"Thanks for doing this, Oliver," I whisper as we lie in my hospital bed and he wraps his arms around me. "No problem," he says, softly, stroking my hair. I had a nightmare and Oliver happened to be the only one available to help me. Something doesn't feel right. Being here with Oliver like this. I care about him and I know that he cares about me, but it just seems wrong that I'm doing this with him. It feels like I'm betraying Chase and stabbing Skylar in the back at the same time. "Oliver," I say. "I wanna get up. Just for a few minutes. I wanna...take a walk around the hospital. Just to...you know...clear my head." "Okay," he says, letting go of me. I sit up slowly and walk out of my hospital room. Once again, I am taken back by the beauty of Mighty Med. Its bright colors and sophisticated design.  "Lyrica," says a distinct voice. I sigh, "What do you want, Ash?" "I came to apologize," Ash replies. "I don't remember anything that I did to hurt you, but I do believe that you're telling the truth. I'm sorry. Whatever I did, I'm sorry. I would never to anything to hurt you or anyone you love." A sob begins to rise in the back of my throat. I want to believe him. I really do. I've never been truly loved by my real  father. Douglas is the best adoptive father that anyone could ever ask for, but somehow, it's just not the same as being loved by my actual father. If Ash is making the effort to be a good father, then why not give him a chance? "It's okay," I say, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Thanks for making an effort to be a good father." I pat him on the arm as I walk by him.

  The next few hours are nerve-wracking. Chase still hasn't replied to our message, and on top of looking for Chase, we're still trying to keep a look out for Tanya. I force myself out of bed and start training, forcing everyone else to come with me. We train, and train, and train, until we can't possibly go any longer. Once we get some rest, we don't wait for Tanya to ambush us again. We stand in a circle around Mighty Med in a fighting stance. "All right, Tanya," I announce. "We're ready. Come out and face us." There is eerie silence. We wait for a few seconds. Nothing happens. "Oh come on," Leo yells, exasperated. "She always comes to fight us when we're unprepared, and now that we are prepared, she doesn't wanna fight us!?" "Maybe this is a lost cause," Bree suggests. "No," I say. "We're not giving up. We're heroes. It's our job to save the world." It is silent. "She's right," Skylar says, breaking the silence. "We have to find Tanya. We can't just sit around and wait for her to attack." She turns to Auntie Tasha, "Tasha? Do you have any idea where your sister could be?" "Probably taking candy from babies and plotting how to destroy me and the rest of the world," Tasha scoffs. We all give her an odd look, mostly because it is so unlike her to be sarcastic and rude. She blushes, "I really don't know." "Then we have to track her," I say. "How," Bree asks. "By using Tasha as bait," I reply. Tasha squeaks fearfully and Donald wraps his arms around her. "Excuse me," Tasha says, insulted. "We are not using my wife as bait," Donald says. "Don't worry," I assure them. "We won't let Tanya hurt her." Everyone looks skeptical. "Lyrica, what are you talking about," Adam asks. "I trust her," Ash blurts. We all turn to look at him and my heart melts at his words. I look at him and see genuine love in his eyes. He really does love me. "Thanks, Dad," I say, smiling softly at him. He smiles back, "No problem." "C'mon, are you really willing to put my mother's life in danger in order to go through with this plan," Leo asks. "It's okay," Tasha says. "I'll be fine. I trust Lyrica." I smile at her. She smiles back nervously. "Oh no," Uncle Donny says. "Let's absolutely not, fineto, forget it." "Donald, I'm not helpless," Auntie Tasha says, glaring at her husband. Uncle Donny chuckles nervously, "Well, honey, I know you're not helpless. I'm just...I'm just worried about you."

  "Donald, I'll be fine," Tasha assures her husband, rubbing his arm. "Maybe I can try and reason with Tanya. If not...well...I know how to fight." Donald laughs and points at his wife, "You!? Ha!" Tasha glares at him and I stifle a laugh, trying to keep a straight face. "Listen, I didn't mean to start all this," I say. "It was just an idea.'' "But it was a good one," Tasha says. "How can you say that," I ask. "Because it's true," she replies. "Like I said, I trust you, Lyrica. You are a very bright young girl. If you think that this is a good plan...then so do I." I smile at her, "Thank you." She smiles back. "Well, how are we gonna lure her out if she doesn't know where Tasha is," Daddy asks. "Oh, she knows," Auntie Tasha says. "How do you think that she's been able to attack us all those times? She's tracking us." "Well, what are we waiting for," Daddy asks. "Let's commence the plan!" Tasha nods confidently. "Are you insane," Uncle Donny yells. "We can't just commence the plan!" "We just went through this, Donny," Daddy Douglas yells back. "The plan is perfect and everyone agreed to it except you!" "Well, to be honest, all of us didn't exactly agree to it," Bree says. "Oh, you have got to be kidding me," Daddy yells, frustrated. "Can we all just shut up and get along," I snap. "Fine," Uncle Donny groans. I nod, "Good. Now, we have a plan and we're gonna stick with it. Tasha, do you have any idea of how we can contact your sister?" Auntie Tasha takes out her cell phone, "I still have her number. I hoped that one day we could make amends. I don't really think that's possible anymore, but it's a good thing that I kept her number or else we'd probably be in a heap of trouble right now." I nod, agreeing with her. "You're not planning on calling her, are you," Leo asks. Tasha looks confused, "Well, why not?" Leo smiles through clenched teeth and begins speaking in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'm just a little afraid that you're trying to call the woman who tried to murder us!" Leo raises the pitch of his voice and begins making fun of his mom, "Oh hey, sis, I just wanted to call and check up on you. Just wondering if you're still planning on killing me and my family. It's been really nice catching up with you! Hopefully, we can have some nice sisterly bonding time while we're fighting each other to the death!"

  Auntie Tasha jumps at her son's sudden hostility. I shake my head, "This is all wrong. We're wasting time. Suddenly, everyone starts arguing. That is when I can't take it anymore. I give a scream of frustration. "Lyrica," says a voice. "Lyrica, wait up!" It's Oliver. I don't slow down. I just walk faster, but he catches up to me. "What's going on," he asks, worry clear in his voice. "Are you okay?" "Oh, just dandy," I reply, sarcastically, choking on my own sobs. "My aunt's sister is an evil lunatic, I might not ever see my boyfriend again, and my family is being torn apart! Why wouldn't I be okay!?" I turn away from him and dart inside Mighty Med. "Lyrica, wait," Oliver calls after me. I don't listen. I just keep running, but once again, he catches up to me. He grabs my wrist and spins me around to face him. "I wanna help you," he tells me. "Why," I yell. "Why I am so important to you!?"

  I am utterly stunned when Oliver presses his lips firmly against mine. It doesn't feel right, but it doesn't feel wrong either, so I kiss him back. The kiss doesn't last long. We stop kissing after a few seconds. I look up at him and stare into his beautiful blue eyes. Oliver finally answers my question, "That's why."