Glad you like Chapter 12. Chapter 13 is coming your way. Thanks for reading and reviewing, and please continue to do so.

All OC's are mine.

RECAP:

Samantha placed a supportive arm around Logan. He returned it. Even though they chose to fight and bicker because it was what brothers and sisters did best, they needed each other right now. Why did it take eight freakin' years for justice to be served? Sammie and Logan had silent tears rolling down their faces, and they wiped it away quickly. The warm brown eyes both Reese children possessed went cold, with threads of hate in them.

SAMANTHA: We'll get this guy. We'll get Andy Davis. I swear.

LOGAN: I promised Mom, I wouldn't let her down.

SAMANTHA: So did I. And I've always lived by the Reese family motto.

LOGAN: If you don't get things you want, take it by force.

Sammie and Logan smirked at each other.

SAMANTHA: Exactly.

Logan and Samantha were out on an eight year mission. This vendetta had to settled once and all. They were out for two things mainly.

Vengeance and blood.

Chapter 13: Care to Explain?

Nicole cocked her head to the side in confusion as Noah beamed at his little sister. Nicole scratched her head as she tried to remember. She really couldn't really register who the boy was in front of her. He was adorable, however. Nicole's eyes searched a familiar to the past. She beamed when she spotted a familiar freckle on the boy's left cheeck. Only her big brother, Noah had that. Nicole squealed and enveloped her brother in a hug. They pulled apart. Noah was amazed at how

NICOLE (squeal): Noah!

NOAH: Hey Nicole.

NICOLE: Ohmigosh! Like, is it really you?

NOAH: Yep.

NICOLE: I missed you. And your piggyback rides.

NOAH: Missed you too, kiddo.

NICOLE: Kiddo? I thought my name was Nicole.

NOAH: It is.

NICOLE: Are you sure?

NOAH: Yeah, it's your nickname. Sometimes I call you Nikki.

NICOLE: Oooo, that's pretty.

Noah laughed at his sister's confusion. Sometimes, he wondered if she was dropped on her head too many as a child but she was cute like that. Nicole had a child's innocence.

NOAH: Life in Kansas isn't the same without you, Nikki.

NICOLE: Yeah, but all the boys in Kansas are gross and dumb.

NOAH: Hey! I'm a boy.

NICOLE: You're my brother so you don't count. Love you Noah.

NOAH: Love you too, Nicole. Soo, got a boyfriend?

NICOLE (blushing): Um, yes.

NOAH: Who is it, Nikki?

NICOLE: Michael.

NOAH: Michael...Michael... I've heard that name before? Oh, Stacy's little brother. Congrats.

NICOLE: Thanks. Soo, you got a girlfriend?

NOAH: Not yet, but I don't go anywhere without my "cute ass" chart. I kinda like Stacy though.

NICOLE: Oooh, Stacy and Noah sitting in a tree--

Nicole was caught off by her brother grabbing her, and sending her into a tickiling fit. Nicole tried to get Noah to stop tickling but Nicole couldn't talk because she has laughing so hard. Finally, the tickling and laughter subsided and both brother and sister were back to talking.

NOAH: It was great seeing you. I've missed tickling you for a long time.

NICOLE: I missed you too, Noah. But why are you here?

NOAH: Well, Nikki. It's hard to explain. I promise you'll know when the time is right.

Nicole put on a puppy pout and Noah hated not telling his sister the reason he was there. Noah bit down on his bottom lip and looked into Nicole "puppy" eyes. He could never so no to those eyes. That's how Nicole got the biggest piece of cake at Noah's 10th birthday party.

NICOLE: Promise?

NOAH: Promise.

They intertwined pinkies to make it an official promise.

Dana looked at Bryan before her. Dana raised a quizzical eyebrow, while Bryan shrieked at his little sister. It was almost as if he knew what she was going to say, but Bryan broke the eternal silence. The eternal silence that gave both brother and sister a strange peace.

BRYAN: The Bronx isn't the same without Danger Cruz on the loose.

DANA: Oh, really? Miss me, huh?

BRYAN: Never said that.

Dana knew Bryan was just kidding. His face read 'Yeah sure, you're at a co-ed boarding school? Who gives a flying fuck?' but his eyes read 'I miss having my partner in crime around.' Dana and Bryan both knew that.

DANA: How many people are in the hospital now?

BRYAN: New record of six.

DANA: Okay, anger management, much?

BRYAN: And you wonder why everyone calls you "Danger" Cruz. I bet they call you that at PCA, right?

DANA: Yeah but,--

BRYAN (smirking): There, that proves my point.

DANA: I know why they call me "Danger" Cruz. They fear me. Darkness is my element after all.

BRYAN: Sorry, baby sister. I'm just as good as controlling darkness as you are.

DANA (smirking): Whatever. I guess the Cruz kids will always be born evil, right?

BRYAN: Pretty much.

DANA: Not that I care, but I need to ask in order for Mom to think I'm this "perfect daughter" so, how's Mother and Dear Old Stepdad doing?

BRYAN: Don't know. Don't care.

Dana's voice dripped with pure sarcasm. Bryan's expression hardened. Why the hell did he have to care about life at home? In Bryan's eyes his mom was nothing but a bitch who left her children to fend for themselves, and their stepfather was lazy, an alcoholic and a douchebag. He had lost all respect for any adult or authourity figure. Dana's expression changed too. She was only thirteen but the abuse was too much to handle. She absent-midedly traced the scars on her arms left from cutting with her finger. Instead of crying, that's what she did. It had been two years since she last stopped cutting and she lost te urge to with long hours of counselling, and psychiatric help but seeing her brother back brought all those memories back. Seeing her brother brought those memories back because it was Bryan who saved her from the inevitable.

FLASHBACK

Twelve-year-old Dana sat on her bed as she did her homework. Her brother, Bryan was in his room across from her listening to music. Their mother wasn't home and she had just gotten married to a man named Robert. The kids didn't know him too well, but they knew he was an alcoholic and most of the time they saw him drunk. Dana was so concentrated with her homework, she didn't notice Robert stagger in, but his slurred but roaring voice startled Dana out of her homework daze.

ROBERT: WHERE THE HELL IS MY DAMN DINNER?

DANA: I'm sorry but I don't know what you're talking about. I just came home from school about 30 minutes ago.

ROBERT: Liar! You're a good-for-nothing lazy brat!

Robert loomed over her, and slapped her. The blow stung Dana's cheeck so bad. She lay as a heap on the floor, but even at the age of twelve, Dana didn't take crap from anyone. Dana got up ignoring the purple-blue bruise starting form around her cheeck. She got up and kicked Robert in the gut as hard as possible.

DANA: Fuck. You.

He only grunted in pain as he glared at the twelve-year-old in front of him. Dana thought it was going to slow him down. Instead, he glared at Dana, and before Dana could react, Robert grabbed Dana and pinned her against the wall, beating her mercilessly. Just then, Bryan barged in.

BRYAN: Get away from my SISTER!

Their stepfather swayed there, drunk, a twisted smile curling upon his face. Robert's breath reeked of alcohol, and it only made Bryan pulsate with rage. With all of the strength he had, fifteen-year-old Bryan punched his stepfather in the jaw, blood trickling out of the alcoholic's mouth. He hit the floor, face first. He passed out and Bryan bought himself some time so he get out of there, before Robert got out his daze. Bryan found Dana and she saw and latched onto him like her life depended on it. Dana cried into Bryan's shirt. Bryan wrapped his arms around Dana, protectively, and rubbed her back. Dana managed to choke out his name between sobs. Bryan lifted his sister's face to his, her tear-streaked cheecks paining his heart. He noticed the bruises on her cheeck and her arm, and hugged her.

DANA: Bryan, he-- he--

BRYAN: It's ok, Dana. I'm here. No one will ever you again.

DANA: Promise?

BRYAN: Cross my heart and hope to die...

DANA: Stick a needle in your eye?

BRYAN: Yes. Now come on, let's get you cleaned up.

DANA: Ok. Um, Bryan?

BRYAN: Yeah?

DANA: I don't think I can stand. Carry me?

BRYAN: Sure.

Bryan lifted his sister out of the room, her head resting on his shoulder.

END FLASHBACK

Dana scowled at this memory. It was four years ago. Why did this memory have to come back? She turned away, her back facing her brother. Tears threatened to fall but she blinked them away. She couldn't cry. That's what Robert would've wanted, and Dana didn't want Robert to win. She missed her life back in New York, but she couldn't go back. She was in California now. In PCA. With her friends and she had made great memories with them. Like watching Chase and Zoey fawn over each other, oblivious to their budding romance. And hearing Nicole blab on about which boy was "staring" at her in class today. Playing one on one basketball with Michael and whopping his butt. According to Michael, the potato chips slowed him down. And Logan. She loved him and hated him at the same time, but the love outweighted the hate. Logan seemed to have matured. Sure he still thought he was the hottest thing alive, but his egotistical moments weren't as frequent. Everytime she looked into his eyes, he put her under some kind of trance. He made her weak, sometimes litterally, but arguing with him is so much fun. Dana hated Robert though. She wanted him to suffer. Dana turned around to find Bryan, also deep in thought. Dana's voice snapped him out of it.

DANA: Bryan?

BRYAN: Yeah.

DANA: You were thinking about...him. weren't you?

BRYAN: I guess.

DANA: If you see him, can you do me a favour?

BRYAN: Ok, fine.

DANA: Hurt him in any way possible.

BRYAN: Oh, what the hell. Why not?

DANA: Thanks.

Bryan only nodded. Dana decided to get off the topic of their abusive step-father and wanted to be the little sister she was and pry into Bryan's love life. Bryan stole a couple glances at Courtney Matthews, and Dana caught him red-handed. She smirked. Once again, she was too good.

DANA: Noticed you've been checking out Chase's sister. What's up with that?

BRYAN: Oh, Courtney. She's cool. Plays eletric guitar and sings lead in a band back in Seattle. Nothin' big.

DANA: You like her?

Bryan said nothing. Dana caught him red-handed but waited for him to admit it. In 3...2...1. Bryan sighed in exasperation.

BRYAN: Yeah. It's cool, but she probably sees me as nothing more.

DANA: How do you know that? I'm tight with Chase. You want me to talk to him for you?

Bryan only looked at her with eyes that said 'Ok, but if you screw this up, you're dead'.

DANA: Okay, I'll take that as a yes. I mean, six people in the hospital...you're bored.

BRYAN: For once, I'll agree with you. I have reasons for my actions. Okay, so what are you doing getting all cozy with Sammie's brother?

DANA: Logan?

BRYAN: Is he like your boyfriend or something?

DANA: Yeah. If you say, I've gone soft, I'll throttle you. I'm still the same person, I just have a boyfriend.

BRYAN: Awesome...

DANA: Thanks, Bry.

BRYAN: You remember the Cruz family motto?

DANA: How could I forget. I live by that everyday.

BRYAN & DANA: If something's in the way, beat it to a bloody pulp.

Dana and Bryan, for old time sake did their secret handshake.

BRYAN: Glad, you remember.

DANA: Yeah. You too.

BRYAN (thought): I love you, Dana. If Logan hurts you, I'll have to deal with it, but I do approve of you dating him. I promised not to let anyone hurt you. I still plan to keep that promise. Damn you, Robert. Damn you to hell!

Stacy Barrett wasted no time in getting acquainted with Michael. Michael smiled at his sister. She was different from the last time he had seen her. Stacy pulled Michael into a hug, which Michael returned, and they pulled apart.

MICHAEL: Stacy, you look great.

STACY: So do you, Mike.

MICHAEL: So, how is everyone back home?

STACY: Everyone's cool. Our dance group is going to the city finals!

MICHAEL: Are you serious? 'Atlanta's Angelz' made it?

STACY: Yeah, all that hard work choreographing paid off. I'm dancing too.

MICHAEL: That's so great!

STACY: So, come up with any new rhymes lately?

MICHAEL: Actually, yeah. Wanna hear it?

STACY: Yeah.

MICHAEL: Gimme me a beat.

Stacy began to beat box as Michael got the beat in his head. Michael began to rap. It brought him memories of the ATL.

MICHAEL (rapping): Yeah
How you doin', y'all?
My name is Mike.
I'm fooling with the new shit
I'm doing it all night
I like what I do
I do what I like
I could quit and get it back like I'm riding a bike
Like stop...
...bring it back, bring it back

We got that balance keeping us on track
That ya get what ya move and quit, wit no slow
You stare like you don't care
But you do it though

I know
You really must be so lonely
Puffed up, lookin' tough, but so phony
You and your boys, you don't know me
You really wanna hold me show me, homie.

Lets get it over with for good
I got a friction addiction I wish you would
Machine Shop rockin' when we step inside
And we got everybody so petrified

Stacy was impressed and she clapped. Michael grinned and he was proud. he came up with that all by himself. Stacy and Michael high-fived each other. Michael asked her everything about Atlanta and even her love life.

MICHAEL: So, who's dating my sister now?

STACY: No one.

MICHAEL: And you do like anyone?

STACY (nervous): Uh...umm...No.

MICHAEL (raising an eyebrow): Stacy...

STACY: Ok, fine! When did you become so nosy?

MICHAEL (laughing): When you're friends and roomates with Logan Reese, you kinda develop the habit.

STACY: You're tight with Sammie's bro?

MICHAEL: Yeah, but anyway who do you like? Come on, Stacy. We tell each other everything.

STACY: Fine. I like Noah Bristow. He's so cute. Wanna do me a favour?

MICHAEL: Shoot.

STACY: You're friends with Nicole. His sister, right?

MICHAEL: I'm actually more than friends with her. I'm her boyfriend.

STACY (surprised): Say word!

MICHAEL: Word. I'll talk to her and find out if Noah said anything to her, but I have a feeling she'll come tell me.

STACY (laughing): Thanks Mike. I knew I could count on you.

MICHAEL: Anything for a sister.

STACY (laughing): But ease up on the chips, Mike.

MICHAEL (laughing): Love you too, Stacy.

Soon everyone got acquianted with their older siblings. Chase still wanted to know why Courtney was here. Zoey had the exact same question to ask Dylan. Sammie and Logan were only pair that were clarified. As for Dana, Michael and Nicole, they weren't clear why Bryan, Noah and Stacy were there. All questions would be answered soon. The twelve sat in a circle in the following order: Chase, Zoey, Logan, Dana, Michael, Nicole, Courtney, Dylan, Samantha, Bryan, Noah, and Stacy. Chase and Zoey intertwined fingers, Logan and Dana kissed lightly and Logan had his arm wrapped Dana's waist. Dana didn't seem to mind too much. Nicole had her head on Michael's chest as he draped an arm around her shoulder. Nicole giggled. Courtney and her friends, no doubt, knew their siblings looked cute with each other. Even Bryan found Dana and Logan a good couple (A/N: Who doesn't?). Zoey broke the lingering silence, as she held her boyfriend's hand.

ZOEY: As much as we love you guys, and seeing you, why are you guys here?

COURTNEY: We knew.

CHASE: Ok Court, you're not making that much sense.

SAMMIE: What Courtney's trying to say is, we knew about your powers. All of them.

DANA: What the hell?

Chase and Zoey looked at Courtney and Dylan with wide eyes. Dana and Bryan locked eyes. Nicole and Michael raised eyebrows at Noah and Stacy. How could they know? Sammie and Logan chose to stay out of this one.

CHASE: I'm going to try to remain calm. Ok fine, how did we get them?

COURTNEY: Chase, I'm sorry.

DYLAN: We were born with them.

CHASE & ZOEY: WHAT!

MICHAEL: Are you tryin' to say, we've always had these powers?

STACY: Yes, Mike.

Chase sighed and looked at his sister. Zoey's jaw dropped as she gaped at Dylan. Dana raised an eyebrow at Bryan, who shrugged. Stacy and Noah looked away, while Nicole was speechless and Michael stared at Stacy, surprised at what he had just heard.

DYLAN: Zoey, every Brooks child in this generation can control water.

ZOEY: So, Dustin-- Oh, God! He's only a kid. He's not ready yet!

DYLAN: I know. I didn't know until I was 16.

LOGAN: Sammie, fine I can control fire, and we were born with these powers but why didn't you tell us sooner? I barely escaped with an inch of my life, you know.

DANA: I'm going to agree with Logan's question.

Stacy spoke up. The tension was so thick, between the siblings. Chase was slightly annoyed, Zoey still gaped at Dylan. The idea of Dustin having these powers sickened her. She didn't want to put his life in danger. Logan almost died. Dustin couldn't go through this.

STACY (sarcastically): Yeah, like calling your younger sibling to tell them they were bleesed with controlling the forces of nature would help. You guys would've laughed or you would've questioned our sanity.

SAMMIE: Because we didn't want that to happen. We got your really smart friend to tell you.

ZOEY: Um, Quinn?

SAMMIE: Yeah, her.

CHASE: Ok, one thing was been clarified, but I remember when we were on the beach in the middle of the night and we had all of these weird vision or dreams, or whatever. We told Quinn and she said they weren't dreams. They were unlocked memories of the past.

ZOEY: Yeah, I remember that too.

MICHAEL: So do I? What's up with that?

All eyes were plastered on Bryan Cruz as he looked up. It scared him, but maintaining his cool demeanour, he didn't react. He knew why they had those "visions".

BRYAN: That would be because of my doing.

DANA: Bryan, what the hell are you talking about?

BRYAN: I knew you were all 16. So Courtney, Dylan, Sammie, Noah, Stacy, and I all met up at the beach of PCA. I got into the back of your minds and unlocked the memories. I know those experiences were traumatic but yeah, I opened them up again. Your near-death experiences. You had them in dream format and when they woke you up, we left. We couldn't let you see us, at least not yet. We knew 16 was the age you come into your elemental powers. Because we're related and have the same blood, we were born with the exact type of power. Does that clear up everything for you?

The older siblings nodded in agreement, confirming what Bryan had just explained. Chase looked away from his sister and a speechless Zoey found comfort in his arms. He gladly welcomed her. Logan was slightly surprised and Dana scowled and crossed her arms. She mumbled a bad word in Spainish, and Dana was caught red-handed by her brother, who narrowed his eyes at her. She glared back.

DANA: Why'd you do it?

BRYAN: I felt you were all ready.

CHASE: Sorry for being so blunt, but did it ever occur to you that we weren't ready to find out we controlled freakin' ELEMENTS?

COURTNEY: Chase!

MICHAEL: What Chase saying is true and dude, you need to calm down here!

Everyone knew when Chase was mad. He didn't talk, and he only looked at you with a death glare ten times worse than Dana's. If looks could kill, Logan would've died a long time ago. When Chase did open his moth, all hell broke loose. Zoey, in an attempt to calm down her boyfriend, hugged him. Everyone watched as she whispered something in his ear. Chase's eyes immediately lit up and he smiled his trademark boyish, grin.

CHASE: Ok, I'm calm now, but there's one thing I don't get. Why are you guys here?

Courtney threw a confused look at Bryan, who looked back with eyes that said 'I got nothing'. Dylan fidgted in his seat, Sammie looked at Logan and smiled. He knew why she was there. Logan had a bit of fear because he wasn't sure if he could tell everyone what happened and his rough childhood. Memories of his mother's murder pained him and angered him at the same time. Pained him, because his mother was gone. Angry because the murder had the last name "Davis" attached to it. Sammie squeezed his hand, though because she sensed his fear. Noah rubbed his neck, nervously, Stacy looked away and try to focus on a random spot, while Bryan's eyes remained downcast on the ground.

ZOEY: Well, spit it out! Why are you guys here?

A/N: Will the older siblings talk and explain their motives? Stay tuned...The rhyme Michael wrote doesn't belong to me. It's apart of "Petrified" by Fort Minor.

NEXT CHAPTER: More Explanations and Hookups.