Taylor stood in front of her mirror, regarding her reflection trying to decide which aspect of her appearance was the most noteworthy: the red, quarter length sleeve dress - that hid her still healing wound - or the fact she didn't look half dead anymore.

The dark circles that had lived under her eyes for months were gone. She had never realized it before then but there had been an almost lifeless glaze over her eyes and it was no longer there. Due to the full week of never going out at night and sleeping more than a few hours she felt human again.

After grabbing her coat, phone, and overly fancy ticket, she headed downstairs. When she stepped into the living room, both her parents broke away from their books and stared at her. Her mother beamed, an amused twinkle coming into her eyes as she spotted Taylor's choice in footwear. They were a pair of old black Vans, ones she had bought to match Weston's years ago. Giving her an approving nod, her father stood.

"Do you have a ride to this shindig or can your old man take you?" he asked.

"You're not old enough to say shindig and actually think it's called that. And yes, you can drive me."

Her father winked as he went to retrieve his keys. Her mother took Taylor's hands and held them out, inspecting her.

"You look perfect."

"Thanks, mom."

Her mother cupped her face. "My baby girl is looking like herself again."

Guilt over having put her parents through so much worry for so long dimmed Taylor's mood but she put on a smile and hoped it was convincing.

"Adventure awaits us," her father said, motioning to the door.

"Oh wait, pictures!"

Taylor groaned but plastered on a smile for a total of five photos before she deemed herself unable to handle anymore. Her mother still managed to get one final one as Taylor headed out the door with her father. When her father started the car, Kenny G drifted through the speakers, the low jazz music setting a relaxed atmosphere.

"Now tell me," her father said, glancing over at her. "Are there any boys at this dance that plan to write their name on your dance card?"

Taylor shook her head. "Now you're just trying too hard to sound old. I'm not sure I have a Mr. Darcy planning to write his name down."

"Incorrect era but I commend your attempt to know when dance cards were around." He held up his index finger and Taylor knew the lecture was coming. She settled into her seat, knowing she wouldn't have to say anything for the rest of the drive. "Now dance cards came into use around the 18th century, but became widespread in the 19th century."

Taylor listened as her father went through the origins of the dance card and moved on to the history around it and why it had been brought into use. He had a bass voice and a rich cadence which Taylor knew was the reason his classes were well attended.

"That concludes your history lesson for today," her father said as he pulled the car up to the curb outside the school.

Around them, other cars were depositing their charges while some cut into the parking lot and filled the open spots. Streams of well-dressed students in a wide array of hues flowed towards the school doors. As Taylor reached for the door handle, her father stopped her.

"Taylor," he said. "I want you to know that your mother and I are so proud of you." Taylor felt her heart clench and wondered if her guilt would ever go away. "It's been a rough few months but you are working hard and we wanted you to know that we can see that."

"Thanks." She wanted to say more. How sorry she was for making them have to worry but the explanation behind the apology was one that she didn't know how to give or if she could ever give it.

Her father pulled her into a sideways hug and kissed the top of her head.

"Now have fun. But avoid the punch, I'm sure some rascal has tampered with it."

"Rascal? Really?"

He grinned and Taylor climbed out into the chilly night air. As soon as she stepped into the school she could hear the pounding of music and followed it, along with the trail of students heading towards the gym.

Just outside, she hung up her coat, put her phone in the convenient pocket in her dress, and handed the woman behind the reception table her ticket. It was a bit wrinkled having been handled frequently that week as Taylor took it out and put it back into the book she was reading.

When Taylor walked into the gym her ears were assaulted by the heavy beat thumping through the speakers. Around her was the stereotypical setup for any high school dance: a semi-circle of round tables with navy tablecloths and centerpieces, dance floor, DJ stand, line of long tables topped with an assortment of desserts and drinks, and clusters of students all chatting and taking photos.

Taylor stared out at the scene and was hit by a realization, she had no idea what she was doing here. The ticket Dominic had bought her in order to guilt her into coming had worked, she was there, but now that she was there she was lost as to why she was. She hadn't talked to Dominic all week. She didn't know if this was something Clint would come to. And Bailey didn't strike her as the dance going type but she didn't know. Taylor was alone.

Before she could thoroughly contemplate the idea of finding a secluded corner, teleporting to a coffee shop and spending the night prolonging her single cup of coffee, a voice stopped her.

"Mr. Darcy, I didn't think you would come."

Fighting a smile, Taylor faced Dominic. He looked good in a trim suit minus a tie.

"Ms. Bennet, your scheme of guilting me into coming is the only reason I'm here."

Dominic raised his eyebrows. "Really?" Taylor nodded and he smiled. "I'm glad you came. You look good."

Taylor held out the edges of her knee-length dress. "Is it the dress or the fact that I haven't gone out at all this week and have had over ten hours of sleep each night?"

"You haven't gone out at all?"

"Nope."

"In that case, it's definitely the dress."

Taylor laughed, a thing that she realized she didn't do often enough. As she held Dominic's gaze, their last interaction came back to her, sobering her.

"I'm really sorry about everything. I should have listened to you. You were trying to help. I'm sorry I made you worry."

It felt relieving to at least be able to make an apology for the worry she caused to one person in her life.

Ducking his head, Dominic rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm sorry that I went off on you and left."

"You had every right to."

"Yeah, but I should have stayed. Everyone messes up, it doesn't mean I should've bailed on you."

Taylor nudged his arm. "You're here now."

"I am. Does that mean you've saved me a dance?"

"Where have you been for the last hundred years, don't you know no one says that anymore?"

"Yes, but Mr. Darcy," he held out his hand, "you and I are not like other people."

"Fair enough, Ms. Bennet."

Taylor took his hand and they wound there way through the tables to the mostly empty dance floor. When they got there they fell into a display of moves that might not be called dancing but at least stayed on the beat.

"You're terrible," Taylor said, well aware of the hypocrisy of the statement.

Dominic shrugged and continued to half-flail, half-bob. "I'm a wide receiver, my natural motion is running and twisting. What's your excuse?"

"I got my father's two left feet and my mother's lack of rhythm."

They both grinned and proceeded to dance with abandon. The sight of Dominic on the dance floor eventually garnered the attention of his friends and as one song cut into the next, Taylor was edged out. She found she didn't much mind as she spotted an ethereal figure in a gauzy pink dress.

Bailey smiled at Taylor as she approached. "You never struck me as the school dance type of person."

"I thought the same of you," Taylor said.

Bailey lifted one shoulder. "My parents wish me to get out more."

"Do you plan to dance?"

Bailey nodded. "Yes, but so far my telepathic powers haven't been working, otherwise Andre would have walked over here and asked me."

"Who is that?"

Bailey pointed to a group of boys huddled together and gazing out on the gym as if they were observing a wildlife preserve. The boy Bailey singled out had glasses, dark skin, and a shy smile. He also had the appearance that someone had stretched him upwards but had forgotten to stretch him outwards to balance him out. 

"That's who you like?"

"Yeah, in a fictional world I would want Clint Rivera to dance with me. But even if it wasn't a pity dance I know that a relationship with him would difficult. His attractiveness would be intimidating and I would feel inferior to him and constantly wonder if I was good enough to date him. But with Andre, I would be comfortable enough to be myself and in turn, help him come out of his shell a bit. A good match."

Taylor blinked in surprise. "That's oddly logical thinking."

"I'm an observer and a realist."

Taylor shook her head. "I think that is the most you've ever spoken."

At this Bailey turned her full gaze on Taylor. "That's because during lunch you usually look a blink away from falling asleep or a breath away from death so I figured drawn-out conversations weren't going to be a help to you."

Taylor wasn't sure how to respond, moved by this girl's simple kindness. "Thank you." The sentiment wasn't enough but right then that was all she had.

"Of course."

A thought clicked into place in Taylor's mind. "Since your telepathy isn't working, want me to help Andre get nudged towards you."

After a hesitant pause, Bailey nodded. Taylor left her and moved towards the group of boys, ones she recognized as Clint's friends. As she neared, she spotted Clint on the far side, talking one on one with another boy.

He spotted Taylor and broke off his conversation. She beckoned him to follow her and he did. Instead of a suit like Dominic, Clint had gone with a basic pair of slacks and a button-down shirt. With the dressed-up attire, Taylor understood what Bailey had been saying, Clint's looks were a bit intimidating.

"Hey," she said, once they were out of earshot of the boys. "Is it possible for you to get Andre to ask that girl," Taylor pointed back to Bailey, "to dance?"

The second the question was out, the music shifted and slowed. Taylor thought it a bit early to bring down the energy but noticed as non-dancing students took this as an opportunity to grab someone close by and congregate on the dance floor.

"I'll see what I can do," Clint said. "But..." He stopped, deliberating then swallowed. "Will you dance with me?"

"Umm...yeah, sure."

Clint walked away and a second later Andre was nervously pressing his hand down the front of his shirt as he headed over to Bailey. After a brief exchange where she smiled at him and he dropped his hand to his side, they joined the swaying mass.

Clint returned to Taylor and she felt a strange fluttering in her stomach. When they reached the dance floor, he carefully put his hands on her waist and she draped her arms around his neck, making her fully aware of how tall he was. They rocked back and forth as couples around them moved in closer, some even using the opportunity to kiss.

"I'm not going to lie," Taylor said, meeting Clint's eyes before looking away. "I've always found this way of dancing awkward. My parents watch a lot of really old movies and in them, the guy puts his hand on the girl's waist but holds her hand with the other." She bit her lip. "Seemed more natural to me."

Without comment, Clint reached up and took one of her hands, sliding the other higher on her back and Taylor shifted her free hand to his very broad shoulder.

"Better?" he asked.

Taylor relaxed, even as her stomach twitched. "Yeah."

"How's your arm?"

"Sore, but not too bad." The twitch in Taylor's stomach grew to a constant tug, but she ignored it.

"Do you think you'll want to continue training?"

"Umm..."

The tugging was no longer subtle, it pulled on Taylor and she knew it wasn't a reaction to Clint's closeness but The Pull. Taking in a breath and closing her eyes, she imagined The Pull as a physical cord and cut it.

The feeling didn't go away.

Instead, it intensified to the point where Taylor leaned into Clint, wanting to hunch over.

"Taylor?"

She shook her head, again trying to break away from The Pull. It was what she had done multiple times that week. Each time the feeling had faded even if her guilt over not helping didn't. But now it wasn't working.

"Taylor, what's going on?"

Taylor gripped Clint's hand trying to figure out what she was doing wrong.

"Hey, talk to me. Tell me what's wrong?" She could hear the concern in his voice.

"The Pull," she said.

He frowned, lost. Taylor let go of him and searched the dance floor. When she spotted Dominic, she maneuvered her way to him, one hand on her stomach as if it could help dispel the tight grip. Dominic was dancing with an unfamiliar girl, but the way his forehead was creased told Taylor he was feeling the same thing.

Unapologetically, Taylor grabbed Dominic's arm and tugged at him. He followed her even as the girl protested. The pair found a dim corner and Taylor spun on him.

"What's going on?" she said. "I can't make it stop."

"Me neither."

They stared at each other, panicked and completely out of their element. Clint appeared next to them.

"What's going on? Taylor, are you okay?"

Dominic eyed Clint. "Who is this?"

Taylor shot Dominic a disbelieving look. "This is Clint."

"Oh Gym Boy."

Going rigid, Clint looked at Taylor. "Do you seriously call me that?"

"Not once. Dominic stop it." She put her hand on his arm, fighting The Pull as it tried to yank her away. "We have to figure this out."

"How can this jock help you?" Clint asked, eyeing Dominic skeptically.

Dominic faced Clint, arms crossed, jaw set. "I can do more than you can, Gym Boy. I can-"

Taylor squeezed his arm in warning. "Dominic."

He held her eyes and she could see him wanting to put Clint in his place. But he was never able to reveal his secret as Clint glanced between the two of them and put together.

"You can't be serious?" he said, jerking his thumb at Dominic. "This guy has an ability other than only sometimes catching a football."

Angered, Dominic shoved Clint's shoulder. "I can stop time, what ability do you have other than lifting weights?"

Clint folded his arms, staring Dominic down. "I have the ability to kick your a-"

"Guys!" Taylor yelled. They reluctantly turned to her. "I need your help. So can you please stop this pissing contest?"

She winced and closed her eyes as The Pull strengthened and she fought a wave of nausea. Both guys stepped closer to her in worry. Dominic put his hand on her arm and she leaned into it.

"I don't know what to do," she said, looking between them. "I said I wouldn't go out, but it's not going away." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "And if I do Weston will kill me."

"Who?" Dominic asked.

"Her brother that's a detective," Clint said, "and recently saw her get shot. How do you not know this?"

Dominic glared while Clint regarded him with contempt. Taylor took hold of each guy's arm, dragging back their focus.

"Stop it," she said. The Pull clawed at her stomach and she gripped both guys' arms. "This isn't like it's ever been." She met Dominic's eyes. "I can't sit by. If it's as bad as it feels, people could die. I need your help."

He let out a breath. "Only you could come to Winter Formal and end up having to leave to save someone. Okay, we'll go together."

"I'm coming with you," Clint said.

"No you're not. You can't do anything," Dominic said.

"I know better than both of you how to deal with taking down assailants. I can help."

Dominic opened his mouth, but Taylor cut him off. "The Time Stop, now."

Looking thoroughly peeved, Dominic clapped a hand on Clint's shoulder and the music, the laughter, the chatter, the vibrations all vanished. Clint's eyes widened. Before he could say anything into the void, Taylor swept them away.

The moment they landed on a rooftop, Taylor's pain disappeared and she sagged with relief. The Time Stop fell away and Clint wobbled, bending over his knees, trying to reorient himself.

With the world back in motion, Taylor heard the wailing of sirens. Both she and Dominic raced to the rooftop edge and peered over. On the street below was a horde of police cars around the building opposite them, all with their lights flashing, the red and blue bouncing off the surrounding buildings.

"Is it a fire?" Dominic asked.

Taylor didn't answer, trying to understand the scene. Further down the street blockades were being set up. When she took in the building the policemen were guarding, she froze. A lit-up sign at the top spelled out Hyatt.

A new siren cut into the night and Taylor watched as a familiar black Charger stopped in front of the hotel and Weston stepped out. Taylor's heart plummeted to her feet. She knew what this was.

"I'm pretty sure there's a bomb in that building."

**********************************************************************

"Just like old times."

(I'm guessing that sums up your thoughts right now, doesn't it? I did warn you so technically you can't be mad at me)

Alright! Let's here those thoughts, Dominic and Clint have finally met and well...it could have gone better. You have to have some comments about all of their 'who is more awesome' fight, so remember sharing is caring! 🦸🏼‍♀️🦸🏿‍♂️🦹🏻

I'm not going to lie, I love the fact that they butt heads! It's so like teenage guys and add super powers on top of that and it only makes it worse.

In a fist fight, who do you think would win?

I would say Clint, but Dominic can stop time so he has the advantage there. But who knows, Clint is fast, maybe he would be able to get in a hit before Dominic went into the Time Stop.

Funny enough this is the first time I've written to dominant males. Usually one is dominant and the other is kind and patient. Though both guys have those qualities they also have the 'I'm strong and better than you are' vibe going for them as well!

I have to say with this dream team it's going to be a very interesting rest of the book!

Okay: who is Taylor, Clint and Dominic as a superhero in the Marvel universe?

Fatt Pjaċevoli (Maltese): Iron Man director Jon Favreu insisted that Robert Downey Jr. star in it, despite the suggestion being turned down at first.

(Which it's a good thing, Robert is Iron Man!)

Vote, comment, follow but only if you stand for epic danger!