Just a Phase [Worm]

[NooneImportant]

Nope. That would require the existance of the fanon console to be canon.

Click to shrink...

Not sure if it was specifically named the "Console," but it was a thing in the Sentinel Arc, (Chapter 9) and the Wards do sit at it. (I think Clockblocker or Kid Win, specifically.)

In the name of not necro-ing: Threw this together in about two hours.
(Look, I know the set up to this's spotty, but let me have my escapism.)

Spoiler: Tailwind Flight Plan.

"Here's your band. Remember: Phase, Boston Wards, Hero." Nebula hands me a snap band with a box stuck in the middle. I idly swipe it from his hand, looking at the mess that used to be the Boardwalk.

So, a supposed evacuation drill was actually an Endbringer alarm, and I've just been voluntold under false pretenses. It took me turning around and being shocked at Strider of all people performing the mock "Emergency Teleport" that was actually real to realize something's wrong before I'm back here. In Brockton.

I survey the scene. Everyone else was in professionally tailored costumes, power armor, or some handsewn handicraft. I, however, was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, long pants, running sneakers and a standard black eye-mask the Wards get when off-duty, being handed to me by a fuming Weld after Strider left to pick up other people from a different zone. I'd like to believe that he's mad for me and not at me, this time. I'd like to.

A polite woman's voice echoed from the yellow and black band after I snapped it over my right upper arm. "Please state your Cape Name, Affiliation and Disposition."
No point tying Ghost to me, and I know that they want me to "accept my place" in the Wards if I want to have backup going into this Endbringer Fight. I thought they couldn't get lower but, wow.

"Taylor Hebert. No Affiliation. Unwilling Conscript."
Honestly? Have they forgotten how stubborn I am? There's no way I'd trust them to have my back even if I was in the Wards proper.

Legend's gotten through his spiel of "Thanks for sacrificing yourselves, don't expect to come out alive, but celebrate if you do, don't kill each other, we quite literally have bigger fish to fry."
I flickered through two buildings when I saw Ampere headed towards me, Shadow Stalker in tow. No way in hell am I going to stay there.
I'm currently sitting on a rock looking over at the E88 and ABB, since I lived in the same city but never saw them in person before.
The constant ringing in the back of my head identifying that someone's trying to spy on me again is back, and really, can't they give me a break, it's an Endbringer fight I'm forced to participate in. I'm pretty sure that's in violation of the Truce, but it's not like this is the first time someone's gotten away with committing a crime against me. It's probably the Protectorate Think Tank this time.

I see a shadow covering me and look up. It's Alexandria floating down to me! I hop up and turn towards her.

"Hi, Alexandria, so, I'm not supposed to be here, there was a mix-up on the roster and-"

...She just snatched me on the back of my collar and flew straight up into the air.

"Phase, you will do great things today. Your position will be with your fellow Wards on search and rescue."

Something's up. "Hey, I'm not supposed to be here! There was a mistake!"

She floats over towards a different section of the city.

"You have been obstinate for far too long, Hebert. We need your power. The world needs your power."

Ah. I see how it is. "But it doesn't need my rights or freedoms like the other human beings?"

The silence is too telling. When she looks for the Wards near where she wants to drop me, I drop down, phasing through her grasp and the roof of an apartment.

"Come, your friends are waiting for- where did you go?"

It's been about 3 hours since the waves started, and I haven't seen a chance to make a move yet. I've been sticking to Search & Rescue as they intended, but I have managed to attach myself to Rune, an E88 villain about my age, after dodging Emma, Weld, Nebula, and even Alexandria when she was distracted by a particularly large tsunami.
I chat her up on the ride across the waterlogged ruins, interspaced with diving through concrete and water to pick up bodies, corpses and armbands. It feels a bit scummy to talk so casually with a nominal villain, but I haven't been able to spill the truth to anyone since Lisa back in Boston, and live or die, I'm probably never going to be able to talk about the unfiltered truth to anyone again, so I might as well.
Rune filled me in on what I missed in Brockton Bay since I was transferred: apparently a team of three small timer villains named the Undersiders faced an unfortunate end to their careers against Lung, and only after their deaths were certain details that the powers-that-be decided to cover up were released.
Apparently, Grue could've been convinced to work for good if he was given a chance to support his sister, who vanished soon after the PRT came to recruit her after his death.
Hellhound, who preferred Bitch, was persecuted for the death of the matron of her orphanage... who tried to drown her puppy right before. And apparently, Regent was Hijack, who just ran away from Heartbreaker. It really reinforced that I wasn't the only one the PRT pulled this shit on.
Soon after their collapse, the mayor's daughter went missing without a trace, and the Wards in Brockton Bay were placed back on active duty despite the investigations into the ENE division, as the ABB got a fucking BOMB TINKER, who naturally went nuts the moment she got here. Uber and Leet died live on camera during a collab episode with her, and Aegis died to being an idiot that wasn't careful around explosives that were not just regular bombs, but Tinker Bombs.

The relatively peaceful conversation wouldn't last; the 'water-echo' of Leviathan flicked his tail mirroring what a swiping Leviathan did a few seconds ago, catching Dauntless, who was flung mid-air, on his unprotected side. We didn't have time to react before his body crashed into the chunk of rubble we were surfing on, folding over backwards and splitting it down the middle. I fell off and phased through and into a ruined building, Rune was forced to retreat after a crash landing.
"Dauntless Deceased, 0-4." He was gone just like that, sent flying as an afterthought...
Picking up his spear, I hurried off towards the action, with a very stupid idea.

I head up towards the beachfront, where I could see Armsmaster on the Leviathan's forearm. He was driving his halberd deep into the skin of the beast, but not deep enough to slow Leviathan down. The Leviathan shakes him off, sending him towards a leaning building next to me. I leap up to catch him.
This was not a good idea. It felt like I was the one crashing into him, and I even felt the edge of a square pillar right before I went intangible, popping out the other side. I get up, but he's stuck in the pillar, folded in a way where he cannot get leverage to pull himself out. I plant one foot on the floor, one on the pillar, and try to pull him out by the arm, but after a few seconds of ineffective effort, Armsmaster stopped me.
"Useless. Get my halberd."

I guess he loses his ability to be polite when he's in a lot of pain. There's an issue with his request, though. I look over to check.

"Problem. Your Halberd's stuck in the Leviathan's arm. And he's healed around it. I've got Dauntless' spear right here though."
"That will do."

I hand the spear to him, and he cuts the sides of the pillar before wrenching himself out, the top part of the pillar falling behind him. He looks up at me.
"You are not Dauntless. Why do you have his spear?"
"He's dead. Crashed into the platform Rune and I were on at high speed."
"Oh. That is... very problematic."
"Yes."

The awkwardness was forcibly ended by Armsmaster hopping onto the broken pillar and stabbing Dauntless' spear into it to brace against the incoming wave. I just stood there and let the water pass over and through me.

"You are... Phase."
"Yes, Taylor Hebert."
"Where's your costume?"
"I did not attend this Endbringer willingly."
"That's illegal."
"So is what Sophia and Emma did. Apparently Alexandria approves."
"Of bringing you here or covering up what they have done?"
"Definitely the first, probably both."

Armsmaster pulled himself up by the spear, looking down at his arm and ponders. Checking his armor's stats, I guess. But a blast and rumbling was heard around and above us.

"Bakuda's leftovers! Shit."

Thankfully, an off-balance man in blue armor is easier to pull than a hurtling-towards-you man in blue armor, so I was able to pull him off the pillar and into the hip high water, before the concrete fell on top of me... And through me, and around me. After fifteen seconds of waiting, the rumbling stopped. I climbed through the rubble, and pulled out Dauntless' spear to see Armsmaster replacing a plate on his mud-encrusted boot.
"Thank you. My Boot Thrusters were not operational. I have rebooted them and will not need more of your help."

That's good. He could've been nicer, but he's probably still a little shocked. Either way, one less person needing her help means two less eyes on her.

"It's fine, shame this isn't the time to ask for an autograph. So, what are you planning now?"
He stares out to the south end of the beach, where Lung is sent sliding back towards the heart of the city from a double shoulder check from the beast and the echo. "My halberd cut it's way into Leviathan's flesh. It can cut it's way out."

Sounds... cocky? But also cool. He's probably got a plan, then. "Alright. Will you need this spear then?"
He shakes his head before clambering up the rubble and along the flooded street.
"No. You would be unarmed, and soon I will be armed. I just need to hold out for an opportunity."
Hold out for an opportunity? I can get behind that.
Now that that distraction was done with. I head south, through the blocks. I had an overgrown fish to hook.

I pulled a couple more people out from rubble, on my way which unfortunately included Weld. It would be rude to dunk him back in, so I vanished through another building looking for a better position to set up.

And sure, I could survive this Uriah Gambit attempt to rake them over the coals online for forcing me into an Endbringer battle under false pretenses, but the only thing you could trust the Protectorate to do well is cover up their ass. Even if they let Danny know of my involvement as probably per law, he wouldn't make enough of a fuss to do anything about it. But then again, sticking it to the PRT was never my goal...

Armsmaster has finally pulled his catch out from the sea colored flesh of the Leviathan, before the beast spins around, hurtling him clutching his halberd through two windows, into a balcony. Other capes are also sent flying, either from a limb, tail, or high volume of water hitting them like a wrecking ball. I think one tiny slip of a girl in all green ended up being sent into the sky. A wild guess from the trajectory: Her corpse will crash land in Boston.

"Armsmaster Down, 0-1" rings among the many other names I do not recognize at the moment from my band, and a crowned and curvy figure clad in white and gold flies over to the balcony he crashed into.
Glory Girl doing the glamourous job of Rescue? More likely than you think.
While the Blue probably-not-steel-clad man is ferried off to the Med bay, I am close enough to Leviathan while no longer have any eyes on me.
I lie in wait, Waiting for the chance to strike at the Leviathan. Knowing full well I won't get nearly as deep as Armsmaster did.
It may look like I'm stupidly trying to spearfish the Leviathan, but I'm actually trying to bait the Leviathan to hook me.

As the Leviathan passes by, I phase up through some rubble and leap, hoping to stick him and get him to spin in place again, when I feel a searing pain, ripping in and out my left shoulder. I scream and turn, seeing a stick in the back of my arm, and a broad arrowhead sticking out.
"Well, this wasn't planned."

I look up and see the Leviathan's three sea-green eyes staring at me in an unidentifiable expression I think is confusion, before turning away. I react right at the tail's impact, and am sent flying through buildings.

After two buildings, (I assume because I felt at least four crashes against the spear,) I phase the armband through my arm, where it's caught on the spear. Once the light glows red, I smile, and I let go of Dauntless' spear and clutch my bleeding shoulder, as I let the world pass by me.

"Taylor Hebert deceased, A-4."

When I'm fully intangible, I can pass through the air itself. That means no air resistance.
I can even skip across the water at this speed or just hurtle through it if I crash into the ocean on my way, and I can selectively use my power to negate injuries other than that arrow for some weird reason.

Burning the PRT to the ground was never my goal. It was always about getting out of their clutches.
What comes next depends on my flight path: If I was smacked north, Canada. If south, Mexico.
I never got to finish Physics or Geography, so I don't actually know where I'm going, only that it's away from Boston, Brockton, and those Bitches.

I'm not sure what I'll do next, but I'll figure something out, later.

Help, @FirstSelector ! It seems I have written an omake in my need to "um… actually" someone!

 

[KingCrimson1081]

Tailwind Flight Plan.

Click to shrink...

Omake: Air Traffic Control


Rebecca Costa-Brown leaned back in her chair as she hung up on her twentieth phone call of the day. The aftermath of an Endbringer attack on U.S soil always sent the entirety of the PRT into overdrive, and made Rebecca constantly thankful for the fact that her power made her immune to headaches and migraines.

And speaking of headaches the experiment with Phase turned into a complete disaster with the girl having been killed during the battle. Not only had her official designation thrown the Youth Guard into a frenzy but the girl had managed to put the truce in jeopardy. The girl apparently hadn't kept her mouth shut and went against the typical parahuman response of avoiding mentioning her trigger event. So when a friendly fire incident between her and Shadow Stalker took place more than one person was quick to claim foul play. It also didn't help that said friendly fire incident took place moments before Leviathan flung the girl into the afterlife.

Such a shame to Rebecca had placed a fair bit of hope into the Phase experiment. It was by chance that Rebecca had unknowingly run into the girl during a visit to the Boston department, and by unknowingly she ment she had accidentally run into the girl because she couldn't actually see her. After playing off that incident to avoid suspicion Rebecca had decided to do an investigation of her own and low and behold the girl was also immune to both the Clairvoyant and more alarmingly Contessa herself. Further investigation revealed that their was perhaps a chance that like Rebecca the Endbringers would also be unable to properly perceive the girl.

So Cauldron made a plan and cashed in a favor from their plant in the Boston Protectorate to get Phase to the next Endbringer battle. From there their plant would remain close to the girl and make sure she stayed alive while Cauldron collected their data. Unfortunately it seemed that the girl's file had understated just how disobedient she was and Rebecca had to step in, while relying on an audio recorder and shadow placement to interact with her, when she attempted to separate herself from her group only to lose her in turn.

In the end though it seemed that Phase had the last laugh, dying while kicking up one final shit storm for the organization. The worst part was that based on Cauldron's best analysis of the battle their hypothesis had been correct about her invisibility to Endbringers. Not once had Leviathan made an attack directly against her even when she was essentially right in front of the monster or even when she was riding on top of it. In fact it had only tossed her off after Shadow Stalker's bolt had pierced her, so the claims that Stalker had gotten Phase killed weren't completely inaccurate after all.

Not that it mattered the girl was dead and any use she could have given the PRT or Cauldron against the Endbringers was dead with her.

Rebecca was broken out of her musings by another call.

"Hello Chief Director Costa-Brown speaking what is it?" She asked.

"Rebecca I have news you will want to hear." The voice on the other end said.

"Armstrong." She said recognizing the voice of the Boston Director, "This better be good after the mess you and Piggot got the organization in."

She knew he was innocent, at least more innocent then Piggot in this mess, she had sent the order after all not that he needed to know that is.

"It is about Phase I think she might be alive." He said.

Now that got Rebecca's attention.

"I'm listening." She said.

Maybe this latest experiment wasn't a failure after all.

***

Emma wished she had died against Leviathan as shivered in a fetal position in the dark of her Ward's quarters at least then she wouldn't have to feel like this anymore. When the sirens alerted them that Brockton was about to be struck by Leviathan she had been terrified to the point that Sophia and Dean had to snap her out of it. It was thanks to them she had been able to muster up the courage to volunteer for the fight against her parents' wishes.

Even then she had almost chickened out until she met up with the Boston Wards and found out that Taylor was also there. So she decided to go and wish her luck and apologize again just incase the worst happened, she even convinced Sophia to come along and do the same. But Taylor must have spotted them because she ran off before they could get close. She attempted to run into Taylor again during the battle when she spotted her again but ended up getting knocked out by a wave for her troubles and getting evaced out spending the rest of the battle unconscious in the medical tent.

When she awoke everything had changed.

There was yelling all around her as she watched Sophia get dragged off by security guards armed with tasers. She tried to get answers but was stone walled by the nurses who refused to speak to her. It was only after she was cleared to leave did she find out what happened.

Sophia had been taken into custody after several people had come forth saying she had gotten Taylor killed. They say she deliberately shot Taylor with an arrow while Taylor was fighting Leviathan distracting her allowing Leviathan to hit her.

Emma didn't want to believe it, couldn't believe it. She had talked to Sophia convinced her to at least give Taylor a chance when she next saw her, and she had said as much to the investigators when they came to question her as Sophia's best friend. Though considering they had also been read in on what she and Sophia had done to Taylor she doubted they had believed her. Hell they probably thought she had planned to kill Taylor with Sophia based on how they had treated her during the interview.

After that she hadn't heard anything else about the investigation nor had she seen Sophia. She had attempted to talk to Director Piggot or Miss Militia about it but they had refused to talk, but based on how they looked at her when she brought it up odds were she wouldn't be seeing Sophia again. The other Wards were to busy dealing with their own issues after Leviathan to help either and she couldn't blame them besides Sophia they had also lost Dean and Missy during Leviathan. That left the only remaining members of the team as her, Dennis, and Chris.

From what little she had been able to pick up after the Youth Guard investigation, Aegis dying to Bakuda, and now Leviathan it was very likely that the Brockton Bay Wards were going to be disbanded. Already her dad had tried to talk to her about transferring to Boston, Taylor's former department, it was almost enough to make her laugh.

Instead she came here and locked herself away praying to herself that this was all just a nightmare that Taylor will wash up on shore the next day alove and well and the mess with Sophia would be over and they can be friends again.

But she couldn't keep deluding herself she promised she wouldn't after Taylor cut her off after the locker. Taylor was dead and it was her fault if she hadn't been so obsessed with proving that Taylor was strong when it was clear she already was then she would never have triggered. She would have evacuated with her dad never having faced Leviathan, and Emma would still have her friends.

"I promise Taylor we will see each other again even if I have to go to a hundred Endbringer battles I will see you again." Emma said to herself as she slowly drifted off in the darkness.

***

Taylor was having a good day, sure her arm was in sling for the next week or two after that underground doctor got the bolt out, but Leviathan had managed to sling her all the way to Miami of all places. Which if Taylor was being honest a major step up compared to Brockton or Boston; sun, beautiful sandy beaches, and an active yet laid-back cape scene was all Taylor needed to be happy it seemed.

She had to remember to thank Lisa for showing her how to locate the those unlicensed doctors. Having to deal with the bolt in her shoulder on her own probably would have soured her mood a bit.

Speak of the devil and she will appear it seems as Taylor watched a purple and black camaro pull up to were she was sitting. She smiled as her favorite blond popped out of the driver's side.

"Hey Taylor so glad to see you're okay." The freckled Thinker said pulling Taylor into a hug, "I know you called but I just had to see fpr myself."

"Thanks Lisa it really means a lot coming from you." Taylor said returning the hug, "Also are you sure you are good coming all the way out here what about your set up in Boston?"

"Oh it's no big deal Boston was starting to get a bit stale anyways, and I really didn't wanna stick around for what was about to go down." Lisa explained.

"Has it gotten that bad over there I haven't really been paying much attention since leaving." Taylor asked while the two of them got into Lisa's car.

"Taylor baby sweetie I love you but you put unwilling conscript for your designation and people noticed that. The Youth Guard couldn't lockdown Boston fast enough, and a little birdie told me that a certain Brockton Bay Ward landed themselves in some pretty hot water due to a friendly fire incident." Lisa said with a vulpine grin.

"Wait seriously? I wasn't even trying to screw the PRT over there I was just trying to piss off Nebula."

"And that is why I love you." Lisa said, "But yes seriously and when the Youth Guard finally clears out the PRT will start busting all the minor villains and villainous leaning rogues to recoup the lost PR and I wasn't staying around for that mess."

"Sorry I know how much you enjoyed things in Boston." Taylor apologized.

"Eh no biggy I was wearing on Accord anyways and we both knew it so this was probably my best time to get out anyways. Plus I can't really blame you for sticking it to them after they dragged you to an Endbringer fight of all things, I mean seriously who even does that." Lisa exclaimed.

"The PRT apparently." Taylor snorted.

"Leave it to them to sink lower than most villains, but enough about that Miami cape capital of Florida and two girls with their whole futures ahead of them I bet you we will be running this place in a month tops." The Thinker happily announced as the two of them drove off into the city.

---

A.N: Decided to write my own continuation of the omake and like the original author said it is free for anyone to add their own contuation on. Besides that please let me know what you all think.

Also @FirstSelector got a new omake and don't forget the one above.

 

[KingCrimson1081]

Omake: Cat's Out of the Bag


Kamil Armstrong adjusted himself in his seat as he looked out to the multiple projectors in front of him. In each one was a fellow PRT director and Protectorate leader each with a severe expression on their faces, at least those with their faces unobstructed, and at the head of this meeting was Chief Director Rebecca Costa-Brown her self with Legend standing to her right.

"Now that all of us are here let us begin." Costa-Brown started, "Piggot since it is your department that caused this mess why don't you begin."

At the sound of being called out Armstrong watched as Piggot grit her teeth before replying.

"At approximately 1500 East Central Time on February 30th we were alerted us to a massive security leak. There was a release multiple classified documents to local news agencies and on multiple websites. Unfortunately, by the time we became aware of the breach it was too late to prevent the information from being exposed." Piggot said struggling to keep her voice at an even level.

"And what exactly was in this leak?" Costa-Brown asked.

Piggot took a breath as Armsmaster visibly stiffened beside her, "It contained the identities of two of our local Wards, Shadow Stalker and Ampere, as well as information on an ongoing investigation regarding them."

"I trust that everyone here knows what that investigation was about." The Chief Director asked rhetorically to the grumbling of the other directors, "Right so it is now public knowledge that two Wards attempted to kill a classmate and the PRT covered it up."

This admission made the already tense atmosphere in the meeting even more potent, enough so that Kamil genuinely believed in that moment he would find it hard to move if he tried to stand up.

Before anyone could say anything Costa-Brown let out a deep breath and continued, "Has the leak been tracked down at the very least?"

This time it was Armsmaster who responded in his usual mechanical fashion, though to those who knew him it would be pointed out their was an unusual tenseness to his speech.

"We have it was one Luis Sanchez a mid-level clerk in the PRT. Currently it is unknown whether he did it due to a connection with one of the gangs, but due to his Puerto Rican heritage we can rule out both the Empire and ABB respectively. However, that still leaves Coil as a possible backer behind this action, and questioning is still ongoing as of this meeting."

"Good keep on it and inform us of any developments going forward." Rebecca replied.

"There is another option," Kamil was surprised to hear himself talk even as words came out of his mouth, "And that is this leak did it for purely moral reasons upon finding out the ENE department covered up an attempted murder of an innocent girl."

Kamil could almost hear the servos in Armsmaster's armor whine through the projector screen as the man visibly grit his teeth.

"Yes that is possible." He admitted, "The man does have a daughter around the same age as the victim who also attends the same school as Shadow Stalker and Ampere. It is entirely likely that he objected to the disciplinary actions taken by the the department in regards to the incident."

"You mean the fact that those two brats are still going to the same school." One of the other directors spoke up causing the others to add in their own comments on the issue.

"Yes."

"Regardless the information is out there now and the PRT has been getting calls on both local and national level asking us what we are going to do about it." The Chief Director spoke up interrupting the bickering.

At this point Piggot decided to take over from Armsmaster while shooting a glare at the other director, "We have taken Ampere and Shadow Stalker's families into protective custody following the leak, and not a comment too soon as Shadow Stalker's apartment complex was burned down by what we believe is Empire agitators attempting to incite a riot. Thankfully there were no casualties beyond smoke inhalation, but that was just the start."

"The one black Ward on the team gets caught attempting murder and the PRT covers it up the local neo-nazis must be having a field day over there." The Miami director said.

"They are." Piggot revealed, "Already I have had to pull troops and reroute patrols to Empire territory to avoid full blown race riots, and Kaiser has been holding rallies about the topic since the release."

This caused Armstrong to visibly grimace in his seat, and be privately thankful that Accord was proactive in nipping any similar gangs in the bud whenever they attempted to expand into Boston.

"And what of the two Wards who caused this mess what are you intending to do with them." The New Orleans director asked.

"Currently both Shadow Stalker and Ampere are confined to base and are on a complete media lockdown to keep them from causing anymore issues. We were awaiting further orders before committing to anything else with them." Piggot admitted.

A complete non-answer from Piggot Kamil thought in the same breed as the ones he had gotten used to hearing from her whenever he asked about the status of the investigation.

"Fine, but I expect a report about why something wasn't done sooner about them later." Costa-Brown ordered, "But as for their victim what is her status Armstrong she is a Ward in your department."

All eyes turned towards Kamil as he cleared his throat, "The Ward Phase, permanent name pending, is currently on base and I have Gauss and Weld keeping an eye on her in shifts so she doesn't do anything, but there is a noted agitation to her due to this mess and she has refused to give her opinion on the matter. Though if there is any silver lining to this it is that her identity wasn't also released in the leak, but it remains at risk."

"The last thing we need is that brat blabbering to a reporter." Piggot muttered.

This caused Kamil to growl, "May I remind you Emily that we are in this mess because you couldn't control your own damn Wards when they thought it would be fun to torture a classmate for months! One of whom was on probation for murder already!"

"Don't act high and might with me Kamil!." Emily spat out, "If you had simply laid down the law with that brat who couldn't handle a little schoolyard hazing and harsh words it wouldn't have become a major issue. And don't pretend that I am blind to that girl's activities in Boston I am not a fool."

"Hazing! That was an attempted murder worthy of any Teeth initiation if it was up to me you would-."

"ENOUGH!" Chief Director Costa-Brown shouted, "You two are acting like children and your bickering won't solve this problem. Now will you two act like adult or will I have to remove you both from the conversation."

Kamil took a deep breath to steady himself, "The issue still remains that Phase's identity is at risk if someone connects her to Shadow Stalker and Ampere's victim if they haven't already and remained quiet about it. We are already in hot water for covering up the crime we do not need for them to also find out we took custody of her and transferred her before any form of investigation could take place. The only reason she hasn't left already in my opinion is that she believes she will benefit more from letting the tension build more, and intends to use her statement as a guillotine over our heads to get what she wants."

"Agreed." Rebecca said, "Now if no one else has anything to add I will call this meeting adjourned we will contact ENE with a press statement and an official sentencing for both Shadow Stalker and Ampere soon."

With that the other projectors shut off and with one final glare from Piggot Armstrong was alone in his office.

"What a fucking nightmare." Kamil said to himself.

***

Rebecca leaned back in her seat as she flicked the recorder off as she looked towards Legend and Glenn Chambers each situated at either side of her.

"So what are our optics on this Glenn?" She asked the head of the national PR department.

"Not good, it was already an open secret that the Protectorate and Wards rebranded former villains but most people were willing to look the other way provided their crimes were minor and they stayed on the straight and narrow. This whole crisis puts the whole probationary program at risk because if one can do it."

"They all can." Rebecca finished for him.

"Exactly, and that doesn't even touch the fact that their victim suffered a trigger event because of them. If that got out then it would kill our relationship with independents the majority of which already have issues with the PRT."

"And we need those independents to pick up the slack that Protectorate teams simply can't on their own either due to powers or bearacracy." Legend added.

"So my suggestion provided it gets cleared with legal is to make this seem as much as an issue with local corruption rather than a national issue. Piggot will have to be removed of course either have her willingly step down or be forced to both have their benefits, and luckily the Youth Guard investigation Phase kicked up gives us plenty to work with in addition to the cover-up. Also Shadow Stalker and Ampere both need to go with her preferrably to different prisons since they can't be trusted together, and make it public when we do it we can't afford to waste time on this."

"No chance to station them at a containment zone they are just kids after all?" Legend asked.

"Not possible with this. If it had been anywhere but a school then maybe we could have swung assigning them containment zone duties but attacking someone in a school even if it was without powers isn't something the public will accept and if that girl had died we would be talking about a Birdcage sentence and not juvie three strikes be damned."

"He is right we can't afford to go soft on them because they are Wards the public when the public is already accusing capes as having a two tiered justice system." Rebecca confirmed.

"But that still leaves the question of what to do about Phase?" Legend asked.

"The best option would be to work out a settlement with her and tie it to an NDA." Glenn suggested, "Do we know what we want so we have something to tell the lawyers."

"Based on all reports about her the only thing she wants is out of the Wards the sooner the better." Legend said.

"Makes sense considering what happened." Glenn said, "And are you sure we can't just let her go then. Give her a cash settlement and send her on her way."

"Her powers are both rare and valuable, already other notable departments such as Vegas, Los Angeles, and D.C. have requested her be transferred, so ideally we should convince her to remain with the program." Costa-Brown explained.

"If it helps I can swing by Boston to talk to her convince her that she gets more by staying with the program then by leaving it." Legend offered.

"Yes do that, and I will go to Brockton to deal with Piggot's mess." The Chief Director answered, "And Glenn make sure that press release is ready by tomorrow and send it to me I need something to say when I arrive in Brockton."

"Done." The PR manager replied.

"Now we all have our jobs lets get to them and hopefully we will have this dealt with shortly without further incidents." Rebecca said as the other two nodded.

***

"Gauss what is it? Phase? What do you mean she is missing?!"

---

A.N: I decided to write something since classes start for me again in a day or so and I came back to this with a what if it all got exposed. Anyways let me know what you all think.

@FirstSelector

 

[KingCrimson1081]

Omake: Later


Emma looked up at the imposing Protectorate building in front of her as she got off the bus dressed as casually as the eighteen year old could. Finishing off her coffee Emma tossed the cup into the trash and made her the way into the building. Recalling the instructions given to her she went up to the front desk where there was a receptionist waiting.

"Hello I am Jessica Holden and I am here about the five missing watches." Emma said recalling the code phrase she was given over the phone.

"Ah yes the missing watches so glad we were able to get ahold of you Ms. Holden, please follow me." The receptionist said moving from behind her desk and beckoning Emma to follow her.

Following the other woman Emma was led to an empty meeting room with a table and two chairs already set out along with water bottles and mints.

"Please wait here and someone will be with you shortly." They said before leaving Emma alone in the room.

Seeing nothing else to do Emma took a seat in one of the offered chairs. Letting out a breath that she had been holding Emma took a moment to think about her situation.

It was hard to believe that after everything that had happened she would find herself back at the PRT. When she had been in the Wards with Sophia the only thing the two of them had talked about regarding their futures was going independent when they turned eighteen. Emma would keep working as a model, of course, to pay the bills and Sophia would manage the hero side of things not once had either of them seriously considered transferring into the Protectorate. When Taylor had got powers she thought she would join those dreams, but time as it seems has a means of making fools out of everyone.

'Some more than others.' Emma added on mentally as she membered the past three years.

As she finished up those thoughts the other door in the room opened up and in stepped the leader of the local Protectorate, Weld.

Taking the other seat in the room with an audible creak he began to speak, "I hope the wait wasn't too long Ms. Barnes, or would you prefer Ampere?"

"Just Emma is fine." Emma responded.

"Alrighty then Emma lets get down to the reason why we are both here you sent in a request to join the Boston Protectorate." Weld stated plainly.

"Yes I think that it will be the best place for me going forwards and keeps me close to Brockton." Emma replied.

Weld nodded while pulling out a file no doubt full of her personal history. Her entire time in the Wards, her crimes, and her time in juvie.

"While the Protectorate is always looking for more heroes you have to admit given your personal history you joining this department specifically has a couple of issues." He said placing her file on the table, "Have you considered potentially joining a different department? One less likely to incite issues in the near future."

"I have thought of it." Emma admitted, "But any other department would come with different issues. At least in Boston I will get less judgement for what happened and who my former teammates were from my potential coworkers."

Weld let out a sigh, "It was a shame what ended up happening to your teammates."

"And that's why I want to join here and not anywhere else. In any other department I would simply be another member of Brockton's Bay's Bad Batch. At least here I will be given a fair chance for the good and the bad." Emma said head down as her hands fiddled around with her water bottle.

"Have you had any contact them?" Weld asked.

"In the beginning I did but we fell out of touch as things went on, and So- Stalker never wrote back to begin with." Emma explained putting the water bottle back down.

"Things weren't much better in Boston after Brockton was closed off and all the gangs migrated here." Weld said with a dark look in his eyes.

"The Second Boston Games is what they called it right?" Emma asked, "I heard a bit about it while in juvie. Did Tay- Phase participate?"

This actually got a chuckle out of Weld, "In her own way, but to admit the truth when word of the Brockton team shutting down, her dad moving to Boston, and you and Shadow Stalker's arrest I had hoped she would put the past aside and finally join up. Unfortunately very little actually changed. Of course that didn't stop any of her extracurricular activities."

"Ho- how was she if you don't mind me asking." Emma pried.

"Distant always distant and angry to say the least. I think she warmed up to Valve and Flechette a bit and that gave us some hope she would get along with the rest of us but it ended up biting us in the ass in the end. But to make a long story short she isn't a part of the organization anymore left at the first opportunity along with Valve and Flechette." Weld said shaking his head.

"Oh sorry about that if I-."

"Wasn't your fault." Weld said cutting her off, "Honestly I actually blame the PRT more for them leaving they attempted to drop the hammer on Phase and they ended up catching the rest of us in the crossfire. With the new gangs moving in the already present tensions simply caused things to spiral and when the time came to move into the Protectorate whatever desire they had to do so was gone. Still see them every now again while on patrol. It hurts to see how good of a team those three make and seeing all the missed opportunities that could have been. Doesn't help that the higher ups still give me and director Armstrong shit about it whenever they make the news."

"Well at least she is doing well." Emma said seeking a silver lining.

"That she is." Weld said flatly, "Though it goes without saying that if she was still part of the organization we wouldn't even be considering bringing you on."

"So are you considering it." Emma asked bringing things back to the original topic.

Picking up the file he had set on the table Weld flipped through its, "Well going off your past as a Ward it is a mixed bag. On one hand you do have a decent arrest record but your disciplinary record is another story. Unregistered patrols, disobeying orders, and that isn't even mentioning the you know what in your civilian identity."

Emma sank back in her seat as Weld reminded her of her greatest shame.

Going on Weld kept going through the file, "If taken alone I wouldn't recommend you become a member of the Boston Protectorate. However it is your juvenile record that saves you ironically enough."

"Really?"

"Don't act so surprised no major or minor incidents during your stay and out early on good behavior. When compared to your contempories in the Wards you look like the good egg as strange as that sounds to you."

"So the final verdict?" Emma asks hesitantly.

"Is yes with some caveats given your history." Weld responded.

"Of course."

"Due to your past with Phase you are not to engage or seek out her team unless you have no other option. You will not use your authority as a Protectorate member to seek out the civilian identities of any former Wards, or attempt to call them. Additionally you will be on a six month probabtionary period to ensure you can follow thoss rules." Weld laid out to her.

"What if Tay- I mean Phase has an issue with me being here." Emma asks.

"Well quite frankly she doesn't get any say in the decision since she isn't a member anymore. If she causes any issues with you bring it to us and we will sort it out." Weld said a slight bit of anger entering is tone.

"So that's it then." Emma asked.

"Yep once I touch base with the legal department for a contract that will be it." He said before reaching out a hand, "I look forward working with you Ampere."

"Likewise." Emma said reaching out her own hand.

With that the two shook hands as the meeting concluded.

---

A.N: Another omake after awhile been sitting around in my head for a bit but finally got around to writing it after reading a different fic. Anyways as usual let me know what you all thing.

@FirstSelector

 

[NoBeeswax]

@FirstSelector Another omake for the pile Sorry for committing the worm heresy of showing Emma in a semi-decent light lol.

Snip

Click to shrink...

"Today is the day. It's going to be a good day, I just know it! Hopefully Phas…Taylor will be in a really good mood when we meet and she won't punch me in the face on sight..." Emma fretted to herself as she marched towards Taylor's apartment block in downtown Boston.

She was wearing an entire new wardrobe just for the occasion and she spent hours getting her makeup just right. Her new haircut was perfect, her bottle of "please forgive me" tinkertech super wine was carried carefully in her arms, and her posture was as inviting as she could get it after absorbing advice from a PR posture coach in the Protectorate headquarters.

Seriously, just act friendly to a guy and almost every time they will happily eat out of the palm of her hand. The man was so delighted to give her advice when she asked that she almost got embarrassed for his sake.

Emma liked men most of the time but sometimes they could just be, ugh.

What was she thinking about again? Oh yeah, getting Tay back into her life. No biggie.

Technically, she was pretty sure Weld and the PRT would not be happy if they found out what she was trying to do, but her 6 months of probation ended just yesterday so theoretically she wasn't doing anything illegal. Probably. Hopefully?

Everyone in her new job was pretty firm that Ampere was not to have any contact with Phase unless lives were in danger and even she couldn't help but agree that it was probably for the best…

However, what if a young part-time fashion model from Brockton Bay just happened to want to make amends with a former best friend that also happened to be in Boston?

If Emma was being honest with herself, which was something she still struggled doing even now, she knew the excuse of meeting Taylor in their civilian identities was not going to fly with the Protectorate if they got word of this.

She was really hoping that Taylor wouldn't report her.

Hey, it's not like she hasn't done anything for Taylor after getting out of juvie. She paid good money to get Auntie Annettes's flute found, fixed and shipped to Taylor. The restoration Tinker she hired was not cheap!

She even made sure to call Taylor's useless father just to confirm that her former best-friend did receive the package. Apparently, from what he observed, Taylor didn't really react much outwardly but stared at the flute for a long time and then went on patrol with her teammates without saying anything.

Emma couldn't tell if that was a good reaction or not. She did indeed keep the flute and Daniel seemed happy about it so…yay?

It had to count for something. She'll take anything at this point.

She finally regained her bearings and stopped in front of the lobby of the resident block her sources told her Taylor was living in. Shiny wood paneling and pleasing red bricks dominated the facade of the apartment with marble flooring finishing the display. It looked nice and spacious like everything else in the neighborhood.

It was kind of obvious that the Heberts were much better off financially now than back in the Bay.

Emma stood still and took deep breaths as she rehearsed her lines for what she was going to say.

"Hi Tay! It's me, Ems! I know we drifted apart since high school, but I just happened to be in the neighborhood and I thought it would be nice to stop by to chat. What do you say? What, you don't want to talk to me because I'm a psychotic bitch that emotionally tormented you for two years then almost killed you with a deadly prank? Pshaw, that was nearly three years ago Taylor, let's give our relationship another shot!"

…

…

That was not going to work.

Emma covered her face with her hands and groaned in misery. This was going to be a disaster. What the fuck was she thinking?

She decided to sit down on a nearby bench because she suspected coming up with a decent opener was going to take a while.

"Well Taylor, the thing is is that Sophia kinda lost interest in me and she hasn't responded to any of my texts in 2 months. Since she apparently ghosted me, the position for being best friend's with Emma Barnes is now up for grabs! What do you say? What, you already were my best friend since we were in preschool and then I tossed you aside like a bag of dogshit when you got back from nature camp and then I tried my best to ruin your life until you triggered? Oh come on Taylor, you should stop focusing on the negatives all the time! Everything will go great this time if you come back to me!"

…

Holy shit that was even worse. For fuck's sake Emma, get your shit together!

The redhead rubbed her forehead in agitation - carefully of course because she didn't want to ruin her makeup.

Okay, looks like she was going to have to bring out the big guns. She would do something completely unprecedented, something no one would ever suspect.

She was going to be honest.

She started taking deeper breaths and she braced herself for what she was about to do.

"Taylor, I don't have any friends. Everyone in the Protectorate either sees me as a useful tool to exploit or a total nutcase that they have to tolerate. My ward teammates from Brockton…the ones still alive anyway, don't like being around me. Sophia thinks I'm boring and dumped me as her confidant. I stopped talking to Madison and the other girls from Winslow years ago. Anne still loves me but after she found out about the locker our relationship hasn't…been the same…"

Her eyes were getting wet and her nose was running. Fucking shit, her makeup! Emma forgot to bring her handkerchief so she had to sloppily use her hands to forestall the damage her tears were enacting.

"Taylor…Tay…Please take me back. I know I don't deserve it and you can do way better than me but…I don't have anyone else to go to! Please take me back! I'll do anything you ask!"

"Stop crying already, people are staring at you." Taylor muttered grumpily as she awkwardly held a napkin towards Emma's direction.

Emma screamed and jumped at least a foot into the air.

Taylor didn't react to Emma's totally heroic screech. Based on her sullen expression as she sat next to the part-time model, she really wanted her ex-best friend to take the fucking piece of paper already.

The redhead took it and Taylor sighed in relief because now she could go back to not looking at her uninvited companion. Emma wiped away her tears with as much dignity as she could muster - which is to say not a lot.

"Um, Hi Taylor! How are you doing?" Emma verbally vomited out in pure panic.

"I'm fine." She replied emotionlessly. "I was going to go out shopping for groceries and I saw you sitting here on the way out."

"That's great! I'm glad to hear you're fine Taylor!"

"Hm."

"Did you do anything with your hair recently? It looks great!"

"Thanks."

"Isn't the weather great today? I love the sunshine!"

"Hm."

Their reunion just started and it was already a fucking trainwreck.

'Wait, how long was Taylor sitting next to me?' Emma thought to herself.

"Um Taylor…" Emma started with mounting dread. "How long have you been…"

"A few seconds after you sat. You really should improve your environmental awareness."

"...Oh."

Taylor leaned against the bench and sighed out loud. "Did Hess really ghost you?"

"I-I mean, I…I don't know for sure but I suspect it? She's definitely still active and not doing any classified work as far as I can tell. She just doesn't…reply to anything I send her…"

"Hm. Well, If she did ghost you and didn't even bother to tell you why then she's a bitch."

"I-I mean I'm not sure I would go that far…"

Taylor glanced at Emma with anger growing on her face. Oh shit, bad call.

"What I meant to say was yes! She is a total bitch! The queen of bitches! Please don't leave."

Taylor continued to look at Emma with an unidentifiable expression on her face. "What do you want, Emma?"

"...I want a lot of things Taylor. But for now, drinking some very expensive wine with you is my primary goal." Emma replied as calmly as she could.

Taylor's eyes narrowed with intense suspicion. Oh no.

'Oh shit you're losing her. Reel her back in!' Emma thought to herself in panic.

"It's not normal wine! It's a 'reverse century super vintage' made by Ambrosia!" Emma almost shouted out in desperation as she tapped on the bottle's seal.

Taylor's anger seemed to recede slightly as she rubbed her chin. "Ambrosia? Isn't he that culinary French tinker from the EU's Paladin Order?"

Emma sighed in relief.

"Yeah, the very same. He visited New York recently as part of a diplomatic conference and donated a hundred bottles as part of a gifting exchange. I barely managed to get one and…I thought about you and…well…here I am."

"How much does his wine normally cost?" Taylor eventually replied after a moment's silence.

"Usually it's fifty thousand dollars a bottle."

"Wow, and you want to share it with little old me instead of bragging about it to all your sycophants on Capebook?"

Emma took some deep breaths. "Taylor, seeing you having fun is worth more to me than anything else in the world right now."

The quiet cape just stared back at Emma with her customary emotionless face. Silence reigned. Emma started to sweat in growing fear of being rejected.

Suddenly, Taylor let out a big sigh and stood up. "Fine, let's go inside."

As far as Emma was concerned, a light from heaven was now shining down on Taylor and her. This was officially the happiest day of her life in Boston.

"A-Are we…cool Taylor?" She asked quietly with badly restrained excitement.

Taylor snorted rudely. "Absolutely not." Emma wilted. That wasn't what she wanted to hear, but it was still fair she supposed.

The tall woman rubbed her hair in muted frustration at Emma's reaction. "Look Emma, it's - look, I'm willing to admit that you're…not the same girl that I knew in high school."

Emma held her breath as she used all her senses to comprehend every word that came out of Taylor's mouth.

"You're a hero now and you've been doing good work. I can respect that. You earned your hero credentials. But I'm never going to forget what happened. Every time I use my powers a part of me…will always remember you know what."

The locker. That fucking, stupid shitty locker. Who knew that a metal box could haunt the dreams of two young women for seemingly forever after they left High school.

"But…you're still letting me go to your apartment?" Emma muttered aloud in confusion.

Taylor shrugged her arms. "Life is short Emma and especially for capes. You haven't annoyed me in a while and...I appreciate what you did with my mom's flute...so…let's just say that I'm willing to tolerate your presence for now and we'll see what happens in the future, yeah?"

"I don't know what to say Taylor."

"And you better thank Flechette when you see her. She always gets emotional every time we fight off March and she's been pestering me to not immediately toss you to the curb if you ever showed up to try to fix your mistakes so...yeah."

"Taylor, I don't know who March is but I really want to hug the hell out of you right now."

"Please don't."

---

I've always been a fan of Taylor/Emma redemption stories, but I also admit that I have a really hard time seeing canon!Taylor ever forgiving Emma for what she did. I was trying to reach a middle ground here by taking advantage of the fact that time has passed and the two of them are now older and more mature. It also helps that they are both heroes, have been visiting therapists for years by this point, and are generally lonely - Emma more so than Taylor.

Taylor is not going to forgive Emma anytime soon, but Emma also just brought her a very expensive gift and her team have been having a particularly productive week arresting criminals so Taylor is in a better mood than normal. Emma got lucky here.

 

[NoBeeswax]

Yeah that would be amusing and I imagine such a continuation would start with Emma being chewed out by Weld.

Click to shrink...

(Later in Boston Protectorate headquarters)

Weld: (Failing to control his temper) "Are you serious?! What part of 'stay the hell away from Phase' did you not understand?!"

Ampere: (Completely unrepentant) "No offense Weld, but I've known Ta…Phase a lot longer than you have. Granted, our first meeting in Boston was a little…tense, but Phase eventually decided to give me a chance and so far our little détente is working out!"

Roulette: (Irritated and tired) "Look Ampere, you took a really big risk here for seemingly little gain. What were you trying to accomplish with this stunt?"

Ampere: (Flippant) "This is personal business. I missed her, a tiny, microscopic part of her apparently missed me, and now we're trying to see what can grow back from the ashes. There's not much else to say."

(Protectorate heroes look at her with very unimpressed eyes)

Ampere: "What?! It worked out didn't it? Phase never sent you a formal complaint did she?"

Weld: (Rubbing his forehead in exhaustion) "Look…It's just…yeah, it seems like Phase is way more patient with you than any of us expected, but this could have easily backfired. If Phase had reacted negatively, you would have put us in a very awkward situation."

Nebula: "Not to mention that our long-term plans to gently encourage Phase's team to return to our fold might be in jeopardy due to your actions!"

Ampere: (Skeptical) "Yeaaaahhhh, I don't see Phase working for the government anytime soon. She loves her freedom way too much. Trust me, she told me. Repeatedly. Ad nauseam."

Gauss: "Did you at least get any useful intel out of her? Anything we can use to keep better track of her movements?"

Ampere: (Stern and a little upset) "Contrary to popular belief, I'm actually serious about being a good friend to Phase…for real this time…so I really would rather not tell you details about her private life."

Gauss: "Seriously, nothing?"

Ampere: "If you want, I can tell you about the nice sandwich shop I've been going to with Phase and Flechette every other Sunday. Their menu is delish."

Roulette: "Wait…You've been having sandwich brunches with Phase?"

Ampere: "...Yeah? What of it?"

Roulette: *Strangely upset* "It's just…Phase never invited any of us to brunch when she was with us…"

(A lot of the former wards in the meeting room look oddly depressed at the little preview into Phases's life and Ampere looks away in embarrassment)

---

The Boston wards meant well, but they don't have the elusive 'childhood friend' seal that Emma holds - even if it's currently rusty, cracked, and held together with duct tape and prayers.

If there's anything this thought exercise has told me is that Taylor and Emma seemingly trying to patch things up between them would create very mixed feelings with the Boston Protectorate. On one hand, the Protectorate wouldn't have to be so afraid and hyper vigilant hiding Ampere away from Phase all the time which is good. On the other hand, Weld and his comrades will privately become even more bitter towards Taylor since Emma is the main culprit in Taylor's trigger event and yet somehow she gets the opening into Phase's life but not them after 2 and a half years lol.

 

[NoBeeswax]

Probationary Friendship

I rubbed my eyes and didn't bother holding back my yawn as I leaned over the oaken wood counter in the hopes that the smell of pork broth might rouse me from my current state of exhaustion.

Last night was very active - maybe a little too much even for my thrill seeking taste.

Granted, I considered taking down a major Teeth drug den with the aid of Flechette's bolts and Valve's steam powered drones to be an excellent use of my team's time, but the crash that came after the adrenaline rush was more debilitating than I wanted to admit.

The cape fight that I got dragged into against Vex and Hemorrhagia certainly added to my current state of drowsiness.

I yawned again. I probably should have listened to Lily and slept in today, but I really wanted to try out this new ramen bar that a lot of the indie capes in Boston wouldn't stop raving about on PHO and the restaurant was only open for a limited amount of time a day so if I ever wanted a bowl it might as well be now.

I think the owner was some sort of Michelin star chef from Okinawa who retired and decided to open the restaurant as some sort of hobby? I'm hardly a foodie but the line outside was already pretty big (but service was quick so waiting time was minimal) and it was only 11 AM so I guess he must be doing something right.

My cell phone began playing the Exorcist theme and an entire suite of emotions rushed through me.

Breathe.

I specifically made it so that the musical cue only played for one particular number on my contact list.

I continued taking deliberate breaths.

Glancing at my messages on my phone, I saw a simple text message.

Red: I'm here.

I glanced around and shortly saw distinct red hair blowing in the wind outside the ramen bar's large window.

Every time this happens, my fight-or-flight response becomes shorter and less intense. Nowadays, it's barely noticeable.

Even after all this time, I had to admit that Emma was still gorgeous. No longer a teenager, her natural beauty only matured with age and she looked every bit the fashion model that she deserved to be. Her makeup was immaculate and her new shearling winter coat matched her blue eyes perfectly.

Just a few short years ago, her visage filled me with nothing but cold indifference tainted with an extra helping of indignant rage. But now? I felt a strange combination of cautious wariness and…maybe a measure of hope?

She let out a small, hesitant smile and waved at me. I waved back but with muted enthusiasm. She nodded and leaned against the brick wall next to the ramen bar to wait for Connie to arrive.

She didn't enter the bar. She didn't dare.

When I finally decided, against my better judgement, to give Emma one more chance at redemption after all her pleading, I quickly made a list of non-negotiable rules that Emma would have to follow if she was serious about cleaning up the wreckage of our previous friendship.

First one on the list? I didn't want to be alone with her. Not for a long while. Maybe not ever.

To her credit, Emma didn't object even though I could tell the command privately dismayed her. If anything, she went beyond the rule I made by going out of her way to bond with Lily and Connie and even my dad so that her new position as the team's occasional third wheel whenever we were off the job was as seamless as possible.

Emma always was good with crowds and I did feel a little resentment for how quickly Connie and Lily seemed to accept Emma's presence in their lives. Connie's strange acceptance particularly surprised me because I was sure Emma wouldn't be able to crack our Tinker's hard shell.

But my resentment was only minimal because Emma seemed terrified at the thought that I might think she was doing her old social engineering bullshit to try to isolate me again.

She waited for the three of us to meet at a local tavern owned by Connie's uncle before frankly telling us what she did to me back in Winslow and almost begged Lily and Connie to tell her to fuck off if they thought she was restarting old habits.

It was one of the weirdest team meetings in my life. Emma was crying and used up an entire pile of napkins due to nasal congestion, Lily was her usual sweetheart self and comforted her, and Connie got super drunk. I never wanted to repeat that experience if I could help it.

The mead was pretty good though, two thumbs up.

Emma was way more honest about…everything than I was used to. Maybe too honest. Sometimes I wished she would just shut up about Winslow because I really didn't like thinking about that time in my life.

But compared to before, I very much appreciated this new candor of hers.

If Emma had been more honest from the start and just told me what happened to her in the alley while I was at summer camp, then my life would probably be very different right now. At least, I like to think so.

But then again, what do I know? Sometimes it's almost like my life was cursed during my teenage years. Most likely some other tragedy would have happened to me and I would have triggered to get bug control powers or something similar. Who the hell knows.

The sound of a train whistle came out of my phone and I made a sardonic grin. Valve's college lecture was over and she finally arrived at the bar which was close by to her campus.

Connie, wearing a thick brown jacket and tool themed beanie entered the bar and rubbed her hands together to warm them up. Emma quietly followed closely behind her.

I already put my own jacket and backpack on the two stools on either side of me to reserve them.

"Thanks T. You didn't wait too long I hope?" Connie chirped at me as she gave me a short side hug.

I earnestly hugged her back. "It wasn't a problem, I've only been here a few minutes." Connie sat down at my right side and quickly snatched a nearby menu to look at the ramen options.

Now to deal with the elephant in the room.

Emma stood awkwardly by with her arms fidgeting in front of her as her eyes shifted about in uncertainty.

It was obvious that she also wanted to hug me, but she wasn't allowed to do so.

This was the second rule on my list. She wasn't allowed to touch me without my permission. Any physical affection that happened between the two of us had to be initiated by me.

Was this arrangement weird? Yes. Did I feel an unwelcome semblance of guilt when Emma gave me puppy dog eyes when she wanted to touch me and couldn't? Infuriatingly, yes.

Was I going to allow cracks to form in this new arrangement of ours by giving up more of the reins to Emma? Absolutely fucking not.

I'm perfectly aware of how anal retentive my rules were but I really didn't care. After all the fucking shit my high school tormenter made me go through, I think I deserve a little payback.

If my ex-best friend wanted me back so badly, she had to earn it.

I was very upfront about these rules and my former childhood friend didn't disagree. I told Emma that we were not going to be "real friends" for a good long while. I intentionally described our new relationship as a probation period that would end when I said it ended and not a second earlier. I openly told Emma that I was still angry with her and that I still occasionally had nightmares about the bullying and the fucking locker. That I had bad days and I would probably take it out on her even when she didn't deserve it. That I had to fight the urge to physically strike her sometimes.

I wanted Emma to know what a minefield she was entering by wanting to be my friend again.

And yet she entered the killing field with zero hesitation. I still don't know how to feel about that.

With a deep sigh, I stood up and stared evenly at Emma as she continued to fidget nervously in front of me.

"Hello Emma." I eventually started with only a sliver of the warmth I gave to Connie.

"Hi Tay. Thanks for inviting me." Emma shyly returned and she slowly took out her jacket.

I didn't let up my stare. I refused to do so. The moment dragged on.

"A-are you having a bad day Taylor?" Emma eventually let out when the silence became too awkward.

I kept my face as unreadable as possible. "If I said yes and that I changed my mind and wanted you to leave, would you?"

I don't know why I said that. It just came out and I refused to take it back.

Connie stilled in the background and I could tell that she was listening to our discussion but didn't want to get involved herself. Probably for the best.

Emma nodded her head and had the audacity to return a gentle smirk. "Tay, I know what I was getting into when you gave me your ultimatum three months ago. You're the boss. I'll leave if you tell me to."

If anything, my stare became more intense. My clairvoyance field fully enveloped Emma so I could feel every micro-tension of her muscles and every one of her heartbeats. Her body was telling me that she desperately didn't want to leave, but she would if ordered.

Just like she promised, she was not lying to me. Emma was willing to sacrifice her own satisfaction if that's what it took to satisfy me.

"I just - I just want you to be happy Taylor, even if that means that I have to make myself scar…woah!" She squeaked when I suddenly marched up and wrapped my arms strongly around her.

"Stay." I whispered to her as my head rested on her warm shoulder. As always, Emma's naturally hot body temperature felt scorching compared to mine.

Emma melted. She hugged me back tightly and pushed her face into my hair and breathed deeply.

"I missed you Tay."

"I missed you too. Sorry for being difficult."

Emma hugged me tighter. "Taylor, you are literally the nicest, most patient person I've ever met. Don't you dare apologize."

My heart clenched. Where was this Emma during my high school years?

These good feelings were not going to last. It's happened before. My walls always go up automatically when I encounter Emma or Ampere, she and I have a back and forth until I finally lower my guard, I relax and have fun, she leaves and the bad feelings and worse memories always come back.

But, the lifespan of the bad feelings have been getting shorter and shorter while the part of me that looks forward to meeting Emma again was slowly gaining strength. Personal progress I guess?

"Hey cranky and crazy, not that I don't appreciate the diabetes-inducing spectacle, but I'm really hungry and I have a study group that I have to meet in 45 minutes so can we order already?" Connie suddenly interrupted with a hangry look on her face.

Apparently someone felt that the situation had calmed down enough to engage in banter.

As team leader, I should probably scold her, but I'm too busy enjoying my Barnes sauna to really come up with a suitably snarky reply.

---

Finally we have Taylor's POV of this whole situation. She's trying her best.

@FirstSelector