I'm sooo sorry. Are you guys still reading this? :P Anywho, heh, here it is. I can't say I particularly love this chapter, and it's short even though you've waited so long. So in apology here is what I am going to do. I have a pretty long chapter that tells almost the whole story of Skye and Sarah. Should I post that chapter next or move on with the plot in the next chapter instead? If you have a preferance tell me and I will do it. It'll make more sense later, but since it's really a side story, I could post it next if "y'all" want. Alright that's it!

Thanks for reading!

Hope you like it! Enjoy! :)

The man just stared at him, and then suddenly he was on his feet. Keagan was not sure how he had done it. Somehow he had moved away and jumped to his feet before Keagan could do a thing.

He backed up and leaned on the desk in the corner of the room. He glared at Keagan and then asked him clearly under his breath, "Who are you and what do you want?"

Keagan was slightly unnerved but went on. "You-You killed a young girl. A young girl and her parents."

The man stared, and then looked down. After a moment he whispered, "I suppose I did, didn't I?" Then he looked back up. "How did you know that?"

Keagan's hands clenched into fists. "You let the son live."

It took a moment for the statement to mean anything. Suddenly the man's eyes widened and he backed up. "You… You're…"

Keagan nodded.

"B-But how are you supposed to know it was me. You can't think I did it?! How-"

"It's your eyes, your voice, the way you walk… I know it's you."

The man's jaw set. "Fine. What is it you want?"

Keagan was silent. For the first time he realized, that he wasn't sure. His most primal instinct said that he should do something to the man, that he deserved to know that an evil man like him was punished for what he did to his family.

But he didn't want to be like that. "There was blood…. And… you left a six year old boy… alone to take care of the body's of his family…." He looked at him. "I don't want to hurt you…. As much as I hate you, as much as it hurts, I don't want to hurt you. So maybe you could just… tell me why."

The man stared and then… "It was an order…. What do you know about your father?"

Keagan shook his head and answered truthfully despite who he was talking to. "I don't know. No one knew anything about him."

"He was a brilliant man. A scientist of sorts. He helped create something, then he found out who he was making it for, and refused to hand it over. He was warned, he still refused, and the orders went out. I went and he told me that he didn't have it anymore. Said he gave it to a friend. I warned him, and he refused again. The only ones in the room were your parents and sister. I pulled the girl over and he panicked. Basically he gave a bunch of petty excuses. He was a traitor. He had to be done away with."

Keagan's breathing had elevated and his hands now hurt from the fists he had clenched them into. "So you killed her? You killed a four year old girl for it?"

"It was an order." The man repeated quietly.

Keagan's gaze rose fiercely to meet his. "You ever think that maybe sometimes you should think for yourself? Instead of handing all of yourself over to someone else like a coward."

"Your father had the bravery you speak of, and what good did it do him? His family was killed because of it."

Keagan's hands shook and he stepped forward slowly. "If you had had such courage none of them would have died." He found it surprising that the man hadn't tried to get rid of him yet. He obviously knew too much for his own good. But as he neared, the man nearly slumped back until his back had just begun to arch over the desk behind him.

"That isn't true. They would have killed me and simply sent someone else to do away with your father. And that man may have killed you as well."

Keagan stopped walking when he heard the last line. Was the man, in a manner of words, "sucking up" to him?

Keagan stared long and hard and then finally managed to whisper. "When I was still a kid, I would always think about you. Imagine what I would do when I met you. I always thought of you as some sort of cold blooded killer. Someone with a sword that would cut me down when I tried to face you for what you did…. Maybe my vision of you was slightly skewed because of how young I was when… and when I saw their bodies." Keagan hesitated then stepped back. "But you're . . . none of those things. You're just a coward who does whatever he's told when he's told to do it…. And I don't think you're worth it," Keagan turned and left, fully prepared to leave the man in his memory when a phrase stopped him cold in his tracks.

"Do you know what he said?"

Keagan turned around against his better judgment, confused. "What?"

"Do you know what he said? When he was dying?"

Keagan just stared. "No. I couldn't hear from where I was."

"He said, 'Protect Keagan.'" Keagan's eyes narrowed in confusion and the man rolled his eyes. "He was looking up. Like he could see someone. Maybe he was delirious because he was dying. But sometimes…I almost wonder."

"What do you mean?" Keagan asked carefully,

"Have you ever heard of the protector project?"

"No."

"I don't know, but I think it was your father who created it. It's like an instinct, only multiplied greatly. They put it inside of people. So far they've only used young boys, well, those are the successful tests. The instinct makes it so that the subconscious of that person chooses someone –only one person- to protect. At times they just become obsessed. They just have to protect the person they've chosen. They would rather die themselves, hands down, then allow the person they've chosen to die. They could be the most selfish people in the world and they would still feel that way."

"…But why?" Keagan asked referring to Team Rocket.

"Because they're strong. Mothers at times can do amazing things to protect and help they're children. It's something like that. They're strong and fast and smart. But only when the instinct is active inside them. They're protectors. Protectors of whatever they choose."

Keagan felt overwhelmed. His father had invented something like that? "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you know too much."

Keagan's brow came together in confusion once more. "What-"

"And you obviously don't belong here."

In one smooth motion the man flung his arm out. A small dagger flew with the motion, hitting the wall behind Keagan but cutting through skin on his side in the process. Keagan gasped and looked down, finding the cut bleeding freely. He quickly placed his hand against it and looked up, only to just barely dodge another that landed on the floor behind him. The hand not holding his cut, clenched into a fist.

"You are that little brat aren't you? When you first came in here I thought your father had come back to life."

Keagan's breath hitched and he looked up with wide eyes. "What did you say?"

"Did I stutter?"

"You knew him?" Keagan asked breathlessly. "You knew him but you still killed him?"

The man almost laughed but it came out as a scoff. "Of course I knew him. That's why it was so easy to kill him. I knew he was dense and weak and had a ridiculous sense of loyalty that only made him an easier target."

Keagan ground his teeth, forgetting about his side as his breath elevated from something else entirely. "Take that back."

"It was easy. All I had to do was threaten him with his two most prized possessions, his wife and oldest child. Only she wasn't his oldest child was she?" Keagan knew who he was talking about. He was talking about his sister. His helpless little sister who had been killed right in front of him. "That was you." The man went on. "They protected you, but they didn't put much into your sister because she wasn't the oldest." Keagan stared down, his breathing almost painful as the memories he had repressed all came back. The man rolled his eyes. "You look just like him you know. Everything but your eyes." Keagan bit his lip to keep his emotion down. "If I had known that you were watching before hand you would have died right then and there. Maybe your sister would have lived, but you would've died. Make you feel anything that your sister died in your place? I didn't kill them. I was only carrying orders. You killed them."

Keagan's head snapped up, his gaze landing on the man's with intensity deep enough to kill. "Liar." he hissed the word through his teeth, choking on emotion as it left his mouth.

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I am? So your sister didn't die because you weren't there? Your parents didn't die protecting you?"

Keagan opened his mouth but couldn't bring himself to say "no". He dropped his head again and felt tears finally sting his eyes. He reprimanded himself instantly. He wouldn't give this man the satisfaction of seeing him cry. "Why did you let me live?" he asked hollowly.

"Honestly? Just this. You're amusing. It's like seeing your father live his pathetic life all over again from start to finish."

"Liar!" He lurched forward and knocked the man from his feet. He stood instantly and glowered over him.

"You've already admitted to yourself that I'm not lying."

"Yes you are! I'm not going listen to you. You can say and believe whatever you want, it doesn't matter. I don't care." The man to his surprise smiled. He was trying to figure out why the man was suddenly brave. The reason? Keagan hadn't hurt him yet. The man had known Keagan's father, and knew that if Keagan was like him, he wasn't planning on hurting him. He had already proven it true when he tried to leave the first time. He had nothing to fear because Keagan didn't want to be like him. He didn't want to hurt people. And to the grunt staring at Keagan it was simply an act of cowardice.

"Well?" he whispered. He stared calmly into Keagan's shaky gaze. "You have the upper hand. Are you going to take it?" Keagan hesitated and that was all the man needed before he rolled from beneath Keagan and jumped to his feet. Keagan backed up subconsciously to the wall. He looked to his right and pulled the knife that had grazed his side from the wall before holding it out,

The man stopped chuckled. "Well, you going to use it?"

Keagan's hand shook before he steadied it. "I will if I have to."

"Will you?"

"You killed my family."

"Yes, I think that's been established."

"You deserve to die."

"So kill me."

Keagan still didn't move and this time the man laughed out loud. "You're just like him. Weak and pathetic. You wouldn't do anything even if I were to hold your precious sister against you."

Keagan ground his teeth, growled, and threw it. The man's eyes widened as it barely grazed his throat. Keagan looked to his feet, and picked up the other dagger he had dodged and held it up. "I'm a good aim."

The man finally hesitated and as Keagan held it out the man confirmed Keagan's earlier suspicions about him being a coward as he ran out of the room.

Keagan followed him, but shocked himself when he stopped as the other man had stopped as well. But the grunt wasn't looking at him, he was staring at the wall. Keagan followed his gaze to Alexi, remembering suddenly that he had propped her against the wall on the way in. His heart sped up and moved forward, gripping the blade tightly in his hand.

The man didn't seem to notice Keagan, he just stared at Alexi, his brow together and eyes open in wonder.

Alexi groaned and her eyes fluttered open. At first she almost fell over and Keagan resisted the urge to run to her side and drop his guard in the process. She steadied her self and looking up vaguely, seeing the grunt standing over her. Her eyes instantly opened fully and dug her palms into the floor and pushed against the wall as if she would fall through it if she could only push a little harder.

Keagan looked between the two. Alexi was obviously scared, but the grunt only seemed confused. Keagan could also see the small amount of hope in her eyes and it only served to make him feel all the more uncomfortable as he tried to figure out what to do.

The grunt turned slowly to Keagan. as if he had just noticed him. "Who is she?"

"That's none of your business." Keagan was in front of her quickly, more fear fueling his actions than anything else.

The man's face didn't move but his eyes left Keagan's face and flittered behind him to Alexi.

Keagan's hands shook. "Maybe you're right. Maybe my father and I are weak. I honestly don't want to hurt you…not anymore. But if you don't leave now, I will. I swear it."

Alexi struggled to his feet and tentatively whispered. "Keagan…h-he knows."

Keagan's eyes widened as he realized it as well and hesitated. "But I can't…."

The man's eyes never left Alexi. He seemed confused, as if he were trying to remember something. Alexi quickly noticed his gaze and lowered her head to hide behind Keagan, an act Keagan would have realized was very unlike her, were he not trying to decide what to do about the current problem. He seemed to come to decision and let out an uneasy sigh. "Leave. Now."

Finally the dark eyes turned on Keagan and silently he nodded before turning and quickly taking his leave.

"…Keagan?"

Keagan's hands shook as the blade finally slipped from his hands, landing on the cement with a clatter with him quickly following.

"Keagan what's going on?" Alexi was obviously still a bit stunned from whatever it was that had made her fall asleep, and she was confused to as how they had both arrived there, and why the others were not with them.

Her eyes narrowed all the more confused, staring at the blade beside his feet. "K-Keagan?" She kneeled beside him and carefully laid a hand on his shoulder. "How did we get here?"

"You…You told me how to get here…." he whispered, his voice distant.

"I did?" When he still didn't move her hand closed over one of his in worry. "Keagan?" He finally turned to her but didn't say a word. "Why did you let him go? Who was that? Why are we here?"

"You ask too many questions…."

"Wh-Wha-"

"I saw him…I saw him and I had to know. He looked so much like him…." His eyes were hollow as he gazed through her.

"Looked so much like who, Keagan?"

"The man…that killed my parents…and Carie."

Alexi's eyes narrowed. Carie? It took her a little longer to realize that "Carie" must be his little sister. He had never called her by name before. It suddenly hit her how little she knew about his past. She was still a little slow since she had fallen asleep and she then realized what he had meant, and what he was saying. "He…He did it?"

Keagan's brow came together and his jaw clenched. He nodded.

"So did you lie to get me to take you here?"

Another stiff nod.

"But Keagan…I would have done it. Why didn't you tell me? Didn't you trust me?"

"You're selfish! You know that?! Do you even care?!"

Alexi froze. The words stung at first, then died down as she looked at him. He blinked furiously and bit his lipas if to take back the words, then raised his hands to wipe stubbornly at his eyes. Alexi's gaze softened and she laid her hand on his shoulder. "Keagan… I'm sorry." He knew that she wasn't just saying sorry for her actions it was for what she knew he must be feeling. Tears ran up and he chocked them down until she finally pulled him to her and sat down against the wall, bringing him with her. He gave up and let the tears go. It was the first she had ever seen him cry over anything and everything he had lost. She did felt terribly guilty. She didn't even know her parents, but he had known his family and watched them all die and never once shown any emotion towards the memory. "Keagan, I'm sorry. It's ok."

He finally turned fully to her and started crying, and it nearly broke her to hear the terrible sound and know it was coming from him. "It was my fault…" He didn't stutter, but his voice held an unmistakable tremor.

Alexi gasped. "Keagan, don't' say that."

"They didn't put anything into her." he whispered. "Just me. And she died because of it. And I couldn't do anything. He just killed them and left them there. He didn't…" Keagan suddenly pulled back sharply and wiped harshly at his eyes. "I'm sorry. This isn't the time." He made to stand but a hand on his arm stopped him. He looked down surprised to see her keeping him there. "Alexi…"

"You can't blame yourself for something like that Keagan. You were a child. He did it, not you. It's ridiculous to think that you should be held responsible, that you could have done anything at your age. You're such a good person Keagan. You've got to give yourself more credit than that."

Keagan stared and then nodded shakily. You would think that this would end it, but Keagan still felt the tears rush out, tears of relief, and turned quickly away. "Alexi I can't."

She gently tugged on his arm and he fell once again, unable to support himself while so many emotions ran through him.

"They can wait." she whispered and then she paused, as if trying to figure out the right things to say. "It'll be ok. Just let yourself have a minute. There's nothing wrong with that. Rest."

He laughed bitterly. "Alexi, do you realize where you are? This isn't ok. We have to go help the others…and what if someone sees us. . ."

Alexi was silent for a long moment before she whispered carefully, "I know what it's like, Keagan. You need this. I know you do. They can wait. Rest."

"I can't."

Alexi timidly wrapped her arms under his and around his chest, pulling him to her and whispered confidently in a voice he couldn't dispute. "You can."

And he broke. The tears came rushing down his cheeks and he couldn't do a thing to stop it. "A-Alexi…"

"Sh…."

He shook and reached up, grabbing tightly onto her for support. He was embarrassed, relieved and scared all at once, and he was for once not trying to hide it. "I'm sorry…."

"I know."

And he was relieved that she didn't argue, she let him know that his apology didn't fall on deaf ears.

"It's not your fault."

He turned around and laid against her, only just barely registering that she was shaking. The relief that came from her words was almost overbearing. He had only needed someone to confirm it, and she had, though she probably didn't realize to an extent what she was doing for him.

"Rest." The phrase was gentle when spoken again, and he didn't argue.

Hope you liked it! A bit . . . different but you know. . . Anywho, please review! Thanks for taking the time to read! Next chapter will be posted sooner, just fooling with the plot. Thanks.

:)