QUANTUM~Billy Butcher

Back to work

In the midst of Butchers disappearance, Athena threw herself into work (and many tubs of Ben and Jerry's while Adele was blasted on her record player) Which included helping Annie rehearse for Translucents televised funeral that evening, the story was that he was killed overseas on a covert mission trying to take down a Supe Terrorist- which was just a ploy to try and push Supes to be in the military. Annie was in her more revealing Starlight suit waiting in the wings to go on and perform, the theatre was made to look like a cathedral as an empty coffin lay centre stage, giving the illusion that Translucents body was in there.

Athena watched as Homelander told lie after lie. She couldn't look at him without pure rage in her eyes ever since Butcher had told her what he did to Becca. Once he was done, Athena gave Annie a little nudge to go on stage and sing, "Go get em tiger." Annie smiled and stepped from the wings onto the stage, singing the sweet ballad, it seemed that singing ran in the family, only difference being poor Annie had to learn so she could win shitty pageant shows that their mother forced her too. Once she had finished, she bowed to the applause, stepping off stage back to Athena, who was there grinning, "You nailed it!" Annie hugged her, her nerves disappearing."Thank you, now we just have to deal with everyone on the outside." It was pitched to Athena that a lot of physical contact with Homelander and Annie would really give off the impression that the team were sticking close together in this time of grief, as much as she didn't want to agree, for the sake of appearances she had too.

"Homelander, Starlight." An interviewer called the supes over as they exited the building hand in hand, Quantum lingered behind, signing some autographs for the public who waited outside the service, but she kept an eye on what was going on next to her in the interview, Homelander wrapping his arm around Annie and bringing her in for a hug, she wanted to tear him apart then and then, she felt a heat in her hands as a small particle blast was subconsciously forming in her hand at the sight of Homelander touching Annie, once they were all back in the limo, there was an awkward silence, but Homelander was sat there with a psychotic grin on his face, he just looked far too happy and it was unsettling. "I think that went fantastic." He commented. They both nodded in response. He took the silence as the go-ahead to keep talking, and pysco was clearly turned on by the sound of his own voice. "So Quantum, it's lovely that you're joining us all the time with Annie. How's sisterhood treating you?"

"It's good, it's nice to be around people you love and care about, family is important." Athena death stared him, there was no doubt in her mind that now he had found Rebecca and her son, he was playing out some fucked up family fantasy. The man smiled, blissfully unaware of Quantum knowledge of his wrong-doings. Silence fell over them again as they continued the journey back to Vought tower, Athena made a mental note to give Ashley a bouquet of flowers and champagne to congratulate her on her new role, with Madelyn gone, Ashley was put forward for it and was now Senior VP of Hero Management, which was a major step up from just being Madelyns assistant.

Once back at the Tower, Homelander and Annie were dragged away for Seven business, something about a Military commercial, Athena had made it clear Starlight would not be partaking in that but she guessed they were still trying to convince her, it didn't phase Athena, Annie wouldn't go against her advice not too do something. Instead of going into the tower, Athena took herself for a walk to the nearby florists. Being in her suit, she received a lot of welcoming smiles and ever signed a few autographs and took a few selfies, she payed about 50 Bucks for a nice bouquet of yellow and orange roses and then the store actually offered champagne with the bundle, on the house since the owners were such big fans of her music. Thanking them, she went back to the tower and straight to Ashley's new office, knocking on.

"Come in!" Ashley yelled through the doors, Athena complied and opened the door, holding the bouquet proudly. "Congratulations!" She beamed. Ashley put a hand on her chest, and her face was in awe at the beauty of the flowers "Quantum thank you so much! This means the world to me." Athena shrugged it off, however the small brunettes woman threw her off as she collected the bouquet and put it on Ashley's desk, this woman was definitely new because Athena did not recall seeing her anywhere before. "Oh- Quantum, this is Ashely, my assistant." Athena tried hard not to laugh. It was comical that they had the same name. "Lovely too meet you Ashely- I'll leave you both too it." She left promptly, her private phone buzzing as she reached the elevator, it was Annie. The message read, "Found a way to get V, I'll come over later xx" now Butcher was out of the house Annie was free to come over whenever, and likewise, Athena would stay over at the tower when asked.

Once again Athena returned to an empty house, excusing Prince of course. She made a microwave meal and sat on the sofa, not even bothering to turn on the TV while she waited for Annie to waltz through the door. When Annie did eventually arrive, she knew something wasn't right with her sister, she'd known for a while but now it was time for an intervention. "You never eat a microwave meal. Somethings going on and you need to tell me." Athena put the food down on the table and sighed, looking at Annie as she sat beside her. The woman inhaled deeply before saying "I know I should've told you sooner..." a sigh "but for the past few weeks I've been harbouring Billy Butcher in my house." Annie opened her mouth to say something but was cut off. "I know I shouldn't have, but I took pity, he was innocent...now he's gone, and I don't know where he is." Tears started to well in her eyes but she quickly wiped them away before they could break the surface. Her sister pulled her in for a hug, holding her close, she knew something had been going on, she just didn't expect it to be this. "Oh Tia" the nickname had grown on her, it was better than having to hear 'Athena' every time.

"He's a jerk, even Hughie says so, but..." Annie trailed off and Athenas head snapped up, "What?" Annie groaned shuffling to get comfortable, "So today I went and blackmailed someone I knew from my 'capes for Christ' days, he works at Vought, and when I told Hughie, he told me that...Butcher was back."

Athena wanted to scream, he could have at least told her he was going back to the boys, it's not as if she didn't know the boys, she didn't understand why he would just disappear for days, he could've been dead and she would've been non the wiser. The next time she ever saw William Butcher, she was going to slap him across his perfect face.