The following day
Wednesday
West Ridge
Chicago

Dr Bennett had come over around lunchtime, as promised.

I was examined head to toe and pronounced 'relatively' healthy! Luckily, I was just bumps, bruises and a few contusions.

"How are Chloe's wounds?" I asked, delicately.

"I've seen worse, she was lucky. It could have been a lot worse if it wasn't for the armour that you got for her and that boy slowing down the bullets," Dr Bennett replied.

"I'm sorry I put your daughter into that position, Dr Bennett," I said.

Dr Bennett looked at me strangely.

"Mindy, I do not hold you responsible for my daughter's well being. Chloe has decided that she is old enough to make that decision herself. I expect you to guide her, but not to make decisions for her. Chloe is very strong willed, so I doubt she would listen to you anyway!" Dr Bennett replied.

"Tell me about it! Chloe read me the riot act last week and stood up to me, despite the fact that I had just hit her! Now, I am not proud of that and I still regret doing it. I can be impulsive at times and well, normally Dave is around to steer me, but Chloe took charge when she needed to. Chloe doing that stopped me from doing something stupid and getting myself killed," I said, felling a little ashamed.

"I didn't know. Chloe never said anything about it," Dr Bennett said, sounding a little surprised.

"We agreed to keep it a secret. I haven't even told Dave; he would go ballistic if he found out and so would Marcus. Chloe really is a wonderful girl and on that subject I need to get your permission about something," I replied. "I want to get her something big..."

That evening
Morton Grove
Chicago

Dave, Marty and I arrived at Chloe's place, that evening, for a meal.

"Happy Birthday, Chloe!" We said, as we went in.

Chloe looked a little embarrassed at all the attention!

"Thanks!" She said.

"Fourteen! Not a bad age for a vigilante!" Mindy said, with a smile.

While we were waiting for the meal to be ready, we all sat down in the living room and I passed Chloe her birthday present.

"It's only part of your present. The other part hasn't arrived yet!" I said.

The present was wrapped in black paper, with a blue ribbon.

I carefully pulled off the ribbon, the present was quite heavy. I gently removed the paper and revealed a black, plastic case. Next, I placed the case gently on the table and opened it. Inside was a pistol, it was an FN Five-seveN pistol, brand new. The pistol was black, with a blue inlay on the grip. The barrel was also threaded, to allow a suppressor to be attached. The suppressor was included along with two magazines and a cleaning kit. There was also a combination laser and light unit for mounting under the barrel.

I didn't know what to say, I just stared at Mindy.

"You lost your pistol, to that asshole! I already had this for you, so now you really do need it!" Mindy said, smiling.

I felt myself crying, how stupid!

I looked up at my Mom and she smiled back and nodded her approval.

"Not bad Chloe!" Abby said.

"Cool!" said Curtis.

Two days later
Friday
West Ridge
Chicago

I was starting to feel a lot more human!

The extra rest had done me good. I had been catching up on things and placing orders for equipment, to replace those items that had been consumed or lost, over the past week in both New York and Chicago. My Ducati was now back in Safehouse A and the weapons had all been cleaned, along with the combat suits.

Last night, Kick-Ass and Hit Girl had visited Murphy and Fellowes, which went down very well with the two young boys! Although, Cameron Fellowes said that he would have preferred to see Shadow, too!

I advised Sam Fellowes that he could go back home and that Murphy could stay until he had alternative accommodation. They were both very appreciative of Kick-Ass and Battle Guy's actions, in saving them and their families.

Today, I went to pick Chloe up, in the SUV.

I asked Chloe to come for a drive with me; she was a bit mystified, but came with me, anyway. I pulled up near a piece of waste ground and turned off the ignition, finally I turned to Chloe.

"This looks interesting," Chloe said. "Now I assume you're gonna kill me!"

"Very funny!" I replied, laughing.

"So, why all the cloak and dagger?"

"Just felt right, I suppose. I want to talk to you, about lover boy!" I said with a smirk.

"You want to talk about Joshua?"

"You haven't mentioned the boy once, since we got back to Chicago, but I know you miss him; I'm not that out of touch with growing up and relationships!" I replied.

"Oh," Chloe responded, biting her lower lip.

"Look, the boy should be able to travel by the end of next week. Do you want him in Chicago? Do you want to see him again? Do you want him in Fusion? I can help with all these questions, but I won't do anything without your say so. I think the kid has potential, admittedly I didn't like the British twat at first, but he learns fast and I don't mind having him around," I explained, with a smile.

Chloe looked a little surprised.

"Thanks Mindy. Yes, I do want to see him again, he saved my life, almost giving his. I would like him to be in Chicago, so I can see him and yes, if you think he can hack it, then having him in Fusion could be good," Chloe replied, blushing a little.

"Okay, I will set things in motion. I have been coordinating with the relevant people, both in New York and Chicago. I'll keep you informed. So far only myself and Dave know, nobody else," I said.

Chloe was a little stuck for words and sat there quietly for a few minutes.

"Mindy... I..." Chloe started to cry.

"Look Chloe, you helped me last week, I just wanted to return the favour, we're partners remember," I responded. "See why I came all the way out here?"

"Yeah!" Chloe replied. "You know, I feel strange around Josh. I have feelings that I have never felt with anybody else... Is that good?"

"I don't know. As I've mentioned before, I don't have much experience in that department! However, when I am with Dave, I feel like I can't be without him. When we are apart I yearn for him, constantly," I said.

"Sounds like the way I am with Josh," Chloe admitted, smiling shyly.

"What about Kyle?" I asked.

"We've been drifting apart, but we're still friends and I think he knows that my heart is elsewhere!" Chloe replied, smiling.

That evening
West Ridge
Chicago

"It all went well, with Chloe?" I asked.

"Yeah, she loves Josh!" Mindy replied.

"Not a surprise, considering what you told me!" I said. "You called Marcus?"

"Straight after I dropped off Chloe," Mindy replied.

New York City

"Hi, Josh! How are you feeling?" I asked.

Josh was sitting up in his hospital bed and looked cheerful.

"Hi, Lieutenant! I'm feeling a lot better, thanks," Josh replied.

"We need to talk about your future," I said. "You cannot go back to breaking into safehouses and living on your own; you are only fourteen. Now I have an offer to make to you; you don't have to accept, but I would seriously recommend considering it."

"I'm open to any suggestions!"

"It is time to stop trying to be a vigilante in New York, I believe you might have a new future in Chicago, where you can receive proper training and where, apparently, there is somebody who loves you."