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“‘It was much pleasanter at home,’ thought poor Alice, ‘when one wasn’t always growing larger and smaller, and being ordered about by mice and rabbits. I almost wish I hadn’t gone down that rabbit-hole—and yet—and yet—it’s rather curious, you know, this sort of life!

I do wonder what can have happened to me!

When I used to read fairy-tales, I fancied that kind of thing never happened, and now here I am in the middle of one!

There ought to be a book written about me, that there ought! ”

- Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

It wasn’t that the Freedom Squad’s former headquarters was horrible, it was just that she had mixed feelings about spending Thanksgiving in the home of the people who had tried to kill her and destroy the city.

But then again, a lot of people tried to kill her and destroy the city, so if she got weird about them all, there’d be no areas of town where she could walk without feeling bad.

Besides, it wasn’t like they had a lot of choices.

The Crater Lair had been blown up, so the Consortium was currently homeless.

Luckily, they still technically owned the Freedom Squad’s old building, so they were crashing here until more permanent lodgings could be found, or the Crater Lair was repaired.

She lounged back in her chair, casually watching the football game take place on the Astroturf in front of her.

Tyrant and Stacy were currently screaming at each other, because they insisted the other was cheating at the game, despite the blatantly obvious fact that neither one of them understood the rules in the first place.

Their respective spouses calmly chatted on the sidelines, waiting for the game to start again.

Oz appeared from somewhere else in the building, strolling over to where she was seated. Rather than finding a chair of his own, he simply stepped over the back of her lounge and slipped in behind her, so that she was leaning against the expanse of his chest.

She took that as a very good sign.

Oz was really coming out of his shell in regards to the physical contact thing. Well… in regards to her , anyway. He seemed to still treat everyone else with the same degree of disgust as he always did.

“How are you feeling today?” She asked him.

“I’m feeling pretty amazing today.” He assured her, wrapping his arms around her.

She rearranged herself, so that she was basically sitting on his lap.

“You know, as crazy as it is to say, sometimes I think I had to almost die, so that we both could live. I mean, without all of this, I’d still be a mess, and you’d still be barricaded in your apartment, worrying that the acoustic tile on your ceiling might have asbestos in it. ”

Oz was quiet for a beat, then stiffened slightly. “Is that really a possibility?”

She ignored that, continuing on with her point. “But instead, you and I are out there solving mysteries and saving people…”

“I have often wondered about it being a carcinogen, but I hadn’t connected that to asbestos…” Oz thought aloud, his concern over the problem growing.

“In any case, I think this worked out perfectly.”

“I should have it tested again.” He vowed. “You can’t be too careful.”

She made a face at him over her shoulder. “Really?” She arched an eyebrow. “You’re really going to obsess about something so stupid? You should be obsessing about me instead.”

“I’m more than obsessed with you, Nat.” He leaned forward to kiss the side of her neck. “I love you.” He said, like she needed to be reminded of that fact.

“Who wouldn’t?” She teased. “I’m awesome.”

He snorted, lips closing over her earlobe.

She made a low hum of pleasure, tilting her head to the side to give him better access. “I really think this is one of your superpowers.”

“Maybe.” He agreed, pulling her further onto his lap. “Or maybe I’m just finally succumbing to my ‘bad blood’ and dragging you into wickedness.”

She leaned against him, the back of her head resting on his shoulder, as he gently kissed the side of her neck. “I’ll love you, even if you go evil one day.” She told him seriously. “You don’t need to worry.”

“Honestly, when you were evil, it was kinda hot.” He remarked, intertwining his fingers with hers. “I was disturbed but oddly excited.”

She snorted, playfully batting at his hand. “Shut up, I mean it.”

“I’m not worried about going evil anymore.” He assured her, holding her close. “I have you. I’m not worried about anything anymore. I have everything I ever wanted.”

She was snuggled up next to the love of her life, watching her idiot family celebrate the holiday, knowing that they had once again saved the city, even if it had come at a cost.

“Me too.” She nodded, letting out a contented sigh. “It’s… extraordinary.”

“Well, extraordinary is the new normal for us, I think.”

Bridget arrived on the scene, looking upset about something. She flopped down at the long table which had been set up to serve Thanksgiving dinner.

Natalie turned her head to look at her, unwilling to actually leave Oz’s lap. “Problems, Bridge?”

The woman flipped an annoyed hand, scooting her chair so that it was closer to Julian’s.

“At this morning’s press conference, Kass decided it was time to teach the Bell brothers about the importance of ‘speaking with inferiors’ and then announced to the reporters that he would immediately execute the first person in the audience who stopped clapping for him when his statement was done. ”

Julian lovingly put his arm around Bridget, taking on a thoughtful expression. “It is important to learn how to speak with creatures lower than yourself…” He pursed his lips. “…And there are few things lower than a surface-dweller…”

“He made those poor people clap for five and a half hours!” Bridget protested. “They were all too afraid to stop! If Harlot hadn’t broken it up, they’d probably still be there!” She rapidly shook her head. “You just can’t do that! Reporters don’t like it!”

“I will tell them what to like.” Kass announced, taking his seat at the table.

“Yeah!” Rayn agreed, snuggling up next to her husband.

“Reporters are all communists.” Roach decided, already helping himself to mash potatoes.

McPherson looked deeply unhappy about being stuck with them today, standing away from the table, as if afraid to get too close. “ You people are dangerous.”

“In the right circumstances, a paperclip is dangerous.” Marian informed her, sitting down at the table, finally finished watching that kid’s movie where Santa Claus fought the Devil in Mexico City, with the help of Merlin the Wizard.

Cynic watched it every year, for some reason.

“All behavior and morals are situational. That is the entire basis of the law.”

Cynic strolled past his wife and casually undid the tight bun Marian’s hair was secured in, just to be annoying.

His fingers slid through the now free blonde strands worshipfully, and he pretended not to notice the playful mock glare Marian flashed him.

“Well, there’s a little tidbit you won’t find on Sesame Street, Sweets. ”

“Jesus fucking Christ!” Poacher flopped down into his seat, sounding irritated. “Are you really bashing Sesame Street !?! Henson was a fucking god, man.”

Amy nodded. “While I disagree with Sydney’s well-intentioned blasphemy, I do agree that Jim Henson was a remarkable entertainer.

” She smiled at Poacher sweetly, carrying out one of the turkeys she’d prepared and placing it on the table, before going to retrieve another.

“It’s so nice of you to remember a fallen icon like that, Sydney. ”

“Fuck him.” Emily tossed a bag of frozen peas onto the table, which were still frozen, and a pan of what appeared to be her deadly meat loaf. “ Dark Crystal still blows.”

Poacher grabbed his silverware, preparing to eat everything on the table, up to and possibly including the silverware. “You’re out of your goddamned mind, blondie.”

“I killed a dude with a paperclip one time.” Natalie told no one in particular, dragging Oz towards the table and taking their seats.

“The guy was like…” She wrapped her hands around her own throat and then trailed off smiling.

“He kept trying to…” She began to snicker as she rocked back and forth frantically, making a choking sound.

Her chuckling became full-fledged booming laughter.

Roach howled along in utter hilarity, finding her sense of humor delightful.

Oz looked down at the tableware which was arranged in front of him, a frown creasing his handsome features.

“Whose silverware is this?” He asked suspiciously.

“Did this come from the Crater Lair, or was this in the Freedom Squad building when we took it over?” He shook his head, looking wary.

Like his fork would somehow gain sentience and spring to life at any moment, attacking him before the food was even served.

“Because I don’t think we should use it if its origins are unknown. ”

Natalie clapped him on the back in complete adoration, loving the crazy way his mind worked. She leaned over to kiss him, her tongue pushing its way into his mouth and staking her claim. “I think we’ll be fine, Baby Doll.” She assured him teasingly.

Harlot took her seat at the head of the table, beside her father and her husband. “A toast…” She announced.

Kass watched in irritation as Stacy raised her glass. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if your bride is too young to drink the champagne at the reception, she’s too young to get married.”

Hazard turned to glare at him. “What business is it of yours ?”

Kass pointed at Stacy. “That girl is my daughter in every way that matters.”

“Absolutely.” Stacy nodded in total agreement. “Except biologically or legally.”