“Elastigirl?” the court officer called. Helen nodded and walked into the courtroom. Only a few people were inside; a gray-haired judge in a black robe at the bench, a younger man with large blue eyes and a crisp suit--the NSA’s lawyer, Michael Bertucci--and Winston and Evelyn sitting in the front row, Winston in a dark blue suit and Evelyn in a modest black dress with a gold belt and earrings. Evelyn’s hair looked less messy than usual, but not what Helen would call neat. Helen took her place in the witness box, from where she could see the Deavor siblings’ faces. Winston was looking at her hopefully, and Evelyn…

Evelyn was milk pale, her blue eyes glazed and staring into the middle distance, and there were dark circles beneath them. Her face had an almost pinched look to it, as if she had rapidly lost weight that she hadn’t had to lose in the first place. Helen hardly recognized the woman who had been her lover.

“Elastigirl,” said Bertucci, “we have heard testimony from Evelyn Deavor that she served as your caretaker for several months while you were incapacitated.”

Helen looked at Evelyn, who may as well not have heard the lawyer’s words. “Yes,” said Helen. “I stayed with Miss Deavor after Kurt Marcus, also known as the supervillain Reducto, used a device to remove my superpowers.”

“And you chose to stay with Miss Deavor despite her history of villainy, including kidnapping you?”

“During the...kidnapping, Miss Deaver expressed remorse for her villainous actions. She provided me with food and water before returning me to my home,” Helen demurred. “I believed she genuinely wanted to make amends.” She kept her eyes on Evelyn as she spoke; Evelyn didn’t react.

“And this...remorse led you to believe that staying with her while you were without your powers was the best option?” the lawyer pressed.

“That’s personal,” said Helen firmly. “I thought we were here to talk about Miss Deavor’s behavior, not mine.”

The lawyer looked irritated. “Miss Deavor is a known hypnotist; unless I’m mistaken, she hypnotized you. Did you choose to stay with Miss Deavor of your own free will, or was hypnosis involved?”

“There was no hypnosis involved,” said Helen, unable to keep the edge out of her voice. “Staying with Miss Deavor was entirely my choice.”

The lawyer looked even more annoyed, but moved on. “In that case, could you describe Miss Deavor’s behavior toward you while you were staying with her?”

“When I first arrived at Miss Deavor’s residence, I was...despondent,” said Helen. “I didn’t want to do anything but lie in bed. She made sure I ate and bathed. Once I was feeling better, she bought me new clothes, since I didn’t feel comfortable wearing most materials without my powers. She learned to cook more meals for me. She even adopted a cat to help provide me with emotional support.” Helen paused. “She was an excellent caretaker.”

“Did she encourage you to have contact with the outside world, or did she try to isolate you while she was ‘taking care’ of you?” Bertucci asked.

Helen frowned. “I didn’t want to talk to anyone else. But she encouraged me to speak to my family.”

“What else did Miss Deavor do to provide care and support?” the lawyer asked.

“Bought me books,” said Helen. “And not only did she cook for me, we cooked together. She taught me a family recipe for carrot salad. She...comforted me when I had nightmares. Not to mention she saved my life.”

“She saved your life?” Bertucci repeated.

Helen nodded, twisting her hands in her lap. “Not only did she bring me to the hospital as soon as I began decompensating, she was the one who figured out Reduc--er, Kurt Marcus’ method for removing superpowers and reverse it. Without her, I wouldn’t be here.”

Bertucci nodded. He asked Helen a few more questions, but he seemed convinced. He went back to his seat.

“Well, I’m satisfied,” said the judge. “Evelyn Deavor, the range of your permitted movements is hereby extended to 1.5 miles in addition to certain routes that will be further specified by the NSA. However, you are still barred from all institutions of scientific research. These proceedings are adjourned." The judge banged his gavel.

Evelyn's head bowed slightly; Winston hugged her, and she hugged him back, the gesture stiff and mechanical.

Helen stepped down from the witness box and walked over to the Deavor siblings. Winston shook her hand emphatically with both of his hands. “Thank you,” he said earnestly.

“I just told the truth,” said Helen. She looked over Winston’s shoulder at Evelyn. She was even thinner than Helen remembered her being, her collarbones and cheekbones alarmingly protuberant. She was still staring emptily into the middle distance, even as she said dully, “Thanks. Now we can start the hero training center.”

Helen rested a hand on Evelyn’s shoulder; Evelyn didn’t respond. “Evelyn, can we find somewhere private to talk?”

Evelyn’s gaze found Helen’s face for the first time that day. “Are you the only super here?”

Helen understood that Evelyn was asking if her husband was around. “Yes,” she said. “Maybe we can go to the women’s bathroom?”

Evelyn nodded. She looked over and Winston and said, “I won’t be long.” Winston gave his sister’s shoulder a squeeze.

Evelyn followed Helen to the women’s restroom. There was a small vestibule before the room containing the stalls; Helen paused there and took Evelyn’s hand. “Hey,” she said softly. “Can I hug you?”

“Only if you’re okay with me crying all over you,” said Evelyn, her voice still cold and distant.

Helen took that as a “yes.” She wrapped her arms around Evelyn the way she had wanted to when she hadn’t had her powers, her arms encircling the other woman three times, one hand cradling the back of Evelyn’s head. She had forgotten how soft Evelyn’s hair was.

Evelyn rested her head on Helen’s shoulder. Helen could feel Evelyn trembling, but she still said nothing.

“I’ve missed you so much,” Helen whispered.

“Missed you too,” said Evelyn, her voice choked. “You might want to let go of me, though. Don’t want anyone seeing us.”

Reluctantly, Helen unwrapped her arms from Evelyn, who went to the vanity and used a paper towel to wipe her face. “Thank goodness for waterproof makeup, right?” said Evelyn grimly.

Helen swallowed. “You’re so thin. Have you been eating?” Evelyn shrugged, and Helen continued. “I taught you how to cook a few things...”

“Making those things reminds me of you,” said Evelyn bluntly. “It’s easier if I don’t think about you.”

“Evelyn…” Helen began, but Evelyn cut her off again.

“I’m fine. Okay, I’m not fine, but I will be. Most people deal with their first breakup when they’re teenagers, or maybe when they’re in their twenties. I’m dealing with it now.” Evelyn took a deep breath. “I’ll get over it.”

Helen’s throat felt dry. “What’s your Hebrew name?” she asked softly.

Evelyn snickered. “Planning on reciting the Mi Sheberach for me?”

“Yes.”

Evelyn didn’t say anything for a moment. “I’m not sick. Just...sad.”

“It can also be recited for emotional challenges,” Helen reminded her, and a ghost of a smile appeared on Evelyn’s face.

“And I thought you didn’t practice much,” said Evelyn.

“I still recite the Shema now,” Helen replied, her voice soft.

Evelyn sighed. “Tikva Amarli. My Hebrew name is Tikva Amarli.”

“Tikva Amarli,” Helen repeated. “That’s pretty.”

“I should go,” said Evelyn. “Now that we can plan the super training center, Win’s going to want us to started. And I don’t want him to...suspect anything. About us, I mean. I think he already thinks something’s up.”

“You’re not...um…” Helen floundered for words.

“I’m not out to him, no,” said Evelyn. “I’ve already lost my parents, and you. I don’t want to lose Win too.”

“You really think he’d reject you?” asked Helen. “He loves you.”

“He loves DevTech,” said Evelyn. “He’s trying to push this...this redemption arc story for me now, with the training center and saving you and everything. That way he can bring me back on as designer. But there’s no redemption arc for being gay, unless you count conversion therapy, and I’m not doing that.” She headed for the door. “I’ll pet Sabina for you.”

“Bye, Evelyn,” said Helen softly, watching her ex-lover go.