Disclaimer: This story is mine. I wrote it several years ago, and decided to upload it for fun. So don't be a jerk and steal it.

Warning: This story contains violence, swearing, and bursts of badassery. Tread with caution.

The trip back to the house was a quiet one. Everyone was still keyed up from the earlier incident, and the anticipation for the group inquiry only helped in keeping the tension high. When they finally reached their destination, the redhead stalled for a bit more time in the form of asking to go to the washroom. She was granted her request, and so she fled to the bathroom, all too aware of the seats that filled up behind her.

Lolly splashed water on her face in an attempt to calm herself. She needed to be in control of her emotions during the questioning. No matter how everyone reacted, she had to stay unruffled. To fall apart meant certain disaster.

Before long she admitted to herself that she'd gone over the normal amount of time one would take in the lavatory. She wanted to disappear entirely, but steeled herself to turn the doorknob and exit the washroom. She had to do this; she owed them that much. With a deep breath, she made her way back to the living room.

They were still seated, and all four of them turned to look as Lolly entered. She did not make eye contact with them as she sat down. Staring at the carpet, she tried to swallow the lump that formed in her throat. As soon as she managed to do so she slowly raised her head and glanced at her questioners. "Well… what would you like to know?"

A flood of words and sentences streamed out from each person, not stopping until they ran out of air. Lolly's head was spinning by the time they finished. "Um… sorry. I missed a lot of that. Could you maybe ask one at a time?"

Her father, Cole, gave the first question. "How long have you had your powers?"

"I'm not sure," she began honestly. "I believe I've had them since birth, but I didn't realize I had them until later on in life. I'd always found it odd that I was better than the boys my age at physical labor, and later on, fighting. It wasn't until I awoke one night floating above my bed that I knew I had powers. I tested them out the next day. So I was twelve when I became certain of it."

Her mother went next. "And why did you keep it a secret from us?" Of course she was the one to seem the most irritated by everything.

Lolly sighed. "I did not want to be barred from using them. I wasn't sure how father would've reacted, but I knew you would say I couldn't."

Aileen looked quite offended by her daughter's statement. "I would not. I would have supported you!"

Lolly couldn't help it; she scoffed. "Really mother? You already disliked the idea of female superheroes. After all, if there were to be superheroes they should be men. Women shouldn't do men's work." She made air quotations when she said men's work. "You already considered me a failure as a woman and as a daughter. I didn't want the one thing I really liked about myself to be spoiled by that kind of attitude… not that it matters now."

It finally hit Lolly now. She really lost her powers, and wasn't going to get them back. The one thing that made her special was gone. She was… ordinary, plain, boring. What did she have to offer the world now? What did she have to offer her family?

"Lolly I-" her mother began but she cut the woman off.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I shouldn't have said that." The redhead struggled to restrain herself, but the force of her emotions took her by surprise. She hadn't expected this, and now she couldn't hold herself back anymore. "I'm sorry."

"Sweetheart," Aileen cooed softly. She wanted to soothe her, but stopped abruptly when she saw that Lolly was crying. When her daughter only continued to apologize the woman was concerned. Why was she so hysterical? It wasn't long before the answer was provided.

"I'm sorry for keeping it a secret, for lying to you all of these years, for not doing what you told me to. I'm sorry for not trying harder, and for making things difficult for you all. I'm sorry for being a bad daughter, a bad sister, and a bad girlfriend. It must have been terrible putting up with me. I'm sorry. I-"

Cole pinched Lolly's nose, causing his daughter to sputter to a stop. "Well that's enough ridiculousness from you. What makes you think you've been a bad daughter? I've always loved you just the way you are. I think you're a wonderful daughter- couldn't ask for a better one, no offense Lirit."

"None taken," the elder sibling said.

"Anyway, I've always thought you and I had a really good relationship. I've always liked the fact that you weren't um… the most feminine of girls. I like having someone to help me with my work, go fishing with, and all of that. And the fact that you were the Crimson Clover is a pretty awesome thing too. I mean, how many fathers can brag that their daughter was once a superhero, huh? I'll tell ya, not many."

Cole finished there, and Leith took over. "I understand why you kept it a secret. Being a superhero isn't an easy thing, I'm sure. You didn't tell anyone because you were afraid of being rejected, am I right?" Lolly's facial expression showed that his hunch was indeed correct. "Well I'm not angry at you for keeping it a secret. Had I been in your shoes I would have probably done the same thing. I'm happy that I know now though." He smiled at her. "I love you Lolly, and the fact that you were a superhero doesn't take away from that. It only wows me even more."

"And," Aileen struggled to find the right words. "Even though you aren't a domestic housewife I am still proud to have you as a daughter. We may not see eye to eye on most things, but there are qualities you have that I find very admirable. And where we disagree… well your father is happy with you being a tomboy, and Leith loves you the way you are. I guess I just need to get used to the idea that you and I are very different. That doesn't mean you're bad!" She wanted to assure Lolly of that fact. "You're just different."

Lolly was taken aback by their words. She had not expected them to feel this way, quite the opposite. Despite the joy she felt by their responses, there was still an empty space. "I'm glad you all except me. I just… I wish I'd told you all sooner. Maybe if I had things would have turned out differently and I would still have my powers. They've been such a huge part of my life for so long that it's hard to imagine life without them. I don't know what to do now that they're gone."

It was at this point that Lirit decided to speak. "I had a feeling you were hiding some big secret. I also knew you were suffering throughout different times in your life. You've always tried to hide it, but you could never hide it completely- not from me at least." This information surprised Lolly. "However, even though I could see the pain I had no way of approaching it. The only thing I could do was sit and listen to you. Now you're in pain again…"

Lirit trailed off and smiled. "But this time I am fully aware of your feelings. I can finally do more than just sit and listen; I can tell you how I feel. I love you Lolly. You are the best sister anyone could ask for and I am very lucky to have you as mine. I am proud of everything you are, have been, and will become. I've always admired you, and wished to be more like you, ever since we were children. You being the Crimson Clover has not increased, nor decreased those feelings. With, or without powers you'll still be a hero to me. That fact won't ever change. So don't be so hard on yourself."

Lolly was speechless. She never expected Lirit to think so highly of her. She always thought she was the annoying little sister that complained too much. Her sister's confession, as well as the others, deeply touched her. She thanked them all.

That night, she thought about the events that had taken place. Now that things were out in the open everything with her family was sure to get better. As for her being a superhero, Lolly decided that she didn't need to be super. Lirit's declaration had really struck a chord with her. She could still be a hero, not only to her sister, but to others as well. She just needed to stay true to herself and things would be all right.

The next day Lolly arrived at the breakfast table positively glowing. She'd never felt so good in her entire life. She sat down and fiddled with her new engagement ring as she waited for her mother to be finished cooking. Across from her, Leith smirked.

"So what does the paper say today Dad?" Lirit inquired after she too sat down.

"Hmm…" The bald man shook the paper a few times before responding. "It says here that the ESRC was destroyed last night by some unknown force. There were no casualties, but the damage is so extensive that none of the equipment can be salvaged. They believe it was a person, or group of people, but currently have no suspects. They ask for anyone with information regarding this matter to please contact the local police department." Cole glanced over at Lolly.

Noticing multiple pairs of eyes on her, Lolly shrugged. "It's not my fault my friend got a little overzealous with the job I gave her." When asked about Dallan she couldn't repress the grin that broke out on her face. "He's currently in a tropical paradise, far from technology and civilization of any kind. It's a place where he can relax in peace for the rest of his natural life. I'm sure he'll love it."

Cole nodded, and turned to Lirit. "Looks like you'll be needing to find yourself a new husband then."

Aileen jumped at that idea, rapidly going into planning mode. "I know some wonderful men around your age that would be positively thrilled to meet you, Lirit. Would you like me to make the arrangements?"

Lirit looked at her mother like the woman had just sprouted two heads. "No thank you, mother. I'm sure I can manage."

Lolly rolled her eyes as Aileen proceeded to bombard Lirit with the same attitudes and lines that she would throw at Lolly. Even though they'd had a heart-to-heart last night it seemed nothing had really changed. Seeing Lirit shake her head at their mother's antics, accompanied by their father's stifled laughter, Lolly smiled. Perhaps that wasn't a bad thing.

End Note: The End! It's over folks. I hope you enjoyed it. Do you think you could let me know in a review or comment? I'd greatly appreciate it.