Alex buried her head in her arms. This had to be a nightmare, no other explanation made sense. It was obvious now, really. There was no way her life could be this stinking horrible.

"Well..." Justin put his arms up to talk, then sheepishly put them back behind his head, confused as to what he could even begin to say, "That happened."

Alex peeked up over her arms to glare up at him.

"Yeah..." He said with some sympathy. "So what are we going to do here? I mean, we could try sending him forward in time, but... that'll cause a billion head-aches for reasons you don't understand."

Justin could hear her crying. But Alex pretended he didn't hear her let out a sob. But what could he do? It's not like he could soothe her.

The two sat in his journal for awhile. Son or no, an enemy was loose outside, and the two had only so much emotional energy. Finally, Alex got up, "I know what we need to do."

Justin's eye quirked up, "Really?"

She nodded, confidently, "I'm going to collapse this time-line. All I have to do is convince my son that his sister loves him."

Justin snorted, she glared at him, "Sorry, continue."

"Once he realizes I don't love her more, he'll never want to come back in time, and never kidnap her in the first place."

Her brother sighed. It would work- magic would allow the collapse to take place. Just one problem, though, "What're we going to do about Alexander the elder?"

She rolled her eyes, "He'll not exist- or at least not in an evil way."

Justin made a doubtful face, "Yeah... and how do you plan on doing this? I mean, of all people, you're going to be the one that says the little sister isn't more loved? Please..."

"Just take me home!"

Justin flashed himself and his sister to her home. Mason was there. He was relieved to see her alive and well, "My love!" He then spotted Justin, "You!"

Justin sighed as his former lackey morphed up, "Sit boy. I'm not here to cause trouble..."

Alex ignored the boys, and walked up to her son's room, "Xander are you in here? Lex?"

He was in the corner of the room reading a book. Her heart broke it was him- which him? Tears threatened to spill as she considered what this all meant. It was happening all over again, her and Justin. Would Lex rape Justine? Would she do something evil to him?

"Baby, are you okay?"

For the first time, he looked up, "Do you want something?"

Alex closed her eyes in shame. When had their relationship soured? It used to be just the two of them. Side by side. She loved him! Now... she was a stranger, someone that always corrected him. Instead of speaking, the Latina crossed the room and picked up her son. She held him close.

"I just need you to know I love you..."

He muttered into her shoulder.

"You know that, right Lex?"

He wouldn't meet her eyes. Oh... oh... when had this occurred? When did she start raising someone who would not even talk to her? The fighting downstairs got louder. Lex buried his head in his mommies shoulder for comfort. She sang a song for him that her mom used to sing for her. She told him that bad things had come back, and he had to be brave again.

"Is that why you left?" His eyes were so full of hurt. Alex nodded. His eyes set into frowns as the lights blinked ominously. From the bottom level, Justin's voice could be heard.

"Whatever you're doing up there isn't working! He's here now!"