LbN: Ok, I've been a while right? Well, I hope this chapter is worth the wait for you guys!!

PA

Reid was doing something unheard of, for him at least. For the first time in his career at Spenser, he was sitting in the front row of a class. It wouldn't be at all fair to say that he was a slacker; the kid made straight As, no magic involved. He was simply holding to a firm belief that you didn't have to fall over yourself to be a good student. He did his work, answered questions when called on, but he wasn't about to jump out of his seat every time a question was up for grabs. He also didn't pass up on opportunities to be a smart ass…

He kept his head down today, taking notes for the last hour. He was really glad it was Friday. Every so often, he'd use to turn the page in his textbook. He was mad, mad at Hagen for being such a prick, and mad at himself for being so stupid. How could he have thought that not using at all would be better than using all the time? He should have known, just by how fucked up he got when one of the others used around him. He was weak now, because he thought he could beat his life force; and, worst of all, he didn't know if he'd be able to help his friends, his brothers, when Hagen decided to loose his shit this time.

He felt the rush of magical energy and looked around. It was Pogue this time; they had been making sure he didn't fall into shock today, taking turns having him send magic back at them. He did so, sending Pogue the magical equivalent of a hug. A manly hug, of course.

PA

Pogue sat back in his seat next to Caleb. He had been worrying about Reid all day, but besides feeling like shit, the blonde seemed to be doing alright. He looked at the clock, mentally counting down from ten. A loud bell sounded over the intercom, and Pogue turned to Caleb.

"I've got something to do," he said, "I'll meet up with you guys. Where are we going?"

"Bagel Toppers," Caleb said, "But we can wait for you."

"Nah, man, I'm cool. I'll meet up with you."

They walked out of the classroom, and after waving at the other three, Pogue walked down the hall toward the science labs. He looked through the glass in the door and saw Hagen. Eyes turning black, he watched as Hagen looked up and saw him. Pogue walked a few feet and entered the bathroom; he checked twice to make sure that no one else was in there. About a minute later, Hagen walked in.

"Pogue?" the Fifth said, "Can I help you?"

"Yeah, actually," Pogue replied, "I just…I'm a little confused."

He stopped a peered at Hagen. He wasn't sure what he expected to get out of this little meeting, but he couldn't back out now.

"You come back," he started, "Hurt Tyler and Reid, and go on your merry way. What's this about?"

"Well, I'm sure they told you that I was back to get your power?" Hagen smiled.

"Yeah," Pogue said.

"I changed my mind. That debacle with Reid and Tyler, I was just making sure that the two youngest would show proper respect to the most powerful Son of Ipswich. I don't want your power anymore, but there is something you can do for me."

"What makes you think I'd do anything for you?"

"Because I said I didn't want your power; not that I wouldn't kill you."

"What do you want?" Pogue rolled his eyes.

"I want to be at your ascension, and I'll be there regardless, but at least I'll feel noble now that I've asked."

"If you don't want my power, then why do you want to be there when I ascend?"

"I want to learn a little more about the sons of Ipswich," Hagen grinned, "You have your 'brothers'; I grew up alone. You won't begrudge me a little time with my 'family', will you?"

Pogue looked hard at Hagen, weighing all of his options and trying to choose carefully. He looked at his watch to stall; he was way late getting to the restaurant.

"I've got to go," he said, passing Hagen.

"See you Sunday, Pogue."

PA

"Pogue!" Tyler called, "Over here."

Pogue walked over to the booth, hugged Kate and greeted the rest.

"So what were you up to?" Reid asked.

"Had a talk with Hagen," Pogue told them grimly.

"What?" Caleb said, looking up from his Deluxe Pizza Bagel.

"I'll take the, uh, Greek Shrimp Bagel," Pogue told the waitress. Turning back to his friends, he said, "I found him and talked to him; he wants to be at my ascension."

"Is he out of his mind?" Reid asked.

"Yes," the rest of them answered. Reid laughed.

"He said he was going to be there," Pogue said, "So, maybe we shouldn't do it at the house? I don't want him near our families."

"Yeah, our dads might try to kill him," Tyler smirked.

"Probably," Reid agreed.

"So, Reid," Sarah said, "Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah, I am."

"Up to that Rugby game tomorrow?" Caleb asked.

"I hope so…"

PA

"Run Reid! Run, run, run!" Pogue shouted. He watched as the blonde launched the ball to a fellow teammate. Everyone was there watching as Reid played. He was really quite good at the game.

Reid, for his part, was wondering why in the hell the guys were sending magic to him while he was playing. He had enough adrenaline running through him that he wouldn't go into shock, and if they kept it up, he'd be sick.

"Time!" the ref yelled.

Reid ran over to his coach. His head was spinning; he bent down to catch his breath, trying hard not to puke. He wasn't listening to a word Coach was saying, but it was the same thing every time so he didn't need to.

"Alright," his coach said, "Uh, Vance and Garwin come on out. MacDonald and Bents, sub in."

"What's wrong with Reid?" Tyler asked, a look of concern plastered to his face. Their friend looked pale, and was swaying as if he would fall over.

Pogue jumped up and climbed over Caleb and Sarah. He ran down the steps and, almost before his feet touched the grass, hurled a small ball of magic at the blonde boy standing alone under the bleachers. Hagen dodged, but turned to look at Pogue.

"What the hell are you doing to him Ch-Hagen?" he asked.

"Nice. You caught yourself before you made a mistake. And here I was thinking you were too much of a meathead to learn."

"What are you doing to him?" Pogue asked again, "He's not…" he stopped. Hagen, as far as he knew, didn't know about Reid's struggles with magic.

"He's not what?"

"We don't use on each other," Pogue amended what he was going to say, "He's not use to it."

Hagen stared at him for a moment.

"I get the feeling you're lying," he said quietly.

"I'm not," Pogue said, "Here, I'll show you."

His eyes went black, as he sucked Hagen into his memory. Flashes of past events flew by:

"No using on each other," Mr. Simms said.

"Yes, sir," the boys replied.

"Reid, stop," Caleb said, the viens on his arms sticking out.

Reid was thrown back as Caleb lost his temper.

"It's not right using on each other," Tyler said.

"Oh, tell that to Reid."

Hagen stumbled back a few steps as Pogue's sub-conscious let go of him.

"How'd you do that?" Hagen asked.

"I've always been able to do that," Pogue said, "None of the other guys can do it. I showed you, alright? Now knock of whatever you're doing to Reid."

Hagen's eyes went black before he turned and walked away. Pogue watched him go, and then turned and ran back up the stands.

"You've been surfing," Caleb said under his breath when Pogue sat back down. Pogue had been able to go through memories since they first got their powers at thirteen; the others had named it surfing. He didn't do it much, because it took a lot of magic and made him feel queasy. The others told him he got really pale whenever he did it.

"I had to get him to stop bothering Reid," Pogue whispered, "How's he doing?" he asked in a normal voice.

"He just threw up," Kate said.

"Good thing Coach already took him out," Tyler added.

"He'll be okay, Pogue," Caleb said, "Just take it easy for a while."

Pogue looked over at Tyler. The youngest Son was using to make sure Reid didn't get sick again.

"Easy Tyler," he muttered to him.

"Whoa!" Tyler said, looking up at him, "No more surfing for you."

"Not unless I need it," Pogue agreed.

LbN: Hope you liked the chapter! Review por favor!!