[i]”Fuck you, Virgil.”[/i]

[u][b]February 10th, Poseidonis campus 3:24 PM[/b][/u]

The words still rang loud and clear in Virgil's mind. He looked like shit, he felt like shit, but he was still alive. Nobody died this time, but he knew he could have handled things better than he did. 

A few days of going AWOL and looking inside yourself really did wonders. Being gone for a few days was something Virgil couldn't say he was fond of, but there were times back in Dakota where Virgil would leave on a "school trip" onto to spend a day or two patrolling as he saw fit. He still couldn't believe himself, but he was back. Well, physically.

He figured it started long before he got that feeling in his bones. In truth, it started the moment he got off the shuttle down here. He was there, telling himself he was taking a break from being a hero, only to flaunt his powers left and right. That should have been the first sign. Then it was tinkering with his gadgets. He shouldn't even have brought his equipment down here. Just in case was a lazy excuse to tell himself that he really didn't want to take a break. Talking to Richie on the Shock Box. Virgil brought his phone. The moment Virgil truly crossed his own line was when he put on that suit and went parading around Atlantis like it was Dakota. 

Then he met Mal and the other Argonaut. When Virgil got clued in that these guys were not only good, but of some importance, he got high and mighty to prove himself to them. He should have stuck to the plan. All he had to do was take out the generator and lay low. If anyone came rushing out, he should have handled it then. He should not have walked into the building, firing bolts left and right at people who tried to get at him. His sudden exit probably wasn't handled all that well. 

Virgil grabbed his arms and looked at the campus he stood on the edge on. He had snuck into the dorms the night of the Raid and changed into civilian clothes, but those were the same clothes he was wearing right now. He just didn't know if he was ready to face Mal. Karen was in the party, playing the agent or something so Mal had eyes and ears inside. Sociable eyes and ears, that is. 

He had to apologize. Virgil knew that to be true. He also deserved a powered punch or something from the Watchdog since Virgil was almost absolutely sure that Mal still had it in him after the raid. He had to own up to this. He couldn't keep running when things went sour. 

With that, Virgil set foot on the campus of the university for the first time in nearly three days. Whatever happened, happened.