#Lily White-Acolyte Pt 1

[very-venom-us]

Hello. This is my new fic, entry please. It’s not as polished as I’d like, but here ya go. Lily is my new fav OC. I got more with her. Be Nice! Not beta read. Sorry the format is weird, idk what happened.

Gif from Giphy

Lily White-Acolyte Pt1

When a saintly young woman gets hurt, Vigilante catches feelings for a girl with secrets and the team might get a new member.

Tw for implied SA on female character, show appropriate vulgarity,gore, descriptions of violence and injuries.Not quite dead dove level but not fluff either. Read with caution. Shameless OC insert.

If I missed any triggers lemme know, I’ll fix it.

Pulling his keys out of his pocket Chris Smith started towards his car. A clang echoed off the wall of the alley followed by what could have been a muffled sound of pain. Something wasn’t right. Drawing his weapon he carefully stepped toward the source of the sound.

He crept around the corner and aimed down the barrel at a bruised and bleeding young woman in a dirty pink dress torn at the shoulder. Soaking wet from the rain and barefoot she stumbled towards him. He caught her and she looked up at him with wide scared eyes. He picked her up and rushed back into their base of operations.

************

The the article on the folded newspaper peeking out from under an open bag of chips kept drawing his eye. It made him feel strange. He avoided it.

The blurb read:

Woman Brutally Attacked

Substitute teacher sustained serious injuries in late night attack.

“Why didn’t you call me? We coulda gone together.” Adrian Chase complained to Smith’s broad back as he rummaged in the fridge.

“Cuz, there wasn’t much time and it was late. Besides, I went as me. But she’s still in pretty rough shape.. Docs said it’ll be touch and go for a bit.” He cracked open his beer as he plopped down on the couch.“Plus, she couldn’t tell me anything since she passed out right after. But here’s what Economos pulled up. Besides I figured you’d want in on the good part. Honestly, the whole team wants a piece of the guy who did it.” He tossed the paper file into Chase’s lap. Chase flipped through the papers carefully reading everything. Turning the page he studied the photo showing an exceptionally pretty young woman in a white angora cardigan and a boatneck dove grey top her hair swept into an soft low bun. His brow furrowed as he turned the page.

Name: Lily Anne White 29

Caucasian Female

Evergreen WA.

Attended University of Washington on an archery scholarship.

Graduated in 2015, with a double major in nursing science and visual arts and double minor in political sciences and international relations.

She worked as Registered Nurse in the emergency department then transferred to pediatric oncology.

Quit her job in at Washington Regional in 2018 to care for her father full time. Her father Gregg White passed in October 2019 from pancreatic cancer.

Mother Marie White passed in 2003 from injuries resulting from a single vehicle collision. She attended an all girls school from 5th grade to high school.

“A nurse huh”. He muttered as he continued. “Aw, she’s an orphan. Hey, what d’ya suppose single vehicle collision means?”

“I unno, probably hit by a car? Maybe?” Smith shrugged.

“Gnarly”. Chase replied clicking his tongue.

She still lives in the home she grew up in. Since 2019 White has worked as a substitute art teacher . She has volunteered at a local pet shelter since 2016 specialising in critical care kittens and puppies.She is active with the Make A Wish Foundation. No police record. Nursing license is current. She has little to no social media presence, all personal accounts are private except for her personal blog detailing her taste in vintage fashion and her foster kittens. She seems to have few personal connections. One long term relationship from 2014 to 2018 with Zachary Reid, 32. They were engaged briefly in 2018 according to Reid’s Facebook page. A restraining order was granted against him in early 2019.

A lead weight settled in his gut. “ This is a real person right? Not like, some government morality test? Nobody’s name is Lily White. Shit, it’s not like, an empathy test for team placement right? You know I won’t place well.” Chase began shuffling around under the couch cushions and under the coffee table hunting for electronic bugs.

“Fuck no. Just read the file.”Smith scoffed. Chase gave him an exaggerated look of disbelief and flipped further forward. He found a printed out human interest article from the front page of a local newspaper . The headline and byline read:

Local Woman Rescues Ducklings

Off duty nurse frees ducklings washed into storm drain. Lily White, 26 came to the rescue of newly hatched ducklings at the corner of Pine and Cedar at College Park. Ms. White on her way to the farmers market comforted mama duck while they awaited the fire department. In total eight ducklings are now safe and happy back at the nest.

The photos that accompanied the article were clearly meant to stir up sentimental feelings. In the color photos a young lady stood wearing a retro looking pink gingham sundress her softly curled long brown hair held back from her face by a headband, a brown duck held against her busty chest. She looked familiar somehow.

In the next, a close up of her holding four fluffy yellow and brown ducklings in her cupped hands just under her chin. She was incredibly pretty with her large, kind, dark eyes and long thick eyelashes looking up at the camera from under her wispy bangs. Honestly under different circumstances he’d have said she was a total babe and discussed these findings with Chris at length.

He could imagine her nuzzling her face down into the duckling fluff, though he worried slightly about salmonella.

Upon flipping to the next page he glanced at the high gloss coldly clinical yet graphic images of the injuries to parts of her that upset him in ways he hadn’t expected. He closed the file and tossed it aside, anger bubbling up.

“Well. That’s all kinds of fucked up.” He said slapping his hands on his knees. “She seems like a real nice girl. Like, an angel even. My money is on the ex boyfriend.” His voice was cheerful.

“ Yeah. Thats what I was thinking.” Smith mused.

“What a piece of work, honestly. She literally saves orphan kittens, what kind of asshole hurts a girl like that? Or any girl for that matter.”

“A real bastard that’s who.”

Eagly chirrped his agreement from his perch.

“Fucking animal.” He was vibrating with nervous energy.

“Ya alright?” Smith asked, beer in hand watching the smaller man fidget with his glasses.

“Yeah, yeah. I just, I think I seen her somewhere maybe?”

“Well,she lives in town. Maybe in passing ?”

“No, like I talked to her?” He was pacing back and forth.

“ Oh yea? When?” Smith sounded skeptical but Chase didn’t pick up on it.

“ I’m pretty sure yeah.” He wracked his brain. Suddenly it dawned on him.

“At work, a few months ago. Before you came back. She was trying to hide from some guy. It was a date or something I dunno but she was hiding in the kitchen and I told her she couldn’t be back there. She looked good too, nice shoes… Anyway, I told her she couldn’t be back there an she kinda told me what was going on. Seemed kinda scared. She’s not very tall, actually. The guy waited awhile, got pissed and left.” He had the forethought to withhold that he had desired her in that brief interaction. The ribbing would never cease, he knew.

“ Did you see him?”

“Yeah, uh. Tall guy, mmm maybe like mid thirties and 275? White, dark hair. Looked like a chad y’know? But skinnier though.” Chase rambled “Looked a lot like”-Smith showed him a picture on his phone. -“ That. I’m pretty sure that’s him.” Chase nodded hands on his hips and sniffed.

“This is her ex. He’s a real estate agent I guess.”

Chases jaw tightened. “Okay then. Tonight, it’s go time. If it wasn’t him, which I doubt he still did something to have a restraining order placed on him.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Smith nodded checking his texts. Chase wiped his glasses off out of habit.

“Hey, can you drive? Harcourt wants me to see if she’s awake yet.”

Chase’s green eyes held a hard edge as he nodded enthusiastically.

He thought of when he talked to her. She was beautiful, little hands with long painted fingernails. She smelled nice too. He remembered that at the time he thought she had a bangin’ body, like he’d only seen in old movies. And most of all, he remembered that she was nice. Not just to him, but to everyone.

The kind of girl who probably has stuffed animals and genuinely enjoys getting flowers. The kind of girl who definitely pets stray dogs and saves baby birds and probably talks to little kids in line at the grocery store and pretends to be amazed when they tell her facts she already knows.

Who smiles and thanks the busboy for doing his job and whose smile touches her eyes the way others don’t.

Smith noticed his knuckles were white on the steering wheel.

Outside her hospital room, Chase hesitated his mind flashing back to the documenting photos in her dossier. Clenching his fists he followed behind Smith.

The room was dim, curtains drawn. The only sound was the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor and her gentle breathing through the nasal cannula

. He sat very upright and stiff in a chair on the opposite side of the bed hands on his knees while Smith spoke quietly to the nurse in the doorway. His eyes moved over the devastation inflicted upon her. Her eyes ringed by deep purple bruises spoke to potential head trauma, the IV in her arm running an antibiotic, her split lip, her torn and broken fingernails, bruised wrists, the finger marks on her neck. His eyes flitted to the white board that told him of broken ribs and collar bone. The nurses listed her height as five foot two. Glancing back to her he noticed a scabbed spot near her temple about the size of a dime where the hair had been pulled out by the root. She looked so small and vulnerable on the bed. She did not deserve this.

He only looked up when Smith moved closer to the bed.

“Harcourt wants me to talk to the doctor, find out what he says.” He spoke quietly.

Chase met his eyes and nodded stiffly but firmly, hands in tightly clenched fists and returned to gazing at her still, but not quite serene face.

He didn’t move again until Leota and Emilia arrived hours later, hardly seeming to blink and Leota gently laid a hand on his shoulder. Looking up at her and jumping to his feet simultaneously he just said brightly “Keep us in the loop.” and strode out the door. The three shared a look and Smith followed him out.

*********

After casing his house, they drove to his office. Picking the lock on the side door of his building they methodically and quietly checked offices till they saw the glow of lights spilling out into the hall from under the door.

From Zachary’s perspective he’d been bent over his paperwork trying to get it all finished before his clients closed in the morning when suddenly every surface of the office was littered with the flying splintered remains of his door while two heavily armed maniacs filled the ruined doorway.

“Well hey bud-dy, glad you’re here!” Vigilante spoke in a light hearted tone as he took large bouncing strides toward him.

“D’do I know you?” Reid stammered out.

“ Nah, but I think we got mutual friends, don’t you think Peacemaker?”Chase said conversationally as he hopped up onto the desk and turned to face Reid. Smith duct taped Reid to the chair, wrists bound behind him.

Zachary Reid was dressed business casual in flat front khakis, powder blue polo and grey sport jacket. He wore dark brown loafers with no socks.

“ Yeah, I think we do Vig.” Smith agreed leveling his weapon with Reid’s chest.

“What the hell are”- Reid started angrily.

“What da hew aw yew tawkin’ bout?” Chase mocked “Don’t worry, I’ll fill you in.” Back to his overly friendly tone “ I’m talking about Lily. Ring any bells Zachy?”

Reid looked dumbfounded then the blood drained from his face .

“Lily? I haven’t seen her since”-

“Since last night, yeah, yeah. We know.” Chase nodded, smile evident in his voice.

“No, no! In years, not last night. I heard she’d died…” he lied lamely.

“ I guess you’re not a big reader.” Vigilante laughed “No Zachy, Lily is very much alive. But I wanted to get your side…” he trailed off.

“ But I”-

Vigilante slid across the desk and placed a foot on either side of Reid’s chair pressing a pistol to his temple. Smith moved to Chase’s right to maintain cover for him.

“Don’t fuck with me, I just wanna hear you say your side.”

“Take his advice, he’s insane.” Smith nodded solemnly “You guys were engaged right?”

“Y-yeah. Yeah we were.” Reid stuttered staring intently into Vigilante’s inscrutable masked face.

“Go on.” Chase prompted.

“You know her?”

“Clocks ticking Zach.”

“Well if you know her then you know I sunk four damn good years into that stuck up bitch just for her to break it off after I coughed up for a ring.” A vein popped in his temple, face reddening from anger and stress.

Chase cocked his head to the side listening.

“Sound a lil bitter there buddy.”

“Bitter? I was pissed. It would have been alright if she’d have just opened her legs up for me once and awhile. I was willing to buy in with no test drive and how does she repay me? By blowing me off.”

“Wow, you’re a real mother fucker you know that?” Smith moved closer.

“Maybe. Maybe I’m just taking what I’m owed. I know one things for sure, she’s not fucking either one of you.” Reid’s face broke into a cruel grin “If you were you’d get it. Body like that? I’m sorry I had to fuck up her face but she wouldn’t open her mouth. Looked good gagging on it though. And at least she was still as fuckable as she was in college. Was, anyway.”

Without removing his gun from the man’s head, Chase drew the second pistol and in one fluid movement shot him in the gut, the shot deadened by a silencer. Reid screamed in pain, head lolling backward.

“Hush now, don’t want a noise complaint do we?” his voice chillingly cheerful. Chase hopped off the desk landing lightly on his feet and tied Reid to the chair.

With his knife he open the front of Reid’s khaki’s.

“Well. I’ll be straight with you Zach. I believe that the punishment should always fit the crime.”

Reid began to shake his head frantically back and forth.

“That being said, since you like shoving things down people’s throats how about a taste of your own medicine mm?”

“Nononono”- Reid begged incoherently, spit running down his chin before he screamed louder than before. Vigilante grabbed his face firmly with a bloodied hand and forced his still screaming mouth open wider, shoving the flaccid member as far back as he could push it.

The scream cut off with a choking gag as Reid retched while his mouth was taped shut. He rocked the chair back and forth trying to free himself, terrified eyes streaming tears.

Vigilante leaned over him, hands on his victims shoulders, shuddering from Reid’s muffled cries.

“Hey, hey now. It’s almost over.” he said in a tone one might use to soothe a crying child, patting the top of his head awkwardly. Vigilante began turning out Reid’s pockets. Out of the right blazer pocket he pulled a lock of shiny brown hair tied in a loop with a piece of pink material, the roots rusty with dried blood and a crumpled pair of panties. He laid them on the desk behind him and his mind went white with rage.

“Sonovabitch.” Smith muttered trying not to look at the sick trophy.

“Oh hey. I forgot something.” Vigilante snapped his bloody fingers and quickly ducked down. Reid screamed silently, legs kicking ineffectually. Sweaty hair plastered to Reid’s forehead covering his eyes

“I’m taking these with me.” Chase held up the severed scrotum for its previous owner to see.

“Oh shit. My bad.” Vigilante reached up and pushed the hair out of his eyes and held up his prize. Reid’s eyes rolled back into his head and he went unconscious.

Vigilante stepped backwards level with Peacemaker and Smith shot Reid in the face, effectively obliterating it.

They left by the front door.

*****

In the car Chris called Harcourt to see how things were going. Chase was a little more relaxed than when they set out for the night but he still wasn’t himself.

He sat glumly in his civilian clothes in Chris’s living room wearing a pair of food service gloves throwing pieces of Reid’s gore to Eagly who caught each piece with gusto.

Smith emerged from the bathroom toweling his hair.

“Hey, don’t feed him that, that’s disgusting!”

“It’s probably healthier than chips.” Adrian reasoned tossing another piece. “Besides, what’s more symbolic than being eaten by the symbol of justice and freedom and then being turned into bird shit?”

Eagly chirrped happily.

Chris nodded and shrugged. Chase threw the last of it on the floor with a wet thump and Eagly dove off his perch for it.

Adrian sighed heavily and slumped back into the couch.

“What’s the matter with you?” Smith asked pulling a T-shirt down over his abs.

“I ‘unno.” Chase spoke evasively. He didn’t want Chris to make fun of him.

“C’mon. Somethings up.”

“It’s just. I don’t feel very satisfied y’know? Usually killing the bad guy makes it all worth it but this time it just feels like it was too late. Kinda.” He balled up the gloves and threw them in a waste basket.

“ But he’s off the street and that’s what matters.” Chris pressed a longneck beer into his hand.

“It doesn’t really feel like justice though. It’s not going to magically heal her.”

“Well, no. But now he’s not around to keep hurting her.”

“I guess. I just… wish it hadn’t happened.”

“I get it.” Chris clapped his shoulder in way that was clearly meant to be reassuring. Adrian gave him a half smile. Smith’s phone buzzed with a text notification.

“Hey, finish that up and we’ll go back to the hospital, okay? Harcourt says she’s awake.”

Chase sat up straight. “Let’s go now, it’s only 8:30.”

*********

Now he hesitated outside the hospital room for a different reason. She was awake, he could hear her croaky voice talking to Leota. He flattened his back against the wall when Chris knocked.

“Just relax, it’s going to be fine. What’s wrong with you man?”

“Come in.” Leota called.

Chris opened the door slightly and gestured for Chase to follow him. Adrian shook his head. Chris leveled a serious look at him, grabbed him by the shoulder of his jacket and pulled. Adrian stumbled in after Chris but tried to play it off, straightening his jacket deliberately. Adebayo gave him a sympathetic smile. Lily was sitting up supported by the adjustable bed. Her hair was now loosely braided, bangs pushed to the side. She held one of those big plastic sippy cups that every hospital has in her lap. There was a small plush calico cat beside her on the bed that hadn’t been there before. She lifted her right hand a bit and gave Chris a small awkward wave. Adrian moved to stand by Leota. He noticed her ring finger was in a splint.

Smith’s face softened as he pulled a chair up beside Harcourt.

“Hey, how are you feeling?” he asked her his careful.

“I’ve been better.” Her voice was raspy and quiet. She gave a shy small smile and winced as it tugged her hurt lip.

Gently, awkwardly he patted the back of her hand.

“Lily, this is Chris Smith and Adrian Chase, they’re on the team too.” Harcourt supplied.

Lily looked up at Chase. Her pretty face was a little puffy and swollen. The whites of her large brown eyes were reddish and the bruises that ringed them darker now. But their expression was somehow still so full of kindness. He awkwardly pushed up his glasses and raised his other hand. She gave him a tiny smile. His stomach did a flip. Adebayo looked sideways at him then to Harcourt.

“ Smith is the one who found you. If you don’t mind Lily, would you please tell Smith and Chase what happened?” Emilia asked carefully.

Adrian stiffened a little as Lily haltingly told her story. Emilia held her hand and lightly rubbed her thumb over the back of Lily’s trembling one while she spoke.

While the others listened eyes on anything but her, Lily began to quietly shed tears. Adrian who hadn’t a social notion that he should look away, wordlessly handed her a box of tissues. “Thank you.” She all but whispered as she accepted them.

Emilia looked up in time to see Chase gazing at her with such a look of stricken sympathy that she felt instantly sorry for him.

“And that’s all I really remember.” She finished.

“You did good honey, it all helps.” Adebayo comforted her. Harcourt and Smith moved away slightly to have a hushed conversation.

Chase continued to gaze at her with that expression till Leota tapped him hard on the back. Lily wiped her tears away gingerly. Adrian blinked his own back fiercely. He took a seat by Adebayo and pretended to clean his glasses.

“Oh no!” Lily spoke suddenly.

Smith and Harcourt turned their attention back toward the bed with concern.

“Oh no, my kitties. What time is it?”

“It’s just now 8:55” Adrian confirmed checking his watch.

She groaned in distress.

“They’ve been without food all day! Their rice packs are ice cold by now! I’ve got to get home, I’m letting them down.” Wincing, she began to try and slide off the bed.

“Honey, you are in no shape. Lay back down baby, you are gonna hurt yourself.” Leota cautioned.

Gently Chris lifted her legs back into bed and adjusted the covers. Briefly, Chase saw her scraped, scabbed knees.

“But they’re bottle babies, they need me!” She protested.

“And you need to heal, let us help you. Okay?” Harcourt spoke firmly.

“Yeah. Chris an I can get the kitties.” Adrian blurted.

“Kitties?” Smith scoffed under his breath.

Frowning Harcourt smacked him in the abdomen with her fist. He spread his hands as if to say “What?”

She rolled her eyes.

“You’d do that for me?”

“Yeah, of course.” Chase shrugged one shoulder.

“Thank you. Um, they’re in the baby basket in the living room. The important numbers for the shelter are on the fridge, they’re going to need to eat. I don’t have my keys, they’re in my purse…”

“We’ll take care of it. Don’t worry, okay?”

Adrian gave her a sweet smile and patted the bed awkwardly.

Adebayo and Harcourt shared a knowing glance across the bed.

*****

“Kitties? Really bro? Kitties? You go from choking a dude with his own dick to saving kitties?”Smith’s done dripping with derision.

“That’s what she called ‘em, I didn’t think about it.” Chase defended himself.

“ Its fine if she does it, cute even. But when you do it it’s weird.”

“ She didn’t think it was weird.” Chase squared his jaw and stared out the windshield.

“ How do you know?”

“ I just know okay! GOD, can I live??”

“Yeah. After you save the kitties.”

Adrian gave him a tight lipped stare across the car.

“Alright, alright. I’m done, I’m done! Sorry.” Chris put his hands up defensively.

Adrian nodded staring straight ahead. “ Thank you.”

Chris side eyed him with a smirk.

Adrian sighed heavily. “What?”

“I didn’t think it was possible, but that’s it isn’t it?”

Chase’s jaw tightened again and he cocked his head to the side, confused.

“I’m right aren’t I?”

“‘Bout what?”

“You like her.”

“-n.Nah, what? Like duh, no. That’s a regular emotion dude. I don’t have. Those.” He laughed nervously.

“Yeah, you do. You like her like her.”

“No. Nooo. No! I’m, I uh concerned about her that’s all. Professional, regular normal hero concern.”

Chris cracked that shit eating grin and tapped his fingers rhythmically on the armrest poorly suppressing a snort of laughter.

“Ugh, just say it.” Adrian rolled his eyes.

“ Concern for the kitties!” he blurted roaring with laughter.

Adrian put the car in park and fixed his friend with a deadpan stare.

“Alright, alright. I’m done for real. Promise.”

He rested his head against the seat and raised his eyebrows.

“Scouts honor.”

“Fine.” Chase accepted, a surly edge to his voice.

The house was a nice white two story with a porch. There was one light on upstairs. Reaching under the porch light he retrieved the key.

The door was barely open before the frantic shrill keening of young kittens filled their ears. He flipped the lights on and scanned the living room. It was clean, cozy and smelled nice. A variety of large and obscenely healthy house plants grew in attractive pots. Her couch was covered with decorative throw pillows. There was a basket filled with folded soft fuzzy blankets. Framed family photos were displayed on her mantle piece interspersed with various crystals and geodes. A large attractively planted tank against the wall held colorful tropical fish.

“Nice place.” Chris said appreciatively. “It’d be great if those guys weren’t screaming though.” he gestured towards the basket on the coffee table. The basket was labeled with a pink hospital bracelet that read “Spicy Babies.”

Curiously he looked inside. Four little jellybean shaped kittens wearing collars crawled over one another. Adrian gently stroked the tiny face of the little yellow one who gave an itty bitty hiss. He lifted the tiny animal out of the basket. In sharpie it’s name was written on the yellow collar “Ginger.” His siblings were Chili(tabby, red collar ), Pepper(black and white, blue collar ) and Sugar (white, pink collar).

They were a little chilly. “Hey , look for a cat carrier, she’s gotta have one somewhere.” He picked up the other three and carried them against his chest. They were squirmy and their tiny claws poked his skin through his shirt but not enough to really hurt, and they quieted down. He checked in the front closet and pantry for a carrier. The bottles and cat formula were on the kitchen counter. On the fridge was a handful of magnets in the shape of chibi cats and fruits, her shopping list, a copy of a funeral program he assumed was her fathers, and a calendar that had pictures of majestic horses running through fields or beaches.

“Ah, horse girl huh.” The kittens meowed loudly as if in response.

He flipped through the pages with one hand noting that it was practically empty except for her work schedule. Her birthday was circled with a sad smiley face wearing a party hat. He pulled a face.

“Aww, that’s a bummer.” he said to the kittens. There was a plate fork and glass by the sink. Inside the fridge she had surprisingly little. A few cans of zero calorie soda, a nearly empty half gallon of milk, a large jar of whole dill pickles, a box of Chinese takeout and assorted bottles of condiments.

In her freezer was a lonely and very frosted box of Dino chicken nuggets and a half eaten pint of ice cream.

“Found it.” Chris called from the back of the house. “Laundry room.” Smith took some towels out of the linen closet and lined the crate and put the formula and bottles in a box along with the number sheet for the shelter. Chase heated two rice filled cloth bags in the microwave and tucked them and the kittens into the crate. On a dining chair was a black satin duffel bag. Peering inside he found her gym equipment. Poking around more due to his curiosity, he found a bow case and quiver near the back door. Pulling a pink and white fletched carbon arrow out of the quiver he noted that it was tipped with 1’ quadruple fixed blade broadhead points.

“Weird.”

“What’s so weird about that? She went to college on archery scholarship, remember?”

Adrian showed him the arrow.

“Oh. Don’t take her for the hunting type.”

“Yeah me either. Heavy duty. These’ll kill a moose.” Chase put the arrow back and continued his snooping. In the laundry room her hamper was full, all clothing, no towels or bedding.

“Let’s check upstairs, I don’t think she’d want the light left on.” Smith nodded, leading the way gun drawn just in case and swept the upstairs. Every room was dark, except the last room with a closed door.

“Ey, uh. Why don’t you check that one, I’ll wait here.” Chase stood awkwardly hands on hips in a weak attempt at being authoritative.

“Why?”

“Just. Just cuz.”

Chris dropped his arms at his sides.

“Okay, what reason?” He pressed.

“ W..well. Uh. I can watch your back better out here.”

“Dude. Really?”

“Yeah. Really.”

“ You don’t want to go in there because it’s probably her bedroom.”

“No no no, I didn’t say that. I think it’s better if it’s a one man job.

“Okay. So, go in.”

“No.” Chase shook his head emphatically.

“Cuz I’m right.”

“So what if it is her room, doesn’t mean I like her”-

“Yes it does! Ha! I knew it, you got a crush on her. Though it’s a little weird under the circumstances I’m

still glad because I’m right. Can’t hide shit from me!”

Smith pumped his fist triumphantly.

“It’s not weird, and it’s not a crush. Or anything. I just liked her when I met her. At my day job.” Adrian admitted quietly.

“Why didn’t you ever say anything dude? That’s worth celebrating! I’d have totally been your wingman.And if you wanted another threesome I’d have totally, totally said yes.” He slapped Chase on the arm good naturedly.

“I wasn’t gonna say anything because I thought you’d make fun of me.”

“The fuck dude, no. She’s the first girl I knew you were interested in since Rachel Millson in high school but she’s like ten times hotter. Rachel was like, Winona Ryder hot cuz she had those perky lil’ titties and she didn’t wear a bra but she had a vibe to where you were pretty sure she was probably nuts, remember?”

“Haha, yeah.” Chase laughed and nodded in agreement.

“ But Lily is like, Catherine Zeta-Jones in Zorro hot right? But like with Jennifer Lopez’s butt and Jennifer Love Hewitts tits and personality y’know? Like she’d be nice to squeeze.” He mimed hugging someone.

“ Oh yeah.I get it, yeah.”Chase agreed. He didn’t really but he did In fact he think about squeezing her a lot.

“ I’m not trying to be a dick or anything cuz of what happened y’know but you should totally shoot your shot.” Chris said over his shoulder.

Without thinking Adrian followed him through the door and by the time he realized what he’d done it was too late. This wa it. He’d seen it. Her private bedroom.

Her room was extremely feminine. She had an honest to god vanity with a huge mirror and velvet chair. The surface was cluttered with perfume bottles, lipstick tubes and hair pins. A black slip and lacy bra was draped over the back of the chair.

She had a canopy bed hung with sheer white curtains, made with white bedding , one corner pulled back as though the occupant would return any moment. A plush ivory blanket was folded on the middle of the bed.

“Weighted blanket.” Adrian observed.

Chris lifted it with one arm.

“That’s like, 25lbs.”

The white bedding was accented with blush pink throw pillows in velvets and satins, some embroidered some beaded heavily. He counted at least 10 bed pillows. And there, among the pillows a few stuffed animals. The window was dressed with heavy pink velvet drapes and a luxurious pink satin robe trimmed with marabou was tossed on the foot of the bed. Poking out from under the bed skirt were two pairs of pink slippers both with marabou pom poms. One pair, flat and cozy velvet the other sexy,high heeled and satin.

There were flowers of every shade of pink and white in vases everywhere.

“She really likes pink.” Chris commented.

“She’s super feminine. She’s got like, 10 pillows. Did you know that people who sleep with more than two pillows are statistically more likely to be lonely or depressed?”

“Maybe she just likes to be comfortable .” Smith offered.

“ Maybe, but she is an orphan. Plus the ,weighted blanket. So.”

“In my experience if a girl has a bed that looks like that she’s just a snuggler.”

“ That doesn’t sound right, but I don’t know enough about it to dispute it.”

He tried to imagine her comfortably snuggled up in bed sleeping peacefully, healthy and safe.

Chase opened the iPad on her bedside table next to

a little spray bottle of lavender vanilla scented linen spray. The background was pink clouds. In her messages app there were a few conversations, mostly between her and her work or the animal shelter. But there were also messages she sent that never got a response. He knew that feeling.

“Look though.” Adrian held up a floppy stuffed unicorn “ I knew she’d have stuffed animals.”

“I’ve been in lots of girls bedrooms, lots of girls have stuffed animals.”

“But on the bed though?”

“Chairs or shelves.”

“See? People who aren’t lonely don’t have to hold a stuffed guy at night.”

He carefully placed the unicorn back where he’d found it next to a bear another unicorn and a few cats.

“I thought she’d have had her own grown up cat or dog, or something though. Kinda surprised.”

“She’s got fish.”

“I was thinking more along the lines of emotional support animals, the fish don’t really count for that.” Chase clarified.

“I dunno man, watching fishtanks is supposed to be super relaxing”

He clicked the lamp switch and they headed back downstairs.

In the car the kittens wailed, bemoaning their empty bellies while Chris talked to Harcourt on the phone.

“Yeah, that’s the cats. Yeah, they’ve got good lungs. Oh, I’ll tell him. Lily says if they’re screaming they’re probably okay.”

Chase nodded.

“Mhmm. Yea. Okay. Alright see you tomorrow then.”

“What’d she say?” “Says just follow the directions on the can, they’ll be okay.”

“I’ll take ‘em home with me. Eagly might eat ‘em.”

******

Later on, Adrian scrolled through Lily’s blog as he bottle fed the kittens. She took great selfies, he noted.

In the post titled “Spicy Babies” she detailed how she hoped to adopt the one she called Sugar because it was the first one to warm up to her. She poured so much love and care into all these little animals she fostered. He read through all her posts till it was time to feed the babies again. Some might consider it stalkerish behavior but whenever he came across something she liked or enjoyed doing he made a mental note of it.

He waited a few hours, took a short nap and called the animal shelter. He explained the situation to the older woman on the phone who instructed him to drop them back with the shelter as soon as he could.

He left the little cats with the grandmotherly woman who thanked him for caring and inquired about sending Lily some flowers. After telling her to have them delivered to the receptionist and they’d make sure she got them he drove to the team base.

It was early. Very early, but he hoped he’d be able to talk to either Harcourt or Adebayo before Chris or Economos showed up. He sat patiently in the dark. He didn’t mind waiting.

*****

About half an hour after sunrise Leota’s key scraped in the lock and she reached for the lights rubbing sleep out of her still tired eyes. Before her fingers found the switch she heard a chair scrape.

“Good Morning”. Chase said from the darkness.

Leota screamed and threw her phone reflexively at the source of the sound.

“Ow.” Said Chase, annoyed.

“What in the hell are you doing sitting here in the dark? Scaring people half to death!”

“Honestly? One, you should work on being more prepared for these situations. Two, it’s stealth one oh one, never call unnecessary attention to yourself and Three, it’s a free country.” he tossed her back her phone.

“You got a reason, or??”

“Yeah, I do actually. I was hoping to talk to you or Harcourt about something.”

“Let me at least sit down first.”

“Oh. Yeah, of course.”

Just then Harcourt walked through the door carrying a tray of coffees.

“What the hell is going on? I heard you yell.”

“Chase got here at the ass crack of dawn because he wants to talk us about something. Hanging out in the dark like some intruder.”

“An hour before dawn, actually.”

“Well excuse me.”

“Is this because you have a thing for White?” Emilia asked sipping her latte.

“What? No. Who even said that?” Chase lied lamely.

She narrowed her eyes at him.

“But, if it were hypothetically about White what would you say?”

“ I’d say of course it’s about White.”

“Dammit. Peacemaker told you didn’t he?” Chase swore.

“Nope. You did.” Harcourt smiled broadly passing Adebayo her usual.

“You or Chris didn’t have to say anything Adrian, we could tell last night.” Leota said kindly. “ You got such puppy dog eyes looking at her.”

“ I didn’t have. Puppy dog eyes. It was an exercise to empathise”-

“Hell it was. It’s too early for this Chase, spit it out.”

“Ugh,fine.” he deflated slightly and looked up to the ceiling. “How do you know if you have. Feelings for someone?”

“Well. How do you feel when you think of Li-this person.” Adebayo prompted.

“Uh. Well obviously this person is like, so attractive. So at first I guess hot?”

“After you read the file??” Harcourt said disgusted.

“No. No!” He raised his hands defensively “After I talked to her-this person at my day job. A few months ago. After I read the file I just felt like I drank bad milk or got kicked in the crotch. Nauseous, y’know?” He tucked his hands between his knees and cocked his head like a kid, deep in thought. “And sad. Really sad. Which is weird for me cuz violence never really gets to me. Like blood and guts n’ stuff, that’s just a night at work. But those pictures in there-I d’know. Just. Different.” He looked up with a childlike expression of confused sadness.

“Okay.” Harcourt nodded “But what about a few months ago?

“ Ahhuuhh. It’s hard to describe. I felt nauseous then too, but not in a bad way? My heart was racing and I started to sweat little. I actually thought I was sick but it passed pretty quick. But I do remember I was a bit embarrassed cuz she was so nice. And not in like, a mean nice way like she was trying to see if she could make me say something dumb,like most people, but actually nice. It was sorta weird. She smiled at me and touched her hair, I remember that.”

“Do you like being around her?” Adebayo asked.

“Yeah, but that’s the thing. I think I like being around her but. Wulll, like yesterday. I feel like being nice to her but seeing her hurt, I also feel just, like so. So… like I could tear somebody’s head off.”

Harcourt pursed her lips thoughtfully “So, could protective be the right word?” she asked lightly.

“ Maybe, yeah.” Adrian nodded innocently.

“Is it like you wanna hold her hand and do and be anything and everything for her?” Leota asked.

“ Yeah! Like, I just wanna keep her safe. And what’s important to her is important to me.”

“Then I’d say the that you do have feelings for her.” Harcourt confirmed.

“Okay, but what kind??” Adrian replied, exasperated.

“Very very tender ones.” Leota said sweetly.

“Alright sweet.” He sat back satisfied. “But wait, do I have to tell her??”

Emilia sighed.

“Eventually, you can. But she’s been through a lot just now. She’s going to need time.”

“And most importantly a friend. You could start there.”Leota offered.

“A real friend. Not creepy, not a stalker not only nice to get her into bed, a real genuine friend.” Harcourt emphasized firmly.

“Well yeah, I’m not a dick.”

“ We know, but when I say time, I mean it.”

Chase nodded. “But. How would I even tell her? I’ve never really….”

“Had a girlfriend?” Leota said with a gentle questioning tone.

He nodded ruefully.

“How’d you decide to ask us all of this?”

“I just, did it.”

“ There you go. Just like that.”

“ Are you sure?”he asked skeptically.

“Well, yeah. Girls aren’t that hard. What’s the worst she can say? No?” Leota shrugged.

“Uh, yeah??” He replied incredulously.

“Okay, we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves here. Adrian, you’re sweet and you’re cuter than you realize”- Harcourt started.

“I’m cute?” He had the unabashed enthusiasm of a kid getting a star sticker.

“Yeeesss. But, that being said you really need to take it slow first. There’s gotta be trust there. Get it?”

“Yeah. Trust. I get that. I think. Can I still like, protect her?”

“Well yeah. Friends protect each other. You and Peacemaker watch out for each other.”

“Of course we do. But it’s different when it comes to Lily. Peacemaker can take care of himself. Not to sound sexist, but she definitely needs more protection.”

“See, you get it.” Leota congratulated him.

“Okay good, cuz I’d do whatever it takes.I’d stop at nothing. Like, I’d shove a guy’s own dick down his throat”-

“Whoa, whoa whoa. Who’s dick are we chopping off?” Economos said around a bite of powdered donut.

“Oh, just this guy. When onetime I cut off”-

“Yes! That was fuckin brutal man, but awesome dude. Hardcore.” Smith said loudly “ You were a beast last night, on fire!”

“What do you mean last night?” Harcourt asked her tone dangerously calm.

“Oh, yeah. Vig an I killed Lily’s ex. You’re welcome.”

“You fuckn’ what? Goddamn it you guys, at least tell me you were careful.” John moaned.

“I’m always careful.” Chase scoffed.

Emilia slumped in her seat, face in her hands, Smith and Chase suddenly sheepish.

“I sense that maybe a mistake was made here…” Chase said slowly, eyes narrowed.

“Oh really? What makes you think that?”

“Is that a rhetorical question? I think that’s a rhetorical question.”

Chris motioned for him to shut up.

*******

Zachary Reid’s murder barely made a ripple. The police found the evidence they’d left connecting him to Lily’s attack and suddenly his brutal death didn’t matter so much anymore.

Chris was aware they’d gotten extremely lucky. Adrian either didn’t or just didn’t care.

He sat on the front porch sipping his morning coffee. Adrian had called at 6:30 sharp to remind him Lily was being discharged from the hospital today. Even though the phone he could tell Adrian was going to be more high strung than usual.

Lily had been in the hospital almost a week. Adrian had taken to checking in on her every evening, and when he couldn’t be there in person he called her.

He’d searched until he found her phone and purse a block from base in some bushes. She’d been happy to have her phone back although the purse was ruined by the rain.

Adrian talked about her quite a bit. He didn’t mind, it was kind of endearing really. How smart she is, how she was feeling, how she was healing, and most of all how pretty. Plus, Lily seemed to enjoy his company. He’d been starting to feel like a third wheel honestly. As soon as the doc cleared it she was able to walk around a little. He actually felt sort of proud of how the guy offered her his arm for support. He handled her very little and when he did he was very gentle.

Harcourt and Adebayo had taken Chris aside and told him in no uncertain terms that he was not to undermine Chase’s confidence when it came to Lily in anyway or he would suffer dire consequences.

Chris went with Adrian and Emilia to pack her a bag so she’d have her own clothes to wear when they let her out. He leaned in the doorway of her bedroom arms crossed while Harcourt selected items out of Lily’s dresser. “Too bad she can’t come back to her own home yet .” She mused folding up a pair of black leggings.

“Yeah, well she’s only got the one bathroom downstairs and they don’t want her going up and down ‘em cuz I guess she’s still got a lot of dizziness”Chris gestured vaguely around his head “and they want her to be careful.”

“Ah.”

“Yeah.” Smith nodded with a rueful expression.

“Bastard. I’m glad he’s dead.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“Whose been feeding her fish?”

“Me.” Adrian answered from behind Smith. Chris stepped to the side and let him in. “I put in an automatic feeder though. Should last about a month.” His arms were full of various toiletries.

“Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste and toothbrush.” He muttered laying the items out on the bed. “Did I miss anything?” he looked a little timid asking.

Chris looked over his shoulder.

“Tampons.”

“I couldn’t find any.”

“I’ll pick some up.” Harcourt said laying out some thick socks.

“Thanks.” He gathered up a few of her pillows and a body pillow and almost as an afterthought laid the floppy stuffed unicorn on top and carried them out to his car.

“So what’s the plan?”

“She’s going to stay with me at my place till she’s good for more activity. I’m putting her up in the bedroom, I’m taking the couch.”

“Chase doesn’t want her to stay with him?”

“Third floor walk up and he’s got a habit of bringing his work home with him.”

“Oh.” She tossed a few scrunchies and a hairbrush into the bag and zipped it shut. “What about Eagly?”

“He promised to be on his best behavior.”

Chris took the bag and the weighted blanket and followed Emilia downstairs.

Adrian helped Lily out of the car. Gingerly she stood up, left arm in a sling . She looked tiny in her soft leggings and baggy tee covered by Smith’s massively oversized zipper hoodie. In the sunlight she looked unwell and fragile. Her pale skin and bruises fading into shades of green and brown didn’t help. Chase helped her around the car and Smith picked her up and carried her inside. The place was tidier than it had ever been but was unmistakably a bachelor pad. Her gaze landed on Eagly and his perch and she blinked a few times in surprise.

“You have, a bald eagle in your house?” She asked somehow managing to sound both surprised and polite as though remarking on an interesting china pattern.

“Yeah. This is Eagly. Don’t worry he’s not mean.”

Turning to the unusual house mate he raised a finger to him. “Be nice.”

“Can I pet him?”

“Yeah sure. Be careful though, cuz someti”-

Lily stroked the huge bird’s face just under the eye with a hooked pointer finger. Eagly clicked his beak and fluffed his feathers.

“Beautiful bird, lookit how pretty you are.” She cooed softly to him.

“Aw, hey. He likes her.” Chase said, impressed.

******

The first week passed uneventfully. Lily’s broken ribs were tender but her broken collarbone caused her more trouble and embarrassment due to needing some help dressing and undressing.

“I had mine replaced not too long ago, I know how it feels.” Chris said sympathetically as he unclasped her bra for her. He quickly turned around so he wouldn’t accidentally see anything.

“Yeah, but you don’t need to worry about someone else seeing your boobs every time you need help though.” She pointed out.

“We’ll no, but I’m not looking. Promise”

“I know.” He heard the bed squeak and the blankets rustling as she adjusted them as best she could. “Ready.”

“Not that I’d mind, all titties are great titties.”

“They’re not your type.” She scoffed.

“Nah, I like all types. Yours are the kind everybody hopes they get wearing a push-up. Nice and full on top, round, big but still firm. They look good even when you aren’t wearing a bra.Plus if you turn around, raise your arms, you’ve got nice side boob from the back.” He clearly intended for this to be a major compliment. He mimed squeezing breasts against his own chest.

“So you are looking?”

“ Not from the front.”

Lily gave him a pointed look, brow arched.

“Sorry.”

“Thank you.” She nodded laying down carefully.

He straightened the covers then spread the weighted blanket over her.

“ I feel like a little kid.” She said, half pouting.

“Better feeling like a little kid than needing surgery.” he pointed out “ I really don’t recommend it.”

“True.” She snuggled down into the bed. “I still feel bad taking your bed though. Are you sure you don’t want to trade?”

“Nah, it’s alright.”

“I’m a lot shorter and skinnier than you, I’d fit better.”

“Yeah, but it’ll still hurt though, believe me.”

“Well, maybe I should go home? I could sleep on my own couch, order take out.”

“It’s not a problem, really. You still need help and that’s okay. I’ve been through way worse than having to sleep on a couch. Trust me.” He patted her leg reassuringly.

Lily scrunched her face as if to say “yeah right.”

“ I mean it.”

“Okay. Well, promise you’ll kick me out when you get sick of me then?”

He laughed. “Alright, if I get sick of you, I’ll kick you out.”

“Good.”

He laid her phone on the bedside table for her.

“I’m going to be out again tonight, if you need anything just call me or Chase, one of us’ll be right there. Just drinks and shootin’the shit.I should be home before 1 unless things get crazy.”

“Okay, have fun. Hey, would you tell Adrian I said hi if you see him.”

“I will.”

“Is he like, mad at me?”

“What makes you say that?”

“We’ll he hasn’t been around. Plus, I haven’t heard from him. I just wondered if he was avoiding me.”

“Nah, he’s probably just been busy that’s all.” Chris shrugged awkwardly.

“Well. If he is that’s okay too. I get it.” she picked at the covers.

“He’s not like that. I wouldn’t worry. More than likely he just got caught up in work.”

Lily nodded again trying to be nonchalant.

Chris made a mental note to ask Chase what was going on.

******

“How many more of these racists d’ya suppose are out here?” Vigilante asked as they walked back out of the woods. They had been staking out an illegal campsite deep in the woods for a few days that was being used by his Chris’s dads followers. The fire fight was fast and dirty, and they got all of them except one guy that ditched the group just as things were heating up.

“Hopefully not very many, but judging by the amount of supporters dad had, probably a lot.” Peacemaker said.

“Well at least there’s a few less.” Chase stretched casually. “Hey, should we look for that guy?”

“ Nah, we’ll deal with him later. Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Yeah of course. Feedback? Lay it on me. If I can improve I will”-

“How come you haven’t been talking to Lily Peacemaker asked bluntly.

“Oh. That. Uh..”

“Well?”

“Hey, I’m gonna run ahead, see you at the car”- Vig started. Peacemaker grabbed him firmly by the shoulder.

“Come on man, it’s not cool. She asks me about you every day. She misses you, you’re hurting her feelings.”

“I am?”

“Yeah. She thinks you’re avoiding her.”

“She misses me?”

“Well she ain’t gonna come right out and say it but yeah. She likes having you around, can’t you tell?”

“I was just giving her a break…This guy at work said I oughta back off for a bit so she’d be more interested in me? Was that bad advice?”

“That’s the shittiest advice I’ve ever heard dude. Lily’s not into playing games. Anyone could have told you that.”

“Well, I didn’t think she’d want me around after staying at your place… and he said it was good to keep her guessing.” he replied struggling to keep his tone friendly.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Why would she want me around when you’re right there? If I was her that’s definitely the choice I’d make. You’ve got it all man the looks, you’re famous, the physique. A huge dick. I get it I’m a fan too. I don’t compete but that’s okay dude, I’m fine with it.”

“What?” Chris was dumbfounded. “It’s not like that at all man. Think about it, she doesn’t even know I’m Peacemaker! She has no idea you’re Vigilante! She only knows our secret identities and she picked you.” Emphasising his point by poking Vig in the chest.

“Are you sure?” Chase sounded skeptical “Ramone said”-

“Bro. Listen to me. Remember, in the hospital? She asked you to walk with her? You volunteered to get the kitties from her house, you found her phone’n stuff for her. Shit, you even brought her her favorite food when she said the hospital food sucked and even fed her fish. She laughs at your jokes! It’s textbook dude, she likes you!”

“Did I really hurt her feelings?”Vig asked, concerned.

“Yeah, she’s pretty down. She checks her phone about every two minutes. She plays it off but I know she’s checking to see if you messaged her. What was the last thing she sent you anyway?”

“Oh, uh. Here.” He dug his phone out of his pocket. “There.” He showed the screen to Peacemaker. The message read: “Hi! (purple heart emoji, blushing smiley emoji ) I was wondering if you were busy Wednesday night? If not, would you wanna get something to eat maybe? I’m kinda tired of wearing my jammies all the time lol (laughing cat emoji)”.

“Just that. Then Ramone said I should play it off so I did.”

“Dude. She’s low key asking if you want to take her on a date.”

“What?? N-no. She asked if I wanted to get something to eat?”

“She said she wants to dress up. For You. She’s saying she wants to look nice for you. There’s all these emojis, she’s flirting. With. You.” He shook Chase by the shoulders.

“Holy shit. Now what? You think I got time?”

“She sent this Monday. Its 11:30 Friday night.”

“Sooo, no?”

“That means you need to apologize for being a dick and offer to make it up to her.”

“Right. Okay, new plan. I’ll talk her when I drop you off.”

“Nah, she’s gonna be asleep. Do it tomorrow. In person though.”

“Right right right. Good idea.”

They walked in silence for a bit, Chase stunned that he’d been so very wrong.

“Hey dude, I wanna say that I’m sorry for projecting my insecurities on you, that wasn’t fair. You’re my best friend, you wouldn’t do that. Thanks for keeping me straight.” Chase said.

“Hey, it’s alright. Things get weird when chicks are on the line.” Smith replied tossing his rifle case into the trunk.

“So we’re cool?”

“We’re cool.”

Adrian started the car and pulled out of the dark lot.

******

Her eyes popped open. Something wasn’t right. She lay still, listening. The digital clock read 11:58, the green illuminated numbers casting a ghostly glow on the bedside table. The only sounds were crickets and frogs singing faintly outside. Just as she was about to turn on the lamp she heard it again. A heavy step on the porch, a scraping sound followed by the doorknob jiggling. It sounded too light to be Chris, probably wasn’t Adrian or any of the others because they had a key.

A break in then.

So whoever was outside must not know she was inside or they’d have been quieter. Very cautiously she opened the bedside table drawer and pulled out the black Glock 9x19 Parabellum model she knew was in there . Checking the magazine to ensure it was loaded she crept slowly and quietly out of bed. She lamented the lack of a silencer. Barefoot and wearing an old oversized tee shirt, she carefully crept her way to the doorway of the bedroom. Eagly was asleep, head under his wing. She had only 7 rounds.

Make them count.

She had no way of knowing how many people were outside but judging by the footsteps at least three. The trespassers cast intermittent shadows through the living room window.

From her vantage point she could see down the entire trailer and had a little cover. The door popped open with a clang and a tall thin man with long stringy hair stepped inside. She saw the holster on his belt , but he hadn’t seen her. Quietly chambering a round she took aim at his throat and squeezed the trigger. He went down pop eyed and gurgling. Eagly schreeched and flew out the door.

Six

Five separate voices yelled from outside the door, three men, two women.

“You sonuvabit”- String beans compatriot yelled as he lept through the door brandishing a revolver. Lily hit him squarely between the eyes.

Five

Two more men and the women rushed inside. An older fat trucker type in a grease spotted wife beater charged at her with a double barreled rifle. She let him get closer then planted a bullet in his temple.

Four

A woman with a shaved head screamed like a banshee and lept at her, hands clawed. In one fluid motion Lily scooped up the double barrel and whipped the stock against her head with a crack. The banshee crumpled, twitching and urinating on the floor. Lily popped one into her head with the Glock for insurance.

Three

Headlights swept through the trailer house as the other woman screamed. Lily cut her off firing the rifle into the back of her skull with a loud report. The wiry young man with a confederate flag tattooed on his bare chest stared at her from the doorway. Lily leveld the rifle at him.

“You better not shoot me with my daddy’s gun you bitch.”

“What are you going to do about it if I do?” She challenged.

“ I’ll send you straight to hell.”

Lily heard pounding footsteps on the gravel outside.

She let out a sinister little laugh “I hope the fuck you do.” she challenged.

He let out a guttural yell and ran towards her. The rifle jammed and Lily turned and used her good shoulder to ram him in the solar plexus. He rolled over her back and off of her and she sprung smoothly to her feet and kicked him in the chest. He buckled and she brought her knee savagely into his nose. He slipped backwards in the dead woman’s urine and lay sprawled out like a starfish, face pouring blood.

Lilly stood over him pistol aimed point blank at his forehead.

“When you get to hell tell your daddy to oil his goddam guns.”

“You b”- Lily squeezed the trigger.

Two

“Bitch, yeah yeah.” Lily turned to see two costumed and heavily armed men standing just beyond the porch and the last intruder staring at her blankly, mouth moving like a fish out of water. Swiftly Lily shot him in the face while he gaped.

One

She turned to the two armed men gun arm raised.

Recognition dawned on her blood spattered face.

“Chris?” She said incredulously. Slowly she clicked the safety back on and laid the gun down on the floor.

*****

“Just to clarify, she was actually flirting right?” Adrian asked for the fourth time.

“Yes, she was flirting. Nothing hardcore but just to test the waters.” Said Chris growing exasperated.

“Okay, so lightly flirting. How will I know if she’s hardcore flirting?”

“You’ll know.” Chris nodded.

“Oh totally, but just for clarification..” Adrian pressed pushing his glasses back up.

“Hardcore flirting will happen when she wants you to get her into bed.”

“Whoa. That means sex. I hadn’t actually considered that that could be on the table.”

“Start with the bed first, it’s nicer. Table sex sounds like a good idea when you’re hot and heavy but it’s super uncomfortable.” Chris said sagely.

“Right. Duh.” Adrian agreed enthusiastically as though this was sacred information bestowed upon him by the master.

“But, you’re probably a little ways away from actually fuckin’. Lily seems like she’s the type who wants to be romanced. Y’know? She’s really shy. When she needs help getting dressed she blushes so bad bro”-

“Wait… you help her get dressed?”

“Well yeah her collar bone’s broke. That shit hurts.”

“So does that mean you’ve seen her” he gestured over his chest, fingers splayed wide “ y’know?”

“Her titties?”

Adrian rolled his eyes “ Yeah. Her, titties.”

“Oh, no. Never seen ‘em. Naked that is. I don’t look at her. Seems kinda, inappropriate.”

“Ohhhh. I- Ookay.” Adrian shook his head perhaps a touch too disappointed.

He turned the car onto the gravel driveway.

“I mean, she’ll probably let you look at her titties naked. I bet they’re nice. They’re nice in clothes. I think she’s got little nipples but I don’t know.”

“Why’d you think they’re little?”

“Just when they get hard you can tell.”

“You’re getting her nip”-

“Something’s wrong.” Chris’s tone went from playful to serious so fast Adrian’s heart dropped. Eagly swooped the car then circled back towards the house.

“Hurry.” Adrian sped up. As the headlights swept the house he could see the door was open but the house was still dark. Gravel flew as Chase slammed on the breaks. As he hurriedly shoved his mask back on the awful sound of a woman’s scream cut off by a shotgun blast echoed through the woods.

“Shit.” They said in unison.

As they jumped out of the vehicle they heard another scream, followed this time by a smaller calibre weapon discharging.

Pounding up to the porch Peacemaker could see the outline of a small figure wearing an oversized T-shirt shouldering an unfamiliar shotgun in the gloom of the interior through the doorway. “-send you straight to hell.” Growled a shirtless man. He was answered by a sinisterly mirthful little laugh.

“I hope the fuck you do.”

The man yelled and ran full tilt into the house.

Peacemaker stopped dead in his tracks throwing out an arm to stop Vigilante. The other man had his pistol drawn and aimed at her.

“Vig, that’s Lily don’t shoot!”

Slowly he lowered his weapon, confused. They rushed toward the door. The shotgun jammed and she instead performed an expert shoulder roll and an agile leap shoving her heel into the man’s chest. In disbelief they watched as Lily dealt a crushing knee directly to his face. As he lay sprawled on the floor Lily stood over him, produced a handgun and faintly he heard her say “-tell your daddy to oil his guns.”

“You b”- the wounded man spit out. He didn’t have time to finish before she killed him.

“Bitch, yeah yeah.” Lily finished for him derisively as she turned to the redneck on the porch. She looked him up and down and with pitiless twist to her lips shot him unceremoniously in the face at point blank range. He fell to the ground like a poll axed bull.

Her face was unbothered and smooth as she aimed down the barrel at them. Slowly, recognition crept into her eyes and her expression softened.

“Chris?” She said incredulously. She clicked the safety on and laid the gun down on the floor. She took a halting step toward them onto the porch.

“Fuck it.” Chris pulled off his helmet and started toward her.

“You’re Peacemaker?” How? The whole time? The whole time??”

“Are you okay? Did he they hurt you?” He asked hands on her upper arms, bending down to her level.

“No, no I’m okay. My ears are ringing. The others didn’t hurt me either. Didn’t have time…”

“ Others??”

“Yeah, there’s more inside… I need to sit down I think.” she clutched the side with the broken ribs.

He scooped her up and brought her inside, Vigilante right behind them.

“What the fuck!” Vigilante exclaimed taking in the scene. Two bodies were stacked on top of each other and three more in various positions in the living room.

“Careful! Floors wet, she pissed herself when she died.” Lily said pointing to a skinhead woman with her head dented in. “He slipped in it.” She pointed to the one who called her a bitch.

“That’s six dude! Six! By herself! That’s so hot.” Vigilante was vibrating with excitement.

“Adrian??”

Uh, no. No. Who’s Adrian?” he replied lamely with a poor attempt at deepening his voice.

“Give it up dude.” Chris ordered.

Reluctantly, Adrian tugged the mask off. A slight blush came to Lily’s face as she looked him up and down taking in his messy dark curls, his wide green eyes, the flush in his cheeks and most surprisingly the bulge in his pants. He gave her a small wave.

“Okay, what the hell is going on?” She asked looking out of her depth.

“ I could ask you the same thing.” Chris said seriously sitting on the coffee table across from her, elbows on his knees.

“ We all have some explaining to do it seems”. She crossed her legs and cradled her injured arm to her side. Adrian held up a finger and stepping over bodies retrieved a blankets and a pillow from the bed. “Sorry, I. I can see your panties. Are you okay with a blanket.” He said sweetly.

“Mmhmm, thank you.” He made to hand it to her, thought better of it and carefully tucked it around her, propping her injured arm up on it.

“Is that okay?” Lily nodded. “Okay.” He nodded and stepped back a respectful distance. Chris made a phone call and within 15 minutes the rest of the team stood in Chris’s house looking in shock at the scene.

“Okay, so six dead bodies is pertinent phone call information, just so we’re all clear on that.” Harcourt said angrily.

“What the hell did y’all do?” Adebayo remarked stepping gingerly over the dead man on the porch.

“It wasn’t us.” Chris answered her, steadying her by grasping her hand.

“Oh yeah? Then who the hell was it?” Economos asked with heavy sarcasm.

“Lily.” Chris gestures to the girl bundled in a blanket on the couch, blood spattered on her face.

“Get real. What the hell happened?” Harcourt pressed.

“It’s true. I did this.” Lily spoke calmly.

“Who the hell are they?”

“Aryan Nation members, I believe.” Lily answered.

“I told you we should have tracked that guy down!” Chase lamented.

“I didn’t know they’d show up here!” Chris yelled back.

“No way. Was it an accident? Your covering for them right?” Adebayo reasoned.

“Nope. She did it. I didn’t see the whole thing, but god I wish I had. Mmmpht.” Adrian added arms crossed over his chest.

“Are you turned on right now you little weirdo??” Harcourt spat disgusted. The others groaned and looked away.

“Yep.” He answered unashamedly.

Lily patted the couch beside her and offered him some of her blanket which he accepted with a smile.

“I’ll tell you. Chris was gone and I was asleep. I woke up at 11: 58 because I heard a noise. I realized that the house was being broken into and that they thought the house was empty. I reached for Chris’s gun in the bedside table and I waited for their move because I only had seven rounds. ”

“Ookay…” John said slowly gesturing for her to continue.

“ I picked off the first two there, from the bedroom, then I stepped out, got her, got her then him and before I knew it Chris and Adrian were here.” She shrugged.

“What time did you get here?” Harcourt asked.

“About 12:04.” Offered Adrian in a helpful tone.

“Six kills in that short span is considered a professional hit time.” Harcourt said a disbelieving edge to her voice.

“ Its not my fastest time but to be fair I am working with a handicap. Though,I still have one round left so I’ll still call it a win.” Lily shrugged. “May I offer a little advice?” she turned to Chris “If you’re going to store a weapon for self defense, in the future you should make sure it’s fully loaded. But I’m thankful for the rounds I had.”

“Mmm. She’s right, rookie mistake.” Vigilante said waving a finger at him.

“Oh, you shut the hell up, like your an expert.” he pointed at Vig.

“Are you implying that you’re a professional hit man?” She said.

“I’m not implying. I am. Though I prefer professional assassin.” She spoke in that same even reasonable tone.

“Wait wait wait.” John said hands up “ If you’re a professional assassin why do you live here? Shouldn’t you be in like, Gotham or LA or something?”

“It’s much easier live low key in low key places. Besides, my parents lived here. I like it. Plus if I lived in Gotham my home and car insurance would be insane.”

“So how long have you been doing this?” Adebayo asked.

“I’ve been training since I was four years old.”

“Your whole life?” Adrian asked astonished.

“More or less.”

“Wait, so did your parents teach you this or?”inquired Chris.

“Yes. Have you ever seen KickAss?” Lily asked.

“Yeah.” Said Chris, Adrian John and Leota at once.

“Remember Hit Girl and Big Daddy? It was like that. My mom and dad were black ops agents working under code names They were a team, did contract work for the US government all over the world. Then they had me and trained me too. I spent my twelfth birthday jumping out of a helicopter into a war zone in Afghanistan. I had 32 confirmed kills before I was 18. I have an asset number. Its highly classified, but if you need to know I’ll give you the contact info for my government handler.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” Chris asked gently.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t aware that you are who you are. I would have removed myself had I realized that I was infringing on another operation.”

“Why didn’t you know?” Adebayo asked.

“Well they don’t exactly hand out maps of covert operations and give a who’s who presentation. I just assumed after daddy died that most other auxiliary ops stopped up here.”

Chris wiggled his hand. “Eh. They sorta did for Project Starfish though.”

“What’s Project Starfish?” Asked Chase enthusiastically.

“Never mind.” Harcourt said firmly then under her breath “Dammit Smith.”

“Okay. So say we believe you’re some like, crazy good government assassin. If that’s true, then what happened two weeks ago?” Economos asked harshly.

“Whoa, out of line.” Chris interjected raising his voice.

“I’m just saying, if she’s telling the truth, how’d some random guy put her in the hospital then?”

“What the fuck is wrong with you??” Chris stood up, chest thrust out ready to fight.

“Hey, that’s enough.” Harcourt spoke firmly.

“I just have questions.” Economos said lamely, hand up defensively.

“ You’re adding insult to injury is what you’re doing sir. So what, haven’t I done enough to prove my abilities right here? My attacker got caught me off guard. My fault entirely. I was tired and complacent. Complacency leads to situational blindness. I learned that lesson the hard way. Don’t believe me? You’re welcome to try and face fuck me too if you want, but I’m warning you now, I’ll win.”

Economos went pale, realising what he’d said.

“Hey,” Adrian rubbed her back gently with his gloved hand “That wasn’t your fault. Like, at all.” he reassured her quietly. Lily gave him the smallest of watery smiles. He looped his right arm over her and took her hand in his left giving Economos a dead eyed stare.

“You aren’t on trial White. And you are way out of line.” Harcourt pointed at John.

“ If I’m not on trial, why does it feel that way? Should I have not defended myself? I know who these people are and what group they belong to. So if the question is did they deserve to die tonight then, I say better now than later.”

“I’m glad you’re still alive White. It’s just now you’ll probably get conscripted into the team. Our boss doesn’t appreciate it when outsiders wander in. And there’s no easy way out.” Harcourt said with a tinge of regret.

“I’m used to it. As long as I’m not the last man standing I’ll be fine.” Lily Squared her chin defiantly.

“We’ll talk more tomorrow. In the mean time I’ll take that contact info if you have it. Let’s get this mess cleared up.” Emilia stood up and directed Economos out.

Lily watched him leave, eyes cold.

“Hey. I’m sorry, are you okay.” Chris leaned in and patted her knee.

Her expression softened and her big eyes welled up with tears. She nodded.

“Are you sick of me yet?” she asked tearfully.

“Nope. Not even a little bit.” He assured her.

“I’m sorry I killed all these people in your house. I tried not to make a big mess. I’m not being a very good houseguest .” She apologized her voice quavering , tears falling now.

“Aw, hey. Don’t cry. I’m not even mad! I was just worried that you were hurt. You did the right thing, don’t apologize for putting yourself first.” Awkwardly he wiped a tear away. “ I’m gonna get up and take the trash out, okay? You stay here with Leota and Vig, and we’ll be done in no time.” He gave her a small smile.

“ Do you want me to help? I don’t have my kit but I can do a quick turn and burn? Hide the identities maybe?” She sniffed.

“Nah, most of ‘em don’t have any teeth anyway. It’ll be okay. Okay?”

She laughed a little in spite of herself and leaned her head against Adrian’s shoulder. Absently he stroked her hair.

“This might not be the best time, but I just gotta say that was probably the hottest thing I’ve ever seen in real life.” He complimented.

“Thanks.” She mumbled quietly.

“Does your shoulder hurt?”

“A little. My ribs hurt more though.”

“It’s probably tension. Here.” He said. Shifting a little, he lifted her into his lap. He was stronger than she anticipated. He gently pressed her head against his chest and held her close his arms encircling her, his his chin on the top of her head. He felt her body relax into him as she snuggled in.

Leota couldn’t help but smile at the tender moment the two shared despite the gore that surrounded them. She did her best to pretend that she couldn’t hear their quiet conversation as she busied herself filling a bucket with soapy water and wiping the blood spatter off of various surfaces but she strained to catch every word.

“Hey, Lily?”

“Hmm?” She turned her face up to his slightly.

“I’m sorry I sorta ghosted you. I mean, not sorta. I did..I took some really crappy advice and it sorta screwed things up. I read your text… I didn’t answer because I was trying to seem cool. It was stupid. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. It’s hard for me to relate with emotions sometimes but I really don’t want to upset you.”

She gazed up at him while he tenderly flaked off the dried specks of blood on her cheek with his thumb.

“I couldn’t figure out why you pulled away.”

“Honestly, I was insecure and jealous. I got it into my head that if it was a contest between me and Chris… well that he’d win.”

“Chris is just my friend Adrian. A good friend but that’s all. I, I wanted get to know you better than that. Still do.”

“Really?” He said, genuine surprise in his voice.

“Well yeah. You’ve been so nice to me, nobody’s ever been as sweet to me as you have. And I thought, maybe you might, I dunno. Stick around.” She said eyes downcast her lashes casting a shadow on her cheeks.

“I thought you were way out of my league! Well you are, obviously. But my main thing is I didn’t know how to tell you without freaking you out.”

“You could never freak me out, I trust you! You’re the sweetest guy I’ve ever met in my life. And you treat me like a lady. I’ve never had to prove anything to you. You listen to me. You remember things I tell you. I like you.I want you to like me too.”

He blushed and gave her a boyish half smile meeting her eyes then looking away shyly.

“Can you forgive me? I promise I’ll never do it again. On god.”

“Of course I forgive you.”

“See? That wasn’t hard!” Leota said giving herself away “Damn, Adrian what did I say? And you two are cute! Weird as fuck, but cute.” She wiped her eye with a damp hand. “ I need a minute, hold on.”

Adrian’s face colored deeply and he gave her a half smile. “ I need a minute.” Leota excused herself.

Lily pressed her face into Adrian’s chest and hid behind her hand embarrassed. From the open door Chris gave Adrian an enthusiastic double thumbs up dropping the legs of a body with a thud. Adrian returned the gesture with one hand smiling broadly.

*******

Harcourt called the number Lily had given her. The line rang twice and was answered immediately by a brusque military voice.

“General Conklin.”

“Hello sir, this is Agent Emilia Harcourt calling to verify your field agents credentials.”

“State the asset’s identification number.”

Harcourt looked down at the number written in a curvy girlish hand.

“003”

“That number is valid. Asset code name Acolyte. Status as of 0500 this morning is listed as active or alive. Are you able to confirm assets current status?”

“Yes sir, she is alive.”

“Is triple o three in need of extracting?”

“No sir”-

“Than whatever it is she can handle it. Call me if she dies.”

The line clicked off.

“Okay…” she said to herself. She made her next call to Murn.

“Hey, I’m sorry I know it’s late. I have a bit of a situation here…”

Murn drove out to Smith’s house. In the van, Harcourt filled him in.

“So I called the number and a guy named Conklin answered”-

“General Conklin?”

“Yeah,”

“What’d he say?”

“He said that this triple o three number is associated with an asset under code name Acolyte”-

“Are you sure that’s what he said?”

“Yes, he asked if she needed to be extracted, I said no he said she could handle it and to call him if she dies.”

Murn looked troubled.

“What is it?” Harcourt pressed.

“If Lily is Acolyte it poses a bigger problem. She’d undeniably be an asset to the team but it’s well known in intelligence circles that she’s to be watched closely.”

“Why?”

“Acolyte is the daughter of two highly respected extremely effective black ops assets, Soldier of Fortune and his wife Fortuna. They trained Acolyte themselves from a very young age with no agency oversight. The suspicion was always that Soldier of Fortune raised Acolyte to be loyal to himself and himself alone, so while she’s well respected and delivers results she’s not fully trusted. Her reputation as a remorseless killer tends to raise a few eyebrows.”

“We’ve worked with plenty of dangerous killers, it’s not new. Hell, my impression of Lily is that she’s a bit like Vigilante.” Harcourt said.

“No, if she’s Acolyte she’s not like Vigilante at all.”

“How do you mean? They seem to have gotten on like a house on fire.”

Murn sighed deeply.

“Let’s assume White is Acolyte for the purposes of speculation. Essentially, whereas Chase is a likable yet awkward outcast who has few loyalties and a strong personal sense of justice, a skewed world view and a generous streak of brutal violence sprinkled in, he is still easily led and manipulated. While Chase believes himself to be free of the burden of human emotion, and, true his emotional intelligence is somewhat stunted at best his sense of right and wrong are very much present.

White is another terrifying creature altogether.

White’s combination of brutality and skill was all but selectively bred for and refined by years of rigid training and concealed by a convincing veneer of malleable femininity. It might seem like she is an outcast, but she is actually an outsider by design. She had been brought up without the outside influence of children her own age until she was thirteen. She has flourished in situations that a child her age should never have been in. She could field strip then reassemble and system check most common models of fully automatic firearms in standard time by the age of five. Her father bragged about it like other fathers bragg about little league.

In her psychological profile it is unclear whether White is capable of true, non familial close personal relationships over the long term given how low she scored on the empathy scale. Whites emotional intelligence is scored very highly which showed that not only did she have a strong understanding of the emotions of others she very likely did not care when she inflicted pain on another. However, perhaps more concerning she was able to verbally demonstrate that she understood the morality of right and wrong but expressed enjoyment in these actions. Her file says that she was noted to be incredibly charming and charismatic. It’s almost impossible to tell where her loyalties lie. She is exceptionally good at manipulating people and outcomes to her advantage.

Essentially, the assumption is that Acolyte is merely parroting back what she believes the person in front of her wants to hear.

Chase can’t hide who and what he is, but White isn’t just a chameleon changing her colors to suit her surroundings, she’s a shape shifter. To be fair, she was evaluated after her mother died and almost everyone scores as a sociopath at that age. However it hasn’t stopped them from putting failsafes in place.”

“Failsafes?”

“Her codename is one of few on a very short list of operatives to be eliminated should they ever demonstrate any unwillingness to cooperate with their handlers. Acolyte is probably the one person that intelligence leaders worldwide truly fear.”

“So if Waller found out that we might have Acolyte, she’d definitely use her then eliminate her?”

“Absolutely. And between you and I, I don’t trust her to use Acolyte for anything good. Waller’s loyalty is to herself then the United States, and Acolyte’s are unclear. So with her in Waller’s hands we could very well have another Corto Maltese situation on our hands.”

“So essentially she may have found a new way to punish us?” Harcourt said angrily.

“Unfortunately yes. Let me make a few calls to some old friends. I’ll see what they can tell me about White or Acolyte.”