Bailey was preparing dinner; tonight was Thursday, which was Spaghetti Night. This week was her turn for cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Devin was beside her but he only assisted because he had a talent, for making secret sauces. And what was a spaghetti dinner without Devin's Magic Mix? Bailey wasn't a bad chef, no one complained, except herself. She was an extreme perfectionist, if she found something wrong, then it was considered wrong in the World. She was tall, but looked dangerous in her leather motorcycle jacket.

She planted her feet, firmly and perfect; even her sneakers were leather, she looked like a fighter, with a high ponytail with long bangs. Her eyes were focused and alert, until something distracted her.

"Ow!" Devin yanked on her hair.

"That's for the muffin." He whispered.

A burst of air distracted her. Everyone greeted Tense; she noticed Anne and Liam.

"Hey guys, Happy New Year! Liam, you still paranoid?" Tense asked

"Always, luv." he joked. Nate walked up to her; he had on his serious face.

"Peter--" Nate began to explain

"I did something...really bad. It involved an H-U." Peter chose to finish, he was slightly out of breath. Nate sighed and sat down.

"What happened?" Liam inquired

Just then, Sebastian emerged from his office. "Tense, you can tell me what you found about Charles...later. Right now, Peter is going to make certain that this...civilian is alright. Aren't you, son?"

"Of course. B-But she might be okay!"

"And she might not. So you're going to check, aren't you?" He asked, the boy nodded in surrender and headed outside.

The Scientist looked to everyone else.

"Valerie--" everyone flinched at the sound of her name, and he sighed from annoyance.

"Alright, enough of that. Valerie is on her WAY here. So, I will be the one to break the news to her. For now, it's almost dinnertime."

     CJ was asleep. She was in Medical room-5 in the Patient's Wing. She was bandaged up around her torso. Will was seated in a chair next to her bed. Voices echoed inside her subconscious. She remembered his face. His laugh, even her unexpected event, it made her twitch.

"No, don't leave me."

Her friend moved closer in concern. She moved her head back and forth.

"C-Ceej?"

"Wait...wait!"

She opened her eyes slowly, and stared at the ceiling. She looked around with her eyes, she could see that she was in Hospital Room -5, and she could hear the beeping of the EKG machine.

He chuckled. "Bad dream?" He grabbed her glasses from his shirt pocket and handed them to her.

CJ puts them on. "You could say tha--" Memories of the accident began to float through her mind. She remembered the boy on the road. She recalled his face perfectly. "That guy. W-Where is he?"

"Who are you talkin' about? What guy?" Will asked

She sat up in a panic. "The one I ran over!"

"CJ, you were the only one on the road. There wasn't anybody else."

"That makes noo sense, Will!"

"Look, Patrol examined the entire scene. There was no one there but you."

"No, no! I'm not making this up. He was--!"

Man! You pack a punch! She could still hear his voice. Why would her best friend lie to her like this?

"I-I saw him, he was real. I ran him over, I know it."

Will sighed. "Ceej, he really wasn't. According to the report, it was a hit-and-run. Somebody crashed into you and drove off. They say it was a drunk driver."

The girl stood to her feet and moved quickly around the room. "I-I need to get home. Your Sergeant's supposed to be coming over. Can you sign me out?"

"You still got your bandages on."

"I-I'll rest up and heal at home! Can you get me outta here, please?"

"Y-Yeah, sure." He expressed and walked off. She paused when she saw her clothes. On the shoulder of her waitress uniform, was a dark smudge.

[He...touched me. Then he really was there!] She marveled.

Minutes later they were in the parking lot. Will was making room for her on the passenger side. She looked up at building, she saw someone on the roof. He was wearing a sleeveless shirt and khaki boots.

She remembered that gray shirt, with his blood-stained down the middle. She couldn't believe it, it was him.

"L-Look up there!"

Will did as instructed, but he saw nothing. "It's just a roof, Ceej."

She couldn't believe it. The boy was gone. Again. Will escorted into her seat, and they headed toward her house.

[He was there--wasn't he?] She thought in discouragement.

CJ was lost, maybe she was crazy. And if so she'd never tell anyone.

Hours had passed and it was finally dark. Bailey was washing the dishes, the aftermath of Spaghetti Night. She was the only one up front. She saw headlights illuminating the Living Area, she saw Will step out of his jeep.

"This can't be good." She said, Peter was fixing the chandelier in the Dining Area, he saw Will also.

"Oh boy," he said.

                                                               ~~~~

    Sebastian was in his office; he was speaking with his associate, Valerie Chambers. "Now, what was so urgent? Why am I here?" she asked in her Australian accent.

"Off the record? I don't want anyone being punished by this."

She closed her eyes. "Of course. No one will be harmed."

He sighed. "Peter's incident will put us behind schedule."

She opened her eyes and Sebastian looked fearful."What kind of incident?"

"A...car accident."

Valerie Chambers had a certain look of royalty, but in the professional sense; like a Drill Sergeant or Teacher. Her face was calm and relaxed; she dressed simple, except for her hair. She donned messy, loose strands and a braid, or two. She was one of three Commanding Officiates, which allowed her to enforce Veer laws, and make exceptions to said rules. She and Sebastian were High School friends, but she had her limitations.

He rose from his desk, with his hands up. ''Stay calm, Val."

"I am calm go ahead, Sebastian." she pressed

"He hurt this girl on--"

"A hu-man girl?" she asked,

"Y-Yes. He's been shadowing her, so she's going to be fine."

Valerie raised her hand, and she waved it. Instantly, Sebastian was thrown across to the other side of the room. She walked over to him; he wasn't upset, but he was panting.

"You. Said. That. Nobody would be punished."

"I know. But, I really hate hearing bad news."

He looked at the wall. "Yes, I almost forgot."

She helped him to his feet and went back to her chair. "And as far as Peter's concerned--" he ran directly at her, his hands placed firmly on the desk.

"Don't go there! I'll handle my son, okay?" he said

"Honestly, Sebastian! That son of yours can be so--" there was a knock at the door

"Come in!" he said, the visitor entered. Valerie watched him enter, and she spoke to him.

"Hm, did you win?"

"Not exactly." said Will. He had bruises on his face, and he was hunched over.

Valerie looked at Sebastian. "Very well, I'll take my leave. But remember this Tally, I'll be gone, but I'm ALWAYS watching." She smiled, and left.

Sebastian could see from the open door that his son moaning in pain. "Hmm...impressive."

Will slammed the door. "Not enough! My bruises won't heal in a matter of minutes like his." He said

"So, what brings you here?" he asked. Will pounded on Sebastian's desk.

"You KNOW what!" he yelled with a bang on his desk.

"She's alright, Pete's been shadowing her. Does she suspect anything?" he asked

"I don't think so. But, she's not stupid, Talbot!"

"I'm aware of that, I know her family too. We still need you, Will. Just try to calm down, okay?" he pleaded

Will took a few slow breaths. "Fine, let's figure somethin' out." he said,