The upside to Julien and Josie actually dating was that Barry wasn't hiding out in the park, complaining to the Penguins about his roommate's activities. The downside is that it was still May and they attended school with Julien which meant hearing him belting out love songs, to which Josie would join in. The worst part was Mort's high pitched, out of tune singing to songs he barely knew the lyrics of.
The dating duo were currently driving the cafeteria crazy, accompanied by Mort. Josie stood up as she sang.
"What can make me feel this way, my girl, my-"
"Josie, stop! Guys, we're trying to eat lunch here!" Skipper complained. Josie put on an apologetic look and sat, signaling for Mort to stop. "Clover, how are you okay with this?"
"My job isn't to question that, I'm afraid." Clover said, sighing. "I really wish..."
"Wow." Julien said as he sat back down. "You peoples have no appreciation for the arts."
"We'd have more of an appreciation if you were to do that sparingly." Kowalski said. "Or not in public." He added under his breath.
"You could always visit each other and do karaoke." Private said.
"Visit each other at your homes, not the apartments." Skipper quickly added. "I don't need your roommate complaining to us about being sleep deprived."
"We'd have to face the wrath of Alice if we did that." Julien shuddered.
"It's not a bad idea. Wanna come to Tennessee?" Josie asked.
"Uh-yeah! I'm going to visit my grandma who lives in Madagascar, but I can ask my dad if I can come back early. Mort and Maurice are going somewhere, so it could just be us and Clover."
"I have to." Clover said apologetically.
"Only if it's okay with your parents and grandma, I don't wanna be disrespectful towards them. And don't be sorry, Clover, I've said it hundreds of times, I absolutely understand you have a job to do."
"On that note, can you respectfully let us eat the rest of our lunch in peace?" Skipper asked.
Julien and Josie started whispering excitedly, it was amazing that they even finished their lunch with how much they talked.
Mikayla had gotten more confident in being social with others as she chatted a bit with Marlene whom she felt most comfortable around aside from the Penguins.
Much to Rico's surprise, he got prom date requests from three girls. He laughed at that. Not only was he not interested in the dance and he was dating Kowalski, these were the same girls who insulted and sneered at him two years ago and never apologized. That, and they were the only ones who hadn't gotten over their crush on Jeffery.
Jeffery had to tell the class off because they kept getting questions wrong so they could talk to him and they kept wanting to stay after class, which delayed the next class.
"I look average if I'm being honest with you." Jeffery had said. "Is this projection or something? It's really unhealthy. I'd recommend speaking to a family member or a counselor."
Word spread after that and everybody simmered down and got over it. Except for three of them who were weirdly obsessed with him.
…
While at swim practice, Kowalski was given a letter. The teen who delivered it said that it was from Simon who had disappeared. His reappearance was as sudden and odd as him disappearing again. He was adamant that the letter be delivered to Kowalski.
The resident genius read the letter aloud once he was back in the HQ.
"Kowalski, I'm probably the last person you'd care to talk to, but I have an urgent matter to speak to you about. Meet me outside the zoo bell tower in three days at closing time, come alone. Please. Simon."
"Well that sounds like a trap." Skipper said, rolling his eyes.
"I'm going." Kowalski said.
"What?!" Rico and Private were shocked.
"Of course you are." Skipper confirmed.
"Excuse me while I repeat. What?!" Private shook his head. "Why would you go off alone like that when it sounds like a trap? Skipper, why would you let him?"
"Because he won't be alone. We'll be observing and recording from a distance where Simon can't see us and we'll be on guard."
Rico and Private were wary of this, but helped with prepping for this mission. They found themselves at the park as the sun was going down. Kowalski nodded as the team hurried to their hiding places.
He was wondering how long it would be, the bell had rung a while ago. He shifted his feet and looked around.
"The little one needs a better hiding spot."
Kowalski jumped and spun around to see a shadowy figure come out from behind a tree. He got in defense mode, but the shadow simply walked normally and removed his hood.
"I wasn't about to actually come alone, you know." Kowalski said, putting his hands down, but staying alert.
"Yeah, I know. We're both smart enough to know each other's quirks. That's how we know how to get under each other's skin. I know enough about your friends by simple observation."
"What do you want, Simon?"
"Walk with me." Simon said, spotting a zookeeper. "We'll look like we're up to something if we don't move."
Kowalski kept glancing at his rival as they walked.
"No one's about to ambush you. It's just me and I've come to try to get you to stop doing whatever little team thing you're doing."
"The thing is, if threats and kidnapping didn't stop us, what makes you think asking nicely will?"
"I don't think it'll work. I was told that since I 'know you', I should be able to be convincing and blah blah blah…I know it's useless. You'll keep fighting him."
"You did give Hans the puffin knowing what he wanted it for?"
"Yeah." Simon admitted. "I've known him for years. I didn't know he was alone."
"No one did. His parents were disappointed by Denmark and-what? What's the confused look for?"
"They worked for Blowhole." Simon stated.
"Now I know you're lying." Kowalski scoffed. "They just moved and they were incredibly disappointed in what happened and quit the organization."
Simon shook his head. "They worked with my parents and uncle. I've seen them. They were undercover agents."
"You knew about the organization? Wait, undercover? I'm lost."
"You're not lost, Kowalski, this is just information overload right now."
The two of them stopped, Simon looked at Kowalski. The taller teen was baffled, trying to process it.
Kowalski thought before he spoke. "But if Hans worked for Blowhole too, then why did his parents leave him?"
"I don't know that. I do know that they contacted Agent Twelve and that's how she found him."
"That makes sense." Kowalski breathed. "Maybe…maybe his destructive tendencies drew too much attention and his parents didn't want the organization digging into their lives and finding out-wait your parents work with them? How did they all get to New York?"
"I was already here and I met Julien Makyhira Jr who ran his mouth and I asked about a kid called Skipper since Hans told me his name. Julien told me the Sorenson family was here."
"Geez…" Kowalski sat on a bench, holding his head. Simon sat next to him. "But, why would you want to join Blowhole. You know who he is-"
"And what he's done. Yes." Simon looked up at the sky. "I didn't exactly have a choice, but I wasn't forced either. They asked me at the age of eight if I wanted to be put up for adoption because their work was 'dangerous' and it could hurt me. I was eight, of course I didn't want to be separated from my parents…I didn't know anything about their pasts or Blowhole. I didn't know they were part of the reason you guys have a 'teen division'."
"I feel I shouldn't be surprised at what you do know. Who are your parents?"
"A couple of criminals and drug addicts who for some reason got a clear head enough to think about their kid's safety for ten minutes. I seriously don't know how I made it past childhood with some things…"
"I can relate, coming from a household with an abusive alcoholic."
Simon looked at Kowalski. "You had your brother. I had no one. My uncle's as bad as his sister even without drugs, so yeah. My parents OD'd."
"I-that's…I'm sorry." Kowalski said. "They were still your parents and provided for you. Even though you deserved better, it's not easy losing a parent or finding out how you lost a parent."
"Your mother?"
"My father basically organized her death."
"Ouch. I'm sorry, Kowalski. And my apology extends past that, really. I'm sorry for everything I've said and done." Simon said.
"We can protect you, you know." Kowalski said.
"I know. I didn't actually come here to get you to stop, it sounded stupid anyway. I came here to say goodbye."
"Where are you going?"
"I don't know. Anywhere. My uncle's in trouble and I don't want to be caught in the aftermath."
"Again, we can protect you. Please come with us and we'll make sure no one can find you. Why is he in trouble?"
"He's the one who led the attack on the village in India along with the Ribers and he got caught. As soon as Blowhole finds a way to get him out, he's a dead man. I know I'll be transferred to a village or something and I don't want to. That's not my life. I have nothing to tell them either that Hans didn't already say so I stole my uncle's and parents' money and ran."
"Have you told anyone much about us?" Kowalski asked.
"No. Not what you're implying." Simon answered. "I don't know and I don't need to know if the kiss was real or if you're with that girl, but no. I didn't say anything about her because she wasn't part of the team and I didn't know if your teammate was just trying to get under my skin."
"Oh."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, listening to the noises of the city. Then, Simon got up and started walking. Kowalski followed suit.
"That girl…was she a runaway too? She kinda looked like it." Simon asked.
"Yeah. She had someone to rely on before she met us, though."
"I hope I find someone like that. I'll be headed out west, pretend I'm eighteen or something."
"You could go back to high school. You're too smart to pass up a university and they want you to have passed twelfth grade."
"Probably won't make it to university." Simon's face was full of sadness. "I probably shouldn't make myself known to too many if I'm hiding. Hans threatened to spill all he knew about me. He could at this point, honestly, I'm just…nobody."
"Simon-"
"Don't worry about me, alright? If there's anything I think you should know, I'll contact Hans. I kept his number before I broke my phone and ditched it."
"If you say so." Kowalski didn't believe the fake smile, but what else could he do. "Are you sure there's nothing I could do to help you?"
"I'm positive. See ya later, smart guy."
"Not if you're disappearing, genius."
A faint, genuine, smile crossed Simon's face. Then he pulled up his hood and walked away. Kowalski had the urge to chase him down and make him come back, but he felt a hand on his shoulder.
He turned to see the team. Rico put down his hand and held Kowalski's.
"There's nothing we could have done, he would have resisted and drawn attention." Skipper said. "Which is the last thing he wants."
"Yeah…"
"Let's go home."
…
The boys were restless for the next few days. Despite Skipper trying to reassure Kowalski, he felt bad like he should have done more as a leader. Kowalski said it was fine and he didn't blame the leader for anything.
The organization was concerned about someone with so much information walking free, but they also understood why. They said that if Simon showed up again acting suspicious, then they wouldn't let him off again.
After talking through it and spending the next few weeks on different training tactics, the boys shifted gears and Rico's graduation became the main focus.
He didn't want any of the parties, even though Julien really wanted to throw one. Rex and Rikki had their flights paid for by George Sorenson who wouldn't hear a thing against it. George reminded Rex that this was his son's high school graduation and that he'd barely been able to make it to Rikki's.
Rex and Rikki stayed at the Penguins' house, bringing the news that Rex was now dating Teresa who he had met last summer.
The boys fixed up Private's room for Rikki and made a bed in the cozy space room for Rex. Private had an airbed he was going to sleep on in Skipper's room.
Rico was extremely nervous and wouldn't tell the team why. Kowalski figured it out quickly because Rico stopped being as affectionate.
"You're in a safe environment. Your sister knows and accepts you, I know your dad does too." Kowalski said. Rico had noticed Kowalski looking concerned all day and decided to come into his room at night. Kowalski turned on the bedside light and looked at his boyfriend who sat at the end of the bed.
"Not ready…" Rico whispered.
"When will you be ready? I thought we only hid it from the world so Blowhole couldn't use it against us. Those closest to us understand and love us."
"I-"
The door opened and the two of them went silent. "I heard Rico's footsteps." Skipper said. "This isn't the first time you've snuck into each other's rooms at night. I've noticed and I normally don't care, however, tomorrow's a big day and you need sleep."
"Yes, sir. It's just that Rico's afraid of coming out to his dad."
"Why so? I thought you were confident."
"I don't know." Rico said. "I am…not label…" He frowned and shook his head. "Not…sure."
"You don't know how to define how you feel." Kowalski said. "And that's okay. I know you care about me."
"What if…love…isn't there?"
"Meaning you don't feel it?"
"Yeah."
"I think your caring and wanting to be in a gay relationship is your definition of romantic love." Skipper said. "It's different for everyone and as long as no one's hurt, then why shouldn't you get to define it?"
"Hey, Skipper?" Rex's voice called. "I think I clogged the toilet."
"I'll handle it." Skipper said.
Skipper left and a minute later, Rex entered the room. He looked around carefully as he'd been warned about potential experiments.
"I was told Rico's room was full of tripwires." Rex said.
"Mine's clear enough in case Rikki mistook this for the bathroom. I think Rico disabled his traps for the same reason." Kowalski answered. Rico didn't respond.
"That's a relief. May I sit in the chair?"
"Sure."
Rex looked around. "Your mom would approve of the décor." He remarked, looking around at the various posters in the bedroom.
"Thanks." Kowalski said. "I'm not kidding when I say that's not even half the scientific posters and papers I have."
Rex laughed. "I bet…so…Rico?" He looked at his son who didn't look back. "Aren't you excited, son? You get to be done with high school, though I bet Skipper will still want you to train and make sure the city's safe."
Silence.
"I know it's scary to be by yourself, but you're not on your own, you know? And it'll just be during the school day."
"If I had a normal upbringing, I could have been graduating with him." Kowalski said. "It was due to an error on my part, though I've been offered. This conversation isn't about that or graduation and we're beating around the bush. Rico, I'll say it if you won't."
Rico sighed heavily. "Dad…I…am…" He paused, confused. "Rico?"
"Hate to break it to you kid, but that's not breaking news. Your mom and I named you." Rex said. "And we love you, no matter what. I mean it, I've always meant it. You can tell me anything."
"I date 'Walski." Rico said.
"I'm bi and Rico's still not completely sure how he feels because he doesn't know how to define romantic love. I'm pretty sure our relationship has romantic love." Kowalski explained.
"Well okay then. Let's not stay up too late talking, but I accept both of you and your moms would too."
"Did you know my mom as long as Stella?"
"Yes. When Talia decided to move out to Missouri, I met her at the shop and she told me that her sister and best friend were coming out there too. Stella and I fell in love and she moved in with me at my parents' old house."
"Aunt Talia moved first?"
"She was recommended the school by a friend she went to college with while Stella still had about a semester of school left if I remember correctly."
"You know…for sure?" Rico asked. "Accept?"
"Absolutely without a doubt, yes."
"Did you know my father?" Kowalski hesitantly asked.
"Unfortunately, yes. Maria was already dating him at the time. He seemed distant and a bit antisocial. He stopped coming around when Rikki was born. Your mom came a few times over the next four years."
"Did she make it to the funeral?"
Rex shook his head. "She said she couldn't afford to come out. She sounded odd and I knew things were tense. Maybe she'd just found out she was pregnant and didn't want to fly with an unborn baby and a toddler. She definitely wouldn't have left you alone with him."
"The day she died…do you know where we were?"
"Being babysat by an elderly neighbor. We hadn't had contact since Stella and Talia's death, only through Jeffery who had sparse communication too. I tried to contact Ralph after her death, trying to get him to realize I know exactly how it feels…I didn't know how wrong I was…I assumed after you all disappeared that he'd change your names. My kids didn't really talk about students that much until two years ago and I told Jeffery that you guys were investigating Maria."
"Thank you for that."
"My mother told me you inquired about her, but she wouldn't have known much. She was struggling with my dad's illness and wasn't as involved with us until after he passed when Rico was about one. Maria's contact had started to become minimal. As soon as I pieced together everything, which was after you and your brother had been taken out of there, I sent Ralph a strongly worded letter. He more or less told me to leave him alone and never write again."
"It's the thought that counts."
"True. Alright, it's getting late. I'm off to bed." Rex said. "Night, boys."
"Night." They said.
…
Rico, much happier than he had been last night, was in his gown and in line. His team and his family were cheering when his name was called.
Summer was beginning and the boys were all in their new house for the first summer. Well, Kowalski and Rico were planning a trip to Missouri in June. Private and his friends were going to Britain for a few weeks in July. Skipper said he might do something in August, but he wasn't sure.
A/N: The end of year 3. 11 chapters remain
