After Meg left, Jeff turned to Candy.

"Well...now that you know, you might as well know it all. Let me offer you a tour of...New Age Defender HQ.."

  Candy grinned, and said "Thank you, I'm honored to be given the tour." She leaned against him as she let him lead the way.

Jeff smiled as he led Candy on the "impromptu tour."

"You know...I used to think that this whole thing was just a big game. Having superpowers...being able to do more than what normal people could do. Then...Machinesmith got murdered....and man did it become real. And now I've got a gift and a power that I'm only just beginning to understand. I....I can't ask you to risk yourself whenever I...um, go into action...I only just met you, and I really like you. But something tells me I couldn't keep you away, even if I tried. So...when together, let's be careful and not do anything rash. OK?"

He then turned and kissed her gently on the lips.

 Candy leaned against him, kissing him back, then said softly "You're right.  You can't keep me away from this.  But you know what?  I'm not afraid.  I have abilities.  You do too.  Most people don't.  And it's the responsibility of people who can, to protect the people who can't."

Jeff grinned at Candy.

"Um...you didn't have an uncle named Ben Parker, do you? Sorry...little joke there. Anyhow...with your powerset, we can probably figure out some things to do with your powers. The original guys were really good at showing us ways to expand our powers and things."

  Candy giggled, and said "Well, yes.  He's still serving in the Rangers too.  There's a REASON I spent the last two years working as a stewardess, Jeff.  I don't forget a place.  EVER.  Go there once, I can 'port to it from anywhere.  So, yeah.  Add to that, a hot time in the old town, and my being immune to heat and flame?  Yeah.  Fire and ice!!"

"I think we'll work VERY well together," Jeff said. "This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship...and when we go out there, we'll do it for the ones who came before us.."

  Candy nodded, and said softly "We do it to honor those who came before us, and to protect those who come after."

Jeff smiled as he continued to show her around the HQ.

"So...um...aside from our little action experience earlier...how has your stay in Weston been?"

  Candy admitted "Good.  I'm debating asking Meg if she needs a room mate, or trying for my own apartment.  Which would work better, you think?"

Jeff smiled.

"Well...Meg's a pretty good gal to bunk with. It couldn't hurt to maybe at least room with her for a little bit until you find a place. Plus you'll be in the condo...and I'll be at the condo too...so, seeing each other will be pretty easy."

  Candy grinned, and said "I need a job before I go incurring expenses."

Jeff grinned back.

"Well..I know of some good websites to help with your job search. The job market in Weston is actually pretty good compared to other areas of the country."

  That got a grin, and Candy said "I'll take all the help I can get."

Jeff cracked his knuckles. "Well...aside from being a part time superhero, and a clerk at a bookstore....I have learned the intricacies of Google-Fu and bending search engines to find what I need or what my friends need."

  She giggled, and said "You are adorable.  And sweet, very sweet."  She cuddled against him, and said softly "I want, very much, to make living here work, and to be a helpful member of the New Age Defenders."

Jeff held Candy close to him.

"I'd like that too Candy...I really would. And it sounds like you and Meg have become good friends."

  Candy smiled, and said "We get along well.  I like Meg.  She's . . . serene.  That's the word that leaps to mind, really.  Serene."

"Yeah Meg is on a whole other level..she's good peoples, and a really good friend," Jeff said lightly.

  She chuckled, and said "I wish I had that serenity she seems to have."

"I think we all do," Jeff said. "Sometimes she reminds me of that old Chinese guy on that Kung-Fu TV show.."

  Candy tilted her head, and asked "Where do you think she gets it?"

Jeff thought for a moment, then replied, "Well...I can only think of ONE place where she gets it from...her Mom. Her Mom is a VERY extraordinary woman...beside the fact that she's um.....she's...nigh-immortal..."

  Candy said "Aren't parahumans relatively new?  So how can her Mom know she's nigh immortal?"

Jeff shrugged.

"Eh...it's complicated I guess. All I know is that she mentioned being in the presence of the first Sovereign Emperor of China...and havin' some pretty decent details for someone who could only have been there. I bet she even knows about Cryomancers and the Heart of Winter too.."