The snow-capped mountains of Denver shine under the clear unfettered light of the sun. A chopper hovers over the heli-pad and touches down slowly. The med crew that has been waiting there rush to the chopper and unload The Watcher onto the gurney and race towards the elevator.
Damage, Cerro and Aura watch sadly as their friend is taken away. A man in a blue suit and a blue coat walks over to them as the choppers engines cut out.

"Hello! You must be StormWatch Prime." he says. "I am Paul Carlson, director of operations here at Denver Triton facilities. I spoke with Caestus already and we have some quarters for you already set up. Not as spacious as your New York apartments, but I think you'll find them satisfactory." he says.

Gwen listens and nods, and then steps forward. "I'm Aura...Gwen Nielsson...can I see my brother Pete?" she asks, trying to sound calm and patient. She had no idea the center was so remote from the rest of Denver! She keeps having flashes of him being held hostage here, for some reason!

"Of course!" Paul says. "Follow me." He walks to the elevator, they get in, and once the elevator stops Paul steps out and points down the hallway. "Gwen, I'll show the rest of your team to their rooms. You, however, see that room-- 521? That's your brother's room. He's been excited to see you."

Gwen smiles pleasantly and nods. "That's good to hear! Thanks-- Paul, was it? Thanks Paul!" she smiles brightly, gives him a little wave, and then turns and strides down the hallway to room 521. She knocks on the door-- still trying to keep her calm but still envisioning him locked in the room and wearing a hospital gown or something!
"Pete? It's Gwen! Open up!" she calls.

The door opens and Pete smiles broadly at Gwen and hugs her. "Gwen!! It's so good to see you! I've been cooped up here for days now! How've you been? Oh oh come on in," he says shaking his head. "It's been a strange few days," Pete says.
The apartment is small but homey with a kitchen, a dining room and a living room. The bedroom is not as large as the living room, but again it is warm and comfortable.

Gwen walks in quickly, looking around. She goes from room to room, peeking in, and only when she's satisfied that it's a real apartment and not a jail cell does she finally exhale and relax! She turns and walks back to him, grinning.
"Sorry about the cold-fish welcome! I just wanted to check out your place and make sure they didn't have you shackled in a metal room or something!" She gives him a tight bear-hug, and actually lifts him off the floor for a second-- feeling like showing off!
"It looks like a nice place...not as swanky as your condo back home, but not bad! So do they let you leave and walk around? Or go work-out at least? What do you do all day?" she asks curiously.

Pete laughs. "Stop showin off, Gwen!" he says when she sets him down. "Yeah I work out a lot, getting myself in shape. In fact they even gave me a personal trainer and a nutritionist." he says. "I feel better than I have in years! They have great work out equipment here, much better than at the stadium." he says. "But they've been real nice and I don't feel shackled, but yeah I can't leave since the death threats."

Gwen folds her arms and narrows her eyes. "Are you talking about death-threats in addition to the tape I got from Frost?" she asks in a low voice.

Pete nods, "Yeah that death threat. But I also got this tape as well," he says as he walks over to a shelf and hands her a disc. "It's from Count Ortiz. He actually apologizes for Frost's threat." he says.

Gwen gives a little laugh and takes the disc from Pete. "Yeah...he apologized to me about it, too...said Frost was acting on her own and has been properly chastised...yadda-yadda. OK, let's see the Count's tape!" she grins, going over to Pete's computer and inserting the disc.

The media player pops up to show Count Ortiz sitting a plush chair smiling pleasantly at the camera. "Mr. Nielsson, as you undoubtedly know a death threat has been placed upon your life by Teregen member, Frost. I would like you to know that Frost has been disciplined for this unnecessary and unauthorized action by the Teregen. We seek no quarrel from you, nor is any harm wished upon you. I wish to extend our sincerest apologies for this instance of hotheadedness by one of our members." The disc ends.

"See?" Pete says. "Smooth isn't he? I showed the Triton people but they say to take it with a grain of salt and they are still investigating whether or not I should be worried. What do you think Gwen?" Pete asks.

Gwen reclines in one of Pete's chairs, tapping her fingers on the arm of the chair. "I think Frost is insane and pissed off at me and if you leave here she'll try to get revenge-- whether or NOT she'll get in trouble with the Teregen for doing it."
Gwen launches into the story of StormWatch going to Venice Beach...Damage and Cerro creating the antidote while she and Watcher went out to investigate. She tells him about her suspicion that there's a traitor in their midst because of the cologne bottle left in the basement of a store to confuse Watcher, and about the hologram and bomb left in Frost's apartment because Gwen had recently been given Frost's address. She tells him about Watcher nearly being killed, and how she went after Frost and punched her nice and hard in the face...made her bleed and lose a tooth (which Gwen then proudly shows to Pete!)...how Frost turned into water and escaped into the sewer...how Supreme came and they searched the water treatment plant with Damage but couldn't find Frost...and how Gwen is pretty sure Frost is going to want some kind of revenge for that!
"She told me she knew you were my "favorite baby brother!" Gwen laughs, "So she's got some of her story badly mixed up, but the fact remains that she knows you're my favorite...and that's all she really needs to know, isn't it? I don't want you to miss anymore games, but I've got my hackles up right now. I don't think it's safe to leave. Did Caestus tell you he knows you're not a nova? Yeah...so now Divis has nothing he can offer us...all he has left is to hurt us."

Pete shakes his head. "God, Gwen I'm glad I'm not a nova. I just have to worry about football, you have all that to...jeez." he says. "A traitor? Are you sure? Couldn't it be some sort of...mind reading or something? I've heard rumors of novas being able to do that. Has someone read your mind?"

Gwen puts her foot up casually on Pete's coffee table. "That could also be the explanation. See, the novas who can read minds are really secretive about it. Even Caestus doesn't tell the press which novas can do it because regular people are really scared of psychic novas. I've actually been wondering if Raoul is one of those psychic novas...he's always inviting me to lunch...museum openings...parties...always just happening to run into me-- or the rest of us-- so I'm wondering if he's just spying on us...pretending to be social so he can get information. And another thing, every time the Teregen strikes, Raoul just HAPPENS to be at his castle in Portugal. I'm starting to wonder if the Teregen's secret hide-out is beneath his castle...or connected to his castle somehow." she muses. "I haven't brought this up to the others yet because Caestus said not to talk about it until we're back with him again."

Pete shakes his head. "Then avoid him, Gwen. You don't know what he's pulling from your mind. He could get to our family, if he hasn't already." he says. "I know that you and dad have your issues, but we've got to protect them. Shit..." Pete says shaking his head. "I need a drink," he says walking to the fridge. "You want one?" he says holding out a beer.

Gwen grins and sighs. "I could drink it but it wouldn't affect me at all. Got any fruit juice?" she asks, getting up off the chair and walking over to help him.

"Yeah you bet," Pete says as he puts the beer back and pulls out a Minute Maid. He tosses it to Gwen and sits down on the recliner. "But if it isn't Ortiz...who could it be? Certainly not anyone from StormWatch?" he says.

Gwen lays back on the couch and cracks open her can, taking a long swallow. Then she shakes her head quickly. "No way...Cerro's the only psychic one of us and she hates Raoul more than anyone I know...AND the Teregen. Whenever we need someone to debate against a Teregen rep we choose Cerro because she likes tearing their ideas apart on camera. I'm a little worried it might be Dave or Bob-- the regular human directors we've had-- because they're the only ones who have the information that's been leaking out. In fact, Watcher and Damage invented this crap called "Nova Beer" that can get novas drunk, and only they and Dave knew about it, but the next time we met up with Raoul suddenly HE knew about it, too. So yeah...we don't know who we can trust. That's why we're meeting with Caestus when Watcher's recovered."

"Jesus," Pete whistles. "If that's true it could really hurt Utopia's cause, and reputation. I hope it's Ortiz." he says. "I bet it is tho, because as you said, he's always around, always knows things. I'll bet it's him." he says. "So Gwen," he says with a smile. "Dating anyone?"

Gwen chokes on her juice and sits up a little. She coughs for a moment, and then gives Pete a grimacing smile. "Wow-- I didn't see that one coming!" she coughs. After she recovers she gives Pete a look and grins. "Why-- did you hear anything?" she asks with a cryptic smile.

"Nah I was just asking," Pete says. "You're always so...aloof when it comes to guys you know. I think we're both that way, just concentrating on our careers and not really on our personal lives." he says. "I want to say that there is this really cute research assistant I've been working out with here. She's very nice."

"Oh REAAAALLY!" Gwen grins sitting all the way up, her full attention on Pete. "It's about time! I liked your last girlfriend, but she could be whiny and demanding...didn't seem to get it that she was going out with someone who's away from home all the time! So have you asked the cute chick out yet??" she asks, saving her own news for the moment.

"Well we have work-out dates," Pete says with a smile. "There's not a lot to do when you're cooped up in a facility. Maybe I'll have her over for dinner," he says with a wink. "You still haven't answered my question. Are you seeing anybody? Don't worry I won't tell anyone." he says.

Gwen grins mysteriously...tormenting her brother for a moment...and then finally laughs. "OK, OK...yes I am. You'll like who it is, too! Remember Andre Corbin-- the French soccer player who turned nova? It's him. I mean, we're not officially going out or anything because he lives in Geneva and I live in New York, but we've still been managing to see each other a lot! We decided we don't want anything official right now because we're both new novas and our heads are already clouded up from THAT new transition, but we haven't been seeing anyone else yet...so..." she shrugs with a big grin.

Pete laughs, "I KNEW there was something different about you!! You're glowing! I knew it had to be a guy. That's great, Gwen!" Pete says excitedly. He takes a sip of his beer. "That's great, Andre Corbin huh? Wow very nice. Another Olympian, very cool." he says. "So how do you like Utopia? Is it cool to be a part of StormWatch?"

Gwen actually giggles when Pete says she's glowing, and then grins and blushes a little. She's glad Pete's happy for her! She wonders how long THAT will last if he finds out about the Playboy spread that's due out in a few weeks! And she wonders again what his reaction to the Maxim article will be!! Maybe this cute assistant-girl will soften him up!
"You know what? I think most of us are so privacy-oriented that we don't realize we're celebrities! Seriously! I think right now we consider it a job, mostly. A very unusual job, but still a job! One that we can choose to stay at or leave. But I've been doing a lot of thinking lately, and it IS cool to belong to a rich and powerful company...to have the great communications-system that we have with all the computers and com-links and phones and everything-- there's always someone you can call for anything, day or night. And it's VERY cool to be living in the high-rise building with a penthouse apartment and all the perks that come with that. If I left StormWatch I think I'd have some level of separation-anxiety for a while." Gwen clears her throat. "I don't really feel like I have a family anymore. I have you, but it feels like we're orphans, almost. I guess I would be the most reluctant to leave because it would feel like I was losing another father..." she says, lost in thought for the moment.
Then she clears her throat and looks up at Pete with a smile. "Well I'm not going to feel guilty anymore about telling you to stay here if you're getting cute-assistant-girl-action, so you should definitely invite her over for dinner! You KNOW she's got to think you're hot, too! ALL the girls do!" Gwen pretends to complain.

Pete smiles, "Yeah they do!" he says with a wink. "So you're thinking about renewing your contract? I remember the last time we talked you said you weren't sure. Hmmm well they pay well and it must be cool to be an international celebrity policeman," he laughs. "Now there's something you don't hear every day."

Gwen gives a little shrug and a smile. "Well...despite all the cool perks, we've pretty much made up our minds and try to start an independent movement once our contracts run out. We think there needs to be a third choice for novas who just don't know what they want to do yet. Caestus kinda does the sneak-attack by recruiting new, disoriented novas and getting them to sign contracts-- lucky for us he's a great guy with honest motivation-- but we think there should be a neutral place novas can go where they can be trained and taught about what they are, and THEN be allowed to decide if they want to join a group or not. We'd keep in close contact with Caestus, of course, and let him talk to the novas once we felt they were prepared to make an educated decision about signing contracts. There are just a lot of cool new novas popping up everywhere who are independents, and that works really well for them. What do you think, Pete?" she asks curiously.

"Well I throw my support behind you like always," Pete says patting her knee. "But I can't help but think that Project Utopia and Triton Foundation are doing alot to save the planet. You know what they are working on downstairs? A cure for AIDS, childhood leukemia and a few other things. How can that be bad?" he says.

"Oh it's not bad, I just don't like feeling pressured into joining something-- especially when I'm confused and don't know what I'm doing to start with. I'm not saying the new novas SHOULDN'T join Utopia, I'm just saying they should be given a safe-zone to learn and train in before they make important life-choices...kind of like a career-guidance class, or something! As for me, I'd like to stay on-call with Utopia and help them out from time to time. I like being called on to take care of 'bad novas!'" she grins toothily, folding her arms on her chest and looking cocky.

"I bet," Pete says. "Have you taken any self defense classes?" he asks.

Gwen nods. "Not a TON of classes, but the basics. What I haven't learned I make up for in enthusiasm!" she grins toothily.
"Oh-- Mom and Dad are fine. They weren't anywhere near the contagion-zone. I'm assuming Richie and Nick are OK, too, because UCLA wasn't near the zone, either. I, uh...left a note for Dad on his barbecue. It basically said not to worry about you because you're safe, and hopefully you'll be home soon. Then I put my initials. Hopefully he'll remember that he KNOWS someone who's name starts with G!" she says in a bitter voice.

Pete shakes his head. "I wish there was someway he could calm down and the two of you could just talk and get this argument done and over with..." Pete says shaking his head. "Mother asks about you when she talks to me on the phone." he says. "As does Richie and Nick." he says.

Gwen's eyes open wide and she stares at Pete in surprise. She suddenly finds herself a little choked up and has to just sit there trying to recover for a moment. "They do?" she finally asks in a strained voice. "Have they...said what they think about me being a nova? Or if they know about that whole Olympics-thing? Have they...seen me on TV?" she asks-- all the questions that have been festering in her head for the last year.

"They know about the Olympics. Dad said that it was a shame but that's all." Pete shrugs. "You two should talk sometime, Gwen. Really. He's been different lately. Give it a try, you never know-- you two might make up." he says with some hope in his voice. "They saw you at the Geneva Center when Mr. Pax did that press conference but they didn't say anything."

Gwen drinks in every word silently. "Dad said it was a shame that they took my medals, or that I was a nova?" she asks, trying to clarify this important detail. "Have any of them said what they think about me being a nova? Do they know what I've been doing-- the Middle East-thing and the Geryon-thing and all that?" She actually has NO idea what her parents or other brothers would think of any of this.

"I think he meant it was a shame you lost the medals. They don't really talk about you being a nova. They just talk about you like before." Pete says. "But Nick said it was really cool, so..." he says. "You think they'd hate you because you're a nova? Or be embarrassed or scared or something?"

Gwen lowers her eyes and plays with her fingers in her lap. She blinks her eyes quickly, embarrassed that she's getting emotional.
"I...was worried that Dad would have assumed I must have been a nova since I was young and that's the only reason I broke all the records I did, and that he'd start bad-mouthing me, or something...saying it was never my own hard work or talent that got me where I got. But then another part of me thought that Dad would never want to admit that one of his kid's talents came from anywhere but his own genes...that he'd rather assume that it was all natural all along so he could claim part of their glory. It's hard to tell with Dad, you know? I really have no idea how he would feel about novas-- if he'd think they were unnatural, or if he'd think they were evolved. Would he be supportive and say, 'Of COURSE one of MY children would be the first to evolve past mere humanity!' or would he disown me even further, thinking I'm a freak?"
She pauses, thinking about what Pete said for a moment. "When they talk about me like I was before, what do they say? Is it good things?" she asks, almost shyly.

"Mom does, Dad just states facts. That's all." Pete says. "It's as if he's afraid to talk about you. Like if he does it will make him want to call you, or reconsider the argument. I don't know. Just give him a call OK?" Pete says a measure of pleading in his voice.

Gwen looks down again, biting her bottom lip. She's demonized her father so much over the years to keep herself from hurting inside about him kicking her out of his house when she was 15. Now to have to think of him as a human being who might care for her? It's like exposing herself to fresh pain with the possibility of more, if he rejects her again.
"I don't know, Pete...I have to think about this. What if he hangs up on me or doesn't know what to say or wants to keep things the way they are? I'd be hurt all over again! Right now he's safely in my 'bastard-box.' If I try to think of him as my dad again and he doesn't want to be my dad again..." she trails off. She brings her knees up to her chest and holds them, resting her chin on her knees. She didn't expect the conversation to go this way!
"So...when you say he's changed, what do you mean?" she asks slowly.

Pete shrugs. "He seems softer now. If you can believe that. He's not the same man that was so angry at you when you left for a different high school, Gwen." He looks at her and sees this is bothering her. He pats her knee again. "Hey if this is bothering you, we can talk about something else if you like." he says. "I mean I don't like to rip open old wounds. You came to see me and here I am making you sad."

Gwen waves him off. "No...this is important to me, Pete. See...at Utopia they're always asking questions about our family history with diseases and mental illness and stuff, and I'm always making jokes at Dad's expense...but I guess deep down a felt a tiny bit guilty so that means it's still something that hasn't been resolved. I'm...glad that you're friends with me and them. Me and Dad are stubborn enough that if you weren't here to intervene we really never would try to call each other, you know. I'm not saying I'm GOING to...I'm just going to THINK about it..." she quickly clarifies.
She looks down and sighs, trying to think of how to broach her related topic. "Do you know any more about how Mom's health is?"

"Dad's taking her to the clinic on Friday. They are going to run some tests on her." Pete says. "You haven't seen her lately have you?" he asks and then shakes his head. "No you haven't. She's tired all the time, Dad says she doesn't eat. He says he's very worried about her."

Gwen lowers her head and covers her eyes with her hand. "Shit..." she says under her breath. She sits like that for a moment, and when she finally looks up her eyes are a little red.
"The one thing novas have in common is that their mothers tend to...to develop...they get cancer, Pete. I don't know why-- maybe they were exposed to something when they were pregnant with us and that's how we grew into novas-- that's the most popular theory-- and whatever they were exposed to causes cancer later in life."
Gwen lowers her face again and holds her head in her hands. She's going to have to call her parents. Maybe they can help her mom here at Triton if they're willing to protect her brother. Or she could have Pete call them...if the people here will let him use the fucking phone. Maybe her parents wouldn't want to come here if it means accepting HER help, but if PETE called...she doesn't know...she just doesn't know...

Pete shakes his head. "Shit...I heard a rumor about that. Jesus...I...this would destroy Dad." he says hanging his head. "I'll wait till Friday and then call. I'll beg them to let me call. I'll tell them why, too, and they should let me call them." he says. "Fuck..."

Gwen nods, sitting with her head in her hands and just letting everything soak in. Then she raises her head.
"I'll MAKE them let you call her. Hell, I'll give you my phone! Wait...better. I have to be in New York Friday morning for an appointment, but I'll fly back here when I'm done because I want to be sitting with you when you call. OK?" she asks, looking up at him with her determined eyes.

"Alright, done deal." Pete says nodding. "That'll be great. Then you can talk to Dad as well." he says. He breathes a sigh of relief. "Well...that's enough doom and gloom. Are you hungry? It's near lunch-time-- want something to eat?"

Gwen suddenly realizes that Pete has tricked her into talking to Dad...or at least he THINKS he has. She'll still refuse if she thinks he's going to be a jerk.
She glances up at the clock and nods. "Oh yeah...we novas are pretty much hungry ALL the time! We have 'accelerated metabolisms!'" she says in her best Caestus-voice. She stands up from the couch. "You allowed to leave your apartment?" she half-teases. "Or are YOU going to cook?" she grins, folding her arms.

Pete nods, "As long as I stay in the facility, I can wander, but not down in Denver or anything." he says. "I ain't cooking. I'm going to call room service."

The two siblings spend the rest of the afternoon together, and Gwen spends as much time with him as she can until Thursday.

Gwen's Maxim Interview

Gwen takes the jet back to Denver and after spending some time with Watcher, she heads back to her brother's room. The two eat lunch nervously as they await making the phonecall home. Pete hopes his mother is OK, while at the same time worried his father will be mad if Gwen talks to him.

Gwen is pretty quiet while they eat. She WAS going to break the silence by telling Pete everything about the Maxim shoot and interview...and then remembered she's keeping it a secret, and so remained quiet. Then-- in relief-- she remembered that she could tell him all about the Gatorade commercial, which was the only reason she gave Pete for having to return to New York, and so she launches into her retelling of everything that happened Thursday! She talks about how they used old pre-nova footage of her running and throwing while the current nova-Gwen "competes" with herself using a blue screen and special affects.
"So I came home with a bunch of cases of Gatorade if you want any! Any flavor!" she grins toothily.

"Sure! I'll drink it up!" Pete says glad to have a happier topic to talk about. "I can get any type of Nikes you want, just ask." he says with a laugh. "Or jerseys. I just signed a few days ago with Champion to do some commercials and ads for their stuff."

"Good, good!" Gwen says excitedly. "That will keep you in the public eye and let everyone know you're OK! I bet Nike was glad to get their hooks into another Nielsson!" she smirks. "I keep turning them down because I'm still mad at them for dumping me after I erupted. Kinda ironic...don't you think?" she grins. "Speaking of keeping you in the public eye, how's your team and coach reacting to you being kept in seclusion way over here? It's not going to hurt your career is it?" she asks worriedly. "Because I know you just signed a new contract, and the last thing I wanted to do was screw up your career by having you put under protection, but then again...getting killed REALLY screws up your career, doesn't it!" she half-smiles.

"Oh no, it's fine. The FBI came to the team and explained everything." Pete says. "The death-threats, and what not. They gave me an extension, and besides we're a lock for the playoffs right now anyway. I won't be staying when the payoffs hit. I'll be back playing by then...I hope."

Gwen feels a pang of guilt that she's causing him to miss so many games and practices. "You're such a good sport, Pete...don't worry, I'm working on it. I got Supreme working on finding Frost with me, too, so that's a confidence-booster, right?" she smiles. "Look...I'll fly with you, myself, to the play-offs if I have to. You're not missing them." she says deadly seriously. She knows the play-offs are the equivalent to Pete of what the Olympics were to her.

"Thanks sis," Pete says smiling and nodding happily. "Tell me about this Supreme guy. All I know is what I saw on the TV and rumors around here about what he can do." Pete says stalling for more time.

Gwen gratefully takes the stall-tactics and continues with them! "He's a really nice guy. I still think of him as Ethan-- his nova-name is still a little new to me. I think he's probably the most powerful nova on the planet. He never erupted, he was just born nova. I think he's the first-- and maybe only-- truly non-human nova alive right now. My definition of a non-human nova is one who was born a nova...the rest of us I think of as hybrid-humans since we were born human."
"Anyhow, the centers don't even have equipment that can fully measure his powers, they're that high! All their documents for his abilities list the highest number possible with a + sign to indicate it's even higher than that! So you get the idea!"
"Anyhow, back when we first met him he was a little...reclusive and aloof, but then I told him who I was and he remembered what happened to me at the Olympics, and suddenly he was warm and friendly after that! I always assumed he was one of those boy scout-types who keeps his temper in check...does everything by the books...but then I watched him just fly up to Raoul and throw him through a window with no warning or provocation at all! And then he came with me to look for Frost and just before we broke into this water treatment plant he got this look in his eyes like he was EXCITED at the prospect of smashing someone's head in, and I got butterflies in my stomach seeing that look in his eye! He's more like me than I thought! But with 10 times the strength!" Gwen exclaims, grinning with sparkly eyes.
"Yeah, so I've been contemplating getting the nerve up to ask him out. As long as Andre doesn't want a relationship I may as well test the waters, right?" she shrugs.

Pete laughs. "Yeah you should! See if he wants to at least go out on a date." Pete says. He looks at her and then chuckles. "You know this nova thing has been good for you. I've never seen you so happy or seeing this many men at once. I think it's a good thing."

Gwen throws her head back and laughs. "Thanks Pete, but you're making it sound like I'm this guy-magnet! Andre's still the only guy I've gone out with since I erupted, you know! I can easily see Ethan telling me no, and I'm prepared for that. And I thought regular HUMAN guys were hard to understand-- you should see nova-guys! They've got this persona of cool that they're trying to project, so it's really hard to get to know the person underneath! And the Teregen-ones all seem to have ulterior motives for why they're asking you out! But you don't realize that until right at the end. Take Raoul! He's been putting the moves on me for months! This all started before Andre and I got together. So I started feeling lonely and took him up on his offer, and then he tells me I have to join the Teregen-- or at least agree to be his spy-- before the date will happen! I'm telling you, Pete! It's insane! I better ask Ethan out before his Supreme-ness can get to his head!" she laughs, shaking her head.

"Well it sounds like you wouldn't want Raoul's company anyway. I'd like to smash that guy in the mouth too." Pete says. "I'd love to meet Supreme. He sounds like a standup guy," he says. "So Raoul wanted you to be a spy? Do you think Raoul got to someone else and made the same offer?"

Gwen's face pales a little and her eyes widen. She sits there in silence for a moment, feeling a chill. "Oh my god...I never thought of that..." she says in a hushed voice. She sits thinking. "Well like I said, it can't be Cerro...unless she's about the best actress I've ever met. Pumpkin's too boy-scoutish himself to do that. Watcher...hmmm. He's a secretive guy, but I still think he hates Raoul, too. So it can't be someone on StormWatch! But you may be onto something. I'll bring it up to Caestus."
Gwen sits in silence for another minute-- thinking about this-- and blinks and turns back to Pete. "Sorry about that...just trying to think who it could be! So yeah-- you and Ethan would definitely get along well! Hmmm! I should ask him if he wants to have lunch with the two of us while I'm staying here waiting for Watcher to get better! What do you think?"

Pete nods enthusiastically. "That would be great!!" he says. Pete looks over at the clock and sees that they are an hour late from when they were supposed to call. He sighs and looks over at Gwen. "We're an hour late....are you ready?"

"Ooooh my stomach..." Gwen moans melodramatically, hunching over and clutching at her stomach. "Ooooooohhhhh..." she moans, and then opens one eye to see if Pete is buying her sudden illness. He's not. She sighs and sits back up, looking a little pale.

"Yeah...but remember, you're the one calling. I'm just going to listen...unless I suddenly feel compelled to take the phone, OK?" she asks seriously. "This is for Mom..it's not an official making-up-reunion for me and Dad unless he makes it that way."

Pete nods and picks up the phone. He takes a breath closes his eyes and then calls, saying a prayer as he does it. The phone rings a moment and then picks up.

"Hello?" the voice of their father says on the other side.
"Hey dad. It's me Pete." Pete says and then motions for Gwen to pick up the other line.

Gwen nods nervously and picks up the other line carefully and holds it to her ear.

"Ah Pete hello, how are you? Are you still in Denver?" Lars asks, his voice crisp.
"Yep still here, but don't worry I'm not missing any of the playoffs this year and I'm still working out like you told me." Pete says hurriedly.
"Ah good good. So how is everything? You haven't gotten any more death-threats have you?" Lars asks.
"Oh no no, none yet. But I think after Gwen beat Frost up it won't happen again." Pete says.

Gwen freezes, her eyes wide. Pete just brought her up to their dad. What's he going to say??

"Good good. Your sister did that did she?" their father asks in a strange tone.
"She did. She did it for me. She let her know that she'll kill her if she touches me."
"That's good. Have you heard from your sister?"
"Yeah she came to visit me today." Pete says nodding encouragingly to Gwen.
"Mmmm...well we went to the doctor today. The tests were negative. Your mother doesn't have cancer. Just a case of exhaustion is all." Lars says. Pete can hear the relief in his father's voice and he smiles.
"Whew...that's great Dad. That's...that's perfect." Pete says.

Gwen closes her eyes and slumps a little in relief. Well Ethan's mom didn't have cancer, either...so maybe not all novas' moms gets cancer. Then again, Ethan's mom might have developed it had she lived longer. Gwen tries to banish the negative thoughts from her head.
Gwen glances over at Pete, and then stands and hurries over to a notepad and scribbles something quickly. Then she hurries over to Pete and hands it to him.
It says, "Ask them if they want to come visit you and see where you're staying."

"So Dad did you want to fly out here and visit with me in Denver? See where I'm staying?" Pete says nodding to Gwen.
"I don't know. I have sectionals coming up and everything...maybe in a month." Lars says reluctantly. "Alright then in a month I'll fly you all out here and you can take a vacation. It's beautiful here." Pete says. "You should see the mountains."
"Alright in a month then." Lars says.

Gwen looks disappointed. Trust her dad not to notice when one of his children needs him because he's so wrapped up in himself! If HER oldest son were getting death-threats, she would have been right here in Denver with him...protecting him! Not leaving his side!
Gwen almost says something into the phone, and then freezes in fear and slowly closes her mouth. She glances at Pete and gives him a defeated shrug. She WANTS to say something...really badly! She just can't do it!
She grabs the notepad again and scribbles on it, and then shows it to Pete.
"As Dad if you can speak to Mom."

Pete nods, "Hey dad? Can I speak to Mom real quick?" he asks.
"Actually your mother is resting right now. The doctor gave her some pills to let her sleep for awhile." Lars says. "Will your sister be there when we fly out?"

Gwen's eyes widen again and she quickly sits on the couch. She glances at Pete for a long moment, and then nods her head-- a look of terror on her face.

Pete winces and looks at Gwen. "She might...I mean she's still here guarding me at the center so...she might."
"Mmm." Lars says. "Your brothers are doing well. I just spoke to them a little while ago. They were relieved to hear about your mother. Will you tell Gwen about her. She shouldn't worry needlessly."

Gwen closes her eyes and covers them with her hand. She's relieved...SO relieved...that her father didn't say something horrible like, "Well then we're not coming!" She was seriously terrified that he might! And then he told Pete to tell her about their mom...because he didn't want her to worry. That's another good sign.
She sits like that for a moment, and then removes her hand and finds the notepad again. Her eyes are a little red and teary. She writes something, and then hands it to Pete again.
"I'm scared to suddenly start talking. He might feel like we were tricking him and get mad if he finds out I've been listening this whole time."

Pete nods in agreement. He takes the pad while his father talks and writes. 'Maybe we should wait until they come out here in a month?' he hands the notepad back.

Gwen reads it and nods, looking very relieved. She visibly relaxes. She writes back, "Tell him I'm going to be in the new Gatorade commercial. Then he can see what I look like now."

Pete nods and waits for his father to finish talking about how his athletes are doing. "Hey Dad. Gwen's going to be in the new Gatorade commercial. She was pretty excited about it when I saw her for lunch today."

"Gatorade," Lars says. "Well at least it wasn't Coke or Pepsi. You remember how I forbid you all to drink it while you were playing. Are you still keeping with that?"

"Oh yeah. I don't drink any soda during the season." Pete says rolling his eyes.

"Good good...well at least if she's going to do endorsements she might as well do it for something she used when she was an athlete."

Gwen's not quite sure how to respond to that! She sits there for a moment, and then grabs the notepad and writes, "Tell Dad I've been dating Andre Corbin!" She wants to see what he thinks of Andre...or see if it sparks any comment about them being novas. She supposes he's not pissed about it because he hasn't said anything yet.

"She's also seeing someone." Pete says. "Andre Corbin...you know, the soccer player."

"Yes yes, French Olympic team. I remember him from a few years back..." Lars says. "Well at least she's dating someone with class. Your brother Richie's girlfriend, now there is a disaster waiting to happen," he says as he launches into a diatribe on her while Pete looks over at Gwen and gives her the thumbs up.

Gwen gives him a weak smile back. It sounds like her dad might really want to make up...that Pete was right. Wow. To get her family back...that would be...pretty amazing. Something she definitely wasn't expecting! She sits up a little straighter and writes on the pad again.
"Ask him if he thinks Richie and Nick might want to come with them to visit you here."

"Hey Dad do you think Richie and Nick might want to come?" Pete asks.

"It's finals next month. I don't think they'd be able to. Plus you know that Nick is doing study abroad over the Christmas holiday and Richie has some intern work he as to do. No I think it will just be your mother and I." Lars says. "Well son I had best be going. I have a few more things to do today. I'll call you in a week."

"Ok Dad..." Pete says.

Gwen gives a little sigh, and then claps her hand over the phone. Oops! But she doesn't think anyone could have heard that. She glances over at Pete and shrugs as if to say, "Well, I guess that's it then." She waits for her dad and Pete to say good-bye so she can talk about the call with Pete.

"Alright well I'll talk to you later Dad. Say hello to Richie and Nick for me and give Mom my love." Pete says nodding to her.

"I will. Goodbye Pete." Lars says and hangs up the phone.

Pete looks over at Gwen. "Well he wasn't opposed to the idea it seems."

Gwen clicks off her phone and exhales. "That went a lot better than I thought it would. He kept avoiding talking about me too directly, but he never said anything negative-- which for Dad is a good sign. You might be right about him wanting to reconcile...I guess we'll see next month! I'm so relieved Mom doesn't have cancer!! But...why is she having exhaustion?? All her kids are out of the house so it's just her and Dad!"

"Who knows, but at least it's not cancer." Pete echoes. "I am so relieved." he says leaning back in his chair and sighing in relief. "Wow that went really well. He even talked about you for a little bit."

Gwen smiles. "That's true...and everytime you told him something about my life-- like the Gatorade commercial and Andre and how I fought Frost-- he was approving of me! That's a new feeling!" she grins. "So I'll have to make sure I'm here in a month...I have a month to try to calm down all over again..." she murmurs, rubbing her temples. Maybe I'll bring 'one of my men' with me!" she teases. Speaking of that, you asked the work-out girl out yet??"

Pete laughs excitedly. "I haven't yet, but I will in..." he checks his watch. "About an hour. I told her I'd meet her at the gym." he says. "I'll ask her out then." he says. "I am so relieved...maybe now we can be a family again."

Gwen smiles nervously and nods. "Yeah...if Dad reconciles with me, Nick and Richie will like me again, too...it's sort of a 3-for-the-price-of-1 kind of offer!" she laughs. Then her face turns a little serious. "Pete...why didn't Mom ever stand up for me, or tell Dad to stop his foolishness, or try to convince him not to kick me out when I was only 15? Why did she LET him kick me out? Do you know? Because I'm finding it very hard to forgive Mom right now, so I'm just trying to understand."

"I have no idea, Gwen. But let's not dwell on that!" Pete says hoping to keep the good feelings. "Let's just say that things are getting better now and there is a good chance the two of you will reconcile again. That's all that matters right?" Pete asks.

Gwen sees what Pete-- the everlasting peacemaker-- is doing, and decides not to push it further. She sighs and nods. "Yeah...I guess so. I just have a lot of thinking and preparing to do this month, but...I'm glad they're coming out. Even if I have to hide somewhere and watch them that way when they first get here!" she smiles nervously.

Pete laughs. "That's the spirit. Alright," he says looking at his watch again. "Well I want to get a shower and get ready for my work-out date so..." he says with a wink. "You want to stay here? Or are you going back to your room?"

"Hahahaha!" Gwen laughs. "Taking a shower BEFORE working-out! Now I know she's in trouble!" Gwen winks. "I better not stay here. If everything goes well for you, you might be bringing her back here, and I'd definitely ruin your action! Even if she knew I was your sister she'd wonder if I'm over all here the time, and if she'd have to deal with your little sister being in the way when she wanted some privacy with you!" Gwen grins and wiggles her eyebrows. "But I want a full report afterwards!" she shakes her finger at him with eyebrows raised teacher-style.

"I will! Promise," Pete says with a wink. "Now get going I've got to get ready!" He says in mock-exasperation. "I'll call you later and if things work out, or maybe I won't!" he says getting up and walking to the door and opening it. "See you later sis...or maybe not," he says with a smirk.

Gwen is cracking up at this point-- probably a combination of Pete being silly and all the tension of the day-- and she stumbles out the door. "Fine, fine...I see how it is...I'll just go off and be alone by myself..." she laughs. "Bye Pete!" She waves at him and continues laughing as she heads towards the elevator.