[b][i]10:38 P.M. - After the Van
Alex's Home[/i][/b]

[i]Click..[/i] [b]"In today's news, a van toppled over on Elms Street. Reports say that reckless driving was involved, but-"[/b]
[i]Click.[/i] [b]"I mean, I'll buy a lottery ticket now and then.
No, no, not a bet.
A pet."[/b]
[i]Click.[/i] [b]"Who do you think murdered him? It couldn't have been Mrs. S-"[/b]

[i]Knock, knock![/i]

The old black man blinked to himself and turned down the volume on the T.V., swiveling in his comfort chair so he could catch a glimpse of the front door. [b]"Sunday morning... everyone's at church, so... hm."[/b] Shaking off the confusion, he pushed himself up from the worn spot, groaning as his muscles grinded against his bones. [b]"Getting way too old.."[/b] he mumbled to himself. Nearly shuffling towards the door, he grabbed his cup of coffee and took a generous sip of the black liquid before finally unlocking the padlock and opening the door with a gentle creak.

[b]"Sorry,"[/b] came an instant reply to the questioning gaze of the old man. [b]"Things are just a tad more complicated than I figured."[/b] She straightened up, but it didn't hide the bruises and scraps on her face. She was one of the lucky ones though and that they hadn't taken her specially woven fabric off of her, so it had actually taken most of the impact from the crash. [b]"May I?[/b] she asked, giving her old friend a small smile.

Alex just nodded dumb-founded and motioned her in lightly, staring at her as she came through the door. Quickly, he glanced out to make sure no one had seen before slipping the door shut and turning. His gaze went from confused to thoughtful as he took a sip of his coffee once more. [b]"So.."[/b] he started. [b]"got yourself into trouble already?[/b]

[b]"Not exactly.."[/b] She let out a large sigh and sat herself on one of his couch's arms, placing her palms on it for support. [b]"Remember me mentioning that [i]'change?'[/i] Well.. probably won't believe it right off, but apparently there was this serum or.. something.. that gave multiple of us powers of different kinds. Well, the government wasn't too pleased with this.. and some rebels... suffice it to say, they started having a little war over who got to keep the new toys."[/b] She combed her hair back as she watched Alex intently, searching for his reaction.

At first, he was quiet, taking another long sip of the black coffee before setting the cup on a small table. She stood there, thoughtfully folding his arms before he spoke. [b]"That's not entirely unbelievable. I was a scientist working for the military back in the day and there were a lot of rumors about some sort of super soldier program. Yeah, sure, most of them were bogas, but this one.."[/b] He tilted his head, implying a more awe-giving tone. [b]"This one, they actually said worked. Gave them super powers they said, but.. to think it's real? I could see why the government wants their hands on you..."[/b] Shrugging softly, Alex gave her another interested gaze. [b]"So, what power did you get then? Super strength?"[/b] The tone given was of light jesting, but he seemed more serious than she expected.

[B](( PART II ))[/B]

The comment caused Ranae to smirk at the old man as her head tilted just a bit to the left. [b]"Nothing special... just sudden knowledge on how to use martial arts, tactics, and thrown weaponry."[/b]

This cause Alex to chuckle as a grin crossed his face gently. [b]"Oh? That's all? Haha, okay... well, that explains you suddenly being able to use those discs I made for you."[/b] The moment calmed down for a little bit before he unfolded his arms and stuck his hands into his pockets and let out a sigh. [b]"So now what?"[/b]

[b]"Well,"[/b] she began quickly, knowing that question was going to be asked, shifting her hands to lay on her lap. [b]"Now I clean out my apartment and move to the safe house. Make sure that no one can find me - except maybe that teleporter, but I'm hoping he's nice enough to leave me out of their little power struggle and let me fix something more tangible."[/b]

[b]"And your job?"[/b] he asked, walking a bit closer to her, like he did when he was about to say something a little bit more profound than normal, his eyes glazing the top of the woman's boots - which also happened to be made of that strong fiber material.

Scooting her feet back a little, as if readying to leave, she shrugged like there wasn't much choice. [b]"I quit. I have training to do and things to prepare for now.. sure, father is going to question it, but I'll just tell him I got bored.. he usually doesn't question much - not yet anyways."[/b]

Smiling softly, Alex nodded. [b]"Seems like you got everything planned out.."[/b] Ranae tilted her head just a bit again, curious what the old man was about to say next. [b]"I remember, only about six months after we started talking.. that.. haha.. well, you came out to me. Told me you liked women. Remember what I said?"[/b] His grin grew more as he looked into Ranae's eyes.

[b]"Yeah.."[/b] she said with a soft, sad smile, remembering the moment. [b]"You said you did too."[/b]

Alex chuckled, as if the memory warmed his old beating heart and he nodded. [b]"Yeah.. goodness, you had this crush on this one woman, couldn't stop talking about her and it was so good to see you smile after all you had been through. Ah.."[/b] he sighed and let his shoulders slump a bit, as if coming back to reality. [b]"You know.."[/b]

[i]'I know,'[/i] she instantly thought to herself, biting her lip softly as her gaze darkened.

[b]"Doing this.. taking the fight to the streets - it's noble and everything, but.. it's going to make it harder, hell, maybe even impossible to find that love you so desperately wanted. Are you really ready to make that sort of sacrifice? I mean, you'll always have me as a friend, but.."[/b] The was real concern in the old man's expression, standing before the young woman with the commanding authority of wisdom.

The reply wasn't given right away as Ranae tensed and felt her heart wrench in pain. Gods, she knew what this meant and what she was doing. She had wanted to be with someone she could share her life with since she was barely twelve years old. She wanted to love and be loved, not just by anyone, but by that perfect woman for her. How could she share her life though, like this? Fighting crime, putting herself on the line, breaking the law, and asking someone to follow her? Not only were the chances of finding someone like that slim, but would it be fair to ask that of them?

Finally, [b]"I know... but what choice do I have?"[/b] She looked right back into Alex's eyes with pain, but pushing it away was this unspoken resolve and courage. [b]"If not me, then who? Can I really trust someone else to do it? Can I ask them to take on that burden instead of me? Honestly, I don't really have a choice... it's just something I have to do."[/b]

Alex let out a heavy breath and stepped forward, gathering the woman in his arms, offering physical support as the warmest hug he could muster. How incredibility brave he thought this woman was, to throw away something like love, so that others had a chance for it without hate and greed. [b]"I know Ranae.. I just had to ask."[/b]