Chapter Two:

Family Reunion

Dana and I got along really well these days. Gabby was the one who'd brought us together, making us realize our responsibility as older sisters. Call it a respect for each other.

Violet looked just like Dana, but with Alec's crooked smile and shaggy hair. In case you're wondering how in the hell Dana and Alec got together… well, I guess he was the first of any of us who made her really laugh.

My mom was also there, with Gabby. She'd already been introduced to Cole, and so that l'il awkward phase had passed by now. Joanna appeared just like me, but with a few lines on her face that noted her age. I didn't point them out though; I didn't feel like dying, healing factor or not. Gabby was fourteen now, and definitely looked like a high school freshman. I kinda envied her how she had gone to school, but I'd gone for about a year and a half of high school, plus collage, so I couldn't really complain. She had brown hair, her freckles were disappearing, and her green eyes were lined with mascara (and I still don't wear make-up, despite her pleading and bribes).

"Family reunion much?" I said as we walked through the door, just getting off my phone with Dairen's mother (cancelling the playdate).

My mother smiled as I came in with her granddaughter. Helen was there too, and the two mothers were close, despite only knowing each other for a few short years. Kayce really could bring people together.

"We were going to surprise you," Helen said, smiling. "Lance wanted us to come for your birthday."

"My birthday…?" I remembered and smiled. "Right. It's still a week until I turn twenty-five, though. Aren't you a bit early?"

Joanna—my mother—shook her head. "We thought we'd stay. Lance has made the arrangements. You picked a good son-in-law for me."

I rolled my eyes as the two grandmothers hugged Kayce and gave her kisses, followed by her two aunts.

Alec clapped me on the shoulder. "Yo, Joan, can I talk to ya outside for a sec?"

I nodded. "Sure."

We went out into the backyard and listened to the kids in the playground about half a kilometre from the house before Alec spoke again.

"Cole and I have… noticed things," he said. "Conduits are getting powers without a trigger, and some who have the gene disappear for a few weeks, only to reappear and have powers. I did some digging…"

I crossed my arms and tapped a finger expectantly. "Yeah?"

"They all work for the government. They do private contracts like me, sometimes. Mine, however, don't consist of killing other people with the gene."

My brow furrowed. "I visited Cole today. Why didn't he mention this before?"

"He told me not to worry you," Alec admitted. "But I'd rather you be worried than left out of the loop. Kayce, Violet and Trish all have the Conduit gene, so I suggest you keep a close eye on your daughter, as I will mine."

"A government conspiracy?" I smirked. "Y'know, I always thought that the world would be better without crazy old guys sitting on a throne of leather, bossing us around. But I know there're some good ones out there, so I'll check and see who should be made allies, and who would be the most probable enemies. But that's all I'm gonna do, since I have to stay here and watch Kayce. I won't break my promise because you 'notice things'."

Alec nodded. "Have it your way. We'll appreciate any help you can offer."

Kayce, as if on cue, ran outside and hugged my leg, so I decided to give her a piggyback. She loved those. I saw Lance doing it once, and I had wondered why he would put someone on his back if they weren't hurt. But after I tried it with Kayce, it seemed to fit and it was so natural. In case you haven't noticed, Kessler wasn't exactly one to give piggybacks. It'd ruin his image and his reputation.

I was visiting with everyone in the living room before I started to notice a black car continuously driving past the house, slowing its speed just enough to see what was going on. I got Alec's attention and motioned outside, just before the car passed again. He nodded and walked into the hall of the house, where he blended into the shadows and into the car. Whatever happened in there, I'd never know.

The side of the house suddenly blew open, and we were all hurled towards the wall, but it was Dana who was the only one who actually hit it. A man stood opposite us, in the wreckage of the side of the house. He was wearing a black trenchcoat, black jeans and shirt, and a white star on his chest.

He put two fingers to his ear. "Conduits located," he said into a transmitter. "Prepare for extraction."

"Who're you?" Dana exclaimed.

"That's not important," he told her as he approached Violet, Kayce and I. "You've all been compromised. Conduits are to relinquish their powers to the United States Government, or be arrested."

He reached for Violet and Kayce, but I grabbed his wrist before he could make a move. "Ever hear of a door, dude?"

"Release me," he snarled.

"US Government, huh?" I smirked. "Well, I pay taxes like anyone else. Too. Damn. Bad."

He tried to get out of my grasp, but was surprised at my strength, seeing as his face betrayed his emotions. "Release me, Conduit. I have the authority to arrest you."

I studied his face for a moment. "Wait… I know you! I went to collage with you!"

He didn't seem to recognize me. "Last chance."

The realization made me let go of his wrist. "You've… You've been brainwashed?"

"Target is resisting," he said into his earpiece (I remembered his name being Connor). "I'm engaging now."

Kayce stepped in front of me and spread her arms wide. "Don't hurt mommy!"

Connor tried to grab Kayce, but I had her before he could so much as blink. "Touch her and die," I threatened. "No one screws with my family."

I heard a thump and saw Cole and Lucy. "Reconsider your position," Cole said, "since you're outnumbered."

Connor stared at Cole, but didn't falter. He held out a hand and sent a burst of telekinetic energy at Cole and Lucy, throwing them away. Then he tried to use his powers to pry Kayce out of my arms and take Violet, but neither I nor Dana let our daughters get away.

I brought my leg up and kicked Connor in the jaw, then passed Kayce to Helen.

"Get out!" I ordered them. "Now! I'll hold 'im off!"

As they ran, I heard the frantic cries of "Mommy!" behind me. I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists.

"Sorry baby," I muttered as Connor rubbed his jaw. "This is for you."

Connor got into a Martial Arts basic position and stared me down. "You will be terminated for your resistance."

I smiled. "Some government. Don't I get a lawyer?"

Connor attacked, his fists reaching a speed I was familiar with, which made my adrenaline burn immediately. I blocked a fist to my face and swung my leg around his arm, my foot slamming into the side of his face. I didn't stop, as I jumped into the air and connected my foot with first his stomach, then chest, and lastly his groin, each hit taking about half a second. What, you thought that I'd forget how to fight in six years of having a kid?

Connor threw a punch at me, but as I blocked it I saw his foot come up. It hit my chin and tossed me upwards, but I used the momentum to flip and slam both my feet into his face, smashing him into the ground. Whatever pain I felt, it was nothing compared to what he was feeling.

I felt arms grab me from under my armpits and their hands lock above my head, making my arms completely useless. I tucked my legs close to my body and lashed out, hitting my new assailant in the stomach and forcing them to release me. Connor got up, and his two new friends were already circling me. I smiled as they attacked. I blocked his friend's punch, and the other's kick, then used their momentum to force them to strike each other, and then smashed Connor's face with my elbow. They continued to attack, until another explosion caught us off-guard and dazed us all as we lay on the ground. I forced myself to my feet and saw that they were already climbing into a helicopter, escaping from me, but the chopper turned around and hovered in the air for a moment before it released one last missile.

Without thinking, I activated my fire and felt the familiar "V" take its place on my back and gathered my fire into my palms. I tossed a fireball at the missile, blowing it up well before it reached the rest of our house. I deactivated my flames as quickly as I could, seeing as Lucy and Cole were coming in.

"Jo! You okay?" Cole asked.

I nodded, knowing that the two explosions had made me look like a bloody mess. "What took ya so long? You were just pushed away!"

"Two people ambushed us outside, and we were busy fighting doppelgangers as they ran inside to help that character who pushed us out. Sorry," Lucy said. "Are you sure you're okay?"

I didn't answer as I felt a hand on my shoulder. Helen, holding Kayce, was examining my wounds. My healing factor didn't kick-in like it used to. Probably because it was out of practice. I'd have to be a suicidal maniac again to get it to work like it used to.

"Friggin' government didn't even give me a lawyer…" I joked, trying to put some light on the situation.

It seemed to work.