“G-Grandpa?” Lisa said in surprise. “Captain Vice?” Everyone else shouted. “Hello, pumpkin,” Vice smiled down at Lisa, then looked to Lector, “Man, someone did a number on you, son.” “Wait! If Lisa doesn’t kill me—“ Lector began. “There’s nothing to worry about, my boy,” Vice finished, “Just sit here and take a breather.” As soon as Vice set Lector down, Kara ran up to him and threw her arms around him, “Lector! Thank goodness.” “I guess you were right, Kara. Lisa didn’t have to kill me,” Lector touched his forehead to hers. Vice smiled at the two before returning his eyes to Lisa, “Every day you remind me more and more of Kat.” “I don’t know if that’s a good thing, grandpa,” Lisa looked away ashamed. Vice chuckled, “She had her baggage, but she was still the love of my life, pumpkin.” “Baggage? Baggage!” Disaster screamed, “You have to be kidding me? The greatest woman in history’s achievements are reduced to baggage? Listen you—“ “Chatty isn’t he?” Vice shook his head as he set Lisa down. She immediately hugged him, “Grandpa, I thought you were dead.” “Well, that’s what the government wanted everyone to think,” Vice laughed nervously. Lisa pulled him down to her level, “You haven’t aged at all.” “Well slowed aging and being stuck in a giant freezer under Area 51 does wonders,” Vice laughed, “That Gerald Jefferson was a genius!” “W-wait… did you say, Gerald Jefferson?” Chaos was pulled out of shock. “Yep!” Vice nodded, “His Regina may have a kid your age now if I’m not mistaken from the last letter I received from him before they froze me the third time.” Chaos shifted awkwardly, “Y-yeah… she did.” “Did?” “She’s dead Vice,” Chaos muttered. “Ah… well, I’m sorry to hear that,” Vice shook his head, “old Dave did her in, huh? Such a shame. Well, it looks like you turned out to be a fine young man, Spence!” “What do you even know about me?” Chaos shouted. “Did I— strike a nerve somehow?” Vice looked confused at the outburst. Lisa signaled Vice to come closer then whispered in his ear. “Oh? Oh… Uh, I mean you turned out to be a big scary guy. Scary indeed,” Vice smiled awkwardly as Lisa slapped a hand to her forehead. “Are you making fun of me, Vice?” Chaos glared. “Not at all, big— scary, criminal— guy,” Vice tried sounding intimidated and was failing miserably. Lisa rubbed the bridge of her nose, “Grandpa…” “Let the boy alone, Vice,” Mr. Wilson came in. “Mr. Wilson?” Lisa was confused. “Wilson, old friend! How the heck are ya?” Vice pulled Mr. Wilson into a hug. “Who are you calling old?” Mr. Wilson returned laughing. “Oh, yeah. You all don’t know, but Wilson was my sidekick once upon a time and the best navigator and sniper… well, second only to Wilma. Speaking of which, how is she?” “She’s gone, friend. Time wasn’t as kind to the rest of us,” Mr. Wilson shook his head. “Damn…” Vice got misty-eyed, “I’m going to guess… since Lisa is here in this situation… Kat’s gone, too, huh?” “Yep. Years ago,” Mr. Wilson shook his head. “Those government bastards could have unfroze me long enough to go to my own wife’s funeral,” Vice muttered. “Well, we know how they are,” Mr. Wilson rolled his eyes. “Tell me about it,” Vice sighed. “Grandpa, why’d they unfreeze you now?” Lisa asked, “I mean I’m so glad you’re alive, but…” “Well, Wilson put out a call stating that humanity was about to be in big trouble,” Vice said turning Lisa’s face over, “looking at your eyes it seems like I was right on time.” Lisa pulled away, “Yeah… thanks, grandpa.” “Any time, pumpkin. Now let’s get out of here. You obviously need an ice cream,” Vice wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Grandpa, slow down,” Lisa tugged his sleeve. “Huh? What is it?” Lisa turned to look back at Chaos, then approached him slowly. Chaos blushed and looked away awkwardly. “Listen, Little Flower, I’m s—“ Chaos began but was cut off because Lisa jumped in his arms. “I’m sorry, Spencer. I know Veronica said 10 minutes, but… I couldn’t wait locked in that room,” Lisa cried. “Wait, wait, wait,” Vice held his hands up, “He locked you in a room?” “It— wasn’t my finest moment.” Vice almost fell over laughing, “Oh boy. Well, I hope you learned a valuable lesson about Lesura women, son.” “You aren’t mad?” Chaos was confused. “Spence, do you know how long I’ve chased Kat, and how many times I failed to keep her locked up?” Vice was trying to compose himself, “Couldn’t even get this one to stay put when she was very obviously grounded.” “Grandpa,” Lisa blushed. “Boy-Next-D—, I mean, Chaos I could have told you that,” Ben walked in scratching the back of his neck, “Ouch!” Mr. Wilson pulled Ben’s ear, “Why didn’t you tell me about this sooner, Ben?” Ben whispered back, “Because I am old enough to handle these situations on my own, grandpa.” “Well, you obviously didn’t have it handled,” Mr. Wilson continued to scold Ben. Lisa approached Mr. Wilson and held his hands, “Mr. Wilson, I’m sorry.” “Why Lisa?” “Because— Ben had to kill someone for me,” Lisa looked down. Mr. Wilson glared at Ben who looked away innocently. “It’s okay, Lisa,” Mr. Wilson pat her head, “Ben’s a big boy and I’m sure he will get over it. Won’t you, Ben?” “Yep! Anyway, I have to go,” Ben hurried out. “Oh! Okay,” Lisa nodded. “He seems… upset,” Lisa thought. Lisa decided to approach Lector next, “Lector… I’m…” “It’s not your fault, Lisa. Don’t think anything else of it,” Lector smiled as Victor and Charles carted him off. “Oh… okay,” Lisa waved. She was definitely going to think a lot of it. “So, pumpkin, about that ice cream,” Vice put a hand in her shoulder. “Yeah… yeah… definitely time for ice cream…” Lisa followed Vice and Mr. Wilson out of the warehouse. — A few weeks after the incident, everyone was still picking up the pieces. With Disaster gone and no real leadership to pick up after him, the lackeys found their places in Chaos Corps. even the clones. “Boss, don’t get any ideas,” Veronica gave Chaos side-eye. “Don’t worry about that. It seems kind of creepy to have doubles of yourself waking around,” Chaos put up his hands. “Tell me about it,” the lackey with the face tattoo was sitting at a table. “Sven was it?” Chaos asked. “Yeah,” Sven was still considering his hands. “I can find a different place for the clones to work within the organization if it bothers you,” Chaos sat next to him. “No… no. It’s okay,” Sven sighed. “Well, it’s good to know that you’re the original. Cool face tattoo,” Chaos smiled. “Boss…” Veronica warned. “I’m not going to get a face tattoo, Veronica,” Chaos rolled his eyes, “Well if you need anything, let me know Sven.” “Yeah… thanks,” Sven nodded. Chaos made his way down a hallway followed by Veronica, “Do you really think it’s a good idea to keep that guy around?” “It’s not good, but it’s not bad either. It’s best if we have him here to keep an eye on him… and he needs to find a new normal inside an organization where I am NOT shooting copies for shits and giggles,” Chaos slowed his pace. “Thanks, boss,” Veronica smiled. “For what?” Chaos raised his eyebrows. Veronica laughed, “Oh no reason. I’m glad we’re finally here though.” They walked into an automatic door where they caught Lector gazing out of a window. “Hey, Lec. How are you feeling?” Chaos asked. “I’m okay, boss,” Lector gave a half smile. Veronica stroked his hair, “I’m glad to see your smile, even if it’s a bit half-assed right now.” “Thanks, Veronica,” Lector nodded, “Boss, I hope you’re not running Veronica ragged. She’s due in exactly five weeks.” “Yep… he’s back,” Chaos muttered. “Don’t worry about me, Lector. You just focus on getting well,” Veronica was trying to stifle giggles. “Of course,” Lector nodded. “Good. Charles is great with cracking safes and security systems, but he’s a shit shot,” Chaos sighed. “I’ll remember that next time you ask me to watch your six,” Charles grimaced as he entered the room holding a pan of brownies. “You— didn’t make those did you?” Chaos looked at it nervously. Charles rolled his eyes, “No, these are from Lisa.” “Lisa?” Chaos sounded hopeful. “Yes, but they are for Lector,” Charles turned to set the brownies on Lector’s side table. “I see…” Chaos forced a smile. “You could go talk to her, boss,” Lector encouraged. “She hasn’t made any effort to talk to me, so…” Chaos began. “Boss, please. She’s likely avoiding coming here because you tried holding her hostage,” Lector reprimanded. “Well, it’s not like the shop has been open here lately either,” Charles sighed. “What do you mean?” Chaos perked up concerned. “Well, with Ben gone and her grandfather still visiting she doesn’t have the help she needs to keep it open and spend time with Vice before they call him back,” Charles explained. “Ben is gone, huh?” Chaos wanted to sound happy, but he couldn’t help but feel concerned, “I’ll go drop by.” — “You know, you don’t have to keep running this shop, pumpkin,” Vice was sitting at the table while Lisa prepped for an event that was scheduled by a client months ago. “What else am I supposed to do, grandpa? Plus, I like it here,” Lisa was working with an arrangement, “flowers make sense to me.” “Still having trouble with people, huh?” Vice stroked his chin. “No! My customers like me just fine,” Lisa was indignant. “But they aren’t friends, Lisa,” Vice emphasized. “I— have friends,” Lisa muttered. “You mean the ones in that young man’s company?” Vice asked. “I guess…” Lisa started focusing harder on her arrangements. “Well, why don’t you call them?” Vice asked. “Well, Ben is missing. He has every right to avoid me. Charles is busier than ever and Veronica is due soon,” Lisa started aggressively clipping one of the flowers. “And that bothers you?” Vice raised his eyebrows. “No, grandpa it doesn’t— Ah!” Lisa managed to clip a finger. Vice rushed over with a towel to put pressure on it. “Grandpa, I don’t want to talk about other people. I’d rather spend the time with you, while I still have you here,” Lisa sighed as Vice sat her at the table to find the first aid kit. “I understand that, and I want that too, but as your grandpa I also want you to have a happy life after I’m gone,” Vice took off the towel to get a better look at it, “Man, you cut this good.” “Little flower?” Chaos stepped into the shop cautiously then noted the blood on the table, “Lisa!” “She’s okay. We’re over here, Spence!” Vice called out. “Grandpa,” Lisa whisper yelled. “A-are you okay?” Chaos asked looking over Vice’s shoulder. “Yes!” Lisa tried to sound upbeat. “No,” Vice said simultaneously. “Grandpa—“ Lisa began but hissed as Vice applied some antibacterial ointment to the wound. “Whelp, it’s all wrapped up! I’ll leave you two to chat now!” Vice finished wrapping it and used his speed to leave the area. “Grandpa!” Lisa called after him indignantly. “Mind if I sit?” Chaos asked indicating a chair next to Lisa. Lisa looked away and nodded. Chaos smiled and had a seat. They sat in an awkward silence for a long moment. “Lisa, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tried to keep you locked up. It’s just… things were going so well I panicked when I saw Lector, then Disaster’s ultimatum, and your eyes…” Chaos looked down at his hands, “No… before that with Dave and… the bank… and the warehouse. Disaster knew what he was doing because it was the very same warehouse where… where you…” “Almost died,” Lisa finished. “Yeah,” Chaos sighed, “My power and influence— is intended to do bad things, but never to you. I never meant to hurt you, Lisa.” “I’m not hurt at all,” Lisa declared then winced when her finger started throbbing. “Right…” Chaos looked down at her hand then to her face, “You’ve been eating nothing but ice cream.” “Are you saying I’m fat now?” Lisa glared. “No— Little flower. You’re lactose intolerant, so you don’t really eat too much when you eat ice cream because you always get a stomach ache,” Chaos put his hands up. “So you’re saying I’m too thin now?” Lisa was indignant. “Lisa, will you stop pretending to be pissed off and nitpicking what I’m saying and talk to me,” Chaos sighed in frustration. Lisa clenched her fists in her lap then winced, “What do you want me to say?” “Before you answer that, Spence, may I have a word with my granddaughter,” Vice appeared around the corner, “have one of these tacos while you wait, son.” Vice picked Lisa’s chair up and started walking. “Grandpa!” “Huh, I remember papa always saying his friend bought him tacos when he was having a bad day,” Chaos considered the tacos, “Wait a damn minute. These are authentic. Did he really just run down to Mexico and back just to bring us tacos? Is this the type of off-the-wall shit that grandpa’s normally do?” Chaos’s grandpa didn’t have super speed, but he always brought Chaos a new tool every time he could tell Chaos was having a bad day. It made his mom nuts, so he’d always procure a box of chocolates for her. He couldn’t find a box of chocolates big enough to dissuade her from letting Chaos have a flamethrower. “An eight-year-old does NOT need a flamethrower, dad,” Regina shook her head. “But they canceled Red’s Hints, Gina,” papa argued. “Then take him for ice cream like a normal person!” Regina shouted, loading the flame thrower back into papa’s truck. Chaos couldn’t help but chuckle at that memory.