“And you don’t even need a phone booth,” said Hal.

“He doesn’t wear a costume so he doesn’t need to change clothes,” said Laurette. “Or a bat cave to keep his car in. Or anything.”

“But it’s still his secret identity,” said Sin.

“‘By day, a mild-mannered high school track star,’” Laurette fake-quoted. “‘By night, Loki! Mercury! Thoth! Faster than a speeding bullet!’”

“Mightier than a thrown spitwad,” said Hal.

“Able to leap onto curbs in a single bound,” said Pat.

“And look inside the girls’ bathroom whenever he wants,” said Wheeler.

“Eeew, you could,” said Xena. “But why would you want to? It’s poo and pee, just like boys.”

“Not just like boys,” said Wheeler. “Most definitely not.”

“How did we get onto poop and peeping toms?” asked Pat.

“I don’t spy on people without a reason,” said Danny.

“Yeah, like you want to see whether they drop their dirty undies on the floor or put them in the hamper,” said Laurette.

Danny lay back and closed his eyes. “Wake me when it’s over.”

“It’s over,” said Pat. “Because we’re all growing up. Right now. I declare puberty to be finished.”

“I hope not,” said Wheeler. “I was really hoping for more body hair.”

All the girls but Pat said “eeeewwww” at once. Wheeler was delighted.

“I’m supposed to be at track practice but I’ve got to get home and sleep,” said Danny. “It’s getting cold and the sun is still up.”

“Supposed to be a storm coming through tonight,” said Xena.

“Not snow,” said Laurette.

“No, just rain,” said Xena. “To make little things grow.”

“Xena likes to make little things grow,” said Hal.

“As long as they’re attached to Danny North,” said Laurette.

Xena turned on Hal in fury. “Hal!” she growled.

Before she could say anything or throw something at him, Hal moved away. “Why are you going after me? It was Laurette who—”

“Girls can say things like that to each other,” explained Pat.

“I’ve got to go talk to my parents,” said Danny. “And I have to get Veevee to write out an excuse for my absence today.”

“You need to get a nap first,” said Pat.

“Do you think they’re going to do like Zog in Superman II and make the President kneel to them in the Oval Office?” asked Wheeler.

“If they feel like it,” said Danny. “If they even care.” And then Danny said, “They won’t make anybody kneel, but they’ll definitely want to get control of the army and navy and air force and all. Because we’re not immortal, and so we have to know where the weapons are so we don’t get blown up or beheaded while we’re trying to control a clant a hundred miles away. Especially because weapons got really powerful since the Gate Thief closed things down in 632. So you don’t necessarily get advance warning.”