This chapter contains time skips and general vagueness. I promise it's for a good reason. I just wanted to warn you before you guys start.

Rex can't focus during class. His mind keeps replaying this morning over and over again, reminding him of Van Kleiss and the diary. Part of him is ready to say, "No. I don't need it, not really." But the other part of him is curious. What's in that diary? Who was he before to command Providence? Why did he command it? And just why does Van Kleiss have the diary?

He mulls over the thoughts, turning it around and around in his head. This is starting to drive him crazy. All the questions and no answers. Just how it he supposed to focus on anything?

Then a hand reaches over and taps him on the shoulder. Rex looks up to Cricket's reassuring smile and he finds himself relaxing. In the halls, Walter gives his arm an encouraging squeeze. Circe winks and gives him a secretive smile. Tuck loosely places his arm around Rex's shoulder. And somehow, Rex thinks that things are going to be okay.

Lunch time can't come soon enough.

Rex pushes aside the people trying to crowd him and finds himself a nice, empty table. He thanks the encouragements tossed at him and he rises to the challenges that are thrown his way, but for the most part, his mind is elsewhere. And before long, his usual group is sitting with him on the table, excitedly talking about one thing or another.

"Guys," Rex says, quickly getting their attention. "I found my diary."

"Okay," Walter says, his eyebrows knit together in confusion. "So what?"

"Van Kleiss has it."

That elicits gasps and shocked looks.

"What? But why would he...?" Cricket's eyes flashes with realization. "Rex, remember that time when we had English in the library? And you left early? Weren't you sitting next to Breach?"

"You think she stole it?" Circe asks, her voice low. There's a promise of blood in that tone of voice, and from the way the rest of the group is tensing, Rex can see the chaos before it even happens.

"Calm down, guys. I mean, yeah, I'm ticked that Van Kleiss has it, but the bigger problem is that I want it back-"

Tuck stands up, cracking his knuckles as he goes.

"Sit back down!" Rex exclaims. "I don't want it back like that!"

The group gathers back around the table and looks at him, slightly peeved.

"Okay," Walter says, crossing his arms. "Then what exactly do you want?"

"I want to get it back fair and square." Rex gives them all a serious look. "So I was wondering if you knew something that he might want."

"You did say that he used to work with your dad," Circe points out. "Maybe he wants his old job back?"

"Well... That's kind of awkward. Dad just lost his job."

There's a small pause as everyone thinks about the question. Just what would Van Kleiss want from Rex? It's been driving him crazy all morning, and from the confused looks on his friends' faces, he's not alone in not arriving at an answer to that question.

"Why not just call him Uncle Van like you used to do?"

Everyone turns to Noah, who's standing a little awkwardly by their table with his food tray. He gives them an uncomfortable shrug. "I'm just saying," he says, "Maybe he just wants to be acknowledged as family again."

Rex's brows furrow. "What are you talking about?" Van Kleiss? Family? Ew!

"Never mind!" Noah says, shaking his head as if in disgust. "Anyways, I wanted to cement practice after school." With that, Noah hands Rex a small piece of paper with directions written on it. "We'll meet there and figure it out."

With that, he's gone before anyone else can say something mean.

The shrill of the bells is the only relief Rex feels at the end of the day before his eyes spot the familiar green. Six is leaning against his locker, waiting for him. There are a thousand and one things that runs through Rex's head before he finally walks up with an exasperated look on his face.

"Really?" Rex asks. "You couldn't just wait for me at home?"

"I figured you might want to spend your time out with your friends. If that's the case, I need to be there and not at your home."

"But why?" Rex whines. But Six doesn't answer and in the end, he helps Rex figure out where the address Noah gave him is.

Rex isn't too sure what he expected. But a small gym with a table tennis arena set up is not very high on the list. He blinks and glances around and then looks back at the small piece of paper that Noah gave him.

"Don't just stand there!" Noah snaps. He's already decked out in gym clothes, looking ready for a match. "I'm going to go easy on you, just to see where you are level-wise. Then we'll work on a training regiment from there."

Rex just barely holds back a laugh. Because really? Even in a world where table tennis isn't all that important, Noah still finds a way to make it that important to him. Rex throws down his backpack and picks up a paddle. Six settles down on a nearby chair, opening his phone in a slightly distracted manner.

"Bring it!"

The three of them end up walking home together after the brutal practice. Noah's really gung-ho about this, citing resources and nutrition facts at Rex to prepare him for this weekend (as if changing his diet is going to do anything in less than a week). Six hangs back a little, giving them some space. But Rex doesn't miss the way Six glances around, eyes spotting something before sticking closer to the two boys.

There's some kind of danger brewing, Rex realizes. But before he can comment on it, Noah snaps his fingers in front of his face, demanding his attention.

"Salazar, this is important!" Then Noah's off, telling him other things a mile a minute, and Rex can't help but to think that maybe, just maybe, Noah missed this, just as he's missed his best friend.

His father is cooking in the kitchen with Angela when Rex and Six get back. There are no signs of anyone else, but Rex can't help to ask anyways.

"Are César and mom at work?"

"Yes," Rafael says with a soft smile. "But don't worry, they'll be home by 8 pm for dinner. Ah, that isn't too late for you, is it? I can get you a quick snack before, you need?"

"That'd be awesome! Noah was a slave driver. I think he's secretly enjoying seeing me in this much pain."

Rex sits at the table, watching his father work. Six sits across from him, as if he fears some kind of an attack in the comfort of Rex's own home. Or perhaps he's just getting ready in case Rex runs again? Except why would Rex run now? Jeesh, Six worries about the weirdest things.

"Hey dad, I have a question."

"Go ahead and ask. I can't promise you answers, but everyone should always be free to ask questions."

"What was Van Kleiss to this family?"

His father tenses. For a few seconds, it seems that everything has frozen. Then his father slowly releases his breath, forcing his body to relax. And when that's all done, he turns to look at Rex with a fake smile on his face. "Ah mijo, it's better to forget about that trash. He's nothing but an embarrassment to the entire scientific community."

"But why? What did he do? Why was he fired?"

"You'll learn this when you're older, Rex," Rafael says kindly as he returns to cooking. "But there are certain things that humans should never do. I'm sure Mr. One can tell you all about it if he has time."

The conversation changes to a more light-hearted tone about Six and other things. Rex just wants to groan and smack his head against the table. Because really? That's his father's excuse? He'll learn when he's older. Jeesh, and here he thought that's just something that TV writers did because they wanted to be mysterious and whatnot.

The dinner at 8 pm is awkward as hell. For the most part, it's Rex trying to break the ice and the rest of the family trying to figure out just how human interaction goes.

"Oh, can I ask for a favor?"

"What is it, mijo?" César asks with an encouraging smile.

"Can we invite Dr. Holiday and Dr. Rhodes to the Table Tennis Tournament?"

"Are those the doctors who's been keeping an eye on you?" Violeta asks. There's bit of sadness there. Possibly regret. Rex doesn't like seeing it, but he knows that for a while more, that feeling isn't going to go away.

"It's your match," Rafael tells him. "If you'd like doctors to be there to support you, we can even invite Rylander and Meechum and their families!"

"I think I'd like that."

The week passes in that fashion: School, friends, practice with Noah, Six always hanging about, and dinner with the family. Rex easily falls into the rhythm of things, marveling at the sheer normalcy of the situation. Is this what it feels to live a normal life? How can anyone complain about this being monotonous when every day is filled with that warm fuzzy feeling in his heart that reminds him of what he has finally managed to grasp?

"Rex, mijo, today's the day," his mother greets when he comes down for breakfast.

Six raises his coffee cup in acknowledgement.

"You ready for this?" César asks as he heaps pancakes on Rex's plate and passes him syrup.

"I found the camcorder!" Rafael exclaims as he walks into the kitchen. "We'll make sure to record everything, mijo."

Rex grins.

He has to admit that it's so weird to see the school so filled with life when it's the weekend. It almost appears that nearly everyone in the school has shown up with friends and family. The entire place is a buzz with excitement and Rex can't stop himself from laughing. This, he thinks, this is how life should be.

"Salazar, what are you waiting for? We need to get going!" Noah shouts, waving him towards the locker room.

"Tuck! Sqwydd! You guys are both competing?"

"So are the girls," Walter tells him with a grin. "Let's be honest, Rex. Who would pass up the chance to have you as their slave?"

There are surprisingly a lot of competitors. And to be honest, Rex is actually pretty impressed that Van Kleiss had this all organized. Because there are vendors and schedules and apparently t-shirts as well, and don't even get him started on the security guards (and the way Bobo smugly tells him that he's bet everything against him). Part of him can't help but to tense, because why the hell would Van Kleiss go as far to do this for him?

Then he spots Biowulf and Skalamander with matching shirts that Breach must've made, getting ready for the match. Then he spots the smiles on everyone's face. And he can't help but to think that maybe he misjudged this Van Kleiss. Maybe Noah is right. Maybe all Van Kleiss wants is a family, just as Rex has always longed for one.

"We're up!" Noah yells, tossing a paddle at Rex. "You better not drag me down, Salazar!"

"I'm going to get more scores than you, Noah!"

"Oh, we'll just see about that!"

To be frank, Rex doesn't really remember the matches. He doesn't remember all the details that went into that Saturday. But what he does remember is that his family is there. That his friends are there. He remembers the immense joy and laughter. He remembers the fun and all the silliness that must have happened.

He remembers swinging the paddle, and the crowd going wild. He remembers Noah throwing his arms around his shoulders, screaming, "We did it! We won!"

Biowulf throws his paddle to the ground, growling in frustration, and Skalamander collapses, exhausted. Rex thinks that it must have been a very intense and close match, judging from the way they're all sweating and breathing hard, but he doesn't really remember it all that much. He just remembers that they won. They won and Noah's screaming in his ears and trapping him in a headlock.

"Whoa, Noah!"

It's only then that Noah lets go, fear bright in his eyes. "S-sorry," he stammers, eyes darting from side to side. "I just… I forgot…"

"Dude, it's fine. You just startled me is all."

Noah tilts his head to the side, looking a little confused. Then realization flashes in his eyes and it's replaced with worry. "Rex… Did you… Your memory…?"

It's starting to annoy Rex that everyone seems to know about his memory, whether they're close to him or not. But if this is going to help him bridge the gap to get his best friend back, he shouldn't complain. Rex shrugs sheepishly.

"Sort of?"

There's a beat of pause as Noah takes this in. He purses his lips, and his expression becomes cloudy, as if he can't quite decide on relief or regret. Then he lets out a breath and holds up his hand.

"I'm Noah," he says with a timid smile. "I would like to be your friend, Salazar."

"It's Rex." He corrects, taking his friend's hand. "And I would love to be your friend."

"Mijo, you were amazing!" César exclaims as he runs forward. The others are close behind him, all yammering for his attention. The only ones staying back are Holiday and Six, who seems to have found each other finally.

"Of course, I was!" Rex brags. He throws his arm around Noah's shoulders. "I have the best partner I could ask for!"

They laugh, and it's easy. And Rex realizes that he missed this. Well, not this per say. But he misses being able to laugh easy with his friends. He misses the goofy times he spent with the others. He misses that feeling of warmth he gets when he knows that he's loved. Wait. Didn't he already think that? Huh? Why is this train of thoughts feeling like déjà vu?

"Why don't we buy you kids ice cream?" Violeta suggests, smiling broadly. "As celebration for the victory?"

"Yeah! Ice cream!"

They start moving out and Rex pauses. He glances back and notices that Van Kleiss is standing a little off to the side, looking at the group with an unreadable expression. When he realizes that he's being watched, he meets Rex's eyes. The two stare for a bit before Van Kleiss finally walks forward.

"Kleiss," Rafael hisses, quickly stepping in front of Rex.

"Dad, it's fine. I need to talk to him." With that as his only defense, Rex walks forward to meet with Van Kleiss.

"Congratulations on your victory," Van Kleiss says softly. Almost gently.

"Thanks...? I don't think Biowulf and Skalamander appreciated it, though. They looked like they were really getting into it."

"Believe me, they loved it. It's good to see them relax and enjoy themselves." Van Kleiss pauses for a second. Then he reaches into his bag and pulls out the diary. "I believe this belongs to you."

"Huh? Why the change of heart? I thought you wanted-"

"And I have what I wanted, Rex. The question now becomes do you have what you want?"

Rex frowns but takes the diary. It doesn't look like it's been tampered with, which is a relief. But this is Van Kleiss. He can't relax yet.

"Well, thanks," Rex says. He raises a hand in goodbye before turning away.

He takes two steps away when Van Kleiss grabs his shoulder.

"Rex, please. Don't use your nanites anymore," he whispers lowly so that only the two of them can hear.

Before Rex can react, Six lashes out, expertly ripping Van Kleiss's hands off and throwing him to the ground. Then Six straightens his suit and turns to Rex.

"Time to leave," he says calmly.

But Rex can't shake off the feeling that maybe he is making a mistake by walking away. He just looks at Van Kleiss, who's being helped up by Biowulf and Skalamander.

"... Thanks, Uncle Van."

"Well, at least you got the diary back," Tuck says.

They're sitting at a giant counter, all five of them plus Noah. Rex's parents are sitting a bit way away with Six and César. Holiday seems to have already left, which makes sense since she has a hospital to run. They're all waiting on their orders while trying to warm up to Noah.

"I guess... But it's just really weird, okay? Why would he do that?"

"Because he's your Uncle, duh. Of course, he'd do nice things," Noah grumbles. He points at the diary. "So do we get to hear it or what?"

Rex grins. He powers it up and bypasses the password with his nanites. He breathes out a sigh of relief when the diary finally lets him in. "Let's see what I've been hiding..." He clicks the most recent voice entry and makes sure to lower the volume to not disturb too many people.

"... Adios freeloaders. Finally convinced Quarry to take these leeches off my hands. He gets some new lapdogs. I get to walk away..."

Rex slams the pause button, staring at the diary with ashen face. Because what? No. That can't be. Those words... Those words are from another world. They can't be on this diary.

"... Rex?" Circe asks, hesitantly holding out her hand as if debating whether to touch him or not.

He picks up the diary and stands up. "I need air. I'll be right back."

The air doesn't help. He stands in the street, staring at the diary in disbelief. Why? Just why are those words recorded on this diary? He hesitates for a second before playing the next recent post.

"If you're listening to this now, you've already found the numbers I've hidden at my hideout. Those numbers will get you to Providence. Use them as resources. White Knight especially will be helpful. I think I... I found something I shouldn't have. And I'm so sorry, Tuck. But I messed up. I'm going to have to rely on you again. If the others ask, you have to make them go away. The next recording I make will make it easy for them to hate me. You can't let them be dragged into this war, do you understand? And if you can, get out. Let Quarry and the rest take care of this. Don't get any more involved than that. Please. Be safe. And I'm sorry."

The entry ends and Rex releases a breath he hasn't realized that he's been holding. But that means...?

A flash of movement catches his attention. He looks up and sees someone move on the other side of the street. They pause for a second and look back, meeting Rex's eyes. And they might look different now that they're human, but Rex knows that person. He takes a step forward and the person's gone.

"Rex...?" Six asks as he walks out to check up on him. "Are you-"

There's no time for hesitation or reconsideration. Rex runs. He crosses the street, weaving through the traffic with ease of a trained soldier. There's a loud shout and car horns behind him, and it's only when Rex is safe on the other side that he looks back.

Six is being held back by César, both of them looking shocked at Rex. Six's face is filled with foreboding and César's is reluctant fear. Do they both know something…?

But there isn't any time to waste now that he knows that they're safe. Rex looks up to where that person's disappeared. He dashes forward, the name of the person already on his tongue.

"Quarry!"