A Visit Part 9

Just as I said that, her pager went off. She sighed and reached for it reluctantly. "I have to go Alex...I'm on call tonight and...I don't ignore my calls, for any reason. I'd like to stay here with you. I really would, but..."

I kissed her cheek. "No worries Sara, I understand...you have to go. Just give me a few minutes to get ready and I'll join you."

She pulled away from me and frowned. "Alex, now is not the time for that. You don't know that you really are...back, you feel great, but...it doesn't mean you are a hero again. I won't be long...it's just a robbery."

 

October

A Visit Part 8

Afterwards, we lay in bed, side by each, my arms wrapped around her waist. Very relaxed, enjoying the quiet and the closeness.

"Thank you Alex...for calling me..for wanting to be with me, like I want to be with you. I haven't had that for awhile.It's not like the other men I've been liking of late have known who I was, but...they sensed something else and were spooked. But you know who I am and even though you can't be..." She stopped, in mid-sentence. "I'm sorry Alex, I forgot...you can be again..."

"Shhhh Sara, I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to lay here with you. Leave the world outside. It's just you and I here now. A man and a woman. Together. The world can wait, it doesn't need you right now."

 

October

 

A Visit Part 7

I smiled. "Don't worry Sara...I'm not. This is a blessing and I am not about to fret about it. I am going to make use of it. Khaeon took away my powers and you've given them back to me...I have to be a part of the fight against Khaeon now."

"Oh Alex...slow down...this effect...I don't know how it happened, but...you don't know that it is what you think it is. Don't get ahead of yourself, please."

I looked at her and I saw the worry in her eyes. And I did not want to see that. No, I wanted joy and excitement, like before, when we were about to be together. "You're right Sara...I don't know for sure what this is...But I mean to find out. If I am indeed back...I want to help take down Khaeon. He wouldn't be what he is without me in the first place."

Sara's worry faded. "Yes, I like your thinking, but...can't it wait? It's late...and I was hoping..."

I cut her off with a kiss and wrapped my arms around her. It was nice, to put it mildly, that we both wanted the same thing...then and there.

 

October

A Visit Part 6

A soft green glow emanated from me, spreading from my chest to the whole rest of my body. I felt so alive...like when I was a hero and could do amazing things. It felt good.

Sara stopped and pulled away, surprsied and unsure of what to make of it. "What? You're glowing Alex...I don't understand."

"I don't either Sara, but I feel better than I have since Khaeon sickened me. Look." I stood up and flipped over the chair. "Thank you Sara...this gift you've given me is amazing."

"I'm glad...but Alex...this shouldn't have happened."

A Visit Part 5

"Yes, it does and it will feel better when we are more comfortable."

"Sara..."

"Shhhh Alex, it's okay. I want it. I want you. And I want it now. Don't you?"

"Of course I do Sara...but..."

"But what Alex? Moving you is not a problem. And as long as...what are you worried about? I like this scruffy look. It suits you."

She kissed me hard on the lips and my protestations faded away like the dew as I kissed her back.

 

October

 

A Visit Part 4

"You're right Sara. I'm not a hero anymore, but it doesn't mean I have to think like a loser."

"That's the spirit Alex...don't give up."

"I'm glad you came Sara, I really am."

"Well Alex, I'm glad you finally called me...I was beginning to think you weren't ever going to call me."

"And if I hadn't?"

"Well then, I was going to have to come and see you silly. What else?"

"I'm flattered Sara. Mmmm, this feels right."

 

October

 

A Visit Part 3

"That's up to you Alex. But you can't just give up on life. Live it while you can. Share what you have left...with me."

"Anaeha...I don't know what to say."

She smiled then slowly came to me and wrapped me up in a hug. "Just say yes Alex. Is it so hard to say? We care about each other...and having been a hero, you know what my life is like, how hectic it is..so you will understand my frequent absences. And I would like to have someone around to share the quiet moments with. It's a lonely life, as you well know."

I smiled and hugged her back. It felt good hugging her. And I knew it would feel good being with her. "Mmm, you make a compelling offer Anaeha."

"Call me Sara Alex. I don't want to be Anaeha when I am with you. I want to be a woman...with a man. Is that too much to ask?"

"Sara...that's a nice name."

"Thank you Alex, I like it too. I've had it for a lot longer than I've had the other name."

"Something for me to think about Sara?"

She kissed my neck and began rubbing my shoulders. "Maybe...I can't say I know what you're going through Alex, or say what I would do if I was sick like you, but I can ask you to live up to the possible, not down from it."

 

October

 

 

A Visit Part 2

"I wish you could help me Anaeha, but there's no help. I didn't think it would advance this quickly."

"You want me to go Alex? Just because you can't get up to greet me? I won't do that Alex. I came here to see you because I've been thinking about you alot. I was just giving you your space."

"No, I don't want you to go...but if I can't even rise to greet you..."

"Don't say that Alex, I like you for who you are. It is not the hero that drew me in, but the man."

"But I can't even be that man now, can I?"

 

October

 

A Visit

I was dozing in my favourite chair downstairs, dressed in decidedly comfortable clothes and unshaven...not looking my best when I heard her sweet voice call out upstairs. "Hello? Alex?" 

"Anaeha?" I shook my head to clear it and tried to rise...but couldn't...my legs...oh no, not now, please not now. "Anaeha, I'm downstairs...please..."

She rushed downstairs...as I feared and hoped for at the same time. "What's wrong Alex, are you okay?"

"Anaeha...now's not the best time." I know it sounded bad, but i didn't know what else to say. I was glad she was there, don't mistake that, but if I couldn't even get up to greet her...then it was better I didn't see her...right?

She looked at me and flashed me a smile. "It's getting worse, isn't it Alex? I'm sorry...but, you can't chase me away that easily. I am here for you Alex. Let me help."

 

October

 

"Anaeha. Hi, it's Alex..Pessa. I wanted to talk to you...but you're not in right now...but that's okay. You're probably out saving the world. Anyway...call me when it is convenient. I'll be around. Take care."

I hung up. Getting her answering machine, it wasn't what I wanted...but, I had called her and that was a big step. Now, all I could do was wait and hope she wasn't somewhere far away. Like in space, or deep beneath the waves. I really wanted to see her soon.

It would have been sooner, that I had talked to her..but..I needed time. I only hope I hadn't waited too long. She was too wonderful a woman to remain by herself for long. Especially for a man like me...the way I was now. Sick, with my power all but gone. But hope can be hard to kill, so...I clung to it. Weak? Maybe, but..so be it. We can't always be strong.

 

October

 

I stared at the phone. Nervous, yet anxious to talk to her. She had invited me, but...that had been weeks ago...what if...she had decided I wasn't going to call her and...moved on? What if she was away on a mission? Damn, why had I waited for so long? I wasn't like this before.

But this was now, and everything was different.

A wave of fatigue hit and I fought to stay wakeful..but...I knew I couldn't hold it long enough to have proper conversation. So, I gave in and went to bed.

It would have to wait until later...or tomorrow. I needed the extra time to gather my courage. This was too big a step to take lightly. It could be something more between us than a mere date. I needed to be ready and I wasn't, not just yet.

 

October

Well...

Well...I think about it, but not bitterly, that it is no longer mine. Just wistfully.

I don't know that I could if I was in contact with the heroes...even for something as simple as a dinner. If I could even make it through a dinner without needing to rest.

No, I am better off like this. Alone.

Yet...in the odd moments...I think about Anaeha. A part of me knows I shouldn't, but...I still do anyway. She is something else. So I can't.

But...I want to, so help me, I want to. I want to call her and accept her invitation to dinner. We don't have to talk about heroing. There is something else there, we can both feel it. Denying it is...

Wrong. I have to call her. And tell her yes.

 

October

Will I Be Missed?

I ask myself, frequently now, if I'll be missed...when I am gone. I know I'm not missed now, other heroes have come on the scene since I left. Better heroes to be quite frank. I had my moments, but...I never measured up to the greats. I never had the power.

But I was okay with that, I really was, I was content with what I could do. I was very nearly inexhaustable. Agile and quite bulletproof, which was a good thing because I was a street level hero. I faced the more common everyday threats. It was rare when I temaed up with the heavy hitters.

And yet, they knew what I was doing. And appreciated me. I liked that...I miss that, but...it is for the best that I distance myself now.

I'm fine with my life's path because I stay away. I don't think about that old life so much then.

 

October

Now

But that was months ago. And Khaeon hasn't been seen since. I know the heroes are planning a defense against him. But the exact nature of it and how the plan is proceeding is beyond me. They wanted to keep me in the loop, but I asked them not to. I knew it would be better that I not know anything. That is no longer my life. I am a hero no more.

And I am dying. It continues getting worse. The doctors can't help me. I am going to die. And soon.

But, I am not bitter...I've been blessed with a good life. And though it is soon to end, I cannot forget that. And I hope you can find the blessings in your troubles as I have. It's not easy, but life is full of the not easy.

 

October

 

The Day Part 18

And with that, he faded out of sight. Gone...and I looked around, surveying the damage he'd done. I'd been a hero before he came into my life and now...what was I? I wasn't a hero anymore. I knew he had spoken the truth. I felt too different.

Eddie still lay where Khaeon had flung him. Lost to unconsciousness. The author of this unfolding tragedy? Yes, but...I was to blame. Ultimately, this was on me. I didn't keep the suit safe. I had unleashed this dark terrible threat onto the world. The heroes, they had to be told of this. They needed to prepare for the coming conflict...whenever it was going to be.

My knees gave way and I crumpled to the floor beside Eddie and fell into unconsciousness myself.

 

October

The Day Part 17

He smiled once more then threw me agaisnt the wall, where I crumpled in a painful heap. "But it is over Alex. It is and there is nothing you can do to reverse the effects. Your powers will soon be gone, then your life. If you wish to cling to your life, what's left of it, then don't be foolish...leave the heroing to the more qualified..the more powerful, well, while they are still around that is. You see, this is just the beginning. I am going to rid the world of all of its heroes. And then, I will rule over it. And I couldn't have done any of this without Eddie...or you."

I groaned paingully. I wanted to get up and take him down...but I knew then, that what he said was indeed the truth. I was done as a hero. I still felt the way I had felt since I had become a hero, but it was fluctuating, ebbing. Oh what a fool I had been. Some hero I had been, allowing a danger like him to become this...threat.

And a threat he was...a dangerous threat that had to be stopped. "So you've won today, you've stopped me...but...you know it won't be so easy to stop all the others. Are you truly that powerful?"

"I intend to find out Alex and when I do...I'll be back to finsih what I started here. So by all means, tell your friends all about me...make your plans to defeat me when I return. I am eager to face all of them in battle. I relish it. A pity you won't be around to see it though...well, I don't think you will. It's hard to say exactly how your body will react to the sickness I've given you. Maybe you'll live longer than I had planned. But it won't matter. None of you will stand a chance against me then."

 

October

 

The Day Part 16

"Is that all Alex? Is that your best? How on Earth did you ever defeat anyone but the powerless? Well, the powerless need not worry about you any longer now. Because your days as a hero are over."

And in the time it took me to blink, everything had changed. No longer was he on the other side of the wall. He was clutching me by my shirt collar. Smiling as if I hadn't laid a hand on him. But I had...I had given him my best effort...and it was as if I hadn't touched him at all. "This isn't possible...I had thrown you through the wall."

He laughed. "Ha ha ha!!! Pity, for you Alex that you never discovered the true power of this suit. I have but figured out the barest bit of it and already I am more than just powerful Alex...not that you will have to deal with me when I return. Hmmm, no, in all likelihood, you'll be dead by then." 

I struggled futilely to escape his grip, but it was no use. "What have you done to me?"

"I've sickened you Alex. And the sickness will first take your power and then your life. As of this day...you are a hero no longer. Enjoy the months you have left Alex. Be thankful I gave you that much time, if I had wanted to, I could have killed you now."

"Liar, the suit isn't as powerful as you make it out to be...it's the smoke, it has to be. There's something in the smoke that is affecting me. You cannot bend reality like you seem to be doing. And I am not done as a hero. I'm just feeling the effects of what you've done."

"Yes, you are, but not the way you claim. I am speaking true to you Alex. And if you don't believe me...then you really are a fool. Look with your eyes and see what I have done. How can you not know that this is really happening you fool?"

"It just can't be happening! Not to me. I've been a hero for too long to believe that it is over."

 

October

The Day Part 15

"What will it be hero? Will you really try and do the undoable? Will you foolishly stand against me, knowing in your heart of hearts that you are no match for me? Then do it now, while I am willing to allow it. But wait too long to make your last choice as a hero and I will kill you where you stand. And that Alex, is a promise."

"Yes." I spoke that one word boldly, even as in my heart of hearts I was feeling anything but boldness. I was almost shaking and my heart was pumping fast. But whatever I felt...I had to try and stop him. I didn't believe that my time as hero was about to end.

I gritted my teeth and flung myself at him and hit him hard, elbows first. His head went back as I sailed over him. I landed gracefully and somersaulted towards him, jumping to my feet and landing a solid uppercut to his jaw. A good hard thwack and his head snapping back hard cheered me immensely. I followed that up with blows to the face and chest. I was relentles and he didn't even try to punch back. He was overwhelmed. I wasn't the strongest, fastest, agile or toughest, but I was a hero. And I had fought a couple of real baddies and beaten them. I was better than he gave me credit for.

But I knew it was far from over and couldn't quit. I had to keep on pounding on him until he gave way to unconsciousness. I hit him one more time in the head then wrapped my arms around his chest and pulled him up..or tried to. He was heavier than I thought possible. I strained and strained, sweat began pouring down my face. I could lift a man's weight...even a much bigger man than him with relative ease. Not him though...I didn't give up though and finally, I lifted him off the ground and flung him against the wall as hard as I could.

To my surprise, he crashed through it. I was amazed...I had never done that before. It felt good. I wanted to continue my furious assault, but I was out of breath. And I put my hands on my knees as I felt very faint then. I was out of breath. That never happened to me! Not since I had become a hero. But caught up in the action, I wasn't thinking how bad it was. I was just too weak then.

 

October

The Day Part 14

Khaeon laughed and flung me against the wall. "Oh but you are done Alex, you are." He closed his eyes and the dark suit got darker and a distant hum could be heard, slowly building in intensity. it stopped with a pop as he opened his eyes. "There, that should be enough I think...you are not the strongest hero after all. I shouldn't need the full measure of power locked inside this wonderful suit."

I pulled myself off the floor and gulped a hard nervous breath. "Eddie, get out of here...warn them, warn them all that I've done a terrible thing and to come here in force..please."

Khaeon shook his head. "No Alex, I can't allow that. I am not interested in facing them just yet, so no warnings..no help." And as easily as you or I snap our fingers, Khaeon gestured with a flip of his hand and Eddie was knocked flying into a chair. "Don't make me hurt you Eddie, I owe you this power, so I am grateful, but..if you even try to warn them...I will kill you."

Eddie shook it off and tensed to make a break for it anyway, he knew this was his fault and he was willing to make whatever sacrifice. "I'm sorry Alex...I hate that I've brought this on you. It's all my fault."

""It isn't Eddie, it's mine, for not being more careful...for trying to figure the suit. I didn't even bother. This one's on me."

Khaeon looked at both of us with disgust. "How touching. two friends...but will you be friends after? After one's actions lead to the other's unpowering? A pity I won't be around to find out."

I steeled myself, knowing this well could be my defining moment as a hero. I sensed the power of the suit..finally, but he couldn't just let him steal it. I had to fight, despite the odds.

 

October 

The Day Part 13

"Fool! You never knew what you had Alex...if you did, you would have kept it for yourself and truly been a force to rival that of the greatest heroes, and not been content to be just another hero, taking on the powerless idiots who rob banks and mug old ladies."

"Those bad guys have to be stopped too man."

"Call me Khaeon. That is the name I will be known as when I strike terror in the hearts of the people and defeat the most powerful of the powerful.. And it will all be on your head Alex. Oh, you can blame Eddie for being a fool, but you were the one who trusted him with such secrets. if you hadn't, then I wouldn't have the power I have now. So thank you Alex."

"Stop calling me Alex...call me..."

Khaeon slapped him hard across the face. "Shut up fool. Do not speak unless I tell you to speak. I know now why I have been calling you Alex and not that other name. I know that it is your time as a hero to end."

"What? No...I'm not done yet Khaeon, not today."

 

October

The Day Part 12

I threw myself at him and took him down heavily. And wasting no time, I began punching him as quickly as I could. Hoping I could render him unconscious. The suit was not perfect...blows could be felt. Eddie had certainly felt Annek's blows. I was as strong as Annek, if not stronger, surely I could render this thief unconscious. Once I did that, it would be a simple matter of removing the suit and taking him to jail.

It wasn't that simple however.

"Are you quite done Alex?"

My furious flurry of punches stopped as I realized we had moved suddenly...I was no longer onh top of him. He was holding me up, with one hand. And smiling. I was baffled.

 

October

The Day Part 11

"You think not? You are not thinking this through ALex. You're fine against the powerless idiots you face, and have even held your own against the few powered villains you've faced. Until now. With this alien suit, I am your superior in every way."

Was he wrong? I hoped so...I was certainly regretting keeping the suit then. I'd not entertained any thought of using it myself, so I should have gotten rid of it. But I was shortsighted. And now it was in the hands of a bad man. "It's not over until it's over."

He smiled. "It won't take me long Alex. Not with this suit."

 

October

The Day Part 10

He knocked me flying into the next room. Going through the door was hard enough, going through the wall would have been...much worse. I stood up shakily, robbed of my confidence by the stranger's awful intrusion and the role, albeit unintentional, that Eddie had played in it."You have the suit stranger and that makes you a worthy adversary, but, to master it...that is another thing."

"Oh Alex, I feel, no, I know I can master it quickly. But even without the masteryof it, I will still defeat you easily fool. And no one is going to come to your rescue. And you have Eddie to thank for it. I dare say you chose your friend unwisely."

"Shut up, you don't know what you're talking about. Eddie is a good friend. he simply made a mistake, that is all. Nothing more."

"A mistake that could well cost you your life hero. Unless you're wise enough to see the inevitable. I really don't need to kill you to have won over you. I would be content to simply walk away with the suit...And the knowledge that your reputation is quite undeserved. Do not think on my generous offer for long hero, I have much to do and I am anxious to begin."

"No. That is my answer you fiend, you are not leaving here with that suit."

 

October

The Day Part 9

"Alex get up. You can't let him steal the suit."

The other wheeled around and laughed at Eddie. "Shut up Eddie. I wouldn't be this close to my goal without you, so I really don't want to hurt you. But I will..if you force me to. And you are close to forcing me."

"Damn you. I wish I'd never gone out that night. All this would have been avoided."

"Fool, it's too late now. I have the suit and Alex just isn't good enough to stop me. To think that he is a heo at all, from what I've just witnessed here, it's laughable."

I was still on my knees...shocked to my core, I never before thought that my home would be a battleground. Foolish really, considering that I was a hero...but, it had been my belief.

And it was Eddie who struck first. Albeit feebly. He was no match for the suit. The other flung him against the wall with no problem.

"Are you a coward Alex? Will you not even defend yourself? And you dare to call yourself a hero? You're an even bigger fool than Eddie. And Eddie, he's a pretty big fool as it is. Hardly a victory to be proud of now, but, I will take it nonetheless. I will simply bide my time until I face a worthy adversary. Know this Alex your failure to stop me means all the innocents I hurt from this day forward, their pain will be on your head."

I stood up, I couldn't allow that. I would stop him if it was the last thing I did. Suit or no suit, I wouldn't let him steal it.

 

October

 

The Day Part 8

I fell to my knees. Stunned at Eddie's terrible betrayal. I didn't want to believe that my best friend had done this to me.

"Alex, please listen to me. After Annek, I was not quite myself. And I needed to feel good...so I went out one night and got drunk. And it was then that I met this man. He got me to talking and I let it slip about the suit. I thought I had convinced him it was merely a tale I'd made up, but I didn't fool him Alex. He followed me here today and forced me to bring out the suit. I'm sorry Alex...He's wearing it now."

And with that, the bold one, the thief...stepped out of the smoke and smiled at me. "Well, well, well. It looks like I'm going to test out the suit on a very good candidate. Eh? I've been looking forward to making my mark fool. And you're as good a hero to make it against. Just good enough that the other villains won't laugh at me for beating you, but not good enough to actually stop me."

Fine. It wasn't betrayal, but it still left an awful taste in my mouth.

 

October

The Day Part 7

"Well? Show yourself...both of you. I am waiting...and I will not wait long. You think I don't know the inside of this room well enough to fight the both of you off under these conditions? You are sadly mistaken if you do."

The bold one laughed. "I have no doubt. You've lived here a long time. And when my friend here told me about a wonderful suit, that he thought I might like to take a look at, well, I was more than a little interested. I just had to come and see it for myself."

"No, it wasn't like that at all Alex. I swear it wasn't."

"Eddie, oh no...why Eddie, why?"

 

October

The Day Part 6

I raced down to where I kept the suit, the most secure place in my very secure home and was horrified at what I saw. Doors were off their hinges. And the smell of smoke and something sinister hung in the air.

Two figures stood there, obscured by the smoke. Smoke which should have already cleared up. I had strong fans that should have activated at the first hint of smoke. But they were off.

"Who's there? Stop hiding in the smoke you cowards. And face me...if you dare."

"Do not ever call me a coward fool. I am nothing of the kind, and neither is my friend here. He'll even tell you himself...if you ask him nicely. Go ahead, if you dare."

The Day part 5

The afternoon began with a heavy hard rain. And a wind that wreaked havoc with the unfortunate souls who happened to be outside, with unmbrellas. They pulled them out and were furious when their umbrellas turned up. I had always hated that myself.

Well, at least I had the morning to enjoy. I could always just stay home and relax inside. I could watch a movie. I had a nice little collection. There was one movie I wanted to see, that I had been too busy to see. And wouldn't you know, it was about one of my hero friends. It should be interesting to see their account of him.

I smiled ruefully, knowing they weren't about to make a movie about me anytime soon. Oh well, such was life. We didn't always get what we wanted, or needed. I surely knew that. And that lesson been reinforced the hard way  by Annek recently. he cost me so much. At least he was gone now. And wouldn't be a problem anymore.

It was time to sit down and watch the movie. I needed this. And this, I knew I would enjoy. All I needed to do before was to put on the popcorn and get out the pop. Yes, I can imagine what you're thinking. But there's nothing wrong with a little indulgence. This was mine.

I popped the popcorn, poured myself the pop put the movie in the DVD player and sat down to watch the movie when the power went out.

This was not supposed to happen. I had built in safeguards. Even if the entire city went black, I would not lose power. I cursed silently. It was back to work for me. Someone was here, and I knew just what they wanted too. The suit.

 

October

The Day~Part 4

It was an unevenful morning, very relaxing. I strolled through the city. And saw nary a hint of trouble. I had a surprising thought too, that I could get used to this. Okay, it was a fleeting thought. I had been fighting crime for too long and had too many good years left to give to it to think about not doing it.

Little did I know. Little did I know that this was to be my last day as a hero.  

 

October

The Day Part 3

"Eddie...stay for breakfast...I want to talk to you about something."

Eddie's smile disappeared immediately. "I'd love to Alex, but I have too many things to do today. Maybe tomorrow okay?"

"Sure Eddie, it can wait until tomorrow."

"Thanks Alex, I knew you'd understand."

He peeled off the suit, like he didn't want to wear it and with a quick wave good-bye, he was gone. It was unusual for Eddie to turn down a free meal. And that certain coldness I got from him as soon as I asked him to stay. That was unlike him. Eddie and I had been friends since before I developed my powers. And we had worked through any issues arising from that.

But I let it go and got ready to enjoy the rest of my day, the first of my long overdue vacation.

 

October

The Day~Part 2

"Good morning Eddie. Let's get to it, this is going to be a great day and I want to get out into it to enjoy it. Annek is defeated and I want to take a few days and just relax...the other heroes can deal with the threats for a few."

Eddie smiled easily. "Good morning to you too Alex. It's good to hear you sound like yourself again. Annek took a lot out of you. I only wish it hadn't taken so much out of you...or away."

"Don't Eddie. I don't want to think about that now. Promise me you won't bring it up until I want to talk about it."

"Yes Alex, I promise."

He promised quickly, but there was no mistaking his tone. he wanted to talk about it now. But...it was my loss, not his. I would talk about it when I was ready, not before. "Soon Eddie, I promise you...soon my friend. C'mon, it's time to workout. I think we can both use it today. Suit up in the bathroom while I warm up okay?"

Eddie didn't like to workout with me, which was no surprise, he was a normal man, and I was not. He couldn't do things that did with ease. But he appreciated the offer and was ready to join me this day.

"Yes Alex, after these past few weeks...I could use a workout in your private gym."

"Good, the suit should be regenrated by now. Why don't you put it on?"

"I was hoping you'd say that Alex. I've been looking forward to using it since the last time. It was cool using that one time."

"I'm pleased to hear that Eddie, I was a little worried you wouldn't want to use it after Annek beat you."

"Annek is gone Alex, There's no one else like him. I'll be fine."

And he was fine. It was a great workout, for both of us. I felt better than I had since Annek had come and nearly wrecked my life completely. And Eddie...he enjoyed using the suit...unconcerned about the awfulness of Annek. Hmm...I knew then and there that I wanted Eddie to have the suit. he was a natural.

 

October