She stands up straight and tall, face determined and chin held high. She strides over to her desk, picks up her cell phone, opens it, finds "Supreme" on her directory...and then...quickly closes her phone again and places it back on the table, her face a little flushed. She walks over to one of her windows and presses her forehead against it, gazing down at the traffic passing below that looks so tiny from this height.
"Shit..." she murmurs, resting the palms of her hands against the glass, and then thunking her forehead softly against the glass over and over again. She thinks she's more terrified of making this call than of just about anything else she's ever done!

She finally pushes back from the glass and turns to face her desk again. Her eyes fall on a picture of the Denver center that she'd left there a few days before, and suddenly she knows how she's going to do this!
She takes a deep breath and grabs her phone off the floor, flips it open, finds "Supreme," and hits dial.

Ethan Crane sits at his desk, a mess of papers all about him as he reviews them and tries to cross reference them. He wasn't sure what he was getting into when he volunteered for the Wright case. He takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes. He puts them back on when his phone rings.
"Assistant District Attorney Crane speaking."

Gwen grins. "Oh HELLO Ethan..." Gwen gushes into the phone. "Listen...you're a great guy and everything, but could I talk to Supreme?" she teases. She's so glad she thought of an ulterior motive for calling or she probably would have hung up the phone in fright when he answered!

Ethan smiles and stands up. "Yes could I get a large pepperoni with cheese," he says as he walks over to the door and closes it. He stands up a little straighter. "Yes Gwen," he says in a deeper voice. "Is there a problem?"

Gwen laughs delightedly when he goes from his higher-pitched Ethan-voice to his NORMAL Ethan-voice!
"Now why does everyone in my life think that where Gwen comes, trouble follows?" she smiles. "No, there's no problem. I was just thinking...they're flying your dad out to Denver tomorrow morning and there won't be any familiar faces there to greet him. It must already be a shock for him hearing that his life is being threatened, and then he has to move to this compound-like center! I know because my brother just went through it. So I was thinking that I could fly out and be there to greet him, but then I remembered that I'm not a familiar face, either, so...I was wondering if you might want to meet me there tomorrow morning so you can introduce us! Then I won't be a stranger anymore!" she smiles, but her stomach has inexplicably filled with crazy butterflies again.

Ethan smiles, "You'd do that?" he asks. "Thank you Gwen, I will take you up on that offer." he says. "He'll be arriving at twelve, can you meet me in front of the center by...11:45?" he asks.

Gwen smiles. "Of course! You were saying that you wanted to introduce us, and what better way! Besides, I got VERY familiar with that center during the month I was there with Pete, so what better tour-guide!" she grins. "And I'm very curious to meet your dog, too!" she adds.
'Tell him to bring something formal to wear!! Tell him, Gwen!!' she prods herself, but her tongue seems to have suddenly stuck itself to the roof of her mouth!!

"Good, I'm sure my father could use the tour." Ethan says. He looks over at his door and winces, "Alright Gwen tomorrow at 11:45 then. See you soon."

"OK, see you tomorrow!" she says, and then quickly hangs up. "AAAAAAAAH!!" she cries, running around the room. Is it just her, or was he trying to get her off the phone?? Did she say too much? Was she bothering him? BAAAAAAAH! Good thing she DIDN'T add that part about bringing something formal to wear! Ah shit...now what? Now how are they going to go on their date if he doesn't know about it??
'Why did you hang up, Gwen?? You STILL haven't asked him out!!' she thinks to herself, and then groans and flops back on her bed. Well she certainly can't call him back now! He sounded too busy to talk! AAAAAAAH!!

Gwen continues to mentally beat herself up for a moment, and then suddenly she stops thrashing around and lays still, a small smile turning up the corners of her mouth. Why not bring a suit FOR him? She knows at least one or two people who could get her his exact size! She grins and walks back over to her phone, flipping it open and dialing Bob's number.

Bob Wienstadt sits at his desk going over the accounts when the phone rings. He picks it up looking annoyed, "This is Bob, go."

"Jesus, Bob, did someone pee in your coffee??" she asks, wondering why she's having such bad phone-luck today! "Listen...I don't want to take up too much of your precious Bob-time so I'll be quick. I'm meeting Supreme in Denver tomorrow and he asked me to bring him a suit in case he has to stay over the night to help his dad. Who do I need to go to to get his measurements?" she asks.

Bob chuckles, "Let's see..." he says shifting the phone to his shoulder and typing on the computer. "There we are...sent...you should have the info in a few moments. Anything else, Drama? I mean Aura?"

Gwen pretends to look shocked. "Bob! And I thought we were friends!" She looks at her computer and sure enough, there's the E-mail from Bob! "Ah, there it is! Thanks, Bob! I'll try to pick you up a souvenir or something!" she grins.

"I've never been to Denver, so make it a good one," Bob says and hangs up. He looks at his phone and shakes his head. He turns back to his papers.

Gwen laughs. "I hope *I* get a good souvenir!" she murmurs to herself. She takes a look at the measurements and lets out a low whistle. "Wow..." she says under her breath. "Very nice..." She prints out the measurements and grabs her car keys. Time to go shopping!

At the Triton Foundation, Denver Center 11:43...

A red streak from the sky speeds towards the front entrance of the Center. It slows and gently sets down. Supreme stands there with his arms folded, his red cape fluttering behind him. It is winter time, yet the cold does not touch him. He runs a hand through his hair as the doors open and a researcher runs out, bundled in a coat.

"Supreme?" he asks his voice crack with the chill as he holds the coat tighter to him.

Supreme nods, "My father will be here shortly. I thought to be here to make sure of his safety."

"Of course. They are on their way at this moment." he says and runs back into the center.

A minute later Gwen hurries outside in her Aura-uniform, a big smile on her face. "Hey Eth-- Supreme!" she quickly corrects herself. "Damnit, I can call you Ethan in front of your dad, right?" she grins, folding her arms. "And I'm having a bit of a confusion! The Ethan *I* know is just like the Supreme I know, however I just met ANOTHER Ethan who wears glasses and acts very different than the old Ethan! So is the glasses-wearing Ethan one who just came into being recently when he got a job in Chicago, or is he the one you've been at home while you were growing up all this time?" she asks, trying to sort this new complication out.

Supreme leans back and chuckles. "You can call me Ethan in front of my father, and this is the real Ethan you're speaking to right now." he says. "I just need a decent cover when I'm out and about trying to be normal, Aura." he says. "But joking aside, this is how I've always been."

"Ah OK! Phew!" she laughs, pretending to wipe her forehead. "Because I really liked the old Ethan!" Her cheeks flush a little when she realizes how that might have sounded, but she's wearing her mask, so not much of the blush is visible, thank god!
She tries not to be obvious as she glances him over. She just got through spending hours having a tailor-made suit created for him, and she suddenly feels very familiar with every measurement-- from the breadth of his shoulders to the length of his *gulp* inseam! It's an oddly intimate thing to know-- especially when she's never...well...heh-heh!
"So...do you have to be back in Chicago at a certain time, or is your day free?" she asks hopefully.

"My day is free." Ethan says. He raises his eyebrow and crosses his arms and turns to face her. "Wait...when you say you liked the old Ethan, does that mean this Ethan or the lawyer Ethan...I'm confused," he says teasingly.

Gwen laughs loudly. "I prefer the one I'm talking to right now!" She considers him for a moment. "How do you do it? How do you handle going into the office everyday and having to pretend to be less than you are? To speak differently...wear glasses you don't need...there must be people who don't show you the same respect they would if you were yourself, you know what I mean? I know you're protecting your dad and your private life, but god! It must get frustrating at times! I mean, you're so good when you're lawyer-Ethan that even *I* forgot who you really were for a moment!" She gives a little laugh. "When only you and Watcher went in to arrest Edgar, I had a moment of panic wondering if you'd be OK if Edgar tried anything!" she laughs.

Ethan chuckles and puts his hand on her shoulder. "It's not easy, but then people underestimate me when they shouldn't. It gives me an advantage. And this way I can keep Ethan and Supreme completely separate." he says. "No one will give me any special treatment."

Gwen grins. "Well, I wouldn't say NO one..." she pokes him. She takes a deep breath. "Remember how I asked if you ever wanted to go out and get something to eat sometime?" she asks. "Well...I know I'm going to get hungry at some point tonight, and I had a very interesting place in mind to eat!" she smiles, her stomach flip-flopping everywhere! "If you wanted to go with me!" she adds.

Ethan smiles broadly, "Sure Gwen that would be nice." he says. "Is it formal? I don't think I have a suit with me," he says. "I suppose if Dad brought one I could borrow from him." he says.

Gwen leans back and considers Ethan with an exaggerated look of surprise on her face. "Wow...your dad's the same size as you? Why are we worried about him then!" she teases. "Oh yes...it's pretty formal! But don't you worry about what to wear! I made arrangements...just in case you said yes!" she smiles, folding her arms. "Incidentally, will it be normal-Ethan or lawyer-Ethan who will be accompanying me?" she asks with a raised eyebrow.

"For tonight we'll do normal Ethan." he says. Ethan turns as a black car turns the bend and parks. James Crane, an older man with grey hair, wearing blue jeans and a blue denim shirt gets out. Behind him a Dalmatian jumps out of the car following him. The driver gets out and opens the trunk and pulls out the luggage. James sees the two of them and waves.

"That's my dad." Ethan says.

Gwen was pondering the sentence "tonight we'll do normal Ethan" with a little smile on her face, when suddenly the car arrived. She quickly stands up straight and holds her hands behind her back. "Do you think the costumes are too much, or should we have come in street-clothes?" she whispers out of the side of her mouth. James looks like a down-to-earth type of guy.

"He knows," Ethan says leaning down. He smiles and kneels down as Radar sees Supreme and runs over, tail wagging. "Heya boy! Hey Radar!" he says petting him. "Good boy, good boy."

"He misses the hell out of you," James says walking over. "You going to take him to Chicago with you this time?"

"I thought you wanted the company," Ethan says looking up.

"I do, but he keeps turning the channel on the remote all the time. Damned annoying," James says.

Ethan laughs and stands up. "James this is Aura, Aura this is James, my father, and that's Radar," Ethan says motioning to his father and his dog.

James sticks out his hand, "Pleased to meet you, want a dog?"

Gwen laughs and shakes his hand with a firm grip. "I would, but it looks like he's already chosen his master! It's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Crane." she smiles. "I wish it were under more pleasant circumstances. But this is a nice place, and they took good care of my brother while he was under a similar threat, so hopefully this won't be too big of an inconvenience until we can get Edgar Wright permanently in a cage!"

"Mr. Crane," James says nodding. "I like this one, You can call me James." James says affably. He looks at Ethan and raises an eyebrow.

Radar gets up and looks Gwen over.

Female, nervous...look...look...female not danger...

Radar steps towards Gwen and sits, continuing to look at her a little too intelligently.

"Let's get inside, Dad. It must be cold out here for you," Ethan says putting his arm around James.

James looks at his son. "I suppose. You coming Gwen?"

Gwen is busy looking down at Radar with a look of fascination and confusion mixed. The dog is staring up at her intently, and his eyes don't look like a normal dog's eyes...they look almost like human eyes!
She squats down in front of him and strokes his head. "Hey Radar...you look like a really smart dog..." she murmurs to him. "I heard you can use a remote! Sounds like you're a man's dog, all right!" she teases.

Female...speaks...English...remote, yes, remote for curious box.

Radar almost smiles at her and seemingly nods. Yes remote, one knows remote find remote? Radar looks around and doesn't seem to find what he's looking for.

"Gwen?" Ethan says looking over his shoulder.

"Ah leave her be. Let her bond with Radar, maybe I can get her to take him after all." James says.

Gwen blinks and looks up, realizing that the men have been trying to talk to her. "I think I said a cue-word when I said 'remote' because now Radar's looking around for one!" she calls. "Sounds like something MY dad would teach a dog as his first trick!" she grins up at the Crane men knowingly. "Does he also fetch chocolate?" she teases.

"He'll fetch a beer, open a door, get the paper, find a pen..." James says. "Hell he can do just about anything. I caught him a week ago peeing in the toilet and then flushing it."

"Radar?" Ethan says. "He did that?"

"Oh yes," James says laughing. "Damndest dog I ever saw."

Gwen looks at James in surprise. "Wow! How does he know what you're asking him to fetch? Did he get so smart from watching Ethan study for his law degree or something?" she grins. She calls Radar back to her. "No remote right now, Radar...good boy!"

"I have no idea, he just started learning all these new little tricks over the last few months." James says. "I haven't taught him anything but to fetch the paper."

"You coming?" Ethan says with a wink. "You're the tour guide!"

No remote? Radar looks around and then back to Gwen. He sees James and Ethan walking towards the big glass door and he runs over to the door and lifts himself up onto his two hind legs and grabs the door handle and pulls, opening it. Ethan and James walk through and Radar glances back to see if Gwen is coming.

Gwen is squatting there staring at Radar in surprise. She doesn't move for a minute, and then finally realizes she's being left behind and slowly stands back up.
'OK, that was just TOO weird! Opening doors...peeing in toilets??' She shakes her head and hurries to catch up with the men.
Gwen leans into Ethan as they're walking into the building. "A super-dog for a super-man?" she whispers. "How is he doing these things? He opens doors...brings you things...pees in a toilet...hell, if he also puts the lid down when he's done he'd be the perfect man!" she teases, but still looks confused/astounded.

Ethan laughs, "I got him at a shelter for Mom and Dad. Dad loves him, but I think he weirds him out," Ethan whispers. "He's a very smart dog, ever since I got him he's been doing some amazing things. He loved Mom. Followed her everywhere. She said there were a few times she could swear he was trying to talk to her."

"You know I'm right here." James says looking at the two of them. He takes Gwen's arm and smiles at her. "Help an old man walk?"

Radar slips through the door and lets it close. He follows the group as they walk to the elevator. Open door, good one.

Gwen smiles and stands up straighter. "Of course! If you see one, let me know!" she grins, escorting him with his arm in hers. "We novas of StormWatch are encouraged to do good deeds!" she continues teasing.
She points out the front desk. "If you need anything...anything at all, you can call these guys or just walk right up to the desk. They can connect you to anyone...anywhere. They can get you information...they can hand you a tape of a TV show you missed...if you don't like something about your room, they can fix it...sky's the limit!" she beams, waving to the front desk guys.

James nods as the elevator opens. "Room service? Or do they have some kinda cafe in here? You know I hardly go out to eat." he says. "And Radar absolutely refuses to stay home by himself."

"They have a cafeteria, dad. It's good tho. No cafeteria food. Steaks, chicken, fish, real meals." Ethan adds. "And it's very good. They have a professional chef overseeing everything."

"A professional chef, a beautiful girl on a man's arm, a guy could get used to this." James says smiling.

Gwen laughs. "And you haven't even met the masseuse yet!" she winks. "Hmm...if Radar refuses to stay home by himself, I'd be a really bad owner for him. I'm lucky if I get two nights in a row in my apartment before I'm flown off on a mission somewhere! Radar would be furious with me!"

Ethan laughs. "He gives me the cold shoulder a lot. I think he's a woman's dog."

The elevator doors close as they get in. Ethan hits the fourth floor button and up they go. When the doors open they looks down the long hallway. Radar jumps in front and starts sniffing for any danger, sensing none he looks back as if to say it's ok.

Walking out of the elevator, James digs in his pocket and pulls out a key. "Room 402."

"That should be right here." Ethan says point towards the second door.

Gwen continues watching Radar with a bemused look on her face. "It IS too bad I live in a penthouse...I miss having a dog around. We always had big dogs growing up-- German shepherds...black labs...retrievers...Radar's about the same size-range..." she says. Then she gives a little laugh. "I was thinking it might be good to have a dog to exercise with, but my favorite exercise lately is flying, and I don't think Radar would find that particularly enjoyable!" she grins.

Radar looks up at Gwen as if in understanding.

James walks over to the door and opens it with his pass key. Radar bounds in sniffing. He finds the remote and runs back to Gwen holding the remote in his mouth.

"See he loves TV." James says shaking his head. He walks over to his bag and picks it up and carries it into the bedroom.
Ethan chuckles as he walks into the kitchen.
"Looks like he likes you Gwen. He wants you to watch TV with him."

Radar looks up at Gwen anxiously.

Ah-oh...sounds like this is a serious crush then!" she grins. She looks at Radar, and then smiles and shakes her head. "You missing one of your favorite shows, hmmm Radar?" she murmurs to him. "Well now I'm curious what this amazing show could be!" She motions for him to follow her into the living room-area, and then takes a seat on the couch, patting the spot next to her. "If it's the N! Channel I have to warn you you're probably going to see one of my Gatorade commercials!" she warns Radar. "So I want you to know, they made me say the line! I had no choice!" she grins, holding her hands up defensively.

Radar jumps up on the couch. He leans his head down and carefully puts the remote down facing the TV. He lifts his paw and hits the power. The wall TV clicks on and Radar perks his head up and watches for a moment. Not satisfied he lifts his paw and changes the channel. He does this for a little bit till he gets to the N! Channel. He looks between the TV and Gwen.

Ethan walks out of the kitchen and sits down in the chair. "He loves to watch TV."

"Oh no...I was right! It's the N! Channel!" she groans melodramatically, holding the back of her hand to her forehead. "Actually, I've gotten a little addicted to the gossip-show...and the biography-show! And oh god, you should see the commercials for the Nova movie, Ethan! Caestus and Team Tomorrow Europe actually ACTED in the movie!! Oh I can barely stand to watch when the commercials come on!" she laughs. "Not that they're bad actors or anything...it's just...eeeegh, you know?" she grins. She turns back to Radar. "What did you want to show me, boy?" she asks curiously.

"They did?" Ethan says with a laugh. He cracks open a soda and offers her a can. "Want one?" he says. "He loves that channel. He also likes this one show on the college channel. He watches that quite a bit."

"He does? Why?" she asks curiously. She glances at the soda warily-- she NEVER drinks soda! But Ethan's offering it, and she doesn't want to be a jerk, so she accepts a can from him and thanks him with a smile.

"Yeah it's the one where they teach English to second language students. He loves that show." Ethan says. "Dad says he'll come in to get a drink of water late at night and Radar will be there sitting on the couch watching intently.

"Really!" Gwen says, amazed. "Do you think he's...trying to learn English or something??" she asks.

"No I just think he likes the teacher's voice." Ethan says.

Radar woofs at Gwen and turns to the TV and watches for a moment, when Gwen's Gatorade commercial comes on. Radar perks up and cocks his head. He looks at the image and then at Gwen and then at the channel.

"Oh no...look what I've done! I've summoned my commercial!" Gwen groans. Then she notices that Radar is looking from her to the TV and back again.

Ethan chuckles. "You look good."

Gwen gives Ethan a big smile, and then fluffs her hair, pretending to primp. "Why thank you Ethan!" she beams.

"Going to take a quick shower, kids! be out in a bit!" James shouts from the bedroom.

"OK!" Gwen calls a little distractedly as she watches Radar. "Wow-- look at this, Ethan! He recognizes that that's me on the screen!" She pats Radar's head again. "You're a smart boy, Radar!" she coos. "Like I said, don't pay attention to the last line! They made me say it! Trust me!" she grins at the dog.

Radar woofs and leans over and licks her cheek. He turns back to the TV and hunches down and lays his head on Gwen's lap.

"Well you certainly have Radar's approval." Ethan says. "That's why I think he's a woman's dog. He loved my mother and now he's attached himself to you." he says. "What time did you want to go to dinner?"

Gwen looks at Radar with surprise, and then starts stroking his head and back as he lays there. Then she looks up at Ethan and smiles. "Weell...the boat leaves just before sunset, so we have to get to the southern shore of Lake Superior before then in all our dressed-up splendor! I have the jet here, or if you preferred that we fly on our own...?"

"We can fly on our own," Ethan says. "We'd get there quicker." he says. "My dad likes you, I can tell. And Radar there, well he's in love." he says with a laugh. Ethan gets up and puts his soda in the kitchen. "Is this the type of room your brother stayed in?"

Gwen smiles, turning enough so she can watch Ethan and not disturb Radar. "Well it's nice to be liked...even better to be loved..." she grins. "You've got a great family here, Ethan. Yeah-- this apartment is almost identical to Pete's. They must have carbon copied all the rooms from the same design! Speaking of families, me and Dad are finally reconciled. I'd love to introduce you to him, too! I've got three big brothers-- all of whom practically worship you!" she laughs. "Dad thinks you're great...Mom thinks you're great...hell, all you'd have to do is show up and you'd have instant approval!" she laughs. "It would be the most stress-free meeting of a family that anyone's ever had to do!"

"Thanks!" Ethan calls from the kitchen as he throws away the can. "I'm glad to hear about you and your father. I know that you were pretty concerned about it last time we talked." he says.
Ethan walks out of the kitchen and smiles at Radar and her. "Look at him." he says. "He doesn't warm up to just anyone." he says. "I'm going to make sure dad's alright. I'll be right back," he says as he turns and walks down the hallway to the bedroom.

Radar sits up and watches him leave. He turns to Gwen and stares at her straight in the eye. He cocks his head but continues to stare.

Gwen also watches Ethan leave, and then turns back to Radar. She's a little surprised to find him staring at her so intently. She cocks her head in the same direction and her forehead wrinkles a little as she looks back at him.
"You can understand what we say, can't you." she says. "I mean, I know dogs can understand SOME words...like 'fetch' and 'sit' and 'stay' and all that, but you understand everything I'm saying...don't you." she asks as more of a statement than a question.

An image flits into Gwen's mind...

"Radar! Treats!" she hears an older woman say. The image of treats on the floor, an older woman in a kitchen smiling down. The same woman on the couch patting his head. Radar sleeping at the foot of the bed. The woman scritching his head on the porch. A lonely grave on top of a hill.

The images fade and Gwen is left there staring at Radar who blinks and hunches down on his paws and looks up at her sadly.

Gwen's mouth falls open and she blinks her eyes. Radar is lucky that Gwen is so used to Cero sending mind-pictures like this because Gwen doesn't freak-out on him when the images start coming! More overwhelming than the mind-pictures is the fact that she knows who the woman is from the pictures of her in the paper. It's Ethan's mom. She gets a little teary-eyed as she blinks at Radar.
"Is...this how you communicate, Radar?" she asks slowly, her voice a whisper. "Through mind-pictures? You're trying to tell me that you miss Mrs. Crane...that you used to follow her everywhere, and you were HER dog...right?" she whispers. She pets Radar's head, looking a little dazed. Did she just get a new nova-power?? One that lets her understand what animals are thinking??

Radar woofs and sits up again. He gets that strange look of concentration in his eyes.

More images flood Gwen's mind...

It's her! Gwen on TV, "Gatorade. Is it in you?" Then the image fades to a bank. Radar is walking a blind man into the bank. She sees the robbers come in and shoot the man. She sees one of them go crazy with grief and kill the others.
She sees the lonely grave again.

"Safe?" a strange voice with a very strange accent says in her mind. "Secret?"

Gwen's hand has frozen in mid-pat on Radar's head. She stares at him with wide eyes. She suddenly has the sure knowledge that if this is a nova-power it isn't HER doing it.
She sits there for a long moment, staring at Radar with wide eyes and trying to sort through what's going on.
Finally she gets her thoughts under some semblance of control.
'Are...you a nova-dog, Radar?' she thinks to him. 'Can you hear me when I talk to you like this?'

Radar looks around the room and jumps off the couch and flies through the air and back onto the couch. "Safe...secret?" the voice says once more, though this time much more insistent and pleading. Radar leans forward and licks her face. "Safe secret? Safe secret?"

Gwen scoots backwards against the arm of the couch when he flies around the room, staring at him in awe and shock.
"Well...I guess you could exercise with me after all..." she murmurs, a little pale. Then she gives a little laugh. "Trust Supreme to have the super-dog!"
She nods quickly to Radar. "Sure, Radar, sure...your secret is safe with me!" she whispers to him. "Ethan knows, doesn't he?" she asks.

The image of the lonely grave flits through her mind and her commercial. Radar looks at her again.

Ethan opens the door to the bedroom and walks out. "He's very tired." he says. "He's going to take a nap. So if you'd like we can head to the lake now." he says walking into the living room.

Gwen is holding Radar's head in her hands, looking at him intently. The two appear to be in some kind of intense concentration, or staring-contest!
Gwen didn't quite understand what he was trying to say by showing her the image that represents Ethan's mom and then the image of herself, so she skips topics for a moment.
'That blind man...that was your first master? And he was killed by bank robbers so you...made one robber shoot the other robbers?' she thinks to Radar. A little smile curls up the corners of her mouth. 'I like you, Radar! That's a GOOD DOG!' she grins. 'VERY good dog! That's exactly what I would have done, too!' she nods her head, giving him a little hug. She's not even registering that Ethan has come back.

Radar looks up to see Ethan. He licks her face. He jumps down from the couch and runs into the kitchen and then back out again.

"Bonding with Radar?" Ethan says with a smile. "Come on boy want dinner? Want dinner?" he says patting his leg.

Radar woofs and wags his tail as Ethan walks into the kitchen. Radar suddenly stops acting like a dog and looks at Gwen pointedly. He then trots into the kitchen wagging his tail.

Gwen stares at Radar in surprise. 'But...why haven't you told Ethan, you silly boy?? He's like us!' she thinks to him.

Ethan gives Radar his food in a dish and walks back into the living room. "Now that I have your attention. Want to go to the lake now?" he says with a smirk.

Gwen flushes a little and laughs, flipping her hair back over her shoulder and standing up from the couch.
"I'm sorry, Ethan! Your dog is just really unique! He's a smart one! Where did you get him from?" she asks, taking her unopened can of soda into the kitchen and putting it back into the fridge.

"I got him at a shelter, in Kansas City. He just seemed very sad and lonely...and those eyes. I just couldn't let them destroy him," Ethan says. "I'm glad you like him. He's a very sweet dog." he says. "My dad's asleep. We can stay here if you like and talk." he says.

"Destroy him?? Jesus!!" Gwen bursts out before she can stop herself. A second later she realizes that yes, that is what happens to unadopted dogs, but putting Radar in that context just seems horrific-- being what he is! She flushes a little. "Well I'm glad you two found each other. That would have been a horrible waste if they'd destroyed him." she says, bending and patting Radar as he eats, and then standing back up again.
Gwen glances up at the clock. "We have a little time to talk-- it's still early yet!" she smiles. "Wow-- your dad must have been really tired! But I'm sure he didn't sleep very well last night." Gwen perches herself on the edge of the kitchen table. "I do have a question I've been wanting to ask."

Ethan looks at her and shrugs. "Alright, go ahead and ask," he says. He gives her that down home Kansas boy look that she hasn't seen in awhile. For a moment he seems just a man, a good-looking strongly-built man.

Gwen smiles at him in bemusement for a moment, remembering what her dad said about treating him like he's just a normal, every-day guy. Too bad her question is going to spoil all that for the moment. She feels a little guilty and hopes the topic doesn't upset him.
"It's about that interview Divis did a few days ago. He claimed that the people who raised him weren't his parents...that he was made by scientists, or something, and that you were, too, and that you two are brothers. Do you have any idea what he was talking about? Is there any truth in it?" she asks curiously.

Ethan nods sadly. "There is some truth to that. My parents found me...and raised me as their own. To me, they were my parents and still are. I'll never turn my back on them, and never search for what really happened. It's not important to me. They loved me as if I really were theirs and that's good enough for me."

Gwen nods slowly, listening. "It sounds like you don't need to worry about what happened. If there's anything to find out, Divis is sure to uncover it and tell everyone anyway." she sighs. "That was a bit of a downer-question! Sorry about that, Ethan! I didn't mean to ruin the mood!" she quickly apologizes.
She reaches behind her head and unfastens her mask, pulling it off and exhaling in relief. "There! That's better!" she smiles, running her hands through her hair to fluff it back out a little. "So tell me...were you ever involved in any sports growing up? I'd think just about every kind of coach out there would have been after you from day one!" she laughs.

"No. I wasn't. I was always afraid that I would hit the ball or someone else too hard and expose myself for what I was." Ethan says. "I was born this way, I've never been different. My father told me a story once of me lifting a tractor to keep it from crushing him. I was five at the time."

Gwen raises her eyebrows. "Wow...what I would have given to have been able to lift a tractor when I was five! But yeah...I see what you mean. It would be nearly impossible to restrain your strength and speed 100% of the time. Hmmm...have you heard of the XWF?" she grins. "Oh don't worry-- I know it's not your thing! As for me, I'm trying out on Thursday! I'm going to wrestle as my alter-ego-- not Aura. When I'm Aura I have to...restrain myself in a lot of ways. But Rage? She does what she wants WHEN she wants!" Gwen grins, crossing one leg over the other and swinging her foot. "So our alter-egos are pretty much opposites! Hmmm...I wonder how they'd get along!" she winks.

Ethan chuckles, "So you're playing a nova to get away from being this other nova." he says laughing. "So which is the real Gwen? Aura or Rage?" he asks. Radar finishes his food and runs into the bathroom. They can hear the seat lift, a peeing noise, and then flush and the seat going down. Radar trots out and sits by Gwen.

Gwen stares at Radar for a moment, and then lets out a loud laugh. "NOW I've seen everything! Good boy, Radar! You put the seat back down! VERY good boy!" she laughs again, and then turns back to Ethan with a smile.
"Honestly, Ethan? That's a good question. When Caestus first found me I was Rage. Rage was the original me. I was pissed off at the world and everyone in it. When Caestus told me that I should use my powers to help mankind, I laughed at him. The whole Olympics-thing was very fresh...very recent. I...did some things that Caestus would be disappointed at while I was Rage if he found out. So I needed a different nova-identity if I wanted to be in StormWatch, and that's where Aura stepped in. Aura follows all the rules in the contract. Aura tries to watch what she says in press-conferences...although she doesn't succeed very well!" Gwen laughs. "Aura also finds herself tongue-tied at times when she's around Supreme!" she winks.

Ethan smiles and looks down at the counter. He then looks up at Gwen and smiles again. "Ethan sometimes finds himself tongue-tied around Gwen." he says and then looks down at Radar. "Right Radar?"

Radar woofs. He senses what's going on and jumps up and puts his two paws on the counter and stands up panting and looking between two of his favorite people.

Ethan laughs and rubs Radar's head. "Good boy."

Gwen flushes bright pink and smiles happily, also glancing down! 'THAT can't be true!! Ethan tongue-tied around ME??' she thinks to herself, her mind all a-whirl as she fidgets her hands together. She finally stops fidgeting and looks up.
"Which Ethan?" she teases. "Because I could totally see lawyer-Ethan getting tongue-tied, but original-Ethan? Never!" she grins.

"Well we'll just have to find out won't we?" Ethan says. "Alright I think I should look around for a suit now. I don't exactly want to draw attention to us in--" he looks down. "--this." Ethan smiles at her. "We can stop by my apartment in Chicago. It wouldn't take long and it is on the way."

Gwen smiles. "We can change there if you like...however I did come prepared...just in case! Wait one moment!" she grins, sliding down off the table and hurrying out of the apartment. A minute passes, and Gwen's back holding two garment bags. She hands one to Ethan. "I had it made for you last night."
Inside the garment bag is a finely-made tuxedo with a vest of crimson silk, a pair of black unopened socks, and a pair of shiny black leather shoes.

Ethan looks at it and then smiles. "This is wonderful Gwen. I don't know what to say..." he says. He puts his hand on hers. "Thank you," he says. "I..."

Radar looks back and forth between them. He pants happily, his tongue out. Gwen gets the image in her head of James and Mary kissing.

Gwen feels a definite electric shock go through her system when Ethan touches her hand. For a moment she was worried that it might have been her nova-power going off on its own, but then she realizes that it was something else entirely.
That's when she gets the image from Radar of Ethan's parents kissing. She shoots Radar an amused look, and then looks back at Ethan. She reaches up and rests her fingertips against the side of his chin, looking up at him with a momentary hesitation, and then flings caution to the wind and leans in slowly, pressing her lips softly and tentatively against his and closing her eyes.

Ethan kisses her back and puts his arms around her and holds her against him. Radar yips happily and runs over to the couch to get out of the way. Electricity runs through Ethan as he kisses Gwen. He's never felt this way before, not even with...what was her name? 'Doesn't matter...' he thinks.

There are no words that can do justice to describe how Gwen feels when Ethan kisses her back, and then pulls her against him. Her whole body literally goes weak and melts in his arms! And that's a major feat against Gwen! She wraps her arms around his neck and continues kissing him, matching his kisses in intensity. She forgets about where she is...she forgets about the Olympics...she forgets about everyone else but Ethan Crane.
After a while the kiss finally breaks-- slowly and almost reluctantly-- but Gwen keeps her face close to Ethan's. "Wow..." she can barely breathe. She reaches her fingers up and plays with the back of his hair, still trying to recover from the kiss-- still a little wobbly!

Ethan can only see fireworks behind his eyes. Everything, yet nothing compares to this. Electricity shot up his spine and back down. This was like no other kiss. He blinks when it ends. He opens his mouth to speak and then closes it. He smiles.
"Wow...I think I need to sit down."

Gwen can only nod in agreement, and then cling to him as they both slowly maneuver over to the couch and sit down side-by-side.
Gwen smiles and strokes his cheek softly with her fingertips, gazing at him in wonder. "Please tell me that wasn't just the affects of someone's nova-power accidentally going off!" she laughs softly. "Did you feel it, too?"

"I'll say. I felt that...like a shot of electricity?" Ethan says looking at her. "Like your heart just stopped? Because..." he says looking at her incredulously. "I yeah I felt that too."
Ethan looks around. "Think it happened because we're novas?"

Gwen gives a little smile and shakes her head. "Not unless it's a power that just barely erupted! I've kissed one other nova in my life, and while I thought it was a good kiss at the time, it was nothing like this one! No electricity...no jolt...no weak knees..." she smiles. "I suppose we could always try it again to see what happens..." she suggests with a raised eyebrow.

"We could..." Ethan says with a smile. He leans in and takes her chin with his hand and draws her closer. He kisses her softly on the lips, slowly at first. He holds her there tenderly kissing her. More jolts run through his spine as he continues the kiss.

Gwen moans softly as the weak knees and electricity come right back and her stomach flutters with nova-strength butterflies. Andre never kissed her like THIS! So soft and tender...it's like time has stopped and her whole body is hanging suspended in the air!
Gwen slowly wraps her arms around Ethan and pulls herself as close to him as she can. Her kisses get a little more passionate and strong, and she suddenly feels heat rise up in her. She pulls him down a little with her as she leans back against the back of the couch.

Radar jumps off the couch and yips happily. He runs into the bedroom to get out of the way.

Ethan lets Gwen bring him down on top of her, kissing her still. He holds her tightly to him, trying to to crush her. Finally he breaks the kiss. He breathes for a moment. "Well...it wasn't a fluke." he says. "So...wow...I...I've never kissed anyone like that."

Gwen's eyes are closed and she's breathing heavily. "Me either...not even close..." she says in a breathy voice. Her eyes slowly open and she smiles up at him, reaching up and touching his face. "I..." She gives a little laugh and looks down as her cheeks flush. It may be too premature to say what she was just about to say.
"I like you very much, Ethan. I've liked you since I first met you. I never in my wildest dreams thought you might like me back!" she smiles. "Well...maybe in my WILDEST dreams..." she teases. She runs her hand down his arm, feeling the muscles there, and then across his chest and back up to his face. 'You're perfect...' she thinks to herself.

Ethan nods smiling. "I've felt the same since I met you. I...don't know what I was thinking...but I didn't imagine you cared...this...is all new to me." he says. "This is...wow...well...so..." he says realizing he's on top of her. He smiles again. "Are you hungry?"

Gwen laughs, her cheeks pink again. For all her talk and bluster she's still only been with one man before, and that's all coming back to her now!
She smiles up at him, wondering what James would think if he walked in on them right now! "Yes I am! And very excited to go out with you! Should we get dressed here?" she asks, glancing around.

"That sounds like a good idea," Ethan says slithering off the couch. He stands up and helps her up as well. "There's a guest bathroom we can change in. I'll change in dad's bathroom." he says. He walks over to the suit and picks it up. "This is great. I love this suit."

Gwen smiles, walking over and picking up her temporarily-forgotten garment bag. "I'm glad! I hope it fits well! If not, it's Bob's fault!" she winks. She walks over to the guest bathroom. "See you in a few minutes!" she smiles, wiggling her fingers at him.
She goes into the bathroom and shuts the door, turns on the fan, and then does a little dance and waves her hands, trying not to squeal too audibly! She jumps around excitedly in there for a moment, and then stands in front of the mirror and looks at her flushed, happy reflection. She grins back at it. 'Who would have ever thought this would have happened??" she thinks to herself. SHE certainly didn't anticipate it happening here in Denver! Maybe...MAYBE on the boat, but certainly not here! And good thing it didn't happen on the boat! She would have hated to make a scene fainting in his arms if they'd had their first kiss in public!
She covers her mouth and gives a little giggle, and then starts stripping off her Aura-uniform and getting ready.

A short while later she emerges from the bathroom in a floor-lenth strapless black evening gown with long black gloves. She'd managed to learn how to pull her hair up into a fancy twist with some tendrils hanging down, and is wearing a diamond choker and matching earrings. She's even put some make-up on! Now no one will EVER recognize her, she thinks with a chuckle.

Ethan is already ready. He stands there in the living room at the mirror tying his tie. He's wearing the suit she brought for him and it looks fantastic! The measurements were definately on par for the suit fits nice and snug. He turns to see her and smiles whistling.
"Gwen...you look gorgeous! Wow..." he says his mouth open..."Amazing..."

Gwen laughs and does a turn for him so he can see the gown from all sides. The back is cut pretty low...but not TOO low! Then it's HER turn to look Ethan over. She smiles with sparkling eyes, tapping her finger against her chin as she looks him over.
"My god...this is one of those moments that all girls dream of-- where you walk out to see your date, and he's a gorgeous, tall, well-muscled man with beautiful blue eyes and a smile that knocks you off your feet!" she breathes. She walks up to him and smoothes the suit with her gloved hands. "Good Bob!" she laughs. "The red vest is nice...you do look good in red." she comments as she touches the vest. She almost can't believe that this is HER date! He looks incredible!

Ethan laughs. "So that's how you did it." he says. "Well this is a night men dream of. A beautiful woman by your side, a wonderful night, and the woman at your side happens to be one of the most beautiful women you have ever seen. I don't think I've seen anyone prettier." he says smiling.

Gwen blushes and punches Ethan's arm bashfully. "Thanks Ethan! Now I KNOW you don't get out much!" she teases. "I'm sorry-- Mom says I'm bad at taking a compliment. Thank you very much-- that makes me feel so incredible to hear." she smiles sincerely. She takes a warm-looking wrap and puts it around her shoulders. "Wouldn't want to make the non-novas wonder what I'm doing out in the cold without one of these!" she smiles. "Shall we go?"

Ethan nods, "Absolutely."

The two fly from Denver to Lake Superior. Ethan holds Gwen the entire time while they fly and they get there fast! He lands out of eyesight and the two stroll down the walk way onto the ship where the give over their tickets. The boat is fairly large for a lake-side cruise. The top-most deck is for midnight strolls, the second deck is dining and the third deck below is for dancing and a bar.
Ethan takes her arm and walks her about the decks while they wait for dinner to be served as the cruise ship begins to sail.

"This was a great idea, Gwen. How did you get these tickets?" Ethan asks looking around amazed.

Gwen smiles, looking around at the enchanted ship with the lights strung up the ropes and masts. "The internet! I wanted to find something unique...romantic...exciting...and formal! I don't know why, but I actually like getting dressed up like this and going out to parties! I was never like this before! Anyhow, this ship was sold out, but I found a married couple who had to cancel at the last minute and were advertising their tickets, and I bought their tickets from them! Isn't this incredible?" she says, looking around. "I love the water! Well...I love water that doesn't shape-shift into evil women, that is!" she laughs.
"Speaking of parties...Dylan McShane has given invitations to StormWatch for his Christmas party, and...well...I was wondering if you or lawyer-Ethan would be my date!" she smiles hopefully.

"I would happily be your date, Gwen. Will Aura be my date or will Gwen?" Ethan asks. "Not that I mind either one," he says with a wink. "Well that couple canceling was very fortunate for us. I am glad we could come to this." he says. "I like the water...I used to go fishing when I was a kid. We had a little pond."

Gwen smiles and nods. "Born and raised in Long Beach, California-- just minutes from the ocean! They have cruises like this one, but they're overnight cruises..." she says, and then smiles and looks back out on the water, trying not to blush again.
"Well...about who should go to the party, I thought about it a little while we were flying over. I think we should decide which of our personalities should be seen together in public and try to keep it to those two. Otherwise someone's going to easily link Supreme with Ethan! For example, if I went out with Supreme he'd always have to be in his uniform so people wouldn't recognize him as Ethan, whereas Ethan could wear whatever was appropriate for the occasion. And Gwen can be seen both in street-clothes AND in the Aura uniform, since I've let her identity leak out."
"The other thing I was thinking was that Ethan's in a bit of trouble right now with Edgar Wright and his cronies, and who knows who else now. If Ethan had to defend himself, it might be revealed that he's a little more than a mild-mannered lawyer! But if Ethan were known to be dating Aura..." she grins, "...enemies might be a little leery of trying anything on Ethan! What do you think?" she asks.

Ethan laughs, "Alright. We'll let Ethan date Aura." he says. "You sure you can handle that? I mean he's not me, but he is. Just not the me I really am." Ethan laughs. "You know I'm babbling here." he says with a chuckle. "So this cruise is just a few hours then? Or does it go all night?"

"It goes until 2AM. Something about liquor licenses on the water!" she smiles. She turns to him and runs her hands up his lapels. "I think it will be a fun challenge to have Aura dating lawyer-Ethan! At least then when she slips up about the man in her life and says 'Ethan' she won't be getting Supreme in trouble!" she laughs. "And this way Supreme can keep his mystique about never being seen at social events...always flying back to his mysterious home somewhere out there...and he won't get mobbed by the press everytime we try to go out! Plus if Aura were dating Supreme, think of how hard the Teregen would try to read Aura's mind to find things out about Supreme-- like where he lives, what his real name is, who his family is...all that stuff! I think Supreme works better as a single, untouchable guy. It makes him less vulnerable to Divis, like you said earlier." Then she gives Ethan an evil grin. "Besides, think of how fun it will be having Aura and lawyer-Ethan together in public-- Aura being as flirtatious as she is, and Ethan being as...lawyerly as he is!" she laughs.

Ethan chuckles, "That could be fun. You're right, it's the best situation and one we can have fun with." he says smiling. The urge hits him and he leans over and kisses her cheek. He smiles at her. "This has been the best date I've ever been on. And it's only the first one." he says.
"So what kind of food do they serve on these?"

Gwen smiles happily when he kisses her cheek, and she shyly finds his hand and holds it in hers, feeling a little ping of that earlier electricity when she does.
"Fancy stuff, from what I've read. Lobster...duck...steak...and even fancier appetizers and desserts! When they call us for dinner they'll hand us a menu, and you just check off everything you want-- it's all included in the price of the ticket! We can sample a little of everything!" she says excitedly. Then she gives a little laugh. "They may regret that when they see how voracious nova-appetites can be! Not that they KNOW we're novas, but they'll wonder how we've kept our figures!" she grins, posing with her hand on her hip.

Ethan nods. "You have that big an appetite? I never really noticed if I did or not." he say shrugging. He looks at her. "Where do you put the food?" he asks with a wink. "Really tho, do you have a big appetite? Is it because you're a nova?" he whispers.

Gwen laughs and hits her hip against his playfully. "I didn't notice having a bigger appetite after I first erupted-- probably because I was keeping my powers a secret and trying not to use them-- but once I moved to Geneva and started training and actually using my powers, I felt hungry all the time, and when I sat down to eat I could just put it away! I was really embarrassed at first, but then when I noticed it happening to everyone else I calmed down! I was afraid I was going to get fat! But Caestus explained that it's normal for novas to get hungry faster and have to eat bigger meals-- especially after using their powers." she whispers back to him. "But you've always been you, so you wouldn't have noticed an appetite-change like we did."

"I don't think I have a big appetite. Not extra big like the way you describe." Ethan says. "Well we shall see tonight who eats the most food." he says. "Hmmm maybe a contest? See who can eat the most? What do you say?"

Gwen throws her head back and laughs. "Oh boy...that's one contest I'd hate to admit I won against Supreme!" she whispers. "But you're on! A contest is a contest, and I'm a competitive girl!" she smirks. "Think they serve Gatorade here?" she grins with raised eyebrows. "Only kidding!" She takes his arm as they continue walking.
"Well if we're going to be eating as no one's eaten before, maybe we should check out the bar and dance floor now...before we're too stuffed to boogie!" she grins. "Not that they boogie here...I heard a live orchestra playing down there, if I'm not mistaken!"

"Sounds like a plan," Ethan says. They walk to the stairs leading down and walk down the stairs looking at one another. They reach the bottom to find an amazing hardwood dance floor and a small orchestra playing.

Ethan turns to Gwen and smiles, "Can I have this dance?"

Gwen smiles, her face glowing, and takes his hand. "You can have ALL the dances!" After she says that, she thinks she might have heard a very similar response in a movie she saw once, but she can't remember which one.
The two dance together-- a tiny bit awkwardly at first until they find their positions and rhythm, and then very smoothly after that. Other dancers and drinkers in the room whispers about what an attractive couple they make, wondering who they are.
"Were you serious about me taking Radar, or were you just teasing your dad?" she asks.

"I was just teasing. He'd be heart-broken without him. He keeps him company. It's so lonely out at the farm without Mom there anymore." Ethan says. "I'm afraid he's going on his way out." he says looking sadly. "He hasn't been the same without her. Thirty-five years of marriage...I guess I can understand."

Gwen's face looks shocked when she hears that about James Crane. "Oh no! That's awful! But...I just met him! He can't...just fade away like that...can he?" Gwen continues dancing silently for a moment, looking genuinely sad. "That explains why he was so tired this afternoon..." she observes. "I know it sounds crazy, but Radar was looking sad, too. I'm sure it's because he misses your mom...but he could probably also sense your dad's health. I think animals have a 6th sense about things like that. Like, did you see his reaction when we...kissed?" she smiles, her grief suddenly overshadowed by her happiness at the memory. "He knew what was going on! I'm sure of it!"

Ethan smiles, "I'm sure he did." he says. "I'm glad the two of you have bonded so well." he says with a wink." He looks up to see everyone watching them smiling. "Get the feeling we're being watched?" he says. "They must think we're married or something." he says without thinking."

Gwen's face flushes bright pink and she laughs. She glances around at the crowd and smiles. "Could be...maybe we should give them something to see!" she says in a low voice, and then takes Ethan's face in her hands and pulls him in for a slow, deep kiss. And, like the kisses before, this kiss doesn't disappoint! It feels like the dancefloor is spinning around them instead of the other way around! She's glad he's holding on to her!!

Ethan feels the world spin and spin away, until there is nothing but her and he on the dance floor. The song is gone, the audience is gone, everything, but this kiss. He's never felt like this before and he's sure Gwen feels the same. What is it about this girl that does this to him???

Their lips slowly part, and Gwen still has her eyes closed. She can't help it. She's going to say it. If she doesn't she will have wasted this opportunity the universe has given her.
"I love you..." she exhales, eyes still closed. After a moment her eyes slowly open again. "I know it's our first date, but...it's true." she says softly.

Ethan looks at her with half-lidded eyes. "I know...I feel the same way," he says breathily. "It's like we were meant to be...something happened back at the apartment...something...special." he says. "This is...meant to happen. Don't you think? It's like fate has put us together."

Gwen nods slowly, feeling like her whole body is electric and yet melting at the same time. "Yes I do." She hugs him tightly, resting her head on his shoulder and sighing. "This is such a new experience for me...I've never...NEVER felt this way about someone before. I've never...never been in love..." she says a touch shyly to say the words. "I knew I was attracted to you from the first moment, but I just assumed that it would be an unrequited attraction, you know what I mean? I just have that kind of luck. The fact that you feel the same way about me is just...mind-blowing." she says, unable to find a better word.

"I find this whole thing, mind-blowing. I never thought I'd experience something like this." Ethan says. "I mean I've dated but I never felt comfortable with them, or the way...well what happens when we kiss. That's never happened." he says. "Gwen...this is special. I really feel that. I think it's something we should definitely continue..." he says. "I'm sorry. I'm not very good at this."

Gwen smiles, picking her head up from his shoulder and touching his face with a soft look in her eyes. "I'm no love-expert, myself! Don't worry...everything you say is beautiful." she smiles. She takes his hand again, putting her left hand on his shoulder as they resume dancing. Even though this must have been a great show for their audience, she's totally forgotten to glance around for their reactions! She's totally forgotten THEM, actually!
"I think what you're trying to say is that you'd like us to...be an official couple now? To 'go steady?'" she grins. "To be exclusive?" Those are magical words to her ears. Despite her outrageously flirtatious behavior before today, she's actually a very monogamous-minded person. She's just never found anyone who wanted to be monogamous back with her so no one would have known! Pumpkin's head is going to explode! He SO loves teasing her about being a slut, or something. God knows why! There's nothing to back THAT up but a few pictures and an unofficial boyfriend!

"Yes," Ethan says with a big smile. "I think that's what I'm trying to say. I want us to be exclusive. If this is how it is with just us, then there is no reason to see anyone else." he says. "It's like fate...it's supposed to be." he says with a smile. He looks at her with soft eyes and smiles gently.

Gwen's eyes actually get a little teary, and she quickly hugs Ethan tightly to her again. "Thank you..." she whispers, and then realizes that probably sounded like an odd response to him, but she decides not to explain! She just feels like her whole life every guy who's been interested in her has been afraid, for some reason, to want to be exclusive with her! They'll ask her out...take her to a dance or two...kiss her...and then she'll see them talking to other girls and she'll get the "it was fun while it lasted" speech. That's why she wasn't too surprised that Andre gave her the same offer. Except now it will have to be HER giving the speech. Ouch. Not something she's looking forward to.
"Then there are some things I want to tell you. I'm a big fan or honesty, and so I want you to know everything-- not hear about them 2nd hand. That's my promise-- that I will never keep anything about myself secret from you. If I ever keep a secret, it would be one that someone else wanted me to keep. But I will never keep a personal secret from you." she swears to him.

Ethan nods, sensing this is serious for Gwen. "I understand," he says. "I promise you, you'll never meet a more honest person than me," he says. "I won't keep anything from you," he says. He breathes for a moment. "I have to ask...what about Andre? Will he take it hard?"

Gwen cringes a little and exhales with a wan smile. "You know, that is a very good question. It was his decision not to be exclusive, but he seems like the kind of guy who is used to ending the relationship rather than being the one who gets 'the talk,' you know what I mean? I know he genuinely likes me as a person, and he threw off a couple of jealous-vibes at that Lance Stryker-guy when he was hitting on me in front of Andre, but aside from that I really don't know! I don't even know if he's been secretly seeing girls on the side over in Europe, to tell you the truth, although I kind of doubt it." Gwen sighs. "I'm going to call him as soon as I'm back in New York. I don't want him finding out any other way first."

Ethan nods. "I like Andre too." he says. He sighs and continues to dance with Gwen, keeping her very close. He kisses her forehead as they dance. Other couples around them remark how sweet these two look.

"Attention guests, dinner is served." a voice over the loud speaker announces.

"Dinner time," Ethan says not wanting to break up the dance.

Gwen smiles, looking up at him. She's just been drinking in the energy pulsing between she and Ethan's bodies as they've danced slowly, and the last thing on her mind is food! She knows she's probably hungry, but she doesn't feel it right now.
"We should probably, you know, let the others find their chairs first...it would only be polite..." she murmurs with a little smirk. "One of the things I wanted to ask you was...did you, by chance, see the December issue of Maxim?" She has a tight little grin on her face as if she's about to cringe.

"I did." Ethan says with a smirk. "So you'd prefer me on a desert island eh?" he says with a laugh. "You know I can arrange that. It wouldn't be hard. We could fly over and find one, just you and me. Would you like that?"

"Oh god!!" Gwen laughs, covering her bright-red face with her hand. "I was in such a bold mood when I did that interview! I wasn't even thinking that you might see a copy! This whole time you knew my fantasy! GOD!!" she laughs, pressing her face against his chest to hide it. "I'm really embarrassed!" She laughs for a moment, and then suddenly picks up her face and looks at Ethan in surprise.
"Wait-- you said...yes?" she asks, and then her look of surprise melds into a naughty little smile. "Of course I would, Ethan!" she says in a low voice, the blush still on her cheeks.

"Then it's settled. We'll plan it for another date," Ethan says with a slow smile. "I thought you answered the questions very well, Gwen. You stated what was in your heart, and that impressed me, even if Project Utopia didn't like it, you said it. It was very brave."

"Wow, Ethan...thank you! That reminds me of something else I wanted to say. I know that relationships naturally change people a little over time, but I like how our personalities are right now. And I wanted to tell you that I love watching you fight-- especially Divis-- and I would hate to think that me being in your life would make you more cautious when fighting him, do you know what I mean? A man who feels like he's got nothing to lose when he fights is a lot scarier of an opponent, but a man who has a woman waiting for him...well...I just don't want you to...fight differently than you always have because you're afraid I'd be devastated if you're not careful and something happens to you. If you keep fighting as hard as you've always fought you'll never lose, and my love for you won't end up undermining you. And same with me. I have to keep fighting as hard as I usually fight, and with the same abandon, or I'll be a more distracted opponent, and that could have deadly repercussions. Is this making any sense?" Gwen asks hopefully. She's not sure if she explained that well!

Ethan nods, "I understand completely. However I have had a lot to lose each fight," he says with a smile. He motions towards the people standing around. "I've had them to lose, you, your friends. I have never fought with nothing to lose, Gwen. I fight to protect these people from those like Mal." he says.

Gwen smiles and nods. "I know...it's just that sometimes it's different once a man has his own special somebody. All those people out there? They all have their own special somebodies, and now you have yours. But I could have been projecting my own way of thinking on you. I felt like I had nothing to lose...until today..." she says softly.

Ethan smiles, and kisses her cheek. "I know how you meant it." he says. "There will be nothing different in the way I do things. This is who I am and what I am. Nothing will change that." he says. "Ready to eat yet?" he asks as the dance floor is nearly empty. "Or want to wait a bit more?"

Gwen glances around and sees that there are only a few stragglers left making their way to their tables, and she turns back to Ethan and nods. "We'd probably better go in! Don't want to make too big an entrance lest someone recognizes one of us!" she smiles.
She takes his arm and the two slowly file in with the others. Their table is a small, intimate table on the left side of the dining hall, and a waiter instantly appears and pulls out Gwen's chair for her, and then assists Ethan. He sits two menus down in front of them, bows and smiles, and then disappears. Gwen waits for him to disappear before leaning forward. "I'm glad you're not going to change. Remember the movie 'Superman II'?' I was always SO pissed off at Superman for thinking he had to give up his superpowers to be with Lois Lane! And did you see Lois' face after she found out what he'd done?? She wasn't too pleased, herself, I could tell! Because she'd fallen in love with the real Superman...not Clark. She wanted the real him-- superpowers and all. The man he turned into after he gave up his powers was a completely different person...not the person she fell in love with." Gwen explains.

Ethan laughs. "I loved those movies" he says. "I felt...very close to Superman. My father used to drive out to town every Saturday and I'd go with him. We'd stop at this small newsstand and dad would buy me a Superman comic." he says. He smiles wistfully. "I miss those days...nothing to worry about, not a care in the world."

Gwen smiles and nods as she listens to Ethan talk. She never had care-free days like that growing up. She and her dad were both intensely focused on training and competing since she could remember. If they ever did something fun, there was some kind of learning-lesson behind in. But Gwen never minded. Like the rest of her family always said, she and her father were practically the same person. The word "care-free" to her growing up meant "wasteful" or "slacking" or "lazy" or something like that.
"It must have been so comforting to have heroes like Superman and other comic book characters with special powers back when you were younger and you had to keep your own powers a secret! See, that's why I think erupting HAS to be a form of evolution! This last century especially people have been dreaming of novas and writing about them without realizing it!" she exclaims.

"That's possible," Ethan says. "I felt like I was different than everyone else. Like I had been singled out for this...whatever it is...and that comics were stories from where I was from. That I could get back into that world."

Gwen nods. "Maybe you were...maybe there's some truth to what Divis said, for a change." She thinks for a moment. "You were both found in fields on opposite sides of the world. Someone or something had to have left you there. Hmmm...if you want me to I can do a little research on our Aeon computers. I can check to see if there was some major event that happened around the time you were born-- like an unusually large solar flare, or comet that passed close to earth...something like out of the comic books." she suggests. "I think it's just too much coincidence that you and Divis and no one else have the same powers, yet you were raised on completely different sides of the planet. A space-event couldn't have impacted you both and no one else. You HAD to have been together at one point when you were babies..." she reasons, deep in thought.

Ethan waves it off. "No actually. I don't want to know, Gwen. I don't want anything equating me to that monster." he says. "I know who my parents are and who they aren't and that is good enough for me. I never want to know what really happened." he says. He smiles at her hoping to change the subject. "This really is a wonderful date, Gwen."

Gwen mentally eeps a little. He DID say that before, but he suddenly seemed curious about it to her. She'll remember not to bring that subject up again!
Gwen smiles at Ethan and reaches across the table, taking his hands in hers. "I'm glad you're having a good time. I am, too!" She glances down at the menus. "Ooh-- I believe a contest was declared earlier?" she asks with a smirk. "Shall we check off what we're ordering?" Her eyes sparkle.

"Absolutely," Ethan says, feeling relieved. He looks at the menu and rubs his chin. "Hmmm this looks good. Prime rib...potato, salad...appetizer...coffee...hmmm what are you getting for desert?" he says pointing at the dessert list. "They all look good. We could order some and just eat samples."

Gwen smiles and nods. "I say we get one of everything and sample them all! What better way to find out what we like and don't like?" she smiles.
She and Ethan go over the menu and check off a long list of things. The waiter comes back and they hand him their menus. Then waiter glances across their selections...does a double-take, and when he looks up Gwen does a little flex for him.
"I'm in training..." she explains with a toothy grin.
"Aaah..." the waiter says, as if this explains everything, and then glances back down at the menus again and shakes his head slightly. He gives them a bow, and hurries off to the kitchens.
Gwen waits until he's out of ear-shot and then laughs hard.
"Poor guy...I can tell by looking around at this crowd that he's not used to them wanting what they paid for!"

Ethan looks around at the crowd. "Everyone looks very rich or at least high middle-class." he says. "Do you make a lot of money working for StormWatch? Being independent has its advantages but being in a group must bring in the money." he says.

Gwen nods. "OOH yeah...I think Caestus was raised to believe that he could get anything he wanted if he found out people's price. I think all of us would be willing to work for him for TONS less than he's paying us, but he's insistent on spoiling us and so he spoils us! I can't think of any of us who even knows what to do with all our money, honestly! We just put it into bank accounts. Speaking of that, if you ever need anything, Ethan...anything at all...just tell me. I was rich before I joined StormWatch just on my Nike royalties alone from before the Olympics! I'm not bragging, either, just being truthful! It's insane what companies pay people sometimes! But you're a big-time lawyer now! You should be pulling in the bucks, too, right?" she asks curiously.

"Well I'm just an assistant." Ethan says matter-of-factly. "But yeah I make some money." He reaches across the table and takes her hand. "You'll never have to buy me anything, Gwen. That's not why I'm here." he says. "I'm here because I wanted to be. I wanted to talk to you."

Gwen laughs, but gently. "I know that, you big lug!" she grins. "I just wanted you to know that my money is your money, you know?" she smiles, squeezing his hand. She looks at him for a moment. "When you were little and knew about your powers, was there something you wanted to do with them? Or did you just want to have a normal life...be a normal person...that kind of thing?" she asks curiously.

"I wanted to find a reason why." Ethan says considering it for a moment. "I wanted to know why I had all of these things I could do and no one else was like me." He sighs. "My parents knew for a long time about me, and they raised me to not expect a normal life. I knew that was impossible anyway. I want to be who I am right now. It's what I was born to do, I believe that."

Gwen listens and nods slowly as she listens to his words. "I think each of us was born with something we could do better than anyone else...or at least really, really well...and you found yours. I think that's the definition of contentment and peace...knowing what you were born to do and doing it." she smiles. Then she thinks for another moment, and then gives a little laugh.
"Not to get off-topic, but everyone's going to ask how we met! We'll just have to tell them that we met when we arrested Edgar Wright together! Ooh this is going to be fun!" she grins, rubbing her hands together as she thinks of she and lawyer-Ethan interacting together in public.

"That's good," Ethan says nodding his head. "And it's true. It is the first time you met my alternate." he says. "So you did Maxim, any other magazines you going to do so I can pick up a copy and see what you have to say?"

Gwen flushes a little and holds her head in her hands for a moment, giving a little laugh. It takes her a second to compose herself, and then she finally looks up.
"Yes. This is one of those things I wanted to tell you about before it comes out." she says a touch nervously. "I was, umm...approached by another well-known magazine to do a lay-out for them the first day or two that we were in New York, and after giving it a lot of thought I finally accepted their offer, but only if I could do it as Rage. I'd told Bob about the offer, and he'd told me that he'd get back to me on it, so in the meantime I signed the contract as Rage-- just in case Bob came back and said it went against my Aeon contract. Well, I did the shoot...and Bob came back and said not to sign up with them, so Aura didn't." she exhales. "It was Playboy, and it's going to be out at the beginning of next month." she says all in a rush, searching Ethan's face for a reaction.

Ethan looks at her for a moment and then shakes his head. "Amazing...what was it like? I mean were there a lot of people around? Tell me about it." he says leaning forward.

Gwen stares at him incredulously. She can't tell if he's secretly upset or not, and she didn't expect THAT reaction! Interesting!
She reaches forward and takes his hand, needing the physical contact with him to reassure her that he's not secretly mad!
"Well I was REALLY nervous when I first got there! I have my Rage-mask on in the pictures and nothing else. I went out there in a robe, and the photographers and director were so professional! I guess I'd been expecting them to cat-call or stare or freak out or have SOME kind of primordial male-reaction when I took off my robe, but the photographers were too busy checking their cameras, and the director was too busy trying to decide on the right background and poses to go with my coloring that I was a little taken aback! It got to the point where I almost wanted to shout and wave my arms and cry, 'Hey guys! Look at me-- I'm naked!' or something!" she laughs.

Ethan laughs, "Lucky guys," he says with a wink. "Well Playboy...at least it's not something else," he says. "Rage...isn't that the name you want to join the XWF with? Think they'll know you posed or will they think it's someone else?"

Gwen blushes and laughs a little when he says "lucky guys," and then nods at his last question. "Oh yes...if I make it into the XWF with Rage, my wrestling debut AND my Playboy debut should end up happening around the same time, making for good publicity on accident! Rage is going to be my psychological outlet for saying whatever I want and not having to worry about breaching any Aeon contracts. So I can't let anyone know that we're the same person. I was thinking of calling Playboy and seeing if they could change my hair to red or something in the pictures so I'm less recognizable. If people connect me and Rage, my Rage-outlet will be ruined." she explains.
"Tell me, Ethan...are you really OK with that? With the Playboy shoot and Rage and everything? And what would be worse than Playboy?" she asks curiously, really having no idea.

Ethan laughs. "Well I'm OK with the idea." he says. "I like the XWF idea very much. It would allow you to do what you like the best, and who knows you may end up being champion one day." he says. "I'm really OK with the shoot, Gwen, really don't worry about that."

"Phew!" Gwen exhales. "You're a very open-minded guy, do you know that?" she smiles, feeling bad for thinking he was a conservative "boy scout" before she got to know him better! Then her smile gets a little bigger. "Too bad you don't have an alter-ego superhero! You know what my other secret fantasy is? To pose naked with another nova...male, of course! I think it would be so powerful and sensual!" she says with a starry look in her eyes. Then she daringly looks him up and down. "Some are more powerful than others..." she grins, rubbing the top of his hand with her thumb.

"I don't think I'm that open-minded." Ethan says shaking his head. "I could never pose like that." he says. He laughs, "You'll have to count me out on that." he says. "There is a newspaper that wants to do an interview with me, and 60 Minutes of course. Mike Wallace called me the earth's greatest defender last week."

"Oh wow! Let me know when to look for those! That's great, Ethan!" she smiles a big smile at him. "Oh, don't worry! I didn't think I could get you to pose! At least not publicly!" she teases, and then blushes a little. Wow-- they're starting to get a little daring! She wonders if the same thing is on his mind that's on HER mind!
"I'm sure they're going to ask you questions about Divis. Are you going to call him out like he called YOU out during his interview?" she asks.

Ethan shrugs and leans forward. "I'll answer their questions and tell them how I feel about this whole mess." he says. "But no, I won't call him out specifically. Just those who wish to harm those who can't defend themselves. I want them to know, that Supreme is watching," he says with a bit of fire in his eyes.

Gwen feels chills go up her spine when she sees that fire. It was that fire that first made her ache to be held in his arms when she saw him look at Divis that way.
"Good..." she says in a low, desirous voice, looking across at him with a different kind of fire. She pulls him closer by the hand and leans across the table to give him a hard kiss. She just had to kiss him while that fire was still in his eyes!

Ethan kisses her back and when they break the kiss, the waiter is standing there smiling and sets down their dinners. Ethan smiles and tucks in his napkin on his lap. He rubs his hands together. "Thank you. This looks great." he says picking up his fork. "Let the game begin."

Gwen laughs, also placing her napkin on her lap. "Perfect timing! I have quite the appetite now!" She sneaks little glances at Ethan while he's cutting a piece of meat for himself to try. She is so powerfully attracted to him! It's almost distracting!
Once Gwen realizes that Ethan's really trying to win, her competitive instincts kick in and she digs into the food, too! The two pile their plates with some of everything that the waiter brings out, and even though Gwen means to win, she still takes her time to savor everything. The food is excellent! The two banter back and forth, teasing each other about how badly they're going to beat each other. Gwen actually gets worried halfway through that she's going to lose simply because Ethan flew to Denver and then flew the two of them out to Michigan, whereas Gwen took the jet to Denver and hasn't used any of her nova-powers since the day before! She re-doubles her efforts, and by the time the last dessert is finished and they put down their utensils she is the clear winner.
She sits back and rests her hands on her stomach, groaning and closing her eyes. "Oh god...I better have won or I'm suffering now for nothing!" she moans.

Ethan leans back and pats his stomach. "I believe you did. But at what price," he snickers. "That was excellent food, very rich." he says drinking his coffee. "I'll burn it off on the flight home." he says. He looks over at her and smiles, she's so attractive when she's being competitive. "So you won...how do you feel?"

Gwen grins, still slumped back in her chair, and peeks at him with one eye. "Like the still-undefeated champion of the world!" she grins smugly. "Oh god...and you still have room for coffee!" she exclaims, finally sitting back up. She laughs. "I'm so glad we DID dance before dinner! I think about all I could manage right now is a limping walk around the deck!" she laughs again. She pauses a moment, gathering her thoughts.
"So...this flight home...exactly which 'home' are you referring to, Mr. Crane?" she asks curiously.

"Well..." Ethan says leaning forward. "I was thinking Denver. I want to stay there a few days to make sure Dad is safe." he says. "And besides it would be good for him to have the company while he's there." he says. "And I want to spend some time down in the research lab."

Gwen nods. "That's a good idea. I remember how excited and relieved Pete was to see me when I came out to stay there with him. They don't let the people they're guarding go out of the complex or make a lot of phonecalls. Pete was feeling a little shut-in before I got there. What are you going to be doing in the lab? Having them test your abilities again?"

"Yes, and seeing how I can start training to get stronger." Ethan says. "I think it's possible. I really do. I want to be stronger than he is next time. I don't want him to get away again. I want it finished so people can be safe again." he says the fire returning.

Gwen takes his hands and squeezes them, nodding her head. "Oh yes...I know exactly how you feel. I've now faced Frost twice and both times she's run away! It's infuriating!! I don't know what I'm supposed to do against her little water-morph ability to keep her from soaking into the ground! The last time we butted heads she turned into ice, so I crushed her into ice cubes and all she did was melt into the ground and flow off somewhere!" Gwen cries, her own eyes blazing.

"Cowards. If they believe in what they stood for they'd be willing to die for it as well." Ethan says. "I will never run from a fight. Never." he says. "I will stand my ground until one of us falls, and I'm sure it won't be me."

Gwen gives him a triumphant smile, squeezing his hands again. "I know you're right." she says in a low voice. "Did you see how Divis called his hounds to him and fled Africa? And we were out-numbered at the time! See, I don't think they're organized like we are. They have no one to teach them about their powers and how to use and improve them! They're all going on their own!
Remember how Divis said that if his followers died it wouldn't even matter to him, as long as HE was still standing? I'm surprised the Teregen didn't break apart immediately after hearing that! If Caestus ever said that..." Gwen shakes her head.

Ethan nods, "They must cling to him like he was a god. I believe they actually think he is one." Ethan says. "Or perhaps he was bluffing. But I think he is training them. They seemed stronger this time. More focused."

Gwen thinks for a moment. "Yes...you're probably right. I mean, the same four guys always show up together. That must mean that even if Divis isn't training them that they're training together somehow."
Gwen sits there thinking about this for a moment, and while she's thinking the waitor comes by and clears their table. Gwen notices that the other couples are slowly getting up and going back to the ballroom for cocktails and dancing. She turns to Ethan.
"Care to walk around the deck?" she asks.

"Absolutely," Ethan says. He stands up and offers her his arm. She takes his arm and the two walk up the stairs to the upper deck. Outside the nighttime sky is clear and crisp, and the air just as so.
"It's beautiful tonight isn't it? It's my favorite time to fly into the clouds and into the stratosphere." he says looking up.

Gwen smiles and snuggles against his side as she walks holding his arm. "You are so lucky that you can do that, Ethan! I'm not strong enough to break through the atmosphere yet. None of us are except you. That's why StormWatch couldn't do anything to help those astronauts. But one of these days I'll be able to if I try hard enough! Do you think you could fly to the moon? Or to other planets? Can you fly faster in space than on earth?" she asks excitedly.

Ethan smiles. "I've been to the moon. I did it when I was younger. I told my parents I was going on a camping trip. It took me three days. Yes, I fly very fast in space. I pushed myself very hard. It was beautiful looking down on the earth from the moon," he says.

"Wow..." Gwen breathes. "What a dream come true..." She shakes her head slowly. "Oh man...think about it! You could truly populate your own world if you wanted to! Well...maybe not POPULATE it..." she laughs. "But we can breathe in space! I guess we'd need some way to grow plants, but that could be done in greenhouses...what a mind-blowing concept!" She looks at Ethan askance and smiles. "There's a goal to shoot for! After we try the deserted island-fantasy, we shoot for the moon! Talk about my motivation to get stronger!" she laughs.

Ethan laughs, "It's a good dream." he says. "You should see space, Gwen. It's beautiful...almost as beautiful as you," he says staring into her eyes.

Gwen feels herself prickle with happiness and get a little breathless at his compliment and at the way he's looking at her. She turns and wraps her arms around his neck, looking back at him with seriousness and love.
"Thank you Ethan...no one has ever spoken to me the way you speak to me...made me feel as beautiful as you make me feel. No one. I want you to know that." She reaches up and touches his face gently.

Ethan takes her hand and kisses her fingertips. He winks at her. "This is wonderful isn't it?" he says looking out over the water towards the city. "Everything seems so far away." he sighs and continues to watch the city in silence for a moment.

Gwen smiles and nods, looking out at the water, too. "I'm so glad this turned out to be a good idea..." she murmurs in relief. She reaches up and runs her fingers through Ethan's platinum hair, marveling at how it glows and shines in the moonlight. Hmm! She glances down at her own blonde hair. "Moonlight and sunlight..." she says softly to herself. 'This is so relaxing...' she thinks, closing her eyes and leaning her head against Ethan's shoulder.

Ethan smiles. "There is good in them," he says. He motions towards the city. "In all of them, Gwen. They are mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. They are loved and loving, hopeful, and idealists. They are worth fighting for." he says. "God help the world if Mal ever wins."

Gwen nods her head softly, thinking about her reunited family. "I know. I just wish their governments felt the same way. That they cared about them. If you asked me what one thing would save the world, I would say a complete restructuring of the world's governments. Think of how incredible the world would be if each country were able to reach its full potential without corruption!" she exclaims.

"It will happen one day." Ethan says. "I know it. I can feel it. We are the example, Gwen. If we can create peace they will follow." he says. He laughs. "You must think I'm crazy." he turns to her and kisses her forehead.

Gwen grins up at him and nods her head. "Of course I do, darling!" she teases. She pauses. "Do you really think that if we defeat the Teregen that there will be world peace?" she asks.

"It will lead the way," Ethan says. "And it will certainly be a step in the right direction." he says. "Count Ortiz as well. There's something about that man, besides his attitude, that I don't like." he looks at Gwen. "What do you think of him?"

Gwen lets out a scoffing laugh. "I think he's a smooth manipulator! He's so mild-mannered that it's hard to hate him-- even when you know you should! But he's dangerous. Seriously-- you SHOULD wear that halo whenever you leave your apartment. We believe Ortiz has mind-reading powers. What if he ran into lawyer-Ethan? Or even Supreme? The wrong thought at the wrong time and he'd have your secret." she explains. "And even if it's not Ortiz who's the mind-reader, it's someone else out there."
She gets a little smile on her face. "Speaking of Ortiz, whatever possessed you to throw him through the window?" she chuckles.

Ethan looks at Gwen with a raised eyebrow. "It felt like a good idea at the time. It certainly got my message across didn't it?" he says with a wink. "It felt good, too. I hate that smug bastard." he says with an evil smile. "Mind reader eh? Is that possible?"

Gwen throws her head back and laughs, squeezing Ethan tightly. "I love when you're evil, you know that?" she laughs fondly. "But anyhow, yeah...we're pretty suspicious of Ortiz. He keeps finding things out that no one else knew but us. And Dave. Dave was fired-- did you hear that? He faked some things on his resume. So either Dave was feeding info to Ortiz, or Ortiz was getting them directly from our minds. Either way we're feeling a little confused and betrayed right now."

Ethan nods and sighs. "Dave from Geneva. That's too bad. He seemed like a good guy to me." he says. "Have you heard from him since? It's hard to believe he'd do something like that."

Gwen shakes her head. "No...we have no idea where he went after he was fired. It's still really hard for me to believe that he would be a traitor. I mean, he was such a happy and cheerful and enthusiastic guy! He seemed to genuinely love us! AND his job!" Gwen sighs. "You think we should track him down?"

"I think it's a good idea." Ethan says. "He did seem like he loved his job. It could have been an act, but...it's best to make sure. Caestus could have made a mistake. He's only human after all." he says with a smile. "So Gwen...what are your plans for Saturday?"

Gwen smiles. "Let's see...hmm...not a thing!" she beams. "Why do you ask?"

"Care to go for a picnic in my old backyard?" Ethan says. "I'll show you where I grew up." he says. "I'll even do the cooking. What do you say?"

Gwen smiles a bright smile. "Really? You cook? That's fantastic!" she exclaims. "And I would really love to see where you grew up! Saturday sounds wonderful!"

"Then it's a date." Ethan says smiling. He looks at Gwen and leans over and kisses her again. "I've had a wonderful time, Gwen. But we really need to get back to the center. I want to make sure my dad is alright. Come with me?" he says offering her his hand.

"Anywhere." she smiles, taking his hand-- the sparkles back in her eyes. "Can...I ask you something first? There was one last thing I wanted to tell you about myself, and part of that is asking you a really personal question." She gives a nervous little laugh. "That's why I've saved it until last."

Ethan nods. "Of course Gwen." he says touching her cheek with his fingers. "Ask me anything."

Gwen shivers a little as that electricity races across her skin again. She takes a deep breath. "OK, I'll ask the question first, and then tell you why I'm asking." She clears her throat. "Did you sleep with your former girlfriend? And if so, how many women have you slept with?" she asks in a little rush, her cheeks flushing a little.

Ethan looks at her and smiles. "Yes, a few times and she's the only one. She was my high school sweetheart. Since then," he shrugs. "I've been too busy to date much. Is there a reason you're asking me this?" he asks with a smile.

Gwen exhales in relief, and quickly nods her head. "Yes...yes there is. You see, contrary to me posing in Maxim and Playboy, and contrary to the names Damage likes to call me, I was a virgin less than a year ago." she says, looking down and blushing again. "Hard to believe, I'm sure!" she gives a nervous laugh. "Andre was my first, and has been my only. I wanted you to know that, because I was afraid you might have thought differently after reading the Maxim interview and then hearing about Playboy." she says, still looking down with a nervous smile. "The bragging and big-talking...that was all for show."

"You know somehow...I knew that." Ethan says. "You don't have to worry about what I think about you Gwen. Trust me it's good," he says with a wink. "I'm glad you felt close enough to me to tell me about it tho." he says. "So...shall we fly home? I'll carry you in my arms if you like and I can show you how fast I am."

Gwen looks up at him with a very relieved and grateful smile. 'BOY was I wrong about him a while back!' she thinks to herself in amazement.
Gwen gives a little laugh and positions herself in front of him and just to the side, stepping back against him and pulling his arms around her.
"All right, Ethan. Let's see how fast you REALLY are!" she grins, excitement in her eyes.

Ethan smiles and picks her up in his arms. He looks around to make sure no one else is on deck. "Hold on," he says and he lifts off! They fly straight up into the sky, a streak of red behind them. They even out and suddenly he slows down just a bit and then a sonic boom and they're off! Gwen can see the red streak behind them as her hair whips around. She's never flown so fast before in her life!

Gwen is in ecstasy!! She's always dreamed of being able to fly this fast! It takes a minute for her to be able to catch enough breath to let out a wild laughing/shrieking whoop as even the stars turn into blurry pin-lines as she and Ethan shoot through the air. Now she completely understands how it was possible for Supreme to turn those clouds into ice cream cone-looking twists as he flew by them! Gwen continues to shriek excitedly as they shoot through the darkness like a comet.

It takes less than a minute before he suddenly slows down and they descend to the Center. He lands gently and lets her down. He smiles at her. "That was fun." he says. He looks at her and leans over and kisses her again. Tenderly their lips touch and for a moment the world melts away and then he releases the kiss. "I had a wonderful time. This was a great idea, Gwen. Thank you." he says. He looks at the center then back at her. "I should go and check on Dad. I'll see you Saturday. I'll pick you up in New York and we'll be back in Kansas in no time."

Gwen continues standing there, swaying a little dizzily with half-lidded eyes. "Yeah...you should check on your dad...and Radar..." she says in a distracted almost stoned-sounding voice. She's still trying to recover from the fast flight AND the kiss! "I uh...I'll just be seeing you Saturday then..." she smiles a crooked smile at him. She half-turns and waves her fingers at him. "Bye Ethan..." she smiles dazedly. Then she turns and walks shakily down the sidewalk towards the waiting jet, her legs wobbling a little. She almost falls once, but quickly catches her balance. She stands motionless for a moment, arms out to either side as she waits for her equilibrium to come back, and then once she feels steadier she resumes walking to the jet-- still a little wobbly but not as bad. She gives one final twiddle of her fingers over her shoulder at Ethan, and then disappears onto the plane.

Ethan smiles and sighs. He's feeling weak in the knees and he knows his dreams tonight will be filled with her. He smiles and walks into the center. One of the guards smiles as he tips his hat to Ethan. Ethan nods to the man and walks to the elevator. He looks down at his cell phone and opens it. He brings up the text message feature and sends this to Gwen.

Thanks for such a great time. I promise the picnic will be just as nice. And much longer!
Love Ethan.

Gwen flops into her seat on the jet, legs sprawled out in front of her and a goofy grin on her face. She buckles herself in without thinking about it, and then closes her eyes as the jet takes off. Suddenly she feels her purse vibrating! Her eyes open and she lazily unclasps her purse and pulls out her cell phone and turns it on. A text message! Probably from Bob. Oops! She forgot to get Bob a souvenir! And she owes him big-time, too!
She opens the text message, and her eyes soften when she sees it's from Ethan. She reads the message and a smile lights up her face. He text messaged her! Right away! He MUST love her! She does a little bounce in her seat, and then clicks "respond."

I'll be thinking about you every minute until I see you again! And dreaming about you each night! Saturday can't come too soon!
Love, Gwen.