A/n: Another chapter, sheesh I'm on a role! The usual disclaimer applies, I don't own Dark Angel or make a profit off my work, and it's purely recreational. The quotes in this chapter were taken from the quotes page from the Nuns with Pens website, an awesome site that I have wanted to join and can't figure out why my computer won't let me. Grrr…so anyway, thanks to all those lovely Nuns and their fave quotes. Oh, and no offense to people named Erma.

DON'T MESS WITH ME AND MINE

"Does it ever do anything but storm or blow wind all day here?" Kavi grumbled, staring morosely out the window. Chicago was lit up in a display of one of nature's most powerful forces, and the wind battered sheets of rain against the glass.

He didn't usually mind storms, but there wasn't Ben to distract him with some silly story to make it seem less scary, or Max and Jondy to playact their interpretations and mimicking the staff and trainers, or Jack to pull a funny prank.

He missed the others of his family so much, and he was so thankful Brin was there, but there was only so much she could do. Besides, he felt really bad that she'd gotten into so much trouble, and a lot of it had to do with him. She was only protecting him, but Kavi knew that she might have been making friends sooner without him along to hinder her.

He caught sight of one of the transgenics in his class, and the little red head girl quickly averted her eyes and pointedly ignored him. An almost physical pain lanced through him and he gave a sigh that had its origins deep in the core of his being and he let it out. Seems like he couldn't even make friends among his peers, transgenic or human alike. Kavi was in a corner table almost by himself. Almost, because there was three other children seated there, but they weren't paying attention to him, lost in their own little world.

I guess this is how the other Wyoming units feel about us. Alone, and wishing they were apart of the group, he thought wistfully, surprisingly insightful for his tender age of six.

"Now that was a mighty big sigh, Mickey," a kindly sounding voice made him lookup in some surprise.

So involved in his depression he hadn't heard the teacher come near. She was a matronly woman, standing about five six or so, almost as big around as she was tall, all curves and bulges and she had a strange waddling walk. But just as big as her outside was her inside, and Kavi immediately sensed this was someone whom he could trust.

Her eyes shown with compassion and the patience to find out what was wrong, something that Kavi had never known from any other authority figure in his entire life. Her hair was short and thin and a sort of reddish brown color, not cut in any particular style just resting limply on her head. Her face sort of oval shaped, the larger portion of the oval being her cheeks and jowls.

"Yes, ma'am," he automatically responded, catching himself before he winced, inwardly chastising himself for his lapse into military procedure.

"Such a proper little gentleman," Mrs. Kennedy smiled, and Kavi couldn't help but respond with one of his own, albeit a shy one accompanied by a blush.

"No, ma'am."

"No, you're not a little gentleman, or no because it wasn't a big sigh?"

Kavi could only stare at his teacher in wide-eyed amazement. The woman gave a chuckle that rolled through her layers of padding.

"Come walk with me to the front so we can talk. Come on," she coaxed, and Kavi reluctantly left his seat, not looking at his table mates, allowing himself to be gently prodded over to the front of the classroom.

The front held an old chalkboard, dusty and scarred from years of use, and a newer dry-erase board caddy-corner to it. Mrs. Kennedy's desk was in one corner where the two met, but in the opposite corner was a section of the room separated from the rest of class by a pair of long bookshelves that came to Kavi's shoulders if he stood next to them. The little square area held a handmade rag rug and two very comfortable looking padded seats, one large enough for Mrs. Kennedy, the other just the right size for six year old children.

There was a poster on the section of the chalkboard in the Quiet Corner, it had text on it and Kavi tilted his head to read it in an effort to look everywhere but at his teacher. The poster was a light blue with some sort of funky font in varying shades of bright, cheery colors. It had what appeared to be several quotes on it, and Kavi read on.

"Do you know what that says, Mickey? Here, I'll read some of them to you, my favorites. 'Be yourself, everyone else is taken.' "

Kavi snorted a laugh before he could contain himself, and quieted down. Mrs. Kennedy smiled softly, relaxing in her seat, and continued.

"Don't take life too seriously, after all no one's even gotten out of it alive."

"That one's really funny," Kavi started snickering.

"But it's very true. So, why don't you tell me what's bothering you, sweetie?"

"Well," Kavi hesitated, trying to gather his thoughts. A lot of what was troubling with him didn't fit in with his cover so he had to think fast.

"Go on," Mrs. Kennedy encouraged, adjusting the glasses on her face.

"I'm a foster child, and I live with some of the other foster children in this big old house. But everyone's different from my real family, and one of my sisters is there with me, but she's been getting in trouble because other kids pick on me and her, but mostly me, and she gets into fights. I look out, and see one of my foster sisters, and she just ignores me, and the kids at my table don't talk to me and I, and I just want the rest of my family, for all of us to be together again, and I know we won't, not for a long time at least."

Kavi was horrified to feel hot tears flowing down his face, and he hung his head in shame. What would the Colonel think if he could see him now? He'd say he was a baby, and not fit to be a soldier, not fit to be in the elite Unit 2. That thought frightened him more than the Colonel's displeasure.

"Ah, Mickey, there, there. Here, dry your tears and listen to me," Mrs. Kennedy smiled as she handed the adorable little boy in front of her some of the Kleenex from the nearby dispenser.

Kavi sniffed, taking the proffered Kleenex, wiped his nose, but still wouldn't raise his eyes to meet the teachers. He could deliver a status report to the Colonel or any of his trainers in a crisp, efficient manner, eyes focused on a spot exactly twelve inches above said trainers head, and not falter once. But facing this extraordinary woman before him and he couldn't even look her in the face.

"Mickey," she called softly, using her extended hand to grasp his chin lightly with her finger and tilt upwards. The eyes slowly followed, and she continued only when he finally met her gaze, couldn't help but smile at the little lost boy look in his eyes.

"Listen to me, son. There's nothing wrong with being different. We all were created that way, and no one is like our family, or could even begin to come close. I'm glad you have at least one of your sisters with you, that makes life a whole lot easier doesn't it? Yes, it does. I'm sorry you're having so much trouble fitting in with the rest of the group, your foster siblings included."

"She looked right at me and looked away real fast," Kavi sniffled.

"Maybe she's shy."

"What!"

Mrs. Kennedy couldn't stop the laughter that burbled upwards at that statement. The look on his face and the shocked vehemence of his outburst were just too cute. The little boy was about six or seven years old, still retaining that baby round chubbiness that doesn't leave until adolescence, though he looked remarkably fit even for a healthy boy his age.

His hair was short but fuzzy, as if he'd had it shorter before and was only now letting it grow out. It was a dirty blond, a light brunette color, and it stuck up in little haphazard spikes from running his fingers through his hair. A nervous gesture she supposed.

His eyes were a clear, electric blue, light on the inside but gradually darkening toward the edges, reminding her of a color chart she had seen in art classes where a color goes from the absolute lightest to the extreme dark of it's spectrum.

Freckles, almost too light and too small shaped to see, splashed across his nose and cheeks, adding to the cuteness. He was pale but there was a hint of color in the skin, as if he'd be darker if given the proper amount of exposure. There was a glow about him that Mrs. Kennedy had always attributed to a very active, very healthy lifestyle, and she was sad now that such a vibrant young boy could be so down and mopey.

"I said, maybe she might be shy. She's probably as curious about you as you are about her, and doesn't know how to approach you. She might also be scared."

"Scared, what for?" Kavi was indignant now, moreso at the possibilities he hadn't considered than anything else.

"Well…you did say your sister got into fights. Perhaps she's scared your sister might beat her up if she says the wrong thing to you?"

Kavi frowned and Mrs. Kennedy let him think, years of experience and wisdom allowing her to settle back, and let him come to his own conclusions. His little nose and brow scrunched up when he was thinking, and his little scowl was endearing.

"That's kind of silly," he said after a moment's thought.

"It is," Mrs. Kennedy agreed sagely, nodding slowly and emphatically. "But people are often silly, sometimes for no reason that anyone but that person can understand or even begin to imagine. How we perceive things is very different from how others perceive them. Like it reads on the poster over there, 'People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.' So why don't you make a bridge, and talk to her? And don't get upset or give up if she's doesn't respond in the way you hoped for; just give her a little time and space."

"All right," Kavi nodded; surprised, he found he felt a whole lot better. "Thank you, Mrs. Kennedy, ma'am!"

"Oh, you're quite welcome young man!" Mrs. Kennedy laughed, a sound that was music to the young transgenics' ears. "Just remember this for next time you're feeling down. Know that there are two kinds of days before you: one day good and the other day bad. Know also this that both shall pass."

Kavi tilted his head to the side, taking in these wise words of wisdom from a woman he was starting to really respect and warm up to. Slowly, like the sun peeking out from a gray wrung washed cloud, a smile worked its way across his face, leaving a trail as brilliant as a comet's tail against the velvet darkness of space.

"Thank you!" he called again, getting up from his cushiony chair, and darting out the partition to rejoin his group, determined he wasn't going to let anyone get him down anymore and to stop feeling sorry for himself.

"When it is dark enough, one day you may yet see the stars," Mrs. Kennedy repeated softly to herself, watching 'Mickey' initiate conversation with those kids at his table, and finding that they were actually a friendly group who hadn't known how to approach him.

Mrs. Kennedy smiled with fondness at her little charges, giving a contented sigh. She keenly and delightfully felt the joy and burden of having the opportunity to help shape these young people.


Brin was not having a good day, no, not a good day at all. The Transgenics from Hell had been hassling her all day, slamming her locker shut, kicking her books and folders, moving her desk and seat away from her, stealing pencil and supplies…Brin was at war, and she was outnumbered 4-to-1, her allies separated into different classes and locker assignments.

"Remember: Strength is born in the deep silence of long suffering hearts; not amid joy," she repeated under her breath, trying to keep from yelling or going all out on her tormentors.

She didn't know where she'd picked up that quote, but Brin was claiming it for her own, keeping that mantra in the slim hope she'd keep her cool.

"Seven three four sucks!" one of her Hellish companions shouted out in class. Some of the class laughed, if only because they laughed at off-the-wall, shouted out cries. Brin knew who it was directed to though, eyes dilating and going back to normal, and she indulged herself in a brief fantasy of tearing the guys so-called man parts off his body.

"Numbers don't suck, life does, but it sure beats the alternative!" she snapped off a reply, having timed it just right. Fortunately for her, more people seemed to agree with her quote, and there was a few moments worth of smile and laughter as people found her funny.

Brin made a great show of slowly turning around in her chair and giving a great, big smile to her not-so-happy-looking-now antagonists. She managed to give them a knowing smirk before the teacher called the class to order and she went on without any more interruptions…for now.

But Brin wasn't worried now. She knew it was coming, and that it was going to be bad, but unless they hurt Kavi she wouldn't say or do anything. Them attacking her was one thing; she didn't give a flying fart in space about what they thought or did to her. But she would not put up with them doing pulling anything on Kavi.

And that's what worries me, Brin admitted inwardly, gathering her books, folders, and supplies. Kavi is a way to get to me, and you can bet they are going to find some way to exploit that.


Brin was ready, as soon as the bell rung she was off and out the door before the usual congestion at the doorway. She was pleased to note that the Hell's Angels were stuck in traffic and she allowed herself a small laugh of triumph.

On the alert for one of their cronies, Brin was in and out of her locker in record speed, and on her way to her next class before any one could catch up to her.

Brin slowed up as she approached the cafeteria, looking every which way, slinging her pack over her back and taking position in the lunch line. She was constantly on the alert, feeling relieved as the Allied Forces came in, smiling and waving. Brin waved back, a smile of her own gracing her Oriental features.

Her soft brown, almond shaped eyes twinkled with mirth, and her smile seemed to stretch to reach toward those eyes. Her skin held a slight golden tint and she was pretty average height for her age and gender. Her natural hair, no wig needed, was short but fashionable, gelled into little spikes and she was hoping maybe later on she could add some color. Like blue, purple and bright pink streaks. She was still rail thin, no breasts, no butt, absolutely none of the curves of her sisters were developing having transferred over, not that she wanted them so bad anyway.

She saw in Physical Education how the boys liked to stare and point and single out those girls who were more maturely developed, heard their whispers, speculations, fantasies, and nasty jokes and wanted no part in that cycle. She supposed it would happen inevitably, though she desperately hoped to the Blue Lady that her creators had seen fit to make her only slightly endowed, widen her hips, and perhaps, just maybe give her a little curve to her derriere. That's all she wanted out of curves.

Besides…she didn't want to think of any of her brothers thinking or acting that way when they were brought together again. Just the mere possibility sobered her up, and she felt a keen sense of loss, and sadness. She appreciated her brothers, took comfort in the quality time they spent, some of the best in the showers. Sometimes that was the only time they all let loose, a bonding time unlike any other, and that was the loss that would cut the most.

"Why so down, girl?" X5-357 asked as soon as they met up in line where Brin had saved their places. "Hell's Dozen giving you grief again?"

Brin had dubbed the sassy brunette from New York her Angel, and the name had stuck, though her alias was Elyna. They joked and called her Angelyna.

"What else is new? But no, that's not why I'm sad." Brin turned and faced the front of the line, which hadn't moved from all the kids trying to cut, and casually stuck her hand out so the boy trying to get around her met her solid arm to the chest. His glare was no match for the frosty looks directed his way and he tucked the proverbial tail between his legs and moved further back.

"Spill, girlfriend," X5-253 mock-ordered, her soft voice flavored by the twang in her voice cultivated from a lifetime down South in Georgia. She had decided to name herself Reba, despite her alias of being an Erma. Now, who the hell named their kid Erma in this day and age, though Max and Erma's restaurant was really, really good food.

"Well…I guess I just don't want to have to grow up."

"That all?" Angel laughed, and even Brin had to grin. She started moving, as there was a slight shift of movement up front, taking a whopping two-step forward.

"Of course not!" Brin laughed at herself. "Its just…changes. I don't want some of them, to lose what I have now that's good."

Both girls fell silent as they realized there was more to be discussed, but right now wasn't the place to air Manticore laundry.

"Yeah, some changes good, some bad, all work out in the end. Like us? Do you think we wanted to be here, when we could be where we used to be? Nuh and uh!" Angel gave a shake of her tightly curled head emphatically.

"Uh-huh. I know I definitely didn't want to be stuck with them," Brin jerked her chin toward the back of the line, and her pals turned to see the Hell Squad arrive, dirty looks and baggage in all.

"Your unit should have whooped them harder," Reba muttered for transgenic hearing only and I laughed, shaking my head.

"We did, they're just too spiteful to let it go. They're still sore, if you get my drift," Brin winked as she whispered back. The other two managed to stifle their laughter, casting amused glances back at the glaring enemies.

The few transgenics who came from the Wyoming facility with her and Kavi had been involved in the Massacre, and only a bare handful had been healed enough-meaning no visible sign of injury-to go on assignment just now. Brin could see how they didn't like her or her unit.

"I guess they're mad because it wasn't a fair fight," Reba commented, still giggling.

"Yeah, eighteen to eighty," Angel rolled her eyes in disgust. She couldn't believe that Brin's facility Director allowed her unit to face off against such odds. But she was also glad that Brin and her Unit 2, her family, got the last word.

"Like I done said, it wasn't a fair fight," Reba's eyes twinkled merrily and the three cracked up.

"Hey, look, we actually almost made it to the door!" Brin laughed.

So maybe today wasn't such a bad day after all, she grinned to herself, enjoying the company of her friends.