A.N: Thank you so much for reading and reviewing it means a lot to me to know what you think. I'm sorry it took so long to update but my computer has been down forever. Thank you so much for being patient and if you sent me an e-mail I'm sorry I didn't get it because has my old e-mail attached to it and I don't have that account and they refuse to take my new one.

..........

Rocky finished dressing after the comforting, though, maybe a bit too hot to bathe without getting scolded, shower. Searching the bathroom he located some scrubbing bubbles and a sponge to clean the tub, once he had everything situated the ninja exits the bathroom and on steadier nerves he walks back downstairs into the kitchen.

"Well, good morning." Says Robbie's mother.

"Good morning." Seeing his lover's father he walks closer to him holding out his hand. "Hi, I'm Samuel Douglas your son's friend."

"He's Ivan's plus one at the wedding." Explains Edith sipping her coffee.

"Nice to meet you son." The man says kindly with a firm hand shake.

"Same here."

"Would you like some breakfast?" The woman gets up from the table.

Hand waving away the offer, Rocky replies. "I've eaten already, thanks."

"So polite, it's different but I don't hate it." She sits.

"Scaredy cat made me breakfast." Says Arc dancing a teddy bear on the table.

"Scaredy cat?" Rocky questions.

"Because when you saw my sister you screamed like a scaredy cat? Did she startle you? I cried once when I was startled but that was when I was a baby."

Brows arched in mock anger, Rocky replies. "Yes, she startled me- that's all." He smiled and pulled the girl, that is standing at the table ready to take off should her presence aggitate the male again, over to him into a one-armed hug. "See. We're friends."

Corin blushed fiercely at the close proximity of the, undenyingly, handsome male didn't help that she can smell the shower he took on him giving him a peachy scent.

Arc looked them over suspiciously then said. "Okay. I'm glad, my sister is nice."

Looking Corin in her startling blue eyes, Rocky says. "Yes she is; so no more scaredy cat?"

This took Arc longer to think over then he answered. "Okay." Getting up from the table he enters the living room laughing at the cartoon left on the television before even seeing what it was.

Releasing the girl as though she were a lamp he was considering buying but changed his mind, Rocky laughed a bit. "Kids can be so cruel."

Edith nods. "He has a personality that one, but he's a good kid." Curious the woman asks. "What's this about Corin scaring you, though?"

"Uh, well... you see..." Rocky's glance caught sight of Robbie at the backdoor window waving him over. "Excuse me." He says exiting the kitchen. Once outside he looks around until he hears a 'pssst' to his right, heading the way a pair of arms come around his neck and warm lips are planted on the back of his neck.

"Help me wash clothes?" Robbie asks while, from behind, leading Rocky to the small shed that holds the washer and dryer.

"Alright."

"I got your clothes from the bathroom, don't worry." He assured his lover incase he was wondering.

Rocky had been wondering where the male had gone off to having not seen him in the living room or kitchen; feeling another quick smooch on the back of his neck he snickers pulling himself away. "Cut it out, do you wanna get caught or something?"

"Yyyes. Let them catch us, Rocky I garuantee that my family doesn't give a flying fuck about me and what I do," Pulling open the door he steps inside the home-detached laundry room. "or with who." Opening the washer he unloads the machine setting the wet clothes atop the dryer to clear the washing machine.

Watching him a moment, Rocky opens the dryer pulling out the freshly dried clothes holding them securely in his arms while giving Robbie space to toss the wet clothes into the dryer. Once the space is cleared Rocky sets the dry clothes on the dryer then begins folding them while Robbie loads the washer with the dirty laundry he retreaved from the bathroom and bedrooms it would seem because when Rocky left his clothes in the hamper they were the only ones inside.

"You just relax here and don't worry about what anything thinks of you."

"Arc called me a scaredy cat." Rocky whined a little. "I've gone from nice stranger to chicken in twenty minutes, that's gotta be some kind of screw up record."

Chuckling, Robbie shakes his head. "Lesson one about children, they're quick to call names and place labels on things but that's only because they're young and are still trying to figure the world out, ya know what I mean?"

"Mhm." Handing Robbie a box of Tide laundry powder that he's pulled down from the shelf just in his reach, he then starts up the dryer. Cocking his head, he just notices that he doesn't have on a coat and yet he's warm. Looking around the room he spots a small box with glowing red bars across the top. "Oh cool, a portable heater. I didn't know they made those."

Not looking at what he knows the male is talking about, Robbie says. "Yeah. Its a little hot in here though, it feels like my back is frying."

Frowning he says teasingly. "Nice try, take your shirt off and I'm out of here."

That got an honest laugh out of the male. "Oh 'cause you're so worth hitting on every second. If anything, you should be constantly throwing yourself at me." The machine is turned on. Walking over to the heater Robbie turns down the setting then fans himself with his hand. "Rocky?"

"Hm?" He takes a seat beside Robbie on the small bench beside the door.

"You seemed really scared of Corin-.."

"But I'm over that!" He explained quickly. "It was just a shock to see the resemblance."

"Don't worry, I know but.... what I meant was.. I wanna know how you felt about it- what my aunt did? You talk about what she did with Maxim but do you explain your feelings to him?"

Shrugging, Rocky shakes his head. "I can't say. I don't remember so much what we talk about because most of the time I'm just eager to get away."

"Rocky, I'm not trying to get under your skin or anything but you need to understand that you can't hold your emotions in the way you do, its not good for you." He rubs the males back.

"What are you saying?"

"You explain your feelings, you show some sort of acknowledgement of it on your face but its hollow."

Eye twitching Rocky calms the feeling stirring in his chest. "Robbie, emotions are dangerous if you don't know what you're doing with them, they hurt people and yourself... is it so wrong that I like to control mine."

"No."

Rocky's hand scunched at his side and again he calms it. "Why?"

"Because someday you're gonna tell me that you love me.... I want it to come from somewhere that scares me to be loved like that right before I return the feeling." Standing he looks down at the emotionally stunted male to say. "I'm not asking you to do anything for me, or that I want something from you... I want this for you."

Breathes coming in and out shakey, Rocky looks down at his lap to avoid eye contact with his boyfriend. "And what if I don't want to feel, what if I like being emotionally mechanical? Do you really wanna deal with someone who can't hold back their anger? So that they might hurt you badly someday because they couldn't keep it together!"

"....Yes. I meant what I said back at school, I'll let you live... I'll let you be whoever you are with me- no hiding, not even a little."

Rocky glares at the dark haired male tears forming in his eyes suddenly. "Why are you doing this?"

Blinking, Robbie smiles faintly. "Because I saw you for the first time when we had sex for the first time.... and you looked at me and smiled, you said you feel clear like everything makes sense and everything is quiet. Hn... hahaha can't I love you enough to want you to be clear all the time- even without me."

Sniffling, Rocky begins to laughs quietly while tears stream down his face. "Fuck you Ballerini."

Snickering as well, he kneels down popping his forehead to his lovers. "Don't rush it, let it come when it comes."

A buzzer turns both males heads in the direction of the washer. The cycle is finished.

"Why is quicker to wash clothes than it is to dry them? Shouldn't it be about even?" Ponders the brunet while getting up to open the machine. "Wanna get some hot chocolate?"

Sucking a shaking breath in and out, he wipes his face but shakes his head. "I wanna talk to Corin, though, I wanna know what she wanted to tell me that Sin kept me from getting her messages. He didn't even know because he just ignored her."

"I'm kinda interested in what she has to say myself. Can I... sit in on it or no?"

Shaking his head, Rocky stands up. "Naah, what's Arc gonna think if he sees my boyfriend covering me during a conversation with his sister."

"Okay." Lifting the basket under his arm Robbie exits the shed glad to feel the cold encase him, the warm in the shed was beginning to get annoying. "Hey Rock', think I can balance this on my head?"

"Hahaha, I wouldn't try it."

"No? You just challanged me Douglas, now I have to." He raises the basket of warm folded laundry. "It's on your head if the clean clothes fall to the dirt." Arms out he tried to balance the heavy basket.

Watching in amusement Rocky snickers at the stupidity of it all; there's no way Robbie isn't gonna drop that basket- well, maybe there is something that can prevent that. Looking at the basket, his dual gaze focused on it the plastic holder straightens out while the Canadian rocked and wobbled back and forth on the trip back to the house.

"Ta-da!" He takes the basket from his head. "Pay up, non-believer."

Arching a brow, Rocky glances into the house to be sure the family has vacated the kitchen and once assured the ninja leans over placing a kiss on his boyfriends cheek.

Hand to his cheek Robbie says. "How dare you! Again you're stealing kisses? Apology accepted, though," Hand out he then says with a smile. "Five bucks sounds about right."

Blinking, Rocky digs into his pocket for his wallet. "Guys got no sentimental value. Here."

"Thanks." Taking a step back he nods at the object. "Now get the door, my arms are kind of tied up."

Opening the door into the kitchen, Rocky bows his head. "After you."

Stepping inside Robbie stumbles a bit. "That's coming out of your paycheck, Douglas."

Laughing, Rocky only shakes his head following him in.

* * * *

Colt sticks out a finger as he walks the aisle of the public library in the city. He's looking for something to read until classes start. He hasn't seen Maggie anyplace around the city so he assumed she must be at school working hard or something. Vampire books? Weak. Books about storms? ...That might be interesting. Snow storm, rain storms, electrical-... His thoughts are interrupted by the sound of constant snickering he's been hearing as he walked around the library. Where is that coming from? Exiting the shelf area he spots the sorce of the laughter. Baha and Chris. Colt got lucky when Darren went off the college and took that duck-lip goon Hank with him, but these two are from his grade so he has yet to be rid of them.

The blue ninja would have thought they'd have grown out of this teasing behavior by now but they seem to be unable to break away from childish habits like teasing, though, when provoked he could be no better than an eight year old. But today he wasn't going for it, he's just gonna strole up to them and sort the problem out. Walking the distance of the shelves to the table, Colt places his hands down atop the wooden surface then looking the black male in the eye he says in a cocky tone.

"Alright, Baha, I'll take the bait. What the hell is so funny?"

The chubby male grins, his puffy cheeks puffying out moreso from the act. "Oh you know the usual."

"Saw your mother naked again?"

Chris stooped his head and began to laugh into his palm until his buddy threw him a testy glare.

"No. I was just laughing about you and your dumb family."

Colt didn't show any sign of being phased by that; let Baha say what he wants because as the male said this is his usual bought of stupidity. Sighing, Colt straightens and says. "Well, if that's all you've got- see ya."

"Hold it!"

Rolling his eyes Colt turns around. "I don't have time for this so if you're building up to something please speed it up."

"I just noticed that you're growing your hair, that's all."

Absently running a hand through his slightly longer hair. "What about it?"

Baha shrugs. "Nothing, I'm sure you'll look very pretty to whoever you try to attract."

Noticing the word used to describe him Colt cocks a brow. "Excuse me?"

"Its just that brother's tend to learn from the oldest- follow examples, habits..." He waves his hand as he speaks as if to show that he was drawing the conversation out. "I guess Chris and I was just wondering if you plan on being a bottom or a top when you get your first boyfriend?"

Chris burst into a hard laugh.

"....You're an idiot and I'm not gay. See ya."

"Oh, well for our sakes ask your big brother which he is the next time you see him, Chirs and I wanna know which jokes are best to use on him."

"Still- with this joke?" Colt can't seem to tear himself away from this pointless taunting. "Rocky isn't gay either."

"Not what Darren told us."

"Aaa, Darren. In other words your friend thinks he might have a shot with my brother because we have a history of violence?"

"Not at all," He rubs his chest slyly. "Darren's girlfriend just told him an interesting bit of news and he wanted to share it with his closest friends knowing it would reach the right person from there."

"Why did I stick around and listen to this? Why? I tell myself time and time again..." Colt mutters while walking away.

Watching his departure, Chris cups a hand beside his mouth then calls out. "Tell your fart knocking brother Chris and Baha said 'we always knew it'!"

Colt flipped them off and kept going.

* * *

Rocky spent the morning helping the family around the house while they got things ready for the relatives that will be staying in their home as oppossed to the ones who will be staying in a hotel; afterwards he walks down the hall to Corin's bedroom knocking on the door.

"Come in." She says in an odd voice.

Opening the door, Rocky sees the reason for the tone is that she's listening to music. Lifting a hand to offer a hello he walks further inside. "Hi. You... you said that you wanted to talk to me, to give me something?"

"Can you please close the door."

Rocky was hesitant; closing the door with someone that looks like his tormentor wasn't exactly something he wanted to do everyday or anyday but as far as he knows Corin is harmless even a little cute as she danced about the house singing to herself while he and the family cleaned. Walking over to her vanity he sits down on the little flower print cushion seat.

"What I wanted to give you was something you probably didn't know my mother had."

"Hmm?"

"Your life."

Blinking, Rocky says quietly. "I don't understand."

"I can see to it that you get your life back and you'll hopefully allow me to give something to my mother in return."

"You're gonna have to explain to me better what you're talking about. How can you give me back my life?"

Corin removes her headphones from around her neck setting it down beside her on the bed, straightening up from her position on her stomach she looks Rocky in eye. "...Its... hard to get out but I... I saw a tape of you in my mother's bedroom one day when we went over to her home after she was committed. I didn't think it would be right to give it to the police because they might have played it and that would have humiliated you." Standing, she turns reaching under the mattress of the bed pulling out a video tape she hands it to Rocky. "They have all the others. I... you seemed so scared and lonely and my mom was...." She trailed off. "Either way, I had to give that to you and tell you that, if there's anything that you would like to get out- anger, sadness, questions... I may not be able to answer them but I can take them as if you were talking to my mother."

Looking at the video tape in his hand, he wonders exactly what's on it- he knows, but he wants to know for sure. Standing he walks over to her television sliding the tape into the VCR turning on the set and the VCR. The video starts and there on the bed is Marissa and she's holding Rocky in her arms like a mother would their child, one hand caressing Rocky's hair the other tightening its grip around him.

"Lo-..."

She spoke! Rocky's eyes widen.

Shaking her head rapidly as if trying to clear the fog she tries again. "L..l.. ost but-.. terly." The woman's voice is thick like concrete to a baby's hand. "L.. lost ...butte-..."

"That song....." Rocky says absently. "She's the one I heard it from." Tears in his eyes Rocky leans forward pressing stop/eject, when the tape came out of the VCR he pulls it out of the machine then leaves it on the floor, standing Rocky raises his leg over his head dropping it down over the video his heel smashing it into two halves with unfixable bits crumpled in the center.

Startled Corin placed a hand to her chest. "I'm sorry." She says not knowing why.

"When my memories started to return I heard this song on tv, its the very song your mother tried to sing right there."

"You got all that from two words? I didn't understand any of it."

Rocky shakes his head. "I remember, now, I remember that she held me for an hour while she sang that song to me telepathically after she tried doing it with her own voice and failed. .....The entire time she sang she was crying over me, it was silent I just felt the wet and I didn't understand any of it then but afterwards she brought me home and I just let it go- like it never happened, I let it go and I forgot about it like an idiot because if I had remembered I never would have allowed her to take me from school when she did."

"You can't keep running these circles, Samuel.." It felt weird using his name outloud when she's read letters from her mother identifying him. It felt as though she had no right to know him in any way because of her mother's sick connection and interest in him that she had to tell her own daughter about it. "Please."

"Marissa, your mother, stole you face and came after me as a girl named Maria." Seeing the confused look on Corin's face he explains. "Its like a glamour, you can fool a persons eyes to believe they're seeing something that isn't there."

Corin looked frightened and mystified by this. "But why?"

"So that I wouldn't recognize her and run. Since I grew up I got stronger and would have easily been a match for her but if she tricked me she could get in and she did. I kept thinking that I know her somehow but my mind had blocked her out so hardcore I actually split into another person- he's the one that received and deleted your messages to me."

"That's why you never called or wrote back?"

He gives a single nod. "In the end, what killed your mother was the pain that I- someone like herself, was fooled by her trick and forget about her. It ate her up and killed her."

"All she wanted was a world where people with the same gift as her could live without fear or hatred, she wanted to gather you all up and live in a giant home together," Corin laughed dryly. "She hated me, her own daughter because I wasn't a gifted mind. All I heard about was you- always.... I hated you at first, did you know that? I thought that if I ever met you I would tell you off, maybe even slap you but, I can't hold onto anger of someone I never met. But please, for the both of us, lets get some closure on the whole thing. You tell my mother, through me, what you've always wanted to say- or do, I can take it and you... you'll give me your word that you... forgive her."