They were gathered in Will's living room. Their study session was well underway, although Chandra already knew what they were studying. She had a photographic memory and could remember in vivid detail everything that ever happened to her, assuming something made her think of it. There was a reason she didn't trust. She'd forgive, but she could never forget. Zach was the only one who knew her burden. That was why, when he took her to see adventure movies, he'd cover her eyes for the scary parts. She'd remember the screams, but not the monsters on the screen. It was another reason that she was certain Layla liked Will. She had caught her looking after him wistfully enough times, and remembered them all, to know that the girl was completely smitten. She also had noticed the joy leave Gwen's eyes the moment she thought no one was watching enough times to be highly suspicious. But maybe the preppy girl was trying to cover up her sadness. Yeah, Chandra wasn't buying it, but she had no proof.

A question brought her back to the present. "OK, number one," Ethan began, "A radioactive zombie is charging at your hero. Do you hand him: A) his silver-tipped crossbow; B) a wooden spike; C…"

Chandra could see Zach getting fed up with the questions. "Yo, that's so weak, man," he finally exclaimed. "I'm holding his crossbow. Why can't I shoot him myself?"

"Because we're hero support. And if your hero asks for a crossbow, you hand it to him."

"Or her," Layla cut in. Ah, Chandra thought, little Miss Activist is at it again. For someone who despises conflict, she sure gets into a lot of it for 'the greater good.'

"By the way, Zach," Ethan continued as if uninterrupted, "you can't kill a zombie. You can only re-kill him."

"Or her." Layla was a bit more insistent that time.

Mr. Stronghold walked into the room, decked out in his American-themed super suit. Chandra thought it could have been more original. "If you kids are all in here, who's out there saving the world?"

"Dad!" Will was clearly panicked. "Why are you home so early." He still hasn't told his father! Chandra was dumbfounded. She couldn't believe Will was such a coward. Either that or he really cared about his father's happiness, but Chandra was willing to bet that he was afraid of his reaction.

His dad was oblivious to the panic. "After I stopped the Superdome from collapsing, I was watching the game and got to thinking, 'It's been a while since Will and I tossed the old pigskin around.' I thought I'd hustle back home. But I see you and Layla have already made new friends."

Ethan had been awed enough to meet the Commander's son. He was even more excited to meet the hero himself. "It's an honor to meet you, sir."

"What's your name, your power?"

"I'm Ethan, and I melt." As they shook hands, Chandra could see the hero's disappointment. It just confirmed that he was an egotistical prick who looked down on sidekicks.

The kids stood up to shake his hand, stating their name and their power.

Chandra nodded but refused to stand and greet the man, saying instead, "Chandra, I heal, and…" she cut herself off.

"And what?"

"Nothing. I was going to say 'And I heard you have superstrength,' but that would be too obvious.

"To what extent do you heal?" He seemed curious and still slightly suspicious, although relaxing as she stayed seated.

"Minor injuries, anything less than a broken bone."

"Oh," he stated. "I could have sworn Chandra was the name of the girl Barron Battle keeps talking about whenever I visit him. But she had the power to inflict pain…and heal major injuries." He was getting suspicious again.

"Chandra is a rare name, but I can assure you I haven't seen Baron Battle anywhere but in my nightmares."

A lightbulb seemed to go off in the Commander's head. "That's how he keeps getting knowledge of the outside world! He is able to communicate through people's dreams!"

Chandra was startled. "You mean that was the real Baron Battle?" She shivered. She had no idea how she had gotten his attention. Perhaps it was connected to her fights.

Josie Stronghold chose that moment to come in the door. "You know that people can have powers in dreams that they don't have in real life. Just because Baron says that she has more powers doesn't mean it's true. You know he isn't particularly trustworthy, or necessarily sane."

Chandra gave a mental sigh of relief as the Commander stopped looking at her with suspicion. No one but Layla had noticed as Zach had turned white as a sheet at the Commander's deductions. Layla may not know Chandra enough to tell if she was lying, but she could tell Zach knew something. Layla decided to interrogate him later.

Chandra relaxed as the commander left the room. His son followed him, probably to tell him of his lack of powers. The rest of them, excluding Zach, were still staring at her, Layla suspiciously, and the rest of them in some sort of shock. The attention shifted from her when they heard an angry shout from the kitchen.

"Washed out!" There was a pause. "Boomer. Couldn't make the big time, so now he thinks he can pass judgment on some real heroes' kids, huh? Oh, it's a power trip, Will. That's all it is. Sonic Boom? Try 'Gym Teacher Man.'"

It was by then that those listening in realized that Will had not told his dad he didn't have powers. They were getting worried for the boy.

"No, Dad!" Will tried to interrupt. "What are you doing?"

"I'm calling the school. The tuition we pay them!"

"Dad, don't. Dad! It's not Coach Boomer! It's me, OK? I don't have any powers."

The banging and plastic cracking had stopped. The group in the living room strained to hear what happened next.

"But you never said…I mean, you made it seem like…"

"Like I had super-strength like you? But I don't."

"But you will, Will! You're just…You're just a late bloomer! That's what it is!"

"Maybe. Maybe not." The next part made Chandra and everyone listening in proud. "But I don't care. Because, really, the fact of the matter is I'm proud to be a sidekick. Actually, I'm proud to be hero support."

Will came back to the study session, where everyone was staring at him with sympathy in their eyes, knowing how hard that must have been. Will seemed to want everyone to stop looking at him.

"Uh, so I, uh, think we pretty much covered the undead. What's next?" Everyone continued staring at him. "What?" They shook themselves and Ethan continued reading from the worksheet.

"'Your hero flies north at 100 miles per hour for _ minutes. His archenemy is tunneling south at 50 miles per hour for _ minutes. Assuming your hero has X-ray vision, how long before he realizes he's going the wrong way?"

The rest of the night went smoothly. Everyone but Layla had forgotten the Commander's words to Chandra. Layla would interrogate Zach the next day, but for then, all that mattered was comforting Will.