Author's Note: ~ "text" ~ indicates telepathy; ~ . ~ . ~ indicates memory begins; ~ x ~ x ~ indicates memory ends.

xxx TTP xxx

Roger didn't want to let go of Morgan, but finally she worked herself free and guided him to the living room. They sat on the couch and she was finally able to see that her boy had been crying.

Roger wiped his eyes and looked at his mother. "Did you know?"

"Know what?"

"A ... about John?"

"Baby, of course I did," Morgan responded gently. "How could I not?"

Roger shrugged.

"I've known John for a long time. He's a good man, in spite of what he's been through. Those experiences have made him strong."

"But ... but ... he killed my uncle, how can you forgive that?"

"Because life is complicated, even more so when your father is involved, and John's changed. I don't think he ever really understood what happened until later. All that happened before you were born. Think back to the John you knew before he told you this. What would you say about him?"

Roger took his time to respond.

"Well, a good man, who has always been there for me."

"And that hasn't changed because that is who he is now."

"I guess ..."

"Let him tell you the rest of his story. It's the only way you will understand him better and, in turn, get to know your father. Do you still want to know about him?"

"Not so sure about that now."

"Well, you've gotten this far, might as well learn the rest."

xxx TTP xxx

John had remained in the room. It was his worst fear coming true. He had grown attached to the boy and tried to be there for him as much as he could.

He leaned against the cold metal door. He wanted to get away from it and this room, but he had lost the motivation. Maybe he belonged here, maybe he should have died here like all those others did so long ago.

John had no idea how much time had passed before Stephen showed up again.

"What are you doing, John? Go home."

"I am home ... or at least this is where I belong."

"No, it's not. He will get over it. Give him some time."

"I knew I shouldn't have told him," John said, shaking his head.

"You told him the truth, right?"

"Yes."

"He wanted to know and would have found out sometime. It's best he hear it from you. Now, go home."

John stared at Stephen for a couple of moments, wanting to argue the point, but realized the truth of the statement. John turned and teleported out.

xxx TTP xxx

Instead of going home, like Stephen told him to, John needed to make a stop first.

~ "Marla, are you free?" ~

~ "Give me a minute." ~

~ "Just let me know when you're ready." ~

A couple of moments later, Marla opened the door.

"Sorry about that, John. My neighbor had stopped by and well, I'm glad you showed up," Marla said then smiled. "Come on in."

After offering him a drink, which he declined, they got settled in the living room. John sat on the couch. Marla sat in the chair next to it and turned her attention to her visitor.

"So what happened with Roger?"

John chuckled. "How do you always know?"

"Basically, over the past 14 years, it's the only reason you stop by. It's not hard to guess." Marla laughed.

"Fair enough."

"And? What's going on?"

"Well, he knows." John stared at Marla and the look in his eyes broke her heart.

"Oh."

John looked away.

"I never should have told him. He didn't need to know everything. I should have just stuck to the basics ..."

"Give him time. It was a shock, I'm sure. He just needs time to process it."

"You didn't see how he looked at me ... ran away from me. I never should have agreed to be a part of his life. What was I thinking?"

"John, stop it! You have always been there for him. You have been a positive influence and I'm sure he wouldn't be the good kid that he is, if you hadn't been there when Morgan needed you. That kid got his father's worst trait and it's not easy to keep that in check. Luckily, my boys avoided that bit of Price heritage, so they weren't as much work."

"Really? You're saying two boys were easier to raise than one?"

"When it's that one versus my two, yes."

They sat a few moments in silence.

"So ... what do I do now?"

"You let him come to you. Once he realizes that was in the past and you are still you, he'll come back."

xxx TTP xxx

After talking to his Mom, Roger went to his room. It was his sanctuary when things got out of control. He never thought life could get this crazy though ... this upsetting.

John, the man who had helped raise him and had been there when he needed a male point of view, this man was a killer? And it wasn't just anybody he murdered, it was his uncle the man his mother named him after. How could he do that?

Roger grabbed the baseball that was on his desk, flopped onto the bed and started tossing the ball in the air. As he did this, he remembered the first time he got it.

~ . ~ . ~

Roger's 8th birthday and a friend had given him a baseball glove. He loved it and was so excited to try it out, except he didn't have a ball. How could his friend give him a glove and not the ball too?

John showed up the next day with a baseball. Roger grabbed the man by the hand and dragged him outside, insisting that they play catch.

"Woah, wait, I just brought the ball. All I know on the subject is you can't have a glove without a ball and that's it."

"What's to know. Just toss it to me. I'll catch it."

"I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't because I'll catch it! You stand here."

Roger positioned John at one end of the yard, then ran to the other side.

"You're sure about this?"

"Just throw the ball already," Roger yelled then punched his glove and got into position.

It took a few practice throws before John was able to get it just right. Then they stayed out there until dark and his Mom insisted they come in. Of course, taking his Mom's side, John ran over and picked him up, swinging him around before setting him up on his shoulders to take him into the house.

~ x ~ x ~

Back in the present, Roger asked himself, "Was that really the same man that could kill?"