"Did you get any results?" May was practically leaning against Felicitys' shoulder as she glanced at the computer screen. She didn't seem to notice how she was crowding the other girls' space and how irritating she found it.

"Uh yeah. Their still at the same address." Felicity printed out a sheet knowing that her friend would need the phone number and other contact information.

"Thanks Felicity. I don't mean to bug you with things like this. I guess I could have done this on my own but I wanted to make sure I got it right."

Shrugging the blond handed over the print out and tapped her pen against her lips. "You know if you really want to thank me you could introduce me to this cousin of yours. Word has it he's a real cutie. I haven't got a real good look thanks to my-Gene-watching for my folks. Keeping my brother from doing something stupid is pretty much a full time job these days."

May gave the matter a little thought because hey possible match maker situation. As much as she wanted to think Reilly wasn't cute (because he was pretty much her brother) Normie liked to remind her how she had said he was before she knew the truth. Eww but still she never thought about him like that but could admit he wasn't bad looking. Grimacing at the thought May wondered how he'd take her setting him up on dates. Yeah, that wouldn't work out well. She could only imagine what Darkdevil would do and as Reilly he lived at her house which would mean she'd be stuck with someone that was mad at her. She didn't want to tick him off especially when it was still a struggle to connect. On the other hand it was hardly a blind date with her just introducing her friends.

"I guess. He hasn't really had a formal introduction to most of my friends." Tucking the paper into her pocket May said her goodbyes before taking off.

Arriving home May was able to wait all of five minutes before retrieving the contact information. Well maybe she should send an e-mail instead of calling ahead. Speaking to strangers over the phone was always awkward anyway. This way she could get all the facts together without having to stumble over her words. With any luck they might be able to schedule a meet sometime in the future.
...

"Is this boring you?"

Peter had thought visiting work would be a good way to bond. They'd talk about their chose fields of law enforcement and start to connect. Mary Jane thought that he was putting too much hope into a job he tended to Romanize pointing out that the girls were never that interested. Reilly had patiently listened as Peter explained everything, not even reacting to Phils' muffled laughter at Peters' somewhat embellished explanation.

"No. I'm actually pretty familiar with most of this from both jobs." He glanced down at the crime photos of the brick wall splattered with blood. "This is from the Russel murder right? I figured it was only a matter of time before Carrie had enough and decided to take over the family business."

"How do you know it was her? We just started on this case! How can you tell with a glance?" Phil got up to look at the photo again.

"Easy. The blood spills on the wall." The boy pointed to the patterns they made. "You can't make that with any impact. Given her small size it means that she'd either have to stab from behind in his lower back or he'd be on his knees. I doubt he'd be on his knees though. You'd know with the direction of the stab wound."

"Hey that's pretty insightful. He was standing and-"The blond glanced up to meet Peters' disproving glare. "-and I should get back to work."

"You don't want to discuss shop." The boy stated giving his uncle a searching look. "Not to be rude but why take me to a lab if you don't want to talk work."

"It's not that...well maybe it is a little. I just wanted to get you away from your own work. I didn't want this to turn into a business meeting or well shop talk." Stroking his beard Peter tried to hide his disappointed pout. "Anyway, how would you like to grab some lunch?"

"Uh sure, I guess so."

"Okay. Let me see talk to the captain for a moment and we'll be on our way." Peter left the lab to rush down the hallway leaving Phil and Reilly alone.

Learning the truth behind Darkdevil had been weird for Phil Urich. He had worked with the man-uh demon-before finding out he was a kid like May. Ben Reillys' son in fact. To his credit Phil hadn't voiced his thoughts on the matter with the boy simply because he knew he'd sound like a babbling idiot. Asking questions like how his former teammate existed or who was actually Darkdevil. Things he knew the demon would mock but was clueless how the teen would react to.

"He's trying you know."

"I know." Reilly murmured before glancing over to meet his eye. "That doesn't make things easier."

"Maybe not but it'd help if you met him halfway."

The look he earns is one he recalls the demon having, highly annoyed and mocking. "Gee why didn't I think of that? It might have slipped your notice but I did come here. I'm doing all this despite wanting to keep away."

"Yeah. Maybe so, still you have been using school to keep him at arms' length." He held up his hands palms up at the glare he's leveled with. "Hey I'm just calling it like I see it."

"You don't see everything so excuse me if I have trouble feeling comfortable around the man who repeatedly treated me like trash and was always looking for a reason to attack me." It's said so softly Phil almost misses it.

It's then that he's stuck by a revelation that almost knocks him off his chair. Phil had trouble seeing Darkdevil, Reilly Tyne (the law student) and this boy as the same person until that moment. Tyne had been a cool collected professional, Darkdevil the puck-like creature of the night and this kid hadn't meshed with either. But he can see both in him now and the realization that none of them are so different is mind blowing. Hadn't Merry been overly fond of Tyne and basically treated him like a favorite nephew? She had told Phil that the lawyer was a sweetie pie that had made her feel protective of him. Reilly was still sarcastic but Phil could also see the maturity of the law student. At heart this was a kid that had been forced to grow up too fast and never had anyone to rely on. The people that were supposed to be there for him-his family-weren't. Before Darkdevil could even open his mouth Peter had been spewing hatred based on who he had assumed the demon was. As a result Reilly was hesitant to fully open up. None of them had seen who he really was and maybe that was their fault for not trying.

"Hey take your time. I just wanted you to know that Pete does care about you."

Whatever reply was on Reillys' tongue disappeared at Peters' return. Looking puzzled Peter glanced at the two of them before clearing his throat. "We can eat anywhere you want."

Reilly trailed after his uncle trying to keep a good amount of space between them. No matter how hard Peter tried his nephew kept seeing it as fake attempts to bond. In his experience hatred never went away it only lingered. They ate at a sub shop near the police station since he hadn't wanted to take them too far away from the mans' work. Their conversation was stilted and awkward. Peter looked uncomfortable while Reilly appeared unaffected.

"Look, I know we got off on the wrong foot and that's my fault. I also know that it won't be easy to move past that. I'm hoping we can because I want to get to know you."

A minute passed while Reilly chewed his food then stared out the window. "Why?"

Not expecting the question Peter blinked in surprise. "Why what?"

"Why do you want to know me?"

"You're family." He answered like it was a fact that couldn't be disputed. Naturally, Peter was a man of science and knew they were related not because he trusted anyone's word but because he tested the blood. Only facts mattered.

"And if we weren't and I was still some stranger that occasionally helped your family out?" Reilly slowly tore his gaze away from the picturesque scene of a family strolling hand in hand outside the restaurant.

"I...,"the guilt that shone through his eyes was answer enough for the boy. "I would have still have been wrong about you and once I knew the truth-"

"What if I was Kaines' son instead of Bens'?"

Peter stared at him not sure what to think much less say. Reilly had thought long and hard about these questions since he stopped being Darkdevil. They were important to him and informed him of where they really stood.

"I'm not sure what you're getting at."

"I don't think you would have cared In either case." Finally saying what was on his mind should have been freeing. All it did was make Reilly feel sick to his stomach. "I saw how you reacted with April. How you felt when the subject of clones came up. Even now you only seem to tolerate April because of the others. If I was still the freak you hate you wouldn't want me around your family much less spend time with me."

Peter flinched as if struck, "...Reilly..."

The red head rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply knowing that the next part would be hard for both of them. "I think the only reason you bother with me is because of Ben." He shook his head. "No, because you feel responsible for his death. That maybe by seeing that I'm okay it'll make you feel less guilty about it. Well I don't blame you for that but if that's the only reason you care then I prefer things the way they were."

This time it was Reilly who flinched when Peter held his hand. Ignoring the reaction Peter waited until the boy looked at him. "That's not true. Okay I do feel responsible for what happened to your father. He wasn't with me for long but we got close. He was my baby brother. I'm always going to feel that loss and wonder if I couldn't have been better. But that has nothing to do with us."

Reilly raised a disbelieving eyebrow.

"No really. While I'm glad he had you that's not why I care. I want to know what we missed out on. What sports you like, school, everything. You never asked us for anything but did so much for us. When we were still struggling with what to do with May you stepped up to make sure she survived and got stronger. Whether you're blood or not that says you're somebody worth knowing. I'm sorry it took so long for me to realize that." Peter squeezed the limp hand in his grasp.

They held each others' gaze for awhile but it was apparent that Reilly didn't believe him. It was almost a blessing when his cell rang and his nephew used that moment to go into the restroom. By the time he came back Peter was looking exasperated.

"-It's not that I mind I just would have liked more notice. No, I won't say anything. Love you too honey." Snapping his phone shut Peter gave Reilly a strained smile. "It looks like we're going to have a surprise dinner tonight. Seems like May put something together on the fly."

Usually Reilly would have made a quip about Mays' cooking skills. Instead he made a noncommittal sound and waited for his uncle to get his things. "Thanks for lunch."

"No problem."

They separated to go their own way halfway to the station quietly saying their goodbye and the reminder to be home for dinner. Reilly took to the rooftops for some much needed space to think on what was said. He didn't get far into his musing when he spotted April swing from building to building. Noticing him the girl changed course to land next to him. The costume she wore shifted into causal clothes then with a drawn out sigh she slumped down.

"Do you have any money?"

That wasn't what he was excepting and the lack of manner actually made him smile. "Hello to you too, April."

"Yeah, yeah. We see each other everyday. Do you have anything or not?"

"No, I don't have any money on me." He hadn't had the chance to go to the bank since he spent the funds he had previously taken out of Matts' account.

"How about a credit card? There might be an ATM around here."

"You really know how to butter someone up to get what you want." At her expectant look he openly scoffed. "Yeah, like I'm giving you my credit card."

"Come on, I need the cash! My allowance is a joke! I want to get an I-Pod like May but that will take forever to save up for!"

"And that's my problem how?" Rising to his feet he stretched get the kinks out of his shoulders. Long hours hunched over books were starting to take their toll. If he didn't sneak out to train he'd be out of shape by now. "Get a job or save up."

He knew why April was demanding and seemed to feel entitled to things she hadn't earned. Even so it was annoying for someone that struggled to survive on the streets to hear someone whine for something they had no intention of working towards.

"Why are-hey! How did you get up here?"

Oh right, Reilly had kept his abilities a secret before then and no one except Mary Jane knew for sure that he inherited the family powers.

"I climbed." It was the truth, just a little vague on the how. The ladder that led towards the alleyway provided a visual excuse but April didn't seem to know if she believed it. "How long are you going to be out? Last I heard we're all supposed to be at the house for dinner."

The change of subject went smoothly as April soon forgot what they were previously discussing. "Oh that? If May wants to show off then I see no need to rush home. I need to get away from Benjy anyway. Kid is seriously getting on my nerves."

"Imagine that."

They parted ways soon after with Reilly spending a few hours training in an abandoned warehouse before slowly returning home. He wondered what May could have done that was such a big deal. As far as he knew she didn't cook much and didn't seem interested in learning. Perhaps she had some big news she wanted to share. If that was the case why did Peter seem unsure when Reilly saw him on the phone. Approaching the door to the Parker residence Reilly suddenly had a foreboding feeling. What if it was bad news? Nothing devastating but something that needed to be softened with a family dinner? Turning the knob he entered letting his gaze dart around the room for any telltale signs.

"Oh there you are Reilly. Good, I wanted to talk to you before we ate." Mary Jane cast a look back at May that he couldn't see. Whatever it was made May fidget against the counter. "May was trying to do something nice for you and might have overstepped some bounties."

Panic started to well in his chest at that and he glanced at her cousin for confirmation.

"It's not that bad mom."

"Maybe not." His aunt turned her attention back on him."I'm just sorry if this is too sudden for you. We have some guests tonight and well...once May wrote to them and they insisted on coming over tonight. There wasn't much notice I'm afraid."

"They?" Reilly rasped feeling like his throat had suddenly turned to sandpaper.

At the knock on the door Peter called out that he'd get it. Reilly stared at the kitchen doorway in apprehension wondering what May had done. Having his life collide with the Parkers was a messy process in it's self. While there were some people he wouldn't mind them meeting he had wanted it to be on his terms. The only person he could think of that they could have contacted was Maggie only because May had seen him with her. Only Mary Jane had said "they" as in plural.

"Well it looked like we're having a family reunion tonight." Peter announced.

Reilly felt nauseous as the man stepped to the side to make room for his uncle and aunt from his mothers' side. His aunt beamed when she saw him, her eyes getting glassy with tears.

"Oh! There's our angel!"

He stood stiffly as she embraced him and for the first time in years felt utterly helpless.