“Spencer!” Lisa jumped into Chaos’s arms. “Little Flower!” Chaos held her smiling. “Happy Anniversary! I brought you something,” Lisa held out a pretty hand wrapped box. Chaos raised his eyebrows opening the box, “Cookies?” “Not just any cookies,” Lisa nodded expectantly. Chaos took a bite, “These are pretty damn good, little flower!” “I knew you’d like them! They are grandma’s recipe— minus the pot,” Lisa was pleased with herself at how well they turned out. Chaos ate a second one, “I don’t think my gift is this good.” “I’m sure it’s wonderful!” Lisa gave Chaos her usual disarming smile. Chaos cleared his throat, “Ah, right.” Chaos pulled out a carefully wrapped box with air holes in it. When Lisa opened it her face was one of pure shock. “Little flower?” Chaos was concerned because it took her several moments to speak. She stammered, “Spencer— are these Valerianella affinis? These are supposed to be extinct!” “Well, when I was visiting Ahmed for his daughter’s wedding, we did a heist to get a piece of the dried sample in Yemen,” Chaos explained, “It took me a while to figure out how to make a living one off of the data I gathered from the sample. Truth be told I was afraid I wasn’t going to be able to keep it alive long enough to— oof!” Lisa hugged him tightly after setting down the plant, “This definitely beats the cookies.” “I don’t know Little Flower… I’ve already eaten four of them. Are you sure there’s no pot in these?” Chaos didn’t usually eat this many sweets but the cookies were addicting. “Of course not, silly,” Lisa chuckled into his chest, “I may need to up my game if you’re pulling heists for anniversary gifts.” “Don’t get any more ideas about playing Scooby-Doo with Veronica again,” Chaos laughed nervously. “No promises,” Lisa smooched him. “Lisa…” Chais groaned. The comms began to go off on the Chaos Corps. wide channel. “What the hell? I didn’t authorize an announcement,” Chaos furrowed his brow. “Boss! Boss!” Veronica rushed in, “turn on the screen quick!” Chaos nodded and turned the screen on. “Oh my god,” Lisa covered her mouth. “Lector!” Chaos shouted, “Lector where are you?” Lector managed to groan a hello, though he didn’t name everyone off like he usually does. He just didn’t have the energy anymore. “Still ever polite even though I’m pretty sure you’re on the verge of death,” Disaster shook his head, “Ah! Good, you’re all together!” “Disaster, you son of a bitch! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Chaos shouted. “Calm down, calm down,” Disaster waved a hand, “I’m not going to kill him.” “You’re damn right you’re not,” Lisa glared. “Yep, because YOU are, Miss Lesura,” Disaster said with glee. “I’m not going to kill him either!” Lisa snarled. “I’m sorry if I made it sound like you have a choice in the matter,” Disaster shook his head, “I fucked up sending little Dave off on his own. A fuck up in life— he couldn’t even die properly.” “Okay, I know Dave was a piece of shit, but that was low,” Lisa snapped. “Disaster, Lisa is not going to kill Lector,” Chaos reaffirmed, “How did you even capture him? Lector is my best sniper! My best spy for that matter.” “I don’t want to reveal the name of my associate as he requested that I be discreet,” Disaster began. “Jet—“ Lector managed. He didn’t even make a sound when Disaster slapped him that time. “The Jet is a douchebag but he wouldn’t—“ Chaos shook his head. “Well, since the cat is out of the bag,” Disaster shrugged, “I’ve been lining that fool’s pockets and keeping his reputation squeaky clean. Do you know how difficult that is? He goes through women like some sort of deranged mad man…” “Anyway, there is no choice in the matter. I have rigged a gun pointed right in between sweet little Lector’s eyeballs that is set up with a finger print and DNA scanner. If anyone but Miss Lesura pulls that trigger, it’ll kill her, Lector, and myself. If that’s not enough for you, his sweet little sister will die too— along with her entire family. How many kids she got now Lec? Three?” “I told you— to leave— her out of it,” Lector wheezed. “Man, I must not be making myself clear on the fact that I give no fucks and that I haven’t given any of you a choice in the matter,” Disaster was getting impatient. Everyone jumped when Lisa slammed her hands down on the table, “Disaster— don’t fuck with me…” “Little flower? Your eyes!” Chaos was confused. “There it is— Vice’s were gold, but I guess since your blood has been blessed with Katherine’s they are a nice shade of crimson,” Disaster was intrigued as he stared into the camera. Lisa’s fingers were bending the table as she clenched her fists, then she relaxed eyes still glowing, “Death will be too good for you Disaster— it was too good for your father, and obviously you didn’t learn.” “And what do you think you’re going to do, little Lisa Lesura?” Disaster was over the moon with glee. “Well, torture seems too much like your speed. If I or anyone else tortured you in a traditional sense, you’d like it too much,” Lisa pondered. “Little Flower, I don’t want you to involve yourself,” Chaos began, then stopped when Lisa held up your hand. “If I manage to get us all out of this alive, I’m going to lock you in my basement,” Lisa began. “Don’t threaten me with a good time,” Disaster smirked. “And make you watch reruns of kids cartoons. I think the educational ones like Red’s Hints would be perfect!” Lisa gave a sickeningly sweet smile. “Lesura you sadistic son of a bitch I’ll make sure that I get my way,” Disaster shouted. “Awe, but Red’s Hints is a classic,” Lisa shrugged, “I guess we will see, but either way Disaster I don’t think you grasp just how dangerous of a game you’re playing. Basement brainwashing with kindness aside, if I snap— you may just wish you took me up a on Red’s Hints marathon.” “Three days… Warehouse 3…” Disaster said through clenched teeth, “and come alone, Lesura.” “Wait!” Chaos and Veronica shouted when Disaster clicked the line. Lisa turned to leave, but Chaos grabbed her arm. “Little flower, you can’t do this! I won’t—“ Chaos began, she was pulling him along as she was absentmindedly walking away, “What the hell?” He picked her up facing him, “Lisa!” She blinked eyes returning to normal, “Spencer, I need a plan on how I’m going to get Lector out of this.” “No. You need to stay put. Charles, Victor, and I will take care of this,” Chaos ordered. “Spencer, if you think for one second that I’m going to take the chance of seven people dying, including four innocent bystanders you don’t know me at all. All eight of us will be walking away from this little tantrum Disaster is throwing,” Lisa wiggled out of Chaos’s arms. “Little Flower, if you think I’m going to let you do something this reckless, you don’t know me at all,” Chaos crossed his arms. “Then, I guess we’re both strangers to each other,” Lisa sighed as she turned to leave. The door shut suddenly. “Spencer, open the door,” Lisa said calmly. “Not this time, Little Flower,” Chaos shook his head. “Creator Chaos, am I to take this as an official attempt to keep me hostage,” Lisa said coolly. “Boss! Lisa! Just stop and take a breath for a minute,” Veronica stood between them, “Lisa, just stay here for ten minutes okay? If you give me ten minutes, I’ll let you go.” “Veronica, you can’t make that call,” Chaos glared. “I can if you want to continue to have a girlfriend,” Veronica glared back, “walk with me. Now!” Veronica ordered leading Chaos out of a side door that locked behind them. Lisa sighed. The door clicked. “Boss!” It was Charles and Victor who rushed in. “Lisa, where’s—“ Charles began, but before he could finish, Lisa bolted out of the door. “What— the hell is happening?” Victor looked at Charles who shrugged. “We’ll worry about Lisa later,” Charles said, “We need to come up with a strategy to save Lector with the boss.” “Right.” — “Lisa!” Ben was alarmed at how red in the face she was as she ran into the shop. She put her hands in the air trying to catch her breath, “Lock the door, Ben.” Ben did as he was told. “No,” she gasped, “I mean LOCK the door, Ben.” “Um… okay?” Ben tripped the lock that turns Charleston Avenue into a darn near impenetrable fortress. Ben had to play dumb, but he caught the feed from his counter part in Chaos Corps. When threats like that arise, every one of Lisa’s guardians in a 20 mile radius go on alert. Lisa grabbed Ben’s arms, “Listen to me. I know I ask a lot of you, Ben, and I’m still so sorry you had to kill someone for me.” Ben nodded, thinking, “It’s been more than one, but it’s nice she cares.” “But— Lector is in trouble. The kind of trouble that requires my direct intervention. Knowing this, Chaos tried to take me hostage to prevent my direct intervention.” “Boy next door, I thought you knew better than that,” Ben thought, “if that were an effective strategy I would have done that a long time ago.” “I’m going to have to come up with a really convincing apology later, but for right now, I have to focus on Lector,” Lisa sighed. “Lisa, whatever you need, you know I’d do it,” Ben pat one of her hands reassuringly. “Thank you, Ben. I feel like I ask way too much of you already, but do you think you can watch my back and prevent me from being captured while I come up with a strategy?” “Of course!” Ben nodded. “A chance to go toe-to-toe with Boy next door? I still owe him,” Ben thought. “And— will you—“ Lisa hesitated. “Lisa, what is it?” Ben was concerned. “Ben, I have a confession to make. When I saw what happened to Lector— something happened that hadn’t happened in a long time,” Lisa looked away. “The crimson eyes,” Ben guessed. Lisa nodded, “Will— will you go with me to carry out whatever strategy I come up with?” “Anything you want, Lisa,” Ben hugged her. “And if I kill while I have the crimson eyes, will you put me down?” Lisa gave a shaky breath leaning into the hug. Ben hesitated. This was something they all trained for as her guardians, but he was hoping that it would never come to that. “I know it’s a lot to ask. Maybe too much, but we grew up together. You know how dangerous this is for not just me, but for everyone,” Lisa sighed. Ben squeezed her closer and said, “If it comes to that, Lisa, I won’t fail you.” “Thanks, Ben,” Lisa gave a tight smile, “Can I also confess something else?” “Yes.” “I’m scared shitless right now, Ben,” Lisa burst into tears. “I know, Lisa,” Ben stroked her hair, letting her cry, “I know.” — “Boss, have you lost your damn mind?” Veronica lectured. “I know she’s pissed at me right now,” Chaos said, “But I’m not going to lose her, Veronica. Veronica sighed, “I understand, boss.” “I’m not going to lose Lector either,” Chaos seethed, “that sadistic bastard has stepped over the line.” “He has,” Veronica clenched her fists, “I hate that I’m out of commission right now.” “It’s okay, Veronica. Try to relax, I’m sure Lector is worried sick about you— about all of us,” Chaos pat her shoulder. Veronica cried, “I know! I’m sure he offered himself ten fold of what Disaster planned to do to his sister and to us. I just— I just wish that this one time he could have been at least a little selfish. Just this once. We could have all planned to rescue his sister together.” “I know. I know,” Chaos hugged her, “but we all know that’s not in his nature at all. Anyway, we need to make a plan so you can scold him later, yeah?” Veronica nodded, and Chaos led her back to the conference room after she managed to pull herself together. — “Boss!” Victor and Charles jumped up. “Where’s Lisa?” Chaos looked around the room in a panic. “She bolted as soon as I opened the door,” Charles shook his head, “I thought it was odd I had to use the code to open the door.” “Have you lost your mind? Didn’t you see the feed?” Chaos shouted. “Yes! It cut out after a certain point, but we rushed up here the second we saw Lector!” Victor explained, “I know we are all bad guys, and we’ve all been tortured, but… I hate seeing Lec hurt like that.” “I think we all do,” Charles pat him on the shoulder, “Our insurance covers a shit ton of counseling and physical therapy though so if we can get him out I’m sure he will be back to bouncing around here with that goofy smile in no time.” “Yeah,” Victor nodded, “So we need to make a plan.” “Charles, were you able to track the feed?” Chaos asked. “No. Disaster means business this time whatever it is that he wants to happen he scrubbed any trace of where the feed was coming from,” Charles shook his head. “Damn it!” Chaos slammed his hands on the table then a thought struck him, “Can you still track the Jet?” “Yeah— but what does he have to do with anything?” Victor looked confused. “I think I have an idea of when the feed cut for everyone else now,” Chaos sighed, “He’s the one who abducted Lector and his sister.” “No way,” Charles shook his head in disbelief, “Disaster is a liar.” “Lector is the one who told us that it was the Jet,” Veronica shook her head, “I’d like to cut him up myself.” “Vero,” Víctor began. “Don’t tell me to relax, and certainly don’t tell me this is getting you going. I thought you weren’t a machine,” Veronica glared in a way that made Victor think twice about finishing his thought. “Okay, so first we need to capture the Jet, which shouldn’t be too difficult for you guys to manage. He will be integral to formulating the plan. While you guys do that, I’m going to go find Lisa,” Chaos started for the door. “You aren’t going to try to hold her hostage again are you?” Veronica asked. “What?” Victor exclaimed. “Boss… tell me you didn’t,” Charles shook his head. “I’m going to owe her big later, especially since she stopped calling me by name,” Chaos gripped his arm. “Ouch…” Charles muttered. “But this is for her own good,” Chaos steeled his resolve. “Boss, I would advise against it, but it’s obvious you don’t plan on listening to us,” Charles continued and clicked his tongue at Chaos as he headed out the door. “If their relationship survives this it’ll be a miracle… Well you two heard the boss. Go find Captain Douchebag,” Veronica hurried Victor and Charles out the door. — Chaos tried his key to the shop, but it was reinforced by a steel door on the inside. “Lisa!” Chaos started banging on the door, “Open the door Lisa! This isn’t a game.” “She knows that on so many more levels that you can’t comprehend, boy next door,” Ben appeared from around the corner. “Ben, I don’t know what she’s thinking, but I can’t let her get involved,” Chaos explained in desperation. “But she is involved,” Ben crossed his arms. “Do you even know what’s going on?” Chaos shouted. “Oh, I am aware of Disaster’s plans,” Ben nodded unmoved. “So you’re going to help me keep her out of it?” Chaos looked relieved. “No, I am going to be watching her back,” Ben shook his head. “No. If you aren’t going to keep her safe, then step aside,” Chaos glared. “I don’t serve you, Creator Chaos. I serve the Lesura family, and that means Lisa. Whatever she asks I’ll do it. Wherever she tells me to be, I’ll be there,” Ben glared. “Don’t think I won’t take you out, Ben,” Chaos approached. Ben nodded, and a bullet bounced off the ground between Chaos and Ben. “That was a warning shot, boy next door,” Ben kept his cool, “She will carry out her plan. My job is to make sure she doesn’t get captured and be with her every step of the way, up to and including the end.” “What the hell does that mean?” Chaos glared. “I’m sure she will tell you all about it afterwards, if and when she steps out alive,” Ben turned to leave. “Are you kidding me right now?” Chaos shouted. “Keep your voice down, boy next door,” Ben warned, “My colleagues aren’t as forgiving. We will not fail her. I will not fail her. Try holding her hostage again or getting in her way, and we will put you down.” “What’s that on your shirt?” Chaos asked. “What?” Ben looked confused. “Is that makeup? Ben, what the hell is going on?” Chaos asked. “That’s none of your concern,” Ben remained stoic. “Um… it kind of is,” Chaos glared. “If you must know, she needed a moment to compose herself. I’m sure you could have been the one to comfort her if you hadn’t tried holding her hostage,” Ben grimaced. “Watch it, Ben,” Chaos glared. Ben began laughing, “Do you think you’re the first asshole to make her cry and do you think this is the first time I’ve had to be her shoulder to cry on? I’ve been here since we were kids and I’ll continue to be here. As to whether or not you will remains to be seen.” “You’re in love with her,” Chaos said mindlessly. “You’re out of your mind. And even if that were the case is that really the thing any of us should be worrying about?” Ben shook his head. “How long?” “What?” “How long have you been in love with her, Ben?” Chaos pressed. “Does that matter? I have one job. One purpose from the day I could train and condition for it and until the day I take my last breath. What I feel doesn’t matter. I don’t have time for ‘feelings’ because my one and only job is to guard Lisa, keep her safe, and prevent this leviathan from being unleashed by any means necessary,” Ben looked sad for a moment then composed himself. “What does that mean?” Chaos was alarmed. Ben was stoic, “That is now classified information. We’re done here, boy next door.” “Wait!” Chaos reached out but another bullet sailed dangerously close to his feet. Ben was gone. “Damn it,” Chaos shouted before turning to leave.