Arazona Chapter Eight

Chapter 8

"No way you're both together, that's amazing" Maybelle celebrated at the news that Antonia and Luke where now a couple "and it only took you six months, seriously what's up with that"

"Maybelle will you keep your voice down" Antonia asked

"What it's not like Fifi's here" Maybelle took a sip of her drink "So how was training" she asked

"And that she whispered about" Luke laughed

"It went well, I've got so much control now, there is just heat I can't do. I needed to be in some sort of simulator or something" Antonia said

"We have something like that at base, it's just getting in to use it, we would risk exposure if we did" Luke told them both

"I really hope you learn to control it, it seems the only part not controlled"

"It is Maybelle, I really hope we can work on it soon, I don't want to hurt anyone" Antonia looked worried, Luke took her hand.

In the next few weeks Luke taught Antonia how to use her powers with in battle, she also learnt skills in hand to hand combat which helped her jump out of the way of oncoming attacks whether it was by weapons or powers.

"That was so much fun" Antonia told Luke kissing him, he kissed her back,

"So off to the bar" Luke asked

"Not this week, Maybelle's not feeling well but you can come back to my place if you like" Antonia offered

"What about your Mother"

"She's on that Galactic Spa trip to the planet Archstone with my Auntie Ida. She won't be back till Wednesday night" Antonia told Luke as they got into his Hover Craft

"Then yours sounds good"

     Luke parked down the side of Antonia's building and she led him up to her apartment,

"It's only a two bed, enough for me and Mum, so not much really" she told him as he looked around. The kitchen and living room where all one room and there were three doors that led off to the two bedrooms and a small bathroom,

"I think it's cosy" Luke told her "have you always lived here or did you use to live in a house" he asked

"We use to live on the Rhinestone Estate till I was five, when my Dad died they forced us to move here, to Centre City, Mum was relieved she didn't think she could cope with the up keep of the house on what she earns" she looked at Luke

"I wish they didn't do that, it's not fair" he told her "just because someone in your family who is in the military dies doesn't mean they have the right to force families out of their homes, they should help support them"

"It's ok Mum was planning on giving up the house anyway, the government just unexpectedly helped us out" Antonia reassured Luke. He stepped towards her took her in his arms kissed her,

"I have something for you" he told her, he reached into his pocket and took out what looked like a picture and handed it to Antonia, she looked at it, it was a picture of a man stood with the desert in the background in military uniform, at the bottom read the name 'Major Iford Birch'

"My Dad" a tear rolled down her cheek "where did you get this" she asked

"I found it in the Archives the other day and snuck it out. I thought you might like it" Luke told her

"Like it, I love it" Antonia kissed Luke and hugged him tight "thank you Luke, it's been a long time since I've seen my Dad. I'm very grateful, thank you so much" they held each other tight. There was a knock at the door,

"Who could that be at this time" Luke asked

"I have no idea"

"Antonia are you home yet" a muffled and drowsy voice came through the door

"It's Maybelle" Antonia answered the door "Hi Maybelle"

"Do you have any cough syrup we've ran out" Maybelle coughed into a tissue

"Of course, come in" Maybelle wrapped in a duvet walked into Antonia's apartment

"Hi Luke" she said as she saw him, Luke pulled out a chair for Maybelle to sit on, Antonia brought out the cough syrup

"Have you Parent's gone to bed already" Antonia asked giving Maybelle the cough syrup,

"No, my Dad and brother have gone on a tour on the Senate Dome and my Mum went and that Galactic Spa thing with your Mum and Auntie Ida" Maybelle coughed again,

"OK you're staying here tonight" Antonia told her friend

"No, it's ok you have Luke round" Maybelle protested

"Belle you ill and home alone, you can sleep in my bed and I'll sleep on the camp bed"

"Ok, but I'm going to bed now, I don't feel too good" Maybelle got up to go to bed,

"Ok hang on Belle" Antonia turned to Luke "Can you please get the camp bed off the top of my wardrobe" she asked him

"Of course, which one's your room" Luke asked

"That one over there" Antonia pointed to the door in the corner of the room. Luke set up the camp bed for Antonia and Maybelle went to bed straight away. Luke and Antonia settled on to the sofa for an hour before Luke went home.

    As he left a posh Hover Craft sat on the other side of the road. Luke pulled out of the side of the building and left to go home. The window of the posh Hover Craft rolled down to reveal Fifi sat in the driver's seat, she looked angry, like she was ready to kill someone,

"What the hell was Luke doing at her place" she said rudely to herself, she rolled her window up as she looked up at Antonia's bedroom window and drove home.

The next Friday Fifi waited outside the department store Antonia worked at. As she came out of the staff entrance Fifi started to follow her

"What are you up to Antonia" Fifi said to herself. She stopped a few yards away from the warehouse, she saw Luke greet Antonia with a kiss and take her into the warehouse,

"That bitch, I knew she liked him" Fifi got out of her Hover Craft and marched towards the door. She found it locked and ran round the back to where there was stairs leading to a fire escape. She climbed the stairs to the door to find it also locked. She looked up to see a window just above her head. She stood on her tiptoes to peer in and saw Antonia using her power,

"Oh, she's gifted. How the hell did that happen?" Fifi ran back to her Hover Craft and raced back up the road.

    "That was a fun session, I really enjoyed it" Antonia told Luke as they came out of the warehouse, arms around each other,

"I'm glad you enjoyed it and I know something else you will enjoy" he leaned in to kiss her,

"So  it's true you have a girlfriend"

"Father" Luke and Antonia looked up to find President Homestead, General Alcatech, Fifi (grinning immensely) and five members of the AMF standing in front of them, Antonia knew she was busted

"Did you really think you could hide your relationship from me" President Homestead said

"No, I was going to tell you but in my own time. You'll never split us up, no one will" Luke replied

"I don't want to split you up, but that's not why I'm here, apparently your girlfriend is Gifted"

Luke started at his father, he had no idea what to say,

"Well is she" President Homestead asked

"Father I..." Luke struggled to talk

"Don't try and deny it, I saw that bitch with my own eyes" Fifi snarled. Luke stepped towards her in anger but Antonia stopped him,

"Miss Epson shut up" President Homestead shouted, he turned to Antonia "Antonia Birch isn't it" he asked, Antonia nodded "Now be honest with me, tell me, are you Gifted"

Antonia sighed

"Yes I am" she finally said. President Homestead looked at her whilst there was chatter from the five soldiers who stood behind him, they couldn't believe there was a Gifted woman among them,

"Please don't hurt me" she pleaded

"Why would I hurt you" President Homestead asked

"I don't know, no one know what happens to a Gifted Woman these days" Antonia replied

"The same as any other Gifted person my dear"

"What! you're not going to imprison or even kill her" Fifi interrupted

"You bitch" Luke stepped forwards again, fireball in his hand,

"Luke don't, she's not worth it" Antonia told him

"I am too worth it"

"Enough" President Homestead ordered "Luke control yourself, Mason escort Miss Epson home make sure she stays there" President Homestead said to the nearest soldier, he turned grabbed Fifi's arm and walked off with her.

"So what will happen to me" Antonia asked once Fifi and Mason were out of sight

"You will join the Special Agents Unit at the AMF, if that's what you want, it's been a very long time since we have had a Gifted woman upon us, over 5000 years. It was the president 3000 years ago that wanted all Gifted women sectioned, said it was a man's job" General Alcatech said but before Antonia could reply to anything he had said, Seraphina showed up with Crystal

"Arnold, Arnold don't hurt her, don't hurt her" she ran up to her husband

"I'm not going to hurt her, why would I hurt her" President Homestead said to his wife

"Good, it's not her fault she's Gifted" Crystal said

"I know, it's not anyone's fault" President Homestead said

"Arnold there is more to this woman that just being Gifted" Seraphina said

"How do you know she's Gifted" Luke asked his Mother

"I had Lieutenant Broderick spy on you" Seraphina confessed "I know it's an intrusion of your privacy but I just wanted to know you were safe" she told her son, Luke looked surprised but knew it was a one off

"Seffy what is it you have to say" President Homestead asked

"Antonia Birch is a descendant of Ludivine Hawthrow"

"What" President Homestead looked shocked

"Definite" Luke said

"Yes, I know her powers are weather and nature, so were Ludivine's and the Definite before that and the Definite before that one"

"How do you know I'm a descendant of Ludivine Hawthrow, she lived 5000 years ago" Antonia asked

"I had the historian track your family tree and he triple checked. The evidence is there" Seraphina told her

"But I can't be Definite, I don't have wings like the others" Antonia told them

"Yes, but they all developed them over time, by the age of 25 at the latest, some by the age of 20" Luke informed her

"How old are you my dear" Seraphina asked

"20, I'm 21 tomorrow"

Well you have plenty of time, you never know it could be any day now" President Homestead told her "So what will it be, Joining the AMF or returning to your normal job" he asked

"AMF definitely" Antonia smiled

Luke brought Antonia home to break the news to her Mother

" I can't do it" she said standing outside her front door

"Yes you can and I will be right there with you" Luke reassured her, he kissed her and held her close

"Antonia, are you ok, you said you where coming straight home. Hi Luke" Maybelle came running up the stairs

"Fifi saw me using my power, she told President Homestead" Antonia told her friend, the door to her apartment opened

"Inside now" Jasmine told her daughter, " Maybelle go home, you too" she told Luke and Maybelle

"Luke's not going anywhere" Antonia said to her Mother

"Don't talk to me like that Antonia, I found this in your room, where did you get it" Jasmine showed Antonia the picture of the father

"Luke gave it to me" Antonia replied

"Where do he get it"

"From the Presidential Archives" Like told Jasmine

"That's impossible, only authorised personnel can enter that place"  she looked at Luke

"And I'm one of them" Luke told her

"I don't know who you think you are but pictures like this bring back some very painful memories and I will not allow them in my home" Jasmine told Luke

"I already know, Antonia told me everything" he looked at Jasmine who looked like she was going to cry

"This picture is going in the bin and I do not want to hear another word about it, it is still very painful for the both of us" Jasmine turned to walk back into the apartment

"No, it's mine" Antonia snatched the picture out of her mother's hand "it may still be very painful but I want to remember my Dad and what he looked like, you act as if he never existed and for me that's the most painful part" everything fell silent for a minute or two

"Now I have something to tell you and I know you are not going to like it" Antonia told her mother what had happened and that she would be joining the AMF. She also told her about her relationship with Luke and who he really was "I hope you understand Mum, this is something I really want and Luke will be there to look after me and he won't let anything bad happen" Antonia finished, Jasmine sat there not knowing what to say, she turned to face her daughter and gave her a hug,

"Please be careful, I don't want to lose you too and your right I don't like it, but of it's what you want then so be it"

"I knew you wouldn't and you won't lose me, I promise"

Lintwood Farm Chapter 18

Here is Chapter 18 of Lintwood Farm

Chapter 18

Ian returned home a few days later,

"How did it go" Martin asked as he sat at the table

"The office said that you have to go, they also said they wanted to call you up when you turned eighteen earlier in the year but because of the wedding they left it a little longer" they looked at each other

"That was nice of them, I wouldn't expect them to do that" Martin said "I'm going to go, it was only a matter of time before I was called up anyway, I've been expecting it but also hoping it wouldn't happen"

"And Ellie" Ian asked, Martin sighed

"She doesn't like the idea, she got upset but it's only to be expected same with Lindsey and Jenny" There was a long pause, then Lindsey walked in to the room

"Dad you're back" she gave him a big hug "did you get Martin out of going to war"

"No unfortunately, but it's not just Martin that's been called up, a lot of eighteen year olds have whether they are going to the front line or not" Ian looked at Martin "so you're not the only one"

"I know" he looked at his father "Promise you will look after Ellie and the baby" he asked

"Of course I will" Ian hugged his son

"I will too" Lindsey said

"I'm sure you will" Martin hugged his sister

Jennifer appeared in the doorway

"Dad, welcome home"

"Hello sweetheart" Ian went to hug his daughter, but before he could she stopped him.

"Dad, I've decided I'm going to go work in the shop full time, I've given it a lot of thought and it's what I want to do"

"Jenny, darling are you sure"

"Yes, I'm fourteen dad, anyway I will be needed there full time when Ellie gives birth as she will be out for at least a few months" she looked at her father who wasn't sure of what she wanted to do,

"Dad it's ok everyone at the age of fourteen leave school and go to work" Martin reassured Ian

"Ok, if it's want you want to do" Ian looked at his daughter

"Yes it is" she smiled

"Wait, am I going to have to do the same thing when I turn fourteen next year" Louis asked standing in the doorway

"Yes Louis you are" Ian replied

"Ok, just don't send me to a factory ok" Louis asked

"You won't be going to a factory, you will be working full time on the farm" Ian told him

"Yes" Louis celebrated

"At least one person's happy around here" Martin smiled at Louis dancing in the hallway. Ellie walked in to the dining room as she and Chrissie dodged Louis's dance moves

"What's going on" Chrissie asked

"Louis is celebrating the fact he won't be going to work in a factory next year when he turns fourteen" Ian said

"Well of course not, we need him here on the farm" Ellie looked at Ian and smiled "Welcome back Ian, any luck" she asked

"No, I'm afraid not, but Martin isn't the only person who has been called up" Ian replied

"Really"

"Yes, about 200 odd 18 year olds have, some to factories, some to the front line"

Ellie looked at both of them  "Ok, well he's already said he's going so that's that then. Right I'm going to put dinner on"

"I'll give you a hand. Jennifer followed Ellie into the kitchen. 

Arazona Chapter Seven

Here is Chapter Seven of Arazona x

Chapter 7

There was a knock at the door,

"Come in" Seraphina said. A tall man in military uniform entered the room, "Ah Lieutenant Broderick"

"You wanted to see me My Lady" he said

"Yes, I need you to do me a favour" she told him "My son is up to something on a Friday evening and I need to know what it is. I need you to find out what he is up to, follow him but do not make yourself known" Seraphina told him

"What time does Luke usually leave the house My Lady"

"About 5:30 at the latest, sometimes 5:15, Crystal knows where he goes but she will never tell me, she will never betray her brother"

"Of Course My Lady, please consider it done, I will start this Friday" he turned to leave

"One more thing Lieutenant , you are not to tell anyone what I have asked of you, not my husband, not Luke, not your friends, not even your commanding officer, this is strictly between you and me. I just want to know my son is safe. Report back to me every three weeks" she told him

"Yes My lady"

"You may go know" Lieutenant Broderick gave a little bow and left the room.

Over the next few months Antonia gained more control over her powers, they started to alternate between the weather and nature parts. Lieutenant Broderick followed Luke every Friday to the warehouse but without being inside he couldn't be sure what was going on. He reported this back to Seraphina and told her he would have to find a way in without being seen,

"I may be able to get you an invisibility booster but it will take some time" she told him,

"Yes My Lady until such time I will try to find another way in" he bowed and left the room.

    Another Friday arrived and after six months of training Antonia had managed to control most of her powers. She left work and turned the corner towards the warehouse when she was approached by Fifi

"Where are you going" she snapped

"None of your business" Antonia snapped back

"You're going somewhere and I want to know"

"Leave me alone Fifi" Antonia carried on walking

"If you don't tell me then I'll tell Daddy you're up to something and get you into a lot of trouble"

"Then I'll tell Daddy you've been sleeping around" Antonia stopped

"I have not" Fifi snarled

"Yes you have and I've got the proof" Antonia showed Fifi the pictures, she stood shocked

"You wouldn't" Fifi asked

"Try me, two can play at this game" Antonia told her

"Ok, ok please don't tell Daddy, if you don't I promise to leave you alone forever" Fifi panicked

"Ok"

"What"

"Ok, but if you brake you promise, just once, these pictures are going all over the Arizonian Internet System"

"Deal" Fifi ran off. Antonia raced to the warehouse and asked Luke if there was anything to stop phones from being hacked

"You still have those pictures of Fifi don't you" he asked

"Yes, I'm sorry but I needed something to bite her with" Antonia replied

"It's ok I understand, here take this" Luke took a little device out of his phone and put it in Antonia's "it stops people hacking your phone, I'll get another one when I get home" he gave her a hug which turned into a kiss,

"Oh my god, Antonia I'm so sorry, please forgive me" Luke stepped back after the kiss had finished thinking he had taken advantage of her,

"No need" Antonia grabbed him and kissed him again, he kissed her back and pulled her in close

"I like you Antonia, I really like you" he told her in between kisses

"I like you too" she ran her hands through his hair. There was a loud bang, they both looked towards the door to see it banging against the frame,

"Must be the wind" Luke said arms still around Antonia

"Well it wasn't me" Antonia replied

"I'll go lock the door" Luke walked over to the door, locked it and walked back to Antonia. He kissed her again before resuming her training. Lieutenant Broderick who had acquired an Invisibility Booster watched from the corner.

    Luke gave Antonia a ride to the bar again after their training session had finished,

"So are you going to join Maybelle and me tonight" Antonia asked him

"Sure, why not" Luke accepted her invite and pulled into the Craft Park next to the bar,

"Antonia before we go in I need to warn you about something" he took a deep breath "I can date you but with the way things stand if we ever got married, it wouldn't be until I'm President" he told her, Antonia looked at him "I'm crazy about you, I have been for a while and I'm doing all I can to change the marriage law but I wanted you to know the score before we got into anything serious" he took Antonia's hand,

"It's ok, I know the law and I'm willing to wait that long if necessary, just being with you is going to make me happy" Antonia gave him a little kiss on the side of his lips, Luke smiled

"Can I ask you just one  little thing just so I know I'm not wasting my time. Do you want children in your future because I do" Luke asked her

"Of course I do, I've always wanted children and we're not like those Earthling women we can have children up to the day we die, so there's no rush" she kissed him again " come on I don't want to keep Maybelle waiting" they got out of the Hover Craft and walked in to the bar.

Lieutenant Broderick went to report back to Seraphina straight away,

"He's meeting a woman there you say" Seraphina replied to Broderick after he had started to tell her what he saw,

"Yes My lady"

"Are these meetings professional or of a personal matter" she asked

"Both, they have fallen for each other and this woman isn't of Nobility either" Broderick replied

"Why should that be a problem, I feel strongly the marriage law will be changing soon" Seraphina poured herself a drink

"There is something else you need to know My Lady"

"What is it"

"She's Gifted"

Seraphina spat her drink at the wall shocked at what she had just heard

"She's what" she asked

"Gifted, Luke had been training her"

"Well this is wonderful it's been a long, long time since there has been a Gifted woman" Seraphina said delighted

"But what would President Homestead do to her if he ever found out, my lady"

"I have no idea but I will make sure he does not hurt her. What are her powers"

"Weather and Nature" Broderick told her

"No, it can't be" Seraphina stopped still, she had no idea what to say, it couldn't be, she couldn't be. She turned to Lieutenant Broderick, "what's her name"

"Antonia Birch" he told her, Seraphina wrote the name down

"Bring me the historian" she told him

Lintwood Farm Chapter 17

Here is Lintwood Farm Chapter 17. Enjoy x

Chapter 17 December 1942  

"Martin, Martin the baby kicked" Ellie walked into the living room where Martin was tending to the fire

"Are you sure" he jumped up and placed his hand on her bump

"Of course I'm sure, Chrissie felt it too"

"It's true" Chrissie had followed Ellie

"Oh my god, I felt it, I felt it" Martin gave Ellie a passionate kiss

"Ok I don't want to see any of that" Chrissie turned and walked out of the room. Martin sat Ellie on the sofa

"I can't believe you're five and a half months already"

"I know I can't wait to hold her in my arms"

"Her" Martin looked at his wife

"Just a hunch" Ellie smiled , Martin caressed her bump

"I can't wait either" he kissed her bump then Ellie herself, the baby kicked again and kept kicking,

 "Wow she's strong" Ellie breather in and out "ow, that was in the ribs, that hurt"

"She is going to be amazing or he, I don't know, we will have to wait and see" he kissed her again, there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it" Martin got up and answered the door

"I have a telegram for Mr Martin Dinsdale" the young man who stood at the door handed Martin a telegram

"Thank you" he closed the door and opened the telegram, he fell back against the wall,

"Martin, everything ok" Ellie stood in the doorway to the living room

"Everything's fine sweetie" Martin lied

"Good" she went back into the living room.

"That's it, you need to keep them watered but not too much water you don't want to drown them" Ian was helping Lindsey tend to the vegetables

"Dad I need to talk to you, Now" Martin appeared then ran back to the house

"I'll be back Lindsey"  Ian followed Martin inside who stood in the kitchen telegram in hand

"What is it son" Ian asked

"A telegram came from the war office"

"What, where is it, let me see" Ian took the telegram from Martin and read it

"No, no way, no way in hell are you going to war, no way"

"Dad there is no way out of this, no way"

"Well I'm going to try" Ian grabbed his coat, wallet and hat and headed out of the door

"Dad where are you going" Martin followed him out the door

"To the War Office" Ian replied walking up the drive

"Dad, don't, there is no way out of it, Dad, Dad" but it was no use, Ian was already halfway up the road. Martin watched from the top of the drive before making his way back inside.

"What is going on, why is your Dad off to the War Office" Ellie was stood in the hallway, Martin looked at her

"The War Office want me to go to war"

Ellie stood there looking at him

"No" she finally said

"What, Ellie I have no choice in the matter"

"I don't care, you are not going" she started to sound angry and upset

"Ellie please don't get angry"

"I'm not angry, you are not going to war, no, no, no, no ,no, no, no"

"Ellie I wish I could get out of it but I can't, my dad's going to try but it won't do much good, they need more men out there" they both had stepped back into the living room

"Martin , we have a child on the way, you can't miss any of it, she needs you"

"Still going with 'she'"

"Don't change the subject" Ellie was starting to cry "Martin I can't let you go, it's not fair, it's not far" she tried to stop herself from crying

"Ellie, please don't cry. I know this is hard for you giving what's happened a few years ago"

"Martin I can't lose you, I can't, I need you. When my father was killed it almost destroyed me, I can't imagine what I'd be like if I ever lost you" she began to cry a little more

"Ellie you never told me that, you never showed it"

"I couldn't, with my Mum, the farm, the shop, the family, how could I, someone had to stay strong"

"Yes and you have me, I would have done everything whilst you grieved"

"I know but how can you do all that in the future if you're not here" Ellie burst into tears and ran out of the room

"Ellie" Martin tried to follow but caught sight of Lindsey and Jennifer standing in the hall

"Are you really going to war" Lindsey asked, Martin sighed

"Yes I am" Lindsey's face teared up and she ran up the stairs as well, Jennifer looked at him with a sad expression and followed, bedroom doors slammed. All he could hear were the cries of Ellie and Lindsey.

Martin sat looking out of the window, the telegram open on his lap. He didn't know what to do, he had to go fight for his country, more men were needed and his dad unable to go back again, he was the only other choice. He didn't want to go, he wanted to stay at the farm with Ellie and the baby, he didn't want to leave any of his family. The war had already caused so much heartache, so much devastation he didn't want to be a part of it, but he knew he had to go, he knew he would be called up to fight, just like everyone else,

"Martin" Chrissie stood next to him

"What's up Chrissie" he replied

"Are you really going to war"

"Yes I am"

"But why" she sat opposite him

"Because they need more men out there to fight "

"But you don't have to enrol right, you have a choice"

"Not really, most people get called up to take their part in the war, I hopped I wouldn't but not everyone is lucky enough to get left out"

"I still don't understand why you have to go" Chrissie looked at Martin

"We are in the middle of a war and everyone has a duty to their country and if the war office asks you to go to war you go, even  if you don't want to" Martin kept looking out of the window, he then turned and looked at Chrissie

"Time for dinner I think" he got up and walked into the kitchen .

       Everyone ate in silence, nobody spoke a work, Ellie didn't touch her food, she mainly played with it looking at the floor. Later she sat in her room looking at a wedding picture she had framed,

"Ellie" Martin stood at the door with a plate of food in his hand "Ellie you have to eat"

"I wasn't hungry at dinner and I'm not hungry now" she replied

"Ellie you are carrying our baby, you have to eat" Ellie held out her hand and took the plate Martin gave her

"Ellie please don't be like this, don't hate me"

"I don't hate you" Ellie looked at him "I love you so much, too much to even think about letting you go" she put her empty plate on her bedside table

"Ellie I love you so much as well as our child which is why I have to go, to make sure you two can have the best future possible, same for everyone else who lives here" Ellie moved to the end of the bed where Martin sat and kissed him,

"It's just not fair" she told him

"I know, nothing ever is these days" 

Arazona Chapter Six

Here's Chapter Six of Arazona x

Chapter 6

Luke returned a few hours later, he was told by the doorman that his father wanted to see him in his office straight away,

"Incineration" President Homestead said to  his son as he sat down, General Alcatech and Crystal stood near the President's desk "is one thing that is not permitted outside of work, you of all people should know that" he went on

"If you would just let me explain" Luke started but his father cut him off

"I've heard the story from Crystal and I'm still furious"

"Even in a life or death situation you are not permitted to use incineration unless on the job, I'm sorry Luke but action must be taken" General Alcatech told him

"What my punishment then"

"You have to wear The Cuff for one week" Alcatech told him, he removed a black leather like cuff from his pocket and placed it on Luke wrist, it automatically gripped itself,

"You know what this means don't you son" President Homestead asked his son

"Yes, it means I can't use my power for as long as I wear it, it stops any gifted from using their powers" Luke replied to his father

"It will be removed this time next Sunday" Alcatech said before leaving the room

"Here take this" President Homestead handed Luke a laser gun "you will need to protect yourself with something whilst unable to use your powers"

"Thank you father. It won't happen again I promise" Luke gave his father a little bow in return his father bowed his head. Luke left the room, Crystal followed,

"I wasn't expecting him to give you The Cuff" Crystal told him as they walked up the stairs "anyway I don't get why there is a ban on incineration outside of work"

"Remember the story of Marcus Abnum" Luke said

"Yes"

"Well it's true"

"What, you mean the Blacknorth Estate was actually real and incinerated" Crystal looked shocked

"Yes, it happened 25 years ago, the year I was born. Since then incineration has had to be done under supervision from General Alcatech and I'm no exception" Luke looked at his sister as she took in the story she thought was a dark fairytale,

"What happened to Marcus" she asked

"Currently lock in one of the high security cells wearing one of these" Luke held up his cuff "I need you to do me a favour" Luke asked changing the subject,

"Sure what"

"I need you to get me an electric force shield for Friday, I can't cancel on Antonia and with this cuff I can't protect myself if she lose control" he asked

"Ok, but I'm going to have to come with you, I can't sigh it out and then be seen around the house without it" Crystal told her brother

"Ok then get two just in case, I'll give Antonia a message so she knows you will be there this Friday. See you later" Luke walked through the next door and into his room.

Back in the city Antonia and Maybelle sat in Antonia's kitchen making dinner,

"You got attacked by a Voxhall, are you ok" Maybelle asked after Antonia had told her what had happened that afternoon,

"I'm fine, Luke saved the day. It was so amazing seeing him in action" Antonia into the nearest chair,

"You are so smitten with him" Maybelle expressed

"I am not" Antonia replied

"Yes you are, I haven't seen you like this since your crush on Tony Nicks in eighth year at school"

"Ok yes, yes I am smitten, he's just so and he almost kissed me today" Antonia told Maybelle who stopped what she was doing

"No way, what happened, why didn't you kiss" she sat next to her friend

"That stupid Voxhall attacked didn't it"

"How did Luke defeat the Voxhall anyway, I heard  they're quite difficult to kill"

"It started to get the better of Luke, I panicked and accidentally turned it to ice" Antonia told her

"You what, what happened next"

"Well Luke was going to defrost it but his sister shot an arrow through it"

"Crystal turned up, did she see you and I thought she was a gun person" Maybelle asked a lot of questions

"Yes she saw me and before you start she already knows, she saw me the day I met Luke and I have no idea why she had a bow and arrow instead of a gun" they sat there in silence for a few minutes,

"Luke took the blame for the Voxhall's disappearance, I have no idea how much trouble he's in" Antonia finally said

"Really, wow he's such a nice guy, you're a lucky lady" Maybelle said, Antonia looked at her and smiled.

Friday arrived, Antonia headed straight to the warehouse after work, she didn't even stop to look for Fifi like she usually does. When she got there Luke and Crystal told her about Luke's punishment,

"So you've have to wear this cuff thing all week because of me" Antonia said after they had finished explaining about The Cuff

"Yes I have to wear it but it's not your fault, I'm fine with taking the blame, as long as you don't get exposed" Luke put his hand on her cheek and smiled at her "don't feel bad it's not your fault"

"Ok, do you think they will put one of those cuff things on me if they found out about my power" she asked

"I don't know, I hope not" They looked at each other "so let's get started, so remember what I said last week, keep calm if you start to panic then you're going to lose control, me and Crystal have these shield's I told you about in my message to protect ourselves, so when you're ready" Luke turned on his shield and so did Crystal who stood near the wall to observe. Antonia stood in the middle of the warehouse and began to create lightning balls. Her eyes as she had found out formed lightning bolts across them whenever she used her lightning. She then created actual lightning bolts that hit the floor around her. Luke pointed at his shield and Antonia through lighting at him from her hands that hit the shield,

"Wow these work amazingly" Luke said looking at his shield that had no damage whatsoever. He walked over to Antonia and looked at the scorch marks on the floor, some were lighter than others,

"Wow as well as getting your lighting under control really, really soon, you also have the voltage controlled as well"

"Well you're a great teacher, also I've always found the lighting part of my powers the easiest" they flirted with each other,

"Ok let's move onto storms shall we" Luke walked back to where he had been stood before and Antonia brewed up a storm,

"Great, now I'm going to get wet" Crystal said as the thunder started. Rain started to pour in the warehouse, it started off light and got heavier and heavier. When she stopped they were all up to their ankles in water,

"Ok, so how are we going to get rid of this water" Luke asked remembering he couldn't use his power,

"I could freeze it and try melting it that way, but I'm not sure if I could with so much water" Antonia replied, she looked at Luke

"You're right, the surface area is too big, you could lose control" Luke agreed. There was a beeping sound and the water disappeared. They looked at each other then at Crystal,

"I bought a couple of extra things just in case including a flood disapparator" she told them, Luke and Antonia both smiled at her.

     Luke and Crystal arrived home after dropping Antonia off at Jewel Bar,

"You should have joined her you know, you would have got to see a whole new side to Antonia" Crystal told Luke who had turned down Antonia's invite to join Maybelle and herself  for a drink,

"I know, but the amount of trouble I'm in and the possibility of Fifi hanging around, which she probably wouldn't she probably thinks Jewel Bar is beneath her, it wasn't a good idea tonight, I told her another time though and anyway you turned her down too"

"Yes but I have to have this equipment signed back in by ten o'clock and if I went for a drink I'd lose track of time and get in trouble myself"

"Yeah I think there's been enough trouble around here for a while" Luke laugh

"Where have you two been" Seraphina asked coming down the stairs. Luke and Crystal started at their mother

"Trying out normal weapons and gadgets, thought I'd better give them ago and learn how to use them seeing as I can't use my Power this week" Luke told her

"Ok, well off you go, better get the equipment logged back in" she told her children who whet off towards the house armoury, Seraphina watched them, suspicious about what Luke had been up to,

"I know he's up to something and I will find out" she said to herself

"Everything alright my love" President Homestead said as he stood in the doorway to the living room

"Yes darling everything's fine" she lied

"Come, that Earthling show Silent Witness is about to start" President Homestead held out his hand which is wife took.