Emmy sat next to Inez in a waiting room, watching the news. A man from the ACS was assuring everyone that his temporary team would be keeping the city safe while Vines and Spade slept for a day or two.

“I don’t like him,” Emmy decided. “He’s acting like his team swooped in and saved the day from us losers, when we did all the work. All they did was put handcuffs on a bunch of sleeping people and track down one flier.”

“Even if we screwed up a little, our teams did handle the entire group,” Inez agreed. “Sure, not well, but no one died and we caught all the bad guys.”

“Yeah!” She looked at Inez as the news cut to a commercial. “I’m really glad they’re here, though.”

“Same.”

They sat up as Shawn came into the room. He walked over, his face neutral.

“Where’s Nick?” he asked.

“He went home to make lunch,” Emmy answered. “Said there wasn’t much point in him being here.”

Shawn sighed. “I guess that’s true. Inez, you can go back. He’s in room two, waiting on some… thing.”

“Ok.” Inez practically ran for the door.

Shawn took her seat, rubbing his face. “I need coffee.”

“How’s Victor?” Emmy asked.

“His brain is fine, that’s good,” Shawn said. “The doctor is pretty sure his left ear will be all right, as long as it has time to heal properly. But his right ear is damaged beyond repair.”

Emmy fiddled with the hem of her shirt. “Will… he have to leave the team?”

“Not unless he wants to,” Shawn said. “I’m not letting him fight until the doctor gives an ok, but I hope he doesn’t leave.”

“Good.”

He looked at her. “I hope you don’t leave, either.”

She focused on her hands. “Did Inez tell you…”

He shook his head. “Nick.”

“Oh.” She started picking at a seam.

“Emmy, you did a great job today,” Shawn told her. “If you hadn’t been with me I don’t know what I would have done. I know I can trust you in a fight. Even if you think we could find a ‘better’ speedster, I’d never be able to rely on them like I rely on you.”

“But I’m not… reliable,” she muttered.

“I think you are. I know you. You would do anything for this team, and that’s all I need.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“But… what I’ve done…”

Shawn rubbed his face again. “Everything you’ve done, was done with my approval. You can’t take full responsibility.”

Emmy didn’t reply. She wanted to, but everything she thought of sounded stupid.

“Honestly,” he continued, “you’ve done an amazing job. Any mistakes you made don’t matter compared to everything you’ve done to help us and the city.”

She continued fiddling with her shirt.

“I will defend your actions to hell and back,” Shawn promised. He paused, watching her. He started to say something, stopped, and leaned back. “At least until you leave my custody. After that I’ll only defend some of your actions.”

She glanced at him, almost smiling. “So you’re saying I can do anything I want for the next two months and you’ll protect me from all consequences?”

“That is not what I’m saying, and you know it, young lady.”

She leaned her shoulder against his. “But Daaaaad…”

He shook his head, smiling. “Emmy… Don’t leave the team.”

She sat back as Inez opened the door. “Ok.”

image [https://assets.zyrosite.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=crop/Aq2BZoKQ8JcNgKvj/chap_brk-removebg-preview-blue-Yyv73QX5bRF3vv61.png]

Shawn yawned, reading the report he’d gotten from the ACS team. They’d separated the gang, taking a few of them to different cities so they wouldn’t be able to regroup. Half of them were minors, which made things difficult legally, but that solidly qualified as not Shawn’s problem.

The email from Victor’s ENT doctor, on the other hand, was very much Shawn’s problem. In person, the doctor had acted optimistic. The doctor’s email was… not. Shawn tried to focus on the words and numbers, his mind foggy from the flu and the stressful day. He needed sleep.

There was a knock at his door, and he called that it was open. Nick stepped in, carrying a glass of green liquid.

“You were better this morning, but you look like hell again,” Nick told him. “Here: this should help.”

“Thanks,” Shawn said, taking the glass. “You know medical stuff, see if you understand this email.” He pushed his chair back to let Nick move up to the desk.

“Sure.” He took the mouse, scrolling slowly down the screen.

Shawn took a drink of the green liquid. The flavor hit him like a truck; he gagged, swallowed hard, and coughed.

“What is this stuff?” he demanded, holding the glass away from him.

“Very healthy,” Nick answered, grinning.

“Did you put wasabi in it?”

“It helps clear the sinuses.”

Shawn stared at him, feeling betrayed.

“In other news, looks like Victor’s going to need a hearing aid,” Nick said. “Says he might be healed in three weeks, but the doctor will have to do a full examination at that point. Absolutely no fighting for him before that. The ACS team is here for two weeks, right?”

“Yes.” Shawn set the glass down, sliding it away from him. “We can manage a week or two without him. And everyone in Spade is fine, they can help us if need be.”

“True.” Nick stepped away from the desk. “A vote was taken, and we’re having Chinese take-out for dinner.”

“Good.”

“Inez is watching Victor sleep, so Emmy and I are gonna watch a movie. You are welcome to join us. Unless you have to finish up the Care Bears season.”

“Oh shut up. Go away, take this vile concoction with you,” Shawn ordered, handing him the glass.

Nick grinned again, taking it. “Yes, sir!” He gave a mock salute and left.

Shawn shook his head, closing his laptop before going back to bed.

He just needed rest. All the excitement was over. Everything would be better tomorrow.