Manhattan

Adele Walters was in the bathroom of her apartment, putting on makeup to ensure she looks as perfect as possible. She had a brush at hand, gently using it to enhance her natural beauty. She was going to have dinner with Brad and his wife, a person she admired and one of the sweetest people she knew, she knew she was going to make an impression.

For extra luck, Adele took her favorite pair of dangling diamond earrings, which had been a gift from her mother and knew cost more than most people could afford. After everything was done, she took the time to admire herself in the mirror. Most girls could only wish they looked as good as I do.

She wore a blue dinner dress, and picked a pair of black pumps out of her shoe closet, of which she had no shortage of options. Once she knew she was ready, Adele left her bedroom and went through the quarters of her apartment, her heels tapping on the hard floor as she left out the door.

A quick elevator ride down to the garage, and her Mercedes lit up the moment she clicked her keys. She smiled, good times were ahead. Adele drove off out the garage, into the brightly lit city at night. She could recall when she was younger, still living in England. Though she had been to New York many times, it was still awe-inspiring to her to travel through it.

It took twenty minutes to reach Brad's apartment, which was a high-rise penthouse that could rival the one her father lives in. It was tall, and like the rest of the city the lights lit up against the night's sky. Adele drove to the front, handing the car to the valet while giving him a tip before he parked her car inside.

The front doors opened for Adele as she walked inside. The interior had an immaculate design, clean and spotless just as she likes it. The elevator went up, and she could see through the glass that the skyline got wider in the distance. Pleasant, to say the least. A ding!, and the elevator opened to Brad's penthouse.

On the inside, it was spectacular. Everything was immaculate, as if it had been polished by hand. The hard wooden floor, the built-in flatscreen, the unmatched view of Manhattan's skyline, it was something that most people could only ever see in their dreams.

"Hello darling!" Brad said, playfully.

"Glad to be here." Adele said. "I must say, I'm getting a little jealous just being here."

"Relax, you're always welcome here."

She smiled. Adele moved forward into the penthouse, looking around her while taking in the sights. There was a fireplace in the living room that turned on with the flick of a switch. Always appreciated those. Off in the kitchen she could see Cécile chopping vegetables, who briefly stopped what she was doing to approach Adele.

The two women hugged.

"So nice to see a friendly face." Cécile said.

"I must say the same." Adele said. "How are you getting adjusted to America?"

"Fine, just fine."

Being that she was from France, Adele could imagine Cécile as feeling homesick from time-to-time. After all, she felt that way about England herself. To hear her speak had always been pleasant. Her French accent, combined with her still getting a full grasp of some English phrases, was charming.

"Yeah, the two of us have been doing great." Brad said. "I'd say she's done just fine here, really admirable how she's gotten so used to the States so fast."

"Yes, the people here always treat me well, so long as I avoid the bad parts of the city." Cécile said.

"Good answer, wouldn't want to go to the bad part of town unarmed, either."

"Well, the food is almost ready. Adele, why don't you make yourself comfortable? It'll only be five more minutes."

Adele nodded. She took her seat on the leather sofa, checking out updates on her phone. She was just looking up things on the internet, until she suddenly received a text message from her own father.

I'm sorry about my behavior earlier when I learned you have a boyfriend. I was acting out and it was completely unacceptable. You're right, you do have the right to date at your age. I hope everything goes well for you. Love, Dad.

Adele sighed. She wasn't going to say anything out loud, but she knew exactly why her father was freaking out about her dating. Quite frankly, it was a little ridiculous that her father can't be involved in her life more than talks of 'responsibility'. The fact that he's that clueless speaks wonders about him.

"Something wrong?" Brad asked.

She must've looked troubled when she read the text. The last thing she wanted was for her friend to worry about her while she was having a good time, so she did her best to drop the subject from her mind at the moment.

"No, it's fine."

"Well, why don't you come over and eat? Dinner's ready."

"I'd love to."

Adele left the couch, excited over the prospect of some hot food and good company. Cécile made steak, New York style. On the side there were wine glasses, with two bottles in the center. Brad patted his wife on the shoulder, with a very satisfied grin on his face.

"She never ceases to impress." Brad said. "She's only started making this kind of steak and is already among the best."

Cécile blushed. "Oh, it's nothing."

"I'll always appreciate it, you can count on that."

This made Adele feel warm inside. She loved it when she could see a happily married couple like this. That's where she hoped to be, one of these days. Brad opened opened one of the wine bottles and poured the three of them a drink. Adele took a sip the moment she could.

"Now, let's not go overboard on this. Drink responsibly, everyone." Brad said.

"I hear you." Adele said.

Quietly, they enjoyed their dinner. Adele took the opportunity to enjoy it, Brad wasn't kidding when he said that the culinary arts was Cécile's specialty. Adele remembered when she first met the couple at the Rocky Mountain Gathering three years ago. They were so happy then, and they're still happy now.

This is something she kept in mind. Adele knew that over half of all marriages end in divorce. She feels lucky that her parents were always married from the moment she was born to today, and never have they talked about splitting up. After her best friend Alicia's parents divorced, it was something she worried about. Brad and Cécile showed no signs of that, so she hoped it will stay that way.

Adele would always say she felt equally English and American, which she liked, because that meant she could enjoy both sides of the Atlantic equally. New York steak is good to her, and she was impressed that a woman of French origins mastered a variety of arts. Adele would suggest opening a restaurant, but she didn't feel it was her place to tell her that.

It wasn't long until Adele finished her part of the dinner. It was very good. She looked at Cécile and gave her a nodding look of approval. She nodded back and Adele went to the sink and cleaned off her plate. After that was done, she retreated to the couch again to check her messages. It wasn't much longer until Brad was done as well. He smiled as he approached Adele.

"There's something I'd like to show you. How would you like to come with me to downtown Manhattan? You're going to love it, trust me."

"Alright, I'm good for that."

"I think I know what he has in mind." Cécile said. "I think you will like it."

"Good to know."

He nodded, Adele stood and smiled at Cécile as she walked out the door with Brad.

"Au revoir mon ami." Cécile said.

Adele believed that meant 'goodbye my friend'. She took some French in school, but was far from an expert in the matter. Adele waved her goodbye, and they went to Brad's Audi in his garage. The car beeped as Brad clicked on the keys. He nodded at her, which was the signal to go inside.

"I love the car." Adele said.

"Thanks, though I'd say the same about yours, too."

"True."

They drove off through the streets of Manhattan. The ride had been quiet, and Adele liked the sounds the engine made as he was driving. A smooth ride, and she eagerly awaited what Brad had to show her. Ever since she joined the Protectors, she had always been a good friend of him. He was a lot cooler than her own dad, she would say.

"I have a special place in the city that most people can't see." Brad said. "I'm showing you this because I trust you."

"Oh really, is it top secret?"

"Something like that."

Ten more minutes passed by, and they arrived at a mid-sized abandoned building. It was a steel factory, before it was shut down some fifteen years ago. Adele looked curiously at it, wondering what about it that was so special that Brad wanted to show it to her. The car parked, and Brad signaled Adele that they were at the right destination.

"Watch where you step. I know those heels lead to accidents."

"Only for the inexperienced. Considering I fight villains in heels, the last thing I have to worry about is tripping."

That much was true. Adele would be the first to admit she loved her high heels, and only wore them apart from when she was exercising. But even then, she trained herself to fight while wearing stilettos. If she was going to fight crime, she was damn well going to look good doing it.

"Now, I know this might not look like much. But as they say, appearances can be deceiving. Follow me."

Adele followed behind Brad's lead as they went to the door upfront. He opened it using a key, and inside there were lights on, to Adele's surprise. Then she could see an elevator, and Brad stepped inside while signaling Adele to join him, which she did. She didn't speak the whole time, not wanting to spoil what surprise he had for her.

The elevator went down to the second floor. Once the doors slid open, it revealed an advanced underground base with supercomputers in the center, an armory full of bows and arrows, a workout center, and a training area. Adele was in awe at the sight of it. Brad was happy to see that.

"Like it? I call it the 'Quiver'. Kind of cheesy, I know. But I couldn't think of a better name for my personal archer headquarters."

"Is this like your private headquarters?"

"Yep. I need a place like this for non-Protector operations. Only the people I trust get to know about it, and you're one of them."

"Just wondering, does my dad know about it?"

"No, and please don't tell him."

Adele laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not planning on it."

Brad led Adele through the room, demonstrating what he has in the base he calls the Quiver. They approached the supercomputer in the center, which showed them a digital map of the globe. Adele felt curious about what he said earlier, about non-Protector operations.

"You referred to non-Protector operations, right? Is that against the rules for you to act separately from them?"

"Not at all, it's perfectly fine to be independent while also being a Protector, so long as you don't interfere with them, of course."

"Heh, I should've known."

"There are numerous teams with 'honorary' status, either through their acts of aid or having important members in their ranks. Naturally, there are also numerous honorary independents with ties to the Protectors. It's important we stay connected."

"This is all interesting, but why are you telling me all of this."

"Because I've been looking at your situation from afar, and I think you want to strike an identity separate from your father. Am I right?"

"Yeah, right on the mark."

"I'm an ally of a team called the Daughters of Artemis, have you heard of it?"

That name rung a bell. Adele felt a little surprise when Brad brought it up, and wondered what he was going to say.

"Yeah, isn't that the team founded by Scratch? I remember her talking about it sometimes when I go to Alicia's house. All women who go on missions together, stopping crime across the world? Pretty cool, I must say."

"Yes, it is pretty neat." Brad said. "I've talked to them, and they would like to have you as a member. This could be the perfect chance for you to strike out as someone separate from The Watcher. Would you accept?"

"That's a pretty big offer you sprung up on me there, but you have a point. I've always been expected to be just like him, why not do something a little different? Tell them to contact me whenever something comes up."

"I like to hear that."

"But why are you asking me? You're not exactly going to be a full-fledged member yourself."

"Who do you think help funds them?"

"I hear you."

Brad nodded at Adele. He kicked back in his chair, thinking about the future. Adele could tell this was something he was thinking of, and wondered if that's why he brought her to his place. Truth be told, there are many things she could say about being tired of living in her father's shadow. Joining a special team like the Daughters of Artemis is different, and she'll gladly do something independent of her own. Plus, there's some extra money to be made, so that's a nice bonus.

"I'll send you the address to this place. Come here on Saturday at two, we'll get you acquainted with the others."

"Alright, sounds good."

"You better head home and get some rest. It's getting late."

Adele nodded.

"Let's go." Brad said. "I'll take you back to my place, then you can head home from there. You got some big days ahead, are you ready for them?"

"Ready as I'll ever be."

Brad led Adele back to the elevator, and she was quiet the rest of the way over. She thought about how crazy it was that she was doing something her father wouldn't expect. She contemplated the idea of telling him, but decided it would work better as a surprise. For once, she's doing what she wants to do, not because her father expects it from her. If she's going to be a costumed fighter, it'll be her own way.

That's not to say she's giving on being a Protector, she's just adding more to her resume. She wondered if that's what he was planning the whole time, which was why he brought her over for dinner. She didn't feel like asking, though.

Soon enough, she would be home. It won't be much longer until she tried something different. Whatever the future holds, Adele was excited. She went to bed soon after she got home, sleeping naked as she always does. Whatever would come, it couldn't happen soon enough.