Carter shook his head, trying to wrap his mind around the story the old man, Daniel, had just told him. "So that makes you…what…my grandfather?"

"Actually, yes." Daniel said. "You…sound unsure."

"Not really." He muttered. "Lets do the math here: I have a half sister that can heal herself, a mother that can control fire, and a father that is a charmer…none of whom I've actually met. The family I have met include a dead half sister, you, and a homicidal half brother…"

"Terrence." Daniel muttered. "One of my least favorite grandchildren." He paused. "You're my favorite."

"I'll look for my birthday check in the mail." Carter muttered. "And now I learn that my family tree is nothing more then a breeding pattern to produce…me."

Daniel shrugged, not disagreeing. "You believe you can do the things you do…ignoring the powers for a moment…simply because?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you how I learned."

"That's besides the point. I am talking natural talent. You can lead people, Carter, like the best of generals. You see something and never forget; photographic memory. You heal…not "super" as Claire or my father…but you get back up faster then most, none-the-less." Daniel looked at him carefully. "You were born to be this, Carter. To be the one that unites us, to defeat those that wish to use their powers for evil."

Carter frowned, eyes narrowing. "I am not some…genetic Messiah."

"Of course not. You're the Metatron." Daniel said softly. "God's Voice on Earth…" He closed his eyes, smiling slightly. "But your daughter…she will surpass you…faster, stronger…like the bionic woman. And when she learns to control her powers…"

Carter's hand snapped out, throttling the old man, eyes blazing with energy. "Don't." He snarled. "Vally is off limits." He tossed the man aside. "I'm going to go help the girls, grandpa." He said sarcastically.

Daniel coughed, watching as Carter walked away. "We've been watching her…you think all she can do is sense powers? She is an alpha, Carter. When she learns her true power…"

"I'll be right there." Carter called out as he left. "To make sure people like you never harm her."

"There is a traitor in your group!"

Carter froze.

"One of your so called allies…they are working for my enemies…the Delpines."

Carter slowly turned back. "Hank…"

"Escaped a few months before they brought him in. You are not the only one with a legacy, Carter. Hank Delpine is one of the last Delpines…and the other…is Lee."

&&&

"Lee?" Ashleigh frowned, one of her clones slowly circling him, taking in every inch. "It is you…you have my nose."

"Lee?" Galatea questioned, confused. "Who…who is this woman?"

Lee continued to stare at the face he thought he would never see again. "She…she looks like mom…I…I think she is…in a way."

Ashleigh smirked. "I always knew you had my intelligence." She returned to BeeBee and Riker, motioning for them to stand down yet stay on guard. "In a way…I guess I am your mother."

"A clone." Tina said, glancing at the Drone Ashleighs that surrounded this one.

"Not quite." Ashleigh said. "We are all part of the same form…just splintered off." She felt no need to explain that technically, the true Ashleigh was still at the Delpine Estate in Grand Blanc, and that she herself was nothing more then a General Clone: Able to think and command, but focused on her completing her mission…not independent like the Doppelganger Clones.

Lee glared at her. "My mother was one of you…a splinter Ashleigh that escaped."

"That she was." Ashleigh admitted. "And now…here you are. Her child…" The General Clone paused, thinking carefully, trying to dredge up the information. "Her last thoughts were of you…"

The artist put two and two together. "You're the reason she died."

"No…we all must return as one…of we fade away, made to dust. You mother thought she could escape…"

"You bitch." Lee snarled, holding up his had and calling back his locust. "You took her from me! Left me with my father…let him torture me…all because you and your clones couldn't just let her live!"

"She had no life outside of us." Ashleigh stated. "Not even you could prevent her from returning in death."

BeeBee chuckled. "How does it feel to know you shouldn't exist, kid?"

Tina held up a hand, acid pooling in her hand. She herself, having grown up without a father, understood the pain Lee was going through. "Want me to melt the wicked witch of the east?"

"No…take the other bitch and her boy…"

"We've been trying…doesn't work well…" Galatea muttered.

"…I got mommy." Lee finished, before sending his locust at Ashleigh, the clones swarming towards him in response.

"Great, same ol' same ol'!" Tina quipped as she sent her acid at BeeBee, the reflector merely sending it back.

"I hate to admit it…but we really need Carter!"

&&&

Carter frowned. "You think Lee is the traitor?"

"I never said that." Daniel replied simply. "I…do not know the traitor." He rubbed his chin. "All I know is Hank's father received a call from the casino you are staying in…"

"Hank's dad?"

"A man named Merrick Delpine…a dangerous man, even by Delpine standards." Daniel licked his lips. "The others are power hungry, yes. But Merrick…he is deranged. He was the one that convinced Hank to attack you so often. Your friend listened to his father's words and took them to heart…" Daniel managed to smile. "Hank going with you to Philly…was the first of your many miracles, my boy. You have put him on a better path…and perhaps, will redeem the Delpines."

"So…Merrick was talking to someone…that could be Lee?" Carter questioned.

"Perhaps. But Carter…the company you keep is not a good one. Tina is the daughter of Linderman…can you trust her hatred of him? Galatea is a clone of a woman named Niki…a murderer who has already taken many lives. Sergei…his father was a Russian enforcer for the mob back in Moscow. And then there is Madrid…"

"Vally is her sister…"

"Her birth mother." Daniel corrected. "Yes. But did you know that up until her parents died…Madrid barely saw the girl? That she had hated Vally?"

"Liar." Carter snapped, even as Daniel pulled out a cassette recorder.

"That little brat…everyone coos at her and says how cute she is. Mom and dad never spent as much time with me my whole life as they have with their precious Vally…god, I hate her so much!"

Carter turned his head away, grimacing. "People changed. Hank…you just pointed him out."

"That I did." Daniel conceded. "But…watch yourself, my boy…and your child. Like those before her…she will be betrayed by one close to her."

"I'll keep that in mind…now, if you'll excuse me, I have to save the so called betrayers before their killed by whoever is attacking them and they can't do any betraying at all."

&&&

"Hello there," Linda said politely, glancing at nameplate on the desk. "Joyce. I'm here to see the superintendent."

The secretary frowned. "Do you have an appointment."

"Sorry." Kelly muttered. "She was too pissed to make one."

The woman shook her head. "No one gets in without an appointment."

"Then I'll make one…for right now." Linda said, frustrated.

"Sorry, Mr. Reynolds isn't in."

"She's lying." Kelly said, Linda turning to glance at her. "Please don't ask me how I know that…or how I know there is a vending machine 20 feet to the right."

"I know how." Linda said, breezing past the protesting woman and making her way into the office. Mr. Reynolds looked up from the PSP he was playing, glaring at the intruders. "Don't mind us…we're the repo girls."

"We are?" Kelly asked.

"Who are you people?" Mr. Reynolds demanded.

Linda shrugged. "I'm a professor…looking for a job, considering my college probably has fired me for going missing."

"Wait…your that teacher…" Reynolds said,standing up, "the one that ran away with her student."

Kelly raised an eyebrow. "Well…normally I don't like older women…"

"Not you…the boy…Carter…"

Linda frowned. "Carter is my student, nothing more." She leaned towards the superintendent. "I'm here for another reason; seems we have a mutual acquaintance…does the name Micah mean anything to you?" Reynolds looked up, startled. "That so. You know…I find it real interesting when a person who is suppose to be about education…is nothing more then an extortionist."

"This is about the money."

"Ya think so?" Kelly said, moving towards the door and ripping it open. "Attention students…your superintendent can state the obvious!"

"Hey!" Mr. Reynolds shouted, moving to get up, only to be stopped by Linda. "Listen…I'll tell you what I told the kid's mother: That was a donation. It didn't mean anything towards getting Micah in…or out."

"And I'm sure you've covered your tracks pretty well." Linda said coldly. "Used the money already?"

"Yes…it was used to renovate my office, if you must know." He smirked. "Make it more inviting to the children."

Linda shrugged. "Then there is nothing else to talk about. Kelly…lets leave the man." Turning on heel, the two women let the office, Reynolds staring after them, bemused.

"Bitch." He muttered, returning to his game.

ERRRRRRRRRR

Reynolds barely had time to look down before the pipes below him burst, sending torrents of sewage water into his office. The pipes in the walls also burst, flooding the office and destroying everything in sight.

"SIR!" His secretary cried out, phone lines ringing off the hook as the water pipes beneath the waiting room floor exploded. "We have water bursts in every room of the school! We have to evacuate!"

Reynolds looked at his office, dumbfounded as sewage continued to pour onto him, the screams of teachers and students echoing all around him.

&&&

Lee wiped the blood from his mouth, his steps unsteady as he swung a punch at General Ashleigh, the older woman moving her head away with ease. He panted, glancing around him for a moment.

Tina was on the ground, clutching her stomach. Her acid didn't burn her skin, but it did eat through her clothing, leaving her in a shredded t-shirt, hole-filled pants and shoes that were falling apart. BeeBee had proved she was just as skilled at fighting as she was with deflecting, having broken several of Tina's ribs with just a few punches. The only thing that had kept Tina alive was to pour on the acid, forcing BeeBee to remain still so she could reflect the attacks, the entire floor slowly melting away.

Galatea was out cold. Riker had gone after her throat once again, strangling the very air from her body, leaving her body unresponsive as he took his time beating her unconscious form with the office chair he had found.

"That's what bitches like you deserve!" He shouted, laughing as he smashed it over her head, making her head bounce against the hard marble floor, blood pooling all around her.

"Galatea!" Lee roared, struggling to send his locust at Riker. The clones were preventing it, forming a wall all around him, not letting anything through. In the middle, with him, was the General, outclassing him with her skill at hand-to-hand combat.

"You are our son…but that does not mean you gained all we have to offer. Your father's weak blood flows through your body."

Lee glared at her, reaching into his pocket and summoning a small demonic puppy he'd drawn. The beast yipped, jaws locking onto the General's ankle, causing her to scream and stomp its head in. "I'm full of surprises."

"Not enough." The General said, spin-kicking Lee in the head, the clones moving away so that he flew to the ground next to Tina and Galatea. "Now…we'll take the files." She walked towards the vault. "And unfortunately for you…we can not allow any witnesses…my son."

Lee looked up, eyes narrowing before he smirked. "Then you have serious problems…right Carter?"

Ashleigh turned in time to see Carter burst into flames, silver energy dancing along his skin. "Yes Lee…I would say so."

The General's eyes widened. "The Heir…you died!"

"And I returned." Carter said simply, approaching them. "Behold the Metatron…Voice of the One True God."

"Behold this, firefly!" Riker shouted, sending an elongating arm right at Carter. The Metatron dodged it, gripping the appendage and turning to Tina, nodding. She grinned, firing off her acid blast, Riker's screams filling the office as his hand was hit, skin and muscle burning away.

"You have dared to strike me…for that…you will be judged." He looked at Riker. "The loss of your hand…will be your punishment." He slowly made his way to BeeBee, tilting his head.

"Carter!" Tina shouted. "She…can reflect physical strikes."

He nodded, punching a clone as it got near him, the energy from his fist causing her to grip her head in agony before she turned to dust. "Interesting."

BeeBee nodded. "Mmm…a big glowing freak…and you think you've met God? This will be fun." Carter just continued towards her, grabbing a clone and sending it at BeeBee, the two stopping before the clone was sent flying, crashing into the General. BeeBee licked her lips, smile falling slightly. "And here I thought you would be talkative…voice of god and all." She mocked.

Carter stopped, staring at her, before he began to circle her, stepping over Riker's body, the other killer-for-hire in agony as he looked at the stump where his hand had been. His eyes flashed, but he summoned no whammy blasts…launched no attacks.

"Ugh…" Galatea moaned, coming to. "Lee?"

Lee scooted over to her, helping her up, surprising her by his gentleness. "I don't know what is going on…but stay down…I think its going to be bad."

"Should we help?"

"We loosened the jar…let Carter take off the lid."

BeeBee tapped her foot. "Hello…woman trying to kill you here…no final words?" She huffed in annoyance at Metatron's silent treatment.

"You're broken." Carter said, his voice…not sounding like his own. It was detached, as if taken from someone else and dubbed to his lips.

"What?" BeeBee asked, confused.

"It's all clear now…how it all works…pieces fitting together." He cocked his head. "Its all in the brain." He held out a hand, energy swirling violently. "Don't worry…I can fix it." He took a step closer, BeeBee tensing for the punch. "It's an evolutionary imperative."

He fired

&&&

"Shouldn't Kelly and Linda be back from…whatever it is they were doing?"

"Don't worry about them…Hank…sit down." Paulette said softly, motioning towards the chair near her. "I want to talk to you about something."

"What's that?" Hank asked, gliding into his seat.

Paulette reached out, taking Hank's hand in her own. "It's not His fault."

"Whose…what?"

"God…its not his fault…what happened to your friend…"

Hank moved to stand up. "Listen…"

"Sit down."

"I don't feel like talking…"

"Sit your white ass down, honky." Paulette hissed, Hank quickly moving back to his seat. "Now, I know right now you feel like God abandoned you. I know you feel like he should have never taken your friend." She gave him a slight smile. "But have you ever considered that God had a reason for all this?"

"What…going to give me some bull about this making me stronger?" Hank snapped. "Carter was a good man…a…a good friend. When I finally realized it…"

Paulette frowned. "Sweetheart…what makes you think I was going to say that?" At Hank's confused look, she continued. "I want you to think…you said Carter was a good friend, but also a great man…why?"

"He…he helped us rise above what we were…to become something better. He was a leader…a hero."

Paulette nodded, wishing she could have met this Carter. "Don't you think…in a world as screwed up as ours…that God might have decided he needed an angel on his side like Carter?" She smiled, squeezing his hand. "We can not guess what God has planned."

"My hump, my hump, my hump…my lovely lady lumps…my lovelylady lumps…"

Hank quickly grabbed the cell phone. "Kelly's…sick sense of humor." He muttered, turning on the phone. "Hello?"

"Hank…" Helena said. "I finally reached you…it's a miracle."

"What…"

"Carter's alive."

&&&

Ashleigh stood up, groaning. Her mind was still fuzzy. Carter had fired his blast at BeeBee, sending her down to the ground twitching, then let out a blast of light at her and the drones, knocking them out. When she came to, Carter, Lee, Galatea and Tina were gone, the vault destroyed and files turned to mush.

"Damn it…" She muttered, reaching for her cellphone and hitting in a number. "Merrick…get transport to Linderman's hotel…the files are destroyed and we need medical attention."

"Already there, little sister." Merrick said with a sneer. "I'll pick you up."

"Why are you in Vegas?!? Father said to stay home!"

"I came because I knew I would need to clean up your mess."

As they argued, Riker nudged BeeBee with his foot, the woman awakening with a groan. "Wha…"

"Get the hell up…" Riker snarled. "And find something to kill this pain…booze or pills…whatever…"

"Riker…what…" BeeBee muttered, dazed.

"Go get me something, now!" He screamed.

BeeBee nodded, rubbing her head as she left the office. But instead of looking for something for him, she went to the elevator, staring at her reflection, hand touching the metal as it all came flying back.

She was on the street, trying to make some money…her family needed the cash, and her body was the only thing she could offer. It paid good…would allow them to afford food for the next week…

A new john wanted her services…she let him…he got mad…struck her… hit her head…

Everything changed. Anger…hate…a craving for violence…years in the darkness…cursed by God to reflect all but the most gentle of touches…Riker…training her…using her…making her like him…blood…so much blood…so many screams…not caring, never caring, insects to her…

Then…an angel…his flaming hand touching her head…his voice…telling her she was broken…his caress fixing the chemical imbalance in her brain, undoing the destruction that strike from the john had done…

The woman once known as BeeBee fell to the ground and began to sob, in pain for what had been taken from her…and in joy that this miracle had been given to her.

BeeBee was dead.

Biddy Bargo…had finally woken up.

&&&

Sergei, Madrid and Vally looked up as the hotel door swung open, Tina limping in as she leaned on Lee's shoulder, Galatea on his other side.

"Dear God…" Madrid said, running over to Tina, helping her friend to the bed. "What happened?"

"Apparently Lee has mommy issues…" She muttered. "I could do a paper on his screwed up family."

Lee nodded, setting Galatea down. "Long story."

Sergei shrugged. "We are open ears."

Galatea moaned. "Short answer…we'd be dead without Carter."

"Carter?" Madrid asked as the man entered the room.

Vally's eyes lit up. She had been so scared when he hadn't returned…afraid he was hurt…or worse. Her little legs pumped as she dashed to him, leaping into his outstretched arms. "DADDY!"

Time froze.

Carter's eyes widened. Lee dropped the glass he had been grabbing. Sergei raised an eyebrow. Vally clasped her hands over her mouth, as if trying to draw the words back in.

"Daddy?" Lee asked, confused.

"Daddy?" Galatea asked, wrinkling her nose.

"Daddy." Tina said, knowing the truth already and being glad it was out.

"Daddy." Sergei said snidely, glancing at Madrid.

"DADDY!?!?" Madrid screamed in rage.

Vally looked up at Carter, burying her head in his shoulder, whimpering softly. "sowwy."

&&&

Author's Note: Vally's last line isn't half as cute if you don't hear it in Vally's voice. And considering that I always hear Vally's voice when I write her lines, I have no idea if it plays as well as it does in my head.