by S. J. Delos
He managed a smile, releasing my arm. “As you wish, Kaori. I would like that very much.”
“Good. I’ll come by around six then. Whatever you want to eat will be okay with me.”
He gave a single nod, then walked away, back into that depressingly shaded room and the piles of stuff that awaited sorting and removal. Each piece containing a bit of my mother’s essence. I stood there for another few seconds before going down the stairs, heading back outside.
He might have been able to withhold crying. I knew I wouldn’t.
I flew away without a single backward glance, zooming over a hundred miles an hour back toward the city. My stomach ached thinking of the way I left him there alone. For being angry that he wanted it that way.
I landed on top of the American Bank plaza, settling down on the edge of the roof. Pulling the envelope out of my pocket, I ripped open the flap. Inside were a couple of pieces of thick paper. Unfolding the pages, I was greeted by more of those beautiful loops and spirals.
Dear Kaori,
I know my time left in this world is limited. I’ve come to accept the inevitable and sincerely hope you understand why I am writing this for you to read after I’m gone rather than saying this to you in person.
I want you to know just how proud I am of you. Not Kayo the Superhero, but the woman you’ve become. I want to apologize for the way I treated you after you Activated. I was concerned with what others would think about my daughter being an Enhanced instead of being more attentive to the struggles that having those abilities placed upon you. Later, after Tomiko’s death, I was too wrapped up in my own grief to see that you were hurting as well. If not more. Perhaps if I had been willing for us to share our pain, find a way to heal together, you would never have been driven into the arms of that horrible man.
Your father begged me repeatedly to reach out to you to come back home. But my pride, the beast I allowed to control me most of my life, wouldn’t concede to his petition. That my stubbornness might have saved you from those years in prison haunts me every day.
I’m sorry I tried to go behind your back about Harmony. I only did it because I believe that you would make a much better mother than I. You might have my temper and hard-headedness, but you also inherited your father’s patience and kindness. It’s there, down beneath all the anger.
Please don’t let that little girl grow up wondering why her own mother didn’t want her.
I am also very proud of the hero you have become. Believe it or not, people look up to you. It makes them feel secure, knowing that you are willing to put yourself in harm’s way to protect them. That is who you really are, Kaori. A hero. Don’t run from it. Embrace it. I know you can because I believe in you.
My love forever,
Mom
I read the letter again. Then about a dozen more times before I forced myself to stop, unable to see anything through the tears. I used my sleeve to wipe my cheeks several times before I carefully folded the paper and placed it back in the envelope. Holding tightly onto the last thoughts of the woman who birthed me, I sniffled and stood up.
Her words ran around inside my head as I stared out at the city below. Despite all the activity I knew to be taking place, the streets of Charlotte appeared peaceful. There were no plasma explosions going on in the Arts District. No EAPF sirens wailing through downtown in response to super-villain activity. No screams of help from citizens in dire need.
According to the note in my hands, I was at least somewhat responsible for that.
“I won’t disappoint you again, Mother,” I whispered to the world. “I promise.” Then I took off toward home.
When I arrived, I immediately went looking for Greg. I found him sitting alone in the briefing room, several months’ worth of reports spread out on the table before him.
He glanced up as I entered the room, arching a brow. He must have read the expression on my face and guessed what I was about to say because a small grin formed.
“Is there something I can do for you, Karen?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.
I stopped on the opposite side of the table. I nodded my head, pointing at the darkened screen on the wall. “As a matter of fact, there is. Can you do me a favor? Call Major Freedom?”
The smile widened. “Oh? What should I tell him when he answers?”
I crossed my arms over my chest, shrugging one shoulder. “Tell him I’ve changed my mind. I’m coming to Chicago.”
CHAPTER 22:
MATTERS OF THE HEART
“How long will you be gone?” Kurt asked.
I stopped stirring the pot on the stove to glance over my shoulder at him. He stood behind the island, cutting up romaine for salads to go with the pasta boiling in front of me. While my teammates were enthusiastic that I’d changed my mind about the Heroes’ Banquet, my lover was a bit more skeptical.
Especially when he found out that Major Freedom had invited me to spend a little extra time with the Justice Brigade.
“Only a few days. Three, at the most. I plan to be back in Charlotte sometime on Sunday.” I tapped the wooden spoon against the inside of the pot, balancing it carefully on the edge before turning around to lean against the counter. “What’s the matter, Detective? Afraid I won’t come back after hanging with the big city heroes?”
He paused, the knife’s blade partially through the lettuce, and looked up at me. “Honestly? Yeah, a little.”
I grinned at him, but he didn’t return the smile. Instead, he just went back to chopping the produce. I walked over to stand on the opposite side of the island, placing my hands on the granite surface. “Seriously? Why do you think wouldn’t I come back?”
He used the top of the knife to slide the lettuce off the cutting board into the salad spinner’s basket. A barely audible sigh escaped from between his lips, then he put the board and knife down on the counter.
“I guess I’m kind of worried Major Freedom might try to convince you to join the Justice Brigade. He does have a track record of recruiting heroes from all over the country. Particularly those already on another team. I mean, why else ask you to spend extra time with him?”
“Well, if that’s his grand scheme, he’s going to be sorely disappointed,” I said. “Why would I ever leave Charlotte? The man I sleep with on a regular basis lives here. As does my father.”
“The other guy who used to have that privilege is here, too,” he grumbled. “Maybe it would be better if you were in another city. Then that asshole would have a harder time showing up to mess with your head.”
I chewed on my lower lip for a moment. “More likely, he’d just follow me wherever I went. Or make his regular visits more memorable.”
“Yeah, probably.” He picked up his glass of merlot from next to the cutting board and took a sip. “I don’t know what I think would be best for you.”
I smiled again, this time getting a semi-positive response from him. I walked around the counter to stand in front of him, slipping my arms around his waist and pulling myself tightly against his chest.
“How about you just accept the fact that I think you’re what’s best for me, okay? I’m going to go to Chicago, hang out with some of different superheroes, maybe pick up a few new tricks, go to a boring party, then come home. It’ll be like that time the EAPF sent you to L.A. for a week to teach that seminar.”
“I seem to recall you weren’t happy about my being gone.” He tucked some of my hair behind an ear. “I also remember you threatening to throw my captain across the Atlantic if she ever tried to send me to another one.”
I giggled, then placed a kiss on his back. “Hey, I apologized for that, as I recall. Not my fault she sent you away right after our discovery that I could be on top without squashing you. I was just getting used to wearing out the bedsprings.” I twisted my hips, grinding my body against his. “Speaking of which, it has been far longer than I like since we’ve been horizontal.”
“You are incorrigible,” he said as he turned around in
my embrace and leaned down, kissing me lightly on the lips. “And naughty. Plus, sexy as hell.” Then he pulled back slightly, his eyes stared over my shoulder.
I heard the slightest bit of hesitation in his voice. “But?”
“But, your rigatoni is boiling over.”
I gasped, pulling away from him to race around the counter to lift the pot off the burner’s flame and set it down on the center of the stove. The bubbling liquid inside splashed across my bare arm and hand, but I barely noticed. I wiped the wetness from my skin with a nearby dishtowel and laughed.
“Nice save, lover.” I picked up the spoon, waving it in his direction. “Not to worry, though. After dinner, I plan on us finishing what I started.”
“Oh, really?” He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
I nodded, grinning from ear to ear. “Damn right. Better eat up, cowboy. You’re going to need the energy.”
Kurt tipped an imaginary hat in my direction. “Yes, ma’am. Looking forward to it.”
We ate dinner in silence only occasionally broken with small talk. While I thought the meal was delicious, I couldn’t escape the realization that after tonight, we wouldn’t be together for a few days.
Later, as we lay together with the twisted sheets of Kurt’s bed wrapped around us, I felt him snuggle up behind me. He draped his arm over my side, fingers resting on my sternum, with his head next to mine. His breathing shifted from the deep-chested gasps from sexual exertion to the slow, rhythmic pace of someone on the verge of falling sleep.
I smiled, savoring the sensation of having the handsome detective’s naked body pressed against mine. I closed my eyes, drew in a deep breath, then released it with a pleased sigh.
Kurt’s head turned, his face nuzzling into the hair next to my ear.
“I love you,” he said drowsily.
My half-lidded eyes flew back open wide.
I waited a few seconds to see if he was going to add anything more to the statement. Or follow it up with a laugh to show he was just being romantic. Instead, a gentle snoring accompanied his breathing.
Well … shit.
When I got home the next morning, my nerves were completely frazzled. I considered the idea of drinking at least half a bottle of something strongly alcoholic sounded downright divine.
It had taken me almost an hour to fall asleep after the bombshell Kurt laid on me. I wavered between sneaking out while he was sleeping and sticking it out until morning. As I lay there debating the pros and cons of each choice, sleep was finally able to claim me.
Morning arrived with a bag of angry tension on my part, and the bobbing up and down of a sea of confusion on Kurt’s. He didn’t seem to recall what he had mumbled into my ear, so was totally lost as to why I seemed to be all wound up and on edge.
“Babe, I know you’re nervous about Chicago,” he said as he watched me get dressed from his spot on the bed. “But trust me, everything will be okay.” He grinned, patting the empty space beside him. “If you want, I can take your mind off it for an hour or two.”
I shook my head as I shoved my feet into my shoes so hard I nearly ripped through the toes. “I can’t, Kurt.” I stood up, looking around for my shirt. “I still have to pack and… uh, stuff. I told Major Freedom to expect me around one.”
“Karen,” he said, sitting upright. “Is something wrong? Did I do something wrong?” The concern in his voice stabbed me through the heart.
Jeez, Karen. Stop giving the guy a complex. So he said “IT” last night. Big deal. Haven’t you been the one wondering how he truly felt about you? Besides, he doesn’t even act like he remembers saying it. It was probably just a sleepy talking thing.
I shook my head, forcing a smile I didn’t feel onto my face. “No. I’m just apprehensive. I guess.” I sighed, forcing a smile as I looked at him. “It feels like I’m going to one of those pageants my mother used to make me participate in.”
“You’ll be fine,” he said, taking my hand, tugging me onto the bed for a hug. “I believe in you.”
I hugged him back quickly then left with the promise to call him once I was settled into my hotel room. As I drifted skyward, I felt ashamed at the relief leaving provided. I hovered for just a second a thousand feet up, casting a watery glance down at Kurt’s building, before rocketing away as fast as I could without going supersonic.
Back at the tower, I turned the corner to discover Sonya and Alexis standing outside the door to my quarters. Their conversation ended the moment I came into view, and a pair of suspiciously shifty looks appeared on both their faces.
“Hey,” I said, giving them an inquisitive look. “Something going on I should know about?”
They looked at each other for a moment. Then Phantasm gave me a small shrug. “We just wanted to hang with you for a bit before you left us to go party with the big-time superheroes.”
I shook my head. “We are big time, Lexi-chan. The Justice Brigade could only wish to be as cool as The Good Guys.”
I opened my door, stepping inside my room. The place was still in its natural state of perpetual messiness, like I had just finished a fight with an intruder. However, there was a large garment bag hanging on the open closet door. I glanced back at the two of them, arching a brow. Then I walked over to the new item, lifting it off the hook. Turning around, I held up the mystery bag. “Please tell me this isn’t what I’m hoping it’s not.”“It’s a dress,” Sonya said.
“A dress?”
Alexis giggled. “For the ball, Cinderella. I hope you like it.”
“I already have a dress,” I said as I laid the bag on the bed. “Remember?”
After dinner with my father, I ransacked my old room, managing to find my prom dress shoved in the back corner of my closet. I tried it on, thrilled to discover it still fit perfectly.
As long as I didn’t stretch, move too much in any direction, or breathe too deeply.
I unzipped the front of the bag, pulling out the garment inside. The gown was a deep royal purple with a squared halter neckline and a fitted bodice that flared into a floor-length, pleated trumpet skirt. The material shimmered ethereally as I turned it back and forth, and seemed to weigh next to nothing. I glanced from the gorgeous dress to the two of them.
“Is this… silk?” I asked. My fingers trembled with the fear that if I wasn’t careful, I would rip the fragile material to shreds.
“It is. Sort of.” Sonya said. “It’s a custom-made one of a kind.”
“It should fit perfectly. The designer used the measurements from your last bio-scan,” Alexis added.
My head jerked up from the exquisite object in my hands. “Designer?” I asked.
Alexis grinned, looking at Sonya before glancing back at me. “Theodore Rumpet,”
I pointed at the gown. “Hold up. This is a Rumpet? Theodore Rumpet designed a dress for me?”
Alexis nodded. “Apparently, he and Richard are on some of the same charities’ board of directors. He called in a favor and poof! You got a new dress.”
I shook my head, sighed, and put the dress back in the bag. “I can’t wear a Theodore Rumpet dress to a party with a hundred other Enhanced heroes.”
Sonya arched a brow. “Why not?”
I pointed again. “It’s too loose. One ionic blast or a high-intensity particle beam, and it’s a thousand-dollar pile of ash.”
Alexis coughed. “Five thousand,” she said.
I blanched as Sonya grinned. “Come on, Karen. It’s a freaking party. Not a patrol. It’s not like you’re going to have to fight bad guys in a designer gown.”
“You obviously haven’t seen the Vaporizer park footage,” Alexis giggled.
The other girl laughed as well. “Yes, I have.” Then she glanced at me. “You know, you could always wear a leotard or something underneath. It would fit tight enough to pick up your resilience. Just in case you need to do an emergency strip before applying a beat down on some yo-yo.”
I shrugged. “I guess,” I said. “I would pre
fer to not have to fight in it at all.” I hoped I wasn’t jinxing myself.
Alexis and Sonya stuck around to keep me company while I changed into my uniform and packed a small bag with two days’ worth of comfortable clothes and some toiletries. Everything else got shoved into a too-small suitcase borrowed from Darla. Richard was flying up in the spare hovercraft on Saturday afternoon, and promised to bring the rest of my luggage with him.
The Good Guys’ leader was in the kitchen reheating some leftover Thai when I delivered my overstuffed suitcase into his care.
“I’ll drop it off when I arrive,” he said, pointing at the bag with his fork.
“Thanks,” I said. “It would have been a pain in the ass trying to fly with it in my arms.”
“No problem,” he said. He lifted it with a groan. “Jesus, that’s heavy. I think I’ll let Greg load them on the ship and have the concierge handle delivery to your room.” He smiled, turning back to the microwave.“Richard?”
He turned back around. “Yes?”
“Thank you for the dress.” I nodded at the bag hanging across the handle of the suitcase. “It’s very beautiful.”
He nodded. “You’re welcome, Karen. Darla insisted that I let Alexis and Sonya pick the style. Personally, I think you should wear something shorter and tighter. Like, maybe a micro-cocktail number.” Then his eyes widened as he shook his head. “Wait, no. That’s not what I meant.”
I shook my head. “Don’t worry, Richard. I’m not suddenly overcome with the desire to put on a skimpy little number just because you opened your mouth.”
His mouth curled down. “A lifetime of saying aloud every juvenile thing that enters my head isn’t an easy habit to break.”
I patted him on the shoulder. “You’ll get there, Chief. I’ll see you in Chicago.”
Saying goodbye to the rest of the team didn’t take long and soon I was standing on the roof with my bag strapped around my shoulders. The sun was high overhead, shining through a bright blue sky. According to the latest weather forecast, it should remain a clear sky all the way.