30 Court Case

Hello readers, Donniedrako15 here, and I have to say that for once on a day like this, please don't click off! I know that in April Fools' past, I've fooled you all with 5 minutes of work, but this time, no more. I'll still be celebrating the holiday, but for this year, I'm giving a full-on chapter that just so happens to have a more humorous or wacky tone. These chapters will also be somewhat canon, so they can occupy themselves in the timeline easily if I want to, but don't expect any hard references to these hijinks anytime soon. But with that all out of the way, I hope you enjoy the ride and happy April Fools Day!

My name is Phil Thomas Tippie, and in this world gone mad, I've fought with super-intelligent cockroaches, energy-wielding mercenaries, and a 40-foot tall man who had skin rash in places where I shouldn't have seen. But now, 15 months in, I've finally had the thing that would take the cake; as I sat behind a hermit-like mad scientist and 8-foot tall dragon man, I had only one question for the speedster who dragged me here.

"Why am I here again?"

"Because I've been up literally all night trying to figure this problem out, and you guys are the best I've got to solving it," Derek said with agitation.

"What exactly is this problem?" I said while tired.

It was then I saw a whole new side to Derek. His flaming spirit grew to an ember as he sheepishly said.

"You see there this girl I like and-"

"You're finally going to ask Kate out; who would have thought that," Chelsea said matter of factly.

"I didn't say who it-."

"Derek, my social skills have dropped to the level of a brick wall since my self-imposed exile, and I don't even need my contacts to see you two making bedroom eyes for months," she said back.

"Wait, did all of you know?!" he said, flabbergasted.

"Since the beginning, but I need as much gossip as I can get sooooooo," David said casually as he sipped from his bucket of water.

"And I've heard the Mendez sisters place bets on who would make the first move. I'm surprised you called up all the people outside your age range," I said, now intrigued.

"I picked you guys because I thought you'd be the best to handle this sort of thing. The sisters can't resist a good gossip, and Ivan just screams edgy pretty boy virgin," he said.

"And you thought that the divorced, famously single scientist and married man would help you with the young love advice at 3 am? No offense."

"None taken," David and Chelsea said in unison.

"Look, if you don't want to help me, then I'll happily bring you back," Derek said in an irritated tone.

Through that quote alone, I could see it clear as day. Because as annoying as Derek's fury was sometimes, his heart was always coming from the right place. And I could tell clear as day at the nervousness inside of him. Considering I joined this team specifically to help him, how could I turn my back on him?

"How about you bring me a coffee instead, and then we talk," I said while rubbing my eyes for the mayhem ahead.

Derek POV

It all honestly seems like a lifetime ago, but I remember a couple of admirers from my college years. However, the answer I always had was the same. Everyone on both the team and frat would tell you I hit the books as much as I hit the gym; girls weren't a part of the equation. And trust me, I've had crushes before, but this was something different.

These past couple of months, I've seen Kate in a whole new light. Maybe it was our little talk that day, or just feel that I've always had, but around her, everything started to change. My heart would beat like a machine gun, my hands would heat up like a furnace, and I swear everything held more weight when she was near me. I don't know if it was love, but I wouldn't mind finding out if it was with her. But that also means I didn't want just to do it right; I wanted it to be perfect. Which probably brought me to where I am now.

I've fought against superpowers criminals time and time again, but it's only now where I've truly felt truly anxious. My powers took this mindset far too literally though as soon enough, my mind was moving far faster than any supercomputer. The next thing I know, every step had so many different directions that I couldn't keep up. But I think the others gave me just the tools I needed to survive. All I got to do was remember them in order.

"Relationships are all about communication and listening. My husband Bruce was the type to pick up on the smallest details with the biggest payoffs. It worked for me, so maybe it will work for you," David said wistfully.

Through our official Champion round-robin calendar, I knew that Kate was free today. All it took was a little text, and 2 of us were splitting eight coffees in a 7:1 ratio. It was still pretty cold even in the middle of March, so Kate decided to wear a slightly pink long-sleeved cable knit sweater and white pants. Combine that with her now faux locs braids, and I swear I almost forgot the plan altogether. But then I remembered my haphazard sweatpants, long-sleeved red shirt, and vest, which quickly made me almost wish someone else was in more danger than I was now. Still being the gentlewoman she was, of course, she didn't comment, instead of changing the subject.

"That's a whole lot of coffee; sure, you won't get jittery?"

"Well, you know me, I'll run it off eventually," I said with dopey optimism.

"Right," Kate said jokingly.

Before she could continue any further, her eyes refocused to the far right of the cafe. At that moment, I also turned to see a silent news channel with a tagline that made me roll my eyes.

"Champions: Superhumans, Saviors or Supremacists?"

"Do you think that people are ever going to know we are just trying to help?" she said in a worried tone.

It didn't even take my now electric analysis to pick up on her worry. 2 months may have flashed by, but it was still all the same. Our mini-war with the House of Helixes finally gave the media all the ammunition they needed. Tactic's forces may have brought crime down, but our tensions with the public have now reached an all-time high. Seemingly every day, he was becoming more and more integrated into the city. I think we've all felt the subtle power shift; Kate was the only one who vocalized it like that, though. Even after Prophet's mess, our morale still wasn't at 100%, but that didn't mean that I couldn't try and make her feel better, even if I couldn't.

"I learned a long time ago not to let the media take you down. This day and age, you'll get vilified for anything," I said matter of factly.

"Yeah, I guess, doesn't bode well for a future actress, though. Probably just be adding fuel to the fire," she said wistfully.

It was in that movement my heart stopped while my mind worked in complete overtime. These past couple of months have taught me to think faster than I could run. Limbo proved that I had to be both cautious and decisive; there are just days where I'm going to have to act both fast and cautious on my first strike. The first step to that end vastly improved my perceptions and sense of direction. It was hard ass work but being a human GPS is handy in times like these. Like some kind of search bar in my brain, I pulled up the perfect file, with Chelsea's next words guiding my next actions.

"Hey, just because you're a Champion doesn't mean you aren't Kate Adams; we've talked about this. You can still very much be an actor. I had to give up any shot at the NFL because it doesn't mean you have to follow the same fate. You've lost so much time already; I don't want you to lose any more in something that you don't love," I said with more sap than a redwood tree.

At that moment, a slight smile crossed Kate's face, and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Yeah, you're right. Maybe I'm probably just overthinking. Classes have just been kicking my ass for a while now, " she said wearily.

At that moment, my second lesson flashed in front of me.

"Love is like a business deal; all's well when both sides don't get what they want. But before you seal the deal, you have to apply some pressure," Chelsea said in cold analysis.

"Well, how about you take a break. I think I've got just the place to cheer you up. You want to do it tonight?"

Kate's face became surprisingly conflicted as she stated her response.

"Ah, sure what the hell, where are we going?"

"I am not going to spoil that, just wear something nice and let me handle the rest."

And just like that, pressure and communication were happily maintained. Which led to Phil's final advice.

"I still don't think I'm the greatest of romantics, but I can tell you one of the main reasons why my marriage fell apart. Love is all about balance. You give things up, and the same goes around. I made her sacrifice so much to find my purpose. Without realizing that we should've done it together," Phil said remorsefully.

So with that control kept in mind, cycling through hundreds of outfits, I decided to go with a simple buttoned shirt, jacket, and jeans. However, in the eyes of a speedster, every hour felt like torture as my powers started getting the better of me, as I started to get alone with my thoughts. What if she doesn't like me? What's that going to do to the team? What do I do? And most importantly: do I deserve this? All these questions trapped me better than any chain because no matter how fast I run, I just can't escape the question, so many people ask. Why am I here? Despite the cold temp, my body ran hot with anxiety-filled sweat as I made my way towards Kate using the 285th planned route and 18th planned type of walk. When she opened the door, she wore a dark brown duffle coat that matched her brown eyes. At that point, my head might as well have been steaming.

"Do I look okay?"

"You look perfect."

After a literal trailblazing, I landed a couple of yards away from our destination. And from there, Kate was introduced to our surprise location: FDR Park. Specifically the place I wanted to show her. Because this park was also famous for another special location, upon one of my runs, I discovered that for two weeks, only the Swedish American Museum was going to have a live reenactment of various Swedish folktales. It was a dopey kind of thing, but I think something dumb like this would help cheer her up. And I was right.

Kate was about as nerdy as you can get when acting, meaning we never stayed out of earshot of the event. I found it a little hokey, but I don't know if it was love or increased perceptions, but I could feel the passion and sweat from here. And I could tell Kate made that from the very start. By the time the play got finished, the entire crowd had erupted into an uproar that livened up the dead of night. After that, I brought Kate back to her college campus, safe and sound. An awkward silence filled up space as Kate opened up her dorm room. But before she closed it, she let her excitement escape.

"Man, I didn't think Swedish folklore would be that riveting, but those guys made it work," she said with joy.

"Yeah, that was something."

"Thank you so much, Derek; I think I did need that. It reminded me why I wanted to act in the first place."

"Glad to hear it; we all need a break sometimes, especially since Philly needs its superhuman supremacists in tip-top shape."

"Hmph, I guess you're right; you are a great guy. But I've been in my funk all day; I've never asked how you've been doing."

"You don't need to worry about me, Kate; I'm doing just fine."

"C'mon Derek, you can tell me, you've looked like you've had something on your mind for a while now."

At that moment, my heart went into complete overdrive, with my core burning so hard I thought it would explode. Split-second thoughts of self-doubt and fear clasped my throat as those same questions hit my head like it was a steel drum. But as I looked at her and remembered the words she said that day, the words she said just now, I realized something. Once again, I had done everything to make her happy, without a single care to myself. But I made this plan because "I" wanted to be with her. And I'll never know how she'll feel until I take that leap of faith for myself! So with more resolve than I ever had. I gave myself my peace of mind.

"Ever since we talked after the mind control, I couldn't stop thinking about what you said. Specifically, that bit you said about being there for each other because I've realized something over these past couple of months. I want us to be there for each other, together. I mean, I want to."

At that moment Kate, took hold of my fidgety hand as she said all the words I needed to hear.

"Go on," she said encouragingly with twinkling eyes.

With that, all I could do was say this.

"I want us to be together, if you'll have me," I said, terrified out of my mind.

After that, words didn't need to get said as Kate only answered back with a single peck on the cheek.

"I think that would be perfect. Next, I'll treat you, have a nice night Derek," she said as she closed the door.

For a good couple of minutes I, was speechless until a lighting like excitement jolted across my body. Before I could even make sense of it all I, 'm running past Center City like a demon out of hell with one word out of my mouth.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOO!"