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"Ooooh, boy...." Jason muttered as his eyes returned to their normal color. "I think Mam will pitch a fit, guys!"
He sat down and placed the box on the floor. "Meow!" He reached in and picked up a very large cat. Only it was not a cat. It was a kitten... a sabre-tooth tiger kitten... a very cute, sabre-tooth tiger kitten.
Jason cuddled the creature to his chest as he looked up at the two smiling Mikyvis before him. The sounds of snores and some quiet conversations coming from the Rec Room behind him added that perfect peaceful counterpoint to the evening; the loving sight of Sean and Cory being led off for their well deserved quiet time had made Jason happy. If any deserved some time just for themselves, they did; and Bast, Mont and Prince Harry would ensure the two teens would remain undisturbed. Receiving this new pet, however, just finished off the entire day for him.
"Thank you, but... but why this little cutie, guys?" Jason asked softly.
Levi smiled, "'Cos I saw him and rescued him and thought of you, Uncle Jace."
"Yeah," Peter giggled, "he has your name all over him!"
Jason chuckled. "I'll take your word on it, angel-boys," he said, smiling at them both.
He felt a slight touch upon his awareness, and immediately recognized it for the touch of a Mikyvis. Somehow, when Cuddlebunny, Sweetheart, Levi and Peter, all unaware, had healed his mind and brain ten months ago, they had instilled a link that would forever allow him to know when they were near or in his head. As if, by their very act of healing, they had forever linked themselves to what humanity was changing into.
Jason mulled over that thought; 'I have rooms in my head, like them. And like those Ferox, from what Antony says. Am I turning into them? Maybe. Are they what humans will one day be? God, I so hope so. Please, God, let it be so.'
Levi and Peter did not say a word as they sat cross legged by Jason; they smiled instead, and continued to work in his mind.
"There," Peter said finally, "I think that's got it Levi."
"Yup," Levi nodded, "you're getting good at it now. You can do the Double J's tomorrow, if you'd like."
"Okay. Then Jace can train them in the new stuff?" Peter asked.
Levi nodded, "I think he may as well. He has to do it with Sammy and the Trinity, so all of them together would be better."
Jason giggled, "What were you two doing in there this time?"
Levi grinned, "Showing Peter how to do a N-Gen conversion, and then downloading all the languages you're gonna need, Uncle Jace."
Jason nodded, "Cool. And guys, never think I don't trust you just 'cos I ask. I'm just nosey. You could do anything you'd like to me, 'cos I love and trust you and know you'd always be doing something good for me and those I care about. I hope you know that."
"I know that, Uncle," Levi smiled happily.
"Jace," Peter queried, "who came up with 'N-Gen'?"
"Sammy," giggled the blue-green eyed twelve year old. "Did you say all languages?" he suddenly asked.
"Yeah. You got the 'Riti dump'!" Peter chortled.
Levi nodded seriously, "And I taught you how to do our language transfers as well, just like Xain showed us. You have to okay who gets what in your Clan."
"So, what you naming your familiar, Jace?" Peter asked.
Jason picked the kitten up and stared at him for a long moment, then started purring and meowing at him. The kitten responded with a very long purr.
"He likes 'Taron', so Taron it is!" Jason giggled finally. Taron nodded his head, then wiggled about until Jason put him down on the floor. Taron looked at the three boys, meowed and waited.
"He wants to go sleep with the G-Cats, and he wants you two to join him. Be warned, Belar likes exploring." Jason giggled.
Levi and Peter giggled and blushed, but did get up, and together, they all made their way back inside the Rec Room to sleep.
The Next Morning:
Kyle and Tyler woke with huge grins on their faces. "You know; we're not gonna live this down Ty!" Kyle giggled.
Tyler nodded. "It was our honeymoon; what did they expect?"
Nearby, Jason was giggling at them, with Timmy cuddled on his lap. "Well, I was having such a nice dream with Nath' and some dude called Brakkii, then I get this rugrat saying something 'bout someone splashing you two with water..."
"Yeah!" Timmy giggled. "You were sleeping, then there were FOUR of you!"
"Besides," Antony muttered, "honeymoons are to get yourselves preggers... not give birth on!"
"It's not MY fault we do in nine seconds what you take nine MONTHS to do!" Tyler giggled as he stroked the hair of the two boys sleeping between him and Kyle.
"Not me, dude... I would comment, but the room is full of girls, and they would kill me!" Antony giggled.
"Aw, man," Jason whispered as he, Nathan and Timmy floated over. "They are sweet. Guys, you do good work."
Kyle looked down at the youngest appearing of the two, who was cuddled up to his side. The boy appeared to be about seven years old; as Kyle stroked the boy's shoulder-length violet-blond hair his bright violet eyes opened.
"Hi Daddy." the boy announced as he stretched.
"Good morning Dylan!" Kyle replied with a smile. "You ready for your first day?"
"Uh huh! Do we REALLY get to go with Uncle Miah like you and Poppa was sayin last night?" Dylan responded in an excited tone.
Kyle giggled. "Yes you do; he's gonna teach you guys all about Time."
Dylan quickly rolled over and started shaking his brother. "Bryce ... BRYCE ... Wake Up!"
The eleven-year-old silver-blond slowly opened his eyes, which matched Dylan's exactly. With a big grin on his face, he replied. "You know little brother; we've only been alive a few hours and I already understand why everyone says little brothers are annoying."
"You're only about ten microseconds older than me, dufus!" Dylan replied with an equally big grin. "C'mon; not everyone has forever like we do!"
Jason, floating above them, looked down with a giggle, "Welcome to Life, sweeties. And, Bryce? If you think little brothers are annoying, wait 'til you meet your big 'little' brother!"
Nathan, floating next to Jason and holding Timmy in his arms, turned and looked at the G-Cat Nest, "Hey, Angel-boy!"
"Wassup, Nath'?" Levi responded as his head popped out of the mass of fur.
"Your new brothers, dude!" Nathan called back, waking the entire room.
"Oh, good, they're awake!" Levi bubbled happily as he popped from the cat-nest and into the middle of his family huddle.
"Umm ... Levi?" Dylan stated with a pained expression. "I love ya bro; but could you please move your knee? I don't need that part of my body like everyone else here does, but it'd be nice to keep it!"
"Yeah," Antony giggled as he crawled over the other kids to get to the Mikyvis. "I think Dylan's future partner might not be impressed if you 'impress' those bits into the floor, Angel!"
Levi giggled as he shifted around and pulled both new boys into a hug. "He'll be okay; I gotta look out for my little brothers, even if one of them decided to be a big goof!"
Bryce giggled. "You're just jealous that you didn't think of being the oldest one first Levi. Thanks for coming in with Dad and Pop after we were born to help us get ready for our first day. It's a lot of help knowing what to expect; there's a lot of stuff you told us that Dad and Pop were not aware of when our species has their first day of life."
Levi smiled at his two brothers. "I kinda had to learn a few things the hard way; I didn't want you guys to make the same mistakes I did."
Adam sniggered, "Yeah, like running around nude?"
"What's wrong with that, if I may ask?" Riti grinned from his hovering position above the nest, where he had a good view of the new kids.
"Nothin', if you're an exhibitionist Lo'Garn, I s'pos," Nathan muttered with a cheeky grin at his feathered brother.
"... or an uncle who I like to pick on..." Levi giggled as Nathan suddenly found himself in a fuzzy gee-string.
"Oh, man..." Nathan blushed, yet looked wickedly at Jason.
"Levi?" Jason asked, looking at Nathan with hunger.
"Yes, Uncle Jace?" Levi responded sweetly.
"Do you mind sending that gee-string back to our bedroom in Wales?" Jason pleaded, "He's going to be distracting if I have to keep looking at him in it right now!"
"Okay!" Levi replied as Nathan suddenly found himself totally nude again.
"Hey! That felt kinda nice, Jace!" Nathan protested. "Why'd ya make him get rid of it?"
"Don't worry, sexy. You'll be wearing it soon," Jason commented quietly, a fire in his eyes.
"I'll get the hoses," JJ giggled.
"And I'll get the ice!" Sammy sniggered.
"I'll behave, I'll behave!" Jason laughed as he and Nathan landed next to the five Mikyvis.
Dylan tilted his head as he finished scanning the faces around him. "Thanks for lettin' us know what name matches what face Levi; I dunno how you handled all these new people all at once!"
Levi smiled. "I cheated lil bro; I listened for open thoughts flying around about anyone that Daddy and Poppa didn't tell me about. It's not nice to do that though; so I wanted to make sure you didn't have to."
"Well," Jason commented lightly as he smiled at the new Mikyvis, "I don't think picking out names and faces from random thoughts is a really bad thing, little one; especially when you're in a situation like that - just been born and in a Family this big, and all. But your big bro is right, Dylan, Bryce. If you want to scan someone, you should find out first if they don't mind. A lot of people have things they keep hidden, so you have to be respectful."
Jason reached in and pulled Levi over briefly to hug him, "This one learnt that well, even if he is a little mischief-maker." He kissed Levi affectionately, "Love you, little Angel."
"Me? Mischief?" Levi giggled, as he hugged Jason back. "I dunno WHAT you're talkin about, Uncle Jace!"
Jason winked at the boy in his arms, then gently plopped him back in between his parents. "How 'bout you two? Want a 'Welcome to the Family' hug?" He opened his arms, as did Nathan who was next to him.
Both boys grinned as they popped into the nearest lap. "Thanks!" they chorused.
"Ooff!" Jason giggled, as his lap was filled with the eleven year old sized Bryce. "You picked being this big, 'lil dude'?"
"Yes," Bryce giggled. "I wanted my brothers to have a big brother to help them. But I can be any age I want, and I'll really be that age."
"Sweet," Nathan mumbled, "Ho, boy; you been getting tips from Belar and Timmy on snuggling, Dylan?"
"Uh huh!" he said happily. "I'm doing good?"
"I'd say eleven out of ten," Nathan sighed happily.
"Wes taughts them alls we knows," Belar called proudly from the G-Cat nest.
"Yup," added Timmy, "The Valley of Cuddles and Snuggles helped."
"You were there too?" Riti exclaimed excitedly. "Thought that was just MY dream!"
Levi giggled innocently. "I kinda wanted to share my favorite vacation spot; besides I gotta show off my family to the Queen!"
"I didn't see a Queen there," Jason said, looking confused. "Did see someone called Brakkii, though."
"He's the Queen; I'll have one of our visitors later today explain it to ya!" Levi giggled.
Nathan smirked, and was quickly slapped by Jason, "Not that type of queen, you nut!"
"You're silly!" Dylan giggled. "Is there a line for food yet?"
Riti flew over to the door leading into the Dining Room and opened it. The smell of breakfast wafted out and those kids who had been lazily watching Kyle and Tyler's new children suddenly bounced up and began milling around.
"Well," Riti chortled, "best way to get people moving, no?"
"C'mon!" Levi announced. "I gotta introduce ya to Grandma; it's a big brother's right!"
"Don't ya mean 'big 'little' brother's right'?" Victoria sniggered as she tickled Levi's ribs.
"I'm older in here... which is the only place that you can tell a Mikyvis' age!" Levi giggled as he pointed to his head.
"Stops talking, gets movin'! Wants FOODS!" came the pathetic cry from the tiny Bajoran now stuck in the middle of a vast sea of kids who were all busy trying to throw on enough clothing to just pass Helen's regulations.
Riti sniggered, "City-folks."
"Ah, Riti. We're not at home now, and you know the Clan rules for meals..." Jason said, leaving his statement hanging.
"But Jaaaaace! Clothing makes me uncomfortable!" he whined as he hovered over the doorway watching the Clan charge under him towards the buffet. "It's like Telez can't be in Orlando without his Bio-suit! Pleeeeeeaaaaasssseee?!"
Jason shook his head, "Dude, you know what the rules are; and you wear your body suit without problems."
"Still not the same!" Riti pouted.
Nathan broke in as he passed Jason his jumpsuit, "Riti, go and ask Mrs Short and Mrs McCarthy yourself, but you have to promise to do as they tell you. No arguments, deal?"
"'Kay!" he said brightly, and ducked down to fly through the door into the Dining Room, calling out for the two women. "Mrs Shooooorrrrt? Mrs McCaaarthyyyy?"
"How long until he gets chewed out for being formal with Grandma and Aunt Helen?" Levi giggled.
"I give it thirty seconds! Mom's pretty strict about that!" Tyler replied with a grin.
"How'd you think it'll play out, Tyler?" Jason asked with a grin as he pulled his suit up around his waist and started to slide his arms into the sleeves.
"About now she's making him slow down enough to be understood...." Ty replied.
Victoria giggled from the floor, where she had sat to dress, "He's nuts."
"I... would say something... but I won't..." Antony laughed.
"Good. Wisdom comes to you after all." she retorted.
"Oh, GOD, Viccy!" Nathan howled.
She started blushing when she worked out what she had said.
JJ looked on curiously, "What? What did I miss?"
Chuckling, Antony explained, "My Zan'Fi Na, my bonded? He's Telez, and his code name is 'Wisdom'."
Adam fell to the floor, holding his ribs, and JJ soon followed him. Riti poked his head around the door frame and called sweetly, "Oh, Jason?"
"Yeah?" came the giggling reply.
"NEEERRRR NERRRR! Granma Teri AND Granma Helen says I can stay like this!" Riti announced, finishing off by blowing a big raspberry at his big brother, before flying over the tables in the Dining Room back towards the Buffet.
Jason watched as Dylan and Bryce finished their very first breakfast from the comfort of their grandmother's lap, and he smiled happily to himself. He watched as Kyle moved over to whisper briefly to the two boys before they all quickly vanished. Jason giggled and thought, 'Can't stand still for a moment, that lot!'
'Nope. Too much to do, and forever to do it in!' Tyler sent with amusement.
'Oh, ha ha, Cuddlebunny!' Jason retorted as he poked his tongue out at Tyler seated opposite him. 'They gone to see this Miah guy?'
'Uh huh. Training.' Tyler responded, poking his own tongue out at the giggling Patriarch.
Jason nodded, but did not reply as a telepathic message from Telez broke in on his awareness suddenly, 'Jace! The other Lo'Garn has been found! Dude, he's with Vincent, and they only just found him!'
'Amazing! Great news, bro!' Jason replied happily.
'I know. Vincent is asking if we can tell them anything about this new kid. What do I say? I know we are released from Red One, but...' Telez asked.
Jason thought quickly, then sent back, 'Just the minimum. Too much too soon will shock the kid, and confuse Vincent. Well, for the confusion... I'll ask Levi to pop over. Tell them what you think they should know, Tel.'
Telez giggled, 'Koth will be happy! Okay. Seeya later, Jace.' Then his presence was gone.
Jason looked over at Tyler and Levi, 'Guys, you heard?'
'Of course, Tyler replied as Levi giggled with a roll of his eyes. 'You guys are always being monitored. You're our bros! Levi is going now.' With that, Levi vanished.
Jason grinned and returned to his breakfast. He sent a quick message off to the other Dragon Division members in the Compound, and was nearly mentally deafened by Riti's excited reply.
Less than a minute later Levi had returned and was sitting next to him. "That was quick!" Jason muttered in surprise.
"Time travel," Levi giggled. "I've been to the Dream Realms too, so I've got more news after breakfast for y'all; I gotta go get some pancakes!" With that, Levi popped away to the buffet.
Prince Harry's voice came into Jason's mind next, 'Jace? Adam and Logan of the Unit have asked for assistance in Utah. I'm taking the thirty guards from here and joining them now. I think you and the rest should come over later as well.'
'Roger that, bro. I'll await your call.' Jason sent back.
He turned when he saw a quick movement by the door to the Rec Room; Cory and Sean had just entered the room, flanked by Bast and Mont. Half the Clan were still feasting and chatting, while others were relaxing and playing in the Rec Room. The relaxed smiles on both of the teenager's faces showed that everything was as it should be.
"Hey, lovebirds!" Jason called to them, "Get over here. Got something for ya!"
Both boys giggled as they make their way over towards Jason and Nathan. Belar was on Nathan's lap trying manfully to get as much of the waffle he had on his plate to fit in his mouth in one go. "Morning, Jace; morning Nath'," Cory said, "And you too, kiddo! You sleep good, Bel?"
After swallowing his mouthful, Belar replied with a huge grin, "Sleeps goods, Unca Cowy! Timmy and us had showers dis mowning, and we's swordfi'ted... I won!"
Sean smiled, "That's good, Bel."
Nathan rolled his eyes as he and Jason giggled. "Yeah. They ate, then they showered, now they're eating again!" Jason pointed at Timmy and Ricky over on the other side of the room, showing Jess and Rhys how to make pancake towers.
"So?" Cory giggled, "that sounds normal for the Clan, Jace!"
"Point," Jason also giggled as he finished eating his own second breakfast. After his last mouthful, he stood, sent a brief thought to Nathan, and then gestured Cory and Sean to one of the corners of the room. "Over here quickly, dudes. This shouldn't take too long."
"What's wrong, Jason?" Cory said, nervousness at the Welsh boy's actions plainly seen on his face.
"Nothing to worry about. I was just thinking earlier and then tried checking on something; with Kyle's say so, just so you know," Jason assured with a smile.
Sean's eyes widened, "Now I'm really nervous!"
Jason giggled. "I did some checking on you both about ten minutes ago. Just mental set up and such, not memories, so don't be mad. I was told last night by Antony and Justy about Socius, and since you two have passed the Review stage, you are technically engaged?"
Cory giggled. "You might say that; if we can nail Tyne down between emergencies we're gonna be official soon."
"Cool. Oh, quickly off topic at hand; Nath' and I are married too. We were married in February on Vulcan. Great thing to happen, but once things settle, he and I want to go for this Socius review and joining; just so we have a ceremony! Vulcans don't have their official one 'til age twenty one, as you know. Can you put us forward for it, Cory?" Jason asked his heart in his eyes.
Cory grinned. "Are you sure about that? Tyne will put you through Hell before he'll say okay; the only person who is worse is Kyle. Kyle's tests make Tyne's look easy."
"So I heard from Justy when I mentioned it. Didn't go searching, but the 'Hope you're ready' thought was clear. Just hope Tyne can deal in here," Jason tapped the side of his head. "Kyle said I and Nath' have more rooms than a Founder."
"A blond with more places to store cobwebs?" Sean muttered under his breath. Seconds later, Cory was sitting on Sean's chest.
"Quiet you!" Cory giggled. "Tyne was able to handle Kyle and Ty; so you guys would be no challenge. If Tyne says okay, touch base with Kyle to make sure how to prep your head for a Founder probe. You'll need to shut down ALL of your defenses; that I know for sure."
"That's a given. If anyone less than I tried a mental probe against my will, their minds get shattered," Jason said seriously. He paused.
"And as for hell..." Jason's face changed slightly, and he began to look sick. "Nath' and I have already been through hell... we lost one of our sons, a month or so back..." he finished brokenly with a haunted look in his eyes.
Cory pulled Jason down and into a hug, both of them now on Sean's chest. "That's rough bro; I can't even guess about how you feel. I've experienced it through Socius scanning, but not in real life."
Sean reached up and squeezed Jason's arm. "Same here bro. I don't want to sound insensitive here, but could the two of you please get off of my chest? I like breathing."
Cory looked into Jason's face as he climbed off Sean, but found that a battle was going on in Jason's eyes. He physically had to move the boy off Sean, and as he did so, Jason's face crumpled further, and a broken hearted sob escaped.
Belar and Nathan noticed Jason's reactions and dove off their chair; Nathan ran to Jason, while Belar zoomed out of the room as fast as his tiny legs would take him. Seconds later, Victoria, Antony, Riti and Korris charged in. They stopped near the corner where Nathan, Cory and Sean were holding the now shaking Jason, and turned to keep everyone away.
Bast and Mont noticed from their place at the table; they inhaled the last of their raw, bloody meat and sprinted over, Korris quickly whispered to them, and they too placed themselves with the others to guard the four boys in the corner.
Teri was about to walk over and investigate the sudden movement when a chilling wail spilled from Jason's throat and stopped her in her tracks. She saw Nathan sink to the ground and pulling Jason in tightly. The brown haired boy hid his face in Nathan's chest and started bawling loudly. Cory and Sean sat near them quickly, keeping close.
A small hand touching her own made her look down into the serious eyes of a tiny Bajoran. "Please, Granma Tewi... Don'ts goes to dem. Dada needs to cry..."
"What's happening, Belar?" Teri asked gently as she scooped the boy up into her arms.
Belar started to cry himself, "I los' me big bruver weeks and weeks ago. Dada's not cried yets."
Teri looked up and saw Jessica nearby, also crying softly, so she pulled the little girl over and sat both kids on her lap to comfort them.
Over in the corner, Cory started to say, "Nath'; what...?" but was cut off quickly.
Nathan sent to them both, 'Just speak in here, guys. He needs this. You have no idea how much we've been worried that this wouldn't happen. I should have known that the magic of Short would do it...'
'Do what?' Sean asked silently.
Tears now in his own eyes, Nathan began to explain.
'Jace and I had three kids; Belar, Jessica, and Jess' big brother; Oliver. Our little Ollie...' Nathan paused as he sniffled. 'We... we were investigating some child porn trafficking, as well as the links they had to slavery, and were so close to making a break through. We just needed someone well trained and capable in there undercover. Ollie was well trained and capable, but still; not our first choice.'
Nathan paused again, hot tears falling faster as he started to relive that day. 'We told him thanks, but no. Yet he went anyway. He disobeyed Jason's order. Still, now that he was in, we could do nothin' but use him there. He was Jace's pride and joy; telepathic, and powerful. We knew he could handle things, but we just weren't ready to risk our kid.
'He got 'picked up' and taken to the target's location. We were moving behind and started planning the extraction with all the info we were getting... when... we don't know, but Jace lost contact somehow. We threw the book out of the window and went charging in.
'It was a slaughter-house, guys! They had used warp plasma; god knows why... maybe they knew we were on to them, I dunno... but... thirty four kids...'
Cory and Sean looked ready to hurl chunks. Warp plasma was a by-product of a starship's engines, and was always disposed of correctly by Starfleet. It was lethal for it would dissolve all living matter within seconds of contact; and it had been used on thirty four kids!
'We found no-one. Not one kid left, not one of the perps; no-one! We know that things are going on beyond the Sol System, and this pointed right at it... what broke us most, was that Ollie... our baby Ollie... we only found enough DNA traces left to identify seven of the children; and Ollie's was one of the seven...'
'FUCK!' Cory shouted in his mind. Sean just nodded his agreement; lips sealed to prevent his throwing up.
Jason's sobs had not lessened, even with Nathan holding him tightly and whispering to him. Cory reached and rubbed the boys back gently, his hand moving in concentric circles. Sean reached and took one of Jason's free hands and held it comfortingly.
Weakly smiling his thanks, Nathan continued, 'I was a wreck for a week; I didn't eat, wouldn't do nuffin'... Jace was there for me every step. Yet, after that first night, he never cried. Never showed any emotion.... nothing. Viccy grew concerned, once she had recovered herself. We all did. It wasn't that he forgot Ollie, but he just wouldn't grieve! He would talk about him, but would not feel for him... and Ollie was always a Daddy's boy. Jess is a Poppa's girl, and Bel ain't fussy, but Ollie was Jason's shadow...' Nathan stopped and kissed Jason's trembling forehead then sent again, 'I thought that we'd never see him grieve... Thank you, guys. I really dunno what it is, but something 'bout you Short boys brings out the best and worst... and the worst only so that it can be dealt with... thank you...'
Cory and Sean just sat there, and continued to comfort Jason as best they could, while Nathan wept and muttered "I love you's" to Jason quietly.
When Jason finally managed to crawl out of his grief filled state, he found himself being held lovingly by Nathan, having his back gently rubbed by Cory, and Sean was holding both his hands. Three empty plates piled next to the boys bore witness to the fact that his weeping storm had lasted long enough for all three to eat a full breakfast. He looked up into his T'hy'la's loving gaze and smiled tearfully at him. "Thank you, cutie. I love you," he whispered. He glanced at the two teens who were helping to comfort him, "And you two, guys. Love you too. Thanks."
Jason uncurled from Nathan's embrace and sat down next to him, laying his head on Nathan's shoulder. He wiped at his eyes and sniffed, "I dunno why I didn't feel before. I really dunno..."
"I think Uncle Dan would call it 'post-traumatic shock syndrome'." Sean replied seriously.
Nathan nodded, "Yeah. Aunty Mary thought so as well."
Jason sat a bit straighter, "Thanks again, Cory; Sean. I'm not sure why, but you asking about it... well..." He shrugged his shoulders and smiled at them sadly. "I wish you could have met him. Ollie was an angel. My angel..."
Jason shook himself slightly. "Guys, back to what I wanted to talk to you about, and to save time, can we have a conference in my head? Time wise, it'll take about ten seconds, but it'll take as long as needed from our perspective. We all have loads to do today, going by what Antony said. And maybe, if you'd like... I could show you Ollie?"
"As long as you're sure you're okay to do it there bro." Cory replied.
Jason looked at Nathan with a question in his eyes.
Nathan nodded seriously, a small equally sad smile playing on his lips, "Yeah, that's no problem."
"So, can I do the meeting? In here?" Jason said as he tapped the side of his head.
"You sure you don't want to use Nath's head? More room!" Sean giggled before being dummy-slapped by Cory.
Cory shook his head, and glared at Sean. "That sounds great Jace, Go ahead."
"More room," Nathan muttered, with a half smile at Sean, "You just wait, Archivist... you just wait..."
"We'll plot later." Cory added with a grin.
The boys fell silent as Jason started using his powers. Off to the side of the room, where nobody noticed, Levi stood in the shadows; concern for his friends written on his face. Jason's emotional distress caused Levi to look deeper into the past. A few seconds later, Levi disappeared, his eyes glowing with anger at the injustice he had just witnessed.
The world seemed to fade away and the boys appeared in a rather comfortable looking room. There was a huge sofa in one corner, and what seemed like a window just past that.
"What the...?" Sean stuttered as he looked out at the expanse beyond.
"That's Jace' mind, dude." Nathan giggled. "His telepathy is more focused than mine right now, so technically, there's more room in his head than mine... at least, visible room. Mine is focused on TK, so the set up is different."
"We'll eventually be the same, so will Viccy," Jason smiled as he sat down with his husband on the sofa. They watched with amusement as Cory and Sean stared out of the 'window'.
"Kyle was telling me about Danny being able to do something like this." Cory mused. "Now I see why Kyle thought it was so kewl."
Nathan's face suddenly went pale, "Oh, GOD! Jace?? You left that door open!!"
"What door, love?" Jason asked, puzzlement on his face.
"Umm..." Sean was looking out of the window at a room that seemed fairly close, "I think Nath' means that one!"
Jason went bright red, "Oh... umm... oops! Sorry, Nath'! Was thinking about.... well..."
Cory giggled, "Christmas Day? You got together last Christmas?"
"'Got together' is only one thing you could say about it," Sean laughed as the room suddenly closed and moved away.
"Sorry, guys," Jason blushed more, "I was thinking on that earlier and forgot to close it."
"And he calls me blond," Nathan was nearly as red as Jason. "Damn! Oh, well... at least these guys can't tease too much. Their first time must have been as... amusing..."
"Which one? Our first first or our second first?" Cory giggled. "There are good points to regaining memories after losing them."
"You had a first time twice going all the way?" Nathan asked in awe. "Sweet!"
"Yes, they did. Sorry, dudes, but when I mind healed Cory that time, I saw it. Couldn't help it, and as you can tell, I told no-one, not even Nath'." Jason said shyly.
"Which makes me love you all the more, my beloved," Nathan muttered lovingly, "means I can trust you."
Sean giggled. "Yeah; thing is, I didn't really realize what an important event it was the first time."
"It was 'just playing' at the time for you?" Nathan asked curiously.
Sean glanced at Cory, who was watching him with a 'dig yourself out of THIS hole' expression on his face. "I wouldn't say playing; more like I took it for granted that Cory would always be there. The second time I realized that it was something that I could look back on no matter what and relive the love Cory and I share."
Jason and Nathan got up and moved over to form a four way hug with the other two, "That's good," Nathan mumbled into Sean's chest.
Jason giggled, "Damn, I wish we'd just start growing! Hate being so short... pun NOT intended." He looked up at the two pairs of eyes that seemed filled with mirth above him, "It's good that it was never just 'play' for you two. And yes, that is something we both had to think of when our... when our son died. People just ain't always gonna be there, so live every moment like it's your last, and treasure them."
"Yeah," Nathan agreed, "yet it IS play... just a different type of play. It's always fun for us, but we never take it for granted... didn't the first time, neither."
"Creative too!" Cory giggled. "It's a hard lesson though; I wonder sometimes if maybe we were put through the hard stuff to get ready for what we're doin' now?"
"Creative?" Jason laughed.
"That's probably the best word," Nathan giggled, "You had read books, I'd heard things, we mix and matched."
"Didn't know what the hell we were doin', neither," Jason laughed harder.
Nathan kissed him briefly, then looked up at Cory, "You're right, though. We do go through the hard things to get us ready for what we're doing now."
"Now," Nathan said semi-firmly, "we have a kinda wedding prezie for you two... come to the sofa." And so saying, all four moved over and sat down.
"We thought of this last night, then I asked Kyle 'bout it this morning. I had thought that I'd check you both, then get Sarek to do what I had planned, but..." Jason trailed off, looking at Nathan briefly.
"This is starting to sound like one of the times Kyle's mind started wandering while broadcasting..." Sean said with a worried expression.
Jason and Nathan giggled, "Nothing so dire, trust us, and Kyle and JJ both agree on what we have planned, but it's really up to you two." Jason replied.
Jason paused, then added, "Well, when Nath' and I got married on Vulcan, Sarek started to do the Vulcan Mind-link between us, but he found that we had already formed it naturally. That was unusual as that type of link can ONLY be formed by a Vulcan between two humans."
"Like Xain had to do it for Jake," Nathan offered.
"If any human or sub-species wants to be Mind-Linked then a Vulcan would be required to make it true. That is not the case with some humans, however," Jason grinned. "We are a new step in humanity, and we can also form these links. I can act in the same regard as a Vulcan to form them in others. One day, Sammy would be the same as well." Jason paused.
"Now, what we're offering is this. You know at times Kyle sets it up so that you can talk to each other in your heads? Like he's put a comm device in your minds that links to certain others?"
"You mean like the one he turns on so that every telepath within a parsec knows what I'm thinking every time I have a bad day?" Cory asked with a groan.
"That's the boy," Nathan giggled. "You really shouldn't swear like that, you know!"
Jason slapped Nathan lightly in jest, then continued, "Cory, what I wanted was to run a standard link just between you two. Like a private channel that NO other enhanced telepath or Founder could read. Now, I'll be honest with you, nothing could stop Kyle or the other nutters from hearing it, but I have just had it from his majesty that he will NOT invade this link in your heads. And since he's the King Mik, that goes for the others. Also, I and the other N-Gens can hear you, but to us, unless we focus, it would be like hearing two people chatting at the other side of a crowded room. We also swear that unless invited, that link is sacrosanct and inviolate to us. I hope you noticed that I said 'what I wanted'... what turned up was that there is something about you two that I believe only Kyle knew up 'til now." Jason finished.
"That's an understatement!" Sean replied with a blush.
"I don't mean that!" Jason blushed.
Nathan howled in laughter, before managing to say, "What Jace means is that you guys are also on a path away from the norm. When our group first formed, all involved were at least broadcast telepaths. That is the most basic natural step in TP. A Broadcaster can send to anyone, everyone, or one in particular. What makes Clan Short and Clan Evans so unique is that all the special kids in the world are attracted to us."
"That is more than true," Jason continued. "Again, on authority from Kyle, who seems the go to guy for mind powers here, I scanned everyone in Clan Short in the big meeting yesterday. Even the sub-species telepaths, empaths, etc, have small hints in them at least that they are growing naturally. This is causing a nexus in time, guys. Antony told us this a week back. Clan Short is pulling the strings of time and looping them around itself. One of the Clan's sons is now a Master of Fate, one of Five that point the way to preserve the Universe. Telez has just talked to Vincent, and he could sense it in him."
"What this means for you both," Jason said in total seriousness, "is that I can form what is a Vulcan Mind-Link for you, but in doing so, I will have to release your buried genetic abilities. You are both Broadcasters... or could be, once I trigger it. You won't gain the rooms I and Nath' have, but... well, who knows? Given enough time, only God knows where things are going for any of us."
"I'm sure Sean will call this a blond moment, but if he does he's sleeping with Allie." Cory said with a smile. "What the heck are you dancing around saying?"
"If I form the mind-link, you and Sean will be able to broadcast to anyone. You will be, at the very least, able to mind-speak at will to whomever you wish. You will be able to talk in the minds of a room full at once, or just one particular person. In 'short'," Jason giggled, "I'm going to unlock your telepathy."
Nathan continued, "You are not, we don't think, able to go into another mind, which would put you on the level of the Double J's. You will not be able to read thoughts, but you will hear someone's response once you have started contact."
"And that is all we can tell right now," Jason said. "I have to tell you. Doing this means you'll be set on a path that might... MIGHT... lead you to where Nath, Vic and I are right now. Then again, you may just stay like Ross and Jess; broadcasting only. It's the base level of telepathy, but it's entirely natural. You are not enhanced."
Nathan thought for a moment, before asking with nervousness, "I don't want to say this, so I have to ask; can I talk about your big brother, Cory? About Mikey?"
Cory gave him a confused look. "Sure. Why you worried about that? Mikey and I settled up that stuff months ago."
"Because," Jason took over, taking charge as per his responsibility as the Evans Patriarch, "you had a mild link to him, as well as the one you have with Sean right now. When Mikey died, it rippled. You did not feel it at first, but you did feel odd that afternoon after Mikey left you in the mall, right?"
"Yeah..." Cory replied. "Kinda sick...."
"When I mind-healed you, I saw it all, bro. As soon as your mother told you about the accident, your mind sub-consciously went looking for Mikey. Well, you found him, alright, but a human mind cannot fathom heaven. It broke you. It was the base cause of your memory loss. Now, there was something else going on after, and that I cannot even see, which is annoying as hell. Something was stopping you from healing, and you should have done so fairly quickly if it wasn't for that. That's why I had to over-ride what was going on. You have already been using your hidden abilities, and Sean has. Sean? When Cory was lost to you, you felt more than just alone or without your brother/boyfriend, yes?"
"Yeah; if I was with him I was okay, but unless I could see him I felt like crap." Sean replied.
"He held half your soul, bro. And that was also forgotten. It was buried with his memories, deep deep down. If Cory had slipped away, you would have died. Simple as that. He is the stronger of you two; not with his abilities, but emotionally. He is and always has been your rock. You find strength from him, he gains completeness from you. If you had died, he would have lived physically, but his mind would not... he would have blinked out for all time."
Nathan then added, "And Mikey was your guide. Sean had the same link, but his mind did not go looking for Mikey... simply due to Cory breaking at that point. The half of your soul, Sean, that Cory held took your attention. If you had sub-consciously tried looking for Mikey at that point, your heart would have failed."
"Okay; why is it not affecting us now?" Sean asked seriously.
"Oh," Jason's eyes widened, "Mikey is a Saint, yes? All I can think of is that once that happened, he was given the grace to be your 'linked-guide' again. A certain 'Father' needs you both, so..."
"Your brother is again linked to you," Mikey said suddenly as he appeared behind the four on the sofa.
Cory giggled. "Hey there Angel-boy! You're getting 'round; popping in people's heads. Kyle been giving you lessons?"
Mike laughed. "Sorry Tigger; I know a few tricks that our favorite leech can't touch. I also know why you need to keep your mind like it is from the war you guys just fought. Trust me; it won't be long until you see it too."
Sean shook his head. "You ain't learned not to tease people, have you bro?"
"Why should I?" Mikey responded at the same time as Cory said "Why should he?"
"JINX!" they giggled together.
"Seriously lil bros; you've both healed enough now that what Jace wants to do is not only safe, it's necessary. It'll put you back on the track you were on before I moved Upstairs." Mikey said.
Jason giggled, then looked closer at Mikey. His eyes flared and a blue glow lit the room, but not Mikey. "Projection?"
"Yes," Mikey nodded.
"And what is that shadow?" Nathan asked, his eyes also blazing in power.
Cory and Sean looked closer, and saw in Mikey's arms a shadowy form of a body.
"This," Mikey said, looking down with compassion, "is the Shaper. I am not here and not even 'now'. Someone is projecting me here. The same Someone who is speaking through little Levi."
"Shaper?" Jason asked.
Mikey, his voice echoing from very far away as he started to fade out, said, "Bros? This little one will test you further than Socius ever did, for while you heal him and find healing yourself, pain is about him, and time spins around him. He will capture your hearts... and break them. Be ready. Your brother is coming..."
"We will, Mikey," Cory swore quietly.
"Also, be warned; ancient Legends are about to take life around you: an Age-old Enemy once imprisoned strains against his bonds, and the ending of all things is in his power; a Lonely Lord, the last and first, seeks his own, and seeks for the way to return the Jewel of the Heavens to it's rightful home; and the Sword of Surak will be remade; forged in pain, and tempered in love..." Mikey said, mysteriously.
Jason gasped, "Th...the Sword of Surak? The Sa'ren?? You serious?!"
"Yes, but not in the way you might think. All shall be made clear to you in time, but gather your strength, and lean upon one another. The Broken Son shall mend his Father's Heart; that which is Two shall be made into One; and the Highest Council of all shall reform." Mikey finished.
"Highest what?" Sean asked in awe.
"The Council of Time," Mikey said as he vanished, leaving behind his last ghostly message, "Jason is right... You are the Nexus... be ready..."
The four boys sat there, stunned by what they had just heard.
"Nexus? Ancient enemies? What?" Nathan muttered to no-one in particular.
Sean shook his head. "I swear; this is getting weirder than some of the new TV programs that have come out."
"TV programs... TV..." Jason muttered as he started thinking hard. He jerked his head up quickly and looked at Sean, "Bro, didn't you say you had a few toys without owners?"
"Yeah, I'm down to fifteen after last night." Sean replied. "I ain't checked to see if Kyle and Ty multiplied last night though."
Jason giggled, "They did, and no, I ain't saying nuffin'!"
Sean poked his tongue out at Jason as Nathan bubbled, "Any... I dunno, odd names? Odd seeming ones? Like the Sehlat toy for the one called Joel... any others?"
"There's one weird one ... the kid's parents musta been doing some serious drugs ... it's 'Gallifrey'." Sean responded.
"I knew it!" Jason yelled.
Nathan asked quickly, equally excited, "Anything else about it?"
"Well, it's holding a metal pen of some sort, with a blue light on the end..." Sean said with a puzzled look at Cory.
Cory shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe the kid likes to write?"
"Sonic Screwdriver! I don't fucking... oops, sorry... I don't believe it!" Jason shouted with glee as he bounced on the sofa.
Nathan took pity on the two lost looking Americans. "You guys ever heard of the TV show 'Doctor Who'?" he asked with a giggle.
"Doctor WHO???" Cory and Sean both giggled.
"Okay, okay... stop the jokes," Jason giggled, "we've heard them all before. But I think... I think what we have as stories and TV in Britain, well..."
Nathan whispered in wonder, "The Lonely Lord... a Time Lord; no, the Last of the Time Lords... Gallifrey... his home... I don't believe it, Jace... how can he be real?"
Jason shrugged as he watched the penny drop with Sean and Cory.
"That's just TV, it ain't real." Sean replied.
"All your other teddy bears were for real people... Tell me, did that 'pen' look like this?" Jason asked as an image of a Sonic Screwdriver appeared in the room. "In here, I am master of illusion!" Jason giggled.
Sean giggled. "Not that big, but it kinda looked like that. Nath'? Does Jace make everything bigger in his mind?"
"No, he usually belittles himself," Nathan giggled, rolling his eyes. "That is the right size for the Doctor's screwdriver, though."
Jason slapped Nathan, "Watch it, sweetheart, or your nerves to that part will not work for a week!"
"Then I get to be the bottom all week? Sweet!" Nathan retorted with a giggle.
Jason blushed.
Cory groaned. "Like we really needed to know that! So if it's this 'Doctor' then the only way I can think of it happening is Levi pulling one of his dimensional stunts like he did with Bork and Robbie. I'm not even sure that it's true, but there is an author called Heinlein that I like to read that wrote about how sometimes a story becomes its own universe. I don't think it really happens though."
Jason nodded, "Or, maybe... maybe there are people with the ability to dream about what happens in other universes. They may think it's just a dream, or a good idea, and write a book or make a show about it. Who knows, if that is the answer, maybe someone is writing about us, or about Starfleet, or even the Mikyvis? It's a possibility, after all. We have people here who can move things with their minds and others who can dream about the future. Even some who can see possible futures way out. Seeing other universes ain't that much of a stretch."
"Yeah; next thing that'll happen is Sean and I'll have our own kid like Kyle does." Cory replied. "It'd just be too weird if fiction was reality. Whadda you say we get back to what you wanted to do with me and Sean .... and I'm not talking about a four-way either."
Jason giggled mischievously, "Awwww! Damnit... and I have this weak spot for cute blonds too!"
"And me for auburn guys," Nathan added with a wicked glance at Sean, who was busy dummy slapping a giggling Cory.
"You're right, though. Let's get this link sorted." Jason said with a smile.
The sofa changed shape suddenly so that it was an enclosed circle and all four boys were looking at each other.
"Right," Jason began, "First of all, a standard Vulcan mind-link would be easy to set up, and you only need know that I would be working in the part of your conscious mind where you would use it, hence no memories get transferred. However, you are also latent telepaths. Might not be at the level of Jacob and Jamie yet, but it's there. Once I form the Vulcan Link, I will automatically activate it. That is a given fact. Nath' and I will likely get a memory burst from you, as in everything. So, this is your last chance to back out. Once I start, it has to be finished. Know that I already have all of Cory's memories up to that Friday in August, so there's only what has come after that would be new from his side. Sean, for you it would mean all things will be new. I know I don't have to prove that we can keep things private; our record so far speaks for itself."
"What I will add here," Nathan put in, "is that if it makes you feel more comfortable, once your mind-burst happens, we will return our memories. We'll be even-stevens."
"So; yay or nay, big bros?" Jason asked.
"Go ahead." Both boys replied.
"Besides, I think there are a few tricks you guys have pulled that Cory and I can make use of!" Sean added with a grin.
"Same from your side," blushed Jason, with a wink at Cory, "You guys when you were eleven in the shower... THAT was creative!"
Jason's eyes lit up then, as did Nathan's.
Before he began, Jason said, "Know that the mind burst is contained in here with us. Your minds and memories; everything that makes you YOU, is here in this room of MY mind. Only a Mikyvis can see, or an Angel. And I know your super-brothers would find no surprises from your past. No-one else out in the Dining room will get this, I promise."
"Yeah," Nathan said, "I don't think Timmy is quite ready for some of this stuff we all know, amazing though he may be."
With that, Jason and Nathan allowed their minds to reach out, and Cory and Sean's eyes fluttered closed.
It seemed an hour, but in Jason's mind, time was meaningless. Cory opened his eyes at the same time as Sean, and they looked at each other in wonder. The Memory Burst had occurred seconds before as their latent powers went active, and, as promised, Jason and Nathan had returned their own memories.
All four pulled each other into a mass hug at the same time as if compelled by something far greater. That was not far from the truth, for they were now brothers due to their sharing; what else can you be when each knows everything about the others?
"Man, you guys," Jason whispered into Sean's shoulder, "Protecting you and standing Watch-Care is one thing, but being there for all that shit..."
"We could say the same, bros," Sean muttered.
Nathan kissed Cory's cheek and smiled up at him, "I wonder, Cor... will these two stop picking on us being blond now? Your mind is amazing! And, immodest as it may be, so's mine!"
"The day you start using those brains we'll stop picking on you being blond Nath'!" Sean giggled.
"Okay," Nathan stage whispered to Cory, "What you said earlier? 'Bout getting even? That's a done deal, and you and I can now keep things secret from these two targets of our genius empowered wrath!"
Cory grinned. "You're on; and I know a couple of blond Mikyvis that would love to join the fun!"
Jason glanced at Sean, and as one they both muttered, "Oh shit!"
Both blond boys giggled evilly.
"Now, for training," Jason said quickly, attempting to change the subject.
It did not take long, not with both Nathan and Jason working with the two teens. Soon, they were selective broadcasting to each other, or all at once. A few moments after, they had gotten the hang of their private Bond-Link.
"You'll find you can send your emotions to each other down that link," Nathan smiled happily at them. "If you say 'I love you' it's great, but when you send someone you really love an emotive message down it, it's altogether different."
"Yeah," Jason added. "You'll work that out within a few hours, so I'll not bother showing you how. What I will also say is, the Bond-Link can also pass on physical feelings. That is something that takes longer to work out what to do, but, it makes things take on a whole new dimension..."
Cory's eyes widened as he felt Sean sending a blast of love down the link between them. He grinned happily and tried to return the same. The look that came over Sean's face told the two British boys that he had succeeded.
Sean's face was peaceful as he asked, "Physical?"
"Oh, yeah. You'll work that out. And, just for kicks, it ALWAYS happens first when making love; that's when you work it out." Nathan giggled.
"Yup," Jason laughed at the wondering shocked looks from his new brothers. "You, oh Mr Top, get to feel everything as normal, but you'll also feel what Sean feels, and vice versa. And no, that does not mean the sensations are doubled. It goes way beyond that. The total becomes greater than the sum of the parts."
"It's a blast, and for you two, I'd say quite literally!" Nathan chuckled.
Cory giggled, as just for fun he tried sending Jace the sensations he felt when going over the top with Sean.
Jason's eyes widened, and his jumpsuit tented. Nathan glanced over at his suddenly ecstatic husband, then back at Cory, who was wearing an evil grin. He again took a look into Cory's mind briefly. What he found made him gasp in wonder. "Why didn't we see this?"
Jason fell back against the back of the sofa, a fine sweat on his forehead as he panted. "Christ on a crutch... when will I stop firing on empty?... damn, Cor!"
"Jace?" Nathan asked quickly. "Can you check Cor again?... and Sean. I think we missed something..."
Jason shook himself and tried to stop blushing at the giggles from the two teens. "Ah, okay..."
A second later, he turned back to Cory, "Dudes, if ever you get a tightening in your mind, like this," and he projected that feeling briefly into both teens, "then call either me, Nath or Viccy, or Kyle, Ty or Levi: and I mean within an hour at most. You might just be as near the limit as Sammy was last night..."
"Sure thing Jace!" Cory giggled. "So, was it as good for you as it was for me?" he added with a laugh.
"All I'll say is, I can't wait for something to stop firing when empty!" he giggled, a blush still on his face.
"Nor can I," Nathan said, while licking his lips. He giggled at the expression that came over Jason's shocked face.
'All four of you are horn-dogs!' Kyle's voice suddenly echoed to all of the boys.
"You're a fine one to talk! Stop hiding, your Majesty, and get your angelic butt in here," Jason said with a happy smile.
"I'm not hiding." Kyle said as he appeared between them. "The sight of you getting off with nobody touching you made me wonder what was going on in here! You know, you've got a group of people out there who are going to be ragging on you for a while about how noisy you are!"
Jason's face went pale, "Oh, fu... shit! It wasn't JUST in here?"
"Gotcha!" Kyle replied with a huge grin. "Ty said to tell ya that's paybacks!"
"Oh, thank God! Okay, tell him we're even. I'm just glad my time management didn't spring loose there!" Jason said with relief.
Nathan giggled, then asked Kyle, "You know about Ollie, right, angel?"
Kyle nodded. "I know more than you consciously do I think. I noticed you guys messing in Cory's head like we talked about, so I was checking up on it. Just ask Cory; I know what he's thinking before he does when he's having a bad day."
"Ain't that the truth!" Cory groaned with a smile. "One of these days I'm gonna wake up and find that you and Ty built a room for yourselves in my head."
Kyle didn't reply, but the sudden innocent look on his face spoke volumes.
"Um, they already did, bruv," Nathan smiled. "Same for us, too."
"I TOLD ya I was gonna protect you bro...." Kyle muttered.
Jason floated the cheeky cherub over and onto his lap, "You'd make a great guardian angel, little dude. Well, you are, in our book; You're the angels of Clan Evans, all four of you."
"Ummm ... do all Welshmen have problems counting or is it just you?" Kyle replied with a grin.
Jason squeezed the boy tightly for a second, making him giggle. "No, I can count, but it ain't my place to say anythin' 'bout 'you know what'. However, before you share your surprise with your bros, can I introduce you guys to... to my little boy, first? In here, it'll just take a few seconds from out there."
He looked over at Cory and Sean, "We, meaning Nath, me and Viccy, can build a type of hologram in our heads about those we love and have scanned. He won't be alive, but the image will react as he would have done in life. I just want my new brothers to meet my little Ollie. Please?" Tears started at the corners of Jason's eyes as he practically begged the three boys.
Cory and Sean just nodded, while Kyle smiled. "Go ahead," Kyle replied, "Danny does the same thing when we visit his head."
The sofa changed shape again, and the window in the wall changed to form a doorway. A light came from behind it, and a shadow appeared. Nathan started to sniffle and was pulled in close to Cory's side, just as Jason was into Sean's arms. Kyle stayed on Jason's hip, using his abilities to help calm the brown haired patriarch.
The shadow came through the door, and a small boy, about eight years old and a little taller than Kyle, smiled at them. His blue eyes sparkled, and his own brown hair seemed full of life as it bounced as he moved. He ran over and joined Kyle in Jason's arms.
"Hi, Daddy! I missed you!" the 'ghost' of Oliver said happily.
Jason fought to contain his sobs as he answered, "And I missed you, baby. Let me introduce you to your new uncles..."
In what seemed like thirty seconds after Jason had pulled them all into his mind, they all opened their eyes and looked around. Belar and Jessica were sitting near to their parents, and the others in the Division were still standing, keeping everyone else at a distance; all except Teri. No-one was stupid enough to stop Teri.
She was seated next to Cory, and he smiled at her as he came back to 'real time'. 'Hi, Mom!' he sent with a giggle.
Teri shot Cory a quick glance of surprise before rolling her eyes. "ANOTHER one!" she chuckled. "You guys are going to make talking redundant if you keep it up!"
Jason giggled weakly. His face-off with his son's image, the first since Oliver had died, had sapped him of his energy, and his eyes were filled with barely contained pain once more. "That's kinda Nath's, Mikey's and my fault, there, Mrs Short. Sorry, but both your boys are... well... oh, hell. They are on the same road as Sammy, the Trinity and us." Jason pointed to Nathan and Victoria.
"You mean the road to a dunking if you keep calling me 'Mrs. Short', Jason Iain Evans?" Teri replied as she pulled Jason into a cuddle.
Jason tried, he really did, but his lip started to tremble as soon as Teri's arms had closed around him. He gave in and started crying softly. He managed a weak, "Okay, Aunty Teri," before letting go totally and hiding his face in her neck.
Teri held onto Jason, caressing his back and relaxing him as he let his emotions free at last. Sean and Cory sat watching, understanding the need for Jason to release what he had been holding in for so long.
Jason whispered something as his sobs lessened, and Teri nodded. A second later, he had dumped the entire situation about Oliver in Teri's mind, then relaxed into her cuddle, hiccuping every so often. Nathan crawled over and joined him.
Teri held both boys; understanding their sorrow and comforting them from her own experiences.
'I'm glad Mom was here; she knows how to help better than us.' Cory sent to Sean.
'Yeah; she learned a lot helping me when Mikey died.' Sean sent back.
As the two boys in her arms quieted down, Teri looked up at Cory and Sean. "I have a few messages for you," she said softly.
"Wazzup, Mom?" Sean replied.
"Lady Amanda has arrived with Rory, Kennon and Solek. She's with Sarek in CIC right now, while Solek is with the other two in Camp Little Eagle. Also, we've received a phone call from a Kurt Farnsworth. He claims to have knowledge about the Clan that could mean he's legit, or a plant. He and four boys are on the way here and will be here at ten," she answered.
'Jamie, Jacob? I'm gonna need you guys in the conference room at ten.' Cory sent to the wonder twins.
'Okay blondie, who gave you the keys to the thought transfer machine?' Jacob sent back with a giggle.
'I took the Kylegram training course. Seriously, I need your skinny butts there to help sort out some people coming to visit.' Cory replied.
'We're already on it; Peter's helping us with some mind-tuning of our brains, and he's gonna help us out. He's gonna be invisible but there with us in the conference room. We got ya covered bro.' Jamie sent back.
'Okay. Thanks guys.' Cory replied as he nodded to Sean that everything was ready.
"Thanks Mom; We're setting up for our visitors now." Sean replied. "Jace and Nath' need you right now; we're gonna go say hi to everyone then we'll meet up with you in the conference room."
Jason called out, "Sean? Cor? Vincent is coming into orbit in about half an hour or so. He'll be down just before that meeting with this new guy. I think Vincent has a number of things to tell you, so... can one of you meet him first?"
"Yeah!" Riti bubbled. "The other one like me has been found too!"
"We'll do that; we can't have a disappointed bird boy can we?" Sean replied with a giggle.
Riti hugged him happily, and bestowed multiple pecking kisses to Sean's cheeks. "Luv's you, Sean."
Levi laughed at them from the doorway into the Rec Room. "Glad you're all feeling better. Now for a surprise... Jace? Nath'? Jess and Bel? Come here..."
Cory took one look at Levi's face and grinned. "What did you do THIS time rugrat?"
Levi grinned back. "Nothing ... much that is ... Aunt Teri, do you have a few spare bedrooms?"
Teri looked at him carefully, "Well, you know we have rooms for a good number of people, kiddo. Why?"
"Well, I found a Samantha Handley, Edward Handley, Ryan Jeffrey, Richard Michael, Adrian Scott and a Clifford Alexander that need a place to live, Grandma," Levi answered, smiling at the two boys in her lap.
All those in the Dragon Division had frozen as Levi had gotten half way through his list.
"That is NOT funny, Levi," Riti said, venom barely hidden in his voice.
"They are dead, Levi!" Korris growled, "They died over a month ago, and I won't have..."
"Stop," Jason ordered. "Leave him be... Uh, Levi. What are you... I mean...?" he could not finish, for his heart had started to hammer wildly in his chest. Was this hope?
Levi looked at Jason with the deepest compassion, a boundless love radiating from his violet eyes. "I forgot one other name, Jace; Nath'," he said softly; gently. "But he's not staying with us... I've told him and prepared him for the difference in the Time perspective, so he knows how long he's been gone."
"Daddy?" came a very familiar voice from the other room. All those in the Dragon Division went stiff, as did Kyle, Cory, Sean and Teri; they too recognized that voice from Jason's memories.
Jason tumbled from Teri's arms, his voice frozen in his throat, as a little brown haired boy poked his nervous face around the doorway.
"Daddy? Poppa?" Oliver said again.
"Oh GOD, oh my god, oh my god," Victoria started crying. She was not alone; all the Welsh kids burst into tears, even the stoic Korris broke down and fell to his knees as he sobbed.
Nathan and Jason crawled across the floor as fast as they could towards the child they had thought dead and gone forever. "My baby boy; Ollie..." Jason was sobbing as he stopped and reached out his arms. Nathan stopped next to him and held out his own as well while sobbing incoherently.
Oliver flew at his parents, and was crushed into their possessive arms.
Cory looked at Sean, then back to Levi. "I appreciate the outcome, but isn't this going to cause a time paradox, lil one?" Cory asked softly.
Levi shook his head softly, tears at Jason's reunion running down his soft cheeks, "No, Uncle Cory. I checked. If these seven had died, then we'd be fine here. Now they are alive, we're better. We're more, and something better will happen sooner."
Cory tried to rephrase his question. "No, what I mean is, they 'died' and Jason and the others knew they had. If you went and rescued them before they died, won't that change things now?"
"Nope," Levi smiled. "I created seven duplicate bodies, ported out the kids, then popped in the non-living copies. Those watching saw nothing, and Jace still found what he found originally."
"What of the others, Levi?" Korris asked quietly, tears running from his eyes. "There were thirty four in total in that building, including Ollie-boy... what of the other twenty seven?"
Levi smiled sadly, "Ollie has that information. I didn't check on where they were. I'm not allowed. I was going to, but Someone stopped me."
"The same Someone that told you how to save them?" Sean asked.
Levi shook his head. "No. He did not have anything to do with this rescue. I did it myself because they did not deserve to die. He just stopped me from getting information that could mess up something that needs to happen in the future."
Cory tilted his head. "So you did this because you wanted to; not because you were told to?"
Levi nodded as he replied. "Yeah; I couldn't handle Uncle Jace feeling hurt over something I could fix."
"Thank you!" Jason shakily stood to his feet, his eight year old son in his arms. He staggered towards Levi, and fell to his knees. "Thank you! Thank you!"
He pulled Levi in and crushed him in his hug with Oliver. Oliver giggled, as did Levi, who was using his power to stop the boy getting hurt by the pressure.
"Levi," Antony said seriously. "If you did this 'cos it was right, then... well... if you did this 'cos no-one told you to... it's... it's pure Clan, angel boy!"
Victoria was still sobbing, but she nodded as she looked over at Kyle and Tyler, "You...you need to... you..."
"Let me, Vic," Riti said softly. He turned to Kyle as he wiped at the tears from his own large owl-like eyes, "If you've not given this kid of yours some title or job to do for your Council, then you should. He deserves it!"
Antony looked distantly as he gazed in Levi's direction. "Tempus Reservo," he said in a hollow voice. Then his voice changed, "...//Voice of Forever, and the Preserver of Time//..."
Levi shook his head. "I just did what Daddy and Poppa taught me was right before I was born. I don't need a title to do what's right."
"...//You are my Voice, Child of Forever. You are a Preserver of Time. You act in compassion, without guidance or request, yet you still checked and listened to me when I told you thus far and no further. You are my Voice, and the Preserver of Time. That is your place on the Council that Is To Come//..." Antony echoed again.
Levi looked at Antony in awe, but Kyle looked concerned. "This is the second person you have used to talk to us. Who are you?" Kyle asked point-blank.
"...//I am Forever, and the Guardian of it//..." Antony uttered. "...// I cannot hurt any by this means of communication, as they must be willing. Do not be concerned, for you shall know me better, in time//..."
"Okay... I think. Next question; where are you? I can't sense anything!" Tyler asked hesitantly.
"...//I am Everywhere and Nowhere; Everywhen and Nowhen. I am Forever//..." At that, the voice was gone, leaving Antony to blink his eyes as he regained the use of his own voice.
Kyle and Tyler looked at each other quickly, then Kyle said, "Cory in a blond moment? That made no sense!"
"Hey!" Cory protested, but he said no more as the cuddle group by the door drew his attention.
"Levi?" Jason whispered to the boy in his arms.
"Yeah Uncle Jace?" Levi responded softly.
"I don't think this is a reward for doing the right thing," Jason said thickly. "Your reward is the same as ours, to see people happy. This is a job, and a big one. I think you should take it, if your parents agree with this Forever guy... I'd like you to take it. You are my angel. I feel safe knowing you are looking at Time and keeping it on track."
"Yeah," Nathan added as he shuffled over to them, "Clan Short has Mikey as a guardian angel. We have always had you. Please? Please accept it?"
"You've got two brothers that look up to you Levi." Kyle added. "You've done things just by following your heart that they are learning about now as Uncle Miah is teaching them the basics of time. I know that your Poppa and I told you we were only unlocking your abilities temporarily so you could protect our family, but after this we're going to let you keep them. This 'Guardian' seems to think you're something special; we agree with him and would like it a lot if you took the title he gave you."
Korris, Riti, Antony and Victoria nodded firmly.
Jason pulled back to look at both his 'angel' and his lost son, "I'd not have Ollie back if it wasn't for you knowing what you can and cannot do. 'Tempus Reservo' is the perfect title for what you do, Levi. And that 'Guardian' agrees."
Oliver put in suddenly, "If Daddy thinks you should take it, then you should, Leev. He was right 'bout me not goin' on that mission. I hurt my Poppa and Daddy when I did, even though I thought it was doin' right. Daddy's right 'bout you too, and you ain't been wrong yet. I don't think God would let you be, nor His Guardian."
Levi looked around at everyone in the room. When he reached Teri, the look in her eyes and the expression on her face told him all he needed to know. "Okay; I'll accept it. I don't know why everyone thinks I'm so special though; I haven't saved the Universe like Daddy and Poppa have. I've just done little stuff compared to that."
"One second, Levi," Jason said, his voice beginning to gain strength once more. He turned and looked at the bouncing Belar and Jessica. "Kids? Can you take Ollie to meet Timmy? I'll be out in a minute."
"'Kay!" Jessica yelled as Oliver ran over and embraced his sister and little brother.
They ran out, talking at a mile a minute. Jason turned back to Levi, picked him up and moved to the nearest chair. "You never saved a universe? I know you're only a day old, so I hope your parents will forgive me for this; and you too, Aunty Teri... that's bollocks, Levi! You want to know why?"
Levi nodded mutely.
"If you had not come back in time that first time, we would never have started to look for Clan Short. If you hadn't come back to heal Koth, you wouldn't have known to return that second time with your 'rents; or if you had, we'd not have trusted you to heal us for the big thing. If you hadn't healed us, then I'd have died, and Nath', then my sis. Marc would be dead; Danny at the bottom of the ocean; Cory insane, Sean dead, your poppa dead, your daddy insane... need I go on? You'd never have lived, and this Axon would have had no-one to stop him. No-one!"
"But you did go back," Nathan added, "And you came back a second time afterwards to save us. We saved Marc, who saved Danny. Jace saved Cory, and therefore he saved Sean. Those two saved Tyler and the others, and thus started the events that saved your Daddy's mind. He then changed, you were born, and Axon was defeated... If anyone is the cause of Clan Short, Levi, it's you! Ricky was partly right yesterday. It was two blonds that caused Clan Short to be... Cory... and YOU!"
Antony added, "The Circle of Time that was behind all this has a name, Levi... 'Levi's Love'... your love, kiddo. You were concerned for others so much that you risked getting told off to simply go back in time and heal a little Klingon boy's privates. Simple love. And that is why Clan Short is pulling time in and around itself. 'Cos of your love, and their love... all our love. You have always been a fact in time, Levi. If there is anything more base to this universe, then I don't know what it is. You are the Foundation for it all. You may not be in every coming fight, nor play a big part in every major event... directly... BUT... it is all down to you and that one critical choice; heal Koth's boy-bits, or not."
"But I'm not even two DAYS old yet!" Levi replied.
Jason grinned, "As Telez keeps telling people who think a twelve year old should not Captain a Tavek Class Starship, "Age is not important; ability is. And you have more than just ability."
"You have compassion," Nathan added.
"You have purpose," Kyle added.
"You have destiny," Teri concluded.
"So," Jason said, kissing Levi's forehead, "You going to keep arguing? Or are you going to listen to everyone who loves you? It don't matter if you're two days or two billion years old. You had, and always will have, a reason. God knows what He's doing, and He knew the very second you were 'born' which Soul to give you. I believe that He can be trusted to put the right Levi in the right place ALL the time."
Nathan quickly added, "And I think Jace forgot one other direct person you saved. Peter! He'd be dead soon if not for YOU, angel-boy!"
Levi blushed at what he was hearing. "If you say so."
"We DO say so... Say after me, 'I'm special 'cos my family tells me I'm so!'." Jason said with an impish smile.
"You're special because your family tells you you're so!" Levi replied with an impish grin of his own.
Nathan and Jason started laughing, yet swooped down and gave the giggling Mikyvis loads of kisses. "Okay, I'll accept that for now, sweetheart. Get back to your 'rents." Jason stuttered as the grinning Levi hopped down from his lap.
The next second, a relatively small ball of fur and fangs pounced Jason. "OOOFFF.... Hey, Taron! What do you think you are doing?!"
"Meeooow!" Taron responded, as he licked his long fangs. His golden colored fur shimmered in the room's lights, and he shuffled around so that he was seated comfortably on his boy's lap.
"Well, thank you, but a little less force, next time, please." Jason giggled.
The sabre-tooth kitten looked up at him, and meowed again.
"Yes, I'm sure Belar and Timmy can teach you to pounce right. Want to go ask them?"
Another meow.
"Ah, Timmy don't speak Sabre?"
The kitten shook his head.
"I best teach him then, yes?"
A nod.
"Okay. Go play, I'll be out in a minute."
Another nod, and a long purr, and the kitten jumped off Jason's lap and ran out of the Dining Room.
"WHAT was THAT?" Teri exclaimed in shock.
"Just Uncle Jace's kitten!" Levi replied innocently.
"Do I need to ask HOW a sabre-toothed kitten got here?" Kyle asked with a knowing grin.
"He was gonna get squashed by a big ole' dinosaur, so I saved him an' brought him back with me." Levi replied meekly.
Riti looked thoughtful, "Levi?"
"Yeah Riti?" Levi replied, hoping for a change of subject.
"Taron is a boy kitten. Ummm... Cat's get... urges... and I don't think any local cats will want to help... wouldn't another Sabre-tooth be a good idea?" Riti giggled.
"Point," Antony added, with a wicked grin at Jason, "but, is Taron a straight kitten or a gay kitten?"
"I think the bigger point is what was Levi doing poking around in that timeframe?" Teri added.
"Peter and me was discussing world history, an' he was talking about how kewl the dinosaurs were, so we decided to go take a look at them for real. I didn't think lizards got that big!" Levi replied.
"Good reason for time travel. Can you help me with my Battle of Waterloo essay, Levi?" Nathan giggled.
"Sure!" Levi replied.
Both boys seemed to flicker for a microsecond, then Levi asked "Did that help?"
Nathan, looking a little shell-shocked, simply said, "Oui... I mean, yes... thanks..."
"Napoleon was really a little guy wasn't he?" Levi asked with a grin.
"He served a good lunch, though... frog's legs ain't that bad after all!" Nathan said in wonder.
Jason looked at his husband closely. "Mouthwash... NOW... or no kisses for you, mister!"
Nathan's mouth suddenly filled with a blue colored mouthwash, which disappeared just as quickly. Kyle giggled.
"Better," Jason said before kissing his wandering t'hy'la soundly.
A meow came from the other room suddenly. Jason's brow furrowed, "That wasn't Taron..."
Two sabre-tooth kittens came bouncing back into the room.
Nathan got down onto his knees, "Hey, you found Taron then, Marie?"
Both Sabre-Kittens nodded.
"Leevvviiiii........" Kyle said, obviously wanting an immediate explanation.
Levi shuffled his feet as he stared at his shoes. "Y'all SAID you didn't want Taron to get lonely ... so we found him a friend while we was out."
Kyle shook his head. "And just what is going to happen now? Last I heard they were extinct; they're not meant to be in this time."
"I couldn't let them die, Daddy." Levi whined, obviously not happy with the options Kyle seemed to be suggesting.
By now, Jason and Nathan were sat on the floor, protectively holding their two kittens. They were following the argument with their hearts in their eyes.
Teri looked at the two boys with their pets, then turned to Kyle. "Kyle, just out of curiosity, what effect does it have on the future if these two cats are kept here instead of sending them back?"
Kyle closed his eyes; a few seconds later he opened them and replied. "I can't see any difference; there is no split in the timeline when they arrive. I don't know why though; any choice or event causes at least a minor split."
"...//Someone once said 'Some things are Fixed, some things are in Flux...' This is a Fixed point in Time, Prince of Forever. Nothing that anyone could have done would have stopped the return of this species. If the Tempus Reservo had not been the one to have done this, another would have. And he would have caused a ripple had he shown himself now...//..." Riti uttered, then blinked in confusion.
"Oookayyy..." Kyle replied. "I'm gonna have to tell Miah about this; nothing that the Ferox taught me covered things like this. Try to be careful about stuff like this though Levi; just because it seems like a good idea doesn't always make it right."
From a distance no-one could fathom, a sound of a child's laughter echoed, then vanished.
"Ummm?" Jason looked around.
"...//That was the someone I spoke of... And this is an aspect of Time currently beyond the realm of the Ferox, Prince of Forever. It is in your realm, however... you will have the required training soon//..." Riti said again, then the Other's voice was gone.
Jason giggled at the stunned expression on Kyle's face, "Well, looks like you're really royalty after all... Your Majesty!"
Before Kyle could respond, Jason had caught him in a hug. "Thank you, Kyle. You did well when you and Ty had Levi. Thank you."
Kyle could see that a prank right now would be the wrong time, so he just cuddled the emotive Clan Evans Patriarch instead.
"Okay," Jason said thickly once he had placed Kyle more firmly over his hip, "me an' Nath' have a little boy to catch up with, and I think you guys have a full day."
He turned to leave the Dining Room but took no more than a single step before Oliver, Belar, Jessica, Timmy and Ricky ran in. What caught Jason's attention, however, was that Oliver's face was now partially covered in Indian War Paint.
Jason gaped at him, as did Nathan, and they both turned with question to look at Cory.
"Just hope that it's paint!" Cory giggled.
Timmy gained an 'oh so innocent' look on his face. Jason started to worry.
"I'm an Indian Brave now, Daddy!" Oliver cried out happily as he climbed up and sat on Jason's other hip.
"Oh shit." Sean moaned as he saw Timmy's expression. "Jace; by any chance does Oliver have a tooth in his ear?"
Jason's eyes widened even more. "Kyle, can you...?" Kyle popped out of Jason's arms and into Teri's with a giggle, thus allowing Jason to sit and check his eldest son more closely.
"Well, I'll be..." Nathan muttered as Oliver turned his right ear to show them both. It wasn't a tooth. It was a talon, embedded in his ear much like an ear-ring, and held fast in the same way Timmy's and Ricky's were.
By the doorway, Yist stood, looking pleased with himself.
Oliver giggled, "Yist said it was tha first time he ever secured a Spirit Guides ear-talon, Daddy!"
Cory tilted his head, then began clicking and chirping rapidly towards the doorway. A few seconds later William flew in and landed on Cory's knee. Cory and William had a serious conversation for a minute, then Cory looked up. "Jace, brace yourself; this is something extremely rare."
Nathan giggled, "If he braces any more, he'll split the wood in this chair!"
"Shut it, Nath'," Jason also giggled. He hugged his son close and faced William and Cory, "Hit me with it, bro. What's happening?"
"I'm pretty sure that you guys watched Timmy and Ricky becoming Spirit Guides, right?" Cory said hopefully.
Jason nodded, "I was there. Umm, Nath'? You want to show them how?"
Nathan smiled, touched his finger to his belt... and vanished.
"Personal Cloak. Move about, love," Jason giggled at the shocked looks from the others. A shadow appeared briefly as Nathan moved towards Cory, then vanished as he went still.
Nathan reappeared suddenly, and Jason asked, "He's a Spirit Helper, we kinda worked out; but what's so shocking that we need to brace ourselves, Cor?"
Cory grinned. "He is equal to Timmy, Ricky, and Kane. Not somewhat equal; exactly the same level."
Oliver smiled and kissed his Daddy happily. Jason squeezed him back and whispered, "You make me so proud, baby-boy. You always have." He looked up at Timmy and Ricky, "Just wondering, though. Why's he equal to you two, Rugrats?"
"'Cos he went to save and fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves," Timmy started.
Ricky continued immediately, "'Cos he faced his death bravely and helped keep the others calm."
"And," Yist concluded, "because he is pure in spirit, and the Great Spirit's hand is on him."
Jason smiled more, and looked down into Oliver's face, "Who painted you, sweetheart?"
"Timmy and Ricky," he answered. "They said you had to finish once you meet Iori."
"Your Animal Spirit?" Nathan asked curiously.
A young eagle's call was heard from the Rec Room, and then two eagles flew in. Duke landed on Ricky's shoulder, while the other, the newcomer, flew straight for Oliver and landed on his right shoulder.
Cory smiled. "Do you remember the procedure Jace?"
"Yes, but it's a little different, now. I know how to mark him, but the ceremony is changed," Jason said with worry. "I don't want to offend the Great Spirit."
Sean nodded towards the bird on Oliver's shoulder. "Ask his helper; he'll give you the right instructions."
Jason started talking to Iori in eagle chirps and clicks. Once Jason had finished, Iori turned and plucked out a feather from his tail, and Oliver took it from him.
Yist came forward and held out his hand, "I shall make the headband, young brave."
Once the feather was handed over, Yist began to attach it to the band he had already been working on. While he was completing his work, Oliver slipped to the floor and stood next to Jason.
Jason stood and waited quietly until Yist spoke again, "The Great Spirit with his Eagle Spirit, Iori, has chosen Oliver. Who comes forward to pass this young man onto his destiny?"
"I come forward as the father of Oliver," Jason said thickly, his hand lightly squeezing Oliver's left shoulder. Iori remained perched on Oliver's right, looking intently at Yist.
"As this boy has been chosen to hold a position as a brave and warrior, so shall his name and station reflect his responsibilities. The Spirits have decreed him a man, and he shall be recognized by our Nation as such. Oliver, step forward." Yist commanded.
In the growing quiet, all those from the Rec Room, including Chief Tecumseh, had gathered near the Dining Room door to watch. Oliver moved and stood facing Yist, who placed the head band on Oliver's brow. He then spoke the words of the age old ceremony, "Oliver, the Spirits have chosen you. The Seminole Nation no longer shall call you Oliver; from this day forward, you are Ee'te Yo'ga'hÈ-Lvmhe; 'Fire Eagle'."
The Tribe had gathered around Timmy and Ricky as this was being said, and stood to attention as Yist finished, "Turn around, and view your fellow braves."
Oliver did so, and as Timmy and Ricky had done months before, he too let out a victory yell with Iori screeching from his shoulder.
Timmy came forward and handed Jason a bowl with the war paint inside, and nodded at Oliver.
Then, Jason finished the ceremony by saying, "Today you became a warrior, son. May I have the honor of completing your markings to match your status?"
Oliver nodded, "Yes, Daddy."
And so Jason added the remaining marks to match Iori's on the face of his eldest son, and once finished, he announced to everyone in the room, "Fellow Warriors, I give you 'Fire Eagle'!"
Chief Tecumseh approached Oliver. "Welcome to the Tribe, Ee'te Yo'ga'hÈ-Lvmhe. Your celebration by the Seminole Nation shall be held once a suitable time for mourning those lost has concluded."
Oliver nodded his head again, "Thank you, Chief Tecumseh."
Timmy, Ricky and the rest of the Tribe then gathered around Jason, Chief Tecumseh and Oliver and started cheering.