Disclaimer: I own nothing and no one

Really need to get back on the ball

And I don't just mean with my writing

I got back from Marrakesh and just dropped

Miss having kids to teach

24: Life After Death

"We also need to discover what special talents you have." If any, but Duo had a good feeling about this matter. And after more than three thousand years he had learned to trust his instincts.

Treize blinked. "I'm sorry. Talents?" He had no idea what the other was talking about.

The eternal teenager shrugged, rising smoothly to his feet. "Healing, sensing others, drawing on your quickening for power, these are things all Immortal's can do. But there are other gifts that aren't so common."

"Such as?" the former general had to admit he would have been curious even if the knowledge hadn't impacted his future survival.

"Darius had prophetic dreams. Cassandra can hypnotize people with her voice." His own gift was the ability to mask his quickening, not that he was in the habit of telling people that. It might not have been as impressive as the illusions his line brother used to weave, but it had saved his life more than once. Especially in his early years.

Duo smirked, remembering times gone by. "I think my favorite was Ramirez's. He could breath under water." He used to tell his new students they could do it too, just to see the looks on their faces afterward. The old reprobate must have gotten the shock of his life when it turned out his last charge could.

The dark clad figure bounced on his heels. "So up and at them student mine," he said pointing at the nearby lake. "You'll never know until you try."

30: Codename: Uriel

"I hate my life!" Alex shouted a moment before he hit the water. There was a tremendous splash as he impacted, the force shoving him many feet below the surface. Fortunately for him, the blond was a good swimmer.

Toeing off his shoes, the sixteen year old kicked for the surface. His lungs were burning by the time he reached it. But reach it he did, inhaling precious air. Alive, he was alive. Alex looked around, managing to spot the life-ring that had made the plunge from the plane with him.

It didn't take the teen's euphoria long to dissipate. Yes, he was alive, for all the good it did him. Water, nothing but water in all directions. He sighed. Sure, the tropical climate insured he wouldn't freeze to death. But on the other hand, it also raised to the chance of getting munched by something considerably. One encounter with a Great White in its natural environment had been more than enough thank you.

A grimace flicked across Alex's features. This was not good. It seemed his only chance was being rescued, and MI6 didn't exactly have the best record with that. Most of the time he didn't even bother calling for help anymore. Besides, the bad guy of the day had broken his homing signal.

But, there was still Archangel's doohickey. Alex thought about it as he bobbed with the waves. Thought about it long and hard. Really, what did he have to lose. Carefully removing the outer shell of the necklace, he turned on the small transceiver.

"If you can get here first, you can have me."

36: A Clean Slate

"Why didn't you tell me Tom was behind me?" the eight year old asked. Words slightly muffled due to the beating he had received. Though in his defense, he had been outnumbered four to one. One cheek was already showing what was sure to be a spectacular bruise and there was blood dripping from his nose.

He threw a sidelong glance at the figure who had been there as long as he could remember. Waiting for the lecture that was sure to follow. The one about picking fights you couldn't win. He didn't get it. Something that shouldn't have surprised him in retrospect. After all, Lindsey was many things, but predictable was not one of them.

The older, slightly transparent, man smirked, dropping to one knee in front of the other. It was something that had once been beneath Lindsey McDonald's dignity. Of course, that had been before he died. "And what good would that do you Eliot?" the former lawyer asked his own question in return. "Someday you are going to grow up." He wouldn't always be here, was what he really meant.

The smirk became as small smile as the boy's eyes darkened, catching the unspoken words. Taking that a step further Lindsey was telling him not to develop bad habits. Eliot huffed, sprawling backwards in the pile of hay. "There are days," he said, sounding older than his appearance would indicate. "That I really hate you."

"I fear I shall never recover from the blow," came the response. "Now get up."

Huh? A baffled expression crossed the kid's face.

Lindsey cocked one brow. "Unless that is, you don't want to learn how to fight?" Eliot would possess all his knowledge one day. But that wouldn't do the boy a bit of good if he didn't know how to use it.

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