Recap: In the fist chapter Ezra left now twenty three years later we meet his oldest son enjoy.

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TWENTY THREE YEARS LATER...

Cross stood in the dorm he would be stuck in for the next year. He didn't understand why he couldn't stay with his family but his father insisted he get the entire college experience or something like that. Truth was he had developed this handy skill of selective hearing, what ever sounded like parental advice was automatically tuned out. His dad said something bout getting out there and making new friends; he had friends why did he need more. So he didn't have hoards or friends like Cass, he wasn't born to be a social butterfly. That didn't mean that he needed to be all but kicked out of the house strait into independence. With a huff he looked around trying to decide which bed to fall on and claim as his own. Not wanting to wonder to far he just collapsed on nearest bed to the door. Just as he closed his eyes the door was thrown open by two oversized jock wannabe.

"Go long Jake." the pigskin ball was thrown clear over Cross's head and was deposited in the waiting arms the other neanderthal. "Sweet pass Matt." looking toward the ceiling he thought, why? Why? Do you hate me this much. With a roll of his eyes he added, this is going to be a long year.

He Decided that know would be a better time to introduce himself rather than later when he was bound to be in a bad mood. The sudden movement brought a smile to there faces as they closed in on Cross. One came up behind him and rapped him in an inescapable bear hug, while the other messed up his hair. Cross was taken by complete surprise, but soon realized this must be the some kind of weird welcome wagon ritual. he couldn't help but chuckle at how excited these two were to have a newbie around.

"Look Jake our new roommate." letting go, Jacob Tanner turned the kid around and looked him up and down as if he were sizing him up "he's kind of small and gangly looking." A big smile spread across his face. "Just playing with you, it's great getting new blood round here. Matt don't you agree?"

"I just hope he doesn't snore like the last kid we had in here, he left rather abruptly after the shaving incident" Matthew Dune had a smirk that reached the corner of his left eye.

"Shaving incident? Do I even want to know?"

"No." the new voice brought all the eyes in the room to the figure standing in the doorway. There stood a tall young man his books in hand and his glasses on the tip of his nose.

"Leave the poor kid alone guys your probably freaking him out."

"Awe come on Nate we was just having a bit of fun with em."

"Tell me you guys introduced yourselves before you mauled the guy" the sight before him was absolutely comical. It took every once of self control to keep the trade mark Standish smirk under wraps. There stood the two biggest guys he had ever had the pleasure of meeting, staring at there shoes whistling and trying to avoid eye contact with this Nate kid. He didn't really look all that menacing. Sure He had a good 2 ft. on them but the lanky African American seemed harmless, a little anal and organized but harmless. Looking back to the two cornered boys Cross decided to through them a much needed life raft

"In all the excitement I guess I forgot to spill the name."he extended his hand towards Nate "Christian Standish , most call me Cross." Nate just stared at the hand and brought his eyes up to meet Cross's. now it was Cross's turn to worry. Was Nate just gonna leave him hanging? Did he go over some line, break some unwritten rule? Then suddenly all the tension left him with a sigh of relief at the widening grin that crossed Nate's face. Taking his hand in brotherhood he stated

"My names Nathaniel Jackson, and you passed the test."

"The test?, what test?"

"Well we've got to weed out the sniveling little know it all's somehow." Matt said very seriously

"So I passed huh?" Cross fell on his bed smirking "well since I passed how about we celebrate, it just so happens I'm close friends with the cook at the hotel restaurant." Nate helped him up and replied

"See I knew there was a reason I like you."

Dad wanted me to make friends. So far it was three for three. Boy was he gonna flip when I tell him who I found to be his three new waiters. Everyone needed a little extra money. All they need was a little incentive, maybe he could bring them by the goods store first, soften them up. Matt and Jake would be a handful, he almost pitied his father, almost. And they said it had skipped a generation. Pulling on his coat they headed out the door.

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Authors Note: so how did you like it? This is my first fan fiction and I'm a little nervous. I like to here from you, please feel free to dish out any corrections, ideas, or criticisms. I'm all for suggestions. Thanks and enjoy.