In This Country Act 01 Ch. 03

The shooting criminals started moving forward towards him, so Osprey knew he had to be quick. Still being shot, and still in intense pain, Osprey did a sliding attack at the knuckled crook, hitting his foot against the crook's nose, then propped the criminal up, and used him as a meat shield. With the criminal now taking the brunt of the shots, Osprey was able to use his screech attack more effectively in the narrow space, putting most of the criminals down, and just about deafening the knuckled criminal.

Even though they were down, it was only for a moment as they began to reach for the guns they dropped. Not to lose the upper hand, Osprey tossed the knuckled criminal into the pile and screeched at them again. However, the knuckled criminal was persistent as he managed to secure and put on a pair of tight-sealing headphones. Rising, he squared off against Osprey again as both combatants realized the other was in no shaped to keep fighting.

But onward they attacked, Osprey jumping in the air and extending his foot out towards the criminal. The knuckled criminal shouldered the attack, then spun and slammed his brass knuckles right into Osprey's chest, effectively knocking the wind out of the hero. The knuckled criminal tried to capitalize on his attack with a swing of the knife, but Osprey managed to catch him at the wrist, twisting it so that the knife dropped of the criminal's hand.

With the knife no longer a threat, Osprey shoved his forearm into the criminal's face and forced his head to bounce a cabinet. And, as the criminal slumped to the ground, Osprey delivered a finishing knee to the crook's skull. Gasping for a moment, Osprey was taken by surprise as one of the crooks tried to tackle him. It failed since Osprey got a firm footing and shoved the attacker off, and then kicked him back towards the squirming pile of criminals. And, to make sure they stayed down, he screeched at them one more time. I'm going to go hoarse if I keep doing that, Osprey thought.

"Hey partner, need some help?" Jasper asked he poked his head in through the opening of the roof.

*****

Grey shivered as he moved back into the sunlight of the freezing afternoon. If he was back at his apartment right now, he'd be eating and cooking lunch for work right now. But instead, he had seen a message from Crystal when he woke up, bundled himself in layers of clothing, and promptly hightailed his ass to where he stood right now.

He was just that excited to see her.

She had asked that they meet up back where they had talked, the bench at the fundraiser, so they could meet in private. Of course, Grey obliged and made the two hour long bus rides to get there. It took him awhile to find it, but he did. And there he sat, waiting for her to show up. Eventually, she showed up. Grey had been thinking of everything that happened at the fundraiser when he caught sight of her walking towards him. And yes, she was still the same as he remembered: beautiful.

"Hey Crystal," he grinned as he stood up to meet her.

"Hi Grey, thanks for meeting up with me," Crystal replied.

"Anytime," he said. "I got something to eat along the way, but I only ate half, so if you're hungry, you can have some."

"No I'm good," Crystal denied. "I've already eaten."

"Okay," Grey nodded. "It's really great to meet you again. These past few days, I've been so happy to the point where I started thinking that it was all a dream or some sort of fantasy I came up with. But, then I'd remember that I have your number and remind myself that everything that happened actually happened. What I'm trying to say is . . . I'm happy to have met you."

"I can tell," Crystal smiled weakly. "And because of what happened that night, I wanted to talk to you."

"Sure, what do you want to talk about?" Grey asked. "We can talk about our favorite things to do, things we like or don't like, or even the normal stuff that happens in our lives."

"Actually, I wanted to talk about us," she told him.

"Sure, ask me any question you have," Grey nodded. "I'll answer it honestly."

"It's not really a question," Crystal fidgeted. "It's actually . . . the thing is . . . we . . . I . . ."

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" he inquired.

"No, you're not the problem," she replied quickly. Taking a few breaths, she calmed down and said, "There's no easy way to say this Grey, but I think we should stop seeing each other."

"What? Are you serious?" Grey asked, shocked at her proposal. Suddenly, the winter cold seemed warmer than what she was proposing. "Why?"

"Well, it's - it's mostly because . . . I made a mistake," Crystal winced.

"Is it because I'm a former gangster?" he asked next, dropping his head.

"No, t-that has nothing to do with it," Crystal denied, before hurriedly adding, "As a matter of fact, it has nothing to do with you, other than the fact that I got you involved."

"I don't mind being involved," Grey said, shaking his head. "I don't, honestly."

"That's the thing," she sighed. "What I did was wrong. In the heat of the moment, being pressured by Raymond, I rashly said and did things that could bring untold consequences."

"You mean like sitting on my lap and kissing me?" Grey grinned.

"You don't have to be specific about it," Crystal smirked. "But that and more, I really made some bad decisions. I don't know if I'll be able to stop Raymond from spreading the word, but I have to stop it before it gets out of control."

"Is that a bad thing?" Grey inquired.

"Of course it is," Crystal answered. "If he even let's a little bit of it slip out, your life could be in danger."

"And?" Grey asked, waiting for more.

"What do you mean and?" Crystal said. "Your life could become a living hell."

"I'm still waiting for the bad news," he said. "You're saying could be and could become as if it'll happen but that's only if things go a certain way. I bet I can counter any worries you have. Go ahead, try me."

"The villains will come for me through you," Crystal declared, driving home a true fact.

"True, but I'm one of thousands, if not more, of people living on these islands," Grey replied. "With so little information about me, they'll be wasting their time looking for me."

"Right as you may be, you sure are confident about it," she noted.

"I should hope so," Grey said. "If, and or when, that guy goes and says whatever, it's only going to be a rumor to begin with. He'll be interview by people and whatever, people will listen to what he has to say and, ultimately, they can choose to believe if he speaks the truth. I don't want to sound like a stalker, but you've had sparse relationships that's only lasted a month or two, so even if we hadn't had met, I wouldn't believe what he said unless you confirmed it."

"Then what about the government?" Crystal challenged.

"Well, if Jasper can do as he pleases," Grey shrugged, "then I don't see why you can't."

"I'm not trying to be like Jasper," she glared with clenched teeth.

"I completely understand," Grey surrendered, realizing that was a touchy subject. "But, in regards to the government, wouldn't they just move me to a more secured location?"

"They might," she nodded. "But then again, they could just kill you, if they think you'll be a distraction to me."

"I don't think they'll do that," Grey waved her concern away.

"I'm confident they wouldn't have a problem doing that," Crystal frowned.

"I'd have to be a distraction first," Grey smirked.

"No you don't," Crystal crossed her arms. "I said if they think you'll be a distraction. And if they do, they'll make a preemptive move to eliminate you and remove any evidence proving you existed."

"Even then -," Grey began.

"There's nothing you or I could do to stop them from taking action if they chose," she interrupted. "All we'd be able to do is extend our relationship by running before they inevitably catch up with us."

"Okay, okay, I can see where you're coming from," he smiled. "But I want you to understand where I'm coming from. I'm a former gangster and a current nobody. I have absolutely no chance of getting a girlfriend because of my history. But right now, I have a chance to be valued in another person's eyes: yours. And if that means my life is placed in a perilous situation, then I'd rather live that life with you than be safe and alone."

"And if I say no?" Crystal demanded.

"You're actually going to make me answer that?" Grey asked.

"What can you say to counter my refusal?" Crystal challenged.

". . . Nothing," Grey answered, actually frowning after a moment of silence. "Well, since you're that adamant about severing ties with me, that's the only argument I'll concede to."

Giving her a firm nod, Grey stood up and started walking away. His charismatic face that he's put on for all of his romantic interests was starting to crack as he hurried his way to the nearby bus stop. As he walked, his body autonomously pulled out his phone to call his friends. As per routine, he was going to call, let them know he wasn't coming in to work, and drink his problems away.

As he typed in the numbers, a strong hug from behind stopped him from walking and pushing the call icon.

"This seriously makes me doubt your refusal," Grey said.

"I'm refusing to go out with you to protect you," Crystal said.

"From whom?" he asked.

"Ultimately, from Raymond," Crystal answered. "I don't doubt for one moment that he's thinking of a way to separate us."

"You're saying he's trying to separate us," Grey shook his head, "but to what end? If he does succeed, where will that leave him? You're rejecting all of his advances, so it's not like the relationship between you two will improve."

"Trust me, it wouldn't improve in the slightest," Crystal laughed dryly. "But, you said people would have to believe him when he says that we're going out. That means he'll have to hire private investigators again to get evidence and make people believe him."

"You're right," Grey acknowledged. "But, even with that in consideration, you've still had relationships that's lasted a month, at the very least. I'm only asking that I get a one-month trial period too. And if . . . if you still the same way as you do right now, I won't say a word or do anything to pressure you into changing your mind."

"How do I know you're not pressuring me now?" Crystal inquired.

"I don't know, you're hugging me," he shrugged. "I should be the one whose feeling pressured."

Being discreet, Crystal looked around and dragged Grey by the arm back to the bench they were at a few moments ago. They both sat down, Crystal thinking hard about the words she's trying to say, and Grey patiently waiting on her.

"If . . . if we go out," Crystal stated, "then there's three rules that you'll have to abide by. There will be no negotiation or compromise, you have to follow them."

"Okay," Grey accepted, already lighting up like a light bulb.

"First of all, I, and I alone, retain the full right to announce our relationship, when, and to whom," Crystal started. "If we start to go out, then it's imperative that no one finds out about your identity in case any person or people take measures to cause you harm. Are we clear?"

"Definitely," Grey nodded.

"Second, I, and I alone, retain the full right to initiate contact with you," Crystal continued. "At no point are you allowed to initiate contact with me for any reason, even if you're held hostage. Every day, I'm listening for any instructions sent from the leader of the heroes about any villainous movements and activities. I have to be focused on my duties at all times and I'm very serious about my duties."

"No initiating contact," Grey repeated. "I got it."

"And finally, last but not least," Crystal concluded, "I want . . . I want to b-be with you and do . . . do things with you, whenever we have time to . . . do those things . . . together."

"And what would those things be?" Grey asked, suddenly wanting to know what things she wanted to do.

"Things l-l-like k-k-kissing," she replied, looking away in embarrassment, "and . . . whatever f-f-follows after that."

"You don't even have to ask," Grey answered immediately.

"Then we can date," Crystal said.

They sat there quietly after she said that.

Crystal was going over how she was supposed to have broken up with Grey right now. Now, instead of that, she gave him a one-month trial period to improve their relationship. And Crystal wasn't about to go against their relationship either. She wanted to be with him, but morally, she wanted to do it right. And she was still trying to decide if what she did was right.

Grey, on the other hand, was going over Crystal's rules. He didn't really have a problem with any of her rules, and definitely not the third one, but he was just making sure he didn't mess things up. He didn't want to give her reason to break up with him permanently.

"Um Grey, didn't you have to go catch the bus?" Crystal asked.

"Well, if you hadn't stopped me, then yeah, I would've had to catch the bus," Grey informed her. "Since you're giving me a chance, I want to spend my time with you whenever possible. With that being said, I have to be at work in the evening every day of the week, except Tuesday and Friday, so I have an hour or two before I really have to leave. What about you?"

"Well, I haven't been given any instructions other than to monitor the waterways," Crystal shook her head. "So if you want, we can do some things before you have to catch the bus."

"My thoughts exactly," Grey grinned.

Slowly, but with growing confidence, Crystal scooted closer to him, until they were in each other's arms, and staring into one another's eyes. Simultaneously, they closed their eyes and brought their lips together, kissing with the lightest touches and leaving the faintest traces. They moved slowly, with Grey humming and moaning his pleasure and Crystal snickering at him.

It soon started to get intense as Crystal grabbed part of Grey's shirt, pulling herself onto his lap, which just so happened to be his favorite position. This time, he didn't have a problem placing his hands on her, letting them roam along her sides, brush against her breasts, and tentatively squeeze her ass. Crystal, on the other hand, started moaning her own approval as she wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her body into his chest.

"I just can't seem to get enough of you," Crystal giggled as they paused to let Grey breathe. "You're like a buffet I can't stop eating."

"Make sure to eat your veggies," Grey winked.

"You didn't come with veggies," she retorted.

Before they could continue, there was a loud honk when a car dipped onto the opposite lane to bypass another car, and almost getting hit itself. Both Crystal and Grey nervously laughed before they decided that they should return back to their daily lives.

"But we will see each other again . . . right?" Grey asked hopefully.

"Of course, we agreed on it," Crystal smiled. "You have one month before I lose interest, so don't disappoint me."

"I wouldn't dream of it," Grey promised.

They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways, Crystal to the water, and Grey to the bus stop. At the moment, he really had no idea how to get Crystal to stay with him, only that he wanted to be by her side. If he put some serious thought behind it, he knew he could come up with something.

*****

As the afternoon wore on, Dr. Genie knew she had made a mistake. It wasn't like to overlook a simple detail, but curiosity got the best of her and she wanted results. Well, she got them. Unfortunately, due to her curiosity, she forgot that most bugs didn't do well in wintry conditions, which was why they hibernated.

Since that hadn't crossed her mind, Yellow Jacket was now was momentarily down with, of all things, the flu. Still, it was a good opportunity to monitor and study his health as his immune system tried to fight off the sickness.

"Got it, Dr. G!" Ruthless yelled as she stomped her way into the doctor's private lab holding a flash drive.

"Ever the loud one, Ruth," Dr. Genie remarked as she took the flash drive from the villainess. "I take it you met no resistance."

"The heroes sent their turtledove to handle me, but I handled it," Ruthless beamed. "Too bad the criminals could make it back with the Committee vehicle. I would've loved to ride in that baby."

"While the vehicle would've been an added bonus, our hideout might've been revealed," Dr. Genie stated. "Besides, the information on here will help us exploit the Committee movements."

They went over to her computer where plugged the flash drive in one of the slots. Once it was loaded, critical information regarding the Committee began to be displayed on the screen as Dr. Genie began to smile a nefarious smile. Since it was messily displayed, Dr. Genie organized it to where similar pieces of information were grouped together and relocated it to another folder.

"Now what do we do?" Ruthless asked.

"Have Target and Carbon ready to move out," Dr. Genie ordered.

*****

There was one person that Crystal didn't want to see and that was Hyper. They were best friends and better partners, yes, but if Hyper found out about Crystal not breaking off the relationship with Grey, then she was going to have a lot of explaining to do. For the rest of the afternoon, Crystal made sure to avoid the areas where Hyper was sent to patrol while staying close to the Heroes' Headquarters.

Once they were allowed to return, Crystal made a beeline straight for the Headquarters. Often she looked up to the sky to see if she could spot Hyper but she didn't and focused on getting to the Headquarters. Once she made it, she quickly rushed to the elevator, mashing the buttons to the dorm floor and hoping Hyper doesn't show up.

The doors closed and Crystal went up to the dorm floor, walking hurriedly to get to her room. Using her key card, it unlocked and Crystal slipped in, closing the door behind her. She didn't know why she was nervous, but the jitters went away now that Crystal knew she beat Hyper to her room.

"Hey Crystal," Hyper called as she came out of the kitchen drinking one of Crystal's water bottles. "Do you want one?"

"Hyper! What . . . how . . . when . . .," Crystal stammered.

"I used your spare card," Hyper explained. "I hope you don't mind."

"You're supposed to ask to come in!" Crystal exclaimed as she grabbed a bottle of water for herself.

"What are you talking about?" Hyper asked.

"This is an invasion of privacy, you know," Crystal stated.

"But I've been doing this for months," Hyper replied, "and you've never had a problem with it. Hell, you even told me where you keep your spare card."

"I did?" Crystal said, suddenly remembering she actually did that. "Well, then forget I said all that. I'm going to take a shower and get some sleep afterwards, so keep the noise down if you're staying."

"You're tired?" Hyper asked incredulously. "Who are you? And what have you done to Crystal?"

"Is there a problem with being tired?" Crystal asked back.

"Not at all," Hyper backed off. "It's just the Crystal I knew went down to train in the basement if she didn't engage in combat."

"I-I-I engaged in combat," Crystal lied, immediately wishing she hadn't as Hyper started smiling.

"Then why hadn't you called in for backup?" Hyper challenged.

"I'm Crystal," Crystal reminded her. "I don't do backup."

"Why didn't wasn't it covered on the news like Osprey's was?" Hyper questioned.

"It took place during the same time," Crystal retorted. "And I finished them off a lot faster so the news couldn't cover it at the same time."