Interlude - Alexis

Alexis Fowler hovers in the skies of Grand Rapids, far above her home, in her blue and gold costume while she daintily holds her domino mask in her hand.

“Sup sis,” says an unfamiliar voice from behind her and Alex jumps, dropping her mask.

“Who are you?” asks Alex as she turns around and is faced with a platinum blonde, purple eyed Aphrodite woman.

“It’s me, Joan,” replies the woman as she holds out Iris’ mask to Alex, “You dropped this by the way.”

“Umm, thanks Joan,” replies Alex hesitantly as she warily accepts her mask back, “So you manifested…”

“Yep,” says the girl, “I guess I look pretty different now. Is that what is wrong? Would you like me to show you proof of who I say I am or would you prefer it if I took on an appearance more like my old one?”

“Urr, no, it’s fine,” answers Alex, still unsure that this person is actually her sister, but willing to give her the benefit of the doubt given the nature of how powers work.

“You aren’t convinced,” says the girl accusingly as she put her hands on her hips.

“Urr-no, I’m, yeah,” admits Alex, looking away, feeling embarrassed.

If this is actually Joan, I’m going to feel so bad over this and the chances are it actually is my little sister.

“Meh, no worries sis,” replies the girl, “I would probably the same, needing proof first. So, can I use my new powers to convince you? Not that I need your permission, but I would be a real hypocrite if I just used my powers on you without your agreement.”

“Sure,” says Alex, giving the girl the benefit of the doubt, “What are your powers anyway?”

As she finishes speaking, Alex feels as if a switch as flipped in her head. There is no way that this isn’t her sister Joan and Alex flushes red with shame as she remembers how she refused to believe that this person was her little sister.

“A+ Class-are you okay?” asks Joan.

“I just feel guilty that I honestly didn’t believe that you were...you,” replies Alex, looking bashful over the fact.

“Don’t sweat Alex,” says Joan as she suddenly appears next to her and throws an arm around Alex’s shoulders, “As soon as I got a good look at my new self, I figured that I would to convince people that I was who I really was. Anyway, my powers are A+ Class Brick with invulnerability.”

“Nigh invulnerability is part of the Brick power set,” points out Alex.

“I didn’t say I had nigh invulnerability,” replies Joan smugly as she makes sure to empathise that particular word.                                                                                                              

“There is no way-you’re being serious aren’t you?” replies Alex, sounding as stunned as she feels, “Next you’ll be telling me you can be bring back the dead.”

“Oh I can’t do that,” replies Joan casually as she inspects one of her fingers, “Well, maybe I can with my third power, but I haven’t tried that and I’m not going to. I am not crossing that line regardless of  whether or not it is even possible for me to do so.”

“Oh,” says Alex before the implications of what Joan just said, “Wait, what exactly is your third power then? If you consider raising the dead to be a possibility because of your third power...”

“Reality warping,” replies Joan with another smug smirk on her face, “Only restriction is that I can’t directly affect powers.”

“That is bleep awesome,” says Alex, “What are you-did I just bleep?”

“Yep,” replies Joan.

“Why did I just bleep?” asks Alex, “I know you’re behind this Joan so tell me what you did.”

“Oh, I just made things so that every time you swear, it is replaced by a bleep,” explains Joan with a giggle.

“Joan!” exclaims Alex, startled by her sister’s action, “Why would you do that to me?”

“We’re sisters Alex,” replies Joan as she giggles again, “It’s basically my job to mess about with you. Just think of yourself as being automatically self-censored.”

“Urggh,” groans Alex, deciding to let the matter drop.

It doesn’t help that I am helpless against her new powers.

Don’t sis, I won’t do anything to hurt you. This is just a harmless prank.

Get out of my head!

Nah...

Joan!

Alright, alright. It would be mighty hypocritical of me to do this. Besides, I fully understand that no means no.

Thanks.

“So Alex, anything you want me to do for you?” inquires Joan.

“Well, you would you-” Alex starts to ask.

“Nope, not joining the Heroes Union,” says Joan, cutting off her sister, “I’m staying neutral, keeping out of the Cape and Cowl scene. Besides, if I were to go hero, I would end up joining the Guardsmen.”

“So what are you going to do?” asks Alex.

“I’m going to start a healing service,” answers Joan as she clasps her hands together, “With my powers, I can heal people who are disabled or crippled with total ease. People who would otherwise be unable to live normal lives. And not only that, but I can give people who were born unable to walk knowledge of how to walk and run, implant entire languages and knowledge of sounds into those born deaf and help those born blind not be overwhelm by all the colours and sights that this world has to offer. It will be awesome! Now, let me squeeze your boobs!”

“Wait, what?” asks Alex, flabbergasted by that last sentence.

“Come on sis, let’s grope each other,” says Joan as she pounces on the startled Alex, “It’ll be fun!” 

1.14 Slaughter Part 1

Joan sighs. This double date with Alex and Martin isn’t going as interestingly as she expected.

It doesn’t help that Leo doesn’t care that I have dressed up especially for tonight.

“Enjoying your meal?” inquires Alex.

“Yes,” replies Joan as she looks at Martin, the buff boy looks stunning in his black suit.

Alex follows Joan’s gaze and coughs under her breath, causing to Joan to look away, blushing in embarrassment.

“Martin is my boyfriend,” points out Alex, causing Martin to also blush and look away as he realises what Joan was doing.

“I know,” mutters Joan shyly, “But…”

“He is an Adonis while Leo is a norm,” finishes Alex with a smile, “I know. No offence intend to you Leo.”

“None taken,” replies Leo, “I understand.”

“At least I don’t have to worry about you staring at me,” says Alex.

“He doesn’t stare at me either,” grumbles Joan.

“Really?” asks Alex.

“I’m asexual,” explains Leo, “I don’t feel physical attraction towards her, but I am in love with Joan.”

“I suppose you would have to have been unable to feel physical attraction to want to date Joan back then,” says Alex cause Joan to flush red again, but this time in anger.

She’s saying I was too ugly to love back when I was in hospital!

“What is that supposed to mean?” demands Joan as she glares at Alex.

“I guess that come out wrong,” replies Alex and she has enough courtesy to look sorry, “I was just trying to say that you weren’t physically attractive back then.”

“You don’t need to rub it in,” complains Joan.

“I’m not-I forgot this is a sensitive subject for you,” replies Alex as Joan crosses her arms.

“So Martin,” says Leo to Alex’s boyfriend, deliberately changing the subject, “What is it like being a superhero?”

“Okay I guess,” replies Martin as Joan glares at her sister, “After over three and a half months, I’m getting used to it. More paperwork than I thought. A lot more.”

“It does sort of grow on you,” agrees Alex, “Even if it is hard work at times.”

“I can’t believe you’re calling me ugly,” complains Joan, not just about to let them change the subject after being insulted in such a sensitive area.

“It really is a sore spot for you isn’t?” says Alex and she and the boys both look at her.

Joan opens her mouth to reply, but closes it as Leo puts a hand on her shoulder. She looks up at him and he speaks to Alex.

“Alexis,” says Leo, “I understand you and Joan are sisters and all, but her appearance and health are very sensitive matters to her and it doesn’t help that you look like you.”

“Yeah,” mutters Alex as she looks down at herself.

She looks beautiful in that white evening gown. It hugs her curves so well. I wish I had a figure like that.

“So where should we go once we’re done eating?” inquires Leo.

“I thinking we should go back to my house,” replies Alex before looking over at Joan, “I mean our house.”

“Un-huh,” says Joan, not really paying attention anymore.

The food is good and the others have been fine, but this double date has gone nothing like I thought it would. Perhaps I had gotten my hopes too high, but Leo needs to more romantic. Sure he tries to be, but as he said, he is asexual and impacts on how he treats me.

And Alexis...no, I can’t just blame her. That would be unfair to her. She doesn’t mean anything wrong.

Or maybe I’m just making things up. Perhaps I have unrealistic expectations.

May I inform you that while Leo has no sexual desire, you have high libido.

Really?

It is higher than the average human according to my records. I can supress it r downgrade it if you wish using your nanobots.

No! Please let it.

As you wish.

“So what is on your mind?” asks Alex as Joan looks down at her knees, “You seem upset.”

“I’m just tired,” replies Joan, “I’ve been enjoying our double date, but I’m at that point I just want it to end.”

“So do you want to wait for desserts or just the bill now?” asks Alex.

“I want to go now,” says Joan.

“I would like to stay,” says Martin.

“That is fine,” says Leo, “I’ll go with Joan while you two stay here. You can catch up with us once you’re done.”

“How will we do that?” asks Alex.

“With your power sets, I don’t see how you can’t,” replies Leo.

“Oh yeah, I see your point,” says Alex, “We’ll see you back at the mansion.”

Joan is silent and she thinks about her feelings on her appearance. As Leo and Alex sort out payment for the meal, Joan wonders if her unhappiness about it counts an insecurity.

I just hate the fact that I’ll ugly while the rest of my family is beautiful. Everybody, but Bree is supernaturally beautiful and sexy and even Bree is naturally beautiful and sexy.

I can undertake cosmetic changes to your appearance.

Great!

I would also like to note that most of your ‘ugliness’ came from your sickly appearance, which is now gone. You seem to be forgetting that fact when you think of your current appearance.

Thank for the pep talk Ceta.

You are welcome Sargit

Joan holds herself against Leo’s arm as they walk down the dark streets, her head resting on his shoulder.

They make it a few blocks in silence when Leo starts to speak.

“Hey Joan-” starts Leo when Joan is grabbed by large meaty hands from behind.

1.10 Dinner Part 4

Joan sticks the last of her potatoes in her mouth before leaving her cutlery crossed on her plate.

Dinner was nice. Everybody is sitting with their dates with the oldest being the closest to Mother and Father. That means that Leo and I are on the other side of the table with Alex and Martin.

Joan looks at A Class Adonis boy. Martin Lucas, Alexis’ boyfriend for the last five months, manifested earlier in the week and joined the local Junior Heroes Union.

From what Leo told her, Martin was, is, a shy nerdy boy who enjoys pop music.

And not he is a flying brick with the brick part being A Class and the flying part B Class.

Joan averts her eyes as she feels herself looking Martin’s muscular body over.

Leo is my boyfriend. I should checking him out not Martin, the boyfriend of my sister. But a Bellator just can’t stand up to Adonis in the beauty department.

“So how are you finding school?” asks Alex from across the table, “Martin says you’re doing fine, but I want to hear it from you.”

“I’m fine at school,” Joan reassures her sister, “I do well in class and I get on well with people. I hang out with Leo and his friends so I’m not lonely either.”

“I’m just annoyed that I couldn’t be there for your first week,” says Alex with a sigh, “And I got a lot to do since as team leader now. Man, I miss Jimmy and Harry.”

Joan is silent. She learnt earlier this week that Jimmy and Harry were Rush and Sulphur respectively, the two local teenage heroes who died against Armageddon. Rush was the old team leader of the Grand Rapids Junior Heroes Union and now Iris has taken over.

“Maybe if it gets too much, you could ask Gears for help?” suggests Joan.

“Why would he help?” scoffs Martin as Joan does her best to not look at Leo.

Perhaps because Leo is a selfless, heroic and noble person who like to help others you dumb a-hole?

“Because on one of the few times I spoke with Guardian, she mentioned that Gears is interested in building good relationships with the local authorities,” replies Joan as Abby’s duplicates begin to tidy away the dishes as only Irwin and his Aphrodite and A class girlfriend Jennifer Harrison, a nationally famous parahuman actress, are still eating.

She didn’t get her powers on day one, but she did get them in early January. At least Jennifer is a nice person who just likes to have fun in a good way. She seems to just want to make others happy. And I don’t know if that is a side effect of her powers.

“Maybe,” mutters Alex.

She doesn’t sound too convinced, but Alex sounds like she is at least considering the idea.

Mother clears her throat loudly and Joan, along with everybody else at the table, looks towards her.

“I have something to inform all of you about, Fowler family member primarily,” says Mother loudly before lowering her voice to normal tones, “Due to the large number of parahumans in our family, Marcus and I have received an offer to have a reality TV show about us produced.”

As the rest of her sibling bombard their parents with questions, Joan slumps back into her seat as she considers the implications of the announcement.

I don’t want people to watch my life on television. I only just got it back for myself. And if I hang out with Leo, it would blow his secret identity. No way he could hide the fact he is Gears and still hang out with me if that many people are watching. We need as few people watching us as we can get.

Joan looks up as Leo places his hand on hers.

“Don’t worry,” says Leo to her quietly, “It’s optional to partake in it. You don’t have to have someone following you around. You could have so you only get recorded by a camera that if following the others around.”

“That would work,” replies Joan equally quiet, “I’m fine with only my interactions with other members of my family being recorded.”

I’ll tell Mum and the others

Okay, but don’t mention the stuff about Leo and him being Gears Abby.

Joan, I’m a genius, not an idiot.

I know. I just wanted to makes sure.

I know dear, I can see into your head after all.

You don’t do that all the time do you?

Of course I don’t. I wouldn’t be respecting your privacy if I did. But I would like to know about Jaylyn later. It would best if you told me rather having to go through your memories.

If Leo is okay with it, I will.

Now I’m really interested in finding out about this Jaylyn of yours.

Umm, it’s sort of awkward to explain her to other people.

Leo’s secret girlfriend?

What! No! He would never ever do that and you know it!

I was just messing with you sis.

Humph.

Ice cream is here along with sticky toffee pudding.

I love having ice cream. And I haven’t had sticky toffee pudding in at least two years.

Do you love ice cream more than Leo?

Knock it off Abby.

Relax Joan, messing with other like this is what sisters do to each other.

I don’t like this part of having sister.

Don’t worry about it. We only do it over minor things like with using our powers to mess with you.

I suppose.

Eat up your desserts sis.

1.9 Harbinger Part 5

“Cor donn Hor!” cries Guardian as she stabs Armageddon in the left eye, letting out the first battlecry that comes to mind.

He will pay for that.

Do not lose your temper Legacy! Letting your emotions control you will get you killed as well.

I…I know that Ceta.

Armageddon didn’t stand a chance as he was just turning his head to face Guardian when she struck.

Armageddon lets out a painful roar as Guardian twists the blade lodged in his eye. Before he can recover and let out another blast of energy at her, Guardian yanks Gord’Ang out and blasts off from Armageddon with her KEPs at full power.

Will he heal from that? He’s been healing from the other wounds inflicted on him.

He won’t heal from such a severe wound until a few days and one from Gord’Ang will take months to fully recover from. In fact, any wound inflicted by Gord’Ang will take Armageddon several months to recover from.

So we’ve hurt him.

Yes we have.

Then let us hurt Armageddon some more.

As Guardian stabilises herself for another strike, but Atlas flies at Armageddon just as Alexandria did.

But Atlas is significantly more powerful than his fallen younger sister and slams into the Harbinger at high speeds. Armageddon goes stumbling backwards before regain his balance as he blasts Atlas away another burst of energy.

“Now!” cries a strong feminine voice and Guardian watches as about dozen flying parahumans attack Armageddon.

She spots Glowbug, Iris, Flamefly and Ebony amongst their number and are led by a stunning Aphrodite in tight fitting white spandex with a glowing white energy spear in one hand pointed at Armageddon.

Fools.

They’re going to get crushed.

Armageddon is ready for them and punches Atlas away before firing a large, wide burst of energy at the group. Most dodge, but the slowest members of the group at unable to get out in time.

The white woman, Iris, Glowbug and four others are all about to avoid Armageddon’s attack, but Ebony and three others don’t. Flamefly barely manages to dodge due being at the back of the group, but is still knocked out of the sky.

Ebony and one of those caught in the blast are battered, but stay in the air while the other two are sent tumbling to the ground, one of them a mangled mess.

As the white woman teleports above Armageddon and the others begin their attacks, Guardian also launches another attack against Armageddon.

The white woman stabs her energy stab down into Armageddon as she also unleashes several bolts of white energy on the monsters. Glowbug, Iris and one of the other fliers hang back and pelt Armageddon with energy attacks while the other white attempt to engage him up close.

As she flies in close, Guardian notices more parahumans on the ground engaging Armageddon alongside military tanks and heavy weapon teams.

Guardian slashes Armageddon with Gord’Ang across the arm, but the monster soon recovers. Moving quickly Armageddon blasts the closest heroes away with more energy bursts before grabs a hold of the white woman.

The white woman doesn’t get a change to react before Armageddon snaps her back with a flick of his waist and tosses her limp body aside.

“It just killed Lightbringer,” whispers one of the fliers close to Guardian, sounding terrified.

Guardian uses her KEPs to direct herself at Armageddon, but the Harbinger just already moved on to his next victims.

Iris tries to dodge, but Armageddon is quick enough that his punch catches her in the legs and finishes the job with a concentrated energy attack from his fist as it makes contact. He then turns on Glowbug and the other energy projecting flier and blasts them both out of the sky with another energy burst.

But while her fellow is sent tumbling to the ground, Glowbug steadies herself as her yellow energy glows brighter than Guardian has ever seen it before. She fires a shining beam at Armageddon, causing the monster to pause.

For a moment it looks like Glowbug has actually hurt the Harbinger, but Armageddon suddenly slams his fist into her, sending her flying into the ruins of a half-destroyed building.

Human backs don’t bend that way.

We can’t do anything to help her until Armageddon has been dealt with.

Nic...

As Ebony flies past him, Armageddon catches her with a backhand swipe, knocking her out of the sky as well.

But as his hand comes past Guardian, she strikes out with Gord’Ang. Armageddon roars out in pain as the Linx Sword slices through his little finger.

That will take him a good couple of years to grow back at the very least.

He needs to pay.

Don’t let revenge consume you.

I know! I’m not stupid.

Once again Armageddon focuses his full attention on Guardian, even as a score of missiles slam into him. He staggers back from the force even though he isn’t actually hurt, but the Harbinger doesn’t break eye contact from Guardian.

With a sudden burst of speed, Armageddon rushes Guardian, but the smaller and more agile warrior dodges out of the way and catches his side with a slash from Gord’Ang.

Armageddon suddenly spins around and smashes his fist into Guardian. She raises Gord’Ang in front of her and sent flying none the less. But Gord’Ang absorbs most of the damage, leaving Guardian unharmed other than a bit more damage to the outer plating of her armour.

She smashes into the pavement of the path below and gets to her feet just in time to see Armageddon bring his foot down on her. But an orange ray beam that Guardian recognises slams into the throat of Armageddon.

The massive monster staggers backwards, unbalanced before toppling over and landing on his back.

Interlude - Joan

“Surprise!” says Alexis as Joan wearily opens her eyes.

What was I doing? Oh that’s right, getting a nap while I waited for Leo to come. He was going to tell me what he is-Gears is working on to help me. I can’t wait for that! I am sure Leo will be able to invent something to help me with that genius mind of his. Especially since it will be Gears not Leonard Geary providing it! He won’t have to hide his true abilities.

But I suppose I should focus on my sister.

“Hi Alex,” replies Joan as she notes her sister is wearing her Iris costume, “What are you doing here?”

“I just thought I’d see how you were doing since I just finished my patrols,” answers Alex, “I figured we could hang out since we didn’t exactly get to do that yesterday. I also have some good news.”

“What is that?” inquires Joan.

“Darkness approached the DSA and Heroes Union today,” says Alex, “And, you won’t believe this, offered to agree to what he called the Cape and Cowl Code of Conduct. To keep things civilised between parahumans so there isn’t tons of grand destructions. And guess what-”

“It includes agreeing not to go after family,” says Joan, leaving her sister speechless.

“How did you know?” demands Alex, hands on her hips.

“I watch the news you know,” points out Joan, “So why are you still floating?”

“Oh, sorry,” says Alex as she lands on the ground, “I sort of do it without thinking now. It’s cool just being able to consider gravity optional. Not as an on-off switch, but more as a slider.”

“That does sound pretty awesome,” Joan agrees with a smile, “I can only imagine what it would be like to just fly through the sky. That said, I would settle for just being able to walk more than a few metres.”

“Look on the bright side,” says Abigail as the copy she left behind reappears next to them, “At least you’re getting better.”

It’s strange having her around. I know that she is always here, but since she spends most of it being invisible, it is hard not to forget about her presence.

“And don’t forget that both Guardian and Gears have offered to help you,” points out Alex once she recovers from the momentary shock of spotting their older sister right next to her, “Those two are geniuses. I’m sure they will come up with something brilliant.”

Oh, I’m sure Leo will. He has never let me down and I don’t expect him to start anytime soon.

“So how are you and Leo?” inquires Alex, “I know the two of you are dating, but...”

She wants to know about Leo? I wonder why. Still I should tell Alex about how great Leo is.

“Leo is the best,” Joan tells her sister, “He is smart, good looking, fit and healthy. Leo has always been there for me and has yet to let me down. He helps with school work and other things that I need help with due to my condition.”

“You like him a lot then?” says Alex.

“As I said, he’s the best,” replies Joan.

Part of me does wonder if our relationship is unhealthy. I don’t think I obsess over him, but then I wouldn’t exactly be able to tell if I were.

You’re not.

 Hello Abby.

Hello Joan.

Hello Divine Magicka.

So how do you know that Leo and I have a healthy relationship?

Because you both have lives outside of each other. You are close, but neither of you base all of their actions around the other. He might be one of the only people that you interact with, but that is due to you not having access to many people. Plus he trusts you. He did tell you about his powers and choice with what to do with them.

Yeah, I guess you’re right.

Neither of you are dependent on the other. Neither of expects the other to ditch their friends for you. Neither of you get jealous when they hang out with other members of your own gender. Neither of you try to control the other. Neither of you play mind games with the other. Doing those things are signs of a bad relationship and you don’t do any of them.

Thank you for the reassurance.

No problem sis.

“You ought to know that with the rest of us renewing our interests in you, so have Mum and Dad,” says Alex, “And Mum seems to be taking on that worrying you being too young to have a boyfriend.”

What on Earth does she mean? Is Mum going to suddenly just barge into my life and start telling me to kick the only person who has been there for me out of it? It doesn’t matter that she is my mother, she does not have that right!

I understand how you are feeling, but I wouldn’t recommend telling Mum in that way. That would just make you seem like a spoiled brat in her eyes who doesn’t know what she is talking about. And that would only make things worse. Let me talk to her first.

Okay, I suppose that would be best. Wait, doesn’t Mum’s powers give her a way to mess with my head? Like yours do?

I would say that I mess with your head, but yes.

Shall I put more barriers in your mind?

Yes please Divine Magicka, but won’t Mum be angry with them?

She shouldn’t be and if she does complain, I’ll just tell her that I was giving my sister protection against mental attacks and ask her why she wouldn’t want that.

Thanks, but you do have to admit it is weird for you to just be able to read my thoughts and mess with my head. You know I trust you right?

Yeah, I know you trust me. And I see how you might be unnerved by the fact I mess with your mind by doing things such as changing your memories, personality and other aspects of your mind.

Really?

Yes, but don’t go spreading that around. I don’t want people to get freaked out by me if they found out. At the moment, the only other person I told is Leo and I assume he told the rest of his team.

Yeah. You’re certain he is okay with the fact I blew his secret identity to you?

Definitely. Leo understands that you didn’t willing do it and had no way to stop it from happening.

I suppose...

You do realise how much he cares about you right? The moment he found out about the Darkness attacking you, he came as quickly as he could and was packing the heaviest piece of firepower he had.

I know, but-

No buts! Leo was carrying a nuclear-powered ray gun and beat the Darkness within an inch of his life.

Okay, okay. Let’s talk about something else.

Like what?

Like, I don’t know, your big boobies!

“I-uh-what,” stutters Abby in real life.

“Huh?” says Alex as she looks at her.

“Joan and I were having a telepathic conversation,” explains Abby, “And it went from discussing Leo and Mum to her asking about my breasts.”

“Well, they are pretty big,” says Alex as she leans mid-air, “Especially compared to Joan’s non-existent ones. What size are you anyway Abby?”

“F Cup now,” answers Abby with a shrug, “Fortunately Aphrodite girls don’t need to wear bras. We seem to have our own anti-gravity fields around them like the superheroines in the comic books. You?”

“Only an E Cup,” replies Alex with a smile as Joan giggles, “Though I really shouldn’t be complaining about having them that big.”

“Man, it’s a shame I’ll never grow up to be like you guys,” says Joan as she lies back in her back, looking up at the ceiling to deliberately avoid seeing the reactions of her two Aphrodite sisters, “It’s nice to be able to joke around like this. Leo never really enjoyed this sort of humour.”

“He didn’t?” inquire Abby.

“Nah,” says Joan, “His sense of humour is odd and much more refined. Not that he complained or anything, but he didn’t really care when I made jokes about silly stuff, just nodding and smiling for my sake.”

They have this awkward silence for a moment as none of them are sure what to say.

“So, urr, Joan, did Leo get that laptop for you?” asks Alex to break the silence.

“Sort of,” answers Joan, “He brought a cheap one and then upgraded it. Leo is extremely smart.”

“Really,” says Alex thoughtfully.

“Yes,” says Abby, “Leo is what I would call a genius.”

“I told you that Leo is the best,” declares Joan proudly.

“As you say,” replies Alex.

Joan blinks as Alex flies over her, looking down at the face.

“So sis,” says Alex with a smile, “Want to take those photos of me as I pose? We never got around to that.”

“You bet,” replies Joan as she grins back.