p class="MsoNormal"Sean Foley looked at his wife as they drove through Central City./p
p class="MsoNormal""I don't know Sean, Richie sounded odd over the phone." Maggie said./p
p class="MsoNormal""You know kids… they were probably doing something they weren't supposed to when we called."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Maggie was about to respond when saw a kid step into the road and Sean slammed on the breaks./p
p class="MsoNormal""Where are that kid's parents?" she demanded as they got out of the car./p
p class="MsoNormal""What is your problem, kid… I could have hit…"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Maggie cut him off pointing at another teenager in the rubble of the fallen water tower. It took Sean mere seconds to recognize Static./p
p class="MsoNormal""What the hell is Static doing in Central City?" he asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""I don't know, Sean, but he needs help."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Jean followed them./p
p class="MsoNormal""What is your name?" Maggie asked as Sean moved some of the debris so he could take stock of how badly Static was injured, which considering he'd had a water tower fall on his head, really wasn't that bad./p
p class="MsoNormal""My name is Jean Xavier, ma'am, and he needs help… he was shorted out by the water and…"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanJean didn't mention the confrontation between Static and Flash, he figured that wasn't something that needed to be said./p
p class="MsoNormal"Jean was almost impressed at how little effort it took Sean Foley to pick Static up and put him in the back seat of the car./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm not going to ask what you boys were doing out here." Sean commented as Jean got into the back seat of the car with Static./p
p class="MsoNormal"There wasn't much by the way of conversation between them as Sean drove back to their hotel./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Meanwhile Flash entered the room with Batman, rubbing his neck muttering about Static being tougher than he looked when he noticed Batman glaring angrily./p
p class="MsoNormal""What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""You said Static wouldn't get hurt!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""And I meant it, he didn't… he was fine when I left." Flash said in confusion./p
p class="MsoNormal""No, he just had a water tower drop on his head and short him out."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Flash's eyebrows went up./p
p class="MsoNormal""Bat's that is impossible we didn't do nearly enough damage to that tower to drop it!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Batman brought up the scene where Sean Foley was digging Static out of the rubble of the water tower./p
p class="MsoNormal""Then explain that!" Batman demanded./p
p class="MsoNormal""I… I can't…" Flash stuttered in stunned confusion./p
p class="MsoNormal"Mystic Sage stepped forward./p
p class="MsoNormal""I believe I can."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Then explain… we'd all love to hear it." Batman said./p
p class="MsoNormal""As a distraction… Syphon is the one that made that car lose control in order to give Static a chance to escape but… perhaps as a means to amuse himself… perhaps as penalty for mentioning the lives that were in danger and almost getting caught, Syphon dropped the water tower on Static at just the right moment to short him out in very a painful way."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Aw man…" Flash muttered looking between Mystic Sage and Batman./p
p class="MsoNormal""So, I believe you owe Flash here an apology and I believe I have a cover story to uphold I'll be back soon." Mystic Sage waited for a few minutes for Batman to actually apologize./p
p class="MsoNormal""Say it… it'll be a lot easier."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm sorry Flash" Batman bit out in frustration../p
p class="MsoNormal""No… hard feelings." Flash said not sure how else to react./p
p class="MsoNormal"Mystic Sage left, and Flash went to watch as the man lifted Static and put him in the car with very little effort./p
p class="MsoNormal""Seriously… that happened after I left?" Flash said now wishing he'd obeyed his first instinct and went back to check on Static after he'd saved that family./p
p class="MsoNormal""You couldn't have known Static was in any danger… from what Mystic Sage just said Syphon could have just done that for the hell of it."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah… but something told me to go back and check on the kid." Flash mused bitterly./p
p class="MsoNormal""I wonder what the whole thing is between Mystic Sage and Syphon." Wonder woman said finally finding a point to enter the conversation./p
p class="MsoNormal""It's more between Jean… the young one on the screen, and Syphon than our Mystic Sage." Batman added./p
p class="MsoNormal""Same question" she replied giving Flash's shoulder a soft squeeze to reassure him what happened to Static after the 'fight' wasn't his fault./p
p class="MsoNormal""Not sure, you can ask him, but you'll probably get his usual answer…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah… yeah… we know, 'Spoilers'" Flash said using air quotes with the word 'Spoilers'./p
p class="MsoNormal""I've never really understood that response but… that's not important right now… the question is… is Static okay with that couple?" Wonder woman said./p
p class="MsoNormal""Results from facial recognition just came in, they are Sean and Maggie Foley… their son is Virgil's friend Richie." Batman replied./p
p class="MsoNormal""Richie… isn't that Gear?" Flash asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes… but they don't know their son is Gear… not yet at least." Batman replied./p
p class="MsoNormal""Talk about your nasty shocks." Flash commented./p
p class="MsoNormal"Batman gives him the patented Bat glare as Mystic Sage's laughter echoes telepathically./p
p class="MsoNormal""What Mystic Sage liked it?" Flash shrugged./p
p class="MsoNormal""Mystic Sage has a warped since of humor." Batman replied simply./p
p class="MsoNormal""That explains why they get along so well." Wonder Woman commented./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Maggie looked at Sean as he came out of the bedroom of their suite. He could tell without her saying a word that she was very concerned about the entire situation./p
p class="MsoNormal""Sean… that boy… not the little one… the other one… is it just me or does he look like someone we know."/p
p class="MsoNormal""He's Static, he's all over the news…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""No Sean… look carefully… I know the mask makes it hard but… the shape of his face.. his build… if I didn't know any better…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I know Maggie… look you go get something for supper and I'll find out what we need to know."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Okay, Sean… just let me know what you find out." She said./p
p class="MsoNormal""I will, Maggie…" he said hugging her and giving her a small peck on the lips before she left to go get something for the four of them for supper that night./p
p class="MsoNormal"Sean turned back and went to the room to see Jean sitting in the chair looking tired but still working on healing Static./p
p class="MsoNormal""I can't stop you from doing what you think you have to do." Jean said not looking up./p
p class="MsoNormal""Are you… one of those bang babies we hear about on the news."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Something like that…" Jean replied sounding incredibly exhausted./p
p class="MsoNormal""What are you doing?" Sean asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""Healing him… that tower did some damage beyond shorting out his electrical powers." Jean replied, "For example he has one nasty concussion… he might be a walking lightning rod but he's by no means Superman."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sean started closer but before he could get within reach Static regained consciousness with a soft groan, and they made eye contact./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hi… Mr. F" he said his brain not exactly in a functional state./p
p class="MsoNormal""Virgil…" Sean says in shock./p
p class="MsoNormal"Jean mutters an oops as he realizes the mistake Static had just made. Seconds later Static himself realizes what he had just done./p
p class="MsoNormal""Aww… man" Static groaned as he attempted to sit up./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, no point of keeping on the mask now." Jean comments as Sean stopped Static from sitting up./p
p class="MsoNormal""Easy, son, you're friend here isn't finished healing you yet."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes sir…" Virgil replied taking the mask off as he laid back down./p
p class="MsoNormal""Now question… does your father know where you are and what you're doing?" Sean asked then paused "Better question what are you doing all the way in Central City?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Jean looks at Sean "Would it be okay if we answer those questions after I'm finished?" Jean asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""That's fine Jean." Sean replied and left the room to give them the time they needed./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Robert was pacing the floor of his bedroom when Sean called him./p
p class="MsoNormal""Robert I've got some questions for you." Sean said trying to sound calm./p
p class="MsoNormal""What's wrong, Sean?" Robert asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""How long?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""You're going to have to be a little more descriptive… how long what?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""How long have you known about Static?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Robert tried to find a way to duck the question./p
p class="MsoNormal""Robert please, don't lie to me… how long have you known your boy was Static?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Robert took a long breath and let it out as a sigh before responding./p
p class="MsoNormal""A few months, Sean why?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Because I have him here… he is in the bedroom of my hotel suite. He is fine but…" Sean paused "What I need to know is… Gear… that's my son… isn't it."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Robert hesitates then confirms Sean's suspicion./p
p class="MsoNormal""I see…" he paused "Why didn't you tell me? Or more importantly why didn't my boy tell me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I didn't say anything because it wasn't my secret to tell… as for Richie's reasoning I can only speculate that he was afraid you'd forbid him seeing Virgil again or forbid him from taking up his newly created mantle to fight by his best friend's side where he knows he is needed."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Okay, fair enough…" he paused as Maggie reenters the room with grocery bags, the room had a kitchenette, so she had decided to cook rather than get take-out./p
p class="MsoNormal""You realize I have to tell Maggie…" Sean said ducking into the bathroom so she didn't hear anything before he could sit her down and go over everything./p
p class="MsoNormal""I understand… your wife needs to know what is going on." Robert sighed "Right now I've got to figure out what Sharon is doing."/p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you mean?" Sean asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""She never made it to work this morning… her car was found on an abandoned stretch of highway."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Meanwhile; Sharon woke up her head pounding and looked around trying to get her bearings only to see Richie on the other side of a window standing there with a makeshift mask on./p
p class="MsoNormal""Take that thing off, Richie, you look ridiculous."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Richie who… I'm sorry ma'am, I think you…" Richie replied trying to disguise his voice and failing spectacularly./p
p class="MsoNormal""Richard Osgood Foley, spare me!" she snapped./p
p class="MsoNormal""Fine…" he said returning to his normal voice "I know I suck at disguising my voice but seriously how did you know?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Daddy told me when you and Virgil did your little disappearing act."/p
p class="MsoNormal""We didn't 'do a disappearing act' Sharon, I was kidnapped and now your brother is out there committing what I can assume are multiple grand thefts because if he does otherwise I'll never see the light of day again."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sharon stood there gaping in silence./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""And now he has to worry about me…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah… you're not here because of V… that's part of the reason I'm here… you are here because he believes my abilities will let me create something for him and having you here guarantees I'll make it for him."/p
p class="MsoNormal""How do you know this psycho wants you to build him something?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""What else is there… he's got Virgil hitting tech companies stealing tech components… that's the logical conclusion is he wants me to put the components together to make something."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Okay… but what" Sharon asked coming to the window./p
p class="MsoNormal""I don't know yet… from what I've heard the components don't really add up to anything, but I think I'm missing part of what he's wanting to do."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sharon nodded putting her hand up to the glass./p
p class="MsoNormal""Are you okay… really… Richie… I know I give you and my brother a hard time, but I do care… we've all been so worried about the two of you."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah… so far I'm fine… he hasn't hurt me… if anything I've probably been spoilt more than most would have been in my place." Richie replied./p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you mean?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I've got a comfortable bed; the food isn't half bad and… and look at the comic books but… I think it's just all bribes to keep me quiet."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sharon looked around her own space to find the bed she woke up in and if she remembered correctly it was rather comfortable./p
p class="MsoNormal""Richie how are we going to get out of this?" she asked her eyes coming to rest on the stack of magazines she had at her disposal along with the CD player and pretty much all of her favorite CDs. She mused briefly on how creepy it was that he knew which magazines she liked and who her favorite artists were before coming back to the conversation at hand./p
p class="MsoNormal""I don't know, Sharon… I've been wracking my brain for any solution but so far… nothing." He sighed "I think we're just going to have to trust Virgil."/p
p class="MsoNormal""That's the thing, I don't think Virgil has much left to give."/p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you mean… what's happening?" Richie demanded coming back to the glass looking, if anything, terrified./p
p class="MsoNormal""Virgil is exhausted both physically and emotionally." She replied./p
p class="MsoNormal""What about the other heroes, aren't they helping him?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""As much as they can but… they haven't been able to do much yet." Sharon replied, "These three kids came in and have been passing information between Dakota and the justice league but so far not much has come from that."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Richie's leaned against the wall./p
p class="MsoNormal""Man… I hate the idea of V having to go through this at least he has someone helping him."/p
p class="MsoNormal""What help… didn't you hear what I said."/p
p class="MsoNormal""No, I'm talking about Jean… apparently there is some kid named Jean that has been traveling with V since yesterday evening or maybe earlier I'm not sure."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Nobody told me that?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanSharon said in surprise./p
p class="MsoNormal""I only know 'cause Syphon thought he'd use the kid and the fact that he got Virgil into a good hotel last night to turn me on him."/p
p class="MsoNormal""So let me get this straight… while we're locked up in what I'm guessing is a rundown abandoned police station Virgil has been living it up in a nice hotel."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sharon I'd hardly call it living it up…" Richie snapped glaring at Sharon through the glass. "Virgil has been flying all over the country breaking into tech companies risking lengthy prison sentences for what… just to keep me safe!" Richie roared in anger. "But you wouldn't know that because you haven't spoken to Virgil since this all began I have… I have heard the stress… the exhaustion in Virgil's voice. So he isn't 'living it up' he's barely registering any of this. At this moment he's in self-preservation mode."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sharon shrunk back at the amount of anger Richie unleashed on her./p
p class="MsoNormal""Richie… I… I'm sorry I… I didn't know."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Richie was breathing like a marathon runner after releasing all that pent up rage, though even he would admit Sharon didn't deserve the explosive way he released it./p
p class="MsoNormal""Testy aren't we" Syphon said into their minds "She's undergoing a lot of stress herself and you had to go blowing up at her."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sharon I'm sorry" Richie said weakly./p
p class="MsoNormal""Don't mention it…" she replied./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes… but your brother is living it up while you're here in as you called it 'a rundown abandoned police station.'"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Dang… wish I had friends like that." Sharon replied deciding she wasn't going to play along with Syphon's game anymore./p
p class="MsoNormal""You two are no fun." Syphon muttered./p
p class="MsoNormal""Good… we're not here for your entertainment." Sharon growled./p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh, but you see my dear, you are." Syphon replied coyly./p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you mean by that?" Sharon demanded./p
p class="MsoNormal"Syphon doesn't reply./p
p class="MsoNormal""Come on you slimy bastard… answer me!" Sharon roared./p
p class="MsoNormal""That is no language for a lady to use!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Come in here you freak, and I'll show you 'lady'!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"This only makes Syphon laugh./p
p class="MsoNormal""Just so you know, as long as I have you as my captives I might as well have a little fun."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You sick son of a bitch."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Hey… leave my mother out of this."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Now I bet she wishes your daddy had used a condom!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh, now I know I'll have fun with you." Syphon laughed. "Sorry… for all his intelligence Richard is boring. He refuses to play my game!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""You'll be thinking 'fun' when I get my hands on you… you slimy bastard…!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'd love to stick around and continue this tantalizing conversation with you, but I've got business to tend to… tata"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sharon looks at Richie./p
p class="MsoNormal""That's what you've been putting up with the past couple of days?" she asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah… he hasn't been that bad with me because I haven't really been prodding at him the way you did."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sorry I had to get that out somehow… and I'd rather take that out on him than you."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Again… sorry about that I… I didn't mean to blow up at you it's just after what you said I kinda couldn't hold it in." Richie said rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment./p
p class="MsoNormal"Sharon smiled "I understand…" he paused "so how long have you and Virgil been doing this superhero thing?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"stronguTo Be continued…/u/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal""I don't know Sean, Richie sounded odd over the phone." Maggie said./p
p class="MsoNormal""You know kids… they were probably doing something they weren't supposed to when we called."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Maggie was about to respond when saw a kid step into the road and Sean slammed on the breaks./p
p class="MsoNormal""Where are that kid's parents?" she demanded as they got out of the car./p
p class="MsoNormal""What is your problem, kid… I could have hit…"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Maggie cut him off pointing at another teenager in the rubble of the fallen water tower. It took Sean mere seconds to recognize Static./p
p class="MsoNormal""What the hell is Static doing in Central City?" he asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""I don't know, Sean, but he needs help."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Jean followed them./p
p class="MsoNormal""What is your name?" Maggie asked as Sean moved some of the debris so he could take stock of how badly Static was injured, which considering he'd had a water tower fall on his head, really wasn't that bad./p
p class="MsoNormal""My name is Jean Xavier, ma'am, and he needs help… he was shorted out by the water and…"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanJean didn't mention the confrontation between Static and Flash, he figured that wasn't something that needed to be said./p
p class="MsoNormal"Jean was almost impressed at how little effort it took Sean Foley to pick Static up and put him in the back seat of the car./p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm not going to ask what you boys were doing out here." Sean commented as Jean got into the back seat of the car with Static./p
p class="MsoNormal"There wasn't much by the way of conversation between them as Sean drove back to their hotel./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Meanwhile Flash entered the room with Batman, rubbing his neck muttering about Static being tougher than he looked when he noticed Batman glaring angrily./p
p class="MsoNormal""What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""You said Static wouldn't get hurt!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""And I meant it, he didn't… he was fine when I left." Flash said in confusion./p
p class="MsoNormal""No, he just had a water tower drop on his head and short him out."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Flash's eyebrows went up./p
p class="MsoNormal""Bat's that is impossible we didn't do nearly enough damage to that tower to drop it!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Batman brought up the scene where Sean Foley was digging Static out of the rubble of the water tower./p
p class="MsoNormal""Then explain that!" Batman demanded./p
p class="MsoNormal""I… I can't…" Flash stuttered in stunned confusion./p
p class="MsoNormal"Mystic Sage stepped forward./p
p class="MsoNormal""I believe I can."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Then explain… we'd all love to hear it." Batman said./p
p class="MsoNormal""As a distraction… Syphon is the one that made that car lose control in order to give Static a chance to escape but… perhaps as a means to amuse himself… perhaps as penalty for mentioning the lives that were in danger and almost getting caught, Syphon dropped the water tower on Static at just the right moment to short him out in very a painful way."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Aw man…" Flash muttered looking between Mystic Sage and Batman./p
p class="MsoNormal""So, I believe you owe Flash here an apology and I believe I have a cover story to uphold I'll be back soon." Mystic Sage waited for a few minutes for Batman to actually apologize./p
p class="MsoNormal""Say it… it'll be a lot easier."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm sorry Flash" Batman bit out in frustration../p
p class="MsoNormal""No… hard feelings." Flash said not sure how else to react./p
p class="MsoNormal"Mystic Sage left, and Flash went to watch as the man lifted Static and put him in the car with very little effort./p
p class="MsoNormal""Seriously… that happened after I left?" Flash said now wishing he'd obeyed his first instinct and went back to check on Static after he'd saved that family./p
p class="MsoNormal""You couldn't have known Static was in any danger… from what Mystic Sage just said Syphon could have just done that for the hell of it."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah… but something told me to go back and check on the kid." Flash mused bitterly./p
p class="MsoNormal""I wonder what the whole thing is between Mystic Sage and Syphon." Wonder woman said finally finding a point to enter the conversation./p
p class="MsoNormal""It's more between Jean… the young one on the screen, and Syphon than our Mystic Sage." Batman added./p
p class="MsoNormal""Same question" she replied giving Flash's shoulder a soft squeeze to reassure him what happened to Static after the 'fight' wasn't his fault./p
p class="MsoNormal""Not sure, you can ask him, but you'll probably get his usual answer…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah… yeah… we know, 'Spoilers'" Flash said using air quotes with the word 'Spoilers'./p
p class="MsoNormal""I've never really understood that response but… that's not important right now… the question is… is Static okay with that couple?" Wonder woman said./p
p class="MsoNormal""Results from facial recognition just came in, they are Sean and Maggie Foley… their son is Virgil's friend Richie." Batman replied./p
p class="MsoNormal""Richie… isn't that Gear?" Flash asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes… but they don't know their son is Gear… not yet at least." Batman replied./p
p class="MsoNormal""Talk about your nasty shocks." Flash commented./p
p class="MsoNormal"Batman gives him the patented Bat glare as Mystic Sage's laughter echoes telepathically./p
p class="MsoNormal""What Mystic Sage liked it?" Flash shrugged./p
p class="MsoNormal""Mystic Sage has a warped since of humor." Batman replied simply./p
p class="MsoNormal""That explains why they get along so well." Wonder Woman commented./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Maggie looked at Sean as he came out of the bedroom of their suite. He could tell without her saying a word that she was very concerned about the entire situation./p
p class="MsoNormal""Sean… that boy… not the little one… the other one… is it just me or does he look like someone we know."/p
p class="MsoNormal""He's Static, he's all over the news…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""No Sean… look carefully… I know the mask makes it hard but… the shape of his face.. his build… if I didn't know any better…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I know Maggie… look you go get something for supper and I'll find out what we need to know."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Okay, Sean… just let me know what you find out." She said./p
p class="MsoNormal""I will, Maggie…" he said hugging her and giving her a small peck on the lips before she left to go get something for the four of them for supper that night./p
p class="MsoNormal"Sean turned back and went to the room to see Jean sitting in the chair looking tired but still working on healing Static./p
p class="MsoNormal""I can't stop you from doing what you think you have to do." Jean said not looking up./p
p class="MsoNormal""Are you… one of those bang babies we hear about on the news."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Something like that…" Jean replied sounding incredibly exhausted./p
p class="MsoNormal""What are you doing?" Sean asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""Healing him… that tower did some damage beyond shorting out his electrical powers." Jean replied, "For example he has one nasty concussion… he might be a walking lightning rod but he's by no means Superman."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sean started closer but before he could get within reach Static regained consciousness with a soft groan, and they made eye contact./p
p class="MsoNormal""Hi… Mr. F" he said his brain not exactly in a functional state./p
p class="MsoNormal""Virgil…" Sean says in shock./p
p class="MsoNormal"Jean mutters an oops as he realizes the mistake Static had just made. Seconds later Static himself realizes what he had just done./p
p class="MsoNormal""Aww… man" Static groaned as he attempted to sit up./p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, no point of keeping on the mask now." Jean comments as Sean stopped Static from sitting up./p
p class="MsoNormal""Easy, son, you're friend here isn't finished healing you yet."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes sir…" Virgil replied taking the mask off as he laid back down./p
p class="MsoNormal""Now question… does your father know where you are and what you're doing?" Sean asked then paused "Better question what are you doing all the way in Central City?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Jean looks at Sean "Would it be okay if we answer those questions after I'm finished?" Jean asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""That's fine Jean." Sean replied and left the room to give them the time they needed./p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Robert was pacing the floor of his bedroom when Sean called him./p
p class="MsoNormal""Robert I've got some questions for you." Sean said trying to sound calm./p
p class="MsoNormal""What's wrong, Sean?" Robert asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""How long?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""You're going to have to be a little more descriptive… how long what?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""How long have you known about Static?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Robert tried to find a way to duck the question./p
p class="MsoNormal""Robert please, don't lie to me… how long have you known your boy was Static?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Robert took a long breath and let it out as a sigh before responding./p
p class="MsoNormal""A few months, Sean why?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Because I have him here… he is in the bedroom of my hotel suite. He is fine but…" Sean paused "What I need to know is… Gear… that's my son… isn't it."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Robert hesitates then confirms Sean's suspicion./p
p class="MsoNormal""I see…" he paused "Why didn't you tell me? Or more importantly why didn't my boy tell me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I didn't say anything because it wasn't my secret to tell… as for Richie's reasoning I can only speculate that he was afraid you'd forbid him seeing Virgil again or forbid him from taking up his newly created mantle to fight by his best friend's side where he knows he is needed."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Okay, fair enough…" he paused as Maggie reenters the room with grocery bags, the room had a kitchenette, so she had decided to cook rather than get take-out./p
p class="MsoNormal""You realize I have to tell Maggie…" Sean said ducking into the bathroom so she didn't hear anything before he could sit her down and go over everything./p
p class="MsoNormal""I understand… your wife needs to know what is going on." Robert sighed "Right now I've got to figure out what Sharon is doing."/p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you mean?" Sean asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""She never made it to work this morning… her car was found on an abandoned stretch of highway."/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"Meanwhile; Sharon woke up her head pounding and looked around trying to get her bearings only to see Richie on the other side of a window standing there with a makeshift mask on./p
p class="MsoNormal""Take that thing off, Richie, you look ridiculous."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Richie who… I'm sorry ma'am, I think you…" Richie replied trying to disguise his voice and failing spectacularly./p
p class="MsoNormal""Richard Osgood Foley, spare me!" she snapped./p
p class="MsoNormal""Fine…" he said returning to his normal voice "I know I suck at disguising my voice but seriously how did you know?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Daddy told me when you and Virgil did your little disappearing act."/p
p class="MsoNormal""We didn't 'do a disappearing act' Sharon, I was kidnapped and now your brother is out there committing what I can assume are multiple grand thefts because if he does otherwise I'll never see the light of day again."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sharon stood there gaping in silence./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""And now he has to worry about me…"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah… you're not here because of V… that's part of the reason I'm here… you are here because he believes my abilities will let me create something for him and having you here guarantees I'll make it for him."/p
p class="MsoNormal""How do you know this psycho wants you to build him something?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""What else is there… he's got Virgil hitting tech companies stealing tech components… that's the logical conclusion is he wants me to put the components together to make something."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Okay… but what" Sharon asked coming to the window./p
p class="MsoNormal""I don't know yet… from what I've heard the components don't really add up to anything, but I think I'm missing part of what he's wanting to do."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sharon nodded putting her hand up to the glass./p
p class="MsoNormal""Are you okay… really… Richie… I know I give you and my brother a hard time, but I do care… we've all been so worried about the two of you."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah… so far I'm fine… he hasn't hurt me… if anything I've probably been spoilt more than most would have been in my place." Richie replied./p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you mean?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I've got a comfortable bed; the food isn't half bad and… and look at the comic books but… I think it's just all bribes to keep me quiet."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sharon looked around her own space to find the bed she woke up in and if she remembered correctly it was rather comfortable./p
p class="MsoNormal""Richie how are we going to get out of this?" she asked her eyes coming to rest on the stack of magazines she had at her disposal along with the CD player and pretty much all of her favorite CDs. She mused briefly on how creepy it was that he knew which magazines she liked and who her favorite artists were before coming back to the conversation at hand./p
p class="MsoNormal""I don't know, Sharon… I've been wracking my brain for any solution but so far… nothing." He sighed "I think we're just going to have to trust Virgil."/p
p class="MsoNormal""That's the thing, I don't think Virgil has much left to give."/p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you mean… what's happening?" Richie demanded coming back to the glass looking, if anything, terrified./p
p class="MsoNormal""Virgil is exhausted both physically and emotionally." She replied./p
p class="MsoNormal""What about the other heroes, aren't they helping him?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""As much as they can but… they haven't been able to do much yet." Sharon replied, "These three kids came in and have been passing information between Dakota and the justice league but so far not much has come from that."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Richie's leaned against the wall./p
p class="MsoNormal""Man… I hate the idea of V having to go through this at least he has someone helping him."/p
p class="MsoNormal""What help… didn't you hear what I said."/p
p class="MsoNormal""No, I'm talking about Jean… apparently there is some kid named Jean that has been traveling with V since yesterday evening or maybe earlier I'm not sure."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Nobody told me that?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanSharon said in surprise./p
p class="MsoNormal""I only know 'cause Syphon thought he'd use the kid and the fact that he got Virgil into a good hotel last night to turn me on him."/p
p class="MsoNormal""So let me get this straight… while we're locked up in what I'm guessing is a rundown abandoned police station Virgil has been living it up in a nice hotel."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sharon I'd hardly call it living it up…" Richie snapped glaring at Sharon through the glass. "Virgil has been flying all over the country breaking into tech companies risking lengthy prison sentences for what… just to keep me safe!" Richie roared in anger. "But you wouldn't know that because you haven't spoken to Virgil since this all began I have… I have heard the stress… the exhaustion in Virgil's voice. So he isn't 'living it up' he's barely registering any of this. At this moment he's in self-preservation mode."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sharon shrunk back at the amount of anger Richie unleashed on her./p
p class="MsoNormal""Richie… I… I'm sorry I… I didn't know."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Richie was breathing like a marathon runner after releasing all that pent up rage, though even he would admit Sharon didn't deserve the explosive way he released it./p
p class="MsoNormal""Testy aren't we" Syphon said into their minds "She's undergoing a lot of stress herself and you had to go blowing up at her."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sharon I'm sorry" Richie said weakly./p
p class="MsoNormal""Don't mention it…" she replied./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes… but your brother is living it up while you're here in as you called it 'a rundown abandoned police station.'"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Dang… wish I had friends like that." Sharon replied deciding she wasn't going to play along with Syphon's game anymore./p
p class="MsoNormal""You two are no fun." Syphon muttered./p
p class="MsoNormal""Good… we're not here for your entertainment." Sharon growled./p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh, but you see my dear, you are." Syphon replied coyly./p
p class="MsoNormal""What do you mean by that?" Sharon demanded./p
p class="MsoNormal"Syphon doesn't reply./p
p class="MsoNormal""Come on you slimy bastard… answer me!" Sharon roared./p
p class="MsoNormal""That is no language for a lady to use!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Come in here you freak, and I'll show you 'lady'!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"This only makes Syphon laugh./p
p class="MsoNormal""Just so you know, as long as I have you as my captives I might as well have a little fun."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You sick son of a bitch."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Hey… leave my mother out of this."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Now I bet she wishes your daddy had used a condom!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh, now I know I'll have fun with you." Syphon laughed. "Sorry… for all his intelligence Richard is boring. He refuses to play my game!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""You'll be thinking 'fun' when I get my hands on you… you slimy bastard…!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'd love to stick around and continue this tantalizing conversation with you, but I've got business to tend to… tata"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Sharon looks at Richie./p
p class="MsoNormal""That's what you've been putting up with the past couple of days?" she asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah… he hasn't been that bad with me because I haven't really been prodding at him the way you did."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sorry I had to get that out somehow… and I'd rather take that out on him than you."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Again… sorry about that I… I didn't mean to blow up at you it's just after what you said I kinda couldn't hold it in." Richie said rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment./p
p class="MsoNormal"Sharon smiled "I understand…" he paused "so how long have you and Virgil been doing this superhero thing?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"stronguTo Be continued…/u/strong/p