"On it!"

As Travis went over to the right side of the car, Shadow enabled the spreaders to wedge open the door.

"Easy now…" Travis moved the woman back, only to reveal half of her face covered in blood while her right eye was completely white. He placed the C-collar around her as Shadow wedged the smashed door open.

"Hey, Warren! Where's that backboard?" Shadow shouted.

Warren came back with the backboard along with three firefighters.

"Alright, easy! Easy!" Travis and Shadow cautiously got the woman onto the backboard. In the background, helicopter blades whirred as the QR Chopper was nearing.

Slowly dragging the backboard out of the car, the QR Helicopter flew overhead and to the landing zone cleared by PD. Warren secured the woman's head onto the backboard.

The QR Helicopter soon landed.

"Alright, let's go!" Shadow exclaimed. Soon, everyone around the SUV cautiously carried the backboard to the helicopter.

Passing by a police patrol car and Engine 19, the helicopter blades were still spinning once they brought over the woman.

The side door of the chopper was opened, and they lifted the backboard and cautiously put the woman inside. Almost everyone soon backed away after the woman was inside.

"Montgomery, go with her." Shadow suggested.

Travis got in. "Alright!"

Shadow closed the helicopter door and hit the chopper twice and backed away.

As the QR Helicopter started taking off, Shadow looked back. "Alright! Let's continue assisting however we can! We still have a handful of work to do, so let's continue until this highway is cleared!" He said.

Shadow then grabbed Scarlet's arm. "Hey, we'll have to do what we can here, and then head somewhere else. I heard Impulse over the earpiece tell me he's picking up suspicious activity at the docks in the East." Spinelli only nodded. Arnold noticed her somewhat quiet. "You okay?"

She nodded again. "Yeah, I, uh… I'm alright, I just needed a moment. I guess seeing that woman like that kind of shook me up in a way… I don't know how to explain though." Spinelli replied. Arnold rubbed her shoulder. "Spinelli, everything's alright, okay? If you need to talk, you know I'm here for you." Arnold kissed her forehead.

Spinelli would slightly nod. "Let's get to work now." She finally smiled. Arnold smiled back. "That's more like it. Come on." He let go as they went toward another trashed car.

I was gonna originally write something else, but I think I'll save it for the next chapter... Now what will that involve? You'll just have to find out for yourself...