Gwen smiles excitedly as she looks up at her house, stepping out of the taxi when Ethan opens the door for her, and then taking Ethan's arm and squeezing it. "I'm so excited! I haven't been in my house in 6 years!" she whispers.
Gwen's neighborhood is like so many other middle-class neighborhoods in southern California. It was built in a hilly area, so one usually has to drive up a serious of steep streets to get to various houses. However Gwen's street is near the top of one of the hills, and most of her street is flat.
Her house is a two-story built using the popular adobe and wood-style that the rest of the neighborhood sports. The garage is huge-- it looks like it could hold 4 cars-- and there are tall trees in the front yard. A wooden fence blocks their view of the backyard.

Gwen looks up at Ethan and gives a quiet laugh. "Are you really that nervous, or are you just putting on an Ethan-show?" she whispers, her eyes shining with merriment.

Ethan winces. "No, it's not an act." he says. "How do I look? OK? Is this tie alright?" He adjusts his tie one more time. "I want them to like me, think they'll like me?" he asks in rapid fire.

Gwen is so touched by his nervousness that she drops the teasing and turns to face him with love in her eyes. She brushes the shoulders and arms of his suit...straightens his tie one final time...and then kisses him softly.
"They'll love you. They ALREADY love you! This is a no-lose situation!" she smiles. "Now come on...let's go and get it over with!" she kisses his cheek.

Ethan looks into her eyes and feels a bit better. "I hope so. I'm sure you're right but...you know it's a big day for a guy...to meet his gal's parents." he says. "Well umm...you ready?"

Gwen gets a little shiver up her spine when he calls her "his gal!" It never ceases to have that affect on her-- that she is Ethan's and he is hers!
"You're right, handsome...I had the advantage of meeting your dad BEFORE we started dating! I would have been just as nervous if I was meeting him for the first time AFTER we started dating!"
She takes his arm and gives it a little squeeze again, and then the two walk up the driveway, up the front walkway to the porch, and then Gwen takes a deep breath and rings the doorbell. Her parents will probably wonder why she didn't just walk in, but...it hasn't been her house in so long. She needs that final permission to enter before she'll feel comfortable just walking in again.

The door opens and Gwen's mother appears. "Oh hello, Gwen! Come in come in! Oh and this must be Ethan," she says looking him over.
Ethan smiles and nods mutely. "Hello Ma'am." he manages.
"Oh 'ma'am'-- did you hear that, Gwen. Ma'am don't be so formal." she says waving them in. "I was just finishing up the cooking," she says drying her hands on her apron.

Gwen raises her eyebrow at Ethan in amusement, and then the two walk into the house.
"Mom must really be concentrating on her cooking! She seems a little distracted!" she whispers.
"Mom..." she calls, and then turns to Ethan and whispers for him to take off his glasses. "Mom...did Dad tell you who Ethan is yet? His nova-name, I mean?" she asks.

Ethan takes off his glasses and stands straighter, allowing his physique to show through. Martha turns and takes a good look at Ethan and looks over at her daughter. "That's Supreme. I know. It takes more than a big set of glasses to fool me, Gwen." she says walking towards the kitchen.

Ethan chuckles and shakes his head. "Dad and her would get along well."

Gwen rolls her eyes and sighs. "Sorry about that! Mom told me that she watches the news avidly whenever they mention novas, so I guess I expected her to give a...different reaction!" she whispers with a smile. "Yes...we need to get our parents to meet sometime! That would be great!" She reaches back and squeezes Ethan's rear while trying to keep an innocent look on her face.

Ethan looks at her with a raised eyebrow. "Gwen," he says giving her a warning look.
"That's ok. Your mom is nice, and you know I don't like all that attention anyway. I just like being treated like a normal person."

Gwen nods at Ethan. "That's true...maybe Mom's just psychic!" she whispers with a grin.
"Hey Mom? Where are Dad and Pete?" she calls.

"Pete's at the store getting dessert." Martha says when she reaches the kitchen. "Dad had a meeting and he'll be home soon." she says. "He wouldn't miss this."

"OK good! Because they both would have been in a lot of trouble if they didn't show up!" she calls back. She glances up the stairs. "Hey Mom? Is...my room still...you know...they way it was when I left, or did it get turned into something else?" she calls.

"Oh it's still yours," Martha says. "Your father wouldn't touch it. He said to leave it as it was, hoping that you'd be back someday in that room." she says.

"That's nice. My dad left my room the same way. It hasn't changed since I was living there." Ethan says.

Gwen's eyes are a little shiny when she hears that her room hasn't been touched, and she ducks her head and blinks before turning back to Ethan.
"I know..." she smiles, poking at his side. "It's very nice...especially the bed!" she whispers, teasing him again. She glances at the stairs again. "Now that you've showed me yours, want to see mine?"

"Absolutely," Ethan says smiling. He looks over to Martha. "Mind if we see her room?" he asks.

"Such a nice gentleman," Martha says nodding. "Go ahead and look. Dinner's still cooking." she says.

Ethan smiles and turns back to Gwen. "Lead the way."

Gwen takes a deep breath and nods. "All right...but remember, I was 15 when I decorated it!" she warns, her cheeks a little pink. She takes Ethan's hand and leads him up the stairs. Everything her eyes fall on causes her heart to clench a little-- the framed pictures on the wall leading up the stairs...the yarn art-project her mom made...the carpet...the doors.
Finally they arrive at Gwen's bedroom door. It's shut, and on the outside is the familiar sign she'd taped there when she was 15 that reads, "Enter and Die!"
Gwen grins at Ethan and gives a little laugh, and then reaches out and turns the knob. The room has a single bed against one wall with a nightstand next to it...a desk and chair...a window overlooking the back yard...a dresser...bookshelves...an empty hamster cage sitting on the floor in one corner...a set of dumbbells in another corner...yep-- it's all as she left it!
Her bedspread is the Lakers logo...the lamp on the nightstand is obviously from the Los Angeles Angels' gift shop...her junior high track jacket is draped over the chair...the bookshelves are filled with trophies...there's a big San Diego Chargers rug on the floor...three of the walls are covered with sports and WWF posters, and the fourth wall is filled with all the team pictures of all the sports teams Gwen has been on. The pictures date all the way back when she was about 6 years old!
Gwen stands there staring at everything with a big lump in her throat. She's speechless.

Ethan smiles when he walks in. He looks at all the posters and bed spread. He looks at the wall with all her pictures on it. "I can see you in each one." he says. "You were just as cute as a kid." he says. "So this room hasn't changed at all huh?" he asks. "You sure, because it seems an awful lot like your room in New York." he says with a snicker.

Gwen gives him a good-natured glare and punches him lightly in the arm. "HA-HA!" she smirks. She walks over to glance across her team-pictures. "Not hard to spot ME, eh? I was the tallest one on every team! Even compared to the guys!" she smiles wistfully. She walks over to the chair and tries to put on her track jacket...and stops before she breaks the seams on the arms!
"Well at least I know the milk and Wheaties worked!" she laughs, flexing. "Actually, the main difference between this room and my room in New York is that instead of Magic Johnson and Hulk Hogan posters, I have YOUR poster!" she grins toothily.
She walks over to the window and pulls open the drapes that are covered in baseballs, basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and hockey pucks and sticks and looks down into the backyard. She gets another lump in her throat as she sees the family swimming pool...the big grassy area where her T-ball set used to stand when she was a child...the rose bushes around the perimeter of the yard...the lemon and orange trees that only ever seemed to spawn one or two tiny fruits each...the deck with her dad's barbecue and the picnic table and chairs...
She leans forward and rests her forehead against the glass, her eyes teary.

Ethan walks over to her by the window. He puts his hands on her shoulders. "Bringing back a lot of memories?" he asks. He rubs her shoulders and kisses the back of her neck. "You're home now, Gwen." he says softly. "It must feel wonderful."

Gwen nods wordlessly, so grateful for his presence nearby and his touch. She glances at him with a grateful smile, her eyes filled with tears, and leans against his chest.
"Yeah..." she says in a husky voice. "But I keep thinking about all the family parties I missed...the letterman jacket that should have been on the back of that chair...the high school trophies and pictures that should have been on the walls..." she says, fighting the lump in her throat. "Hey baby? If you ever get so fast that you can fly around the earth and make time go backwards like Superman, could you make time go back to when I was 15?" she asks, only half-joking.

Ethan smiles, "I would if I could, Gwen. I'd do that for you," he says kissing her neck again. He sighs, "We all have things we regret, Gwen. But at least you made up with your dad. You can have the rest of your lives together." he says. "Some people never get that chance."

Gwen closes her eyes and shivers when he kisses her neck. She loves when he does that! She nods to him and sighs wistfully, pulling his arms around her. "That's true..." She rests the side of her head against the side of his. "Thank you for turning time back for me if you could." she smiles softly. She looks at the clear turquoise waters of the pool. "You should see the pool at night during the summer. Dad turns the pool-lights on, and lights tiki torches around the outside! You can't see it from here, but there's a stereo down on the porch. I used to swim laps to Metallica!" she laughs.

"That's not surprising," Ethan says with a chuckle. "I bet it's beautiful to look at. Maybe we can convince him to do that tonight and you and I can take a swim. What do you say?" Ethan asks smiling. He holds her close, feeling how vulnerable she is right now.

Gwen's face lights up and she nods. "That would be wonderful! And we could show-off our breathing-underwater-trick!" she laughs. This is Gwen's newest ability that the trainers back in New York worked on with her until she could finally do it. "Mmmm...and some strawberry margueritas!" she sighs contentedly, nuzzling her nose against Ethan's cheek. She opens her eyes and looks at him seriously.
"Is there anything you would change if you could turn back time?" she asks curiously.

"Not letting Mal go the first time." Ethan says. "I could have saved a few lives had I caught him then." he says. "Stopping the mugger who killed my mom." he says quietly. "There's a few things I would take back if I could, Gwen..."

Gwen's face falls and she looks down sadly. "God, Ethan...I ask pretty stupid questions sometimes, don't I..." she whispers. "I'm so sorry..." She turns around in his arms and hugs him wordlessly. She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly.

"No no," Ethan says. "It's ok, Gwen, you didn't mean anything by it." he says and kisses her forehead. "Your childhood home is wonderful, Gwen. I can sense a lot of good memories here." he says. "Can you remember any of the good ones?"

Gwen smiles a little smile and looks up at him. "I used to get teased by my big brothers all the time...them ganging up on me and giving me a toilet-swirly by holding me upside down over the toilet...all that fun stuff! Well when I was about 9 years old I'd has enough, and I put a mousetrap in each of their beds before bedtime. Then I hid in the bathroom waiting. One by one they went to bed, and then the snapping started!" she laughs. "I grabbed the piece of cardboard I had with me and ran for the stairs, sat on the cardboard, and just as their doors flew open and they came running at me I slid down the stairs on the cardboard, opened the front door, ran outside, and climbed the big spruce tree!" she laughs. "When they tried to climb up I threw pinecones down on them! Of course Mom and Dad had to intervene when they started shaking the tree, but that was a triumphant moment for me!" she grins triumphantly.

Ethan laughs heartily and holds her close. "That's great! Why did you wait till they came out to slide down the stairs? Were you waiting to hear the snaps?" he asks laughing. "Where did you put the mousetraps? Down by their feet I hope!"

Gwen grins toothily. "Nope! Right in the middle of the bed so they'd SIT on them!" she laughs loudly. "I waited until they came out because I knew I could totally out-slide them on the cardboard, and I wanted to taunt them-- to sit there right within their reach, and then at the last minute slide away and there was nothing they could do to catch me! I wanted them to KNOW that I did it!" she grins proudly, chin up. "Like I said...I've been training to go up against evil supervillains since I was little!" she laughs.

"I don't know if your brothers constitute evil supervillains," Ethan says shaking his head a little. "But that was pretty funny, and a good memory. What else? Do you have any more?" he asks hopefully.
"I didn't have any siblings to rival with."

Gwen laughs. "Well you can share mine! I'll gladly share them with you!" She pulls Ethan over to her old bed and sits down, picking up one of her giant old teddy bears and holding it in her arms so Ethan has a place to sit. Her old room will never be as conducive to romance as Ethan's is!
"Hmmm…let's see..." She suddenly gives a little wince as another memory comes to her. "One time our parents were gone, so we all snuck up to Richie's room and climbed out of his window and onto the ledge that overhangs the patio, and we took turns jumping off of the roof into the swimming pool. Richie's the middle brother-- the one just younger than Pete. I remember that even though I was the youngest I could jump the farthest! I always hit the middle of the pool nice and clean! I earned a lot of respect from the brothers that day!"
"Then Richie decided he needed to show off, and took a running start on the ledge-- trying to get some good momentum before jumping-- but by this time the ledge was a little slippery and he slipped and fell onto the patio." Gwen winces. "I remember I thought he was dead...we ALL did. We were all screaming and crying, and we got down to him as quickly as we could, and while Pete was dialing 911 I was kneeling by him begging him to open his eyes. In that moment I realized I DID love him, and I told him I would forgive all the mean things he used to do to me if he would just be alive again. It seemed like only a few seconds later that he opened his eyes and looked right at me, and I always believed that it was my wish that brought him back to life...even though in hindsight he'd probably just been unconscious."
"Lucky for Richie he only broke and arm and a leg, but Dad yelled at all of us with such a terrible wrath! And then he ran over and grabbed us up and hugged us tightly. We were all really relieved when he hugged us! We thought he was coming to KILL us for a moment..." Gwen says softly, lost in the memory.

Ethan smiles and pats her knee. "Your father must love you all very much," he says. He smiles wistfully. "That I know all about," he says. "I never got hurt when I was a kid. Never got sick, never broke an arm or even a finger." he says. "I'm glad I didn't but...it was strange. I never missed school, perfect attendance. Never had some experiences."

Gwen nods quickly. "Yeah-- now that you mention it! I used to do the most daring things just to see if I would get hurt, but even if I fell I never got hurt! I think that's where I get my cockiness from..." she says musing. "Even when Frost tried to freeze my skin and succeeded in giving me frost-bite in my feet and legs I STILL healed it off in less than a minute! I guess deep down I know I COULD be killed by the right force, but it still seems unreal that I could be hurt and so I'm still just as daring and heedless as when I was a child!"
Gwen wraps her arm around Ethan, setting her teddybear on the floor. "Don't be sad you missed out on getting sick or injured. I'll never forget how much pain Richie was in, nor how gross his arm and leg looked when they were broken. I'll never be jealous of missing THAT experience! And all my brothers got chicken pox. Of course it just passed me by. I told my brothers that it was because I had girl-power, but I'll never forget how sick they got, or how itchy, and how Mom had to coat them in pink lotion to get them to stop crying and scratching..." she says shaking her head.

Ethan thinks a moment. "Perhaps you had the nova genes working when you were young as well. That's why you never got sick, too." he says. He puts a hand on hers. "So tell me...what's with all these posters? Didn't you like music? Or movies? I only see sports."

Gwen laughs. "There are a couple of different answers to that question! First and foremost, you should have seen my room at Pete's! This room here is my elementary school/junior high room. I didn't start getting into bands and teenagery-things until I was at Pete's! Yeah, I liked certain bands when I was 15, but if I found a band-sticker it went on my school binder."
"The second answer is that this was my inspiration-room. I don't have a musical bone in my body, but I was a natural-born athlete, so I surrounded myself with my athlete-heroes...people who made it big in their sport...people who were better than their peers...THE best. And I filled my room with pictures of those people, and with different kinds of sports, because I fully intended to join their ranks as an equal one day!"
"And now..." Gwen laughs. "...I have a poster, too! And it's KIND OF a sports poster! I AM wearing a football uniform in it! Well...PART of a uniform..." she grins.

"And that's pretty much all you're wearing," Ethan says with a wink. "I like the posters." he says. "I had music all over my walls, and a few superheroes. But the thing you could have found the most of was space. I love space. If it wasn't for what I am I would have tried to be an astronaut."

Gwen raises her eyebrows and looks at Ethan in surprise. "Wow! I didn't know that! Really??" She pauses, lost in thought. "Well...you could still do that! We have really long life-spans, right? Why be a lawyer then? Why not live at the center in New York and we'll hire the best most brilliant astronomers to come teach you there! You could get your degree, and you don't even need a spaceship to go into space-- you already have! You can fly out there anytime you want...carry cameras for NASA and record the most incredible, unimaginable things for them that would normally cost them billions of dollars to record! I mean, they have to build shuttles and little robots that they can control from the earth, and most of the time the shuttles or robots malfunction in the middle of their mission and all those billions of dollars are lost!" she cries getting more and more excited as she thinks about the possibilities.

"I thought about that...but Mal is still out there. And I can't leave the earth in his care." Ethan says. "As long as there are villains like him around, I'll have to stay that dream." he says looking her in the eyes. "But there are some dreams I can still have."

Gwen shivers a little, looking back into his eyes. She runs her hands up his arms and holds them in her hands as she looks at him.
"What dreams, Ethan?" she whispers a little breathlessly.

"Of finding the right woman, getting married, having children," Ethan says smiling softly at her. "Those kind of dreams. Do you have those?"

Gwen's breath catches in her throat and she gives Ethan a quivery smile. "Not about finding the right woman..." she says with a little laugh. In true Gwen-form she cannot stop herself from making a little joke. "But I'll tell you something. Growing up, I never thought any of those dreams could be mine, so I never dared dream them. Until quite recently. Now I'm starting to believe they could. In fact, I have often caught myself day-dreaming about those very things..." she says softly.

Ethan smiles softly and brings her hand up to his lips. He kisses her hand and holds it to him. "So have I. I've been thinking about them a lot lately, and in every dream I see you." he says with a smile. He leans over and kisses her forehead.

Gwen's head is a very light and her breath catches in her throat. It's so out-of-character for her, but ever since she and Ethan told each other they loved each other, she keeps having happy little day-dreams that give her a rush of excitement about what it would be like to have a baby with Ethan! She never thought she'd be talking about that with him! At least not THIS fast! But everything with Ethan has gone fast! Why wait when you know it's real, right?
"You don't know how happy I am to hear that..." she whispers, and then leans in and kisses him softly and slowly on the lips.

Ethan kisses her back tenderly. They share a moment or two and then break the kiss. "Your mother must be wondering what we're doing up here," Ethan says breathily. "Shall we go back downstairs?" he asks looking over at the door and then back to Gwen.

Gwen smiles, a rare gentle look in her eyes. "It might be best...Dad and Pete should be here anytime, and as much as I used to fantasize about having a boy on this bed with me, this is probably not be the best moment to experience more of that fantasy!" she smiles, running her hands across Ethan's broad chest, a tiny sigh of regret escaping her lips.
"Thank you for coming up here with me. That meant a lot to me." she adds.

Ethan nods, "Of course, I was glad to come." he says. "I'd follow you anywhere, even up to your room...and especially up to my room," he says with a chuckle. "Alright let's get downstairs before your father gets the shotgun out."

Gwen laughs hard and takes Ethan's hand, pulling him up to his feet and then leading him out of her room. She shuts the door softly behind them, and then the two walk back down the stairs.
"Wow, Mom...when you said you guys kept my room for me, you really kept my room for me! Even the old hamster cage is still in the corner!" she calls, feeling light and happy.

"Oh finally came down!" Martha says. "Yes your father would have nothing of yours moved. Not a single thing," she says. "Ethan, coffee?" she says holding up a cup.

"Yes please." Ethan says taking the cup. Martha pours him some coffee and goes back to tooling about the kitchen.

"So Gwen when's the big day?" Martha asks.

Gwen's eyes open wide and she glances at Ethan, her face turning a little red. "Oh well which day do you mean, Mom?" she asks quickly. "I don't have any interviews lined up that I can think of, and things have been pretty quiet crime-wise..." she pretends to ponder. "Is there something I'm forgetting?"

Martha chuckles and pulls out the Daily World News, ‘Aura to marry Batboy!' "Isn't this nice. This is how I find things out? You never bring him home to meet us, you never even mention him and now you're dating Ethan." she says smiling. "I didn't raise you like that."

Ethan laughs when he sees the photoshopped picture of Aura holding Batboy's hand.

Gwen's mouth drops open and she snatches the paper from her mom's hand, staring at the headline. "What the hell!?" she cries. "BATBOY?? Oh not BATBOY!! Loch Ness Monster, maybe...or even a piece of toast with the virgin Mary's face burned in it would be better than BATboy! ANYTHING would! Where the hell do they come up with this crap!" she cries, throwing the paper on the table in disgust.

Martha shakes her head. "Trouble in paradise already?" she asks putting her hands on her hips.

Ethan laughs even harder now patting Gwen on the back. "When were you planning on telling me?" he asks through the laughter. "I feel so used."

Gwen lets out a noise and then grabs the newspaper, wads it up, and throws it at Ethan. "OK fine...I got Batboy to PRETEND we were engaged to try to get you to notice me and be jealous...happy?" Gwen goes along with the joke, folding her arms and pretending to glare at Ethan.

"Oh I see, so you just used that poor Batboy to get to me. Well that's real shallow, Gwen." Ethan says mock-serious.
Now it's Martha's turn to laugh. "I don't know where you get off. Batboy's had a hard enough life without you breaking his heart."

Gwen tries to maintain her stern look, but her lips start to quiver, and suddenly she bursts out laughing.
"Oh fine...you're right, Mom. I should just give Batboy a chance. Maybe he's a nice guy...under all that fur!" she pretends to ponder, tapping her finger against her bottom lip.

Ethan and Martha continue to laugh. Finally the laughter subsides. "Where do they get this stuff." Ethan says looking at the cover. "I mean how can anyone be convinced this is real. He looks so fake."

Gwen shakes her head. "I don't know, but I'm pretty insulted that they linked me with Batboy, of all people! I mean, Cero would look MUCH more natural on Batboy's arm! Look at what a wimp Batboy is! OK, maybe that came out wrong!" she grins. Then she takes Ethan's arm. "Besides, isn't the truth exciting enough?" she asks, looking from herself to Ethan and back to her mom with a grin. "I would think once Aura and Supreme got out we'd have all the magazines clambering to get an interview, right? Hmm...maybe they just don't know about us! We must really be doing a good job keeping things on the low-down, eh Ethan?" she asks, grinning proudly.

"And I'd like us to keep things like that for awhile." Ethan says. "I don't want the press hounding us even worse than they already are." he says. "How can you stand it? I know you have Cero and Slider to talk to the press but they must come after you too."

Gwen nods. "Oh yeah they do...but you know what? I've gotten used to it. I've actually started feeling a little disappointed when they don't direct a question at me! Seriously! I mean, I don't like when they ambush me when I'm not prepared, or when I'm just trying to sneak out somewhere, but when we're going to a press conference or interview and I'm prepared, that's when I don't mind answering questions. Of course...there's always a danger having ME answer questions! Sometimes even *I* don't know what's going to come out of my mouth!" she laughs. "Actually, forget ‘sometimes!' I NEVER know what's going to come out of my mouth!" she grins.

Ethan chuckles. "Oh Gwen you give yourself no credit." he says. "You do a lot better than you think, but sometimes you say the wrong thing." He smiles at her and takes her hand. "But I love you."

"Oh Gwen's always spoke before she thought." Martha says. "She was always so blunt when she was a child, still is it seems."

Gwen smiles at Ethan, laughing and looking down. "Thanks Ethan." She glances over at her mother. "Yes, but who did I get that from? Everyone assumes it was Dad, but you know Mom...sometimes I wonder..." she teases.

"Oh pshaw," Martha says waving her off. "It was your dad, and don't even try to blame me," she says.

"Blame who for what?" Pete says opening the door. He walks in with the last-minute groceries. He sets it on the counter. He looks at Ethan and smiles. "You look different."

"No costume," Ethan says with a smile.

Gwen grins and hurries over to hug Pete...or it might be to have easy access to restraining his arms after her next question!
"So Pete...my poster is the #2 selling poster of the year! What do you think of that? Inspired your teammates at all? You think that's why the Chargers won again?" she grins a toothy grin, ready to grab his arms if he tries to slug her one!

"I'm still not talking to you." Pete says folding his arms. "The shit I had to go through because of your layout," he says shaking his head.

Ethan snickers. "I liked it." he says with a grin.

"I bet. So Ethan," Pete says. "What was it like saving the shuttle?"

"Pretty good. I'm glad I could help-- I won't forget the faces of their families as they ran down the runway." Ethan says.

Gwen hmphs when she can't get a better rise out of Pete, and then folds her own arms and turns so she can join the conversation.
"Ethan's too modest. He's the only nova who can survive breaking through earth's atmosphere and going into outer space without any equipment! Well...aside from Divis, probably. But in any case he was the only one who could save that shuttle! I TRIED to fly up there, but I realized at a certain altitude that I would die if I went any further, so I had to turn back." she says in resignation. "However, there might come a time when Ethan needs back-up, so I've been training with the research center! Right now my body can survive without sleep, food, or oxygen...I just need to get my stamina higher to survive in any temperature or condition. It's amazing that Ethan was just born with these amazing abilities that take forever-- or never-- for a nova like me to even TRY to learn!" she smiles, wrapping her arm around Ethan.

"You were born like that?" Pete says looking at Ethan, mouth agape.

Ethan nods. "Me and one other...we were born like this. I can survive nearly anything," he says. "Nearly that is. I'm sure I have a weakness. I just haven't found it yet."

"Here's hoping no one ever does," Pete says.

Gwen grins, poking Ethan in the side. "I know a couple of your weaknesses..." she grins evilly, wiggling her eyebrows at him.

Ethan rolls his eyes. "I mean dangerous weaknesses." he says.

"I saw your poster, it's on the wall in our locker room-- thank you very much sis." Pete says. "Everybody asks for your number by the way." he turns to Ethan. "Can I tell them my sis is dating Supreme?"

"Sure," Ethan says. "I don't mind."

Gwen grins. "Yes! Please tell them I'm dating Supreme! Then they'll be too intimidated to call and text message me anymore!" she smiles. "See? I'm telling you Ethan! We need to do a poster together! We can blow that Slider-one away next year!" she laughs. Then she pauses. "Do ALL novas have a weakness? I mean...are we SUPPOSED to have a weakness?" she asks looking concerned.

"I will then," Pete says sitting down at the counter.

"That's what they told me at the center," Ethan says. "Every nova has some sort of weakness that they are vulnerable to. I've been shot, electrified, water, fire, space, nothing. I haven't found what it is yet."

"Sounds like invulnerability to me," Pete says. "So this other guy...it's Mal isn't it?"

Ethan nods. "It is." he says, sitting down as well. "How about we change the topic." he says and looks to Gwen for help.

Gwen smiles and stands next to Ethan's stool, putting her arm around his shoulders. "So Ethan looks that different out of his suit, does he?" she asks Pete and Martha. "He wears a pair of glasses, too, and no one seems to be able to tell that he's Supreme when he does! Even with his striking hair!" she marvels, running her fingers through his platinum hair and then kissing the top of his head.

"He does." Pete says. "I wouldn't have been able to tell if I hadn't met him before and knew who he was." he says. "But yes he looks very different."

"My dad is the one who suggested the glasses. He says it makes me look...meek. He said that would be the best disguise from what I really am." Ethan says.

The door opens and Lars walks in carrying his briefcase. "Sorry I'm late," he calls from the door. He walks into the kitchen and smiles. "So this is Ethan." he says.

Ethan shakes his hand. "How are you sir?"

"Good good." Lars turns to Gwen. "Hi honey."

Gwen beams and hugs her dad. "Hey Dad! Have a good meeting? Oh! I had an idea I wanted to pass by you!" she smiles. "If you're all tired-out of talking business I can wait until later." she adds.

"It was good, same as always though. We discussed certain players, who we want back, who we don't." Lars says. He sighs, "I hate having to cut good people." he says. "Tell me your idea."

"Weeell...I have all this money sitting in the bank, and I recently had a chat with this other nova who does nothing but give her money away...kinda made me feel like a jerk-- not on purpose, of course! Anyhow, I got to thinking, and women's track and field is a really under-rewarded sport. Most girls like me who excelled in it are really lucky to get full-ride scholarships and then make any kind of career out of it. I wanted to start a scholarship in my name for the female track and field athletes who DON'T get scholarships from fancy universities for whatever reason, but who you think are deserving and promising athletes." she tells him. "I guess it would involve me flying you around the country each year to scout girls out...if you had the time for something like that..." she says.

Lars looks at his daughter and sizes her up. He smiles broadly and nods. "What a great idea, Gwen!" he says. "I like it...are you sure though? It takes a lot of money to start a fund like that."

Ethan looks at Gwen and smiles. Everyday Gwen shows a new part of her personality to him and he loves her all the more each time. He pats her on the shoulder. "It is an excellent idea, Gwen."

Gwen smiles at her father and Ethan. "Thanks!" she beams. "Oh don't worry, Dad...it will be no problem! You don't even want to know how much they pay us to do the commercials and posters! It's a crime, really!" she laughs. "I've been getting nervous having all that money sitting around. I mean, what if my bank has an accounting error and loses it...or the stock market crashes...or Caestus decides he wants to take it all back? I know I know...fat chance of any of that happening! But I would be really mad to lose all that money before I'd even figured out what to do with it! Besides, everytime I tell my teammates that I don't know what to do with it, Cero tries to convince me to go clothes-shopping with her!" she grimaces, sticking out her tongue. "As if I need anymore warm-up outfits or gowns!"

"A young lady should have some feminine clothes," Martha pipes up from by the oven.

Gwen makes sure her mother isn't looking and then makes a face at her back. An old mother/daughter tradition!

Lars looks over at her and then back to Gwen. "Well then I'll talk to my lawyer and draw up some papers. You and I can go over some details tonight." he says.

Gwen beams. "Thanks Dad! I knew you'd want to do it! I'll fly you first-class...pamper you in the jet!" she grins.

"Hey Ethan help me set the table," Pete says.
Ethan nods and pats Gwen's shoulder and joins Pete in setting the table.

"Dinner will be ready soon." Martha says.

Gwen smiles and watches Ethan. He must be loving being treated like a regular member of the family. She's SO relieved that her family is taking to him as well as his family took to her! See? He didn't have anything to worry about! She turns back to her parents. "I would love for you guys to meet Ethan's dad! He's a really great guy! They have a huge farm in Kansas with cornfields!" she says happily.

"A farmer huh?" Lars says looking over at Ethan. "He looks the type. Big guy...that's Supreme isn't it? He looks so much bigger in his costume." he says. "So tell us, how serious are you about this boy?"

"Oh Lars, be easy with her. I like him." Martha says.

"I didn't say I didn't like him, I'm just asking," Lars says. "So tell me, how serious."

Gwen blushes a little, looking down and fidgeting with the zipper on her jacket with a little smile on her face. "Oh...weeeell...we've had some serious talks..." she says. "Let's just say we no longer just plan what we're going to do for the weekend, but rather what we're going to do in the long-distance future! And yes, that's Supreme. He's looking smaller on purpose right now because he's in the dressy-suit. He's so used to doing it as part of his disguise! But if we go swimming tonight you'll recognize him!" she smiles.

Lars nods approvingly. "I will see during dinner how much I like him," he says. "But it seems Pete and your mother have taken to him. That's a good sign." he says. "Long distance plans huh...how long distance?"

Gwen glances into the dining room. She knows Ethan has REALLY sharp hearing, but he and Pete are talking so maybe he's not paying attention to the kitchen! She turns back to her parents. "Weeell..." she says, her cheeks pink again, "...let's just say we're both done looking. We both feel like we've found the right person. We, uh...we both agree that we'd like to be parents someday...that kind of thing..." she says in a low voice.

Lars nods considering things. he looks over at Ethan again. "He does seem to be a good person. He's a lawyer so he's a good provider..." Lars says. "I'll talk with him and see what I think..." he says.
"You really love him huh?"

Gwen looks down...uncharacteristically bashful. "Yeah, Dad...I do. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to him, but I know I'd never love again." she says softly. "He's it for me...the one I didn't even dare dream about. I can't even explain what happens when we touch each other. These...sparks go everywhere..." she says, feeling like she's not eloquent enough to find the words to describe it.

"Touch each other?" Lars says raising an eyebrow.

"Sex, Lars she's talking about sex." Martha pipes up.
Lars looks over at Martha with a scowl and then back to Gwen.

"Humph...well...that's good. That you love him I mean. Not the sex-part...that's bad. You should have waited till the two of you were married." Lars says. He looks back at Ethan and then at Gwen. "You've had sex?"

"Whoah whoah whoah!" Gwen cries, holding up her hands. "I didn't mean sex, Mom! I really meant when we touch each other! You know...holding hands...cuddling...especially kissing. WOW!" she says, shaking her head in amazement. She grimaces and glances out at Ethan. She doesn't want her dad to disapprove of them! Poor Ethan hasn't done anything wrong! She hopes it never gets out that Ethan's dad not only approved of them having sex, but helped orchestrate it!
"But...since you asked-- and thanks a LOT Mom-- yes, Dad...we've had sex. And it was really beautiful. It was...just like a wedding-night." she says carefully.

Lars looks at Gwen with a steady eye and then nods. "Younger generation...no respect for tradition." he mumbles.

"We had sex before marriage," Martha says putting the roast pan on the counter. "And it was good too. Your father--"

"That's enough, Martha," Lars says cutting her off. "Well I still don't approve...but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. Is that better Gwen?" he says looking annoyed at Martha who just shrugs.

"AAAAH LALALALALALALALA!" Gwen cries, covering her ears as her mom starts talking about her dad being good at sex. She pauses, glances at her mom, sees she's stopped talking, and finally removes her hands from her ears.
She looks back at her dad. "DAD! How can you not approve!? Mom just said you guys...you know...YOU guys didn't respect tradition! But...thanks for overlooking it." she says gratefully. "Naughty Dad!" she says under her breath.

"Damn..." Lars says looking around. "Not one word to your brothers..." Lars says.

"Oh they already know...and they've had sex already, too." Martha says as she cuts the roast.

Gwen bursts out laughing. "Oh this is rich! I wish the other two were here!" she grins.

"What? Am I the only one around here who doesn't know what our children are up to?" Lars says.

Martha shrugs. She picks up the roast and brings it out to the table. "Dinner!" she says.

Pete sits down and Ethan pulls out a chair for Gwen. Lars brings in the vegetables and the wine. He sets the on the table and sits at the head.

Gwen waits until Ethan's sitting down and then takes his hand, squeezing it and smiling at him. "Did you have a nice conversation with Pete?" she whispers. "Because you missed a doozy of a talk with Mom and Dad!" she covers her mouth and laughs.

"I heard every word." Ethan says in a whisper smiling. "It was very difficult not to laugh."

Gwen covers her mouth and turns bright red. "I knew it! Damn!" she whispers back and laughs.

"So Ethan, you're an assistant DA. Any big cases?" Lars asks getting himself a slice of roast and some peas.

"I worked on the Edgar Wright case, and I'll be helping with his case pending in California." Ethan says. "I'm still gathering research on that one." he says.

"Excellent," Lars says nodding.

Ethan gets some roast and vegetables and passes it down. "How's the season shaping up this year. I hear you're a coach."

"Oh well..." and Lars launches into his spiel about the year and how well his players are perfomring.

Gwen listens intently. She would love it if one of her future scholarship-girls were to go to the Olympics and win gold. That would go a long way to helping her come to terms with having her own medals taken from her.
"How are Nick and Richie doing?" She turns to Ethan. "They're both playing football at UCLA, but Richie's hoping to get into the NFL, too. It's his senior year." she explains.

"They are doing great. They both send their love and apologies that they couldn't make it this year." Martha says.

Pete nods. "I talked to the coach about Richie. He's going to send a scout to talk to him." Pete says. "It would be great if he got on the Chargers."

Gwen nods excitedly. "YEAH it would! You're such a good big brother, Pete!" she smiles. "Speaking of YOU...Mom and Dad were just talking about their children's' relationships! Have you brought Umbra home to get their approval yet?" she grins toothily.

"I haven't." Pete says. He leans in. "I wanted to see how they'd react to yours first," he says with a snicker. "But Dad seems to like him," he says. "Look at them talking sports. I think he'll do just fine," he says.

Gwen smiles and nods. "Was there any doubt?" she grins toothily. "SOOoooo..." she says. "...as Dad would say, how serious ARE you? Is there an Umbra is Pete's future? Or condo?" she grins. "Thanks to Mom we know she's in your BED!" she snickers.

"I like her a lot, Gwen. She's funny, she's likes sports, she's a great conversationalist and she's real good in bed," Pete says in a whisper. "I just enjoy her company and yeah we're getting serious...not as serious as you two but almost."

Gwen smiles and a look of real happiness comes over her. "Good. I'm really happy for you, Pete. You out of everyone deserves to have a wonderful woman." she says sincerely, patting his back. "And I'm glad this one actually likes sports!" she laughs. "And good in bed, too? You've got it all!" she whispers, poking at his side. "Hey...do you and the other brothers go to Mom with love-issues or something?" she continues to whisper. "Because somehow she knows when the three of you are sleeping with someone!"

"Yeah." Pete says smiling. "Hey...what do you mean she knows? Did she tell you? Or tell Dad?" he asks. "Did she rat us out??" he says concerned.

"Ooooh yeah...she ratted all FOUR of us out, and I've never even told her about my love-life! NEVER!" she whispers back. "Dad was really shocked and disapproving, but then Mom announced that she and Dad had had sex before THEY were married, so that kinda took the wind out of his sails!" she laughs, covering her mouth.

Pete snickers. "Good!" he says. "Well then Dad can stop giving me looks everytime I talk to him from her apartment." he says with a smile. "Looks like Ethan and Dad are really getting along, how does Mom like him?"

"She defended him when Dad was complaining about our...nocturnal activities! She said she liked him! Yeeay!" Gwen whispers, giving Pete the thumbs-up. "Wow...I wonder why Dad was so surprised to hear that we've all had sex! Well...ME I can understand...I'm his only daughter! But YOU three...you're all athletes AND men! And well into your 20s!"

"He's just old-fashioned, Gwen. He likes to think his children are angels." Pete says. "I'm glad they like him. He's cool, Gwen. Very down-to-earth which surprised me when I first met him. He acts like a normal guy."

Gwen smiles and nods. "Yes he does. But you should see him when he's Supreme! He gets this fire in his eyes that heats me right up!" she grins. "He's perfect no matter WHAT he's doing..." she sighs happily. Then she realizes that she's been unintentionally ignoring Ethan and glances around at him and her parents to see how they're doing.

Ethan, Martha and Lars are all busy in conversation. They are smiling and talking and seem to be having a great time.

Pete nods and looks at his parents. "Ever since you and Dad made up things have been so calm around here. Mother talks a lot more and Dad smiles a lot more. It's been good for everybody."

Gwen turns back to Pete in surprise. "Really??" she whispers. Suddenly she looks down and blinks quickly as tears come to her eyes. She's silent for a moment.
"It's so good to be home, Pete..." she whispers, not trusting herself to say anything else for the moment.

"It's so good to have you back," Pete says with a smile. He pats her shoulder. "Really. Richie and Nick so wanted to come home to see you." he says. "But I can't blame them. They are having scout workouts and everything. It'd be a shame if they missed their big chance."

Gwen nods. "Plus we need to keep Supreme's identity a secret until we know if we can trust Richie and Nick with it. Not to be mean, but those two can be a little loose-lipped, you know? If they see a chance to gain a little popularity by sharing a secret only they know, they'll more than likely take it. At least that's how they were when we were teenagers. Like I said, I don't mean to be out-of-line if they're not like that anymore, but this is a REALLY important secret." she whispers.

Pete nods, "Yeah that's true...when they were kids they always ratted me out." he says. "Oh well we'll have to take a wait and see on those two." he says. "So the XWF huh? Are you just going to be fighting women? Or is it men and women?"

Gwen grins. "I'm currently the only woman IN the XWF!" she grins proudly, sitting up straight. "But I hear there are supposed to be some others soon! Of course, that's another secret you have to keep because I'm wrestling as ‘Rage' and not ‘Aura,' so it can't get out that Rage and Aura are the same person or I'll get into BIG trouble." she explains. "I did something as Rage that would have been against Aura's contract...before I knew it was against the contract!" she whispers.

"Woah...like really bad, Gwen? What did you do?" Pete asks leaning forward so that no one else can hear. "Did you kill someone?"

Gwen glances at her parents and then back at Pete. "Yes, but that was as Aura. THAT'S in Aura's contract. That's what's so ironic about all this." Gwen leans in even closer. "Pete, if the Maxim-thing and the poster mad you made, I'm a little scared to tell you Rage's secret!" she whispers.

"Oh...alright then. We'll just consider it a forgone conclusion I'm not going to like it." Pete says. "So don't tell anyone your secret and we'll leave it at that." he says. "You're the only woman huh? That's cool, do you plan on going for the championship?"

Gwen exhales in relief and goes with Pete's topic-change. "OOH yeah! You know me, Pete!" she grins. "I'm going to have some tough competition, too, so I'm excited! Lance Stryker is going to HATE it when he loses to a girl!" she grins, folding her arms and sitting up straight.

"I'd be more concerned with Core! That man's a monster!" Pete says. "I got tickets to the Core vs. Man-beast and it was brutal!" he says excitedly. "Cost me a few but it was worth it. I've never seen an arena so big!"

Gwen's eyes widen. "Oooh...I need to see if we have a video of that match somewhere! I've gotten a little behind on my N! Channel-watching this year!" she smiles. "Whenever we have a day or weekend off, Ethan and I escape somewhere together!" Gwen has a dreamy look on her face. "And as soon as my body is finally trained to be one point tougher on the testing-scale I'll be able to fly into outer space with him! That will be the culmination of the year! We're SO excited about that!" she whispers.

"That's awesome, Gwen!" Pete says. "Are there any drawbacks? I mean like your body is changing so much...is it good? Will you get like cancer when you're older?" he asks with some concern.

Martha, Lars and Ethan are still heavily in conversation. They are laughing and talking and generally getting along well with each other. Martha and Lars have already nodded to each other in approval, they like this young man.

Gwen laughs, but then sees the genuine worry in her brother's eyes. "No...novas can't get cancer. At least that's what Caestus and the scientists say. Actually, what I'm doing is what all novas should be doing...training and testing their limits...trying to get stronger/faster/better. Some novas-- like me and Ethan and Damage and Watcher-- don't seem to have a cap on our physical skills. And some novas-- like Cero-- don't seem to have a cap on their mental skills. You just have to find the areas you can get better at and work them." she explains. "It's the same as what you do at spring training. Sometimes you hit a wall and you actually can't go any further, so I'm really lucky that I'm able to learn to make my body adaptable like this."

"Wow...so you could be almost godlike." Pete says. "That has to be scary, Gwen. What happens if you take it too far. Will you be less human if you do? I mean you already consider yourself a nova, what happens when you reach your limits?"

"Hybrid-nova." she corrects him. "If me and Ethan had a baby, THAT would be a NOVA-nova. We're not sure if Ethan started out human and something happened when he was a baby that turned him into a nova, or if he was really born like that, but he's been one since he can remember. But our child would be a full nova. That's just how I think of it, anyway. Just to keep things straight in my mind."
She thinks about Pete's question. "I guess to a regular human I could appear godlike, but to me I think it would just be part of my evolution as a nova. Like, right now you're so much better of a football player than you were when you were 12, so to the 12-year old you you are now a godlike football player, but to YOU you're just getting better because you've gotten older...stronger...you've got better trainers and equipment. And because you HAVE to to survive. If you didn't train and you just went to the games, there would be a point where the guys you go up against would start surpassing you. That's what me and Damage figured out. We were having such a hard time against our opponents because they were training and we were just sitting there complacently with the skills we'd erupted with. So we train so we can survive against others who are training. Does that explain that better?"

Pete nods thinking it over. "Yeah that makes sense. What about combat? Do they train you in hand to hand skills? And what kind of equipment do you train with? Since you're far stronger than anyone else, normal weight machines to you must seem like children's toys."

Gwen smiles. "I like that!" she laughs. "Yes, we can only train with the equipment that the labs make, but they've gotten really good at making portable equipment that can exert REALLY heavy weights! I actually gave them that idea!" she grins smugly. "Ethan was worried that Divis might be training somewhere...getting stronger...but there was no weight-machine that even came close to challenging Ethan's strength. Then he told me, ‘If only there was a weight I could lift that was as heavy as a building!' And something clicked in my head, and I went right to the lab-guys, and now we have this bow-flex-looking machine that exerts the weight of a building...and THEN some! That's what I gave Ethan for Christmas last year!" she whispers, grinning.
"I've only trained a little bit in hand-to-hand combat because my main weapons are my electric aura, my telekinesis, and my strength. But Watcher uses claws so he spends a lot of time training in hand-to-hand combat. None of my opponents are ever wielding swords or trying to karate-chop me, so I haven't seen a need to take that training yet." she explains.

"You should," Pete says. "It might help you fight against those who don't have the training, you know? You might have to fight someone who's stronger than you one day, like that Geryon fellow everyone is talking about." he says. "You've been to the prison in Bahrain right? What's it like?"

"It's pretty high-tech. They have quantum guns, and power repressors they put on the inmates, and the rooms are specially designed to dampen each specific nova's powers. I know I'd do anything I could to avoid being sent there!" she says, shaking her head.
"About your earlier question, I DO have a lot of skill with throwing people around and punching them and stuff. It seems to have come with the Aura-package!" she grins toothily. "The scientists said I'm a natural athlete, so I can pick up just about anything and use it as a weapon-- including my fists and feet! But don't worry...if I think I need extra training I'll do it! You know me!" she grins.

"I know. I just want my sister to be safe," Pete says with a wink. "You should get a lot of training being in the XWF. All that fighting." he says. He looks over at Ethan and his parents. "Wow they are really just absorbed in whatever it is they are talking about," Pete says finishing up his dinner. "I think you've gotten the nod of approval."

Gwen grins. "I TOLD him he had nothing to worry about!" She realizes she hasn't eaten very much this whole time because she's been busy talking to Pete, and quickly gets a fork-full of salad. She leans over and kisses Ethan's cheek before putting the salad in her mouth.
"So what have you three been talking about?" she asks with a twinkle in her eye.

Ethan looks over at her and smiles. "Oh I was just telling them about the farm and the town I grew up in and all that. Your mom and dad then told me all about you growing up and the brothers," Ethan says. "It explains a lot."

Pete chuckles, "Got you there, Gwen." he says.

"Oh we didn't tell him anything embarrassing," Maratha says to Gwen.

"Oh good lord!" Gwen sighs. "What else COULD you have told him except for embarrassing stuff?" she asks her mother while cutting her pot roast. "And wait a minute...it explains a lot, huh? Like what?" she grins challengingly at Ethan.

Ethan laughs, "Oh nothing," he says trying to look innocent. "Well...how you're so competitive that's all." he says. "Which I love by the way," he says wrapping an arm around her and squeezing her. "And why you always wear jumpsuits."

"Yeah why is that?" Pete says.

Gwen squinches up her face at everyone. "Oh fine. Because they're the most comfortable clothes in creation, that's why! And because I feel completely unrestrained in them. If I needed to run suddenly, or lift my foot up high for any reason, or crouch down...no problem! If I'm attacked, no problem! You ever try to kick your leg while wearing a pair of jeans? Or run while wearing heels and a skirt? Uh-uh." she says, shaking her head.
"And when I'm wearing warm-up clothes it does this psychological thing to me where my body thinks I'm about to do something physical...kind of like having adrenaline pumping through you all the time! But you have to admit, I've been good about trying different clothes for different occasions! Right, Ethan? When we go out, I never wear my warm-up suits! I wear a trendy, fashionable outfit-thing! And if we go out for dinner or dancing, I actually wear a dress, Mom! she says melodramatically, clasping her hands together in front of her.

"That's true. She's been wearing very fashionable things when we go out. Although I'd love to see you in jeans again," he says with a smirk. "You make them look very nice."

Gwen flushes a little and grins at Ethan. "Really?" She rubs his leg. "Well...since you asked so nicely..." she winks, kissing his cheek again.

Ethan smiles, "So all I have to do is ask?" he says. "Hmmm," he says as he rubs his chin.

Gwen laughs and elbows him lightly in the ribs. Then she gives him an appraising look up and down. "For you? I'd do just about ANYTHING if you asked nicely!" she winks.

Ethan chuckles and shakes his head. He wags his finger at her.

"Yeah but what about looking good? I mean if you're jogging or training but, don't you want to look good hun?" Martha asks. "You're such a pretty girl, you should wear make-up more and dress like a lady."

"Oh come on, Mom! I'm not a lady and we all know it here!" she smiles, sitting back and folding her arms. "Why try to fool people?" she grins toothily. "But thank you for the compliment, and as a matter of fact I DO wear a little make-up when Ethan and I go out, thank you very much! I just happen to not be wearing it when YOU see me...like on TV and stuff. Well...I take that back. They put weird pancake make-up on us when we're on TV. You just can't tell as much because I usually have my mask on."

"Oh," Martha says. "Well you should do it all the time then."

"Oh leave the poor girl alone. She's an athlete. She doesn't have to wear make-up, and I'm sure Ethan loves her no matter, make-up or no." Lars says. "So Gwen tell me about your training. I want to know everything."

Pete snickers, "She already told me, Dad."

"Well I want to hear it first hand." Lars protests.

Gwen smiles. "Well, for the basics like working-out we can do it on our own or with a trainer if we want. I've been flying, running and swimming laps for mine. We also do weight-training-- I've been doing that pretty heavily this year. We have special weights that can simulate extreme resistance. For example, Ethan has a machine that can simulate the weight of a building...or heavier!" she smiles proudly. "They also test our powers, and train us how to do new things, if it's possible. They have combat classes...they have pretty much everything, Dad!"

Lars nods appreciatively. "Sounds like they have the training program all worked out...at least physically. What are they doing to help you with tactics and public law? Do they teach about that or do they leave that up to their staff?"

"They leave the law-stuff up to Bob-- he's our director. He briefs us when we're given an assignment as to what to do and what not to do...what we can and can't do legally. As far as tactics, they usually bring in some kind of official army-type-guy to tell us where we're being dropped off...where our target is located...and where we'll be picked up. Then the rest of us come up with a strategy and present it, and then we go do the mission. Our tactics haven't been that great up until recently. Almost lost two members of StormWatch due to some bad battle-ideas. Not saying who's fault that was, but let's just say I've never gotten injured in battle!" she grins. "I'll just let you draw your own conclusions from that!" she says.
She's not really pointing fingers, she's really just letting people draw conclusions to avoid having to comment further!

"So what have you fixed then? You said you guys were really awful at it until just recently? What did you change in your thinking to be successful?" Lars says sounding like he does when talking to his athletes.

"Well honestly? The main problem was not working together as one unit, and also not utilizing each other's strengths and weaknesses. "For example, Cero is very easy to hurt, yet she would run around the battlefield with the rest of us as if she were this super-girl! *I* had no idea she was easy to hurt! The rest of us are really hearty! And then she got upset that she almost died while running around! So what she did was to learn how to teleport away from danger really quickly. She also stays off the battlefield now and spends a lot of time doing research out of danger while the rest of us are fighting."
"We're still having a little trouble with working as a group. For example, at the prison we had NO plan when the Teregen showed up. Each of us saw our nemesis and went right for them without communicating what we were doing to each others. Luckily that mission was a success, but it could have been bad."
"Damage HATES when any of us try to help him with Geryon, and that's another problem. The first time we faced Geryon we all fought him together and it was fast and easy! It was perfect! Well Damage didn't like that one bit. He wanted to fight Geryon alone. So now we're not allowed to help him with Geryon! Remember what happened to Polaris? I don't think Damage does...or learned from it, anyhow." Gwen sighs. "I mean, I TOTALLY understand wanting to face your nemesis alone-- I really do! But Damage has had a lot of chances now to get Geryon and Geryon keeps escaping. Oh well...I'll get off my soapbox now before I keep rambling!" she apologizes.

Lars nods. "You need to sit the team down and talk about this. One day someone will end up hurt, or worse from this. You guys need a plan. And if he won't let you help him fight...don't help until Geryon tries to run, then nail him and remind Damage that he was getting away and you couldn't let that happen."

Gwen nods. "That's a good idea-- both of them. Thanks Dad. I'll just lift Geryon off the ground with my mind again if he tries to escape, and then ask Damage what he thinks is the right thing to do!" she says. "I won't even lay a hand on him!"
She turns to Ethan. "It was weird working with them, wasn't it! The Teregen, that is. I mean they were really working with us...not trying to double-cross us or anything! That little Divis-trick with the bomb at the end was outside the lines, but for the most part I'm surprised that we did that whole mission together and no one got hurt!" she muses.

"It was very uncomfortable. And I hope I never have to do it again." Ethan says. "It took all my willpower not to go back on my word and go after Mal right there and then." he says. "What about Damage? What was he like when he saw Geryon?"

Gwen gives a little laugh. "Damage was undercover in his regular little-guy body at the time! Geryon STILL has no idea that was Damage! Damage was even talking with a Russian accent! But I could tell Damage's head was about to explode! I think he was just waiting for the right moment to jump him, but the right moment never came. I wonder if Geryon will ever find out who that nerdy little 'Russian' guy was..." Gwen muses. "I'm sorry you were uncomfortable, Ethan. If Bob or anyone ever brings up you two working together again, I'll shoot the idea down!"

He nods, "Thanks," Ethan says. "Next time, I don't think I'll be able to control myself." he says.

The rest of the dinner goes well with some light conversation, and the parents and Ethan continue talking while Pete and Gwen reminisce about old times.
After dinner, everyone heads outside and takes a tour of the property and Gwen introduces Ethan to the family's two German shepherds. The tour ends quickly once the family gets to the pool. Gwen and Ethan and Pete get changed into their bathing suits while Lars breaks out the tiki torches.
Gwen struts out to the pool with Ethan and Pete, squeezing Ethan's bicep and asking if anyone has any doubts that this is Supreme NOW!
The rest of the night is spent at the pool with the parents sitting by in the lawn recliners, talking amongst themselves about how nice it is their daughter found a good man.

Gwen and Ethan finally decide it's probably getting to be time to head out. Swimming together, while fun and refreshing, is also a little frustrating when being chaperoned! Gwen had to keep fighting the urge to wrap her legs around Ethan's waist and kiss him...or pull off his suit...or pull off HER suit! She's thinking she'd like to take this swimming party to a more PRIVATE pool!
The swimmers get dried off and dressed, and then everyone meets back downstairs by the front door to say their good-byes.
Gwen hugs Pete and her parents. She tells Pete she's glad he wasn't serious about not talking to her anymore! She thanks her mom for the delicious dinner, and whispers that she's so glad she likes Ethan! And she thanks her father for being willing to help her with her scholarship-idea, and tells him she'll call him soon so they can start working out the details.

Ethan shakes Lars and Martha's hands and tell them he'll take care of their daughter.
Lars tells Ethan how much he loves his daughter and that he trusts her in his hands.
Ethan and Gwen smile to them and each other, wave good-bye, and fly off together into the night sky.