Before the Collision: Maverick Hunter

[Alana Cortese]

"Hm? Trouble? Your grandmother is used to this sort of thing by now..." Alana started brainstorming on who Noland was in trouble with. She had an idea that they're talking about a lady, but she knows absolutely nothing about Noland's current state of affairs.

"Well, I won't pry. Could you heal me so I can get out of here?" Alana requested. "Wouldn't want my parents worrying about losing me again..."

[Noland Hardy]

"Yeah," Noland quickly accepted. He pointed his right index finger at Alana and zapped her with rainbow-colored bio-electricity. Upon being hit by this, Alana gained a rainbow-colored aura. This began to heal her, but Noland wanted to make something clear:

"That'll probably do nothing if there's not already something wrong with your body. If you still feel sick or something like that, I can't fix it," Noland stated. He then went beside her and helped her out of the bed.

[Alana Cortese]

When Noland lightly pulled her out, Alana slowly got to her feet. When she did, something surprising happened. She stumbled. She was caught by Noland thanks to his quick reflexes, but by this point, their faces were...inches apart...

"..." Both of them froze for a little bit. Before things could get weirder, Alana regained her balance and walked around the room to get a feel for her body again. "Okay... I'm okay..." she kept telling herself. "Now just gotta go get Hydranoid!"

She ran off without telling Noland or Allen where she was going. It seems the excitement of her having free movement again was a bit much for her.

[Allen Silva]

Before Allen or Noland took off after her, Allen wanted to say something to Noland. He had a proud look on his face.

"I won't lie to you. It has been a long year. There were a lot of times when I felt conflicted on what I should do. One moment, I'm hanging out with you, then have to make sure you're not around to hang out with her... It was hard, man... I was just about to give up hope on you two," Allen admitted. "...Even though I said that, I don't want you to force this if you're not ready. I got your back no matter what. You know that, right?"

[Noland Hardy]

"Yeah... That's more than I deserve. I feel terrible that you're always putting up with situations because of something that either happened to me or involves me," Noland confessed. "I'm sorry about all of this: me ghosting you after we lost her the first time, trying to kill you, and being caught up in all this drama... I know I apologized for these things before, but right now, I don't think I can apologize enough. I don't know how you put up with this to be honest..."

[Allen Silva]

"Families go through a lot of things and still end up okay. I'd like to think we're one of them," Allen believed. "I hoped so anyway..."

With that said, the original Resistors decided to go to Noland's house. When they arrived, they were welcomed by Noland's gradma and...four guests...

"...Families are supposed to warn each other before walking into trouble, Noland... You let me down..." Allen reminded him. It was Allen and Alana's parents. Alana was immediately smothered by her parents with hugs. Noland and Allen had some explaining to do...

"You know what?" Allen's mother started. "I was really starting to think that the Hurranians would've been the end of these 'saving the world' activities as you'd call it. But then our house got bombarded with media outlets looking for you after you fought an Army General in the middle of the street..."

"See, what did I tell you-" Allen started saying to Noland.

"And the worst part of it is, you were gone all day and didn't even bother calling us!" his mom interrupted.

"Mhm...Noland did the same to me too," Sandra complained. "I get the feeling you two were in on this, so I think you both should be punished together. Doesn't that sound good, you guys?"

[Alana Cortese]

"W-wait! Please don't punish them!" Alana pleaded. "Yes, what they did was dangerous and irresponsible, but...they really went out of their way for me today... Please go easy on them..."

"...Wait a minute..." Sandra realized something... "...Does this mean that you and Noland are..."

"Yes, we're fine," Alana confirmed.

"...Oh, thank God..." Sandra breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Okay, so instead of weeks, you'll both be grounded for one day."

[Noland Hardy]

"...Are you kidding me...?" Noland asked in disbelief that he was getting in trouble at all.

"Consider yourself lucky you're even getting the same punishment as Allen. I know about what you did to Petra. She told me everything. You should be ashamed. How could you do that?"

"You boys just never learn do you? How many times do I have to tell you to keep the ladies happy? I'm in trouble too for defending you. Thanks a lot," Allen's dad complained.

"You keep your mouth shut," Allen's mom told him. "You both better do something very nice for Lana here. She's the only reason why you're getting away with this."

[Alana Cortese]

"Hm? Petra? Who's that...?" Alana wondered out loud. "Oops. Nevermind. None of my business."

"Um, listen, guys, I think you'll find that we're a lot more tolerant of what you do nowadays. Someone's gotta pick up the slack, but we still gotta know where you are and if you're alive, know what I mean? I mean, the battles ended some time ago and we didn't get any updates. We gotta get SOMETHING," Alana's dad rationalized. "If you all can do better with that, I'm sure you'll find yourselves in a lot less trouble. With that said...we owe you guys A LOT. I don't think there's a lot we can say that would express just how grateful we are that you guys were there for her."

"Agreed..." Alana spoke up. "Thank you guys..."

[Kendrick Hardy]

While Noland and Allen were being scolded, Kendrick came downstairs and started walking towards the door. He had his headphones on, so he wasn't really listening to what was going on. Consequently, he started saying something he shouldn't have been saying.

"Petra was really disappointed in Noland today..." Ken started saying out loud without knowing that other people were listening. "Definitely not gonna do what he did whenever I get a girlfriend..."

"Kendrick!" Sandra yelled out. Ken somehow heard that one. He immediately ran towards the front door and realized what he did...

"Oh... Uh...I didn't say anything..." he tried to play off. "Also..." Kendrick could see that Alana and Noland were in the same vicinity and weren't uncomfortable with it. That means... "...If you heard what I said, I'm sorry... Please don't hurt me..."

[Alana Cortese]

"Ohhhh..." Alana finally got her answer as to who Petra was.

"Did I get Noland trouble with her or something?" Alana started to think about. "Maybe it's just better if I let this cool off a bit before I ask... I'd hate to have harmed anyone's relationship..."

"Well, I hate to send you all home on an empty stomach. Dinner's almost ready," Sandra announced. "My famous barbecue meatballs. Any of you want some?"

"Really!? That's my favorite!" Alana celebrated.

"I made it since I bet on you coming back after Petra told me what happened," Sandra admitted.

"..." Hearing that almost made Alana cry.

[Noland Hardy]

For a brief moment, Noland reflected on everything that happened today. Aside from being in trouble with multiple people, he realized that - through the heart-to-heart conversation he had with Alana and from Allen revealing what he has gone through from this whole situation - it wasn't just him suffering from what they said and did to each other. He was certain that everyone shipping him with Alana was why they wanted them talking to each other again. He gained a new perspective from hearing Allen's view. They're family now.

"I've got a second chance with you and everyone here..." Noland acknowledged, but kept to himself. "It's better than I deserve, so...I won't mess up with you again... I promise..."