It was an amazing battle. Neither of us were seriously injured and all foes were apprehended and taken back to the Zig for processing. A surge of emotion over came her as she looked at her partner as he brushed off the dirt from his lapel and proceeded to light a cigar.

"Well, that was it, the last time I was going to deal with this crap in this city," he uttered in disgust as he puffed on his cigar.

"Oh, come on it wasn't that bad!" she retored and turned away, remembering the same conversation the day before that, and the day before that. As she continued to walk away, she tossed a look back to him smirking. A tired look from him was all he needed to show her. He was done. He was really done.

"Babydoll, it's over. I can't keep doing this. Risking our lives for what seems to be little payback," he confessed. She knew he'd been feeling this and she knew it was just a matter of time. She just didn't know if she could accept his retirement from crime fighting.

"But..." she began to say tears welling up in her eyes, "No, please don't try to convince me otherwise, " he interrupted abruptly, "I've made up my mind. You know this. You know too many times we almost didn't make it out. I will always be here for you. I just can't do this anymore. I'm truly sorry."

She felt her knees buckle and her heart sink. She wasn't just losing a partner in crime. She was losing the love of her life. She sank to ground holding herself, weeping not for the loss of her best friends retirement from crime, but for her own loss. He knelt down in front of her and held her closely. "Forgive me, I just have to do this," he muttered softly into her hair. She believed him. She had to believe him.

As he stood up, he reached out his hand to her and said, "Come, I'll take you home. One last time." She smiled up at him with her tear stained face, took his hand and managed a quiet response, "It's ok Thunder. I know the way."

As she leapt away, she wondered if she could make it on her own. She smiled as her mind was flooded with memories of them saving the city and on more than one occasion, saving each other. She only hoped that he would be safe and would call on her if he needed her.

As she leapt out of sight, he looked down at his hands, which were still showing signs of his powers. He knew he needed to stop fighting crime. He knew how much it hurt his partner. He vowed to keep in touch and if he needed her, he knew where to find her. He closed his fist rapidly and the electricty was gone. He smiled to himself and puffed on his cigar.