Erikstrulove- one more chapter to go before you get to find out Bane's story but he will show up a bit in this chapter. Now you have somewhere between 17 and twenty chapters to go before Bobby get's out. But only 2 chapter's until you get to see Bobby again and interacting with Jeremiah.

LJP- Yup Alex, Air, and Andy will be talking and Bobby's getting out.

CHAPTER 63

LATE NIGHT CONVERSATIONS

December 10, 2010

3:32am

Charlottesville, Virginia

Russell Family Home

'Alex,' Aaron called out to his sister.

'Air?' Aaron's heart soared upon hearing his sister's voice. They now had a way to communicate with one another.

'Katie-girl where are you?' Aaron asked his sister.

'I'm in a cell at the Centre. The doctors patched me up to their best abilities, which I'm guessing was damn good 'cause Pete threatened to kill them if anything happened to me,' Alex told her brother.

'How are you? Andy, Mike, Maddie, and I felt you get shot. Scared the shit out of me,' Aaron admitted.

'I'm fine, Air, well as fine as can be considering I was shot three times not even twelve hours ago. What about Jeremiah, is he okay?' Alex questioned she knew that Jeremiah blamed himself for her being hurt, and more than likely hated himself for leaving Alex behind.

'He's worried about you, like all of us. Poor kids beating himself up pretty terrible. You'd think that he wouldn't blame himself so much considering the fact that it's you we're talking about. I don't think that Jeremiah realized he never had a choice when it came to leaving you behind,' Aaron said making light of the situation.

'You can't tell me you wouldn't feel the same way, had it been you in his place,' Alex replied.

'Who say's I don't. We all blame ourselves to some degree Alex. Will most of all, for not believing you. The rest of us for not seeing what you, Jeremiah, Amy and the boys so clearly saw. I didn't even realize that something might truly be wrong until a week or so ago. Even then I paid it no mind. I'd like to say that I was so wrapped up in Jack being sick but...,' Aaron trailed off.

'But you just didn't want to believe what the voices were telling you,' Alex finished for him.

'Yeah,' Aaron sighed

'You said Jack was sick, what does he have? The flu?' Alex asked changing the topic. Aaron let out a curse realizing that Alex didn't know. Yet he didn't want to worry her, she needed rest to recover form her injuries. 'Aaron, what's wrong with Jacky?' Alex asked again worry creeping into her voice.

'Kaine got to him. We don't know what he gave Jack...but it's bad. We're working on a cure,' Aaron answered unable to lie. Alex was quite for sometime as she tried to digest the information.

'When it rains, it just God damned pours,' She said bitterly, sorrow evident. 'First the boys are taken. We get them back only to learn of Keegan. Then find out that Pete is not Pete, but his clone Kaine. Adam meets Benny and Steve, and then gains a new power. Pete's memory gets wiped and now he's heir to the Centre. Allen brings us the truth about Keegan, and everything else about Shadow. Will and Jamie have a son, Alley and Jeff a daughter. And to top it all off, I get shot three bloody times, twice in the abdomen, greatly reducing my chances of ever having kids,' Alex ranted.

'What?' Aaron said in response to Alex's last words.

'The doctors don't think I'll ever be able to have kids because of where I was shot. Look Air, don't tell anyone okay 'cept maybe Andy?' Alex begged.

'I won't,' Aaron promised as he tried to put a cap on the rage he felt. Those bastards were going to pay for what he did to his little sister 'Don't worry okay Katie. Everything is going to be alright. We're going to find a cure for Jacky and we're bringing you and Pete home. Besides as soon as you come home you'll get to meet your nice and nephew, Debbie and Chris can finally plan their wedding -that has once again been pushed back- and Alley and Jeff can start planing theirs.'

'What are you talking about?'

'Jeff finally proposed to Alley, a few hours ago. Just before Jer and the others arrived. By the way they named their daughter after you. Her name is Alexandra Radha Stewart. Will and Jamie's little boy has been given the obscenely long name of Matthew Aiden Leo Russell, Matty for short,' Aaron said he was happy that he had Alex's attention focused on something more pleasant.

'And what are they calling my poor niece for short?' Alex asked, she was grateful for change of topic.

'Just Alex for now. But she might earn herself the nickname of Lexie. Or the lovely nickname of AJ...for Alex junior,' Aaron joked.

'Don't you dare let anyone call her that,' Alex hissed.

'I'll make sure that by noon tomorrow everyone will be calling her AJ. Hey I just hope that with her being named after you won't mean she'll have you're temper. It's bad enough she's Alley daughter.' Aaron replied

'How are Will, Alley, Jamie and Jeff dealing with being parents?'

'As well as Mom and Dad did when it came to us. So pretty good. Well there is the fact that they haven't let anyone hold either Matty or Alex, except me and that was a one time thing. But considering the fact they just became instant parents to their children who were created from them without knowing, I'd say it's forgivable,' Aaron said.

'Will you two quit your yammering or at the very least include me in on your conversation?'

Aaron found himself holding back laughter in attempt to not wake up everyone in the room that was sleeping. Apparently Andros had awaken and had been listening in on Alex and Aaron's conversation.

'You should have spoken up sooner, Andy,' Alex told her brother.

'Well you know me I just wanted to make sure you and Air weren't talking about me,' Andros joked. 'By the way Katie I blame you for sending us three more misfits. A wheelchair bound clone of our brother, an ex-sweeper who came to love his charge as though he were his own son, and an heir to the triumvirate who hates the legacy he was born into.'

'How were Ben, Allen, and Steve welcomed?' Alex asked the boys.

'With hand shakes, good food and warm beds,' Aaron replied. 'You know the Russell way.'

'Good, they're good people, and valuable assets. Allen has connections we can't even imagine. Steve and Benny may know something helpful. By the way what's the plan for getting me and Pete out?'

'Us Files, Uncle Sam, Steve, Allen, Adam, Angelo, Benny and...You aren't going to believe this...but Lyle may be coming along to rescue you,' Andros told Alex.

'You're shitting me right?' Alex said her voice on of disbelief.

'It was Jer's idea, and Will agreed. We might bring Uncle Jon in on this as well. Looks like the calvary's coming for you and Pete, baby sister,' Aaron said.

'What about the others? They staying behind to find a cure for Jack?' Alex asked.

'Yeah. Hey Alex, you should see if Pete...John -whatever Parker's calling our brother- knows anything about what Jack was given,' Andros suggested.

'Already planed on it Andy. John's warming up to me, it would seem I have something he wants,' Alex said.

'And what's that?' the boys asked.

'Answers to his questions. Parker left out a lot of stuff concerning Gramma Catherine, and John wants to know about her. Hopefully in the process of telling him about Gramma Catherine, I can get him to remember who he is,' Alex told them.

'You need to rest,' Aaron chided. 'We'll be coming to rescue you soon, and you'll need to be at your best.'

'Yes sir,' Alex sighed theatrically.

'Good, now get some sleep,' Andros said.

'Night boys,' Alex yawned realizing just how tired she was, after all she had been shot just hours ago.

'Night baby sister,' Aaron and Andros replied. The triplets were soon asleep but even in their sleep they kept their bond with one another.

December 10, 2010

6:48am

Charlottesville, Virginia

Russell Family Home

Aaron and Andros awoke simultaneously both had a small boy lying across their chest. The boys sat up slowly not wanting to awake their brothers. But Jason and Jack awaken anyway and with them so did Keegan. Keegan propped himself up on his elbows looking over at Jason, Jack, Aaron and Andros. Seeing that they were awake Keegan climbed out of Mike's bed and went to wake Amy who was sleeping next to Jeremiah. With Amy awake she and Keegan went over to Andros and Jason.

"Mornin'," Jack whispered sleepily in Aaron's arm as Aaron carried Jack over to Andros's bed..

"Mornin'," Aaron replied smiling. "You hungry short stuff?"

"Little,"Jack, Jason and Keegan yawned.

"Tell you four what. Why don't we go and see if Matty and A.J. are awake if they are we'll given the new parents the morning off," Andros suggested. The younger children nodded their heads and Aaron and Andros took their hands and led the children to Will, Alley, Jamie and Jeff's room.

Aaron knocked lightly not wanting to wake the babies if they were still asleep."Just a minute," Came Will's sleep filled voice. Will stumbled to the door he must have steeped on something sharp for he let out a soft string of curses. The door opened revealing Will wearing a pair of pajama bottoms, hair ruffled, and circles under his eyes.

"We came to relieve you of Daddy duty," Amy told Will very seriously. Will knelt down to the little girl's eye level and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"You are a goddess," Will said and Amy giggledHe quietly led his brothers, Amy and Keegan into the room. "Bottles are in the kitchen along with formula. Diapers are in the nursery so are their changes of clothes," Will whispered as he picked up Matty and gently handed him over to Aaron. Andros picked up baby Alex, pausing momentarily to whisper to Alley.

"Air and I are taking Matty and AJ. Get some sleep okay," Andros said placing a kiss on Alley's temple.

"You're the best, baby brother," Andros heard Alley whisper. He smiled and he and Aaron left the new parents to sleep.

The group walked down to the kitchen where the adults were already sitting, discussing the day's plans. The group at the safe house in Bangor would be called later, along with Jaime and Jeff's parents. The adults had decided it was too early in the morning to shock the rest of the family.

"Good morning," Aaron purred entering the kitchen. Amy, Jason, Jack, and Keegan climbed into their parents laps. "Guess who we managed to procure?"

"How did you manage to wrangle Matthew and Alexandra from their parents?" Sydney asked amused.

"We offered to look after Matty and AJ for the morning so that Will, Jamie, Alley and Jeff can get some sleep," Andros replied.

"We are not, calling my granddaughter AJ," Morgan said sternly her face then fell realizing what she had said. "God I'm a grandmother," Morgan moaned.

"Well if it makes you feel any better you are in your fif-,"

"Finish that sentence Aaron-Daniel and you won't have a tongue," Morgan snapped, but Aaron knew that his mother was only joking.

"So Grampa Syd, how would you enjoy the exclusive opportunity of holding your great granddaughter Alexandra Rahda Stewart a.k.a. AJ?" Andros asked his grandfather.

"It would be a pleasure," Sydney replied and cradled his great-granddaughter in his arms. Andros then set of to heat up bottles for Matty and AJ as the adults cooed over the babies.

December 10, 2010

12:48pm

Carthis, Scotland

The New Centre

After spending a few necessary hours with his father discussing what was to be done now that the genetics lab had been destroyed, John left to have lunch with Alex. The boy had to admit that he was discovering that the doings of the Centre was making him nervous. In truth he had never liked the idea of Shadow nor Phoenix Redux. But he want along with the plan too afraid to disappoint his father.

Richard Parker was the only family John had. Without his father him John had nothing, but a building filled with employees and subjects. Or was that true? There was Alex, the girl had said that she thought of John as a brother, her brother named Pete, but her brother none the less. And maybe through this girl John would find a place where he belonged.

But wait, was this girl not a Russell? Had her family not destroyed the Old Centre, imprisoning John's father, and sending John himself into hiding? His whole life, John had been trained to hate Alex, her family, and everything they represented. They weren't people, they were nothing more than million dollar lab rats, created to be sold to the highest bidder.

The only problem with that theory was that John knew that it wasn't true. For so long he had believed it to be true, but that was before meeting Alex. John had never actually meet a Centre subject before, he had seen them perform simulations and the like, but never had he talked one on one with them, except for Bane of course, but Bane was the exception.

Just after spending moments with Alex, John knew that she and the others like her were nothing like what he had been told. She was human, she had feelings. Alex showed compassion the night before, giving up her freedom for her family's. But unlike what John had been told, Alex's compassion had not made her weak. In fact it was the opposite, it made her strong, it gave her fire -no pun intended-.

"Good afternoon, Master Parker," Bane spoke from his post at Alex's door.

"Bane," John nodded. "How is Miss Russell?"

"Fine sir. She's sleeping as of now. Early she seemed to be in great pain, but she refused to take anything for it when Dr. Spires returned to check on her," Bane reported. John heard the respect in Banes voice for the girl.

"Tell me Bane, what is your opinion of Miss Russell?" John questioned.

"My thoughts of Miss Russell don't matter sir. You are the future chairman, not me," Bane said neutrally.

John smiled, Bane may look as though he was nothing more than muscle, but the teen had a brain. It was why John had picked Bane as his personal sweeper. Where John's father preferred of his sweepers to be all muscle and little or no capability to think for themselves, John liked to have his sweepers capable of thought.

"Come now Bane, I know that Miss Russell has left some sort of impression upon you," John said. Knowing that John would press him until he got his answer, Bane gave in.

"She's strong sir. Spirited as well. She cursed Spires out something mighty when he went into detail about her injuries. Told him that compared to her he knew jack shit about medicine, and that he didn't know jack shit about her," Bane answered, John was correct in guessing that Bane was impressed with Alex.

"Is that a direct quote Bane?" John asked grinning.

"More or less sir," Bane replied.

"Bane, I want for you to be Miss Russell's personal sweeper from now own. Her safety is your responsibility," John told the sweeper.

"With all due respect sir, I don't believe that Miss Russell is in any danger. No one here means her any harm," Bane said confused.

"What do you know of the Black Files, Bane?" John questioned.

"Little sir, a group of psychic pretenders who were to be trained to be assassins. They were created during the days of the old Centre. They escaped shortly before it was brought down. I actually worked with two of them sir. The eldest of the Black Files, Jake and Rachael I believe they are called," Bane said. "Rumor has it they also brought down the Centre."

"I thought you knew little, Bane. You know more than most. And the rumors you heard were correct the Black Files did bring down the Centre, with the help of their family. Thus you see where the danger lies concerning Miss Russell," Pete replied.

"Are you telling me sir that I am to keep her safe from your father and the others?"

"I didn't say that Bane. But my father is not the only enemy Miss Russell has here. As you well know there are many of the old Centre's former employees now employed here. Many blame Miss Russell for the trouble that she and her family caused. Two in particular," John informed Bane.

"I'll stand by her side night a day then, sir. I promise you, nothing shall happen to her under my watch," Bane promised.

"Good. Now why don't you join Miss Russell and I for lunch. I'll have Roger bring it to us," John instructed.

"It will be my pleasure sir."

Up next: more about Bane as he and Alex talk. And Alex learns that someone she thought was dead is alive.

Please review