blizzard [ᴅɪsᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇᴅ]

[.09]

PERSONAL BUSINESS

"The Zeta-Shield is now fully operational." Dr. Strange's voice echoed through the Cave.

La'gann hugged M'gann closer to his chest. "Absolutely historic," he said.

Would it be inappropriate to fake-gag, I wondered.

I turned away. Jaime made eye-contact with me, and I looked quickly at the interspecies couple and made a disgusted face when I looked back at him. Jaime turned away, trying to keep from laughing.

"Hey, Professor Carr!" La'gann said, looking towards Garfield who's sitting studiously at a computer and his teacher. "You should have your Cave-school write a term paper about this!"

Garfield didn't take La'gann's suggestion kindly. He dragged his finger across his neck in a threat, but the action came off more adorable than threatening.

I walked over to Garfield and took off his hat. I ruffled his hair furiously. Garfield purred for a second, and I smirked. Then his face contorted into annoyance. "Go away India! I'm studying!" He swats my hand away.

I snickered. Then I heard stomping, which became gradually louder. A boy with black hair and a Superman shirt walked in, a dark scowl plastered on his face.

Finally. The one person I had looked forward to meeting here.

As he trudged past me, I stuck out my hand. "Superman! It's such an honor to meet you. Finally. I was a big fan, honestly, well, before I became Cadmus' lab rat."

An awkward silence filled the room, as everyone there anxiously looked between the man and I.

His face's expression grew darker, and I withdrew my hand back in embarrassment.

I heard Mal mutter, "Oh no, she didn't."

Then the boy walked over to me. He looked about my age, but his eyes held the maturity and innocence of someone much older than I.

"I'm not Superman," he growled, his dead, ice, blue eyes pouring hate into mine. I swallowed dryly.

Mal walked over to the guy and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Superboy," Mal said, almost in a warning tone. The guy stood back a bit, enough so that Mal could stand in front of him. I thought I saw him silently mouth numbers, and his chest heaved up and down with deep breaths.

"This is Superboy." Mal introduced not-Superman.

Superman's son, I wondered. But I decided to keep my mouth closed. For the sake of my safety.

La'gann's mouth kept running, as if Superboy's episode hadn't even occurred.

"Now no one can get in or out. Not even your Strange friend can go to Ran without prior approval." La'gann's said, grabbing M'gann's hand.

"Please. Just stop, please, La'gann. Keep the public displays of affection to a minimum." I begged. "For the sake of everyone."

Jaime raised his eyebrows at me as La'gann glared at me. The Atlantean made a face at me, and as if on purpose, he kissed her cheek. M'gann rolled her eyes.