"What do you want me to say?" Blaze asked.

Kale was silent again.

So Blaze remained silent.

Kale was silent for a long, "I really like you, Blaze," he whispered.

"... You keep saying a lot of contradictory things," Blaze said quietly with a sigh.

Kale looked away, "Isn't... that love?" he asked quietly.

"No," Blaze replied blandly.

"When you really love someone... you know them. And you get annoyed with them and snap at them but you... still love each other... right?" he asked quietly.

"... I wouldn't know," Blaze muttered.

"I'm just... trying to figure this out too... I think that we both need to be more... forgiving with eachother right now. I'm sorry if I'm sending mixed messages but that's probably because I'm really... confused right now. I like you but you're so frustrating!" he cussed a little, rubbing his Mohawk.

[ skipping for now.. ]

--

Raven mostly returned to his normal routine when he woke up. But even though he kept his typical smile on his face, it was clear his energy level was much lower than usual.

Suddenly there was an announcement over the loud speakers by Snow, Wolfe wanted everyone to meet up in conference room number four for a meeting.

Laurel sighed a little in her room, just her luck. She slowly stood, by the time she got there, the meeting would most likely be over...

Blaze rolled her eyes at the speaker a little before standing and starting to walk to the conference room silently.

Yue heard the announcement, but she stayed in her room.

Missy finished up the game she was playing with Rosen before turning it off.

After Laurel got a little ways down the hallway, Nic showed up with something in his hand. When he got closer, Laurel could see it was a hover scooter - a popular toy amongst teens. You just stood on the board, held onto the handles, and leaned whichever way you wanted to go.

Kale followed after Blaze, giving her some space.

"Wha-?!" Rosen instantly complained, "It's just Wolfe, it's nothing important!" he whined.

Laurel blinked at the scooter for a moment before chuckling, "You shouldn't have," she teased as she took it from him and began riding circles around him.

Missy didn't say anything as she started for the meeting.

Nic didn't say anything. Now Laurel would be happy, he wouldn't have to carry her everywhere, Laurel would have fun, and no one would question Laurel zipping around on it all day.

Rosen finally followed after her, grumbling all the way.

"You're so smart," Laurel told Nic as she zipped in, gave him a quick kiss on the lips and zipped away with a smirk.

Nic still didn't say anything as he started off for the meeting.

So Laurel zipped along beside him and took a seat beside him in the meeting room.

When everyone was sitting down Wolfe stood up.

"As most of you already know... Pepper decided to seek the lab elsewhere. She's following after Long and Dewei as we speak. That of course puts a temporary halt on our search. We need to be watching our own backs right now in case Pepper informs the Yin Long of details." He glanced at Nic for a moment, "I wouldn't put it past her."

Snow sighed a little, "So what are you going to do then? CLIKZ is still looking for the lab and for us, we can't be still right now."

Laurel was shifting a little, starting to look uncomfortable.

Wolfe shook his head, "No, we're going to stay right here for now."

The neonates all stared at Wolfe.

No one said anything, but Nic touched Laurel's leg subtly to see if he couldn't settle her down a little.

Laurel glanced at Nic, something was definitely wrong but she glanced away quickly.

"The lab of course is our main concern, but so is safety. Right now we need to lay low," Wolfe explained.

"But if CLIKZ finds it first..." Snow reminded him quietly.

"They're still busy with themselves, they won't find the lab."

"You don't know that, Wolfe! Our main priority is the lab, not safety!"

Laurel was fidgeting again, staring at the table. She looked uncomfortable to everyone but Nic could see that something was making her really upset.

"There's more of us now, Snow. Our focus isn't soley the lab anymore."

"... that's why Pepper left..." she muttered under her breath.

Still nothing from anyone. Including Raven who sat quietly in the corner.

"I didn't say we aren't doing anything while we stay here," Wolfe sighed.

Snow perked up a little.

"Kale, you ready to work?" Wolfe asked, staring at his friend.

Kale nodded without hesitation. Wolfe glanced at Rosen, "You too, Rosen."

Rosen grumbled but complied.

"We're going to follow though on some south american leads," Wolfe explained before looking at James, "And shooting a music video." James grinned.

Wolfe then looked at Blaze, "... Would you like to get out as well?" he asked her.

Laurel didn't look like she liked any of this.

Blaze shrugged.

Nic kept trying to calm Laurel down discretely.

"If you'd like a mission of your own, come see me," Wolfe stated before looking at everyone else, "We need some time to relax, detox, so we will be staying here."

He glanced at Nic for a moment, "Is there anything you or Yue need to look for?" he asked.

Nic raised an eyebrow and remained silent for a long moment before replying, "I'll ask Ming Yue."

Wolfe nodded, "Let me know. The two of you shouldn't leave so I'll see what we can do," he explained before sitting back down.

Zala suddenly stood, "CLIKZ is actually on the move. I caught a high frequency transition earlier today. They're still looking for Laurel and James." Wolfe sighed a little. Snow cussed.

"I understand why they want James.. but why Laurel still?" she asked.

"Thomas said that James will lead us to the lab and Laurel is connected to the Okorie with whom they are currently fighting," Zala replied calmly. Snow cussed at her quietly for being a know-it-all.

Laurel was glaring at the table a little now, her mood seemed to be shifting.

Nic continued to try and keep Laurel from speaking up. Whatever she had to say probably would best be brought up later.

Laurel didn't seem to want to speak but she remained fidgety.

As Wolfe continued giving directions regarding some leads they had found on the lab and CLIKZ, Laurel started to look more and more sick

Tulip suddenly pipped up, "Can I go spy on Hayden?" which prompted a whole 'nother argument.

[[...]]

While they were arguing, Nic leaned over to Laurel. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked quietly.

Laurel refused to look at Nic, still staring at the table.

Nic kissed Laurel lightly on the cheek before moving away.

That seemed to surprise Laurel, she blinked and finally glanced over at Nic. There was some darkness flickering behind her eyes but mostly she just looked... scared.

Tulip was definitely losing the argument against Snow and Wolfe.

Nic kept doing what he had been doing. Raven noticed, but said nothing. Blaze was getting bored.

Tulip finally lost and skipped off. Wolfe asked if there were any questions.

Laurel stood to leave.

Nic stood as well, which prompted Blaze to stand.

Laurel took a step, froze, then grabbed her hoverscooter and glided for the door. Wolfe sat back down with a sigh. Snow took a seat beside Wolfe and started talking to him quietly.

Nic and Blaze left shortly after Laurel. Raven stuck around for a little while later before getting up and making his way for the door.

When Raven got up Wolfe glanced at him, said something to Snow and then looked back at him, "Wait," he said in a quiet but commanding voice, still in leader mode.

Laurel appeared to be heading for the gun range.

Raven obediently stopped and slowly turned to Wolfe.

So Nic followed as much as he could still walking. When she left his sight, he continued for the gun range.