[center][h1][b]ANDREW[/b][/h1][/center]

[hr]

To say he hadn’t expected his charge to work might have been taking things a little too far. After all, he’d tried it, which had to mean he at least thought there was some slim chance, no matter how slight. Still, Andrew was almost as surprised by the impact of their collision as the man with whom he collided. And this all after expending enough effort to leave him already breathless before any air could be knocked out of him. This was the third time he’d hit the ground today. The third time he cursed all the soft squishy bits of himself that seemed so easily battered. At least this time, it was voluntary… Third time’s the charm, right?

Still, ow.

He grunted as an elbow shoved itself between his ribs and couldn’t help the instinctive desire to roll off the man struggling under him. He wasn’t so much dazed as just really not wanting to move anymore. His head was freaking killing him and there were big black spots floating across his eyes. If he could just lie there for a while, he’d be good with that, seriously, just fine. But that wasn’t in the cards. Or really, common sense. You shouldn’t lie around on hard cement when things were exploding. But despite the glow above him, and the singing hum of electricity that reminded him of telephone wires, Andrew took his time pulling his arms under himself and blinking through the way his vision was swimming. He needed air and slow motion so as not to jar his head too much. 

[b]“Oh, fuck me…”[/b] It was only once he managed to raise his head, seeing a shadow between him and the light, that he realized the danger he’d been in. Looked like he and the kid were even when it came to saving each other. But why was the kid flying backwards now? 

Shaking his head might have cleared it faster, but it would also have sent lovely spikes through it, so Andrew just took a few deep breaths and kept working himself upright. Slow and steady and if the guy fried him before he made it up, then he supposed… Well, he didn’t have much defense against it anyway, but he really didn’t want the guy to electrocute him. Or barbecue him. Or even singe him slightly. It just… he couldn’t move any faster.

His head was screaming and so was that little internal voice that let him know he was up to his neck in shit and liable to drown any time, but he couldn’t get an ounce more speed out of his limbs. And heaven knew, he was trying. Absolutely terrified of the position he’d put himself in and unable to escape it.

So, it was lucky for the young man that time wasn’t standing still, else the fire extinguisher would never have caused enough distraction to drag Sparky’s attention elsewhere. It almost ruined all his efforts in getting up though, making him stagger back and almost lose his balance as one hand raised to hold his head and the other reached out for some support from the air. Loud, concussive, momentarily blinding, he stumbled as well as he could to the side, so he’d at least not be where he was once the air cleared, but he still wasn’t moving fast. Or even in any particular direction. 

Covering his mouth and nose with an arm and trying not to breathe even as he gasped for breath and coughed from the sting in his throat (worst situation ever), Andrew started in surprise at a hand on his shoulder and swayed when his instinctive motion to get out of reach and see who it was backfired. Thankfully, he could make out the kid’s worried expression through the extinguishing spray drifting around and was grateful for his support as they started for the steps of the bank. Mostly, just out of instinct and the hope that these two criminals were finished with the place now. 

Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. And Andrew pushed himself forward faster when they saw the girl in Speedy’s arms. [b]“Got any more surprises, kid?”[/b] No? But not out for the count either, well, as long as they were both still standing, they might as well try… something… 

Hell of a plan, wasn’t it?

Neither of them noticed the floating ambulance or the response it elicited in their fiery tempered not-friend. Miles left him to make his own way closer to the bank, and onward Andrew hobbled, hands up, too slow to be much concern but close enough to garner some attention. Just, not… [b]“No.”[/b] His hands dropped of their own accord when fire twisted through the air and curled its soft-sided heat against her chest, pressing close. [b]“No… No…… Now!”[/b]

As the girl fell forward, the speedster stood shocked. Hardened criminal or not, it was a violent death too close for comfort, and that moment’s hesitation cost the man when Andrew finally found his breath, already forcing his feet to lift faster. Miles followed through perfectly, and the man was trapped between unforgiving hands for the short time it took the two to reach him, reach her. Andrew practically collapsed on him, dragging him to the ground and they sprawled there, as Miles joined Andrew, putting as much weight as they could on the man to keep him out of the running. 

Still, gasping, lying on the guy’s shoulders, Andrew reached for the girl, hoping that it wasn’t as bad as it looked, that she was still alive, that if it was that bad, she wasn’t hanging on. Too much conflicting desires in his head to leave any room for the pain, at least, momentarily… [b]“No, no, no, please. Hey. Hey?”[/b] She wasn’t answering. He couldn’t reach from his position. [b]“The fuck you people doing?”[/b]