Dray nervously paced around his living room, holding his phone to his ear. Yuri's bloodstained laptop stayed open on their small coffee table, Dray having plugged in his own USB stick. He had taken the opportunity to remove his mask and treat the shallow burns on his face. After a not-so-thorough check, he found that he had some bruising on his neck and chest but otherwise he came out relatively unscathed. His phone beeped as he tossed it back on the couch, cursing to himself. Mirah...where are you? At least answer the phone...

The jingle of keys brought his attention to the apartment entrance. Dray slowly stepped back, picking up one of his tasers off the ground. However, he dropped it immediately as soon as a head of dirty blonde hair popped in. "Dray? It's me. I'm home."

~~~

Amirah saw as Dray visibly relaxed, loudly letting out a long breath. Before Amirah could get a word out, her husband rushed up to her and looked her up and down. He cupped her face and moved her head around gently as he checked it for injuries. Amirah's cheeks flushed slightly due to the Dray's proximity but she didn't move. ...He looks angrier than usual. "Mirah, I told you to go to the hospital," he started.

"I went to the mobile medical center," Amirah stated plainly. Dray clicked his tongue, facing Amirah directly this time. "That's it? You fell four floors down! You need a proper hospital."

"No, I'm fine, really. I've fallen from higher places."

"You've fallen from higher ?!"

"Yeap. So calm down, I'm fine," Amirah claimed, smiling brightly. Dray's mood only seemed to have worsened. Amirah gulped and cleared her throat. "The medical center told me that I have a mild concussion and some bruises here and there but I'm overall fine. My hands are a bit out of commission though, haha." She raised one of her hands and placed it over one of Dray's, leaning into his hand. It was heavily bandaged, not unlike Dray's own hands at the moment. "I-I'm sorry to say but, this is a common affair for me. I'm pretty tough though so you rarely see me complaining," explained Amirah. She gave a resigned smile as she witnesses Dray sort out his thoughts and feelings in front of her, his eyes filled with nothing but worry.

...I guess he was going to find this hard truth about my hero work eventually.

"Your powers...what are they, really?" questioned Dray, gently rubbing her cheek. "You told me when we met that the extent of your powers was just enhanced physical attributes. But I don't think you would've survived that long if that was the case." Amirah tilted her head further in Dray's hold, thinking deeply.

"I...I didn't lie when I told you about the enhanced physical attributes part. My powers were...never really that versatile. I am overall a bit stronger than the average person but I have monstrously strong legs and I...uhm...react to things better? My instincts and general agility are pretty good. I...don't know if I have anything else? I was just born like this so...it's not like I could experiment like other people with their powers. I think maybe my bones are also a bit tougher but I'm not too sure about that."

Dray suddenly chuckled. " 'Not too sure'? I think that's quite certain at this point." Amirah laughed softly as well as they both stayed in each other's presence. After a few moments, Dray slowly shook his head. "What am I doing making you stand? Come on." He gently pulled Amirah down to the couch and sat her down, taking her backpack from her and placing it on the ground. He sat down next to her and pulled the laptop up to them, tapping on a few keys. "Okay so...what is the situation over there?"

Amirah slowly sank into the comfy couch and took a deep breath. "The police arrived soon after you left. I gave them a statement, flashed my HA card, and everything. There's going to be a HA meeting tomorrow and I'm going to have to bring this whole incident up...Dray, you know how messed up what happened was, right?" she asked as she looked over at Dray. He bit his lip and looked up from the laptop.

"Yeah...looks like Skelter has some connections or backdoors into the Hero Association. Hard to believe it but with how long they survived, we should've expected it. I...I think in the meantime, we just carry on as normal. You just need to be extra careful. They will know that you're tied to this reveal so...be on guard. Come home earlier too and watch out for any rando that suddenly wants to talk to you. Unless you absolutely trust them. And..." As Dray continued on his advice, his voice slowly became a mumble as he goes through various possibilities and courses of action, eventually talking to himself more than talking to Amirah.

Amirah gave up trying to listen to Dray, only watching as he continued his tirade. She yawned and stretched, wincing slightly. I'm going to need to check my injuries later. Dray didn't seem to notice this though as he continued his long, continuous thought. ...This is kind of annoying. She moved slightly further away from Dray before leaning against him and resting her head on his shoulder. Dray finally stopped talking.

"Did you get anything from the laptop?"

"U-Uhm, yeah but...not much."

Amirah furrowed her brows, sitting back up again much to Dray's disappointment. "Not much? W-what do you mean?"

"I scrubbed the laptop clean. He didn't have much info. To begin with, he only had a few moves in some smaller gangs and maybe some rumors. Whatever he could scrap up within the week from the looks of things. We do have the info on Skelter though. Do you want to know what it is?" Amirah nodded enthusiastically. "Well apparently, we have the location of a Skelter warehouse. They made a bit of noise trying to mass transport some new 'product'. I think it's more of the weapon you took."

"They have an entire warehouse worth?"

"I...don't think so. I doubt Omnipresence is as big as a group like Skelter. It's possible that the transport of the weapon gave their position away but I don't think that's everything in the warehouse."

Amirah pondered for a moment. "So...what do you suggest we do next then? I could bring in other heroes to neutralize the place unless you want to do anything differently?"

"Hm...getting rid of the warehouse doesn't mean I'm clear. The new Omnipresence or Skelter or whatever is still something my entire organization would need to look out for. I think...if it's alright with you, we scope the area out for ourselves first. Get an idea of what we're up against before I make my decision." Amirah crossed her arms and leaned back, thinking deeply.

An entire warehouse owned by one of the most dangerous active villain groups...taking the place alone would be suicide but...is Dray's help going to be enough? Do I even want to continue bringing him around? He's out of his element from this point onwards.

...

I should just ask him.

"What do you think Dray? I don't want to keep dragging you around. The fight in Yuri's apartment will be the first of many. Are you sure you still want to follow me?" Dray looked at Amirah and frowned deeply. "I told you, we're working together now. We made a deal. If I wasn't going to help, I would let you know."

"...Okay. Let's go to the warehouse soon. I think we both need some time to lick our wounds first though."

-------

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Amirah closed the door to her room and sat on the edge of her bed. Both she and Dray decided to sleep early for the night. The laptop they seized at Yuri's apartment would need to be returned to the Hero's Association soon enough so Amirah kept it with her. She took a deep breath. Okay...time to take in the damage.

When their identities were still a secret, Amirah used to just brush off her sudden injuries as her overworking herself while exercising. As a gym instructor and an avid user of the gym in general, it served as a good alibi. On the off chance she bled, she would pass it off as her getting attacked or mugged if it was visible. Unfortunately, this also meant that in situations where she had to hide her injuries, she also had to dodge any attempts made by Dray to be a bit more...intimate.

She stood up, positioned herself in front of her standing mirror, and slowly took off her shirt. With her current injuries, it was not a painless endeavor. She took a look at her topless self in the mirror and cursed herself for wearing the same bra she used the day before. It was a typical sports bra that she normally used under her uniform but it felt especially uncomfortable after the brawl she just went through. Her body was covered in fresh bruises and cuts that the medics in the mobile medical center tried to treat to the best of their ability.

...I need to get this off of me.

Just as she slipped one arm out, a knock came on her door. "Y-yeah? What is it?" she shouted. "No, I just...I wanted to check in on you. You just looked...kinda weak," replied Dray from outside. Amirah blushed as she became acutely aware of how close Dray was to seeing her in her current state. Just as Amirah was going to shoo him away, she shook her head. What am I being all embarrassed for? This is Dray, r-right? It's not like he's never seen me like this before. How is this any different than usual... In spite of her own thoughts, she still felt unsure.

"I-I'm sorry if I'm bothering you. I'm just a bit worried. I don't need to come in or anything, I just want to know if you're okay."

...Here goes nothing.

"...It's okay. You can come in."

"You sure? Really it's no issue if you don't want me in there."

"No, it's okay. I need your help with something."

~~~

"Alright..."

Dray opened the door and walked into a sight he hasn't seen in a while. Amirah was standing there completely topless, only barely covering her nakedness. Her face looked calm as she continued to face the mirror instead of turning to address Dray. His face turned bright red as he hurriedly turned around and faced the door. "S-sorry. I'll just-"

"I-It's...it's not like you've never seen me like this before. As I said, I need a bit of help, maybe." Dray slowly turned around and saw Amirah has sat down on her bed. After mentally fortifying himself, he walked up to her and looked her up and down for the second time that day. Amirah was looking up at him but Dray couldn't meet her eyes. Her body was how it usually was, fit, buff, and slender. The muscles she had were very defined and toned, as expected of a hero as physically capable as Talon. She covered her, admittedly above average-sized breasts with an arm that only served to give Dray even more devilish temptations.

However, he only needed a second longer to sober up. Even though his wife's features that he adored so much were in front of him, he could also clearly see how injured they were. In the past, he could never even dream of seeing his own wife all bloody and bruised up but it was now a reality he had to deal with.

Focus up Dray, Amirah needs your help.

He took a deep breath and knelt down in front of Amirah. "What do you need?" he asked, the worry in his voice spilling out. Amirah's eyes widened as she looked away. "I...I don't really need anything but...I don't mind some help getting dressed." Dray nodded, readily accepting his new important task. He turned around and rummaged through Amirah's cupboard, picking out Amirah's silk pajamas. I guess it makes more sense now why she would always want the most expensive pajamas on the market...Sleeping sore and in pain for most days would do a number on anyone.

He unbuttoned the top and approached Amirah. She put her free arm up which allowed Dray to very slowly slip one-half of the top on. Amirah looked up at Dray with a flushed face which he took as a hint to turn around while she slipped in the other arm. Dray heard a wince from behind him which caused him to panic slightly.

"Mirah? You okay?"

"I'm fine. Just...okay. You can turn around now."

Dray did. Amirah had her hands to her side with her top on. She looked up at Dray blankly before requesting something else. "Could you...help with my pants?"

...

Don't get distracted. Don't get distracted. Don't get distracted.

"Okay..." Dray knelt back down and unbuttoned her cargo pants, slowly pulling them off. He tried his best to make the process quick lest his eyes wandered. Just...don't think about her thighs or her private area...or... Dray shook his head, quickly picking up Amirah's silk pants and putting them on. He heard a giggle come from above him thus he hurried it up and pulled away, standing at attention.

"T-there. Is there anything else you need?"

"No. I'm good... Thanks."

Amirah was looking up at him with a cute smile which made Dray's chest feel a little bit tighter. The contrast between her current cuteness and her muscular yet feminine frame always made Dray feel weak. It was true that the sight wasn't something Dray had never seen before but he knew he would never get used to it. The two of them stared at each other in an awkward silence before Amirah took a deep breath.

"Hey, Dray? Can I kiss you?" quietly asked Amirah. She held her arms out invitingly and visibly relaxed. Dray took a deep breath of his own.

"Uh- sure."

Dray bent down and leaned in as his wife cupped his face in her hands. Dray steadied himself with a hand on her bed as Amirah pulled him in. They gently held their lips together with closed eyes for a long moment, taking in each other's heat. Dray brought a hand up and caressed his wife's cheek. ...I still can't feel a thing through these bandages.

The kiss felt comforting for the two of them as they finally felt like they could return to even a little semblance of their previous life together. Yet they knew it was going to end eventually. Even Dray, who had been itching for a moment like this felt like he had to pull away. He felt like if he continued he would just end up hurting Amirah, whether physically or not. The part he hated the most was that he felt so...vulnerable. Even at this moment, his hands felt uncomfortable like he had to keep them free to defend himself should Amirah try something. He hated that he felt such a way. He knew that it was okay to feel like that in front of Amirah of all people yet he didn't want to.

...I think we both need a bit more time to get used to...everything.

After a few more seconds, Dray was the first to pull away but Amirah held their foreheads together. "I...was so scared I lost you back there when you got shot." Amirah let out a sad chuckle. "...Well, I guess you're going to have to get used to it," he replied. Amirah smiled. "Yeah. I guess I do."

-------

Dray walked back into his room and sat at his comfy gaming chair. He looked up to his ceiling as the moment he had with his wife replayed in his mind. After indulging in his own memories, he remembered he had something much more important to do. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out the thumb drive with the information Yuri retrieved. He plugged it in and sent the information to Emi.

Contrary to what he told Amirah, Yuri's laptop contained a lot more information than 'Not Much'. Dray found that Yuri was actually a bit of a lazy man. In spite of this, he was also very efficient. Yuri's laptop did not just contain the information he obtained that week. It contained a stockpile of information. Millions of dollars worth of secrets in a thumb drive. And Dray contained the only copy of that stockpile.

That was pretty smart of him...giving the HA old information for the same price. A lot of this is still usable though.

Using a program he created in his younger days, he wiped the laptop almost clean, keeping only unimportant information. The information on Skelter of course was also kept in the laptop.

...I'm sorry Mirah but needs must. If it's any consolation, I waited until I knew you were safe.

Dray of course knew his thoughts wouldn't reach Amirah but he felt guilty enough to think it at least.