((Collab Post between Letter Bee and Mass City))

The encounter with Ruby, especially with his decision to let the latter go, had been exhausting for Cedric. But, he resisted the urge to sleep as he and Constantine made themselves comfortable in the helicopter. Instead, after he carefully swept himself for bugs, he handed Constantine's camera to Elena, and spoke:

"We discovered the set where the Voice came from. It [i]is[/i] in Avalon, although we didn't discover the Voice himself. What shall we do with this information, Elena?" the boy implored in his tired voice.

"I will tell my bosses to get more agents to Avalon and possibly additional military forces there. Mister Taylor will be upset when he finds out the president has voted down his offer. But all I can do is report it came from Avalon and tell them that the facility needs closer attention." Replied the FBI woman.

Cedric nodded, and then went to sleep, he and Constantine leaning against one another, looking all the while like one of those cute Anime scenes.

Elena went to her laptop and began to write her report.

[b][i]Several Hours Later[/i][/b]

Cedric woke up at the landing site, and he allowed Elena to drive him and Constatine home to their apartment, where Constantine was now staying. Once they arrived, Cedric spoke:

"So, who gets to cook dinner? Me, you, or Constantine?" he asked Elena.

"I am, we are having a family recipe." Both Cedric and Constatine would pale; Reyes family recipes meant exteremly spicey.

Both shuddered, and Constantine almost thought about just eating his own dinner, but was shut up by a glare from Cedric, who, although he didn't like spicy foods, did not want to snub Elena for obvious reasons.

"That sounds great," Cedric smiled, while Constantine openly blanched, causing Cedric to stomp on the other guy's foot; he was protective of Elena's feelings. 

Elena smiled, "Queso blanco for everyone!"

Elena ran off to get ingridents and to start prepatory measures.

Cedric's smile was now genuine; spicy or not, he loved cheese, while Constantine felt a little calmer now; cheese wasn't that bad. He then, out of impulse, ruffled Cedric's head again, causing the boy to speak:

"What was that for?!"

"That was for being a level-headed little trooper," answered Constantine. "I know it must have been hard for you, the mission and its conclusion, but, you managed it. Also, it's because you're acting like a normal child now, at least, as far as I can see it."

"Now who hid my secret spice jar!" questioned Elena.

"Consty did it!" spoke Cedric, coming to his conclusion due to the fact that Constantine was the only suspect.

"Oh, sure, blame the Illusionist," spoke Constantine, before his image vanished from the table; it was a little game they all played - Constantine hid the secret spice jar, and Cedric found it. But now, where was it hid?

"He can't hide it's smell, never has." Reyes smiled.

And, sure enough, Cedric found the jar in a few seconds; it was behind the cupboard. He then spoke, as he handed over the jar to Elena:

"You know, I've been cooking my own meals for a long time, even back...then," spoke Cedric. "Before my parents sold me to you guys, they shipped me off to music school, leaving me, well, alone for a long time. Not very healthy for a kid." He then sighed, why were these words coming out of his mouth? "Never wanted that, never needed it. That said, though, it seems that there are some upsides; I've never been disowned, so I still have access to my trust fund."

"Well in case you are "cured" they thought it was foolish to leave you to the elements." 

Elena's phone rang but she hung up. Not answering the call.

"Another difference between me and them; I don't want to be cured, despite the trouble my powers caused me," spoke Cedric, "and what was that?"

"Don't know the number." Elena shrugged. "It's Virginia area but it can't be important."

"I think we should still answer it," spoke Constantine. "But if you don't want to, well, can you please give me the phone?"

"Sure." Elena handed Constantine the phone.

"Hello, who is this?" the veteran agent answered in a suspicious voice.

"This is Davis Lawton, who the hell is this?" replied the angry Presidential aide.

"Ah, Mr. Davis! This is Constantine Ramiel King, FBI Agent. I'll allow you to speak with Elena right now!" He then handed over the phone to Elena, who, having heard Constantine shout out 'Mr. Davis', would know where it's from.

Elena grabbed the phone from Constantine. "Mister Lawton?"

"Ah Miss Reyes. I have talked to your boss at the FBI and AG Milner. We both agree that you will head the investigation but the military will be in charge of law enforcement in LA. You will be working with General Clairmont. The President will be making a speech tonight stating that this response to the crisis is what the federal government must do. Now I want to ensure that you told Taylor he won't get his support from us in the White House for any PMC action."

"Yes sir." she told the chief of staff. She told his aides but not Taylor directly. "He can sit and sulk all he wants this is time for a military action. Not for a wall street wannabe."

"Exactly." replied the White House man.

"The President will ensure we are safe. But Agent Reyes. Fail, and I will remove you from the case and the FBI." 

"Yes sir!." Elena shook nervously.

"Good bye Agent." with that the call ended. Elena sat down and put her head in her hands.

"What happened?!" shouted Cedric as he ran up to Elena, now concerned.

"I was warned failure is not an option by the right hand of the President."

"I see," spoke Cedric in a small voice. "Well, I'm doing my best, for you." Constantine made his own affirmation, saying:

"And I'm going to fight, too; there's a certain Light-using Meta who has to pay."

[b][i]END[/I][/B]