Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own ideas...

Summary: This is a crossover between Sky High and The Covenant, but you wont have to have seen the latter (though I do recomend it!) to understand whats going on. Layla and Warren have been dancing around each other for years, but never really notice their attraction until Warren has to mysteriously leave. Disapearring and leaving a confused Layla doesn't settle the group's curiostiy and they uncover the real past of a certain Mr. Peace, learning that their supposed unloved and a reject of a friend is actually loved. That theirs more than what people think.

Note: Mentions of kidnapping, nothing too serious.

Brothers.

Chapter 1

It wasn't like one of those rainy nights with the impending doom attached in predicable "Psycho" music. It actually seemed perfect, with the stars in full view and the crescent moon shining down. The air was rapidly cooling even though the roof shingles were warm to the touch, but Layla kept her arms warped around herself anyways. Soft music played up from below in the living room, and she could still smell the delicious spaghetti her mother had made for her father's birthday. The image of them probably down their dancing together slowly put a smile to her lips. She could only wish for a love like that someday.

As for her love life, it seemed none existent. Will and her broke up only a few weeks after the homecoming dance, both deciding that it was awkward after basically being able to remember taking baths together at the age of two. It was obliviously better to stay best friends. The effort it had taken to get together could have been a waste, except for Warren. After the whole fight of saving the school and everything, people got the hint that Warren wasn't evil, just angry. Well, Layla became his soft spot, and easily convinced him to hang out with all of them. It was too easy.

It had been two and a half years since then, and life had been pretty good for all of them. They were just ending junior year and finally Zack and Magenta decided to get together. Ethan had been jumping up and down with so much joy he looked like he needed his inhaler. Will went through the average girls almost every week, but that was okay. Layla just didn't care, having hope that at some point he'd find the perfect one and settle down for awhile. Warren kept to himself for the most part, yet he did let her meet his mother (the amazing woman who put up with his obnoxiousness all the time and with his messy room). He even let the whole group go over to his house a few times, but Layla got the feeling that was to just get away from the all too watchful eye of Mr. Stronghold. Will's dad hadn't quite gotten the message that Warren wasn't there to eat them, so he had the annoying habit of 'checking up' on the gang.

As for Layla's parents, they loved Warren just as much as the other kids. Probably even more. Always being polite won her mom's heart in an instant, but having the same fascination in cars and motorcycles kept her dad happy. It took the other kids a while to talk to her parents, having the problem of being afraid of other kid's parents, but when Warren realized they weren't going to judge him based on his father's past, he warmed right up. Who knew Layla's parents were just like her?

Layla cast her eyes downward as a laugh from her parents escaped from the living room. She smiled to herself when realizing her thoughts had been drifting again. So much had happened during those two years, and with the realization that there was only one year left of high school, she just couldn't help but remember all those good times. Birthday parties filled with silly string, being thrown into Ethan's pool and having splash fights, bonfires while camping outside in Magenta's backyard, and of course hiding behind the guys during horror movie nights while falling asleep on the couch. Life had been good so far, with no major freak accidents.

Even school had been going great. After seeing that sidekicks could fight for themselves if given the chance (and that some hid their powers), principle Powers and the Super Hero Board decided to get rid of them. Kids could decide what they wanted to do after school ended, not be chosen a hero to stick to. No more sidekicks, just everyone being a hero with their own unique powers. Layla felt accomplished, being able to have classes with Will and Warren, and with Ethan, Magenta, and Zack. Plus, Coach Boomer had been promoted to vice principle, so they were given a new gym teacher named Coach Reese, and she was much more fun. And quiet.

The smile still played on Layla's face as she glanced down in the distance, noticing the shape of a figure underneath a street light, slowly making its way down the middle of the street. She might not have been able to see him well, but she knew exactly who it was. Who else would walk down the street in the middle of the night towards her house? Especially with that familiar walk. It may have been dark, but Layla could pick Warren out anywhere.

As he grew closer, she noticed his hair wasn't in his face, so she guessed he must have pulled it back in a ponytail. He wore the familiar leather jacket, but instead of the usual dark clothes, he wore blue jeans and a white t-shirt. She could see him smile lightly to her as he got closer. Once he stood beside the tree in her front yard, he stopped.

"May I join the Lady," he asked in a joking manner, having a hard time hiding his smile, "It is a very cool night." He was right, it was getting cooler, and those shingles were losing their heat quickly.

"The Knight may do so if he chooses." she joked back, laughing when he shook his head and began to climb up the pipe beside the house. He did so with an ease of practice, not once slipping or making enough noise for her parents to come out and look.

"So," he began as he finally leaned back and sat next to her, "what brings you out here on such a fine night?"

"Just enjoying the view. But I should be asking you the same thing. Did you tell your mom you were leaving or just sneak out?" She smiled at the memory of how his mom had freaked out the last time he had gone out for a walk in the night. His only answer that time had been 'I walk on the dark side' but his mom didn't appreciate the joke.

"No, she knows this time." His smile had turned sad, and instead of looking at her he just let his gaze sail away into the night sky.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" His brought his eyes back to her, but the smile was gone, replaced with sadness. Instead of answering right away he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. Her head lay against his shoulder, and she just hugged him back listening to him breathing while waiting for his answer.

Finally, after what felt like eternity, he took a deep breath of her scent, then whispered in her ear, "I'm leaving. Not forever, but I'm not sure when I'll be back. Hopefully soon." His face buried in her hair, as her hand made its way up to stroke the back of his head. It was then that she realized that the long hair of his she was so use to had been cut and spiked. She kind of liked it.

He pulled back a little and rested his forehead against hers, looking her straight in the eyes.

"How bad?" She asked, dreading the answer. Just knowing she wouldn't like it. He was going to leave no matter what (always was stubborn when his mind was set), and she didn't even want to let go.

"Bad enough. Just some family business that needs taking care of. Mom's going to stay here though, no need for her to get into it."

"Is it about your father?" she asked, hoping it wasn't. The infamous Barron was not one of her favorite people. And to her surprise, Warren actually smiled at this.

"No," he whispered, "It has nothing to do with Barron. Can I just hold you, for this little bit?" He sounded unsure of himself, but Layla nodded and rested her head in the crook of his neck. His arms wrapped around her tighter, and she allowed herself to close her eyes. Just forgetting the sadness of his words, and the fact that they were just friends, they lay together on the roof with those shingles quietly cooling. And just as her breathing began to get deeper, he leaned down and kissed her lightly, letting her fall into her dreams with that last memory.

He stayed there holding her sleeping form for almost an hour before he finally ducked inside and carried her to her bed. Then after tucking her into the sheets, he took off his beloved jacket, placing it over her to keep her warm. He gave her one last kiss, yet this time on the cheek, then disappeared out the window into the darkness he knew so well.

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