Aliana felt rough hands shove her back into the now familiar cell. The door slammed behind her and she stood, swaying slightly, in the empty room. A few wobbly steps brought her to one of the two cots where she collapsed down onto the poor excuse for a mattress. The world still swam before her eyes. Shapes were blurry and the small amount of light that filtered in seemed dim and yet solid, as if it had taken an actual form. Aliana closed her eyes. Dizziness raked her brain. The sudden lose of equilibrium made her stomach lurch and tighten. Aliana forced her eyes back open, trying to focus on a solid point on the wall while taking deep breaths.

The drugs they had pumped into her veins slowly wore off. The world stabilized and Aliana could close her eyes without the urge to vomit. The dizziness left her brain, leaving behind a throbbing pain. Massaging her temples helped a little, but the second she stopped the pain flooded back. Sleep was impossible; the only think she could do was wait for Kat's return, while trying to understand what had happened her. All she could remember was needles, lots of shouting people and a drugged sense of confusion.

Teli had settled back onto the couch and was watching some TV program that took little or no effort to understand. It was her little escape, a way of not have to think about Kat, Shane, her family, and all she had left behind. In the back of her mind, Teli knew she was putting off thoughts that would eventually have to be dealt with, but just then, she didn't feel like it was quite that time yet.

It was their second day at the Penthouse, she and Tye could sense that Max and the others were waiting for something, a piece of information, extra aid, or the right conditions, before another move was made. At the moment, Max had gone with Jondy and Zane and Logan was off talking to a source. They were alone for the afternoon, left to their own devices, granted they didn't go far.

Tye paced back and forth in front of the window. After a week of running it felt almost wrong to spend two whole days idle. He didn't like having to stay in the Penthouse, but he hadn't argued either. It would be a shame to get caught wandering around Seattle after they had come so far.

But mostly Tye's thoughts turned to Aliana. He had pushed all thoughts of her to the back of his mind during his journey to Seattle, but now memories came flooding back. Especially the memory of their last few moments together.

"You're going to wear the soles off your feet if you keep pacing like that." Teli's playful tone broke into his thought. "Not to mention drive me crazy." Tye glanced at his sister; she had a light smile on her face, indicating that she was not, in fact, going to be driven crazy. Tye shrugged and smiled back.

"Sorry, it's a habit I picked up at the track." He explained.

"Tell me about the track, I've never been to one." Teli replied, curious. Tye thought for a moment, then made his way over to where Teli was sitting.

"Well, my parents breed and train thoroughbreds to race. We'd take our whole string, usually about 12 horses, to the main track a week or so before a big race weekend. We'd run the horses on the new track a few times, get them used to it and all, get them settled in their new stalls, all that stuff that keeps their brains settled before they have to race." Tye explain. The picture was still crystal clear in his mind, all the people, all the horses, and the energized atmosphere.

"And what was race day like?" Teli asked, flicking the off button for the TV. She was finally learning about her brother's life. It was time to get caught up. Tye laughed.

"On race day you would see the craziest things! Women with huge blue and green, sometimes yellow or pink hats. Men in fancy tuxedos, or suits with bright colored ties. Eccentric people, odd couples, crazy accents, you name it." He finished with a grin, starring off at a colorful memory.

"Sounds like a fun place to be." Teli commented, "you'll have to take me there someday." Tye looked up quickly at the comment.

"I will." He said, and felt certain that someday he actually would. "Now, what about you?" He asked. Teli smiled and leaned back into the couch cushions, she'd be expecting the question.

"Well, nothing as exciting as a race track. I mostly hang out with my friend Kat. We did a lot of biking, hiked through the mountains, and did some boating on the lake. That sorta thing." Teli finished with a small wave of her hand and a smile.

"Sounds like a good time." Tye replied with a small nod.

"Yeah, good times..." Teli's voice trailed off and they lapsed into a moment of thoughtful silence.

After a moment Teli glanced over at Tye, he was gazing thoughtfully at the carpet beneath their feet, obviously caught in some memory. Teli opened her mouth to ask him more about his prior life, but then decided to wait, and looked away.

"What?" Tye asked, glancing up from a memory of Aliana. Teli looked quickly back towards him.

"I... didn't say anything." She replied, confused.

"Oh, that's odd. I could've sworn you did. Asked a question or something like that." Tye replied, though still half him mind was on its previous thought. He glanced up at Teli briefly, she looked puzzled.

"Who is Aliana?" Teli asked, sounding puzzled. Tye glanced up sharply.

"How did you know that name?" He asked quickly. He had been careful not to say it; there was no way Teli could know.

"You just said it." Teli explained. The name had wrung like a spoken word in her mind, yet she could've sworn Tye hadn't moved his mouth.

"No, no. There is no way I just said her name. I wouldn't. It's exposure for her. So, how did you know that name?" Tye's tone had become increasingly stern as he spoke, unsuccessfully hiding his near panicked worry.

"Whoa, whoa. Breath Tye." Teli reached out and put a hand on her brother's shoulder. Tye clenched his jaw and looked away, but seemed to otherwise relax. "Okay, now, you're sure you didn't say her name, not even a whisper?" Teli asked.

"Yeah." Tye replied, looking back up. But I thought it. He told himself mentally.

"You thought it?" Teli replied, things were beginning to click. Once again she had heard him speak, but had not seen his mouth move at all. Tye's eyes widened as the pieces clicked together. He pursed both lips together and looked directly at his sister.

Teli? Are you getting this? Tye concentrated on making the thought clear and precise. Teli tilted her head, as if trying to hear something. She opened her mouth to reply, and then shut it quickly.

Yeah, but it's kinda...fuzzy. Her thought rang clear in Tye's mind. He smiled.

Neat little trick we've got here. Tye thought, half to himself. Teli laughed.

Came in loud and clear that time. Maybe you were trying too hard the first time. Tye laughed as well.

"How do you suppose it works though?" Teli asked, her real voice now seemed to ring loudly in the room. Tye shrugged, then had a thought.

"Look away, so I can't even see your eyes." He said quickly. Teli turned around. Tye thought hard, then remembering that didn't work, relaxed and simple thought her name. She didn't respond. "Okay, now turn so I can just see... like the corner of your eye." Teli turned half way.

"I got something that time, but it was unclear." Teli replied, turning all the way back.

"So obviously it depends on eye contact. Seems all little odd though, I mean, if we were to be soldiers then eye contact isn't always going to be possible on a mission." Tye wondered out loud.

"Well, maybe they were still in the experimental stages." Teli hypothesized. "That would explain why it only works between us and why it's limited." At that moment there was a knock at the door. Both twins jumped up and turned towards the door as it slowly swung open.

A tall man with dark blonde hair walked through the door. He looked to be about Zane's age, yet had a more relaxed persona about him. He quickly scanned the room, stopping when his gaze fell on Teli and Tye.

"Hey guys." He started, sounding friendly enough. They didn't respond. "Well, um... is Max around?" He asked, glancing down a hallway.

"She's not around right now." Tye replied, taking a step towards the newcomer. The man glanced back at Tye and Teli who now stood a little behind her brother.

"Eh... well, when she or Logan comes back, could ya tell 'em Alec stopped by? I've got some info they might want." He turned, a half grin on his confident face and walked out the door. The lock click and both twins breath again.

"Well, that was ... interesting." Teli said, still puzzling at the closed door. Tye turned towards her.

Yeah, it was... He echoed.

Dear Angel,

Wow, there is a lot to catch up on! To think that the last time I wrote in here I had only just left Tahoe. Well, a lot has happened in the past few days. I traveled with Zane until we reached San Francisco. Then I was on my own. That was an eye opening experience! A little scary at first. All right, a lot scary. But... I managed. Somehow. The first glitch came when I stupidly tried to use the computer I had acquired (another interesting story, I'll save that for later. Though, I did almost feel bad for the poor guy I took it from ... oh well.) Anyway, I had a real live, fully functional Manticore soldier after me. Let me tell you, racing over building tops and dogging bullets is not my idea of a fun time! Oh, and the train! Yeah, jumped onto a moving train, that didn't get that soldier off my tail so I had to leap off that, fly through a glass window... it was nuts. But, it worked! Thank you Zane for all my training.

Anyway, now I'm in Seattle. I arrived at the Penthouse in a rather poor condition. Seizures and exhaustion don't mix real well. Okay, so I didn't play it all that smart the last few days. I was running, scared I was still being followed by that damn black shadow of a soldier! I'm sure you can understand. It was... like waking up in a memory to see Max again, you again. And it's a relief to finally have answers to so many questions. Though, the news about my real mother and my other half brother came as quite a shock. I guess all I can do now is hope that I'll meet Case someday, maybe he can tell me what she was like. It was obviously a painful memory for Max. Tinga. It's a beautiful name.

Well, on a less sad note... (I've decided writing about sad things only makes me sadder, so forgive me if I'm brief in those areas.) Tye and I discovered we have a neat little trick. It's some sort of telepathy. It was quite confusing at first. I'd think he was saying something when he wasn't and visa versa. It took the name 'Aliana' (I still haven't gotten that story from Tye yet! But I'll be working on it... ï