Memories Part 2: Spreading The Hope

Jamie looked over at Jacob, Sammy, and Kyle with a grin. "Mom's gonna flip when she hears this one!"

"Yeah; I can't wait to see Cor's face!" Kyle giggled. "They're gonna freak soon. You guys ready?"

Everyone nodded, and became serious as they opened the door.

As they entered, Kyle saw the five visitors plus three others in the room: Tyler, Levi and Peter. The three Mikyvis were grinning at Kyle from their phase-shifted state.

"... Yeah, this is not anything like Clan Short is in the stories," an eleven-year-old boy with sandy-brown hair was saying as they entered the conference room.

"Actually, it is like us," Kyle responded. "But you guys won't know what happened to us since you started south - it wasn't written yet."

"That sounds so weird!" Jamie giggled, quickly joined by the rest of the Clan boys.

Just then Teri came in accompanied by Sean and Cory; Sean helping Cory keep his balance as they came into the room. As Kyle, Sammy, and the twins jumped to help Cory to a seat, Teri spoke. "I'm Teri Short. I need to apologize for your Spartan welcome, but we were attacked savagely two days ago, and we've kept Security precautions high. We needed to be sure you weren't plants, to try to take out the rest of us."

Kyle spoke up. "They're just as advertised, Mom. Their story is nearly as unbelievable as DT finding a boy he doesn't think is cute - but it's all true." Kyle looked around and smiled at the confused faces of the visitors as the twins nodded their agreement. "Oh, I'm Kyle, by the way, if you didn't figure it out."

Jacob nodded. "We've scanned you guys; but for the benefit of those who don't read minds, why don't you tell your story?"

The man spoke up. "I'm Kurt Farnsworth," he said, "and these are my nephews, Scott, Galen, and Marky. This other boy," he continued, pointing out an ash-blond 14-year-old, "is Jude Lee. He's a hitchhiker we picked up."

"When we started south on vacation, we planned to see Orlando... SeaWorld, Disney World, and so on. But the thing is, we were all fans of a group of stories on the Internet..."

"Gone from Daylight?" Sean asked.

"No," Kurt replied. "The Clan Short stories; Memories, Ark, Sentenced to Life, One Door Closes, and the rest of them. They were all fictional stories, starring this kid who loses his memory and then becomes Patriarch of a Vulcan Clan, and the family he gathers round him. You guys, in short."

Cory shook his head. "Uhhhh .... say what?!?"

Sean giggled, "I think it's like what you said to Jace just before he helped us with our gifts? About those Heinlein stories?"

"Oooh!" Cory nodded.

"Blonds," Sammy giggled.

'I heard that!' Levi giggled telepathically as he poked Sammy in the ribs.

'I know,' Sammy sent back with another giggle.

Galen giggled as he said, "All the time we were traveling south, we kept hearing news broadcasts about people we knew from the Clan stories getting killed or injured: D.J. and Tanner, Eli and Benji, you two..." he pointing to Jamie and Jacob, "And then we ran into Joe Bowers and his wife and kids at Cape Kennedy."

While the others started questioning and talking with Kurt and the boys, Peter turned to Levi and Tyler. "I've read a lot of Heinlein. Is that how it works: people write about something and then a Universe or Dimension is born? And would that mean we only exist 'cos of them?" he asked in worry.

Tyler shrugged briefly and looked at his son, "Your 'Friend' able to tell us, Levi?"

Levi tilted his head. "I could ask...." Levi stopped talking as Time came to a halt.

Kyle spun around in his chair to look at his family behind him, "What?! Who did that?"

"I didn't, Daddy! I can't do this!" Levi said quickly, looking around nervously.

Peter drew closer to Tyler's side. "I don't like this," he mumbled.

Tyler could only nod in agreement.

"The Guardian ain't replying," Levi said. "But then he don't always say somethin'."

"I'd not worry, Levi," came a new voice.

The four Mikyvis turned towards the voice and watched as Space shifted and a ten year old boy 'folded' out of nothing.

"Who ... or What ... are you, and what do you think you are doing!" Kyle exclaimed as he assumed a defensive posture and began giving off an ominous red glow.

The boy grinned and opened his arms in a passive posture. "Sorry for startling you, but there is no easy way for one of our kind to appear, as you know, Prince Kyle," he said, his glowing eyes fading to show their green/brown color. "I am someone you may have heard of, and the source of that laugh you heard earlier today. My name is the Doctor, and I am a Time Lord. I mean you no harm, young Prince."

As Kyle started to relax, Peter leaned over and whispered to Levi, "If he keeps calling your Dad 'prince' he's gonna get crowned!"

The Doctor laughed, "I have a crown already, for I, too, am the first of my kind. Our mutual Old Friend," he winked at Levi, "likes calling the Firsts 'Princes'."

He moved over slowly, his hands held out and all his defenses lowered. "You can read my mind, if you wish. I allow this from you, even though it is not normal for me. There are some blocked areas, however. That is due to a few reasons, not least of which is the fact this is my 'second' meeting with the Tempus Reservo. He cannot see his future, nor whom he was with."

Kyle nodded, and after taking the chance to investigate the Doctor he spoke. "Okay, you're who you say you are. Why did you pick now to pop in?"

"Because now is the Time I do so. My first meeting with Levi is in your future, and Levi will know to tell me when to arrive here. This is what the Guardian meant by a Fixed Point." The Doctor looked around at the new boys in the room. "Good, they are here with you. I wasn't sure what would happen with them, so this is one reason to appear as well."

He turned to Kyle, "The reason they are here is because they, too, are meant to be. They and three others were meant to be 'elsewhere'. The three are with me, these five are for you. About these five, I don't know why, but they are here for a reason."

Kyle was still going over the Doctor's memories, "Wait a minute, you're a billion years old?!"

"Yup," the Doctor replied easily.

"Dude, you don't look a day over ten!" Ty exclaimed.

"You want the long version, or the short and sweet one?" the ginger haired Time Lord asked curiously.

Levi giggled. "Long one; it ain't like Time is waiting on us or nuthin!"

"I knew you'd say that," the Doctor giggled, "but even though we don't have to care about Time, there are aspects of it that won't wait for us. So... I was born in this Universe, on a Planet called Gallifrey, over 7 billion years ago. I have been traveling Time and Space for most of my life, and while in my TARDIS, I experience no effect from Time. So I have lived for a literal one Billion years. Time spent outside the TARDIS equalled 3,042 years of physical aging, yet due to my nature, I can regenerate. This is my 14th life, and the last regeneration went... squiffy. I'm meant to regenerate as an adult. Now I'm a kid again; and it's kinda fun!"

"Yeah; not having to become a grown-up is even funner!" Peter giggled.

"That is something I did not know when this all started for my Race. Longer story than my age, so I'll tell you later. We have Time for all stories later. Basically, I don't have to age if I don't want to. I don't think I will, this time." The Doctor's face grew serious then, "I appeared as you have a few questions about these guys that need answering, and I can only answer a few. In regards to Heinlein, Peter, think of it in reverse. Universes and Realms exist, people from others dream of stuff from different 'places', and think it's just an idea for story or film or something. Simple as that. Kurt and his boys have read stories by people who dreamt of this Place: Alpha Prime."

"Alpha Prime?" Kyle replied curiously.

"Yeah, Daddy; didn't I tell you?" Levi replied with a giggle, trying to look innocent.

"Wow, okay," the Doctor blinked. "Okay, Kyle, I'll explain. This Universe; this is the Parent Universe. Alpha Prime. If this one dies, all will die. Talk to your brother/son Vincent. He is Trach Manja, one of the Five appointed to maintain Choice and Fate. Their task is to see to it that the Choices that are meant to happen do so, so that this Universe won't fail this time; and the Trach Manjai are just one defense! And here is the difficult and scary bit: this Universe has restarted twice already, making the others do so as well. This is the last chance, though. If it fails this time, it will Fail forever. No Fourth Cycle of Creation."

"Oh crap!" Kyle exclaimed. "You knew this, Levi?"

"Yeah, some of it," Levi replied. "I do a lot of poking around since it's my job now. I knew about the Humanity cycles, but not the Universe cycles."

"The Guardian calls it by a different name, though: earth's cycles... this is the Age of Legends. And I'm one of those Legends. You heard of 'Doctor Who'? Well, it's nice to meet ya!" the Doctor waved with a sunny smile.

"Doctor 'Who'?" Tyler giggled.

"Yup, knew it," the Doctor laughed with a roll of his eyes. "If you want to know my birth name, though, I think I can tell you. We are High Race, after all, and there never were secrets between the High Races before the Great War. I was named after my homeworld as they knew I would be the first of my race to ascend. I'm Gallifrey, but please, just call me Doctor. Never liked that name!"

"Thank God; now I can get rid of that crazy bear!" Sean exclaimed.

"And you guys thought you were hiding," Cory giggled.

The Doctor bowed to Cory, "You were in partial stasis. I just released you. What bear, Sean?"

Sean nodded to Levi, and instantly had a large stuffed bear holding a sonic screwdriver in his arms. "This bear; I've been holding it waiting for you to get here!"

The Doctor blinked again. "How...? Wait a minute... those nut jobs on the moon?"

Levi frowned. "She ain't a nut; she's really nice! She just likes stuffed toys!"

"Oh, they're nice, alright, but still a bit crazy. I loved my last visit; they're so funny. I think I'll take Jay for a visit. Anyway," he moved over towards Sean, but stopped by Kyle. He laid a gentle hand on Kyle's face, and the two boys nodded at each other. Permission gained, the Doctor continued towards the older boys.

He went and stood before Sean and looked at the bear. "Oh, man! She got my fourth life down pat! Look at that scarf! It's still inside Tardis! I loved that old scarf!" the Doctor's eyes filled with tears. "Is it really for me?" he asked Sean quietly.

"Yeah; it's really for you. We had one heck of a time guessing who it was for." Sean replied.

The ginger boy lifted the bear into his arms and cuddled it to his face. "Thank you," he mumbled.

Sean smiled. "A cute bear for a cute kid; it fits you, dude."

The Doctor started blushing, badly. "One thing I hate about being ginger and freckly," he muttered shyly, "the all over blush. Jeez, thanks, dude!"

Cory sniggered.

"At least I don't blush as bad as you blonds... I was blond once; I know!" the kid retorted, sticking his tongue out at Cory.

Cory grinned back. "At least you don't glow like Levi does!"

"I've seen it. He's funny when he glows," the Doctor muttered. Levi blushed; and glowed as well.

The Doctor looked closer at Cory, then did the same for Sean. He reached out and touched their faces lightly. "He is coming; your brother. You will love him at first sight, but you will be afraid of what to say to him. Do not be! Follow your heart when it commands, and he will be healed. Think, and he will break. In his healing is your own."

The Doctor quickly hugged them both and moved to stand by Levi and Peter, "I'll restart Time, now; I'll also put you three," he said, pointing at Kyle, Cory and Sean, "back into the exact positions you were in before all this. There will not be even a flicker."

Levi's small surprised squeak made the Doctor whisper in his ear, "I'll teach you how when you meet me 'my' first time."

Levi nodded, understanding the paradox that a time loop can cause if not followed exactly. "Okay Doc; I'll remind you!" he commented with a grin.

{I am glad someone will; pre-teen Time Lords only think of one thing,} came a strange voice from what looked like a wrist watch on the Doctor's wrist.

"T, be quiet and start the Time Link," the boy sighed.

{Cold shower for you tonight, child. Time Link in ten seconds.}

"Levi, fill me in later!" Cory said just before they returned to normal Time.

"...and somebody that sounded like Deacon got mugged at the Minneapolis airport" Scott was explaining.

"That is unquestionably the strangest story I've ever heard," said Teri.

"But every word is the truth as they know it," Jacob said.

"When we met the Double D's, I told them that they'd redefined 'weird'. But you guys just took it to a whole new level!" Jamie threw in.

"No Starfleet there?" Sean asked.

"No, Captain James T. Kirk was a character on a TV series called 'Star Trek'," Kurt replied, "portrayed by an actor named William Shatner. Spock was played by Leonard Nimoy. And it was set 300 years in the future."

Cory's focus was elsewhere. "So you kept hearing news stories about people you knew from the stories dying because the Clan wasn't there in real life?"

"Exactly," Scott said. "We even talked to you, or rather to our world's equivalent of you, Sean - he was at the Battery when we were, and he was depressed because Mikey had died and Cory was in the Home and not getting better. We were about fifteen feet from where J.R. killed himself at the time."

Sean looked at Cory, suddenly shocked at the knowledge that there were versions of themselves in other places where their ending was not as happy.

Unheard by most in the room except for the Mikyvis, the Doctor murmured, "Do not worry about your twins, Cory, Sean. Do not worry."

"I passed that on, Doc." Levi said, unheard by the others not out-of-phase, who were still speaking.

Kyle was saying, "...two days after we got hit by the FCC, we've been given evidence of what things would be like without the Clan. We can guess about it; they lived through it. If that's not grounds to keep going, no matter what the obstacles, I don't know what is. I want to go over their phase shift into our plane with Miah, though."

"That's good enough for me," Cory said. "So what exactly can we do for you guys?"

The gathered group, both visible and invisible, started to put together the plan for the Farnsworth group.

 

"It'll be nice to not have to do everybody's history, for once," Sean grinned. A laugh went around the table.

"'Do you remember which key it is?' Sean asked Cory," Galen quoted, making Cory blush.

"I can see this is going to be interesting," Teri said.

As they rose to leave, Kyle tapped Cory's arm and sent to him, 'I'm going to stay here and talk to our visitor, bro. We'll be out soon.'

'Keep me informed, and be careful, lil' bro,' Cory replied, ruffling Kyle's hair.

Once Cory closed the door behind him, Kyle shifted into the phased state to match the others.

"Do you want me to stop Time again, Kyle?" the Doctor asked. "This may take a while."

Kyle nodded and he and the other Mikyvis paid attention to what the Doctor would do to Time.

The young Doctor grinned to himself, and rather than ask the Tardis to pause Time, he decided to do it directly. The small lines that the boys thought to be a design on his shirt glowed with brilliant blue power as they ran from his chest to his wrists. Small crystals embedded in his gloves on each fingertip blazed forth, and Time halted.

"I still don't know what you did!" Levi pouted.

The Doctor giggled, "I'll teach you later, as I helped teach all those who came after me."

Tyler tilted his head. "You know a lot of stuff about us, but all we know is the bits you've showed us. You wanna fill us in some?"

Again, power flowed around the Time Lord's clothing, and an extremely comfortable circular sofa appeared. He gestured and they all sat. Such was the shape and size that they were basically a mass of arms and legs and comfy, grinning faces.

"Story time, but first, another Time Circle must be completed..." the Doctor giggled as he gently pulled a smiling Levi over and hugged him. "You were the first Mikyvis to hug a Time Lord. Now I am the first Time Lord to hug a Mikyvis. It is done."

Peter giggled. "I thought random hugs were my job!"

Levi stuck his tongue out at Peter, then giggled. "You gotta share, Peter!"

The Doctor smiled at the banter, "I thought so when I met you, Levi. You and your family are brilliant! Weird, though," he teased.

"I resemble that!" Kyle replied with a grin. "My Cuddlebunny made me that way!"

Tyler giggled as he pulled Kyle into a sloppy kiss. Once done, he added, "Yeah, and you made me this way, Sweetheart!"

"Parents!" Levi giggled as he rolled his eyes at Peter, who just nodded his head in agreement.

The Time Lord grinned at them. "You are like Q and his boy... insane."

"Q?" Kyle asked with a tilt of his head. "I read some stuff about him in Kurt's head when the twins and I were checking out his story. Q's real? I didn't catch anything in Kurt's head about him having a son!"

"Oh, he's real! God, is he real!" the Doctor laughed, "And yes, he has a son. The stories that Kurt saw did not say everything either, Kyle. Where Kurt came from, they took liberties. Where Jo... I mean, where your soon to be new brother is being... brought... from didn't. He will have the knowledge that even Q does not. If possible, I would introduce you to Q. We three, the Time Lords, the Q and you Mikyvis, are the only High Races left; and you are the first to arise in over a million years."

"I like it when Kyle arises!" Tyler giggled just loud enough to make Kyle blush.

"What do you mean 'if possible you would'?" Kyle asked as he tried to regain his normal coloring.

"Are you sure you ain't Time Lords in Alpha Stage Puberty?" the Doctor asked with a grin. "Kidding. Umm, why you can't meet him? Well, it's the Time Lock on this Universe that stops all High Races that were involved in... in the War from entering," he finished sadly, pain and regret in his eyes.

"Time Lock? War?" Kyle asked.

"I didn't see no war." Levi commented. "Nothing that involved anyone that was not on Earth anyways."

"Okay, from the beginning. The World of Gallifrey was once in this Universe, and normal, just like Earth. Then I was born and named after my world as I was found to hold the power to Ascend to Middle Race: energy nature. We were... attacked, let's say, and in that attack, I changed. Due TO the attack I did what only two other races after me did: I ascended directly to High Race, jumping over the other levels. I was the first Time Lord.

"The second High Race to appear was the Q, from another Universe. As time went by, more and more joined.

"Then some Time Lords started doing what humans did. Created new species from our own. One, in fact: the Daleks. They were beautiful, gentle and lovely, and their world was in a far distant Universe. A million years ago, they too Ascended to High Race, although like the Time Lords they came from, they were Hybrids; retaining Young Race existence at the same time.

"Sixty-five thousand years ago, a renegade Time Lord called Davros mutated them into absolute horrors. They lived for one thing, to destroy all that lived. Fifty thousand years ago, they attacked all the other High Races, and in order to preserve Alpha Prime, we closed off Gallifrey and all of its history from this Universe. You will not find Gallifrey here, now, and only the memories of those we touched here remain. You cannot go backwards to our World, for all is gone.

"The War, the Great Time War, went badly. I was tasked to end it, and all my people gave me their power to do it: I had to sacrifice everything to stop them, and in doing so, all died. All. Only the Q, who were on Galactic Preservation Detail to fix the havoc the War caused, survived intact. The Time Lords, all were gone except me and one other, who has since died. The Daleks; a handful survived, but now they too are gone, bar two who have rejoined my race in their original form. All the others; all of them... are dead. And I killed them."

The Doctor bowed his head and cried for a moment before continuing, "The last thing my people did as we took Gallifrey out of here was to place Alpha Prime under what is called a Time Lock. No High Race that existed then could enter or leave. You are unaffected as you were not there for the War, but the Q are still barred from entry; much to the Ferox' relief. They did not get on with the Q, but since the Ferox are doing what the Q normally do anyway, the Q had decided to leave this Universe in their hands, and just keep a watch on them. The Q have been unable to do so since the War, though.

"Now, the Time Lock is lowering; I can get back in, and soon, the Q shall return. They can see in here now already; it's lowered enough for them to, well... spy, I s'pose. But their power is contained until it lowers more."

Kyle looked at the Doctor sadly; the events of the Doctor's life hitting too close to home. "That sounds like me; I became Mikyvis, then had to kill someone to save the whole frigging Universe. I lost count of how many people won't be born because of me."

The Doctor nodded and pulled the boy over and into his arms. "I know, and that is why I told you," he cried into Kyle's hair. "You, like I, had to do a hard thing. And yours was far worse, for you are just a child. I was an adult, and I had already lived eight lives, nearly four hundred million years."

They quietly cried together, while Levi looked on with sadness, yet a glimmer of hope was in his eyes: someone who 'knew' could now help his Daddy...

In a whisper the Doctor spoke to Kyle, "You are as close as a brother to me in that we both Ascended from Young to High. The stress of that alone would make you a Hybrid, yet your stress at that point was internal only; mine was external, due to that attack. I retain all Young Race existence, yet with a strange matter body. I have to contain Anti-Energy in a shell that has to interact with a Positive Matter Creation. You and the Mikyvis have your human forms, with everything inside just as a normal human, yet all made from Energy."

Kyle pulled back to look at the Doctor through his tears as the Doctor kissed his forehead. "We are brothers," they said together.

"Wait until Nyo finds out he's not the oldest Clan member any more!" Tyler commented softly, trying to improve the mood.

The Doctor raised one eyebrow. "Nyo is still alive? He survived Ark this long?" he giggled, also trying to lighten the mood.

"Or Ark survived him; that's still being debated." Tyler replied with a small grin.

The Doctor's laugh suddenly broke off, "Wait a minute... Clan member??"

"Yeah, I think you just joined too since you and Daddy said you're brothers!" Levi replied, happy to see that the mood was improving.

"Fantastic!" the Doctor bubbled. Then his face grew cautious, "Ah, that might cause issues. Not for me, or most on the Tardis. But..." he trailed off, looking unsure.

"What, or who, is the Tardis? And speaking of butts, I'll beat DT to it and tell you yours is cute!" Tyler replied, cuddling Kyle to prove he was not trying to stray.

"A TARDIS is a living machine that Time Lords need to use our powers. Mine is different, now. It is THE Tardis. The name means 'Time and Relative Dimensions in Space' and it is the focus for Time Lord power; that and the other living machines connected, like the mesh overlay on my clothes," he answered, still distracted with worry.

Kyle reached over and squeezed the Doctor's hand. "We can feel your worry, bro; you're one of us, so there's nothing you could do or say that will freak us out. If it was something that'd cause a time paradox, Levi would know and he'll stop us; but otherwise we're not gonna say something outside of here that is gonna cause problems. I know that you blocked some doors in your head, but you left a fragment out that tells me there is something happening or that will happen that nobody outside this circle could handle right now."

The Doctor sighed, "Okay. I'll tell you..." He trailed off and seemed to be listening to something.

After a second, the Doctor giggled, "I think Jay is getting pissy... he wants to meet you. Oh, just for you to know, there are only three current full 'Time Lords'. Me, Jay and my cloned daughter. Some of the others in the Tardis have the power of the Councillors, but have not changed yet, and they will need our Home to do so. Sooo... want to meet my Bonded?" he asked, grinning.

"Is he cute?" Levi giggled.

"Uh huh," the Doctor also giggled.

"Before he joins us, can you explain this 'councillor' bit?" Kyle asked with a relaxed smile.

"Gallifrey was ruled by thirteen of us on a Council, ever since the days of Rassilon, and no, don't ask about that bastard. I was only a kid when I changed, and seconds after I changed my entire race due to being Hybrid. If it wasn't for Vae'Runam... ah, the Guardian of Forever, then I'd have killed them and myself. He helped and taught us all how to NOT destroy ourselves.

"Since I was a kid, the rulers simply made themselves the Lords of Time. It took a few million years for them to work out the details and errors, and they also barred information from the rest of us. That is why we have not changed to become more like you: energy bodies. We couldn't grow."

The Doctor went on to explain how Time Lords worked their powers, and the relationship with a TARDIS. He closed his 'story' with, "So, once we get more like you, as we should have been long ago, we won't need a TARDIS... but having one will be like an amplifier; overkill in all situations. Much like how your 'morph is increased by you, Kyle, so our power would be then increased by a TARDIS."

The gathered Mikyvis nodded their understanding, and Kyle said with a giggle, "Okay, sweet. I think your Bonded can join us now."

"Okay, cutie; Come here," the Doctor called lightly. They all turned to see Space shift again, and watched as an auburn haired boy folded out of nothing.

"Hi! And hiya, Levi!!!" Jay bubbled as he pounced on the Doctor. Once settled, he reached and pulled a startled and giggling Levi over, kissed his forehead, cheeks and nose before plopping him back next to Peter. Then he turned and said, "And Tyler? Hands off! Galli's butt is ALLLL mine!" he giggled.

"Just his butt?" Levi giggled. "Dang Doc, you landed a HOT one!"

Jay's blue/green eyes twinkled with mirth as he snuggled into the Doctor's arms. "Am I hot, Galli?" he stage whispered, a feigned innocent expression on his angelic nine year old face.

"Oh, most certainly, Mr. Noble," the Doctor sniggered. "So, why the sudden need to be here and not in the Tardis feasting on the Jelly Babies?"

Jay started blushing. A second later, so did the Doctor. "Ah... I see... or is that feel..."

{Mikyvis! Do NOT encourage them! I beg you!} came that 'other' voice again.

The Doctor and Jay blushed and whined, "Tardis!"

"Why not? It sounds like fun!" Tyler giggled as he located himself on Kyle's lap and began cuddling his husband.

{Why not? I will tell you why not! They are Alpha Stage! They need encouragement as much as you need a girlfriend!}

Tyler giggled. "I don't need no girlfriend; but if you can't play you can't learn!"

The Doctor's and Jay's faces were now beet red.

They went even redder when the Tardis sighed and said, {Do you have any idea what that means to a Time Lord in Alpha Stage puberty, Tyler?}

"Uh huh!" Tyler giggled. "It means they are like me and Kyle! We could teach bunnies a few things!"

"Ain't that the truth!" Levi giggled as he rolled his eyes once again.

"Not quite," mumbled the Doctor, but at Kyle's look, both he and Jay refused to say any more. They just kept getting redder and redder.

{One moment. Scanning... Ah, there is a Vulcan in the area. That will do nicely as an example. Tyler, I am sure that you and the rest of your race understand what Vulcan puberty is like, correct?}

They all nodded.

{Triple it, take away the Vulcan's self restraint, and add a High Race's boundless source of energy; such as your own. THAT is Alpha Stage...} the Tardis trailed off as if sighing. {I have seen more in the last four weeks than any other AI in existence. I know. I checked with Ark just seconds ago.}

"Hey!" Jay protested, "You can't mean that!"

{No. Slight exaggeration. Only slight, though.}

"True; Ark has seen Cory and Sean!" Kyle giggled.

{That... No, that is not what I was exaggerating over.}

"I think that is the perfect point where I explain, T," the Doctor said through his embarrassment.

Jay quickly said, "But first, Kyle? You were saying you were gonna speak to Miah about Kurt and the boys coming here from another realm?"

"Thank God; I was afraid they were gonna compare pictures!" Levi stage-whispered to Peter, causing both to almost collapse in giggles.

Kyle shook his head as he tried to keep a straight face. "Yeah Jay; Miah knows a lot more than I do on parts of this stuff."

"At present, I'm sure he does, Kyle," the Doctor said while rolling his eyes at Levi's comment. "However, they did not come here from a dimension within this Universe, nor from one of the Time Branches. They came from another Universe. I don't know how much Miah, being a Ferox, can help there. And before you ask, Levi gave me an update on the Energy Races within this universe when I first met him; in your future, Levi."

"I'm still getting used to the time loops you're involved in, kiddo!" Tyler giggled as he motioned for Levi and Peter to join in the snuggle.

"Okay... I guess I'm in need of a little info then," Kyle replied with a smile.

"You have formed your council, yes, Prince Kyle?" the Doctor asked formally.

"Yeah." Kyle blushed. "The Council is started."

"Good. We need the final member here, then."

"Ah, Galli? You're gonna freak out that poor Ferox if you Fold him from where he is, you know," Jay added with a light giggle.

"I was not going to do that. I was going to ask Kyle to fetch him." The Doctor turned to Kyle, "Can you bring Levis here? Oh, and Miah, since he is an advisor to your council. What I will now give to you needs to be given to all who are involved with your new High Race, even if they themselves are Middle."

"Okay, I'll be right back," Kyle said as he popped out from under Tyler.

Tyler giggled as he dropped into the seat. "I love it when he does that; it tickles!"

Jay also giggled, then his eyes started to glow and the light, barely visible mesh on his clothing started glowing. "Here they come, and the two baby Mikyvis as well," he giggled. He gestured with his hand, the crystals on his glove glowing white, and the Time they were in adapted to the entrance of a third species.

"We're here!" Kyle giggled as they appeared. He quickly introduced the new arrivals, then Bryce and Dylan moved over and did a quick 'mind dump' to update Peter and Levi on all they had learned so far.

"Nice!" the Doctor giggled as he expanded the sofa they were on to accommodate the extra four people. "Good lessons so far, Miah, Levis."

Levis and Miah looked around, a bit dazed from the sudden change of scenery. "What...I'm not sure I want to know..." Miah said as he plopped down on the sofa.

Levis shifted into his solid form and just shook his head, "Mikyvis. Will life ever be the same again?"

"No!" Peter and Levi both giggled.

Jay stage whispered to the Doctor, a huge grin on his face, "If they think life is fun with the Mischievous Mikyvis, just wait 'til they meet Q!"

Chuckling, the Doctor could only nod his head in agreement. Before he could say anything, however, Jay pulled back from his side slightly and stared at his forehead.

"G...Galli!" he gasped.

"What?"

"The Seal! The Seal of Time!" the auburn haired child said in wonder. "Just like when you and Q met... ah..." he trailed off, looking at Levi. He then gasped again.

The Doctor cast a quick glance at Levi and saw, dead centre of his forehead, a silvery seal. It was the sign of Infinity standing upright and tripled. "But that means... we need three..."

He turned to face the two new Mikyvis but they were normal. Puzzled at the mark on their older brother, but normal.

Miah, however, was being examined by a concerned Levis.

"Oh God, the Middle Race member," the Doctor whispered.

"Should I be concerned?" Miah asked as he gave Levis a strange look.

"Well I am," replied Levis. "Shifted to another dimension to meet people we don't know, though from the energy I can feel in here I'm already a little concerned about them. And now there's something on your head."

"Isn't worrying my job?" Miah mumbled with a grin.

"I'm glad you think it's funny," frowned Levis.

"Levis, we have how many Mikyvis here and you're worried?" replied Miah. "After studying just a little of what they can do, I don't think I've ever felt safer."

"Yeah, our big brother is here to protect everyone!" Dylan giggled.

"I hate being the oldest... I get all the teaching jobs," grinned the Doctor. "Levis?"

The eleven year old Ferox turned his concerned face to the younger seeming Time Lord.

"Do not worry, Levis. Nor you, Miah. This is a good thing, although not something that has ever happened throughout all the Cycles of Time and Creation."

He looked in turn at them all, noticing the mark on Levi and Miah fade away and knowing his own had vanished as well. "There are now three things we need to talk about: the surprise on the Tardis that concerns me, the Time Training for the newest High Race... and information on the Council That Is To Come."

"The Council of Time? Like what Mikey said to Cory earlier?" Kyle asked. "I read it from his head," he explained at Jay's look.

"Yes," the ginger Time Lord smiled. "Yes. The Council of Time. Miah, when the moment comes, you will gain what no other Middle Race has ever had; the Protection of Time itself, for while you serve Time, it will serve you." He extended his hand and continued, "And Levis as well, since you are Bonded. Now is the time for training. Your mother is going to flip!"

"Am I now?" said a voice as Xanus suddenly faded into the room with a smile on her face. "I can't think of any reason why I would be flipping out; after all I'm not Semion. I must say, it's been a while since I've seen you, my dear Doctor; a rather long while. I was a young thing back then. But I seem to remember that you used to age...differently though. It almost seems you're taking a step backwards with the age thing, don't you think?"

"Grandma!!!!" Levi, Dylan, and Bryce chorused as they surrounded Xanus while the Doctor was forming his reply.

The Doctor giggled, "It's good to see you again, Xanus. And you're right; I did take a step backwards. Not my idea, though. The original Gallifreyan Council locked my entire race to thirteen 'lives' only; much against nature, as I've discovered. They had unlimited if required, but... well, anyway. I was really dying, then my old Oracle Stone unlocked me... and boy, did she unlock me! So, how've you been for the last fifty millennia?"

"Oh, much the same as I've always been, just better at it," smiled Xanus. "Always mixing my interests with that of the humans, trying to help in some way without upsetting Semion too much. Velnis has gotten much better at keeping him out of my hair. I see you found the result of my latest interests, I must say they've turned out to be much more than I had hoped, and perhaps something Semion would hate. They are rather cute though, as Dmitry would say.

"Perhaps now that you've reappeared, my dear Doctor, Semion might get off his high horse and realize that he's not the best thing this universe has holding it together," said Xanus. "He seems to think that since we appear to be the highest race, that it's his duty to keep everything balanced in a logical and exact order. Unless it happens to involve humans, in that case I think he wishes them to just disappear. He's gotten a bit naive in his old age, thinks himself to be the law."

"Well, for you to know, Xanus, we Time Lords had to vanish, and I'll explain why when I explain the rest. As for your 'best bud' on the Council: his 'favorite' beings are about to return. You Ferox have done a bang-up great job with maintaining this Universe, but others have been nervous as they have been locked out since Gallifrey's disappearance. They will soon be here as I've started the drop on the Time Lock... your old friend Q is about to say 'Hi'," came the cheeky response from the Doctor.

Xanus almost giggled, "Oh, that sounds simply fun; Semion will be sooo happy to hear about his 'friend' coming back. But that explains why we haven't seen him much, a Time Lock? I must say I have missed talking to you and your people. You help put things into a better perspective."

"And I've missed our chats as well. I'll explain Time Locks as well. You'd not have noticed it as it wasn't aimed at your Race, nor would it have bothered you had it been. It was placed to defend this Universe against outside High Races. Since you cannot leave this Universe yet, no problem," The Doctor said as he moved over to join the three young Mikyvis in hugging Xanus.

From the hug, he looked up into her face, "And I think you did a great job with Kyle and the rest, too!"

"...//Yes. You did well, Princess Xanus//..." came the Guardian's voice from a blushing Levi. "...//They are what is needed, and you were the right one to set their path//..."

"Vae'Runam!" the Doctor chided with a grin, "do we have you to thank for Miah's new mark?"

"...//Yes. His name has been known from Time's beginning, as was yours, and that of my Voice, Levi. When the Time is right, those who shall be on the New Council shall be revealed. Now, you must train them; in all you know of Time, the Princess included. You must be ready, for He is coming, and the Ending of All Things is riding in behind him//..."

"I don't like the sound of that, Galli," Jay murmured.

"Nor I. However, now that we have his say-so: Tardis? Prepare for Full Time Freeze. This will take a while; a long while." The Doctor gestured for everyone to get comfortable, and he began at the beginning...

 

"Riti?"

"Problem, Cuz?"

"How do I get this thing to do up right?"

The small Lo'Garn giggled as he watched his cousin Xandor struggle with the top half of his new Vulcan Bio-Suit.

"Here, watch me," Riti giggled again as he undid his own and slowly showed the older Lo'Garn how to correctly fasten the wrap-around piece properly.

Xandor smiled and started copying his little cousin. "Why do we need these suits?"

"'Cos this world is nuttorz! Parts are cold, parts are hot; only a few areas are like our home. Trust me, you'll need it."

"Oh," Xandor nodded with understanding. Then he said, teasingly, "Good thing I had some play space suits back home. Don't know how you cope, though, Farmie-boy!"

"City-Dweller!" Riti shot back with a raspberry.

Once Xandor had managed to fit his suit correctly, Riti gestured for his cousin to follow him out of the Equipment Room. The Vulcan Officer near the door nodded politely at his commander as Riti passed by, making Xandor giggle.

"Nice that my little cousin is important!"

"Na, not that important!" Riti smiled back.

"Na?" Xandor asked with a puzzled look.

Riti blushed, "Sorry. I've picked up some human phrases from my home here on Earth. It's a language called Welsh, and it means 'no'."

"Ookay! Sounds funny; was it hard to learn?"

"I needed the Mikyvis to teach me; I couldn't learn human languages at all, except a few words," Riti laughed.

Xandor's eyes grew wide, "Will they teach me too? I know English thanks to Lehman, but..."

"My big bruv will teach ya, Xan," Riti smiled as he stopped walking and hugged Xandor. "Jace has all that I have now, and he knows how to transfer them too."

They continued walking until they came to the bridge of the Yoshuhlnak. The door hissed open and Xandor whistled. "It's bigger than it looked when I was on Ship seeing it from the Viewscreen."

"Oooh, yes. She's a beauty, this ship. Come on, I wanna show you some things about Earth before taking you back to the Compound." Riti bubbled as he pulled Xandor over to the command console.

For the next half hour, Riti showed his cousin various videos and holopictures of Earth, and Xandor absorbed all that was told and shown him eagerly.

"Come on, Xan," Riti grinned, "I think we can go back now."

"Can they see us?" Xandor pointed at the viewscreen. Shown there was a close up of the Main CIC and just exiting were a small group of boys and two adults.

"No, we're cloaked. But we are only 500 meters ab...ove them.... Woohoo! Prank time!" Riti yelled. He turned to the On Duty officer, "Lieutenant T'Mur, drop the Cloak."

"As you wish," the Vulcan replied, and the lights darkened as the power on board was reassigned....

 

Cory shut the door to the Conference Room with a smile on his face. He loved Kyle; who could not? He addressed the others, "Before we have a Clan meeting, do you want a tour of the Compound?"

"Yeah!" came four yells from the new boys.

Kurt smiled at their antics and nodded, "Yes, please, Cory."

"This way first, then," Sean giggled as he opened the door leading towards the FYS building.

They all moved through, and were soon joined by Kyle and the other Mikyvis, as well as two new boys.

Sean nodded at the Doctor and was about to 'ask' Kyle who his 'new' friends were when a thrumming filled the air, and the sunlight seemed to vanish.

"About time!" Kyle yelled up towards the shape above them.

"What the heck...?!" Scott shouted out at the same time.

"Ah, shut yer cake-hole, Angel-boy!" Riti yelled from the open docking port on the Port side of the Tavek Interceptor that had shown itself above them. They all watched as the small bird-boy flung himself out of the port door and swooped down towards them to hover six feet from the floor.

Another small seeming figure was seen by the doorway in the ship above them, and a plaintive cry was heard, "Riti! I can't fly, Cuz!"

"What??" Riti yelled back. "What you mean, 'you can't fly'?!"

"Never learned! How could I? I was living in a city of white-wings! When in the name of the Tree could I have learned??"

"Levi?" Riti turned towards the small Mikyvis. "Can you...?"

Levi was giggling. Xandor was next to him. Looking shocked.

"Oh... thanks, Leevee," Riti giggled.

"Mikyvis taxi at your service!" Levi giggled. "You'll get the bill at the end of the month."

Marky stood openmouthed. "They didn't have bird boys on Star Trek!" he exclaimed.

"No, but your tongue will make a nice landing strip for flies!" Kyle giggled.

Jamie looked over at Galen with a warm smile. "You're right," he said. "Sometimes dreams do come true." Galen looked startled, then smiled.

The Doctor, who was only known to a handful of the boys there at that moment, giggled. "Lo'Garn. I love you guys."

Teri looked down at him, then back at Cory. "You don't seem surprised that we leave a room with Kyle in it, then we have two new boys. Who are they?"

The Doctor started laughing more. "That's me, Mrs Short. Who..." he trailed off, holding his stomach he was laughing so hard.

Cory joined him laughing, but did manage, "Mom, guys; this is the Doctor."

Kurt, Galen and the others stared. "Doctor? The Doctor? No way!" Galen spluttered.

"Want him to prove it? Oh, and I'm Jay, by the way," Jay giggled.

"No playing 'Doctor' outside, guys!" Sean giggled.

{Do NOT encourage them!!} came the disembodied voice of the Tardis from Jay's wrist-watch

<Please do not encourage them!> Ark's voice added, coming from Cory's communicator on his chest.

{Yes, Yes! Listen to Ark!}

"Who's doing that?" Peter giggled.

"He certainly is!" said Cory, laughing.

"Tardis! You've been chatting to Ark behind my back?" the Doctor giggled into his wrist watch.

{What gave you that idea?} Tardis replied.

<The Tardis was just being polite this time. He wanted an update on Earth, so rather than just downloading as he did fifty thousand years ago without asking, he requested. The talk went on from there.>

{I am liking Ark more and more. Its conversations are far more pleasant that talking to you insane Time Lords.}

"Oh, God! Well, T; since you are feeling so vocal, why don't you put in an appearance. We have a group of kids and two grown ups here who think we're all nuts!" the Doctor said as he turned to face the nearest empty patch of lawn and pressed a button on his watch.

The air shimmered and everyone heard a sound that had only before been heard on the television. A large blue Police Telephone Box came into being before them all.

"Tardis, meet the Clan. Clan... just be ready for sarcasm... lots of it!" Jay announced, rolling his eyes.

{Just to clear the air, they are nuts. And Hello. Nice to meet you. I would shake hands, but the Doctor decided I did not need them.}

Teri shook her head. "Levi, just what did you do this time?"

"Don't blame me, grandma! I'm innocent!" Levi replied as he cuddled up to his brothers.

"I came here on my own, Mrs Short. The Mikyvis could not bring me unless I wished it anyway," the Doctor said as he joined Levi and his brothers in their cuddle.

{Doctor,} the Tardis said, {will you be bringing them on board? If so, I shall... prepare.}

"That's up to them," the Doctor said as he sent a telling look at Kyle, who nodded back at him seriously. "What say you? Fancy a quick tour? There are Jelly Babies..." he finished with a bribe.

"...And cookies too?" Dylan asked with puppy-dog eyes.

{Whatever you desire from any Universe, Dimension or Time Line, child.}

"AWESOME!" Dylan shouted as he dived towards the Tardis.

{Please wait, child... okay. All is ready.}

The door opened, and they all stepped inside...

 

"You staying long, Doc?" Kyle asked as they left the Tardis. It seemed like hours later, but the Doctor had assured them that no time would have passed outside.

"I have all the Time in... well in everything," came the giggled response.

"Cool," Sean laughed. "Come on, we still have a tour to do."

Xandor and Riti were next out of the blue doors, and each were still feasting on a shared bag of Jelly Babies, and Bryce was included in that sharing. Every few seconds, both Xandor and Bryce shared a quick look, and both blushed each time.

Jay sniggered, "Bryce and Xandor sitting in a tree..."

"Not until I teach him how to fly, they don't!" smirked Riti.

"I think you're *all* out of your tree," giggled Tyler.

"My cuz is a cradle snatcher, that's all," laughed Riti.

"What you mean?" Xandor looked puzzled.

Sammy laughed, "How old are you, Xan?"

"Twenty four cycles... ah... think that is twelve years old, in English."

Bryce giggled and blushed. "I was born this morning," he half whispered, again staring at Xandor.

"Well, not born, exactly... more like 'thought up'," Sean said.

"Time means nothing to most of the High Races, Xandor. Don't worry," the Doctor smiled at the confused Lo'Garn.

Bryce confirmed that by shyly taking Xandor's free hand in his own.

Kyle smiled, "Don't they grow up fast, Cuddlebunny?"

"Oh yes. One hour they are your little babies, the next..." Tyler sniggered.

"Hour? How's about nanosecond?" Teri added with a shake of her head.

"Grandma!" Bryce whined.

Levi and Dylan giggled. "Cool!" Dylan said, "I get to be a real little brother and tease you now, Bry!"

"I'm gonna join in, since I'm your 'little' brother too!" added Levi.

"God help him," Jay whispered under his breath. "No one else has the power to!"

"Listen, guys," the Doctor said as the laughter died down. "It's best that not many know about me as 'The Doctor'. You are all meant to know, and JJ and Adam can also be told, but to everyone else, I'm 'John Smith'... and that means you too, Jay!"

Jay rolled his eyes, "Okay... John!" he giggled.

"Couldn't you have at least thought of something original??" Levi giggled.

"Like what, 'Nnneh, what's up doc?'?" Kyle said with a grin.

The Doctor giggled at Kyle. "It was, when I first used it, 'little Mikyvis'!" he teased.

"I think you used it too much then!" Levi giggled.

{He has used the name 302,567 times since thinking of it: so you can say that again, Levi!}

"I think you used it too much then!" Levi repeated, giggling madly.

Attempting to change the subject quickly, the Doctor turned to Sean, "Weren't you conducting a tour, Archivist?"

Sean giggled. "I was, but the comedy routine here is a lot more fun!"

Xandor giggled, "I think you people have fallen out of too many nests in your time!"

"The Clan boys make their nests on the ground," Marky said giggling.

"Yeah!" Kyle giggled.

As they began to walk along the pathway towards the FYS building, Riti called to the Yoshuhlnak, "Engage Cloak, and go back to Watch-Care position."

"Understood," came the quick response, and after a slight vibrating hum, the sunlight returned.

"I can do that too!" Levi giggled as he shifted himself off phase. "See?"

"No," Riti giggled.

Levi giggled harder at Riti's response.

"But we do," Jay and the Doctor laughed.

"Um." Galen started shyly. "You bird guys weren't in Star Trek or the Clan Short stories. Where did you come from?"

"For that matter," Scott said, "Kyle wasn't able to appear and disappear like he's done, and we never heard of Levi? What happened there?"

Kyle sniggered, "Well, we'll download into your heads about what happened with me and Cuddlebunny, guys, but I think we should have Xan and Reet tell us about themselves."

Tyler nodded towards Scott and Kurt and the others, and their eyes widened as the knowledge of the Mikyvis poured into their awareness.

"Wow!" Galen smiled, "That's so kewl!"

"Our turn?" Riti asked as he snuggled into Xandor's free side as Bryce was possessively taking up space on his cousin's other side.

Cory nodded, "Yes please, Riti. We're kinda curious how you knew you were cousins, for one."

"Well," Riti started after throwing a questioning look at Xandor and getting a nod to continue. "I don't know an awful lot 'bout 'home' but when I was taken to the other nice White-Wings by my mother and father I saw Xandor asleep in the room. He looked very ill, but then I went to sleep too, and next I knew, I'm being woken up by my new family. I didn't know he was my cousin or anything."

"I had to tell him," Xandor said quietly, his eyes going distant as he reviewed his own memories of home. Tyler's mind-healing had restored everything but it was like it happened a lifetime ago, rather than only a few days to his perspective. "My mother and his were egg-sisters. I'd seen pictures of Riti, so I knew him on sight."

"Um, what's a White Wing?" Galen asked.

"Me!" Cory giggled.

Riti jumped and hovered on eye level with Cory, "Yeah! You're like my big bruv! Real nice White Wing... without wings, though!" He then latched onto Cory and started pecking kisses all over his blond friend's face.

"Now, now, Riti! I'll get jealous!" Sean giggled.

Cory laughed once Riti had finished and placed the boy back on his feet. "You're like Jace and Nath', nuts, Riti!"

"Uh huh! And I love it!" the small Lo'Garn giggled.

"Well," Xandor said, with a gentle smile at his cousin, "I know more about this 'White Wing' thing than Riti, so I'll take it. My family was fairly rich, so I read a lot and had loads of lessons. This is a long story, though."

"We have time," Riti added, "The tour won't be over for a while."

"Yeah, I think the first stop should be the barn to pick up some four-wheelers to drive around." Cory giggled.

{Will this do, Patriarch?} came the Tardis' voice from a large four wheeled vehicle that had quietly moved up behind them.

"What...? Where did that come from? And where's the Tardis!?" Sean asked in puzzlement.

{I am right here, Archivist! Get on. I promise I will not mess up your lawns, Mrs Short.}

Teri smiled. "It's not me that you need to worry about; it's Mark."

{I fear mothers more than possessive gardeners...} the Tardis joked.

"He can be a real mother if you tee him off!" Cory giggled.

{... not once I regress him back to two years old...} the Tardis mumbled as the whole group got on board and made themselves comfortable.

"Wanna bet?" Levi giggled. "He was worse back then!"

{But he would manage less damage... apart from the nappies...}

"How do you know that?" Scott asked. Levi just giggled and grinned.

Scott and Levi flickered, then Scott suddenly had an amazed look on his face. "Man, he was a BRAT!"

Levi giggled. "Told ya!"

"Worse than me?" Marky giggled.

Scott giggled, "No one could have been worse than you, Marky!"

Xandor laughed gently, then asked, "Well, since we have this comfy Tardis to ride on, shall I tell you of the real Lo'Ga?"

Cory nodded while laughing at the tickle war between Marky and Scott that had just broken out. He managed a weak, "Please!" before his giggles over took his voice.

"I don't know when it all started," Xandor started, "but the old stories tell of a time when Black Wings and White Wings lived peacefully together on our homeworld. Then one Black Wing started to gather other Black Wings together like they were better than everyone else. In a way, we are better, but not 'cos we are greater than the White Wings. We're different and longer lived. So much so that the very first Black Wing was still alive when the War broke out. There have always been more White Wings born, so we were really outnumbered, and the War was over very quickly. The White Wings kept us as servants for many cycles, but... well, it was decided that since we seemed ageless and were different, we had to be demons; monsters. We were killed off.

"For centuries, whenever a Black Wing child was born he was killed," Xandor trailed off quietly.

"'He'?" Sean asked gently. "No girl Black Wings?"

"No. Well, not those born to White Wings. Girl Black Wings were only born to... oh, this is difficult. When a Black Wing boy and a White Wing girl mated, or even a Black boy and a White boy, then there's something about us that changes the White Wings. There were no first generation Black Wing girls born. That's what Riti and I are; first generations. We were born to White Wing parents. The only Black Wing girls were..."

"... born to Black Wing parents after you'd changed a White girl to black?" Jamie concluded quickly.

"Yes, that's right. That was another reason we were 'monsters', for when that was seen happening, it freaked out the White Wings after the War. Before the War, that had been kept secret.

"I'm really not sure why we're different, and I really don't know how long we Blacks live..." Xandor finished quietly.

Kyle nodded seriously. "I have already looked into it, guys. I'll put it this way; at the end of Time you guys will probably be sitting with us playing a game of Uno."

Riti froze in his chair. "We're... immortal?" he whispered, tears of fear and sadness in his eyes.

"Ageless," the Doctor said, laying a comforting hand on Riti's shoulder. "You are what is called an Intermediate Younger Race member. You're on the verge of changing to Middle Race, or your offspring would be in a few generations."

"What is a 'middle race'?" Cory asked curiously.

"Basically, there are three major levels to the Races in Creation." The Doctor tapped his foot on the floor of the 'vehicle' and the Tardis stopped movement. "All physical beings, with a few exceptions, are Younger. Then there are the Middle Races, they are all Energy based with multiple types of abilities. Then there are the High Races. Again, Energy, but they can be hybrid. To be a High Race you have to be able to do both full Time Travel and be able to jump outside your home universe. If you can only do one of those, not both, then you are still Middle.

"Examples are: Ferox are Middle. Intermediate Middle as they can do minor Time Travel and have other Time abilities, but they are stuck in this Universe. Another would be Brakkii's people, the 'Queen of the Dream Realms'? He can move to any universe, but has no Time powers and cannot travel in time.

"High Races? Well, there are only three left. The Time Lords, the Q, and the new one, the Mikyvis... well, there are two Daleks, but they are Time Lord Daleks now. The Q are pure Energy, but both the Mikyvis and we Time Lords are Hybrids. The Mikyvis are true Hybrids; pure Energy but in a locked form. Time Lords are still changing due to some idiot choices in our past by our old leaders that I am attempting to put right.

"Also, if you are Intermediate, then that means you are changing from one level to another. The Black Wing Lo'Garn are that level, as is Jason and the other 'N-Gens'... and you and Sean, Cory. The Founders are, and a few others. If you have special powers, more than standard telepathy, etc, then you are Intermediate."

The Doctor finished and waited for the questions with a grin on his face.

"What is above a high race?" Sean asked.

"And what are Sean and I?" Cory added.

"Perpetually horny...." Marcus muttered, causing everyone to giggle.

"In order," Jay giggled, "Above a High Race? The Guardians. Over them? The Runi; the Eternals and the true Immortals... or to use your terms, The Host of Heaven."

"My bosses!" Mikey said as he popped in and hovered over the group. "How's it going guys?"

Sammy gasped, and under his breath he whispered in shock, "I knew it!"

The Doctor heard him, and giggled silently.

"Ohmygod!" Galen said, wide-eyed. "Yeah, we read about Mikey appearing, but, uh...."

The Doctor gaped. "Al'Vo'Rana! I've not seen one in years," he mumbled.

"Hey bro, wazzup!" Cory said with a grin. "It's time for your monthly 'wow the new guys' already?"

"Yup!" Mikey giggled as he landed by Marky and Galen and pulled them both onto his lap.

"Ti'z rana ko met'i," the Doctor said, bowing his head.

Mikey smiled, "Ko me Runi, ze ti El'Runi'm." Then he giggled, "What's up, Doc?"

"What does "Tarzana co-methy" mean?" Marky asked.

"Just a greeting, little one," the Doctor smiled. "And Al'Vo Mikey gave me his blessing, and the blessing of the Runi."

"And from El'Runi'm," Jay whispered in awe.

"Who?" Cory asked curiously.

Jay blinked, then giggled with a roll of his eyes, "Who do the Angels take orders from, blondie?"

"So, you angels are top of the pecking order?" Riti asked while he giggled at Cory's blush.

"Yes, in a way," Mikey smiled. "Those that die and are appointed jobs to do become like me. There are others, though."

"The Eternals," the Doctor spoke, "The Al'Na'Runi and the Na'Runi. Archangels and Angels on earth. Those who are above all, save the Creator."

"Al'Vo Mikey??" Sean giggled. "You collecting titles like my amazing blushing lover?"

"Means 'Gold Wing'," Mikey chuckled, "in the language of the Time Lords. 'Saint' here, though."

"MY Saint!" Cory said with a smile.

"You better believe it, Tigger." Mikey replied, which earned him another kid in his lap as Cory quickly cuddled his big brother.

Sammy raised his hand slightly to gain Mikey's attention, "Umm, I've seen you before."

Mikey looked puzzled for a second, but the Doctor reached over and touched the Angel's face. The Doctor then turned to Sammy, "You have, but he has not as yet, Sammy. Don't worry, I'll deal with it, and when you see Mikey tomorrow, you can talk to him about it; deal?"

"Ah, okay," Sammy responded hesitantly.

"Wait a minute!" Sean gasped. "Mikey, you were in Jason's head with some shadow in your hands. You said you were bringing us someone called the 'Shaper'? Where is he?"

Mikey giggled, "I've already brought him, yet to you, I haven't. That event, what you are now heading towards, has already happened for me. Our little Doc here will help out there."

The Doctor rolled his eyes, "Trust the Al'Vo to add more Time Loops into my life! Okay, dude, I'll hang around for a while once you 'arrive' and take you back to this point. You ain't staying now, are you? Or would that cause a Paradox?"

"Nope, I have to go make my report 'Upstairs', so I won't meet myself." Mikey gave Cory's hair a final kiss, moved him and the two other boys back to their seats, then kissed the others quickly. "In fact, I need to go soon; I just wanted to check in with you all."

"Thanks, bro; I love you," Cory replied softly, obviously feeling a little better from the contact with his brother.

"I love you too, Tigger," Mikey replied. He paused, then added in a Voice that only Sean, Cory, the Time Lords and Mikyvis could hear, "My kiss will last you for a little over a day, little brother. Your Lil' Elf will do the rest, something not even I can do. I cannot change this thing. No one can; even the Book of Life cannot, just Our Father... and His Shaper." Then, he vanished.

Cory cleared his throat a few times while Sean gently wiped the few tears from his boyfriend's face. He then turned back to the Doctor and said hoarsely, "Umm, you said Sean and I were special. Intermediate?"

The Doctor smiled at the emotive teen, then moved over to sit on his lap, "Yes. You have something about you that every fiber in my being tells me is special. You both have the greatest power of all."

"And that is?" Kyle asked, for he could not sense anything other than their empathy and mild telepathy. "I can sense they may go like Jace and Viccy, but..."

Jay giggled, "It's something you learn to sense when you're much 'older' as a High Race, Kyle. They are filled with Love. Not just the love that is common to all that live, but 'Love' love. They are the Nexus, the Heart of it, and the reason all this is happening."

Galen suddenly came alert. "The sort of love that made them reach out to Kyle and J.J. when Cory was just then getting his memories back, that brought every boy who needed them into brotherhood with them even before the Clan started, that found Gavin on another world altogether... is that what you mean?"

"Yes," the Doctor said. "Exactly right."

"My little terrors caused this?" Teri responded as she pulled the three boys to her and gave them all a loving hug.

Levi's eyes suddenly blazed white, and he said in a Voice that was filled with all of the Authority of Time...

"...//Lady Teri, your sons' Names have been known since the Dawn of Time itself. They have been known from the Beginning of the First Cycle of Time, and, if all goes as He plans, they and their Names shall last longer than the Ages of Forever...//..."

"Okay, whose turn is it to explain THAT?" Teri said as she looked around the group.

"Ummm..." Sean giggled, but his eyes held a wild look in them, "we're special?"

"I knew that, goofball, but eternal?" Teri chuckled as she gave Sean a squeeze.

"I dunno, Mommy," Sean whimpered suddenly as he tried to melt into her arms. "I'm kinda scared, to be honest..."

"You're our Sean-bear and Cory-bear; we're sure it's because we need our big brothers to cuddle with for the rest of our lives." Tyler and Kyle replied in unison.

"Hey, twin-speak is OUR trick!" Jamie and Jacob exclaimed.

Sammy giggled. "You should see the Trinity!"

"I think hearing from the Guardian of Forever is close enough for me!" said Jay.

"...//Do not be scared, children...//..." Levi said again, channelling the Voice of the Guardian. "...//You will have all the help you can need. I am bringing all those required together, and you will never be alone... not ever//..."

"Like you can be alone with THIS group!" Dylan giggled.

The Doctor and Jay looked at each other, then smiled. The Doctor tightened his hug around Cory for a moment, then said, "I think I can start Time again and we can continue with the tour. Vae'Runam can be overwhelming at times."

"Yeah," Cory murmured into the boy's ginger hair.

Time started again smoothly, and Jay whispered, "Thanks, T. I didn't think of it."

{I knew something would require it.}

After a few minutes while everyone composed themselves, Sean looked over at Riti. The small boy seemed to be in just as much shock as the rest had been, then a cold feeling ran down Sean's spine. "Oh, Reet! I'm sorry, little bro, but you were upset when Kyle said you'd live forever! What's wrong?"

Tears started suddenly from the child's owl like eyes, and he blurted out, "Viccy. She's not immortal... she's..." He started sobbing loudly, and was unable to continue.

Kyle pulled Riti into a hug. "Relax Riti; I PROMISE that things will work out; you'll understand when the Time is right."

Sobbing, Riti shuffled until he was on Kyle's lap. Cory could not help but giggle as the eight year old Mikyvis comforted the slightly smaller, and totally naked, eight year old Lo'Garn on his lap. Kyle just seemed buried in arms, legs and wings.

"Too bad you can't see Daddy's wings too!" Bryce giggled.

Both Tyler and Kyle groaned and rolled their eyes.

"Hey, we're running outta things to show how awesome Daddy is!" Dylan exclaimed. "Y'all's already took the good ones!"

Xandor started trilling a song to Riti, then, and after the echoing, eerie music had flowed around them all for a moment or two, Riti lifted his own voice to join the song. The mix and counterpoint of his own song merged with his cousin's, and impacted them all.

Two more cries came to their ears as Duke and William flew in and landed on Kurt's shoulders, and also sang with the two bird-boys.

The Doctor whistled, "Wow. That was beautiful, guys. I've never heard the Song of Flight sung so well before!"

Teri tilted her head at the Doctor, an obvious question in her eyes as the song came to an end.

"It's the Song sung when all seems lost. The Flight will always go on, and the Great Tree will always be there, even when the Dark of Night lies on your soul." The Doctor smiled at the two Lo'Garn, "They were, in effect, praying. It's why, I'm guessing, the two Ruach Tira came to sing with them."

William and Duke both nodded their heads at Teri, then flew off, leaving behind a last eerie cry.

"Thanks, Xan," Riti sniffed. He kissed Kyle briefly before taking his own seat again and hugged himself into Xandor's side.

After a moment more, Jacob asked, "Xandor, about your story. What I don't understand is why you couldn't remember nuffin', but Riti didn't have that problem. Antony gave us the download yesterday, and Riti was fine when he woke up. What happened to you?"

"Well, okay," Xandor shuddered slightly. "Well, like I said, all Black Wings born are meant to be killed, but lots of parents try hiding their children. Both Riti and I were discovered, but Riti was gotten out of his home by the resistance. My parents, though... they were told to kill me. Or they'd die themselves. So, my dad gave me a 'lethal' injection, only it was a special drug that he designed. He was a doctor, you see. Well, I fell asleep, and my 'body' was taken to be buried. Instead my parents spirited my body away to the resistance."

"What happened then?" Cory asked.

Xandor smiled, "Riti told me what happened after, and I had to fit it together just now. The resistance who were helping the Black Wing kids had been having problems for loads and loads of cycles, but when Void Ships were started to be made, they stole a few. I was told just before I was discovered that some signals had been received from a race called Vulcanians, and that they loved children; all children. Riti said that we were being sent to them, but that's all he knew. Since I was asleep at the time, I just have to go with what he said.

"It seems like the distance to the 'Vulcanians' was too far for our ships, though, and only Riti's came here easily. Mine was damaged, and that, plus the drug, hurt my head. I'm just glad that Tyler fixed it!"

"We found out," Riti added, "That my ship was slaved with another, but when mine went through a spacial event, they got separated. Looks like Xan's came through too, but the slave link was stopped, so we drifted apart."

"Just so glad Vincent and my other friends found me," Xandor smiled.

"Me too." Cory replied with a smile. "I think our son finding you was the best thing that could have happened."

Two sets of owl-like eyes blinked and twinkled with happiness as the boys nodded their heads at Cory.

 

Mike Reynolds was sitting in his apartment in Teri's house, his lunch barely touched due to his nervousness. He was trying to read a book, but even that attempt at distraction was failing. His long-awaited reunion with Davey and Jimmy was finally about to happen; the warnings about what they had been through, and what their expected reactions would be to seeing him, were eating away at Mike's soul.

Mike almost jumped out of his skin as his door opened and Teri walked in to join him for the meeting.

Teri walked over to Mike. With a small smile she patted his arm and said, "Relax, Mike, it'll be okay."

"Thanks for coming, Teri; I really appreciate it." Mike replied.

The meeting between Mike and the boys had been delayed due to the boys helping out over at Camp Little Eagle. Due to how busy they were, there just hadn't been any chance yesterday; although Mike had seen them from a distance last night at the Clan meeting. Mike was nervous; he didn't want to be alone for the reunion, but didn't want to involve anyone the boys might not know. From what he had heard, it was obvious new people would likely make them even more freaked out than he'd been told they might be anyway. Finally, he had asked Teri to join him. She had impressed him more the better he got to know her, and he clearly saw where her boys got their caring natures from. It took a load off of Mike's mind when Teri had agreed to join him; knowing that the boys were comfortable around her made the chances of things going well a lot better.

Teri could read Mike's thoughts from his expression, and smiled as she said "They're just as nervous as you; so are Gabe and Travis. Just remember that no matter what happens, they are still recovering. If I'm not mistaken, Gabe and Travis are probably in the process of convincing Davey and Jimmy that their choices of clothes really are okay."

"Anything's fine, I just want to see them so badly, yet I'm so scared after what Cory and Sean told me the other night. I wonder how we're going to get through all this so we can be together," Mike replied.

"Trust the boys; things seem to work out in the end when they are involved," Teri replied cryptically, the expression on her face hiding her knowledge of the probable reaction of the boys.

"They sure seem to," Mike replied. "I've certainly had no complaints so far, although that joining the Clan and division thing is going to take a bit to get used to."

Just then, Peter popped in between them. "RANDOM HUG!" he announced with a giggle as he quickly gave both Teri and Mike hugs and then popped back out.

"JESUS CHRIST!!!" Mike screamed as he jumped up, adding, "WHAT IN THE..."

Teri chuckled, "Relax, Mike; that's just Peter. He's kinda happy to have a life again; he was almost dead before Levi saved him. He just likes to spread his joy."

"I like my heart to keep beating too!" Mike replied, which got another laugh as he continued darkly with a mutter, "At least my bunch can't do that, thank God!"

"Yet..." Teri chuckled.

Mike started shaking his head. "Oh no, not happening. Not going to happen, are we clear? No popping hither and yon, nuh uh, no way, no how, no!"

Teri smiled. "If it's a choice between that and one of them being dead, I'll bet you change your mind, Mike. These boys are all about healing someone the best way they know how; little things like 'impossible' don't get in their way."

Mike froze at the thought of one of his babies facing death. 'I wouldn't care what was needed to save them; even being able to do that wouldn't be too high a price to pay,' he thought. "You're right, I would, and in a heartbeat too," Mike finally managed to reply, repeating "In a heartbeat," just to make his point clear. Mike considered what Jason had done to help Sammy and the Trinity, and began to wonder what would happen next.

"It's just like when Jason helped out Jamie, Jacob, and your boys." Teri added, seeming to read Mike's mind. "He proactively made sure they could not hurt themselves or someone else because of the gifts God blessed them with. All of the guys are like that; they make sure their 'brothers' are safe."

Mike thought for a moment. "It's still so much to get used to, you know. All I want to do is protect them, yet it seems they're heading for even more danger. Sammy wants to do things to help, but I'm so scared after everything of losing him. It's just... too much. Now he can read minds and do other things that I thought were science fiction last night. How do you ever get used to it? How do you let them go out and seek trouble like that?" Mike shook his head as he turned and looked out the window. Sammy was standing outside with a few friends, looking up at the apartment window in obvious worry. Mike had asked him to not be here; afraid it might spook Davey and Jimmy more with any extra kids in the room.

Mike turned back to Teri, "By the way, do you read minds too?"

Teri shook her head with a smile as she put her hand on Mike's shoulder, "Honestly Mike, I worry too. The difference is that I've learned that none of them will attempt anything without being trained first. This all started with Federation training for JJ and Adam; they trained their brothers and all of them have expanded their training as needed. They are constantly improving their methods of self-protection when they go out to help someone. Lately other entities have stepped up and are protecting them from outside the Clan. If it wasn't for those entities, none of us would have survived. We even have Vampires guarding the Compound at night now!"

Mike fell back into the chair in disbelief, "Vampires? My God. What's next? Teri, he almost died a couple of weeks ago saving Brian and before that put himself in a very dangerous situation to save little Peter. I mean it, he was in full arrest and I still don't know how they got him back." Mike shuddered, then continued, "I just don't know what I'd do if I lost him, if I lost any of them. Especially because I allowed them to... to, because I agreed to let them be a part of this. It's beyond worry, it's terror, especially after Saturday. I couldn't do anything, and I thought I'd lost them then for sure. Now, well it's so much to take in and I'm not particularly good with change anyway. My God, Teri, they're just kids. They're just... babies."

"Mike, even though they are 'just kids', God has given them a mission that we as adults can't even begin to understand," Teri replied softly. "I've heard that you have met my eldest son Mikey; it took him explaining things to me for me to finally wrap my head around it. All of the faults of humanity lie in decisions that adults have made. For us to move up to the next level, those faults must be undone, and the only ones who can undo them are people who have not learned the habits of their ancestors. That's where our boys come in; they have been chosen by Someone higher than us to lead us into a better future. I've watched the changes in them from the start of it all. I've seen Kyle change from an eight year old human boy who barely had enough courage to ask Sean to be his friend into the first member of a new species which has abilities we can't understand. The shy little boy I met a few months ago is now written in history as the one person who is responsible for saving our universe from another being determined to destroy it. Them getting killed has been proven to not be a worry; what has replaced it is the fact that more and more of my family will not reach physical maturity before I die of old age."

"I can understand that, Teri, at least intellectually, but I'm still scared. You spoke of training but Sammy was trained. He's been taking martial arts since I met him and I've been training him too. Teri I'm Ex-military, the kind you don't read about, and I taught him a bunch of things but he still died, even if for a short time. I saw the Mickey Mouses as the little kids call them last night and that's miraculous, but how do you get your heart to know what your mind does already? That little one, Levi, showed me things last night that made it clear that Sammy was needed and what would happen if he didn't take the position Cory offered, but it still doesn't stop me from being totally terrified of losing him. Like your Kyle, I've watched him go from a scared little boy who was terrified of a joke I told about him eating too much to a self-confident, hell maybe a too self-confident, young man who is my entire world, along with his brothers now. That scared little boy saved two others' lives and arguably two more besides that, although there wasn't a physical confrontation with Derek and Chris. I've heard that he organized the kids after I was shot and got them to safety, even standing up to a man with a shotgun trying to protect his brothers. He's an amazing kid, but I just don't know if I can handle this, and what he's done already is why. I did meet your Mikey and of course you know about my little angel boy. Pablito told me you guys would take care of him but it doesn't stop the fear. I have a lot of respect for what your boys have done, and I know Sammy worships Cory and Sean, but it just seems to be happening so fast and I... I feel... almost lost with everything. I've joked before that you must be supermom to live with this constantly but I really don't know how you do it. I just want them safe, that's all; is that too much to ask?" Mike paused as the last thing Teri had said hit him. "Aaah... wait a minute what do you mean you'll die before your kids grow up?"

"You've met my son Adam, right?" Teri asked, taking it in small pieces.

"Yes," Mike replied, his wonder at the direction of the conversation evident in his voice.

"Did you notice anything about his skin color?" Teri continued.

"Aaah well... I don't know quite how to say this but he did look a... little... well let's say... odd, but I thought it might be aftereffects of the medication I was on," Mike said hesitantly, not wanting to offend Teri.

"Let me guess; it looked like he was covered with light overspray from silver paint?" Teri replied.

"Well... actually, yes he did!" Mike replied in shock.

Teri's face was dead serious as she made her next statement. "What would you say if I told you that he took the impact of a fragmentation grenade sandwiched between him and his attacker while rescuing your family?"

"Like hell!" Mike replied as he reviewed what ordinance like that could do in his head.

'Mom; I'm gonna come in and help explain,' Kyle suddenly said in Teri's head. 'I'm gonna be needed anyways, and you're gonna be all sad if you try to explain it.'

"Kyle is going to pop in," Teri stated to Mike as she acknowledged Kyle in her head. "I need him to help me explain how my son is still here."

Mike thought about it some more, and just didn't see it happening. Even if Adam had worn a flak jacket and the explosive force had went primarily into the other person, it still would have been fatal. 'There is just no way that kid was walking around fine as day, silver or not, if that had actually happened,' Mike thought to himself as he replied to Teri, "All right."

Mike's thoughts continued, 'What can this kid possibly explain that would make any sense? I know he's one of these 'Mickey Mouses' with extraordinary powers that I can't even pronounce the name of, but unless maybe he deflected the blast or something, it just didn't make any sense.'

Just then, Kyle appeared, "Uncle Mike? I know you've heard about our 'fuzzymores'; I'm gonna show you mine. Is it okay if I put what you'd call the 'specs' of a Phasenmorph into your head?"

"In my head? Ah well I guess so," Mike replied. A couple of seconds later, Mike exclaimed, "Jesus Christ, are you serious?" Mike was stunned as suddenly he knew all of the information about Phasenmorphs.

Kyle nodded, "Yeah, totally serious. That is a normal Phasenmorph; some of them, like the one Timmy has, have other abilities."

"My God that's incredible!" Mike said in shock.

Mike suddenly realized what this implied, and was horrified as he closed his eyes for a second then turned to Teri. His voice trembled as he asked "You weren't exaggerating about Adam, were you?"

Tears were streaming from Teri's face as Kyle replied for her softly, "No, she wasn't; his phasenmorph died protecting him. About ninety percent of the shrapnel was stopped; the other ten percent would have killed him if it wasn't for the Founders having a procedure which can heal a person with that kinda damage. The side effect of the procedure is that he's only gonna age one year for every 4575 years he is alive."

Mike sat there stunned, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. As his mind finally grasped the new information, he finally understood what Teri was going through. Tears fell from his eyes as he considered what it would be like if he was in her position, and the thought of how Adam must be feeling over this almost broke his heart.

"My God. I'm so sorry, Teri. I can't even begin to imagine what you must feel not being able to be there for them," Mike whispered softly as he gently took her hand trying to comfort her.

Kyle was about to creep up on Mike's lap to show him 'Fuzzy More Richardson' when a chill went up everyone's spines. He looked around, but saw no one, not even with his own powers probing out.

At Teri's questioning look, Kyle just shrugged his shoulders, "I think Someone is trying to say everything's gonna work out, Mommy." He held his bare arm out, and a second later Fuzzy came into view.

"Mikey or Pablito?" Mike asked as he bent closer to look at Fuzzy.

"Neither," Kyle replied. He suddenly got a goofy grin on his face as Mike ran his finger down Fuzzy's back.

"What?" Mike asked as he pulled his finger back.

"It feels good; when he purrs it makes me feel nice and relaxed," Kyle replied before reaching out and pulling Mike's hand back towards Fuzzy.

"Okay, well, I can help with that at least," Mike replied as he resumed petting the Phasenmorph.

"You do realize Kyle's not leaving your lap for as long as you pet Fuzzy, don't you?" Teri asked Mike with a small smile.

Mike smiled down at the brown haired imp on his lap, then looked back at Teri, "I don't mind at all. I love cuddling little ones, so he can stay as long as he likes."

"You might regret that; he's got forever!" Teri replied.

"But he's not like Adam, is he? I thought he was one of those Mickey Mouses I've been hearing about," Mike asked with a confused smile.

"Mikyvis!" Teri corrected as Kyle giggled at the mangling of his species name. "He's a new species that does not age - period. He makes Adam look like a short-lifer."

"Oh. No aging? Ever? Wow!" Mike replied in shock. 'Would there be no end to the surprises?' Mike thought to himself.

"Nope!" Kyle giggled, "You're thinking too loud, Uncle Mike; I think Sammy heard that one!"

"I wouldn't be surprised at that, kiddo; somehow I think he's known for a while what I'm thinking anyway. I do think Mickey Mouses is cuter though, one of the kids was calling it a Mickey Fish, saying something about you liking swimming a lot, but I like the other better," Mike replied.

Sammy's voice came to them all then, 'Daaaaddd? Can I be...'

"No!!!" Mike yelled.

'But daaaaad!'

"I said no! There is a limit, you know!" Mike replied with a chuckle; hoping Sammy did not hear the second part.

"He heard!" Kyle giggled.

"Oh, brother, now I'm in for it," Mike sighed theatrically before adding, "He qualifies to be Goofy, just not a Mickey!"

They all heard the indignant shout of 'HEEEEY, I HEARD THAT!'

"That's what you get for listening in!" Mike said, laughing softly.

Kyle tilted his head. "Visitors are here ... Come on in!" he announced.

Gabe and Travis came through the doorway, Jimmy and Davey tucked tightly under their arms and latched securely to their sides. When Davey and Jimmy saw that Teri and Kyle were in the room they relaxed some, but kept their hold on their parents.

The discussion of Adam and Kyle had taken Mike's mind off of the impending meeting. At the sight of Jimmy and Davey he drew his breath in suddenly, afraid to let it back out. The boys looked to Mike like they were a pair of colts, ready to bolt at the slightest sound or movement. Mike was positive that he didn't want to be the one to send them running. After a pause with everyone just looking at each other, Mike spoke softly with tears running from his eyes, "Hello, guys."

Kyle noticed the fright that entered their eyes at just the sound of Mike's voice. "Jimmy? Davey? I'm right here and I got Fuzzy with me. You know I ain't gonna let nothing happen that could hurt you guys. It's okay to come over here, I promise. I'll stay right here so that you know you're still safe. Mike won't hurt you; you know he never has and he hasn't changed."

Mike took a deep breath to calm himself down, "Kyle's right, babies, I'd never hurt you; I love you too much to ever do that. You guys really dressed up today, didn't you? You look great."

Both boys gave small smiles at the compliment, then began to inch closer, dragging their parents with them. They stopped just outside of Mike's reach, the looks on their faces showing that if they got any closer, they would lose control and run.

Mike's heart stopped at the thought of what they had been through to make them react this way. 'What the hell had those people done to these two sweet little babies who were so full of love and life to make them like this?' Mike thought to himself. 'This is a nightmare. They'd probably die of fright, were I to just scoop them up in my arms into a hug like I wanted and had intended to do.'

Mike fought back tears as he looked at the boys, unsure of the safest way to proceed.

Gabe gave Davey a squeeze, "You can do it, kiddo; you're not going to beat what the bastard did to you if you don't fight it."

"Okay, Pop," Davey nodded, and set his jaw as he took another step forward. He took Kyle's outstretched hand for emotional support, then let go of Gabe as he stiffly took a seat next to Kyle on Mike's lap. Jimmy watched carefully, appearing ready to attack should the slightest wrong move be made.

"Thank you," Mike said softly to Davey, inwardly cringing as Davey jerked slightly. "I won't hurt you, sweetheart, I'd never hurt you or your brother. I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you all these years, but I will be from now on."

Davey was shivering like a leaf in the wind as Mike spoke, but kept his position on Mike's lap.

Travis guided Jimmy over; obviously comforting him. "Go ahead, Son, I'll be right here," Travis whispered as he helped Jimmy to join his brother.

Mike spoke softly to both boys, doing his best to not frighten them further, "It's so good to see you guys again. I've wanted this day for so long now, and I've missed you both so much. I'll never let anyone hurt you again, I promise. I know they told you I didn't love you, but I want you to know that's not true. I never stopped loving you, not for one second of one day. Please believe me if I had known what was happening, nothing on this planet or any other could have kept me from getting you out of there, nothing."

Kyle looked between the two boys. "Guys, would it be okay if I helped calm you?" he asked softly.

Both boys nodded. Almost instantly they relaxed; still wary but no longer on the edge of panic.

"Thank you, Uncle Kyle," Davey said softly.

It finally hit home to Mike; he now realized just how much damage had been done to his nephews.

Gabe looked at his sons, his love of the boys very obvious. "Okay, guys, I know that we've talked this over a ton of times since Uncle Mike was rescued. This is hurting Uncle Mike just as much as it's hurting you; are you ready to go ahead with how we planned this?"

Davey and Jimmy both nodded to Gabe, obviously trusting him and Travis to watch over them.

Gabe smiled, then looked up at Mike. "Mike, Aunt Teri is gonna help you, me and Trav are gonna help our sons while we explain to you what's happening, and Kyle's gonna keep an eye on everyone to make sure we don't overdo it and start causing damage instead of healing. Davey and Jimmy have already agreed that what I tell you can be said out loud while they are here; they think it might help them some seeing how you react to hearing it. One of the things that was drilled into your nephew's heads by what they accurately call the 'bastard' was that hugs equalled molestation. Thanks to all of the guys here, they've got over that with other kids, but they are still shaky about adults doing it until they are sure the adult is safe. They have some really fond memories of your hugs buried deep inside them; the brainwashing they endured messed up their subconscious, so that even though their memories have been repaired, the 'fight or flight' reflex still kicks in unless they override it."

Gabe paused for a second to let Mike absorb what he was saying, then kept quiet as Davey started talking softly.

"Uncle Mike? Jimmy and I are really scared. Poppa Trav used to be a lot like we feel now, and he says that someday we are gonna be able to run up and hug you and we ain't going to be scared to be around you. Poppa Gabe told us that you would want to hug us because you have not seen us."

Jimmy interrupted, his voice almost squeaking from stress. "Our cousin Levi sat down with us last night and showed us your side of what happened. You can hug us if you want; Uncle Kyle will let you know if it's getting to be too much for us."

Mike looked between the two boys, tears streaming from his eyes. "I...I really hope so too. Are you sure, sweethearts?"

Both boys nodded nervously, neither trusting their voices.

Mike slowly moved his arms up and around the boys, gently wrapping them around them; being careful not to spark their 'flight or fight' reflex.

Both boys remained stiff in the hug, their eyes reflecting the fright they were fighting back as they tried to overcome the demons of their past. They shakily returned the hug, holding it for a moment before both pulled away.

"It's okay, guys; that was a great first step." Travis said softly as he reached out and rubbed his son's shoulders.

"Thank you," Mike whispered softly.

Kyle nodded his head. "I think you guys did great; I'm proud of you. What do you say to heading out to the dream dimension so you have a chance to rest before we go back out with everyone?"

Both boys nodded, then Davey turned to Mike and whispered. "We're sorry, Uncle Mike. We are trying, but it still hurts a lot."

"Can we try again in a few days?" Jimmy added in an unsteady voice.

"You have nothing to be sorry about, guys. Kyle and Travis are right; you both did fantastic, and I know it hurts. I'll give you all the time you need, and if you're ready, then we can do that in a couple of days; but only if you're ready for it, okay?" Mike replied gently.

Both boys nodded as they climbed down and took shelter under Trav's arms. Gabe moved up to Mike and held out his hand. "Thanks, Mike; it might not look like it, but you just helped our boys through a major step. You haven't changed one bit from the memories they have of you; it's just going to take a long time for us all working together to overcome the damage."

Mike looked at all of them for a moment before replying. "Thank you for bringing them here and to this point. I can tell it wasn't easy. I'll do whatever I can for them." He then turned to look at Davey and Jimmy, adding, "I love you guys. I always have and I always will; don't ever forget that."

The small smiles from both boys expressed what they could not vocalize in their current nervous state; the love was there and they were trying hard to bring it back into the open.

Travis gave them a squeeze as he replied for them. "They love you too, Mike. Now that they know you still love and accept them, the next time might be a little easier on all of us. Gabe and I will look you up later and we can talk over how today went; right now I think these two angels need to go unwind before they lose what little hold they have against their past."

Mike barely kept control of himself as he replied. "Okay then, I guess it's goodbye for now; take care of them, please."

"We will, Mike," Gabe and Travis replied. "We love both of them just as much as you do."

With that, Kyle, Travis, Gabe, Jimmy, and Davey disappeared from the room. Teri wiped the tears from her eyes, then put a hand on Mike's shoulder. "I think now we can answer some of those questions you asked."

Mike didn't hear; he was lost in staring at the place his nephews were just standing. The emotions he had held back for so long finally overcame his restraint and the tears flowed freely from his eyes. In a voice riddled with pain, Mike asked, "They're not going home with me, are they? They could never accept me like they used to, could they?" He paused then added what he now realized; there was no bitterness in his tone, just a sense of loss. "I've lost them; that was what you were trying to show me, wasn't it? I've lost them, just when I thought I'd found them again."

Teri shook her head sadly. "I won't discount a miracle, Mike, but remember they are forcing themselves because they do still love you deep in their hearts...."