19. P O W E R : Family

CHAPTER I

"Bullcrap."

Zill hesitated as he prepared to enter Alexis' car. "Bullcrap?" he repeated. "What's so bullcrappy about it?"

"Haven't you talked to anyone in our family?" Alexis replied, sliding into the driver's seat. "The only thing that can fuel a Reviver is our power. Nothing else."

"Uh, objection?" Zill hopped into the passenger seat and buckled himself in. "Our fire and the Phoenix's fire work the same way. It shouldn't make a difference."

"I'll guess we'll see, won't we?" Alexis drove out of the parking lot and began heading toward the Capital City. "So what's our destination?" she asked. "Do your Protectors have an HQ?"

"Wow. You're just all business, aren't you?" Zill quipped. "You haven't even said 'hello', or asked any questions about me."

"And you have?"

"I said 'hello'!"

"I think your exact words were 'long time no see'."

"That still counts!"

Alexis rolled her eyes but couldn't stop herself from smiling. "You know... you're exactly like I imagined you'd be," she said quietly, chuckling as she spoke.

Zill raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Mostly good. But you're a little annoying."

"I'm not the only one," Zill shot back teasingly. "This car's freezing, and it ain't because of the A/C."

Alexis frowned. "Well, what'd you expect from someone who's been doing nothing but training for their whole life?"

"Are you serious?" Zill asked, surprised.

"Yeah. Dad was always getting on me about it." Alexis shrugged and added, "Mom wanted me to have a little freedom, but Dad wasn't having any of that."

"So... no school? No games? No fun?"

"Nope. Just me and Mom, in the gym, every day."

"Wow. That sucks."

"It's also probably why I'm more powerful than you."

"What? Says who?"

"Says the numbers. Auntie C's been sending us data."

"Numbers lie."

"I thought the saying was 'the numbers don't lie'."

"And I thought you said you were sheltered. Where'd you pick up that saying?"

"I still have a TV..."

"Oh. Nice! What's your favourite show?"

"Pure Nature."

"...Wait, you mean... that one channel that just shows nature with no music or talking or anything?"

"Mm-hm."

Zill paused, then burst out laughing. "Wow! You are lame!"

Alexis's face reddened. "Well... maybe I am. But so what?" she argued. "I'm lame for the right reasons."

Zill shrugged. "I guess."

"So are you gonna tell me where we're going or not?"

"Oh, yeah. Keep going straight; I'll tell you when to turn."