The tenth.

I want to take you back for a moment, just one more time to that day....the day I pretty much became one of the team:

Meeting KiTap (aka Pat...and Blerpman) and Glitch (Nick) was just as amusing as meeting the rest of the team.

All of them polite and beyond hilarious.

But now I was aware of something that I wasn't permitted any knowledge of. Even during our lunch that first day meeting all of them, I could tell something was going on....that something was picking their brains and troubling their thoughts.

Especially Boots.

The guy was always alert, usually Staub at his side (Yosh would often be at the controls). I had an urge to just go to them and ask about everything, but I figured for now at least, it would be best to keep quiet.....although I did have a right to know what was to become of me....

..which Boots took the liberty of answering that same afternoon.

At the time, we were all munching on KiTap's homemade chocolate chip-pecan cookies when Boots spoke up,

"Casey, how are you feeling now?"

I took a swig from my glass of milk, and gulped, "Oh much better. And I think the cookies did the trick."

Everyone chuckled. Except Boots who closed his eyes and nodded. Staub didn't take his eyes off of him,

"Very good. Take rest here tonight. Tomorrow Staub and Grizz will accompany you home."

"Home?"

"Yes."

"Excuse me sir, but a home is something I am lacking right now."

"Mmm, well the city you were in has a lot of dangerous areas. And if you do not have a home, as you say, then it won't matter where we place you as long as it is safe from most harm and you are able to start over. Isn't that what you wanted to do in the first place?"

He looked me in the eyes. His had a strange glimmer in them, as though he was now seeing into my mind.
I stuttered...

"Yyyes, "
I lifted my chin, sternly, trying to seem more assure of myself, "That is correct Mr. Boots, sir. I need a fresh start."

"Well, then we shall make sure you have it. And we like you, and want you safe."

I nodded at him, "I appreciate that."

While this was all true, inside, I was finding myself a little heart-broken. Never before had I taken such a liking to a group of characters this quickly.
And it had been ages since I had felt this safe. The last time I felt so secure was when my parents were still alive.
In only a day, I was already feeling at home.
But what could I say? That I'd offer my services?
I wasn't a superhero of any sort. I was nothing. Just a small, insignificant artist trying to get by.

But then as my sorrows grew, a voice shattered them,

"You know, she could stay with us, Boots."

It was Nick.
He was seated comfortably in a navy blue beanbag chair, tweaking the lenses on his new camera (which resembled some sort of gun).

"Out of the question, Glitch."

"Why? I mean hey, it'd be cool having another artist-type around.
Honestly, I always kinda felt like the black sheep. I don't have any powers, just gadgets and stuff."

"And Alternick..." Doc said between muffled bites of coconut custard pie.

"He's......his own thing." Nick remarked, rather annoyed, "Either way, I think I'm not the only one who believes Case should stay. We need a female touch around here....."

Mitz laughed, "You mean a maid?"

I spoke up, "I actually wouldn't mind, if it meant I could stay..."

The room grew quiet.

"I..I mean I promise I wouldn't get in the way. I'm small, I don't take up much space. I'm also very low maintenance. I can help cook, clean, whatever. Plus I don't know if you all noticed, but you are incredibly interesting to a person who sketches things all the time."

Grizz bellowed, "OH HAR HAR!! EEYY, awww lett'er lil missy stay wit'us! I'm sorry lads, but I took a likin' to this lil' imp!"

He grabbed me and gave me a very painful noogie. But it was nice of him to back me up. I pulled away, laughing,

"Silly ol' bear."

KiTap was still in the kitchen, but since it opened into the main lair, he was close enough to be part of the discussion,

"Let her stay. I wanna see if she can out-bake me!" he winked.

Doc put his fork down and wiped the crumbs from his face,
"Yeah Boots, let her stay."
He belched.

"Lovely, Doc." I teased.

Staub was quiet until now,

"Boots? What do you think? I mean weren't you the one who had thought she might be helpful?"

He turned to Staub and spoke softly,
"I had a vision someone would come and play a significant role in aiding us.....I only speculated it might be her....but I am not sure."

"Well, maybe she deserves a chance then?"

He eyed me firmly again, and turned back to Staub's fishbowl eyes.

"She does. I do have a good feeling about her. I just...I hope we can keep her safe."

Staub's grin suddenly started to appear, "Boots, I think I'm a little insulted. We do our job, and we do it well. The girl will be safe."

Boots then turned to the rest of us.


"She stays."


A cheer filled the room.

I got up and walked over to Boots. I gently grabbed his arm and stared him right back in the eyes,


"I thank you Mr. Boots. And I won't let you down.
Trust me."



---

So I was allowed to stay.

I just became number ten.