“…one week since the criminal known as the Black Death…”

“…the incredible heroics of…”

“…memorial service held outside what was once Detroit, but will now…”

“…federal inquiry into how a known terrorist managed to bypass all security checks and personally meet numerous political figures…”

“…’I got it because, you know, it’s a bad law, it’s prejudice, and I say enough with the hate, enough with the fear.’ The man pointed to the letter E freshly tattooed on his face. ‘We’ve been down this road before and I say I’m with you Lady Dawn, a hundred’…”

“…begun rebuilding of the Eastchester Academy, overseen by newly elected leader of the Legion of Heroes, Giselle Pixus…”

“…issued a warrant for the family’s genetic material, an order already being contested by…”

“…I think she’s dangerous, I think she’s unstable, and she can’t just keep flying around with this kind of power and…”

“…’world keeps spinning, you know? We try and pick up the pieces; and even though we’ve lost so much, I guess…’ The old man shook his head, smiling sadly. ‘…I guess I just want to say thank you. Thank you Matt the Human. Thank you Lady Dawn…”

The TV blared in the background but nobody paid it much notice. There were more important things going on.

They had the room to themselves. The whole floor actually. The hospital board of directors were staunch, unanimous supporters, and had taken every precaution to ensure their privacy and wellbeing. So for almost a week the halls had stood largely silent, save for the one room with the sea-green walls – where seven people came intermittently in and out. Two veteran doctors, one trusted nurse and the entire Callaghan family.

All of them there for Matt.

And now it was time to say goodbye.

His bandages had come off days ago – the twin pink scars sitting mid-way up his thighs now the only indication of how close he’d come to death. The doctors had offered to heal them for him, but Matt had declined. They were a part of him now, a testament, a reminder.

Something he’d probably need in the days to come.

He dressed, then hugged them, one by one. Shook his father’s hand, Michael Callaghan’s eyes a little red. Listened as his mother held his shoulders and whispered how proud she was. Punched Jonas lightly on the chin as his brother hugged him. Picked Sarah up, her small arms wrapping tight around his neck, not really understanding, not wanting him to go.

But this was something he had to do alone.

*****

Matt’s footsteps echoed through the hospital corridor, walking steadily, his eyes firmly ahead. His heart beat fast but his hands didn’t shake. It was alright. He breathed. It would be okay.

His secret was out. No going back now – not after announcing it live on international television, not after having thousands of people running around inside his head. His hands moved almost without thinking to his wallet. His Ident-Card.

Matt Callaghan – Clairvoyant.

He tossed the card into a silver bin in the hallway and kept walking.

Until he stood at the hospital’s exit.

Matt glanced up at the green Exit light, at the steel, push-bar double doors. He closed his eyes and drew a deep, steadying breath. This was it. No turning back.

He opened his eyes, placed a hand on either side of the doors and pushed.

Taking his first steps into the outside world, greeted by blinding sunlight-

-and a bellowing roar.

Matt held up his hand, shielding his eyes, momentarily dazed. As his pupils adjusted to the outside light, the flashing camera lenses, he looked down and he saw, gathered there, waiting for him, at the bottom of the hospital steps -

People.

A crowd, a sea of people, maybe thousands. Clapping, chanting, calling out his name. Waving banners bearing the Legion’s symbol, holding signs saying, ‘We’re Human Too’. All there, all for him – all on his side.

And at the top of the stairs, from beside the door, alone and oblivious to the crowds, stepped Jane.

The same as always. In her grey hoodie and faded jeans, her arms crossed. The black E shining proudly on her cheek. Smiling. She stepped beside Matt. He turned to her and smiled back.

“So,” he muttered so only she could hear, beneath the crowd’s roar, “This is new.”

“You get used to it,” she replied, grinning.

They stood there for a moment at the top of the hospital steps, a thousand cameras flashing, looking down at the sea of shining faces. Then Matt glanced back at her.

“So what do we do now?” he asked, “Morningstar’s destroyed.”

“We’ll rebuild,” Jane said calmly.

“Can you even be in the Legion without powers?”

“We might need a secretary.”

“Not to mention the government wants to take my blood,” grimaced Matt.

“Mmm,” Jane mused. Her fingers wrapped through his. “They can try.”

They paused.

“I mean you’ll probably be off,” Matt said after a second, with an overly dramatic sigh, “Kicking ass. Saving the world. Probably won’t have much time for me.”

“You’re an idiot,” she said softly.

“And you’re amazing,” he replied.

“No,” she corrected, leaning close, “We’re amazing.”

And in front of the whole world, they kissed.

Kissed long and hard, his hands cupping around her cheeks, her arms wrapping around his head, their eyes closed, soft and then deeper, pulling each other close – and as the crowd shrieked and the cameras flashed, as her hands closed tight around him, as their lips pressed together in guiding warmth, Jane’s mark shone and her eyes flew open, ablaze with shining gold-

And in a rush, a wind raced through the sea of onlookers, a wave of breathless, billowing light – as they rose, spiralling, embracing, intertwined, the sunlit air swirling around them as they kissed, as they held each other, oblivious to the world.

Then slowly, the light faded, and the wind died. Slowly, they descended back to earth, their feet touching softly on the ground. Their lips gently parted, breaking an inch away – breathing slow and warm, looking into each other’s eyes. His hand squeezed hers, and they exchanged stupid smiles. Then Jane glanced at the flashing crowd.

“Hang on,” she grinned, wrapping her arm around his waist. Then she bent down, glanced up-

And in a rush of light they flew away together, into the open sky.