So, you all get a double posting for today. Things get a little chaotic in these next two chapters so I'm putting up a trigger warning for profanity and for crude mentions of abuse. Other than that, feel free to read on!

(Continued from the last chapter)

Inside La Carlita

Kim sat casually near the cab of the limo as the other teenagers sat in silence, unsure of what to say. After a minute, Kim looked up at them.

"You guys can relax; I'm not chaperoning you because of anything you did. I'm here to keep any troublemakers away from you."

"You're our bodyguard?" Elisa asked.

Kimberly nodded nonchalantly. "Yep, there aren't many secrets between us adults. I've heard what happened the last few times you went to the mall and to me, that's a huge crime. You guys should be able to focus on shopping while not having to look over your shoulder."

At Rook's disbelieving look she continued. "I may be short, but I'm more powerful than you know. It's the bullies that should fear me."

"She's right you guys." Miranda said as Kim gave her a warning look. "There's a reason she's called the Pink Death Warrior."

"Not to mention that I'm a lifelong mall rat and it doesn't matter if it's a strip mall or a shopping mall." Kimberly interjected. "If there's a deal, I find out about it." Before Miranda could go any further, she added. "So, what are you guys looking to buy today?"

Shoppers Cove

Shoppers Cove was a strip mall on the other side of town. It wasn't as big as the shopping mall, but it wasn't a ghost town either. As expected, there were several nail salons and Chinese buffets and every Saturday there was a flea market...which for today set up shop in the extra parking lot on the far end.

They'd be hitting all the stalls today.

Tommy pulled into a spot close to the front and pulled out the handicap placard that Bradly had given him earlier and hung it on the rear-view mirror. He got out a moment later and walked around to see the guys already pulling out the wheelchair as Kim stood to the side watching the whole thing.

As soon as the chair was locked in place, Katsume carefully helped Elisa out of the limo and lowered her into her chair. With her purse in place, he walked behind the chair and started pushing it.

Tommy pressed a kiss to Kim's forehead before taking her hand. "Come on Beautiful. Let's go be responsible adults!"

Hand in hand, they followed behind the teenagers, staying within eyesight, but giving the teenagers space to explore whatever shop they felt like. The first store they went into was a big thrift store.

As they passed the clothing section, Sapphire and Autumn were drawn to what looked like purple and black peasant skirt. Leif stood back and watched with amusement. This was nothing to him; his girlfriend loved thrift shopping. You never know what could be found in a place like this.

"So, why don't more people shop here instead of the mall?" Miranda asked Rook as they wandered the aisles.

"These are secondhand clothes and cheap; most of them have been out of style for a few years now. Those who can't afford new clothes come here…or in the girls' case, looking for special finds. This time of year, everyone's looking for pieces to create original Halloween costumes." He finished smiling at Maranda. "You never know what you can find in a place like this."

"Can you show me?"

"Sure."

While this was going on, Elisa had been pulled into the girl's conversation. They'd found, of all things, a gently worn corset in the intimate's department and had tried it on over their clothes. Though the girls were fit and trim, they found that it wasn't big enough for them…and then they'd eyed Elisa.

"I don't understand, why would you want me to try this on?"

Sapphire grinned at her. "During Halloween, you never know when you might need a piece like this. You're an elf aren't you; when you go on those D&D campaigns?"

Elisa nodded. "Yeah, I was a half elf rogue; but those days are behind me."

Sapphire and Autumn looked between themselves and then at Elisa. "What if you become her for Halloween? Bring her to life?"

"But I thought you were going to wait for Kayla? Won't she be mad that we bought costumes without her?"

Autumn waived her off. "Don't worry about the little ninja, we've got a whole day of fun planned for her and the other kids."

"Besides, Ethan and Melanie's wedding is an elegant masquerade ceremony just after Halloween, you're going to need something to wear." Sapphire added before whispering, "Especially with Katsume staring at you the way he is."

Elisa looked over at her boyfriend who was talking with the other guys. His eyes kept straying towards her and he couldn't seem to stop himself.

"Ok, but it might have to be modified if I'm going to be sitting in this chair."

"Yep, we've thought of that too." Autumn added. "Come on, let's get to the dressing room."

Kim watched them go towards the back and then swept the store with her gaze. For the last few minutes, she'd been getting that prickling on the back of her neck. "Tommy, I keep getting the feeling that we're being watched."

Tommy did the same thing he wife had done and noticed a blonde bombshell near the old VHS/DVD section on her cellphone. Her body language was tense as she spoke on the phone and she was periodically staring at them.

"That's because we are…I think… It's the barbie doll over in the video section. She's too well dressed to be in a thrift store. You should probably get over to the girls and keep and keep an eye on things."

"Ok, Handsome, I know you've got my back. If she's here to start trouble with us, she's about to find out that she picked the wrong group."

Tommy eyes went dark. "Have I ever told you how sexy you are when you go into warrior mode?"

Kim shook her head. "Later, my Lord Falcon; let's deal with the barbie first."

Tommy chuckled darkly. "God, I love it when you call me that. You better get going before I lose focus."

Kimberly gave him a saucy smile that was only meant for him before she walked away towards the dressing room. Tommy inhaled deeply before he turned to see the guys looking up at him with amused looks.

He shook his head before taking on his teacher persona. The teens picked up on it and Kyle was the first to speak. "What's going on?"

"We're being watched." Tommy said in a low voice. "Trouble might have found us."

He watched as the teenagers subtly went on alert; though Katsume looked nervous, he was doing his best to hide it. Tommy turned to him and called him by his Miscreant name.

"Paladin, can you put your fear away for now?"

Katsume nodded and took a moment to center himself when he opened his eyes, Tommy gave him an approving look. "Good, now, there is a lady in this store that might be stalking us. I can't give you the details right now, but she might be tied to that probation officer or Hatchet. If she decides to make any kind of move towards you, you'll need to let us handle it. Am I understood?"

The teens nodded and then Pyre looked at Paladin. "We've got you, Paladin. Nobody is going to come against you; we're Miscreants."

At the name, Paladin took another deep breath. "I'm okay. I trust you guys…you're my family."

"You're damn right we are." Cold Stone replied. "I'm way over this whole thing…let's put this to bed."

Tommy held back his smile at the show of camaraderie. "Ok, stay alert, but be casual. We don't know how or if she'll strike. Be ready for anything."

Kim stood outside the handicap dressing room with Wyvern and Miranda by her side. Just like Pyre had done to Tommy, Wyvern figured out almost immediately that something was up.

Kim only shook her head and simply whispered, "Stay alert. Be aware of your surroundings."

When the teens looked over at her for clarification. She only shook her head and then as if nothing was dangerous was going on, went straight back into shopping mode.

"Hey, how's that corset doing, do you guys need help lacing anything up?"

"No, we're good. The corset will definitely need some modification so I can wear it while sitting in my chair."

Kim nodded. "Okay guys, change back into your street clothes, we'll take a closer look at it back at the manor."

By the time they left the store, Elisa had the basics of her costume. Wyvern managed to find a black lace skirt that Kim could easily modify, and Nocturne finished the basics with some gently worn calf length leather boots that only need a little TLC to complete the look. Kim, ever the fashionista would have no problem getting them ready for the half elf's debut.

"How upset will Kayla be that I got a costume without her?"

Kim shook her head. You just leave my daughter to me, and technically, we didn't get it at a costume store, we went to a thrift store."

Elisa nodded and then asked. "Are we in danger? I heard you telling the others to stay alert."'

Kim sighed. "You're right, I did." She stopped and looked Elisa in the eye. "There's someone after Paladin and there's a good chance that one of his…girlfriends were watching us in the store. There's no need to freak out, only an idiot would try something out in the open where everyone can see."

Paladin took up his spot, pushing Elisa's chair as Tommy rejoined his mate. "I'm not even worried about what the lady can do. We're prepared for anything…now, what's the next store we're going to?"

"I'm thinking the Flea Market next. We can grab a snack from one of the vendors and then afterwards, the Sunken Garden Buffet so that everyone can eat what they want."

"Sounds good." Tommy replied. "Let's get to it."

"Woah, that's a cool looking chair!" Pyre said as they stood in front of an antique's stall. Wyvern who was holding his hand, looked the chair over. It was an intricately carved high backed chair made of solid oak. It had good bones, but it would need some work. "That would make a cool throne, right? All we'd need to do is upholster it and add some embellishment to the back. We could make it ours."

"Would you like to try it out? Asked the proprietor. He was an older man with a beard that would make Santa proud. He wore a plaid shirt and dusty jeans; around his waist was a vendor pouch that held a few clips of money.

"If it's okay, sir." Pyre replied politely.

"Go for it. It's a sturdy chair. My grandfather was a gifted wood worker and he made this chair with his own hands. Sadly he suffered a stroke before he could finish it.

Pyre nodded and sat carefully down in it and rested his arms on the rests and sat back. Wyven grinned at him. "You look very majestic there, Pyre."

Pyre grinned. "Thank you very much, Corazon."

"So, you're 'The Miscreants?'" The seller asked.

Pyre nodded. "Yep, and we're looking for some cool props to feature in the video we're planning."

The man nodded. "My daughter told me about you guys and that you found homes for all the dogs you showed off. That's a worthy cause to help out…" he paused as if doing calculations in his head. "You kids do a lot of good…so how about I give you half off the price I was planning to sell this chair for. Say, 50 bucks."

Pyre nodded and looked at the others. "I'm for it, this could look badass once we get through with it. But everyone has to agree on it."

When everyone agreed, he looked back at the seller. "We'll take it."

"That's a fine way to run a crew. Let me get the receipt."

While Tommy and Kim stepped in to handle the transaction, some kids who had overheard the seller ran over to them.

"You're the miscreants, that's so cool!" One boy said.

"Are those tattoos on your back real?" Asked another, this one an older girl.

"Did they hurt?"

"What's a paladin?"

"Are you guys gonna do another show?"

"What happened to the big dog in the wheel chair?"

"Can I have your autograph?"

The teenagers minus Elisa and Miranda stood back watching the group of admirers as they swarmed the Miscreants with questions and Tommy laughed to himself as the teens tried to answer the younger kids.

Pyre looked just a bit uncomfortable, but he handled it like a champ as he took the matching Lisa Frank unicorn pen and notebook that the eager little girl handed him and signed his Miscreant name. When he'd done that, the rest of the Miscreants took their turns signing the notebook as well as taking pictures with the kids. By the time that everyone had left, carted off by amused parents, Pyre was visibly shaking, and Wyvern took him off to the side around a corner to help him regroup.

It was then, in the middle of that happy mood that trouble struck.

"What were those parents thinking, letting such impressionable children around that man whore." Said a snotty sounding woman. Tommy looked over seeing it was the same woman from this store…and at her side, was Hatche.

"You have got to be kidding me." He muttered. The seller looked up at him. "Do I need to call the police?"

Tommy nodded. "Yeah, that man just violated his restraining order."

He didn't even wait for a reply as he sprinted over to Rook, Nocturne and Cold Stone, and Miranda; they were doing their best to shield Paladin and Elisa whom had wheeled over to his side.

"That's enough, Hatche. You've just violated the restraining order. The police are on their way." He paused and looked at the woman whom had a haughty expression on her face. "And I don't even know what you're doing here. What kind of a moron do you have to be to stage an attack on this boy in front of witnesses?"

"I'm not attacking here, I just think that those parents should know what kind of loser they're letting their kids look up to. Do you think that they should let their kids idolize someone who has no problems holding an orgy with two different women at the same time?"

Kim looked around at the scene and saw that everyone had stopped to stare at Paladin whose face was full of pain and humiliation. That made her blood boil and she felt her power come to life as she squared her shoulders and stood her ground like an amazon ready for battle.

"Who the fuck do you think you are, just coming in here and blurting out wild stories that you got from a corrupt cop back in LA?"

At the blonde's startled look, she continued. "Yeah, we know all about that deal you made just to get laid. When her kids are threatened, a mom will do better research than the FBI just to keep the wolves at bay.

She looked at all the parents who were watching the confrontation.

"Before you judge this innocent teenager, you should know the truth. Mr. Shen here was rescued from a dire situation and brought to Angel Grove for protection. He is a respectful young man and has character that is beyond reproach. What this woman here is referring to is an incident where he was invited to a party where he was drugged with GHB and taken advantage of. You are all very intelligent people and I won't tell you what happened after he was drugged. Just know that everything that occurred while he was helpless happened against his will. We brought him here to this city to help him heal from his ordeal and he has been flourishing."

Kimberly than looked back at the woman who was glaring daggers at her. "Then here comes this hussy who would attack this underage minor so openly, blurting out questionable accusations that she got from the corrupt cop she was sleeping with." Giving the hussy an evil look, she continued her attack.

"Let me guess. You thought you'd found a hunk that would be willing to come all the way here because he was in love with you. I'd be willing to bet that he came here to finish the job that he started in LA."

At the blonde's ashen look, Kimberly sneered. "You thought you found 'the one,' but all you are is his alibi." Kimberly crossed her arms over her chest and went for the kill. With glowing red eyes, she ended with. "Skanks like you are a dime a dozen. If he wanted a blonde bimbo with fake boobs, he could find one on any given street corner."

The blonde hissed and swung at Kimberly. She of course was in full battle mode and knew exactly when she was strike, she caught the women's wrist and squeezed it hard enough to force the woman to her knees.

"I don't tolerate anyone that threatens those under my care. I'm sure you'll go crying to that stupid pig that you've been fucking with, so you can tell him that if he knows what's good for him, he'll stay out of Angel Grove."

Tommy's eyes had begun to glow green. "Not even a year ago, my crew and I took down the leader of the TSA and his followers. What do you think we'd do to Officer Michaels and his donut munching golf buddies if they tried to come against us? They'll be lucky to make it out of our city without being carried out in a body bag."

About the same moment when the blonde began to cry, Kimberly saw that Trent had arrived and just behind him, Skull.

Kimberly arched his eyebrow at him in question. He shrugged and answered her silent question. "Don't be so surprised, my wife and I shop here all the time. What else can I do when we have four children at home."

Skull then turned to Tommy. "Just thought I'd add my two cents in; after all, I was standing right there when this asshat went after Katsume and the others in the grocery store. I can back up their stories."

When Hatche gave him a shocked look, the mechanic sneering at him. "Contrary to popular belief, my son and I have a fantastic relationship. He knows he can tell me everything and I'll listen. Katsume isn't the only student you've been bullying. When the cops show up, I'll happily give them my sworn statement. When you go to trial, I'll be right there to make sure you don't get away with bullying ever again."

"You done? Tommy asked giving the former bully a look of respect. When Skull nodded, Tommy turned back to Hatche and then added. "Your teaching days are over."

Now it was Trent's turn to sound off. His eyes were full of fire as he faced the now disgraced teacher. Holding up the official looking paper so that Hatche could see it, he finished the confrontation.

"Not only have you violated the restraining order, but you have attacked a minor. My lawyer will have a field day with the both of you. As soon as my son is out of danger, she'll be coming after you. You'll be lucky to have enough money to afford breakfast off the dollar menu."

He turned and walked back to his son. A second later, he heard a shout and then a grunt. He spun around to see Hatche on the ground with a gun next to his hand. He was now pinned down to the concrete by Skull whom was putting his full weight on Hatche's back. "I don't think so, Dick Head; Only cowards attack from behind."

By then Officer Tesla had shown up with his partner. He surveyed the scene and then looked at the teenagers.

"Are you kids okay?" he asked in a concerned voice.

Paladin nodded. "Yeah, other than having all my dirty laundry aired, I'm fine."

The police officer nodded grimly. "I hate being late to the party." He then looked at Tommy. "I'm assuming you got the recording of the whole thing?"

"Every word."

"You recorded this?" The blonde asked in fear.

"You bet." Kim answered. "This is the final nail in your coffin…you're totally ruined for life."

At this, the blonde sobbed harder. Kim gave her a cold look and then turned back to her husband who was giving her a concerned look.

Trent was speaking to the officer and then looked at his son. "Is there anything you want to add?"

Paladin shook his head. "All I want is to put this whole thing behind me."

Officer Tesla only nodded. "I'll just let you get back to your shopping." He turned to Trent whom stood with his arms crossed over his chest. "We'll be in touch." Then he turned away following his partner whom was loading the offender to the back seat of the squad car.

When they were gone, Kim stood in front of Katsume with a grimace on her face. "I'm sorry I had to do that…do you understand why?"

Katsume's face looked so painful as he shook his head.

"What I did was expose that slut to everyone here. Once the story spreads around town, and I can guarantee that it will, there won't be friendly face in Angel Grove for her to turn to. By exposing the truth, I've rendered her powerless to ever come against you again. Now that she's gone, you can go back to living your life without that sword hanging over you."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Oliver, but I can't see myself going back to that school. How can I face the other kids with them knowing my secret?"

"It's okay, Katsume, you don't have to go back." Trent answered with a squeeze to his son's shoulder. "I'm going to be pulling you out of school and then we're keeping close to the manor till we leave for our trip."

"I've already called the others." Tommy said as he walked up to them with the other teens at his side. "The best way to move on is to keep shopping. So, why don't you miscreants continue browsing the stalls. I know you still need to get those decorations."

In a softer voice he added. "You all need to remember that your old selves were burned away, you were blessed by a shaman and given your new names. Now, when things are the most daunting, is when you need to act like Miscreants the most."

At his gentle reminder, they teens took a few moments to re-center themselves and when they walked towards the next vendor, they did it as Miscreants.

Tommy saw them all walk back to the stalls and then turned to Skull who was holding his hands with a beautiful brunette who was dressed in a very bohemian style. Her name was Ariel and she had a very welcoming smile.

"Hey Tommy, it's been a while!" She said as the former rivals shook hands.

"I heard that you guys had come back into town." Tommy answered. "I have your son for homeroom. The first time I saw him walk into the room, I did a double take, he's the spitting image of you."

"Hopefully he behaves better than I did." Skull answered.

Tommy nodded. "He spends most of his time reading that biking magazine, but other than that, he's one of the better-behaved students."

Skull grinned and shook his head. "I'm afraid he gets that from me. Ever since he started spending time at my bike repair shop, he's become a total grease monkey. He really wants to start designing and building motorcycles."

Tommy cocked his head to the side. "Rocky might be in the market for a bike soon. I know that's what Kyle wants to ride once he gets his license."

Well when he decides what he wants to do, he's welcome to visit the shop." Skull replied as he pulled out his wallet and took out his business card. He handed it to Tommy and then took his Ariel's hand again.

"I'll pass this along." Tommy answered as he looked up to see Kimberly waving him over. "In the meantime, Kim and I have teenagers to supervise."

Ariel frowned in concern. "That was pretty intense earlier. Are they going to be okay?"

"Yeah, Katsume's a strong kid and we've had a plan in place for a while. By the time we get back from our road trip, he'll be fine."

So, this is not how I planned this chapter, but as it happens, this chapter began to write itself. I hope you will hang in there with me. The next chapter will be up soon!