A/N:
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Freya's POV:

The chimes of the bell ring over my head once I push open the door which causes Maria to look up with a smile from the customer she was serving coffee to. "Morning Freya! Window booth today with the usual?"

"Actually I'm picking up coffee orders for Courtney."

Her eyes widen. "Oh shoot! I've been so caught up with orders that I must have completely--"

I dismissively wave my hand. "You're okay, Maria. I came early so it's on me."

"Let me get this table their food and I'll get right on it. Are you sure you're not hungry?"

"Not really, except.." My eyes trail to the bar and see Yolanda wiping the counter clean. "is it all right if I sit over there today?"

Her eyes follow my line of vision and she nods. "Of course! Anywhere you like."

"Thanks." I say before I walk over to the bar with a dramatic sigh. Yolanda looks up from the counter in confusion but immediately breaks into a smile. "Oh thank god, I thought I was going to have to start begging Maria to teach me to make milkshakes. I was having withdrawals."

She playfully rolled her eyes. "Hey, I offered to make it for you but you said no. For free."

I raise a brow. "Make an unhealthy dessert in the house where The Crocks consider it to be the devil's drink or a house where your parents don't like me?"

She winced. "You...make a fair point."

"But, " I lean in with a smile. "The Crocks won't step one foot in this place and your mom only comes here if they have to pick you up at the end of your shift."

"That's also true." She grinned, placing her hand over mine. "And our friends rarely have an unexpected visit."

"I'm glad that your mom let you start working here again. I know how much you love this place."

She immediately nodded. "So much. I'm just grateful Maria didn't hesitate to give me my job back."

"Yeah, cause where else could we meet up without the others interrupting?" I playfully ask.

"I thought I recognized you two!" A voice cut in, causing Yolanda and I quickly retract our hands.

"H-Hi Sylvester." Yolanda accidentally stammered with a nervous smile, watching as he placed his plate of food on the counter beside me. "Is breakfast okay?"

"Oh, yeah. The eggs are overdone. The toast is burnt. It's good. I mean, who wants crispy hash browns? Soggy is the way to go..." He points to her name tag. "Yolanda."

She quickly nodded. "Yeah. Yolanda Montez."

"Wildcat."

The corners of her lips perk up a bit before she quickly shook her head with a shy smile. "I know I'm no Ted Grant."

"Oh." He chuckled. "Well, Ted was a real piece of work."

"You were his friend...what would he have thought about me?"

My eyes soften at her question and I curiously look over to Sylvester.

Now that I think about it, I don't there ever was a time I asked him about my father. As much as Pat only knew about the little things and Charles McNider didn't get the chance to, Sylvester is the only person here who might know more about my father. Maybe even my mother?

"You? He would have thought you were a badass." Sylvester casually answered, causing her eyes to widen.

"Really?"

"Mm-hmm. Yeah, Ted was tough on everyone. So are you. That's good. He saw people for who they were and didn't let them slide just 'cause it was the polite thing to do. And the way you don't let Dragon King's kid off the hook, it's very Ted. It's good judgment."

She slowly nods with a small smile. "Thanks."

He takes a sip of his coffee. "Anyway, the real reason I came over here is that I got a question for you two."

"Yeah, sure."

"This town, Blue Valley. When you're not going after the ISA or fighting Eclipso, what is it you guys actually do around here?"

Yolanda and I share a look before she awkwardly looks off to the side and I clear my throat. "Sometimes workout, school...hang out with friends."

"Church and work for me." Yolanda added with a chuckle. "Freya and I spar a lot as well."

"Personally, goofing off with friends might not be the best idea given that it might jeopardize the team by losing focus on whatever villain we're against. It's sort of why I never got into a relationship because I never want to be in a situation where I have to choose between my team or my significant other." He explained, causing the pit of my stomach to churn in discomfort. "But it's good that you two spar. It doesn't hurt to improve your skills."

I wonder what he would think if he finds out Yolanda and I are dating.

"But, look, I'm way past school. Church was never my thing. If you count Pat, he's usually busy tinkering away at the Pit Stop. But work..." He paused before he smiled. "that's an idea."

"Courtney's been telling you to find balance, hasn't she?"

"Well, she's right. I can't be Starman 24-7 anymore, especially in this town." He nodded his head outside. "It's not like there's danger around every corner."

"And here are your four coffee cups and hot chocolate, extra whip cream." Maria spoke up with the drink carrier in her hands. "Oh, and Yolanda, table six."

"Thank you." I grin, taking the drinks from her grasp. "I'll see you at school, Yolanda."

She waved goodbye as she walked off but before I could leave, Sylvester placed his hand on my shoulder. "Freya, wait a sec."

I pause. "Hm?"

"I just...I didn't get the chance to apologize to you for what happened with you and The Shade. I was out of line and shouldn't have done that."

"One thing we can agree on." I mutter and he looks down to the floor, causing me to let out a sigh. "But it's all right. You're not the first to rush in like that."

"How could I make it up to you?"

I sit back down on the stool. "You knew my mom too, right?" He immediately nodded. "What exactly happened to her? Jordan and Henry Sr. almost convinced me that she left my Dad and I but she passed away before the JSA fell. It wouldn't surprise me if the autopsy was falsified."

He slowly nodded. "Kent never got into detail about what happened but from what I assume, she disappeared. I offered to help with the search but I think because of butting heads over what happened with Eclipso, he didn't want help from anyone."

My heart sinks. "So...there's a slim chance that she could be alive?"

He patted my arm. "I wish I could give you an answer."

I reluctantly nod but before I could ask another question, my amulet begins to glow once more which causes my eyes to widen. "I should get going, but thanks anyway, Sylvester. See you later." I say, tucking in my amulet before I stand up from the stool.

However, I accidentally bump into someone which causes the drinks in my hands to almost fall but the woman manages to fix my grip. "Oh, dear--!"

"Sorry!" I quickly call out but continue to rush out of the diner, not wanting the drinks to get cold.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Once I carefully land in the backyard, I slide off my helmet and de-transform back into my regular clothes. I shakily try to twist the doorknob but since my hands were full, it barely moved.

Dammit.

I kick the door a few times but thankfully Courtney pulls it open, relief filling her expression as I stepped inside the house. "What took you so long? I thought I was going to have to run to the store to get orange juice."

"Do you know how hard it is to fly while balancing drinks in your hands?" I huff, placing the drink carrier in the middle of the table, and grab mine. "There were these stupid pigeons that kept getting in my way. Why did I offer to bring coffee?"

"Because we're best friends." She teasingly emphasized, placing the stack of waffles on the table as well where the rest of the fruit, bacon, and eggs were. "Where you'll always be there for me when I need youuu."

"I think we need to negotiate the term, always." I mutter, sipping my coffee as I took a seat.

"Oh!" We hear Barbara gasp along with footsteps descending the stairs. "Court, Freya, what's the special occasion?

"Morning!" Courtney greeted her family with a smile. "No special occasion."

"Yeah, she got caught ditching school, and she's still kissing up." Mike chuckled, taking a seat beside his dad while I sat in front of him.

"Like I said, no special occasion. " Courtney clenched her jaw, faking a smile as she sat down on my left with Barbara on my right.

"Hey, it looks great, Court. Thank you." Pat chuckled.

"Yeah. Hey, I learned from the best." Courtney clapped her hands together. "So back to what's important."

"Here we go." I mumbled, beginning to cut my waffle into pieces and then taking a bite.

"We know The Shade was at the diner when The Gambler was killed, which puts us back at square one. But what else do we know? One, the killer had incredible strength. Two, The Gambler was stabbed in the heart with something, which was why there was so much blood."

Barbara winced as she sipped her coffee. "This is a little too much murder talk than I'd like to hear in the morning at breakfast, thanks."

"It doesn't bother me!" Mike shrugged, reaching for the waffles next.

"Where's Sylvester? Is he coming up?" She curiously asked.

"He went on a walk to find balance." Courtney answered with a small smile.

"I just saw him at the diner when I went to go pick up our drinks." I added

"He did say he actually wanted to spend the day getting to know the real Blue Valley." Pat chuckled.

Mike snorted. "Wow, is he gonna be disappointed."

"Well, see, that's where I disagree with you, Mike, because I think Blue Valley, it's the perfect place to hit the ole reset button, 'cause if you can't find balance here in the heartland," Pat lifted his coffee cup in emphasis. "I don't think you can find it anywhere."

"What, do you work for the chamber of commerce?"

"Oh, I agree, Pat." Lawrence suddenly spoke up, causing all of our eyes to widen as he took the stack of waffles from Pat before he could serve himself. "Balance is important, starting with a balanced breakfast. This stuff'll kill you."

He dumps the plate into the garbage bag, causing Courtney to gasp. "Hey!"

"Morning, Whitmore." Artemis greeted, holding a tray of five bowls before her eyes met mine. "Hi, Freya!"

"Quinoa and tofu bowls." Paula grinned, gesturing to the bowls before Artemis nudged them forward, causing the bowls to skid in front of us. "You'll love it, Barbara. And Freya, I saw that you forgot to grab your protein shake again this morning." She took the coffee cup from my hand and placed the shake in front of me.

"Pull up a chair, gang!" Lawrence laughed as he, Paula, and Artemis slid the spare chairs to the table. Artemis scooted closer to Courtney, Paula sat in between Barbara and I, and Lawrence slung his arms around Pat and Mike. "Whole family's on the program now!"

"Yay." I fake a smile, reluctantly taking a sip of the protein shake.

"Dig in!" Lawrence encouraged Mike who simply stared at the bowl in discomfort. "Dig in."

I should've eaten at the diner.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

"Want some company to the cafeteria, Freya..." Cindy trailed, sidling up to me as we walk through the school hallways. "Sorry, is it Nelson or Crock? I'm a bit confused because of the way you've been around their family again."

"Nelson." I emphasize. "And do I have a choice? You're already walking with me."

"Nope. Any updates on the JSA front?"

I nod. "According to Beth, The Gambler's been blackmailing someone, but we don't know who yet."

"Huh." She hummed but I narrow my eyes in suspicion.

"Apparently someone anonymously sent them to her..." I trail, bringing my books closer to my chest. "But you don't seem surprised. Do you know something about that?"

"Birds fly. Fish swim. Blackmailers blackmail." She raised a brow. "And come on, we worked with The Gambler. Is that really a shocker he blackmailed?"

I shrugged. "Touché. It's just...weird."

"Weird how?"

"The Gambler kept insisting to everyone how he was trying to be a better person for his daughter. It wouldn't make sense for someone to still blackmail if they're trying to change."

"Look, lots of bad fathers talk the talk. Doesn't mean anything unless they actually follow through."

Once we turn to the next hallway, my eyes slightly widen in recognition at the sight of Cameron putting his things away in his locker.

"Hey, Cam." I greeted him with a small smile. "I walked passed your painting downtown. Looks nice."

I expected at least some sort of thankful look but surprisingly, he didn't even smile. In fact, he looked pissed.

His eyes flicker behind me in annoyance before he grabbed his textbook and slammed his locker shut, walking past Cindy and I without a word.

"What's up with him?" I curiously ask, watching as he kept his hurried pace until he disappeared around the corner. Is the painting still a touchy subject?

Cindy scoffed. "Who cares? Back to what we were saying, what about Starman? What does he think?"

"I haven't talked to him about it. Also, he's taking the day off."

"He's taking the day off?" She repeated in disbelief. "For what?"

"To find balance or something. I don't know, Courtney suggested it to him." I sarcastically smile. "You should take her advice."

"I don't need advice from new girl. You, however..."

I scoff. "What about me?"

"You out of everyone on the team need to find balance."

"I'm balanced! I-I work out, I train, I hang out with friends..." I trail off, trying to come up with another without specifically mentioning Yolanda.

"Wow...How far you've come finding life from moving on to the ISA to the JSA." She chuckled. "You need someone to remind you of normalcy to keep you sane."

"Well when you find someone to keep you balanced, then we can have a conversation about my life, Burman." I remark, pushing the double doors that led to the cafeteria.

"Oh please. I have three people and they're me, myself, and I." She laughed, picking at her nails. "What's Beth's plan now?

"She's tracking the accounts but she'll explain the specifics." I nod my head toward where everyone else sat at the table.

I lock eyes with Yolanda but notice the empty seat between her and Courtney. I raise a brow in suspicion which she innocently shrugged.

"Hey, guys." I greeted, placing my bag on the floor while Cindy took a seat next to Courtney. "What did we miss?" I ask, digging into my bag to pull out my sandwich.

"Nothing much. We were just waiting for you guys." Courtney explained before looking over to Beth. "So what'd you find out about those documents?"

"That the deposits made to The Gambler came via wire transfer from an Irwin Hasen." Mid-chew, I freeze at the mention of the name.

"Irwin Hasen?" Rick questioned. "Who the hell is that?"

"Lawrence Crock." I awkwardly clear my throat, causing everyone's eyes to shift to me in surprise. "It's his...alias."

"Wait. What?" Courtney worriedly asked. "Like, the Crocks?"

"Are you serious?" Yolanda whispered in disbelief. "That's who The Gambler's been blackmailing?"

"So what do we do now?" Rick asked.

I feel Courtney's eyes on me and I look up, noticing her expression filled with concern. "We can't tell Sylvester."

Yolanda narrowed her eyes. "Why not?"

"Because he'll want to rush right in, like--"

"Like you?" Beth curiously asked.

I wince. "Beth, I think she meant with The Shade." I say and she slowly nodded. "But I can't do that to Artemis again. Let me talk to them alone and give them a chance to explain before we go in guns blazing."

"If the Crocks are guilty, Freya, we should all rush in." Rick argued. "Artemis will understand."

"No, we have to wait." Courtney countered.

"Wait for what, dear leader?" Cindy sarcastically emphasized. "Beth has solid evidence for a motive for murder. Why should the rest of us stay back because only Freya doesn't want to go along with it?"

Before I could lean forward and snap, I feel a hand placed on my knee which makes me stay quiet.

"Just because The Gambler was blackmailing The Crocks doesn't mean they killed him." Courtney gently explained before she glanced behind her, watching as Artemis happily conversed with her football teammates.

"Yo, man, what's up?" One of them called out as Artemis tossed the football to one of the guys approaching the table with a laugh. "Yeah! Hey."

She's finally living in a normal and safe environment. Especially with Paula and I's conversation from earlier, it doesn't make sense.

"If we're going to take Artemis' parents away from her again, we've got to be sure." Courtney sternly stated, turning away from the sight. "We'll regroup with Pat, come up with a plan. Until then, nobody say a word to Sylvester. Agreed?"

I reluctantly nod, making sure to look at each person as they nodded in agreement as well.