The next morning, Heather sits on the floor, facing the superhero dolls lined up on her couch.
They’ve been like an advice panel after a restless night of no sleep.
And now it’s finally time to text Jenna…
Heather
I’ve made up my mind, for better or worse.
Heather
And…God, Jen. I’ve never put myself out there like this before.
Jenna
Eeek! Go Heather!!!
Jenna
Just remember that Connor has put himself out there for YOU over and over again.
Jenna
He isn’t a fluke. He’s SO into you.
Heather
Just wish me strength, okay?
Not long afterward, Heather is standing in front of Connor’s fire station.
Her shields are all the way down.
With her hands trembling, she takes a deep breath, then texts him.
Heather
Help. I think I’m in need of a rescue, and Nightwing isn’t the guy for this job.
There’s no immediate answer.
Losing courage by the moment, Heather’s shields start to creep up again…
Then an older fireman wanders out. He spots her and tips up his baseball cap.
Fireman
Let me guess. You’re here just to say hi to Connor?
Heather
You say that like it’s a regular occurrence or something.
Fireman
What can I tell you? The guy’s a charmer.
Fireman
He just walked down to the market. He should be back in a few.
A charmer. How stupid was she for falling into his trap and thinking this was a good idea?
It gets even worse as the fireman looks her over.
It’s clear he doesn’t think she’s as busty or pretty as Connor’s usual type.
But by the time he gets to her face, he’s smiling, almost as if he’s glad she’s here…
Fireman
Are you, by any chance, Heather?
Just as confusion swamps her, she hears a deep voice behind her.
Connor
Yeah, Jerry, this is Heather.
With a gasp, she turns around, finding Connor dressed in his fireman tee and trousers.
He puts down his shopping bag, gazing at her intently.
It’s as if he’s seeing her bare, without anything to cover her own exposed emotions.
Her first instinct is to run, but then he moves closer to her.
Connor
Everyone here knows your name. I can’t stop telling them about this woman I met.
Heather
The plain, mouthy one named Heather?
Connor
No. The one who’s got me so upside down that I can barely function.
Connor
They’ve been dying to meet Heather because they don’t think she’s real.
Connor
See, Jerry — she’s real!
Heather glances over at the smiling fireman to discover a few more guys have wandered out.
She turns back to Connor to find that he’s still watching her with hunger…
Connor
I already told you that you’ve caught me.
Connor
Stop running, Heather.
She blows out a breath, knowing she’s losing…
Or maybe this is what winning feels like…
Heather
You’ve got one more chance to get out of this before I fall.
Connor
Why would I take a chance like that?
Heather
Because I don’t come as advertised.
Heather
I’m not a Captain-ette America or Poison Ivy. I’m a super mess.
Connor
I see the secret identity you’ve been hiding, and I already adore it.
Connor
True, you were hot and amazing in your costumes, but goddamn…
Connor
You’re everything I want in a woman.
Connor
Heather, when lightning strikes like it did with us, everything changes.
Connor
I know that underneath it all, you’re so smart and caring.
Connor
Better than anyone I’ve ever met…
Connor
And I want to find out what else you’ve been keeping undercover.
Heather holds her breath, thinking that she’s going to wake up any moment from a dream.
But all she can do is whisper.
Heather
No one has ever said anything like this to me.
Connor
I’ll keep saying it until you believe it.
He reaches his hand out to her with a hopeful smile.
Her heart kicks as she feels herself losing her grip on her security blankets…
Then in a burst of emotion, she rushes to him.
When he sweeps her into a head-spinning, world-altering kiss, cheers break out.
She and Connor ignore them, finally coming up for air, looking deep into each other’s eyes…
Heather
I believe you, Connor.
Heather
It took someone like you to show me what I’m made of.
Connor
You did that for me too.
Once again, he kisses her to breathless, giddy heights as hot blood surges through her body…
Then, totally high on her hero, she whispers in his ear.
Heather
Even though our identities have been exposed, tell me…
Heather
Could you still get that mask for us?
Connor’s sexy Nightwing smile is all the answer she needs.
