The Risk Takers

Part 35 | Chemistry

We all just sit, staring at her blankly. How is any of this possible? Teddy drops into the chair again with his shoulders slumped over. None of us can believe what we are hearing. Teddy finally looks back to her and says, "Hold up, if my parents developed that serum then they can develop an antidote. My parents are probably the best chemists in the entire world," he glances to Liam, "You won't be without your abilities for long."

A sliver of hope creeps into me. If a serum has been developed to add abilities to someone and if another has been created to take them away then one has to be created to restore them. Like the one Topher lied about. He was never in the lab to grab the syringe that would restore his powers because one doesn't exist yet. He was grabbing the one that would ruin him forever.  

Leelah nods, "Your parents have done some remarkable things. I would not say something like this could not be done." I look to Liam and we all hear him hope that the Stark's can develop something. I look to Leelah and ask, "Am I going to be punished or something for publicly turning Topher to ash? Are there rules against it?"

She shrugs, "I do not think that the C.I.A will punish you, however they will probably be intrigued by you. They will probably try to recruit you into the task force."

Liam shakes his head, "That will never happen. I worked there for a few months and it was the worst experience of my life."

Leelah shrugs, "I'm sure they will still reach out to you, especially when you have your child. I'm sure they will be curious to see if your child develops any special abilities."

Confused I look to her as I instinctively run my hand over my stomach, "How did you know I was pregnant?"

She glances to Liam, "I'm afraid Liam is no longer a shield. I could hear his concern for his child."

Teddy snaps his fingers, "I knew you could read minds!" She smiles to him and then turns to walk toward the hallway. She glances back to us and says, "I think moving to Texas is a fantastic idea. But know that the C.I.A will always know where you three are. They keep tabs on the offspring of agents. Even if they are...deceased." She glances to Liam and then disappears.

We hear the door click shut and we all remain in silence on the couch. I don't think any of us know what to do or what to say. I put my head on Liam's shoulder and Teddy finally looks to us, "I'm going to call my parents and tell them everything." I nod and he pushes himself off the plush cushions and strides into the kitchen. I look to Liam and say, "Who knew crazy Leelah was ex C.I.A?" He lets out a light laugh as he shakes his head. He puts his hand on my knee and says, "I need to call my mom and explain all of this to her."

I nod, "I agree. She'll probably be relieved that he's gone though." He doesn't move right away and I can hear Teddy's voice floating out from the kitchen. A thought comes to me and I ask, "I wonder who betrayed his parents? Someone was helping Topher set all of this up."

"I don't know. I wonder if someone will come looking for him." He says quietly but we both know neither of us has an answer. Teddy comes striding out of the kitchen moments later and we watch as he tucks his phone into his pocket. He looks to us and says, "I just talked to my mom. The C.I.A is flying my parents to Langley to discuss the bombing. She said Stephanie is also there so they are going to talk to her as well."

We nod to him and he continues, "She also said if they are able to stay on the research team that they'll start work on creating an antidote. But she said it could take some time." I look to Liam and he says, "Well it's a good thing we have already set up a plan B because I don't know what I would do if I had to go into work tomorrow without any abilities."

I shake my head, "Your abilities were not the only reason you were a good undercover officer. You have real talent too you know?"

Teddy nods, "She's right. I'm sure we can still work when we get to Texas. It's not like your knowledge is gone."

Liam slightly nods his head but we know he's not fully convinced. This is a lot to process. I flick my gaze back to Teddy and ask, "Did you ask your parents who they thought possibly helped Topher steal the syringe?"

He shrugs, "She said they don't have a for sure lead and she was going to ask more about it when they got to Langley. She said Topher did have a new young intern he was training. She said she was going to start there."

"Topher was training someone? On what? Torture tactics?" I joke and Teddy lets out a light laugh, "Who knows, but it's a start."

Teddy and I look to Liam when he says, "So we are sticking with the original plan then? Move to Texas and while we are there, we'll wait to hear back from your parents?"

"Unless there is a reason to stay here which, I can't think of a single one now," I say. Teddy looks to us and says, "I'll start packing. Looks like we are moving to Texas."