It turned out that Jack was enrolling in a German university. Which stroke Chase as very odd, since it had no relation to any of the work that Jack had done for the Heylin side. His curiosity was picked despite himself.

And so he waited, near the entrance to the lab where Spicer was setting up what looked like a replica of his basement lab.

A black limousine parked nearby, and out came Miranda Spicer, her high heels clacking while she approached the lab with her assistant.

"Tell John that I can't see him next Saturday. In fact, clear all three days. From Friday to Sunday," she told her assistant, who scribbled it all down as fast as she could.

Chase wondered for a moment if he should hide himself, but the memory of the fight with Jack came back to him. The rage he saw on his face, the precision of his movements as he executed a plan that Chase couldn't see until the very half second before everything blew up. It was all too tempting to find a way to bring about that rage in Spicer.

"I'm sorry ma'am," said her assistant, a tiny brown haired woman with huge glasses. "But on Sunday you have a meeting with the board, and it's very important that-"

"Nothing is more important than clearing those days, Sarah," said Miranda, glaring at her.

The smaller woman recoiled and nodded. Then Miranda's gaze settled on chase, and he expression softened. She waved at him.

"Oh, my. The amazing Chase Young," she said, giggling. She wore a simple black suit that made her fiery hair seem even redder. "What a surprise. Are you here to see Jack?"

"Oh, I was just…around, and decided to stop by and see how he was doing," he lied.

Just then, Jack came out of the lab, carrying a box with tools in one hand and speaking on a cell phone with the other. Chase could see the striking resemblance to his father.

"Well I need another transcript then," he was saying. "What do you mean you don't keep them after ten years? That's bull-" his eyes fell on his mom and Chase standing together near the entrance.

His panicked gaze went from his smiling mom, to Chase's predatory smirk, and the color drained completely from his face, such that his pale skin seemed almost ghostly. "M-mom…Chase…what?" he mumbled, dropping the phone on the box and taking out a hammer.

Chase almost scoffed out a laugh.

"Oh my darling, guess who just found the most beautiful apartment near the campus," she said, winking at him. "Me, not Chase. He just dropped by to see you," she winked again.

"Uh, really?" said Jack, walking slowly, keeping his eyes on Chase until he stood between him and his mom.

Chase lifted an eyebrow. This was one of the very few times when Jack didn't go absolutely crazy to throw himself at Chase's feet. It was an almost welcome sight. Spicer could do with a little pride, like his parents.

"You're shocked, what a surprise right?" said Miranda, pinching Jack's cheek. "I came to take you out to lunch and tell you everything about the apartment. Oh Chase, if you're not too busy I would love for you to accompany us for lunch."

Horror crossed through Jack's face. "He can't," he said, with absolute finality.

"I can't?" wondered Chase, tapping his lips with the tip of his finger.

"No. You have that…thing you have to do. The meeting," said Jack, gritting his teeth. "In China. And you're late. Thank you so much for coming to see me, but I wouldn't want to take any more of your valuable time."

"Well, if he has to go to China, he can have lunch with us and then go back with you," said Miranda. "You're going back to the house, aren't you? I'll leave the jet with you boys, it's no problem at all."

"No, mom. He really can't."

Chase laughed. "He's right. I'm already late as it is. But it was…good to see you Jack. I hope we could see each other and have a nice discussion like last time," he said, enjoying the way Jack stood firm between them, keenly aware of every single one of Chase's movements.

"That's too bad. But here's the address of Jack's new apartment," said Miranda, extending a card for Chase before Jack could stop her. "The phone for the house in China is at the back. It was a pleasure seeing you Chase."

Chase bowed, and took Miranda's hand to kiss her. For a moment there, he felt like Jack was ready to go at him with the hammer, everything else be damned.

"The pleasure is all mine," said Chase. Then he glanced at the fuming Jack. "I'll see you soon, Jack."

Jack only bared his teeth at him, and Chase turned around to walk away.

"Mom why did you do that?" whispered Jack, pulling his mom away, apparently forgetting Chase's superhuman hearing powers.

"He's fantastic Jack, fantastic! And beyond gorgeous. I don't understand why you haven't given him all your phones."

"Mom stop!"