Since Troy's confession about who the stranger was, he had refused to answer any questions. He wasn't giving up a location for the man he called his brother or how he supposedly brought him back to life. In fact he did nothing more then sit with his head cradled in hands.
However he was not the one Jo was currently concerned about. Five feet away Claudia's face was a mask of anger. Fortunately masks were a specialty of Jo's and she could see past the anger and see the hurt, the confusion and the pain. That poor girl, Zane had not wanted to bring her in on this for this exact reason. Jo knew how it felt to lose a parent and after all that time if someone said her mother was still alive, she couldn't imagine the hurt Claudia must be feeling right now. Myka had tried to comfort her but Claudia being foremost a Donovan had shrugged her off.
The familiar sound of her phone receiving a text message came from her pocket.
Zane had sent her a message We've got him. On our way - Love Z
"Zane and Pete are on their way. We'll have answers soon." Jo announced to the group. Troy looked up at her his face ashen.
"Do you want to try telling us the truth now Troy?" Myka asked. "Tell us how you did this? How did you bring your brother back?"
Violently Troy shook his head. "I can't, I can't because you will undo what I've done."
Shaking with rage Claudia walked over to the table and kicked Troy's chair so it turned to face her. "You just don't get it do you? More then anything in the world I want my parents back. I want my family back but you can't mess around with this stuff. There are always consequences. Right now I'm trying not to fall apart again. I lost my dad once I'm not sure I can do it again. You selfish bastard."
"You don't have to lose him again. He's here now. Don't you see, we can all be a family again?" Troy was pleading with Claudia.
"What about my mom? Didn't think I want her back too? Or were you only thinking about yourself? Sixteen years of abandonment and you think this will fix everything. This would heal your rift with your son? You thought this would make up for Joshua's disapearance or for the time I spent in the psych ward. You're supposed to be a genius but you're just pathetic. I feel sorry for you." She stomped away again, trying to calm the rage that was now bubbling faster in her.
Sitting in silence in the back seat of the SUV, James studied his nephew. Wondering if things had been different if his life would have been different, a quick internet search had told James that Zane had his share of issues. Brilliant and a promising talent in physics, much more so then he had been but still prone fro trouble, serious trouble at times. Obviously Troy's abandonment had been devastating on the child and not just the disappearance after James' death. Zane had always been spirited and felt like he knew better then everyone, but deep down Zane was still that scared kid he would spend time teaching physics to. Zane had always cared more about others then he was willing to admit.
"Tell me about the girl your mom said you're seeing." Might as well make an effort. He could see the battle raging through Zane's mind as he decided what if anything to say.
Finally Zane spoke "her name is Jo. Jo Lupo and she's head of security at the company I work for."
"Is it serious?"
"Yeah, I'm going to marry her. Gave her Gram's ring."
"Congratulations that's great." James was truly happy for his nephew. Zane merely grunted. "How are Joshua and Claudia?" James asked tentatively.
Zane glanced at the man next to him before locking his eyes forward. Still not sure whether or not to trust James. "Their doing well, Joshua works for CERN, the supercollider project and Claudia works with Pete. Her job is classified though."
Relief filled James he wanted more answers but now probably wasn't the time to ask. The rest of the car ride was filled with silence and tension. Soon Pete pulled up to the seemingly abandoned warehouse. The three men walked towards the door. Once inside Pete removed James' cuffs and led the man towards the table. Zane had crossed to Claudia and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Her stance softened slightly and she leaned her head into Zane's chest.
James took the seat across from his twin. The differences between them were slight although Troy looked more tired and just a little older.
"Troy" James licked his lips as he began. "It's over. It should have never begun. I think you know that."
"No" Troy stood and shoved the table aside. "You can't go now. Look at what getting you back cost me." He tried to rush his twin but Jo had quickly closed in on Troy.
She twisted an arm behind his back, effectively subduing him. "Play nice." She hissed. Troy stopped resisting Jo's hold and stood stock still.
James stood and approached his daughter and nephew tentatively. He smiled at the two of them. "We owe you an explanation. He never meant to hurt anyone, but he did. I'm so sorry. At the same time it's so good to see you both together as a family."
Troy made to step forward but Jo twisted his arm harder and the man fell to his knees. "Please I have to stop this. I can't lose James again. He's the only family I have left."
Pete helped the man back to his feet while Jo still held tight to his arm. "What's the artifact?" Pete asked gruffly.
Troy shook his head. "If I tell you I lose him all over again."
Unable to help herself Jo tightened her grip. "Look at them. Look at your family." She hissed in Troy's ear. "Look over there do you see the hurt that you are causing your son and your niece right now? Do you? I have met my share of self centered jackasses in my day but you take the cake. How dare you hurt them over and over again so you can feel better?"
It took all her self control not to snap his arm in two. "Tell us what you did. Tell us so you can stop hurting the children you once swore you would protect. Or I swear to God you'll regret it." It was easy to forget just how dangerous Jo could be when she wanted to be.
Knowing the battle was lost Troy's body sagged. With his free hand he reached into one of his pockets. "I found this over twenty years ago." He handed Pete a small scroll. "It's instructions on how to resurrect a loved one but I needed a catalyst. It needed a second piece to work. I spent years trying to find the other piece needed. And I did in Turkey a few weeks ago."
Myka now had the scroll and was shoving it into one of he plastic bags. Sparks flying everywhere when it hit the bag. "What's the other piece? Where is it?"
Fat tears were running down Troy's face. "It's a piece of Lazarus' death shroud."
"Wait like the Lazarus brought back to life by Jesus from the Bible, Lazarus?" Jo asked incredulously relaxing her grip farther without letting go of Troy's arm.
"Good girl you know your scripture. It's true, the old story is true and it helped bring him back to us. James was the only one who ever understood me. Do you know what it's like to lose a person who is your other half?" Troy shot a look across the room to where James stood with Zane and Claudia.
"Uncle James?" Zane asked skepticism in his voice. Even with all the evidence today had given him this still shouldn't be happening. "How is this possible? I went to your funeral I saw you dead in that coffin. I saw it. This is some nightmare."
James reached a hand out to his nephew. "I'm right here Zane. This is as real as it gets."
Zane pulled back still skeptical. Claudia however launched herself at her father, "Daddy!" She buried her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.
Taking a hand James smoothed his daughter's hair. "Its ok love, I'm right here."
Claudia looked up at him her eyes noticing the braided cloth necklace around his neck. "But you shouldn't be. You can't be." Inwardly cursing her uncle for putting her in the position she was in.
Zane had taken a step or two closer to his cousin and uncle.
"I know. What Troy did was wrong, done with the best of intentions but still wrong." James reached out and grabbed Zane's good arm. "Listen to me both of you. Really listen to me. I am so proud of everything you have both accomplished. I wish I could have been there for you. Claudia I love you and your brother so much. I know I won't be there to watch you grow into the amazing woman that I know you will be, at least not in a way that you can see me. But I will always be watching…
"Zane, I'm so sorry that your dad was once again too obsessed with the past to see the extraordinary young man who just wanted to be loved by him. You are at heart an incredibly good person. Never forget that and no it doesn't mean you have to be boring." James swallowed hard. "Please let your dad earn another chance to be a part of your life, for me please."
Zane nodded. "How is this real? How are you really here?" Zane felt his own tears escape down his face. Uncle James had been his hero.
"You need to have more faith son. Not just in science or in that lovely lady over there that you are marrying but in the things you just can't explain yet." James turned to his daughter. "Always be true to yourself love. Find your own happiness and please tell Joshua that I love him."
She nodded "Tell Mom we love her too." James nodded and kissed her cheek.
"Claudia it's the necklace." Myka yelled from across the room.
"I know." Claudia yelled back her arms slipping around her Dad's neck. "It's time." She whispered to him. If she didn't do it now she would never be able to.
"I love you both so much. Please be happy and watch out for each other." James smiled once again and Claudia pulled the cloth from around his neck. One second a full bodied man stood in front of him the next second there was nothing left but dust. The cloth fell from her hand to the ground and Zane caught her before she fell as well.
Jo let go of Troy and the older man fell to the ground sobbing. Myka walked over and picked up the necklace that had been made from the death shroud. Violent purple sparks flew as she dropped it into another bag Pete was carrying.
"Shhh. It'll be ok kid. Some how it will all be ok." Zane was holding a still sobbing Claudia, rubbing circles on her back. If only he believed it himself.