Carter handed Vally to Tina before he stepped forward, hands charging with energy. "Big talk, little girl."

Elle pouted. "Little…oh, trust me boy…I'm all grown up." She aimed her hand at him. "But if you want to play patty cake…lets."

"Fine by me." Carter said, rushing forward.

"Carter, wait!" Tina shouted a second to late. Carter slammed his hand into Elle's, the two screaming at their blasts strike. Elle gripped her head in agony, fighting off Carter's whammy, while the Metatron was held his arm, the nerves making it feel like the limb had been cut off.

"Daddy!" Vally cried out, struggling to free herself.

Carter shook his head violently. "I'm fine…" he looked up, watching as Terrence held up his hand, Elle instantly standing up straight. "…and so is she."

Terrence smirked, gloating. "Trick I thought I would try. I just told Elle's nerves to send more endorphins into her head, undoing your little trick." He focused, pointing his fingers at Tina. "3 against 2 is so unfair…"

Carter leapt in front of the psychologist, his whammy energy flaring like a shield as he blocked the attack. "Anything you can do, brother…"

"You do almost as well." Terrence replied, turning to Elle. "Take him out…I'll grab the girl."

"Tina, go." Carter snapped.

"What? No!" Tina shouted.

"Do it…Terrence can kill you in an instant. I'm the only one that can take him on." As if proving his point, Terrence sent another blast at Carter, the young man just managing to block it. "I need you to get Vally out of her, Tina. I can't be worrying about her!"

Tina frowned. "Elle will kill you Carter…she doesn't care about life or death."

"All the more reason to get Vally out of here! Now go!" He roared, body exploding with energy as he began towards Elle, Tina shivering as the need to flee filled her body, Carter's whammy energy taking effect. She turned heel, hurrying out of the alley as fast as she could. "Take your best shot." Carter snarled, moving towards Elle, voice distorting as he summoned his strongest whammy shot.

"Hit him with everything." Terrence warned. "Don't let him get that shot off!"

"NO!" Vally screamed as Tina turned the corner, struggling. "DADDY! TINA LET GO! HELP DADDY!"

"You know…its sweet what you do for the little girl you hardly know." Elle remarked, firing a blast at Carter before he could even get off a single shot. He went down, roaring in pain as the blue lightning ran along his skin, searing him. "Cute even…I like a man that is devoted."

Carter managed a weak chuckle. "Doubt that." He coughed, his lungs on fire.

"Oh? And why is that?"

Carter managed a smirk. "Because women find men that are like their fathers…and if I had to wager, your father was one twisted bastard." He sneered. "Did he just beat you, or did things get physical?" His laughing tone was cut short when Elle fired another current through his body.

"We should go after the girl. My brother is little concern compared to her." Terrence said.

Carter coughed as his nerves cooled, Elle pausing from her torture. "Yea…go pick on a baby, you coward." His fist glowed as he fired a blast at Elle, Terrence having to focus quickly to divert the effect. He stood up, summoning his deepest reserves of power, the whammy fires swirling about his body. "But if you think your getting out of this alley without a fight, you're wrong. I'm going to give my last breath to stop you, to keep that girl safe." He gave them a smirk, defiant yet accepting. "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." He quoted.

"Whatever, Shakespere." Elle muttered, readying for the attack.

"Dickens, you cow." Carter said simply, taking a step forward. "I'm willing to die for that little girl…" He swung a punch at Terrence, knocking the man back, mostly because of the surprise of the attack. "…for the only reason to let her live." He bowed his head slightly. "Nothing beautiful in the world was won through cowardice and fear. If I must die to see that she remains, let it be. A better end a father could not ask for.

"But let me guess…there isn't a single person you'd die for…a single ideal." He was now nose to nose with Elle, who watched on passively. "You could live a hundred years…and I'll still have been more important…more loved…then you. People will cry over my body..." Carter leaned in to whisper in her ear. "No one will cry for you…and for that…I pity you."

Elle let out a roar as she fired her energy into him, Carter screaming as he slammed into a wall, ribs cracking as he twisted in agony. Elle sneered as she poured on the attack, shocking him for all she was worth, wanting to watch him suffer.

Terrence cursed as he rose, rubbing his eye. 'Clever, brother. I can't leave Elle to get the girl, and she won't leave till your dead.' Despite his best efforts…he could feel respect for his brother. 'You knew the moment you saw us you'd die…and you faced it head on.'

"That's enough, Elle." Terrence snapped. "Let him go."

Elle continued to pour on the attack, Carter's flesh burning as he roared out in agony.

"I said stop!" Terrence exclaimed, holding out his hand and shocking her nerves. Elle gasped, glaring at him. "You fell for his ruse…the girl is probably gone by now, out of reach. You failed this mission, you ignorant child."

Elle waved her hand at Carter. "He…"

"…isn't important." Terrence snapped. He watched as Carter's flames flickered, it dawning as the energy vibed the danger they were in. "You moron…" He held out his hand, only realizing there was nothing he could do with his powers. Instead, he rushed to the man, grabbing his unburned hand and stroking it. "Fight it…"

"What the hell…" Elle muttered.

"My brother is like a dam." Terrence snarled. "When he's hurt, the dam breaks, and he explodes. He nearly destroyed Philadelphia a few weeks ago…and he killed 40 guards just last week." Carter grit his teeth as a stray blast fired from his eyes into the sky. "Your electroshock therapy just cracked the only wall that stands between us and the greatest mass murder since the Atomic Bomb." He locked eyes with her. "We don't even know what happens if he dies…what happens to that power. This is why your father said to bring Daniels in alive! A blast like this would reduce the brain of every person in the city. If he goes…he could take out all of Las Vegas!"

&&&

"Drink?"

Madrid looked up at Sergei dumbly, confused. "Huh?"

"Drink…" He wiggled the cup in front of her face. "…you need to drink something…you'll dehydrate yourself."

"Yea." Madrid said, taking the glass as she looked down from the hotel balcony. Sergei sat next to her, saying nothing. "Where is Lee?" She finally asked.

"Who knows?" Sergei muttered. "Stormed off after Carter left."

Madrid closed her eyes. "I…I wish I'd said more." She lowered her head. "Wish I'd told her I loved her…"

"Vally knows you love her."

"What…what if I…?" She broke down then, sobbing, Sergei wrapping an arm around her as she balled like a baby. "Oh God…Vally…"

"Listen…it will be ok. I'm going to go out right now and look for Daniels…and force him to give us Vally."

"And if you can't find him?"

"We track him down." Sergei said with determination, lifting Madrid's chin and locking eyes with her. "I swear…I will do everything I can to find Vally."

Madrid nodded. "Thank you…for everything. You're…one of the few goods ones."

Sergei nodded, gently cupping her face in his hands, before giving her a light kiss. "You too Madrid…you too."

&&&

"Well…then stop him." Elle said stubbornly.

"I can't." Terrence muttered. "The Ellis Line is unable to use our powers against each other. Each is immune to the other." He watched as Carter twitched, the energy flashing once, twice…then beginning to calm. Beneath his eyelids, a faint pinkish glow flashed, to quick for any of them to notice. "I think he's calming." He threw Elle his cellphone. "Call your father, get him to send a medical team. We can't risk him going nuclear on us. We need to treat these…" Terrence froze as he lifted Carter's shirt.

Oh, there were electrical burns. But already they were beginning to slowly heal. Within a day, Carter would be back to full strength.

Elle frowned, examining the chest. "Nice…your little brother has nice abs."

"As creepy as that is." Another voice said, "I think it is time for you to step away from my son."

Elle and Terrence looked up to find themselves facing a mess of pissed off people. Helena Daniels, Hank Delpine and Kelly Raegan each had guns drawn, the most scary being Kelly's sawed off shotgun that she wielded like some crazed killer from a horror film.

Linda's eyes were blue as she drew the water from the air to form a nice mini wave, enough to do damage with. To her right, Marshal was in his hybrid form, snarling as he held up a clawed hand.

On the other side was Tina, finally managing to shake off the whammy blast, acid dripping onto the ground. And standing next to her…

"Daddy?" Vally whispered, tears running down her cheeks. "Daddy…"

Carter groaned, managing to weakly kick Terrence away as he rolled away, moving to his hands and knees. "Vally…" he moaned.

"Daddy!" Vally squealed, breaking from Tina's side before she could stop her, leapin into her father's arms. Carter let out a weak cry as she smashed into hisburns, but still managed to give her a hug.

"As nice as this is…" Kelly said, pointing her gun as Terrence. "I think its time for you two to…you know, leave."

"What she said." Hank snarked. "We'll be taking our friend now."

"Is that so?" Terrence asked, taking a step forward…

…then jerking as his chest bulged out slightly.

"Yes." Linda said coldly, holding up a hand. "Please…give me a reason not to feel guilty for ripping the blood out of you." She released him, Terrence stumbling back. "The instant either one of them moves, kill them." She commanded.

Helena nodded. "Carter, lets go."

He nodded, struggling to get to his feet. But the weight of Vally, along with his most likely broken ribs and burnt chest, was making it hard to get his balance, slowing him down greatly.

Elle would have none of it.

Lifting her hand, she unleashed one of her stronger electrical blasts, this timehoping to wipe him out for good. 'Like this weakling could hurt me.' Hank, seeing what happened, fired, just grazing Elle's shoulder as she finished the blast, letting it fly. Carter looked up as the blast headed towards him, locking eyes with Elle as he did so. She felt her stomach drop as the energy crackled around him, suddenly remembering Terrence's warning.

"DADDY!" Vally cried out, doing the unthinkable.

She leapt infront of the lightning blast.

"NO!" Carter, Tina, Helena, Marshal, Linda, Kelly, Hank and, shockingly, Terrence cried out, each trying to move towards her, to save her. Time slowed like it was in molasses. The electricity arced towards the little girl, her face set in stubborn determination as it came at her full force. Carter was reaching out, burnt hand grazing her back as he just missed her. The rest were too far…unable to do anything.

"NO HURT DADDY!" Vally screamed, and as she did so, her eyes flashed. Flame-like energy burst from her body, engulfing her until she was little more then a fiery pink version of herself, a mini-metatron. Her eyes changed to gold as the lightning hit…

…and fizzled to nothing.

Carter didn't even notice as his own body exploded once more, his form mimicking hers, his normally silver eyes glowing gold. He dragged himself towards her as Vally stared Elle down.

"No hurt daddy." Vally said sternly, her voice vibrating slightly as the energy flared once more.

"I'd do what she says." Hank snarled, raising his gun and pointing it at Elle. "I won't miss this time."

Carter reached out, wrapping an arm around Vally's waist and drawing her close. The group held their breath as Carter's aura mixed with Vally's, soothing it. "Its ok." Carter said, his own voice distorting to its Metatron form.

Vally reached out a small hand, touching his cheek. "She hurt daddy." She whimpered, aura flashing.

"Its ok…" Carter tried to reason as he stood up, even as he noticed Elle trying to secretly summon a bolt of lightning. "Don't…" he warned a second too late.

Vally's head snapped towards Elle, eyes narrowing in anger. "NO!" A whammy blast was pulled from the two of them, Vally sending it at her father's attacker. Elle screamed as her lightning rebounded on her, coursing along her flesh.

Terrence grabbed Elle's unconscious form, locking eyes with Carter. "This isn't over, brother."

"I imagine not…" Carter whispered, "…brother." It was only when Vally sensed Terrence and Elle leave that she powered down, Carter joining her as the two returned to normal. "Don't ever do that again." Carter said sternly. "You scared daddy to death."

Vally nodded, hugging him tight. "Sowwy daddy."

Carter reached down, picking up her backpack and the special bear from where they had fallen, handing her the stuffed animal. "I know. You were very brave, sweetie." He admitted. "Just…don't do that again." He kissed her forehead. "I love you, princess. Don't want you hurt."

"Love you too, daddy." Vally replied, snuggling in his arms. She blinked, looking behind him. "Who they?"

"Who are they." Carter corrected.

Kelly shook her head. "Jeez Carter…you pick up a stray and suddenly you go Mr. Rogers on us. Freaky."

"No stray." Carter said, walking towards them. "But first…how are you guys?"

"How are we?" Hank asked, scoffing. "How are we?!?" He stormed up to Carter, glaring at his with hatred. "You go and sacrifice yourself…die…then come back…and ask us that…you…" He shook his head in frustration.

"I know." Carter said, shifting Vally to one arm so he could place another on Hank's shoulder. "I missed you to, my friend."

Hank took a breath, before wrapping Carter in a bearhug, laughing. "You're a jackass." He finally whispered.

"Hey…little ears present." Carter scolded.

The other man paused, finally noticing the little girl. "Oh…hi."

Vally frowned. "Who y…Who aw you?" She looked up at her father, grinning. "That wight?"

"Right." Carter confirmed. "This is your Uncle Hank." He moved towards the group, pointing out each one. "That's your Aunt Kelly. She's daddy's best friend."

Kelly crossed her arms. "Lucy…you've got some 'splainin' to do." She said in her best Ricky Ricardo voice, even though Carter could see the happy tears in her eyes. "Like how you suddenly have a Mexican Love Child."

Carter merely moved on, ignoring the joke, for now. "Later, Kel. And this is Professor…"

Linda took a step forward, interrupting. "I'm your Aunt Linda, sweetie." She nodded at Carter. "Welcome back."

"Thanks. And this is daddy's mommy, your Grandma Helena."

Vally perked up at that. "I have a gwanma?"

Helena chuckled. "That you do, Vally." She kissed Carter on the forehead, much the same way her son had kissed his daughter moments before. "Welcome back Carter."

The toddler looked Marshal up and down. "He smells like a kitty. You a kitty?"

Marshal chuckled at that. "Sure, darlin'" He drawled.

Carter looked at the group, Tina moving towards him, still unsure of her place with this new group. "I know you each have questions. And trust me…we have a story to tell. But right now…I want to get the three of us out of this town, now."

"Three?" Tina whispered.

"You think I'd abandon you the first chance I got? Closest thing I have towards a friend these last few weeks…"

Tina nodded. "Thanks."

Helena nodded. "I have a van. We can be out of this he…" Carter glared at her, nodding towards Vally. "….heck hole in an hour."

Kelly rolled her eyes. "Great…can't even swear. Maybe that's the kids powers." She threw her hands up in the air.

"She's loud." Vally said simply.

"That she is." Carter teased as he followed his friends out of the alley, wrapping his free arm around Tina, the burns on his torso still causing him discomfort. "Come on princess…lets go home."

&&&

High above them, Seth sat down on the roof, Daniel behind him. "Do you see now, Seth?" The old man asked.

"She's a nullifier." Seth whispered in awe. "You told me her abilities were power based…"

Daniel shook his head in good humor. "I see…you don't understand."

"Understand what?"

"What was Valencia's first way to manifest her power?"

Seth thought. "Identification and detection. She could see a person, know if they had a power…" His eyes widened as he whispered, "…and what that power was. Dear God…you don't mean…"

Daniel nodded. "One of the first people she scanned was herself. And I believe she discovered exactly what her powers were fully…but be it because of a child's priorities or something more, Valencia never activated the rest of her powers…she's held on to them…waiting. She's an Omega, Seth. The youngest Omega ever…and one of the most powerful…all it will take is a moment of need for her to reveal herself." Daniel smirked, the old man rubbing his hands together. "I can't wait to see what she does next."

&&&

(Alliance Satellite Base-50 Miles Outside Las Vegas)

Merrick looked down at the figure kneeling before him, a grin tugging on his lips as he paced. "You have done very well…very well indeed." The man stroked his chin as he spoke, already figuring out how this would all play out. "It seems fate is on our side, my apprentice. You…captured by The Company, only to be freed and join with Carter Daniels…the thorn in my side. The fact that the little girl was with you only made things sweeter." He nodded to himself. "yes…Madrid foolishly dismissing the Metatron will be her downfall…we will let her destroy the Metatron…then you will stab her in the back."

Merrick steepled his fingers, looking up slightly. The man would undo the sins of his father, repay The Alliance for his family's crimes…and prove himself worthy to be Merrick's number two.

And help him reclaim his missing son.

"Should be easy enough to do Alverez in…" Merrick said at last, "…since she has obviously fallen for you."

"What can I say…I'm one of the few good ones." Sergei said with a grin.

&&&

To Be Continued…

&&&

Author's Note: A quick comment. If you read the fic carefully, there is a hint Vally was the reason that Carter didn't go boom. You may wonder how this can be, since its been stated that the House of Ellis can't affect one another.

But we also know Vally is stronger then any Ellis that came before her…

&&&

(We here a piano begin to play, and we see figures standing in the darkness as One Republic's "Apologize" begins to play. The camera fades in on Linda as she stares out at nothing. Suddenly, the image of Riker having the water torn out of him appears like a mist beside her)

I'm holding on your rope,
Got me ten feet off the ground

(Linda looks to the sky, calling forth rain. The scene fades on Hank, who watches as the mirage of him and his goons beating Carter appears)

I'm hearin what you say but I just can't make a sound

(Hank lowers his head, the scene shifting to Kelly, who watches the mirage of her parents crying, TV reports about her being missing playing.)

You tell me that you need me
Then you go and cut me down, but wait

(A tear slides down Kelly's check as the scene switches to Helena, her mirage showing a beaten Vic Daniels all alone)

You tell me that you're sorry
Didn't think I'd turn around, and say...

(Helena shut her eyes as the scene moves to Sergei, who watches himself bow down to Merrick, betraying the group)

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

(Sergei merely smirks as the scene shifts to Lee, who watches his father burn to death while Carter explodes)

I'd take another chance, take a fall
Take a shot for you

(Lee bows his head, wet hair falling in his eyes as we now see Galatea watching as Nikki struggles to raise Micah)

And I need you like a heart needs a beat
But it's nothin new - yeah yeah

(Galatea clenches her fist as we move to Tina, who stares in horror as the mirage makes her watch Vally being assaulted by her father's guards)

I loved you with a fire red-
Now it's turning blue, and you say...

(Tina cries out as we fade to Madrid, who watches a mirage version of herself denouncing Carter, Vally crying out)

"Sorry" like the angel heaven let me think was you
But I'm afraid...

(We fade to Carter, standing in the pouring rain, watching Madrid cry over finding Vally gone)

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

(As the music goes instrumental for a moment, Carter turns his back and begins walking away. We see the others doing the same)

It's too late to apologize, it's too late
I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late

(We fade in on Vally, standing between two rain storms. She looks to her right as see Madrid, Lee, Galatea and Sergei to one side. On the other, Carter, Kelly, Linda, Hank, Helena, and Tina.Both groups silently scream at each other, ready to fight.)

I said it's too late to apologize, yeah
I said it's too late to apologize, yeah

(Vally looks at each group as the camera pans in towards her…)I'm holdin on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground...

(A tear falls from her eye)

ELSEWHERE

Volume 2 continues

January 2008

"We always hurt the ones we love"