Sarah stood in the shower and letting the warm water was over her. She tried to remember what happened after the interrogation room. She’d seen Eyre move so fast everyone around them was standing still. She remembered pain. More pain. Most of it was a blank. She rubbed her eyes and then rinsed her hair. There was dried blood in it. Her skin had been clean. She vaguely remembered a hospital before being put out. She looked down at her ankle. The monitor was secure around it. She rubbed her shoulder where the bullet had hit her. It felt normal. She silently wondered if the bullet was still there. She remembered Eyre leaning over and trying to get it out. There was so much blood. It hurt so much. She closed her eyes. She remembered more gunshots. The night was a blur. She stood in the shower for a long time. She hadn’t taken her small fast acting ADHD pill yet, so she lost all track of time.

Her door opened. She jumped and nearly fell when her foot slipped on the wet tiles of her shower. She heard her mother call out.

“Sarah?”

“Go away mom! I dinnae want to talk to you.”

“You will talk to me!”

“No! I’m not going to talk to you!”

Sarah heard mother yelp then a loud bang as the door slammed shut. Sarah saw her eyes flash blue in her reflection on the glass when the door slammed. She fell back against the tiled wall but managed to grab the soap dish to stop herself from falling on her behind. She looked at herself again in the glass her eyes where their normal pale silver. She shook it off. She was probably just seeing stuff. She had been dosed with a lot of drugs that had an effect on her brain. She washed her hair then used cream rinse and pulled out her blow dryer.

*****

Eyre pulled into the driveway of Sarah’s house. Carly got out of the car at the same time as Eyre. Eyre motioned for her to stop.

“Okay this is a sensitive situation. So, kid gloves with Sarah. The limiter is fried so it is basically doing nothing. She might not know that, so play it cool. If she gets too angry or too scared, she is libel to lash out without meaning too. If she hasn’t taken her ADHD meds, she doesn’t have a brake pedal for her feelings and external action so that includes her powers. So again, just smile and nod.”

Carly nodded Eyre walked to the door and rang the doorbell. Liam answered it.

“It’s not a good time.”

Eyre pushed past Liam.

“I rang the doorbell to be polite Liam. Where is Sarah?”

“In her bathroom showering.”

Eyre glanced at Sarah’s mother who had an ice pack on her arm and look like she had fallen down the stairs. Liam moved between Eyre and his wife.

“Everything’s fine she fell down the stairs.”

“Stop lying Liam you have never been good at it; I know Sarah fried the limiter.”

“It was an accident.”

“Of course, it was an accident. She’s fourteen.”

Eyre pointed at Sarah’s mother.

“I told you to give her space.”

She looked back to Liam.

“I need you two to stop poking the living Nuclear Weapon.”

“She’s my daughter ye British hag I should be able to talk to her and she should listen to me.”

Eyre glance at Carly.

“Lt Cmdr. What are you authorized to do if they keep this up?”

Carly glanced at Eyre then spoke.

“Anyone who interferes with this operation will be stripped of their human rights, and rights as a US citizen until such time as the threat has been removed. I can throw you in a dark hole somewhere and forget about you and no one will care.”

“You heard the American. It’s out of my hands now. I tried to warn you both. This is it, last warning: Stop poking the living nuclear weapon. You don’t want to lose your sons and your freedom.”

Sarah’s mother was about to respond but everyone looked up towards the top floor when the heard Sarah yell out for help. Eyre looked at Carly and motioned to Sarah’s parents.

“Keep these two here.”

Eyre rushed up the stairs and found Sarah’s door jammed shut. Something had bent hinges and pushed the door past the framing, and it was stuck fast. Her room was in chaos like a tornado had gone through. Eyre called out.

“Its Ms. Aurelius, stand back from the door.”

Sarah sounded like she had been crying when she spoke.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to do it.”

“I know; Just stand back.”

Eyre kicked the door what was left of the frame broke apart showing the bathroom with splintered wood. Sarah was shaking and sobbing. Eyre rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her.

“Shh Sarah. Shh.”

“I just got mad and it happened. I thought the limiter was supposed to…”

“It is, think of how much worse it could have been if you didn’t have it?”

“Shh, everyone’s fine.”

“Did I hurt mom?”

“No, she seems to have fallen down the stairs though. So many toys on them from your brothers it doesn’t surprise me.”

“Come on, let’s get you dressed and to your party. I’ll just need to check the limiter it seems to be offline.”

Sarah nodded and Eyre switched it out for a new one. She put it aside in a separate container so she could pass it to the engineers and figure out what went wrong.

“I’ll let you get dressed, we’re downstairs waiting to give you a ride to the party. Then we’ll go straight to quarantine. Is this everything you’re taking?”

She pointed at two big pieces of luggage and a couple of bins. Sarah nodded.

“I’ll start getting it to the car.”

Eyre picked up the luggage and walked down the stairs. When she came around the bend at the bottom everyone looked at her with expectant looks.

“The door was jammed. Morag you are incredibly lucky she had the limiter on. I suggest you keep your mouth shut. To avoid incidents if you are choosing to come to Earth-Prime you will have to wait two weeks for quarantine I don’t want you all stuck in the same enclosed space for two weeks, I’d like everyone to survive to see Earth Prime.”

Eyre walked out to the car with the luggage and started loading it up. She went back up and by the time she got there Sarah was dressed. They each grabbed one of the bins and took them to the car. One had to go in the back seat with Sarah because the trunk ran out of space. Sarah waved her Dad, glared at her mother and hugged her brothers.

“I’ll see you soon Dad. Malcom and Blair.”

She didn’t acknowledge her mother further then the glare and her mother looked like she’d just been slapped. Eyre gathered up Sarah’s meds in a plastic bag. Carly followed the vampire to the car. Eyre went back inside. Sarah and Carly were left in the car alone together. Carly glanced back. Sarah looked like such a normal kid.

“Kid, your mother didn’t deserve that.”

“What would you know?”

“I know she seems to care about you a lot, enough to risk prison time to help you. She just didn’t know what she was dealing with. You should give her a break.”

Sarah crossed her arms and stared out the window.

“Look kid, my mother was the greatest. I ended up having my sister raise me more than her, but she tried her best. And I was at my sister’s wedding this weekend and my mom wasn’t there because she passed away. My sister and I had a good cry about that. Because we had an argument with her before she passed. You never know when she’ll be gone, best to have no regrets. Forgive her and move on. It will make you a happier person.”

“And what? She gets away with it?”

“Did you see her face when you didn’t say goodbye to her? She’s already suffering. Why do you want to add to it? Is it going to change what happened to you?”

Sarah kept her arms crossed and stared out the window again. Eyre got in the car she glanced back at Sarah then at Carly, and frowned. Carly shrugged.

“You want me to be a teacher, I figured now would be as good a time as any time to start. Not all lessons are about math and science.”

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Eyre gave a sigh and nodded. She backed out of the driveway and drove to the pizzeria that the party was at. She parked in the lot and got out. Carly joined them.

“Sarah, I know this was supposed to be just you kids, but with all the stuff that has happened, Ms. Sheppard and I will be there, but we’ll be out of the way. Okay?”

“I understand ma’am. It might be better that way, kids will be less rowdy.”

Carly smirked.

“I thought that was half the fun.”

Sarah smiled and pushed her hair behind her ears. She wasn’t really paying attention to Carly she was looking at Richard. She looked at Eyre who gave her nod. Richard had his hands in his pockets, and he was with the gym rats he usually hung with. The restaurant was open already they were just chatting outside. Sarah got out of the car and Richard noticed and walked towards her. They hugged and kissed. Which led to a few comments from their gym buddies. The four went into the restaurant Eyre watched after them. Carly put her hand on the handle after watching them go inside.

“This place hasn’t changed in twenty years; I remember we used to come here after games all the time. Had my first kiss in that very spot.”

Eyre’s burner vibrated again. She glanced down at it and smiled then put it away.

“I know you probably can’t tell me but who have you been texting on that thing?”

“My sister. We just took out the rest of the group that attacked us. Closed off their transit point. Got their tech on the other side. I suspect we locked them out for now.”

“Good news then?”

“Good news.”

The pair entered Momma’s Pizza, it was an old-style restaurant with a kids pizza place and arcade attached. It had been the same as it was since the seventies. Most of the carpets and tables were original. Momma was different, she was the granddaughter of the original owner, but everyone still called her Momma. Her mother still worked there from time to time. The kids had already gotten the tables pushed together and were laughing and having a ball talking. The pizza and pop were flowing freely. Momma as the kids called her, noticed Carly and walked over.

“Imagine seeing Carly Sheppard, War Hero watching a bunch of high school kids.”

Carly hugged her.

“You don’t have enough grey hair for me to call you momma yet Lilly.”

Lilly laughed.

“So, what are you still doing here? I thought you were headed back to Washington.”

“I got a phone call. One if the kids is well, can’t say much more then needs someone watching them.”

Lilly nodded.

“So that is why some crazy British lady called me and pre-paid triple my usual take for the entire night for three hours.”

Carly pointed at Eyre.

“There’s your crazy British lady.”

Eyre smiled and offered her hand.

“Name is Eyre and thank you for accommodating us on such short notice.”

“No problem. The kids are like my kids they are in here so much. I swear three times a week for some of them.”

“So, which one is it?”

“Sarah, can’t say why, but she’s leaving for Scotland tonight. She asked for her last night to be here with her friends.”

“She’s such a sweetie. Always calls me ma’am, and that accent. It’s too bad. She seems to have finally settled in. If I didn’t know better, I’d say that Richard boy is sweet on her.”

Eyre nodded. She turned back to the kids, and she noticed Sarah looking at her with a wide smile on her face. She smiled back. Lilly wandered back off towards the kids. Carly looked at Eyre.

“Sarah looks happy.”

“I know, I’m worried about her though. She has no idea what is ahead of her. So much power at her disposal. These limiters are rated for PL18+. She’s probably the most powerful super in three generations. Since Void. It never ends well for them.”

“Are you going to tell her?”

“Hell no. I’m going to tell her she’s a PL8. And that’s what is going on her government documents.”

“Can you do that? Won’t it put people at risk?”

“It will, but the alternative is I put her in the system at PL18+ and the leaks we have it get to the wrong people and they are after her for their own means, the rest of the school hears and next thing you know she’s being pointed at by everyone. They’re all expecting great things from her, the Scottish Government, MANA, Earth Gov. Bad enough she’s alternate Earther.”

“Well, I’m not sure I agree, but you know your world better than I do. Are you telling me this so I can help keep an eye on her at the school?”

“Among other things.”

“Do you see it too? When I look at her and I concentrate I see something else. Some shadow of something.”

“I do. It is because she so powerful. It makes her look bigger than she does to our senses.”

Lilly motioned for Carly to join her.

“Do you mind?”

“Have fun. Looks like everything is under control here, if I can’t control thirty teenagers, I have no rights running a high school.”

Eyre continued leaning on the pillar. The kids had finished eating and were starting to drift to the video games. The rest of the night was quiet. She had to break up a few make out sessions, one of them Sarah and Richard. She also took part in the ad hoc dancing game tournament that Momma Lilly decided to run. Richard won the prize which was a free pizza coupon. He looked so happy about it then looked at Sarah and his face fell. Eyre eventually lost track of the two and found them sitting on the front steps talking. Sarah was looking at her nails while they chatted. Eyre watched out the window for any signs of trouble but left them to think they were alone.

Sarah leaned close to Richard and bumped him with her shoulder.

“They didn’t stand a chance when we teamed up.”

Richard smiled shyly.

“I felt bad, I knew they were going to get crushed.”

“Why did you look so sad when we won?”

“Because I realized we wouldn’t be sharing this.”

He held up the free pizza coupon.

“I’m sure you’ll find someone. Sally seems to have eyes for you.”

“No way.”

“Yes, she keeps stealing glances.”

“She’s your friend it would feel weird.”

“What is so weird? I’m going to be in Scotland and Germany and hey you know I’m going to be playing for the women’s Olympic hockey team for Scotland. I won’t have time for my adoring fans here. I need to be focused on crushing your hockey team.”

Richard laughed, his hand drifting to her thigh.

“And if Sally is on the women’s Olympic hockey team for the USA, and you’re dating, I promise I’ll leave her a few teeth.”

They pushed their foreheads together and kissed. They sat together silently for what seemed eternity their legs pressed together, and they leaned on each other. Eventually kids started joining them. Sarah stood up and started hugging her friends as their parents came to pick them up Richard had left a while before and Hana was the last out. Sarah hugged her.

“You better send me videos, show me how awesome this private school is. And I want to see Scotland.”

“I promise Hana.”

“I’ll miss you, Sarah. You made school worth going to again.”

She waved and got into the car with her mother leaving Sarah alone with Carly and Eyre. People were starting to show up and going inside. Enid looked at Sarah.

“Ready for a plane ride?”

Sarah shrugged. She wiped up a few tears Carly wrapped her arm around the teen’s shoulders.

“If I was stuck in quarantine with two cranky old teachers I would cry too.”

“It will be one teacher to be, I need to use the express route. I have some things to sort out for Sarah on the other side.”

Carly looked up at Eyre.

“Wait there’s an express way to get through quarantine? Can I get in on that?”

Eyre shook her head.

“Depends. Were you ever planning on having children? What are your feelings about severe radiation sickness? Glowing in the dark?”

“Two weeks in quarantine with Sarah sounds fine.”

“Are you sure? I can sign off on it.”

“Yes, very sure.”

Sarah giggled at the two as they drove towards the airport. Eyre handed both of Sarah’s phones back to her.

“There you go.”

Sarah started going through her phone immediately. She saw a message from Richard which she immediately opened it was a link to a video. It was Candace. Sarah frowned and pressed play. Candace looked healthy. Sarah was a bit shocked and looked at Eyre who was watching the road. Candace was still in the hospital. She had tears in her eyes.

“I have a confession to make. I bullied a girl who was the nicest person I’ve ever met to the point she committed suicide. I can’t undo it or bring her back. Her name was Samantha and she liked roses and volleyball. I did the same thing to another girl her name is Sarah. Sarah did nothing to me ever, her only crime in my eyes was that she befriended Samantha. I was wrong. They were both amazing people and I am a terrible person. I should have died in this bed, but I got a second chance so I’m trying to start right. I am telling you this so that you realize that being a bully has serious consequences for people. Hate is wrong. I was wrong and if you’re bullying someone, you’re wrong. Please remember Samantha, because if you don’t then the person who you’re bullying could be the next Samantha.”

The video ended with a picture from there school yearbook of her and Samantha sitting together on the bleachers at a football game with Hana doing rabbit ears behind them. It had the words - Samantha “Sam” Thompson, RIP 2012-2025.

Sarah wiped away a few tears as she remembered Samantha. That was a good day. They had eaten way too much candy from Halloween the night before. Carly glanced back she said something Sarah couldn’t hear, and Sarah slid her noise cancelling headphones down.

“Everything okay Sarah?”

“Yes, I just…its some sort of miracle. Candace just posted a video confessing to everything she did, she looks like she’s fine.”

Carly nodded. Eyre kept her eyes on the road ahead.

“Sorry just making sure.”

Sarah nodded.

“I understand.”

Sarah pulled her headphones up and put on a playlist and closed her eyes and leaned her head back. She drifted off and when she woke it was because Eyre was shaking her.

“Sarah, wake up, we’re at the plane.”

Sarah rubbed her eyes and looked out the open door. They were on the tarmac at some airstrip. A sleek black private jet was there with its engines running. Sarah nodded and got up stiffly. She got on the plane it was like a luxury hotel room. She pulled her headphones down when Eyre tapped her on the shoulder.

“This is where I leave you. I’ll see you in two weeks. From here you’ll take off and you will land in Alberta, Canada. You’ll be driven to a site from the airport in Edmonton it doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it is a transit point. You will enter quarantine which is on Earth – 634. It is a dead world basically you’ll look outside, and it will be like you’re on the moon. Gravity is the same. You’ll spend two weeks there you and Ms. Sheppard will get your second doses of T-Cell enhancer. While there you will not be able to communicate with the outside without using the hard-wired computer. The facility has a full suite of pre-made rations. It also has a wide variety of media, along with some materials to review for familiarization with Earth Prime, I suggest you both review the later in detail. From there you will exit you will get a ride to Edmonton International Airport on the other side. You will get on a suborbital flight to Glasgow where Ms. Sheppard will hand you off to your grandparents. Your belongings will arrive within two days on a conventional jet. Until they take you, Ms. Sheppard is your legal guardian. Once you arrive on Earth-Prime you will be provided with Scottish and US passports.”

Eyre looked at Carly.

“You are cleared for transit. All the paperwork is in order on the other side. You will be provided with an Earth Gov passport and ID. You will be provided with an Earth Gov currency account with your signing bonus and some funds to ensure you can get started. You can use them as you see fit anything that is left over when you finish your employment will be converted to an Earth-2 currency of your choice. I was unable to get you an LOA from the US Navy, however the President has signed off on you being on loan to Earth Gov for one year, with the option of extension if yourself, the US government and the school decide the arrangement is beneficial. You will be provided with a wage from both your military and the school. You have been asked to act as head of the security detail for a contingent from your government following you through in two weeks. Do you have any questions?”

“Sure, how the hell did you arrange all that so fast?”

“I have the President’s cell phone number.”

Carly laughed.

“Well good thing I don’t have a boyfriend.”

Eyre nodded.

“Sarah, I will see you in September. Lt. Cmdr. Sheppard I’ll see you in a month or so.”

Eyre waved and walked out of the plane which began to taxi. Sarah looked out the window and saw a row of F-35’s and she looked at Carly.

“Ma’am are we on a military base?”

“Yes Luke, its where they patched you up after you got shot.”

“Oh, I wish I could have thanked the doctors.”

“That probably would have been awkward considering you should still be in hospital with a gunshot wound.”

Sarah blushed and nodded. She put her headphones on and pulled out a book and started to read it.