Michael followed Liz up to her apartment. As much as he wanted to argue with her, he bit his tounge and decided he didn't want to get into it. All he wanted to do now was to see his son.

As Liz put her key in the door to unlock it, she turned, "Michael, if you have any more questions or comments can it please be after Parker is asleep."

The core of him wanted to tell her to shut it but he swallowed his anger and simply nodded.

He heard Ava's concerned voice tell Parker to stay in his room. He wasn't the only one who heard it.

"What happened? What's wrong?" Liz asked urgently.

Michael's heart stopped mid beat. Was there something wrong with his son? He'd just found him. Terror struck Michael as it had never struck before. And then, panic set it.

"It was him." Ava answered sounded angry.

Liz seemed annoyed but not worried. "Don't let him get to you Ava."

"He's getting worse now Liz." Ava shot a look to Michael and turned back to Liz. It seemed she didn't want to say the next part in front of him but she continued anyway. "He wants Parker. He saw Michael and is determined to take him from you. I've warned you before about it. We should have left or dealt with him long ago. If—"

"Woah, woah, woah!" He was confused as hell. "What the hell is going on? Who is HE? And what the hell does HE want with my son?"

Liz and Tess shared a look of deep meaning.

"So you told him nothing?" Ava scoffed. "Liz, I'm going home. You need to deal with this. Maybe Michael can make you see straight. I'm too angry with you right now to help with this ordeal. I'll see you tomorrow. And for your own sake and happiness can you please just tell him what's going on. If—"

"Goodnight, Ava." Liz cut her off with a glare.

"Fine." Ava grabbed her jacket and left.

"Liz," he didn't even know what to ask first.

She put her hand up to stop him and whispered, "I'll tell you everything after I take care of Parker."

He wanted to scream or blow something up in frustration. He didn't trust his voice at the moment so he nodded.

"Parker, hun. Come in here please." Liz's voice had changed to something calm, loving and smoothing.

Parker ran up to her. "Mommy! I missed you!"

Michael watched as Liz picked up their son and hugged him tight. The biggest smile appeared on Liz's face and she shut her eyes as she squezed. "Oh, I missed you too sweet pea."

Parker turned and grinned at him. "Hi, Daddy." Michael couldn't help but grin himself. Around his son, everything was bright. His dark history erased with the sunshine that was his son.

Parker turned to Liz. "Mom, it's Daddy."

"I know." She handed Parker to Michael as Parker was already squirming and stretching for him.

He took Parker from Liz. He frowned as Parker put his hand to his forehead. He'd experienced this before. Sharing feelings and thoughts. He saw thru Parker's eyes. One image. The image Parker had seen as he emerged from the hall and seen his parents together. Parker felt whole and happy.

Michael's throat clenched as his son dropped his hand and smiled up at him. "Thank you, Daddy."

He cleared his throat before he answered. "For what buddy?"

"You came back with Mommy."

"Sweet pea, have you eaten? Are you hungry?"

"I want nuggets." Parker tapped him in the arm and pointed to the floor. So, Michael put him down.

"Ah." Liz pointed at Parker. "Parker. What did we discuss?" Her eyelids came up. She also had that motherly look which Michael had never thought he'd see in Liz. Where had she picked up that look? It scared him straight. And then he remembered the look wasn't for him but for his son.

Parker rolled his eyes as he answered with some attutude, "Use my words."

Michael was so amused. He liked this kid.

"I saw that. Now, go wash your hands and I'll get your nuggets ready." As she said this, he turned to run off. "And what do we say when—"

Parker stopped turned around and cut her off with, "Excuse me," before he turned and dissapeard.

"I swear that kid reminds me of you more each day. Come on help me in the kitchen." Liz shook her head still thinking about his son.

"He seems a lot older that he is. You said he talked well but even older kids don't talk that well." He walked behind Liz as she pulled dinasour shaped nuggets out of the freezer.

She shrugged, getting out a cookie sheet and foil. "He picks things up quick. Ava and I have weekly sessions with him. Not for language or anything but to help him with his powers. Ava is teaching him some Antarian too. I know a few words here and there. He constantly needs new things to learn. I swear that kids got ADD."

Michael smiled. "Nah, he's just got your brain." He didn't want to meet her eyes because he didn't want to see any emotion in her right now.

"I don't think that's it. He loves to read. He got that from both of us. He got his attitude from you. But I think he's more than smart. It helps that he has alien in him. I think that's why he learns so fast. You know his brain is adapting to anything he sees." She put the nuggets in the oven and set a timer.

"I can cook those in no time." He reached for the oven door but Liz stopped him.

"I know, Michael. But I need to lead by example. I don't let Parker rely on his powers so I can't rely on mine. He needs to learn to adapt and not use his powers for small things. I can't risk getting caught with something so trivial."

Michael scoffed. "He's not here, Liz. Chill out."

She pointed over the bar. As he tunred he saw a line of hair by the counter. Parker was hiding behind it. He was being sneaky. "Eyes and ears." She flashed him a smile. "Parker, I know you're back there. What have I told you about eavesdropping?"

"I just got here." Parker stompped around the bar into the kitchen.

Michael resisted a laugh and by the look Liz gave him, it completeley died.

"Can I please watch Xmen?"

"You can after you eat. Now, help your Daddy set the table."

Michael leaned away from the counter and watched Parker stomp his way around the kitchen, grabbing silverware.

"No attitude please." Liz said while she leaned into the freezer again.

Michael went to help Parker and asked him to show him how to set the table.

"I hope you don't mind frozen pizza. Tomorrow is my day off so I'm gocery shopping. It's all I have." Liz was already opening a box.

"That's fine." He answered.

"Parker James, I'm going to thaw this pizza but it's only cause you're Daddy's hear and I'm sure he's hungry. Now, I don't want you using your powers and then start complaning because I did. Clear?"

"Ok. For Daddy." Parker looked at him and asked if he could drink red soda.

Without thinking, Michael shrugged and said, "Sure."

"Parker, you're good." Liz laughed.

Parker giggled and Michael felt lost. "What did I miss?"

"He's not allowed to drink red soda because he never has enough. It's like his drug." She answered and handed him the bottle. "It's your only cup. And I'm only letting you have it cause your Daddy said you could."

Michael filled a sippy cup and handed it over to Parker as a kitchen timer went off.

He was surprised Liz pulled out nuggets and the pizza. Both looked perfect. He knew she'd used powers but didn't dare say anything in front of their son.

What surprised him the most was when Liz grabbed tabasco sauce and set it on the table. Liz hated tabasco.

She placed the pizza, nuggets and tabasco in the middle of the table and was surprised when she put some on her pizza and passed it to Parker. He put some tabasco on his nuggets and extra on the side and then proceeded to pass it to Michael.

Liz saw his surprised look so she began to explain, "When I got pregnant with Parker, all I craved was tabasco. He has the same taste bugs as all of you. I hated eating it but I loved the taste. He eats it with everything. After I gave birth to him, I stopped putting it in my food but by then I was so used to putting it on my food, I couldn't stop."

He nodded grabbing a slice of pizza himself. He hadn't noticed Liz's concerned look or how quiet his son had became.

"Parker, what's wrong? Are you feeling ok?" Liz's concerned voiced made Michael's eyes shoot straight to his son.

Parker was looking down at his food and was shaking his head.

"What is it Sweet pea?" Liz urged.

"He came again." Parker's voice was low.

Michael's blood boiled. Who the hell was this man? He shot Liz and angry look. How dare she put Parker thru this?

"I know. Your Auntie Ava told me. It's ok, Parker. I'll take care of it."

"He was mad. He was mad Daddy was here. He yelled at me to come with him. He was scary today." Parker's voice was as low as a mouse.

Liz bit her lip and her eyes were closed tight. "Parker, you'll always be with me. He won't ever take you."

"Who is he, Parker? What's the man's name?" Michael was done with all Liz's bullshit.

"Parker, come here." Liz scooped Parker in her arms. "I promise you that the man will never take you from me. Mommy would never let that happen. Parker look at me please. I love you, hun. Nobody will ever take you away. Now, can you please go in your room and eat there? Mommy needs to talk with your Daddy."

All three stood and followed Parker to his room.

"Parker I'm going to lock this door and make it sound proof. Mommy or Daddy might argue and I don't want you to hear it. You'll be safe. I'm gonna put a little bell. If you unlock this door or take out the soundproof, I will know. If something happens and you get scared, just make it ring and I'll be here. Ok?" Liz explained.

Parker nodded and Michael waited as Liz did what she'd told Parker she'd do. He turned and went into the living room. He knew he wouldn't like what she'd have to say.

"Who is he, Liz?" He demanded as Liz came into view.

Liz took in a deep breath and said, "It's Max."

Silence filled the room. Michael was in shock.

It couldn't be. Max! No. Max didn't know where Liz was.

"He found us about 6 months after Parker was born." She continued. "He's—"

Michael shook his head. That couldn't be. "No, Liz. Max doesn't even know where you are. It can't be Max."

Liz nodded. "It's Max. Future Max. The one who came to me in high school. He's back. We call him Zander."