The night was a quiet one. Scott prepared for the meeting, and Yumi gathered all the information she could from the computer system that Scott had given her access to earlier that day. The rest of the group focused on their responsibility and prepared for the morning briefing at 10:00 am. By the time of the briefing, everyone was laser-focused and ready to go.

Yumi kicked off the meeting by sharing what she found in the computer system. She located files on each team member, and most had an accurate description of each member of the group and their powers. No files, she found, linked them directly to the Overseer. Most of the intelligence files indicated the group was most likely looking for a robbery score. One interesting fact Yumi discovered was in Scott's file in regards to his abilities.

"I don't want you to take this the wrong way, Scott, but all the files from N.E.T that I have indicate that there is a 5-7-minute limit on your power use. What I saw yesterday contradicts that. I have no problem keeping this between the group, but I should know things like this. I need to know what everyone is capable of so I can help ensure our success" Yumi spoke slowly and softly, and she maneuvered around the sensitive subject.

Scott thought about his answer for a moment, perhaps slightly too long, because before he could answer, another voice began speaking.

"How do we know you don't run back to Overseer and tell him?" Alexia spoke, breaking the brief silence, her tone not hostile, just very matter of fact.

"I uh, WE are all in this together." Yumi's voice hinted at defensiveness. Her neck began to form a blush, and she could feel the warmth of anger building.

"I think what Alexia is getting at Yumi is that we don’t know you. We have all worked together for a long time; we have a lot of trust built. We were forced into this situation against veiled threats to people we care about. You were just a package deal with the mission. A really cute package, I might add." Vanessa shot a smirk with that last comment that was quick and disappeared as quickly as it came.

"I get it; I am the outsider. I have understood that since the beginning, and that's not easy for me. N.E.T recruited me at a young age when it was learned I had healing abilities. Some things were great. My mom, little sister, and I got set up in a nice house, and we had nice things. I got training in a lot of technology which is awesome. It wasn't all unicorns, puppies, and rainbow frosting, though." Emotion bubbled beneath the surface, giving Yumi's words an emotional inflection. It was plain to everyone there that she was trying hard to keep her emotions in check.

"I didn't mind healing people. I really like that I can help people get better. Even if it means being called upon at any time of day or night. As a little girl, a knock would come at my door at 2 or 3 in the morning. There would be a person with a bullet wound or broken bone. That's the burden of my power, and I accepted it. As I got older, I was sent on missions as part of a team. I've been on teams with people..... people not as nice as you guys. Common criminals and they would do some nasty and horrible things. If I objected in any way, then it was made clear that my family is under their control. They don't have to get into specifics, but I know if I don't do what I am told, then my family is... is..in trouble." Now emotion was being worn all over Yumi. She was a cauldron of anger, fear, and resignation that was close to boiling over.

"I know what you guys have at stake because it's the same for me. Sorry if I didn't come out advertising my weakness, but at least you guys have each other. I just have me." She turned away to hide her face from the group. Rage and sadness overcame her. She thought that she needs to control it. She didn't want to show this emotion and worried it would make her look weak and vulnerable. There was no room for that in her work life. She had already said too much, and these people weren't her friends. She had her mother and sister, and that was it.

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Vanessa walked to Yumi and put her arm around her. To everyone's surprise, Yumi sank into Vanessa's arms and put her head on her chest.

"Your wrong. We are in this together," Vanessa said softly but loud enough so the others could hear. Scott glanced around at everyone, and his eyes landed on Bricks, who wore a look of confusion. Scott wasn't sure if it was due to Brick's issues with displays of emotions or some form of jealousy that he wasn't able to comfort Yumi.

"Vanessa is right. We are all in this together. My power does not have those limits, but I have lead everyone to believe that they did. I can hold invisibility much longer, I don’t know the time frame, but the longer I stay invisible, it drains me. The only people that know that is information is this group and my wife. And now you. We have to trust each other to get this job done, and now I trust you with my biggest secret."

Yumi pulled her head from Vanessa's chest and turned to face the group. Her black eyeliner smeared to make her resemble a raccoon.

"Thank you for sharing, Scott. It means a lot that you entrust me with your secret." She said as she used her sleeves to wipe tears from her cheek.

"I can't ride a horse!" Bricks blurted out of nowhere. Everyone turned and looked at the hulking man with confusion.

"I mean, everyone thinks I am this kick-butt cowboy." He continued

"No one thinks you are a kick-butt cowboy, Bricks," Alexia said flatly.

"Shut up, Alexia. I'm trying to be emotionally vulnerable, dammit!" Bricks eyes shot daggers made of titanium at the powerful blonde woman, who reacted by throwing her gaze to the ground.

"No, I appreciate that, Bricks. Thank you for sharing." Yumi told Bricks that he couldn't fight off a smile of pride at his job well done.

"I swear I am not one of those chicks that cry all time." Yumi once again wiped tears from her cheek.

"I also have a secret about my power; I'm not really a healer." Yumi's words sent puzzled looks across the rest of the group's faces.

"No one from N.E.T knows this, hell not even my mom and sister know. I'm an absorber. All the damage and pain that I heal is drawn in and stays inside of me. I can touch someone or something and redistribute the damage back out." Yumi spoke as she looked down at her feet. She couldn't bring herself to make eye contact with anyone. If she had, she would have seen an astonishment wash over everyone's faces like an ocean wave crashing onto the shore. Healers were rare, but known to exist. Absorbers were truly an albatross, people talked about them, but few believed they existed.

Silence sat heavily among the group, like a schoolyard bully perched on his victim’s stomach, preparing to deliver a purple nurple. The silence was penetrated quickly after the athletic blonde group member glanced down at her watch.

"Not to be the one to break up the secret-sharing circle, but it's 11:30. We need to wrap this up and get ready for the meeting." Alexia advised the group.

The group pulled back together and finished the briefing. Most of the information gathered from the computer was mundane. Still, Yumi advised she gained access to the camera system in the Town Hall so she could see and hear everything that went on, while the rest of the group would only be able to hear through Scott's communicator. She learned Siren would arrive 10 minutes before the meeting and would be leaving upon its conclusion. To know one's surprise, she advised from watching the camera that Ewan had it out for the group, and he was going to undermine anything Scott told Siren. They began final preparation.

As the briefing was dismissed, Scott walked away from the group, and Vanessa quickly jogged up to him.

"Absorber, huh?" She asked

"Yeah, something does not sit right about that with you, too?" Scott replied

"A lot doesn't sit right. How do you possibly hide that power? And why? I mean, healers get set up nice, but I imagine an absorber can write their ticket." Vanessa had a growing look of concern.

"Maybe she doesn't know, or maybe she doesn't want to be used to hurt people. It could be a lot of things, but it bears keeping an eye on." Scott wasn't sure what to make of Yumi's revelation, but no, it wasn't the time to ponder it too much. Hopefully, they could all live and revisit it.

"I hear you. Let's make it through today. Nice and clean." Vanessa pushed her mind back into mission mode and mentally paused all the questions swirling in her mind.

"That is the plan." Scott tapped Vanessa on the shoulder and went on his way.