Second Chances: Stargirl

Chapter 9

"So, we're taking in another girl?" Mike asked after his father and stepmother had explained Jennifer's situation to him.

"Her father's an old friend of mine and he asked us to take her in for the school year." Pat said.

"Okay, and does this have anything to do with what's going on downstairs?" Mike asked, since his dad had told him about the JSA and shown him the Citadel.

"Yes, she's Black Lightning's daughter and Courtney recruited her into the new JSA." Pat said.

"So you'll let a complete stranger join, but not your own son?" Mike asked, still annoyed that his dad wouldn't let him join the JSA.

"Jen has powers and she's already shown that she works well with Yolanda and Courtney. Mike, I get that you want to help, but you're too young to join and you don't exactly have anything to offer. Yet at least." Pat said.

"Well, if you'd teach me how to drive that robot you built, I would." Mike said.

"Not gonna happen." Pat said.

"Still, I can't help but feel incredibly outnumbered." Mike said.

"I know it's a lot of girls around here Mike, but you have to remember why we're taking them in." Pat said.

"I know, but still, it would be nice if we'd bring another guy in." Mike said.

"I'm sure that eventually we'll start recruiting some other boys, but even if we do, they won't be moving in. Barb and I have already agreed that Jen is the last one we're taking in." Pat said and Mike nodded.

"I still think I should be allowed to join the JSA." Mike asked.

"Talk to me again when you turn 15." Pat said, since while normally he'd make it 18, that didn't seem fair since Courtney was 15 right now.

"Fine." Mike complained, still very annoyed about that, right as one of the maids walked up.

"Excuse me, Mr. Dugan, but Ms. Pierce has arrived with her parents and you've been summoned to help get Ms. Pierce unpacked in the room she picked." the maid said.

"We'll be right there." Pat said.

"Actually, I'm gonna go take Buddy for a walk, since I think this can be considered JSA work and as you made it clear, I'm not a part of the JSA, so, bye." Mike said as he walked away, causing his father to roll his eyes at him before he went with the maid to the front door to find Jen and her parents bringing boxes into the house, with help from Courtney, Barb and Yolanda and some of the other house staff.

"Lynn. It's good to see you again." Pat said to Jefferson's ex-wife.

"You too. It's nice to know that Jefferson has a few old friends left." Lynn said as she put the box she was holding down to hug him.

"Yeah, speaking of Jeff, I hear that Black Lightning's been sighted in Freeland. I guess you lost that fight." Pat said, since he knew what Lynn felt about Jefferson's heroic alter ego.

"I'm willing to give Jeff a rare victory every now and again. Besides, after what happened last week, it's clear that Freeland needs Black Lightning more than I thought, since the 100 kidnapped our daughters. That's part of why I agreed to move Jen here." Lynn said and Pat nodded.

"Don't worry, I promise, I'll do everything I can to keep Jen safe." Pat said.

"Good. Because if you don't, well, Jeff won't be the parent you need to worry about. I'll make sure that you can't have any more kids." Lynn said and to her surprise, Pat just chuckled.

"That's nothing compared to what Barb has threatened me with if anything happens to Courtney or Yolanda for that matter." Pat asked.

"Fair enough." Lynn agreed.