John

That talk with Maddie yesterday helped a lot more than I honestly thought it would. Up until then… I just didn't want to leave my room. I think that's about the best way to put it. I didn't want to do much of anything.

Of course, without the talk, I would've ended up leaving at some point anyway. But Maddie… She really helped.

At least now I can leave my damn room without feeling like someone is gonna catch and ask me if I'm alright. Because something tells me that is a conversation that wouldn't go so well here.

Or, god forbid, I run into fucking A-Train. That definitely wouldn't have ended well.

Hell, it still might not.

I haven't talked to Maddie since yesterday because that ended up being a long conversation, mostly just us bullshitting to be honest. I'll probably end up calling her tonight, but for now, I've decided to go for a bit of a walk.

Don't really have anything to do today, and I need to get to know the city. Besides, with the fact that A-Train is probably here somewhere, best thing for me when I'm not in my room is to just go out and explore.

Maybe there's a video game store around here somewhere. With my paycheck, I can afford to go on a spending spree. Maybe I can get some older consoles, start playing some games from my childhood.

Anybody in the hallway moves out of the way when they see me, most of them either determined to reach their destination or occupied on their phone. I don't really see anybody on the Seven around, mostly just workers in the tower.

Now that I think about it… I haven't actually seen Annie that much either. It's been three weeks since the Expo, when she told the truth about when she joined the Seven. And outside of the meetings and a glance here and there, I haven't had much of a chance to really talk to her.

Any time I would, she'd tell me she was fine, or not to worry about it. And she looked… pretty proud, actually.

Still, I can't help but to worry. But I'm not gonna hunt her down and bug her about it.

As I come upon the elevator, however, I hear the sound of a door opening and glance over out of habit.

And my eyes widen when I see Annie walking of Stillbitch's office with a smug smirk on her face.

Her eyes meet my gaze as she gets closer, and I can't help but to give a smile and raise an eyebrow.

"You're walking out of that office with the biggest grin on your face. What's up?" I can't help but to ask as she slows to a stop next to me.

"Well, Stillwell threatened to fire me if I didn't comply with 'Vought's Image' for me." Annie explains, creating air quotes with her fingers. "I just told her that firing an employee right after revealing that she suffered a sexual assault might hurt the company image even more."

At the blatant mention of her sexual assault, I can't help it when my smile becomes a little forced as my thoughts turn to a certain fish-based joke. More accurately, what will happen if I get my hands on him.

I would love nothing more to wrap my hands around that pathetic fucker and just… squeeze.

"John?" Annie's voice throws me from my thoughts, and I look at her to see her looking at me in concern. "Are you alright?"

"Uh, yeah." I say, nodding a little as I shake those thoughts away and go back to smiling. "Looks like you finally got some hold on Stillwell." I comment.

Annie rolls her eyes. "Yeah, finally. I'm just sick of being showboated around like a model."

I can't help the snort of amusement that escapes me when she says that. "Yeah, I'd imagine. Why do you think I made it clear to Edgar that I either get a new contract or I go away?"

"Speaking of that, I've wondered something." Annie's face turns to one of curiosity, doing that little head tilt thing she does as her eyes glance off for a moment before looking at me. "Out of all the superheroes they have, why did Edgar decide to hunt down and choose one that isn't under Vought's banner? I mean, people thought you were a myth for a while there. And no offense, but why didn't he decide to choose someone with a little more experience?"

I open my mouth to answer on instinct, before closing as her words really hit me.

I never really thought to question it before. A four digit paycheck and a lot of freedom will do that. But… Annie's got a damn good point.

There are over a metric fuckton of heroes under Vought. Any single one of them more than likely have a helluva lot more experience than I do, no matter how strong I am. And outside of a select few members of the government (I'd still like to know who talked by the way), no one knew who I really was. Hell, up until the expo, the general public thought I was a fucking myth.

Granted, until Edgar got the info, there's no way he could've known I was only fifteen. But even with that info, he came all the way out to the boonies to find me and offer me a spot on the Seven.

I know it's not about power. Not just power anyway. Black Noir isn't anything special among superhumans, for example. He's just really sneaky.

So… with all that info… what makes a fifteen-year-old kid like me worth all that trouble? Why go through the effort of tracking me down, flying a few states over, driving through the state, and coming up and knocking on the door to offer me a spot on the Seven?

He even jumped through hoops to make sure I'd get an education like Mamaw and Papaw want, and now that I really think about it, I don't think he's ever personally overseen the contract of any members of the Seven. And yet, not only did he do that with mine… he made sure to alter my contract to my own terms.

I mean, the only real non-negotiable aspect for me is the same shit that Stillwell puts everyone else through. I'm not a fucking show-pony.

And he had no problem agreeing.

Now that Annie points it out… why?

It's been well over a month since I've been here. I honestly feel a little stupid for taking this long to think about it, and it took Annie pointing it out. But… why? What the hell makes me worth all that trouble?

I'm basically just an oversized and gender swapped Maeve when it comes down to abilities. And I don't have a niche, per say. Not like the rest of the team does.

"I… I don't know." I can't help but to look confused as I answer the question. "I honestly never thought about it until you said it."

Annie gives a playful eye roll at the answer and laughs a little at my response. "Of course you wouldn't. You're a teenager living every other teenager's dream. Why would you think about it?"

I can't help but to grin as well when she says it, and my reply is filled with the typical smartass snark everyone knows me for. "'Every other teenager'. Key words there."

Annie raises an eyebrow at my words. "What, you never dreamed of having the easy life?"

I can't help but to chuckle in response, shaking my head. "Maybe when I was a little kid, but honestly? I'd have been happy living out the rest of my days back home, finishing school, taking care of the house. And helping people on the side when the time called for it." I admit freely, because that's where I differ.

I enjoy hard work. It makes me feel better, gives me a reason to feel proud of myself. I enjoyed it before I got my powers, and it sucks that I can't enjoy it like I used to since it's not really hard work for me anymore.

Honestly, as much as I'm happy with my powers… I do kinda miss the days of my muscles aching when Papaw would take me on the construction sites with him over the summer. I miss the exhaustion, the raw ache… hell, as weird as it might sound, I even kind of miss when I'd get galded from sweating so much and end up walking funny for the rest of the day.

"Wow… you aren't just a good person, you're humble."

At that, I can't help but to raise an eyebrow and give a playful grin as my hands place themselves on my hips. "Sure, because leaving my friends at school and in the militia for a four figure paycheck is so humble." I can't help in a slightly sarcastic manner.

Annie shrugs at that one. "Hey, you still keep in contact with them." Following that up, she suddenly gets a teasing grin on her face. "Although… I think you have more reasons for one of them."

At that, I find myself legitimately confused. "What do you mean?"

If anything, Annie's grin widens even more. "Maddie."

And just like that, the real meaning clicks in place.

Now, I'm not usually one who's easily embarrassed. My clothes could come off in a battle or a prank and I'll march right through these halls buck naked to get replacements from my room.

But… this is a little different.

My eyes fly wide as saucers and my brows shoot to my hairline, as my face heats up quickly to an almost unbearable degree as I find myself a stuttering mess. A far cry from my usual demeanor.

"I-I-I don't know what you're talking about." I deny almost immediately, unconsciously bringing a hand up to my nose and rubbing both nostrils with my thumb and index finger as I try to maintain eye-contact with Annie.

But as I feared…

"I knew it!" Annie says with a giggle. "You have a crush on her!" She's a little bit too loud for my liking, and at the moment, I'm not exactly thinking about the fact that she's the only one who really knows who Maddie is.

"Shh!" I can't help but to say, going wide-eyed and silently thanking god that no one else is in the hallway as I look around rapidly. "Are you trying to tell the whole world?!" I ask as I turn my gaze back to her.

Annie just stands there staring with a shit-eating grin on her face. "You may as well be. I met her once and figured it out from the way you talk about her. Doesn't help that you turn into a puppy around her."

"A puppy?" I can't help but to ask in slight indignation. "The hell does that mean?"

Annie rolls her eyes at my words, but she doesn't answer the question. Instead, she opts for something else. "If you like her so much, say something. Hell, you'd probably have a decent chance."

I look at Annie for a few moments, before letting out a sigh as my hand comes up to my forehead. "I… I don't deserve her." I speak the honest truth to Annie as I turn to look at her. "I uh… I fucked up, back when I got my powers. I made a stupid decision over a disagreement, and I hurt her bad." I continue as I shake my head and let out a mirthless laugh. "I came so close to losing her for good because I was so fucking stubborn." I let my gaze move back up to meet Annie's as I continue speaking. "The only reason, the only reason at all, that we're still friends is because she feels guilty over everything she said to me when I tried to apologize."

Annie's brow furrows in confusion at my words, trying to think of any possible thing that could've happened. Anything she might guess from what I've told her. In that moment of silence, I press the button to call the elevator.

I can see curiosity gnawing at her. I can see the gears turning in her head, trying to think of something to ask, something to say in response to that dump of info. All she asked was why I don't ask Maddie out.

But I'm just that kind of person, I guess.

"What caused her to feel guilty? Time?" She finally asks curiously, no longer pushing my feelings for Maddie as the topic of conversation. "What… what made her give you another chance?"

At that, I can't help the wave of guilt that washes over me as I remember one particular moment from that day.

"Please god… John, please… wake up… you have to wake up… please, god… I can't lose you again… Please…"

"She watched me nearly get killed." I admit as the elevator dings, and the doors open.

And with that silent note, I make my way into the elevator, leaving Annie looking at me from the hall with an expression of concern. Concern mixed with confusion, anyway.

And nothing is said as the elevator dings, and the doors close.

I let out a sigh as I feel the elevator begin moving down, and I just stand there thinking over the conversation.

I'd originally planned on making sure Annie was okay, and she clearly was. Instead, the conversation turned to my own personal demons.

All because Annie noticed my crush on Maddie.

I wonder how many other people have noticed? Annie hasn't known me nearly as long as Peter or Rachel. Or hell, anyone else, really.

Oh god, what if Maddie knows?

Great, now that's gonna fuck with me.

I'm thrown from my thoughts for the second time by the sound of my phone ringing, vibrating in my pocket. I let out another sigh and pull it out, not even looking to see who's calling as I answer and bring the phone up to my ear.

"Hello?"

"We may have a problem."

That's… Alex.

Alex seemed disappointed when I left, but he didn't really blame me. And after my contract was signed, I called to make sure he was alright if I called Pete or Rach to help should a mission with the Seven go bad.

Outside of that, we haven't talked since.

And I know Alex well enough to know that if he's calling me and his first words are 'problem', then it's serious.

"What's going on?" I ask, standing up straight. Alex hasn't called me for a mission since I joined the Seven, and I doubt he would unless it's something serious.

Or something involving me.

"Did you have anyone from Vought come out to the factory?" Alex asks, his tone level. Yet the sense of urgency and seriousness everyone knows him for is ever-present.

It takes me a moment, before my eyes fly wide when I realize which factory he's talking about.

"Alex, I haven't told anyone here about the factory. Haven't even mentioned it. Why, what happened?"

"Got an alert, checked the security footage. Security camera caught two guys showing up in an unmarked van, and then walking into the factory with shotguns."

Um… what?

That does not sit well with me.

"Wha- who the hell would be going there? Didn't you tell me the CIA has barred anyone, including local police, from going in?" Apparently, with my appearance as a superhuman and the info Alex gave the CIA (which in turn went to the government), the CIA barred local authorities from doing an investigation. The only people with access are a select few agents, from what Alex told me anyway, and the militia.

"That's the case. And it's illegal for civilians to go in anyway. It's still private property."

"So who the hell would be going over there?"

"I have no idea. I'm sending Peter and Rachel over with Landon. If we're lucky, they'll have left something for him to find."

Of course he'd send Pete and Rach. Considering how close this is to home for me, both figuratively and literally, he's gonna send people I trust wholly. Not to mention people who can do their job. But…

"You sure Landon's up for it? He's been there for, what, a little over a month?"

"He has, but his psychometry might give us something to work with. Won't tell him who it is, but it'll let us know what they were after."

The idea of a couple of random strangers whom I've never met trying to find something in that factory… I can't help but to feel like it involves me somehow.

But… that isn't enough to really justify dropping everything and heading out the way. Not quite yet.

I let out a deep sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose with my unoccupied hand. And I thought I was done with stress after yesterday.

"Keep me posted, let me know what you find."

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry for stressing you with it. And uh… congratulations on the save the other day."

Of course Alex would mention that. For all his faults, Alex gives credit where it's due. No matter how small or unimportant it might seem.

"Thanks. Take care."

"You too."

As usual, he hangs up the phone or cuts communication or whatever right after. I put my phone back in my pocket and just… stand there.

So, let's recap. Maddie had to make me feel better yesterday. And then Annie unintentionally sours my mood. And now I'm stressed out because someone is digging into the factory where Jason, Tibe, and Jack decided to turn me into a petri dish.

Wonderful…

Maddie

Thank god for peace and quiet.

My dad's out on yet another binge, so he won't be back for a while. And Mom's out grocery shopping.

At least Mom can have a somewhat stable life. But I still wish she'd get off that shit. Honestly, I just wish she'd leave Dad.

But she's too scared.

I was scared of him too until John got his powers. Now… he's just an annoyance.

Anyway, I hope John feels better after that talk yesterday.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not happy that he broke someone's back. Honestly, I kind of wonder how violent he really is when he gets angry. I mean, he's got enough control. I have absolute faith that no matter how pissed he is, he'd never hurt his loved ones.

But someone he doesn't like?

If Rachel and Peter hadn't been there, Jason would be six feet under. Now… he's a just a cripple.

Jason… James…

That still messes with me. It still hurts.

A boy I thought I could trust, someone I thought was really my friend. Someone who made me feel better after John cut me out.

And it was all just a ruse. Jason manipulated me so that he could keep tabs on John. And I never even picked up on it until John was pushing me and Levi out of the way and getting launched down the hall

Even… even after everything I said to him, John still saved me. He still cared…

I didn't think I'd have the chance to apologize when Jack flooded his lungs. Honestly, I thought I'd end up dead after throwing a stone at Tibe.

But I didn't. Jack… he had a really weird way of working, I guess.

He refused to let anyone hurt me when he'd just nearly drowned John…

Anyway, I digress.

Ever since John told me what really happened yesterday, I've been going all over the internet to see if I can find an article or some piece of information that tells the entire truth.

So far, nada.

CNN, CNBC, Local 12, New York Times… I can't find a single article that actually mentions where John snapped his spine.

I'm not trying to get John in trouble, and I do hope he feels better. But the fact that not a single news network is mentioning what is, to me, a very important detail doesn't sit right.

I know police investigated the scene, and if that guy had his back snapped, then they would've had to have called paramedics.

But it's not just the guy's injury that isn't mentioned. There's absolutely no mention of any ambulance whatsoever. Every story is the same. 'The Juggernaut's a hero! Saves woman from assault!'

And every second I can't find a truthful story is a second that I grow more uneasy.

Someone's burying it, and I can safely say that it doesn't make me feel good whatsoever.

That's the only conclusion I can come up with. If there's one thing I know about John, it's that he doesn't have a lying bone in his body. If he doesn't want to tell someone the truth… he'll just stay silent, or outright tell you that he doesn't want to talk about it.

And that's something that's few and far between.

Besides, I could hear the way it was eating at him the moment he answered the phone.

John feels guilty when he feels like he went too far. Sometimes, that realization may come sooner, or it may come later. And he carries enough guilt as it is.

When he cut me out, he broke my heart. He's my best friend, and… and I don't want to lose him again. I hate that I'm so dependent on him, and though it's not as bad as it once was, it sucks.

If I was anyone else, then though it'd hurt, John cutting me out wouldn't have had the same effect.

But even being states away, John's the only certainty in my life, and he's the person I care about most.

Despite everything that had happened… seeing him choking on water back in the forest scared me more than anything else in my life.

I don't want to lose John. I can't lose John.

I wouldn't be able to handle it.

The honest truth is that I love the guy. Like… really love him. You know… romantically?

But we've been best friends since we were kids. He probably sees me more as a sister, and I don't want to make things weird between us. God forbid that John distances himself once more because he's uncomfortable.

But yeah, that's the truth. I love John.

Rachel's probably the only one who knows. Because of course, I can't hide a crush to save my life, apparently.

Then again, for a wildfire kind of girl, Rachel is surprisingly perceptive.

Honestly, I'm surprised no one else has noticed. But I'd like to keep it that way.

Ignoring my fears, I'd also die of embarrassment if John found out like that.

I'm thrown from my thoughts when my phone starts ringing next to my computer, and I glance over to see who's calling.

Levi

IS CALLING

I can't help but to smile. Outside of John, Levi's the best friend anyone could ask for. He's relaxed, laid-back, but he's blunt.

I pick up my phone and answer, bringing the phone to my ear and propping it between my head and my shoulder as I go back to looking for any articles as well.

"Hi, Levi." I greet him.

"Sup?" Is the simple response Levi always gives. "You congratulated John yet?"

Of course he'd ask about that, and I can't help the way my face falls when he asks.

"I have, actually." I answer as I scroll through Google for more articles. "I called him yesterday to congratulate him and see how he was doing."

It takes a moment for Levi to respond, and I can hear him chewing something on the other end, causing me to roll my eyes in amusement.

"You don't sound too happy about that. What happened?"

"Well, I noticed John sounded down. Turns out, he broke the guy's spine."

"Oh. Shit." Levi says in surprise, completely caught off-guard by that sudden revelation. "Damn, I didn't know that. What'd the guy do?"

"You and I both know that John goes off like a nuke when it comes to that kind of stuff. Remember Noah Brickey?"

"Fair enough. Let me guess, you talked to him and made him feel better?"

I roll my eyes once more, a smile coming onto my face as I take my focus away from the computer and focus on talking to Levi instead. "Someone had too, or he'd just mope in his room all day."

"True. But still… damn. Fucker probably deserved it though."

"No doubt about that," I find myself agreeing, because chances are the man was just a bully until John stepped in. "But one thing doesn't sit right. The news makes no mention of the man's injuries. Doesn't even mention an ambulance."

"I'm sure there's an article out there that mentions it." Levi sounds so sure, and I wish I could say the same. Unfortunately…

"If there is, I haven't found it." I tell him with a small sigh. "Broadcasts, newspapers, people going over the events… no one says anything about it. And I've been searching since my dad left this morning."

"He's not giving you shit now that John's in New York, is he?"

I can't help but to smile. "No. If anything, he's more afraid than ever. Doesn't even touch Mom now."

"Someone who broke your arm going to a team of superheroes will probably have that effect."

"Good." I can't help but to say with yet another eye-roll, this time in irritation. "Outside of the typical bitching, Dad hasn't done anything."

"You know John still wants to break his neck, right?"

"Yep."

"You know he's looking for every excuse right?"

"Yep."

"And you know John still won't do it without your say-so."

"That's about the gist of it."

I can hear Levi laughing on the other side of the phone, and I can't help the infectious smile that makes its way onto my face when he does it.

"You are loving it, ain't you?"

"No shit, Sherlock." I can't help but to joke, the smartass snark that rubs off on you with John coming to the surface. "After all these years, it's nice seeing him put his place."

"Considering what the size difference always was, it's hard to believe there was a time Floyd ever could've hurt John."

"Well, even then, John wasn't the one to fear, was he?"

"Touché. I love the man, but Bryan is one scary guy."

"Yep."

The sound of a knock at the front door enters my ears, and considering my dad…

It's sad to say that I know a police knock when I hear it.

"I got to go." I say, annoyance in my tone as I say it. "Sounds like Dad's in trouble again."

"Oh boy." I can hear Levi say on the other side. "Call me later then, let me know how everything goes. Don't make me worry."

I roll my eyes in amusement at Levi's words. "You got it, boss. Talk to you later, Levi."

"See ya."

I hang up the phone as another series of knocks sounds out through the house, causing me to toss my phone onto my bed in frustration as I begin to make my way through my house at a fast pace.

When I reach the door, I'm already speaking as I open it.

"What did Dad do this-" I stop in my tracks when I see who's on the other side. "...time…"

It's not the police. At least, I don't think it is.

It's two men, and they look vaguely familiar.

And honestly? Rather intimidating considering how much bigger they are than me.

One's a tall guy, black hair and a full beard of matching color, wearing a trench coat over a Hawaiian shirt, with a pair of pants with the legs sitting limply on top of his boots. He's got a scar on his forehead, and he looks rather weary, not to mention less than happy.

The other guy is a black man, just as tall, with short hair. He's wearing sunglasses, and a leather jacket atop a black shirt, as well as a pair of jeans and sneakers. I can see a gold watch hidden under his jacket on his left wrist.

And to make me even more uncomfortable, if the height difference alone wasn't enough… they're both built like tanks, as John would say.

The moment I'm in view, both of their heads turn to me, and the bearded man raises an eyebrow while the black man looks at me with slight surprise.

And then he clears his throat.

"Um… Madison Thompson?" The black man asks. Against my better judgment, I slowly nod my head to confirm that yes, I am Madison Thompson.

"Uh… can I help you?"

"We'll just have to see, won't we love?" The bearded man speaks, a heavy British accent spilling out of his voice as he gives me a grin that looks… menacing, is the best way to put it.

His voice is what gets me more. Because I recognize that voice.

"If there is a geezer up there with a big white beard, he's a world heavyweight cunt."

Are… are these really the two guys that we laughed at the Expo?

Wha… What are they doing here?

"Butcher." The black man says, turning to look at the British man, who I at least have a name for now.

Butcher rolls his eyes and turns his gaze away, staring out into the street. "MM, I'm telling you this is a bad idea. We should just pack it and leave."

The black man, MM, rolls his own eyes and looks exasperated. "Look, she doesn't know who we are, and this is a chance to solve a few mysteries." He says as he reaches into his pocket while turning back to me.

I freeze on instinct. I honestly expect him to be pulling out a gun.

Instead, he pulls out a badge.

CIA agent Melvin Meyers.

These two are agents? What were they doing at the expo?

And what do they want with me?

"If it's alright, we'd like to ask you a few questions about John Gallagher."

A/N: And that's the chapter. With four POVs in the story, I'm beginning to wonder if this should be the limit. However, there's one more person in particular that I had planned on having a POV for. I can definitely do this story without it, but that last character was to provide a little extra depth on how John has affected those around him since joining the Seven. Occasionally, I may still do one-off POVs, but I want this story to mainly focus on John's POV, with other characters having an occasional chapter or half of a chapter for them. However, I'd like to hear whether you guys think I should do the fifth's POV or leave it at four main POVs.

Anyway, that's all for this chapter, and I hope you enjoyed it. I'll see you all in the next one.