Dull teal eyes looked up from under the mess of orange-red hair on the opposite side of the cell door where he sat on the cold floor, legs pulled to his chest and arms wrapped around them with his black wings laid out behind him.

The moment his eyes locked with the darkened gold across from him, so close but out of reach once more, he dared to smile and uncoil himself from the fetal position he'd gone and been in since he'd been dropped in the cell hours ago.

Rising to his feet, his clothes dirty and torn, he didn't dare look away from those piercing eyes as he stepped closer to the cell door and even dared to place his hands around the iron bars.

It was then Ray noticed the black collar around Brooklyn's neck, his eyes snapping away from it while he fought to breathe.

The moment Lee had told him who had been waiting for him he'd bolted through the doors as fast as he could, half of him not wanting to believe it but at the same time holding out a bit of hope that Lee wasn't lying to him about Brooklyn being there.

When he had reached the cell door his breath had hitched in his throat, a swirl of emotions coursing through him simultaneously that his pupils ended up slitting so thin they got lost in the color of his eyes and he couldn't stop the shaking in his arms even if he tried, thankful that he'd been able to bite back the tears since he didn't know what kind they were or why they were there.

He found himself stepping back from the door when Brooklyn advanced, not trusting him or himself at the moment.

Was he relieved to see him? He didn't know. Was he angry? Part of him was.

He wanted to scream at Brooklyn at the top of his lungs, beat the shit out of him, cry and collapse like he would after crossing paths with a long lost loved one, all the while still not knowing what to fully do now they were back face to face again.

The small smile that had formed over Brooklyn's face remained, practically seeing the wheels turning as fast as they could in Ray's head and the way he was holding back from doing anything.

He didn't blame him, couldn't blame him for the way Ray was being so silent towards him right now. He didn't really have many words for him either, but he had to see him, wouldn't see anyone else but him.

He had so much to tell him, so many things to apologize for yet knew it would never be enough no matter how many times he were to try and plead his case to him.

In the long run, none of it mattered anymore. But for what it was worth he was happy he got to see the other for one last time.

At the same time they both seemed to find their voice, cutting over the other and then going silent as neither quite got what the other had said or even asked but waited for the other to say something again only for them to speak up at the same time once more.

Feeling his anger starting to snap, Ray held a hand up to keep Brooklyn from talking again so they could actually have a conversation. Even if he still didn't know what the hell it was he wanted to say or even hear from Brooklyn right now.

"I want to know why." He started off, trying to find his voice as it wavered and cleared his throat before trying again.

"I want to know why, why you would leave when we needed you the most. Why you'd just up and disappear and not tell us anything! You knew all this time who she was, what she was after, and all you've ever done is LIE TO ME!

"I'm sick and tired of the LIES, so no more! When you open your mouth it better be nothing but the truth, do you understand me?!"

Brooklyn responded with a slow nod of his head, bringing up his other hand to the bars and wrapping it around them.

"I couldn't tell you, and for that I'm sorry. Sorry that none of this has been easy on you, that you've lost so much in this mess…

"I thought, that if I could keep who she really was a secret then the focus would be on her and the Government while I had my own plans behind the scenes. It was never meant to come out this way. I didn't know she wanted Kain, all I knew was she wanted Kai and I stayed on the sidelines so she could have him. Do what she wanted and watch him destroy those around him he loves, for my own revenge.

"I left to right my wrongs, had tried to right them from the moment I learned she wanted Kain. I didn't want him to get hurt.- "No, just his father." Ray cut over with a deep growl in the back of his throat, fangs bare.

"Why did it matter if she wanted Kain to you? How is he any different to me than Kai is that you changed your mind on your plans?"

"Because, maybe with Kai gone I might have had a chance. I realize now, have realized for a while now actually, that I never would. All you have ever done, since this started, was for him and Tala. And always knowing that, having to watch you sacrifice so much for them, is what made me fall in love with you too."

Claws pierced through the flesh of Ray's palms as he clenched his fists at his sides, his eyes not looking away from Brooklyn's through all he had said to him. His heart was racing, near enough to the point it was starting to hurt, making it difficult to breathe almost as he just stood there.

The only thing he could agree to was that Brooklyn never had a chance, would never have a chance even before he turned out to be a traitor to them, the world, and him.

Through the past four years they were close, as friends and work partners. Nothing more. What had happened on the rooftop of the BBA that seemed so long ago now was a moment of weakness, seeking comfort in someone he had trusted with his life only to hate himself every time Brooklyn ever came to mind the past year since.

A silence loomed between them, only able to really stare back at the other past the iron bars for what seemed hours but truly only minutes had passed when Ray finally tore his gaze away and put his back to Brooklyn.

"I will decide what to do with you later."

"I can help."

"You've done enough." Ray growled back, heading for the door to leave without looking back at him.

"Ray, please." Brooklyn pleaded as Ray jerked the door open, "I know where they are, what their next move will be." He bargained.

Ray hesitated, ears twitching at the words that circled around his head and through his hearing. His fingers around the handle of the door tightened their grip while his teeth clenched, another low growl rising from his chest but refused to turn around and look Brooklyn in the face again.

"Then tell me."

"She's looking for a way to get here, to get Kain. Her armies have advanced past Russia now and Kai leads them. I'm sorry, but he's gone."

Ray's lower lip wobbled at that, hating it all the same when Lee had said it to him two days ago. He wouldn't believe it, not till he saw it for himself though.

"I can still add to your numbers, I just need you to take this collar off me." Brooklyn continued given Ray's silence, glad the other hadn't continued to walk away from him and leave him in another dark and cold cell.

Turning his head over his shoulder, Ray clocked on the black collar around Brooklyn's neck again.

"What is it?"

Brooklyn's own hand came up and touched the device almost tenderly. "It voids out my powers, it's why I haven't been able to retract my wings or get back to you." He explained, his hand falling away from the collar and wrapping back around the bars to his cell.

"After I got there to face her, she broke my wings and my arms and then placed this around my neck. While my body has healed, I haven't been able to summon any of my powers since."

"So you don't even know what the outcome will be if we face her, do you?"

Brooklyn shook his head back to him, "Not until this thing comes off. I have tried, but there are metal teeth embedded inside my neck and it will electrocute me if I try."

Ray made a noise through his nose at that, finally shutting the main door and turning back to Brooklyn's cell. Coming up to the bars that separated them, he looked at the black collar around his neck more closely while Brooklyn tilted his chin up slightly for him.

"If we managed to get it off of you, how can I trust you?" Ray asked after his closer inspection of the collar.

Brooklyn's eyes locked down on Ray's, "The same way you have always put your trust in Kai after the things he did."

Ray's mouth opened to lash back, skin pricking and hair nearly standing on end yet his mouth closed up when he realized that Brooklyn had a point.

Maybe he'd always been a fool, they all had been, trusting the wrong people through all their years of knowing one another.

From Kai's first betrayal in Russia years ago to him deflecting to BEGA, even though his real reason of protecting Tala was a valid one, to trusting Bryan and thinking he was on their side along with Brooklyn.

Or maybe he was the only fool, thinking he could stop the war Brooklyn had warned them about while Brooklyn played in the shadows and helped orchestrate it to an extent.

To Lee, maybe even all the others, he'd been seen as a fool all along for staying as Director even through all his failures, to holding out hope that Kai wasn't as gone as Lee and Brooklyn were saying. Holding onto that hope of being able to stop the war from getting worse than what it already was and feeling an even bigger fool for needing Brooklyn the way he did in standing beside him through it all even now after all the other had done behind their backs.

He was a fool, and maybe he'd die a fool, but he couldn't keep letting others die or risk their lives for his mistakes.

"I'll see what I can do." Was all he gave him before turning away from Brooklyn once more.

"Thank you…" Brooklyn whispered to the back of his head.

"You shouldn't thank me." Ray sent back, pulling the main door open and turning to look over his shoulder at Brooklyn again.

"Because when this is over, I'm will kill you."

With Ray's last words hanging in the air around them, he stepped through the main door and slammed it shut behind him.

Despite Ray's threat, a smile curled up Brooklyn's face as he wandered back to the floor to sit and wait.

Walking his way down the hall back to the stairs, Ray found himself trembling, wrapping his arms around himself to try and calm it down before he came up to the main floor where Lee had stayed behind to wait for him leaned up against a wall.

Taking in a breath in hopes it'd call him some, Ray wandered his way over to Lee and put his back against the wall beside him, the back of his head leaning on the wall as he looked up at the ceiling above them.

"Well?" Lee pried, not giving Ray a minute to really catch his breath or thoughts.

"He's no good to us right now. She put a collar around his neck that voids his powers, so we'll need to find a way to disarm it."

"Are you sure that's wise?" Lee asked, keeping his eyes on Ray who kept his attention drawn up to the ceiling still.

"No." Ray answered quickly, "But what choice do we have? Even he said that Kai is gone now, and as much as I don't want to believe it I have to. I have a job to do, people to protect, and if putting Brooklyn back on our side aides in that cause then I'm willing to do that." He said, head slowly lulling along the wall towards Lee to look at him.

"I just need you on board with it and to trust me."

Lee shifted where he stood beside him, having to advert his eyes for a brief moment before locking back onto Ray's.

"Do you trust me?" He asked, getting a nod in return.

"Always. But I need yours in return."

"You have it, Ray, and I'm sorry if I ever showed or acted different. I only did what I thought was best for our people." Lee explained.

"I understand. I've not done any differently than you. I've tried to do my best, not just for the Village but the rest of the world and I'm still trying. I can't do it alone though, so I need you to stand with me on this."

"I do."

At Lee's fast response a faint smile tried to pull on Ray's face though he quickly bit it back, pulling himself off the wall and running a hand through his bangs with a sigh.

"I have to get back to Tala. Keep Brooklyn overnight while I think more on this and we'll go from there and what our next step should be."

"Alright. Take it easy though, you look ready to collapse."

Ray's shoulders went up weakly, "Nothing new, right? If you need me I'll be at the hospital, and give Mariah my love and don't be too hard on her. She only did what she thought was right, too."

"Yeah… Yeah I know…" Lee breathed back, his own hand going through his long mane tiredly before being shoved roughly in his pockets.

"She's been resting with Spencer since they got back, I haven't been to see her yet. Kenny is at the lab with Emily, last I knew, and Tyson went back to his house."

"Okay, well if I have time later I'll try and see them." Ray said, going to walk away when Lee's hand came down on his shoulder and stopped him.

"I'll get their reports, you stay with your family right now. Come back tomorrow and we'll have a sit down with them all, figure out this mess and go from there."

Ray gave a tired nod back to him, "Okay."

Lee pat his shoulder before letting him go, watching Ray disappear around the corner of the hall before turning his gaze towards the stairs that led down to the holding cells below the building.

His hands clenched inside his pockets, tearing himself away from the wall and walking away from the stairs harshly.

Back at the hospital and in front of Tala's door, Ray gave it a knock before opening it up and paused in the doorway, his breath hitching in his throat at the sight of the doctor stood there by Tala's bed with the nurse.

"Hey, made it just in time." Tala called to him, beckoning Ray more into the room with a wave of his hand.

In the short few hours he'd been gone, Tala looked a lot better than he had that morning. His normal complexion almost back to what it was while the shine in his blue eyes had come back, his movements not as sluggish as they had been.

"Baba!" Kain called excitedly, wiggling in Bryan's hold to be let down and the second he was his tiny legs rushed him over to Ray's, wrapping his arms around his father's legs and pressing his face into Ray's pants.

"Hey buddy." Ray smiled down at him, brushing back the dark hair before lifting the toddler up onto his hip and closed the door to the room behind him.

Giving the chair by the bed to Ray, Bryan rose and stood just beside it as Ray made himself comfortable on it with Kain on his lap, nervously looking between Tala and the doctor who cleared his throat.

"By all accounts, you're doing a lot better than we expected. All your vitals are back up to normal and you'll be able to leave tonight." The doctor informed.

"But?" Tala pressed.

The doctor took in a breath, face looking more grim suddenly. "While all this is good, and I'm sure you've noticed it yourself, but because of where that chip was in your frontal cortex, it's depleted your mobility."

"What's that mean?" Tala barked out.

"While you'll be able to walk, it won't be as how you used to. You'll need a set of crutches, physical therapy to help build your strength back up. If you're unable to do so, then the damage will be permanent and worsen over time."

Listening in, Ray's heart dropped to his stomach as did Bryan's, the hold he had around Kain's small frame tightening some as he pulled him into his chest closer.

"So he'll become paralyzed from the waist down?" He asked through his drying mouth.

"It shouldn't progress to that severity, but worse case scenario is he'll have to use a cane for support for the rest of his life if the physical therapy doesn't help." The doctor directed to him past Tala's head.

"I don't understand… How could this happen?" Ray asked, looking between the doctor, Tala, and Bryan.

"It's one of the risks we talked about." Bryan said, gaining Ray's attention.

"Like the doctor said, because of where that chip was and it frying the way it did, it's messed up Tala's mobility and has weakened his legs. It doesn't mean he won't ever be able to walk again, but they can deteriorate with time if he doesn't work on it."

"There are other problems that could arise later, given the part of the brain that was damaged." The doctor cut back over.

"Like?" Ray urged.

"He could suffer memory loss, could develop problems with making sound decisions. Or, he could completely become a different person altogether given a certain setting. While also his sexual behavior may change. But for now, it's a matter of observing and looking out for these things as the days progress."

"And there's nothing we can do to fix it?!" Ray yelled, startling Kain on his lap some.

"I'm afraid not." The doctor voiced quietly, "Though it is possible that his brain could fix itself, where another area of his brain will compensate for what the frontal lobe can not control anymore. Our main focus right now, from our tests and results, are his motor abilities though."

Ray simmered down some, looking to Tala sat quietly on his bed with his focus on his legs hidden under the thin sheets that covered him.

"Tal…"

"It's fine." Tala cut over, "I'm fine."

Ray frowned at him, it going unnoticed as Tala turned his attention towards the doctor instead.

"When can I start the physical therapy?"

"We can get you in tomorrow to start. It will be two lessons per week for an hour. With each session though we will continue to monitor you."

"Fine." Was all Tala responded with, turning away from the doctor back to his legs and gripping the sheets in his hands as his arms shook.

"The nurse will get your discharge papers ready and a wheelchair as well as your crutches for when you go home." The doctor informed, taking his leave with the nurse in tow.

As the door closed behind them, the air in the room got sucked out with them, making all three men take in heavy breaths to compensate while Kain wiggled to be put down.

Ray let him go, watching him briefly before getting up from the chair himself and sitting on the side of Tala's bed where he put a hand over his leg.

"Tala." He called gently, hoping to get the other to look up at him but Tala's head remained down and he could see his jaw clenched where he ground his teeth together.

"It's going to be okay. They said you'll be able to work through this." He tried again, just anything to get Tala to look up at him.

"And you get to come home now."

"And what good will I be to you there?" Tala bit back, keeping his head down.

"What good am I to anyone now?"

"Don't do that. I need you home, more than ever, so please don't talk like that." Ray pleaded with him, hurting for him.

"The doctor said you'll still be able to walk, even if you do have to use a cane or a crutch for a bit, a-and he said it may fix itself."

"But I can't fight!" Tala yelled, head snapping up with the room getting colder.

"I was meant to fight with you, not sit on the sidelines like I have been! And with Black awake and who knows what else that bitch has up her sleeves, you needed me out there not sat at home sipping tea and making pancakes for when you got back!"

Even with Ray's teeth clicking together as the temperature in the room kept dropping, his shaking hand reached out and cupped Tala's equally cold cheek in hopes it'd calm him some.

"I needed you a-alive, and you a-are. That's all-all I could have asked f-for." He said through his blue lips, his breath visible in the air around them.

At the realization he'd called his powers around him, Tala took in a breath to steady himself, the cold air around them that had stretched out around the bed sucking itself back towards him till it dispersed and the temperature went back to normal as if nothing had happened.

"Sorry…" He muttered quietly.

Ray faintly smiled at him, thumb brushing against Tala's still cold cheek. "It's okay, just something we'll need to get used to. Along with this, and I promise you, it's not going to be as bad as it sounds.

"You can go to your therapy, you'll be able to be home with us, and Nikita is getting to come home tonight too. So now I have you both back."

Tala blinked at him a few times, "She is? W-why didn't you tell me sooner?! When did you hear that?!" He spewed.

"Went and saw her when I got back, the nurse there told me that since her weight is up now that she's good to come home with us. I asked for her to stay there until I was done seeing you, but we can go down there and pick her up before we go home." Ray explained, letting his hand fall from Tala's face as he smiled at him.

"And did you figure out a way to get yourself looked at and evaluated?" Tala asked.

"I haven't had time to." Ray answered with a small shake of his head, "When I bring you tomorrow for your therapy I'll go in and figure it out though. Promise."

"What did Lee want?" Tala fired off next.

Ray shook his head again, "Can we talk about it when we get home?" He asked in a slightly pleading tone.

Taking in the tone and look on Ray's face, Tala decided it best to keep his mouth shut further, giving a small affirmative nod to him just before Ray pulled back and took his attention over to Bryan.

"Would you be able to help for when I get us home?" He asked a bit apprehensively.

"Whatever ya need."

"Thanks."

With the discharge papers in hand, as well as the crutches Tala was promised yet was forced to sit in the wheelchair to the front doors, Tala couldn't care less about having to be wheeled around like some invalid when his baby girl was placed in his arms before they left the hospital.

He was elated to know she got to finally come home with them. She was so much bigger than when she'd been born. While her hair wasn't going to come in for some time, he adored looking into her eyes that mirrored the man he loved as she just stared back up into his own as they were wheeled out to the parking lot where a Jeep was sat waiting for them.

Keeping Kain on his hip until they got to the Jeep, Bryan pushing Tala's wheelchair up to the passenger side, Ray placed Kain on the driver's seat before heading around the other side to help Bryan get Tala and Nikita in. Without the comfort of carseats or infant carriers the other two were going to have to hold them on their laps while Ray drove them home.

Taking Nikita from Tala, Ray stood back as Bryan hoisted his partner up into the passenger seat, crawling his way to the back through the opened frame and plucked Kain up from the driver's seat where he'd been playing with the steering wheel, placing the tot on his lap as Ray passed Nikita back to Tala and slotted the crutches he would need when they got home by his legs.

While the nurse that had followed them out took the wheelchair back to the hospital, Ray started up the Jeep and carefully guided them out of the small dirt parking lot.

The ride home was quiet and slow, Ray doing his best to avoid hitting all the bumps in the uneven terrain while his breath hitched in his throat every time he was unable to maneuver around one and it jolted the Jeep slightly.

Thankfully the children weren't startled too badly through the ride, Ray pulling the Jeep up along the equally uneven dirt drive before he threw it in park and cut the engine.

Rushing around to the passenger side, Bryan simply standing up and jumping out the back with Kain in his arms, Ray took Nikita from Tala once more and rushed to put her inside with Bryan passing Kain off to him the moment he got back outside.

With Ray back in the house making sure Kain wouldn't get in the way by putting him in his crib, making the boy scream and wail for being left behind, Bryan was busy helping Tala shimmy his way out of the Jeep as he held the crutches at his side for him when his feet touched the ground just as Ray managed to come back outside with them.

Standing back, feeling helpless, he watched Tala struggled to even balance his weight on his arms as he shifted and pulled himself out of the Jeep, Bryan's hand out and at the ready to catch him if he were to fall.

Both Bryan and Ray's hearts raced in their chests like they did back in the hospital when Tala had climbed off his bed to get into the wheelchair. He was unstable, face set in determination to get to where he was going despite the limp and almost numb feeling in his limbs yet wouldn't let the other's fuss over him any or accept their help.

How he managed to get out of the Jeep, seeing it was a fair few feet higher than his hospital bed was, he didn't even bother to question it as his feet touched the ground and Bryan was promptly putting the crutches under his arms to support his weight for him.

He was grateful for it, all the help Bryan had been doing not just for him but in turn for Ray too. Tala knew it was Bryan's own silent way to make up for what he'd gone and did to himself, what he'd gone and did behind all their backs including his, and while Tala knew he wouldn't be able to hate him forever for it he was glad Bryan was with them where he was now.

"I think I got it." He sent to them as he started to push his way towards the opened front door where Kain's crying and wails were filtering out from.

Bryan stepped back, knowing how proud of a man Tala was as well as being a mighty stubborn one at that and allowed him to move forward with his arms at his sides instead of outward to catch him if he were to fall.

Ray on the other hand hovered, arms out and at the ready just in case. The last thing he wanted was for Tala to hurt himself more or strain his already weakened body. He could careless just how stubborn Tala could be and damn his pride at the moment, knowing they both could be just as stubborn as the other and was willing to fight him if Tala tried to shove him away from helping.

Being able to breathe a sigh of relief as they got into the house, Bryan closing the door behind them while Tala hobbled his way over to the armchair in the living room just to the right of the door, both Ray and Bryan relaxed where Ray's arms came down to his sides.

"Can you get him some water?" Ray asked, not waiting for an answer as he disappeared around the corner of the hallway to get Kain so the screaming would stop as he was sure it wasn't helping any of their hearing at the moment.

Bryan did as he was asked, venturing into the small kitchen and rummaging through all the cabinets till he found the one that held the dishes and glasses inside and filled the glass with the water from the tap.

"Are you hungry?" Ray asked as he came back into the living room, Kain running ahead of him while he held Nikita in his arms and brought her over to Tala to hold since the second he clocked onto her his arms were held out in waiting.

"Not really, shouldn't fuss so much." Tala responded, cradling their baby girl to his chest and letting his elbow rest on the armrest of the chair to help steady her head when he felt it trying to give out on him.

"I can make us something, it's not a problem." Bryan voiced as he wandered back into the living room with the other two, setting the glass of water down on the table that was wedged between the armchair and couch.

"Guys, really. Just let me sit and relax." Tala bit at them, still not caring for their fussing any.

"You said you'd tell me what Lee wanted when we got home, so sit down." He then directed to Ray, looking up at him as he was still stood there beside him.

Ray swallowed the sudden lump that had caught in his throat at the borderline demand coming from the other yet swallowed it down, moving himself around from the side of the armchair to the couch and sat himself down with a small huff under his breath.

Relaying all that had happened to the two, Ray kept his eyes on Tala's while he spoke and noticed the way his eye had twitched a few times while a scowl slowly settled over his pale face and the air in the house had turned chilly the more he said to them.

When he managed to finish telling them everything there was a long silence that passed through them aside from Kain's incoherent babbling to himself in the corner of the living room where he sat and played with his toys.

Tala was the first to produce a sound, clearing his throat as he went through everything Ray had said to him mentally. Part of him wanted to get up and storm right down to the cells and beat Brooklyn within an inch of his life for all that he'd gone and done and had the gall to still try to plead for his forgiveness. While on the other he knew that with Brooklyn actually on their side this time it helped them and their numbers even more now that he was being benched once again.

"And you're sure you can trust him?" He finally asked, looking to Ray.

"Honestly, I don't even know right now. But, if we can remove that device that's around his neck then we can at least try and get a glimpse of what Anette plans next and go from there.

"Based on what he said, with her army having moved past Russia, we may not have long till she does find a way here where we're just sitting ducks like the rest of the world has been. And if she does somehow manage to get here then that's it, we lost." Ray responded, cupping his hands together between his knees as he hunched forward some where he sat.

"Lee says he trusts my judgment here, and while I need that I need yours too." He said, locking his eyes with Tala's across from him.

Tala hesitated but not because he didn't trust Ray's judgement, he just didn't trust Brooklyn any.

Unable to voice it to him, lest he let everything he'd been holding back from saying about the other redhead, he gave a simple nod to him.

"What about you?" Ray then asked, turning his attention to Bryan who had stayed standing behind the armchair Tala was sat in.

Bryan's shoulders went up some, "Not like it matters what I think in the long run. But from what you said, I've been where he was. He tried to make up for what he did, and while that doesn't excuse or justify what he'd gone and done already, at least he tried to right his wrongs.

"He can add numbers on our side, and while I wouldn't trust him as far as I can throw him we do need him. What you want to do with him afterwards is up to you, but if we can use him to our advantage then I say we take it while he's offering it."

Ray nodded to what Bryan had said to him, a bit surprised all that had come out of his mouth but deep down he knew Bryan was right. Had already pretty much told himself the same thing. It was just the feeling that he was making another mistake to add to his already long list that he couldn't shake off.

If it came around that Brooklyn really couldn't be trusted, knowing just how powerful Brooklyn was compared to all of them, he'd be doing the work for Anette and they would all be screwed.

Yet, if he did nothing then they were all screwed regardless. But, he knew they needed Brooklyn on their side if they even had the slightest bit of hope of ending all this for good.

While he'd been lost in his thoughts, his eyes had been drawn over to Kain on the floor still blissfully playing with his toys, a small smile having settled on Ray's face as he watched him completely oblivious too all that was goin on around him but worried for him nonetheless.

The past year since they'd been reduced to hiding out in the village he often found himself questioning if he ever did the right thing from the start, wondering that if he'd just stayed in Japan instead of going off to live with Kai and Tala would it have changed the outcome they were all faced with or not.

Not that he'd ever regret all that he'd done, for the BBA or for himself in actually taking the dive to living with two other men and bearing their children, he couldn't help his wandering thoughts on the what ifs if none of it had ever happened. Yet he knew that if he had the chance to do it all over again he wouldn't really want to change a thing, nor did he believe for a second that he'd be able to walk away from Kai and Tala even if he tried.

All he'd done had been for the love he felt for them, for the rest of their friends, which only made it that much harder on him given the one he knew he was going to have to face was one of the people he loved most.

"I'll tell Lee tomorrow, when I go back and have that sit down with him. We'll figure out what to do and how to get that device off Brooklyn's neck so he can actually help us." He finally voiced, though kept his attention over at Kain who let out a tired yawn between his babbling and play.

"But it's getting late now, we should eat and gets the kids put down." He stated, standing up from the couch like he were on autopilot now.

"You're free to stay for dinner, if you'd like." He sent to Bryan as he passed by him to the kitchen.

"Thank, but since you got these two I'll leave you to it. Need anything though ya know where to find me." Bryan sent back, placing a hand on Tala's shoulder briefly before he took his leave.

Between cooking up their late dinner, bringing a bottle of formula to Tala on the armchair to feed to Nikita as she started to get fussy in his arms, Ray had dinner prepared almost in record time. Trading off Tala's plate of food for their daughter who he took to the nursery to put down for the night, coming back and getting Kain fed up and in a bath just as quickly.

"You didn't eat." Tala stated more than questioned as Ray stood at the side of the armchair to help him out, his own plate cleaned of the food Ray had made and left to sit on the table to his right.

"I'm not hungry right now." Ray brushed off, helping Tala out of the armchair and grabbed one of his crutches that had been leaning on the side of the chair before passing it off to put under Tala's other arm.

"Do you want to shower? Wash the stench of hospital off of you." Ray asked, letting Tala set the pace in which he hobbled towards the mouth of the hallway.

"As much as I would like too, I'm tired." Tala yawned back.

"Okay." Ray gave, helping him past the bathroom door to their room down the hall on the left.

When he was close enough to the side of the bed, Tala flopped himself down on it, letting his crutch go and clatter on the wooden floor under it. He went to shift himself around to put his back down and head on the pillows only to pause when Ray had bent forward and went to undoing his jeans for him.

"Kit, as much as I love your approach I'm too tired for that too."

Ray snorted out a laugh through his nose, "That's not what I'm doing, Tal. Just trying to get you more comfortable."

"Oh…"

Ray chuckled under his breath, stripping Tala's jeans away from his legs and let them drop on top of the crutches by his feet, moving to Tala's shirt to take that off next for him before too dropping it to the floor.

"Thanks." Tala sent to him as he finally got to lay back, scooting around till he had the sheets out from under him and draped over him only to sit up again when Ray started to head for the door instead of the bed beside him.

"Where you going?"

Ray paused in the doorway, turning back around to face him. "Just going to clean up, I won't be long." He informed him, sweeping out of the room before Tala could stop him again and shut the door behind him.

By the time he returned to the room Tala was already passed out, exhausted from the day and more than likely the way he had to strain to use his limbs now. As quietly as Ray could, he slipped under the sheets beside him, curling up against Tala's side where his eye lids began to droop on him instantly. The second they closed completely Nikita began to scream from down the hall, Kain's own wails soon following at being startled awake by his sister.

"I'll gedem." Tala muttered in his sleep, body shifting but his eyes remained closed.

"I got it." Ray yawned back to him, peeling himself off Tala's chest and throwing the sheets off himself, dragging his feet behind him as he went down the hall to the nursery.

Maybe he should have had Bryan stay the night with them all as it was going to be a very long night.