Claire whirled around when Ivy screamed. She caught a glimpse of Ivy disappearing out the doorway and ran over with a shout, vaguely aware of the Scorpion boy flying backwards. It took her a moment to connect with the realization that she had thrown him.

Claire mentally latched on to Ivy and pulled as she reached the doorway. Far beneath them, Ivy stopped falling and began to come back up. Claire concentrated harder, ignoring the pounding headache that was creeping in and blocking everything else out. Her hand tightened around the doorway.

Ivy landed in the chopper with a grunt.

"Ivy!" Claire knelt down. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Ivy said, her voice coming out strained. Her entire body was shaking.

"Are you sure?"

Ivy pulled herself to her feet. Her chest rose and fell as she took in deep breaths. Claire turned around. Victoria, two of her copies, and Spencer were still fighting with Scorpion.

Ivy gasped, drawing Claire's attention. "The chopper!" Ivy exclaimed. "It's—Crap, I turned off Scorpion's override. No one's piloting..."

Claire's eyes widened. Their helicopter was no longer hovering in the air next to them. She grabbed the door and leaned out. Far below them, she could see the chopper growing smaller and smaller.

"What are we going to do?" Claire asked.

"Spencer!" Ivy shouted. "Come here. We need to get the chopper."

Spencer knocked a girl to the ground with an icicle and hurried over. "What do you—oh. Shoot."

Ivy walked over to the doorway. "Come on," she said. "If we jump, maybe we can get into it..."

"No," Spencer said. "No. Absolutely not. No way. That won't work."

Claire swallowed, realizing what needed to happen. "I'll go with you," she said. "I could telekinetically pull it to us..."

"No, I won't let you."

"Spencer," Ivy said. "That's our only way out. And we can't lose a chopper!"

"Hey guys!" Victoria called. "A little help here?"

Claire looked over. Victoria was the only one left to fight Scorpion. She'd created a fourth copy, but it was clear she was struggling.

Spencer tipped back his head and stared at the ceiling. "Fine," he sighed. "Ivy, stay and help Victoria. Claire, I hate to say it, but I guess you're coming with me."

Ivy glanced at Claire, worry crossing her face. "Be careful," she said.

Spencer and Claire walked over to the doorway. "You sure about this?" he asked.

Claire wasn't at all sure, but as the wind whipped her hair around, she forced herself to nod. Spencer grabbed her hand, and they jumped.

Claire's heart dropped to her stomach. She struggled for air as they flew toward the plummeting chopper.

"We need to get to it quick." Spencer's voice was barely audible above the wind.

Claire swallowed and focused on the chopper, trying to pull it toward them. The mental strain was almost unbearable, but she kept pulling. Tears stung at her eyes and she closed them, letting her senses guide her.

"Almost there," Spencer said. "You can let go."

Claire opened her eyes. Blackness tugged at the edge of her vision, and for a moment she thought she would pass out. When her sight cleared up and she was able to focus again, she and Spencer were about level with the doorway. Spencer reached out and grabbed the door's handle.

He pulled and they tumbled into the chopper. Claire winced as she hit the ground. Spencer flung open the cockpit door and disappeared inside.

Claire could barely think. Her head throbbed. It was all she could do to stay sitting up. Her vision was dotted with flashing lights, and there was a ringing in her ears.

The jet engine roared to life and they lurched forward. Claire grimaced. She wasn't sure how long she sat there before Scorpion's chopper came back into view. They slowed down as they passed the doorway.

Claire forced herself up and onto one of the benches as Ivy and Victoria jumped in. Ivy grabbed the door and pulled it shut as she entered.

"Get us out of here, Spencer," Ivy called.

"Claire!"

Claire looked over as Victoria sat down. "What on earth was that?" Victoria asked. "You gave me a freaking heart attack. Are you okay?"

Claire nodded. "Yeah I'm all right."

Victoria pursed her lips. Her thoughts spilled into Claire's mind, but they were all slurred together.

OhmygodohmygodIcan'tbelieveshedidthatImeanIguessitworkedbutshecouldhavediedohmy—

Victoria's thoughts were cut off by Ivy's, which seemed to be less of a mess. Is she okay? She says she okay but we always say that, don't we? What if Victoria's right? What if she shouldn't be fighting? But it's her choice and if she thinks she can...

Ivy's thoughts trailed off and their connection broke. Claire swayed. Apparently she'd reached a point where she couldn't even use her powers accidentally. She closed her eyes, wishing the flashes in her vision would go away.

"Claire?" Victoria asked.

Claire opened her eyes and looked at her sister. "I'm fine, just tired," she said.

Victoria nodded, grimaced, and rubbed her jaw.

"Your jaw okay?" Ivy asked.

"Yeah, one of my copies got hit pretty hard," Victoria said.

Ivy frowned, and Claire mirrored her expression. Did Ivy not know that Victoria felt the pain of all her clones?

Claire leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes again. Thankfully, her mind was silent. She eventually drifted off, and when she woke up they were landing on the Fortuna's deck. It was late afternoon, almost time for dinner.

Ace ran over, barking wildly. Spencer's face lit up and he knelt down to pet the dog as he approached. A smile tugged at Claire's lips.

"Claire," Victoria said. "We should call dad to check up. It's been a few days."

"Sure," Claire said. She wanted nothing more than to go to bed, but she would have to wait a little longer.

They walked inside and located one of the ship's phones. While Victoria dialed their father's cell, Claire fought to stay standing.

Victoria put the phone on speaker. "Hey Dad," she said.

"Hey," Claire added.

"Victoria, Claire," their dad said. "How are you two?"

"Relatively speaking?" Victoria asked. She glanced at Claire. "We're okay."

"Good." Dad sighed. "I've been so worried."

"I know," Victoria said. "I wish we could go home."

"Me too. But we don't even have a home, anymore." He let out a heavy sigh. "Sorry, guys."

Victoria hesitated. "Newman did say you were welcome here," she reminded him.

Claire folded her arms and leaned against the wall. They hadn't seen their father since Scorpion kidnapped them back in April. Her heart ached when she thought of him.

But, it would be kind of weird having him on the ship. Especially since they'd be the only Supers with a parent around. Of course, it'd be worth it to see him again.

"You know I'd love to," Dad said. "But I don't think that will happen any time soon. I'm just laying low and trying to get by. If I thought I could find a way to meet you..."

"Of course," Victoria said. "Once we take care of Scorpion, things will be different."

"Right. Please be careful. Stay safe."

"We will," Claire and Victoria said in unison.

They said their goodbyes, and Victoria hung up.

"You coming to dinner, then?" Claire asked.

"Oh, right. Um, I'll be along in a minute. I just have to check on something real quick."

Claire frowned as Victoria headed down the hall. She was starting to suspect that Victoria was hiding something, but she couldn't even begin to imagine what. And she shoved down the idea of searching Victoria's mind before the thought could even surface. Whatever Victoria had going on, it wasn't any of Claire's business unless she chose to tell her.

//

Thank you guys for your patience, I know it's been a couple weeks. I'm going to do a double chapter Friday this weekend to make up for it. I love seeing all of your votes and comments!