Below the fold

BELOW THE FOLD...

(The following events take place between October 13 and 15 in )

I was restless. Polygirl left me alone, with the costume box still in the chair in the infirmary. Somewhere I had lost most of a day with the launch and re-entry into space, then another day uncoscious here. I felt fine, there was really no need for the lay about. The clock on the wall indicated 9 pm and I was ready to get out of this bed.

I examined the controls to my bio bed. I didn't appear to have any monitors hooked up that would alarm, and the IV pole was bringing saline into my arm. I swung my legs over the bed, grabbed my little rolling pole and walked on bare feet across the cold tile to the small bathroom.

Sitting on the commode, I felt frustrated. There was nothing keeping me here. True, I had arrived with severe burns, hypothermia and near death. But in the 30 hours I'd been here, my healing factors, coupled with Angelina's had brought me almost back to the pink of health.

I flushed the toilet and found the little stopper for the IV tube. Rolling it back, I stopped the flow of the saline, then gingerly pulled the needle from my arm. I hesitated, and silence reigned. Success! Leaving the IV in the bathroom, I quickly crossed to the chair and grabbed my costume. The new design fit me even more closely than the old leotard and I zipped it up the side with satisfaction and confidence in my abilities rebuilding themselves.

I slipped into the boots, then pulled the silky gloves over my fingers. The small scar where the IV was pulled was already healing: further indication I was feeling better. I buckled my belt around my hips--the fit was snug but not too tight. I patted the pockets and found them empty. Apparently, Diana hadn't been able to get supplies to Mr Wickersham. It was little matter, I wanted to go home first anyway.

I slipped the mask onto my face, feeling the adhesive moulding it tightly. Looking into the mirror, I smiled. White Owl was back. I turned and headed to the full length window at the wall. I opened window and slid out onto the ledge. The cool sea air felt wonderful against my skin and I was about to leap into the sky when a bright light shimmered in front of me.

"For one so wise, you certainly do some foolish things," said...well an Angel. Angelina hovered just in front of me, a sad look on her face.

"Angelina, you know I'm healed. I have a strong need to be home."

"Your lies betray you Athena," she replied with kindness in her words. "You are indeed headed home, but then back into the night."

What could I say? She was right and I acknowledged it. "Yes I am. There are men who would kill, who need to be stopped. I don't have all the proof I need yet but I can gather it--I NEED to gather it. He may not be in the heavenly realms, but Harry Stone deserves justice--just because it's the right thing to do."

"Never question the Almighty, Athena. There are those in the heavenly realms who's presence would surprise you. Still you're right. The Almighty requires justice from his people. Go in peace my firend, and may Raguel guide you." With this unorthodox benediction, Angelina moved aside and motioned to the sky. I smiled and leapt into the air.

Flying is one of the great joys of my life, and I thrilled in every moment as I made my way downtown to my fifth story walkup. I landed on the balcony and slid the door open. "Mreeow?" said Daisy as she jumped from the couch with a soft thud. My cat wound her way in and out of my legs as I reached for the answering machine.

"Athena? Are you all right?" three messages from Virgil, and two from the school. Apparently I was still ok as far as my teaching duties, snce fall break had begun Monday.

I opened my secret storage areas under the dresser drawers and loaded my toolbelt with gas balls, bop balls and flash bangs. Then my hands fell on the books from Nasty Habits. The evidence was clear in here, complete with signatures from Harry Stone and two other members of his board. So I had motive. I had personally tested Wupie's device, albeit unwillingly; so I had method. Now all I needed was opportunity.

I logged into the Guardian's system and discovered Harry Stone had done a live television show two hours before he died. The last man (aside from the Brothers and Wupie) to see Stone alive was Gary Prince. The Guardian's computer showed the live feed from Prince's studio's parking garage and I was able to access the feed at the time of the show. Ten minutes after the show ended, Harry Stone stepped into the parking garage and was met by two men in the shadows. A taser hit Stone in the chest, and two minutes later, he was down and out. The shadowy men rolled the slumbering pornagrapher into the trunk of an old Eldorado and drove out of the garage.

I enhanced the license plate and ran it. It came back to Donnie Brothers. "Very foolish, my friends" I murmured.

I snapped all the evidence I had gathered into a large envelope and activated the Guild's transporter. I was still relatively unknown in the Angel Falls area, and had yet to develop a good contact in the police force. But I knew Captain Winslow in Queen City still maintained contacts there from his time at the FBI academy.

The teleporter for Queen City is atop the STAR labs building, and from there I quickly made my way downtown. "Well look who it is!" said Captain Winslow. "You sure know how to make an entrance White Owl. I hear you were dancing with the angels."

"I didn't realize the job description included nude skydiving," I quipped, glad to be back in this man's presence. " ineed a favor Captain."

"Anything, White Owl"

"Do you have a trustworthy contact in the Angel Falls force? Preferably someone in either rackets or homicide."

Winslow thought a moment. "There's Lieutenant Stan Jablonski; he's with the homicide division. You got something?"

I nodded. "But I think it would be better coming through you." I slid the packet at him. Winslow let out a low whistle.

"Wow," he said. "This is very thorough. I'll get it to Jablonski overnight. You should see results soon." I thanked the Captain and flew back to STAR. In a few moments I was back to Angel Falls.

I shuddered involuntarily as I reintegrated. "I was nearly killed by one of these things," I thought to myself. Still, I had to act.

I flew back over the university, unaware that eyes were watching me as I patrolled. I landed on a rooftop, near the diner the Brothers brothers mentioned on Monday night (Was it really just three days ago?) The street remained calm, the lights stayed on, and I could see no activity either here or at Rick's Cafe. Apparently the Brothers' thought they had succeeded.

Friday morning though, I awoke to a strange number on my White Owl cell phone. "Hello?" I siad tentatively.

"White Owl?" I heard. "This is Lieutenant Jablonski, AFPD Homicide. I just got the most incredible package from Captain Winslow in Queen City. Is this s**t legit?"

I cringed a bit but settled in. "Yes it is, Lieutenant. I would have had taped confessions, but they kinda burned up on re-entry.

I heard a gentle laugh. "I guess they would at that. Would you like to be in on the arrests?"

I considered it, then rememered the day. "I don't think so. I have some other errands to do first."

"OK White Owl. Then we'll take it from here. Thanks for your help and your trust. Oh and one more thing..." he gave me a number. "That's my direct line. You get ANYTHING, let me know. I got your back. Let's be careful out there." The line went dead.

I spent the day in the office at school, focusing on archaeology, but left shortly after three. I flew by Guardian HQ long enough to drop off a gift (A casserole dish and potholders in a tasteful pattern of red green and black) for the Soviet Superwoman and Walkiria (and avoiding both Polygirls' and Thuderbird's disapproving stares again) then slipped out of town to enjoy a quiet weekend on the beach.

the end.

Credits....
Characters...
Soviet Superwoman is by
Walkiria and Thunderbird by
The Late Harry Stone by
Polygirl, Angelina,and Guardian HQ by
White Owl, Captain Winslow and Lieutenant Stan Jablonski by

Photos (retouched by me)
Wedding Photo by
Mindy Marvel by
Mayor Donovan by and