[h2]PART First Responders - Death of our Demons Part 1[/h2]

Teagan woke up gradually. She was stretched out on her sofa and felt an unfamiliar heaviness over her as she breathed in and out. She was confused for a second and then the heaviness was no longer unfamiliar. She grinned before opening her eyes to behold Regan's sleeping face. Her cheek resting over Teagan's heart, her left arm hugging the older woman across her torso with her hand tucked under the firefighter's shoulder.

Teagan couldn't help but feel elated. Here was this gorgeous, strong, capable woman, sleeping on top of her, like they'd done it for a lifetime. And yet they'd just barely met. The ex-smokejumper smiled gently, remembering the events of the evening before.

They'd gone home to clean up and met afterwards to go and collect Megan, Rory and Martha for dinner as was their original plan. Teagan's parents had declined stating that they needed to rest after the day's excitement. So that left only Teagan, Regan and Megan.

"[i]Are you sure you don't want to stay here with Ma and Pa?[/i]" Teagan asked in sign and out loud for Regan's benefit.

"[i]I'm fine. I'm not tired and I wasn't that scared. And besides... If I am to make Epic city my home, I'll have to get used to this sort of thing, right?[/i]" She asked and looked at Regan as if for confirmation.

Teagan translated for the police officer.

"Well..." Regan began thoughtfully. "It's true occurrences like this are not unusual for Epic city. But I'd like to think that between the Epic heroes and the ECPD we do our best to make the citizens of Epic city feel safe."

"[i]See.[/i]" Megan signed "[i]Now let's just go already. I have a ton of questions for your new friend here.[/i]" She flashed Martha a grin and a thumbs up. Teagan's mum grinned in answer.

[i]Oh, Jesus![/i] The firefighter groaned and rolled her eyes.

"I'm suspecting by the looks between your mother and Megan that I'm not off the hook with the third degree." Regan whispered in Teagan's year making her jump in surprise as she felt the hot breath on her earlobe. The firefighter swallowing down the flash of arousal that'd coursed through her system. She managed a shrug and a grin in answer to the question.

"[i]Come on, then.[/i]" Megan signed after she'd taken her goodbyes with Rory and Martha. "[i]Let's go already![/i]"

Surprisingly Megan hadn't pressed much about Regan and Teagan's involvement with each other. The three had spent a pleasant evening discussing all sorts of things, chief among them Megan's intention to try her hand in becoming a graphic novel artist. She'd gone ballistic when Regan told her her dad was a writer and she'd nearly exited the Earth's atmosphere when the PART officer had suggested that she introduced Megan to her father. She'd started signing so frantically that even Teagan had difficulty understanding her.

"[i]Slow down, baby girl![/i]" She'd insisted, grabbing Megan's hands, laughing.

"[i]If you don't marry this woman, I will![/i]" Megan signed deadpan and Teagan blushed furiously not daring to look Regan in the face.

The PART officer had caught the exchange though and noticed the crimson hue of Teagan's cheeks. She grinned. It was though making Teagan blush with her glorious bronze complexion, but whatever Megan had said had managed to do the job quite well. Regan chuckled, looked at Megan so her mouth would be well visible. "By the way your godmother is blushing I doubt she'll translate whatever you just said to her. So help a girl out." She winked.

"[i]Megan don't you dare![/i]" Teagan almost growled, signing her threat.

Regan erupted into a full laughter next to her. Megan was also laughing her silent deaf-mute laughter.

"Aye, sure, laugh at me why don't ye!" Teagan grumbled good-naturedly.

The evening had finished without any more threats to the firefighter's composure and the three of them had made their way to Teagan's home. Once inside Megan bid them goodnight and warned them not to do anything she wouldn't with a cheeky little grin and a waggle of her eyebrows.

When they were left alone in the living room Teagan returned her attention to her companion.

"Stay awhile?" She asked shyly, extending her hand to Regan.

The PART officer took the offered hand in hers, entwining her fingers with Teagan's. "Okay." She agreed with a radiant smile.

Teagan breathed in sharply, stunned by her beauty. She tugged on Regan's hand drawing her closer. Time slowed as the two women beheld each other with trepidation. Finally Teagan framed Regan's face with her hands and slowly lowered her head. The kiss started out sweet, like their first one, but it quickly spiraled out of control as both women were eager to give more, receive more. They clung to each other, hands roaming over shoulders, fingers twisting into fists on backs. Finally when air became an urgent need they separated from each other with mirroring stunned and dazed expressions. Both breathing hard, flushed, lips swollen from the hungry kiss.

Regan moved first. She raised her right hand, her thumb gently brushing over the scar bisecting Teagan's lower lip. The move elicited a shaky breath from the firefighter and her eyelids lowered as if in bliss. "You have no idea how tantalizing this little thing here is." Regan whispered, inches from Teagan's lips. "It winks at me when you smile as if saying 'Come! Kiss me!' and I'm helpless to do otherwise." She finished, capturing the desired lower lip between hers.

This kiss was slower, more deliberate, the impact a thousandfold more potent. Teagan closed her eyes and surrendered. Her heart was beating so hard and fast in her chest she was surprised Regan managed to hold on to her. But hold on she did, until she finally released Teagan and smiled with their lips still pressed. She than slowly lowered her head and pushed her forehead into Teagan's chest. "I think we need to stop here tonight, as much as it pains me to say it. Because I don't think either of us is ready for what follows next." Regan said, lifting her head to look at Teagan.

"What did I do to deserve ye?" The firefighter marveled smiling down at Regan. She hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead reverently. "We could just stay like this all night and I would be the happiest woman on Earth." She assured.

"Than let's do just that." Regan spoke from within the embrace.

Teagan put some distance between them to look at Regan. "Are you sure?" She whispered uncertain. "I mean... I would love to, but..." She started babbling and was soon silenced by three fingers against her lips.

[i]Jeez, stop being so god damn adorable![/i] Regan thought. [i]I'm trying to be honorable here![/i] "Let's sit on this big sofa you got, catch a movie, like we planned to and maybe I'll let you hold me as we nod off." She winked playfully at Teagan. [i]I mean, of course, I'd let her hold me! I'd practically beg her to do it![/i]

[hr]

Teagan smiled remembering finally how they'd ended up in their current position. Her lying on the sofa with Regan as her impromptu blanket. She grinned for the umpteenth time and began sifted her fingers slowly through Regan's hair. The move elicited a small sigh from the warm body above her.

"Don't stop." Regan mumbled against her chest. She squeezed Teagan tighter and settled more comfortably against her body.

Teagan chuckled. "Awake?" She asked quietly. They didn't have to whisper or talk quietly for Megan's sake. It just felt right. Speaking in a soft manner agreed with the lazy mood of the morning.

"Mmmm..." Regan just mumbled in response skimming her lips along Teagan's collarbone and the firefighter trembled beneath her. [i]Okay, enough for now.[/i] Her still sleeping mind cautioned.

They settled in again, dozing on and off. A phone on a table nearby began to vibrate insistently, buzzing against the table's surface. Regan woke up from her pleasant slumber on top of Teagan with a start. [i]No![/i] She pleaded inwardly, recognizing what had awaken her. Teagan began stirring beneath her. [i]No, no, no, come on! Have some fucking mercy![/i] Regan implored and squeezed tightly the warm body beneath her to still its movements and pressed her face against Teagan's velvety neck. She remained like that in complete denial for almost a minute.

"I think yer phone is buzzing." Teagan whispered, not moving a muscle. She'd awoken as soon as Regan had and had started to stir, but stopped when she felt the younger woman cling more tightly to her. Her heart had started beating faster when Regan pushed her face into her neck, her soft lips brushing against her pulse point.

"No it isn't!" Regan objected almost petulantly and snuggled deeper into Teagan.

The phone persisted unimpressed with the intimate atmosphere it was interrupting.

"Fuck!" Regan cursed under her breath and stretched across Teagan to grab the offending object. One look at the screen had her scowling.

"It's okay!" Teagan whispered. Brushing a lock of hair off Regan's face.

"No, it's not okay." The police officer whispered back. She lowered her head and brushed a soft kiss on Teagan's lips. "I wanted this to be perfect."

"It is!" Teagan assured. Regan was about to protest something but the firefighter wouldn't allow her, kissing her to silence her. "It's okay, Regan. I'm a firefighter, remember. I know how the job is. Take the call."

Regan was flushed a bit after the short, sweet kiss. She nodded, stood up and answered the phone she couldn't hate more at the moment. 
"Murphy!" She barked into the microphone. She was pissed and she didn't care it showed in her voice. No matter what Teagan said it was not okay! [i]She [/i]was not okay with it. She'd wanted to stay like that forever, suffused by the warmth of Teagan's body.

"Good morning, Murphy," came the falsely sweet voice of her superior over the phone. "This is your daily reminder THAT YOU HAVE A GODDAMNED JOB! GET YOUR TONED ASS INTO THE OFFICE BEFORE I TAKE YOUR BADGE AND RAM IT SIDEWAYS UP YOUR..." 

Regan held the phone at arms length as Lieutenant Peter Humphreys barked his usual threats at her. She rolled her eyes and waited out the worst of the tirade. She would have been more impressed with the decibels and her boss' words, had she not heard it all before. When she felt it safe to do so, she stuck the phone to her ear again. "I'll be there right away, boss." She assured when the other end of the line went silent.

"You're not coming into the office," the lieutenant barked, giving her an address. "There's a corpse on the docket, and you've drawn the short straw. Get there and check the situation. Dismissed."

	Regan blinked a couple of times in rapid succession. The only time her outfit handled deaths was when Epics were involved. [i]Fuck![/i] She thought.

	"Bad news?" Teagan entered the living room, carrying a steaming mug in her hands. 

Despite the news from her boss Regan couldn't help but smile. She hadn't notice when the firefighter had gotten up and exited the room. Teagan approached her and handed her the cup. "Tea." She said with a smile. "I'm afraid no coffee for ye, copper." She grinned and winked "Not in my house." 

"Ha!" Regan challenged. "Just because I don't have your gorgeous Irish lilt, doesn't make me any less Irish. I'm a tea and waffles lass." 

"A woman after my own heart than." Teagan grinned and watched Regan sniff her tea approvingly and take a small sip. 

"I'm afraid we'll have to do breakfast another time." The PART officer said, regret marring her beautiful features. "That was my boss just now. It would appear duty calls."

Teagan took the mug from Regan's hands and placed it on the coffee table. She wound her arms around Regans waist and drew her in slowly but insistently, until there was no air between their bodies. "I'm goin' to repeat this to ye until it sinks in." She kissed Regans nose lightly. "It's. O-kay." She separated the words for effect. "Every minute I spend with ye is a gift." And before Regan could react she captured her lips in a swift, lip-bruising kiss. "It's okay." She murmured. And held on until she felt Regan nod.

They drew apart. The PART officer placed her open palm against Teagan's chest, above her heart. "Thank you." She simply said. "I gotta go."

Teagan nodded. "Call me when you can." She asked, following Regan to the front door and opened it.

"I will." Regan promised, stole a quick kiss from the firefighter and left.

By the time Reagan arrived, the area had been cordoned off. A rookie beat cop, freckles and gangly growth, saluted. "Sir. Ma'am? We've spoken to the culprits, and witnesses, they're inside," he pointed two storeys up at a nearby apartment. His badge, brought into prominence by the motion, read 'Franks'. "Identity of the victim is tentatively Blacklight, but the cororon- coroners wanted that your people confirm, ma'am. Sir?"

Regan couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at the young patrol officer. He seemed eager, but at the same time so young and green. Just like she'd once been. "Good job, Officer Franks." Regan said. "Keep the media away. I'll take care of the rest." The young man saluted and returned to the police line.

Regan stepped up to the body lying on the street. She crouched and peered at the face. Ouch! The bullet wound left no doubt at the cause of death. "The infamous Blacklight defeated by a simple bullet." She muttered. For it most certainly was the villain Blacklight. The PART had a Most Wanted list of Epic Villains just like the FBI used to have a Most Wanted list of Terrorists. And Blacklight was on the list. Regan walked into the building and found the apartment the patrol officer had indicated. She knocked.

"Corporal Regan Murphy with ECPD PART." She called through the door. "I'm here about the body outside. Blacklight..." She left her sentence hang unfinished in the air.

Spectrum tensed, putting Looking-Glass' head on her shoulder to stop her finding trouble. Dragon stood, opening the door and holding an arm across the frame. "Officer Murphy. You were at the snapper incident yesterday, if I remember right." He offered her a sullen, friendly smile. "You PART types stand out in a crowd." Spectrum stood, ushering Looking-Glass into a different room, after which Dragon let Reagan inside. "Anything you'd like while we chat? Tea, coffee, juice?"

"I'm fine, thank you." Regan answered with practiced ease. She looked about the apartment and noted the obvious signs of struggle. [i]Did Blacklight attack them? Is this how he died? They fought. But he was shot. Dragon doesn't use guns.[/i]

"Alright then," Dragon invited her to sit near the table. "Am I supposed to tell you what happened, or will you ask?"

Regan squared the Epic with a steely gaze. Dragon was one of the good guys, but he'd brought upon a ton of damage to the city while fighting with Blacklight. The animosity between them was as famous as the reclusive nature of the High. In fact, if it wasn't for the Island, those damages that Dragon and Blacklight had incurred, would be pretty permanent. If Regan was to look for an easy suspect, it would be Dragon. Still, Blacklight was shot to death. Oh, sure, there was definitely a fight prior to that. But the killing blow had not come from Dragon.

"You could tell me what happened, of course." Regan spoke with an even tone of voice. "It would certainly make things... more expedient shall we say." She looked around pointedly and then returned her gaze on Dragon. "Let's start with how your apartment ended up looking like the training room for young Epics."

Dragon folded his arms. "Blacklight invaded my home. Spectrum was present, and she defen..." He frowned, them asked, "if the word for 'thrown out a window' is 'defenestrate', what's the word for 'thrown through a wall'?" He waved a hand. "She threw him out, and that's when Looking-Glass and an unidentified sniper entered the fray. I arrived shortly after, and exploited Blacklight's weakness to make him harmless. He was killed by the sniper while helpless and injured."

Regan stared at Dragon for a long time without saying anything. She imagined how she would feel if someone was to invade her home while Teagan and Megan were inside. She clenched her jaw in silent rage. She could sympathize with Dragon. But her job wasn't to sympathize with him. She needed all the facts and it would appear she didn't have all the players. Dragon appeared sincere enough, but Spectrum and Looking-Glass would have to corroborate his story.

"I'm truly sorry for what happened to you, your home and your... friend." She wasn't sure in what capacity exactly was Spectrum present at Dragon's home. "Thank you for sharing your perspective on things. I'm afraid I would have to get statements from Spectrum and Looking-Glass as well." Regan paused. "Blacklight might have been a villain, but his death still needs to be explained before the authorities. I hope you understand."

"I do, but I think the sniper is more at fault here." Dragon took a deep breath and sighed, blinking heavily. "I- I think there are laws to protect children from this sort of thing, am I right?"

Children? Regan though, caught off guard, but not showing it. "Of course there will be an investigation into the identity of the sniper." She leaned toward Dragon. "And I cannot answer that question without having all the facts..." Regan puzzled over how to address Dragon. Somehow calling him Mr Heart or Mr Dragon seemed laughable. "Look, Dragon, it would appear you are trying to protect someone. That's admirable. I can tell you this. Minors are not prosecuted the same as adults. Of course, there are exceptions. If the minor was emancipated from the parents, for instance, they would be tried as adult and would be subject to the full force of the law."

Regan withdrew and sat back. "This is not a witch hunt, Dragon. I have a dead Epic villain downstairs and a job to do. I will do it to the best of my abilities while upholding the law and serving justice." She set her gaze on the Epic and waited.

"To be truthful then, Looking-Glass is a child," Dragon said, looking up at her. "She's definitely under 18, so we decided we'd try and keep her safe from the worst of this. I don't know about her home life or parents, but both Spectrum and I want her to be safe from this."

Regan scowled. Fuck, this is going to complicate things. She knew there were a number of minor Epic heroes out there that could hold their own against a monster or two and in a major crisis. But this... This was taking a life. No child should go through this.

"If she's a minor, she would need a guardian present for her statement. I cannot question her without one." She looked at Dragon Heart. "And as much as you and Spectrum want to help, if neither of you is that guardian, the only thing you can offer her is moral support. We'll need to contact her parents. But understand this. If she was involved... However it pains me to think it. She cannot escape the due process."

She fell silent for a moment. "Actions have consequences." She stated quietly. "I can wait for one of you two to speak with Looking-Glass to contact her parents or a guardian. The sooner we sort this out, the better for everyone involved."

[b][i]To Be Continued...[/i][/b]