Chapter 62

Let's Go

To Miami

Part 1

Disclaimer: Mostly the same with some changes considering the Lance/Betsy relationship.

Now it wasn't all that often Lance spoke with Larry Trask, mostly considering how often the kid needed to be in a specialized setting to block out thoughts. So when he was asked to go and speak with Larry on the other Mutant's request, the Earth Shaker was honestly surprised. Surprised and a little on the curious side as he made his way to Larry's special room after teleporting in from the camp to the Joe Base. "Hey man, Hawk said you wanted to see me?" Asked Lance once he got the go ahead to enter Larry's special room.

"How much do you know about your biological family?"

Not expecting that question, Lance was honestly thrown by it. "Uhh… Other than they weren't worth the air they breathed and that's why I was taken from them when I was younger?"

Larry nodded at that. "What if I told you that the people you thought were your biological parents were in fact… Not that at all?" Asked the Precog.

"I'd pretty much have to start questioning everything I thought I knew then. I'm gonna go on a limb and assume that you saw something thanks to your powers?"

Though Lance wasn't entirely sure he wanted to know the answer. "I did, a few weeks after I came here actually and I looked into it when I could with help but it wasn't until a legal situation with her husband that came up some time ago that things really came together." Larry told him.

"A legal situation?"

"The kind where he ended up in prison for being abusive towards Rita Bennett, your mother."

Even though he hadn't met this woman yet and only had just heard of her, learning that she'd been abused by a piece of garbage didn't set all that well with Lance. "Unfortunately he was let out because of over crowding and good behavior but thankfully that didn't last long."

That's a relief, but at the same time hearing that just makes it even harder to believe in the System.

"Do… Do you have any more information on her?" Came Lance's somewhat hesitant question.

"In the folder on my desk. If you pursue this and go visit her, I see a sense of closure for you about your past. If you don't…"

"I'll be stuck with 'What If?' for the rest of my life." Finished Lance and Larry nodded.

Letting out a sigh, Lance looked towards his fellow Mutant's desk and saw the file folder there and stared at it. Seconds later would see the Earth Shaker hesitantly reach for it and with a muttered 'thanks', made his leave. It'd be an hour before Lance would look at the information in the folder to learn all about Rita Bennett and her two kids, Astor and Cody. Both of whom were a good deal younger than him and Rita was also currently dating a Blood Spatter Analyst from Miami Metro. He'd also learn about the first man she'd been married too and whom was ultimately his father that was living the sweet life somewhere in Utah as the owner of a bowling alley with a wife and two kids. His mother's mother apparently wasn't much to write home about for a few reasons. Wow. This is nuts.

"Gonna go visit her, Lancey Boy? Which would be a smart idea on your part." Coyote told him and Lance groaned a little.

Not wanting to deal with him at that point in time but knowing from experience that NOT listening to him was a bad thing. "Between you, Larry, and my own feelings about all this, I don't think I can do anything else but go and visit this woman. Even if she doesn't want me in her life."

"I think you'll be surprised! Though ya might wanna avoid mentioning me until she gets used to ya and all." Advised the Coyote and making the young man roll his eyes.

"Yeah, I make it a point not to mention you at all to anyone who doesn't know. Gets less looks that way."

Good thing he was in his own room too at the moment! "But its not twice as fun! Anywho, go see the General and get things going!" Coyote told him just as Betsy had finally managed to find her boyfriend with some considerable worry on her face!

"Luv! I've been looking all over for you!"

Lance winced and figured a part of her worry had to do with the crap Selene had been trying awhile back until his girl got tired of it and intervened with Dr. Strange's help. "Sorry, babe, just dealing with some things."

"Oh?" Wondered the Purple haired Mutant curiously and worriedly.

Wordlessly, he'd hand over the folder and Betsy would be in for quite the surprise! "Oh my..."

Two Days Later

After consulting with both Hawk and Spirit about going to Miami, Florida to see Rita Bennett and getting the okay, Lance packed a few changes of clothes in a travel bag while also putting the folder of information inside of it as well and Betsy was coming along for the ride in full support of her boyfriend. Spyder hadn't been too enthused about her big brother taking off for a few days but thankfully didn't cause a fuss over it in the end and wished him good luck. He'd get a hug filled, well wished send off from the others before boarding a Cargo Plane for Miami instead of just using the Mass Device or Manifold's powers so he had time to get used to the idea of meeting his mother and once there the two got themselves a hotel room on Betsy's dime and crashed for awhile thanks to the jetlag they felt. Plus, the nasty feeling of not being connected with the Earth while on that Cargo Plane that he needed time to deal with.

Once Betsy got him in a suit, the two were on their way to Rita's with the folder in hand in a rental and once at the front door, the young man couldn't help but feel a great deal of hesitancy and was thankful he's got Betsy by his side for all of this before finally knocking after taking a deep breath and releasing it.

Seconds later would see the door opening thanks to Rita herself opening it. "Oh, hello. How can I help you?"

Lance could only stare at her as seeing a picture of her was one thing but in person? That was another entirely. "Hello? Is everything okay?" She asked of him in concern and perhaps a little paranoia considering he and the girl with him are virtual strangers and could be connected to Paul for all she knew!

Her words shook him out of his stupor and he quickly apologized while his hand was squeezed in quiet support by Betsy. Earning himself a kind smile from the woman in return. "I umm… I know this is gonna sound crazy but I swear its the truth but uhh… I'm pretty certain I'm the son you had with John Ackerman." He got out in a rush.

Leaving her to stare at him in shocked silence. 'Oh Luv, perhaps not the best way to start things.'

'Yeah…' Mentally winced Lance.

Author's Notes: Oh yes, Dexter's own Rita Bennett! Been looking forward to doing this awhile now!