Summary: After their ascension, the Sons of Ipswich have continued their lives but life isn't a fairy tale with happily ever after. Having power has its dangers, and the Sons will soon face a startling reality that will send them on a search for answers, with the help of an unlikely ally.
Chapter One
Shaking off the water on his jacket and walking into Nicky's Caleb surveyed the bar, taking in the renovations it had undergone the last few years. Nicky had expanded everything from the open floor where over ten tables now occupied the space to the actual bar which was no longer set up like an island but took up one entire wall. It still had the same laid back atmosphere with its dark, worn wood, jukebox, and the pool table. Caleb could imagine Reid hustling a group of students like he'd had the habit of doing with their old school mates.
"Yo, Caleb!" A familiar voice called out.
Scanning over the few faces at various tables, Caleb's eyes landed on Pogue, who sat towards the back with a beer in hand.
"Hey, my man." Caleb greeted once he had reached Pogue, along with their usual hand shake.
He still had the same long hair girls had always fallen over themselves for but his features were more angular, more pronounced, his dark green eyes no longer holding the carefree gleam that had once defined him. He looked older but experience had aged him, not the use of his powers. Thank God, Caleb thought; he knew first-hand how that looked. All of them bore similar changes, a testament to all they had experienced.
Pogue smiled, though it was more of a smirk, and motioned to the chair directly in front of him with his beer before taking a swig. "I thought you weren't going to be back for another week, Harvard."
Caleb laughed at the jab and shrugged. "Classes ended early."
Pogue chuckled and shook his head, "Same old Caleb. You know, there's a life outside of books and exams. Even in Ivy League schools."
"Like spending months riding around on a motorcycle?" He challenged.
"Not everyone wants to spend their best years with their head in a book and stuck in classrooms. High school was enough for me." Pogue replied.
After high school Pogue had forgone college and over the last three years he had the habit of getting on his bike and disappearing for months at a time, going God-knew where. Each of the Sons had dealt with the aftermath of the events with Chase Collins differently. Caleb had focused on Harvard and Pogue had chosen to run, or ride. Yet he always returned to Ipswich. They all did.
Caleb decided to leave the discussion of Pogue's lack of plans for another day and instead asked, "Are you planning on sticking around for a while?"
Pogue seemed to think it over before nodding. "Yeah, why the hell not? It's been a while since we've all gotten together."
Neither one mentioned the reason, though they both knew. Ever since their ascension, each Son had taken to dealing with their powers in their own way. The dark energy was always bubbling below the surface, calling to him like a seductive muse. Caleb fought it, refusing to tap into it, but there were moments when he would slip and remember how truly amazing it had felt to use, how liberating, when he had fought Chase. It truly was addicting. Whenever he was too close to losing control he would bring up the image of his father the last time he had seen him, a hallow shell of his former self. It served as a reminder of what it would cost him.
Pushing aside his thoughts Caleb leaned back in his chair. "Have you spoken to Reid or Tyler?"
Pogue took another drink, "Not in a couple of weeks. I just got back last night but I was hoping to run into one of them tonight. Knowing them, one isn't likely to be far from the other."
Caleb laughed, "Those two have always been thick as thieves."
All four of them had grown up together, but it had always been Reid and Tyler, the youngest, who were partners in crime while Caleb and Pogue got the roles of the older brothers.
"Speak of the devils." Pogue said when Reid's blond head came through the door, followed by Tyler.
"Hello there boys." Reid said once he spotted them. "Starting the party without us?"
"Well, I am the life of the party." Pogue said as acknowledgement.
"Hey Baby Boy." Caleb said to Tyler, ignoring the other two.
"Hey Caleb, I didn't know you were back."
"Harvard boring you yet?" Reid interjected.
Caleb shook his head, "The jokes are getting old guys."
The guys sat down and he took the chance to study them, taking in Reid's longer, unruly hair, and mischievous electric blue eyes. He hadn't changed much over the years, except for losing the boyish aspect in his features and while Reid still loved to flirt and party, he wasn't as erratic as he used to be. Caleb believed their experience with Chase had something to do with it.
Tyler had changed too, the biggest change being that he had grown out his facial hair, giving him a scruffy, unkempt look that seemed to work for him. It made him appear older even though he was still the youngest out of all of them and sometimes still looked it.
Caleb's attention was diverted as a girl made her way over to their table. He guessed she was the waitress, another change Nicky had apparently made, because he had seen her talking to the other customers and bringing out drinks occasionally.
"Hey guys." She greeted.
"Hey Jane." Tyler replied with a friendly smile which she returned.
"Reid, Pogue." She said to the other two, with a friendly demeanor.
Pogue tilted his head in response and Reid waved, though he didn't make any attempt to flirt which was unlike him. Looking over the girl, Caleb had to admit that she wasn't Reid's usual type, blonde and ditzy, or really any of the guys' types. She had long, dark brown hair, almost black, held up in a ponytail that matched her obscure brown eyes which stood out in contrast to her pale face. She wasn't as slender as most girls they knew but curvier, filling out the jeans she was wearing nicely. Unlike Kate and Sarah, she was appealing but wouldn't stand out in a crowd. Caleb mentally shook himself, pushing the thought of Sarah away and refocused on his friends.
"Can I get you guys anything?" He heard her ask.
"I'll take one of what Pogue's having." Reid told her with a charming smile.
Jane laughed but shook her head, "Sorry buddy, but unless you turned twenty-one during the week, you'll have to settle for a Sprite."
"Stickler for the rules, reminds me of him." Reid rolled his eyes and stuck his thumb out towards Caleb.
"Caleb." He introduced himself when her eyes landed on him, noting that she must have been new in town. Having grown up in Ipswich, it was easy to tell.
"Jane." She replied with a friendly smile before turning back to Reid. "So what'll it be Reid?"
"Root beer." He said and stood up. "But I'll be over there, shooting some pool."
She nodded and looked at Tyler. "Anything for you before you go join him?" Obviously this was a usual occurrence.
"A coke and fries."
She nodded and wrote it down as Tyler left to join Reid but not before calling out, "Thanks Jane, you're the best."
"Kiss up." She muttered.
Pogue chuckled, "What does he need your help with now?"
"A five page essay due for English on Monday that he hasn't started yet."
He laughed again but made no comment.
"Anyways, another Heineken?" She asked.
"No, I have to drive home in a little. I'll take a coke too."
"Okay, how about you?" She said, turning to Caleb.
"I think I'll take that Sprite you mentioned and a cheeseburger." He hadn't realized he was starving after driving all day from campus.
Putting away the order pad, she said, "Got it, should be out in a couple of minutes."
Both guys nodded and she walked away.
"Since when does Nicky's have a waitress?" Caleb asked.
Pogue shrugged, "Since Nicky finished the renovations. When it gets too crazy at the bar though, you go up to order. Things have been changing around here."
"I see that. So, heard from Kate lately?" He asked, moving forward in his chair and watching Pogue's reaction.
He shrugged again, attempting to seem unaffected but Caleb knew him better than that. "Not in months. I guess she was serious when she said she needed time."
"Sorry, man."
Pogue didn't look up from the almost empty bottle in his hand. "Whatever. What about you? Any word from Sarah?"
Caleb leaned back with a sigh, "Not since our last fight, when we broke it off."
Pogue drank the rest of his beer. "It's just never over, is it?" He wasn't simply talking about their failed relationships.
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