A/N: 2023.03.28
Well, all, I tried to stay away, but I just couldn't! In the same vein of when I wanted to do a story about the "Madison Street War", I wanted to do a story about Michelle dealing with her past. I legit love writing for her; a character like her is so fun. And Michelle/Ember is just great to write for! I also made an update to "How The Fire Burns" because the timeline I myself created didn't make sense (dangers of writing a long story).
Since I don't want to spoil "So Far Away", I'll simply say this story takes place long before the events of that story, and about a year after "Iridescent."
SUMMARY: Michelle learns a face from her criminal past has come to Gotham, causing her to confront her fear of losing the life she loves so much. Pre-"So Far Away".
Girl On Fire
After another night's watch, the Dark Knights arrived back in the cave, approaching the computer where Bruce sat.
"Good work tonight," Bruce commended. Ace barked in agreement.
The team all removed their masks. "Attempting to rob a chemical plant," Terry rolled his shoulder. "Talk about a big theft. The Yellowjackets are stepping up."
"What could they do with stuff like that?" Michelle asked.
"A ton," Basem explained. "Probably just wanted to sell it."
"Never thought about breaking into those kinds of places back in the day."
"Yeah. You stuck with banks and jewelry stores."
"I liked fast money!" Michelle shrugged.
"I wonder who they arranged to sell to," Hayate folded his arms.
"We'll probably never know," Terry admitted. "A lot of criminals outsource their work now. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole thing was for someone out of town."
"I'll keep an eye on the Yellowjackets' dealings." Bruce typed on the computer, "But… something else came up I want all of you to be aware of."
"What's up?"
"A criminal of interest who was picked on a security camera at a train station a few hours ago." Bruce hit another key. The image of a tall, muscle-bound, blonde-haired man appeared on screen. He was wearing a hoodie and blue jeans, looking suspiciously over his shoulder.
Michelle's eyes widened. "Oh, shit."
Basem looked at her, "What?" He looked back at the screen, "Who's that?"
"Michelle," Hayate said. "Is that…"
"Yeah." Michelle rubbed her eyes, "Yeah, it is…"
Terry glanced between the screen and Michelle, "What? Who?"
"He's called Barricade," Bruce informed. "But…"
Michelle dropped her hand, breathing out, "His name's Laine Davin. And… he's my ex."
"Yes." Bruce slowly turned toward her. "I know."
Michelle realized everyone was staring at her. Michelle took a step back, "Okay, whoa! N-n-now, everyone, hold on…"
"Have you talked to him?" Bruce asked.
"This is literally the first time I've seen him in 6 years!" Michelle proclaimed. "I thought he was in jail! Odds were in my favor on that bet!"
"He broke out three months ago."
"Yeah, that makes sense, too."
Bruce raised an eyebrow.
"Okay, look," Michelle held her hands up, "my first major theft? He talked me into it. Back then… I would do anything for him. I thought I was… in love with him."
Hayate looked off, nervously.
"But now I know I wasn't!" Michelle declared, desperately. "I was… I was alone! Everyone knows I made bad choices! He was one of the biggest ones. Granted, I didn't do much better after him, but he was number one!"
"So, you haven't spoken to him?" Bruce asked.
"Bruce, there are so few people I would even remotely speak to before I met you guys, you have no idea! I don't want that life anymore. I don't want anything to do with it! I promise. I haven't spoken to him. I don't want to talk to him. I don't want anything to do with him!" Michelle froze as fear hit her. "Please… please, believe me!"
Bruce studied her for a few moments. Then nodded, "I believe you."
Michelle gasped.
Terry looked at Bruce in shock, "Wait. For real?"
"Do you trust her?" Bruce asked.
"Of course, I do."
Michelle swallowed down a quick cry that almost escaped.
"I'm just shocked you're not grilling her more," Terry continued.
"There's no point," Bruce admitted. "If she wanted to call him here, she would have done it months ago. She's been on the team a year, after all. If she really wanted to hide him from us, she would've figured out a way."
"I'm not that smart," Michelle admitted.
"Yes, you are," Bruce countered.
Michelle blinked.
"Yeah, I'm with Terry," Basem declared. "This guy just came to Gotham because every dreg comes to Gotham."
"Agreed," Hayate nodded.
Michelle looked at them all. "You… you really believe me?"
"Yep!" Terry smiled.
"Without question," Hayate answered.
"Why wouldn't we?" Basem shrugged.
Michelle felt her eyes mist. "Guys…"
"We'll just keep an eye out for this loser."
"Right," Terry agreed.
"Just one more thing, Michelle," Bruce spoke up, "if he contacts you…"
"You're the first call I make," Michelle preempted. "I promise."
"Good. Now, all of you, go home. Get some rest."
Despite everyone's words, after getting home, Michelle went and sat down on the couch, staring silently at the bay. She couldn't get past the fact that Laine showing up would destroy this life she had, a life she wanted more than anything.
Hayate entered the room and walked over to her, "Michelle…"
Michelle looked at him.
"I love you. I trust you."
Michelle jumped up and hugged him with all she had. "I don't want him!" Michelle cried. "I swear! I love you, Hayate! Please, know that."
Hayate hugged her, rubbing her back. "It's okay, Michelle. I do know. It's all going to be okay."
The following day, Michelle had the day off and went over to Chelsea's to talk about the Laine/Barricade dilemma. Max and Helena came over, as well, for moral support for Michelle. After explaining about Laine, Michelle threw her back against the couch and sighed.
"Does Hayate know about this guy?" Chelsea hesitantly asked.
Michelle chuckled, softly. "Yep. I told him about all my exes."
"Wow! For real?"
"Yeah. My past is terrible. But he deserves to know it. I want him to trust me."
Chelsea smiled. "You two, Max and Terry, B and Sal. I'm seriously thinking relationships are actually worth it."
Michelle smiled, "To be fair, it wasn't the something I believed in until I looked into Hayate's absolutely gorgeous eyes!"
Max, Helena, and Chelsea giggled.
"So!" Helena folded her arms and raised an eyebrow, "You're not still crushing on this guy, right?"
"No," Michelle reassured. The ladies could tell from Michelle's tone, she wasn't taking this lightly at all. "Believe me, he's not worth it. After getting with Hayate… I finally learned what an actual relationship is like. This… what I have with Hayate… this is the first time I've felt like the guy I'm with… isn't just looking at me as a sex pot. He cares about me, listens to what I say, and just appreciates my general existence." She looked at them, "Plus, I've got you guys. Nothing is worth losing that over."
"Aww," Helena smiled.
"You think Laine's changed?" Max asked.
"Honestly?" Michelle sighed. "Not at all. First, he broke out of prison. Then he came to Gotham. I bet he's got something in mind. He's up to something. He'll probably ask me if I'll be part of it. If he finds me."
"He doesn't know you're here?" Chelsea asked.
"Not as far as I know. I meant what I've said. I cut off everyone from that life, Chels. I want everyone to trust me. There's no one… no one in my criminal life worth risking all this for." Michelle chuckled. "Look at me! I'm sitting in a friend's house, drinking tea, and complaining about my ex! I'm almost a normal person! Do you get how awesome that is?!"
Chelsea smiled, warmly. "I'm starting to."
Michelle exhaled, leaned forward, and rubbed her eyes.
"Shell?" Helena asked.
"What's wrong?" Max added.
"This is all so messed up!" Michelle shouted into her hands.
"Why?"
Michelle raked her fingers through hair then threw her hands down. "I'm finally getting things right. I have real friends, real family… an actual relationship with a guy I genuinely love and loves me… I'm surrounded by people who care about me, I have a legit job, and this jackass shows up!" She sighed. "I'm just terrified I'm gonna lose everything."
Chelsea studied Michelle. Then pushed Michelle's arm.
Michelle looked at Chelsea, confused. "What was that for?"
"You think you're gonna lose us because your loser ex showed back up?" Chelsea asked. "Girl! We love you, ya nutcase! And everyone here has a weird ex. Well… 'cept Max."
Max shrugged.
"You just live in the win column, don't you?" Helena asked Max.
Again, Max shrugged.
"Besides that," Chelsea continued to Michelle, "screw your ex! Your boyfriend now is the best!"
Michelle smiled, "Yeah, he is."
"Did you really think we'd abandon you because of this dreg?" Helena asked. "What are you gonna do if my ex ever shows up?"
Michelle became stone-faced. "Set him on fire for breaking your heart."
"And there's the Shell we know and love!"
Max laughed. "Shell, seriously… we're not going anywhere. We got your back. But you know it's not just us."
Michelle nodded. "Y-yeah. I know. I just… it's good to hear out loud."
"We'll tell you as many times as you need."
That night, Batman and Ember were keeping an eye on another chemical company, making sure the Yellowjackets weren't planning another robbery. Nightrunner and Koutetsu were in another part of town, on the regular patrol.
"All quiet on the western front," Batman joked.
"That was a really good movie," Ember said, absentmindedly.
"It was cool. Not my kind of flick."
"I get that."
Batman sighed and leaned on the ledge. He looked at Ember, "We need to talk."
"I know," Ember replied.
"So… talk."
Ember looked at him then looked back at the company building. "I don't know… I just…" She sighed.
"I know this is really bothering you. Koutetsu says you were actually fully-clothed this morning." Batman smirked, "I think you broke his heart."
Ember huffed, bowing her head.
"Tell me what's up with you."
"I'm just…" Ember fidgeted, "I'm nervous! I'm freaking out! As far as the naked thing, I just had to put on clothes! This… me being like this… so not attractive!"
"I'm pretty positive Koutetsu is turned on by you, no matter what you do."
"I don't deserve him caring about me like that. Loving me like that. Or at all right now!"
"You realize, if I followed that logic, I wouldn't have my wife, right?" Batman asked.
"That's different!" Ember replied.
"No, it's not."
"You don't get it, Bats!" Ember jumped to her feet and paced about the roof. "Yeah, you had your juvie days but at least you were a kid! I was a grown-ass woman when I screwed my life up! Now, Koutetsu probably thinks I miss that life! The boss probably thinks this was my plan the whole time! And the best men I've ever met see me as nothing but trash again!"
"One," Batman said, immediately. "Even when we were at odds, you were never garbage to me or any of us."
Ember jerked her head back.
"You were an enemy. That's it. If anyone, I consider Inque and Shriek trash. Blight and Fiend are less than trash."
Ember scoffed, almost laughing.
"Two, you started out as a juvie, too. Your mistakes just lasted longer than mine. Simple as that. Three, none of us think less of you, Em. That's a fact. We're just worried about you."
Ember shook her head, "I want everyone to see… that I'm trying."
"Well, that's four: we do see it," Batman confirmed. "And you're succeeding. You haven't done anything that makes us worry you miss being a criminal. No one doubts you, Ember. No one."
"You really mean that?"
"If I didn't trust you… you think I'd let you hang around my wife and kids?"
Ember stopped. "Point taken."
"Be real," Batman continued, "did you really think some ghost of your past would never show back up?"
Ember looked around, nervously, then back at Batman. "Kinda. I mean… I could hope, right?"
Batman laughed. "Em…"
"I know, I know!" Ember sighed. "I'm sorry for my mood, Batman. I was just afraid something like this would happen when I wanted to do this. I know I used to run with some creeps. I just… wanted more time before my ugly past showed its ugly face."
"You wanna see an ugly past with an ugly face? Wait until you meet Big Time."
"Oh, I think I saw his pic." Ember grunted. "He's really ugly!"
"Tell me about it," Batman agreed. "Listen, Em: this dreg being in Gotham only makes us worry… because we don't want you to think you need him or anyone else to be the strong person you are now. That was the life you lived when you were lost. You're not lost anymore."
Ember nodded. "Thanks, Batman."
"For the record, while you are strong alone… you're not alone. Not anymore."
The next day, after Michelle was off from work, she stopped at the store on the way home to grab a few things. After she left, she walked to her car, placed her purchases in the trunk, closed it, and walked toward the driver's side door.
"Hey, burner," a voice called out.
Michelle stopped and her eyes widened. She turned and saw Laine Davin standing against another car with his arms folded. "Laine…"
"You're lookin' good. Tits are lookin' amazing."
Michelle looked around, noticing no one else was paying them any attention. Thanks to the training she received from Bruce and the others, Michelle could also tell Laine was alone. She looked back at Laine, "H-h-how'd you find me?"
"Mm," Laine smiled and walked toward her. "Actually saw you on some chick's social media. Then on a few more people's. Was surprised to find you in Gotham of all places."
"Yeah. Moved here after I got out."
"How much time did you do?"
Michelle glared at him. "Enough. What do you want?"
Laine jerked his head back. "Whoa!" He chuckled, "What's with the hostility? Don't you miss me?" he reached his hand out.
Michelle stepped back, moving out of his reach. "No. Not at all. I haven't even thought about you since you left me to get arrested!"
"Survival of the fittest, burner. C'mon! Don't act like you don't miss me! You never forget your first love."
"Who told you you were my first?" Michelle fired back.
Laine set his jaw but exhaled. "Okay. Whatever. But I am your greatest."
"You're not 'greatest' anything in my life. Well… greatest mistake, sure."
"Oh, and who is your 'greatest' lover? Your new little conquest?"
"He's not a conquest," Michelle fired back right away. "He's my boyfriend. The man I love. This time? It's real."
Laine slowly became stone-faced. "You don't know what love is."
"It's so amazing how I could say that exact same thing to you."
"I can prove you don't love this guy."
"And, now, it's amazing how wrong you are!" Michelle replied. "But I can't help but ask how you think that's possible."
"I have a job," Laine declared.
"No, thanks. Got one."
"I don't mean that stupid 9-to-5 you got."
Michelle blinked. "What? Did you stalk all the social media about me?"
Laine didn't respond.
"Were you always this sketchy? How did I miss it?"
"You were too busy having your brains banged out," Laine sneered.
Michelle thought for a moment. "Were you ever that good? Or did I just tell you that?"
Laine groaned. "Anyway! Some guys I know are hitting the diamond district tonight. Mortimer's Diamond Exchange. We could use a fire starter like you."
"Sorry," Michelle replied, immediately. "I got some stuff to do tomorrow, which I need to get some good sleep for. You can try going down 'Eat-A-Dick' boulevard and find another stooge. You can get there by making a left turn at 'Kiss-My-Ass' road and a right at 'You-Got-Me-F'd-Up' avenue."
Laine paused. He glared at Michelle for a long time. "Are you kidding me?"
"I'm done playing bad guy, Laine," Michelle declared, boldly. "If you're really stalking profiles, you'll notice I got real friends now. My boyfriend? He's legit. I'll be damned if I give any of that up for your stupid ass! Leave me alone." She moved for her car door.
Laine grabbed her arm, revealing his ability to turn his body into an organic metal. "I don't think so."
Michelle looked at Laine's hand then stared angrily into his eyes. "You either let go of me… or I show you how metal melts."
"We both know you can't hurt me."
"No. We don't."
Laine scoffed. "You're going to help me."
"Want me to draw you a map of how that's not happening?"
"You will… or else?"
"Or else what?" Michelle replied, disdainfully.
"I'll tell your little boyfriend all about you," Laine threatened with a smirk. "And us."
Michelle held her glare. "He knows."
Laine's smirk slowly fell away. "What?"
"My boyfriend. He knows everything."
Laine searched her eyes. "You're lying."
"I wanted a real relationship," Michelle declared. "And that meant being honest. He accepted my honesty."
Laine slowly let go of her arm.
"All of my friends know about me. I know what I used to be. No one is ever going to use my past against me. I'm going to be better, Laine. Better than who I used to be, better than the bitch you pretended to love… and I'll damn sure be better than you!"
Laine grabbed her by the throat, pulling her close.
Michelle gasped, resisting the urge to use her flames.
"You stupid bitch!" Laine gritted. "You either join the heist… or I kill you now!"
Michelle struggled against his grip, "Then kill me. I'll never be that trash you wanted again."
"You always will be! You're never gonna be good enough for anyone!"
Michelle glared in his eyes, "Go to hell."
Laine shoved Michelle down, releasing the grip on her throat. Michelle coughed as she was sprawled on the ground.
"You're so friggin' stupid!" Laine declared. "When this 'perfect' life crumbles around you, don't come crying to me."
Michelle rubbed her throat, "It's not perfect. It's mine. That's why I love it. And it'll never crumble. Even if it does, no matter what… I won't ever need you again!"
Laine just scoffed and stomped away, got in his car, and drove off. After Laine was gone, Michelle got up, having memorized Laine's car license plate. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and selected a name.
"Yes, Michelle," Bruce answered.
"Boss," Michelle growled out. "I just saw Laine."
"Are you alright?"
"He grabbed me, but I'm fine."
"Michelle…" Bruce cautioned.
"I'm fine, boss," Michelle reassured. "Trust me. Terry hits harder in training."
Bruce considered for a moment. "Alright. Did Davin say anything?"
"Too much, that blabbermouth. He told me about a heist. It's goin' down tonight."
"He was stupid enough to tell you where he would do it?"
"Yeah. He was that sure I'd join him."
"It's impressive how much he doesn't know you," Bruce replied. "Give me the location. We'll spread the word around and say it was an anonymous tip."
"No," Michelle countered. "Tell Commissioner Gordon. Tell her it came from me. I want him to know I turned him in."
Bruce paused. "Deal."
That night, Batman and the team stood across the street on another rooftop, staring down at Mortimer's Diamond Exchange.
"I love it when the bad guys are this stupid," Batman smiled. "Makes the job so much easier!"
"I just can't believe he actually told you," Runner noted.
"Laine never was the smartest twip," Ember admitted.
"As evident by him grabbing you," Koutetsu seethed.
"Koutetsu…" Batman warned.
"Merely mentioning it, Batman."
"Suuuuurrrrrrrre…"
"Speaking of that, you sure you wanna be here, Ember?" Runner asked.
"Oh, you better believe it, Runner," Ember said, fearlessly.
Koutetsu studied the area then saw a truck pull into an alley behind the Exchange. "Wait." Koutetsu looked closer. "Are those…"
Batman's shoulders slumped. "Ugh! The Leaders?! Seriously!"
"Couldn't it have been someone new," Runner folded his arms. "Keep it fresh."
Ember kept an eye on the scene until she saw Laine among the group. "That's him."
Batman zoomed in with his mask. "Damn. He's uglier in person."
"Tell me about it. I can't believe I ever fell for that."
Batman smiled, "Don't worry. Your tastes vastly improved."
Ember tried not to grin. "You're not wrong."
"Let's do this," Runner punched the inside of his fist.
The Dark Knights launched a picture-perfect coordinated assault on the Leaders gang, taking them by complete surprise. The Leaders had barely begun to break into the Exchange when the heroes attacked. During the scuffle, Laine managed to slip away, heading for the main street.
When Laine arrived at the sidewalk, he saw Ember standing in the street.
"Get on the ground…" Ember ordered, "…NOW!"
Laine scoffed, "Listen, sweetheart, if you want me to get on the floor, we can find a hotel and work that out."
Ember lit her fists aflame. "On the ground."
Laine scoffed. He covered his whole body in his metal. His mind went to Michelle. He remembered how her fire couldn't hurt him. He was positive Ember's couldn't either.
"You dug your own grave, sweetheart!" Laine ran at Ember.
Ember waited until Laine was close.
Laine drew his fist back.
Ember swiftly surged a stronger fire, moved faster than Laine, and landed an uppercut so powerful and explosive the ground shook a bit.
Laine flew into the air, about 12 feet, then crashed onto the street.
Ember let out a few breaths. She stared down at Laine, her eyes wide. She studied her fist. "One hit!" she whispered. She looked back at the groaning Laine, "I… I dropped him. I dropped him with one hit!"
"Yes, you did," Bruce said in her comms. "Great work."
Laine moaned in pain as he clutched at his jaw. He rolled to his side to see he was staring at the feet of Koutetsu. Laine slowly looked up to see Koutetsu's subtly enraged face, with Batman and Runner standing behind Koutetsu.
Batman smiled, "Dude, I can't stress how much you should not get up right now!"
"Nonsense," Koutetsu countered. "By all means… please… get up."
Ember managed not to laugh.
"Alright, alright," Batman pulled out a pair of cuffs. "That's enough fun for the night." He placed Laine in the handcuffs, hauling the thief to his feet as the GCPD arrived on the scene.
After the police put the Leaders gang members in the paddy wagon, Batman was about to escort Laine, as well, when Laine stopped and glared at Ember, "You know… you remind me of my ex."
Batman and Runner held themselves back from hitting Laine.
Koutetsu resisted the urge to strangle Laine.
"But you're not her," Laine continued to Ember. "You're actually worth a damn."
Again, Batman held himself back from assaulting Laine. "Alright, dreg," Batman shoved Laine. "Let's go."
"Forget that coward, Ember," Runner put his hand on her shoulder. "You handled this like a champ."
Ember smiled. "Thanks."
Koutetsu walked over and stared into her eyes.
Ember felt her throat dry and her pulse slow.
Until Koutetsu smiled. "I'm so proud of you," he whispered.
Ember exhaled as tears streamed under her goggles. "I'm gonna hug you so hard when we're outta here."
"That's a deal for me."
A few hours later, after calling it a night, the team was back in the Cave.
"The Commish say anything about Laine?" Terry asked.
"Davin refused to believe Michelle confirmed any information on him," Bruce informed. "So far, he's blaming one of the Leaders' members for leaking the plan."
Terry laughed. "Oh, if he only knew…"
"Davin's going to be transported back to Kingwall Maximum Security Penitentiary in Seattle, where he broke out of in the first place."
Michelle jerked her head back. "What the hell was he doing there?"
"He had a run-in with the Flash when she was fighting some Rogues there," Bruce explained.
Michelle rolled her eyes. "He always wanted to 'move up' in the world."
"Him and Charlie would get along great," Terry groaned.
Basem took a deep breath and exhaled, "Well! All's well that ends well!"
"Agreed," Hayate took hold of Michelle's hand.
Michelle leaned against Hayate's arm. "Thanks, guys."
"It's why we're here, sister!" Terry grinned, causing Michelle to laugh.
"Michelle," Bruce stood up.
Michelle looked at Bruce.
"I know how all of this made you feel. I know what you thought I thought about during this. But I need to make this clear: I never doubted you."
Michelle's eyes widened.
"That's the truth. I only questioned you… so you would realize you didn't need Barricade. Even in your days as Blaze… you were just reacting to your pain. You've come further in a year than most come in a lifetime. You're not the criminal who was trying to survive. You're the hero who knows she can."
Michelle closed her eyes and took all that in. She looked down, sniffing. "Hey… Bruce?"
"Yes?" Bruce asked.
Michelle looked back at him, "I know your rules and all but… can I hug you?"
"You can and you may."
Michelle walked over and embraced Bruce. Bruce patted her back. "I'm proud of you," Bruce whispered.
Michelle hugged him tighter as tears fell.
"How come you never let me hug you?" Terry joked.
"Because you're an idiot," Bruce countered.
Michelle, Basem, and Hayate couldn't help but laugh. Terry just smiled and shook his head.
After Michelle and Hayate got home, Michelle kissed Hayate with everything she had. They embraced for a while before stopping for air.
Michelle rubbed her thumb against cheek, "I'm sorry if I…"
"You have nothing to apologize for," Hayate countered. "Not a thing. You did nothing wrong."
Michelle smiled.
"Tell me… would you be terribly insulted if we… spent some time together tonight?"
Michelle smiled wider. "Oh, my God, not at all!"
Hayate wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up.
Michelle gasped, "Oh!"
"I was really hoping you'd say that," Hayate breathed out.
"Oh, baby…" Michelle whispered with a sultry smile.
The Following Day.
While Michelle considered taking the day off, she decided working at the garage helped her keep her mind busy. Though she found, after she got home, she didn't need it. She didn't even really think about Laine anymore. Knowing he was locked up and about to be transported out of her life was more than enough, especially after her night with Hayate. A night which kept a perpetual smile on her face throughout the day.
Michelle heard the buzzer for the elevator. She opened the elevator doors to see Max, Chelsea, and Helena standing there. "Hey, Shell!" the women greeted at once.
"A gaggle of gorgeousness at my door," Michelle noted. "I knew God was real. Now He's just showin' off."
"You're always so sweet," Chelsea replied.
"C'mon in." Michelle escorted them to the living room. "What are you hotnesses doing here?"
"We're taking you out for dinner."
"Me?"
"Yup," Max confirmed. "We're proud of how you dealt with this ex-boyfriend mess."
"I just uppercut him," Michelle shrugged.
"From how Basem tells it, it was a helluva uppercut!" Sally grinned.
Michelle smiled a little bit. "Well! I mean… it was one of my better ones."
"And that deserves a celebratory dinner!" Max insisted.
"A 'you-put-your-stupid-ex-outta-the-picture' celebration," Helena joked.
Michelle laughed. "I think I got some time before I gotta head out for patrol."
"I convinced Dad to give you the night off."
Michelle stared at Helena in wonder. "Teach me this magic you wield, goddess…"
"Shut up," Helena giggled.
Michelle laughed in turn. "I'll text Hayate and let him know. He's working late."
"Speaking of 'working late'!" Sally grinned, mischievously. "Did you and Hayate…"
"That man puts in so much work, I'm about to give him medical insurance!"
Sally erupted into laughter.
"What does a Michelle Prince policy look like?" Max asked.
"Unlimited access to this body any time and any where he wants it," Michelle joked.
"That's my bitch!"
They all shared a laugh.
Michelle went to her room and started to change. As she was changing shirts, her phone rang, but the number came up as "UNKNOWN". Michelle picked up her phone and answered, "Hello?"
"I'm proud of you, kid," Waller replied.
Michelle smiled and let out a relieved exhale. "Thanks, old lady."
A/N: So, what did you guys think? Let me know! The scene where Michelle says to Laine that Hayate knows is an allusion to Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay when Deadshot said something similar to Vertigo at the beginning of the movie.
I still have a Hayate/Michelle story planned but I really need to finish some other stories first (at least, start them). I did this story because it was in my head and wouldn't leave until I finished it. I'm really happy with how it came out and I hope you guys liked it, too! Thank you so much and see you soon, dreamers!