Quentin sat at his desk while he looked at the piece of his costume he had been working on. He wanted to make his helmet smaller and his armor more sturdy. He had also been meaning to fix his nuzzles for his gas after he broke one in a fight against the Sinister Six.

As he tinkered away, his mind drifted to his first time making his costume. He had meant to harm others. Just thinking about it made his head hurt. He didn't know why he did it. All because he was jealous of you. He ended up focusing on his work instead of thinking about the past.

He grabbed a chip from the bag he had brought with him as music played in the background. He use to hate background noise when he worked but Riri always listened to music. It grew on him. Quentin finished messing with the nuzzle and activated it, only for it to blow right into his face. He turned it off and began to cough as Riri walked in.

Riri: Hey dork. What're you up to?

He waved his hand around to get rid of the extra gas and looked down at the husted nuzzle.

Quentin: Just t-trying to fix m-my stuff.

He pulled out his tool and went back to working. Riri stood behind him and observed with interest. Even though he couldn't make stuff like Riri's suits or Viv's random devices, he was still smart enough to impress even Reed Richards. Not that Quentin would ever admit it.

Riri: I like this new design. It looks really cool.

Quentin: I-It could be b-better. T-This is j-just to hold m-me over.

Riri frown.

Riri: You need to stop doing that.

Quentin: S-Stop doing w-what?

Riri: Denying compliments.

Quentin rubbed the back of his neck.

Quentin: I d-don't do t-that.

Riri: Yes, you do. Just yesterday I said you have a cute butt and you replied, and I quote, "I have a normal butt". Who even says that?

Quentin: I d-do.

He then turned back to his suit.

Quentin: A-And I'm sure I s-stuttered more.

Riri looked at him slightly concerned. She didn't know why but lately, he had been oddly down. Even during training he would get frustrated more than usual. Riri had tried ro ask him about it but Quentin would always dodge the question.

Riri: Right. Well hey! Guess what?

Quentin didn't answer. Riri took this as a signal to continue.

Riri: Tonight everyone is getting together to watch all of the Star Wars movies.

Quentin: P-Pass.

Riri's smile dropped. Pass? Quentin Beck refused a invitation to watch Star Wars? What in the hell is going on?

Riri: What do you mean pass?

Quentin: I d-don't want t-to go. I-I'm busy.

Riri frowned at him.

Riri: Are you ok hun? You seem out of it.

Quentin: I'm f-fine.

Riri just looked at him for a moment. She decided to give up on it. No point in pushing him.

Riri: Ok then. I guess, I'll talk to you later.

Quentin didn't respond as she walked out of the lab.
-------
Kamala: That is slight concerning.

Riri had just gotten done telling everyone what had happened in the lab. Robbie was mostly silent as he seemed deep in thought about something. Danny and Cindy had to decline the invitation since they had some Defenders business to deal with while Kitty and Laura were still at the mansion.

Gwendolyn: Maybe he's just tried. He did go on patrol with Robbie after all. Maybe a internal struggle?

Gwen looked over to Robbie.

Gwen: Did something happen on patrol?

Robbie sighed.

Robbie: Maybe. I don't really know.

Riri: What happened?

Robbie: He ended up running into some kids from school. They got into it and they kept calling him a murderer. I have no idea what they were talking about.

Everyone who was in the Program at the time fell silent.

Molly: Did something happen?

Felicia: Yeah. Back before the Strikers and before he joined the Program.

Doreen: Did he, kill someone?

Katie: Yeah, I actually never heard the full story before.

Everyone looked to the original members for answers.

Riri: He did kill someone. It was in self defense but, he was a bad guy before he joined us.

Doreen: Quentin?! How?! He's so sweet!

Gwendolyn: Like honey!

Robbie: I wouldn't have thought he had killed someone before. Hell, the fact that he was a bad guy blows my mind.

Molly: Is he ok now?

Felicia nodded.

Felicia: He chose to be a Hero. He's good.

Gwendolyn: So he is having an internal struggle. How will this play out?

Viv: There are times to talk. This is not one of them.

They were all interrupted by the sound of someone landed outside. The door opened and Sam poked his head in.

Sam: I'm back!

He walked over and looked around at the group.

Sam: Hmm. Didn't think you guys hated me this much.

Molly stood up and crushed him in a hug. Sam looked around again.

Sam: Who died?!

Robbie: No one. We think Quentin is having issues right now.

Sam: Quentin? Well in that case, I may have some news that could cheer him up. I meet Y/N again.

Everyone looked at you surpised.

Sam: Yeah. It's kinda a long story.
----------
After getting Quentin out of the lab, Sam recapped the events of Skaar and how you were now the "Gladiator King" and how he got a major upgrade.

Sam: And then I flew straight here. He wants you all to know that him and Nadia are doing great and that they miss us.

Your Exs just stared off into space as they thought and the others let out a breath of relief.

Kamala: That's great to hear.

Gwen: I'm glad they're ok.

Riri looked to Quentin and saw that he didn't really look relived or happy. He just seemed, dazed.

Riri: Quen?

Everyone looked at him.

Robbie: You good bud?

Quentin: I-I'm fine. I-I'm g-glad they're o-ok.

Felicia: Do you want to talk? You've been out of it for a while now.

Quentin shook his head and stood up.

Quentin: I-I'm g-going t-to b-bed. N-Night.

He left without ankther word. Riri watched him go before she stood up.

Riri: I'm going to go talk to him.

Everyone silentky wished her luck before she left. She caught Quentin on the lawn before he could cross it to their living quarters.

Riri: Quen!

Quentin sighed and stopped. He turned around to face her.

Riri: What is going on babe? Talk to me.

Quentin: N-Nothing i-is w-wrong.

Riri: You're stuttering at every word. Something is wrong. Is this about those guys?

Quentin threw his hands in the air.

Quentin: F-Fucking R-Robbie!

Riri flinched at his sudden change in language. It was rare to hear him cuss unless he was upset. Very upset.

Riri: Quentin?

Quentin: MAYBE T-THEY'RE RIGHT! MAYBE I-I'M JUST A M-MURDERER WHO CAN'T F-FUCKING DO S-SHIT AND SHOULD J-JUST GO BACK TO J-JAIL! I'M SO S-SICK AND F-FUCKING TIRED W-WITH FUCKING D-DOUBTING MYSELF ON R-RATHER OR NOT I'M A F-FUCKING HERO! ALL OF T-THIS BULLSHIT JUST K-KEEPS COMING B-BACK TO HAUNT ME E-EVEN THOUGH I K-KEEP TRYING TO DO GOOD! I'M ABOUT T-TO FUCKING B-BURST!

Riri: Quentin!

Quentin finally looked at her and immediately felt awful when he saw that she was crying.

Quentin: I-I...

He looked away and slid his hands into his pockets. He just sighed.

Quentin: S-Sorry.

He turned away and left. Riri was left standing there while everyone watched from inside the lounge.

Gwen: Yeah. We need to stop doing this.

Kamala: I don't even want to write this down.

Robbie: Buddy.

Riri raised her hands to her chest as she tried to calm down. She had never seen Quentin snap like that before. She looked up and saw the light in the lab turn on. Maybe she should just leave him be for now. The door from the main building opened and Doreen stepped out.

Doreen: Everhthing ok?

Riri didn't respond. She just walked towards her living quarters.

Riri: I'm just going to call it a night.
---------
Morning hit and Riri woke up in an empty bed for the first time in two years. She felt the empty space before she sat up. It looked like Quentin didn't even return last night. She quickly got dressed and stepped outside. She spotted Robbie sitting outside of his space smoking a cigarette as he looked through his phone. He noticed her and waved.

Robbie: Morning. How did things go with Quentin last night?

Riri just sighed.

Riri: I don't think he came back. He must still be in the lab.

Robbie looked confused.

Robbie: I was just there with Viv. He wasn't there. Neither was any of his stuff.

Riri suddenly looked worried. Robbie caught her drift and the two quickly rushed towards the lab. Robbie almost kicked down the doors as they made their way to Quentin's work space. It was completely empty.

Riri: Where's his stuff?!

She began to search frantically while Robbie began to panic. He looked down and noticed a note on the floor. He reached down and picked it up.

Robbie: Riri.

Riri looked at him and he showed her the note. She slowly grabbed it and read it over.

Riri: Oh my God.

Robbie slowly sat on the floor before he ran his fingers through his hair.

Riri: He's gone.
---------
Quentin leaned against the wall before he heard the door close.

Moon Knight: Hey kid. I'm guessing you're here for my offer.

Quentin just nodded. He looked over at the bag that held his suit.

Quentin: I-I want to j-join the Knights.

Moon Knight: Alright. Welcome to the Knights your little dork.