2012-08-21 Nothing can stop the Caitlinnaut!

Tuesday night on the street. Wall street that is. The sun has just gone down, and the powers that 
be are leaving the skyscrapers and hitting the bars on the lower levels to blow off a little 
steam, or are heading out to the burbs. It's raining tonight. A heavy, fat late summer rain that's 
driving people from the streets and slowing traffic up just enough to be really annoying.
The bottom floor of the Wells Fargo building has two interesting things. One, is a classy little 
wine bar that is popular with the bankers looking for a quick one before they head home. The other 
is a small branch office of the bank itself, long since closed, that serves the banking needs of 
the movers and shakers of the area. 
Fairchild is huddled underneath the overhang of the Wells Fargo building, trying to ignore the 
dirty looks people give her as they rush out to waiting cars. She is wearing an old army jacket, 
that is a few sizes too small, over a t-shirt and jeans that look like they came from the local 
goodwill. Because they did. Her shoes are mostly duct tape at this point, and she's dripping wet, 
trying to avoid the worst of the weather.
It's amazing, sometimes, how regular clothes can conceal one's identity. It's not that Diana's 
gone out of her way to hide who she is, but take her out of the Wonder suit and out of anything 
remotely Ancient Greek in design, and she's almost unrecognizable. Almost. She's still Diana, 
which means she still carries Aphrodite's blessings. But this means that she's just a very 
attractive woman, rather than -that- particular woman. She walks down the street without an 
umbrella, completely untroubled by the rain. She rather enjoys it, in fact.
 
Sam is in town on another errand--walking back to his truck in the rain. He's not minding it much 
either. A little nature is always a good thing. Sure he's getting wet to the skin, but he'll dry. 
As he swings past the bank, his 'super sibling senses' pick something up and he turns on his heel. 
Sure 'nuff, miserable looking kid there. "Hey," he says to her, keeping his body language relaxed. 
"You doin' okay there?" She's not doing anything like okay, but Sam knows better than to suggest 
it. 
He's not a small guy, but he's definitely not got money and he's got a soft, lazy accent that says 
he's from way out of town. And, it's Sam. He's just got that whatever it is that makes him less-
threatening than your average bear.
Caitlin Fairchild blinks a few times and then grins. "Sam right? Sammy Gummie or something like 
that?" she asks, making her way over a bit and extending a hand. "We met that time the power went 
out and everything went crazy." She huddles against the rain a bit more, and is soaking wet, but 
seems no worse for the wear. New...ish...outfit though. 
It's then that there is a huge crack of thunder from up above. An odd sounding crack of thunder. 
Less like thunder and more like someone punched a hole into a steel vault and then ripped the door 
of the hinges with brute strength. 
People on the street, including Caitlin, all seem to flinch of the thunder sound and the few 
stragglers that are left decide that's the time to get off the street. Save for a few headlights, 
the streets could be empty. Then the sound of shattering glass as huge steel safe door comes 
flying out of the window and starts to skip and hop its way across the street. "COMPUTERS!" comes 
a massive sounding male voice. "WHERE IS THE DAMN MONEY!!!!"
Wonder Woman is one of those people standing still rather than running. Still in 'disguise' 
(mostly black slacks, flats, a blouse, and a jacket) she runs forward, towards the noise, just in 
time to see the huge safe comes flying out of the window. "Well. There goes my quiet night." No 
regrets though. She'd rather be here to confront this than anywhere else right now.
 
Sam remembers her now. He just wasn't looking too closely at the time. There were too many young 
ladies with torn clothes that night and he was trying quite studiously not to focus anywhere too 
much. Place was a minefield, and it wasn't the riots that were the problem. 
"Right, Cait..." Sam's just shaking her hand when the outburst comes. He doesn't flinch as the 
glass shatters but he does drop Caitlin's hand. With one hand, he raises a shimmering shield to 
shelter people from falling glass and he extends his other hand, shooting a ray of gold through 
the rain that expands into a curved shield to stop the safe door in its tracks.
The safe door comes to a halt, and falls flat to the street thanks to Cannonball's shield, and the 
few people around are protected from the falling glass by the same. From the shattered opening, a 
huge hulking form steps through. Wearing a dull red armor, with a dome helmet, this 12 foot tall 
massive behemoth leaps from the 5th story to land on the street, sending massive cracks through 
the cement. A taxi nearly careens right into the man, and a casual backhand sends it jumping up 
the curb and into the stone facade of the bank. "WHERE IS THE MONEY!" he yells again, flexes arms 
muscles that are bigger than most steel girders. 
Caitlin blinks and looks over. Holy hell. What is it about running into Sam Guthrie that brings 
out the crazies. Regular Lois Lane here, folks. "You wanna....or should I?" she thumbs at the 
Juggernaut sarcastically a moment, before pulling off her sodden army jacket and tossing it into 
the back of Sam's truck.
Wonder Woman looks up. And up. Wow. That is one big angry man. Still, best not look impressed. 
Hands go on her hips and she frowns deeply. "They don't keep money on Wall Street," she says, 
raising her voice. "Perhaps if you'd done research you'd know that. But since you didn't and 
you're here, I'm going to have to ask you to give yourself up." One warning. "And stop terrifying 
these poor people."
 
Sam mutters a word or two that would disappoint his Ma as he steps out into the streets. "Y'all 
best clear out," he says to the handful of gawkers who're still hanging around. "This could get 
ugly."
Hell, it's already ugly. Big, red, and ugly. Sam's tracking Caitlin on the one hand and.. there's 
a nice lady looking to get herself squished, if she's average. Sam sizes up her posture and her 
tone and files her away under 'less likely to be squished'. Good thing because there are still a 
lot of people he needs to look out for. He's pulled up his own shield, a shimmer that covers his 
skin. This guy here can hit.
"Beat it princess." the Juggernaut says. He means it as an insult of course, as he almost causally 
moves to backhand her while walking forward.
Caitlin has no idea who this rather brave woman is. But a big guy like that? "Lady MOVE!" she 
yells, charging forward.
Does Juggernaut know how on the money his declaration of 'princess' is? Probably not, he doesn't 
give the impression of being a particularly bright fellow. The casual brush off comes, and Diana 
is able to bat it away with both hands. She's still standing and the Juggernaut took a (light) 
swat at her. And then Caitlin comes charging to tackle her out of the way; it's unneeded, but oof, 
there's the ground. "Thank you, but I was fine..."
 
"Hey. Boyo." Sam is fine with being a target while the girls sort themselves out. He takes off 
from the ground in a rush of light at the same time he drops a shield over Juggernaut. He's 
positive the girls are both stronger than him--exponentially (learned that word from Doug, 
thanks)--so he'll provide a little aggravation and distraction until the ladies can take care of 
business. "Over here." He shrinks the shield down uncomfortably tight around the big guy.
You paged Cannonball with ‘Mind if I have him shatter the shield?"’
Cannonball pages: Yep. It's got an 8 durability so I'd guess he can punch through with some 
effort. It should be irritating, that's all it's meant to do.
The Juggernaut actually looks a little confused as the little raven haired woman bats his strike 
away. He glances at his hand, and then to her, and then to his hand, and then Caitlin tackles her. 
He starts to laugh as the shield appears, and then growls dangerously. "DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?!" 
he yells, squaring his shoulders and just flexing his arms outward against Sam's shield before 
punching it with all the might his frame can muster. The sound is like thunder. 
The civilians have all scattered, leaving the street to the four of them as the massive man steps 
towards the two ladies just as Caitlin is getting back to her feet. She charges the big man, as he 
grins and starts to charge back. They clash for a moment, and the big man plants an straight jab 
that Caitlin manages to get both hands in front of. For all the good it does her. The shockwave 
the punch creates is visible in the rain as the tall red headed woman goes sailing backwards 
through the air to land against a car. Well...more like in a car, as her body rips through the 
roof.
Well, no time to remain incognito. Diana stands and draws her sleeves back, revealing the bracers 
over her forearms. They cross in front of her, arms forming an X briefly before she starts 
spinning, arms hold out from her. Spinspinspin! There's a flash of bright white and the civilian 
garb is gone, replaced by the more familiar Wonder Woman costume.
Too late to help Caitlin block the blow, Wonder Woman runs at first and then takes to the air, 
grabbing at one of the enormous man's arms before he can try to strike again. "I gave you a 
warning. Are you going to listen, or are you going to shout at me some more?"
 
Damn. Sam was right about that lady--nice reveal, too. He's getting better at judging these 
things. He didn't expect Caitlin to make a run at the guy solo. He whips past Juggernaut to make 
sure Caitlin's okay while keeping an eye on the big guy. "Hey, Cait, you all right?" He's a little 
worried about what he's going to find when he looks in the car.
Caitlin groans softly, and sits up, shaking her head. So much for her new(ish) shirt. She sighs as 
the rip reveals what's left of her body armor, a green skin tight suit that has been reduced to 
pretty much an armored bra held together by duct tape. She waves a little stupidly at Sam before 
pushing herself up out of the wreckage. "Not my best move..." she mutters.
Juggernaut has no intention of listening, of course. As Wonder Woman grabs his arm he rolls the 
arm closer to his other hand, trying to make a grab with his free hand. "YOU CAN'T STOP ME! I'M 
THE JUGGERNAUT <beep>!" He doesn't actually say beep. Its just that whatever he was about to say 
is cut off as Catilin steps our of the car wreckage, and the car alarm suddenly goes off.
"So I keep hearing." Wonder Woman uses the arm she's 'holding' to (barely) block the incoming 
other hand and then twists, aiming a punch at Juggernaut's domed head. She's smaller than him, but 
her body possesses obvious strength - but then her strength is magical too, so she is much 
stronger than she looks. Unlike Juggernaut, who's massive and looks exactly as strong as he should 
be.
 
What is it with people losing their clothing? Sam's grateful that never happens to him. If 
Caitlin's up and moving, Sam can get moving as well. He sizes up the big guy and figures that with 
the right angle he can come in and take this yahoo off his feet and up. Once the guy's airborne, 
he should be easier to wrangle. He pulls up, then waits for an opening to go in.
Juggernaut's strength and size are magical as well. The massive man shakes his head as Wonder 
Woman's punch lands square on the helmet, leaving the definite impression of knuckles in the 
metal as the man screams in fury. He doesn't stop moving forward however. The man scowls and grabs 
an empty car one handed, swinging it at the annoying woman like a giant paddle. 
Caitlin starts running back down the street towards the fight, and ducks in low to Wonder Woman's 
being high. She plants a shoulder against the big man's knee, as he is mid-step. The move actually 
makes the tank of a man stop and wobble a moment. Your likely never to get a better opening on the 
Juggernaut than that.
Wonder Woman does not expect that car. She takes the hit and goes soaring much like Caitlin did 
moments earlier, hitting a car further down the road with a sickening crunch. She groans and rolls 
off the ruined car. No alarm on this one, though. And she tries to stagger to her feet, but 
recovery won't be instant.
 
There is one thing in this world Sam does better than nearly anything else. Not quieting crying 
babies, not kissing booboos better, not even making hot chocolate for little girls who can't 
sleep. Running into things. Hard. As Juggernaut wobbles, Sam dives for the ground right in front 
of him like a rocket fired from orbit, breaking the sound barrier in a heartbeat, then pulling up 
to catch Juggernaut in a full-body uppercut going full speed.
It's up, up, up...and he's outta here! One of the Juggernauts few weaknesses is having his 
momentum used against him, and Sam's shot sends the big man crashing out into the bay where he 
hits the water like a...well like a Cannonball. 
Caitlin blinks and turns to Sam. "Wow....nice shot Mr. Gummie." she says, before running a hand 
through her sodden hair and pulling it out of her face.
She turns and thumbs towards Wonder Woman and starts to trot over. "Holy...you're...I know..." she 
stammers, finally get a chance to look at the woman. "Hi." she says at last.
Wonder Woman slowly gets to her feet, shaking her head. Ugh. Migraine for a few days, no doubt. 
She quickly checks herself over - nothing broken. But by the gods that hurt. A lot. She manages a 
smile as Caitlin recognizes her. "Hi," she offers back, offering a hand. "You're a brave young 
woman, sticking yourself out there for a stranger."
 
Sam arcs back around to check on everyone else. He's a little bit... shiny. All that impact didn't 
get put into the thrust he gave Juggernaut--in case he needed it later--and his batteries are 
overflowing. Everyone looks okay, that's good. He comes to a slow landing, quietly, because he's 
polite like that. He doesn't want to interrupt the ladies.
Caitlin can't help but fan-girl a moment as she takes the offered hand. "Thank you." she says, 
flopping her head forward so that her wet hair covers her face for a moment as she blushes a 
little. 'I was just called brave by /the/ Wonder Woman!' she thinks to herself. "Thanks." she says 
again, still shaking the hand and then blushing when she realizes she is still shaking it and lets 
it go a little awkwardly. "Umm...Hi." she starts over. "I'm Caitlin Fairchild." she says, as if 
that explains everything.
Wonder Woman smiles once more at Caitlin, and then at Sam. "Both of you were brave. It's good to 
see people act to help and protect others." It gives her hope that the Amazon mission isn't 
pointless. Her handshake is firm as one might expect. "A pleasure to meet you, Caitlin." She waits 
for Sam to approach before offering him a hand, and a thank you as well. "That was impressive," 
she says, gesturing to show what she means - by the loop she draws out, flying and knocking 
Juggernaut off into the air, apparently. "Are you both all right?"
 
"Just fine, thanks, ma'am," Sam says, shaking Wonder Woman's hand. "Sam Guthrie. Just doin' what I 
do." He turns to Caitlin, then. "I've got somethin' dry in my truck you can throw on there, Cait." 
Poor girl's almost in pieces. "And this time, maybe you'll let me give you a hand. Least a ride 
somewhere. Be right back." He ducks off to retrieve Caitlin's jacket and a warm flannel jacket of 
his own he keeps behind the seat.
Caitlin fingers the rip in her shirt and grins. "Nothing a little duct tape wont fix." she says, 
looking a little sheepish at the put together Wonder Woman. She watches Sam leave and blinks a 
second. "Oh, Guthrie. Not Gummie." she says softly.
Wonder Woman looks over Caitlin's clothing for a moment as Sam fetches a jacket. "I apologize if I 
sound too forward, Caitlin," she begins, "But... you know who I am. My sisters maintain an embassy 
not far from here. If you have a need for anything, you're welcome to come." How many interviews, 
how many papers, have run stories about the Amazons and their desire to help the community around 
them? "We have a few young women staying with us."
 
Sam makes it back with Caitlin's old, sodden jacket and drapes his warm, dry one around her 
shoulders. "If you'll forgive me sayin', Caitlin, you look like you could use a little looking 
after," he says gently. "No shame in it, only that it took this long for someone to get the offer 
to you. I'm sure you'd be real safe there." Whatever she's ducking--and Sam can think of a list, 
some of the options might even be close to the truth--he's pretty sure she'd be better there than 
under a bridge. "If you don't want to go, least let me give you some money and a ride somewhere 
you can be dry."
Caitlin blushes a little at the offer and stammers a little more. "Umm...I don't wanna get you in 
trouble." She says, shaking her head at the offer and running her fingers through her rain soaked 
hair in the process. "I do appreciate it." 
Caitlin looks up at the sky a moment, blinking against the rain before looking at the two. 
Okay...not likely going to be comfortable sleeping much of anywhere outdoors tonight. "Your 
embassy...it's like another country right? It has diplomatic immunity?" she asks, smiling at Sam 
and taking the warm coat with a soft sigh. "Thanks." she mumbles, looking down.
Wonder Woman nods. "Yes. By the laws of this country it's technically the soil of my homeland, 
Themyscira." Diana looks upwards at the falling rain. "And Sam would be welcome to visit you at 
any time," she adds. "Do you need asylum, Caitlin? Is that why you ask?"
 
"You tell her what you need." Sam's seen enough kids come to Xavier's like this, this scared and 
with damn good reason. He'd give her a hug if he didn't know perfectly well it wasn't welcome from 
most kids, not at the start. "If you're runnin' from something, and you're too quick to help 
others out for it to be anything bad, then you take what you can to be safe. You deserve to be 
safe, Caitlin. Everyone does, but most of all those who don't think they have a hope of getting 
there."
"Yeah...I could use a place to shake the....ummmm." Caitlin trails off, and looks around a second. 
"I suppose I should be honest. The C.I.A. is after me, and I don't wanna get anyone in trouble. I 
was thinking about skipping town again anyway...but some new clothes and a hot shower would be..." 
she trails off again before smiling. "Awesome."
She turns to Sam and nods her head in agreement. "You may be right Mr. Guthrie. Maybe a day or 
two?" she offers to Wonder Woman. "And then I'll be off. Like I said, I don't want to get anyone 
who helps me in trouble."
Wonder Woman shakes her head. "A day or two? I won't hear of it." She smiles. "You won't get me 
into trouble, Caitlin. I promise. If it's asylum you want, then you will have it." No doubt her 
liaison will be on her case for this, but well. It's the right thing to do. "Come on, let's get 
you out of the rain..."
 
"Go on." Sam gives Caitlin a reassuring little pat on the shoulder. "Here." He pulls out his 
wallet and a pen from his pocket, scrawls his phone number and email on the back of a pizza 
receipt. "You call me if you need anything from me. I can be there in no time. Meanwhile I gotta 
get back, do some dishes, tell some stories, see the little kids to bed." He offers his hand to 
Wonder Woman again. "Really nice to meet you, ma'am. Thanks so much for everything."
Caitlin takes the receipt and nods her head. "I will Mr. Guthrie. Thanks." she says softly, more 
than a little overwhelmed at the generosity of these two. She puts the number into the jacket 
pocket and gives Sam a weak smile before she turns back to Wonder Woman. "Then...it's asylum I 
want, Ms...Woman?..Thank you." she says, moving to follow Wonder Woman. "Thank you." she repeats 
again, wiping a bit of rain from her eyes with the back of her hand.
Category:Logs
Category:RPLogs