Aaron? A voice echoed throughout the Dojo, unmistakably a familiar Police Department worker recently gone missing. It was curious, almost unbelieving, with a hint of amazement.

Aaron was still on edge after the skirmish with the ninjas, hearing a voice he hadn't heard since....

It couldn't be her. And if it was? He had felt her awareness somehow, but wasn't entirely sure if he would acknowledge who it was.

"Katy?"

Aaron!!! Her voice exclaimed in near shock and awe. The tone almost begged romantic music and Katy to rush up to him and hug him, and indeed her mind conjured up such music and Aaron would feel warm air snaking it's way around his waist that, if she were there, would be her hugging him. But alas, as the voice faded and Aaron realized she wasn't in the room with him, an awkward feeling emanated from seemingly nowhere.

I...er, have some explaining to do. About how you can hear me. Um, when I'm rested, I'll meet you at your Dojo......okay? she asked.

The strange thing was, Aaron might or might not notice that while he couldn't hear the voice, he still heard it.

"I'll be here..." Aaron replied back, out loud, though it weirded him out slightly. He wasn't sure if this was a trick by his new enemies, or if this was the actual genuine article.

Katy meandered along the streets of Weston, not particularly interested in a specific destination. Her walk eventually ended up in front of the Tanaka Dojo. She stared at the building for a moment or two before walking up and knocking on the door. She was at least four hours before her date...But she couldn't wait. Not any longer.

Adjusting her blouse and fixing her purse-strap, Katy knocked on the door several times, waiting for an answer.

  Aaron answered the door, dressed in his teaching clothing, and said "Katy!  I didn't expect you so early.  I bed your pardon, I am not yet dressed for our date."

'God help me,' Katy thought as Aaron opened the door. She had no idea how to go about this, and she couldn't stand it any longer. She was done with the secrets and the cancelled plans...well, the cancellations were mostly legitimate, being a police officer and all that, but keeping her powers secret weren't.

"Um, Hi Aaron. It's okay, neither am I," She said, "Um...Can I come in? We need to talk. It's... kind of important."

  He nodded, and stepped back, gesturing for her to enter.  He said quietly "Come to my office, I will lock up the outside doors so that nobody interrupts us then.  Do you know the way, or shall I show you first?"

"I remember the way," Katy said quietly, stepping in and making her way through the training room to his office. She waited patiently while Aaron locked up, her heart pounding in her ears. She had no idea how she was going to say this, but at least she could set her mind at ease now.

Katy fidgeted as she took a seat. Time seemed to slow down for her. It was probably adrenaline or some form of it. What should have been a few minutes, most likely less, seemed like hours. She felt cold, not to mention every ache and bruise she had since two months ago had decided to ache. Not that she'd let anyone else see that, of course, it was one of the perks of being an illusionist.

She stood up, leaning against Aaron's desk and continuing to fidget with her hands. Whatever happened, Katy was determined to at least let the truth out. Now all she had to do was wait for what seemed like an eternity.

  Aaron came in, and said "Please, have a seat.  Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please," Katy said, after what felt like eternity. But she couldn't sit. She was too nervous. There was no backing down, and she wasn't going to let her relationship with him continue until he knew the truth. But she wanted it too, she wanted to be happy, and the temptation to reach deep into his mind and look at his deepest thoughts was great. But she didn't. She resisted, remembering what had happened the last time she did that.

Katy took the cup of tea as it was given to her, sipping slightly. "Aaron, I...Haven't entirely been truthful with you about some things," she said, trying to keep her voice even. "I told you I worked as a detective at the police department. Well, that's only part of it. I'm the head of the Psychic Investigations Unit created by Captain Jordan when Para-humans started becoming Police Officers. I'm a psychic Para-Human, Aaron. I can move things telekinetically, and I can read people's minds. I-I don't do it as a matter of respect, but I can. I can see where an object has been before and I can create illusions that look and feel real." To punctuate her last point, she let the illusions she conjured up around herself fall, revealing layer-upon-layer of yellowing bruises on her arms, as well as the top of a black tattoo on her chest. Almost as quickly, the illusions sprang up again, concealing her battle-scars.

"...I'm also known as Lady Psyche to the public world. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Aaron, I just... I didn't know how."

And with that, her heart stood still as she waited for Aaron's reaction.

  He tilted his head, and sipped his tea before he spoke.  A quiet admission.  "It appears neither of us has been completely truthful.  I am also possessed of dual identities.  I can hardly hold a secret identity against you when I have also held one myself."

Katy paused for a second. "Wait, what?" was all she could say as she sat down, looking at Aaron with a perplexed look on her face.

  Aaron gestured at the chair opposite his own, and said "Please be seated, Katy.  We clearly need to talk more, and I think you will want to sit down.  More tea, or sake?"

Katy nodded and sat down opposite Aaron, sighing as she did so. At least he wasn't angry. Or he didn't look angry, at least. It was hard for Katy to read his expression.

"Sake, please," She said. It was going to be a stressful talk, and something strong was in order.

  Aaron nodded, and poured them both cups of sake.  He then sat back down, after placing a small bowl of some sort of assorted nuts.  "I work at things on the side as well.  But not as Aaron.  I go by Shadowstrike."

Almost without hesitation, Katy downed the sake in a few gulps, wincing slightly as the drink ran down her throat. "Shadowstrike?" She said, "And what abilities do you have?"

Katy could feel the adrenaline in her veins fading, relaxing ever so slightly. At least she didn't feel like her heart was going to jump out of her chest now, but she couldn't help but shake the feeling she'd heard the alias before...maybe from Lucas or Hotwire.

  He sipped his sake, and said "I manipulate my own chi.  It can be used to produce a variety of effects.  Depending on what I need at the time."

Katy looked at him for a moment. "So you can use the same energy that Dragon Fist uses? talk about irony," she said, smiling slightly. "I suppose we've been leading two lives, haven't we? I've been fighting with the Legacy and you've been masquerading as a ninja....Well, as long as you don't die, I can deal with that."

  Aaron smiled, and sipped his sake before he asked "So, are we making this date a casual clothes date then, or do you still want to dress nice and hit our favorite Italian scene?"

Katy smiled, letting out a long held in breath before saying, "Why don't we just skip the fancy clothes? I don't have anything nice to change into, although..." Her smile turned into a sly grin, followed shortly after by a haze of purple mist taking shape around her and Aaron. Simple blouse and jeans turned into high heels and an elegant black dress that barely touched the ground, while Aaron's garb turned into a matching Armani suit.

"...I mean, if you really want to dress up, I suppose we could manage." She said, her smile never fading in the slightest.

  He smiled, and said "I do like to treat you like the lady you are, Katy.  Shall we go to our favorite Italian hangout now, or go for steak and sushi?"

"Sure," she said, "Italian sound great right about now."

  He smiled, and offered her his arm as he said "Then allow me to take you out to our favorite Italian hangout and give you an enjoyable evening, my dear Lady Katy."

"Why, I think I'll do so, Sir Aaron," she said, taking his arm and letting him lead her out the door, before promptly engulfing them in purple smoke and disappearing, reappearing in front of Versuezzi's.

-->To: Versuezzi's