The aftermath of Paris' last attack burned Haven's lungs. Lightning had suggested she use her barriers to contain the gas, but she couldn't undo the damage that was already done. Achilles was unconscious, still without his mask.
She frowned in sympathy. Being rejected like that must have hurt. Judging by the way that conversation had gone, Paris meant more to Achilles than Achilles did to Paris. Louise had been right to be worried about their mental states.
Was this something she should be avoiding? Should she have never gotten involved in the Legion?
No. She couldn't question her choices now. This was her path and she wouldn't deviate from it - not because of her mother, not because of Paris, not because of anything or anyone.
Lightning was sitting near the woman they'd rescued, and they looked to be having a serious conversation. As she stood at the side, Haven could hear them talking.
"I'm sorry this happened, Lil. If I'd known they'd be able to find me, I would have told you sooner." Lightning hugged the other girl, pain evident on her face.
"So you're a superhero then?" The other woman, Lillie based on the conversation, smiled ruefully.
"Yeah. Sorry. I know you wouldn't want me doing something so dangerous, and you told me -"
"Shush, Court." Lillie laughed, a complicated expression on her face. "To be honest, this suits you more than anything else I can think of. The military was holding you back, y'know? You were too good for them. But this seems like something you'd do. You've always been unable to leave people who need your help. Back in the military, and now. I really shouldn't be surprised. I mean, who else is as tall as you?"
"Lillie..."
"Yeah, I wish you'd trusted me enough to tell me - "
"That's not it!"
"- but I get it. Even if I had known, this probably would have still happened. I wouldn't have thought those jerks would come after me either. Do we have to move now? Oh, hey, does your family know?"
"I haven't told anyone outside the Legion except for Barron. As for moving...that might be a good idea. If you don't feel safe, you can probably stay at Legion HQ for the time being. Then we'll find a new address, and hopefully we can find the leak that told them where we live."
"Sounds good. Hey, wanna get a bigger place? Or one with a view?"
They started discussing the plans moving forward, and Haven couldn't help but smile. It seemed they'd be okay. The way they were so close made a pang run through her heart, but she pushed it away. Prime was discussing their next course of action with Hot Rod, Knight and Jumper.
It was obvious that Achilles was badly hurt. Jumper seemed to think they should take him to a hospital, while Hot Rod vehemently argued against it. Achilles was pretty against using public services after all, convinced that they wanted to lock up the Legion. At the very least, their movements would be limited. Prime pointed out that Alchemist's powers were still untested, but Hot Rod insisted that this would be a perfect trial run.
The arguments didn't mean much to Haven. She just concentrated on maintaining her barrier, locking the poison away where it wouldn't hurt anyone.
Would it dissipate soon? Or maybe it wouldn't as long as the barrier surrounded it? Either way, she supposed her role didn't change too much.
She'd spent so long wanting to be useful to someone. For someone to acknowledge her worth. Yet, standing here, she felt the same as ever.
Stupid Haven.
When Prime and the others decided to bring Achilles back to the Legion for treatment unless his condition deteriorated significantly, Joey sighed and walked away, no longer bothering to interfere in their affairs. Honestly, he just wanted to go home. Breathing wasn't easy, but experience told him it'd get better fairly soon.
With a quick glance, he walked over to Courtney and her roommate. They looked like they were in the middle of a lighthearted conversation, despite the ordeal they'd just been through. Both had to be strong people.
"Heya, Jumper," Courtney said, waving when she noticed him. The other woman looked at him as well.
"Thanks for your help," she said. "My name's Lillie. Court's my roommate. And I guess you're...Jumper?" She looked slightly nervous.
"I guess I am," Joey chuckled. "Are you doing okay?"
As he asked, Lillie fell into a small coughing fit, then looked at him awkwardly.
"I'm taking her to the hospital to get checked out," Courtney said. "Honestly, I wish you'd gone earlier, Lil."
"And be worried that whole time about what had happened to you? No thank you."
They started arguing about the situation, and Joey laughed a bit at the exchange.
"Nice to meet you, Lillie," he said, smiling behind his mask. "Courtney's lucky to have a friend like you."
"Thanks. I'm glad she's got people like you to watch out for her too," Lillie replied with a smile. "I was surprised by the superhero thing, but it feels very much like her too. I can't do much to watch out for her, so I'm glad there's people like you who can keep her out of trouble. And thanks a lot for today. Though...I don't know how I got outside like that." She frowned in thought.
"Yeah..." Courtney's expression mirrored Lillie's.
"That...uh..." Joey faltered, hesitant to explain. Cleo had done far more than enough already.
"If they're on our side, that's helpful," Courtney continued, oblivious to Joey's dilemma. "But if it's an enemy, I want to know who they are and what they're after. Scratch that, I don't think I can know if they can be trusted or not without meeting them. And if they're a neutral party, why would they help us? Would there be instances where they'd work against us?"
She continued muttering as Joey struggled to find the words to reassure her.
Before he could though, a portal opened up and dropped a phone on his foot.
Oh. Not just any phone. His phone. He must have left it when he changed. The screen showed one unread message. He quickly checked it, wondering what Cleo wanted from him.
I'm scared, but you can tell her a bit if you want. Might be easier.
Ah. The text was from Cleo. Joey put the phone in his pocket along with her stylus and cleared his throat.
"Courtney?"
"What's up? You need to go?" she asked, as if suddenly pulled from her thoughts.
"The portals...were a friend of mine. Not someone who wants to join the Legion, but someone who wanted to help today. You don't have to worry about them."
"A friend..." Courtney muttered, frowning. "But how did they know where Lillie was to put the portal there? And speaking of which, how'd they even know what was going on? How'd you know?"
"This person..." Joey shrank in on himself.
"Sorry. You don't seem like you want to say more, so I won't push it. I guess I just have to ask you to thank your friend for me. Thanks for saving Lillie." Courtney smiled and stood up. "Now, let's get you to the hospital, Ms. Buchanan."
"Got it," Lillie giggled. "I feel fine now, though."
"I don't wanna take chances. We still don't know what Paris' poison does to the body. Now up with you." As Courtney helped Lillie up, a portal opened up next to them. They both froze in shock, and Joey wondered what Cleo was up to.
Joey felt his phone buzz, so he checked it again.
Hospital shortcut
"Oh. My friend says this'll take you straight to the hospital." Joey glanced up and Courtney grinned.
"Guess we have to thank this friend of yours again. See you around, Jumper."
With only a bit of hesitation, Courtney led Lillie through. Once they were gone, it shrank into nothing. Joey looked around, and somehow no one from the Legion seemed to have noticed. They were too busy getting ready to move Achilles back to HQ and keeping Paris' gas contained.
He should have guessed. Cleo probably wanted to keep her power under wraps as much as possible.
As he prepared to head home himself, a portal opened up underneath him, depositing him back in his room. His phone buzzed again. Another text from Cleo.
Can we talk again on your next off day?
He messaged her back and told her when that would be. He also told her what Courtney had said.
Of course, Cleo had heard it through her clairvoyance, but she appreciated the message.
Joey changed back into his normal clothes, quietly wondering what Cleo wanted to talk about.
