When the dust settled from Muzzle's rampage, any cano-mutants that had not escaped were in serious need of a vet. Parvo and Groomer had escaped, and by all appearances Abby had escaped her icy prison and done likewise.

On the way back to headquarters, the other Rovers asked for the full story from Hunter and Blitz. Hunter gave a straightforward account of how Abby had lured him out to the beach and then decked him. Blitz told a story that was at least ninety percent hot air about playing along with Abby's scheme so he could catch her off guard and then getting ambushed by a bunch of cano-mutants. The truth was Abby had gotten him in pretty much the same way she got Hunter: lured him outside the compound and then knocked him out with a blow to the head.

"You know, it makes sense Abby picked you, Blitz," commented Exile. "You were biggest threat to her."

"Yah, that's what I've been saying," boasted Blitz. "It took her a dozen cano-mutants just to tie me up."

"Bolshoi. You were threat because with you she had nothing to read."

Colleen shook her head as the two continued arguing. "Are you sure those two aren't still puppies?" she asked Hunter. "They seem to have missed a memo or two about maturity."

Hunter grinned, remembering a previous case where Colleen had brought up maturity. "You mean like the cat-chasing incident?"

Colleen grimaced. "Never mind."

Hunter shrugged, then seemed to remember something. "Hey, what did Abby mean about you being jealous anyway?" he asked with piqued interest.

"Oh, uh, nothing," Colleen stammered. It wasn't true, but she just wasn't ready to explain yet. 'Someday I'll tell him,' she thought. 'At this rate, maybe in a decade or two.'

Never trust in skills alone, nor in what can be seen. Men judge by the outward appearance, but He who is wise looks at the heart.

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Thank you for reading my story. I'm glad everyone enjoyed it, and I hope to be able to write more like it soon.