Mike sighed, leaning into her. So far today he'd been watching out for everyone, ready to kick the shit out of people at a moment's notice, and when there hadn't been danger he'd been trying to figure out ways to stop future dangers. Breakfast seemed like it had been days ago already. It felt good to just let go, be somewhat worried over instead of worrying about everyone else for a little bit.

"You know, it'd be very, very considerate of the universe if it started issuing a notice on birth that you're going to have to start dealing with ungodly, save-the-world drama at the age when everyone else your age is finding fake IDs to buy beer."

Daria chuckled softly; she'd forgotten Mike was a bit younger than her. She, at time's, forgot how young she herself was. She didn't have to be in Mike's mind to know what he felt at that moment. Which was a nice alterantive to their usual method of sharing emotions. Now she felt like she actually understood him; she was able to translate his thoughts without the help of any super human powers. Just through the powers that kept her human.

"Yeah, it's kinda crazy huh?" she said softly, after gving him a kiss at the top of his head. "But it'll all work out for the better. You play the hand you're dealt right? I mean I do believe I asked you the same question of "why me" and you told me something like things happen that change your life because you were meant to do something more with yourself than you would have accomplishe had those 'things' never happened. Not an exact quote of course but you were right. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

Mike couldn't help but chuckle a little. "So those bullets were to make me stronger, since they couldn't kill me?" He sighed, putting an arm around her without really making an effort to sit up yet. "I suppose I really wouldn't have it any other way... I mean, hell, we're super heroes, who wouldn't give an arm for that? But no one warns you how confusing and... I don't know, BIG it all is."

"No one warns you because no one really thinks it could happen. It's like culture shock, kind of. Except it deals with a new breed of humans rather than a race or a culture. I mean when you get down to it you wouldn't really trade in your powers would you?" she smiled to herself. "As much as I complain, I'd miss my tail."

Mike glanced up and smirked. "I'd miss your tail too," he added, shaking his head as he sat up. "And you're right, I'd never trade in my powers, any more than I'd trade in my legs. It's just... you know that feeling when you're on the top of a big building, and you can see the city around you for miles, and it makes you feel so small? Well, it's like that, but five times worse. I don't know... I try not to think about it, but I just feel so intimidated all the time."

"Yeah, but think about it Mike. When you're on top of that building, you're either above most of what you're looking at or eye level with it. Nothing is there that you can't take on. And you don't have to do it alone."

Mike smiled at that, not his usual cocky smirk, but an honest, just happy smile. "That's the part that's still hard to wrap my head around. Ever since I mutated, I've had to deal with everything alone. My dad took care of the lawsuits to save his own ass, yeah, but all the stuff to 'help' me really wasn't in anything close to my best interests... I guess that's what I've wanted, just to be able to not deal with all this bullshit by myself." He brushed his hand over her cheek, smiling slightly now.

Daria smiled and was silent while she enjoyed his gentle touch.

"I think that's what a lot of people need. The world would be so much better off if we helped everyone out." she shrugged. "I mean. I have absolutly nothing to gain from helping you except the joy of seeing you happy. Which is fine enough." she leaned in and kissed him for a long moment. When she pulled away her smile returned. "Wanna go check on those kids now..or do you need some rest?"

It took him a minute to admit that yes, he had to let go of her for the time being, but finally he did. "I'm fine, I just needed to get that out of my system," he said with a smile. "Let's go deal with the kids before a food fight starts. Or break up the ones that are already going on, whichever is the case."

Daria laughed and stood. She too had enjoyed the moment; she'd made great strides since not a fearful or dirty thought had entered her mind upon entering Mike's room.

"They're good kids Mike." She said as she lifted her bag "Tricity does amazingly well with them. And they're friendly enough."

Mike smirked. "Yeah, she does manage them all pretty well." He shook his head as he picked up his backpack, muttering, "God knows she'll need the practice."

Finally sure that he had everything he needed to take with him, he took Daria's hand. "Let's go make sure dinner's on its way."

Daria frowned a little confused as to wheteher she had heard Mike correctly. She decided not to pry.

"Yeah, dinner. Wow, I'm not even that hungry, you know? Just kinda want some milk.." she laughed as they left the room and Mike locked his door. They headed to the kitchen.

((From Ohio))

Michael Daria, Dafi and Sarah reappeared in Michael's room, along with all of their luggage.

Michael and Daria immediately set to getting Sarah to lie down on his bed, finally convincing the girl to sleep. As she fell off to a restless sleep, Mike stared out the window. "What a weekend. What a bloody weekend," he sighed.

Daria came and stood beside him. She wasn't completly alright yet and who could blame her. Everytime she looked Mike in the eyes that horrible vison his brother had forced upon her flashed in her mind. She knew that's what he wanted and she refused to ever let it get in the way of her loving Mike.

She laughed slightly. "Non-sense, your family sure knows how to party. I can't wait till the reunion." she smirked.

Mike bit his lip, not able to look her in the eyes yet. He knew everything that his brother had shown her... and he knew that she knew most of it was just what it appeared: a sadistic bastard finding a cruel way to torture her. But he also knew that some of his brother's lies were impossible for him to disprove. He'd never swayed or controlled Daria's mind... but how could he prove that.

"I'm going to kill him," he said quietly. "Maybe not next time, and maybe not the time after that... but eventually I'll catch him, and I'll kill him."

He wasn't quite sure how he felt about that thought.