“So I guess we just get to hang out,” Malorie said, sitting next to Fletcher at one of the tables. 

“Uh, yeah I guess we do!” Fletcher said excitedly as he smiled at her. Malorie could see his cheeks turn slightly pink under the lights of the club. Malorie giggled he was so awkward but it fit his personality to where it was cute and charming. 

 “Do you, uh want a drink or something?” Fletcher asked her as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck. 

“I guess one drink couldn't hurt.” Malorie smiled as he nodded his head as he quickly jumped up and ran off. He was acting more jumpy than usual, it must have been because they were on their first official mission. 

“M! This is important!” Ruby shouted as she ran over to her. 

“Hey, Ruby!” Malorie Chirped as Ruby reached the table, a crazed grin plastered on her face. 

“I got something to tell you! You are going to be so happy!” Ruby giggled, as she jumped up and down.

 “Well don’t keep it to yourself tell me!” Malorie laughed as Ruby stopped jumping. 

“Fletcher’s got a crush on you!” Ruby squealed as she began jumping up and down again. 

“What? Your kidding right?” Malorie asked. She could feel her cheeks turn red. 

“No! He told Chadwick! He likes you M!” Ruby squealed excitedly. “My ship is sailing!” Ruby shouted as Malorie tried to get her to calm down. 

“Shh! Tone it down! What if somebody hears you!” Malorie hushed her. She had to admit the thought of dating Fletcher sounded like all of her dreams coming true. 

“Oh! He’s coming back! Good luck!” Ruby giggled as she ran off. 

“Here I figured it’s better to stay sober during the mission but I mean we might as well live a little while we can.” Fletcher chuckled nervously as he sat down at the table and handed her a drink. 

“Thanks, Fletcher!” Malorie smiled at him as his face turned bright red. Malorie held back a giggled as he tried to hide the blush in his cheeks. Ruby was right, he really did like her. 

“Uh… Malorie? Can I- um can I ask you something?” Fletcher stuttered nervously as he looked down at the table. Malorie rolled her eyes and smiled, he was so awkward. 

“I like you too Fletcher and I would love to be your girlfriend.” Malorie giggled as Fletcher stared at her, his face frozen with shock and surprise. 

“H-h-how?” Fletcher asked as he shook his head in disbelief. 

“Ruby told me,” Malorie said as he shook his head. 

“But you really wanna be my girlfriend?” Fletcher asked hopefully, his eyes pleading with her.

 “Yes, Fletcher.” Malorie laughed as the biggest smile spread across his face. 

“Yes! Yes!” Fletcher cheered as he threw his hands in the air in victory as he fell out of his chair. 

“Are you alright?” Malorie asked, trying to hide the laughter in her voice. 

“How can I not be ok? Heck, I'm better than ok! You're my girlfriend!” Fletcher shouted as he jumped up from the floor. 

“Shhh! Were not supposed to be drawing attention to ourselves.” Malorie hushed him through her laughter. 

“Sorry.” Fletcher chuckled as he sat back in his seat. Malorie giggled this was a night she was never going to forget. 

Nova slowly made her way through the crowd to the bar, the bartender walked up to her and waited.

“A shot of vodka please, and just put it on my father's tab,” Nova said to the bartender. The bartender nodded and walked off, Nova was glad the workers still thought she was Rex’s daughter. The bartender brought her back a shot of vodka and went off to help a couple on the other side of the bar. Nova grabbed the shot and downed it in one swift motion, the Vodka burned her throat as it went down. Nova had done plenty of shots before, at this point, she was a pro. She knew she shouldn't be drinking at her age but it helped with missions like this one. Nova slammed the glass down and stared at the counter. Then she felt the pricks on the back of her neck, it was now or never. 

“Wow I didn’t think a girl like you could down a shot like that.” said a voice from behind her. Nova quickly put on an act as she turned around like she had suspected Clarence was standing right behind her staring at her like she was a piece of meat. Nova had seen that look too many times before, it made her sick to her stomach. 

“what's a beautiful creature like yourself doing here?” he asked, moving closer to her as he brushed a strand of her hair out of her face. Nova felt like she was going to barf, but all she had to do was lead him out of the club and tranq him. It wouldn't be too hard he was already drunk. 

“I thought it would be nice to get out and meet some people,” Nova said trying to show interest in him as she stared at his body then quickly met his eyes. 

“What's your name beautiful?” he asked, moving to the seat next to her. 

“Charlotte Vinogradov,” she said as his eyes drifted up and down her body. Then he locked eyes with her. 

“Clarence Andor, and it's a pleasure to meet you Charlotte. What a beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” he said as he kissed her hand. Nova smiled and blushed, she had gotten good at acting over the years it even scared her sometimes how good she was at it. 

“So who are you with tonight?” he asked, staring at her. “I'm by myself tonight,” Nova said as she watched his eyes dance with excitement. She hated talking to him, it took everything in her power not to slap the shit out of him. 

“Would you care to dance?” Clarence asked her as he held his hand out. 

“I have a feeling you don't want to dance. My father has some open rooms in the back if you would like?” Nova whispered as she placed a hand on his thigh.

 “Oh, you read my mind beautifully,” Clarence growled as he took her hand and led her off into the back rooms. Before she even had time to react Clarence pushed her up against the wall and slammed his lips against hers. Now she was really going to barf, she could smell the alcohol on him. Nova tried to reach for her tranq gun as Clarence kissed her harder, he had her arms pinned to her side. She should have just shot him out in the open. Suddenly Clarence crumpled to the ground releasing her from his putrid kiss.

 “Nobody forcefully touches my Malen'kiy voron in any way,” Rex growled as he lowered his weapon. 

“Thanks,” Nova mumbled as she scrubbed her mouth with her sleeve and kicked Clarence out of her way. 

“Shades the target is ready for collection, get Crackers and Coins to help you,” Nova said flatly into the communicator as she walked over to Rex. 

“Are you alright malen'kiy voron?” Rex asked her as he gave her a quick hug. 

“I'm alright, he didn't get to do anything other than kiss me. Thanks again, Rex.” Nova said as she glanced at Clarence. 

“You can call me Uncle Rex, you don't have to use my nickname.” Rex chuckled as Alfred walked over. 

“Eh, Rex is just easier.” Nova laughed as Fletcher and Chadwick followed behind Alfred. 

“Is he dead!” Chadwick asked as he backed away from the room. 

“He’s tranquilized you dumbass!” Alfred grumbled glaring at Chadwick. Nova rolled her eyes as Chadwick threw up in the corner of the room. 

“Crackers take Coins back to the van and tell everyone else to meet us there.” Nova sighed as Fletcher led Chadwick out of the room. “

Did that one actually think he was dead? There is no hope for that child.” Rex sighed, shaking his head. 

“Yeah we know, his dad’s the resident doctor and we kinda just keep him around too keep him outta his dad's hair.” Nova sighed as she slung one of Clarence's arms over her shoulder. 

“Let's get this creep outta here.” Alfred sighed grabbing onto Clarence’s other arm. 

“Sorry about the puke Rex” Nova sighed, shaking her head as they dragged Clarence out of the room. 

“Don’t worry I swiped his wallet,” Rex smirked, holding up Chadwick's wallet. 

“Take care now malen'kiy voron, I hope to see you again very soon,” Rex said as he patted the top of her head. 

“See you soon Uncle Rex.” Nova huffed as she helped Alfred carry Clarence's dead weight to the van. 

“Don’t put the body back here!” Chadwick shouted as he gagged again. 

“Oh shut up you pussy! He’s not fucking dead.” Nova growled as Alfred jumped in behind her. 

“Hit it Rig’s” Alfred called up to the front of the van. 

“You puke in my van and I'll make you eat it,” Alfred said as Chadwick held back another gag. Nova rolled her eyes, of course, the only problem they had on the mission was Chadwick. 

“When we get back to base I'm gonna need your help Alfred too take this sack of shit to interrogation room 3.” Nova huffed as she nudged Clarence's shoulder with her foot. 

“Alright, I'm on it,” Alfred said, nodding his head. 

“The rest of you are done for the night, however, you all did a good job tonight,” Nova said as everyone agreed with her. 

“Everyone except of course Chadwick who threw up overseeing a guy unconscious.” Alfred laughed as Chadwick glared at him. 

“Let's celebrate tonight? After interrogation do you two wanna meet us at Luigi's?” Amy asked before Chadwick could say anything he was going to regret. 

“Sure we could all use the break. Whaddya say, Nova?” Alfred asked, turning towards her. 

“Fine but we need to get this back to Valentina for her interrogation, she doesn't need us for that,” Nova said flatly as she stared out the window. She still felt like she had slime covering her lips, she was just going to have to deal with it. 

“Do you want us to wait for you guys then?” Barnaby asked as they pulled up to the base. 

“If you guys want it’ll only take us a few minutes anyway.” Nova shrugged as Alfred helped her carry Clarence's limp body out of the van. She had accomplished her first mission as second in command, Maybe Opal was right. Maybe, just maybe anything might be possible for her.