Pulse: Season One

by LVCEBREROS

Freddie Benson will begin college and, after a shocking series of events, will become a crime fighting superhero known as Pulse. This show is kind of a spin off TV series of my creation. Several OCCs as well as a few familiar faces. I hope everyone likes it! There is SEDDIE in the future! Stay tuned :P

10. Episode Ten: Notes From The Underground

Author's Note: Hey gang! I am back to bring you a brand-new episode. I hope not to disappoint my readers and will enjoy it because I worked hard on it.

Again, I've had much-appreciated help from a good friend and fellow fanfic writer honour632 (everyone needs to check out her stories, she is very talented :D) who helped me out of my writer's block and wrote a portion of a scene. Thank you, home slice ;)

Reminder: There is a serious rewrite going on and some things are being edited and reworked for the series. Besides the big actor change for Cassie, the changes I have coming are gonna be some game chargers for the series. Especially with a minor character introduced in this episode. As the saying goes, everything is not what it seems. I can't wait to pull the pin on that grenade.

Disclaimer: Apart from the characters I created, I own nothing that is the property of The Creator. That includes any characters, places, or items created by him. I'm just having fun playing with them. I wish this man hadn't done what he did to those kids but I can't change the past but work with what I have and keep moving forward.

I should have said this earlier but the music I use doesn't belong to me either. I just like setting the mood for the scene.

Now with that said, let's get to episode ten!

•••

•••

"I cannot make you understand. I cannot make anyone understand what is happening inside me. I cannot even explain it to myself."

- Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis

•••

Millie stands in the dojo wearing a gray short-sleeved top with pink workout pants and white sneakers. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail as she stood in the center of the room.

Cassie circles her. She is wearing a sleeveless black top with black workout pants and black sneakers. Her blond hair was put up in a bun. "Ready?" Cassie asked.

"Would it matter if I said 'no'?" Millie said anxiously.

Cassie smiles, "Relax, I promise I'll go easy on you."

"Not too easy," Millie told her. "I do want to learn something."

Cassie nods as she stands a few feet away to face Millie. "Whenever you're ready."

[Soundtrack Note: 'Put The Gun Down' by ZZ Ward plays during this training scene]

Millie nods, takes a deep breath in, and exhales. She charges at Cassie and attempts to kick her but Cassie counters each attempt by blocking each kick. Cassie catches Mille's leg on the last kick and tosses her onto the mat.

As this goes on, Pete walks into the dojo and watches the training session. He looks on with his arms crossed and with concern on his face.

Millie lies on her back as Cassie stands over her, looking down.

"You're forcing it. Don't force it." Cassie told her.

Millie grits her teeth and uses her legs to leap upright landing on her feet. She, Pete, and Cassie are a bit surprised by this action.

Millie doesn't waste time and goes for a few punches at Cassie only to have the blond duck dodge each strike.

Cassie takes a step forward and Millie readies herself, trying not to look scared. Cassie rushes Millie - and she rolls back on impact, going under Cassie as she rolls past her and into the edge of the mat, hard.

Pete grins at this, proud Millie was holding her own against Cassie.

Millie turns and sees Cassie on the floor. She looks remorseful. "Sorry."

Cassie smirks as she gets to a vertical base. "Alrighty. Time to take off the training wheels. Ready?"

Millie nods, bracing herself.

Cassie charges at her but instead of going straight like Millie anticipated, she slides to the right and ends up behind Millie. Millie goes to hit her but Cassie grabs her arm and bends in behind her.

Millie winces in pain while Cassie continues to pin her arm back. Grave concern came upon Pete's face while watching this.

"Remember what I said - trust your instincts," Cassie said. "What are they telling you right now?"

Millie gasps and quickly stomps hard on Cassie's foot. Cassie backs away in pain, loosening her grip on Millie's arm. "How was that?"

Cassie smiles and advances on Millie but Millie rolls past Cassie, putting herself on the defensive.

"So, what did your instincts tell you to do just now?" Cassie asked.

"Honestly, they told me to run." Millie frankly replied.

"Good. Don't fight on your opponent's terms. If your gut is telling you to run, run. Regain the higher ground. Make the fight your own." Cassie explained.

Millie smiles, proud she got something right. She looks over at Pete who looks at the girl like a proud older brother.

Feeling confident, Millie charges at Cassie which Cassie ducks down and sweeps her leg. Millie lands flat on her back again and stares back up at Cassie.

"And... you're dead," Cassie stated. She offers her hand to help her up.

[Soundtrack Note: Song ends]

Millie lets out an annoyed groan as accepts Cassie's hand and gets helped up. "Instinct. Understand your opponent's, but trust yours."

Millie rubs the back of her neck. "Could have been gentle about it."

Cassie stares back at her. "You wanted to be trained."

Millie tries to defend her point. "But you said-"

"You did pretty well," Cassie stated.

Millie looks at Cassie, a total turnaround in her demeanor. "I did?"

Cassie nods. "Yeah."

"Because with the rolling thing, I was using your strength, it was very tai chi." Millie boasted.

"I figured. You did your homework." Cassie said, switching from sensei to proud older sister. "Now let's get you an ice pack."

"And some painkillers maybe?" Millie said, rubbing the back of her neck.

Cassie laughs as the girls and Pete go back into the main room where they find Gabe multitasking, tinkering with a tiny electronic device and keeping his eye on the main hub computer monitor.

"Have fun?" Gabe asked, not taking his eyes off his work.

"If by fun you mean getting tossed around like a ragdoll then yes, we had loads of fun." Millie jokes.

Cassie rolls her eyes and hands Millie an ice pack. Pete walks over to Gabe and watches him work.

"What are you working on?" Pete asked.

"A handy little device, and I want to finish up before Freddie gets back from patrol," Gabe said.

"A new device?" Millie asked. "Getting bored being Freddie's Alfred?"

"Let's just say I rarely have free time to tinker with school and be Freddie's Oracle," Gabe said as he continued to work. The main hub computer beeps and he puts down the device. He taps the comlink he was wearing "Pulse, got a convenience store robbery in progress."

"How far is it from my current location?" Freddie asked.

"Three minutes by superhuman sprint," Gabe stated. He taps on the keys and pulls up a live security camera feed from a sideway alley outside the store.

"What's the exact location?" Freddie asked.

"55th and Rosewood," Gabe said. "You better hurry because it looks like they're making their escape."

"On my way," Freddie said.

"And be careful. Knee cartilage doesn't grow back." Cassie said.

"How long have I been doing this that you're NOW worried about my cartilage?" Freddie asked.

"Just get going will ya," Cassie ordered. She sounded a bit perturbed which the others noticed.

"Think he'll be okay?" Millie asked.

"Yeah, I'm sure he will be," Cassie reassured her. Pete and Gabe look back at her with looks of disbelief. "I may be saying that for her benefit but that doesn't mean it's not true."

•••

Three thieves in ski masks barrel down the street, most pedestrians look back at the speeding vehicle. Two of the thieves sat on the backseat counting their loot while the driver sped off.

"Can't believe it! That was too easy." One of the thieves said.

"Like taking candy from a baby." The other thief replied.

"You two shut up! I'm trying to drive!" The thief that was driving ordered. "Have to drive normally to not attract the cops!"

"Hey, the cops are the least of our problems. I don't want to attract the attention of that Pulse guy." One of the masked thieves in the back stated.

"Please, we're probably not even on that guy's radar." The driver replied.

Suddenly the sound of a large object falling on the roof is heard. The driver turns and sees Pulse poke his head down and knocks out the window. "Knock knock. Mr. Criminal?" The driver lowers the window down. "Hello. I know I'm not really in a position to ask for a license and registration so I'm just going to ask if you would be so kind as to pull over and surrender, that'd be great."

The annoyed driver tries to punch Pulse who instinctively ducks the punch. He continues to drive when Pulse pops up again.

"That was rude. I was being polite." Pulse stated as the man pulled out a handgun and pointed it toward him.

"SHUT UP, FREAK!" The man snapped at the vigilante and shot at Pulse.

"Whoa! Okay!" Pulse exclaimed as he barely managed to avoid the gunfire.

In another part of the street where the truck was heading down, City Tech professor Tommy Bennett was walking out of a coffee shop with a leather briefcase in his hands. Someone bumps into him knocks his briefcase out of his hands and scatters some graded papers on the ground.

"Damn it!" Tommy exclaimed. He bends down but fails to notice the car speeding down the street.

As he and the driver struggle with each other, Pulse looks and sees the professor picking up the papers off the ground.

"Excuse me a moment!" Pulse said as he used the roof as a diving board, launched himself into the air, and tackled the professor out of the way of the speeding vehicle.

Tommy had little time to react as he realized what had happened. "You-you're-"

"Need to be more careful, Professor," Freddie said as he helped him to his feet.

"Wait, how did you know I was a professor?" Tommy asked.

Pulse picks up his leather briefcase that had his City Tech identification card attached to it. "This. I'm assuming you're out of the age range to be a student."

"Oh. Right." Tommy said as he looked back at the thieves leaving. "They got away."

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Freddie said as he handed him the briefcase. He takes off running after the thieves using superhuman speed.

Professor Tommy looks on in awe at the sight of the vigilante.

Pulse continues running, leaping over speeding, and honking cars. He manages to nearly reach them when suddenly a car crossing an intersection sideswipes him.

Pulse rolls on the ground and lands in the middle of the street. He sees the car that hit him was a police squad car. Two police officers get out of the car and are dumbfounded.

"You've gotta be kidding me." One of the cops said.

"Pulse? Pulse, you all right?" Gabe asked over the com link.

Pulse couldn't answer quickly because the blow had knocked the wind out of him and he was trying to catch his breath.

"Freddie, what happened?" Cassie asked with concern in her voice.

"Um- ixnay on the eal name ray," Freddie said as he got to his feet.

"Freeze!" The cop in the squad car said to him. "Hands in the air!"

"I honestly haven't the time for this but if you insist," Freddie stated. He raises his arms in the air only to shoot lightning at a street lamp. The lamp explodes with sparks and fire which distracts the two cops.

The cops shield their eyes and once the explosion subsides they realize Pulse was gone.

"Where'd he go?" The other cop asked.

They hear the sounds of a car crashing and the sounds of fighting. The two run towards the sounds into an alleyway and find the three thieves tied up on top of their car with their loot bags in their laps.

The cops stand in awe as they look up at the top of a building and catch a glimpse of Pulse who disappears into the night.

•••

Back at the Pulse Cave, Freddie lies on a metal table in the base's makeshift infirmary. He was no longer in his suit and wearing his civilian clothing except he wasn't wearing a shirt which showed the sideswipe with the police cruiser did do some damage as it looked like he had heavy bruising around his midsection.

Cassie stands over him and places her glowing pale blue hands over his injured midsection. She closes her eyes and continues to heal him.

Freddie winces in pain as Millie, Gabe, and Pete watch this from a distance. The trio had looks of concern on their faces.

After a minute or so, Cassie pulls her hands away and the glow fades. She grabs her head with her right hand and supports herself with her left arm, letting out a soft sigh.

"Cassie, are you-" Pete said with concern but Cassie lifted her right hand to reassure them she was okay.

"I-I'm all right," Cassie said weakened.

Freddie sits up and notices the bruising in his ribs is all but gone. He sighs and quickly puts on his shirt. "That was a close one."

"That's a major understatement," Millie said.

Freddie looks at Cassie and sees she is not happy about this. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Oh yeah, my nephew had another close call with Death and almost got busted by the police again," Cassie said bitterly. "Apart from that, I'm just a ray of sunshine."

Freddie seems confused as Cassie walks back into the main room in a huff. "Why are you mad at me?"

Cassie whirls around and looks at her nephew. "Because this isn't about fighting crime anymore, is it? You're taking way too many risks like you're some adrenaline junkie."

Millie, Gabe, and Pete walk into the room while the family squabble occurs.

"Isn't that what I'm supposed to be doing? Stopping bad guys and saving the day." Freddie said.

"Yes, but there's more to it than that!" Cassie stated.

"And you would know this because?" Freddie asked which silenced her. "You say you know how I feel but apart from the actual superpowers you have, what could you possibly know about fighting crime? I want to know, how do you know?"

"I just know, alright!" Cassie said frantically. "I am trying to keep you from getting yourself killed."

"Because you're the den mother?" Freddie asked, frustrated.

"No!" Cassie yelled. "I made a promise to your mom that I was going to protect you and you are making it extremely difficult!"

After those words leave Cassie's lips, Freddie realizes something. "You haven't seen my mom since my dad left."

"Oh, crap. I shouldn't have said that." Cassie replied.

"Wait, was my mom here?" Freddie asked.

Cassie sighs. "She, um, came to my apartment a couple of months ago."

"She was in New York? Why didn't you tell me?" Freddie asked frantically.

"She told me not to," Cassie said.

"So if she didn't come to see me, why was she here?" Freddie asked, still astonished.

"I can't tell you," Cassie said somberly.

"Cassie, is she hiding something from me?" Freddie asked seriousness in his voice.

Cassie looks guilty and looks at the others then back at Freddie. "She told me I can't tell you."

Out of nowhere, Freddie slaps her hard across the face. This action surprises the others and catches Cassie off guard.

Before another word is said, Gabe steps in between them. "Benson, why don't we go back to the dorm before you make a bad thing worse."

Freddie glares bitterly at Cassie who rubs her face in pain. The slap left a small bruise on her cheek. Gabe pulls Freddie up the stairs and Millie follows the boys.

Cassie looks down as Pete walks over to her. He sees the small welt on her cheek fade away.

Pete puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

•••

Inside of a subway train that evening that was packed with passengers. One in particular was a young man wearing a large black hoodie and baggy clothing. He seemed about seventeen years old but his facial features were hidden by the hood draped over his head.

An older woman in her late forties with long curly brown hair watches the young man closely. Something didn't feel right about this scene.

The young man's hands were shaking and a strange liquid dripped down. It could have been blood but it seemed too thick, almost coagulated.

The train comes to a stop and most of the passengers get off except for the hooded teenager.

The woman who had been watching him slowly walked over to him. "Excuse me? Are you alright?" She places her hand on the shaking teenager's shoulder. "Do you need some help?"

Suddenly, the teenager leaps on top of the woman with animalistic fury. The woman screams in terror and calls out for help.

"Help! HELP!" The woman cried out.

She looked up at the face of her attacker and the sight horrified her.

One of the passengers, a man in his early thirties with short blond hair and eyeglasses wearing a light-colored suit, comes to her aid and tries to pull the teenager off her.

The teenager pushes the man away with superhuman strength and tries to strangle the woman.

The man gets to his feet and bashes the teenager over the head with his suitcase which causes the teenager to let go and slump to the ground.

The woman inches away from the teenager and hugs the man who saved her.

At that moment, two police officers rush into the train car.

"What's going on here?" One of the officers asked.

The woman points at the teenager. "H-he tried to kill me!"

The police officers walk over to the now twitching and convulsing young man who writhes in agony.

"Please... please... Kill me." The teenager pleaded. The teenager lets out a loud almost inhuman scream and then slumps to the ground, no longer moving.

One of the police officers slowly approaches the teenager's body and pulls off the hood over his head.

What he sees causes him to rear back in horror. "Oh my god."

The four look down at the body and see the teenager's face: half of his face had human-like features but the other half of his face had reptilian-like features, similar to a snake. The snake half was more deformed and misshapen. This person didn't look human.

•••

At Freddie and Gabe's dorm at the St George, the door opens as Freddie, Gabe, and Millie walk inside. Freddie seems like he was in a foul mood while Gabe and Millie were on edge around him but didn't show it.

"Sure your dad won't mind you spending the night here?" Gabe asked.

"After I explained to him for the umpteenth time that you and Freddie won't try anything," Millie stated. "Besides, it's safer here than staying home alone again."

"Victor takes the overprotective father stereotype to new heights, doesn't he?" Gabe jokes.

"He has his reasons for thinking most guys only see girls as sex objects." Millie quips. "Look, I appreciate you guys helping out with the blood drive tomorrow. I know how much you hate needles."

"Hey, I'm only offering my bodily life fluids because Lucy promised me a cookie afterward," Gabe stated.

"That better be the literal cookie we're giving out and not some sexual innuendo!" Millie said which made Gabe laugh. She looks over at Freddie who remains silent as he angrily removes his jacket. "Freddie?" Freddie looks up and turns to his friends. "You okay?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Freddie said, feigning to be cheerful.

"And you are a compulsive liar," Millie stated.

"Guess it runs in the family. My mom, Cassie. Everyone is hiding stuff from me." Freddie said in a frustrated manner.

"Yes, because you've been so forthcoming with everyone about your secret identity," Gabe said sarcastically. Freddie glares at Gabe which worries him. He looks at Millie. "I've got to shower. Talk him down before he kills me."

Millie nods as Gabe grabs some clothes and goes into the bathroom. She walks over to Gabe's bed and sits down. "So..."

"You think I'm in the wrong about this, don't you?" Freddie asked.

"I'm not the one who slapped my aunt," Millie stated. "Why did you slap Cassie?"

"You heard what happened and you ask me that?" Freddie said in disbelief, throwing himself on his bed.

"I did but still didn't think it warranted the excuse to do that," Millie replied. "Your mom asked her not to tell you she was here. Cassie was just doing what she was asked. Like her keeping your secret life hidden."

"And yet the first chance she got she told Pete about my powers and last week, she told Galen everything…. And Alec..." Freddie said, annoyed.

"Do you wish she hadn't?" Millie asked. "Pete's awesome. He's been watching out for us like Cassie has. And Galen, he's a good guy. And Alec… well… he's cute."

"Not helping, Mills," Freddie said, rubbing his temples.

"I'm trying to understand things. So you're mad Cassie told three decent people your secret. All three of them have saved your life at one point." Millie stated the obvious. "Something else is bothering you."

Freddie sighs. "I talked to my mom the day before yesterday. She told me she was leaving the country for six months. She got a job doing relief work in a village in South America."

"Oh. Wow. That's good, right?" Millie said. She notices his angry demeanor is unchanged. "Right?"

"It is. I'm glad she's focusing her life on something besides me, but... The one time I want to talk to her. Confront her about this, she's basically off the grid." Freddie stated. "I think she did this on purpose so she wouldn't have to tell me why she was here."

"You could talk to Cassie," Millie replied.

Freddie sits up and looks at Millie. "And you think she'd tell me after what I did?"

"You could try," Millie stated.

"I'm not sure I'd want to hear what she has to say. What could be so important that she'd hide this from me?" Freddie asked, almost asking himself.

Millie smiles and takes his hand. "Just talk to her. Or don't. Either option isn't gonna hurt any less, you know."

Freddie flashes a small smile. "Guess that's true. But I'm still mad at her."

"Hey, I'm not here to tell you how to feel. I'm just trying to be a friend." Millie stated. She notices his smile fade. "But you're worried about something else, aren't you?"

"Wow, you're good," Freddie said smiling.

"Not really, you just have a terrible poker face," Millie said in a manner that put Gabe's sarcasm to shame. "What's wrong?"

"I'm afraid of who else she might tell my secret to," Freddie replied.

Millie sighs, "You mean Danny, don't you?"

"Seems like the next step. Cassie can deny it all she wants, she has a thing for him." Freddie stated.

"Come on, Cassie isn't like that," Millie said. "She only told Pete because she had no choice. Same with Galen and Alec. You think she'd tell my dad's partner?"

"Maybe," Freddie said.

Millie smiles. "Have a little faith, that's all you can do."

Freddie thinks. "That and I could pack a bag and score some fake passports so I can be ready to skip the country."

Millie tilts her head to one side. "You do realize that is a worst-case scenario, right?"

Freddie laughs at the comment.

•••

Meanwhile, at Alec's penthouse apartment, Cassie was pacing in his living room. She had a posture that screamed 'I'm pissed'. "I have kept that kid safe from his brazenness and he has the nerve to slap me?" Cassie called out to someone as Alec's cat Ginger watched her.

"Well, you did lie to him about his mom being in town." Alec's voice called out as he walked back into the room, holding two wine glasses and a bottle of Merlot.

Cassie gives him a look after looking at the wine. "You do realize I can't get drunk, right? Burns up in my system as soon as it hits my stomach. And isn't wine fermented grape juice?"

"Think that's just an oversimplification. Besides, just because you can't get drunk, doesn't mean you can't enjoy a good glass of wine." Alec said as he finished pouring a glass and handed it to Cassie. "It's a Château Canon-la-Gaffelière. Some of the best Merlot I've tasted."

Cassie smiles and takes the glass. "I do like grape juice."

Alec poured himself a glass as Cassie sat down on the couch and Ginger jumped over to sit on Cassie's lap. "Despite the reason you came over, I'm glad that you did. We haven't had a one-on-one time together."

"Considering I am babysitting the superhero nephew and his amazing friends, it is nice," Cassie said as she sipped the wine.

"Well, the fact that you have the kids as well as your neighbor, our mutual canine acquaintance, and Columbo all over you…"

"This isn't jealousy, is it?" Cassie asked him. "We've been over this. We'll always be friends."

"I know that," Alec said as he set the bottle down and took a sip of his wine. "I just- I don't know. I've had to come to grips with a lot of things in my life since we graduated. Figuring myself out."

Cassie stares at him. "Did you finally figure it out?"

"I think so… It's no secret that I had a pathetic crush on you since freshman year, right?" Alec points out.

"Al… I'm not blind. I didn't want to hurt you." Cassie told him.

"You don't have to apologize. It's just- it has taken me years to come to some conclusions on a lot of things." Alec admitted. "Including-"

"Oh… Oh my God." Cassie exclaimed, putting things together. "Are you-?"

"Gay?" Alec said. "In a sense, yeah. I mean, I'm oversimplifying it but… I'm pansexual."

"I'm gonna sound dumb but what does that mean?" Cassie asked in bewilderment and awe. "Is that like bisexual?"

"Yes and no. It's complicated. I'm not necessarily attracted to a gender. I'm attracted to the person. Who they are." Alec said. "Maybe that's why I had a crush on you. You were pretty back then, and you still are, but I loved your personality."

"You do realize I was a categorical hot mess back then. To some degree, still I am." Cassie said which made Alec smile.

"You had a free spirit. You take shit from anyone. Think that's why I was attracted to you." Alec said to his friend. "I hope this doesn't change my opinion of me."

Cassie smiles and sets her half-drunk glass of wine on the coffee table. "Al… Alec… Nothing you say or do will change how I feel about you. You're still my best friend and you always will be."

"Thanks, Cass," Alec said with a huge smile on his face.

Cassie thinks and realizes something. "You didn't tell me all this to cool me down about what happened tonight, did you?"

Alec smiles as he grabs his wine glass and chugs his wine down.

Cassie rolls her eyes as she takes her glass and finishes her wine. She then smiles at him, he knows how to pull her from the ledge.

•••

At the subway car where the deformed teenager had died, police tape blocked off the area surrounding it. A crowd of people gathered around the tape as the coroner rolled out the teenager's corpse in a body bag.

Victor and Danny were questioning the woman who was attacked by the deformed teenager.

"I-I wanted to help him. H-he looked like he was in rough shape." The woman stammered out. "H-had I have known he was going to attack me..."

"It's all right," Victor reassured her. "Just take your time."

The woman caught her breath and continued. "There was... Something was wrong with him." The woman said. "Someone did this to him."

"How do you know?" Danny asked curiously.

"Women's intuition, I guess. There's no possible way he was born that way." The woman said.

"Detectives." Nina, the head of CSI called them.

"Thank you for your time," Victor said politely as he gave her his card. "Give us a call if you remember anything else."

The woman nods while Victor and Danny walk over to the coroner.

"What have you got?" Danny asked Nina.

"Not quite sure. The condition of this body is baffling and I have seen my fair share of abnormal crime scenes." Nina said as she opened the bag to show the detectives the body.

Victor and Danny stare at the body and are speechless for a moment until Victor finally says "Why would someone do that to themselves?"

"Wish I knew. Teenagers are into some bizarre forms of body modification." Nina said.

"Think this goes beyond body modification," Danny stated. "Looks like gene splicing." He gets a strange look from Victor. "Sue me for reading a science fiction novel."

"Well, we won't know for sure until I get him back to the lab," Nina stated as Leo rushed towards the scene. She looks at the young man with frustration written on her face. "You're late, Mr. Maxwell."

"Sorry, I was at my support group," Leo stated.

"At least you showed up. Could use your assistance with the victim." Nina stated.

Leo takes a look at the body inside the bag and is stunned. "Oh god."

"What's the matter? Never seen anything like this before?" Victor asked.

"I knew him." Leo simply said. The adults look surprised. "His name is... or was Phillip Donner. H-he was a member of my support group. Phil's been missing for three weeks."

"And I'm assuming he didn't look like this?" Danny asked.

Leo shakes his head. "No. He didn't."

"Were you two close?" Victor asked.

"My best friend was. She had helped his mom pass out flyers all over her neighborhood." Leo said, heavy-heartedly. "We need to find out who did this to him."

Victor and Danny exchanged looks then looked back at Leo who seemed to have a look of determination on his face.

•••

Late that night at the dorm, the three friends were sound asleep. Freddie slept on his bed while Millie was asleep in Gabe's bed and Gabe was asleep on the floor resting on blankets placed on the carpeted floor and his pillow.

Freddie tossed and turned in his bed. He seemed to be having a particularly bad dream.

Freddie found himself inside of a dank tunnel but it wasn't a sewer tunnel because it wasn't wet or didn't smell as bad.

He rounds a corner and calls out. The tunnel bounces back an echo of his voice. The next sound he heard was the sound of Cassie screaming in agony as if being tortured.

"Cassie!" Freddie yells back as he runs towards the end of the tunnel but finds himself unable to reach the end.

The echo from the scream became so loud that it brought Freddie to his knees. He tried to get up and fought the pain.

Freddie snaps awake from his nightmare. He looks around and relief comforts him that he is in bed. Then he felt a creeping sensation of dread. Would this come to pass? If so, then Cassie was in danger.

•••

Morning came and Cassie and Pete were having coffee at her apartment. She seems to be shaken up by what happened between her and Freddie the night before. As well as what Alec told her.

Cassie wore a tight black top paired with blue jeans and black ankle boots. Her blond hair was tied in a ponytail. Pete wore a white T-shirt and blue jeans with work boots.

"I still can't believe he hit me. I knew he'd be upset but I had no idea he'd go that far." Cassie stated, touching her cheek where the bruise had been.

"Look, I'd be lying if I said it would all just blow over overnight," Pete said to her.

"And I appreciate you not patronizing me," Cassie said. half smiling. "I understand why he's upset. He doesn't like things being kept from him. I'm the same way, I don't like secrets... Unless I'm the one keeping them."

Pete bites his lip and manages a smile. "So it's 'do as I say, not as I do' kind of thing?"

Cassie glares at him. "You aren't funny."

"So, what do you plan to do about Freddie?" Pete asked.

Cassie sighs. "Part of me wants to bite the bullet and tell him the truth but I gave Marissa my word I wouldn't tell him. God, I'm usually better at giving people bad news. Why can't I tell him?"

"Because you're normally the bearer of bad news to people who are paying you to tell them these kinds of things," Pete stated. "This is your nephew. The last thing you want to do is hurt him."

"It's the last thing I ever want to do," Cassie said with a deep exhale escaping her. "My conscience be damned, the moment I see Freddie, I'm telling him the truth."

Pete smiles at her. "Good on you, Princess."

Cassie lets out another deep breath. "So, there's something that's been bothering me for a while now. About you."

Pete swallows hard. "Is this about me telling the kids my powers?"

"No, you can tell them when you're ready," Cassie stated. "I've noticed you've gotten real close with Millie."

Pete smiles and chuckles, "She's a sweet girl."

"I think there's more to it than that." Cassie retorts. "When you look at her, there's this gleam in your eyes. A look of... nostalgia."

Pete exhales. "Seeing as we were talking about honesty, I should tell you. Millie reminds me of my older sister Callie."

"Your sister?" Cassie said, her curiosity peaked.

"Yeah, she and I were close. She was sweet and very smart. Also, tough as nails, didn't take any crap from anybody." Pete described. "Like Millie, she had this enthusiasm that was infectious."

"And since you're referring to Callie in the past tense, something happened to her," Cassie stated.

"Yeah," Pete said, swallowing hard. "She died... and it was my fault."

"What do you mean?" Cassie asked.

"I need to explain something first. Like you, I was born with my powers." Pete told her. "When I was twelve years old, they manifested. The family and I were sound asleep. But I woke up with this shooting pain in my hands. As if the inside of my hands were on fire."

Cassie listens intently, not adding snappy repartee. She had a feeling that wasn't called for.

"I sat up and my hands were smoking... then flames engulfed my hands," Pete explained anxiously. "I panicked. I didn't know how to control it and..."

"You started a fire." Cassie pieces things together.

Pete nods, "The fire spread throughout our house. I didn't know what to do so I hid inside my closet. The fire tore through the house. All I could hear... was my family's pained screams. Before I passed out from all the smoke. When I came to, I found a freaked-out firefighter standing over me. They found me covered in ash but unharmed."

"How did you survive the fire?" Cassie finally asked.

"As far as I know, I seem to be immune to fire," Pete stated. "I feel the heat but it has little to no effect on me physically. My family wasn't so lucky."

Cassie remained silent.

"You couldn't imagine the guilt I felt for causing the fire that killed my family," Pete said soberly as his eyes welled up with tears. "For years, I thought I was cursed to have fire follow me for the rest of my life."

"Pete..." Cassie said sadly as she placed her right hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "I am very sorry."

"Thank you," Pete said, wiping away his tears with his left hand.

Before any more words were exchanged, there was a knock at the door. The two of them stare at each other.

"Guess your damnation came quickly," Pete said with a smile.

"Do you think it's Freddie?" Cassie asked him.

"It's possible," Pete said.

"It's almost seven-thirty. He usually sleeps in until Gabe has to practically drag him out of bed." Cassie said as she walked towards the door.

"You never know. Maybe he came to apologize." Pete assumed.

"Even if he didn't, I'm telling him anyway," Cassie said bluntly.

Cassie opens the front door but instead of finding Freddie, she finds Galen standing at her door.

"Gale? What are you doing here? It's almost eight." Cassie asked.

"Yeah but this is important, it couldn't wait," Galen said. "I need your help."

"Uh, sure. I'd be more than happy to." Cassie said. "What kind of help?"

"Someone is taking my kids," Galen said.

Cassie stares at him in disbelief "Is this help PI related or that... other thing?"

"Could be both," Galen stated.

Cassie nods. "Okay."

•••

At the dorm, Freddie sat on the end of his bed and was tying his shoes. He wore a light blue button-up shirt with dark pants. His hair was combed neatly to conceal the way he wears his hair as Pulse.

Millie steps out of the bathroom, wearing different clothes than she wore the night before a long-sleeved white turtleneck top, tight black pants, and brown knee-high boots.

"Thanks for letting me shower here," Millie said as she put her overnight bag on Gabe's bed.

"Hey, no big," Freddie said as he finished tying his shoes. "I already showered early this morning-"

"Early as four a.m.?" Millie said slyly. Freddie looked at her surprised. "I heard you waking up... And you didn't go back to sleep."

Freddie exhales. "It's nothing."

"Fine, I'll change the subject but don't think I'm gonna try to get what's bothering you out of you," Millie said.

"Seems fair," Freddie said with a smile.

Millie takes in a deep breath and exhales. "Um, are you sure you want to donate blood?"

"Yes, positive," Freddie stated.

"I just don't know if it's such a good idea," Millie said. "What if you end up shocking one of the nurses or something much worse happens?"

"Like my blood ends up giving someone superpowers?" Freddie said as the door opened and closed. "You're starting to sound like Gabe."

"Who's sounding like me?" Gabe asked as he now stood in the room holding a tray of three hot drinks in his hands. He wore a red knitted sweater with dark blue jeans.

"Millie. She's finally agreeing with you about me donating blood being a bad idea." Freddie said as he grabbed the drink with an 'F' written on the side.

"And you don't think so?" Gabe asked.

"I refuse to let my powers dictate what I can or can't do. I want to help in ways other than bashing criminals over the head." Freddie stated.

"And you'd risk donating your electrified blood?" Millie asked.

"You guys are being paranoid. I've gotten better control over my powers now. I think I can handle a needle." Freddie stated.

"Wow, you do have a stubborn streak," Gabe said. Freddie scowls at him.

"The point he's trying to make is that your blood could end up giving a random person powers," Millie said.

"Exactly, the same thing happened to She-Hulk." Gabe retorts. Millie rolls her eyes and Freddie scoffs at this. "I'm serious. Jennifer Walters got a blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner, better known as the not-so-jolly green giant The Hulk, and boom, she becomes She-Hulk."

"As strange as this is going to sound, he makes a good point." Millie stares. "There were a few scientific studies where a small percentage of people who received transfusions began to exhibit memories or developed behaviors of the donor."

"As much as I want to say it sounds insane, I'll only say that's theoretical," Freddie stated.

"And how theoretical are you?" Gabe asked his friend.

Before Freddie could offer a rebuttal, there was a knock at the door.

"Wonder who that is?" Millie said.

"If it's Cassie, tell her I'm not here," Freddie stated adamantly.

"You know you have to face her sooner or later," Gabe said as he made his way to the door.

"Yeah, just not right now," Freddie replied.

Gabe laughs and opens the door but it isn't Cassie, it is Leo who looks drained both physically and emotionally. "Leo? Um, hey man."

"Hey," Leo said softly.

Millie looks up and sees her exhausted boyfriend standing at the door. "Leo, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?"

Leo shakes his head. "I was kind of given an unscheduled day off. A case became personal."

Millie senses something is wrong. "Leo, what's wrong?"

"Can I come in?" Leo gulped with the others sensing something was wrong.

"Uh, sure thing," Gabe said, welcoming him inside.

"Your dad told me you'd be here and I just need to talk to someone right now," Leo told her.

"We'll just give you two privacy," Freddie said while he and Gabe made their way to leave.

"No, it's fine if you guys stay," Leo said. He stares at Freddie. "You're- uh- Freddie, right?"

Freddie nods and extends his hand to shake. "Yeah, that's me."

Leo gives a small smile and accepts the handshake. "Nice to meet you. Wish it was under better circumstances."

"What happened?" Millie asked.

"Uh, last night, I got called to a crime scene. Some deformed man had attacked a woman on a subway then collapsed and died." Leo explained.

"Then why did it become personal?" Gabe asked.

Leo remained silent, swallowing hard and the three put it together.

"Because you knew him, didn't you?" Freddie asked, even though he knew the answer.

"His name was Phil Donner, he was someone from my support group. He'd been missing for almost a month. We weren't close but he was my friend Claud's neighbor." Leo said somberly.

"Oh god," Gabe said.

Millie says nothing and simply gives Leo a warm hug.

"I'm sorry, Leo," Freddie said, sympathetically.

Millie pulls away and Leo looks at Freddie. "Thanks."

"Does Claud know?" Millie asked.

"I don't think so. Your dad told me that they were bringing Phil's mom down to the precinct and I'm not sure if she's heard about it." Leo said. "I've been trying to call her but I keep getting sent to voicemail."

"I think I might know why. She's volunteering to help me and Lucy set up for the blood drive." Millie said.

"Why did she offer to do that?" Leo asked, slightly perplexed.

"She said something about adding to her community service," Millie told him with a slightly awkward laugh. "Are you going to tell her?"

"I have to. She's my best friend. I need to be honest with her." Leo said. "Better she finds out from me rather than some stranger."

"In that case, we should all head down to City Tech. Can't leave Lucy with all the work." Millie said.

The four make their way out as Freddie glances at Leo with a curious look on his face. He understood how he felt and knew there would come a day when he'd have to be honest and tell someone he loved the truth about what he had become.

•••

Cassie, Pete, and Galen march into the precinct. The trio looks determined but Cassie seems a bit distracted which Galen notices.

"Mrs. Donner told me she has been waiting here for three hours," Galen explained.

"Did they tell her why they weren't telling her yet?" Pete asked.

"Not sure but I think they might be waiting for the M.E. to finish the autopsy," Cassie said. "They want to make sure it's her son."

"Once a cop's daughter, right?" Galen said, smiling. He sees she still looks nervous. "You all right?"

Cassie snaps out of it. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You look nervous," Galen said. "I haven't seen you this nervous in quite a while."

"What are you getting at?" Cassie asked, mildly irked.

"I'm just curious about what's got the mighty Cassie Sinclair shaking in her boots?" Galen asked.

"I know why," Pete stated.

"Don't you dare!" Cassie said, pointing at Pete.

"Let me guess, it has something to do with Detective Parker?" Galen asked Pete, ignoring Cassie's angry face.

Pete points at his nose, indicating Galen is correct.

"You two hush, or have you forgotten why we're here?" Cassie stated.

A middle-aged woman with short light brown who was sitting on a wooden bench. She gets up as soon as she sees Galen.

"Mr. Lennox, thank goodness you're here." The woman said to Galen.

"I apologize for being late, Mrs Donner. I had to get a hold of my friend. And call me Galen." Galen said in a friendly tone.

Mrs Donner nods and looks over at Cassie "Is this the friend you told me about?"

"She is. This is Cassie Sinclair and her associate Pete Sawyer." Galen said as he looked over at Cassie. "Cassie, this is Patricia Donner, Phil's mother."

"It's good to meet you, Ms Sinclair." Mrs Donner said.

"Have the police told you anything?" Cassie asked.

"They only told me that they found Phillip. I prayed they found him alive but..." Mrs. Donner began to sob. "I just want to know what happened to my boy."

Cassie gently takes her by the hand. "I give you my word. We'll do what we can to find that out."

Mrs. Donner smiled at her. "Thank you."

Danny Parker sat at his desk, looking at his computer monitor. Victor walks over and places a disposable coffee cup on his partner's desk.

"When did I become your fetching boy?" Victor asked jokingly.

"I never asked you to fetch me coffee, Vic. You just do it out of the kindness of your own heart." Danny said to him.

"And I'm regretting that kindness," Victor stated. "What have you got?"

"Apart from Phillip Donner, there have been seven missing person reports matching his profile. All teenagers with troubled backgrounds." Danny explained. "Three of them have been passed around the foster care system."

"Only Donner has been found," Victor replied. He turns to see Cassie standing in the precinct with Pete, Galen, and Mrs. Donner. "Your bodyguard is here."

Danny looks over and sees Cassie. He looks back at his partner "You're a real comedian, Victor. Besides, she's not alone. Her entourage tagged along."

Mrs. Donner sees the two and before Cassie or Galen can stop her, she walks towards the two detectives. "Excuse me, you're the detectives working my son's case?"

Victor and Danny stand up and greet her "Yes, I'm Detective Victor Flores. This is my partner Detective Daniel Parker. What can we help you with?"

"You can help me by letting me see my son." Mrs Donner insisted. "I need to know if it's true. That my son is dead."

The phone at Victor's desk rings and he answers it.

"As soon as the medical examiner finishes her evaluation, we'll personally take you down there," Danny told Mrs Donner.

"And I'll make sure you keep your word," Cassie said, folding her arms over her chest.

"So, you're taking it upon yourself to stick your nose in police business?" Danny asked.

Cassie gets in his face. "Like a bloodhound looking for an escaped convict in a swamp."

"You two want to get a room?" Galen quips and the two scowl at him.

"We're on our way," Victor said and hung up the phone. "The M.E. is ready for us."

"I want to see him." Mrs. Donner said bluntly. "I need to see my son. Please."

Victor and Danny saw the pain and sorrow in the mother's eyes.

"We want to see his body as well," Cassie said. "It'll help my investigation to find out what happened to Phillip."

The two detectives relent. "Alright. Follow us."

•••

Inside the medical examiner's office inside the precinct, the medical examiner stood next to the body draped with a sheet. The medical examiner was a man in his late thirties of Puerto Rican descent who had short dark hair and wore a lab coat.

"Dr. Martinez." Victor greeted him.

"Detectives." Dr. Martinez greeted. He glances over at the others who came into the office. "And I see you've brought guests."

"Doctor, this is the victim's mother Patricia Donner. This is Cassie Sinclair, Pete Sawyer, and Galen Lennox. They are here to support Mrs. Donner." Danny explained. "This is Dr. Balthazar Martinez."

Dr. Martinez looks at Cassie and smiles at her. "I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting, Doctor?" Cassie asked.

"No, we haven't. I figure you'd never visit my office by choice." Martinez stated.

"That might be the case." Cassie gives the M.E. a warm smile. Galen notices Danny looking mildly jealous at the exchange. Pete was more protective than jealous over the attention Cassie was giving.

"Cassie, you might want to cool it with the vixen act. Your boys are showing a shade of green in their eyes." Galen whispered. "Glad Alec's not here or he'd join right in.

Cassie looks over at Danny and Pete and grins, amused. A knowing smile on her face.

Victor clears his throat. "So, you wanted to show us what you've found out?"

Martinez nods. "Yes, but I will warn you about the condition of the body. It's not for the faint of heart."

The group looks at each other and then at the body as Dr. Martinez pulls back the sheet to reveal the horrific visage of Phil Donner's body. The reactions were a mixture of shock, horror, disgust, sorrow, and anger.

The look on Mrs. Donner's face was of frozen terror. She sees the human half of her son's face and her heart breaks. "My-my Phillip. My sweet little boy."

The mother's heartbreak caused the group to become somber and the room was so silent you could hear a pin drop.

"I-I need a moment. Please." Mrs. Donner said and she stepped out of the room.

"Honestly, this is nothing I have seen before. This borders on science fiction." Martinez stated.

Cassie and Galen stare at Phil's body and share looks of understanding.

"He didn't deserve this," Galen said softly.

Cassie swallows hard as she takes his hand. Trying to support her friend. "We're gonna find who did this. I promise."

Galen nods.

Danny and Victor stare at each other. They saw more than just Cassie being a supportive friend.

•••

Inside a student union at City Tech, several students were standing while others were lying on beds that were placed in the room as volunteer workers took their blood. Claud was not only volunteering by helping out the nursing students and the Red Cross nurses but also donating blood as well.

Claud lies on a bed as Lucy and a Red Cross nurse take some of her blood. The nurse had very short red hair and wore teal green hospital scrubs as opposed to the pale long-sleeved blue top and tight blue jeans with her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. Claud was decked out in her usual all-black ensemble, black skinny jeans, vintage Ramones concert tee, and black spike boots.

"Is this supposed to tickle?" Claud asked jokingly.

"It helps if you're quiet." Lucy quips back which makes Claud grin.

"You got it, Rapunzel," Claud said, saluting to Lucy.

Out of the large crowd, Millie made her way through with Freddie, Gabe, and Leo close behind. Millie rushes over to Lucy and the nurse attending to Claud.

"I'm so sorry I'm late. My alarm clock didn't go off... again." Millie said apologetically.

"Wow, must be a cold day in hell if you slipped up, Millicent." Claud jokes.

"Ha ha," Millie said jokingly. "Is Mrs. Tulane around?"

"Oh, she's around."

Millie winces and slowly turns around to find Marla Tulane standing behind her. She was a short African-American woman with curly black hair. She has an intimidating posture but a warmth that you would associate with a nurse.

"Late again, Ms. Flores?" Mrs. Tulane asked in a mildly condescending manner. "What's the brilliant excuse this time? Hope it beats your last excuse, 'you had car troubles'. Want to explain why I found that one especially memorable?"

"I do not own a car," Millie said, completely embarrassed.

"No need to give her such a hard time, Tulane. As long as she comes, that's all that matters." The red-haired nurse said to Mrs. Tulane.

"True. But the same can't be said for one of my other students, Heather Chase." Mrs Tulane stated.

Millie looks at Lucy. "Heather didn't show up?"

Lucy nods but before she can explain, Mrs. Tulane pushes Millie to work.

"You'll have plenty of time to gossip as soon as the blood drive is over." Mrs Tulane stated.

Freddie, Gabe, and Leo stand in the line to donate but Leo sees Claud getting up from the bed she gets up from the bed she had been laying in as Lucy hands her a cookie and a juice box.

"I'll be right back," Leo said, excusing himself and walking over to Claud.

"This could get ugly," Freddie said in a somber tone.

"Not as ugly as you considering donating blood," Gabe said.

"Will you stop with that? It'll be fine." Freddie assured him.

"Okay, but I'll scope around for the closest exits in case things get dicey," Gabe said frankly.

As Freddie spoke, the red-haired nurse walked past them. "You're acting as if I'm going to give someone something."

"Care to elaborate on that statement?" The nurse asked.

The two boys stammered a bit until Gabe spoke up. "Just throwing a hypothetical question in the air. What if a potential donor had some kind of pre-existing medical condition, would he be able to donate?"

"Are you referring to yourself, son?" The nurse asked.

"Oh no," Gabe said as he pushed Freddie in front of her. "Him."

Freddie whips his head around and lets out a low growl that concerns Gabe.

"There's no problem, I could simply do a blood test using a sample of your blood and phone you to tell you if it's safe for you to donate at the next blood drive." The nurse told Freddie as she pulled out a syringe with a vial for a blood sample.

Freddie looks nervously at the long needle as the nurse places a cotton ball on the injection site. Gabe watches the scene anxious about what might happen.

"I don't like needles either." The nurse reassures Freddie seeing his anxiety. "I promise, it'll be fast."

The nurse goes to stick the needle into Freddie's arm when suddenly a small arc of electricity crackles out of the potential injection site.

The nurse is mildly zapped by the electricity and drops the slightly smoking syringe on the ground. She looks at Freddie who looks petrified.

"Benson," Gabe said as he grabbed Freddie by the shoulders. "Freddie!" He pulls a freaked-out Freddie out of line and to the closest exit.

Mrs. Tulane ran over to the shocked nurse who seemed perplexed by what had happened.

"Are you all right?" Mrs. Tulane asked.

"Yes, just a little static electricity. I'm fine." The nurse assured her. She looks around and sees Freddie is nowhere to be found.

•••

Gabe pushes Freddie out of the building frantically. Freddie seemed frozen in fear than anything. He couldn't believe what had happened.

"Dude, you okay?" Gabe asked.

"I-I don't know." Freddie managed out. "I shocked her?"

"Looks like it. I don't think anyone saw that." Gabe comforted him.

Freddie tries to shake himself out of his paralysis when he looks over and sees Claud yelling at Leo and trying to leave the quad. Leo tries following her but Claud pushes him back.

"Guessing Leo told her about her friend," Gabe replied as he looked on as well.

Claud goes to leave but accidentally bumps into a distracted and slightly disheveled Heather Chase.

"Hey, watch it, Vampiria!" Heather spat at Claud.

"I am not in the mood to deal with some post-meltdown Amanda Bynes dumpster chic poser so back off!" Claud spat back with an equal amount of venom.

Claud goes to leave but Heather runs at her and tackles her to the ground. The two girls began a hair-pulling brawl as they rolled on the ground and fought.

"Oh!" Freddie let out a surprised yell.

"Catfight!" Gabe shouted excitedly.

Freddie and Gabe rush over while Leo tries to break up the fight.

"Knock it off!" Leo yelled as he went to separate them but Heather bites his hand. "Ow! She bit me. Hit her, Claud! Hit her in the eye!"

Claud goes for a hard punch in the face then Heather pushes Claud off and runs off. Claud goes to attack Heather again but Leo and Gabe manage to stop her before the catfight starts anew.

"Claud, stop!" Leo shouted.

Claud pushes Leo away again. "Get your hands off me! Or I'll deck your face too."

"Claud…"

"Save it! You promised to help him." Claud remarked in tears.

Leo is surprised by the statement as Claud rushes off. He nurses the bite on his hand. "Ah! That hurts."

"Come on, let's get you back to the building. Get one of the girls to patch you up." Gabe said.

"I'll wait out here, in case Claud comes back," Freddie said.

Gabe nods and he and Leo go back into the student union.

"Man, hope she didn't give me skank rabies or something," Leo mumbled in pain.

Freddie looks over and sees where Heather went and heads in that direction. He rounds the corner and finds Heather sitting on the ground next to the water fountain. She was quietly nursing a forming black eye.

"What, Benson? Come to kick me while I'm down?" Heather asked.

"Not my style." Freddie simply said. He sits down next to her.

"I'm not going to press charges on your friend," Heather replied. "Even if I could, my mom and I can barely afford to put me through school anymore. An assault charge wouldn't help us anyway."

"I wasn't worried about that. I wanted to make sure you were okay." Freddie replied.

"Well, my dad's in jail. My family is broke and most of our property is being seized by the government, my mom and I are forced to have to get jobs and I just got into a fight with Elvira." Heather listed off her issues. "Does that sound 'okay' to you?"

"And your nude selfie that got leaked didn't help things, did it?" Freddie said, feeling guilty for what he had done.

"Ricky won't even admit he was responsible. I know he sent it to one of his buddies and they leaked it to everyone." Heather stated.

"Doubt those meatheads can work a computer much less send a mass text to the entire school," Freddie said, trying to make her feel better.

Heather manages a weak smile. "Was that your attempt at humor?"

"Hey, it worked, didn't it?" Freddie said good-naturedly.

"Whatever," Heather said, trying to play it cool. "Why are you trying to be so nice to me? The first day of school, I had Ricky beat you and Gabe up."

"I believe in turning the other cheek. Besides, seeing as I'm a total nerd, I'm used to being a punching bag for guys who are bigger than me. Comes with the territory, I guess." Freddie said with a shrug.

Heather stares at him and can't help but smile but she looks down at the floor. "Let me say this one thing but I will never repeat it and I will deny ever saying this to you, you aren't a total nerd."

Freddie smiles. "Listen, my friends and I are going to the Groovy Smoothie after the blood drive is over. If you want to come-"

Heather rolls her eyes. "I don't need you to throw me a pity parade. Your friends and I don't mix and frankly, I'm not in the mood to be your charity case." She gets up from the floor. "And this conversation... never happened."

Freddie nods. "Got it."

Heather stomps off pissed off while Freddie stares at the floor and sighs. At least he tried.

•••

Back at the precinct, Danny and Victor watch from their desks as Cassie and Gale console Mrs. Donner while Pete stands a foot behind them. Mrs. Donner leaves and the trio talks among themselves.

"You think they know more than they're letting on?" Victor asked his partner.

"Seems like it. I got the impression that Cassie and Galen have seen this before." Danny replied.

"What do you want to do about it?" Victor asked.

Danny stares at him with a raised eyebrow. "You're trusting me to make this decision?"

"Only when it regards Cassie. I've known Cassie for a few years but she's still an enigma to me. But you... She seems to have taken a shine to you." Victor said.

"I wouldn't go that far." Danny retorts.

"If it means solving this case and finding out what happened to Phillip Donner, I say use whatever resources available to you," Victor stated.

"That explains you using Pulse, right?" Danny teased.

"Think I burned that bridge when Thompson convinced me to set a trap for him," Victor replied.

"As much as I might regret saying this, try rebuilding that bridge. It's the same bridge that saved your daughter." Danny stated.

"Twice," Victor said honestly.

Danny looks back at his partner and then back at Cassie. He sighs and gets up from his chair to chase after her.

"Cassie, wait!" Danny called out.

Victor shakes his head amused. He looks at his cell phone and looks at his call history. Staring at the number on the Pulse phone. He lets out a deep sigh and sets his phone back down on his desk.

Danny manages to reach Cassie and her friends before they walk out of the building. "Cassie, wait a second."

Cassie turns to face him. "What is it, Danny? Are you going to give me a hard time for sticking my nose in your case?"

"Actually… I wanted to tell you that if you find out anything in your investigation that could help us, you can let me know." Danny told her.

Cassie scoffs. "Thought you didn't take unsolicited advice?"

"I'm trying to be more open. For the record, this isn't about my ego. It's about finding out what happened to Phil Donner." Danny told her.

Cassie looks down and seems almost amused by this. Pete stares at this and his eyes narrow.

Galen taps her on the shoulder. "Never hurts to have police assistance, Cass."

Cassie swallows some of her pride. "All right. If we hear anything of importance, we'll let you know."

"Okay. And if you need anything, let me know." Danny volunteered.

Cassie grins a bit. "I'll hold you to that, Dan Dan."

Danny rolls his eyes and watches the trio leave. He sees Cassie looking back at Danny. Their eyes meet but Cassie quickly looks away and catches up to the boys. Danny lets out a small sigh and walks back to his desk.

•••

In another part of the city, Claud was walking down the street, her eyes stained with tears. She was overwhelmed with emotion over the death of her good friend. She felt powerless, she hated that feeling.

As she passes an alleyway, Claud hears a noise that catches her attention. She walks into the alley and sees no one is around then sees a large dumpster in the alley.

Claud picks up a broken piece of wood that fell on the ground. Slowly approaching the dumpster, she goes to swing at whoever was hiding behind it. She jumps out and finds an alley cat who hisses and runs off.

Claud breathes a sigh of relief. "Get a hold of yourself, Moon. It's just a cat."

What she doesn't see is a figure standing behind her. They were draped with a black hooded sweatshirt that concealed their face. The figure quickly places a damp cloth over her mouth.

Claud tries fighting back but the figure is much stronger than her and she slips into unconsciousness.

The figure drags Claud's unconscious body to a manhole in the center of the alley. The figure pulls the lid off effortlessly and picks up Claud, throwing her over their shoulder. They climb down but not before placing the cover back on the manhole and disappearing.

•••

Freddie sat by himself at a booth at the Groovy Smoothie, laying his head on the circular table. He was mortified at the fact that he accidentally shocked that nurse at the blood drive. Maybe it was a silly and downright idiotic idea to think that he could consider donating blood and that there wouldn't be consequences.

Freddie also found himself thinking about Heather Chase. He felt guilty for what he had done to her. He only made her screwed-up life even more unbearable. He was no better than any other bully who kicked someone when they were down.

Lost in thought, Freddie fails to notice Gabe and Millie sitting at the booth each holding a smoothie and Millie sets down a smoothie in front of Freddie who looks up at them.

"One Blueberry Blitz for Mr. Benson," Millie told him.

"Thanks," Freddie replied with a half-hearted smile. He looks around. "Where are Lucy and Leo?"

"Lucy had to visit the powder room. Leo's outside, trying to get a hold of Claud." Gabe stated.

"I can't believe Claud got into a catfight with Heather. I would've paid money to see that." Millie said, sipping her smoothie.

"I think we should cut her some slack. She's been through enough." Freddie replied.

"She makes my life miserable regularly, thinking she deserves some comeuppance for it," Millie replied.

Freddie sighs. "And we'd be bullying her like she bullies us. An eye for an eye-"

"Makes the whole world blind, I know." Millie finished the sentence. "What is up with you?"

"Sorry, I have a lot on my mind." Freddie takes a sip of the smoothie and it becomes quiet again.

Gabe finally breaks through the tension. "Would you cut yourself a break? It was an accident."

"I know it's just- what if I had killed that nurse? I was in a room full of witnesses and I could have exposed myself right then." Freddie said, sounding remorseful.

"I agree with Gabe on this one. It wasn't your fault." Millie reassured Freddie. "It's not like you meant to do that, right?"

"But what if it was? What if it was my subconscious wanting to hurt people?" Freddie said with worry in his voice.

"I'm going to take a guess and say your powers might be acting wonky because you're... emotionally compromised." Gabe estimated.

Freddie raises an eyebrow. "Meaning what exactly?"

"You're upset about what happened with Cassie," Millie replied.

"Seriously? Guys, I have every right to be ticked at Cassie. She lied to me." Freddie said as Lucy arrived at the table.

"Who lied?" Lucy asked with curiosity in her voice. She sits in the chair next to Gabe who hands her a smoothie.

Freddie looks at Gabe who nods to reassure him. "Cassie. She didn't tell me about my mom being in town a couple of months ago. My mom told her not to tell me."

"Okay, so... why are you mad at Cassie?" Lucy asked perplexed.

"Because she lied. She shouldn't have kept that from me." Freddie answered.

"Yes, but only because your mom told her to," Lucy answers matter-of-factly. "Your aunt seems like the kind of person who hates keeping secrets. She might have her fair share of them but she's a very open person in my opinion. Lying, especially to you, seems to hurt her."

Freddie, Millie, and Gabe are surprised by Lucy's sage advice.

Gabe places his arm around Lucy. "My girl, the genius."

"Guess you rubbed off on me, huh?" Lucy said sweetly as she kissed him on the lips.

"All right, cool it with the public display of affection," Millie said playfully.

Lucy looks at Millie and playfully throws a crumpled-up napkin at her.

[Soundtrack Note: Of Verona's 'This Is What Sounds Like' starts to play over the sound system in the restaurant]

At that moment, Alec Grayson walks into the smoothery. He wore a black knitted sweater over a white button-up shirt and black slacks.

"Hey, Alec." A female employee greeted him. The twenty-nine-year-old woman had long light brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. She seems to know Alec and is happy to see him. This was Charlotte Robertson, but her name tag reads 'Charlie'.

"Hey, Charlie. How's it been?" Alec said warmly.

"Busy but I'm only worried when it isn't," Charlie said. "Your day off today?"

"Yeah, I'm glad too. My boss keeps me super busy." Alec replied. "Has it been busy here?"

Charlie shrugs at the statement. "No busier than usual. I'm a tiny bit shorthanded but I'm not surprised."

"Are you still having problems with your roommate?" Alec asked her.

"Considering the hospital keeps him busy. Wish he would wash a dish every once in a while. Such a Pigpen." Charlie explained. "Enough about my trainwreck of a living situation, you want the usual, one medium Blueberry Banana Blitz smoothie?"

Alec nods with a warm smile on his face. "And would it be possible to add energy and memory boost? It may be my day off but I'm still on call in case my boss needs something."

"For my favorite customer, sure thing," Charlie said as she hid her blushing cheeks and went to prepare his drink.

Alec looks around and sees Freddie with his friends. He walks over to the table and the conversation dies down. "Hey guys."

The group looks over at Alec and he is met with a mixture of reactions. Gabe waves in a nonchalant minor, Millie beams at him and Lucy is wide-eyed.

Freddie looks at him and smiles. "Alec, hey. How's it going on?"

"Not much. Just passing through and I saw you guys so I just wanted to say hi." Alec told them.

Freddie nods. "Thanks. How are you doing after what happened at the art exhibition?"

"Good, still healing up," Alec said as he rubbed the shoulder where he got shot. "So… I spoke with your aunt last night."

Freddie's smile fades then he sighs. "Bet she made up excuses for-"

"She didn't bring up much. Just that you're doing well in school and some… other things." Alec said, clearing his throat. "She didn't say too much about lying."

Freddie flashes a smile. "Um, okay." He turns to his friends. "You remember Millie, right?"

Alec flashes a smile in Millie's direction. "How could I forget? Good to see you, Millie."

Millie blushes and smiles at him. "You too."

Alec looks at Gabe. "And you're Gabe Morgan, right?"

"I guess so," Gabe said with a sheepish grin. He turned to look at Lucy. "This is my girlfriend Lucy."

"Lucy Shepard," Lucy said excitedly.

Alec notices Millie and Lucy staring at him but quickly blushes and looks away or looks down.

Charlie walks over to them and hands him his smoothie. "Here you go. That'll be 3.29."

Alec reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. He pulls out a one hundred dollar bill. "Here you go. Keep the change."

"Wow. Thank you." Charlie said mildly surprised by Alec's generosity.

"You deserve it, Char. You are like the best employee here." Millie spoke up.

"I will agree with the nurse-to-be," Gabe said. "Always nice to have a friendly face in this place."

Charlie smiles at the comment and blushes, "Thanks, guys." She looks back at Alec and her cheeks become pinker. "See ya later, Alec." She goes back to the register to ring him up.

Alec smiles as he watches her walk to the register. He looks back at the group. "Anyway, nice meeting you guys. Tell Cassie to call me when she's not busy." Alec said to the kids.

"I'll make sure she gets the message," Freddie said as Alec's cell phone rang. His eyes furrow and sees one word in his head 'Boss'.

"I gotta go. Evil never rests." Alec said in a half-joking manner. "See you around."

The group watches Alec go towards the exit.

"That boy is five kinds of adorable," Lucy said while she and Millie stared at Alec.

"Like ice cream, only hot," Millie said almost starry-eyed.

"So he's melted sugary dairy product?" Freddie jokes.

"Oh, I'm sure Leo will be happy to hear his girlfriend checking out Mr. Moneybags," Gabe said sarcastically. Millie smacks him in the left shoulder hard. "Ah! Again with the violence."

Alec exits as Leo opens the door to go back inside. He hears a part of Alec's conversation. "Yes sir, I'll have it taken care of. Consider it done."

Leo seems perplexed, to him it sounded like something out of a mob movie. He also looked and sounded familiar but decided to ignore it and went inside. He walks over to the table and places his hands on Millie's shoulders.

"Hey, miss me?" Leo said.

"Yes, lips please," Millie said, half sounding like a command.

Leo grins and plants a sweet kiss on Millie's lips. The two stop kissing and Leo sits next to Millie.

"So, were you able to get a hold of Claud?" Freddie asked.

"No, her phone kept sending me to voicemail. It's weird because she can't resist yelling at me over the phone when she's mad at me." Leo replied. "She's not one for the silence treatment."

Millie places a reassuring hand on his hand. "I'm sure she's okay."

"I hope you're right," Leo replied.

Freddie's eyes furrow and he seems annoyed when his phone vibrates. It was a text message and he knew who it was from - Cassie. It reads 'Team Meeting. Get to PC, ASAP EMERGENCY'

"Is that Cassie?" Gabe asked, sensing his friend's frustration.

"Yeah, she wants to meet us," Freddie replied. "Says it's important."

"Then you should go," Millie said as she checked the clock on the wall. "I gotta go to work anyway."

"I'll go with you." Leo offered.

"I don't think it's a good idea to show up at work after asking for a day off due to personal reasons," Millie said as she grabbed her bag and draped it over her shoulder. She kisses Leo on the cheek. "Call me as soon as you hear anything about Claud."

"I will." Leo smiles.

"I better go too. My mom will blow a gasket if I'm late." Lucy said as she planted a quick kiss on the lips. "Text me later, okay?"

"Sure thing," Gabe said as Lucy walked out of the restaurant with Millie.

The boys get up from the table to leave.

"Where are you guys headed?" Leo asked.

"Um, close by. My aunt has her PI office several blocks from here." Freddie replied.

"Do you mind if I come along?" Leo asked.

"Sorry, it's still under construction. Cassie doesn't want anyone to get hurt and file an insurance claim for any injuries that could occur." Gabe said, covering for Freddie.

"Okay. Guess I'll head over to the Donners'. Maybe Claud's over there and I'm worrying over nothing." Leo replied as he left. "See ya fellas."

Freddie and Gabe said their goodbyes to Leo and started talking after Leo left.

"Still under construction? Really?" Freddie asked incredulously.

"Hey, it was the best I could come up with, okay?" Gabe joked while Freddie made their way out.

•••

Inside a sterile white laboratory, Claud awakened after the chloroform she had been exposed to. She looks around and tries to sit up but finds herself restrained by her wrists, legs, and waist.

Claud looks around and begins to panic while a bright fluorescent light shines above her.

"Claudia Moon, Blood Type - AB Negative." A voice said, sounding as if they were reading from a chart.

"Who are you?" Claud asked, trying to sound brave. "Answer me, creep!"

Footsteps approaching the table Claud was strapped down to.

"Did you know that your blood type is quite rare? Only one percent of Caucasians have it. Also, AB blood types can only receive transfusion from AB types but can also receive blood from other types." The cloaked figure told her. It sounded like a woman.

"What are you going to do with me?" Claud asked, sounding petrified.

"Ms Moon, you are about to become something beyond human." The cloaked woman told her.

Claud looks around and sees several large cages with what looks like people inside them. There were five hairless people inside the cages but they didn't resemble humans but looked instead like hairless rodents. Complete with long buck teeth and long tails.

"L-like them?" Claud said, terrified.

"No, don't fret." The woman said touching her face and a revolted Claud trying to back away "For nearly three decades, I have been experimenting with DNA sequences. Seeing if I can splice together human and animal DNA. I've had few successes and... several failures." The cloaked woman picks up a syringe filled with a bright orange liquid. "Let's see what category you fall under."

Claud tried to resist but the woman quickly injected her with the orange liquid. She lets out a soft gasp and shuts her eyes.

After a moment, her eyes snapped open but instead of her normal human eyes, they were all black. They look like the eyes of a barn owl. All black.

•••

Freddie and Gabe enter the Pulse Cave where they find Cassie, Pete, and Galen standing at the hub computer. Freddie let out a frustrated groan. "Not going to say anything. Just tell me what the emergency is so I can stop it and go back to fighting crime."

"Freddie, I'm in no mood for the petulant child routine," Cassie stated. "This is serious."

"What do you mean? What's going on?" Freddie asked, dropping the temper tantrum momentarily.

"Last night, a teenager attacked a woman on the subway but he ended up collapsing on the ground and dying," Cassie replied.

"His name was Phillip Donner, he was one of the kids from the support group I am in charge of," Galen explained. "He'd been missing almost a month."

Freddie and Gabe looked at each other, surprised by what they had heard. "He wasn't by any chance friends with Leo and Claud?"

"He was. He was Claud's next-door neighbor." Galen replied.

"What do you guys know?" Pete asked.

"Just a little of what Leo told us this morning," Freddie replied. "He had to tell Claud what happened."

"That didn't go over well," Galen stated.

"If you can call her shoving Leo to the ground then getting into a hair-pulling cat fight with City Tech's resident mean girl 'taking it well'?" Gabe replied.

"Now Leo can't get a hold of her and hasn't taken any of his calls. We're getting very worried." Freddie said. He looks at Cassie and Galen who are filled with sheer terror. "And I'm getting the feeling we should be worried."

Cassie exhales and looks at the boys. "We think we know who might be responsible for what happened to Phil."

"Who is it?" Gabe asked.

Galen blinks his eyes and they start to glow golden yellow. "The same person who did this to me."

Gabe looks taken aback by the sight and looks over at Freddie who seems less surprised. "Okay, I want details. Immediately."

Freddie's eyes furrow as the Pulse phone vibrates in Gabe's pocket and he pulls it out.

"You still have that thing?" Pete asked.

"Yeah and don't worry, I made it untraceable. No one will find out where the calls are coming from." Gabe said. He looks at the caller ID. "It's-"

"I know who it is," Freddie said, taking the phone from Gabe. He answered it and his voice became disguised at the other end. "What is it, Detective?"

"I need to speak to you. It's important." Victor stated.

Freddie looks over at the others but focuses on Cassie who appears to be worried. "Give me the address."

•••

At the precinct, Victor finishes speaking to Pulse. "I'll meet you there as soon as I can." He hangs up the phone. Victor turns around and finds Millie standing behind him, startling him a bit. "Oh. Sweetheart, don't do that!"

"Sorry, Dad," Millie said. "Who were you talking to?"

Victor shakes his head and gives her a peek on the cheek, "I've got to run."

"Where are you going?" Millie asked.

Victor turns to face her "To rebuild a bridge." With that, leaves.

Millie seems confused until she realizes what he meant and smiles. She walks back into the clerk's office and sifts through unsorted files.

"Having fun?"

Millie looks up and sees Danny standing at the doorway to the office.

"Hey, you." Millie greeted cheerfully. "What brings you to my little hole in the wall?"

"I'm looking for your dad, have you seen him?" Danny asked.

"I just saw him leave. Think he might have a lead or something." Millie replied, covering for her dad.

"Really? Huh." Danny replied. "So, are you liking the job?"

"Well, it's fine. It's tedious but I don't mind being a good worker bee in this department." Millie said, "Granted, I would rather be doing my taxes than doing this."

Danny laughs at this statement. "Not a fan of math?"

"No, I'm good with math. The tediousness of the paperwork makes me vaguely itchy." Millie replied.

Danny laughs at this. Millie stares at Danny and senses he seems to have a lot on his mind.

"You alright? You look like you have something on your mind." Millie said.

"Me? No, just making conversation." Danny said, trying to play cool.

Millie raises an eyebrow. "Yeah, and denial is just a river in Egypt."

Danny let out a sigh as he leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms.

"I keep thinking about something your friend Freddie said that night at the art exhibition. He was strongly defending Pulse's actions." Danny stated. "It was like he knew everything about Pulse. It was really strange."

"Well, Pulse is a real-life superhero so people are trying to figure out a lot about him and Freddie is good with computers," Millie replied, trying to hide the nervousness in her voice.

"It seems like more than that," Danny stated. "He's standing up for someone who's breaking the law."

"Look, I get that it's your job to follow the law but Pulse is just trying to help. He's saved my life and the lives of several of my friends. He's helped the police several times, hasn't he? And you've had chances to shoot him but you haven't." Millie said and Danny frowned.

"And how exactly do you know that?" He asked and Millie felt her heart begin to pound.

"Uh... Well, after what happened with the SWAT team, I sort of figured that you would have tried to take more than one shot at him the next time you saw him." Millie said, sounding nervous.

"Are you and Freddie part of the Pulse fan club or something?" Danny said jokingly.

"Considering he did save my life on two separate occasions, let's just say I'm a lifelong member," Millie said with a nervous laugh. "Anyway, how has Cassie been? Seen her lately?"

"Not that much. I mean I saw her earlier with her posse." Danny said. "She's gotten herself involved in the Donner case."

"That guy who died on the subway?" Millie asked.

Danny nods. "She's helping Donner's mother find out what happened. And why are you so interested in what's going on with me and Cassie."

"Because you two seem to be getting close. I think she trusts you and something that I know is that she doesn't trust people easily," Millie said.

"Something we have in common then. Trust needs to be earned, not handed away. Remember that." Danny replied.

"I will. Don't worry." Millie replied.

Danny smiled. "When your dad comes back, let me know."

"You bet," Millie said with a grin.

Danny walks off and Millie exhales deeply, going back to work.

•••

On a rooftop of a building, Victor Flores stands waiting for someone, holding a file in his hands. He checks his watch, he had told Pulse to meet him there at eight and it was eight-fifteen. Granted, he didn't blame the vigilante for ditching him.

"Hello, Detective."

Victor turns and finds Pulse standing several feet behind him. "You're late."

"I had to circle around to make sure there wasn't a SWAT team waiting for me again," Freddie said snidely in his digitally disguised voice.

"That's fair," Victor replied. "Look, what happened at the precinct wasn't my idea. It wasn't my intention to"

"Save the apologies, they aren't needed. You called because someone is in trouble, correct?" Freddie asked.

Victor hands Pulse the file. "The night before, a young man attacked a woman on a subway and collapsed. He died straight afterwards."

"And you want me to find out who killed him?" Freddie asked him, reading the file.

"Not exactly, I need you to find out who did this to him," Victor said as he pointed at the file.

Pulse looks down and flips to the picture of Phil Donner before his autopsy and sees the young man's deformed form.

"In that file, there are also several missing teenagers who were found dead in almost similar manners. No one has been able to figure out what happened to them exactly." Victor stated.

"Do you have any clue what could have done this?" Freddie asked.

"Believe me, if I did, I would not have come to you for help," Victor stated. "I understand that you don't owe me anything but this isn't about me. This is about preventing this from happening to anyone else."

Pulse stares at him and says nothing. He goes to leave with the file in his hands but before does, he turns to Victor.

"I will figure out who is responsible for this. You have my word." Freddie told Victor.

With that, Pulse leaps off the side of the building. Victor rushes to the side of the building and sees Pulse repel down from the side then rush off into the night.

Unbeknownst to the detective, the figure in the fox mask was watching him. He seemed to have been watching the entire exchange.

•••

Back at the Pulse Cave, Freddie, Cassie, Galen, and Pete looked at the file Victor had given to Pulse wearing latex gloves while Gabe was in front of the hub computer looking at files.

"Annie Garner, eighteen, went missing in 2011. She had a history of committing petty crimes and was in and out of juvenile correctional facilities until she turned eighteen." Pete read off the file. "In 2012, her body was found washed up in the Hudson River. Her body was so deformed that the only way they identified her was through dental records and even that was difficult because the teeth had become misshapen and appeared to resemble animal teeth."

"In 2010, Dwight Farmer, fifteen, a teen runaway who had been missing for nine months. In 2011, they found his nearly skeletal remains in a playground in Central Park and those were barely distinguishable to being human." Freddie read. He looks up "Most of these reports all read the same."

"Yeah, troubled kids who go missing, and a year or so later, their deformed remains are found," Gabe said as he turned his swivel chair around to face them and he looked directly at Cassie and Galen. "You guys said you know who might be behind this."

Cassie and Galen look at each other and then at the others.

"Are you going to tell us or are you going to say you can't because someone told you not to?" Freddie said bitterly, looking towards Cassie.

Cassie glares at him. "Be angry at me if it makes you feel better, right now we need to find this person so no more kids die. Okay?"

Freddie exhales and nods. "Fine."

"The person responsible for this might be the same person who made Galen what he is now," Cassie said to the boys.

"That thing with the glowing yellow eyes?" Gabe asked.

"Among other things," Galen stated. He holds out his closed fist and when he opens it, he reveals his normal fingernails have become long dark colored claws.

"Holy Frijole!" Gabe gasped. "You a werewolf or something?"

"It's a bit more complicated than that," Galen said as he closed his fist and opened it to show his nails had returned to normal. "I'm a hybrid, a human being whose DNA became spliced with an animal's."

"And judging by the canine motif, you got spliced with a wolf?" Gabe stated.

"A Timber Wolf to be more accurate." Galen retorts. "Besides the eyes and claws, I have fangs. I also possess heightened senses, enhanced strength, and agility, accelerated healing... not as strong as Cassie's healing of course-"

"How did you end up like this?" Freddie asked.

"Most of my life I was in foster care. Passed around from one home to another until I got sick of it." Galen told him. "When I was fourteen, I ran away from my last foster family and spent two years traveling from place to place until I got to New York. That's where things went really bad for me."

"Do you know who did this to you?" Pete asked.

Galen looks at Cassie who bites her lip and she says "Her name is Dr. Raquel Circe. She was once a renowned geneticist who let her ambition consume her."

"Meaning she started to experiment on people." Freddie estimated.

"Precisely," Cassie replied. "She makes Doctor Moreau look like a reputable physician."

"I sure as hell wasn't her first attempt at playing God. But from what I saw, I was her only successful experiment." Galen told her. "The others were either too deformed or had become too feral that they needed to be put down."

"Yeah, 'cause euthanizing a person doesn't count if they're half-human," Gabe said as he typed on the keypad on the hub computer. He turns to find the others staring at him with looks of annoyance and surprise. "Geez, it's called sarcasm, people. Relax."

"How did you escape from the 'good doctor'?" Pete asked.

Galen looks at Cassie. "Because of Cassie. She saved me. Her family took me in and gave me a home."

Freddie looks to Cassie who looks down. "You did?"

Cassie nods. "I convinced your dad to take Galen in, so he didn't get put back in the foster care system."

Freddie lets a small smile slip but realizes it and quickly puts his game face on. "So do you know what Circe looks like?"

"I will never forget that woman's face but it's been almost fifteen years since then," Galen stated.

"That's true. For all we know, she could have changed her appearance." Gabe stated.

"Circe is an extremely vain and a total narcissist. She was always about keeping up the appearance of a demure lady which she is far from." Cassie stated bitterly. "If she has changed her appearance, she's gonna keep herself looking... pretty."

"What if she's changed things up?" Freddie suggested. "What if she's changed her MO to help her blend in more?"

The group looks at each other mildly surprised. Galen looks towards Cassie and shrugs. "Wouldn't that be that much of a stretch?"

"A person as self-centered as Circe wouldn't change even to avoid detection," Cassie stated.

Freddie scoffs. "Are you disagreeing with me because you're afraid of being wrong?"

Cassie glares at him. "I am disagreeing with you because my instincts have never let me down."

"And mine have been off?" Freddie asked, mildly offended.

"I'm not saying that," Cassie replied.

"Kinda sounds like you are," Freddie answered back. "You seem to think you have all the answers but you are too stubborn to see both sides of the coin."

"I'm being stubborn?" Cassie questioned in a scoffing tone.

"This isn't the right time for this!" Galen stated, mildly agitated. "If this is Circe we're dealing with, which it more than likely is, we need to stop her before any more people get hurt. Does that sound fair?"

Freddie and Cassie stare at each other, coming to a silent truce. Cassie exhales and breaks the silence.

"Look, I think there's something we need to discuss," Cassie stated. "About the reason your mom was-"

Freddie puts his hands up. "Why don't we talk about this after we deal with Circe?"

Cassie nods. "Suit yourself."

"We need to figure out what is the connection between all these victims. It can't be just that they're kids in rough spots in life." Freddie stated. "Something brought them together that drew Dr. Circe's attention."

"I'll agree with you on that one," Cassie replied. "It can't be coincidental."

"I can try to find what I can on Dr. Circe?" Gabe offered.

"You can try but she went off the grid decades ago. Anything you find after 1979 is nonexistent." Cassie said.

"So you only know what you know from your own experiences?" Gabe asked Cassie and Galen.

"Pretty much," Galen answered and Cassie nodded in agreement.

"So, what's our next move?" Pete asked.

Cassie looks at Galen. "I have an idea but you aren't gonna like it."

Galen rubs his eyes. "It's gonna involve bringing in Grayson, isn't it?"

"Something like that, yes," Cassie replied.

"I would say 'no' but you're gonna do it anyway," Galen said in annoyance.

"You do remember," Cassie said with a smirk.

Freddie's eyes furrow and he looks over to Galen. "You might want to take that."

Galen appears confused when suddenly his cell phone rings. He stares back at Freddie while pulling out his phone. He sees the caller ID and answers "Leo, how's it going- Whoa, slow down. What happened?" He listens to what Leo tells him and horror washed over his face. "No. I'll be there soon."

"What's going on?" Cassie asked as Galen hung up.

"Leo said Claud didn't show up for work this afternoon. Her dad went searching for her and found her cell phone abandoned in an alley about a block away from her work." Galen stated.

"And Claud isn't one to not go one moment without her cell phone." Freddie estimated.

"Nowadays, that's a common trait," Pete replied.

"Would Circe snatch someone in broad daylight?" Gabe asked.

"Not her style. She usually works through underlings... and usually, they aren't willing participants." Cassie replied.

"Her experiments?" Pete asked.

"Better than paying for hired goons. They could be seen as expendable." Gabe replied. He receives odd looks from the others. "Stop looking at me like that! I've read enough comics to know that being the henchman of a supervillain shortens your life expectancy."

"Have Claud's parents called the police?" Freddie asked.

"Not yet," Galen told the group.

"Wouldn't help anyway. You have to file a missing persons' report within at least twenty-four hours." Cassie replied. "Which I think is an incredibly frustrating rule of boneheaded bureaucracy."

"Wait, how old is Claud?" Freddie asked.

"Seventeen. She turns eighteen in December." Galen answered.

"Call Leo back, tell him to tell Claud's parents to call the police," Freddie replied.

"All right," Galen said as he called Leo back.

"What are you thinking?" Gabe said.

"Claud going missing qualifies for an Amber Alert," Freddie stated.

Gabe, Cassie, and Pete stare at him mildly surprised and impressed by Freddie's deductive reasoning as Freddie begins to put his black coat on.

"And where are you going?" Cassie asked with her arms crossed.

"I'm going to scope out the subway terminal where the attack happened. This can't be a one-time occurrence and I'm going to do some recon as a civilian to find out if I'm right." Freddie said to the others.

"Want me to come with you?" Cassie asked him.

Freddie stares at her, adjusting the collar on his coat. "Best I go alone."

Cassie looks down and sighs. "So, we're back to this?"

Freddie rolls his eyes and heads up the stairs heading out the door. "Don't wait up."

After Freddie exits, he slams the door behind him. The others look at Cassie who looks down both embarrassed and peeved. She pulls out her cell phone and texts someone.

Galen hangs up the phone and walks back to the group. "Where'd Freddie go?"

"He decided to do some solo recon," Gabe answered.

Cassie looks over to her friend as she finishes her texting. "What did Leo say?"

"He said that Claud's parents are calling the police but they're heading where Claud was last seen," Galen replied.

"Which could compromise the scene if there were any clues left behind." Cassie estimated.

"Wow, you were a cop's daughter," Gabe said with a laugh.

"And proud of it," Cassie said with an unabashed smile while quickly putting on her leather jacket. "I need to get down there."

"I'll take you," Galen said.

"I think you should stay. I have a feeling you might be upset about all this and I know for a fact how you get when you're upset." Cassie stated.

"You aren't seriously telling me to sit this one out. Circe is coming after my kids, I have every right to be upset." Galen said angrily while his eyes began to glow again.

"Um, Gale," Cassie spoke up. She uses the index and middle finger in her left hand to point at her eyes. "Your eyes have gone glow stick."

Galen realizes what she means and rubs his eyes, calming himself down and the glow vanishes. "Guess you're right."

"Just give me the location and I'll make sure things are done right," Cassie replied.

Galen nods and writes on a slip of paper then gives it to Cassie.

•••

At his loft, Danny was tidying up around his living room as he searched in his closet for something when his cell phone rang which he answered.

"Hey Sam, calling to check in?" Danny asked his sister.

"Using that awesome deductive reasoning, Columbo?" Sam Puckett quips.

"Funny. Have you finished packing for your trip?" Danny asked.

"Just finished. But I got slowed down when I had to help Dice get Goomer's hand out of the toilet." Sam answered.

"Wait, how did he get his hand in there to begin with?" Danny asked mildly perplexed.

"With Goomer, I learned to stop asking questions. Saves my sanity that way." Sam said laughing. "You sure you mind me crashing at your place while I'm there? I could stay at a cheap motel or something."

"No sister of mine is going to stay in some disgusting motel," Danny said adamantly.

"I've stayed in worse places, no need to be such a priss," Sam told her brother.

"You're staying with me, all right?" Danny insisted.

"All right, no need to twist my arm, Sarge," she said to him. "Cat is throwing me a bit of a party before I leave tomorrow. She's nervous that I'm gonna want to stay in New York."

"Would that be a bad thing?" Danny asked as he found what he was looking for, a pile of clean linen, and placed them on the couch.

"No way. I know how to make friends... But I also have made my fair share of enemies." Sam replied.

"Like that Nevel kid, those Japanese web show hosts, the PetPhotographers, or that deranged girl who kidnapped you and your friends... Twice." Danny stated.

"And that's just the shortlist," Sam replied. "And that thing with Nora, that was Carly's fault to begin with. She felt sorry for her and that looney ended up locking us in her basement."

"And the second time?" Danny asked with an eyebrow raised.

Sam quickly diverts the subject. "So how's work? Catch any bad guys?"

"Considering I'm on a task force meant to focus on the strange and unexplained, I rarely get to bust regular criminals," Danny told her. "It's been quiet until this morning."

"What happened this morning? Did that Pulse guy show up again?" Sam asked, slightly amused.

"No, that electric punk has been remaining low on our radar," Danny replied slightly annoyed. "You know, I'm starting to think you might be a member of this guy's fan club?"

"Can you blame me? The guy is like a genuine superhero with superpowers. I mean have you seen the SplashFace videos?" Sam asked.

"I don't need to. I've seen it first hand." Danny said, sounding annoyed.

"All right, Prissy Pants, I can sense this is bothering you so I won't talk about Pulse unless you bring it up," Sam replied. "So what happened this morning?"

"A young kid attacked a woman on the subway but after they got him off, he collapsed and died," Danny stated.

"Whoa, that sounds bad," Sam said.

"And that's not even the weird part. The poor kid looked deformed nearly beyond recognition. Almost looked like something out of a bad science fiction movie." Danny told his sister.

"Sounds pretty gruesome," Sam replied. "Never figured a cop would run into superheroes and deformed corpses."

"It's never a dull moment, I guess," Danny stated. His phone beeps and he sees it's his call waiting function. "And speaking of, duty calls."

"Isn't it like almost eight o'clock over there?" Sam asked.

"With my job, I have to be ready at any time," Danny replied. "Call me as soon as you leave for the airport. Have fun at your party."

"Thanks. Have fun with the X-Files, Mulder." Sam joked. "Good night."

"Good night," Danny said as he hung up, and answered the other call. "Parker. I'm on my way."

Danny grabs his service weapon and straps it to his holster, puts on his jacket, and heads out the door.

•••

Freddie was in the subway terminal where the train with the attack had taken place had stopped. He looks around to see if he found anything out of place. He turns and finds a familiar face, Cassie's friend Wayne Torrence who is now selling his products in the terminal.

Freddie goes over to him. "Mr. Torrence?"

Wayne looks up and smiles warmly. "Oh hey, kid. How are you?"

"I'm good. So, you're selling down here?" Freddie asked.

"Yeah, I make better money down here," Wayne told him. "Gullible tourists and all. What are you doing down here?"

"I'm following up on something for Cassie. About the attack that happened last night." Freddie replied.

"Oh yeah, I think I caught a glimpse of that before I went home," Wayne told him.

"What did you see?" Freddie asked.

"Not much, all I saw was this woman screaming for help and someone pulled the guy off her. Then the guy howled like a banshee and keeled over." Wayne replied. "Is Cassie helping the police or something?"

"Sort of. She's helping the mother of the attacker. All I know is that the guy wasn't in the right frame of mind at the time and was surgically deformed." Freddie explained.

"Oh, that's Cassie for you. Always helps the helpless." Wayne stated.

Freddie bites his bottom lip and sighs. "She didn't tell me this but how long have you known Cassie?"

"Almost five years. My wife came to her for help. I had spent six years in prison for a crime I didn't commit and would still be rotting in a jail cell if it weren't for her." Wayne explained. "Let's just say I was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"How did she get you out?" Freddie asked.

"She was able to find documents that linked the real perp. I still don't know how she did it but my family and I are grateful for that." Wayne explained. "Because of your aunt, I got to see my wife give birth to our first child."

A small smile forms on Freddie's face. "She can be awesome sometimes. Most of the time she's frustrating."

"She's had it bad. I've heard a lot of people on the streets talk about her like she's a folk hero." Wayne stated. "Well, not as much as they used to talk about Mockingbird."

"Who's Mockingbird?" Freddie asked the street vendor.

"She was this crime-fighting vigilante. A red-haired force of nature who had criminals cowering in fear." Wayne told him. "She operated at night mostly... a bit like Pulse does now."

"Oh," Freddie replied, thoughts running through his head. "Did she ever get caught?"

"No. She just dropped off the face of the earth. No one has seen or heard from her in fourteen years." Wayne stated. "And no one has a clue why."

Freddie remained silent for a while then said "That's... interesting. Listen, if you see anything unusual, call Cassie. She'll know what to do."

"No problem, kid," Wayne said. "Can I interest you in anything?"

Freddie looks at the table but nothing catches his interest until he sees a silver necklace with a charm on it. The charm appeared to resemble a lightning bolt. He gingerly picks up the necklace.

"You have interesting taste. Got a girl you want to give that to?" Wayne asked.

"Not really," Freddie said as he stared at the necklace. He goes to pull out his wallet but Wayne stops him.

"It's on the house." Wayne insisted.

Freddie continues to pull out his wallet and hands him a ten-dollar bill. "It's not much but I don't feel right taking something without paying for it."

Wayne smiles a bit as he takes the money. "Thanks. You remind me a lot of your aunt."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Freddie replied as he put the necklace in his pocket. "Thanks again for the info."

"No problem." Wayne retorts.

Freddie looks around and sees an odd sight. A hooded figure heading up to the surface. Freddie heads up to follow the hooded figure.

•••

Back at the Pulse Cave, Gabe was trying to research Dr. Raquel Circe while Pete sifted through the police files again to find anything they may have missed.

Galen used a Salmon Ladder that was set up in the main room. He was shirtless and he looked amazing, physically fit. He looks almost like a real-life Adonis. He was using the device without any difficulty as he used the metal bar to go up the ladder.

At that moment, Millie enters the room. She looks at the sight of Galen using the salmon ladder.

"Well, I never thought this would be the first thing I see walking in here," Millie replies lazily as she stares at the shirtless man going up the rivets on the ladder.

"At this point, very little surprises me." Gabe retorts as he turns to look at his friend. "He's been doing that for an hour."

"What is that thing called again?" Millie asked.

"A salmon ladder. You don't remember Cassie explaining what it did when she set that up?" Gabe asked.

"Well, she told me that shirtless men were going to go up on this thing when she set it up," Millie stated, almost salivating at the sight. "And I officially love her for it."

Gabe walks over to Millie and looks at her staring. "Mills... you're drooling."

Millie realizes this and wipes the bit of saliva on her chin. "I'm not made of stone, Morgan."

Pete looks at her and smirks, amused by this as Galen reaches the top of the ladder and then jumps down from the top. He grabs a towel that is hanging near the device.

"You don't mind being ogled like a piece of meat?" Gabe asked Galen.

Galen wipes the sweat from his face and body and just shrugs. "I believe in equality, Richie Rich. If men can treat women like they're objects, then turnabout is fair game. Besides, I don't care."

"Guess that's an interesting way of looking at it," Gabe replied.

"I think I found something," Pete said to get everyone's attention. The group gathers around Pete. "I think the places where the bodies were found have a pattern."

"What do you mean?" Millie asked.

Pete looks at Gabe. "You have a map of the city?"

"I can pull one up online," Gabe replies as he walks over to the table and grabs his Pearpad. After mashing some buttons, he says "Got it. Now what?"

"I'm going to read off the addresses of where each body was found," Pete stated. "You are going to place an electronic marking on the map."

Gabe nods as Pete reads off each of the eight locations and Gabe marks them off on the map. Once Pete and Gabe are finished, Gabe sets the Pearpad on the table in front of the group. They stare at the map with bewilderment on their faces.

"That can't be good," Millie stated.

"They were all found within a ten-block radius. Like someone was dumping the bodies." Pete replied.

"Circe's many failures… her victims," Galen said, gritting his teeth.

"Wait, are there any landmarks or anything distinguishable near or close to each of the sites?" Millie asked. The surprised men look at her. "What? Think I haven't been paying attention?"

"Landmarks no but..." Gabe looks over the map until he figures out something. "Oh my god."

"What is it?" Pete asked.

"There's a closed subway terminal near that area. That's why Circe hasn't been seen above ground for almost sixteen years." Gabe replied.

"She's gone underground," Galen replied.

The group stares at each other, looking very worried.

•••

In the alley where Claud had been snatched, two police cars were stationed nearby and police tape surrounded the scene. Cassie and Alec get out of her car and walk towards the crime scene. She seems a bit anxious which Alec notices.

"You okay, Sand?" Alec asked.

Cassie snaps out of it and glances at Alec. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Sand, come on. I know when you're like this that something is wrong." Alec points out. "This isn't about what I told you-"

"No! No way!" Cassie refused. "I just don't like that this bitch is back and is back at her 'gimmick'."

"Bet Galen is doing much worse," Alec said.

"He isn't taking it well, that's for sure," Cassie replied.

"But I do appreciate you asking me for my help," Alec said.

"Hey, I want the kids to get to know you better. You're smarter than me, Al." She told him.

"And that's all book and some street but I appreciate the compliment." He retorts which makes Cassie chuckle.

Meanwhile, Danny and Victor stand aside as the CSIs go to work. "Have you found anything?" Victor asked.

"Nothing substantial. If this girl did disappear, there is no trace of who took her or where she was taken." Nina told them.

"How can we be sure this girl being taken is connected to our case?" Danny asked curiously.

"We won't know until we find her," Victor answered.

Danny looks around and sees Cassie and Alec standing behind the yellow tape who are speaking with an older couple in their late forties. The woman was slender and had dark brown hair and the man had light brown hair. These were Claud's parents, Robert and Carrie Moon.

Danny walks over to the tape and starts talking to Cassie. "So, you're helping out the Moons as well?"

"I am. Claud's disappearance has to be connected to what happened to Phil Donner." Cassie replied. "I came to offer moral support."

"I'm just surprised you didn't bring your entire posse along," Danny stated. "I'm not used to you not having strapping men at your beck and call."

"Do I detect a bit of jealousy? I mean, the only way that would work is if we were dating." Cassie jokes.

"You can interpret it as jealousy, I'm merely making an observation," Danny replied.

"Observing or flirting?" Cassie quips and Danny rolls his eyes.

Alec stares at this exchange with a weak smile. He knew she had feelings for the cop and she wouldn't admit it.

Cassie looks around and sees the hooded figure that hid in the fringes of the crowd. Something about him seemed off to her. More particularly the man's face.

"You all right?" Danny asked the distracted woman.

"Yeah. I'm fine." Cassie said, snapping out of it.

"Cassie!"

Cassie looks around and sees Freddie making his way through the crowd.

"What are you doing here?" Cassie asks as she pulls him aside and whispers to him. "Thought you were doing recon?"

"I was but... Something caught my attention." Freddie explained as he turned to the figure in the crowd. "I've been following that guy since I left the station. Something seriously off about him."

Cassie looks back at the figure she was staring at who notices the figure making a hasty retreat.

"And he knows we know," Cassie said. "Chase after him. I'll get some backup."

Freddie rushes off after the fleeing figure.

Alec goes over to her. "What's going on?"

"I'll explain later. Right now, follow Freddie!" Cassie exclaimed.

Alec nods and rushes off after Freddie.

Cassie then goes over and gets Danny's attention. "I need your help."

Danny appears confused but Cassie doesn't explain and pulls him off after Freddie.

•••

Freddie is in hot pursuit of the hooded figure but he is having trouble keeping up. He was going at superhuman speed and still couldn't catch the figure.

The pedestrians watch as Freddie chases after the hooded figure. Some were confused while others were annoyed by the sight of this.

Alec rounds the corner and sees Freddie in hot pursuit and does his best to keep up but fails miserably as he accidentally bumps into someone and falls on his left shoulder to the pavement. He groans in pain and does his best to get to his feet.

Freddie used the fire escape to climb up and give chase until finally after an acrobatic leap, Freddie landed on top of the figure. He recovers from the leap and sees the figure's hood had fallen off, He gets a glimpse of the figure's face - he is a hairless man with pink eyes and sharp protruding buck teeth coming out of his mouth. This was something straight out of a horror film.

The man hisses at Freddie, puts his hood back over his head then takes off running. Freddie gets to his feet and continues the foot chase.

At that moment, Cassie and Danny round the corner and see Alec getting up.

Cassie goes to check on Alec who was rubbing his shoulder, "You okay?"

"That's a loaded question," Alec said, still in pain.

"Where's Freddie?" Cassie asked and Alec responded by pointing in the direction he ran down.

"Wait, why is your nephew chasing after a potential suspect?" Danny asked.

"Because I asked him to," Cassie replied. Danny looks at her with an incredulous look on his face. "Don't look at me like that and move!"

The three continue to make their way after Freddie.

•••

The deformed man runs into a boarded-up entrance to the subway terminal, it is a dilapidated area with cracked concrete, heavy amounts of dust, and broken equipment. He goes down the stairs as Freddie enters the terminal.

Freddie sees the man head down the stairs and backs up a bit to give himself a running start. Once he had done that, Freddie leaps into the air and flies down the stairs over the man then lands in front of him. The man stops dead in his tracks when he sees Freddie.

"Okay, Rat Man, we need to talk," Freddie replied.

The Rat Man swipes at Freddie with his long sharp claws which Freddie barely avoids. Freddie hits back with a swift right cross and knocks Rat Man off his feet.

Rat Man uses his long tail to perform a sweep and knocks Freddie down and he lands flat on his back. Freddie tries to get up but the Rat Man jumps on top of him and pins him down.

"Should've left me alone." Rat Man hissed as he went to tear the boy's throat with his clawed hand.

Suddenly, a gunshot rings out. Rat Man looks up and sees Danny standing at the top of the stairs with his gun out and Cassie standing by his side.

"Hands in the air!" Danny ordered. "Slowly get off the boy and put your hands behind your head!"

The Rat Man hisses and rushes over at him. Danny fires his gun and shoots Rat Man in the shoulder but he keeps going. He fires another shot but it only annoys the creature further. Without warning, Cassie tackles Rat Man to the ground, and the two roll down the bottom half of the stairs. Alec heads down and helps Freddie to his feet.

Rat Man gets to his feet as Cassie recovers from her assault. She sees her wrist has twisted backward and she swiftly pops it back into place while Danny is distracted.

Danny points his gun at Rat Man while Freddie and Alec help Cassie up. The creature growls at the trio and realizes he is bleeding. With a loud hiss, the Rat Man rushes to the empty track and heads off down the tunnel.

The trio stands in unanimous silence until Danny lowers his gun and then breaks the silence. "Okay, now I've seen everything."

"People who are mutated into rat people are definitely on a top ten list of weird crap I've seen," Alec commented.

Freddie looks over at Cassie who was rubbing her formally broken and twisted wrist pretending that she had injured herself for Danny's sake. The pair shared a look of understanding, they now knew what they had to do.

The four of them exchange looks of concern.

Hidden in the shadows, the figure in the fox mask was observing this then slinks off unnoticed.

•••

In another part of the city, Heather Chase was walking into her dorm. She looks dejected and exhausted as she opens the door to her dorm room where she finds her roommate Ashlyn making out with an older man on her bed.

Ashlyn Pryor is a bleach bottle blond in heavy makeup, nearly orange spray tan, and dark-colored clothing. If you could look up tacky in the dictionary, Ashlyn's photo would be underneath the definition.

The guy Ashlyn had been making out with was much older than the nineteen-year-old Ashlyn. He had messy blond hair hidden underneath a knitted beanie and his clothes were dingy, looking like the example of a lowlife drug dealer.

"Ash, you forgot to put a pink Scrunchie on the door. That means you have a guest and I find some way to kill five minutes." Heather said bitterly.

"My oops," Ashlyn said as she got off the guy she had been making out with. "Heather, this is Andre. I met him in front of the club last night."

"Great, you know how dangerous that is? What if he's a serial killer or a rapist?" Heather said, sounding flabbergasted.

"Huh, how quickly do they jump to 'serial killer'," Andre replied with a laugh. "For the record, I'm a drug dealer but I'm only here to have a good time."

"Fine. You want to have fun, be my guest." Heather replied as she went out into the hallway. "I'm going to study in the hall. Ash, if he tries anything, just yell and I'll call the police."

"Come on, Heather. Don't be such a buzzkill." Ashlyn replied, sounding annoyed.

"It's fine... but I will leave you a party favor," Andre said as he put something in her hands. Heather opens her hand and finds a small baggie with three small pulls that resemble gel capsules.

"What is this?" Heather asked, staring at the pills.

"Phobos. This stuff will make you feel like you're on a roller coaster that is breaking the sound barrier." Andre described passionately. "It's a thrill ride in pill form."

"Isn't this stuff illegal?" Heather asked.

"Everything that makes you feel good is illegal," Andre answered. Heather tries to hand the pills back to him but Andre refuses. "It's a gift. The first taste is always free."

Andre goes over to Ashlyn and plants a sloppy kiss on her lips that makes Heather cringe. "Text me later."

"'Kay," Ashlyn stated as Andre made her way out and closed the door behind him. "Could you be any more of a wet blanket?"

"Excuse me for thinking drug abuse is unbelievably stupid," Heather yelled at her while waving around the drugs. "I'm gonna flush this crap down the toilet."

"Why are you being so uptight? You need to learn to relax or you're gonna snap in half." Ashlyn said as she stood in front of the bathroom door. "You need to loosen up."

Heather sighs and hands her the pills. "You want to get high, knock yourself out. Just don't expect me to watch."

Heather goes out the door and slams it shut. Ashlyn holds the Phobos pills in her hands and stares at the door.

•••

Black Beauty pulls up in front of the warehouse with Danny's Mustang parking close behind it. Cassie, Alec, and Freddie get out of her car while Danny remains inside his vehicle.

Cassie walks over to Danny while Freddie and Alec hang back, standing close to the entrance.

"I should be taking you all to the station," Danny told her.

"And what would you tell them? That we fell under attack by a genetic man rat? I think whatever is left of your credibility would go 'bye-bye'." Cassie joked then she noticed Danny looked troubled. "You okay?"

"I froze. When I fired on that guy and he kept coming, I panicked." Danny explained. "If you hadn't tackled him to the ground, he would have killed me."

Cassie places a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You were being faced with stuff that would send most men running for the hills. You can't be expected to be all stoic and emotionless. You flinched, it happens to the best of us."

"Not to you. This is the only time I'm going to admit this but you are incredibly brave." Danny told her. "You're like this Amazonian warrior. You're kind of fearless."

"I'm gonna let in on a secret... I'm not fearless." Cassie admits, a weak laugh in her voice. "I'm terrified. I'm always terrified. I just hide it well."

"So I've noticed," Danny said. He looks around. "So, why did you drive down to this warehouse?"

Freddie braced himself for what Cassie was going to tell Danny as Alec put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. This was met by a confused look from Freddie.

"I-uh- I'm opening up a PI office here," Cassie told him. "I figured that I can't keep working from my home to get more jobs."

"You don't seem to be having too many problems getting work lately." Danny retorts. "But why here?"

"Let's just say this place has some history for me," Cassie said which made Alec smile. "You should go home. Get some sleep."

"What are you guys going to do?" Danny asked.

"Burn the midnight oil. Try to find out what this freak has to do with what happened to Phil Donner and who took Claud." Cassie said.

"That seems to go beyond the duties of a normal private investigator. Especially involving your nephew and a lawyer." Danny explained.

"I need all the help I can get. I'll let you know if we found anything. Get some sleep." Cassie ordered as Alec walked inside the warehouse.

"Fine. But do me a favor and try to work in a quick nap." Danny stated.

"I'll make sure to take a micro nap if that makes you feel better," Cassie replied. "Good night."

"Good night," Danny said softly as he backed out of the alley and drove away.

Cassie looks back at Freddie who wears a curious look on his face. "What's with the face?"

"Nothing," Freddie said with an almost playful smirk. "Nothing at all."

Cassie rolls her eyes and the trio heads inside the warehouse.

•••

The trio enters the Pulse Cave and heads down the stairs. The rest of the team looks at the state they are in and seems surprised.

"What happened to you guys?" Gabe asked.

"We had a bit of an odd run-in," Freddie replied. "I followed this hooded figure out of the subway terminal which led me to a crime scene where I found Cassie."

"That's strange." Millie retorts.

"And it gets even stranger." Cassie retorts. "Freddie chased the guy down the street while I got some backup."

"What kind of backup?" Pete asked.

"Danny," Alec said frankly.

"Oh." Pete mouthed.

"Somebody's jealous," Gabe said quietly to Millie in an almost sing-song tone.

Alec looks around the room, a seemingly nostalgic look on his face. A look that Galen and Cassie noticed.

"Anyway, I chased this guy down into this abandoned subway terminal. But not before I got a good look at the guy's face." Freddie stated, almost sounding like he was holding back a gag reflex. "And I'm wishing I hadn't."

"What did the guy look like?" Millie asked.

"He- He looked like some deformed Rat Man. Buck teeth and tail to boot." Freddie described.

"Rats. Why did it have to be rats?" Pete said, sounding annoyed and mortified.

"It looked like something out of David Kroenburg's nightmares," Cassie said. "Freddie tried to fight it off but it pinned him down, nearly ripping open his throat. Danny shot at it and it didn't go down. I tackled it down some hard steps and it still didn't start down. This guy was durable."

"Sounds like Circe is experimenting using rodent DNA. Makes sense seeing as she may have gone underground." Galen stated.

"What do you mean?" Alec asked with a mildly perplexed look on her face.

"Pete figured out that the locations of where the bodies were found seemed to be near an entrance to a subway terminal," Gabe stated.

"Which terminal?" Freddie asked.

"Uh, the one on 95th and Saxton," Gabe said, reading off the Pearpad.

Freddie, Cassie, and Alec exchange a look of realization which confuses the others.

"What?" Millie asked.

"That's where that Man Rat led us to. Thinking that the section of the tunnel is closed for use by regular travel." Cassie replied.

"I prefer calling him a Rat Man," Freddie stated.

"He was a man before he was a rat so that constitutes him being a 'Man Rat'." Cassie argued.

"She does make a point." Gabe retorts. Freddie shoots him 'a look of death' which makes Gabe put up his arms in a defensive manner.

"We'll agree to disagree," Freddie replied. "Did you find out how Circe is getting her victims?

"I mean, she can't be hunting for her victims herself or send Renfield after these people," Alec remarked.

"Maybe Circe's made more than one Rat Man," Millie said.

"It's a definite possibility. Circe isn't content with just one 'successful' experiment." Galen replied.

"I think she might be sending these henchmen after these test subjects," Gabe stated.

"But how would she be able to know who to go after?" Pete asked.

"He's right. Circe doesn't just grab random people off the street. She wants to make sure that everything is medically sound." Cassie said.

Freddie looks to Galen. "How was she able to grab you?"

"She-uh- she saw me walking the streets at night and asked me if I needed a place to stay for the night and like an idiot, I accepted her offer," Galen told the team.

"Then what happened?" Freddie asked. Galen gives him a look. "I'm sorry if I sound insensitive but it could help us find Claud."

"I know. It's just not a subject I like talking about." Galen stated and he exhaled. "She took me to her home where she told me she wanted to take a blood sample. Because she was a doctor she wanted to make sure I didn't have some kind of contagious disease. I was a dumb kid so I believed her."

Alec blinks in surprise. "You didn't tell me that."

"Because I didn't want you to know back then," Galen said with a low growl in his voice.

"Gale," Cassie said in a hushed tone.

"It's fine. I deserve it." Alec replied.

Galen takes a deep breath. "So, I let her take my blood… because I trusted her."

"But she was testing your blood to see if you'd be the perfect test subject," Freddie said somberly.

Galen sighs. "Yeah. Found out my blood type was O Negative, a very rare type. After that, she drugged me and took me into her lab... that's when the horror began."

"Oh god." Millie let slip others as the others had sobering looks on their faces.

Freddie was deep in thought as he processed the information Galen had presented. "So she took a sample of your blood before she started her experiments."

"That's right," Galen said, nodding.

Cassie notices Freddie trying to process the info. "What are you thinking?"

"Circe needs to know whether or not a person's body will respond well to her act of mad science," Freddie answered. "Maybe Circe is finding her victims by-"

"By using hospital databases. To find out who has the right blood type." Gabe guessed.

"Or maybe eliminating the middleman. Where can you get a vast amount of blood you can test out for your brand of science?" Freddie presented.

"A blood bank," Millie answers. "There's a full stock of blood along with the donor's personal information. To make sure the donor doesn't have a communicable disease that can pass through the bloodstream."

"That's how Circe is doing it!" Alec exclaimed.

"He's right. She's working at a blood bank and finding her victims." Freddie replied.

"That gives me something to work with. If all these victims donated at the same blood bank or if their blood went to the same bank, it might be easier to find out what Dr. Circe looks like now." Gabe said, walking over to the hub computer and going to work.

"Looks like we have two missions tomorrow," Cassie stated. "Someone to check that blood bank... and someone to go down into that tunnel and track down her injured pet."

"If he was bleeding, I could easily track him down using his dry blood," Galen replied.

"You can track him by smell? How can you do that?" Millie asked.

"When Circe experimented on him, she spliced his DNA with that of a wolf," Pete told her.

"So you're half man-half wolf?" Millie asked and Galen shrugged. "Not the weirdest thing I've ever heard. Mind you, it's in the top ten."

Galen chuckles at this statement.

"So Galen and Cassie are going to explore the tunnels and track down Rat Man while I investigate the blood bank," Freddie answered.

"I'll go with you guys down into the tunnels. Give you guys some assistance." Pete insisted.

"The more the merrier." Cassie quipped. "But one more wouldn't be bad to add to the expedition party."

"Who?" Freddie asked and looked at Cassie who had a mildly embarrassed look. He knew who she meant. "No. Oh no! No way! No way!"

"You sure that's a good idea, Sand?" Alec asked.

"We need Danny. He could be of use to us." Cassie replied.

"Have you forgotten that Danny is part of the task force trying to bring in Pulse?" Freddie replied.

"And have you forgotten that Danny has saved your life... twice." Cassie reminds him.

"Well, technically I saved the kid's life too." Alec retorts which makes Galen roll his eyes.

"If you're worried about me telling your secret, don't worry," Cassie assured him. "My lips are sealed."

"As sealed as they were when you told Pete, Galen, and Alec?" Freddie retorts. "I get why you told them and they're not bad people."

"Thanks, man," Alec said, half sounding sarcastic, while Pete and Galen remained silent.

"My point is... you are starting to open yourself to this guy but you let one thing slip and the next thing we'll all be hauled off in handcuffs." Freddie replied.

Cassie exhales as she looks at Freddie. "I'm inviting him along but under a pseudo-false pretense. He won't know anything more than what we do. I promise."

"Fine but if this gets bad, don't expect me to swoop in to save the day," Freddie replied.

Cassie exhales, "You should try to get some sleep."

Freddie rolls his eyes "Don't you think I'm a bit too old for a bedtime?"

"Humor me," Cassie replied slightly annoyed.

Freddie rolls his eyes and heads into the dojo. "Fine." He looks back at Gabe. "Gabe, wake me as soon as you find more info."

"You got it, man," Gabe replied.

Freddie goes into the dojo and closes the doors behind him.

Alec walks over to Cassie and then says to the others. "So… slumber party?"

The statement was met with groans and laughter as Cassie looked back at the dojo.

•••

Inside the underground laboratory of Dr Raquel Circe, the Rat Man was being tended to by a woman who removed the two bullets from the injured creature's body. The fluorescent lighting in the room flickers and conceals the woman's face.

Across the room, several Rat Men scurry in their cages. They look very similar to the original Rat Man with varying characteristics. Their behavior also seemed more animalistic and feral.

"Did they follow you?" The woman asked as she continued to treat him.

"No." The Rat Man barely managed to answer. "I took off before that guy shot me again. Might have been a cop."

"He's not going to get away with that." The woman replied.

"Worst was this blond. Tackled me to the ground before I got my hands on the cop." Rat Man answered.

The statement caught the woman's attention as she finished up. "Do the police know that the girl was taken?"

"Yes." Rat Man hissed.

The woman sighs, "So you weren't careful, were you?"

"I tried to be as silent as possible, Doctor. It's not like she screamed or anything." Rat Man stated.

The woman, Dr. Circe, calmly takes out a syringe and quickly injects it into the Rat Man's arm. "I don't like excuses. Excuses won't help me change the world. You're going to be an example to others to be more careful."

The Rat Man starts to convulse and shake. He starts coughing up thick blackish blood.

The 'animals' began to rattle their cages at the sight of this. The noise awakens Claud who was in a cage as well and she witnesses what happens to the Rat Man.

He collapses on the floor and writhes around in pain but after a minute, stops moving. After that, the body dissolves into a puddle of soupy liquid.

"Such a mess, such a shame." Dr Circe stated unsympathetically.

Claud was horrified at this and gripped the bars of the cage. She needed to get out of there before it was too late for her.

•••

Back at the Pulse Cave, Freddie was sound asleep on the mat on the floor of the dojo.

"And here you are lying down on the job again."

His eyes flicker as Freddie looks up to the dream-like specter of Sam Puckett lying on top of him. She was now wearing the clothes she had worn when they along with Spencer and Gibby visited the Canadian Fat Cake factory.

Freddie just breathes deeply. After all that he'd been through, he had come to accept the hallucination. Didn't mean he had to like the fact that he might be going insane.

"Okay, let's skip the pleasantries and tell me what I need to know so I can go back to sleep," Freddie said.

"No need to be rude, though your mother taught you better manners than that." Dream Sam replied cheerfully.

"I'm not really in the mood to discuss my mother right now," Freddie stated.

"Is it because she came to New York and didn't tell you?" Dream Sam asked.

Freddie sits up and looks puzzled at her. "How did you know-"

"I live in your head, Fredison. Kind of hard to hide things." Dream Sam replied. "I also know you're being an unreasonable whazzbag to your aunt because she did what your mom asked her to do?"

"If it was so important, why couldn't she just tell me?" Freddie asked.

"I think she was trying to protect you. They both were. Whatever it is your mom told her, she didn't want you to find out about." Dream Sam estimated.

"Because she was trying to protect me?" Freddie scoffed at.

"You're going to learn the hard way that the truth hurts much more than any pain you'll experience. Cuts deeper than any wound." Dream Sam answered.

Freddie stares into the eyes of the girl lying next to him. He runs his fingers through her hair. She still felt real. "Who are you?"

Dream Sam smiles and kisses him gently on the lips. When she pulls away, she stares longingly into his eyes. "The dream you wish you didn't have to wake up from."

Freddie begins to wake up from his lucid dream to find Millie kneeling next to him, trying to rouse him.

"Freddie. Freddie, wake up." Millie said as she shook him awake.

Freddie fully opens his eyes, looks up at his friend, and lets out a soft groan while sitting up.

"Weird dream?" Millie asked.

"No. Just a dream I didn't want to wake up from." Freddie replied as he got to his feet.

"Gabe found something," Millie told him.

Freddie nods and the two head back into the main room of their lair. "What time is it?"

"Quarter to seven. I spent the entire night sifting through dozens of medical records while you got a decent night's sleep." Gabe replied.

Alec enters the room with a tray of coffee. "Good morning."

The three teens look at the man and seem surprised, "You came back?"

"Yeah, figured you guys needed a pick me up after last night," Alex said, handing out the coffees to the teens.

Millie happily takes it as the boys reluctantly take theirs. Freddie looks around and sees that Cassie, Pete, and Galen are gone. "Where are the others?"

"I think they went on their subterranean adventure. They left about half an hour ago." Gabe told him.

"I think Cassie needed some time to tell Danny what's going on without letting the cat out of the bag," Millie stated.

Freddie lets out a frustrated groan and rubs his left temple with his left hand. "So, what did you find out?"

"I looked at different databases for several blood drives that have taken place within the last year and all of their donations went to one blood bank," Gabe said as he pulled up several records.

"Which one?" Freddie asked.

"The Midtown Free Clinic and Blood Bank," Millie answered.

"Why does that sound familiar?" Freddie asked.

"It's the same bank that organized the blood drive yesterday," Millie replied somberly.

"So Circe could have been one of the nurses who was there?" Freddie replied.

"More than likely," Millie answered.

"Aren't you glad you didn't give any of your blood? Circe would've struck gold with you." Gabe quips.

Freddie scowls at Gabe then clears his head to formulate a plan. "Can you get access to employee records?"

"I tried that but the employee records aren't accessible to the public. I think you can only access it from their main office." Gabe explained.

"Looks like I'm gonna have to go undercover and look through those records myself," Freddie said.

"I'm going with you," Millie stated and the three men stared at her confused. "You need someone who can get you through the door. Someone who knows the lingo."

"She makes a good point." Alec agreed with her.

"Fine but we gotta be careful," Freddie said, rubbing his eyes. "What day is it again? My brain's a little fried right now to remember."

"It's Saturday. It's been almost a week since that whole Pequod incident." Gabe reminds him.

"Right, so no classes today. Good. Makes doing undercover better if we're not worried about being late for class." Freddie replied.

"True chizz." Gabe said. "It's gonna be harder for me. I have to watch your backs while you break into a medical facility and give Cassie and the guys directions in the subway tunnels so they don't get lost."

"She asked you to do that?" Freddie inquired.

"It was my idea. She said she hates enclosed spaces so the sooner she gets out of there, the better." Alec replied which surprised Freddie. "Wait, you didn't know she's mildly claustrophobic?"

"She- uh- she never mentioned it to me," Freddie said, sounding stunned.

"She's been claustrophobic since I've known her," Alec said. "The fact that she's even considering going down there takes guts."

"Kinda surprising to me too. She's pretty brave." Millie replied. "She is still just a person."

Freddie looks down, feeling more guilty for how he treated Cassie.

•••

At the rundown subway terminal, Cassie, Pete, Galen, and Danny enter with Cassie having a large duffel bag draped over her shoulder. Cassie had her blond hair down in soft curls and she wore a loose gray top underneath her tan leather jacket, tight light blue jeans, and calf-high black suede boots. Danny was in a long dark blue-sleeved shirt under his black coat and dark pants. Pete wore a tight black T-shirt, dark blue jeans, and work boots. Galen had on a black long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up at the elbow and black pants.

"This is where he leads you guys?" Pete asked, looking around.

"Yeah. Not exactly the most inviting place." Cassie said as she looked around at the low ceiling of the tunnel, mildly agitated.

"You okay?" Galen asked softly to not let Pete or Danny hear.

Cassie nods quickly, trying to shake off her anxiety.

"I don't think this is a good idea," Danny stated. "I should call for backup."

"And tell them what? That we're chasing down a deformed Man Rat in the subway tunnels?" Cassie asked as she set down the duffel bag. "That's go as well as trying to explain that you saw an alligator in the sewer."

Danny sighs. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say this was an act of vigilantism?"

"You're reading too much into this, Parker," Cassie said as she opened the duffel bag.

"What's in there? Weapons?" Danny asked, trying to look inside.

"In the right hands it is." Cassie then pulls out four long black flashlights and hands Danny one. "We're not going down here in complete darkness. An easy way for you to get jumped by a monster."

"I could have called Victor. He is my partner." Danny insisted.

"And he needs to look at this case from a conventional standpoint. What we're about to hunt down isn't conventional by any means." Pete stated while he took a flashlight from Cassie.

Cassie goes to hand Galen a flashlight and he gives her a look. "What?"

"You know I don't need one of those." Galen retorts.

"What? Can you see in the dark?" Danny asked jokingly.

Galen looks at Cassie who gives him a look and tells him not to expose his superhuman abilities to Danny.

"Humor me," Cassie said as she held up the remaining flashlight which Galen reluctantly took.

"Think you should contact the boy genius," Pete told Cassie.

"Oh right, I almost forgot," Cassie said as she pressed the comlink on her ear. "Gabe, can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear, Mama Cass," Gabe said over the com link.

"Wait, why do you have your nephew's roommate at your beck and call?" Danny asked.

"He's just helping me out. Looking at maps to these tunnels so we do get lost or run into an operational tunnel and get hit by a train." Cassie stated. "Everything looks good, kid?"

"You're good to go," Gabe informed her.

"I'm here too, Sand." Alec's voice is heard saying.

Cassie smirks as she looks back at the men in her party. "All right, we should get moving."

Danny and Pete quickly jump down from the train platform. Cassie stands on the tall platform for a moment and Danny offers his hand.

"Need some help?" Danny asked.

Cassie rolled her eyes and simply jumped down, landing in front of him. "I'm good."

Danny shakes his head while Galen jumps down from the platform as well. "Do you know which way we're going?"

Galen sniffs and looks at Cassie, pointing forward. "Got it."

"Got what?" Danny asked.

"I'll explain later. Let's go." Cassie replied as the group walked forward.

The four walk down the tunnel with Galen leading the way and Cassie close behind. Danny and Pete remain a bit behind the other two and Danny looks over at Pete.

"So, you're Cassie's neighbor, right?" Danny asked.

"Yes. Why do you ask?" Pete said while looking around.

"I don't know, you seem to be going above and beyond what most people would do for their neighbors," Danny stated.

"Cassie's become a good friend, detective. I'm simply looking out for a friend." Pete told Danny.

Danny shrugs. "Doesn't hurt that she has a pretty face, of course."

"So you think she's pretty?" Pete asked, diverting the questioning towards Danny.

Danny turns bright red from embarrassment when he sees Cassie looking back at the men behind her. Danny and Cassie lock eyes but Cassie is the one to break first and looks in front of her.

They continue walking deeper down the tunnel but a noise of scurrying is heard behind them which catches all their attention.

"You guys heard that too?" Galen asked.

"Oh yeah," Cassie said.

"Probably a rat. Subway tunnels and underground sewer systems are full of them." Danny replied.

"Sounded like a six-foot-tall rat." Cassie retorts.

"The last thing I want to think about is a six-foot rat," Pete stated, trying to not sound worried.

"Let's keep moving," Cassie stated and the group kept going down the tunnel.

•••

Freddie and Millie were leaving the St George with Freddie dressed in clean clothes: a dark blue button-up plaid shirt underneath his black coat, dark jeans, and black Chuck Taylor's.

"Can we head to my apartment? I need a quick change of clothes." Millie said.

"Sure but we got to make it quick. We have to make it to the blood bank soon." Freddie informed her.

"I'm kind of excited. I get to do some undercover superhero stuff." Millie said, sounding almost giddy.

"It's not as fun as you'd think. It's rather boring." Freddie replied. Millie stares at him with a doubtful glance until he says "Well, not THAT boring."

Millie grins at him when he looks across the street and sees Heather arguing with her boyfriend Ricky Maturo. "The Heather Chase Show is on."

Freddie looks up and sees the couple is in a heated argument. He sees Ricky raise his hands to potentially strike Heather. "Which looks like it's getting ugly."

Freddie runs across the street before Millie can stop him.

"Just admit it! You sent the photo to one of your idiot friends!" Heather yelled.

"You're insane! I didn't send those photos to anyone!" Ricky yelled.

"You're lying! This is like that time I caught you making out with that skunk bag at the club! Just admit it!" Heather snapped.

"Shut up!" Ricky shouted. "I am so sick of you and your pushiness. I've had it!"

"So you're dumping me because you got caught or because I have no money?" Heather said bitterly.

Ricky got in her face. "I could care about your money, you insecure stuck up-"

Freddie jumps in between the two of them. "Okay. Let's just calm down."

"This isn't your business, Benson," Ricky replied.

"I think it does," Freddie said. "There's something I need to tell the both of you." He lets out a deep breath. "I was the one who sent that mass text to everyone."

Heather and Ricky stare at him surprised and angry at his confession.

"I-I hacked into your Pear mobile account and accessed the Cloud to get a hold of that picture." Freddie somewhat confessed. "Afterwards I set a timed mass text and sent it to most of the school."

"W-why w-would you do that?" Heather asked, sounding shocked.

"Because of the way you treated me and my friends. It was petty and wrong, I get that but there's no excuse for what I did." Freddie stated.

"So you were trying to frame me using your tech nerd skills?" Ricky replied.

"Not intentionally. You just became the fall guy." Freddie told them. "I am very sorry for what I did. If I could-"

Before he could finish, Ricky swiftly punched Freddie in the face. The blow knocks him off his feet. Millie runs across the street while Heather tries to keep Ricky away from Freddie.

"Get away from him!" Heather yelled.

"You're defending him? After what he did to you?" Ricky asked.

Heather remains silent until she backs away slowly and the dejected girl leaves. Ricky goes to assault Freddie but Millie puts herself between Ricky and Freddie.

"Leave him alone!" Millie snapped.

"Are you going to have every girl fight your battles for you, Benson?" Ricky insulted Freddie while he slowly got to his feet.

"You need to leave," Millie ordered.

"What are you going to do if I don't?" Ricky said laughing at Millie's tough facade.

Suddenly, Millie grabs him by the shoulders and knees Ricky in the groin.

Freddie is wide-eyed by Millie's display and Ricky leans against the wall and then falls to the floor.

"Okay. So... we should go." Freddie said as he took Millie by the arm. "Did Cassie teach you that one?"

"No, I learned it in a self-defense class," Millie said frankly.

The two looked back at Ricky who was still on the floor in pain and they kept running.

•••

Back in the deserted subway tunnel, the four adults continue their search. Almost two hours had gone by searching through the tunnel and since then Cassie had switched places with Pete, he was standing in front of Galen while Cassie stood with Danny in the back.

"Still don't know how this will help us find Claudia Moon?" Danny asked Cassie.

"Because I believe the thing that attacked us last night might be the one who took Claud," Cassie replied.

"Do you know where this thing came from?" Danny asked. "He couldn't have been born that way, could he?"

"Could've been a Morlock," Pete said in a joking tone.

"I don't recall it having an ape-like face so I think we can rule out that theory." Danny retorts. The statement causes the others to give him puzzled looks. "Yes. I read."

"I hadn't pictured you as being a big fan of science fiction," Cassie replied.

"H.G. Wells is a personal favorite," Danny said with a wistful expression on his face. "I read a lot as a kid. Most of the time it was comic books."

"And you're trying to catch a real-life superhero. Funny how that works." Cassie said with a half-mischievous grin. "What'd you read? Superman? Captain America?"

"The Spirit," Danny answered which surprised Cassie. "My grandfather gave me a huge box of old comics when I was a kid. I didn't have many friends so I read." He glances at her and sees an odd look on her face. "What, can't think of a snappy comeback?"

"Uh- no. It's- I used to read the Spirit too. I even used to wear this old Fedora that belonged to my dad. I also liked going by only 'Sand' when I was a kid."

"Like Sand Saref," Danny said with a smile grin.

"Yeah," Cassie said, slightly embarrassed.

Pete looks back at the pair talking and Galen sees the look on his face.

"They seem to have chemistry," Galen said.

"Didn't start that way. They started off hating each other." Pete said to Galen.

"Usually how that starts," Galen said.

"I guess," Pete said in a small voice.

"I also see that you care about her. And I'm talking about more as a friend." Galen said.

Pete was about to speak when he felt a strange sensation on his leg. He looks down and finds a large rat on his foot. He lets out a yell and kicks his foot to get the rat off him. The rat then scurries off. The commotion catches Cassie and Danny's attention, rushing over to the others.

"What happened?" Cassie asked.

Pete breathes heavily and then calms down. "T-there was a rat. It was on my leg."

Cassie snickers a bit but covers her mouth with her hand.

"Wait, are you afraid of rats?" Danny asked, mildly amused.

"It's called musophobia and yes I am afraid of rats," Pete said angrily. He was mortified that his embarrassing secret was out.

"Oh. I am so sorry." Cassie said, trying to stifle her laughter.

"I have my reasons. Rats are just small furry balls of disease." Pete yelled. "Ever heard of the Black Plague? That was spread by rats!"

"It's been scientifically proven that rats didn't spread the Plague," Galen stated. "It was several-" He noticed Pete wasn't in the mood for science. "And I am not helping, am I?"

"Not really, no," Pete stated bitterly.

"It's no big deal. We're all scared of something." Cassie said. "If it helps, I'm... I'm mildly claustrophobic."

"Really?" Danny asked.

Cassie nods. "Being down here is a bit of a struggle. I am managing the best I can."

"Certainly a lot better than Pete." Galen jokes.

"You're hilarious, Lennox," Pete said sardonically.

Galen focuses on something in front of them and looks towards it.

"Gale? What is it?" Cassie asked.

"This way," Galen said as the others followed his lead. They kept walking until they reached a fork in the tunnel. "I lost it."

"Lost what?" Danny asked.

"The scent. It was faint when we got to the tunnel. Now it's nonexistent." Galen said without thinking of who he was talking to.

"The scent? Are you a hunter?" Danny asked.

Galen didn't answer.

"Now what?" Pete asked.

Cassie taps on the com link. "Gabe, we're at a fork in the tunnel? Which way do we go?"

"Not sure. This part of the tunnel isn't on the map I got." Gabe said. "The rest of the map must be on an older server."

"So we're on our own?" Cassie said.

"Directionally, yes," Gabe said. "But I got your GPS on so I'll send you some 'electrifying' backup."

"If they'll show," Cassie said softly.

"Give him some credit. He's mad, not petty." Gabe said. "If I get the rest of the map, I'll get back to you."

"Thanks, Laddy Warbucks," Cassie said.

"You got it, Moxie Hart." Gabe quips and the comlink shuts off.

"We're a bit on our own. We're going to have to split up." Cassie said.

"Sure that's a good idea?" Danny asked.

"You're asking a lot of questions, Dan Dan," Cassie said.

"Hey, I'm down here merely on blind faith, Sinclair. I deserve one or two questions for my troubles." Danny stated.

"We'll cover more ground that way. Danny, you and me are going right. Galen and Pete, you go left." Cassie handed out orders.

The four break off into their selected pairings and head to their selected directions.

As the pairs head off, four large figures in the darkness make their way down the tunnel. They hissed and growled then followed them.

•••

At the precinct, Victor was still looking at several of the files when his phone rang. He looks around to see if he is being watched and when he knows he isn't, he answers.

"Flores."

"Good morning, Detective." Pulse's digitized voice greeted.

"What have you found out?" Victor asked.

"A name, Dr. Raquel Circe. She's a geneticist who dabbles in gene splicing. Creating human/animal hybrids." Freddie told him. "She is more than likely responsible for what was done to Phillip Donner. Also, she might be behind the abduction of Claudia Moon."

"How do you know about that?" Victor asked, surprised.

"I have my sources. Circe might be working at a local blood bank, using their records to find herself test subjects for her experiments." Freddie stated. "Until I get the alias, that's all I have."

"It's enough. Thank you." Victor replied.

"Don't thank me yet. Not until Claudia Moon is returned to her family safe and sound." Freddie said.

"You're certain she'll be found alive?" Victor asked.

"I am. May I ask a question: where is your partner?"

The call ends and the dial tone is heard.

Victor was surprised. How could he know Danny wasn't at work? Was Danny in grave danger?

•••

Heather returns to her dorm room with tears streaming down her face and her mascara running. She slams the door which startles Ashlyn.

"Whoa!" Ashlyn exclaimed. "Are you okay?"

"Do I look okay?" Heather spat. "Boys suck!"

"What happened? Did Ricky dump you?" Ashlyn asked innocently. Heather wipes her eyes and glares at her. "Hun, I am sorry."

"That's not even the worst part. I found out who leaked that nude selfie I took." Heather stated.

"Was it Ricky?" Ashlyn asked.

"No, turns out it was this perfectly nice techy nerd. And he did it because he thought I was mean to his friends." Heather told her. "As I said and will repeat, boys suck!"

Ashlyn thinks for a second when a very bad idea pops into her head. "I think I know how I can make all this go away."

"You have a time machine?" Heather sniped.

"No!" Ashlyn pulls out something from her pocket. "I kept them."

Heather looks in the palm of her roommate's hand and is shocked at what she finds - the Phobos pills. "Are you crazy? Why would you keep them?"

"In case of emergency and right now this classifies as a major emergency," Ashlyn said.

"This stuff can't be safe!" Heather said.

"Maybe but it'll loosen you up. And you need to unwind after what happened to you today." Ashlyn said.

"But I-" Heather stammered.

"If it makes you feel better, I'll take it with you." Ashlyn offers as she opens the baggie and hands a pill to Heather then pulls out for herself. "On three. One... two... three."

Both girls pop the pills into their mouths and the gel caps dissolve in their mouths and start feeling the effects of the drug.

The two of them start giggling like idiots. Unaware of the danger they were now in. The clock was ticking.

•••

Back at the Pulse Cave, Alec was pacing a bit as Gabe was looking at the monitor. Alec seems a bit agitated which makes Gabe a bit frustrated. "You mind sitting still, Mr. Grayson?" Gabe said in a way that made Alec flinch which Gabe noticed. "What?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. This stuff is just making me nervous." Alec said, half lying.

Gabe mutes his mic and turns to face Alec. "Gonna let you in on something, this stuff freaks me out too."

Alec scoffs. "Here I thought the big comic book afficanoto would be comfortable with all this?"

"At first I was, all this stuff got real way too quick," Gabe said. "I still worry about my friends but I need to learn that they can figure it out on their own. However, moral support isn't a bad thing."

Alec smiled and sat down next to him. "You know, you sound an awful lot like me at your age."

"This is about Cassie and her superpowers, right? How indestructible she is." Gabe asked.

"Something like that, yeah," Alec said as the computer beeps. "Maybe you should focus on that?"

Gabe nods as he mutes his mic and goes back to work.

Alec sighs as he looks at his phone. He texts his boss, the text reading 'Get ready for extraction. I'll have her ready.' He quickly wipes a tear and focuses on the monitor.

•••

At the Midtown Free Clinic and Blood Bank, the medical center was busy with patients waiting to be attended to and the staff working.

At that moment, Freddie and Millie enter the clinic. Freddie was now wearing a black baseball cap and a pair of black-rimmed hipster glasses to conceal his identity. Millie wore black nurse's scrubs and her hair pulled back in a tight bun.

"Think this will work?" Millie nervously asked her friend.

"You'll do great," Freddie told Millie. "Just relax and I'll follow your lead. Okay?"

"Okay." Millie nods quickly.

The pair made their way to the front desk where a friendly, almost perky-looking nurse sat.

"Hello. How can I help you?" The nurse, name tag reading Debbie, asked.

"Hi, we're from the City Tech nursing program. We're just following up on the donations made on the blood drive yesterday." Millie said.

"That's odd, we normally don't get a follow-up from donation sites. Can I get your names?" Debbie asked.

Freddie spoke up. "I'm Chess Masterson and this is my associate-"

"Alotta Warmheart," Millie answered.

Freddie looks over at his friend, mortified at the alias she came up with. Millie silently mouths 'Sorry.'

"Really? Are you friends with Mr. Goodbar?" Debbie asked mockingly.

"I'm named after my grandfather and I don't appreciate the tone," Freddie said, pretending to be offended.

"Debbie, I need a hand!" Another nurse called out.

"Be right there," Debbie called. "Wait here."

Debbie leaves the front desk unattended. Freddie and Millie look around and see no one is paying attention to them and head into a room marked 'records'.

The two quickly head inside the office where they find an old computer and two file cabinets.

"This is going to take forever," Millie said.

"Not if we split up. You look at the file cabinets. I'll take the computer." Freddie stated.

Millie nods and the two get to work. Freddie starts up the computer and starts going to work while Millie opens one of the drawers and starts looking through the files.

•••

Back in the tunnel, Cassie and Danny explore their part of the forked path. Danny noticed Cassie seemed a bit anxious in the cramped space.

"You all right?" Danny asked.

"What? Yeah, I'm fine." Cassie said, trying to avoid his gaze by looking at the light from her flashlight.

"You sure? Because you're normal, not this... unhinged." Danny said.

"I just don't like enclosed spaces. It's easy to be forgotten down here." Cassie snapped. "Sorry. I'm just afraid that we're not going to find Claud in time."

"So you know who is behind this," Danny replied.

Cassie exhales. "Dr. Raquel Circe, a geneticist but mainly a mad scientist who splices human and animal DNA in her pursuit of scientific enlightenment."

"And what happened to Phillip Donner was one of those acts of enlightenment?" Danny asked.

"Yes. But not her first." Cassie stated.

"You have a personal history with Circe?" Danny asked.

"Not me. Galen does." Cassie told him.

Danny looks perplexed and is about to ask another question but something he sees distracts him. "Cassie, take a look at this."

Cassie looks and points her flashlight at what he is indicating. She sees a ladder leading up to a circular hole.

"It's a drain access point. Might lead up to the street." Cassie said. She hands Danny her flashlight and climbs the ladder.

"Cassie, be careful," Danny warned.

"Relax, I'm not afraid of heights," Cassie said climbing up and reaching the top.

Danny watches as Cassie tries to pry the metal top open. He then is distracted by the scurrying the group heard hours before. "Did you hear that?"

"A little busy, Parker," Cassie said as she continued her struggle.

Danny points his flashlight at where the noise came from and sees something that worries him. "Cassie, we've got a problem."

Cassie goes to look but the metal step she had been standing on breaks and Cassie begins to fall. Danny instinctively goes to catch her which he does but the force of the fall forces the two to the floor.

Cassie landed on top of Danny and looked down at him. "You know, if this were a romantic comedy, this is where we'd kiss."

Danny smiles weakly. "I'll laugh when my lungs reinflate."

All of a sudden, Danny and Cassie hear the scurrying and hissing noise they heard earlier. They quickly got up and seemed nervous.

"I think it's time to go," Danny said as he and Cassie pointed their flashlights at the sound where they saw a terrifying sight: two large Rat Men headed their way.

The Rat Men roared and charged at them. They pounce on top of the pair and try to pin them down.

Danny struggles to reach for his gun while Cassie nearly avoids having her face gnawed by the Rat Man on top of her.

Cassie grabs the Rat Man by the neck and proceeds to bash his head against the wall until he lets go after the fourth time. She kicks him off and helps Danny by clubbing the other Rat Man with a flashlight.

Danny gets free, pulls out his gun, and shoots the Rat Men in the head twice. "You always shoot monsters twice in the head."

"Can't go wrong with the 'double tap' rule," Cassie said. "There might be more."

"Let's go find the others," Danny suggested.

The two of them ran back the way they came to rescue Pete and Galen.

•••

Freddie was still looking through the computer to find the hospital staff records. Millie was in the bottom drawer of the second file cabinet and then closed it.

"There's nothing in here. Are you having better luck?" Millie asked.

"Not yet," Freddie said. "Stay on the lookout and warn me when someone's coming."

Millie nods and peeks through the door.

Freddie types manically until he realizes something. He stops typing and places his hands on the computer. After a few minutes, the screen reads 'Personnel Files: Access Granted'.

"Should have done that in the first place," Freddie said, slightly annoyed at himself. He reads through the names and finds something interesting. "Rachel Ericc."

"Rachel? Isn't that another version of Raquel?" Millie replied.

"Yeah, and there are two C's in Eric," Freddie said. "Wait… dang it!"

"What?" Millie asked.

"It's the easiest anagram in the world. Rearrange the letters, you get Circe." Freddie replied.

"You found her. Quick, open the file so we can get out of here." Millie demanded.

"All right, all right," Freddie said as he clicked on the file. His eyes widened at the sight of what Dr Circe looked like. "Oh my god."

"What is it? What's wrong?" Millie asked.

"She- she was the nurse that I shocked at the blood drive. The one who tried to take my blood sample." Freddie said, caught off guard.

Freddie and Millie stare at the photo and see it is the nurse with the short red hair whom Freddie electrocuted at the blood drive. The same nurse who helped Lucy take Claud's blood. This was Dr Raquel Circe.

•••

In the tunnels, Cassie and Danny ran towards Pete and Galen who were now walking back to where the fork in the path began.

"What's going on? We heard gunshots." Pete asked.

"We need to get out of here," Danny stated.

"What's wrong?" Galen asked.

"Remember that Man Rat we saw? Well, there was more than one." Cassie retorts.

"You're kidding me," Pete exclaimed, horrified.

Unexpectedly, hissing and scurrying were heard in front of them.

"Yeah, definitely more than one," Danny said.

They point their flashlights at the noise to reveal two more Rat Men ready to attack the group.

"Okay. This is my nightmare come to life." Pete uttered petrifiedly.

"Gabe, can you hear me?" Cassie asked into the comlink but only heard static. "Gabe! Damn!"

Galen hands Cassie the black duffel bag that she opens up and pulls out an aluminum Louisville Slugger.

"What is that?" Danny asked.

Cassie smirks as she holds up the bat for balance. "You ask too many questions."

One of the Rat Men pounces toward Cassie but she takes a swing and cracks him in the head, knocking him out.

The other Rat Man goes to attack her but Danny shoots him in the chest with the last round in his clip.

"Move!" Cassie shouted.

The four ran down the tunnel to the entrance while the Rat Men got up and chased after them. They make it to where they came in only to find Dr. Raquel Circe standing on top of the platform with two more of her Rat Men pets beside her.

"Leaving so soon?" The short-haired redhead said with a sneer. She turns to Galen and smiles. "I told you I'd find you again."

Galen roars which catches Danny off guard. He charges at her but she quickly tases him with a stun gun which knocks him out.

"Anyone else wants to be brave?" Circe asked the other three as the other Rat Men appeared behind them.

The three exchange looks of concern as Circe smiles evilly. She had plans for all of them.

•••

Back at the clinic, Freddie was taking Circe's photo on his Pearphone while Millie stood next to the door. "Now we know what Circe looks like, we gotta get this to Gabe so he could match it to any surveillance footage he finds," Freddie said.

Millie sees that Debbie is looking around the office and is talking to a security guard. "Uh, Freddie... We have a problem."

Freddie looks back at her as he shuts down the programs he had opened by just waving his hand over the monitor. "Should we sneak out the window?"

"Does this look like a James Bond movie?" Millie asked. She then has a thought. "I've got an idea."

Freddie looks and sees Debbie and the security guard head towards the records room. "Whatever it is, better make it fast."

Millie pulls him to the center of the room, picks up his shirt collar, and undoes some of the buttons of the shirt. She undoes the bun in her hair and starts nuzzling Freddie's neck which confuses him.

"Um, what are you doing?" Freddie asked.

"Play along. Now run your fingers through my hair." Millie replied. "Do it!"

Freddie shrugs and does so, acting as if he were making out with Millie.

Suddenly the door opens and Debbie and the security guard witness the two 'making out.'

"Are you kidding me?" Debbie said, sounding offended. Freddie and Millie pull away and act guilty for getting caught. "Couldn't you two find a parked car you could do this?"

"We're sorry," Millie said.

"I want you both out of here!" Debbie yelled. "Go before I call the police and have you arrested for trespassing!"

"All right. All right. We're leaving." Freddie said and he and Millie exited the room.

"Kids," Debbie said to the security guard.

•••

Freddie and Millie head out of the building with Freddie taking the cap off his head and running his fingers through his hair.

"Not bad for your first undercover mission, Mills," Freddie said.

"Well, it wasn't a James Bond movie but I had to be a bit of a Bond girl," Millie said as she fluffed up her hair. "You know, two years ago, I would have spazzed out if I got to have a makeout session with Freddie from iCarly."

"Even if it was a pretend one?" Freddie said with a smirk.

"Beggars can't be choosers," Millie said laughing.

"Now it's different because of all we've been through in the last few months," Freddie said.

"Not completely different. You're still the same sweet guy you've always been. Only now you can take a punch." Millie jokes.

"Yeah, sweet enough to slap my aunt across the face," Freddie said, sounding ashamed.

"You weren't thinking clearly when you did that. You were running on healing energy which makes you emotional." Mille mentioned. "Not to mention you found out your mom secretly came to town and didn't tell you. It wasn't a good situation."

"I guess. I just want people close to me, to be honest with me. I don't mind keeping secrets but not when it comes to important ones." Freddie said. He facepalms his head. "And I sound like a hypocrite, don't I?"

"Cut yourself some slack, Freddie. You're sort of new to the whole 'keeping secrets' thing. You expect the truth to be accessible to you when it isn't black and white." Millie said. "Just work things out with Cassie. Find a balance."

Freddie smiles at his friend. "When did you get so smart?"

"In matters of the heart, sometimes the simplest answer is usually the right one," Millie replied cheerfully.

Freddie laughs but the bonding moment is interrupted by Freddie furrowing his eyes. "It's Gabe." Suddenly his Pearphone rings and he answers it. "We know what Circe looks like. We'll get you-"

"Freddie," Gabe said grimly. "You need to get down here."

"Gabe, what happened?" Freddie asked while Millie was concerned.

"I-I lost contact with Cassie. I think they're in trouble." Gabe said.

Freddie looks at Millie with a horrified look on his face. She could sense something was wrong.

•••

Inside her makeshift underground lab, Dr Raquel Circe paces in front of her prisoners who she had bound and chained from the ceiling and shackled their feet to the ground. She had removed the shirts from Galen and taken off Cassie's jacket while Danny and Pete remained with their clothes on.

"I have to admit, Galen, even I didn't think you would return to me," Circe stated. "My patience was rewarded... and then some."

"You wanted me, you got me. Let them go." Galen replied.

"I don't think so. Not when I have more test subjects." Circe said. She grabs Danny by his chin. "I've been relegated to using rodent DNA but now I have specimens worthy of the animal DNA I've saved. I have been meaning to use amphibian DNA. This policeman should do nicely to experiment on."

Danny looks worried but angrily demands. "What have you done with Claudia Moon?"

Circe grins in a sinister manner and walks over to a covered-up cage. "She's okay. Better than ever."

Circe pulls back the sheet to reveal Claud cowering in a corner of the cage. She looked human until they saw her now jet-black owl-like eyes and long talons on the fingers of her hands. She was fidgety and frightened by the noises around her.

"Oh my god," Cassie whispered.

"Why are you doing this? To get back at me for escaping?" Galen said.

"Don't be so self-absorbed, Mr. Lennox. This is about science. Moving mankind beyond normal evolutionary constraints." Circe stated. "Humans have reached a dead end. We crawled out of the primordial ooze only to become fragile and imperfect life forms. I'm merely kickstarting it. Giving us a fighting chance."

"To turn us into your personal side show!" Cassie yelled.

Circe marches to Cassie and backhands her across the face. Danny and Pete flinched at the blow Cassie took and Galen growled. "You will hold your tongue!"

Cassie looks at Circe and spits in Circe's eye. The doctor pulls out a silk handkerchief and wipes the spit from her face.

A coolly calm look came upon her face as Circe walked over to a table where a cattle prod was sitting. She picks it up and turns it on, causing electricity to surge from it. She quickly jabs the electrified prod onto Cassie's abdomen.

Cassie screams in agony as the electricity runs through her body.

"Circe, stop it!" Danny pleaded.

Circe pulls away the prod and looks at Cassie square in the eye. "That was five milliamps of electricity. Seven causes cardiac arrest."

Cassie catches her breath and tries to recover. She glares at the doctor. "Screw you."

Circe just smiles and turns the dial on the prod. "Suit yourself." She stabs the prod into Cassie's body and electrocutes her, causing Cassie to pass out from the shock.

"Leave her alone!" Galen shouted in an almost animalistic roar.

Circe walks over to Galen and sticks the prod into his shirtless abdomen, shocking him. The pain causes Galen to revert to a monstrous wolf-like visage: pointed ears, misshapen brow, and glowing yellow eyes.

Danny stares at Galen and is flabbergasted at the sight of this. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Well, guess we're not wearing our masks, are we?" Circe said to Galen.

Galen growls at their captor and tries to pull at the chains.

•••

It was early in the evening, Freddie and Millie had returned to the Pulse Cave and both Gabe and Alec had filled them in on the situation. Freddie came out of the room, dressed in his battle suit, and was adjusting the gauntlets.

"I tried reaching her back but there was too much static," Gabe said. "It's weird because I wasn't having problems with it before."

"Do you think Circe could have caused that?" Freddie asked.

"It's possible. Might have like a cellphone jammer or a frequency scrambler." Gabe stated. He looks at Freddie's neck and notices a bit of lipstick on his neck. "Um, what's on your neck?"

Freddie appears confused until he rubs his neck and sees the lipstick residue on his hand. "Oh. It might be makeup or something."

"Well, that looks like Millie's shade," Gabe stated. "Did you guys make out or something?"

Freddie sheepishly laughs. "You don't wanna know."

Gabe laughs slightly as Millie and Alec return to the room with the girl wearing a sleeveless purple top, light blue jeans, and sneakers. She was adjusting her hair.

"And I was trying to keep them from knowing what we were doing," Millie replied.

"Or you just wanted an excuse to give Freddie a hickey." Gabe jokes.

"First of all, I have a boyfriend. Secondly, Freddie is just my friend." Millie stated. "And thirdly-" She quickly smacks Gabe in the back of the head.

"Ah! That's it, I'm getting a helmet." Gabe uttered.

"Do you have Cassie's exact location?" Alec asked, getting back to business.

"Yeah, the GPS tracker on the com link is still online but the signal is weak," Gabe said.

"I'll start at the rundown subway terminal and track the signal there," Freddie said.

Gabe hands Freddie his goggles. "I made some modifications to them."

Freddie stares at the goggles. "What did you do?"

"Press the button on the left side," Gabe said.

Freddie shrugs and does as instructed. He doesn't notice a change. "I don't get it, what did you do exactly?"

Gabe pushes the touchscreen monitor next to the hub computer. "Turn around and look at the monitor next to me."

Freddie turned around and saw the monitor had a camera feed and he was looking back at himself and his friends. "Whoa, no way!"

"I installed a mini camera on those bad boys," Gabe explained. "Now we'll be able to see what you see while you're on patrol. Only if you have the camera on."

"So he still has some privacy?" Millie asked.

"Precisely," Gabe stated proudly.

"That's impressive," Alec said.

"These are awesome. You are a genius." Freddie told his friend.

"Thanks and feel free not to wear it out," Gabe said, sounding justifiably smug.

Millie rolls her eyes and looks over at Freddie. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I just hope I get there in time," Freddie said as he lifted the goggles to show his worried expression.

"You will. Don't doubt yourself now." Millie said.

"I am going to need some backup in the field," Freddie said.

"I'd go but I think I'd just get in the way," Alec replied.

"The offer is appreciated but it would be hard to explain," Freddie said as he glanced at Millie.

"Not me. I-I'm not prepared to go out and fight some mad scientist or her pets." Millie said. "I'm still having nightmares about the last mad scientist we encountered."

"No offense, Mills, but I need better backup," Freddie said as he pulled out the Pulse phone.

"Like who?" Alec asked.

"A different Flores," Gabe stated as Freddie dialed the number to Victor's phone.

"Hello, Detective," Freddie said in a disguised tone.

"Have you found out more about Raquel Circe?" Victor asked.

"Yes, I've sent you the photo of the doctor and information pertinent to the case," Freddie said. "She had been working at the Midtown Free Clinic and Blood Bank under the alias Rachel Ericc. She used her job to access the donors' personal information. That's how she found her victims."

"I'll look into it further. Say, you know where my partner is. He hasn't answered my phone calls." Victor stated.

"I have reason to believe that he and his friends are in the clutches of Dr. Circe," Freddie told Victor.

"Good God," Victor uttered. "I have to help him. You know how to find them?"

"Yes, but I need good faith. Go to the address that I'm about to send you and come alone." Freddie replied. "I'm showing good faith that you won't go against your word. Lives are at stake here, Detective."

"You have my word," Victor stated.

"Good. I'll meet you there." Freddie said as he hung up the phone.

"Wow, you and my dad are teaming up. Never thought that would happen." Millie replied.

"Neither did I," Freddie said. He puts on his goggles and his mask, turning on the voice changer. "Wish me luck."

"You don't need it but we'll do it anyway," Alec stated.

Gabe points at Alec. "What he said."

"Make sure my dad doesn't get hurt, okay," Millie told him.

"I will," Freddie said. He leaps out of the open window and heads off.

•••

At Circe's underground lab, Circe was in front of a computer running a blood sample scan. The guys were still chained up but Cassie was now strapped to the surgical table Claud had been strapped to.

Cassie slowly comes to and looks around. She finds herself strapped down and tries to get free.

"That won't do you any good, my dear. The more you struggle the tighter it gets." Circe informed her.

"When I get out of here, I'm going to give you the beating of a lifetime!" Cassie spat.

"I'm sure you would, Ms. Sinclair," Circe stated. "You're a fighter. Toughest immune system I've seen."

"How do you-" Cassie managed to say.

"Your blood is telling that story. It's quite remarkable actually." Circe said. "Your red and white blood cells respond in a manner that is almost regenerative in nature."

Danny perked up at hearing that comment.

"What can I say, I have good genes," Cassie said snarkily.

"Not just that. I have put this one sample through every kind of stimulus. It bonds with it on a cellular level." Circe said. "Which is why I'm going to take several pints of your blood to continue my experiments. I'm going to drain you dry."

Cassie looks at her arms and sees an IV in both her arms and sees the IV is draining her blood. She tried to get free but grew weaker and passed out from the blood loss.

The men watch in horror, helpless to help Cassie.

Danny looks to Pete and Galen who try to get out of their restraints. Galen's face had reverted to its human appearance.

"We need to get out here before this gets worse," Danny whispered.

"If either of you has a plan, not the time to be shy about it," Pete said as he also tried to get free.

"I do. Just follow my lead." Galen whispered. "On three. One... two... THREE!"

With a mighty pull, Galen gets the chain off the ceiling which causes Pete and Danny's chains to fall as well. Galen busts his and the rest of the guys' shackles to fully free them. He then pounces on Dr. Circe.

"Babies, mommy needs you!" Circe yelled to the Rat Men who came out of hiding.

Galen gets off Circe, wolfs out, and roars at the Rat Men who cower in fear at him.

Danny proceeds to pull out the IVs from Cassie's arms and free her from her restraints. One of the Rat Men tries to attack him.

"Danny!" Pete yelled as he threw Danny his service weapon.

Danny catches it and shoots the Rat Man in the head.

"NO!" Circe yelled and tried to get up but Galen punched her in the face and knocked her out.

Galen mows down the remaining Rat Men, ripping them open and killing them.

Pete grabs Galen's shirt and Cassie's leather jacket while Danny picks up Cassie from the table.

"Danny, get the blood packs! We can't let Circe keep Cassie's blood!" Galen ordered.

Danny nods and takes the blood packs from where they were attached and puts them in Cassie's lap.

Galen reverts to normal and rips open Claud's cage. "Claud, you're gonna be okay." Claud backs away a bit fearfully. "You're safe. I promise." Claud sighs, sounding like an owl hoot but she takes Galen's extended hand that causes her to revert to normal.

The group makes their escape while Circe begins to come to. She gets to her feet and sees the carnage left in her wake.

"No! You will not get away that easily." Circe said darkly. She walks over to a large metal box that reads 'Gigante'. "Time to come out to play, Dearie."

A loud screech is heard from the metal box and a creature with long claws and scaly skin clutches the window.

•••

Victor enters the rundown subway terminal looking around for Pulse. "Where are you?" He backs up slowly and finds Pulse standing behind him. "Geez! You always do that, don't you?"

"It comes with the territory," Freddie said smartly. "Let's move. We don't have much time." He jumps down from the train platform.

"Do you know which way to go?" Victor asked.

"Just follow me," Freddie told him as he headed down the opposite end of the tunnel that the four had gone to.

Victor sighs. "Doing this for you, Danny." He jumps from the platform and follows Pulse.

As they get further away from the entrance, the two are followed by the fox-masked figure who stays close to the shadows.

•••

In another part of the tunnel, Danny, Pete, Galen, and Claud make their way out. Danny had a still unconscious Cassie in his arms. Pete adjusted his jacket while Galen remained shirtless, and Claud was still struggling with what she had endured.

"How's she doing?" Danny asked Galen, referring to Claude.

Galen looks at the shaken-up girl and then back at Danny. "She'll be fine once we get her to the hospital. How's Cassie?"

Danny checks on the still-unconscious Cassie by feeling for a pulse. "She seems fine but we're going to need to get her to a hospital too."

"Hopefully she won't need it," Pete replied as he took the blood packs from Cassie's lap.

"So, I'm going to take a wild guess and say Circe turned you into the Wolf Man?" Danny asked Galen.

"Unfortunately, yes," Galen told him.

Danny sighs. "If you think I'm going to expose you to my superiors, don't worry. Your secret's safe." He informed him.

Galen smiles. "Thank you."

Pete looks at the bags of blood in his hands. "How much blood did Circe take?"

"A good quart I believe." Galen estimated, looking at the blood packs.

"Plus her being electrocuted didn't help," Danny said. "She's going to complain about being the damsel in distress once she wakes up."

All of a sudden, a loud reptilian roar is heard behind the group. Claud hides behind Galen and it worries the others.

"What was that?" Pete asked.

"Gigante." Galen replied.

"And that is?" Danny asked.

"Circe's experiment before me," Galen said, sounding genuinely worried. "He used to be a bodybuilder who Circe spliced with alligator DNA. Making him her first 'son'."

A loud rumbling is heard and a large shadow is seen headed their way.

"Maybe we should run," Pete stated.

"Sounds like a good idea," Danny said. The group ran down the tunnel and Gigante made his way toward them.

•••

Victor and Pulse made their way deeper into the tunnel and heard the commotion in front of them.

"You hear that?" Victor asked.

"I do," Freddie said as he tapped the com link. "Loki, you're picking up that sound?"

"Yeah," Gabe answered back. "Sounds like they're headed your way."

"Be careful. Millie answered.

The two rush towards the commotion and find the group running towards them.

"Danny! What's going on?" Victor asked.

"Don't ask! Move!" Danny yelled which they all did. Danny notices Pulse with Victor.

"You came here with him?" Danny replied.

"Don't ask!" Victor spat.

"What are you running from exactly?" Freddie asked.

"Alligator hybrid called Gigante," Galen informed him.

"Oh, and here I thought my day couldn't get stranger." Freddie quips.

The group of people nearly made their way out of the tunnel to the terminal entrance but something massive leaped in front of the group.

A large eight-foot-tall behemoth with large arms, thick scaly skin, a long tail, and massive jaws with jagged teeth. This is Gigante.

"And it got worse," Danny stated.

Gigante roars at the group and goes to attack them but a voice calls out behind them.

"That's quite enough." Circe walks towards them and stands next to her creation. "Now, everyone is going to come back without a fight or I'll have my sweet boy rip you all apart."

"That's not going to happen," Freddie said angrily.

Circe looks at Pulse and smiles. "The masked crusader? Didn't think my actions would catch the attention of such a self-righteous figure. Almost like that other vigilante. The one who stole Galen from me."

"Mockingbird?" Freddie asked.

"That's the one. She was just as brave as you are." Circe said. "Hope that bravery makes you indestructible. Gigante, rip his limbs off!"

Gigante roars and throws Pulse across the tunnel only to have Pulse acrobatically land on the ground without any trouble.

"All right, Leatherhead, I'm gonna turn you into a luggage collection!" Freddie quipped.

Gigante roars and charges toward him while Pulse blasts lightning at his eyes, temporarily blinding the creature.

•••

Gabe, Millie, and Alec watch the fight from the POV camera in Pulse's goggles and are horrified and intrigued by the sight.

Alec spoke up first. "Now that is one ugly mother-"

"This is like a pay-per-view." Gabe interrupted. Should have brought popcorn."

Millie rolls her eyes and then focuses on the fight. "Come on, Freddie. You can do it."

•••

Gigante swipes at Pulse using his tail which lightly catches Pulse and trips him. Pulse looks up and sees the monster about to step on him.

"Uh oh!" Freddie exclaimed as he rolled out of the way.

The group tries to leave but Circe pulls out the cattle prod and takes Claud from them.

"Seven milliamps, boys! Give me those blood packs or I will make the little bird's heart explode." Circe ordered holding the prod to Claud's neck.

Pete looks over to Danny who has his hand close to his gun. "Fine, here you go." Pete takes Claud from Circe and tosses one of the packs at her. "Now!"

Danny draws his gun and shoots the blood pack, splattering Cassie's blood all over Circe.

"You little-" Circe realizes that Gigante smelled the blood on her. "No! I am your mother!" Gigante roars and goes after Circe who ran for dear life from the creature.

Galen then jumps on the monster's back and goes for the thick scales on its neck. He used all his strength to pull off three of its scales and leaped off him.

"Hit him in the throat!" Galen shouted.

Pulse unleashes a bolt of electricity at the exposed flesh and begins to fry Gigante's throat.

Gigante's throat smokes but it barely has any effect. The creature roars and goes to attack Pulse until three arrows hit Gigante in exposed flesh.

Pulse looks up and sees the Fox standing on a landing in the tunnel. The Fox looks at Pulse and they exchange glances. "What the hell?"

"Might want to do something about the Kaiju, Pikachu," The Fox replied in a disguised voice.

As this goes on, the group gets onto the platform to safety then they watch Pulse jump on top of Gigante. The monster struggles to get Pulse off him but gets two arrows in each eye.

Pulse uses the distraction to climb to the top of the creature's head and grabs the arrows in the monster's eyes, gripping the sticks with each hand. Gigante roars in agony and Pulse sends a voltage of electricity into the insides of the monster, using the arrows as conduits. He does this until the eyeballs and brain matter leak out of the sockets and he falls dead.

Pulse jumps off Gigante's body and catches his breath.

"Are you all right?" Pete asked.

"Well, I can cross a giant mutant alligator man wrestling off my bucket list." Freddie joked as he shook out his hands to get the gooey brain matter off his hands.

Pulse looks over at the Fox who jumps down from the landing. The two masked men stare at each other as the group watches.

"Oh good. There's two of them." Victor whispered to Danny.

The Fox runs past Pulse and chases after Circe while the group recovers after what had happened.

"Is everyone all right?" Victor asked as Pulse chased after the Fox.

"Think so," Pete said as he looked at the others.

Cassie begins to stir in Danny's arms and slowly opens her eyes. "Ow."

"Cassie? Are you okay?" Danny asked, everyone breathing a sigh of relief.

Cassie exhales. "Did we win?"

Danny couldn't help but smile at this. "Yeah, we won."

"Oh. Yay. I'm gonna take another nap now." Cassie said weakly as she fell asleep in his arms. Danny stroked her hair which Galen saw.

"Think we should get her to a hospital," Victor replied.

Galen looked at Claud who was still struggling. "You okay?"

Claud looks at Galen and realizes she is safe, hugs him. "I wanna go home."

Galen nods as she hugs him tightly.

•••

Pulse runs down the tunnel, following the trail of blood Circe had left.

"Think he went this way," Freddie said. "He probably caught her."

"Hope either of you find her first and not the police," Millie said bitterly. "She needs to pay for what she did to Claud."

"Out of the mouths of babes," Gabe replied in agreement.

"What are you gonna do about the other guy?" Alec asked.

"I have no idea," Freddie said as he kept running.

Pulse rounds a corner and sees that a manhole cover was removed, leading up to the streets.

"Oh no," Freddie replied.

"She's gone," Gabe said.

"Afraid so," Freddie replied.

Pulse walks away as the Fox lurks in the shadows, watching him leave.

•••

Dr. Circe ran on the street and hid in an alley. She goes to run across the street only to be grabbed from behind by a seemingly invisible figure who had her in a sleeper hold.

"If you want to keep your freedom, I suggest you come with me." A voice is heard saying.

Circe was petrified in fear as the figure vanished with the doctor.

•••

Later that night at St James Hospital, Cassie is lying in a hospital bed in a private room. Freddie, Danny, Galen, Alec, and Pete are gathered around her bed when she comes to. Galen was now wearing a shirt once again.

"It's my boys. I haven't had this many big, strapping men at my bedside since that night with the varsity football team." Cassie said weakly. The guys don't react and she laughs. "That was a joke."

"Nice that you can still make jokes, Princess," Pete stated.

Cassie groans and looks at the IV connected to her arm. "What did they put in this IV?"

"A sedative. They wanted to keep you calm." Freddie said. Cassie goes to tear out the IV but Freddie stops her. "Humor me."

Cassie manages a weak smile then she turns to look at Danny. "How ya doing there, Parker?"

Danny scoffs. "You get shocked into unconsciousness then lose a quart of blood and you're asking me if I'm all right?"

"I'm a den mother," Cassie said with a wink. "It's in my nature."

Freddie looks down, remembering the remark he had made to her a few nights before.

Cassie looks over at Alec and does her best to feign surprise. "Al. how did you know I was here?"

"Freddie called me. Said you managed to get yourself into more trouble." Alec said with a smirk.

"It's a gift and a curse," Cassie said weakly. "What happened while I was out?"

"Galen freed us and single-handedly killed the Rat Men and managed to escape," Pete explained.

"Then what happened?" Cassie asked while trying to sit up.

"We got chased by an eight-foot-tall alligator man which we saw get its brains and eyeballs turned into soup by Pulse," Danny replied.

"Wait, Pulse was there?" Cassie asked. "And he puréed a guy's brains?"

"That's what they told me," Freddie answered, hiding the fact he was the one who did it.

Alec nods in agreement, doing his best to cover for Freddie.

"Also, a different masked man showed up and helped Pulse," Danny told her. "Vic's already in panic mode about him."

"Hold on, another crime fighter?" She asked and those who witnessed it nodded. "Wow. The things you miss." She then looks around. "How's Claud? Is she okay?"

"She's fine. Her parents are with her now as she meets with a doctor to try to undo the effects of Circe's experimentations." Galen stated. "Gabe and Millie are waiting outside her room. They've already called Leo to give him the good news."

"I'm glad she's safe," Cassie replied. She looks over at Freddie and sighs. "Guys, I need a minute alone with Freddie."

"Sure thing," Pete said.

"Gotta call back to the office, I got a ton of messages from my boss," Alec said.

"We'll be close," Galen said.

The four men walk out of the room with Danny being last and looking back at Cassie for a moment then leaving the room.

"So, you rode an alligator hybrid and fried its brain?" Cassie asked.

"Yep," Freddie said bashfully.

Cassie smiles. "Honestly, I didn't think you had it in you."

"And I'm going to be scraping brain matter and eyeball goo from my fingernails for the next week," Freddie said jokingly.

"Ew!" Cassie exclaimed.

Freddie looks at his aunt. "Listen, I owe you a major apology for what I did. I was completely out of line for slapping you."

"You were out of line for slapping me but not for the reasoning behind it. I should've told you about your mom visiting me." Cassie said. "She wants to protect you."

"Yeah, she's made that fact perfectly and painfully clear," Freddie said jokingly.

Cassie manages a laugh and sighs. "The reason she came to see me... She came to me because she got a call from your dad."

Freddie was taken aback by the revelation. "My dad called her?"

Cassie nods. "She said it was really quick. He said her name and hung up. She didn't want to worry you about what happened if it turned out to be nothing."

Freddie looks down and takes a deep breath. "I guess that makes sense. Didn't want to get my hopes up."

"I'm sorry, kiddo," Cassie replied.

"I spent the last eighteen years wondering why he left but I realized that I don't need him," Freddie said. "I turned out fine without him."

"You did," Cassie said smiling.

"Listen, there's something that I need to know and I want you to answer for me honestly," Freddie said. "No secrets."

"Okay. No secrets." Cassie stated.

"Um, are you- were you 'Mockingbird'?" Freddie asked.

Cassie was caught off guard and sighed "Yeah. I was Mockingbird."

"You were a crime-fighting vigilante. Why didn't you tell me?" Freddie asked.

"Because I didn't want my past to define who you are as a hero," Cassie said. "As Mockingbird, I was violent, brash, and reckless. My powers let me be careless but they put a lot of my loved ones in danger. I made mistakes that I can't take back."

"And you wanted to keep me from making the same mistakes," Freddie stated.

"Which is why I've been down your throat," Cassie admitted. "Because you've been a bit careless."

"And my stubbornness hasn't helped me, has it?" Freddie asked.

"I think we're both learning. I am your mentor and you are the apprentice. But if you do this, you're gonna make mistakes." Cassie stated, causing Freddie to look down. "But the good you do will far outweigh the bad."

"So I'm not a lost cause?" Freddie asked.

"Not even in the slightest," Cassie said smiling.

Freddie smiles brightly and hugs Cassie tightly. He pulls away and thinks for a moment.

"What's wrong?" Cassie asked.

"There's something I need to do," Freddie said as he got up to leave.

"This... a Pulse type of problem?" Cassie inquired.

"No, this is something Freddie Benson has to do. I'll be back in a while." Freddie said.

"That's fair. Besides, if there is another vigilante out there, it could lighten the load for you." Cassie said jokingly.

"Not helping," Freddie said as he left the room.

Cassie lies back on her pillow and stares up at the ceiling.

"And you still think you aren't fearless?"

Cassie looks up and sees Danny enter the room.

"Fearlessness and stupidity go hand and hand in this case." Cassie jokes.

Danny grabs the seat Freddie had been sitting in and sits down next to her bed.

"So, you want to know about Galen?" She asked.

"No, I got the gist of that." Danny retorts. "I'm only here to keep you company. I have a feeling you don't like hospitals."

"You can say that," Cassie replied. "You don't have to stay."

"I know. I want to." Danny said softly.

Cassie smiles at him as she turns on the television set. "Oh! A rerun of Xena's on! And it's my favorite episode!"

Danny smiles at Cassie's whimsy while she watches the show.

•••

In another part of the hospital, Alec was finishing up a phone call as he walked down the hallway. "I'm sure you know how to handle her. Just give her what she wants and she'll do as she says." Alec said to his boss. "I will give a full report in the morning. Good night."

Alec hangs up and sighs. He feels like he betrayed Cassie for helping Circe but it was a means to an end. He turns the corner to leave only to accidentally bump into a man wearing dark blue scrubs. The collision caused the papers the man was holding.

"Oh God, I am so sorry." Alec apologized as he helped the younger man in the scrubs pick up the papers.

"You're fine. It was my fault. I wasn't paying attention." The man said as he hurriedly tried to pick things up. "I am such an idiot."

Alec looks up from what he was doing to get a good look at the man in the scrubs. He was a 27-year-old young man with short brown hair that was brushed back but his bangs moved in front of his forehead. He had brown eyes that were hidden behind a pair of thick black-framed glasses and had a boyish smile despite his anxiety.

Their eyes met which made Alec awkwardly laugh and made the younger man stammer. He manages to pick up the fallen papers and finally speaks. "You gonna hand those back?" He said as he motioned to the papers Alec had picked up.

"Right… sorry," Alec said as he gave him the papers. Both of them get off the floor and start walking down the hallway. "Sort of got lost in my head there. I've had a long day"

"I kinda got that." The man in the scrubs said a bit flustered which made Alec look at him. "If you wanna compare, I just had a cute stranger bump into me and ruin two hours of organizing."

Alec looks at him with a raised eyebrow. "Really?"

The man in the scrubs then flashes a smirk. "They were blank forms. I was just taking them to the front desk."

"Well, good. I wouldn't want to be responsible for making you have to do more tedious paperwork filing." Alec said, flashing a warm smile.

"It's kinda my job so I'm used to it." The younger man said. "However, I would not spend two hours reorganizing all those forms."

"Hey, I'm a lawyer. Tedious paperwork and legal mumbo jumbo are part of the job." Alec explained.

"Lawyer, huh?" The man asked, adjusting his glasses. "That your attempt at a flex or something?" Alec stammers which makes the younger man chuckle. "That was a joke."

"You have an odd sense of humor." Alec points out.

"I get that a lot." The younger man replied.

Alec stares at the younger man and examines him. He saw the man in the scrubs was wearing a necklace which looked familiar. "Have we met before? I have this feeling I've seen you somewhere."

"Umm… maybe. It's a big city, right?" The young man in the scrubs replied nervously.

"So can I have a name in case I ever see you again?" Alec asked.

The man in the scrubs blushed at the statement and then said. "Jake."

Alec nods as he offers his hand for a shake. "Alec."

The two shook hands and held hands until an older woman in lime scrubs called out. "Jake, I need those forms!"

The two pull their hands away as Jake looks at the woman. "Be there in a second." He looks back at Alec. "I'll see you around."

"I hope so," Alec replied.

With that, Alec walks down the hall as Jake watches Alec leave with a seemingly guilty look on his face.

•••

Meanwhile, Millie was pacing outside Claud's room in the waiting area with Gabe looking on. After watching her constant back and forth, he speaks up. "I think I'm getting seasick." He retorts.

Millie rolls her eyes and she sits with him. "Leo should've been here by now."

"He could be stuck in traffic. It's a big city, remember?" Gabe points out.

Millie groans as she sees Galen, Pete, and Freddie walk over to the two.

"How's Claud doing now?" Galen asked.

"The doctor is still meeting with her parents. I did hear him say that she's going to be recovering from this for a long time." Millie said.

"I'm sorry we didn't find her in time," Galen said.

"If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have gotten her back at all," Gabe said. "You guys saved her life."

"Well, Pulse helped too," Millie said.

"And that dude in the weird mask." Gabe points out. "Where did he even come from?"

"If anyone knows, let me know," Freddie said. He taps Gabe on the shoulder. "I need your help with something."

"With what?" Gabe asked.

"I'll explain on the way," Freddie said as he pulled Gabe up. "We gotta go meet a friend. We'll be back."

"Is it important?" Millie asked.

"A little bit," Freddie said and he pulled Gabe down the hall to the elevator. "We'll be back."

Millie looks at her phone and texts Leo again, the text reading: "Where r u?"

•••

Inside an underground base, the Fox enters the large room. He looked at a computer monitor that had several police files open on the screen. He groans in pain when he sees a cell phone vibrating on the table. He grabs it and unlocks the screen to reveal a familiar message. A message from Millie.

'Where r u?'

The Fox sighs as he pulls off his mask to reveal himself to be Leopold Maxwell.

Leo types on his phone to respond by saying 'Stuck in traffic. Be there soon'

He lets out a deep breath. He hated lying to her.

•••

At Heather's dorm, Freddie and Gabe walk down the hall which is quiet because everyone was out partying on Saturday night.

"Um, want to tell me why we're here," Gabe said, perplexed.

"I need to talk to Heather," Freddie said. "I want to apologize for what I did."

"What if Ricky is in there? He'll punch you into next week." Gabe said.

"He tried to do that this afternoon," Freddie said.

"And if Millie hadn't been there, he would have thrown you through a window," Gabe said.

"After facing Gigante, I think I can face anything," Freddie said frankly.

"Nothing like fighting an alligator mutant to boost your confidence," Gabe said.

Freddie laughs as they make it to Heather and Ashlyn's dorm room. Loud music was blaring from the room. He knocks on the door. "Heather! It's Freddie, I want to talk."

There was no response. Only loud music is heard.

"Maybe her music is too loud?" Gabe asked.

Freddie pounds on the door hard. "Heather, please open the door!"

"I don't think she's home," Gabe said.

"Then why would her music be so loud? Besides, you know Heather better than I do and you know she couldn't resist a chance to insult someone who hurt her." Freddie said. He turned the knob but it was locked.

"We should come back later. She'll be back by-" Gabe said but before he could finish the sentence, Freddie kicked the door in. "Or you could break down the door?"

Freddie and Gabe walk inside and see Heather and Ashlyn lying on the floor. "Oh my god!" Freddie rushes over to Heather. "Heather? Can you hear me?"

"I'll call 911," Gabe says as he goes over to Ashlyn and pulls out his phone.

"911, what is your emergency?" The dispatcher asked.

"My friend and I found two girls in their dorm room, passed out on the floor," Gabe said.

"Do you feel their pulses? Are they responsive?" The dispatcher asked.

Freddie checked for a pulse on Heather. "I got a pulse but it's faint. What about you?"

Gabe checks on Ashlyn but she isn't so lucky. He shakes his head sadly. "One has no pulse and the other girl has a weak one."

"Okay. The ambulance is on the way but you're going to have to administer CPR until then. Can you do that?" The dispatcher asked.

"We'll try," Gabe said.

Freddie begins to do CPR on Heather and Gabe does the same for Ashlyn. After a moment, Freddie accidentally delivered a mild shock to Heather's heart.

The boys were caught off guard by this and Freddie checked her pulse again. "Her pulse got stronger."

Gabe nods and Freddie places his hand over her chest and delivers another mild shock only this time, Heather snaps awake and starts screaming in terror.

Freddie held her to try to calm her down as she completely lost her mind and the boys looked at a loss over what to do.

•••

•••

Main Cast

Fredward 'Freddie' Benson - Nathan Kress

Cassandra 'Cassie' Sinclair - Sarah Michelle Gellar

Millicent 'Millie' Flores - Ashley Argota

Gabriel 'Gabe' Morgan - Landon Liboiron

Peter 'Pete' Sawyer - Charlie Hunnam

Also Starring

Detective Victor Flores - Daniel Dae Kim

Detective Daniel 'Danny' Parker - David Giuntoli

Guest Stars

Samantha 'Sam' Puckett - Jennette McCurdy

Galen Lennox - Tyler Hoechlin

Lucy Shepard - AJ Michalka

Leopold 'Leo' Maxwell - Dylan O'Brien

Alec Grayson - Colin Donnell

Claudia 'Claud' Moon - Bex Taylor-Klaus

Heather Chase - Ashley Benson

Richard 'Ricky' Maturo - Luke Benward

Professor Thomas 'Tommy' Bennet - Marc Blucas

Dr Balthazar Martinez - Freddy Rodriguez

Marla Tulane - Octavia Spencer

Charlotte 'Charlie' Robertson - Mischa Barton

Jake - Thomas Sanders

Wayne Torrence - IronE Singleton

Andre - Gabriel Mann

Doctor Raquel Circe - Eaddy Mays

•••

•••

And that's another episode down. If you've made it this far, you know what changes I've made as well as the "newest" addition to the cast. I know Thomas Sanders isn't everyone's cup of tea but I like him and the big mystery I'm building should be fun. I warn you all that it could confuse and anger some sensitive people and for that, I apologize. I'm trying something fun and I hope everyone likes it.

Hope you guys liked this episode because the next episode is the one you all have been waiting for.

The reunion of Freddie and the Real Sam.

Please leave reviews because they mean a lot to me :)