Dove Peace was a very withdrawn young woman. Not like Caroline Masters, who was avoiding the world to avoid harsh words, but to avoid the loudness of the world. Dove Peace’s ability to put anyone into an indefinite sleep was useful, because she enjoyed silence. Actually, it was more that she abhorred noise. That was probably why she was so uncomfortable standing on the 5th Avenue traffic bridge, waiting for William Stafford and their “date” to begin.
William Stafford, however, was uncomfortable for a completely different reason. He was acutely aware that Robert Guillispe was fond of Dove in his own… twisted way, and that he was in Liberi Park watching them. It didn’t help that he was also very fond of the withdrawn young woman.
“Sorry, were you waiting long?” William asked, jogging up to Dove and trying to ignore Robert’s stare.
“Not really. I just wanted to be early, if I was late…” she trailed off. She looked particularly pale and warn out, like she was about to blow away in the breezes the cars picked up.
“Well, I’m glad you weren’t left waiting.” He offered her his arm politely. Dove took it very reluctantly, not quite sure she was going to enjoy being close to William. As it turned out, she didn’t mind as much as she had thought, although she still stiffened considerably and felt like as was about to explode in a panic. William picked up on this.
“Stay calm. If you make everyone pass out the ILUC will get called over hunting for Greyling. Then we’ll lose our cover and won’t be able to do our mission.” He placed a hand on Dove’s linked arm and muttered nothings that sounded soothing. It didn’t relax Dove much, though.
They paid for their museum tickets and discovered exactly why Peter had ordered them to go as a couple. It was couple’s night, and the relics on display all had a distinctly romantic bend to them.
“There’s Eric,” William said, unhooking his arm from hers and taking her hand instead. It was also a good to keep her from bolting at the last second, which she might do.
Eric Fawkes was once again free of Peter, meaning he looked tired a haggard, but relieved.
“You’re after this,” Eric said softly, taking out a brochure and pointing to the largest picture. It was an ornate sealed jar. “Whatever’s in here has Peter’s interest. But we’ve caught wind Albert is after this, too.” Eric put away the glossy paper and put his hands in his pocket. His cell phone was ringing “Amazing Grace”, the song he had ironically applied to Peter.
“Be careful,” Eric bid, turning away from the pair to leave.
“You, too,” William called after him. “I don’t envy him at all,” he said to Dove. She nodded in agreement and swallowed a lump in her throat.
“Well, shall we stake out the area?” he asked pleasantly. It was as if he was actually on a date with her, not planning a heist for a criminal mastermind. “Might as well see if Albert’s in the area, too.” The couple wandered towards the museum’s temporary gallery.
Albert Smith was indeed there, checking the memories of all the guards in the region. Most of them knew very little beyond what not to do to keep the alarms from going off. He needed more information than that if he wanted to succeed. Oh well, at least he had some useful information. Dove and William were around, planning their own theft of the object. What they knew of the security system was what they had seen. Fortunately, Dove had very good observation skills, something William lacked.
“They work well together,” Albert observed, not seeing them with his eyes, but through their thoughts.
“We should probably get into our outfits,” William whispered to Dove. She shivered but agreed. It was now or never. Albert also went to prepare, slipping an old ring on his finger and adding an earring on his left ear. Around his neck was his very favourite piece of jewellery, an amulet he always kept on his person.
Dove emerged from the washroom first, startling the patrons who saw a famed villain coming out of the ladies’ bathroom. William quickly followed, and screams of terror and panic began. Armed guards, expecting this, raised an alarm and then pulled out their weapons.
Now, for poor Dove Peace, who hated noise above all else, this was torture. She doubled over and held her head in her hands. “Shut up!” she howled. That was all it took for her power to activate. In a wave, people began passing out, including William, with only two people unaffected. One was Dove herself, the other Albert Smith.
“Well done, my little duckling,” he applauded lightly.
“Wh-Why aren’t you asleep?” she asked, frightened.
“A useful remnant of my former career,” he replied, holding up his right hand. The ring on his finger glittered with a dark red hue. “Being an archaeologist has its perks, love.” He let his hand down and marched towards the ornate jar. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…”
Dove ducked down and shoved William. “Wake up!” she shouted, watching in horror as Albert took the glass case  over the jar off and William slowly opened his groggy eyes. “Albert’s getting away,” she hissed. “And either Captain Annoying or the ILUC will be here soon enough.” William’s eyes shot open. He stood suddenly, held Dove to his chest, and bellowed, “Stop!” A wave of harsh energy, starting just outside of Dove and William, raced towards Albert. The other glass cases surrounding the artefacts shattered and every alarm in the museum went off. However, the retreating villain was knocked to the floor and the jar hit the ground, undamaged. Surprised but still moving, William released Dove and moved towards the jar.
The pair raced out of the museum, gasping and glancing all around. Heroes were indeed on the way. Dea and Torch were both coming towards them, running down the 5th Avenue Bridge, with an new, obscure hero team coming from the other direction.
Robert Guillispe stood behind them. “I’ll help you,” he offered. “Just keep running, I’ll hold off Dea and Torch for now.” He glared at William. The message was clear. The help was for Dove Peace, not William Stafford or Peter.
“Thank you,” Dove gasped. William shoved the jar into her arms and stood in a fighting stance.
“I suggest you keep your distance from me, Beast. You know what I can do.”
“I wouldn’t dream of getting near you, Anima,” Robert sneered. The young men faced the approaching heroes, ready to fight.