Colby’s shopping had gone well.  She was carrying two decent sized bags of nice groceries to celebrate - a roast of beef, some wine, and several fresh vegetables to make up a nice dinner, as well as a few things to round out Darryl’s larder.  As she carried her groceries out of the store, she shook her head, and realized she couldn’t pay for a cab with digital money.   At last, the flaw in my master plan unravels, she thought, smirking.  I guess I get to walk to Darryl’s.  Thank goodness it’s not too far.  

 

Colby was happy and excited.  How long had it been since I’ve had money to spend on just anything, she thought.  Too long.  Today was kind of nice.   She walked along, enjoying the last few days of fall - winter would be coming soon, and Halloween was tomorrow.  Good thing I bought some candy for the kids too, she thought.  You can’t not give out candy on Halloween.  Seriously. 

 

I should get in touch with Laurie, and probably the others.  I haven’t talked to her in a while, and she’s probably freaking out.  Colby wondered what Laurie and the others would make of her. I think I can trust Laurie - but it might be better if I keep it from the others for now. 

 

All of a sudden, Colby’s reverie was shattered by the sounds of crashing metal, car horns and shattering glass, followed by screams and the blaring of a car horn that wouldn’t shut off.  People on the streets were screaming and rushing around, and a few bystanders had pulled out their phones and were filming.  

 

Oh crap!  She thought.  I should help.  She looked around - and spied a convenient alleyway between buildings.  She ducked inside and crouched behind a dumpster, concealing her groceries next to it in a bit of a niche.  Making sure no one was there to see her, she changed back into her ‘Virus’ costume and appearance.  She didn’t worry about cameras - her ability to sense machines told her none were watching the alley.  Damn, that comes in handy, she mused as she ran out onto the streets.

 

Two people - a man and a woman - were trying to help the passengers of both vehicles.  One was a suburban mini-van with a woman in her mid twenties driving, with a child seat in the back, carrying a crying girl of about three.  The other was a small delivery truck that had T-boned the mini-van.  The driver of the truck hadn’t been wearing his seatbelt, and had smashed through the windscreen.  Blood was everywhere, and Colby knew she had only seconds to act to save him, and perhaps minutes for the woman and her daughter.

 

She leapt up onto the hood of the truck, and hauled the man out of the shattered windshield, laying him on the trucks hood.  His face and neck were lacerated, and blood was pouring from the wounds.  She could tell he had some broken bones as well.  She laid her hand on him, and concentrated.  The bystanders gasped as the blood flow slowed, then stopped, and the cuts and lacerations sealed themselves over, healing in seconds.  Satisfied the truck driver was out of danger, Colby turned her attention to the passengers of the other car.

 

Getting to the woman driver was going to be hard; the truck had hit the minivan so hard, it had partially wrapped around the nose of the truck.  Even the passenger door was warped shut so tight she couldn’t budge it.  Dammit, she needs help!  Colby thought.  I have to get inside!   As she strained at the door, she smelt a whiff of smoke, and realized that one or both of the vehicles were beginning to burn.   “Somebody call 911!”  She called out.  Smoke was starting to fill the crew compartment of the minivan, and Colby strained frantically at the door.  “C’mon, dammit!  C’mon!”  She yelled.  “I need to be stronger!”

 

Something happened...  Colby couldn’t tell exactly what, but it felt like the first time she shifted forms - and before she could take stock of whatever it was, she was flung backwards, and onto her butt as the resistance she was fighting from the door suddenly ended, the car door in her hands, torn off of the mini-van’s side.  She gaped in shock and tossed the door aside.  Her arms were immense - huge muscular things that looked more apropos for the build of an adult gorilla, even given that they looked like human arms.  Think about it later, she thought. Save them first.

 

Colby scrambled to her feet, and rushed back over to the mini van, and reached inside, touching the shoulder of the little girl’s mother.  She was hurt bad - broken arm, leg, ribs, internal bleeding at best.  She needed help.  Using her newfound strength, Colby ripped off her seat belt, actually tearing the hook that coupled the seatbelt to the frame off the side of the car, and gently began to heal her.  I can’t move her like this - I might kill her, she thought.  If I stabilize her I think I can move her, and then get her daughter out. 

 

 

The next few seconds were tense - the car still filling with smoke, though much of it was going out the open door, and the smell of flames getting closer.  The woman’s wounds began to mend as Virus used her healing powers on her - and in about half a minute, the woman stirred.  Before she could fully wake and panic, Colby carried her out of the car and laid her on the street.  A few seconds later, she ripped the sliding door of the minivan off its hinges, and pulled the woman’s little girl to safety.   As Colby looked around to see if anyone else was in danger, the young child still in her arms, she realized she was surrounded by a crowd of people - all hooting, cheering and waving.  An ambulance had arrived while she struggled with the minivan and its driver - and police were holding the people back, away from the danger.  She could hear the sounds of a fire truck approaching. 

 

Somebody actually called 911, she thought, a little bit in shock.  I mean, I hoped they would, but still, this is Empire City.

Maybe there’s something worth saving in this city after all?   The applause washed over her, and Colby couldn’t help but smile.  It felt good, saving people’s lives.  It felt good helping people who needed it.  It just felt good.  Colby knew in that moment that this is what she needed to do - to save people.  To be a heroine. 

 

A paramedic approached, and offered to take the frightened child, and Colby gave the girl to them.  Now what?  She thought.  Do I wait for the police, and take the rest of the day giving statements, then deal with the news, or just leave?  How the heck do I just leave?  Walk?! She thought a moment.  I changed my arms to make myself stronger.  Could I change something else?  

 

Concentrating, Colby thought about wings - wings she could fly away with.  She felt her powers respond, her arms returning to their normal size, and large leathery wings bursting out of her back, her costume changing to accommodate them.  Heh, she thought.  I have wings.  I wonder if there’s a limit to how I can shift myself?   She waved to the crowd, and flapped once, twice experimentally, nearly lifting off the ground.  These wings were strong!   You can do this, Colby, she thought.  Now do it!  She took a running leap, and flapped her new wings - and the powerful limbs lifted her off the ground and away.  In moments she was soaring above the street, and circling to gain altitude. 

 

“I’m flying!”  Colby screamed to herself.  “I’m freaking flying!  Woo-hoo!”   She did a bit of a twirl in mid air just for the sheer joy of it, and swung around.  She flew with joyous abandon for a few minutes, just reveling in the fact she could fly!   After a while, she looked down, and realized she was already over mid-town.  I need to land, she thought, looking for a place to land safely.  The roof of a small apartment building looked clear enough, so she tried to come in for a landing - and landed with ease.  I have no idea how I know how to fly, she thought.  But it’s better than doing a faceplant on my first landing.  Woo!

 

Colby took a moment to return herself to her normal Virus appearance - sans wings and hugely muscled arms - and looked over the edge of the building.  I can climb down the fire escape, no problem, she thought.  Somehow, in less than a few minutes, she had flown almost all the way back to Darryl’s apartment.   Oh dammit!   Colby remembered the fancy groceries she had left at the scene of the accident in the alley.  She couldn’t help but laugh.  The world is strange.  I discover I have ridiculous powers and practically limitless wealth, and I’m worried over a couple of hundred bucks in groceries.   She shook her head at the amusement of it all.   Time to go home.  Colby began the climb down to the alley below. 

 

 

 

*              *              *

 

 

Darryl groaned to himself at the length of the class he was in.  Professor Stuttart was droning on and on, and Darryl couldn’t wait for the lecture on Advanced Media theory to end.  Kayden - no, she was Colby now - had just texted with her new name and Darryl realized he couldn’t wait to get home to see her.   His phone was on vibrate, thankfully - or he’d have been dressed down in class.  He quickly sent a reply and tried to concentrate on the lecture.

 

One of his study buddies who usually sat next to him, Martin Driscoll saw he was distracted.  Martin was about 5' 8" and was slender with a lot of upper body strength - he lifted in his spare time, and he and Darryl often met at the gym to work out.  Martin wrote a note.  “Something wrong?  It’s like you’re not even here today.”

 

Darryl grinned.  He grabbed a pen and wrote back a reply.  “Sorta.  Thinking about a girl I met.  I think I’m falling for her.”

 

“Talk later?”  Came the written response.

 

Darryl nodded, and gave Martin the thumbs up sign.  Maybe having someone to talk to would be helpful?   He turned his attention back to the lecture, and tried to understand what Professor Stuttart was trying to impart about the fifth estate.  Time passed, as Darryl and the other students took copious notes - midterms were fast approaching after all. 

 

 

Later, after the lecture ended and the many dozens of students streamed out of the lecture hall, Martin caught up to Darryl and called out.  “Hey, dude!  You must have it pretty bad - you were barely paying attention.  I thought you like Stuttart’s lectures?”

 

Darryl grinned.  “I usually do, Martin – it’s just I’ve got this girl on my mind and it’s been driving me up the wall.  She’s super hot, and it’s like I’ve known her my whole life.  We’re really into each other, and she feels the same way I think.   It’s just a bit complicated, and I’m trying to get my head around it.”

 

“Sounds like a great situation, Darryl.  What’s the problem?  You’re into her, she’s into you - and you have this great connection.  What’s not to like?”

 

“That’s just it, Martin - there isn’t anything NOT to like.  I think she’s worried about taking it too fast though, and she wants us to take it slow.  I’m trying to go slow for her, but...”

 

“But your heart is saying ‘Full speed ahead!’ right?”  Martin asked.

 

“Something like that.”  Darryl replied, relieved.  “She also used to be a guy.”  And my best friend, he added silently.

 

“Damn.”  Martin thought for a bit.  “Is that a problem for you?”

 

Darryl thought about it.  “No - not really.  I care for her - I can’t stop thinking about her.  She’s totally gorgeous and the way she smiles, all bashful and biting her lip... god!  I just don’t know how to take my mind off her and get it back onto school.  I think I’m falling for her.”

 

“I don’t know how to help you there, buddy.  Just remember she isn’t a guy anymore – she’s a woman, and probably always has been, in her head.  Don’t remind her of who she used to be – that’s not who she was.”

 

Darryl stopped, and looked at Marten.  “How do you know so much about it, Martin?”  

 

Martin sighed.  “Cause I’ve known a few trans people - and they’re just like you and me, except their bodies don’t match their minds.  It’s like being born without arms, but feeling that you should have them.  It’s weird, and a really uncomfortable feeling, and it makes the people who suffer it depressed and sad, and sometime suicidal.  Or so I’m told.”  The last sentence came out a little stilted, like it was tacked on as an afterthought.

 

Darryl was completely taken off guard by that.   “Martin... Are you... were you trans too?” 

 

Martin paused, like he was struggling to decide whether to say anything or not.  “Yes, I guess I am.  And before you ask any questions like ‘who did you used to be?’ you should know I was always Martin, whether my ID said so or not.  Please don’t spread this around - it could get me hurt.”

 

“Never, Martin.  Thank you for trusting me.”

 

“Yeah...  Just look up some info on how to relate to trans people – there’s stuff online.  It might help you figure your girl out a bit.  What’s her name?”

 

“Colby. Colby Hayden Sheppard.  She’s looking for work - her folks kicked her out, so she can’t afford university.”

 

“That happens to a lot of people like us, Darryl.  Why don’t you let me meet her, and I’ll give you my opinion of her?  A bunch of pals are having a Halloween party tomorrow night at the dorms.  Your friends Yvonne and Rob will be there, and maybe Laurie too.  Stan, Mitch and Sarah will be there too.  You two should come.”

 

“Costume party?”  Darryl asked.

 

“Duh - its Halloween.”

 

“I’ll ask her.  I figure there’s at least a 50-50 chance we’ll show.” 

 

“Cool!  The party is at Constellation House at 8:00pm.”  Martin grinned.  The Halloween parties were always the coolest.  “And come in costume, or you have to pay a 20$ cover charge.”

 

 

“Twenty bucks?  What the hell?!  Why so much?”

 

“To encourage people to come in costume.  Duh.”

 

Darryl smiled.  “I’ll let you know tomorrow during class.  Seeya!”

 

“Seeya.  And thanks Darryl.”  Martin took off the other way, heading to another lecture. 

 

A party might be fun, if Kayden... I mean Colby is ready for it.  Darryl thought.  I probably shouldn’t have told Martin she used to be a guy, but damn – I’d have never guessed Martin.  Wow.  Maybe I should do some reading?   He looked at his watch... His last class was from one till three.  Just enough time for lunch and some web research.  He headed towards the campus cafeteria at Wilson hall, and thought about Colby’s odd situation - and his.

 

 

*              *              *

 

Colby got back to Darryl’s apartment, and put down her second set of groceries for the day...  These ones weren’t as fancy as the ones she had forgotten in the alley near the car accident this afternoon, but they were still to her mind ‘pretty good.’  Some hamburger and spices for meatloaf, and some stock for gravy and veggies to go with.  It should make a nice enough dinner, she thought.   As she put the groceries away, she whistled a tune from the radio and did a little dance, and Colby realized she was happy.  Really happy.  She stopped, and thought about it.  It was an unfamiliar feeling, and hard to describe - and she realized that until her change, she hadn’t felt happy.  Not in a very long time. 

 

Feeling taken aback, she went and sat down on the couch.  Damn, she thought.  Have things been that bad?  I know they’ve been crappy for a long while, but... that bad?   She thought about her old life as Kayden and realized she hadn’t been living as much as existing, trying to survive until things got better.  I was an idiot, Colby realized.  I needed to change my life.  In a way Justin did me a favor.  Too bad he’s a psycho.  

 

That turned Colby’s attention towards Dr. Pierce.  What am I going to do about him?  He made me - and he’s obviously some sort of super-genius, but he doesn’t know about me - everyone thinks I’m the ‘waxman.’  He has to be stopped before he kills someone – didn’t he blow up his bosses’ office?  Now he’s acting like some sort of Super Villain.   Colby thought back to how she had felt today, when she’d saved the truck driver and the mother and her child.  It felt good.  It felt right.   “I’m going to stop him,” she said, to no one in particular.  “I’m going to stop Hazard Man.”   Even as she said it, Colby felt something inside her that was new.  Resolve.  It was resolve.  It felt different - but it felt right.  She smiled.

 

 

*              *              *

 

Laurie Glover was beside herself.  She’d seen the television two days ago, proclaiming Kayden Ballard, her friend, as a mutant and a murderer.  Kayden, as the ‘waxman’ had disappeared, but the police were still searching for him, and she was worried.  Kayden would be frantic, scared.  He needed someone - and he hadn’t called.  I hope he’s smart enough to realize cell phones can be tracked, even when they’re off...  She decided to call Darryl.  Maybe he’s heard from Kay?

 

The cell rang, and then picked up.  “Hello?”  Darryl replied.  “Laurie?  Are you there?”

 

Laurie didn’t realize she’d been holding her breath.  “Yeah, yeah, Darryl.  I’m here.  I’m worried about Kayden.  Have you heard from him?”

 

There was a long pause... a little too long for Laurie’s liking.  “Yeah.  I did hear from him, Laurie.  He’s safe.  Want to come over to my place to talk about it?  I just got out of class.”

 

“Couldn’t we meet somewhere closer, Darryl?”  Laurie asked. 

 

“I... uh.. Don’t think that would be a good idea.  My place - in 40 minutes, okay?”

 

Suddenly it dawned on her what was going on.  “He’s there, isn’t he!?  He’s at your place!”

 

“I don’t think we should talk about this on the phone, Laurie.  Meet me at my place in 40 minutes.  That’s all I’m going to say.” Darryl hung up on her. 

 

 

He hung up!  What the fuck?  Darryl never hangs up on people.  Laurie thought.  Still, he knows something, about Kayden, and about what’s going on.  Laurie grabbed her purse and a light coat and headed for her car.  She wanted answers - and if Kayden was all right, she was going to kick him in the ass for scaring her and not calling her!

 

The car ride over was quick - rush hour was only starting and the freeways and downtown streets weren’t too busy as yet.  It would be different in a few hours, but by then it wouldn’t matter.  She parked in visitor parking at Darryl’s building, in one of the spots in the far back.  No one usually picked those ones, so she always had her choice of spot, and she picked the usual one, under the elm tree.  She liked the shade.

 

A few minutes later, she was at the front door, and buzzing Darryl’s unit to get let up.  On the drive over, her anger had been growing bit by bit and now she was really pissed off.  Did Kayden even have a clue as to how much he’d worried her?  He probably hadn’t even spared a thought.  Sometimes he was a real jerk!   The buzzer answered, and a female voice said “Hello?”

 

A girl?  Darryl doesn’t have a girlfriend as far as I know.  “Who’s this?  I’m Darryl’s friend Laurie.”

 

“Um... I’m Colby.  Darryl’s not here.”  

 

“He will be in a moment.  I’m supposed to meet him.  Can I come up?”

 

“Sure.”  Although Colby’s voice said sure, she sure as hell didn’t SOUND sure.  She sounded nervous.

 

“Thanks.”  The door buzzed, and she went inside.  A short elevator ride later, and she was knocking on Darryl’s door.

 

 

*              *              *

 

Oh shit!  Colby thought. I haven’t talked to Laurie yet!  Crap!  She wondered what to do - and she realized there was nothing to do - except tell her the truth.  Damn.   Laurie is going to be really upset with me.  I didn’t call her, or anything.  She must be really worried.  Oh hell.

 

Colby didn’t have any real problems telling Laurie about her secret powers - she trusted Laurie and Darryl with almost everything, so it was a given she had been intending to tell Laurie.  What was wrong was that she felt guilty - deservedly so - for not letting her best friend know she was okay, not melting, and safe.  Jesus, I’m a shit, Colby thought.  Whatever happens next, it’s on me.  I should have remembered to call her.

 

She heard a knock at the door.  And that should be her right now.  Here goes nothing.  She walked over to the door, and opened it up.  Laurie as there, like usual - a spitfire of walking gorgeous goth girl - and boy did she look angry!  She was wearing tight jeans, knee high boots, a Black Sabbath T-shirt, and several pieces of chrome-studded jewelry and wrist bands.   Colby realized she wasn’t much taller than Laurie now, which surprised her probably more than it should have.  “Hello?”

 

If Colby was taken aback by Laurie’s appearance and demeanor, Laurie was equally taken aback.  Darryl had a girl living in his apartment?  Are they dating?  She’s gorgeous!   “Colby?  I’m Laurie. Can I come in?”

 

“Sure.” Colby held the door, and let in her friend. 

 

Laurie came in, and looked around.  She could see Kayden’s suitcase in the living room, but no Kayden.  “I’ll be blunt, Colby.  I came here looking for a friend of Darryl’s and myself - a guy named Kayden.  Is he here?”

 

Colby nodded.  “Yeah.  He’s been here since he disappeared a day and a half ago.”

 

That jerk!  He was here and he couldn’t even call me!  She thought.  Why do I even bother some days?  “Where is he?” 

 

“You’re speaking with him.”  Colby said.  Before Laurie could argue, Colby... rippled... and in her place was Kayden, looking sad and very, very guilty and chagrined.  “I’m sorry I didn’t call.  Things have been crazy.”

 

Laurie looked at Kayden, and her brain struggled to figure out what had just happened.   Kayden?  Colby?   Her eyes rolled up in the back of her head, and she fainted dead away. 

 

 

Colby caught Laurie as she fainted, and carried her to the couch.  As she lay her down, she stood back and shook her head, smiling a little wryly.  “I guess that could have gone better.”

 

Colby (still looking like her old ‘Kayden’ self) got them both a drink of water, and sat down next to Laurie.  “Laurie, wake up.  It’s me, Kayden.”   It took a few minutes of coaxing, but she was able to wake Laurie.

 

Laurie groaned.  How did I get onto a couch?  She wondered.  She opened her eyes, to see her friend Kayden sitting there, looking very chagrined.  Then she remembered Kayden changing forms or more accurately, Colby changing into Kayden.  She sat up, and moved away from the Kayden look-alike.  “Who are you, and why are you here?”

 

“I’m Kayden, Laurie.  It was that damn experiment.  I thought I was going to be donating bone marrow - and I did - but Doctor Pierce held me at gunpoint and injected me with some experimental stuff so he could cure his sick dog.  I didn’t want to take it - but he shot David the nurse, and told me he was going to kill me if I didn’t let him.  He shot me too, twice!”

 

“If you’re Kayden then what did we talk about in the Clinic?”

 

“About me coming out to Darryl and Robert and Yvonne and the others.  Okay?!  About me telling them I was Transgendered.”

 

It is him, Laurie thought.  But how?   “He shot you!?  Are you okay?”

 

“I’m fine.  I healed - and I turned into that waxman that everyone is talking about.  I didn’t kill anyone - Dr. Pierce did - and I got the hell out of there and hid in an alley till I realized I could return to looking like me.”

 

“Then why are you hanging out as Colby?”

 

Colby gritted her teeth.  “Cause I can only assume my Kayden form for about an hour before I pass out from exhaustion.  Any other form I can do all day, but I can’t be my old self for more than an hour.  I’m Colby because I decided to take a form I liked better, and I needed a new ID.  Kayden is a wanted criminal - Colby isn’t.  Darryl knows, and he’s okay with it.  You were right all along, Laurie.  I should have listened to you years ago.” Colby started crying.  “I should have listened to you years ago. I could have been happy.”

 

Laurie reached over and hugged Kayden - no, Colby - and stroked her hair.  “You know, I’m still really pissed you didn’t call me and let me know you were safe.  I was really worried, Colby.” 

 

“So... sorry.”  She sniffled.  “I didn’t mean to be a jerk.  I’ve been dealing with a lot.  It’s been tough.”

 

“More than becoming some kind of shape-shifter and surviving an attack by a mad scientist?”

 

“Kinda, yeah.  I think I might be a super-heroine too.”

 

“What!?  Who?”  Laurie was floored.  A super-heroine...  The only new one was...  “You’re Virus?!”

 

“The one and only.”  Colby said, releasing the hug they were in.   “It’s been weird.”

 

“You fought Shrapnel and Carnage and beat them.  You’re calling it weird is the understatement of the century!  Holy crap!  You’re lucky to be alive!”

 

“I know I am, Laurie.  I know I am.  I also know this is something I have to do.  I’m going to help people.  I’m going to stop Dr. Pierce before he hurts anyone else.”

 

“Wow.”  Laurie didn’t know what else to say, so she changed the subject.  “Could you turn back to your female form, Colby?  I wanna see her.”

 

Colby grinned.  “Sure.”   A few moments later, Colby Hayden Sheppard stood before her friend Laurie.  She was about 5ft 7 inches, athletic, with toned legs, arms and core, and had smooth unblemished skin.  Her oval face had full lips, high cheekbones, and a really pretty smile.  Long red hair and green eyes capped off the look, with a curvy build and hypnotic eyes. 

 

Gods, she’s gorgeous!  Laurie thought.  “Wow, Colby!  You look amazing!”

 

“Thanks.  I guess this is how my mind saw myself for most of my life.  I just couldn’t let it out until now.”

 

 

“Wow!  You’re so pretty!  Do you mind if I say I’m jealous a little?”  Laurie’s mind whirled.  Colby’s going to be a showstopper...  Does she have any idea of what she’s in for?  Knowing Kayden, she’s probably clueless. 

 

Colby blushed.  “Nah.”  She didn’t know what to say - but it was obvious she liked the compliment.  “Now what?”

 

“I dunno.  How is Darryl taking your transformation?”  Laurie asked.

 

Colby blushed even harder.  “He’s taking it okay.”

 

What?!  Did something happen between those two?  You know, if it did, I hope she had a good time.  “That’s great Colby.  What are your plans next?”

 

“I’m going to stay here until I can get on my feet financially and get my own place.”

 

“How?  Isn’t finding a job with no ID going to be hard?”  Laurie asked.

 

“I have ID, or will have in about a week.  I’d just rather not say how I got it.”

 

“What did you do, Colby?”

 

Colby sighed.  “I did what I had to do, and that’s all I’m going to say.  I’ll have full ID in about a week, and then I can get my new life back on track.  Darryl and I decided that ‘Kayden’ was going to disappear, and I’d simply be the new girl in his life.  I uh... I mean...”

 

“I knew it!”  Laurie exclaimed.  “Something happened between the two of you, didn’t it?”

 

Colby blushed again.  “Yeah.  We... we started kissing and things...”

 

“Things progressed from there?”  Laurie added.

 

“Yeah, pretty much.”  Colby answered, relieved she wasn’t going to have to actually say it.

 

“Did you like it?”

 

“Oh hell, yes!”  Colby said, smiling.  “He was gentle, and strong and...”  And she realized she was waxing eloquent about bedding her best boy friend in front of her best girl friend.  “And I’m a little self conscious about talking about it yet.”

 

Laurie laughed.  Same old Kayden, whether she had a new body and a new name or not.  She hugged her old friend.  “I like the new you, Colby.”

 

“I like the new me too, Laurie.  I’m glad you’re okay with all this.”

 

“I’m still angry you didn’t call me - but of course I’m glad for you.  I want you to be happy - and now you are.”

 

“Yeah.  I am happy.”  Colby replied, smiling.  “Thanks.”

 

Suddenly, the door opened, and Darryl was standing in the open doorway, staring at Colby and Laurie sitting together on the couch, obviously talking.  Colby had been crying too.  He gaped for a moment, and then closed the door behind him.  “Did I miss anything?”

 

Laurie smiled at Darryl.  “A little, Darryl.  Colby and I have been talking.  She told me everything.”

 

“Everything?”  Darryl asked.

 

“Almost everything.  She’s shy.”

 

“I am not!” Colby insisted.  “I’m just not used to all this yet.”

 

 

“Like I said, she’s shy.”  She stood, letting go of Colby’s hands.  “I take it this is what you wanted to talk about, but not over the phone?”

 

“Pretty much.”

 

“So what are we going to do about it?”  Laurie demanded.

 

“Come again?”  Darryl asked.

 

“She nearly got her ass kicked by Shrapnel and Carnage.  If she’s going to be a heroine, she needs to learn how to fight, at least a little.”

 

“Wha...?”  Darryl looked floored.  “I hadn’t thought about it.”

 

“I have.” Colby replied.  “I barely survived those guys.  Maybe I should take some lessons?”

 

“Karate lessons don’t usually teach you how to fight for real, Colby - they teach discipline and basic moves.  They’re great in a tournament, but in a real street fight, you’d be dead.  Plus, you’d need to take them for years to get skilled.”  Laurie said.  “My grandpa knows how to fight for real - he was in the special forces, and he keeps himself in great shape.  He might be able to whip you into shape over a few months.  If you want, I’ll ask him.  It’s worth a try.”

 

“Sure.  Give him a call.  Ned’s a good guy.”  Colby nodded.  She had met Ned about two years ago when he’d gone home for the weekend with Laurie (back when he was Kayden) and had a really great time hearing about some of the stories Ned had collected in his 30 year term in the marines.  He was lean and in great shape - and even at 62 years old, could still run rings around the younger Kayden. 

 

“Well, since we’ve covered all the basics,” Darryl began.  “I should let you know we’re invited to the Constellation House Halloween party tomorrow night at 8pm.  If you’re okay with it, I’d like you to come.”

 

Laurie thought of Colby at a party with drunk frat boys, and thought it might be a bad idea.  “Are you sure about that, Darryl?  She’s only been a girl for a few days.”

 

“Well, I figured she’s been a girl her whole life.  She just hasn’t been able to show it.  I thought a party might be fun - and before you worry, I promise I won’t ditch you, Colby, and any time you’re uncomfortable and want to leave, then we’ll leave.”

 

“Well if she’s going, I’m going to keep an eye on her.”  Laurie added.  “Neither of you understand how drunk boys behave around pretty girls, from the girls point of view.”  She paused.  “If that’s okay with you, Colby.  I don’t want to mother hen you, but you might need some backup for your first time.”

 

Colby nodded.  “I think it would be great.”

 

“Oh – we’ll need costumes.” Darryl mentioned.

 

Colby grinned, thinking of her ability to morph clothing into other forms.  “Costumes shouldn’t be a problem.”