Welcome to Gaia! ::

While James was getting changed for his work, he had a little bit of time to think about the events of three nights ago. Mr. Wyong had been telling the truth. James Cross had powers and some pretty good ones too, though he did not like the down side too much, (the whole melting of his metal skin when he was in extreme heat), and then there were the bruises. Even though he seemed to be almost invincible the bruises and cuts James Cross had received looked horrible and they seemed to be all over his body. There was really no time to dwell on his powers for now, though one thing was for sure. He needed to find out how far these powers could take him. They could really come in handy... especially if he was going to become a cop.

The drive to Bergman's seemed very quick and that was probably because Laura literally talked the entire way up. She was still dressed in her casual clothes and James Cross couldn't feel any more comfortable with her. James couldn't believe Laura was related to Larry Listerine, one of the richest men in the world. There was so much Cross just didn't know about Laura and for some reason this fact intrigued him. She was just so different out of the uniform. On the way up she managed to discuss everything from her favorite television show to her family life to her many relationship problems. Before they had left, James threw on some clothes that apparently James Graydon, Cross's old police academy teacher, had dropped off for him. When James Cross heard that Graydon had come to pay him a visit, Cross thought that after prom he would go visit the old man just to show that no hard feelings had were still being held. After all, it wasn't his fault.

When Laura and James finally got to Bergman's that was when the conversation got serious and "work Laura Listerine" came back. "I just want you to know Cross that when you go in there you might be getting some nasty looks. What you did was brave... don't get me wrong... but there's something you don't know. While twenty-four people were saved from the fire, ten people were declared dead the other day. They were killed after the house collapsed. I'm sorry."

James was shocked. Ten people died? How did he and Anthony bypass these civilians. Tears tried to make their way towards James's eyes but he would have none of that. He tried to look okay, but he really wasn't. He thought he had finally done something right, but ten people dead was not a job well done. He was ashamed. James took in a deep breath and then said, "Okay... well I am going in then...."

"Good luck." Laura wished, a trying-to-be helpful smile on her face. James was just about to get out when Laura added, "Oh here!" and flipped a single key at him.

James caught it and asked, "What's this for?"

"While you were sleeping I went to take a look at that apartment that Graydon had told you he got you as a sort of 'forgive me gift'... if you will. I took a look at it and I don't think it was up to par for you. Don't worry tiger." Laura winked. "I got you covered. I talked to my father and told him your situation and he said you could stay in one of the guest houses at Listerine Estates. It's the house right next to me." Laura winked again. "Well, I have some police business to take care of... have to go home and get changed. Should be interesting work today though... too bad you are on prom duty. See ya later killer."

James didn't know what to say. He was shocked by the way Laura was acting and not only that, by what had just occurred. He was given a house on the richest property in Delmor... Listerine Estates. "Thanks." was all James answered back as he got out of the car and started walking towards the entrance of Bergman's. Once he got in it was like one of those movies. The entire lobby grew silent and all of the cops filling out paper work, discussing amongst themselves, and drinking their coffee stopped what they were doing to stare at Cross. As James made his way towards Oual's office he past a big and burly cop who said to one of his comrades, "There's the no good b*****d right there. The one who killed all of those people..."

James was ashamed. He couldn't be in this lobby anymore. When he got to Oual's office door, James gave three quick knocks, hoping Oual would open the door as quickly as the knocks had came.

To James Cross's relief, Oual let him in seconds after the knock. The first thing Oual did was to introduce his supposed nephew, Don. Don was to be the new security guard at the school. James firmly shook Don's hand and muttered, "The name is James Cross. Nice to meet you Don." Don looked like a pretty cool guy. He looked about the same age or maybe a little older than James. It would be good have Don at prom with Oual and him. James could try and make a new friend.

It was then Oual relayed to James that he knew everything that had went on in the fire. He told James that he did a very good job and he should be proud of himself, despite some casualties. James Cross did not agree with the statement, but didn't tell Oual. It was true Oual seemed to look at James with a better eye than he had in the past, but James was letting what the other police thought about him get under his skin. He did not want to be known as a killer. After Oual said his piece he looked at James like he wanted some information. God knows James couldn't tell Oual the entire truth of the situation, but he would have to give Oual some information even if he did not want to relive that tragic night.

"Well..." James began. "I was just walking out of the Pacific Unity club because I had went there to scope out B.A.N.D. I thought that might be a good idea since their mansion is being used to host prom and they are going to be singing. As I was walking I was thrown down by a sudden expolsion and I saw a fire had started. I called the proper authorities but I could not wait for them. The building looked unstable. As I was going towards the building three costumed heroes showed up, one insane one that thought everybody around him had started the fire. But with him out of the picture we all worked together to save the people trapped in his fire. One of my comrade's name was Anthony and he... well he did a lot of the grunt work. I just got the people out of there... he even held up the ceiling as it fell and there was another hero who could control electricity. She helped out a lot. The thing is chief... I didn't know anybody else was still in there. I feel like an absolute failure." Cross said his piece and got a little red in the face, mostly because Oual's nephew, Don here listening to everything with what seemed like interest. James did not know Don but hoped that he didn't think James was a complete loser.

James Cross took Oual's words as positive. Oual was being very reasonable and every moment Oual talked to him, James like him more and more. But something Oual had told James about the crime scene now stuck with him. The trademark of The Mastermind, an apparently very under wraps case that James had heard Laura and Oual mention once or twice, had been left at the scene. Nobody knew who this Mastermind was and that is why the case was so huge. James thought he knew who it was though. The Mastermind had to be Mr. Wyong.

Mr. Wyong was the last man at the scene. Mr. Wyong had to be The Mastermind. Then James thought of something else. Who was that mysterious man watching from the rooftops of the PU? One of Wyong's accomplices? James wanted to tell Oual about what he knew, but that would mean revealing everything from his powers to what really happened after the school situation that had occurred weeks ago. James decided right then and there that it was too dangerous, but if James Cross ever met Mr. Wyong again, questions would be answered.

Don asked the question, "Who is The Mastermind?" and James did not know how to to answer. James himself didn't even know who The Mastermind truly was and what his crimes were. James responded, "From what I know Don, The Mastermind is a criminal who has been elusive for quite some time. He is so elusive that he is considered to be a myth, but of course Oual doesn't see it that way. The only traces of a Mastermind is his trademark that he leaves. This is all I know from all the police talk that goes on in these offices. But we should go. We don't want to keep your uncle waiting."

Allen had decided not to speak to this woman. He'd let his mouth run just a little more than he should have and had wound up in the slammer, not a good for work and would certainly annoy his employer. Although he was sure once said employer found out a Listerine had done it he would direct his anger more towards that direction rather than at Allen. He sat in the room silently watching the camera as intensely as it watched him. What was this country coming to if a brother wasn't even allowed to greave over his fallen brother?

His fists clenched and he felt a vein throbbing in his neck. He needed to play it cool and maybe they'd give him community service or some stupid volunteer garbage like that. Idiot police woman, She thought that badge and that gun gave her authority but when it came down to it, pound for pound he would render her asunder if he got the chance. He blinked once but other than that he remained still in the chair.

LAURA LISTERINE

Right when Laura sat down in Oual's office, the tears came. First they welled up in Laura's eyes, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop them from pouring down her face. "He's dead...." Laura said in a flat, emotional tone. "I... I tried to be professional..." but Laura couldn't go on. Tears were now rolling off of her face making it look like she had a small stream coming from both of her eyes. She hated herself for breaking down in front of her chief. Oual had been more than that though. She hated crying in front of Oual because he had been more of a father to her than her own flesh and blood.

She relayed Oual the entire story. She told him about her arrival, getting into her house, seeing two strange men there upon one of the men claiming that he was James's brother, James's apparent brother fainting from shock, the other man not leaving Laura alone, and then Laura described James's body. It was so hard to describe because in actuality Laura did not believe that it was James's body, or even human for that matter. She continued on as much as she could.

"His body was silver. Literally silver and... and... there was blood all over. It was horrible chief... horrible. And then that man, Allen, the one who wouldn't leave the scene started up again and I had to arrest him. He is in one of the holding rooms now. I felt bad because he thought I was being so unreasonable but what right did he have being there? He didn't! Even if his friend was James's brother, he fainted and was rushed to the hospital! Allen should have went with his friend. I don't think Allen is the Mastermind... but we can't be sure can we chief? There is so much riding on this case. We need to find Mastermind chief... he needs to be punished for what he did to James..."

That was all Laura could say. She was still so shocked this was all happening. It was too much. The Mastermind was winning and Laura did not like it. He was smart though. Laura would give him that and perhaps he might just be unbeatable. Laura waited to hear what Oual had to say about everything, but their talk definitely wasn't over. Laura still did not understand how Oual knew anything about this before Laura did, especially because he had warned Laura about the scene before it had even happened. Oual hadn't told Laura something and it was key for her to understand everything.

LAURA LISTERINE

Laura couldn't believe everything that Oual was telling her. The Mastermind had been in contact with him all along? He was threatening Oual? Oual was scared? Oual had almost never shown any emotion, he had always been so professional, but now Laura saw a side of him that she never thought he had. But then the biggest news of it all... Oual was giving Laura his position as soon as he felt right. Laura was getting the reins.

This blew her mind and for a second everything else went away, but then she started thinking again and she looked at her mentor and friend. "But chief..." Laura started. "Why would you think I am ready for such a position? I just told you how poorly I handled the situation back at my house. I am so flattered, but do you really think I am ready?"

Was this all just a horrible joke? Had Oual really trusting Laura this much? Was he making a mistake? 100% yes he was making a mistake, but Laura wasn't going to tell him that. She wanted Oual to feel as comfortable with his decision as possible, but was all of this really getting the best of him? The Mastermind must have really been on Oual's tail. Laura wanted nothing but to help Oual.

LAURA LISTERINE

It had all been so very emotional and then suddenly straight back to business. Laura liked that about Oual. He knew when it was time to start crunching again and maybe catch the bad-guys. Laura looked forward to spending more time with Oual, but she was so very nervous about taking over his spot. It had always been a dream of hers, but she never thought it would happen so soon. She couldn't worry about this now though. She needed to take Oual to the detainee.

"Of course." Laura answered Oual. She walked out of Oual's office and towards the holding rooms. As she walked though, she started feeling drained. She had been so tired and she was so low on energy that she didn't think she could manage anymore. As Laura past a hanging mirror in the hallway, she noticed her skin seemed to be getting pale and she started to get nervous. She was really worn out. She needed to get out of her. She also knew that she did not want to handle Allen again at all. If the guy kept pressing who knew what she would do next.

"If it is alright with you chief I am going to let you handle this one. This guy won't want to talk to me. He has made his opinion on me very clear. He's tough." Laura added. "He broke official handcuffs of you himself using nothing but brute strength. That is near impossible. We may be dealing with..." Laura whispered this next part, "a super..." then continued in regular volume. "But I am not sure. All of those rumors seem to be coming true though huh? But here he is."

Just as they got to the holding room, Laura's cell phone went off and she grabbed it out and picked it up without looking at it. "This is Laura...." What she heard made her heart stop. "What?" How could this be? "What happened?" How could anything like this happen? "How does that occur?" Where these people idiots? "Okay... yeah... yeah... I can be there in a few."

Laura hung up the phone and looked at Oual. "That was CSI. They were sweeping James's murder scene. They got there like they were supposed to. Examined everything around the house and when they came back to wrap the body up, there was no body there or anywhere else around the scene. It's gone. James's body is gone." Laura said in complete shock.