Author's Note: I apologize for not updating this story sooner. I lost my original inspiration for the story and it took me a while to figure out just what to do with it. However, I have now completely planned out for this story to have at least 10 chapters; it may end up being more, depending on how long the chapters turn out.

This story was formerly entitled "The Pain of Our Hearts"; due to my changed plans for the story, I have given it the new title "The Life of a Hero".

Chapter 2: Best Friends

Wheeler, Linka, Gi, Kwame, and Ma-Ti managed to beat Looten Plunder and didn't call Cap until Linka had used her ring to blow some of the smog out of the area. Cap cleaned up the toxic materials, disposed of them properly, and shut down the eco-villain's mining platform. Unfortunately, Looten Plunder managed to escape.

"Aw, man!" Wheeler cried. "He got away!"

"Yes, he did, but at least we are all to beink all right," Linka reminded him. He smiled as he slid an arm around her waist, and was shocked when she made no move to get away from him. But he quickly hid that surprise.

"I guess you're right, babe," he agreed.

"She is right, Wheeler," Kwame added.

"Yes, we were able to successfully shut down Looten Plunder's operation before anyone got seriously hurt," Ma-Ti pointed out.

"And we did it together!" Gi finished triumphantly.

"You are all right," Cap said, praising the group. "If all of you work together, then you'll be able to do much more than you would each be able to do individually. You can do anything. I truly believe in all of you. Remember, as I have said before, the power to make a change lies inside you," he continued, putting a hand over the area where his heart was as a gesture, "not in your rings. Always remember, the power is yours!" he cried as he jumped into the air, the powers separating themselves and returning to their respective rings.

--

A few minutes later, Cap came out of his recharge state, only to find that Gaia was waiting for him, something that was rather unusual to him.

"You work yourself way too hard, Planet," she murmured, clicking her tongue. "You push yourself until you have almost nothing left. I worry about you."

"It's fine, Gaia… someone has to protect you, and no one else has the ability to do so!" he replied, moving toward her.

"Perhaps, but that doesn't change the fact that I don't like it. I don't like you putting yourself in so much danger," she asserted, feeling her chest tighten a bit. And yet, she knew this time it was NOT the result of a pollution outbreak.

As Cap gazed at the woman before him, touched by her concern for him, his throat choked up a bit, and he had to clear his throat before he could speak. "Don't worry about me, Gaia," he said gently, hugging her in an attempt to assure her that things would be okay. "I'll try to be more careful from now on... I promise you that I will try."

Gaia sighed softly, hugging her friend back. "I hate it when you do that," she muttered under her breath, though she couldn't help smiling.

Cap pulled away, grinning widely. "And yet somehow I still manage to get away with it," he teased her, laughing. Gaia shot him a playful glare.

"Keep it up, Planet… I can't guarantee what'll happen to you, though!" She chuckled slightly before calming down. "Honestly though, you deserve a day off once in a while." She thought for a moment before snapping her fingers in a sudden inspiration. "I know! The Planeteers will be celebrating Thanksgiving in a few days. I'm sure they wouldn't mind having an extra guest or two," she suggested, smiling at the blue superhero. "I'll be right back!"

Gaia disappeared for a few minutes, presumably to talk with the Planeteers. Then she returned, a triumphant smile on her face. "It's settled!" she announced proudly. "The Planeteers have invited the both of us to spend Thanksgiving with them. They'll summon us both when they're ready for us, and since neither of us require food, it makes their planning much easier."

Cap smiled at the thought of spending time with the Planeteers. It DID sound like it would be fun. "All right," he agreed, "I'll go with you; but you play really dirty for the spirit of the Earth!" The pair laughed as they moved to find a place where they could spend some time talking and reminiscing, both feeling strangely glad at the opportunity to spend an afternoon together. Being so near to each other made them both very happy, as it always did, and perhaps that was why they spent so much time together. Neither of them required anything but the other's company; they were content simply to be together.

Please leave a review! Chapter 3 will be about the party!