After her sparing session Teagan'd gone straight home. She took a quick shower and hurried to turn on the TV to see if someone was fallowing the situation at the docks. She knew Regan was a professional, but she couldn't help but worry. Especially after today and that long, lingering look they'd shared. Something was happening between the two of them. Something more than friendship. And it looked like both women wanted to explore it further.

	The firefighter surfed through the news channels, until she found a live helicopter feed from ENTV. [i]Epics must be involved too, if they've dispatched Idonia.[/i] Teagan thought. She set her eyes upon the footage, expecting to see what was going on. The Kryptonites were apparently apprehended and there were no other casualties save for the patrol officer who'd lost his life at the beginning of the altercation. Zealots rarely payed attention to collateral damage!

	Teagan's phone buzzed. She snatched it frantically and peered at the screen. The tiniest disappointment darkened her gaze. It was a text from her mum. '[i]Sweetie, me, your Da and Megan have finished our college tour. We've just sat at this lovely Cafe near Central Park. Come join us.[/i]' The firefighter smiled.

	'[i]I'm coming.[/i]' She texted back and went to her bedroom to get ready. Taking her phone on the way out she noticed a new message from her mum. '[i]Megan and I had a very lovely chat about your new crush.[/i]' Teagan blushed and groaned. [i]Crush!?![/i] "Jesus, Ma, what am I, thirteen?" She muttered while locking the front door. Still she couldn't contain her grin. She'd just sat in her car, when her phone buzzed again. She stared it, dreading what her mum and Megan were up to now. Finally she picked it up and couldn't unlock the screen fast enough.

	'[i]I'm at the precinct. The Kryptonites are getting processed. I'm fine. We barely had to do anything this time. Seemed like some epics tangled with them and there was this patrol cop who did a great job. I'm sorry we had to cut our... thing short.[/i]' Teagan blushed furiously at the last part. They [i]had [/i]shared a [i]thing[/i]. '[i]I'm not sure how much longer I'll be stuck here. Can I call you after?[/i]'

	The last question transmitted a sort of fragile hope. Teagan didn't even hesitate. '[i]You don't have to ask, Regan. Call me whenever.[/i]' Teagan considered how they'd fallen into the habit of calling each other by their last names when they were playful, or trying for some levity, but used their given names when serious. It felt somehow... intimate.

	Her phone buzzed in her hand. '[i]Thanks.[/i]' The firefighter smiled gently, placed her phone in its holder and started the car. Before she knew it, she was sitting with her parents and Megan, sharing soft drinks and discussing college applications.

	Megan was signing a mile a minute excited about all the schools she and Teagan's parents had visited. She was particularly excited about a couple that apparently had a very good art and creative writing programs. She'd always loved drawing ever since she was a little girl. As deaf-mute it was a medium she could express herself with ease. And she was good with it. She had a talent, not just a desire to be good. She also wanted to tell stories not only in image but in words. She was aiming to become a graphic novelist. And today's college trip with Martha and Rory was to find the girl a school that would best fit her desire.

	"[i]But enough about me.[/i]" Megan signed finally. "Now tell us about Regan!"

	Rory jumped out of his pleasant dosing next to his wife with a start. "Regan?!" He asked staring his daughter questioningly.

	[i]Great![/i] Teagan thought. Now all three of them are on my case. She mock glared at Megan.

	"[i]Don't scowl at me. You don't scare me, you big, soft Smoky Bear.[/i]" Megan stuck her tongue out playfully at her guardian.

	Teagan chuckled. "[i]Kids today. No respect for their elders.[/i]" She signed back.

	"[i]Yeah, yeah. Spill![/i]" Megan insisted rolling her eyes.

	"Yes, spill!" Her parents mirrored out loud, grinning like loons.

	The firefighter tried valiantly not to blush, but failed and colored adorably. She opened her mouth to answer when her phone buzzed, saving her. She looked at the screen and couldn't help but smile.

	"It's Regan, isn't it?" Her Ma stretched across the table as if to look at Teagan's phone.

	"Back off, ye, vultures. Jesus!" Teagan laughed and unlocked her screen to read the message.

	'[i]The Kryptonites are finally processed. I'm free as a bird. Want to meat up? Take you and Megan out to dinner?[/i]'

	Teagan warmed at the last part. The fact that Regan was considering the girl in her plans was so sweet.

	"What's she saying?" Her father, who didn't even know about Regan moments ago, asked excitedly.

	"[i]C'mon, don't torture us.[/i]" Megan signed.

	Teagan just shook her head and started typing an answer. '[i]I'm out with my parents and Megan. Would you like to join us? They won't mind.[/i]' [i]Won't they ever.[/i] Teagan thought considering the wisdom of her proposal. '[i]Fair warning though. They've got it into their minds we are an item and will probably grill you for your mother's milk.[/i]' She hesitated only slightly before pressing 'send'.

	She looked up from her phone to find three sets of stares hungry with curiosity. She laughed. "Ye look like a pack of hungry hyenas."

	"Then feed us something." Her mum urged. And Rory and Megan nodded.

	"Alright, alright, fine!" Teagan relented and told them about pretty much everything that had happened between her and Regan, save for the most salient and intimate details. Up to the point of Regan's last message, which she also related to them. By the time she'd finished her three-person audience was looking and her with happy grins plastered all over their faces. She felt her face flame when her phone buzzed yet again.

	'[i]We [b]are [/b]an item.[/i]' At this simple confirmation of what was growing between them Teagan felt a sort of calmness settle within her and her chest blossomed with warmness. '[i]I would love to meet your folks and you already know I want to meet Megan. Just tell me where to come.[/i]' She smiled, giddy.

	"It's her smitten look." Martha whispered to Rory and then turned to mouth it to Megan as well. Her eyes were gleaming with mirth.

	Teagan typed the name of the cafe, hit 'send' and put away her phone. She was crimson. She couldn't ever remember blushing so much in her life.

	"So... Is she coming?" Her mum spearheaded the questioning committee again.

	"She's coming." Teagan confirmed.

	"[i]You do realize we're going to grill her but off.[/i]" Megan warned with a smile, making Rory and Martha laugh.

	"[i]Yes, smart aleck. She's been thoroughly warned, thank you very much.[/i]" The firefighter signed, grinning.

	Not five minutes later she spotted Regan walking towards them, looking gorgeous in her warn jeans, a white flowy shirt tucked haphazardly at the front and the sleeves rolled up above her elbows.

	Martha wolf whistled, recognizing her to be Regan by the hungry look on her daughter’s face. Rory laughed and Megan thumbed up.

	"Ma!" Teagan whined.

	"What, she's gorgeous. Even I can say that." She winked at her daughter as Regan came into ear-shot.

	When she was close enough Teagan stood up and greeted her with a warm hug. Neither woman dared to prolong it and linger in each other’s arms.

	"Everybody, this is Regan." The firefighter began the introductions. "Regan, this is me Da, Rory, me Ma, Martha... And this lovely young rascal is me god-daughter, Megan." Teagan finished with pride.

	"It's lovely to meet you all." Regan smiled as she shook hands with Teagan's parents and Megan.

	"Let's sit then, we have a lot to talk about." Martha announced with a smile and Teagan paled slightly.