Chapter 24

Legal Disclaimer-The rights are not mine, they belong elsewhere.

Authors Note-Since no one reviewed my last chapter, I can't think but to end this. I will probably turn it into a series, but, I was hoping people might like this. Review this one...It's my birthday-No really, it is. Nicest present would be your opinion. Thanks.

Dinner was always something to bring a group around a table. Lexa and Shalimar had made plates of sushi, Emma had prepared miso soup and Adam, after setting the table, made a cucumber salad that the chefs in Japan would admire. Adam was trying to get the team back to normal. The death of the children, the reaction that Jesse had to it, and pulling him out of it were not the easiest for this team to bear, but he knew they would be stronger because of it. He had begun to realize how much he had missed them. His children had grown up, and they were even more responsible than he could remember.

Brennan had kept an eye on Pierce, knowing that keeping him occupied was more of a help to the group in the kitchen than they wanted to admit. Pierce could be a great help, but, he would help them later when they cleared the table. They were hungry and ready for a meal.

Jesse wandered out of the bedrooms and joined them. Since his quiet time with Emma, he had taken a shower, changed his clothes and tried to get himself back to feeling somewhat normal. A good meal would help.

He shared a smile with Emma as he walked into the kitchen. She kissed him lightly and put a hand on the side of his face.

"You shaved," she said, "You are feeling better."

"Yeah," Jesse replied, "Brennan, Pierce are where?"

"Left them in the computer lab," Adam said, "You might want to go get them, Brennan's getting trounced at chess."

"Chess? Who said Brennan could play Chess?" Jesse grinned. He knew that Brennan would keep Pierce safe.

He headed into the nearby lab with a light heart. Pierce would be glad to see him. His back was to him as Jesse entered, Brennan and Pierce deep in thought with the game.

"Hey there, it's Japanese tonight..." Jesse began as he was assaulted by a blond child at running at him.

He knelt down and took the child into a hug.

"Hey there, sorry I wasn't talking earlier," Jesse said automatically, looking into the little boy's eyes, "It wasn't you."

"I know, Uncle Sparky explained it to me," Pierce replied, looking back at Brennan, "Oh, and its checkmate..."

Brennan turned and laughed at the scene. Pierce was a smart, adorable kid who was smarter than all of them. He had whipped Brennan in several games of chess without even thinking. Reminded him of Jesse in his own way.

"Good boy," Jesse said, meeting the child's eyes, "Just don't play him in basketball. You ready for some dinner?"

"Yes, I am," Pierce smiled, "French Fries?"

Jesse couldn't help but laugh. It felt good to. Brennan joined them at the doorway, shutting down the game and seeing his best friend's joy at his friend's new life.

Once dinner was done and Pierce was asleep, the talk around the dinner table turned to the events of the past few days. They knew that they would have to do something. Lexa had tried her Dominion contacts, hoping for some sign of where the remaining children were.

There was very little to go on. From what she had uncovered, this project of cloning children was experimental and very secret from what she could find out. The fact they had found it was a miracle all its own. They knew that Pierce was Lexa's child, but they were not willing to tell her much, for fear of reprisal from the Creator and the Director of the Dominion. Lexa shuddered at the thought of the Director. The dark haired man was the Creator's puppet, talking for him during torture sessions and treating the man in the wheelchair, whom she respected, like a second class citizen. Taking him down would be a pleasure. She had to admit she wanted company.

Brennan looked at Jesse, who sat stone still at the table, listening to the opinions presented. Emma had been extremely quiet. Shalimar also watched the others, trying to find the right words to say. While they worked well together, it was still hard to figure out exactly what to say to each other. Adam observed the silence.

"We have to get the kids out of that situation," Jesse said, breaking the silence, "What did the Creator's files tell you about them, Adam?"

Adam glanced at Jesse. Jesse's return look was a great relief. The fear of his earlier times was gone. He had a purpose.

"They are cloning five children," Adam began, "The best I can tell, we'll be looking for four children and the rest will be clones of them."

"Pierce is what, clone, or original child?" Emma asked, knowing that's what Jesse was going to ask, and sparing him the pain of asking.

"Original," Adam replied, "He wouldn't be able to do what he does best without being original. The Creator will more than likely trace the kids in the town, but, the Amish will hide them from him. He was great in taking care of them, but the fire, from what the past tales of the area will tell, is a curse from God in their eyes. Jesse, you didn't tell them that the kids were..."

"No, I didn't," Jesse's voice was flat and distant; "They had enough going against them."

"Okay then, we have that in our corner," Adam continued, "From what I could decrypt, the kids are spread all over the world. Freeing these kids is going to take a commitment. Are you guys up to it?"

Jesse stared at Emma. It didn't take much to read her thoughts. She was scared. Jesse had been through too much, they now had Pierce to take care of, and she really didn't want the child to be exposed to more of this. She worried about them both.

Lexa sat back at looked at Jesse. The thought of working again and putting these guys away for the crimes against children was something she hadn't realized she was craving. She was in.

Brennan gave Shalimar a glance that was completely readable. Shalimar grinned.

"We're in," Brennan said a few heartbeats later, "Just need the time to make sure the school is in good hands so we can go back and forth. Lexa?"

"On it," she smiled, "You know I got your backs."

Brennan turned and looked at Jesse. His friend's expression was blank. Emma looked at Jesse as well.

"Jess?" she asked softly, "You want to..."

"Yeah, I do," Jesse said, "These kids didn't deserve this. Let's get them out of there."

"Ok," Emma breathed, "We're in."

Adam smiled. His team was back and ready.