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When Raleigh got the phone call from Mr. Edwards' cellphone, undoubtedly he'd thought Ace was calling from his dad's number for whatever reason. No such misfortune. It was Jim, asking that he would report to the hologram room early in two morning's time. He had something he wished to discuss with him. Then Raleigh witnessed Jim's voice change from that crisp, clipped business tone to something with warmth.

"And, no, it has nothing to do with my son. This is from Charles."

Erol perhaps hadn't had any sort of similar misgiving, nor did he get the extra tidbit. He was simply asked to--or ordered to, as Jim's voice tended to imply--report using the hologram system as well. The meaning was simply that it was something important regarding the agency that Charles has requested them for.

OOC:
I've a question for SSJ on this one, but I wanted to start it out. No need to reply at this point, unless you want them to get there several minutes early and either stare boredly at the walls or exchange a comment or two before Jim and/or Charles arrives.

Raleigh had been about to answer the phone with ‘what do you want Ace?’ and was glad he hadn’t when Jim’s professional voice came across the line. So Charles wanted to him in the hologram room? Ra instantly assumed he was going to be told off about something and wondered why the boss couldn’t just do it over the phone.

Arriving with a blank, ready for anything face, Raleigh nodded politely to Charles and then nearly lost is composure when Erol turned up as well. What on earth? Rather than say anything he quirked an inquiring eyebrow at the other boy and then took a seat.

A request? Interesting. He waited, arms crossed over his chest, for Charles to explain.

Charles paused a moment as the boys settled in, assumabley looking them over--though that was always hard to tell with his sunglasses and his stress-lined face. He paused a bit longer at Erol, "Weren't you given some advanced notice?" He demanded with a frown, and his frown deepened at Erol's negative answer. Charles put a hand to his temple. Perhaps either boy could be imagining a friend--or mother figure--using a string of curse words, but Charles was too composed for that. He just looked back up, apologized, and offered to wait half an hour for him to get ready.

At the negative response to that, Charles nodded. He did give a small smile before he started to speak to them.

"I am very pleased with your performances," Charles stated, then looked at Erol, "And your constant willingness to come immediately when asked. You are always perfecting what you do, always growing and learning, and improving yourselves. I can rely on you, and I thank you for that." He nodded first to Raleigh, and then to Erol.

"I know it's difficult to do anything for us when we are essentially asking you to live a double life. You have to work for a steady income, and you have to try to fit in your personal time as well. I understand that, and I thank you for doing so well a job of balancing those out."

He realigned his already straight files in front of him, then opened one up. "I would like to offer you a contract, with a monthly salary from the NSA. This, of course, includes taking on extra responsibilities. Mainly, I would like to move you both up closer to the top of our calling list when we are in need of aid. This means you're likely to encounter more difficult evolved criminals--and I understand that you've already encountered some difficult individuals, so the contract also includes a necessity of increasing training with us." He took a breath, pausing to look at them at that point, "And there's the possibility of other responsibilities added. Raleigh's already experienced that." He nodded again to him, again with a slight smile, "I suppose training Ace isn't the easiest request that Susan could have made of you."

He returned his look to both, "Would you be interested in looking over the contract?"

Erol cringed inwardly. More time training and dedicating his time to the cause ment less time with his band, his crew. He got a rush from both he would admit but there was nothing like being on stage in front of a crowd of people watching them dance to your music.

Eyes trailed to Raliegh for a moment before turning back to Charles, so this was for real? "I won't do it." He spoke as he stood to his feet. "It's bad enough you take what little life I have. Now you want to upgrade? I won't do it." He muttered but knew better. It was just not something he wanted to face at this point in time. Was he even ready for all the responsibility? "Damn. I really hate you, Charles." He muttered once more before stalking over to snatch the contract from the man. "If you make me regret this. I'm coming for you as my first line of villain work." He snorted as he scrawled his name on the dotted line tossing pen and paper back at Charles.

Raleigh watched Erol struggle with is decision, a frown on his face. Eventually, as Erol began to sign the contract, he looked away, focusing on the wall behind Charles, no expression on his face. “You don’t have to sign that. I can take on your half of the work easy.” He said mildly. The remark could have been interpreted in many ways; an insult, arrogance, or perhaps, carefully veiled concern.

Raleigh signed neatly and then handed the paper over, not bothering to read it over. “I’d like more details on the criminals in my area. So far it’s been ‘go here ad fight this person’. If there is any, I’d like more information on everyone you know in Hawaii.” Time to get to business. "And since I’ll be facing stronger enemies, and I certainly didn’t come out tops in my scuffle against Flood, will I be expected to take some sort of partner at all?”

Charles gave the boys a disbelieving look. First LoQuinn, now these two? Had any of those working under him gotten the information that they were supposed to get? Where was the breakdown in the system? Just who wasn't doing their job properly?

"Yes, of course," Charles nodded after regaining himself, "Of course, I'll make sure to email that information to you both personally. We'll extend some protection to some of your close associations, we'll discuss that."

He looked at Raleigh, taking in a breath, "Perhaps at times, though I didn't have any immediate plans. I might be able to find someone, if you think you need the aid. If ever at any time you would like to make a request for a help, whether general or specific, let us know and we'll get back to you. FireSnare is an excellent example of one of our supers who is always requesting who will suit her needs at a time, though it's not at all a recommended plan. Of course it's better to become a team pair with someone than either her way or going solo. We just--haven't the resources for that right now. We may soon though. A lot of men and women will be coming back from Africa, many of which know they have openings here if and when they'd like to join or return."

“I don’t want one.” Raleigh said quickly. “I just thought I’d ask before you decided to pair me up with someone. Cut you off at the knees, so it speak.” He didn’t need somebody else to get in his way. Somebody who might need saving; somebody for him to worry about during the middle of a battle. Besides, he already had as many partners as he could make.

There was certainly no mirth on his face when Erol’s explained his ‘problem’ with his lack of control. Raleigh remembered the other boy asking that if they were to train again, not to hold back if he lost control. A teacher? For a second, Ra had the vivid image of attempting to teach Erol to control his powers and nearly blurted out, ‘not me!’.

Ha. Charles wouldn’t be that stupid…. Or cruel.

"I haven't got any other questions. Can I go?"

Raleigh had been thinking about something important as they sat there. It was something that he desperately needed to say. Something he can been keeping inside for quite some time now. He nodded briefly at Charles’ words and the stood up, steeling himself for what was to come next. His gaze moved to Erol, almost apologetic.

“Erol… I… care about you so much, so please don’t let this cause you to hate me, but…” He turned to Charles. “Charles, I know you could never return my feelings, but I love you… I always have and now I need to let it out before I explode. I don’t expect you to do anything just…” Raleigh took in a deep breath and sat back in his chair, burying his face in his hands and he wept.


APRIL FOOLS OF COURSE!

... I know it's lame! xD I had fun writing it at least.