Two can play that game

Raquel remained quiet once Patricia and Michael verified this shocking news, or at least it was shocking to her. She was standing there motionless as the crucified statue at the altar. Michael and Patricia passing her. Darry just stood there next to her, confused about Raquel's upcoming thoughts. By the expression on her face, Darry assumed that she was quite calm about the news, so he walked up to her, trying to comfort her.

"Are you gonna be okay?", Darry asked, putting his hands over her shoulders. He stood behind her because of his excessive sweating, speculating that she wouldn't notice it, but Raquel could feel the tension and heat from him down her spine. She could smell fear, like a wolf. Raquel took a huge deep breath to recover, wanting to prevent herself from fainting right there in the chapel. Her sight was clearing from the darkness. She looked back up at Darry with a warm smile, wanting to witness his fright. Her smile was bright and innocent like always.

"I'm fine, Darry. We should be going back to the festivities."

"We shall.", Darry was surprised at how sympathetic she was. At first, he thought his act wasn't going to conclude smoothly, but it did, easily, and quickly. He grinned at himself wickedly for the game that he played, wiping some sweat off of his forehead, leaving some on his sleeve. He turned around to walk down the hallway. Raquel still smiling at him. Darry felt more comfortable than a minute ago. Seconds later, he stopped instantly. His mouth opened wide. His body was still as the ice sculpture outside. What made him stop at his tracks?

"Such a playful dog, aren't you?", Raquel whispered in his ear., "'Now.....watch me bite."

Darry's eyes glanced down below to see her long nails relaxed across his neck. He went from relaxed to afraid in an instant. Behind him, Raquel's eyebrows began to lower into rage once more. Her nails slipped quickly across his neck. A second later, his shirt was stained in rouge, dripping profusely like water out of a gutter. Darry felt more pain than the punch he received earlier. He fell to the ground, staining the floo. While holding on to his neck, He began to cry in tears.

Raquel walked up to him, still angry, grabbing his shirt. Channeling her animal ability, she effortlessly lifted him from the ground, hurling him across the hallway with a loud grunt. Colliding to the wall, Darry screamed in much worse pain, landing on the ground once again. Raquel dashed towards him at high speed while he was beginning to raise to his feet, looking at the ground and not wanting to see Raquel's fearful eyes. Once she approached him, she grabbed his entire face with her right hand, and threw him to the wall with so much strength that the walls couldn't take it, breaking a part, and leading the two into the bathroom.

Landing over him, Raquel began scratching rapidly at his face with her nails. His hands wanting to guard it, but her nails cut them as well. He had no idea how furious she was at him. The more cuts she made, the more blood that Darry drew for every amount of vengeance she acted upon.

She finally raised herself up from the floor, picking him up in the process. Making this last attack count, she channeled her inner-ability, raising him up to the ceiling, and like a horse, jump kicked him with both of her feet. The impact caused him to fly so quickly that he landed his head with blunt force onto the bathroom sink, cracking the back of his skull, and rolling over to the ground until he finally stopped on his stomach. Blood still dripping on the floor.

Raquel took off her bracelet that he gave to her as a gift, throwing it to the corpse. She took one last look at the conniving bastard, before exiting the chapel, and the wedding. She was back to square one again, for the third time. Roaming the streets with very little money, and no food. This time with a torn, blood-stained dress.

A Month And Half Later

Peter Petrelli, a man known by many titles. A Hero. A Terrorist. A Boy scout. A monster. His cold form lay rested upon a slab of marble. The man’s tomb was etched with markings of endearment, as well with harsh jagged carvings of hate. All in all, however, the body was untouched. In what seemed like the pitchest blackness, he lay. Seemingly perfectly preserved. Black eyes looked at him in that blackest darkness. A hand pressed gently to the man’s forehead. A minute ticked by, and then two. Suddenly, in what seemed like the whooping of a hurricane, a breath was drawn. Eyes that had been dead for months blinked awake and hurriedly scanned the darkness about him. There was nothing. Peter rose from the slab, his funeral clothing smelling a bit musty but relatively clean, thanks to the lack of life he’d had. How long had he been dead? More importantly, how the hell was he alive again. That’s when he heard it; the faint trickle of a liquid in the dark. It wasn’t water; the tomb was sealed exceedingly well. So what was it? Bright light engulfed the room, forcing Peter to throw his hands up and protect his eyes. A few more moments of heart pounding confusion gripped him as he crept forward. He tried to call up roaring flames or chilling ice, but nothing seemed to work. Finally he stumbled into moonlight. Peter took a breath and coughed, his lungs not used to the work of breathing. As his eyes adjusted to the light of the full moon, he saw a figure dressed in black before him. Finally, words croaked out of Peter’s cracked lips, “Who…who are you?”

The figure turned its face to him, downturned from the light of the moon, preventing him from seeing his face, “Let’s just say I’m a man who owes you somewhat of a debt.” The man said, taking a step back and turning to go. Peter put a hand on his shoulder, turning him back to face him. The hood fell off, and in a spread of blue hair, the man’s face was revealed, black eyes staring at Peter with unwavering nonchalance, “Like I said. We owe you a bit of a debt, Mr. Petrelli.”

Peter didn’t recognize the man at all, but he was sure as hell thankful that he’d been brought back to life, “Who’s we?” He asked, looking down at his hand for a moment, “And what did you do to me? I thought the virus killed me? Shouldn’t that mean I should have stayed dead?”

Jerrick tilted his head and crossed his arms as Peter spoke, “We are us, Mr. Petrelli. I can put it no simpler than that. As for what we did to revive you…you were never really dead.” As Jerrick spoke, Peter’s eyes widened, “You had Martha’s ability, which helped to create and refine the Shanti virus. It was foolish of anyone to think of you as dead. Your body simply went into a deathlike state. Your powers kept you marginally alive, so far below anyone else’s radar. Those who didn’t know what to look for would assume you dead.”

Peter shook his head, “I don’t understand. Sierra administered the anti-virus for the Shanti Virus, shouldn’t that have stopped it then?” He asked, running a hand through his hair.

Jerrick laughed, “With the amount of the virus you absorbed? Your whole body would have needed to be made of an anti-virus to do anything to it.” He sat for a moment longer before turning once more to go. Peter again stopped him.

“What about my powers?” Peter asked.

Jerrick turned only his head to Peter, “There’s the question of the night, I suppose. I’m sure one or two of them survived. But you’ll never be as powerful as you were before your death.”

Peter let his hand drop and Jerrick moved away from him, “I suppose powers aren’t worth much if you’re dead…Thank you.” Was all Peter could muster.

Jerrick shook his head, “Don’t thank me, Mr. Petrelli. I am not your friend. In fact, in the future, you and I could quite easily find ourselves face to face once again, though next time as enemies. My loyalties lie with people whom you are…not entirely fond of.”

Peter gave the man a perplexed look, “What’s that supposed to me.”

Jerrick smirked, “Don’t you have somewhere to be? Someone to see?” he chuckled as he dissolved into a puddle of blood, disappearing into the ground. Left in nothing but a funeral suit in the middle of a graveyard, Peter sighed. What was he going to do? He sighed again and put his hand into his pocket, though his eyes lit up with surprise. As he pulled out a wad of cash rubberbanded with a sticky note that read, “For cab fair,” Scrawled in the style of a female hand but not entirely feminine in and of itself, Peter shook his head, though a smile cracked his face a little. He knew where he was going first.

----------------------------

It had been some time since Sierra had laid in this bed, alone. She sighed as her mind began to play back some memories which she hastily tried to shake away. She had been staying in New York, closer to the Deveaux building while The Family was just getting started, but now it was time to come home. Part of her hurt so badly to be here again, to be in the place where they had shared so many happy memories. A few tears threatened to fall, but she brushed them away. She lay on her back and sighed again, looking down at her stomach. It was just now beginning to show signs of pregnancy. This time when the tears threatened to fall, she let them. Her baby would grow up without her father. It just wasn’t fair. She wasn’t sure whether or not Peter would have been ready to be a father, but she did know one thing. They would have gotten along so well. No matter what, Peter would have gotten along perfectly with their daughter. With a whisper, she spoke to the baby, “He would have been so happy to see you. To hold you. He would have loved you, and he would never let anything bad happen to you…God dammit, why did things have to go like this? He would have been such a great Dad.” She sobbed, brushing the tears away. But it wasn’t to be. Just like everything else that had happened in her life, paradise was once again lost. She finally sat up and simply put her head into her hands.

After a long night of traveling in a disgusting taxi cab (The fair had been exact to about a nickel) Peter looked out at the dawning of the carnival. His hand hesitantly fell over the doorknob of the cabin he had called home with Sierra for months. What was he supposed to say? What was he supposed to do? He supposed he would know when he was there. As he opened the door, the first thing he noticed was that Sierra’s back was to him. He wanted to run to her, to hold her in his arms. To brush the tears from her eyes and tell her everything was okay now. But he was rooted to the spot. Slowly, as if his legs were made of lead, he began to move toward the bed. After what seemed like ages, he finally let his weight down on the edge of the bed next to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, whispering, “I’m sorry.”

Sierra was taken completely by surprise as arms wrapped around her, familiar arms, accompanied by a familiar voice. She immediately turned around, breaking free of his grip as she stood up, a look of anger etched into her features. With an angry hand, she brought her palm across Peter’s face, letting out an audible slap. The anger played across her face for a few more seconds before she broke down crying, burying her face into Peter’s chest and hugging him tightly, causing him to fall back against the bed “You bastard. You stupid bastard. How could you do that to me?” She asked, crestfallen and hopeful at the same time. She had so many mixed feelings in her right now. Anger at Peter for dying, happiness at his return, among others, “I missed you so much, you asshole. Don’t ever do that to me ever again.” She cried.

Peter was taken aback by Sierra’s hand hitting his face, though he could understand her anger. She had told him countless times that she loved him like nothing else in her life. She looked like she’d been holding out, at least. When she practically tackled him to the bed, he let out a breath of surprise interlaced with relief. What was the point of coming back to life if the woman you loved hated you? He patted her back and rocked her a little, “It’s okay, I’m here now. And I’m not going anywhere for a long time. You should know you can’t get rid of me that easily. But next time I’m going to die, I’ll send you a memo in advance, okay?” He joked a little, trying to lighten the mood.

Sierra couldn’t find the words to speak. She shook her head, “Every time…I open my heart up to someone…I end up hurt.” She said slowly, looking up at him. She couldn’t believe he was joking even a little at all of this, “When you died…it was the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life, second only to when I was seventeen. I felt my heart break, Peter. Shatter. I love you so much…but it hurt so badly, thinking you’d never come back. If it wasn’t for our daughter…I would have died.” She said, shakily. She couldn’t find the strength to let him go. She wanted to cling to him forever, as if afraid he would yet again be taken from her, “I can’t lose you again, Peter. I just can’t.”

Peter nodded his head solemnly. He knew he’d promised to never hurt her, but there were just some things you couldn’t plan for. He wouldn’t point that out to her though, of course. And while his death hadn’t been in his plans, neither had coming back to life. Even if he had lost his powers, he would at least be there for his daughter. He shook his head, “You won’t lose me, Sierra. I’m sorry for what happened, but I’m here now. We both are. And soon enough, it’ll be the three of us. That’s what matters.” He said, smiling a little as he helped her to her feet. She simply went with him, unable to really let him go. Slowly they walked out of the cabin and into the tent they had spent so much time in before. He took a familiar seat at the piano which looked like it hadn’t been touched in months.

Sierra simply stayed silent. This was basically one of the places where they had spent most of their time before Peter’s death, and being here again with him was both amazing and painful, in a surreal sort of way, “Peter…the pain doesn’t just…just go away.” She said softly, reluctantly letting him go so he could sit at the piano, like he always did, “Before you play, Peter…kiss me. Please?”

Peter hesitated, his hands on the keys that were so familiar to him as Sierra spoke. She hadn’t moved from where she had let him go, and that disheartened him; she always sat beside him when he played. He turned to her as she asked him to kiss him, standing up as he swung his legs back over the piano stool. She looked up at him, her eyes fragile and brimmed slightly with tears. They were pleading too; pleading that this was reality, pleading that he be real. He wondered how many dreams she’d had of something like this happening, or how many nightmares, rather. He softly brushed a strand of hair from her face, smiling a little as she closed her eyes at his touch. He leaned in and kissed her, softly at first, but when he went to pull away, he found himself unable to. Sierra’s hands on his shoulders, the tears running down her face, he just couldn’t pull away. He wrapped her in a gentle hug and pulled her close, but not so close as to break their kiss. Finally, they broke apart, and he guided her down onto the piano stool beside him as he began to play.

Sierra simply sat and listened as Peter played. Sitting there, with him, was something she had longed to do for so long and now that they were doing it again, she couldn’t help the emotions that welled up in her chest and she began crying, putting her hands to her face, moving as close to Peter as possible, even if it messed up his playing. She didn’t care. She just wanted to be close to him, to hold him, to feel him against herself, “I love you, Peter. I never stopped loving you. Not even for a second.” She said as the tears continued to run down her face and dropped onto Peter’s shirt.

Peter wrapped his arm around Sierra, continuing the song one-handed, making it turn into half a song. It didn’t matter though. He didn’t even bother finishing. In some respects, he sort of regretted coming back here. Was she ready for something like this? It must have been a shock for him to just…appear like that to her, “Death didn’t change that for me either. Nothing will, Sierra. I promise you that.” She was resting her head against his shoulder. He gently used his hand to turn her face up to look at him and pressed his lips to hers again. The two sat like that for a long time, in the silence, locked in an embrace. Both of them just wanted to stay here forever. Suddenly, he felt her tense up as her eyes went wide and she pulled away, “Please tell me this isn’t a dream. Please, I couldn’t take it if this was a dream.” She said, putting a hand to her lips. It had felt so real…but she had dreamed dreams like this before where he came back, but something always felt off. She didn’t feel that feeling again, which is what would make this so devastating.

Peter looked at Sierra for a moment; it was as he thought. She had to have had dreams like this before. But this was real. It had to be, “This is as real as it gets, Sierra, I assure you. I spent all night in a taxi cab.” He said, chuckling a little as he pulled her back into a hug. After a moment or two, they stood up together and he put his arm around her waist, and she leaned into him, “Can we please just go back to the cabin. It’s just…all this emotion isn’t good for the baby.” She said, smiling a little and looking up at him with tearful eyes, taking his free hand and putting it over her stomach, “I don’t know if you’re ready to be a father, but we can do anything together, right?” She asked, leaning into him.

As she rested her head on his shoulder, they began to walk back. The carnival was just now starting to wake, like a beast from slumber. A few of the carnies saw the two; that much was clear enough. The news would spread just fine without Peter spreading it. The cheering and applause could wait. As they finally got back to the cabin, Peter let out a yawn and smirked at Sierra, who laughed a little, “You’d think being asleep for so long would be restful.” He said with a laugh, but Sierra only moved closer to him. As they both lay down on the bed and she pulled herself close to him, he could feel her stomach pressing up against him slightly. His daughter. The thought seemed almost alien, and yet…it seemed so right. As his eyes began to shut, he vaguely thought this would probably be the most restful sleep the two of them would have had for a long time.

Two Months After THAT ^


Emmet yawned as he laid back on the couch. Jessica had said she would visit today. It seemed as best the opportunity to tell her as any. Hell. Maybe she'd notice on sight, biokinetic and all. Gabriel had stepped out earlier to attend to something at the shop. But really he was trying to give mother and son some alone time. He sighed; he wished the two of them got along better. Jessica still harbored a deep hatred at his husband for past events. Why Gabriel disliked Jessica was a mystery to him. He pushed himself into a sitting position. He'd been pregnant for all of three days, yet it felt like four. He patted his flat stomach. The fact that a life was growing inside him was so thrilling. He'd had life inside of him a ton of times, this was obviously nowhere near the same. So it was still taking some getting used to.

Jessica looked up at the apartments. The last time she had been to a place like that with Emmet and Sylar had been the hotel she had tortured Claire and then learned that Emmet was her son. She’d had a glorious reunion with her sons. That was before the carnival. Before her son’s heart had been broken, and he had, for some reason, married the guy. She hated the man for hurting her son so badly, and wondered what exactly Emmet saw in him that deserved his love. Despite all of this, she would try and cope with Gabriel. For Emmet. With a sigh, she pushed open the doors and got in the elevator, riding up to the sixth floor. With some hesitance, she knocked on the door.

Emmet looked up as someone knocked on the door. He took a deep breath and stood up. He padded over to the door and touched the handle. Slowly, he opened it “Jessica, come in, it's been a while," he smiled as sincerely as possible. He led her towards the living room and sat down on the couch " So....how you been?"

Jessica smirked, “You know, most people call their mother ‘Mom’, ‘Mother’. Something along those lines. It wouldn’t kill you to do the same.” She joked, knowing that the likelihood of her ever getting Emmet to seriously call her mother was somewhat slim, “I’ve been good. Your new sister is coming along nice and healthy; can’t really say I’m surprised, though she has a lot to live up to, considering her brothers.” She smirked, “And how have you and…Gabriel…been doing?”

Emmet returned the smirk "Of course...mother," He was still getting used to having a sister. Having a brother had been surprising, but that was because he was god, so never seeing him seemed as such. But that Jessica had crafted a daughter, he was unsure of how to feel really, "Hmm, yes, a mountain." he became silent when she asked how he and Gabriel was doing. She obviously didn’t care how Gabe was doing. But, he was a part of it. “We’re perfect, even more so lately....You see… " he paused as he felt his breakfast bubbling up. He flew from the couch and towards the bathroom, just barely making it to throw up in the toilet, "Ugh, bloody hell."

Jessica was caught by surprise when Emmet flew into the bathroom and lost his breakfast. She laughed a little, “Oh come on, calling me mother wasn’t that bad.” She joked again, rushing to his side, “Eat some bad seafood or something or...” Her voice darkened as she let her voice trail, letting a hand rest on his shoulder. Doing a quick diagnostic of his system, her eyes flew open as his unspoken words were formed into an image. She stumbled back and tripped, falling backwards and catching herself on the couch, “You’re PREGNANT!” She shouted, pointing at him with disbelief on her face, “How!? How is that possible?!”

Emmet groaned. This wasn’t exactly the way he wanted her to find out. But he'd take it, wiping his mouth off; he washed his hands in the sink and gargled. Finally he walked back into the living room and sat down “Yes, Je-mom, I’m Prego. As for how," he shrugged, "My husband has your ability, a little Biokinetic wammy and yeah."

Part of Jessica wanted to scream, part of her wanted to break down crying, and part of her wanted to embrace Emmet in a hug like the one she had given him the day she found out that both of her sons were alive and well. She couldn’t decide which side of her disgusted her more. In the end, she didn’t move from her spot and croaked, “You should have let me do it. I didn’t go to med school for nothing you know. He’s a complete amateur.”

Emmet blinked. In truth he'd had no real idea of how Jessica would react to this, well after her initial reaction which was all too predictable. Being angry, breaking down crying, or hugging him. He was glad she'd picked none of these. They were not a touchy feely family “Gabe and I talked about this while we were on our honeymoon. Starting a family, we went over it for a while and finally agreed on it. He wanted to adopt, but I wanted a child that was truly both of ours and suggested this. He actually wanted you to do it, your skill being worlds away from his, his exact words. But I trust him and wanted it to be him. He's spent the last few months researching, studying, and experimenting. We....consummated, last week and I’m officially pregnant. Sorry for not saying anything beforehand. Gabe said to keep it secret, probably he was hoping I would change my mind, but nope, so here we are."

Jessica knew for a fact she would have told them no should they have asked her before hand, and was sort of glad that Emmet had gone through Gabriel to do it, but a part of her was hurt that he hadn’t come to her about it. This whole thing was like a kick in the gut. Part of her wondered if it was because of Kaeira, but she wouldn’t let herself believe that. They already had such a weak relationship as mother and son, he wouldn’t get jealous because of Kaeira, “I guess…I’m happy for you then.” She said, but her voice was coated with something akin to confusion. Of all the things that she had expected when she was preparing for this talk, she had definitely not expected this, “I’m sure you’ll make a great m…mo…” She was almost literally choking on the words, unable to find the belief that this was really happening.

Emmet turned away, uncomfortable. Was Jessica hurt? The expression she'd made when he'd told her about preferring Gabriel to make him able to bear children over asking her. He looked at from her possible view point. Jessica sincerely wanted to be a mother to him and Godric. Maybe it was one of the reasons Kaeira was being born. The unrequited chance at motherhood denied to her. Helping in something so important could have been a chance for her to make their bond stronger. Tears poured from Emmet’s eyes "Oh, mom, I’m sorry," he gathered her in his arms and hugged her tightly, "Believe me; if not Gabe then there’s no other person I would have asked. But just think; now you’re a grandmother.”

Jessica felt Emmet’s arms wrap around her, but she was numb to them. With an absentminded hand, she ruffled his hair, letting out an empty chuckle, “Don’t worry about it. I would have said there’s no way in hell.” She said. She choked back her own tears a little and sighed, “I don’t know why it bothers me; I really don’t have the right to call you my son anyway. I mean, really. Blood means nothing, after all, I’ve said it myself.” A few tears dropped down onto Emmet’s head. She cleared her throat and made to stand up, “Your hormones are acting up. It’s part of the whole rollercoaster. Mood swings, morning sickness, backaches, fatigue, headaches, weird ass cravings. After this whole thing is over, you’ll be back to yourself and everything will go back to normal.” She considered his comment about being a grandmother…did she want to be a grandmother? Especially like this? She didn’t know, but in some respects, she felt like she was losing touch. Neither Godric nor Emmet really needed her. That much was evident. Fran could easily take care of Kaeira when she was born. So, really, what was she even still here for?

Emmet let go of Jessica and wiped away his tears. He'd read about it, but he hadn’t been fully prepared for it all. He sat back down on the couch “Yes, a grandmother. Obviously this is strange. All of it, but still. I’m very happy for it. Gabe and I can have a family " he patted his stomach wistfully " Finding you and Godric has made me very happy, I know I don't show it much but " he shrugged " I am insane after all, but I love both of you and Kaeira as well " was this more of the hormones? Or his true feelings? Yes, it was the latter. He ran his hands through his hair, feeling the faint traces of Jessica's tears "Humanity is but a child, and children always need their mother’s."

Gabriel inspected the watch he'd been working on for the past ten minutes. He'd fixed it within a few seconds, but something kept his gaze on it. He finally sat it down and placed his spectacles aside. He wondered how it was going with Jessica. He'd decided to let them talk alone. Jessica had no love for him and while she was entitled to it, he couldn’t shake his own dislike for her. He stood up and stretched out. Looking around his old watch shop, he felt a strong sense of recollection. Here he'd killed Brian Davis for his telekinesis, and had been about to kill himself before Elle intervened. Had she not....he blinked away the thought. The old pang of regret for his actions. Even now he bore the cross on his back. But Emmet made his life so much fuller then any ability could. He was thankful to both Brian and Elle for setting him on this path. It made all the betrayal, manipulation, and death worth it. Which was why he still held great anxiety over Emmet’s current state. Once they'd agreed to it, he had spent every waking moment he wasn’t with Emmet, training his Biokinesis. He went through every book on human anatomy he could find. Such a procedure needed many test rounds. The homeless community had supplied that. He tried to keep the subjects around Emmet’s age, once again hadn’t been too difficult. He went through over 300 experiments. The first fifty had been disasters and he'd quickly put them out of there misery. But as time went on, he slowly saw success. Around the 198th he was seeing great results. But it wasn’t enough; he would not go through with it unless the success rate was over a hundred percent. Finally he'd gotten the results he'd wanted and altered Emmet’s body. They'd waited an additional three days to allow Emmet’s body to stabilize. Finally just last week, they'd consummated, it had been a strange experience for the both of them, but neither held any resignations. Gabriel teleported outside the door to their apartment. Enhancing his hearing, he heard the both of them talking. He considered going inside, but decided against it. Let them have a little more time. Instead he headed towards the store. He needed to pick up a few things for Emmet.

Jessica stood where she was for a few minutes. She was mulling over what Emmet had said, asking herself the same question that he was asking himself. Did he really feel this way, or was it just the hormones. The way he was speaking tugged at her heart like nobody ever could. The only true family she ever cared for was Emmet, Godric, and now Kaeira, “For so many years, I wanted nothing more than to find you and your brother, you know that?” She wasn’t sure how much of the mansion incident he knew about. Would Godric have told him about it, or would he have kept it to himself, “When you were born, I was sure that you would be my road to regaining my sanity. But Godric died, and…things went to shit very quickly. I had lost everything, and then, over ten years later, I found you. Both of you. I can’t tell you how happy I was. Probably the happiest I have been in my entire life. But…” She let out a dry laugh, “Look at me. I’m not fit to be anyone’s mother or grandmother or even sister.” She looked at her own hands, remembering the first time she had held Emmet and Godric in them, “Why am I still here? I should have died in the explosion.”

Emmet pondered what explosion she was talking about. Then it came to him, Pinehurst. Boy had that been such a long time ago. Back when he and Flint were together. That reminded him; he and Gabe were supposed to have lunch at Angela's place tomorrow. He should probably bring something, but what? He was getting pretty good with his baking. Perhaps a cake, with Oreos and peanut butter. He snapped out of his tangent " Hmm, then ask why any of us are still alive? You’re not the only fucked up person in this family. I’ve killed my share of people, Gabriel as well, albeit a smaller quantity. And who the hell knows how many people Godric has killed and/or eaten?” he leaned back to get into a more relaxing position "Don't you think I question my capabilities of being a good parent? Especially after all the infants I’ve...." he stopped and slammed his hand over his mouth as the memories came. Suddenly, they weren’t so nice, now that he had a baby on the way. If anyone ever tried that, oh the things he would do. "Ugh, moving along. My point is nobody is exactly perfect. Not you, or me, or Godric, maybe Gabe, okay, not him either. But we’ve all come a long way from the mindless slaughtering and what not. You’re here and alive and whether you think you’re fit. You are a mother and you’re gonna be a grandmother, enjoy."

Jessica shook her head a little, “I just feel like you don’t need me. You or Godric. And I wanted to be a mother so badly when I was pregnant with you. I don’t know, just seeing you like this is a little heart breaking. Especially since you should both only be twelve if it wasn’t for ‘Auntie’ Rose.” She growled the name, but otherwise her voice was even. She laughed a little when she finished, “I think your hormones are rubbing off on me. I’ll go back to being the psychotic bitch you know and love, and we’ll forget this ever happened.” Before she finished her thought, though, a question came to her, “So…are you technically my ‘daughter’ now?”

Emmet smiled as Jessica seemed to be coming down, but his smile fell as at her last comment. His face turned a deep red. He looked down, his hair slowly smoking "....Well....I mean, with man equipment....I couldn’t possibly and........If you have to look at it that way......this doesn’t leave this room, anyone else we tell can use their goddamn imagination " he mumbled. He wasn’t ashamed or anything, it was just, well weird. He was happy, but that fact wasn’t something to get past easily “If you wanna know the mechanic, you'll have to ask Gabe " he crossed his legs self-consciously " I must admit, I have a whole new respect for woman now."

Jessica laughed, “You’re so cute, look at that blush.” She mocked, pinching Emmet’s cheek a little, “You can come over to the mansion and visit Kaeira after she’s old enough. She’ll be so happy to play dolls and have tea parties with someone else. You can even play dress up together. And I’ll do up your hair and we can go shopping together.” She laughed, despite the fact that Kaeira would be working hard on her studies and on her training, “Don’t worry, I won’t say anything to anyone else about his. Not like I have very many people I can hold a conversation with anyway; so, you going to go back to…er…normal when this is over?” She asked, smirking a little.

Emmet rolled his eyes "You’re a real riot. Of course I’m getting my stick back when the baby’s born, V-sex is interesting but I prefer A-sex. Gabriel set it up that my body automatically returns to normal after the birth. We’re already making plans; he's converting the guest room into a bedroom for little....you know we really haven’t given any thought to names. I think Gabe wants a son, either way for me."

Jessica grinned, “Oh? And what if you get lucky like dear old Mommy, hmm?” She asked, sitting back down on the couch, her grin falling and being replaced by a serious frown, “I know you’ve noticed that your husband and I have…animosities with one another. I’m not going to lie and say I like him. Hate is more or less a pretty good word for it.” If Emmet were to have to pick between her and Gabriel, she knew who he would pick, and she didn’t blame him, “But I’m willing to try and get along; for you and for my grandchild that is on the way. But aside from him disliking me for disliking him, I can feel something else, like there’s some other reason. You have any ideas?”

Emmet nodded “He’s willing to do the same thing. I don't expect you guys to be all cumbaya and crap. But just try to be nice to each other, even if it is as fake as a three dollar bill. As for the deeper reason " he shrugged " He's the jealous type. One time he ripped some guys head off for tapping my shoulder and asking for directions. Though this was when he was Sylar, but you get the point. He just wants me all to himself, which he already has. Though I think he doesn’t hate you as much as he used to. That’s a start."

“Hmph. He’s got a ways to go before I can say I like him, but knowing how important he is to you is a start I suppose. We won’t exactly be friends, but if there’s one thing I can do that isn’t killing and torturing, it’s acting.” She sighed a little, “You know…before the carnival…he asked me for my blessing, and I gave it to him, on the condition that he treated you well and never hurt you. I told him that I would kill him if that ever happened. I know that…some things are beyond our control, but I wanted you to be happy and seeing you in such pain that I knew I couldn’t fix…well, it’s a mother’s worst pain, aside from…” She let her voice trail. Flashbacks to the twins birth; it seemed like no matter what, nowadays, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. What could she have done differently? She shook her head to clear away the thoughts, “Anyway…The hatred isn’t permanent. It just needs time to heal, and the trust needs to develop.”

Emmet nodded. He remembered the events after the carnival. Gabriel still lamented over it, even though Emmet had long since forgiven him. He loved Gabriel and that had never changed. The intense pain and sorrow he'd felt during that time had only proven how strong their feelings were. "I understand." Suddenly the front door swung open on it's own. Gabriel entered the apartment, his arms laden with bags. The door shut as he walked further into the apartment " Oh...Hello " he nodded politely at Jessica and smiled at Emmet " How are you feeling? "

Emmet shrugged " Pregnant. Otherwise peachy keen " he returned the smile, Gabriel walked into the kitchen and started putting the food away. Moving at light speed, he got it done in no time. He walked back into the living room and Emmet hopped up and walked over to him. Taking his husbands hand, Emmet hauls him over to the couch and makes him sit down, he then sat on Gabriel’s lap, his arm around the older mans neck. Gabriel relaxed as he felt Emmet’s body against his. The contact allowed him to check his lover’s status. All seemed well. He turned back towards Jessica, remembering his promise to be “nicer " to the woman " Jessica...how have you been?"

Jessica’s face remained pleasant enough as Gabriel came in and put the groceries away and then sat down with Emmet. But there was a glint of hatred in her casual eyes as she looked at Gabriel. But she smiled at the two, “I’ve been good. I hear you’ve been learning a lot about Biokinesis. You know, you should have just come to me about it, I could have saved you a lot of trouble. I can still work with you on it if you’re interested.” In a way, she sort of wished he would decline the offer, so she could look the “bigger” person, but she wanted to make Emmet happy, and if bonding with Gabriel would do that, then she would try her hardest.

Gabriel nodded at Jessica and her offer, “Yes. I’ve been studying human physiology extensively. Emmet was adamant that I be the one to change him. I’m sure I have everything nailed down. But a more experienced person’s insight is refreshing " he spoke very pleasantly. Thankful for all the times as Sylar when he had to make use of his acting skills. It had made him a very good liar. Emmet smiled; an idiot could see the BS. But they were trying.

Jessica nodded, “We could do it now, if you like. I have some time, as long as the two of you don’t have anything going on tonight.” She said with a shrug. Really, she just wanted to get Gabriel away from Emmet for a while.

Emmet shook his head " Naw, I don't believe we do " he stared at his husband questioningly. In truth he'd wanted to cook them a romantic dinner and watch some movies and possibly engage in sexual activities " No, nothing. It's fine if it is for you " he kept his face composed and cheerful. He could see what Jessica was doing and it took all his self-control and maybe some for the future. But he would be the bigger person in this, and when it came down to, her knowledge exceeded his own, in Biokinesis, if there was a chance she could make things better for Emmet, then nothing else mattered.

Jessica stood up as she clapped, “Excellent. You meet me up on the roof when you’re ready.” She said, pointing to Gabriel. She turned to Emmet, “You, Mr. Mommy, stay here and relax, and I promise not to break him.” She said with a smirk, before turning and heading out the door. This would give her the chance she needed to talk to Gabriel alone.

Emmet watched her leave and turned to his husband "You’re both full of it, but at least you’re making an effort at," he smiled and kissed him. Gabriel sighed, it was all for Emmet. He kissed back, his hand roaming Emmet’s back. With reluctance, Emmet pulled away " Hey, you have something else to get to right now " Gabriel chuckled " Less fun " but he stood up " Do you need anything? " Emmet shook his head " Yes. But you have some training to do. I'll just watch some tv " with one last kiss Gabriel teleported up to the roof.

Jessica turned as she heard Gabriel make his appearance on the roof. She turned slowly, her eyes filled with not hatred, but anger, “On the day of the carnival attack, you asked for my blessing for your proposal to my son. Do you remember what I told you?” She asked, her voice as steady as her gaze, “I told you to take care of him. To never hurt him. I was confident that you would make him happy. But you hurt him in the worst way possible. I know he’s forgiven you, as love makes you forgive, but I can’t forgive you like that. You don’t know what it’s like for a parent, even a parent like me, to see their child in pain. Until your child is born, you won’t know. It’s heart breaking, knowing there’s nothing you can do to help them. That’s why I hate you. You hate me because of my hatred for you, but there’s something else. Care to tell me what it is?”

Gabriel listened to Jessica as she spoke. She'd voiced her opinion of this in the past. Her words still held a sharp barb to them. Emmet forgave him and he said that’s all that mattered to him. But deep down he still held a self-loathing of the event. When she asked why he disliked her, he was unsure of what to say. Simply saying he hated her because of her animosity towards him was a lackluster answer, but still truthful, just not the whole of. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to reveal the real reason. But he remembered his promise to Emmet and sighed, “You really want to know? In all truth, I don’t truly understand it. But, growing up, my father killed my mother right in front of me, right before he sold me to his brother and eccentric wife. Soon after my uncle left, leaving me with his wife, who I had convinced myself was my mother. She was unbalanced. She nurtured my desire to be special, better then anyone, in her own way creating Sylar,” remembering Virginia placed a sour taste in his mouth, “I’m not placing all the blame on her. When I went to her, seeking a way to stop Sylar, she saw only a way to live through me, free of the snow globe she’d placed herself in. I killed her, on accident or on purpose, I don’t know. I do know that you’re a much better mother, even if you don’t have the experience of it. Emmet cares about you very much, even if he doesn’t really know how to show it. I love Emmet and hurting him is what I regret the most and will never do again “his expression shifted slightly “Call it idiotic if you want. But I can’t help but think yourself could cause harm to Emmet.”

Jessica raised an eyebrow at his remark about hurting Emmet, “What exactly do you mean by that?” She asked, more surprised than angered.

Gabriel looked down, his expression stony "...A mother is someone who nurtures her children. The one they can depend on...But they’re capable of more," he gripped his hands at his side so tightly that blood was beginning to drip off, " The dependency can turn to something evil, far more than anything a murderer is capable, to want to be the most important person in the child’s life.....even try to take the place of their lover." the last part was barely above a whisper. The blood dripping down started whirling around his fist as the memory came rushing back. He'd done such an admirable job of suppressing it all this time. He'd never discussed it with anybody, not even Emmet " I wanted to strike out on my own, tired of being stuck in the cage with her, she did all she could to make me stay, finally.... " his throat closed up and he was on the verge of crying. He couldn’t say it, saying it would truly make it real " Just know that for all my hatred of you, I...respect you for being a good person to him, that’s all."

She wanted to be angry at him for comparing her to his own step-mother. But she couldn’t. Not really, when her own childhood had been shit, “I want to be a better mother than my family ever was to me. Hourly beatings, the drugs, the alcohol, the verbal abuse. It was a lot for me to cope with. And when I was raped, they threw me out, like some stray animal. There were plenty of times where I thought about killing myself. But to know that the child inside me needed me…it kept me alive for so long. Without them, I know I would have died.” She replied, her own eyes downcast, “More or less, I want to say thank you to them for being there for me when I needed it the most. With them, I felt ways I’ve never felt before. I’ve never loved anyone before. But I’d give my life for them. Godric, Emmet, and now Kaeira. Maybe it’s a mother’s curse, I don’t know.”

She sighed, “These negative feelings I feel toward you. They’re mostly driven off of emotion. Shit like this…it makes it better. I just need time to forgive, is all.” Her eyes returned to his, “I won’t be here forever. We all know that. You and Emmet are immortal. And he loves you. So, I’ll ask you this one thing. And I expect you to honor this one, unlike your last promise. I want you to take care of him, when I’m gone. Whether I’m killed by my sister, or by old age…I don’t want him to be alone. If you’re going to start on this path, I want you to promise me you won’t deviate from it later down the line. Because if you hurt him again… I’ll fucking kill you.”

Gabriel couldn’t help it. He smiled, for someone reason her words mitigated his earlier emotions. He wondered if his real mother had been like Jessica, tough and yet caring and gentle. Obviously this wasn’t something he was going to say anything about “Nothing or no one will keep me away from him or our children. This isn’t a promise, it's an absolute truth and I’m damn well going to keep it that way " he suddenly looked down a his hands. He'd dug his fingers in clear to the bone. He winced as he extracted them out. The wounds quickly healing over “Anyway, what do you have to teach me? "

Jessica smirked a little herself, “What have you learned already? Obviously you’re well versed in some of the more advanced aspects of the ability, and with your ability, you basically understand how stuff works.” She said, thinking aloud more so than actually talking to him, “And because you have other abilities, you don’t need to use Biokinetic based speed or strength or sight. Have you figured out how to shut off pain and such yet?”

Gabriel nodded " Yes. I’ve practiced extensively with Biokinesis, altering my strength, speed, density of my skin and manipulating my bone structure. I use Biokinetic based sight techniques, I don't have any other sight altering ones. Manipulating human sex and shifting it over to another is the most complex thing I’ve done. Simply changing Emmet’s appearance to that of a female would have been somewhat simple; but altering his reproductive system required more work. I literally had to construct a vagina, while keeping his physical appearance male. His sex is in all technicalities female right now "

Jessica nodded, “Yeah, he hinted as much when I asked him about it. Alright, so you know the body, but how much can you do practically? What techniques have you actually used through Biokinesis, not in theory?” She asked, crossing her arms, “With Biokinesis, you can shift your shape, reattach limbs, turn your skin like a chameleon, increase skin density, all of it. If you’ve learned all this, there’s not a lot I can teach you except for a few techniques and how to counter-act them. My sister IS still out there, and she may just come to kill Emmet. Or you. And she DOES have the means to do it.” Her voice had drifted from its usual tone to one much more serious, "If she should hit either of you with her most powerful technique, a skilled Biokinetic is the only thing standing between you and certain death"

Gabriel went over a mental list of all of his biological accomplishments “ Aside from altering Emmet’s sex, I’ve altered the density of my skin, mostly for defensive purposes, but I can do the chameleon trick, reattach limbs, I already have shape shifting, manipulate my bone structure, shift my size, manipulate biological aging, my hearing, sight. I’ve practiced with more internal techniques, giving cancer and taking it away, cellular destruction. I have some deeper knowledge of cellular based abilities. Marasmus, cellular transmutation, and degeneration,” his fingers twitched as she mentioned Sierra. He couldn’t imagine the woman coming after them, but he wouldn’t take chances, he was confident in himself, but only a fool didn’t have several back up plans and adding one more certainly wouldn’t hurt “ What is this ultimate technique of hers and how can it be countered?”

“It’s a technique of my own design. For lack of a creative mind, I call it the Bio-bomb. Originally, it was a technique I invented to kill Peter if he ever got his hands on Emmet’s ability. Well, my sister knows it, obviously. It literally destroys a person’s genetic structure, making it impossible for them to reform. Which is why it would work against you, Peter, Emmet, and Godric. Without your genes, your powers don’t work, and you can’t reform. When I came up with it, I didn’t have a cure for it. I never thought I’d need it. After I hung out with you and Emmet for those months…I figured I ought to have it in case I needed it.” She said with a casual shrug.

Gabriel wasn’t surprised Jessica had such a technique at her disposal. As she explained it, he went over a simulation of the effect over in his mind. She was right; an immortal wouldn’t stand a chance against it. He clenched his hands again. The weight of Jessica telling him this wasn’t lost on him. One of her greatest secrets, something she could one day attempt on him. Their latest conversation showed some hope for the future, but they were still in the present at the moment “I see. That sounds very hard to fight against; you really have a counter measure for it? “Whatever it was, he would master it, no matter what. He would keep his family safe from any and all threats that would most likely come for them. Both he and Emmet had bloody past and many enemies.

“I’m not going to lie to you. I don’t even know if the counter measure will work. I’ve only ever used the technique once, and…well…I never want to have to use it again, let’s leave it at that. At least, not if I have to sit in the same room as the guy. The Bio-bomb is painful as hell. Disintegration has got nothing on the Bio-bomb. Ten times more painful, at least. Obviously, the first step is to stop the signal from eating away at your genes and DNA and stuff. But the message for the Bio-bomb is incredibly encoded, down to the point where it could confuse amateurs. Obviously Peter was going to have Biokinesis, so it had to be tough to crack. It requires extensive training in and of itself to master. Secondly would be to literally tell your body to rebuild itself. Since your genes no longer work, you’d have to redirect the flow of cell production.” She explained.

Gabriel pondered this. It sounded very difficult to get by. A 99.99 percent chance of success, even if you manipulated probability. In truth, he hoped that he would never have to contend with such a device. But for the safety of Emmet, and himself he would learn this “So, the best course for countering it is cracking the code of it and regrow whatever limb has been eaten away from the start “ it sounded so much simpler then it was. He could only imagine how complicated the code was, but before all the others, understanding how things worked was his natural gift. He hoped he wasn’t putting too much into this; the last thing he wanted was to develop paranoia “Alright then, where do we start?”

“We can start whenever, but we need some…volunteers.” She said with a cruel smile, “Really anyone will do. But I advise that you learn to turn off your ears or cancel out sounds, one of the two. The screams you get out of them are a horrible thing. Massive headaches and stuff.” She said, making an ear-plugging gesture. Her mind shifted to Emmet slowly disintegrating as his inhuman screams plead for her to help, and her face went dead pale. With shaken confidence, she said, “Round up a few people to play with and we’ll start.”

Gabriel’s face didn’t change at all as Jessica mentioned needing “Volunteers “. He figured as much. He reached out and teleported them to a warehouse. It was under Linderman's name, so no one ever went poking around it. It was large and expansive, with row after row of rooms, moderately clean, and spiffy. It was where Gabriel had been practicing his biokinesis. He led them to one room that was particularly big. It showed the tell tale signs of much use: the faint traces of blood on the walls and bits of flesh. Gabriel vanished for a moment and reappeared with five raggedy looking men. He found the homeless community to be….a valuable source for certain activities.

Jessica nodded, “Ah yes, hobos: my favorite fast food and wonderful test subjects. Trial and error works the best. I’ll Bio-bomb one, you try and fix them.” She said, grabbing one of the dazed men and concentrated for a few moments. The man gave her a weird look before keeling over and screaming bloody murder. Jessica, who had her ears turned off, nodded and said, “Clock is ticking.”

Gabriel quickly knelt down and pressed his hands against the screaming hobo’s forehead. His eyes rolled back as he started working. He’d known it would be complicated. But this was beyond anything he’d ever thought existed. So much coding in the man’s genetic structure. He was literally being eaten alive by it. He quickly understood what Jessica meant after the screaming. It started out as nothing new to him; he’d heard the screams of pain so many times before. But soon, it grew to something so horrible; he couldn’t imagine anyone actually being joyful at the sounds. As he shut his hearing off an image of Emmet flashed through his mind. He pressed on, sweat coating his forehead. He could feel the man’s legs slowly being devoured and poured more energy out. Even with Intuitive Aptitude, he was getting nowhere. What felt like forever, but had actually been an hour, Gabriel’s eyes came back into focus. He frowned down on the spot where the hobo had been. He turned to Jessica “Let’s try again “

Emmet flipped through the channels till he came to a movie playing. It looked interesting so he kept it on. As he munched on popcorn, a knock came at the door. He hopped up and headed for the door. There was a woman in a delivery uniform; a large box was balanced on her shoulder.

“Hello, I have a package for the Jerome residence “

Emmet raised an eyebrow “Wrong place, this is the Gray household “

The woman grimaced “Shit. Wrong again, you know what. This is my last day on the job. Just take it “

Emmet shrugged “Ok “he led her into the living room and she sat the box down on the table. She looked around the room, her yes locked on one of Emmet and Gabriel’s wedding photos.

“That your hubby? “

Emmet smiled fondly “Yeah, my Gabey.”

The woman smiled “Well ain’t that cute “she gave Emmet a nod and left the apartment. Emmet burned away the top of the box and looked inside. On top of a bunch of cotton was a picture frame. Holding a picture of a family. A man, a woman, and a little girl. None of them was looking particularly happy. Emmet looked closer; there was something about the little girl that seemed familiar. He sat it down and ruffled around the box. Pushing all the cotton out, he found a large metal statue of a clock. He tried to pick it up, but it was excessively heavy. “Chick must has been wonder woman “he commented. It was rather well done. Sucks for the Jerome’s.

Jessica grabbed hold of the next hobo, hauling him roughly to his feet and hitting him with the Bio-Bomb. She then shoved him at Gabriel, “One of five hobos destroyed. Better get your head in the game.”

Gabriel caught the man and placed him on the ground starting again. No real difference from before, but he was slowing down the decay, that was something. Fighting against it was hard and draining, but he pressed on.

Despite not wanting to admit it, she had to admire Gabriel’s drive. She reasoned that it was for his own protection, but deep down, a part of her knew that it was to protect Emmet. She could feel the bond between them, however close to being nonexistent, strengthening. A wave of pain spread through her, but she ignored it, though she did manage to let out a small groan, before saying, “It may take two Biokinetics to counter the Biobomb. One of us might simply not be strong enough.”

Gabriel nodded distantly. He had to agree with her. He was barely hanging on with this. He recognized her skill in her art. But if Sierra were ever to attack and Jessica happened to not be around, he needed to be stronger. Much stronger. He ground his teeth and for a moment, the decaying receded. He fought back harder against it. But soon it spread out faster and the man was gone. He wiped the sweat off his brow. For a brief moment, he’d had something.

Jessica sighed as the hobo disappeared after another strenuous hour and three minutes. She put a hand on Gabe’s shoulder and bit her lip, “Don’t worry… You’ll get it sooner or later. Take a minute to rest, alright? You push yourself too hard and you won’t be there when Emmet needs you.” She said, her voice somewhat unsure, but also somewhat caring. She was about to say something else, but before should could, her hand tightened on his shoulder, the tip digging into his clothes as she doubled over in pain, “Wha…what the hell?” She gasped, noticing that her jeans were soaked, “Oh you’ve…got to be fucking kidding…” The first real contractions hit like a tidal wave of pain. She recognized them anywhere.

Gabriel’s eyes widened as Jessica doubled over in pain. That and the wet spot on her jeans could mean only one thing. She was going into labor!! He quickly stood up, completely forgetting the other three hobos in the room and teleported them to Fran’s.

Fran was looking over some charts when Gabriel teleported in with Jessica in his arms. “She’s going into labor!! “He yelled.

Fran blinked “I see “she was out of her chair in an instant. Her large assistants flooded into the room, relieving Gabriel of the woman and carefully laid her on the bed they’d brought up. Gabriel watched as Jessica was rushed from the room and down to Fran’s lab.

“I’ve been on standby for just the occasion “she explained as she followed after them. Gabriel was lost on what to do now. Then he thought of Emmet. Surely, the boy would want to be there for the birth of his sibling. He teleported back to their apartment and before Emmet could even open his mouth to ask how it had went with Jessica, Gabriel grabbed him and teleported them back to the mansion.

Jessica was nearly oblivious to everything going on around her. The pain was overwhelming, and though she could shut off her pain receptors, something stopped her. If she turned them off, all feeling would be gone. She didn’t want that. Not now. Thoughts flooded through her mind as she was taken down to the laps and relieved of her clothing, covered in something that looked like a hospital gown but wasn’t. Tears of pain and happiness streamed down her face. Saying to nobody in particular, she asked, “Godric. Where is he?” She knew that Gabriel would be retrieving Emmet, but she wanted both of them present.

Godric was lying on his bed, his hand behind his head sleeping. Suddenly, the intercom in his room blared with Fran’s voice.

“Godric, whenever you get the chance, come down to the lab. Jessica has gone into labor and will have the baby soon.”

Godric blinked twice and got up. As he left his room, he grabbed his jacket and threw it over his shoulders. He quickly headed for the lab and moved to Jessica’s side “How are you doing? “He was honestly curious and concerned. He’d never had an interest in the creation of life, his venomous nature not understanding it. Even when Jessica had first said she was pregnant, he hadn’t really cared, but as the months rolled by and Fran drilled him on the nature of pregnancy, new lives coming into the world and all of that. It was truly fascinating. A moment later Emmet and Gabriel appeared. Emmet looked around till he saw Jessica in the bed with Godric by her.

“She’s having the baby “Gabriel quickly explained. Emmet nodded and went to join his brother at their mother’s side.

Jessica smiled, despite the pain, “Not long now, and you’ll be saying hello to your new baby sister you two.” She laughed, before her laughter turned to a scream of pain, “I hope you have some fucking morphine, Fran.” The birth went over well, and soon the room was filled with the crying of tiny lungs. Tears of happiness poured down Jessica’s face, “Let me see her.”

Godric and Emmet each took one of their mother’s hands and held on tightly as the birth began. Emmet laughed when Gabe looked over his shoulder and fainted “Hope he doesn’t do that nine months from now “Emmet thought to himself. Fran gave Jessica a shot of morphine and went to the front, she sprouted out a few extra arms “Alright Jessica, now push “after all the screaming and cursing was over, it was followed by the tiny cries of new life. Neither Godric nor Emmet had ever seen such a thing before. The little baby girl, crying and covered in her mothers insides. Fran took the baby girl aside to clean her.

Jill had only recently returned from her latest round of clone slaughtering when a servant came to her door and told her of Jessica going into labor. The servant was slow and Unfortunately Jill didn’t make it until just as the baby was born, unfortunately not being able to be there for Jessica as she had hoped to be beforehand. She decided that the new family needed a bit of time with the young one and deep down she felt as if she didn’t have a place to even be there for this moment.

This was the family Jessica longed for, the one she had wanted. Godric and Emmet caring and being around her. She wouldn’t deny Jessica this time, with all of her kids, Jill just wasn’t part of that. She stayed back and pretty much out of sight for the most part. She wasn’t sure if anyone noticed her, but their lack of saying anything, she assumed not.

“Wow “Emmet said in amazement “She’s like a little tea cup human “

Godric nodded “Yes….our sister “strange how easily it was to say that was to say. Emmet walked over to his husband who had just woken up.

“Phale, I hope you don’t do that when it’s my turn “

Gabriel blushed “Never “Emmet laughed and kissed his cheek
.
“Come and see my little sister “

Fran had just finished cleaning her up. “Your daughter is the picture of perfect health Jessica “she gently handed the little girl to her mother.

Jessica laughed a little. Her eyes were locked on her new daughter’s as she began talking, “Hey there, little one. Welcome to the family. Our crazy, upside down, insane family.” She laughed weakly, “Meet your brothers…They’ve been waiting anxiously to meet…you…” She felt something in her chest though. A dull pain that felt somewhat familiar. The EKG machine began to go off. Jessica’s heart rate was plummeting. Soon the room was filled with the squeal of the flat-line, and Kaeira’s wails. All she could think of was ‘How?’ Biokinetics couldn’t have heart attacks. It wasn’t possible. The light began to fade. No. Not now. Not fucking now. Not when she was so close. She had to…Sierra. The thought rang out so clearly in her head. It had to be her. Somehow, someway, that bitch had done this to her.

For a moment everyone was happy, smiling at the latest addition to there family. Emmet and Godric were looking at their new little sister with great interest. Gabriel stood next to Emmet, both of them looking forward to the day they could experience what Jessica was feeling. But all the happiness quickly drained away as EKG machine began going off, followed by the long beep of the machine. Fran pushed past the gathering men and moved to Jessica’s side “On no, she’s flat-lining, quick the defibrillator! “One of the assistance brought Fran the piece of equipment and turned it on. Fran rubbed them together as the front of Jessica’s gown was opened. “Clear! “

She pressed it down as one pair of arms picked up the wailing baby and handed her for Godric to hold. She shocked Jessica’s heart, but no response. She did it again, Emmet watched in shock as Jessica’s heart stopped beating. Gabriel leaned forward, pressed his hand to Jessica’s forehead, and attempted to assist her heart in beating again. But to no avail. “She’s…gone “Gabriel’s voice was barely a whisper. Fran nodded gravely and pulled the machine away. Both Emmet and Godric felt a strange tightening in there chest. Godric kept a steady hold on his sister while Emmet swayed slightly.

“No, that’s not possible. She can’t be dead, no, no, NO!! “He screamed, tears pouring down his face. Gabriel tried to hold him, but Emmet pushed him away.

“NO, YOU’RE FUCKING WRONG, SHE CAN’T BE DEAD! “He sobbed. His mind flashing back to all those years. When he believed Rose was his mother, hearing from that nameless asshole that she was dead. The pain was ten times worse this time. He glared at the infant in Godric's arms. It was because of her that their mother was dead. His stigma bled forth and the temperature in the room skyrocketed. Gabriel paled. Why did it have to awaken now?

Jill watched the scene unfold, her own body unable to move. Jessica had died? How could this have happened? Jill thought she could revive her, but for some reason she was still frozen in place, even shaking a bit. She really did care about the few family members she still had around here, and the thought Jessica had even died, hurt.

When Emmet’s Stigma awoke she wanted to run out and calm him down. The baby couldn’t afford to get hurt. Just being born, it would be extremely tricky since nothing was ever exact with her ability. An infant just dying after birth was just too hard to revive, even for her, for once she went too far back to before birth, it was too late to undo. However luckily Godric intervened and protected his sister, by comforting his brother.

Godric stood there passively. He could see the hatred burning in his brother’s eyes. However, he couldn’t let anything happen to their sister. His own stigma awakened and for a moment, they just starred at each other.

Fran and Gabriel watched them, neither was sure if the other would attack. Finally, though, both stigma’s faded and they looked away. Emmet sobbing and Godric holding back his tears, he didn’t want them to get on the baby. Emmet walked back over to Jessica’s bed. She looked so peaceful, of course. She’d just given birth, the most wonderful experience a person could have, and just after that, she’d died. Gabriel tentatively put his hand on Emmet's shoulder. This time Emmet went to him, crying into Gabriel’s chest. Gabriel held him tightly. While their dislike for the other was still apparent. He couldn’t help but cry a little himself, mostly for Emmet’s sadness, but a little for his own. Suddenly, Gabriel felt an odd warmth emanating from Emmet.

Emmet’s body started glowing. He pulled away from Gabriel, an odd look plastered on his face. He starred down at Jessica. The glowing from his eyes intensifying. He held his arms out and Jessica’s body started glowing in a similar fashion. The glowing died down and Emmet fell back into Gabriel’s arms. The machine gave a beep of movement.

Jessica gasped, drawing in a breath, coughing for a moment before looking around the room, “What…the hell?” She asked, breathless. She put a hand to her head and then drew it away, letting her gaze rest on her own hands, “Was I just…dead?” In all the years, she had never given the thought to the possibility of dying in childbirth. But now that she had just died and come back, she heaved a sigh of both relief and disbelief, “Holy shit.” She thought for a moment and spoke again, “Emmet. Godric. I saw how you reacted, when I was…whatever. No matter what happens, I need you to know this. I’m not like you. I won’t live forever. When I’m gone, I need to know that you’ll take care of each other, and your sister.” Her voice was weak, but serious, “You’re family. That’s what’s important. Promise me, alright?” She paused until a thought triggered in her head and she looked at Emmet, perplexed, “I saw…a kid. He looked about your age, dressed in all black with a hoodie on. He said he fucking hates this family. You know him?”

Emmet sighed with relief as Jessica came back. He leaned back against Gabriel as he hugged him from behind. He wiped his eyes to get rid of the tears. Godric was still holding onto Kaeira, but was smiling with everyone. Fran had been sitting down quietly, mulling over what had happened when Emmet’s powers seemingly resurrected Jessica. She wasn’t aware Emmet could do that and quickly jotted down some notes to go over later. Emmet looked down as Jessica spoke. He turned to Godric “Sorry about that, damn mood swings “

Godric nodded, “I’m sorry as well. Mother is right, we will have to look after our sister “

Emmet was quiet for a moment, but nodded “Yes “Emmet laughed as Jessica explained seeing someone
“Oh that’s just death; he bitches about seeing me, Godric, or Gabe from time to time. Pay him no mind “

Godric held Kaeira out to Jessica.

Jessica took Kaeira without hesitation, looking down into the child’s face, “Little shit, tried to kill me. I think you’ll fit into this family quite nicely.” She said, and laughed. She held out an arm to both of her sons, “Well, come on. Family hug, right now. I just gave birth, died, and got brought back to life.”

Emmet laughed and hugged his mother, Godric getting in on it too, the both of them feeling very happy. Fran smiled and joined in as well, Gabriel was a little put off, but with a gesture from Emmet, he joined too.

Jessica smiled a little as everyone piled on for the hug. Even her feelings of anger at Gabriel were forgotten momentarily as they all hugged. It was only interrupted by a small sneeze and a feeling of cold on the tip of Jessica’s nose. As she looked down, she saw Kaeira staring up at her as well as a thin layer of ice glazing her nose. At this, Jessica started to laugh, giving Emmet a playful look while wiping the ice away, “Hold your sister for a moment, Emmet. I need to get dressed anyway. Besides, Gabriel and I were on the brink of being best friends forever and discovering something incredibly important about Biokinesis.” She said, heaving her aching body up into a sitting position. She turned to Fran a moment, “Could you please have someone fetch a change of clothes from my room? I don’t think I could make it up the stairs, to tell you the truth.”

As Emmet’s ability revived Jessica and she held Kaeria for the first time Jill smiled, although her body was still shaking as she still tried to stay out of view. Jessica was once more alive and her family embracing her with a hug. Jill turned around unable to watch anymore, as a single tear shed from her eye and ran down her face. It had been so long since she last cried, she didn’t think that her tear ducts even functioned properly anymore. She raised a hand and touched the trail left by the lone tear. She looked at it as the shaking stopped, but another tear followed it down the same path. She didn’t fully understand why she was crying but after a bit of though she determined it to be two reasons. The first being the scene that had just went down and thinking Jessica was dead. The second being the fact she couldn’t bring herself out there, even now. She just didn’t want to ruin things and even moreso now, she didn’t want them to see her cry and seem weak.

Emmet starred at the baby for a minute then reached out to take her from Jessica. He cradled her carefully as the books he’d read said too. She was rather cute, his earlier animosity ebbing away, slightly. Fran brought out some extra clothes she’d had stashed there for just such an occasion. “Normally a woman should stay in bed and rest after childbirth. But obviously that kind of thing doesn’t apply to you.”

Gabriel nodded, if Jessica was up for it then he wanted to continue on with the training. He blushed as he watched Emmet holding his sister. That would be them in a few months. He hoped he would do a good job as a father. He seriously never considered it before, outside of a passing by thought. But the thought had become a reality. Emmet caught him starring, he smiled and mouthed the words nine months.

Jessica nodded, “I’m fine…I just need something to eat and I’ll be fine. My body is already resetting itself.” She said, moving out of the room and fitting her clothes. A black t-shirt, blue jeans, as well as putting on her new red jacket and her boots, she stretched a little before rejoining the rest of her family. As she came out, she noticed Jill, “Grandma! Awesome, thought you wouldn’t make it. You wanna hold your new grand daughter? Feisty one.” She said with a tired smile. She turned to Fran, “I don’t suppose you have a camera in here, do you? Need one for the scrap book after all. That’s what normal people do, right?”

Fran’s video camera had been out the entire time, recording the birth and the familial moments. Emmet walked over to Jill and handed off his new sister " Hard to believe in a few months Gabe and I will have our own little bundle of. Oh right, everyone, don't wanna take the spot light away from Jessica and the babe. But I’m knocked up and giving birth as well in about nine months " Godric nodded " Congratulations " Fran’s eyes widened " Really? How? " Emmet shrugged " Ask Gabe, he did it with Biokinesis " Fran did just that and began barraging Gabriel with questions of how he'd gone about and whether he'd inseminated Emmet or did it through vaginal intercourse.

Jessica looked at Jill solemnly, “I don’t ever intend to do that again, trust me.” As much as she would have loved to raise Kaeira from a baby, like any normal parent, they didn’t have that luxury. They were all serial killers, and things were getting hairy with the government the way it was. If something were to happen… she wouldn’t be able to bear it, “It’s time for the last leg of this little experiment. Jill, you know what to do.” She said as a single tear trailed her face before she quickly wiped it away.

Jill stared at Jessica as she spoke. She looked down at the little baby she held. "If that's what you still want. I will tell you though Jessie, it may hurt her somewhat. I've aged people and they've screamed, although I don't know if that's for the panic in mind, or pain. Either way just giving you the warning. Once I start, I don't think I'll be able to bring her back, definitely not to this age."

Jessica nodded slightly, “We don’t have a choice. As much as I’d love to raise her from here, we simply don’t have the time. If something happens to me, she’ll need to be able to fend for herself. She can’t do that like this. Just…just do it, okay? Before I…I…” She trailed off, “Just do it!” She said irritably, the hurt in her voice evident. She didn’t want to, but she had to protect Kaeira. Besides, if she was capable of coherent thought, nobody could take her away from her.

Jill didn't even flinch as Jessica almost snapped at her. "Very well." She said while tightening her grip on the baby. She sat down and closed her eyes. The baby began rapidly aging right before their eyes. As she began to cry Jill held onto her and put her head on her shoulder. She rubbed her back trying to calm the child down, but to no great avail. After about a half an hour the baby was about 3 years old and the crying subsided. Jill sat there still rubbing her back and whispering to her, hoping it didn't hurt that bad.

Emmet raised an eyebrow at the conversation Jill and Jessica were having. Fran stopped questioning Gabriel and turned to watch as well. Godric’s expression was as unreadable as always. Suddenly Jill sat down and Kaeira was aged to the age of three. Emmet whistled, “Well....That’s something " he was unsure of how to take this. One moment the girl was an infant and the next she was ready for kindergarten. Fran’s camera was still recording everything and taking pictures. Gabriel wondered if there was another reason Jessica had decided to age her newly born child. He was aware of the government’s new procedures to specials. Was protecting her daughter all there was to it?

Jessica’s face went from resilient, to broken up, to barely held back tears, and finally to crying as Kaeira cried for the next thirty minutes. She couldn’t bear to hear it, but she knew it had to be done. It broke her heart as she could do nothing to ease the pain without hurting the child in and of itself, but the thought of turning off her ears sounded so…so…monstrous. As Jill finished up, she wiped away the tears and tried to compose herself. She didn’t want Kaeira’s first image of her mother to be that of her crying. Taking a deep breath, she walked over, put a hand to her own forehead and cupped her other around her daughter’s eyes, beginning to cellularly give Kaeira her own basic memories, transferring speech, motor control, identification awareness, and a whole range of other experiences to the girl. She would be like every other child her age, if not smarter.

When Jessica’s hand fell away, she took in her daughter’s appearance. Instead of the blood red eyes she expected to see, her eyes were like bright orange flames, with ashen gray crosses etched in them. It was definitely the Stigma, but not like she had ever seen before. Her hair was streaked with both blond and black hair, forming a sort of striped pattern. Her skin looked normal, but there was something forbidding about it, as if there were something hiding behind that thin veil of flesh. When she spoke, she had a perfect voice, both innocent and dangerous, but subtly so, “Mom. Brothers. Brother-in-law. Sister. Grandma. It’s good to meet you all.” She said with an innocent smile as Jessica enfolded her in a hug.

The room was silent after the girl spoke. Fran had brought out a second camera for additional footage. Gabriel was taken back by the girl’s appearance. It was bizarre and yet normal in a strange mixture. What was this child? Emmet looked her over, ‘Freaky’, he thought to himself. Behind his vision the stigma stirred, as if reacting, Godric was feeling a similar occurrence. "Hello to you too, sister,"

Emmet blinked, "Yeah, you’ve grown up nicely, Kay."

Jill watched as Jessica came over and took the baby. She smiled after the child spoke. "Well hello, it's a pleasure to meet you Kaeira."

Kaeira giggled as her family replied to her, “Thanks big bro.” She said to Emmet, then turned to Gabriel, “Don’t you have anything to say to your new sister-in-law? I’m insulted.” She faked a pout before she giggled again, and finally, she turned to Jessica again, “Mom, I’m hungry.”

Jessica raised an eyebrow and shrugged, “Well, let’s go find you something to eat, alright? What would you like?”

Kaeira rubbed her stomach a little and thought for a moment, “I dunno. I guess I’ll try whatever you eat. After all, I was “eating” while I was in your tummy anyway, right?”

Emmet laughed at Gabriel expression. The man was unsure of what to say to the little girl who was just an infant mere seconds ago “Um hello, Kaeira, how do you do? “ Gabriel’s own stomach started growling. Excessive biokinetic use always made his high metabolism act up. Emmet took his hand “I think we all could use a bite to eat “Godric nodded. Fran smiled at Kaeira

“Hello there, Kaeira. My, you look just like your mother and brothers. You know, I’ve read its good to commemorate events like this with photos.”

Jessica nodded, “Get one of all of us, then a group shot of just you five,” She motioned to Emmet, Godric, Gabe, Kaeira, and Fran, “And then one of me and Jill.” She said, retrieving a locket from her old pants pocket.

*************

Kaeira looked up from the food which she had been eating hungrily, but not necessarily without manners. Her eyes gradually floated to Fran, “Franny, is there something I can beat up that you’re done with? I know everyone wants to see what I can do, as I’m sure you wanna know too.” Kaeira was smiling innocently enough, but something in her orange eyes marked determination. Jessica wouldn’t say she wasn’t interested in Kaeira’s abilities, but she was more interested in her daughter’s safety. She had no training in anything yet.

Fran smiled, "Yes, I believe I do have something, I’ve had it stowed away all this time " she nodded to one of her assistants who lumbered off. Emmet had to admit he was rather curious about what the girl could do. Gabriel wanted to get back to his Biokinesis training, but his curiosity was winning out. Godric was wondering what he and Cyrus would do today, he nodded at his new sister as she desired to fight someone. He felt something, odd, he couldn’t tell what exactly. A moment later the assistant returned with a deformed creature. It had multiple limbs sticking out, "Meet Jacob. I experimented heavily on him, or rather I suppose meet Jacob #12, I made a few clones. I was curious about his DNA, seeing how strong the offspring he fathered were; anyway this one has increased strength and speed. Should be an excellent sparring partner."

Kaeira got up from the table and sort of hop-skipped her way over to the place designated for her little brawl with this hulking monstrosity. Jessica bit her lip. Emmet and Godric had resurrection, so she rarely had to worry about them getting truly hurt in a fight. Kaeira, though…they didn’t know what she could do, aside from blowing ice around. Kaeira, though, looked confident when matched with the beast, “Hullo Mister Twelve, I’m gonna hit you, okay?” She asked with a friendly smile.

Jessica simply gave Fran a look and whispered, “Is that really safe? I mean…she’s three and we have no idea what her abilities are.”

Jacob, if you could even call him that anymore, rolled an eye to focus on Kaeira. With the other, he focused on the people sitting at the table. Vague memories tugged at his brain, but nothing discernable. With a grunt, he refocused both eyes on the girl in front of him. The words “hit” and “you” were the only things that registered in the creatures mind and it grunted slightly, making an almost laughing sound. Kaeira frowned at this and put her hands on her hips, “Just because I’m little doesn’t mean you get to laugh at me, you big meanie.” At this, she conjured up a snowball in her hand and chucked it at the creature. The snow burst on Jacob’s face and managed to get an angry growl from him. That shit was cold, especially on his exposed skin. With a bit of a roar, it began to charge.

Emmet smirked as Jacob was brought out. It was certainly an improvement of how he'd been before. Gabriel was confused, "Who is that?" Emmet shrugged " My and Godric's sperm donor, basically."

"Cryokinesis," Godric commented as he sat up a little straighter. Fran nodded in agreement, taking notes. As Jessica made her concerns known, Fran turned to her slightly, not taking her eyes off the fight, "Three, but very well developed. Don't worry, should it get too dangerous, Jacob will be subdued."

As the creature got closer to Kaeira, Jessica felt a tightening in her chest. Part of her wanted to run over and defend the girl, but she couldn’t even move. But Kaeira hadn’t even flinched as the creature bore down on her. It was exceptionally fast for such a large creature, but as Fran had said, she had experimented on it extensively. As he brought back a fist, Kaeira finally moved, just as quickly as the creature did. One moment she was standing right where the creature’s fist was coming down, the next she was standing beside it, leaning against its leg, “You’re not the only one who’s fast, ugly.”

Jessica let out an audible sigh of relief. So the girl WAS like her brothers in that she had multiple abilities. So super speed and ice. Not a bad combo, she guessed, but not as versatile as Emmet or Godric’s, if that’s all she had. Then, as if on cue, Kaeira looked at Jessica and Jessica just knew that the girl was disappointed with her mother’s assumption. Was that another ability? She smirked a little. What was this little girl capable of?

Clambering up onto the creature’s head, she leaned down and hit him in the face with another snowball. Anyone could see she was just toying with him, but it only angered the creature more. With a surprisingly deft hand, he grabbed her and threw her towards the wall. For one heart pounding second, Jessica thought Kaeira was in trouble, but the girl slowed in midair and lightly touched the wall, literally floating down to the ground.

Emmet whistled as Kaeira showcased what she was capable of. He grudgingly admitted he was rather impressed. She was indeed his and Gods sister. Gabriel was greatly intrigued. She had just been an infant a moment ago. Her intelligence was greatly developed as was her control of her abilities. Godric was watching his expression ever blank. But he felt a strange emotion. Pride, he guessed. Fran was rapidly taking notes. When the girl had been thrown, Gabriel had almost used his TK to help her, but Emmet stopped him "She doesn’t need it " Gabriel's eyes widened as she slowed down and floated to the ground. "Not flight exactly, levitation, Cryokinesis, Kything, and lentation."

Jessica sat back in her chair and let out a sigh of nervous relief. This girl was going to give her another heart attack. Kaeira was having a blast now, showboating in front of her family just how strong she was. Jessica, on the other hand, stood up and clapped a little, “I think we’re done. That’s enough trying to give Mommy a heart attack for one day, I think.”

Kaeira took her eyes off Jacob, “But Mooooooom.” The girl protested, stomping a foot a little. Jacob, meanwhile, noticed Jessica stand up and call away Kaeira’s attention. It was then that he struck. With an almost bladed appendage, he struck at the girl, impaling her on it. Kaeira let out a gasp of pain and felt warmth spreading from around the wound. Was that blood? Her blood? This was both puzzling and excruciatingly painful, but everything seemed to be fading a little. Only then did she realize what was happening.

As soon as Kaeira was lifted up by the blade, Jessica froze and went deathly pale. When it tossed the girl aside and her body flopped lifelessly to the ground, she let out a small cry of shock and fainted dead away.

Emmet smirked a little as Kaeira flopped lifeless to the ground. “Hmm, a little too arrogant aren’t we,” he expression changed as Jessica fainted and he was instantly at her side. Gabriel attacked the Jacob clone with fire, destroying it. Godric picked up the lifeless girl and carried her over to the table. Fran checked her pulse, but found nothing.

Emmet lightly patted Jessica’s cheek “Come on now, she’s gonna come back. It just takes awhile the first time around.”

The room was quiet for a moment as all eyes seemed to be on Kaeira, waiting to see if the child possessed the one common ability that her brothers possessed. For a few moments, nothing. Then, slowly, a small cracking sound began to fill the room as ice began to coat Kaeira’s body, covering her completely and even spreading off onto the table for a ways. With a horrible breaking sound, the ice disappeared and Kaeira’s eyes shot open, her face immediately taking on a look of fear. She looked around the room and started crying, clinging to Godric as if she was afraid she’d be ripped away and hauled off somewhere. Through the sobs, she asked, “Is Mama mad?”

Godric was unresponsive for a moment as the girl held onto him. Finally he shook his head “No, mother was just very worried. As was I,” he really had been, though it was strange for him to have feelings towards people; Cyrus, Emmet, Jessica, Jill, Fran, and Gabriel being the exception, “Don’t…Don’t cry. Everything’s alright “

Emmet felt a strange warmth in his chest as the girl started crying. Sadness he supposed. He really had no reason to utter dislike, yet anyway. “Yeah Kay, mom’s ok, just a little dramatic, understandable,” Emmet certainly didn’t want to go through the kind of situation when his son or daughter was born. Gabriel was thinking the same thing. Another thing they’d noted was that she did indeed share Emmet and Godric’s immortality. Gabriel helped Emmet set Jessica upright in her chair.

“She should come to in a minute,” said Fran as she set her notes aside to give Kay a check up.

Kaeira’s face was downcast as Fran moved to give her a check-up, tears still lingering in her eyes and on her cheeks as she released her death grip around Godric and instead held his hand, “I’m sorry.” She whispered, sniffling a little and waiting for Jessica to come to.

Jessica groaned and put a hand to her head, shaking it slightly, “My head is killing me.” The memories came back and her eyes flew open, frantically moving around the room until they rested on Kaeira sitting on the table. Once again, she let out a sigh of relief and muttered, “If this keeps up, I’m not going to live until thirty.” Aloud, she asked Fran, “Is she alright?”

Fran nodded “ Yes, she’s perfectly healthy as before, with no signs she was ever injured.” She said as Godric brought the girl over to her mother.

Jessica took her youngest from her oldest with hands that wanted to discipline. Part of her was so furious with her daughter for her little stunt, but that anger called up the day her father had knocked her into the bay and then proceeded to beat her for almost drowning. With a light sigh, she hugged her daughter close and even planted a kiss on her forehead, “It’s okay. You’re all better now.” She whispered softly, sitting the girl in her lap and bouncing a knee, “That’s why you’re going to be training hard with your abilities and working hard on your school work. We’ll make you just as good as your brothers, won’t we?”

Kaeira nodded slightly and rested her head against Jessica’s shoulder, drifting off to a comforted sleep. Jessica was left stunned by this, the surprise showing momentarily on her face before a soft smile crested her lips, “I guess it’s nap time. Someone help me up, would you. She should be put to bed and then Gabriel and I can finish his training.”

Godric took the sleeping girl back, carefully cradling her. Fran led him out of the room, to where she'd had a special room made for the girl. Emmet yawned " Well today has been very exciting, but I need a nap."

Gabriel nodded " I'll drop you off at home before we get back to training " Emmet wrapped his arms around Gabriel's neck, holding on closely. Gabe held his hand out for Jessica to take.

Doubt Anyone Is Read These Anymore, So Why Bother With A Timeline? One Month After The Last Convo That Nobody Read.

Jessica was watching Kaeira play in the forest. While it was only playing to the little girl, to Jessica, is was a rigorous training exercise that she and Fran had come up with. Several normally dangerous creatures dwelled in the forest, and they were definitely attracted to the smell of humans. Besides, it was nice to see her little girl just play, and be a normal little girl. She felt a weird feeling when she saw Kaeira happy. Maternal pride, maybe, but it was something that she felt close to her heart; or what remained of it.

She was abruptly broken from these thoughts at Kaeira’s scream. In seconds, she had pinpointed the girl’s location and was standing in front of a man she thought she would never see again. Jacob, his face stretched hideously and his skin looking stripped and pulsating. In his arm was Kaeira, the girl a cold stone statue in his arms, “Such a sweet little girl you’ve got here, Jessie. It would be such a shame if something happened to her.” Jessica’s hand clasped itself against her jeans.

“She’s just a little girl, Jacob. You’ve got a beef with me, not her.” Jessica growled, though Jacob could see the defeat in her face, “Just let her go. Take me and do your worst. But leave her out of this.” She said, kneeling down in the grass. Jacob simply laughed, causing her head to shoot back up, looking him in the face.

“She’s just as much a part of this as you, Jess. But you know what this really reminds me of? This reminds me of your little girlfriend, Erica. She killed herself, didn’t she? Smeared herself all over the highway if I remember right.” He said, laughing at her. A few tears streaked down Jessica’s face. This bastard was taking from her her daughter, as well as rehashing her old, painful memories. Jacob approached her, “That’s the Jess I remember. On her knees, submissive, and crying. Not so tough now, huh, Jess?”

Jessica said nothing, gritting her teeth as she tried to keep her tongue in check, for Kaeira’s sake. Jacob put a condescending hand on her shoulder, “There, there, little Jessie. I’m sure Jack would really love how you turned out.” At that, Jessica’s breath hitched in her throat, “Ah, you remember Jack? I found him, you know. He’s turned out…well…I’ll let it sit. He never knew what happened to you. Never knew what happened to his darling Jessie. But he sure knew what you’d become. A monster. His darling Jessica…a monster. Can you imagine how he must feel?” Before Jessica could say anything, she felt a cold spreading through her like she had never experienced before. She looked at her hands. A metallic substance was coating her…no…her skin was becoming metal. Her eyes widened with fear. Kaeira wasn’t a statue, her skin was made of the same metal her body was now turning into. That meant…she was still alive in there! And she couldn’t breath! She knew that the girl was in no danger of suffering any permanent side effects now, but if she was wrong, and Kaeira was a statue through and through, if she were to break…Jessica refused to entertain the thought. She looked up at Jacob for a moment, “If you hurt her in any way, no ability in the world will save you, Jacob. I promise you that.” With that, the world went dark.

When light flooded the world again, the first thing she realized was that she still couldn’t move. Looking down at herself, she understood why. Only her face had escaped the metallic skin that coated her body. The second was that Kaeira was nowhere to be seen. Jacob stepped into view from behind her, smiling, “The bright lights are the least of your worries, Jessie.” He said, oh so cleverly quoting himself from the very day he died.

“What have you done to my daughter, Jacob?” She asked, both anger and fear prevalent in her voice. She felt the metallic skin changing back to normal, but still she couldn’t move. How? Her bones. Her bones were fused and made of some metal. She would have to break them before she’d be able to move again, but the sheer risk of doing such a thing was obvious. It would kill her. So all she could do was sit… and wait… and endure…

Nicole was in her room, going over some homework. She ran a hand through her hair and sighed. Her mind wasn’t really all there, with the math on the page. It was on her life, overall. She was in high school now, her Dad’s relationship had come to light, and she was always worrying about her cousins and their relationship between her father and aunt. She sighed again and set her pencil down, getting up and crossing to the window of her room. Suddenly, she felt it. Fear. Panic. Helplessness. She suddenly felt like curling up into a ball and crying for her mother. She put a hand to her head and shook it, trying to shake the feeling off, but it persisted. In fact, it got stronger. She hurried out of her room and headed downstairs, calling out for her father, her voice becoming more and more frantic. She just couldn’t understand what was going on.

Nate was lying on the couch fast asleep. He’d been up pretty late the night before talking to Kendrick over the phone. His lover was away with Azrael on a training journey. Both men had invited him to come along, Nate declined though, their swordsmanship was still leagues away from anything he could do. He awoke to Nicole’s yelling; he flipped off the couch into a fighting stance “What’s going on?” His eyes darted around, seeking a possible threat.

Nicole rushed to her father, “I don’t know! I just started feeling all these…these emotions. I feel so scared and helpless.” She said, franticly. She put a hand to her head. What was going on? She was seeing through someone else’s eyes. Her own eyes were wide as she watched; the other person was small, it looked like. Sitting, maybe? Or crouching perhaps. She couldn’t tell, she wasn’t in control. She was a captive in this other person’s body. The person approached a window, her reflection briefly catching Nicole’s eye. Jessica’s daughter, Kaeira, “It’s Kay. She’s somewhere…I can’t tell where. This must be part of her powers, Dad. She’s trying to tell me something.” She whispered, her own eyes blind. Kaeira could see out into…a warehouse, maybe? It was dark, “It looks like a one way connection, but I can’t tell. She’s in some type of really big building. A warehouse or something, it’s too dark to be sure. Where’s Jessica? Or Emmet or Godric? Why would they let her go anywhere like this alone?”

Nate listened closely to his daughter. He knew that Kaeira was Jessica’s ‘child’, but nothing else of the child. Her ability sounded like Kything, though. He rubbed his chin as he sat back down on the couch, “To my better knowledge, Emmet and Gabriel are in Europe right now, and Godric and Cyrus went with them. No clue about Jessica though. Can you get anything else from what she’s showing you?”

Nicole shook her head, “I dunno. But she’s terrified; and worried about…Jessica. Something’s wrong, Dad, something’s really wrong. We have to help her, Dad, she’s just a little girl!” Nicole said, her voice shrill with Kaeria’s fear and her own helplessness, “I know you don’t like Jessica, Dad, but we can’t just do nothing. She IS family, after all.” She said, “I wish I could ask her where she was, or what she’s so afraid of.” She said, running a hand through her hair again. Over time, streaks of her mother’s hair had invaded the normal blond of the Oskin family, giving her an almost strawberry color to it, though it was only streaks, of course. She turned her eyes away from her father and closed them, thinking at Kaeira, “Just show me something. Tell me what you’re so afraid of…”

Nate nodded; he certainly didn’t care for the woman, but in the end Oskins helped each other, for the most part anyway. As Nicole continued to try and reach out to Kaeira he reached for his phone, preparing to call Rose when suddenly the loud roar of an engine split the air. He ran outside to see a Porsche park itself in the drive way. Rose climbed out of it and waved to him, “Hey Nate, I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d drop by," Nate wasted no time in explaining the situation. Rose's cheery expression quickly melted to her usual serious, all business one, "If she's being held captive and worried about Jessica then odds are she's a prisoner too. Nicole, give me a full and detailed description of everything Kaeira's seeing, and if possible anything's she's hearing."

Nicole closed her eyes, again looking out through Kaeira’s eyes, “It’s dark; really dark. The walls look metallic. I can’t hear much of anything, but I think I hear shouting. It’s hard to tell, it’s really muffled. The room she’s in is small, like…an office, or something. I don’t…wait, hold on.” Kaeira turned away, looking up through what appeared to be a skylight. It was the only source of light for the room, and they could see slight pieces of a billboard, “There’s a sign, it looks like. Advertisement for warehouses? I’m sorry, that’s all she seems to be able to see. I hope they’re okay…” She murmured, blinking away Kaeira’s vision.

Nate wracked his mind for the location, but Rose was already ahead of him, "They’re in an abandoned building that’s not too far from L.A," Nate ran inside the house and grabbed one of his katana, “Then what are we waiting for?" Rose leaned against the side of her car “We can't just run off half cocked. Jessica is a strong special, if she and her daughter have been captured, then it wasn’t by one run of the mill individual, but I suppose we can think of a plan along the way. Kendrick still with Azrael?" she climbed into the driver’s seat as Nate confirmed that his lover wasn’t there "Then I guess it's just us," Nate got into the passenger seat.

Nicole made to get into the back seat along with them, “I’m coming too; Kaeira is relaying messages through me, so you can’t go without me.” She said, knowing she’d likely be stuck in the car while all the actual fighting went on, if she got to go at all, but she didn’t really care, “Besides, maybe I can help! You said yourself that if Jessica and Kaeira got captured then their captor must be strong. If I could get a look at the person, maybe I could use my ability to stop them.” She said hopefully. She really didn’t want to leave any of this up to chance. They didn’t have a plan, and they had no idea what they were up against. She knew both her aunt and father were completely capable of handling themselves, but she still felt the want to protect them.

Nate and Rose didn’t argue; Nicole was right, they did need her. Rose's foot glued itself to the accelerator and soon they were rocketing down the highway. Every so often they'd ask Nicole for a status on the situation, but otherwise they talked battle strategy. Rose was their strongest offensive fighter. If need be she would hold off whoever as Nate got Kaeira and Jessica out. Eventually they pulled up to the building. It looked like it could go down at any minute, “Stay in the car," Nate told Nicole as he and Rose got out and made their way into the building.

Nicole pouted as Nate told her to stay in the car, but it wasn’t like she hadn’t expected it. She crossed her arms indignantly as Nate and Rose disappeared into the building. She wanted to comfort Kaeira; she could still feel the little girl’s fear, but she could also feel that it was less than it had been before. Could she tell that Nicole was closer? She didn’t know. She supposed she’d just have to wait.

Jacob looked up from his work. Jessica’s body was just beginning to heal itself from the last round of beatings. Aside from the evidence that she had just been beaten, she looked fine; completely unbound. Her metal bones still refused to move, though. But her eyes went dully to the two people now entering the building. Jacob saw this and turned to face them, his smirk disappearing and being replaced with a look of irritation, “Oh, who the hell are these jokers?” He asked, nonchalantly, looking back at Jessica. Her bruised eye and split lips twitched slightly as blood trickled down her face. She herself was wonder why exactly Nate and Rose were here. Or how the hell they had managed to figure out she was in trouble, or where she was. But her face changed ever so slightly at the thought that maybe, just maybe, they were here to at the very least rescue her daughter…unless they were behind this. Her face fell at the thought, but Jacob simply turned to them, “Can I help you two with something?”

Rose immediately spotted Jessica on the ground, she looked like she’d taken a beating, but was still breathing. Nate was eyeing the figure standing over her. Devoid of any skin, its basic build signified it was male. His face was drooping a little, and his hair was patchy and grey. Nate gripped his sword “We’re here for her and the little girl; step away from her now!”

Rose too inspected him; Jessica was a known killer, that she had enemies was not surprising. But there was something more to this, that much she could tell, “Who are you?”

Jacob crossed his arms and inspected Rose in particular, then turned to look at Jessica, then back at Rose. He cocked his head and a smirk spread across his lips, “You’re related to this bitch, aren’t you!” He said, laughing a little and shaking his head, “Look, I’m feeling generous. I got business with the bitch. We got history together.” He said, taking Jessica’s chin in his hand and shaking it roughly, “Hell, her little brats are mine. And after the bitch killed me, I figure I got some right to revenge. So you take yourselves and you leave me and the bitch alone. I already promised that I wouldn’t hurt the brat, if that’ll help your consciouses.”

Rose’s eyes widened as the man revealed his identity as Emmet and Godric’s father. From the archive, she knew his name was Jacob and Jessica had killed him during the initial awakening of her ability. She could only imagine how he had been brought back to life or had a power. But none of that mattered now, she turned to Nate and he got the point. Rose tapped into the burgeoning plant life sprouting the building. A nearby weed rapidly grew out, cycle, and lashed out, grabbing Jacob’s wrist. “ I’m afraid I won’t be doing that; you… Jessica… all of this was by my selfish doing and I mean to end it all now,” her stigma awakened and her features twisted; that was Nate’s cue to search for Kaeira. Vines wrapped Jessica’s body and pulled her away from Jacob, “Come child, I’ll see you writhe in agony before putting you back in hell.”

Jacob merely tisked as the vines lashed around his wrist, “All of you are just degenerates, you know that? Her brats, Jessie, you. All of you, just pitiful. I will teach you not to mess where you aren’t wanted. I taught that bitch that lesson when we were teenagers, and I sure as hell don’t mind teaching that lesson to you.” He shouted as the vine turned to plaster and he pulled his arms free, “I know a lot about you Oskins. I was in that fucking lab long enough to learn plenty about all of you. Your weird ass eye thing, all of your weird ass powers. I especially learned a lot while that cute little piece of work with the strawberry strips in her hair was there. What was her name, Nicky? What an idiot. She thinks this world is all sunshine and lollipops. She could learn a lot from a guy like me, you know. If you think this is your fault, then you must be Rosalie Oskin. Man, you should have heard all the nasty things Jessie said about you.” He laughed, casting a glance at Jessica, “She blames you for like her entire life, you know that? And all the death threats, hah! It’s a wonder you’re even here. Why do you want to even help her? She’s just going to kill you when you turn your back anyway. Might as well just turn and leave now, let me deal with her.”

Nate paused for a minute when he heard Jacob talking about Nicole. He glared as his stigma stirred.

“Nate, don’t let this idiots words rile you up! I promise I will make him regret it.”

Nate just nodded and continued. Rose’s stigma vanished for a moment. She wanted to be herself for this “I won’t make any excuses or ask for forgiveness. Too much time has elapsed and too many deeds have been done. I loathed her mother and even now, I can see pieces of her present. Quite frankly, it turns my stomach. But she’s still family and I owe her that much,” Rose reached into pocket and pulled out a hand full of seeds. She threw them into the cracked ground where they buried into the soil “We need not love each other; the feelings of animosity are completely mutual.” Her stigma was back and the ground was shaking as the seed burst to life. Briar, cacti, and various other wicked looking plants began growing to alarming sizes. “If she is to pass from this world then it will be by my hand and my hand alone. A mongrel like you shouldn’t bark so loud, you could never hope to kill an Oskin woman!! “A wild hiss filled the air as the thorny flora surged at Jacob.

Nate checked from room to room till he finally found the little girl huddled up in a corner shaking like a leaf. He considered how to get to her, he didn’t want to frighten her and they didn’t know each other well. Finally he used his ability to lull her into a state of calm. He walked over slowly “Don’t worry, everything’s gonna be fine, I’m here to save you.”

Kaeira looked at Nate with wide eyes as he came closer. There was some sort of calming effect coming from him…She already felt calm. Besides, he looked normal; not at all like the monster who had taken her and Jessica, “Where’s my Mama?” She asked, not making a move to go to the man, but not making any hostile moves either, “Where’s Nicky? Did she send you? Do you know Nicky?” She asked quizzically.

Jacob laughed, “Kill? No, never. Why would I wanna do that? Dead bodies don’t scream when you fuck’em.” He laughed as his skin turned to the same metal that he had turned Jessica’s bones into. While he couldn’t move while he was in this state, his ability could still affect other things that happened to come into contact with him. That was the only choice he saw for this situation as he would hopefully avoid taking any real damage from the plants. All he needed was a touch on the woman to incapacitate her as well as he had Jessica, and then that other douche who was going after the brat would hopefully be easy pickings.

Nate smiled gently “ Yeah, she’s my daughter, she’s outside, come on, let’s get you out of here “ he held his hand out.

Rose, even in her state of insanity, was still calculating everything. His composition suddenly changed to metal, Atomic transmutation it would seem. That would explain how he’d captured Jessica. Her plants all scraped against Jacobs metal skin without doing any real damage. “Hmm, I suppose the mutt has some teeth, but it hardly matters “ her body dissolved away to rose petals “ Now lets try this again “ briars wrapped around his arm and legs. The ground beneath Jacobs shook violently as a large oak tree sprouted, it split open and trapped him inside. Flowers bloomed along the trees releasing a deadly toxin of spores.

Kaeira looked at Nate for a moment longer before getting up, “If you’re lying my Mommy will be really mad. But if you’re really Nicky’s daddy, then that means you’re like my uncle, right?” She asked, taking Nate’s hand tentatively.

Jacob grunted mentally as the tree wrapped around him and the flowers bloomed. However, as it touched him, the tree began to crumble, but that wasn’t the part he had to worry about. He could only stay in this statue state for so long. About as long as he could hold his breath, to be exact. And while that was longer than most people due to his enhanced muscles, it was by no means infinite. And he was running out quickly. He had to think of something quickly otherwise he was going to be inhaling those toxins. Well, hopefully they wouldn’t kill him. He turned his lungs to metal, keeping them from expanding much which would hopefully limit the amount of poison he inhaled, as well as the amount he would absorb. As his skin turned to normal, he took a breath and lashed out at Jessica. If he couldn’t stop Rose, then he’d sure as hell get Jessica. And maybe, just maybe, it would draw the plant bitch out of hiding.

Rose’s nonexistent mouth was curling in a cruel smile. Simpleton, she’d predicted his actions perfectly. He couldn’t transmute his entire body at the same time; to protect himself from the toxins, he'd altered his lungs, forfeiting his metallic skin. As his skin returned to some form of normal, he lunged at Jessica “Don’t fuck with the Oskins, wretch! “

The next instant Jacob was pierced from all side by briar vines. Rose’s vicious laugher echoed as she brutally withdrew her attack from Jacobs body, blood flying as she returned to physical form. Splatter her hair and body, the stigma receded and her expression was grave, with rose petals raining over her, truly, she was a demented mother nature.

Nate fought the urge to roll his eyes as he led them out of the room “Great uncle actually, since I’m your mommy’s uncle.”

Jacob couldn’t believe the pain he was feeling so suddenly. He stumbled a few steps, trying to stop his guts from spilling out of his pierced body as the plants ripped free, “Killed by a fucking…flower…You gotta be…shitting me.” He struggled, taking a few more wobbling steps and falling, his hands tracing along a gas storage container. As he died, the effects he’d had on Jessica began to weaken, and eventually faded. Jessica, who had simply been watching and listening as the conversation went on between the two. Now she simply stood, her eyes on Rose the entire time, though her face was expressionless. The building they were in was old, that much was true, but it was also still used for storage of hazardous chemicals, gasoline and other such flammable liquids among them. As Jacob’s dead fingers traced the fuel storage container, it knocked it over. The contents began to spill along the floor as the rusted metallic pieces dragged across the metal of the machinery, causing a spark. It didn’t take long for the entire place to catch fire, with a chain reaction of small explosions going off, but both women simply stared at one another, neither really saying a thing nor wanting to break the silence that had erupted between them.

Kaeira was looking up at Nate curiously, “What makes you great?” She asked. It was an innocent question.

Nate scratched his head as he wondered how he could explain it to a three year old. He had a flash back to Nicole around the same age asking him a similar question about how all the Oskins were related, in the end Rose was the one who had done it. He paused outside the room where the fighting was happening and heard nothing. He peeked inside and saw Rose and Jessica starring each other down. Suddenly a chain of explosions went off, setting the place ablaze “Crap!! “ Nate exclaimed as he grabbed Kaeira and started running towards the exit. But an explosion erupted in front of him, sending Nate flying hard against a wall. He slumped over unconscious; the explosion had loosened the foundation of the floor above them. It crumbled and collapsed down. Rose, not breaking eye contact with Jessica for a second sent out a blitz of vines, grabbing Nate and Kaeira just before they were crushed.

Nate fell just behind her, but Kay was placed softly in her arms. The girl was crying for her mother, her resemblance brought her back to old pictures of Mary that Greg keeps in his room. Rose closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them again. Her vendetta against Mary was long since gone and holding it against Jessica was fruitless, it had no real meaning.

No amount of fire or explosions would hurt her, she knew that. But Kaeira was a different story. As Nate entered the building with Kaeira, Jessica’s eyes wavered ever so slightly, shifting to the girl for only a second to make sure that she was okay. And then she was looking at Rose, her previously expressionless face changed into a determined one of defiance. They wouldn’t take Kaeira away from her. She wouldn’t let them. Then the ceiling above them was collapsing. She knew that Kaeira could regenerate anyway, but still, she felt the need to protect her daughter. Rose was already on it, though, it seemed as the two were swept from danger. Kaeira ended up in Rose’s arms. That was the last thing she wanted on the face of the earth. After all, Rose was the main orchestrator of Emmet and Godric’s kidnapping. Jacob hadn’t been lying about that, Jessica did blame Rose for the way her life had turned out, and for the way her children’s lives had played out. Her fist tightened slightly against her jeans again.

Kaeira was squealing with fright. This fire wasn’t like Emmet’s fire. It was completely uncontrolled, eating everything. And it was loud. She felt herself being placed into a woman’s arms, and for a moment she hoped it was Jessica’s, but a look of confusion spread across her face as she looked up into Rose’s face. Then she followed the woman’s gaze to her mother, leaning against Rose’s grip and reaching her arms out, calling for her mother, simply wanting to be held.

Kaeira’s struggling awoke Rose to the severity of the situation. The fire was raging out of control and spreading fast. She strode forward, her expression an unreadable emotion and handed the girl over to her mother “It would be prudent to leave before the building comes crashing down on us “Nate groaned as he woke up, he rubbed his back to soothe some of the stiffness. He looked over at the two women; the resemblance from this distance was eerie.

As Rose stepped forward and handed Kaeira to her, the girl climbed into her mother’s arms with the fright that was apparent on her face. Jessica’s face, though. Jessica’s face changed; it softened substantially. She didn’t quite understand what Rose was doing, but the confusion of the act showed on her face. She stared at Rose for a moment longer before looking away, down at the ground, “I…You have my thanks.” She said, though her voice was small. When Rose mentioned leaving, she nodded, “Kaeira. Can you do Mommy a favor? Make us a way out, please.” She said, looking at the girl. Though she was frightened, she nodded and extended her hands, the air around them becoming frigid. Ice began to carve a path through the flames and burst open the wall, letting light shine into the fire lit room.

Rose just nodded and went to help Nate up. Together they all exited the building just on the heels of it falling to the ground. Rose turned back to Jessica; she was at a loss for words of what to say to the woman "I....is she ok?"

As they made their escape, an odd silence fell over the group. When Rose asked if Kaeira was okay, she nodded, but crouched down with Kaeira and set her on her feet so she could get a good look at the girl, “Nothing seems broken or out of place. No blood. I’d say she’s fine…thanks to you two. We wouldn’t have gotten out of there if it wasn’t for you.” She said quietly, not looking up from her daughter. Finally, she stood up and looked at Nate, “How are you doing? You uh… you hit that wall pretty hard.” She said, turning to look at Kaeira, who was smiling up at her. She now had mixed feelings towards Rose and Nate. They had risked their own lives to come for her, even after she had been such a bitch to them. They certainly didn’t owe her anything. Sure, they might have taken Emmet from her, but in retrospect, they also saved Godric. Not only that, but they had also reunited the family. Maybe she’d been looking at this all the wrong way. Despite her part in all of it, Rose was no more responsible for Emmet’s torture than she was. She sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

Nate shrugged “I’ve had worse.” he was glad that Kaeira would be alright; she reminded him a lot of Nicole. Rose and Nate looked at each other for a moment and Nate sighed, “There’s been a lot of bad blood between us for too long. It’s time for a change. We’re all Oskin’s after all.”

Rose nodded, she could see from Jessica’s face that the woman was thinking something along those lines “Yes, he’s right. I’m truly sorry I put my personal feelings for another on you, I let my hatred for Mary and the lout she married cloud my judgments. It goes against the grain but I have problems with grudges and I have no real one towards you or your children. Coming here today put all of that in perspective, now only time will tell how things will go.” she absentmindedly ran her hands through her hair in the same manner as Jessica.

Jessica sat down on a barrel that had been emptied long ago of its contents. Kaeira immediately hopped up into her lap, and she sighed again, “Since we met, back at the mansion…I blamed you both for what happened to me. But…it wasn’t your fault. It was my parent’s fault, and it was Jacob’s fault. Hell, in some respects, it was my fault.” She said, looking up at the both of them, “And on the subject of Emmet…well, I can see that you love him like a son, Rose; and if it wasn’t for you, who knows where Godric would have ended up. I might never have even known he was alive, let alone would I have been reunited with him. I held quite a few wrongful grudges myself. It was…childish. I’m…I’m sorry.”

Nate scratched his back a little, as Jessica spoke. His hatred of her stemmed mostly from his fear that she would harm Nicole in some way. If they were moving into a less hate filled relationship then that was fine with him “Hmm, I think we were all acting childish, on some level. Let us just move on now “Rose nodded “Yes, what happened with Emmet has haunted me. But Jessica, in truth, that never should have happened. I don’t know how but someone intervened. Call it an act of pure chance because it wasn’t an event seen in my mothers archive. He prevented me from rescuing Emmet, he was powerful and able to use multiple powers, not unlike Gabriel and for that, I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him “she could feel wetness out the corner of her eyes; tears. She laughed bitterly, she hadn’t cried since her childhood. How ironic that it was in front of the daughter of the woman who’d instilled it. But that was all in the past now.

Jessica took a long and hard look at Rose. Tears of her own were appearing in her own eyes, but they were tears of anger, “Who? Do you know his name?” She asked. So then the blame really wasn’t Rose’s. This mystery man…he would pay for what he did to Emmet. Kaeira could feel her mother’s anger and gave a small whine, which settled Jessica’s anger a little, but not much. The Stigma reared up for a moment before it faded back into the blue of Jessica’s eye, “I will find a way to make him pay.” She said angrily, though she didn’t move from the barrel.

Nicole finally rounded the building in full sprint, practically crashing into her father. Her eyes went wide when she saw the group, and she actually seemed at a loss for words. Finally, a bright grin spread across her face. They were talking calmly instead of threatening to kill each other. That was a vast improvement, “Well, this is a pleasant surprise.” She said as she threw her arms around Rose and Nate and pulled them into a hug. Lowly, she said, “Thanks you two, for giving her a chance.”

Jessica smiled lightly. She actually kind of liked Nicole, believe it or not. She simply let out a sigh and held Kaeira close as well, hugging her daughter. In some respects, she hoped that she could be that way with Emmet and Godric one day as well.

Rose wiped her eyes off as Nicole came over and hugged her and Nate. Everything was winding down now and nothing was left to do but leave. Rose turned to Jessica and Kaeira “Do you want a ride back to the Meyer Mansion? “it was the least she could do.

Jessica smiled a little, “If you don’t mind.” Sure she could get back to the mansion herself fairly easily, but that would probably be seen as a sign of hostility. She wanted to actually try and make this work. As far as she’d ever been concerned, nobody in her family had ever given two shits about her. The thought that maybe she could make a good family not only for herself, but for all of her children was…comforting. Nicole wasn’t satisfied with the conversation’s end. She went over and wrapped her arms around Jessica, which prompted a look of surprise from the woman. However, Kaeira wrapped her arms around both Nicole and Jessica, and Jessica tentatively hugged them back. Nicole looked over her shoulder for a moment and gave her family a look that said, ‘You too.’

Rose immediately went over and joined the hug, Nate after a moment did the same; wrapping his arms around all of them. He chuckled a little to himself, Nicole was so caring and kind. A lot like her mother and a little like what Rose said their own mother had been like, this was a nice feeling. Rose felt the same way, they were taking a step in a new direction, only time would tell where the road led too.

As the others began to join the hug with little hesitation, Jessica actually began to cry. She let out a laughing sob for a moment, “I’m sorry. I just…” She mumbled, her voice a little hoarse. She didn’t usually get emotional like this, but ever since she found Emmet and Godric, and especially after she got herself pregnant with Kaeira, she’d noticed her emotions were more powerful. She wondered if it made her weak…her motherly side quickly dismissed the thought, though. It didn’t matter. As long as she had her kids, she was fine, no matter what happened. She took a deep breath and let it out, trying to get her usual persona back, “Thank you all. Really. It…it means a lot. I’m sorry I was such a… a b-i-t-c-h to all of you.” She said, smiling as Kaeira looked up at her curiously.

Nate waved it off “It’s fine, we’re pretty that way to each other a lot of the time anyway “Rose smacked him lightly in the back of the head. Slowly the group disengaged themselves from each other. “I’m sorry as well, I’ve been a B-I-T-C-H myself. Let’s just move past it “she dissolved into rose petals and floated away. A moment later Rose drove around the remains of the building “Alright lets go “Nate climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up.

Jessica quickly got into the car alongside Nicole, giving Rose and Nate a curious look, “You wouldn’t happen to have a booster seat for Kaeira, would you?” She asked, though she doubted they did. It didn’t look like someone needing a booster seat had been in this car for quite some time, given the fact she had never seen another baby within the family. Now that she came to think about it, Rose had never mentioned having a child of her own. While she was curious about it, she wouldn’t pry in case there was a reason for it. Instead she smiled as Kaeira looked up at her mother, “Mooooooooooom! I don’t need a stupid booster seat. It’s not like I can die anyway.” She said, begrudgingly crossing her arms.

Rose shook her head as she put her sunglasses on “Sorry, haven’t needed one since Nicole was her age, but I’ll take it easy “she put the car in gear and headed off. True to her word she was driving much slower then usual, almost the speed limit. Nate was looking out the window, bored but happy. Suddenly the sound of a police siren could be heard. Rose immediately started accelerating, Nate grinned, “Fasten your seat belts people; we got us a race on our hands “

Eventually Rose pulled up to the Meyer Mansion. It had been one hell of a high-speed chase. With all of the states squad cars on their tails, and a chopper in the air. Rose’s driving skills were pushed to the limit. It was absolutely thrilling, especially when they’d hit the freeway, all the extra space certainly helped. They’d exited the freeway and drove through the woods, all of the green life springing to life and ensnaring the cars. Rose leaned back in her seat and wiped some sweat from her brow “The driver in the first car was quite skilled “

Nate nodded “Agreed, to bad the others got involved, I love the one on one dances “

“Nothing wrong with entertaining multiple guest though “

They starred at each other before bursting out with laughter.

After about an hour of perilous driving, Jessica could finally relax. She was used to speed, true enough, but not being able to control the speed was what scared her about cars. They were big, clunky, clumsy things compared to her running abilities, and worst of all, unreliable. Kaeira, on the other hand, was having a blast, squealing with excitement and glee as the chase dragged on, marveling at all the flashing lights of the police cars. She and Nicole were both noticeably disappointed when the helicopter made an emergency landing and the drivers of the other cars were ‘mysteriously’ ensnared by plant life. Nicole even went so far as to protest, but the fact that they were heading back to the Meyer mansion and didn’t really want to attract too much attention to it was enough reason to stop the protest.

When they began laughing, Kaeira and Nicole laughed along with them, and Jessica let out a nervous laugh. She really hated cars. Finally, they were getting out and saying goodbyes. Jessica gave Nate, Rose, and Nicole all tentative hugs, although Kaeira was much less shy about it. She took up her brother’s excitement when it came to hugs, practically tackling them as she talked of visiting and hanging out, and playing, and all the other things she did that she fantasized being so much more fun with other people. Nicole gave Rose and Nate a look that said it was more than likely a bad idea, as it WAS still Jessica raising the child.

Everyone got out of the car to hug good-bye. Jessica’s were tentative but Kaeira’s were identical to Emmet’s overzealous ones, practically tackling them over. Nate smiled and assured the girl they would play with her, not seeing his daughters look. Rose assumed what the girl considered “playing “to be while living in the Meyer Mansion. Nate got back in the car but Rose lingered “…Sampson, his name was Sampson; he called himself a hunter of our kind. That was all I was able to get, aside from escaping with my life. I hope that helps. Good-bye.” once Nicole was back in the car it zoomed off back onto the road.

Jessica stood for a moment outside the mansion, her mind playing over the name. ‘A hunter of our kind’. They would see, it seemed. With a wave at the quickly fleeing car, Jessica took Kaeira’s hand and went back into the mansion, sure that Emmet would be overjoyed to hear the news of her and Rose’s making up.

Two Weeks Later

Jessica sat at her bedroom desk, which was now clean of research books, eating breakfast; her thoughts over the recent events that had happened. Emmet and Gabriel, Godric and Cyrus, Kaeira’s birth, the other Oskins…it was all so much. The life she’d never thought she would ever have, the one where she could actually call someone family and mean it, was finally starting to shape. Vaguely she wondered if she was going soft as she stared out the window. Maybe it was time to leave her old self behind. Not quite like Sierra, but maybe she…nah, who was she kidding. Killing was just too much fun. She grinned a little and a trickle of blood trailed her face.

Fran chewed on the end of her pencil as she exited the lab. She had been looking over the DNA sample she’d received from Emmet concerning his children. She’d never dreamed of such an opportunity like a man being able to bear children. Even though at the moment on the genetic level Emmet counted as a female. She was passing by Jessica’s room when she remembered something. She walked over and stuck her head in “Morning Jessica, I meant to tell you this yesterday but I lost track of time. Going over Jacob’s DNA and matching it with Emmet and Godric’s it seems that he’s not the father.”

As Fran peeked into her room, she turned around in order to return the good morning when Fran caught her by surprise. She almost choked on the bits of flesh in her mouth. After coughing for a few seconds, she gave Fran a disbelieving look for a moment. But the girl had never been wrong before. Slowly, very slowly, a crooked smile spread across Jessica’s face and she shot up from the chair and embraced Fran in a hug, planting a bloody kiss on the girl’s cheek, the print , “Do you know how long I’ve dreamed of someone saying that!? My god…Oh my god, this is…this is awesome!” She shouted, spinning around in a circle with Fran still clutched in her arms before she set the girl down and ran off to get her hands on the nearest phone, forgetting about the cell phone on the desk behind her.

Fran just smiled as Jessica just suddenly hugged and spun her around in a circle from joy “Oh anytime Jessica, glad I could help,” wiping the bloody kiss mark off her cheek, Fran continued on her way.

Emmet and Gabriel were lying in their bed; Gabriel had his head pressed against Emmet’s bulging stomach. He could feel the two lives growing inside his wife. It had been mind blowing to find out they were having twins, a boy and a girl. Gabriel was embarrassed to admit he’d fainted after finding this out. It felt so strange to look back at himself as Sylar and how he was now as Gabriel. It was almost astronomical, as Sylar, emotions like love and kindness had been beneath him, useless things he didn’t need or want, or so he’d tried to tell himself.

Just maybe he’d never been able to fully connect with anyone was because he’d been longing for the boy he’d met in his watch shop. He looked up at Emmet who was smiling at him so fondly it made his heart skip a beat “ How long do you think until their ready to come out? “

“It’s hard to say, you’re along much farther then you should be. I haven’t done anything other then check their progress. But both of them are growing fast. Hmm, the process of birth is still hard to have an exact fix on, but it should be soon “

Emmet stroked his stomach lovingly “I can’t wait, to finally meet them, face to face. How about you daddy? “

Gabriel nodded “Yeah, it’s definitely been on my mind these past few months “

Suddenly the phone rang, summoning it over to him, Gabriel answered” Hello? “

Jessica actually laughed as Gabe answered the phone, “Where’s Emmet? Please tell me he’s around there somewhere. Put it on speaker, you both have to hear this.” The phone she was using was wireless, which allowed her to continue through the mansion looking for Godric as she waited for Gabe to switch the phone over to speaker. It took a few seconds with Biospeed tearing through the house, but she practically knocked down the door to the basement in her excitement, “Godric! You in here?”

Emmet sat up a little straighter “Who is it? “

Gabriel was a little surprised by Jessica’s excited tone. The woman sounded more happy then he’d ever heard her before “Your mother, she has something she wants us to hear “he put the phone on speaker so they could hear what she had to say.

Godric was sitting at the edge of a massive pool of murky water, his feet dipping in the water as he starred at the watch Cyrus had given him. He’d never bothered with the devices before, time was so uninteresting to him. But the feelings attached to it were more then enough to make him accept the gift. Suddenly a knock same at the door, an instant later a large snakes head burst from the pool, hissing viciously. Followed by another and another, till six heads were baring their fangs.

“Calm down, it’s my mother “Godric assumed it was, Fran never came down here, and for good reason. Simon didn’t get on well with anyone but him. After taking a moment to pet each of the snake’s heads, he walked over and opened the door. Quickly slipping out and closing the door behind him “Yes, mother?”

The smile streaked across Jessica’s face looked not only awkward for being there, but made her look like an entirely different person. She threw her arms around Godric as well and did another spin, minus the kiss on the cheek, “Jacob isn’t your father. That son of a bitch isn’t your father!” She shouted, her voice strangely happy. She felt as though a massive weight had been lifted off her shoulders. There was always a small part of her that regretted both Emmet and Godric only because they were the spawn of that bastard. Now that they knew he wasn’t the father, there was a sort of renewed excitement to the fact, “I am going to go out and celebrate! Who wants to come with me? The first slaughter is on me!” She shouted, her tone still excited.

Emmet and Gabriel looked at each other as Jessica’s words sunk in. Emmet’s face lit up with a bright and sadistic smile before letting out a peal of insane laughter “Oh thank the devil, my children don’t have to suffer from having a giant waste of skin as a grandfather, Gaby isn’t that brilliant news?! “

Gabriel just nodded, he’d never had the misfortune of meeting this Jacob person. He’d heard about Jessica and Jill bringing him back and torturing him before handing him over to Fran for a fate worst then death. But he wasn’t about to let Emmet go out slaughtering, not in his current state.

Godric’s mind mulled over this information as his mother spun him around. Jacob wasn’t their father? “Then who is our father? “He asked as a faint impact struck the door, Simon was hungry again.

Jessica’s face fell for only a second before the smile changed into a more sadistic one as her Stigma began to come out of sleep. It had been a while since she had been able to just give herself up to it, “Who gives a damn!?” She asked before letting out a laugh that sounded similar to Emmet’s but different in it’s own right as well, “Who gives a fucking damn?! Sounds like your pet is hungry. If either of you need to figure where the fuck I am, go ahead and turn on the god damned news!” She laughed before, turning and sprinting out of the mansion, going off on her own blissful little slaughter in the first heavily populated place she could find.

A few hours later, the news had run their stories about the confirmed return of Jessica Spayde, a serial killer who had evaded FBI and other government forces and had apparently gone dormant. And she wasn’t trying to be subtle about it. While it was believed that the killer was linked to several incidents dotting the calendar since her disappearance, there was no confirmation.

Not long after that, a knock fell upon the mansion’s door. The man who stood there was dressed in a short sleeve shirt and jeans, and a simple pair of sneakers. He looked unsurely from his car to the door again, and then at the piece of paper in his hand, which looked more like a crumpled napkin than anything that would supply adequate directions. His black hair messy and his green eyes were tired, with dark bags underneath them, and it was easy to tell from his disheveled clothes that he had gotten dressed in a hurry.

Godric caught the phone as Jessica dropped it before running off to kill. Gabriel shook his head before turning to Emmet. He’d admit he was a tad bit curious about this, even if Jessica wasn’t, for the moment anyway “What do you wanna do? “

Emmet considered that, truthfully he could have cared less who his father was, but on the other hand he wanted to know who his children’s grandfather was “ Guess were heading to the mansion then “ he started getting up when Gabriel appeared before him with some clothes already picked out. Emmet just grinned and playfully socked his husband in the shoulder, “Speedy.”

After feeding Simon, Godric moved back into the opening room to the door. The next moment Emmet and Gabriel teleported in. Emmet was wearing a pair of sweats and a large hoody. He’d be the first to admit he’d be happy to have his twinkish figure back.

“Hey God, mothers gone I see, oh well, how do we find our real father? “

Godric shrugged “I’m not sure. Asking Fran, who discovered our unlink with Jacob, would be a good start.”

A figure in a large billowing cloak stalked towards the group before dropping to a knee, or something “ Forgive my intrusion, but there appears to be a car parked in front of the mansion, the identity is unknown to us.”

Gabriel walked over to the window and peered out through the curtains. A dishevled man was standing on the doorstep “It’s no one I think any of us know “

But Emmet and Godric were already at the door yanking it open “Hello, if you’re a guest then welcome, anything else and you’ve got a date with hell.”

The man was surprised by the two boys answering the door. The blonde one almost looked pregnant, but he wrote it off as the boy being just a tad “bog boned”. However, it was the other boy that caught his attention the most, “Jacob?” He asked in a near whisper, his eyes widened with surprise. He shook his head and rubbed his eyes, “Sorry about that, you look like someone I knew once. My name is Jack, and I’m looking for someone. Tall blonde woman, about yay high.” He said, measuring out the approximate of Jessica’s height, “Blue eyes, kind of a badass loner attitude. Usually wears a jacket? Uhm…I just got into town and I was referred to this place for uh…unusual stuff.”

Emmet raised an eyebrow as this man described Jessica to a T and even confused Godric with that Jacob lout. It was all too disgustingly a coincidence. Out the corner of his eye he saw Gabriel, electricity crackling in his hands, he was on guard. But he was like that with anyone they didn’t know personally, “Perhaps we are familiar with this woman you speak of, but pray tell why are you seeking her? “

Jack’s eyes were on Gabriel as well, as he watched electricity pass from his fingertips. He was waiting for some sign of hostility. He wasn’t about to die here when he was so damn close, “She’s a friend of mine.” He half-lied, “Look. I don’t want this to turn violent, but I can tell that you’re bullshitting me. I can smell her on all three of you. So if you would kindly just give me some truthful answers, I would be very appreciative.” The longer he looked at the two boys, the more similarities he could see to her. But that wasn’t possible. They looked too old to be…maybe they were related to her…but the similarity of the one boy to Jacob was too eerie. He crossed his arms and looked at them all past his glasses, the frames sitting lopsidedly on his nose. The longer he looked at Godric, he couldn’t help but feel like he was looking in a mirror.

Gabriel had come over to stand behind Emmet “ Then I suggest you give up some truthful answers as well, I’ll know if your lying “ this guy hadn’t lying about knowing Jessica, that much he’d gotten. But he was definitely hiding something.

Emmet folded his arms across his chest in a similar fashion to the man, very interested by him “Smell her on us? What are you, a bloodhound? Very well, let’s put our cards on the table shall we, and as my hubby stated already, being truthful is the most advisable route to take. Yes, we know Jessica Spayde, how exactly isn’t an easy tale to swallow. Neither can we just give away information on her so easily. I’m sure you know why what with the activities she and most of us tend to indulge in, what kind of sons would we be? “The answer was gnawing at him, but he wouldn’t acknowledge it until the right moment.

“Please stop staring at me like that “Godric said abruptly, his tone as neutral as ever, but the tiniest hint of annoyance poked out.

Jack’s eyes widened as Emmet spoke, completely ignoring Gabriel and only catching Godric’s annoyed comment on the farthest reaches of his attention. Now his gaze had completely shifted off of Godric and was glued to Emmet, “That isn’t possible.” He said, but his voice was shaken pretty badly. He ran a hand through his black hair and looked at both boys in slight disbelief. They both had traces of Jessica’s features in theirs, and the one definitely shared his own. They were her children. But that was impossible, they both easily looked to be in their late teens, if not early twenties. They should be almost half that age. Absentmindedly he pushed his glasses up with his middle finger, trying to gauge Emmet’s face. He cleared his throat and tried to think of something to say, other than another assurance that they couldn’t be Jessica’s children, “Jess was my girlfriend for a while, alright? Or, more than that, actually. I think we might actually have been in love. I’ve been looking for her ever since my…she disappeared.” Again, a half-lie, “But she’s not exactly made herself easy to find. Hell, she was evading the FBI, what chance did I ever have of finding her, right?” He said, letting out a humorless laugh.

Emmet stared at Gabriel for conformation on the guy’s story. Gabriel nodded; he was telling the truth about being lovers with Jessica in the past. The evidence seemed to be mounting upward, in Jack’s face traces of Emmet and Godric were obviously apparent. “Hmm, it seems your telling the truth, and I can see what you mean, finding her isn’t the easiest thing to do, or so I imagine. I can also see you hold skepticism about my brother and I being her children,” he held his hand out, a ball of blue fire erupted forward “Can you really say that the word impossible has any true meaning in this world? You can obviously see our connection to her and yourself as well.” the fire vanished “ Also lets go sit down, being on my feet to long is not enjoyable in my current state.”

Jack was in a sort of daze, but he nodded, following blindly behind them as they all went to sit down. So she had gone through with it after all. She had had the kids. And she’d been alone all this time. She never sought him out, never tried to even contact him. What the hell did it all mean. Damn that Jacob. If Jessica hadn’t already put him in the ground, he would have done it himself. Jack’s skin faded to a red color the shade of freshly spilled blood, and his hair stood up on end, reflecting the anger he was now feeling, but the state quickly went back to normal. He ran a hand through his hair as he looked at Godric, then Emmet, then Gabriel. The way Emmet and Gabriel were acting, there was definitely a relationship there, of that he had little doubt. And the boy had referenced something that pregnant women often said. Impossible. Did the word truly even hold any meaning anymore? He realized that he hadn’t blinked the entire time, and was now just staring at the three of them like a retard. He closed his eyes and shook his head to clear the haze, clearing his throat in the process, “So…I suppose I owe you an explanation, then. If you really are her…our…fucking a…” He said, running a hand through his hair again before shoving his glasses up his nose again. On the list of things he had thought about finding, this sure as hell wasn’t one of them, “How much do you all know? I mean…about Jess?”

Moving to one of the mansion’s sitting rooms, everyone took a seat on one of the sofas. Emmet sighed as he sat on Gabriel’s lap. Godric sat on the arm of the sofa next to his brother, all eyes on Jack as his skin suddenly turned red and his hair stood on end. Gabriel bristled but Emmet placed a hand on his chest to calm him down. Jacks anger didn’t appear to be directed at them. He seemed to calm down, his skin turning back. He asked how much they all knew about Jessica and Emmet answered “We know she was raped by some jackass named Jacob, killed him, gave birth to God and I, oh right introductions, I’m Emmet Gray, this is my husband Gabriel and my brother God. Moving along, God died or appeared to and she took care of me for a time before a time traveler came into scene and took me and God back in time and that’s about it. We all met up some time ago and here we are now.”

Jack nodded a little, taking note of the names. He leaned forward, supporting his hands with his knees, the elbows locking his arms into place as he rested his nose on the interlocked fingers. He nodded, “Yeah. Some jackass. If I woulda know, Jacob would have turned out like that…I might have just strangled the little fucker in his crib.” He said, keeping his eyes level behind his glasses, “I guess I should start at the beginning. Jess and I were kids, and I mean kids when we first met. I was in middle school, my brother, the fuckwit Jacob, and Jess were in elementary together. He was a year older than her, I was close to four older than her. I heard Jacob was bullying some kids, so I went to his school to try and straighten him out, only to see him getting his ass handed to him by Jess. She was one tough girl; I’ll definitely give her that. She even socked me in the jaw the first time I tried talking to her.” He laughed at the memory for a moment before his face fell solemn again, “We didn’t start getting close until she was in high school. I checked in on her to make sure Jacob wasn’t messing with her too much, and she always just called me a bastard and would run off. Normal kid shit, you know how it is. But as she began to mature…I’m not gonna lie, your mother was hot. Thing is, she was so clammed up, she’d rather kick your ass into your throat than talk to you, especially guys. Nobody could ever really figure her out until Erica came along. Good friend of mine, she was a year older than Jess. I asked her to watch Jacob for me when I couldn’t, and she ended up cracking Jess’s shell. After that, she reintroduced me, and though the start was rocky, we…well, we had our moments.” He grinned fondly a bit, but his face fell again, “I still have all of you so far?”

The three of them just nodded. Emmet and Godric found his tale to be interesting. They had never bothered to ask Jessica about her past, mostly due to lack of interest. But hearing it now, made them feel oddly more connected to the woman.

Jack nodded before continuing, “Jess told me all about her family. How they abused her, pretty much all her life. We planned to run away together, like some god damned fairy tale. I wish I could say we had a fairy tale ending.” He said with a sigh, running his hand through his hair again before resuming his pose, “I told her to meet me in the park near her house one night. Eight o’clock, not a lot of people around. Nobody to see us off. We thought we had it all planned out. I never knew how vindictive my bastard of a brother really was though. He ended up “misplacing” my keys for me; made me late by five minutes. Five fucking minutes was all it took for god damned paradise to be lost. When I finally found my keys, I found that my car key was gone. Jacob had his learners permit by now, so he knew how to drive. I got to the park on a fucking bicycle in time to see the bastard loading her up into the trunk; him and about three of his little friends. I couldn’t keep up with them on the bike, and my powers hadn’t really developed yet. But I knew there was only one real place he could go to be truly alone with her. I knew that was what he wanted, I thought he was too chicken shit to actually do anything more than beat her up. Jesus Christ. If only I’d have fucking known. We’d heard rumors of girls going missing for a few hours, and of course there was Erica…she…oh god, she threw herself out onto the highway. She was so messed up she…” Jack paused for a moment, retching a bit at the memory. When it had passed, he sighed, “I got to our cabin in the mountains. I still thought we could have grandeur after I beat the ever loving shit out of Jacob. I got there too late. Oh so late. I looked in the window, and they had her all tied up like…like some fucking toy.” Tears actually began to bead his eyelashes as he spoke, “I kicked the door down, about ready to kill the little fucker. But…I never thought he’d actually stab me.” As he said this, he moved his shirt to the side a little at the neck, revealing a long scar that went from his throat to his shoulder, “Everything just went…slow for a minute. I could feel the blood, just pouring out of me. It splashed on Jess, and my god, if I didn’t see the devil in her eyes at that moment, I don’t know if he even exists. Her eye turned…red, like blood. And she just…flipped out. I knew she was special, I knew she had an ability. But Christ almighty. It was like something had…I dunno, possessed her. Claws and teeth, spikes everywhere. I blacked out to the sound of Jacob’s screams.” He shook his head, wiping away the tears from behind his glasses, “I woke up after…after it was all over. I knew I should be dead, but I felt fine, for the most part. I was on my back, but I felt…paralyzed. I remember feeling her lips on mine, one last time as she whispered to me, ‘Don’t follow me.’ I blacked out again, and when I came to, she was gone. She left the place wrecked completely. Jesus, Jacob was…smeared is probably the best word I can go for, but all over the place. They were planning on killing her. I found the gas and everything…so, I did the only thing I could do. I lit it up, and I walked away. I’ve been following her wherever she went ever since.”

Following the end of Jack’s story all anyone could do was stare, Emmet didn’t even bother to ask Gabriel if that was the truth, there was no doubt in any of their minds that everything Jack had said was true. It was a lot to take in and certainly explained quite a few things. Like how Godric resembled Jacob in some respects, he’d been their uncle. The relation still left a bad taste though “Ok, wow that is something. So I guess you really are our father after all, well you’re a mile up from Jacob, I’ll say that much “Emmet couldn’t help but smile, while he didn’t know anything about Jack, he seemed to be ok. Godric blinked a few times “Yes, you seem fine.”

Gabriel’s feelings towards Jessica had changed since all those months ago when she taught him the Bio-Bomb, he didn’t flat out hate her anymore and hearing about her past, he felt he understood her a little more then he had before. Emmet starred at his father “ Well at the moment she’s out celebrating, all this time we were under the illusion Jacob had been our father. Jessica is right fit happy to find out that he’s not. Don’t know when she’ll be back but I imagine eventually if you wanna hang around and wait.”

Jack nodded solemnly, “Yes, well, that depends on how exactly she’ll react. She’s been hiding for a long time. From the FBI. From the police. But ever since the beginning, I feel like she was hiding from me. I saw her, just once after she left. She looked so alone, with just the baby and the clothes on her back. I tried to catch her, but she ran. I couldn’t tell you why. I hadn’t seen her since then, but I’ve always been keeping tabs on her. I’m glad I could meet you boys before I met her, to tell you the truth. I honestly have no idea how she’s going to react.” He said, sitting back a little. It was funny, really. Despite everything he knew Jessica had done, he still loved her. He knew there was a side of her that was still herself, from before. But he was going to try and get through to her any way he could. Even if he had to die trying, he had to talk to her at least once, “You know what’s funny is we only had sex once.” He murmured to himself more than anyone else, but it was plenty loud enough for the others to hear.

“Once is generally all it takes,” Gabriel spoke up, “To create a life,” Emmet patted his stomach fondly “Though four additional times to make sure it’s really driven home doesn’t hurt either “ he chuckled and Gabriel just shook his head as he hugged the boy closer “ It was nice meeting you too. Well you look pretty durable so you should be fine. By the way what is your ability?”

Jack shifted uncomfortably for a moment before focusing on the question. If Jess didn’t kill him, he’d have to get used to these people. It would take time, most likely, but he’d get over it, although the oldest of the men, Gabriel, was it? He looked to be almost as old as Jack himself. He pushed the thought aside and concentrated on the question once again, “Consumption based DNA recombination.” He said, pushing his glasses up again, “What about you three? I’m sorry, you said your name was Emmet? You’ve got fire, that much is clear, but I doubt that’s all of it. And uh…God? I assume that’s a nickname or something, right? You’ve been relatively quiet.” He shifted his gaze to Gabe, “And you’ve got what, electricity?”

Emmet considered the question; generally, when people asked he just said stuff, not feeling like giving away his secrets. But he supposed it was alright “ Fire is a part of it, my ability is called Phoenix mimicry, aside from fire, I can fly, cry regenerative tears and regenerate from just about anything “ Godric shifted over in his seat “ Godric, like my brother I have a multi power based ability called Hydra Mimicry. I can survive death and create poison as well as consume any outside form of poison into my body to create a personal version of it “. Gabriel leaned back a little in his seat “ Intuitive Aptitude, it just means I can understand how things function and by using it in certain ways I can learn other abilities, electricity is just one of them.”

Jack nodded, a slight glint going through his eye as the corner of his lips upturned ever so slightly, but faded quickly, “So we all have some form of multiple abilities then. That’s interesting.” He said, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arm, “So what exactly does Jess have, exactly? I mean, it must be something good to help her hide and kill like it did.” He asked, just before his stomach let out a long growl, which he didn’t even react to, “I didn’t eat today, sorry about that.” Was all he said, though he was lying through his teeth.

The ding went off in Gabriel’s head after Jack mentioned not eating. But why lie about it? Then he thought back to the man’s ability and it suddenly made sense. He mentally shrugged; he’d learn soon enough about everyone’s eating habits. Emmet studied his fingernails before turning back to Jack “Oh she has biological manipulation, cells, genes, whatnot, would you like something to eat? I’m sure there’s something in the fridge you’d like.”

Jack actually didn’t feel all that hungry, but nodded his head anyway, “Yes, I’m sure I can find something to stave it off.” He said, knowing Jessica was a cannibal, and also knowing that a mother’s eating habits often affected her children’s. That didn’t bother him much, though. After all, he’d eaten his fair share of interesting meals; he wasn’t exactly one to judge. Still…his stomach let out another growl as his eyes passed over the group. He shook his head. He was likely going to catch a bunch of flak from Jess as it was, he didn’t need to do anything stupid to piss her off more, “Right. Well, I think that cinches it. I don’t mean to impose or anything though.” He said, standing up and readjusting his glasses again.

Emmet frowned “Oh? Well in truth, it’s hard to say when she’ll be back and this is for all purposes of a word, her home “he heaved up onto his feet with a little assistance from Gabriel. He walked over and hugged Jack, odd as hell, but not in a bad way. Suddenly pain surged through his body, followed by wetness between his legs; he stumbled away from Jack doubling over. Gabriel was instantly by his side, pressing his hand to Emmet’s forehead he quickly scanned his body and gasped, “He’s going into labor! “ Gabriel teleported them down to Fran’s lab where the woman was already sitting at her desk going over something or other when Gabriel appeared with Emmet in his arms, “Oh? It appears to be time; I had a bed premade after Jessica gave birth. This way.”

Godric got up from his seat a moment after the two had gone “ This way “ he told Jack not looking over his shoulder to see if the man was following as he pushed a panel on a wall to reveal one of the mansions secret passageways.

Jack simply blinked as Emmet hugged him, and then doubled over and Gabe screamed something about him going into labor. He closed his eyes and tried not to think about it, before finally saying, “Weird. As. Shit.” When Godric pushed open the panel to reveal a secret passage, Jack simply sat down and shook his head, “I need a few minutes to clear my head. You go on without me.”

At that moment, Jessica was just getting back to the house, nearly breaking down the door as she did. As trusting as she was of Emmet and Gabe, she had made sure she would know when exactly Emmet was going into labor. Those alarms were going up like crazy. She had descended the stairs in seconds through the main staircase, passing by the room without even seeing Jack, but he knew she was there. As the doors banged open, he looked at Godric for a moment before saying, “I let them have their moment, then I’ll steal the spotlight when all’s said and done. I don’t want to start a scene now of all times.”

Emmet had been stripped of his clothes and changed into a hospital gown. The pain had lessened for the moment but was still there. Gabriel was standing next to his wife, holding his hand, so far so good, it was going ok, but there was still the matter of the suddenness of it. Emmet was only six months along, but as he’d seen it that the twins had developed fully. This wasn’t a premature birth at all.

“G-Gabe, I want Jessica here. Please, find her,” Gabriel didn’t want to leave Emmet’s side, but he knew how much it would mean to Emmet to have his mother there. Suddenly he picked up a noise with his biokinetic hearing, the sound of someone almost breaking down the front door and heading towards the lab “ Looks like she’s already here “ he smiled as he stroked the boys chest. Emmet laughed through another contraction.

Godric heard his mother make her entrance. He shrugged as Jack said he’d be along in a moment, not wanting his reunion with Jessica to take the attention away from Emmet “As you wish, father “he descended the stairs in a quick run, making it to the room Emmet was stationed briskly.

Jessica made her entrance to the labs much like she had the doors to the front of the house, (meaning they would now need two new sets of doors as opposed to one) practically yanking the doors off their hinges, “I didn’t miss it did I? I ate a bad hobo, should have been able to smell the liquor on him a mile away. Was passed out for like half an hour.” She remarked, smirking slightly, but hurrying to her son’s side.

Emmet smiled through the pain and reached out to take Jessica’s hand. Godric stood next to her, his features crinkled in the biggest smile of his life. Fran walked into the room, mask on face and extra arms out “Alright it looks like everyone’s here. Let’s begin then “She walked over to Emmet’s parted legs “Wow you really are all female, how exciting for you “

Emmet craned his neck to look around “Hey, God where is Fath- AAAHHH!! “ Emmet screamed as another contraction ripped through him. He’d experienced just about every form of pain life had to offer, but this was new. Not counting as the exact worse, but fitting nonetheless. Suddenly between Fran urging him to push, something swept over him, He gasped as his breathing suddenly stopped. His eye’s bulged and his skin began to grow paler, veins becoming more visible.

“EMMET! “ Gabriel yelled as the very life seemed to be drained from his wife “Fran what’s going on?!”

Fran was barely paying attention to Gabriel’s frantic yelling. With one last faint push from Emmet, she pulled the first child out. One of her additional arms severed the umbilical chord “Congratulations, a baby girl “

Emmet instantly returned to normal, his body becoming more healthy “R-really? Gabe we have a little girl “

Gabriel sighed as he knelt down, his head pressing against Emmet’s shoulder. He checked his body and everything seemed, for more or less fine again. What had caused that sudden attack, out the corner of his eyes he watched as Fran cleaned off the babe. His daughter, had it been her? Another cry from Emmet brought him back to the situation at hand. One baby down another to go.

Once the girl was placed in the incubator, Fran turned back to Emmet “ Your doing an amazing job Emmet, just keep it up for one more baby “

Emmet nodded, still a little weak but finding new strength at the thought of seeing his second child. He’d decided against learning their gender’s wanting to enjoy the surprise. Hours later, following more pain unbelievable pain. Suddenly it all just stopped. Emmet gulped in a few lungful of air. Before he could ask anyone what had happened, his body started glowing. Not from fire just some kind of purplish light. It grew in intensity and soon enveloped Emmet’s entire body. A piercing scream echoed through everyone’s minds and seemed to expand out for miles. Fran had shut her eyes during the initial illumination “Emmet, keep pushing, your so close!! “

The light vanished as Fran stood up to reveal Emmet and Gabriel’s son. Fran snipped the umbilical chord and Emmet’s body started changing. From this angle, she could see him turning back into one of the male gender and other changes. Fran wondered how many women in the world would kill to have their figures back to normal instantly after giving birth. Oh well “I give you your little girl and little boy “Fran smiled brightly.

Emmet had passed out from exhaustion the moment after his body changed back. Gabriel looked up from checking on him; at last, the full weight of it was taking affect. He was a father; attentively he reached out to hold the girl who’d been wrapped in a pink blanket and the boy in a blue blanket. The girl was crying softly but settled down once she was in his arms; the boy wasn’t making any noises at all. Gabriel stared at his son and the babe starred back at him, with an odd look in his little eyes that gave off complete awareness.'

Jessica stood by Emmet for every hour, keeping hold of Emmet’s hand opposite of Gabriel. Again that motherly instinct to help her child bubbled up, but she did nothing, wanting Emmet to experience everything that made being a mother special. Still, she almost fainted when Emmet looked as though he were dying after the girl was born. She couldn’t help but remember the day Emmet and Godric were born, alone in that shitty run-down house. Alone. She shook the thought aside, only to have her brain cracked open with an ice cream scoop as the boy was born.

Upstairs, Jack was still sitting on the sofa, steeling himself for his confrontation with Jess as well as trying to accept the fact that not only was he a grandfather, but apparently his son was giving birth to the kids with his husband. A lot to get a grip on, to say the least. And of course, that was when the deafening scream filled the room, or seemed to at least. Or was it just in his head? It hurt like hell though, wherever it came from. When the scream and pain subsided, he looked around and simply waited.

The amount of joy Gabriel felt at that moment was almost indescribable. Only his wedding day and meeting Emmet could compare to this. He held them for a little longer before turning to Jessica “Would you like to hold them?”

Jessica nodded slowly, taking the babies from their father, “They’re beautiful. I can’t believe I’m a grandmother already. I’m not even thirty yet.” She said, almost in awe, but there was a great smile crested on her face. Cradling the babies, she put a third hand on Gabe’s shoulder, “I know I don’t say this often, but I’m happy for and proud of you. I’m sure you’ll make a great father. Wow. All of this on one day. It’s a bit overwhelming, don’t you think? First finding out Jacob wasn’t their father, now this…” She murmured, staring down at the children in her arms. Her third arm then fell to Emmet’s face and caressed his cheek, “Take a rest, kiddo. You earned it.” After a few more minutes, she turned to Fran, who she assumed would want to do something or other with the babies.

Gabriel smiled at Jessica, the first genuine one ever. Her words meant a lot more to him then she knew. He just nodded when she commented on all the wonderful events of the day, lumping in finding out Jacob wasn’t Emmet and Godric’s father. He wondered where Jack had ventured off too. Fran walked over and relieved Jessica of the twins “ Lets give the little ones a rest and a check up “ two newborn infants who’d already displayed abilities while still in the womb was highly exciting.

As Fran took the twins into another room, Gabriel walked back over to Emmet. He reached down and picked him up “I think he’d be happier to rest somewhere else, we’ll be in our old room if anything comes up “with that he teleported off. Godric was still taking in all that had happened. He’d seen infants be born on numerous occasions, the professor had felt it was an invaluable experience to hold. Watching his brother undergo the process wiped away all other accounts “I’m an uncle “he said faintly before he suddenly remembered Jack was still upstairs and felt he should know he was a grandfather. Leaving the lab, he headed up the passage he’d taken back to the room Jack was in.

As Emmet and Gabriel disappeared to relax, Jessica went over the fact that she was now a grandmother, not just in theory, but in actuality. She didn’t know exactly how she felt about that. Instead of thinking too hard on the subject, she simply shrugged and followed Godric up the staircase, figuring it would eventually hit her, “So, how does it feel to be a big brother again, plus an unc-” She froze as they reached the top of the stairs. Jack had heard her voice and was now standing in the middle of the room, looking like a deer caught in a pair of high-beams. The two simply stared at one another for what seemed like forever, the air in the room having taken a very tense turn. Jack was the one who broke the silence, although it was a very slow start, “Je-…Je-” he attempted, before swallowing once and holding the silence for another moment, before he finally tried once more, “Je-…Jessie. Wow. I never thought…I never thought I’d see you again.”

Jack tried to smile at first, but the look of pure hate on Jessica’s face made it fall very quickly, causing Jack to gulp again. He couldn’t understand how she could harbor so much hatred for him. She still hadn’t spoken, so he looked to Godric for a moment, as if looking for assistance. He knew that he wouldn’t really find any there, though, so he closed his eyes, nervously adjusted his glasses and then continued, “Jessie…It…It’s me…Jack. I-” Jack didn’t exactly know what he was going to say beyond that, but he supposed it didn’t matter, seeing as he felt a hand clutch angrily at his throat as he was practically swept off his feet and pinned to the nearby bookshelf, his back pressing painfully into the shelves, “Don’t you say his fucking name, you bastard!” Jessica shouted, her other hand morphing into a series of sharp claws. Jack’s hands were on Jessica’s wrist, which was clasping his airway very tightly, attempting to break her iron-tight grip on his windpipe, “Jack died! I watched him die! So don’t you fucking say his name, you cheap imitation.”

The look on Jack’s face was one of surprise as his eyes went wider. His glasses had fallen off in the initial rush, but the fear behind them still lingered. But there was something else there too. A sense of disbelief. He didn’t know what to do. What did she think he was, some clone or something? Perhaps a shape shifter? He didn’t know, but if he didn’t do something, he was going to get impaled, and that sounded none too pleasant. Planting his back against the wall, he brought his legs up and pushed Jessica back, roughly, he had to admit, sending her sprawling with a surprised grunt. Problem was, she was still holding his throat. As she fell into the coffee table, the room filled with the sound of glass shattering. Blood began to pool under the table as Jessica rolled onto her side, a pretty large chunk of glass stuck into her side, which she yanked out deftly, the wound closing immediately. Jack, now free of her grip, rolled away before she could remember to grab him again and stood up, “Jessie, don’t you remember? You healed me before you left. You close up the wound right before you told me never to come after you.” He said, his voice resolute but somewhat shaken, “Look, I have the scar! If it wasn’t for you, I would be dead, but I’m not!”

Jessica put a hand to her head as the memories resurfaced once more. Her Stigma glared dangerously inside the white of her eye. She remembered it all, as if it were yesterday. It was a curse, really. Jack kicking the door open, and Jacob…the look on Jacob’s face as he brought the knife to Jack’s throat was one of pure satisfaction. That was the one time she had made any noise. Despite everything that happened in that trailer, she had spoken but once since her hell had started, ‘Jaaaack!’ She screamed as his body fell to the floor, his eyes disbelieving and his throat slit, blood spraying everywhere. She remembered it spattering onto her naked body, and then…nothing. There was nothing after that. There were bits and pieces of her slaughter of Jacob and his little cohorts, but there was nothing about Jack after that. She had taken the gas cans and sprayed the place down…hadn’t she? She cleaned herself off first, she remembered that, washing their seed off of her, trying so desperately to get it out of her. Right? She couldn’t remember. Pain shot through her head as she fought past the memories she had believed for so long. She put her hands to her face, her palms covering her eyes to block out the light which had suddenly gotten so bright. What the hell was going on? And then there was nothing.

Jack stared at Jessica as her body rocked back and forth, her hands first holding her head, as if afraid it would burst, and then her palms went over her eyes. Then she just stood there. That was when it began. A bone chilling laugh like he had never heard before. Jessica was laughing, but it wasn’t her, somehow. When she looked at him, her stigma was in full bloom, a deep crimson that not only consumed her iris, but flooded into the white of her eye, red reaching from corner to corner and lid to lid. He stood stock still, not entirely understanding what was going on. He had seen the stigma before, but this time was different. She looked at him with a smirk so wide that it looked like it would split her face in two. When she spoke, there was something different about her voice, “Jackie, Jack, Jack. It’s been a long…long…long time. Hasn’t it?” She asked, casually picking chunks of glass out of her skin and flicking it across the room. Jack simply nodded, and Jessica pouted, “Aw, Jack. Don’t you remember me? It’s meeeee.” She hissed for a moment, crossing the room and putting her hands on Jack’s shoulders, “It’s your darling dear, innocent little Jessie Jess. Aren’t you happy-” at the word ‘happy’ she planted her fist into his gut, sending him reeling back onto the couch. Before he could move, she had jumped into his lap, sitting sideways across his legs, effectively pinning him to the couch. Only then did she turn her head to look at Godric, that grin still plastered to her face, “Come here, Goddy. Come to mommy.” She cooed at him, patting the seat beside Jack for effect.

Godric had stood passively by as his mother and father had their reunion. Jack had stammered through his introduction until finally getting to his name. That seemed to send Jessica over the edge as she pinned the man to the wall, screaming that Jack was dead. Godric leaned against the opposite wall as his parents had a “tiff “he believed the expression went. His mind wandering to Emmet’s children, as Jessica had started to say earlier, he was an uncle now. Such a strange word, but he found that he liked it.

Children were fascinating, Kaeira was interesting and he didn’t doubt the twins would be either. Especially the male one, that display of power had come out of nowhere, he wondered how far the psychic echo had gone, other psychics were sure to have noticed it. Between his thoughts, he’d heard a distant crash sound but dismissed it.

He blinked as he heard Jessica call him, she appeared to be pinning Jack to the couch, her stigma more progressed then usual. He walked over to the both of them; he wondered if he should do something. Emmet expressed his interest in Jack being alive to meet his children and he also wondered if Jessica really wanted him dead? Piecing together Jack’s earlier story and Jessica’s initial reaction… He hated these types of situations; he truly didn’t understand people and their situations. Emmet was rather better at it, but he was resting at the moment so it appeared to be up to him.

Jessica laughed again as Godric moved closer and wrapped an arm around Godric, pulling him closer before he could sit down, and finally pulled him into her own lap, “Now we’re all one big happy family, ain’t that right, Jacky? Goddy?” She smirked, looking between the two. Jack was looking at Godric, as if asking, ‘Is this normal for her?’ Jessica laughed again and kissed Jack full on the lips, springing a surprised look from him. He didn’t resist her, but something was off about it too. When she pulled back, she laughed again, “Isn’t that what you’ve been waiting for? A kiss from dear sweet, psychopathic old me?”

Godric just blinked as he was hauled onto his mothers lap. He met Jack’s unsure eyes for a moment and shrugged, this behavior was foreign. The stigma caused an influx of insanity and this situation seemed to be feeding it. Covering up the burgeoning feelings and memories “Mother, are you alright? From what this man has said he is in fact our father, Gabriel confirmed it earlier through his ability “he jumped from the pile to stand by them.

Meanwhile Fran was still conducting the twins check up. So far, they were the picture of perfect health, but the boy’s brain graph was looking very strange. She looked at one of the mansions monitors located behind her for moment. Some man appeared to be conversing with Jessica and Godric. Zooming in she realized that he was most likely Emmet and Godric’s true biological father. She’d forget to mention to Jessica that while Jacob wasn’t the father he did bear a familial tie to them. She turned back to the twins after awhile; quite sure, it would all work itself out in the end.

Jessica only laughed, “Of course he’s your father. No other seed managed to get farther than the vag, thanks to a little trick. Anything I didn’t want getting in, didn’t get in. In fact, there was never any real question that Jack wasn’t you father.” She said, cocking her head as Godric got up and pouted, “Aw, what’s the matter, Goddy? Too old to sit in Mommy’s lap? You might hurt my feelings.” She said moving her hands in front of her eyes and sobbing into them, “My own babies don’t love me. Whatever will I do?” She cried, a few tears dripping off of her face. Jack was confused beyond all belief, though he did pat Jessica on the back to comfort her, and she turned and buried her face in his shoulder. The confusion Jack now felt showed full on his face as he looked again at Godric.

Godric just blinked as Jessica lapsed into a crying fit. Once again, he wondered what Emmet would have done. He patted her gently on the shoulder “There, there, it’s ok. We do love you,” he supposed this was the truth, he cared very deeply for his family. Then he cared very deeply for Cyrus as well, Emmet had said Cyrus had a special place in his heart, he wasn’t aware the cardiovascular system was capable of such things. He shrugged at Jack, assuming the stigma would fade at some point.

Upstairs, Gabriel was listening to them. Emmet was curled up against them on the bed as he rested in deep sleep. Gabriel stroking his hair lovingly. The feeling was still sinking in they were parents. Two people who seemed to be capable of nothing else but ending life, had gone against their natures and created it and just one but two. He chuckled a little as he pictured the scene downstairs. Godric was truly out of his element there.

Jessica felt Godric’s hand on her shoulder, which her own hand quickly grabbed, like a frog’s tongue to a fly, and the sobs quickly turned into that sadistic laughter again, “Aw, she’d be so happy to hear that. Really, she would. But she isn’t here now. She’s a little busy sifting through the memories she built up and actually believed all this time. Jack didn’t die, I saved his ass. She didn’t burn that stupid cabin to the ground; I left that for you, Jacky. And she thought that stupid kid impregnated her, ha. I never even let it get close.”

Jack was looking at Jessica with horror on his face, “You’re not…you’re not Jessica?” He asked, frightened.

Jessica put a hand to her chin, tilting her head back and forth, “Hmm…Yes and no. I’m not the Jessica you guys know. I’m her every bad experience; her every hate, her every fear, her every negative emotion. And in that respect, I am Jessica. But I’m also not her. I am a shell, a shield. So to answer your question, I am Jessica, but not the one that you love, or the one that this kid calls his Mom, and I say that very loosely. I’m here to stay until little Jessie fixes all her little memories and can stop being a little pussy about the shit that happened all those years ago.”

Godric remembered talking about this with Fran once. How the stigma’s effect caused a chemical imbalance that led to another personality, that was a person and yet not a person either. He thought back to when Emmet’s stigma awakened and the moments when his own did. Jessica’s was active while her true consciousness was righting her memories out. As it stood now he couldn’t predict what this Jessica was going to do, more likely then not things would turn violent. Once again he wished Emmet was here for this, he seemed to enjoy violence so much.

Jessica finally stood up, letting Jack free as she did, stretching her neck from side to side as she stretched, “So. You people are boring as shit. I think I’m going to go take a nap while little Miss Cries-a-Lot sorts through her shit. Ta.” She said, waving as she went up toward Jessica’s room.

Jack watched her go, his hand going to his lips for a moment before shaking his head and looking at Godric, “Well, that was…eventful. Certainly not what I expected.” He muttered as he walked over and picked up his glasses, “Maybe it would be better if I left. I mean, if she thought me dead…I guess that explains why she never sought me out. But…I dunno, what do you think…?” He asked, and though he wanted to say ‘son’, he held it back. The boy had little reason to call him ‘father’ aside from blood.

Eventually Jessica sauntered off, only saying that she was going to sleep. Godric considered Jacks question and came up with an answer of what he thought personally “I think you should stay. Once she’s come to terms with things, I’m sure she will want to see you. I can arrange a room for you if you’d like, father.”

Jack listened to Godric before putting his head down, his face grim. He stood like that for a few moments before sighing. When he looked up, he smiled a bit, “Yeah. Maybe she will. And I’d like that, if it wasn’t too much trouble…son.” He said, though the word felt foreign to him. He stayed quiet a moment before speaking again, “You know, if you’ve got nothing better to do, maybe we could…I dunno, talk? I mean…both you boys are all grown up…I expected a twelve year old at best, but…you two are what, eighteen?” He asked, putting a hand to scratch the back of his head nervously, “I mean, I’m sure you must have questions about me…so, I figure, why not just get them out in the open. If…you don’t mind, that is.”

Godric shrugged and sat down next to his father. He honestly wasn’t sure what to ask the man, or more so there was so many things he wanted to ask “I suppose I’d like to know more about you. You and Jacob are brothers, what was your early life like?”

Jack pushed his glasses up (one of the lenses had been cracked when they had fallen) and cleared his throat, “Jacob was always a…troubled…child. My parents tried to baby him, but he just…he wasn’t what you might call well behaved. It isn’t like our parents beat us or anything. I mean, really, I think he just wanted attention. I was a bit of a know-it-all in school, so my brother was always sort of in my shadow. But even still, he grew up so…so hateful, so spiteful. I never would have admitted it back then, but I think even our parents hated him sometimes. His bullying, his…everything, When you really think about it, it was uncalled for. But…I never thought he was as bad as he would become.” He explained, looking down at his hands the whole time.

“I had a relatively good life. I mean, I did well in school. I had friends. Jacob had a couple kids that admired his bullying, but other than that, he didn’t have much of anyone he could call a friend. Sometimes I wonder if maybe if I had been there for him more, maybe things would have been different. I wonder sometimes what would have happened if Jacob had never come into the picture. I mean, if Jess woulda told me she was pregnant, with my kid. Or kids, I should say. I just wish I could have been there for you like a father should, instead of coming in almost twenty years too late. And I can’t imagine it was easy on her either. I wonder where that happy family would be now…” He paused for a moment, realizing he had deviated from the question and was more just venting his feelings out to Godric. He laughed a little and shook his head, “Who knows…But as I was saying, life for us was pretty much normal. Nothing grand or anything. What about you? What was your life like?” He asked, thinking back to what Emmet had said, “I know you appeared dead. It must have been hard on your mother. She had dreamed of being a mother one day, though I doubt she had expected it to happen so soon. She always talked about being better than her parents were to her. But your brother said that there was time between your apparent death and the time traveler appearing. If you don’t mind my asking, of course.”

Godric listened as Jack explained his early life and Jacob. Godric found it half-and-half interesting. He shrugged when he was asked about himself, “I have no real recollection of that time. If I focus sometimes, I can remember my first look at death. Anything from that is a blur of fragmented pictures and the smell of the grave. I do remember being brought to this place where the professor took me in with no questions asked. For my infancy I was looked after by a nanny, that is until she had the misfortune of being hit by a truck delivering new equipment, the professor was able to help her but she professed the incident made her want to go spend some time with her family. But by that point, I was more or less able to look after myself. I met Fran too, but she had always lived in the mansion but the professor kept her in his labs all the time for some manner of experiment having to do with her ability.

He tested me a few times as well, nothing really just injecting a few lethal toxins into body. He found that it augmented the poison my body naturally produced. He stabbed myself in the throat once to show him my immortality and came back a few seconds later. Life is rarely dull here, every so often, some company sends spies in but I deal with them quickly enough and they do help keep my garden looking well. Oh, that is possibly my favorite hobby, I have many, and I think around two hundred, though recently I took up stamp collecting so two hundred and one. I keep a number of pets as well, mostly creatures that share my poisonous tendencies and such but a few others as well. Hmm, I believe it was a few months ago that I received a message from my great aunt Rosalie Oskin and was given the chance to meet my family and the rest is as it is now. I find recent event to be highly enjoyable only meeting my lover Cyrus Hunter is able to compare. How do you feel now? Like Jessica, you are a grandfather with the arrival of Emmet’s twins.”

Jack listened intently as Godric spoke. It was a lot to take in all at once. He felt a part of him grow angry at this professor’s experiments on his son, but shrugged the feeling off. Godric seemed alright with it, and he supposed he owed the professor for taking care of Godric. He was, however, surprised that they had only met just months ago, “You mean the three of you didn’t even know about one another?” He asked, more in disbelief than anything. He did notice something about Godric though, “You don’t uh…get excited easily, do you?” He asked, trying to be polite about it and almost attempting to play it off as a joke. The thing that perplexed him the most, however, was the whole Emmet’s kids thing. He had no clue how the hell it was even possible for a boy to have kids, “So you and Emmet, you both…uh…into guys, then, I take it? Not that that’s a bad thing or anything.” He said hastily.

Godric was unsure of what Jack meant about being excited. He was very much excited at the moment so he chose to ignore it “I was unaware that I had any biological siblings as was the same for Emmet I believe. As I have heard before his early life was not so pleasant and yes we are both of the male gender. Gabriel simply used Biokinesis to alter his biology so he could bear children, Gabriel implanted his seed in Emmet’s newly formed vaginal canal some months ago, truthfully it is much shorter then pregnancy is naturally but they appear as if they were carried for a full term. Emmet is once again a male.”

The two talked for a time before Jack was finally satisfied and allowed Godric to show him to a spare room. It’s not like he had anywhere else to be. Part of him wanted to go to Jessica, to check on her and make sure she was okay, but part of him knew it was a bad idea. Instead, he went to bed and prayed. For the first time in many years, he prayed to whatever god may exist for guidance; to help him with Jessica, and give him a chance.

The next morning, Jessica woke with a start. She put a hand to her head, the pain resonating through it. The memories from the day before came back, slowly at first, but they became much quicker. She was a grandmother. And Jack had shown up. Or at least, so he claimed. She rubbed her eyes. She needed help, and that was the truth. Help from family. Getting up and getting ready, she went to Emmet and Gabriel’s room, knocking on the door.

Emmet yawned as he stretched out in the bed, his body felt like it was pulsating with energy. He felt his out stretched hand connect with something prickly. Turning his head to the side, he saw Gabriel sleeping next to him, his hands weaving through his husband’s hair. Emmet crawled over and straddled Gabriel’s hips preparing for their morning ritual when all the memories of yesterday came rushing forward like a flood. Jack, the twins being born. A wide grin split his face “GABRIEL!!”

The older man shot up with a start. He’d been expecting an attack but instead his hyperactive lover was bouncing on him “Gaby, they’re here, they’re here, they’re here. Our babies! “Emmet was alternating between yelling with joy and kissing his husband. Gabriel let him has his moment. Finally, the boy calmed down enough to ask Gabriel where his clothes were, pointing over to a neatly folded pile on the dresser, he watched as Emmet flew over and began getting dressed. Suddenly a knock came at the door, stretching his legs out for a moment Gabriel went over to answer it “Oh, morning Jessica.”

Emmet had finished getting dressed and sacrificed a few seconds to stare at himself in the mirror, pregnancy was beautiful but he was glad to have twink figure back.

Jessica nodded at Gabriel, “If you’re not busy, I need help. You still have that power to tell if people are telling the truth or not?” She asked, before turning to see Emmet, “Morning, new mommy. How does it feel to be a mother?” she asked casually, smiling a little before her face fell.

Emmet beamed so brightly his teeth ignited for a moment “I won’t be able to answer that fully till I get to hold the little darlings “He walked over to stand next to his husband. Latched onto Gabriel and touched Jessica’s shoulder. Gabriel instantly teleported all three of them down to the lab. Fran was sleeping face on a bench while a pair of arms massaged her back. Across the room in two cribs, the sound of soft breathing and whimpers could be heard. Emmet let go of Gabriel crossed over to them. His feet so faint on the ground it was difficult to tell if he was walking or gliding. He stopped in front of them and just starred. Both appeared to be sleeping, but the boy woke up, his eyes peering up right into Emmet’s.

For a moment Emmet wasn’t sure if he was looking at an infant, those eyes with their golden color seemed to be filled with intelligence. But then the girl woke up and started crying. Without any conscious thought on his action, he reached down and picked her up. Cradling her carefully in his arms. She slowly settled down and relaxed as Emmet rocked her back and forth softly. Carefully he reached down and picked the boy up too. Emmet couldn’t explain his emotions at that moment; he didn’t think he ever would. It was raw maternal love, it filled him so much that his eyes shifted over to blue for a moment. As he held them, he started singing

“Fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars, let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and mars. In other words, hold my hand, in other words darling kiss me. Fill my heart with song and let me stay forever more, you are all I long for all I worship and adore, in other words please be true, in other words I love you “

As the phoenix’s song went on Gabriel smiled as he looked at his life. He suddenly remembered Jessica’s question “Oh, sorry. Yes, Jack is who he says he is.”

As Jessica watched the display between Emmet and his new children, she felt a warmth that made her smile. Then, as if in a dream, she crossed the room. Stood right at Emmet’s side and ripped a child from his hands and tore its head off. She blinked, and she was back standing next to Gabriel. She hadn’t moved, and nobody had given any inclination that she had moved. She shook her head, trying to figure out what had happened as she put a hand to her face. She heard Gabriel speak about Jack and she looked at him with puzzlement for a moment before the thoughts click, “Oh, right. No, I need more than that. Please, I just need to borrow you for a few minutes. I know you don’t want to be separated from your family, now of all times, but I need to know.” She said. Her face was pale from what she had seen, but aside from that, it was resolute.

Gabriel truthfully didn’t want to leave his family, but he knew this was important to Jessica and their relationship had improved to much over the months for him to turn her away, “No I understand,” he strode over to Emmet who was still singing softly. He whispered that he would be back after he helped Jessica. Emmet just nodded, his whole attention focused on his babies. Gabriel walked back over to Jessica, taking note of her brief flash of bloodlust.

Jessica actually smiled at her son-in-law as he acknowledged her request, “Thank you.” She replied as she steeled herself. In his room Jack was steeling himself for the confrontation as well. They both knew it was coming, and both had an expected outcome. With a sigh of preparation, she looked to Gabriel again, “Alright. I’m ready when you are.”

Gabriel nodded and with one last look at Emmet and the twins, headed for the nearest exit.

Jessica nodded, “Godric was the last person to…to see him last night.” She said, putting a hand to her head. The memories were broken at best. After a moment, she shook her head as the pain subsided, “We’ll have to talk to him first.” She paused for a moment, running a hand through her hair, before whispering under her breath, “Does he…still love me?”

Luckily enough the hallway they were in was where Godric’s bedroom was located. Gabriel walked over and knocked on the door, wondering if the boy was even there. Godric seemed to always be on the move, more then once Gabriel questioned if he ever slept. Godric, at the moment was organizing his coin collection when the knock came. Getting up from his bed he went and answered the door “Oh Gabriel, Mother good morning. What can I do for you? “

“Godric, we need to know where Jack is.” Gabriel peeked around the boy into his room; the moment he did his eyes went wide. Godric’s room had to be the biggest in the house. Built like it was meant to be a study, large shelves that reached high to the ceiling’s extravagant looking chandelier and spread out wide, it was cluttered with just a series of objects. While he couldn’t see any form of categorization, they appeared to be set up in a way that only Godric could understand.

“ Oh yes, I showed him to a room last night, allow me to lead the way “ closing the door he led them through four hallways before stopping in front of Jacks room.

As they walked down the hallway, she could feel her heart beating faster. When they got there, she hesitated only for a moment before knocking on the door. As if expecting it, Jack opened the door, looking as though he’d tried to tidy himself up as much as possible. He smiled a little when he saw Jessica, but he quelled it as much as possible. His eyes first went to Gabriel, and then Godric. He cleared his throat, “Morning, Gabriel. Go- Son.” Finally his eyes alighted on Jessica. “Jess.”

Jessica turned to Godric, “Why don’t you go check on your niece and nephew. I’m sure your brother would love to see you.”

Jack looked at Gabriel, raising an eyebrow at him as if inquiring if he was going to get slammed up against a bookshelf again.

Godric nodded “Yes, that sounds good “he was gone without another word. Gabriel saw Jacks gaze but shrugged. He had no idea how this would play out, he was simply there as a lie detector.

Jessica turned to Jack now, and ran a hand through her hair, “Let’s start off easy. Who are you?”

Jack looked at Gabriel again, before saying, “I am Jack Miller. Jess, please-”

She cut him off by putting up a hand, and looking at Gabriel for confirmation.

“He’s telling the truth “Gabriel confirmed as he leaned against the wall, arms folded across his chest.

Jessica nodded and turned back to Jack, “Why are you here?”

Jack glanced at Gabriel, understanding how this was going to play out now, “I came here…to find you, Jess. I’ve been following since you left. I couldn’t just let you leave. Not like that. Not after what he did to you. Jessie. I still love you. I never stopped loving you. I don’t care about what you are, about what you can do. About what you’ve done. You’re…you’re not the only one who’s had to kill over the years.” He confessed, truthfully. Jessica turned once again to look at Gabriel.

Gabriel just nodded “Still the truth.”

Jessica didn’t know what to think. Gabriel had no reason to lie to her, but she simply couldn’t cope with this. Jack took a moment to look at Gabriel before taking a step toward Jessica. When she didn’t react, he took another, and kept moving until he could embrace her, “Jess. I told you we could have our happy ending one day. Just because my fuckwit brother stopped it back then, doesn’t mean we can’t have it now. I mean…we can still all be a family. Godric and Emmet, they’re my sons. Maybe they don’t care about me, maybe they do, but I wasn’t there for them, or you, when you all needed me the most. I have to make up for that.”

If any other man on earth had been in Jack’s situation, he would have been torn to shreds and spattered on the walls. But Jessica only stood. Being embraced by Jack brought her back to those conflicting memories, memories she had believed for so long. She’d cut him out of her life because the pain was just too great. But now she had to make a choice. Could she be who her sons and her daughter needed her to be, and still make room in her heart, which was withered and broken, for Jack?

“Jess. I’m here for you. Even if…even if you don’t feel the same as we used to, I’m here for you. All of you. Our children included. And now, their children too.” He breathed, giving Gabriel a small smile.

Jessica finally spoke, “You have to know…I have a daughter now. She has no father, we…I used my ability to create her, more or less. I will do anything to protect them, Jack. Even if it means I have to kill you.”

Jack nodded against her head, “That’s fine. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do, you know.” When he finished speaking, he lifted Jessica’s face and placed his lips over hers. She visibly tensed as he did, but slowly, very slowly, she actually kissed him back. When they finally broke, Jessica was crying, and Jack looked at Gabriel, hugging Jessica close to him, “Thank you.” He said as he pushed up his glasses, “Bet you never thought you’d see this day, am I right?” He joked a little with a smirk.

Gabriel smiled a little, it was an awkward but happy scene “Can’t say it’s ever crossed my mind and your welcome “He was glad he was able to help them, they were family afterall.