Disclaimer: Not mine except new characters

A/N: My first attempt. Sorry about not warning about the experiments in the last chapter. Next couple of chapters will be lots of talking; Ben missed series 2 so he does know about what happened. I was beginning to think that people didn't want anymore, then wildsky gave the review required for an update. Reminder 176 reviews for the next chapter, it's written as is the following, which got me excited.

Many thanks:

Honey X5-452: Sorry about the experiments, More about Ben below.

Elle6778: Yeah he's a sweet kid, experiments are gross.

Lakergirl08: Yeah they meet below

Darkangelgirl: Your answers are here; hope you're not too disappointed.

Angel Of Darkness231: The answer to Ben is below, hope you like. Sorry I agreed to make them shorter, but it'll vary on when I find a good place to stop.

Wildsky: Glad you like the rivalry, there's more to come.

Who loves the teacher?

Chapter Thirty-two: The Prodigal Son 2

Lydecker marched up to the gate in his army fatigues (they had all been in army fatigues since arriving at Manticore, except Issy who had been in smart office wear with white coat hung near-by, after the first day's explorations).

"493, been expecting you," he said curtly. "Follow me, you will be debriefed shortly."

"Sir, yes sir," Ben replied standing to attention.

Turning to Max, Lydecker winked, "452 join us in the debriefing room at the end of your shift."

"Sir, yes sir," she replied standing to attention.

She watched them leave and let out a deep breath; that had been harder than she had expected. What was it Issy had said about him only appearing to be Manticore, that didn't feel like he was acting. She wondered what he had been thinking.

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Ben was thoroughly confused as he looked around, not only were there no guards around, the place looked like a deserted bomb site. What had happened whilst he was away and why was Lydecker his escort? They usually had a minimum of two guards and what was Maxie doing on the gate, only ordinaries did gate duty.

"So soldier, how was Rome?" Lydecker asked, breaking Ben's thoughts.

'What was this, a trick question?' thought Ben. "Fine sir," he replied warily.

"You haven't met your X5 CO yet, have you?" Lydecker asked as they headed towards the staff living quarters.

"No sir," Ben replied. 'Where the hell are we going? Better not say anything; that looks suspiciously like a tazar in his hand. Why does he keep putting his hand to his ear?'

As Lydecker turned to enter one of the apartment blocks, Ben thought about making a run for it. As he looked towards the entrance he saw two people walking out. One looked suspiciously like himself and the other was Miss Sandle, head of psy-ops. 'May the Blue Lady help me,' he thought. 'What's she doing here; I thought this was just a debriefing.'

"Morning 494," Lydecker called to them in military tone, "I hope you're ready for the debriefing."

Alec smirked inwardly at the tone as he replaced his own Manticore mask, "Sir, room's ready. Miss Sandle will be joining us for psychological profiling." As Alec watched Ben, he thought, 'boy it's almost like looking in a mirror, but from the look in his eyes I don't think he ever smiles.'

'What the hell,' thought Ben, 'I didn't do anything? Someone told me 494 was always joking, but he doesn't look like that today. Is it full Manticore mask, Miss Sandle said that for most of us it was a mask we used for our superiors, is his real or false.'

"Ok 493, if you would follow us to the debriefing," Alec commanded. 'He looks like he's gonna make a run for it, let's hope we get him into that room before he goes, I don't feel like chasing him before breakfast.'

Ben followed trying to work out what was going on, by the time he realised where he was it was too late. Here he was stood in a stark room with barred windows and they were stood between him and the door. He could probably beat Lydecker and Miss Sandle but 494 was a different matter.

"Take a seat 493," commanded Lydecker.

"Now he's trapped, can we cut the crap 'Deck?" Alec asked he was getting tired of the act.

Ben was surprised, 494 had just committed a breach of Manticore protocols which would normally result in a tazar shock and punishment, but Lydecker just stood there.

"What do you think Issy?" Lydecker asked.

Ben looked 'the colonel just asked Miss Sandle for her opinion, something is way off here.' Ben just looked at them all as though they'd gone mad.

Issy looked at Ben, "I'm sorry Ben, Alec was always impatient to get things moving and I can see his comment has got you even more confused. A lot of things happened here while you were in Rome and your debriefing was to bring you up to date, not about your mission. You are free to ask any questions, the only thing we ask is that you hear us out."

Ben stood and stared at them, how had he got there, was he dreaming or had he been drugged. There had to be a rational explanation for this, but would they tell him the truth.

Alec took a step forward and Ben stepped back.

"Look bro' Max'll be here in a few minutes and then we'll start the explanations," Alec tried but Ben still stood stiffly ready to spring into combat.

"Have you eaten?" asked Issy. Not waiting for an answer, she continued "breakfast is ready in the other room. Why don't we all sit down and eat, we can talk while we eat."

"Great idea, I'm starving, so will Max be when she get here's" replied Alec clapping his hands together.

Ben was still staring in disbelief, but breakfast did sound good.

"Well how about it Ben?" Lydecker asked in a friendly tone. "You gonna join us for breakfast or stand here with a broom up your arse?"

"Breakfast sounds good sir," he managed.

Alec put an arm around him to guide him to breakfast; Ben stiffened initially but allowed himself to be led.

"Glad you've still got a voice," Alec joked, "I was beginning to think 'Deck had cut your tongue out between the gate and here."

As they sat down to breakfast, Max appeared in the doorway.

"Here's the lady herself," Alec laughed. "What our Maxie doesn't know about what happened and why, Issy will probably know."

"Where's Candi?" asked Max.

"Probably just getting up," replied Issy, "I'm sure the smell will bring her through soon."

"Are you alright Ben?" Max asked quietly.

"Maxie what's going on?" he replied, almost as frightened as that day in the forest.

"After Renfro sent you to Rome she blew-up Manticore," she replied gently, noting the fear in his eyes. "A lot of the transgenics escaped and we've set-up home in Terminal City in Seattle."

"Why are you here with the colonel?" he asked quietly.

"We came here for you and any other X5's still on missions," she replied gently.

"I don't understand; you're working for Lydecker and psy-ops?"

Max looked at Issy, who was sharing a joke with Alec, Lydecker and Candi were arguing in the kitchen. "No I'm not working for them," she asserted.

"Max started collecting freaks of all kinds in Terminal City and I tried to help her," Alec cut-in. "If anything 'Deck and Issy work for Maxie."

Ben wasn't sure whether to believe that, little Maxie running the show, could it be true.

Max glared at Alec. "What?" he asked. "It's the truth, without the juicy bits."

"You mean Maxie, that you're the boss now?" Ben asked. "I should have realised that day in the woods, that you would find a way of living with the ordinaries."

Max looked guilty at the memory of that day.

Candi came to sit at the table. "How you doin' Ben?" she asked. "Long time no see."

Ben recognised Candi as another X5 who he'd talked to at Manticore. They'd been sent on missions about the same time. 'Maybe I can trust her,' he thought. "Is this for real Candi," he whispered.

"You mean, can you trust them?" Candi whispered back.

"Yes."

"I've been here two days and the worse thing that has happened was being attacked by Alec when they first arrived," she replied.

"Hey you were sneaking around," Alec bit back sheepishly.

"And you should have been in Washington," Lydecker added.

"Anyway since then we've been working together waiting for you," Candi finished.

"Why waiting for me?" Ben asked feeling self conscious.

"As soon as Maxie realised you were alive, she wanted you back," replied Alec, before Max could say anything. "Can't see what she saw in you though," he joked.

Max looked coy as she punched Alec in the shoulder.

"Ow, what was that for?" Alec cried, mock hurt on his face.

"Being an ass, as usual," she replied with a grin. "When I heard what Issy had done, I wanted you back and out of that mission," she turned to Ben with tears in her eyes.

Wiping away a tear, Ben asked, "so who cancelled the mission and called me back?"

"I did son," replied Lydecker. "I understood Issy didn't want you to go anyway, but it was Max who decided that you should come home and not do the Washington mission."

"So I've got you to blame for having to meet that slime ball," Candi rounded on Max.

"I'm sure you picked up something for yourself," Alec chided. "That watch isn't standard Manticore issue."

"Talking about standard issue," Issy commented, "now that Ben is fairly sure that we're on the level, can I get into something more comfortable."

"What we talking about, a sexy robe?" Alec replied suggestively. Then looking at her expression, "or combats and a t-shirt?"

"Combats and a t-shirt, I'll reserve the other for when we're alone," she retorted.

"Sometimes you two behave like love struck teenagers," snarled Lydecker.

"You sound jealous," laughed Alec. "It's just so much fun watching your expressions."

Ben turned to Candi, "are they normally like this?"

"No, but its fun when they are," she replied.

"Alec have you got any spare clothes so that Ben can get out of Manticore issue?" asked Max.

"It's alright Max, I brought some for Ben," Issy replied. Alec looked annoyed that she would think of such a thing, whilst Max was pleasantly surprised. "I couldn't have him wearing your clothes, I might make a mistake," she said as she looked up to Alec.

Alec thought for a second, and then shrugged, "Suppose you're right. We gonna get changed then?"

"Thought you'd never ask," Issy replied. "I think Max and Ben need time alone to talk."

"Good idea," Lydecker agreed. "Candi how about we continue the work in the basement?"

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A/N: Hope you like Ben, there will be more in the next before they return to TC. 176 reviews for next chapter.

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