[ WP ] You 're a normal person in a world full of superheroes , and unfortunately , you live right next to a super villain .

`` This is n't what it looks like!'' My neighbor rushed to the fence and tried to explain things to me. She was a *terrible* liar. It did n't help that she was still wearing her gigantic, pink-and-chrome Destructress helmet and costume, and there was some sort of enormous robot emerging from the gaping pit where her pool used to be. 
 
 I took a sip from my beer and got up from my recliner. All I wanted was to enjoy the last bit of summer out on my deck; I was n't looking for trouble. I leaned against the railing and nodded at the giant death machine now towering over us both. `` It *looks* like you're a supervillain,'' I told her. `` Destructress? Pretty awesome. I've seen your work on the news.'' 
 
 She turned back to the robot, then gave me a wry smile and took off her helmet, revealing wavy blonde hair. `` I always was terrible at this secret identity thing. The last guy who had your house found out when my death ray blew a hole through his house.'' She smiled sheepishly. `` Oh, and through his car, too.'' 
 
 I smiled. `` That explains why the garage had recently been renovated, and why this house was for sale way below market value.'' We both laughed; she was actually kind of cute. 
 
 `` You busy with your....'' I trailed off, not quite sure how to describe what was happening here, `` giant... death machine? Or do you maybe have time to come share a beer?'' I held up the six pack enticingly. 
 
 She turned back to her robot, then looked back at me and bit her lower lip. `` The bank will still be there tomorrow,'' she answered. `` I'm Sarah, by the way.'' The giant robot's platform began to sink back down into the yard again; its glaring eyes were still glowing red in the darkness. 
 
 `` Nice to meet you, Sarah.'' I gestured to the gate that led between our yards. `` I'm Anthony. Come on over.'' 
 
 -- -- - 
 
 `` And so I just *threw him through a window! *'' she exclaimed. We both broke out in raucous laughter. 
 
 `` In his own undersea lair?!'' I managed to ask, still short of breath. She nodded, also unable to speak. 
 
 There was a brief lull in the conversation as we both recovered from the laughter. I sipped my beer and cast a sidelong glance at her. We'd spent *hours* out on the porch, and gone through nearly all the beer I had at home, as well as the pizza we'd ordered. The sun had long since set, and the crickets were out in the grass playing a symphony for us. A bright, full moon hung overhead surrounded by twinkling stars. It could n't have been more picturesque. 
 
 `` God,'' Sarah exclaimed, glancing at her phone. Well, it *looked* kind of like a phone, but seemed to have all sorts of other features. `` It's past 1 AM! I did n't even realize how much time had gone by!'' 
 
 `` I know,'' I told her, checking my own watch. 
 
 `` I'm really sorry for keeping you up,'' she said, sitting up from the recliner. `` I know you have work tomorrow.'' 
 
 `` No, no,'' I told her. `` I'll just nap in my office. This has been great.'' My heart hammered in my chest, and I took a deep breath. I put my hand on her arm and looked deep in her eyes. `` I'd really like to do this again.'' 
 
 She looked down at my hand, then back at me. `` I'd like that too,'' she answered. I could see her trying to look calm, but there was definitely excitement in her eyes. 
 
 `` Maybe this weekend?'' 
 
 She bit her lip again. God, that's cute. `` I'd like that.'' 
 
 The air was thick with tension between us. *Should I kiss her*? *Is it too soon for that*? My mind was racing, but I decided to play it safe. We said our goodbyes, and she walked back to her own yard. The pool had re-emerged from the ground and was now full of water looking like nothing had ever happened. I wondered how deep the facility underneath went. She gave me one last wave and stepped inside her back sliding door. 
 
 I waited outside for just a moment longer, wondering if maybe she'd come back out again. But no such luck tonight. So I went back inside too. 
 
 There was a message flashing on my implant communicator. It had been blinking in the corner of my vision for the past two hours, but I did n't dare check it with Sarah still around. Finally, I was able to open it. 
 
 > You make contact with the subject? 
 
 My boss, always so impatient. The League of Virtue is so used to working with super-strong, super-fast heroes that just punch their way in and beat everyone up. Full frontal assault, every single time. And it makes them biased against heroes like myself. Heroes with abilities that are n't as flashy, but still useful. Powers like persuasion that take time to influence a person, though my work with Sarah was going faster than I'd ever expected. 
 
 My eyes flashed on the implant's keyboard as I typed a response. 
 
 > Even better. 
 

