Monday evening
Morton Grove
I had gone with Josh and Mindy to see Chloe at home. There we had taken Chloe through everything that had happened while she had been with D'Amico. Chloe had seemed overwhelmed by how much effort had gone into her rescue. Josh was holding her hand as she added her own parts to the story.
Finally, we explained the last attack, as the disc saw had been started. When I had mentioned Josh and his fighting knives, Chloe had spun around and launched herself on top of a very stunned Joshua. She had started hugging and kissing the kid, oblivious to Mindy, Cathy and I sitting only feet away. Finally, Josh managed to shove Chloe away for a minute. Chloe then looked around and blushed badly at her audience.
"Nice, Chloe – you definitely have some moves!" Cathy commented with a laugh at her daughter and the still stunned Joshua.
"Sorry," An embarrassed Chloe mumbled. "Joshua saved my arm – without him..."
"Okay, Chloe – we understand, but still – I'm sure you Mom doesn't want a live porno on her couch!" Mindy said with an evil smirk
Chloe had looked totally mortified!
"Wouldn't be the first time!" Cathy said with a sly grin.
With D'Amico gone, everybody had gone back to his or her 'normal' life.
All the kids were back at school and those with jobs were back at work. Everybody needed time to rest and recover from the past weeks activities. I had received a couple of phone calls from Cathy letting me know how Chloe was doing. Chloe had been having some vicious nightmares because of what she had experienced at the weekend. She had not been alone – Mindy had had her fair share of nightmares as well. Chloe had also been extremely nice to Josh since the weekend.
Chloe had eventually suggested a party, to let everybody unwind and I had persuaded Mindy – not that that had been hard!
Five days later
Saturday night
Safehouse F
Cathy, Paige and Kim had outdone themselves putting together a huge buffet.
As before, everybody that knew of Fusion had been invited, although this time there were some newcomers.
As before, Chloe and Josh were occupying a couch, this time in the briefing room and they both seemed to be permanently joined at the lips – that seemed to be their version of partying! Curtis, Cam Fellowes, Brad Murphy, Tommy Morgan and Megan were nearby and watched Chloe and Josh as they ran their hands over each other. Curtis winked at Megan, suggestively.
"Don't even think about it, asshole!" Megan cautioned with a scowl, before stalking off to find some food.
"Hard luck, Curtis – maybe next time!" Tommy commiserated.
"She's a tough nut to crack!" Cameron added with a laugh.
"Give me time," Curtis said and followed Megan.
"He's gonna get himself slapped or worse!" Brad prophesised.
..._...
Paul Murphy and Sam Fellowes, along with their wives, were chatting with Marcus and Paige; Sharon and Rachel were very pleased to meet Dave and Marty and to thank them personally for saving all their lives, the previous year. They were also pleased to be able to thank Curtis and Megan for looking after their sons the month before.
Sophia insisted on following Tommy around, as he kept offering her items from the buffet. Jack Bay was chatting with Marty and Kim. Kim was now fourteen weeks pregnant and starting to show visible signs; she was now attracting the attention of the other adult females, including Rachel Murphy and Sharon Fellowes.
Tony and Shannon Morgan were chatting with Erika and Mindy. I was concentrating on keeping an eye on the youngsters and ensuring that they were not causing any trouble!
In the corner of the galley, I found Abby and Kyle caressing each other, totally oblivious to everybody else in the room!
"So, what do you think about the new vigilante?" I asked Josh, once he had been able to tear himself away from Chloe.
Josh looked a little uncomfortable.
"Well, Joshua – Mindy asked you a question?" Chloe asked with an evil smirk, enjoying her boyfriend's intense discomfort.
"Do I have to answer?" Josh asked, knowing the answer he would get.
"Yes you do," Chloe pushed.
"She has some nice curves," Josh started, blushing slightly. He then saw Chloe's scowl. "And looks almost as hot as Chloe!"
"Good save, kid!" Dave said with a chuckle.
"You damn pussy, Josh!" Erika said, with a wink at Chloe.
"Seriously though, who is she?" Dave asked.
"She must have some serious money," I commented. "That armoured suit she has looks to be almost as good as ours. Also, that motorcycle of hers is not cheap!"
There was general agreement at my comment.
"Maybe she is as good as you, Mindy," Erika suggested.
"Ooh – you can't say that!" Kim said with a glance towards me.
"It is possible," I acceded.
"Nobody is better than you, Hit Girl!" Megan said, as she cut into the discussion.
"Megan – we've been through this!" I said seriously.
"Can't you stop being such a fucking serious bitch for just one damn minute?" Megan demanded. "You were out there, in New York City, fighting crime, before Curtis and I were even fucking born!"
Mindy blushed furiously at Megan's comment.
"About time somebody said that!" Cathy commented.
"Could have been a little less foul, though – eh, Megan?" Marcus added and Megan blushed.
"Okay – I'll take the goddamn hint!" Mindy growled.
I laughed at Mindy's discomfort. Then Marcus spoke up and started to make Mindy even more uncomfortable.
"If I could have everybody's attention, please!" Marcus said loudly and silence descended on the Safehouse, as Marty muted the music and all conversation ceased. "As some of you know, Paige and I have been spending a lot of time together and indeed we now live together."
I noticed Mindy cover her face with her hands and shake her head.
"Paige and I have a lot in common – not to mention each of us having a very wayward daughter!" Marcus continued.
There was a lot of laughter at that comment and both Mindy and Megan scowled. Their expressions were almost identical.
"Paige and I have decided to take things to the next level and as such..." Marcus began.
"... Last night, Marcus proposed and I accepted!" Paige finished, grinning fit to burst.
There was a silent pause, before Megan spoke.
"Bloody hell!" Megan exclaimed.
"Fuck me!" Mindy added.
Both girls looked shocked and everybody laughed and began to offer their congratulations to the couple.
"Damn – Hit Girl will be my sister!" Megan said, with a big grin.
Mindy looked at Megan.
"Well, I could have worse for a kid sister!" She said with a smirk.
Then Megan asked a question, aimed at her mother.
"Does this mean you two are having sex?"
Mindy's eyes almost popped out.
"Megan, dear – that, is none of your business!" Paige said sweetly, smirking at Marcus.
An hour later
Something was missing.
Actually it was more like five short people, were missing. I stood on the walkway and gazed around the Safehouse. The briefing room and galley were occupied by just teenagers and adults – all of the pre-teens, were nowhere in sight!
"Sophia!" I called and the large dog appeared from the galley.
The Alsatian had been extra happy since having had the opportunity to chomp on Ralph D'Amico.
"Sophia – the little brats are missing, can you find them for me?" I asked.
Sophia gave a muted woof, before sniffing the air and heading down to the main level.
"What's up?" Mindy asked, coming up beside me.
"The brats are missing!" I said. "Time for some fun!"
"I'll warn everyone that you want to play!" Mindy said laughing and turning towards the briefing room.
..._...
I followed Sophia down to the main level, but one there I took a detour into the armoury. I reappeared with several small items in my hand. Sophia was sniffing in the direction of Iron Hide and Beast. I heard some muted conversation from between the two armoured vehicles.
I whistled quietly and Sophia ran back to me, looking pleased with herself. The kids were still hidden and continuing with their conversation, believing themselves undiscovered.
"Sophia – go to Mindy!" I ordered and the dog ran up the stairs.
I noticed that a small audience had gathered on the walkway. I raised five fingers indicating five seconds and moved over towards the glass shield. I rapidly pulled the pins from four FBG Mk II Flash Bang Trainers and threw them over the shield and they fell to the ground and rolled under Iron Hide before they all exploded.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
There were screams and yells of pain, and then five shocked kids rapidly appeared from between Iron hide and Beast. They ran onto the mat, covering their ears. There was laughter and jeering from the adults and teenagers on the walkway.
The five kids looked up at their audience, a little embarrassed and Megan scowled.
"Fucking funny, asshole!" Megan exclaimed, glaring at the grinning Dave.
"You guys have been warned about playing around the vehicles!" Mindy called down.
"I never, play, bitch!" Megan retorted and Mindy scowled back.
"I assume that it was your idea, Megan?" Mindy asked.
"Why am I always assumed to be the guilty one?" Megan demanded, looking hurt.
"Well, 'cause you, young lady, usually are the guilty one!" Paige cut in with a laugh.
"Okay, brats," Mindy called. "Get back up here – now!"
"That was awesome!" A laughing Brad said, on his way up the steps.
"Yeah, very funny, dickhead!" Megan growled.
"It was your idea," Tommy said, grinning.
"Only because I've got bigger balls than you lot put together!" Megan retorted, with a smirk.
"You've picked a damn firestorm there, Curtis!" Cam said.
"Don't I bloody know it?" Curtis replied with a grimace.
That girl was trouble.
She also seemed to have the boys under her control, which was a concern!
All of the kids had been warned about messing about near the vehicles. I had set rules, now that we had kids in the Safehouse. When not operational, like now – they were to stay away from the vehicles, armoury and any weapons. I had warned them all, especially the kids who were not operators.
The Safehouse, while protecting those inside, also contained some very dangerous items of equipment and weaponry. The last thing that I wanted was somebody to get hurt, or worse, while they were somewhere that they should not be.
Maybe, Megan needed a talking to or something stronger!
Later, just before midnight
The lights had been dimmed in the briefing room and couples were chatting, with some dancing – or just kissing.
Chloe and Josh were enjoying each other on a couch. The other end of the couch was occupied by Kyle and Abby, equally active. Another couch supported Marty and Kim, with Megan, fast asleep on Sophia with Curtis beside her. Tommy, Cam and Brad were trying to ignore their parents who were dancing and kissing, which they found somewhat embarrassing. Marcus and Paige were gently kissing, while dancing too.
A different song came over the speakers in the Safehouse.
'We are young! We are strong! We're not lookin' for where we belong. We're not cool! We are free! And we're runnin' with blood on our knees!'
I looked down at Mindy and I felt like the happiest man alive. Mindy smiled up at me, and then we kissed and continued kissing.