Lockheed is quick and efficient in the kitchen.  His food is delicious and he delivers with a smile.  Gail savors each bite.  Vesper can attest to Gail's enjoyment with her own breakfast.  Whatever Tucker may decide Lockheed cooks it readily.  Kegel with a blank stare seems to be pushing scrambled eggs around the plate mindlessly.  "What," he started, "What do you think might happen to people who are like that guy on the tv, detective?"

"Probably nothing.  American citizenship is what it is.  Look at history.  There will be a bit of trouble period, however long that may last and then people like our torch on tv will be just another member of society.  It's happened before.  It's the trouble period until that is true that is the hard part.  The birthing pains, as it were."

"It's those birthing pains that trouble me as well.  Those people who might fear the torch," Kegel said a little under his breath.

"Those people that might fear the torch," Lockheed interrupted, "had best beware.  This isn't like a boy coming out in some backwater town who gets his ass kicked or killed in a cornfield.  Should someone try that against the torch, they'll get what's coming to them."

Tucker finished chewing what was in his mouth before replying. "'Whether the stone hits the pitcher or the pitcher hits the stone, it's going to be bad for the pitcher'," he quoted. "Even if it's self-defense, anything the guy does is going to be counted against him."
 
Gesturing with his fork, he added, "I think what Mr. Kegel is asking is, what do you think the official government response to people like him's gonna be?"

"Fear, subjugation, recruitment, hard to say.  You're not old enough to remember the McCarthy trials.  I was just a young buck then, but it was enough to be alive at that time.  It also depends on how much of a threat he and his kind will be perceived to be.  Taking the comic book path is the wrong way to go about it.  He wants to do the most good, he just join the volunteer fire department and skip the theatrics."
 
Glancing over at Kegel, Tucker held his tongue. It wasn't his choice to reveal anything about the poor man's wife and kid, but the trucker was convinced that their abduction provided a grim confirmation of the police detective's assessment.

And what did that mean for Vesper and him? Tucker felt the cold slither of paranoia coiling around his gut. The desire to make tracks, unass the AO, get the hell out of Dodge ramped up a few notches. He looked to Vesper, trying to silently communicate the need to leave as soon as possible.

"So which do you really think it will be for people who are special, Mr. Lockheed? American citizenship and all the protections that go with being an American or prejudice, fear, and involuntary recruitment? I mean from your point of view as a professional government type. " Vesper asked cheerfully. She caught Tucker's eye and the expression on his face and nodded quietly. 

"It's all going to depend on who and what goes public.  If we get nothing but heroes, then Citizenship.  If we get nothing but villains, then there will be war.  I think I need some time off.  Head out to see my daughter and meet this Torch myself.  But what to do with you all.  You've got a situation here.  Strange events last night."  Lockheed finished up the cooking and dropped the pans into the sink. 

Kegel waved off any washing, "I'll get it later.  It'll give me something to take my mind of the abduction."

"Don't worry Mr. Kegel.  We'll find your wife and child.  I'm sure something will turn up.  We've got one superhero but others are bound to show up.  And before them, we have everyday heroes that solved the problems as well.  If there's no phone calls from an abductor by mid-day then a different set of tactical teams will be alerted."

"We used to watch Criminal Minds," Kegel said.  "Some victims didn't make it."

"There's no reason to think like that.  A lot of that is for drama.  Just think that yours are the ones that make it."

Tucker looked sympathetically at Kegel. He felt bad about the poor man; he knew what state he'd be in if someone had kidnapped Sharon and the kids. Or tried to hurt Vesper.

This in turn made him even more aware of the need to get away from here before whoever sent that agent sent more of their kind. He tried hard to sound casual. "Well, if there's nothing more you need from us," he addressed the detective, "we'll get out of your hair so you can go back to your job."

Vesper said to Mr. Kegal, "I think your family has a better chance than most. After all, they were taken alive and its very likely that whoever took them will keep them alive."  She then turned to Gail and Tucker, giving each one of them a hug before speaking again, "I have to agree with Tucker, we're not doing anyone any good here. Excuse us, Mr. Kegal, Detective, we'll be on our way now."

"Not so fast," Lockheed says in a tone that makes them pause.  "We still have an unresolved matter of you killing a man, Mr. Marshall.  Even if it was in self defense, you can't be gallivanting around.  It's only because of the odd nature of the circumstances that I stepped in to prevent you from sitting in the pokey until the full matters of the case have come under a judges scrutiny.  Miss Jensen and her friend are welcome to leave my care, but I wouldn't advise leaving the state.  There are still unanswered questions."

Kegel looks a little shocked at the sudden change.  "I'd talked with officers before."

Lockheed cuts him off, "In my opinion it will be very cut and dry.  Officers should come later today for the hearing.  Self-defense should be acquitted, Tucker walks free with nothing more than suspicious looks.  You all might be eager to leave but I'm afraid it's probably best for you to wait a day or two."

Kegel looks a little crest fallen for his new found friends, "You can hang here if you like."

Tucker nods his thanks at Kegel's offer but keeps his focus on the detective. "Am I under house arrest, then?" he asks quietly.

"Don't consider it arrest, more like detention... with me," he smiles only briefly.

"Excuse me," said Vesper as she stared incredulously at the detective. "Are you trying to hold a man here whose only possible crime is being held at gunpoint by a criminal?" she added, her voice rising with anger and indignation. "Is this how you deal with the fact that he was a victim and there has been a wholly separate crime committed against Mr. Kegal and his family?"

"Or whose crime is murdering a trespasser on someone else's property, self defense or no, the deliberate taking of anothers life comes with consequences."

"Self-defense is not a crime Detective," Vesper replied tersely.

"It is when somebody dies."

Tucker waves a hand in an attempt to forestall and placate Vesper's outburst. "Det. Lockheed is just doing his job, hon. Doesn't matter how it went down, it still needs to be cleared. Problem is, there may be more going on than he's aware of."

He pauses as he weighs his options. With a short nod to himself, he takes the plunge.

"Here's what bothers me, sir," he says, soberly, his gaze locked on the officer's face. "That guy claimed he was with the NSA, and so far I haven't seen or heard anything that makes me believe he wasn't telling the truth.

"Now, keeping in mind what we saw at the seminar, the implications behind Mr. Kegel's situation here, possible government involvement, and what we just saw on TV, do you understand why I may have some concerns regarding the posse you say are on the way to meet us, and exactly what their plans regarding us, may be?"

"Seminar? Implications? NSA? What we just saw on TV was amazing.  If all this rolls up into one wad, what are you trying to say?" Lockheed says.

Tucker felt anxiety tighten his chest. Lockheed's earlier comments had made him think the policeman could be open-minded to the potential danger hovering over them, but he'd have to choose his words carefully to get the point across. He decided to quote Lockheed's statement back to him.

"'Fear, subjugation, recruitment.' Didn't you just say that when I asked about how the government would treat emerging superpowered people? There have been numerous times when the folks in charge have done some pretty crazy stuff out of fear; McCarthy is just the start. Just ask anyone of Japanese descent that lived in the US during the 40's. Hell, ask any Native Americans.

"Or anyone of  Arabic decent, American or not,  after 9/11. Do the terms Gitmo, rendition, or Abu Ghraib  ring any bells? " added an exasperated Vesper.

Lockheed holds up his hand as if to try and put a stop on the direction the conversation was taking.

"We saw a group of what looked like federal agents try to take someone down at a seminar as he talked about superpowered people. This man's family is kidnapped under mysterious circumstances and a man identifying himself as a NSA agent is found skulking around the scene of the crime and using lethal force to try and avoid capture. Then we find that, hey, there really are people with amazing powers out there.

"Can you see how one might start feeling a bit justifiably paranoid at this point? I don't know about you, but I'm not really keen on being rendered to some barbed-wire fenced 'relocation camp' just because some people are having a panic attack."

"Ok, stop.  That's enough.  You say that like you are like our friend on the television.  You don't look like you burst into flames or eat babies or could take out Tokyo.  All this fear is making my ulcer flare up, so that's enough.  Now look, I'm not your lawyer, you don't need to tell me anything.  I'm an officer of the law, a detective.  And Miranda rights having yet to be read and the nature of the circumstances surrounding last night and the revelation on the television this morning, play it cool and I don't care if you turn water into wine or lead into gold.  Accidental death by self-defense has a precedent in the court.  All you have to do is relax and keep your nose clean.  If you are thinking about doing anything else.  It'll only make matters worse."  His phone buzzes and he looks at it, "I need to take this."

Lockheed steps away answering the phone, "Hold on a second, sweetheart."  He steps outside the front door.

Taking Tucker and Gail aside, Vesper whispers, " One, we have not been arrested or charged with anything yet. Two, if we stay here that is much more likely to happen than if we leave. Three, I don't think that there is any solid  proof that you killed anyone. I'm thinking that we, and I mean all of us, can just walk away from here. Once we are out of here, I think the worse that Detective Lockheed can do is seek us for questioning. I don't like the idea of being here when the MIBs arrive. Certainly Detective Lockheed can't protect us from anyone who has badge that ranks higher than his."

Tucker places his hand on Vesper's shoulder as replies soberly, "I agree that things don't look likely to go well, but if I leave now, I can be charged with evading arrest, especially if it ends up being all just the paranoia talking. I can't afford a criminal record; I'll lose my license, maybe even my truck."

He sighs. "That doesn't mean Gail and you can't get out of here, and I think that you should. If someone does drop the dime, there's no reason for all of us to get caught. Lockheed has no reason to keep you two here. We can meet back up in the motel room afterwards."

With a frustrated expression, Vesper says quietly, "I just met you and I am not ready to lose you just yet. Not to the police, not to  some MIB type goons, or even to your ex. By the great cat goddess, Tucker I do not know what will happen to you if we split up.  I really do not want to leave you here, alone."

"And I don't want to lose you, either." Tucker cups her cheek with his hand. "Look, I don't know what's going to happen. But it'll be easier for me to handle it if I know you're not in the line of fire. I know you think it's just me spouting macho bulls**t, but please, take Gail and find a safe place. I promise you, I'll get back to you. No matter what."

Gail says, "Yes, take Gail and find a safe place.  This is all becoming too much.  Maybe we should..."  She looks towards the door.  Lockheed is still on the phone, though he is looking at some badges that two suits are showing him.  He hangs up his phone and Lockheed escorts who suits inside.  FBI or NSA those present could not be certain.

Tucker follows Gail's gaze and sees the new arrivals. He takes a deep breath and his face settles into a neutral mask. Instinctively, he sidles over to stand between the two women and the suits. He stands stolidly, his arms loose on his sides.

Vesper whispers to Gail, "Find a back way out and get the hell out of here. You don't have to be here, just go! I'll catch up to you later. Oh and if you don't hear from me within 48 hours, call Grandfather and tell him everything. Oh and make sure that Oscar emails copies of the class notes until I get back. Go on and thanks for everything, Gail." 

With that, Vesper steps forward to stand beside Tucker and takes his hand in hers. She kisses him on the cheek  and says, "Sorry, loyalty and a stubborn belief in standing besides those we care about runs deep in  my family. I can't let you face any of this alone, Tucker."

Sparing a sideways glance at Vesper, Tucker growls sotto voce, "Just my luck." A twinkle in his eye and a gentle squeeze of her hand belies the tone of his voice.

Kegel is near and Gail steps back to talk to him after hearing Vesper.  Kegel nods and leads Gail out a back door.  One of the federal agents leans a little to watch them go, the other is looking at Vesper and Tucker.  "Your behavior incriminates you.  You should be more relaxed," the agent says.  "I'm Special Agent George Yarmen of the FBI.  This is my partner special agent Allen Norman.  Papers are being filed on your behalf disassociating you from these events.  And it will remain that way if you can work with us."  He smiles pleasantly and looks at Vesper then back to Tucker.  "Are you both?  There is no way of determining at the moment."

Tucker spares a confused glance towards Vesper before addressing the federal agent. "Um, Agent Yarmen," he drawls, "I'm obviously just a dumb ol' trucker, so you're going to have to be a bit more clear as to what the hell you're talking about."

Vesper smiles to Tucker and then crosses her arms as she calmly addresses the agent. "Are we human? Yes. Are we Americans? Yes. Are we protected by the Constitution of the Untied States of America and the Bill of Rights? Yep. Are we innocent of any crime until proven guilty in a court of law? So says the Supreme Court. Are we victims of an attack by someone who said they were a federal agent? Oh hell yes!" with that she paused, giving a moment for her growing anger to fade before speaking again.

Much more calmly and looking at both agents she finishes by saying, "But since I'm a college student, I might have been jumping the gun about what question you were posing Special Agent Yarmen.  Please feel free to specify what you were exactly asking about."

Agent Yarmen never lost his smile, but agent Norman rolled his eyes and plopped down into the nearest seat.  Yarmen answered looking at Vesper, "Are you a Super?  Do you spin webs, dodge bullets, leap buildings with a single bound.  Do you have adamantium claws.  Um, let's see, can you turn invisible, burst into flames, ride a silver surf board or a flaming motorcycle.  Wear a cape or a cowl and make strange inventions. Talk with the animals, summon plants, make fruit explode with a thought.  Can you fling bolts of lightning or summon fish out of thin air.  Do you have some strange ability that maybe you didn't have last year?  Does any of this sound crazy you, because it sure as hell does to me.  And even crazier, I'm hoping you are and that you want to work with us and not against us.  This has nothing to do with nationality or laws.  This is about a paradigm shift with the way business here on Earth is now run.  I hope that clears up kinda what I'm asking."  While Agent yarmen talks it becomes obvious that his skin is changing.  The room darkens slightly and Yarmen's body begins to darken as well with glowing green arcane symbols appearing over him.

"And if my oral clarification wasn't enough," The room returns to normal but Agent Yarmen is now a black skinned being with glowing green script.  His hands are held out and a green flame rises slightly from his palms.  Agent Norman raises his eyebrows and smiles briefly.

Tucker tries to control the instinctive tensing of his body at Yarmen's demonstration. Easy, he thinks, keep your cool. He's not looking for a fight.

At least, not yet, he can't help but add.

Trying to engage in some verbal evasion, he picks one of the things the agent said to throw back. "Are those our only two choices? What if we just want to be left alone and live our lives?" He winces as he realizes he's as much as answered Yarmen's question with his words.

Vesper quietly gripped Tucker's hand a bit tighter at the display of Agent Yarmen's powers. Damn, we're going to have to try a bit harder to keep some doubt in the picture. But that is one heck of an impressive demonstration.  Vesper mentally winces as she too realizes the admission in Tucker's words. "And what if we're just innocent bystanders who happen to be at the wrong place at the right time? Besides, who are you anyway that anyone with powers likes yours or not should want to work with you?" she questioningly challenged Agent Yarmen.

"I like working with George quite a bit," Agent Norman says.  "And he gives generously every year to St. Jude Children's Hospital, despite having never been married and being an only child.  Stand up guy.  Forgive me for speaking for him in this case, because when he's like this, he doesn't hear so well and he can't speak work a lick."  The black skinned being that is and was Agent Yarmen bends his neck to look at Agent Norman.

Allen Norman just looks back at him and shrugs.  "So left alone and live our lives,  Know any fish that don't swim?  Artists that don't express themselves?  As Shakespeare once said, 'And almost thence my nature is subdued; To what it works in, like the dyer’s hand'.  Which means you can't help but be you and you are no longer as plain as you once were.  Until this sudden change is accepted by the general public you are safer within a visible structure than roaming free in the wild."  He seems to have ignored the innocent bystander comment entirely.  The truth of the accusation is plain enough in your words and your stance.

Tucker tries to maintain his side of the argument. "But the fact is we do have lives. I have a job, a truck in the shop I still have to pay off. Vesper here is a college student working on her degree. We can't just drop all that for... what? A vague offer of protection?"

He snorts. "Sorry, bud, but you're going to need something more if you want us to join your club."

"It's not a vague offer.  There is strength in numbers.  Consider Mrs. Kegel.  We're going to do our best to find out where she has been taken.  But she was just, 'living her life'.  You could be out on the road and just like that," he snaps his fingers, "you are missing.  On on your way from to the dorm from class."  He directs his attention to Vesper. 

"For now, we think it's best to be structured.  Have everyone buy in, or as many as possible.  But, if you want to be on your own," Norman makes a signal to Yarmen and darkness seems to evaporate from Yarmen's skin like a black mist.  The green symbol playing a faint melody as they are plucked from his flesh with the mist.

"So what will you want for this 'strength in numbers'? Why would we have to 'buy in'? I mean if you are FBI, Mrs. Kegel's kidnapping s a criminal act and it is your job to investigate. If you are not regular FBI, then who are you and what do you really want?"

Tucker's will is eroding at the agent's reasonable arguments, but Vesper's sally does bolster his resistance. "And you haven't said anything about the guy who tried to kill us. He claimed to be a government agent, too."

"We are part of a rapidly forming department within the FBI.  We seek out others with abilities and work to place all of us under the same umbrella.  We are still out there solving crimes, but these two directive are both primary.  We saw the body, we were able to trace the id.  NSA.  It's only recently becoming apparent that another organization within government has become both fully aware of the presence of supers and is trying to do something about it.  The NSA however is not making its intentions fully known.  As such, we are also trying to judicially investigate this," Agent Norman makes his speech and once Yarmen is fully transformed back to normal adds his own two cents.

"I think she and the kid are still alive.  But It isn't pleasant for them.  I think the NSA fears us and will use extreme measures in dealing with us.  For now, it's a race to contact as many of us as possible.  If you want to strike out on your own.  They will be the worst of all.  Fanatics."  Yarmen sounds a little like he may have a deeper history than Agent Norman, a personal experience perhaps.

Tucker finds himself nodding in agreement. His experience with feds is minimal, but he remembers enough stories about spooks during his tour of duty, not to mention his few encounters with them, to have little trouble believing the agent's story.

Painfully aware of Vesper's presence next to him and the potential impact of his words, he says, "Okay, I'm willing to deal into this, at least for the time being. I'm... we're still reserving the right to back out  if we're asked to do something, ahh...", he pauses as he searches for the right our words then finishes somewhat lamely, "against our better judgment."

Continuing quickly to cover his fumble and forestall any protest from Vesper, he asks, "So what's the next step?"

"Wait just one moment." she says looking at Agent Yarmen. "Are you telling us that we might be between two government agencies working at cross purposes and that none of the higher ups have given you any guidelines? So you are just winging this? How do you know we won't become names on a Black List? Or are we there already?"

Yarmen was about to speak with Vesper asked her questions.  "We might be between two government agencies.  We is every single one of us that has something new that we couldn't do last year that this year is all the rage.  The NSA is following some protocol, I'm sure.  They won't let someone higher up know unless they need to know.  I'm sure they only see it as 'dealing with the issue'.  The FBI is taking a different approach but this is still on a need to know basis.  With the coming out party of our friend in the midwest, we will be submitting proposals to the appropriate chain of command, but unfortunately it's primarily military protocol on the way up.  Some of our colleagues have done the research and it isn't good for us.  Unless we can prove a viable alternative solution, then we might as well turn ourselves over to the NSA and await the final decision."

Agent Norman clears his throat, "The next step is to deliver a shipment of electronics to Nebraska where we can gather some of our resources for additional steps.  Tucker the Trucker, you can handle this, right?"

"Um, I hate to rain on your parade Agents but there is a condition or two on Tucker's cooperation. First of all, our very normal friend Gail gets to go home free and clear. Second, Tucker doesn't make any deliveries that he's not getting paid for. He still has financial obligations that won't disappear just because he's working with you. Third, that I'm his backup driver."

Tucker snaps his mouth shut after Vesper jumps in before he could reply. He grins at the feds and says with a chuckle, "You heard the lady. Plus, I have a load on the queue so you'll need to inform my current employer of the change in plans and they can get another rig to cover it."

Agent Yarmen shrugs, "Sounds fair enough.  Though you should consider sticking with your education.  Regardless, your route has been changed.  You'll have the change directives waiting for you in your truck.  So, whenever you're ready.  Gail will be able to return to her life without a problem.  Neither the FBI or the NSA, to the best of our knowledge, have no interest in those who do not have enhanced abilities."

Once matters are settled, Tucker sets Vesper aside for a personal talk. "Vesper, the way things are now, I have no problem with you riding along. We need to watch each other's back.

"But I'm with the Fed. Once the dust settles, you need to finish your degree. You gotta think about your future, and riding a rig isn't much of one. Especially for a smart girl like you."

He squares off to look her straight into her eyes. "So you gotta promise me you will go back to college. No argument."

Vesper listens to everything Tucker has to say, her expression serious and attentive. Only once did she look like she was about to break in, then she quickly changed her mind and let him finish speaking. When he was finished, she put her arms around his neck and kissed him softly before speaking. "Thank you, Tucker. I knew you were the right kind of person even without my new abilities. Yes, I promise I will go back to college. I've put in too much time on my degree to completely abandon it. However, up until these last few days, I've spent more time in academia than I have in the real world.  This was to be my last year of study before graduating."

She paused to smile fondly at him before continuing. "Even if I wasn't going with you, I need time away from school. Now more than ever. I don't quite have even half an understanding of my new abilities and I need to learn about them and about the world thats coming. And I need and want to be with you."

The blush and awkward smile look almost comical on Tucker's lined face. "I musta done something really good in a past life to deserve someone like you," he rumbles bashfully.

He pauses, hesitant in the face of propriety, then thinks, the hell with it. He wraps his arms around the young woman, growling, "C'mere," and, lifting her up, gives her  a deep and meanigful kiss.

Vesper kisses Tucker deeply, a soft purr resonating in her throat while she holds him close  After their lips finally part she grins wickedly at him. She cocks her head briefly as a thought crosses her face. She says shyly, "Umm... While we are picking up my clothes from school, we have to pick up one more passenger. I hope you like cats because this one doesn't let me go anywhere without him."

This in turn causes a flash of shock to cross Tucker's face. "Um, speaking of passengers," he says with a touch of trepidation at the thought of Lobo and a cat inside the cab of his rig, "there's someone you need to meet before we hit the road."

The phrase rattles in his head, ridng a wave of foreboding. I've got a bad feeling about this...