Author's Note: So, I know it's completely been FOREVER since I did anything involving this story...but well, new season of Heroes started last week, and I've been watching lots of Smallville, so I got this chapter out. A million apologies for the ages long wait, but please give me some reviews!

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 7: Justin: Guy

I sit on the floor with my son. I wish I could know for sure what he was. God, I'd give anything to be near him more.

"Hey, Justin," I smile, changing shape to be closer to his size. He laughs. "So are you being good?"

"I'm trying Dad," He says, "But it's hard and Mommy has so many rules." I laugh. Connie's paranoid about him. Not that I blame her. I hate myself for what I've done, for turning her into a single Mom. "When are you coming home?"

"Soon buddy," I sigh. He nods, and then the look is there. That knowing look, understanding everything. He shouldn't understand these things, for the love of God, he's four years old!

"That new girl," He says, "Kaylee, Parker likes her."

"Parker likes lots of girls," I say with a laugh.

"Not like her," He shakes his head. I nod. He does read people well. If Julie's right and that makes him a psychic I might kill myself. Because if my son grows up to be anything like Julie or Parker, I don't know how I'd deal with it. "Daddy, what's it like?"

"It's pretty cool," I lie. I know what he's asking. "I get to do experiments a lot, and I hang out with Coach Bombay." Justin nods.

"I'm going to have to go someday," He whisperes.

"No you're not," I say, "Mommy and I working very hard to make sure that doesn't happen."

"But I have to," He says. "Because I'm like Uncle Charlie." I look at him.

"Justin, what do you mean?" I ask him, trying to keep the fear out of my voice. He's afraid too. I can tell by his eyes. He trembles and closes his eyes and he changes shape, into a puppy. A four year old boy would. "Justin." I whisper, "Change back." I'm stern. He changes back. "You said you were like Charlie?"

"Mm hm," He nods, "With Mommy I can fly, with Russ I can walk through things, with Parker I hear people thinking."

"OK," I whisper. "How long have you known you could do that?"

"A few days," He says.

"Can you stay here?" He nods. "I'll be right back." I run as fast as I can to Charlie's office. "We've got a problem." He looks up at me.

"What's going on?" He says.

"It's Justin," I say, "He's a sponge." He looks up at me. "He said he manifested a few days ago."

"Shit," Charlie throws down his pen. "I thought we had problems here."

"We can't keep him here," I shake my head, "He manifested already, who knows how long it'll take for him to master it, who knows then how long until,"

"He snaps," Charlie sighs. "Guy, she won't let you."

"We have to convince her," I say simply, "For his sake. For all of us. I'd make sure he was alright, I'd,"

"Do the experiments yourself?" He raises his eyebrows. "On your own son?"

"We don't do them anymore Charlie," I say, "Bombay put a stop to it."

"You haven't had another sponge, Guy," He shakes his head. "There are only two others and unless you've had Riley there," I nod, "Look, talk to Connie, maybe I can keep him under control for a while. But you guys are his parents. It's up to you."

"Sure," I nod, "I just wanted to give you the heads up. How are things with you and Julie? You give her the ring yet?"

"We broke up," He shrugs, I look at him, "She's sleeping with Portman." My look changes to a stare. "See what you miss when you're away?"

"No!" Connie shouts, later as I break the new about Justin, "He's not. It's something else it has to be." I hug her close, "He's only four. He's a baby, Guy!"

"I know," I shush her. "I know."

"Please, don't take him away," She sniffles. "I can't be here, worrying about both of you. I need him, he's all I have here."

"Connie," I shush her and gently brush her hair with my hand. "I'm not taking him anywhere, baby. Come on."

"What if we," She looks up at me terrified, "Guy, what if we can't bring him back?" I nod. The thought crossed my mind too. "He's too young to have manifested. Usually it doesn't hit until,"

"They're ten at least," Guy said, "It was my research Connie, I know." I kiss her. "We can't keep him a secret anymore Connie, it's not safe." I hold her close. "Charlie can take care of him, if that's what you want."

"That's what I want," She nods, "At least for now, if it develops further, if he can use more than one at the same time, or powers of people who aren't around, if he starts having visions, then I guess, we'll see."

"So Julie's sleeping with Portman?" I say. She laughs.

"Yeah," She nods, "We've all taken a stand to stay out of it. It's between the three of them." I smile, "And unfortunately Adam."

"Mommy," Justin wanders out, "I can't sleep. I had a bad dream."

"OK," She sighs. "Why don't you go in my bed? You can sleep with me and Daddy tonight."

"Nightmares?" I look at her once he's walked into the bedroom.

"They're regular nightmares Guy," She assures me, "Not visions. Monsters under the bed, that kind of thing." I nod. I don't even know that my own son has nightmares.

"And that's how we take care of it?" I say.

"When you're here every day then maybe things could change but for now," She shrugs. I nod.

"I know you're upset," I say, "But you do understand why I have to tell them?"

"I do," She nods. "I'm going to go lie with him. You go do what you need to do." She kisses me. "I love you."

"I love you too." I whisper. I sigh and go down to what used to be my office and lab. It's so dusty now though, you wouldn't know it.

"Hi Guy," Gale Levy is leaning against the door.

"Hello Gale," I nod at her, "It's past lights out. You should be in your room."

"Lights out is for students," She says and follows me in, "We all know that Parker and I are weeks away from becoming Superducks."

"It's likely," I smile, "But for now, you're a student. So, get to bed." She pouts and I shake my head and sit down. She props herself up on the desk and stretches, arching her back. I sigh. I don't know when this happened, but I know it's not good. "Gale."

"Mm hm," She looks at me, twirling her long dark hair around her finger. She looks so much like Connie at 17 it unnerves me a little.

"Go to bed," I say simply.

"OK," She pushes off, "I'm glad you're home though."

"Uh huh," I laugh as she walks away. I pick up the phone and dial.

"Hello," I hear Coach pick up on the other end.

"Hey Coach," I say, "Justin manifested."

"At four?" He says.

"Yeah," I sigh, "It gets worse. He's a sponge." I hear him sigh. "We're going to keep him here for now, Charlie's going to watch for signs of change, him getting towards the breaking point."

"If that's what you guys think is best." He says softly. "We have to tell them."

"I know," I say, "Connie's not happy, but she understands." She has to.

Review Please! I'll try not to take so long updating anymore