So You Wanna Be a Hero, Kid?

[Gifted]

"Course." Xander said. "You're injured, 'm not just gonna make you tough it out. Even if you did nearly get all of us killed today."

[Raven]

"Is the goal for us to operate independently of you one day?" Ryan asked seemingly out of nowhere.

[Gifted]

"Ideally." Xander said. It was more complicated than that, but that was all they needed to know right now.

[Raven]

Ryan nodded, leaning his head back against the seat. "You told me the team doesn't need another hard ass. If it's all the same to you, I'll leave the hard decisions up to you for now."

[Gifted]

"At least double back or take precautions kid. I could have shot you." Xander said, but he was a lot calmer about it with Ryan than he had been with the others. At least he didn't act like there hadn't been a poor decision, unlike the rest of them. And Xander did have sympathy for his worry about Jason. It was good that the kids were looking out for each other.

[Raven]

"Sir, I respect your decision to have us wait, and I understand the danger it would have put us in if she'd followed us back to the jet. That's why I told you I couldn't be sure she wasn't following us. It was smokey, I was on an adrenaline high. I could have done more to prevent it, in the future I will, but there was no way I could have been sure she wasn't tailing us after the fight today. And I wasn't about to tell you I could be."

[Gifted]

"That you would actually prevent it in the future is all I needed to know." Xander said. "You can make a mistake fine. Just admit you fucked up and you'll do it better next time rather than act like it's not your fault. You get it, we're done here." Xander was actually quite surprised at the maturity with which Ryan had handled it, especially in contrast to Awhina and even Cassie to a lesser extent. He couldn't bring himself to be nearly as harsh. "I'm glad you two are ok." He admitted.

[Raven]

"I've been in worse without a medical team waiting for me," Ryan said. "Jason handled it pretty well, though I'm not sure he understands how bad smoke can get. But I suppose with the medics it should turn out okay."

[Gifted]

"Yeah, I didn't want to listen to you argue over which of you should get treated first." Xander snorted.

[Raven]

Ryan chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't argue about that shit," he promised.

[Gifted]

"He will." Xander said, jerking his thumb at Jason, who was getting put on oxygen by the medic.

[Raven]

"Yeah, I got that impression," Ryan said, smiling. "He's sweet."

[Gifted]

Xander shrugged. "Bit thick, though."

[Raven]

"That can have its uses," Ryan said. "It's good to have a balanced team. Stephanie and Jason balance each other out. Same with Cassie and Awhina."

[Gifted]

Xander nodded. "Someone fills every niche there is. If you all train up right, you could be good. If you people would fucking take it seriously." Xander said, trying not to go too soft on them. This was not a bonding moment. It was not.