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Description
THE BIG MISTAKE

CHAPTER 11 - 'HOME-ALONE'

Back at HQ, Tech had suggested to Lexi to take a bath and try and warm herself up, and to tell him if she got cold or felt sick.  She complied, and while she was occupied, the rest of the team sat in the main-room, reflecting on the mission they just had, like they usually did.

“So, what exactly happened?”  Duck looked at Ace and gestured his head towards the Bathroom where Lexi was.

Ace suddenly froze up.  Does he know what we did?  Does he know what happened last night?

Tech noticed Ace’s strange behaviour, combined with what had happened that morning, made him slightly suspicious.  He knew they went on a date the previous night, and he had seen Lexi kiss Ace, something which he hadn’t objected to.  Which was understandable, they had probably locked lips already, that and Lexi was hot, in his opinion.  But something didn’t seem right; Lexi staying totally silent when he had asked them why they had both got up at the same time, then coming up with quite a…interesting excuse.  Not to mention Lexi diving into the freezing bay-water earlier, without a second thought for her own safety.  And now, Ace had frozen up after Duck had asked him a simple question, the Scientist, though he wasn’t an expert in the love-field, knew Ace had something to hide, something Tech knew he would probably find out.  Soon.

“Umm-Ace?” Rev was looking straight at Ace, he too noticed his strange behaviour, not in as much detail as Tech, but, being quite smart too, Rev also was slightly suspicious over Ace.

Suddenly Ace came back to them; he slightly jumped upon seeing the Roadrunner’s quizzical stare and wondered what they though of his ‘Possum-like’ behaviour.

“What do you mean Duck?” Ace asked, slightly coldly.  I can’t let them find out.  Not yet.

“I mean, when Lex just dived off like that!  She must’ve been pretty darn worried.”

“Wow Duck, I’ve never known you to be so empathetic.  I was and am fine.  I think I was only unconscious for a few seconds.  But when I saw her down there too I thought Colossus had hit her down there as well.”  Ace answered this more calmly, besides, he was telling the truth.

“Why were you so worried about her?”

“Better question than that Duck,” Tech turned his head from Duck to Ace.  “…Why’d you push Lex back like that, why did YOU take the hit for her?”

All eyes now turned to their leader, who gave Tech a cold glare before answering. “Damn it Tech!  What would you’ve done?  We all know she’s not as strong as us, that blow could’ve killed her! I had to take that hit, for her.  I’m okay, but she might not have been if I hadn’t done that!”

Listening to the conversation with the help of her amplified hearing, Lexi sighed.  Not from relief, not from anger.  She was glad Ace hadn’t told them what they had done, they shouldn’t know, they didn’t need to know.  Hearing what Ace had just said, well, more shouted, made Lexi feel happy but nervous at the same time.  Happy, because she knew he meant what he said, and he had really done it as an act to save her life, he was willing to get himself hurt or even killed for her.  But part of her felt nervous.  She had never heard Ace shout like that, especially not at one of his friends.  And she was worried that Tech might have figured it out, and upon getting no-where with Ace, interrogated her instead.  Would she be able to lie to him?  Or would she blow their secret?  Would the others get angry, at Ace, or even her?

Getting out of the bath and wrapping herself up with a towel, Lexi heard footsteps approaching the Bathroom,   jumping at the possible thought of one of them walking in on her, Lexi checked to see if the door was locked.  She let out a relieved sigh when she realised it was.  She started to get changed back into her uniform, moments later she heard a knock, looking down at herself; She was practically dressed but was still without her shirt, she then looked back at the door, Lexi knew she shouldn’t really answer it.  “I’m not decent!” She called out, before slapping her hand over her mouth after she realised what she had said.

She heard the person on the person on the other side shuffle uncomfortably and stutter before answering.  “Sorry, err…”

It was Duck, trying to get his answer straight, after hearing the…strange answer from the other side of the Bathroom door.

Lexi sighed and rolled her eyes, thankful that the usual big-headed water-fowl hadn’t spat out an uncomfortable comment at her answer.  She quickly dressed and prepared to leave.

After collecting himself and deciding to wait until she was with him to talk to Lexi, Duck leant against the Bathroom door.  He jumped as the two thick, steel doors slid towards the door-frame, a rush of warm-humid air emerging as the dumbfounded Duck collected himself after falling to the ground at Lexi’s feet.  She too had jumped in surprise, but simply looked down at him and giggled.  Duck scowled and muttered something that, surprisingly Lexi didn’t catch,  He stood up heroically in an attempt to regain is composure.  Lexi rolled her eyes and headed towards her room.

While Lexi sorted out some things she had brought back from the Bathroom, Duck stood uncomfortably at the door.  Lexi glanced up at him before sighing.  “You know you can come in.”

Duck looked around before entering.  Like Ace, he took in his surroundings, not in too much detail as Lexi was there and he didn’t want to be perceived as a snoop.

Lexi sat down on her hammock and looked at Duck questionably.  “So…What was that you were gonna ask me?”

Duck looked at her, dumbfounded.  “What?”

“You know, in the bathroom, me in there, you outside. Remember?”

“Oh! Right, I thought you were implying something else.” Duck laughed as he said this.

Lexi gave him a confused, but comical look and she giggled slightly.  “Yeah, I’m taken Duck.”

He smiled and took a step forward.  “We’re gonna go out for dinner.”

“Are we?” Lexi replied, surprised.  They didn’t usually go out for dinner; they usually made something or ordered in.  “What’s the occasion?”

“Nothin’ really, we just thought it would be cool.”

Lexi half smiled at this, and shivered slightly.  “I think it’ll have to be a guy’s night out.  I’m still a bit cold from my ‘dip in the bay.’”

Duck looked a bit surprised but nodded and left.

Lexi sighed and fell back against her hammock.  Shutting her eyes, she heard the confused voices of her team-mates.  She sighed and new what would come.  Ace would knock on her door and convince her to come while she would feel guilty for denying the request.  As if on cue, the firm knock of Ace on her door woke her from her attempted-rest.

“Lex, can I come in?”  Ace’s voice sounded against the door.

“Yeah, sure.” Lexi sat up and collected herself.  Ace came in and sat himself next to her.  “What’s wrong?” He asked.  Lexi rolled her eyes and smiled at him.

“I’m just a bit cold.  You guys go out, be free from all fetters of femininity!”  She replied cheerfully.  Ace smiled.  “We try to block it out anyway!”

Lexi giggled and punched him lightly on the arm.  “You guys go, I’ll be fine here.”

Ace raised an eyebrow and this time, seemed concerned.  “Are you sure you’ll be okay.  We could all stay in…or one of us could stay home with you?”

Lexi laughed.  “I’ll be fine Ace, I’m a big girl!”

Ace smiled and stood up.  “Fine then.”  He started towards the bedroom door, Lexi following behind.  He turned around abruptly and looked at her.  He smiled and pulled her towards him, pressing is lips against hers.  He felt her smile as he pulled away.  “Remember.”  He pointed at his wrist communicator.  “…call if there’s any trouble.”

“I promise.” Lexi smiled, and Ace left, the automatic doors closing behind him, Leaving Lexi home-alone.
--

“So, why’d Lexi stay home?” Tech asked, not looking up from the menu he was reading.

The 5 of the Loonatics had come to a popular restaurant near to the tower.  Ace had convinced them that they had to eat somewhere close by, since they walked over, they didn’t want to delay their return, or Lexi if she called to say that she was in trouble.

“She was still cold from the Bay-incident.” Duck said this monotonly and didn’t look up from his menu.

Ace looked up from his menu and stared blankly into the centre of their rounded table.  “Do you think Lexi’ll be okay?”

The rest of the team looked up at him, “She’ll be fine!”  They all said in unison, though, slightly louder than they had intended, as they now stared guiltily at the crowd of people who now stared at them.  Each Loonatic grinned sheepishly before diving back into their menus to hide their embarrassment, and their faces if any of the media happened to be close by.

“You’re all despicable.” Duck murmured, before Slam roughly stepped on his foot.  “Oww!” Duck yelped, “What did I say?”
--

Lexi sighed as she flopped back onto the couch, waiting for her food to cook in the oven.

Glancing over to her left, Lexi reluctantly picked up the TV remote.  Flipping through the channels, something caught Lexi’s eye, and she immediately scrolled back through the channels and tuned in to the snazzy add that now played.

It showed a new ‘mega structure’ that had apparently just been built in the centre of Acmetropolis.  The advertisement showed the grand rooms of a new hotel resort, it was 5 star and all the rooms were marble finished and polished thoroughly.  The grand meeting room had a spectacular, glittering chandelier in the centre of the ceiling, and a large stage next to a bar at the front.

It wasn’t necessarily the grand rooms of the beautiful hotel, that caught Lexi’s attention, but more the designer and owner name of the new structure.  ‘Le Pew, Magnefique’ Lexi couldn’t control her erupting laughter, being quite fluent in languages, she could, on the spot work out what it translated into: ‘The Magnificent Skunk.’  Lexi stopped her hysterical fit as she, immediately new the owner, even before the man himself appeared on screen, advertising the new resort.

Names of special guests began to list on the screen.  Lexi was about to turn of the TV when she froze.  The name clearly listed a few rows above the central name.  ‘The Loonatics’

Lexi sat silently for a moment, before scowling and turning off the TV.  She sat back against the sofa and closed her eyes, only then realising the slightly smoky smell coming from the Kitchen.
“Awww, Dang it!” Lexi sighed as she ran to the oven.
--

The hours passed as the five males of the team finished their meals and were walking back to HQ.

“We should go to that place more often!”  Duck started gleefully.   The rest of the team nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, only it was a little too crowded for my liking.” Tech said, slightly grumpily.

Ace chuckled at this, “you really need to get out more, Tech.  But Duck’s right, maybe we could go there for Rev’s birthday?”  Ace turned back to Rev as he said this.

Upon hearing the words “Rev’s Birthday” The mentioned bird jumped hyperactively and Ace immediately regretted what he had said.

“Oh-yeah-Ace-I-almost-forgot-about-my-own-birthday-which-is-silly-really-but-I-guess-with-the-big-incident-today-it-just-slipped-my-mind-that’s-a-good-offer-though,-I-mean-going-to-the-restaurant,-not-fighting-monsters-and-stuff-all-day-for-my-birthday,-that-would-be-crazy,-I-did-though,-have-another-idea-for-my-birthday,-it’s-tommorrow-so-I-guess-we’ll-have-enough-time-to-plan-for-it!”  Rev’s smile grew and grew as he continued his rant, and by the time he was finished, the Loonatics’ let out a sigh of relief when they realised, through Rev’s speech, they had already arrived at the Elevator to the tower.
The 5 Loonatics stepped inside the elevator and began their ascent to the top of their home.

Rev, being the fastest had run to the door as soon as their elevator doors had opened.  In his fast paced manor, he knocked repeatedly on the door, but no-one answered.  He started to get worried, and as soon as the others had caught up to him, he told them what was going on.  “Guys-I-think-something’s-wrong-with-Lexi-, she-hasn’t-answered-the-door-yet,-what-if-something-happened-to-her?”  Rev seemed very worried.

“Relax Rev, she’s probably just gone to bed, it’s gone 12:00 anyway.”  Ace calmly stated.  He input the access code and the 5 Loonatics stepped inside.

Immediately, Ace started for Lexi’s room, upon realising no-one was in their main-room.  Quietly, so that the others wouldn’t hear and become suspicious, Ace input the access code for Lexi’s room.  He quietly and quickly stepped inside and shut the door behind him.

He turned around slowly and made his way over to Lexi’s hammock, but upon listening carefully, heard no breathing.  Worriedly he felt around the hammock only to find it empty.  Ace stood momentarily, trying to contemplate where she could be, suddenly, realisation hit him, as he remembered how, after their ‘Get-together’ last night, he said that she could sleep in his bed so they could be together.

Ace carefully listened against Lexi’s door; her super-hearing really would’ve come in handy right now.  Soon he heard the sounds of 3 doors closing, and someone walking past the door and into the next room.

Almost silently Ace slipped through Lexi’s door and across the corridor into his own.  He let out a sigh of relief when he heard her steady breathing, and vaguely saw her form in his bed, her chest rising and falling with every breath.  He smiled and turned into his bathroom to clean his teeth and change into is night clothes.

When he was finished, he quietly walked across to the side of the bed that was vacant.  The added weight, and slight noise that Lexi’s super hearing picked up, alerted her to the presence of another person.

“Ace?” She mumbled, still tired.  She sat up to try and identify the shape of the person or thing that was next to her, ready to fight it if need be.

Ace sat up and greeted her with a kiss, Lexi was still unconvinced as to whether this person was Ace or not, considering that they hadn’t spoken yet.  She kept on her guard.  Once he pulled away, Ace smiled.  “It is me you know.”  As if he’d read her mind.

Lexi smiled and shook her head slightly, “Why wouldn’t it be?”  And she chuckled at her own stupidity.

“Hey, at least you were being wary.” Ace commented, it seemed as though he was reading her mind like a book.

“Okay, are you developing some new power or something, you seem to know exactly what I’m thinking?”

Ace chuckled.  “Maybe, but I feel like we’re closer at the moment.”

“Well, yeah.  With all that’s happened the past couple of days, we certainly are.”

“I know that.” Ace became slightly serious now.  “But something seems…different, like we’re closer still?”

Lexi giggled and decided to change the subject slightly.  “Wow Ace, you’ve finally cracked!”

Ace chuckled at this and playfully pushed her down, while he remained where he was.  He was surprised at how easy it was for him to move her; he knew she was the lightest in the team, partially because of the gender difference, but still.  “Wow Lexi, you are weak!”

He heard Lexi playfully gasp and then felt her punch him, though it did little harm to him, not that she would ever attempt to hurt him.  “Awww, dang it I am.”  Lexi smiled.

Ace grinned before turning himself around so that he could face her where she was.  He swiftly pinned her shoulders down and raised and eyebrow “Let’s see if you can get out of that.”

Lexi hesitated, thinking, she quickly reached up as far as she could, because of Ace’s hold on her shoulders, and began to tickle him.

Ace however, didn’t even flinch.  Lexi frowned and retreated her hands.  She frowned slightly.  “You’re not ticklish?”

Ace smiled.  “No.  Reacting to being tickled, is different for some people, it happens because of the body’s reaction to someone, or something else’s touch.  The body naturally tenses up, so the movement of someone’s fingers can give a strange sensation, some people throw up, some get angry…some laugh.”

Lexi rolled her eyes, “Great, so you’re a crazy psychic, and now you’ve become amazingly smart.  Who are you and what having you done with Ace?”

Ace couldn’t hold in his laughter at her monotone response.

Lexi laughed along too.  “Wait, so with all that tickling mumbo-jumbo, how come you don’t react to it and I do?”

Ace smirked.  “Because I trust you, and I know you’re not going to hurt me.  But thanks for giving me an idea.”

Lexi raised an eyebrow.  “Wait what ide…!”   Lexi was interrupted as Ace started to tickle her relentlessly.

“Ace! Please....stop...I...can’t....Ace!” Lexi giggled as she tried to catch her breath through her laughter.

Ace smiled as she squirmed around in his grasp.  Lexi pulled her legs up to her chest to try and defend her stomach, but she couldn’t help but slightly kick out.  Tickling had always been one of her weaknesses.

Ace eventually stopped, and Lexi let out a sigh, and tried to catch her breath, Ace chuckled and lay down next to her.

“…I would’ve pushed you off me, if I was strong enough.”  Lexi seemed slightly hurt.

Ace stared up and the ceiling, but felt Lexi look at him, he turned and faced her.  Lexi smiled and shuffled closer to him until she could place her head on his chest.  He put his arm round her and smiled, he knew she was smiling too.  “I love you just the way you are, Lex.”

Description
THE BIG MISTAKE

CHAPTER 11 - 'HOME-ALONE'

Back at HQ, Tech had suggested to Lexi to take a bath and try and warm herself up, and to tell him if she got cold or felt sick.  She complied, and while she was occupied, the rest of the team sat in the main-room, reflecting on the mission they just had, like they usually did.

“So, what exactly happened?”  Duck looked at Ace and gestured his head towards the Bathroom where Lexi was.

Ace suddenly froze up.  Does he know what we did?  Does he know what happened last night?

Tech noticed Ace’s strange behaviour, combined with what had happened that morning, made him slightly suspicious.  He knew they went on a date the previous night, and he had seen Lexi kiss Ace, something which he hadn’t objected to.  Which was understandable, they had probably locked lips already, that and Lexi was hot, in his opinion.  But something didn’t seem right; Lexi staying totally silent when he had asked them why they had both got up at the same time, then coming up with quite a…interesting excuse.  Not to mention Lexi diving into the freezing bay-water earlier, without a second thought for her own safety.  And now, Ace had frozen up after Duck had asked him a simple question, the Scientist, though he wasn’t an expert in the love-field, knew Ace had something to hide, something Tech knew he would probably find out.  Soon.

“Umm-Ace?” Rev was looking straight at Ace, he too noticed his strange behaviour, not in as much detail as Tech, but, being quite smart too, Rev also was slightly suspicious over Ace.

Suddenly Ace came back to them; he slightly jumped upon seeing the Roadrunner’s quizzical stare and wondered what they though of his ‘Possum-like’ behaviour.

“What do you mean Duck?” Ace asked, slightly coldly.  I can’t let them find out.  Not yet.

“I mean, when Lex just dived off like that!  She must’ve been pretty darn worried.”

“Wow Duck, I’ve never known you to be so empathetic.  I was and am fine.  I think I was only unconscious for a few seconds.  But when I saw her down there too I thought Colossus had hit her down there as well.”  Ace answered this more calmly, besides, he was telling the truth.

“Why were you so worried about her?”

“Better question than that Duck,” Tech turned his head from Duck to Ace.  “…Why’d you push Lex back like that, why did YOU take the hit for her?”

All eyes now turned to their leader, who gave Tech a cold glare before answering. “Damn it Tech!  What would you’ve done?  We all know she’s not as strong as us, that blow could’ve killed her! I had to take that hit, for her.  I’m okay, but she might not have been if I hadn’t done that!”

Listening to the conversation with the help of her amplified hearing, Lexi sighed.  Not from relief, not from anger.  She was glad Ace hadn’t told them what they had done, they shouldn’t know, they didn’t need to know.  Hearing what Ace had just said, well, more shouted, made Lexi feel happy but nervous at the same time.  Happy, because she knew he meant what he said, and he had really done it as an act to save her life, he was willing to get himself hurt or even killed for her.  But part of her felt nervous.  She had never heard Ace shout like that, especially not at one of his friends.  And she was worried that Tech might have figured it out, and upon getting no-where with Ace, interrogated her instead.  Would she be able to lie to him?  Or would she blow their secret?  Would the others get angry, at Ace, or even her?

Getting out of the bath and wrapping herself up with a towel, Lexi heard footsteps approaching the Bathroom,   jumping at the possible thought of one of them walking in on her, Lexi checked to see if the door was locked.  She let out a relieved sigh when she realised it was.  She started to get changed back into her uniform, moments later she heard a knock, looking down at herself; She was practically dressed but was still without her shirt, she then looked back at the door, Lexi knew she shouldn’t really answer it.  “I’m not decent!” She called out, before slapping her hand over her mouth after she realised what she had said.

She heard the person on the person on the other side shuffle uncomfortably and stutter before answering.  “Sorry, err…”

It was Duck, trying to get his answer straight, after hearing the…strange answer from the other side of the Bathroom door.

Lexi sighed and rolled her eyes, thankful that the usual big-headed water-fowl hadn’t spat out an uncomfortable comment at her answer.  She quickly dressed and prepared to leave.

After collecting himself and deciding to wait until she was with him to talk to Lexi, Duck leant against the Bathroom door.  He jumped as the two thick, steel doors slid towards the door-frame, a rush of warm-humid air emerging as the dumbfounded Duck collected himself after falling to the ground at Lexi’s feet.  She too had jumped in surprise, but simply looked down at him and giggled.  Duck scowled and muttered something that, surprisingly Lexi didn’t catch,  He stood up heroically in an attempt to regain is composure.  Lexi rolled her eyes and headed towards her room.

While Lexi sorted out some things she had brought back from the Bathroom, Duck stood uncomfortably at the door.  Lexi glanced up at him before sighing.  “You know you can come in.”

Duck looked around before entering.  Like Ace, he took in his surroundings, not in too much detail as Lexi was there and he didn’t want to be perceived as a snoop.

Lexi sat down on her hammock and looked at Duck questionably.  “So…What was that you were gonna ask me?”

Duck looked at her, dumbfounded.  “What?”

“You know, in the bathroom, me in there, you outside. Remember?”

“Oh! Right, I thought you were implying something else.” Duck laughed as he said this.

Lexi gave him a confused, but comical look and she giggled slightly.  “Yeah, I’m taken Duck.”

He smiled and took a step forward.  “We’re gonna go out for dinner.”

“Are we?” Lexi replied, surprised.  They didn’t usually go out for dinner; they usually made something or ordered in.  “What’s the occasion?”

“Nothin’ really, we just thought it would be cool.”

Lexi half smiled at this, and shivered slightly.  “I think it’ll have to be a guy’s night out.  I’m still a bit cold from my ‘dip in the bay.’”

Duck looked a bit surprised but nodded and left.

Lexi sighed and fell back against her hammock.  Shutting her eyes, she heard the confused voices of her team-mates.  She sighed and new what would come.  Ace would knock on her door and convince her to come while she would feel guilty for denying the request.  As if on cue, the firm knock of Ace on her door woke her from her attempted-rest.

“Lex, can I come in?”  Ace’s voice sounded against the door.

“Yeah, sure.” Lexi sat up and collected herself.  Ace came in and sat himself next to her.  “What’s wrong?” He asked.  Lexi rolled her eyes and smiled at him.

“I’m just a bit cold.  You guys go out, be free from all fetters of femininity!”  She replied cheerfully.  Ace smiled.  “We try to block it out anyway!”

Lexi giggled and punched him lightly on the arm.  “You guys go, I’ll be fine here.”

Ace raised an eyebrow and this time, seemed concerned.  “Are you sure you’ll be okay.  We could all stay in…or one of us could stay home with you?”

Lexi laughed.  “I’ll be fine Ace, I’m a big girl!”

Ace smiled and stood up.  “Fine then.”  He started towards the bedroom door, Lexi following behind.  He turned around abruptly and looked at her.  He smiled and pulled her towards him, pressing is lips against hers.  He felt her smile as he pulled away.  “Remember.”  He pointed at his wrist communicator.  “…call if there’s any trouble.”

“I promise.” Lexi smiled, and Ace left, the automatic doors closing behind him, Leaving Lexi home-alone.
--

“So, why’d Lexi stay home?” Tech asked, not looking up from the menu he was reading.

The 5 of the Loonatics had come to a popular restaurant near to the tower.  Ace had convinced them that they had to eat somewhere close by, since they walked over, they didn’t want to delay their return, or Lexi if she called to say that she was in trouble.

“She was still cold from the Bay-incident.” Duck said this monotonly and didn’t look up from his menu.

Ace looked up from his menu and stared blankly into the centre of their rounded table.  “Do you think Lexi’ll be okay?”

The rest of the team looked up at him, “She’ll be fine!”  They all said in unison, though, slightly louder than they had intended, as they now stared guiltily at the crowd of people who now stared at them.  Each Loonatic grinned sheepishly before diving back into their menus to hide their embarrassment, and their faces if any of the media happened to be close by.

“You’re all despicable.” Duck murmured, before Slam roughly stepped on his foot.  “Oww!” Duck yelped, “What did I say?”
--

Lexi sighed as she flopped back onto the couch, waiting for her food to cook in the oven.

Glancing over to her left, Lexi reluctantly picked up the TV remote.  Flipping through the channels, something caught Lexi’s eye, and she immediately scrolled back through the channels and tuned in to the snazzy add that now played.

It showed a new ‘mega structure’ that had apparently just been built in the centre of Acmetropolis.  The advertisement showed the grand rooms of a new hotel resort, it was 5 star and all the rooms were marble finished and polished thoroughly.  The grand meeting room had a spectacular, glittering chandelier in the centre of the ceiling, and a large stage next to a bar at the front.

It wasn’t necessarily the grand rooms of the beautiful hotel, that caught Lexi’s attention, but more the designer and owner name of the new structure.  ‘Le Pew, Magnefique’ Lexi couldn’t control her erupting laughter, being quite fluent in languages, she could, on the spot work out what it translated into: ‘The Magnificent Skunk.’  Lexi stopped her hysterical fit as she, immediately new the owner, even before the man himself appeared on screen, advertising the new resort.

Names of special guests began to list on the screen.  Lexi was about to turn of the TV when she froze.  The name clearly listed a few rows above the central name.  ‘The Loonatics’

Lexi sat silently for a moment, before scowling and turning off the TV.  She sat back against the sofa and closed her eyes, only then realising the slightly smoky smell coming from the Kitchen.
“Awww, Dang it!” Lexi sighed as she ran to the oven.
--

The hours passed as the five males of the team finished their meals and were walking back to HQ.

“We should go to that place more often!”  Duck started gleefully.   The rest of the team nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, only it was a little too crowded for my liking.” Tech said, slightly grumpily.

Ace chuckled at this, “you really need to get out more, Tech.  But Duck’s right, maybe we could go there for Rev’s birthday?”  Ace turned back to Rev as he said this.

Upon hearing the words “Rev’s Birthday” The mentioned bird jumped hyperactively and Ace immediately regretted what he had said.

“Oh-yeah-Ace-I-almost-forgot-about-my-own-birthday-which-is-silly-really-but-I-guess-with-the-big-incident-today-it-just-slipped-my-mind-that’s-a-good-offer-though,-I-mean-going-to-the-restaurant,-not-fighting-monsters-and-stuff-all-day-for-my-birthday,-that-would-be-crazy,-I-did-though,-have-another-idea-for-my-birthday,-it’s-tommorrow-so-I-guess-we’ll-have-enough-time-to-plan-for-it!”  Rev’s smile grew and grew as he continued his rant, and by the time he was finished, the Loonatics’ let out a sigh of relief when they realised, through Rev’s speech, they had already arrived at the Elevator to the tower.
The 5 Loonatics stepped inside the elevator and began their ascent to the top of their home.

Rev, being the fastest had run to the door as soon as their elevator doors had opened.  In his fast paced manor, he knocked repeatedly on the door, but no-one answered.  He started to get worried, and as soon as the others had caught up to him, he told them what was going on.  “Guys-I-think-something’s-wrong-with-Lexi-, she-hasn’t-answered-the-door-yet,-what-if-something-happened-to-her?”  Rev seemed very worried.

“Relax Rev, she’s probably just gone to bed, it’s gone 12:00 anyway.”  Ace calmly stated.  He input the access code and the 5 Loonatics stepped inside.

Immediately, Ace started for Lexi’s room, upon realising no-one was in their main-room.  Quietly, so that the others wouldn’t hear and become suspicious, Ace input the access code for Lexi’s room.  He quietly and quickly stepped inside and shut the door behind him.

He turned around slowly and made his way over to Lexi’s hammock, but upon listening carefully, heard no breathing.  Worriedly he felt around the hammock only to find it empty.  Ace stood momentarily, trying to contemplate where she could be, suddenly, realisation hit him, as he remembered how, after their ‘Get-together’ last night, he said that she could sleep in his bed so they could be together.

Ace carefully listened against Lexi’s door; her super-hearing really would’ve come in handy right now.  Soon he heard the sounds of 3 doors closing, and someone walking past the door and into the next room.

Almost silently Ace slipped through Lexi’s door and across the corridor into his own.  He let out a sigh of relief when he heard her steady breathing, and vaguely saw her form in his bed, her chest rising and falling with every breath.  He smiled and turned into his bathroom to clean his teeth and change into is night clothes.

When he was finished, he quietly walked across to the side of the bed that was vacant.  The added weight, and slight noise that Lexi’s super hearing picked up, alerted her to the presence of another person.

“Ace?” She mumbled, still tired.  She sat up to try and identify the shape of the person or thing that was next to her, ready to fight it if need be.

Ace sat up and greeted her with a kiss, Lexi was still unconvinced as to whether this person was Ace or not, considering that they hadn’t spoken yet.  She kept on her guard.  Once he pulled away, Ace smiled.  “It is me you know.”  As if he’d read her mind.

Lexi smiled and shook her head slightly, “Why wouldn’t it be?”  And she chuckled at her own stupidity.

“Hey, at least you were being wary.” Ace commented, it seemed as though he was reading her mind like a book.

“Okay, are you developing some new power or something, you seem to know exactly what I’m thinking?”

Ace chuckled.  “Maybe, but I feel like we’re closer at the moment.”

“Well, yeah.  With all that’s happened the past couple of days, we certainly are.”

“I know that.” Ace became slightly serious now.  “But something seems…different, like we’re closer still?”

Lexi giggled and decided to change the subject slightly.  “Wow Ace, you’ve finally cracked!”

Ace chuckled at this and playfully pushed her down, while he remained where he was.  He was surprised at how easy it was for him to move her; he knew she was the lightest in the team, partially because of the gender difference, but still.  “Wow Lexi, you are weak!”

He heard Lexi playfully gasp and then felt her punch him, though it did little harm to him, not that she would ever attempt to hurt him.  “Awww, dang it I am.”  Lexi smiled.

Ace grinned before turning himself around so that he could face her where she was.  He swiftly pinned her shoulders down and raised and eyebrow “Let’s see if you can get out of that.”

Lexi hesitated, thinking, she quickly reached up as far as she could, because of Ace’s hold on her shoulders, and began to tickle him.

Ace however, didn’t even flinch.  Lexi frowned and retreated her hands.  She frowned slightly.  “You’re not ticklish?”

Ace smiled.  “No.  Reacting to being tickled, is different for some people, it happens because of the body’s reaction to someone, or something else’s touch.  The body naturally tenses up, so the movement of someone’s fingers can give a strange sensation, some people throw up, some get angry…some laugh.”

Lexi rolled her eyes, “Great, so you’re a crazy psychic, and now you’ve become amazingly smart.  Who are you and what having you done with Ace?”

Ace couldn’t hold in his laughter at her monotone response.

Lexi laughed along too.  “Wait, so with all that tickling mumbo-jumbo, how come you don’t react to it and I do?”

Ace smirked.  “Because I trust you, and I know you’re not going to hurt me.  But thanks for giving me an idea.”

Lexi raised an eyebrow.  “Wait what ide…!”   Lexi was interrupted as Ace started to tickle her relentlessly.

“Ace! Please....stop...I...can’t....Ace!” Lexi giggled as she tried to catch her breath through her laughter.

Ace smiled as she squirmed around in his grasp.  Lexi pulled her legs up to her chest to try and defend her stomach, but she couldn’t help but slightly kick out.  Tickling had always been one of her weaknesses.

Ace eventually stopped, and Lexi let out a sigh, and tried to catch her breath, Ace chuckled and lay down next to her.

“…I would’ve pushed you off me, if I was strong enough.”  Lexi seemed slightly hurt.

Ace stared up and the ceiling, but felt Lexi look at him, he turned and faced her.  Lexi smiled and shuffled closer to him until she could place her head on his chest.  He put his arm round her and smiled, he knew she was smiling too.  “I love you just the way you are, Lex.”