Parents Day

[Elijah Elliot]

It felt like the day that wouldn’t end.

It started out well. Which is to say, it started out without his parents. His morning routine on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday included getting up early enough that he could hit the gym before the day started. The workout had left him feeling pretty good, except for the sense of impending doom.

His parents arrived on campus roughly when they said they would. Mom had brought Minnie with her. Minnie was a small white and reddish brown sheltie. Today, Minnie was being carted around in an over-sized purse. The purse wasn’t a complete success, as Minnie had taken several tumbles to the floor so far, each of which had prompted a few minutes of Mom freaking out and checking her baby to make sure she was okay. At least she’d left the other three dogs back in the hotel room--he didn’t even want to think about her dragging Everest, their Tibetan mastiff, all over campus.

Other than the tumbles, Mom seemed largely happy and kept wanting to take photos of everything, including his teachers (who generally managed to oblige without looking at her like she was too crazy). His father, at least, seemed about as miserable as Eli was. His mood seemed like it was probably on the grumpy side before they had arrived, but seeing Eli in his kilt had definitely soured it even further.

At the moment, they were enjoying lunch in the cafeteria. Well, his mom and Minnie were enjoying it anyway. Eli had successfully managed to avoid having his parents interact with any of his friends’ parents. Kai had looked about ready to bring his own mom over, but Eli had given him a warning look and Kai, fortunately, had taken the hint.

“There you go, Minnie. Eat the hot dog. Good girl!” Mom had cut up the hot dog into bite sized morsels, which she was feeding Minnie. Her own food would sit on the plate, untouched until Minnie had eaten.

“I can’t believe you brought her onto campus.” Eli was repeating himself. He’d said the exact same thing, verbatim, at least six times so far today. But it wasn’t like he had anything else he wanted to say to them, and he knew it bugged his father immensely when people kept repeating themselves. “You’re not supposed to be dragging an animal around on campus. Some people are allergic, you know.”

“I bathed Minnie before we came, Eli, she doesn’t have dander to bother anyone.” She turned back to the dog, speaking as one would to an infant. “Mommy’s little baby doesn’t have any dander at all. No she doesn’t! Have some more hot dog, sweetheart.” Another piece of hot dog was quickly devoured.

Eli took a bite of his hamburger and chewed slowly. The more time spent chewing, the less time he might have to engage in conversation.

“Why are you taking a magic class, anyway? It’s not like you can do magic,” His father grimaced at him, then narrowed his eyes a bit. “You can’t do magic, can you? Your teacher didn’t say you could. You’d better not be able to do magic.”

Eli rolled his eyes. “Yes, dad. I’m a full-fledged wizard now. Everything you see around you is actually an illusion, created by my awesome magical prowess.”

“Don’t you take that tone with me.”

“Now Doug, don’t be that way,” his mother admonished.

His father grimaced and took a small drink of his lemonade, looking around the room a bit as he did. He wrinkled his nose a bit at some of the less conventional looking students, but fortunately, didn’t comment on them.

“There you go, Minnie! Is your tummy full? Is it? Such a good girl!” Apparently Minnie’s lunch was over.

If only Eli’s day could be over. And to think, they were staying the weekend. And they intended to bother him as much as they could over it. At least he’d be able to piss his father off later when mom would inevitably ask to take photos of his new patrol outfit. He’d mentioned that he’d gotten one, but hadn’t mentioned what it looked like.

Eli focused his attention on his burger. It was only a few days and then they’d be gone. Only a few days. At least he had Peyton’s beach party to look forward to, even if the rest of the weekend would be shot.

[Roach Copeland]

Though he had sworn off cigarettes, Roach had fallen back to old habits as soon as the crowd of parents arrived. All toting around various forms of gifts and various forms of thoughts. Students either ran in excitement to parents or shuffled towards them at a pace that would seem similar to those walking to the electric chair. Happiness, sadness, disappointment. All shared or hidden or masked.

Roach watched all this from the stadium, wrinkling his nose. The cigarette rested limply against his lips, his arms hugging the railing in front of him. Car horns honked in the distance, people marched about as students gave tours.

And Roach told himself that he didn't care. He didn't care. He had avoided a bullet. He heard all from the students how much they were dreading seeing there parents. How they were so embarrassed to have to play 'Brady Family' for a weekend. They'd have to put up with all the awkward stories and lame jokes. It sounded torturous. Painful. Totes uncool.

And yet... here he was.

He smirked as he took a drag from the cigarette, the rush of nicotine already putting his nerves at ease. Even just the familiar rebellious activity was enough to ground him back into place. Keep him focused on the now instead of the 'what if'.

He snorted, another drag following.

He had moments of weakness. He wouldn't admit that he did, but he had moments when people would talk about their parents. Or complain about parents. He would think about what would happen if Gary hadn't drank. Or if Caroline hadn't left. Or if they had lived in Paragon instead of the Isles. He wondered if he too would be in the shoes of Eli and Mia and everyone. Would he be annoyed by them? Scared they'd find out his secrets? Would they hug him like Jeremy's dad did him- not a hint of disappointment on his face or in his mind. Would he be nervous as he introduced them to a girl? Would they torture him by trying to get him a girl?

A final drag of a the cigarette and then it was thrown to the floor and stepped on. Roach pushed away from the railing and shoved his hands into his pocket.

It was easier to just hate what he had gotten as 'parents'. They had barely filled that description anyways. To have to experience multiple feelings and the levels of them like the other students just seemed difficult. Boring. Totes uncool.

So Roach moved off and down the stadium's steps. Not jealous at all.

He could believe that for now.

"Hi Roach," he heard as he left the stadium. Milo. Parents. Tupperware. Part of him wanted to walk off, leave without saying a word. Just act like he didn't hear Milo. Yet... Milo was Milo. So, he shoved his hands into his pocket, swallowed his thoughts, and moved off to meet the trio...

[Diya Behari]

Diya certainly wasn't surprised that her parents were among the last to show up. Her dad was terrible at keeping track of time, and her mom was, of course, very busy. There were only a few other kids standing around with her when the familiar sleek black sedan pulled up to the school.

Diya absently pulled on one of her pigtails and sighed. Now that they were actually here, she could admit to herself that a tiny part of her had hoped they wouldn't show up. But when the passenger door opened to reveal her mother in an impeccable cream pantsuit, her long black hair pulled up in an artfully-messy twist, Diya put on a smile.

"There's my Diya!" Mrs. Behari called in her lightly accented voice. She gracefully unfolded herself from the car and held her arms out, waiting for Diya to run into them.

Diya, never a big hugger in the first place, and certainly not in front of the other kids, leisurely walked towards her mom, her hands shoved deep in the pockets of her track pants, and allowed herself to be hugged.

"Where's my Dynamo?"

Diya suppressed a smile at the sound of her Dad's voice. While her mom had worked hard to reduce her British accent, Mr. Behari still had the musical lilt of a British-Indian accent. She slid out of her mom's hug. "I'm here, Dad." Her father wrapped Diya in a tight bear hug. More easy-going than her mother, he was dressed casually in khakis and a polo shirt, his sunglasses pushed to the top of his head. When he released her, he stooped down a bit so he stood eye to eye with his daughter. He tweaked the end of a pigtail. "Still going for the disaffected, angsty teenager look, huh?"

"Dad!"

He laughed warmly. "Just teasing you, Dynamo. It looks lovely. You look lovely. We missed you, Dee."

"Yes, Diya, we've missed you terribly! And you haven't been calling or e-mailing nearly as much as you promised," Diya's mom scolded.

"I've been busy! There's a lot going on here, y'know. My classes are stupid hard." She added that last part with a pointed look to her mom - the one who had insisted that she take as many advanced classes as possible, even the ones Diya just barely qualified for after years and years of not sitting in regular classrooms.

"Of course, Dynamo," her dad said. "You having fun though, too? Making lots of friends?"

Diya felt her throat close up suddenly. She just knew the sort of reaction her mom would have to her friends. Instead of trying to force out an answer, she just shrugged.

"Is that who I think it is?" Diya heard a warm and slightly familiar Southern accent say just loudly enough to be overheard. "Eddie, why don't you do the introductions?"

"Uh, excuse me, Miss Diya?"

Though of course she recognized Eddie's voice and Southern manners, Diya turned around to greet Eddie. He was dressed up for Parents day, in a bright white shirt and a bold red bow tie sticking out from underneath his chins. She craned her neck up to look him in the eye. "Hey, Eddie."

"Good morning, Miss Diya. I hope I'm not intruding on your time with your parents, but my mother wishes to meet you and your family." He nodded at the attractive woman standing at his side. "This is my mother, Miss Gloria Brunts." Gloria Brunts was younger than most of the parents Diya had observed earlier, with bright blonde hair that at least looked natural, and an impeccable layer of makeup Diya couldn't believe wasn't melting off in this heat.

"Oh, Diya, it's such an honor to finally meet you!" Miss Brunts thrust out a hand so enthusiastically, Diya felt compelled to take it. "As you might know, I've been following your case very closely."

"Um, thanks?" Diya said. "These are my parents, Marie and Jack Behari."

Gloria held out her hand towards the Beharis. Mr. Behari gave her a warm handshake, using both hands. Mrs. Behari offered a quick, perfunctory, professional one. "I must tell you, Mr. and Mrs. Behari, that what your daughter has gone through is an absolute travesty. Diya, I understand you're having some legal battles to defend your record? I'd like to take this opportunity to offer my services as a sort of expert witness on your behalf."

"Thank you, Miss Brunts, but I don't think that will be necessary," Mrs. Behari cut in coolly.

Gloria appeared taken aback, but recovered quickly. "Oh. Well. Of course, it's your decision. I just thought that since I am respected as a sort of expert on metahuman child development I could be of some assistance."

Mrs. Behari raised an eyebrow in a calculating look. Diya held her breath. She wasn't sure what her mother was going to say next, but she was pretty sure it wasn't going to be pretty. "An expert, you say, Miss Brunts? Oh, if I'm remembering your books correctly, you're actually credited as Doctor Brunts, are you not?"

Gloria flushed with a combination of pride and embarrassment. "Well, yes, it is Doctor now -"

"But isn't that doctorate an honorary degree?" Mrs. Behari interrupted. Gloria's shy smile promptly fell away. "While I'm glad, "Doctor" Brunts, that you have been able to exploit your child for financial gain, I must say that I'm disappointed that you took such a fatalistic approach with Eddie, here."

A sudden breeze ruffled Diya's bangs. She looked up slightly to see Eddie frowning and sighing - or was it huffing?

Gloria pasted a smile on her face. "Fatalistic, you say?"

"Mom," Diya hissed. "Please?"

But Mrs. Behari was on a roll. The woman was unstoppable. "It's clear you've given up on Eddie. Sending him to Westbrook wasn't a last ditch effort to help him, it was a capitulation. Especially with the resources you've gained in recent years, you could be helping him overcome his mutation, instead of allowing him to revel in it."

Another audible exhale came from Eddie.

"Well, bless your heart," Gloria said, fake smile still pasted on.

"Surely Eddie can't be happy the way he is," Mrs. Behari began to continue, but Eddie cut her off.

"You have no right to talk about me that way!"

Diya's eyes widened in surprise. She'd never heard Eddie sound so passionate about something - and she wasn't sure if the first emotional outburst she wanted to witness was the gentle giant's anger.

"Eddie, darling," Gloria said sweetly, resting an elegantly manicured hand on Eddie's giant wrist.

"No, Ma, she's being disrespectful to both of us and it's not right!"

Diya glanced at her parents and couldn't help but feel a little satisfaction at the fear in her mom's eyes. Of course, her dad looked terrified too, which didn't feel as good.

"Eddie, I'm sure there are many other fine people you can introduce me to. Let's finish up our tour, okay?" Gloria tossed a glance at the Beharis. "If you have such a low opinion of Westbrook, I'm not sure why you chose to send your daughter here, but I hope for your sake you have a pleasant stay. It truly is a wonderful school." With her hand still resting on Eddie's wrist, she led Eddie away from the Behari family.

As soon as Diya was sure Eddie was out of hearing range, she turned on her mother. "What the hell, Mom?"

"Diya, language," her dad warned.

Diya glared at him. "Oh, you thought that was okay?" She turned her attention back to her mother. "Eddie's pretty much the nicest guy on the face of the planet. He's one of my friends, and now he's going to hate me!"

"I'm not sure he's the most appropriate friend for you to have," Mrs. Behari sniffed. "Even if that woman wasn't his mother."

"She was a perfectly nice lady! I thought her offer was very nice!"

"You don't need help from someone like her. We can find established professionals, those with real credentials -"

"She's been on Oprah."

Mrs. Behari sighed. "You'll understand some day. Now Diya, before we get too far into the activities the school has planned for us today, I wanted to talk to you about a new therapy that's been tested back in India for your condition -"

"Marie," Mr. Behari said firmly. "Not now. You promised."

Mrs. Behari pursed her lips. "Very well. But later, Diya, we have to talk. Now, why don't you show us the rest of this "wonderful" school. I'd like to meet some of the other people you've been associating with."

Diya felt like she was going to throw up, but she dutifully turned around and led her parents into the building.

(Thank you, of course, to Eddie for letting me be mean to his mom!)

[Etienne Mbane]

The Jesuit picked up Etienne after his detention for leaving Mr. Druce's field session wthout permission. Etienne accepted the punishment easily, after all, everything has a price. The Jesuit seemed actually proud of Etienne for being punished at all.

"It's good to hear you are finally sticking up for yourself at school, Etienne," was all he said once he had all the information.

But now, the Jesuit drove them to the airport to pick up his father. They waited for him outside the gate, knowing that he would have any baggage with him.

Michel Mbane stood a full foot and a half shorter than his son, but he made up for his lack of height with one of the strongest personalities that the Jesuit had ever known. Given the Jesuit had had audiences with the Pope, it said a lot that he respected Michel so much.

Michel saw Etienne, and his face darkened, his eyes narrowing in disappointment. He held that expression as they approached, then his face split in a wide grin. "Mon fils, dat tin tube taked us in, and nous allons in de ciel."

"Oui, mon per."

"Everyting, it was tres small down dere."

Etienne smiled, "Oui, mon pere."

"And you, you est taller, non?"

"Oui, mon pere."

Michel shook his head, "It is a good ting you make your own clodes, mon fils. I would have given up long ago."

He rubbed his hands together as the Jesuit led them to his car. "Now, what is dis de Loa dit 'bout amour, mon fils? Dey dit dat she ain't Houghan, but dey like her. Parlez dat I going meet dis fille, dat got de Loa infatuated."

"Oui, mon pere."

Michel stopped before he got in the Jesuit's car and gave a long, searching look to his son. "After all dis time, I allon all dis way, and dat all you goin' dit?"

Etienne's face split in a wide, warm grin. "Oui, mon pere."

Laughing the three of them got into the car and headed toward Westbrook Academy.

[Flicker]

Peyton decided to wear her hair loose, but wrapped a scruchii around her wrist, just in case. The weather was perfect, low humidity, plenty of sunshine and cool breeze just often enough to keep you comfortable. She rolled the sleeves of her white "TEAM CHEER" shirt more for effect than to keep her cool and balked momentarily looking at a pair of shorts and a denim mini before deciding on the mini. Everything else she stuffed inside the small Wildcats duffel that she slung over her shoulder. One final application of bubblegum lip gloss, a quick check in the mirror and she was ready to go.

She skipped down the staircase, her hair swinging back and forth over her shoulders. As she reached the bottom step, she thought about zipping past the commons where some students were meeting with their parents, but that would just be plain rude. She was raised better than that.

She said her hello's to her classmates parents trying to place faces and names, noticing how some of the kids were spitting images of their mom or dad, while some looked like they fell out of a different family tree all together. Some kids looked on top of the world, while some tolerated the tousling of hair and dozens of mom-kisses.

She made her way through the sea of people stopping when she heard the happy yip yapping of a dog. She knew Eli and his family had to be close by, and standing on her tiptoes, she spotted him. He was dressed in his kilt, showing off his amazing knees, but wore a scowl to end all scowls. Poor guy. He looked so much better when his eyes lit up, like when he was playing something complicated on the violin and nailed it. Peyton smiled as she caught his eye, holding three fingers to either side of her head and mouthed the word 'catgirl' before making a hand clawing gesture. She thought she saw him smile in response, but it was overshadowed by another scowl as his mother accidentally dropped a little red and white dog out of her purse as she struggled to get her camera out, sending the poor animal crashing onto Eli's feet. Peyton shrugged apologetically, and dropped back to her heels as another wave of people ushered her along. She ducked aside to text him a brief message. "Sunday! Beach! Survivor! Remember - That which does not kill you only makes for a better party when they leave!" Sunday would be a blast.

There were parents and aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, guardians, it was impossible to remember all the names and faces. Some were pretty easy to spot. Lauren's mom looked like she stepped out of a magazine. It was easy to see where Lauren got her good looks. Peyton smiled genuinely, shaking each of their hands and gave Lauren a quick hug around the shoulders.

"She's an amazing cheerleader." Peyton told them. "The squad is lucky we have her." She quietly wished her teammate luck and headed out into the bright sunlight.

The incoming crowd was thinning, and she spied Matt Quest outside with his brothers, Alex, and Mike was it? Mark? Mitch. Something with an M, if she remembered right from his faceplace page. One of them lowered his sunglasses to oggle girls that passed by, while the other seemed to be giving Matt a hard time, a good natured ribbing as brothers tend to do. The boy with the sunglasses made a lewd gesture before shoving Matt, and Peyton rolled her eyes. Matt always helped her in trig class, she did owe him one. Maybe she could get them to lay off a little.

"Hiya Matty." She said in a sing-song voice with a bright smile. She swaggered over with a little extra sway in her step. "See you Sunday night, right?" She bit her bottom lip, glancing up at him slyly then gave a cursory glance to the two boys he was with. She pursed her lips and spun on around before he could answer. "Call me!" She called over her shoulder while chuckling to herself. Boys.

She said hello to the parents of the girl who's name escaped her, the one in the quad down the hall who always wore pretty clips in her pink hair and hello to that quiet guy she couldn't remember the name of in her Metahuman studies class and his family, and headed off campus.

It was a perfect day for Hawaiian shaved ice on the boardwalk. She and Henry were going to see a movie at noon then hit the beach after sun burn o'clock. For now it was still early. She bounced on her toes by the counter waiting for her order. Her parents couldn't make it. Kel had practice, her dad wasn't much of a traveler, they didn't have a kennel for the dog. She understood. Besides, there wasn't anything that ice and fruit flavors couldn't make better. Peyton took a bite of frozen pina colada. It helped her swallow the lump in her throat.

((Thanks to Eli, Lauren, Matt and Hank. Your shoes rock!))

[Cassandra Finch]

Cassie watched the arrivals from her spot on the grass, willing herself not to check the time every few minutes. Eventually a familiar car pulled up and a slim, greying blond man stepped out. He spotted Cassie and grinned. She got up and wandered over to meet him, trying not to look excited or disappointed that he was alone. It hadn't been that long since her parents had dropped her off, and Dr. Bellamy was a busy woman.

"Cassie!" Dr. Finch pulled her into a careful hug. "How are you? Your mother says to say she's sorry she couldn't make it."

"Augh, Dad!" Cassie made the expected show of trying to squirm away. "I'm fine!"

Her father let go and looked across the campus. "How are you liking it here? You never say much."

Cassie shrugged. "It's school, Dad. It's okay."

Dr. Finch raised his eyebrows. "That's all I get for driving out here? I expect some actual answers."

"It's pretty cool, but it's still school in July, okay?"

"Okay," he sighed. "Do I at least get to meet some of these mysterious friends of yours?"

"We're going to dinner with some of them later. Don't be weird." Cassie still wasn't sure how good an idea this was, but Brook had asked, and it might be fun. Or really awkward. Probably some of both.

"Anyone special I should know about?"

"DAD."

"Fine, fine." He ruffled her hair, producing more indignant protests. "Give me the tour."

[Lauren Lombardi]

Late Saturday afternoon, as Jennifer was preparing to leave for the airport, she asked if she could speak to Lauren alone. Lauren offered a somewhat nervous smile to Wyatt, but answered with a cheery “Sure!”

Wyatt’s mother led Lauren far enough away that Wyatt couldn’t overhear them if they spoke quietly. Lauren sent one last glance at him on the way.

Jennifer smiled and softly said “I can tell Wyatt really likes you and you like him.”

Lauren smiled back and rapidly nodded a few times. So far, it was a good beginning. “Yes, ma'am. I really do.”

Jennifer nodded. “I just want you to know, if he's ever mean to you, if he mistreats you, or ever bullies you, he'll have hell to pay with me for it.”

All Lauren’s fear melted away in his defense. “Oh, Wyatt would never do that! He's amazingly nice to me. A real gentleman.”

Jennifer smiled again, obviously happy to hear that about her son, but then the smile faded. “I also have to tell you... I know how some girls are.”

“Uh-oh... Here it comes.”

“They can take a boy like Wyatt and chew him up and break him to pieces like puttin' limbs in a wood chipper. I'm thinkin' you ain't one of them girls, but Wyatt... bein' how he is, he'd be so easy to break. Just... when you're done with him, I want him back. Whole. No pieces gone. Okay?”

Lauren smiled softly. Whatever Jennifer’s concerns, she didn’t think Lauren was “one of them girls,” and that was fairly high praise from a mother whose son lived a thousand miles away from home. It also implied a great deal of trust. “I promise I'll do everything I can to keep him whole, but... I'm not planning to be done with him. Maybe that's naive right now, but...” Lauren started to blush just a little, feeling a bit sappy. “I'd like to keep him for a long, long time... If that's OK with you.”

Jennifer smiled and nodded. “Reckon he's yours now anyway, long as y'all want it to be." She gave Lauren a quick hug and kissed her on the cheek. "I'm glad he's got you to look after him." Then she motioned for Wyatt to come over. Lauren walked to the spot where he had been waiting to let them say goodbye. As she passed Wyatt, she reached out to touch his hand.

[Roach Copeland]

“This is the Meta Human Crime Fighting Class.”

Roach had to snort at the way Milo said it. It was just so wonderfully... Milo. The sentence was the start of a conversation and the end if Milo had it his way. It seemed to Roach that Milo never truly expected the questions that came from his parents after his introduction, as if they hadn’t sought out further details in the earlier classrooms.

And like the other classrooms they had visited, the Blacks did not hold back.

“So this is where the two of you learn how to be superheroes, eh?” Mr. Black asked with the smile on his face that Roach hadn’t seen leave since their beginning. Howard stepped into the classroom behind Milo, resting a hand on his son’s shoulder. Milo just stiffened, staring at the two parents before answering after a pause.

“Yes.”

And again, for Milo, that was that. He turned on his heels and began moving out of the classroom only for Ms. Black to take her son by the shoulders and turn him back in. Milo blinked, followed his mother’s lead, and looked back into the room as if to see whether he had missed anything that needed more of a description than ‘this is the class room’.

Roach grinned, shaking his head. He took a few steps past the Blacks before waving a hand to a pair of desks in the corner. “Milo and me sort of claimed those two in the back. Totes was my decision. Near a window, keeps us cool, and keeps us out of harm's way, ain’t that right, Milo?”

Milo thinned his lips as he stared back at him before looking towards his mother. “It isn't dangerous.” A pause. “He’s joking.”

Howard laughed, moving away from Milo to slap Roach on the shoulder. “Big heroes, eh? Hiding in the back?”

“It’s a good spot! Defensible, ain’t that right, Milo?” Roach asked. Milo answered with a hesitant nod of his head. “And there is plenty of spots for girl watchin’- That was Milo’s idea.”

“No.”

Ms. Black gave Milo’s shoulder another gentle squeeze as Howard laughed. A rich laugh. A guy who probably could be heard from inside the depths of any party if you got him rolling.

“But seriously, this is the classroom. Teacher probably got dragged off somewhere but let me tell you, Milo really focuses in this class.” Roach nodded at the last part before offering his friend a thumbs up. Milo complied with the gesture, delayed and unsure. “You guys raised a hellova hero.”

Howard said a joke and asked another question, but Roach was far more interested in the response his statement from Ms. Black. It was a collection of thought and memory rolled into a ball. And then over that was the thought of not thinking about that collection because Roach was psionic. And then wrapped around that was the frustration of having to watch what she was thinking. Yet, through all that chaotic branching out, Roach got the sense that this hadn’t been her plan for Milo. Heroing wasn’t what she wanted.

“Hi Jessie.”

Roach snapped his attention back to reality, his blank stare being replaced with a forced smile. He tossed a glance back towards Milo and found he wasn’t lying. Indeed, Miss Jessie Sullivan had entered the room. She seemed almost surprised to see them all there but that surprise quickly was replaced with a smile. All dimples.

And then Roach wanted to leave. All too crowded. All too personable. All too uncomfortable. He let the greetings commence between the group, Howard returning to his ‘Salesman’ voice as Margaret tried to keep him reeled in. Roach even offered his own lazy, two fingered salute.

“Seems like you folks found another victim to embarrass Milo with, eh?” Roach said as he moved, walking backwards towards the door. “Sorry to take the cookies and run but... “

"Bye Roach.

“I'll see you Sunday, Roach, if Milo has to carry you there.” Mrs. Black fixed him with a look he knew she practiced frequently on her sons, chin down and eyes up to peer over the rims of glasses that weren't there.

Roach smiled at Milo, nodding his head. “Sunday, I’ll be there. Bells on. All that jazz.”

And with that, he was gone. Away from all the family gathering that he didn't have much of a right to be part of. He moved quickly through the hallway, out to the commons, and up into his room. Door was slammed, cookies were set on the bed, and Roach found himself just standing there.

A buzz from his cellphone finally knocked him out of his trance, and he looked it over. Brook. She wanted to make sure he was ready for tonight. Another family gathering.

He frowned, sat down, and texted her back. Like his messaged lied, he was born ready.

[Exo-1 Stryker]

Sydney sat on the school steps, face down in his phone not really paying attention to the other parents who were out and about meeting up with their kids. He brought up the app that tracked his parents vehicle on its way to Paragon and it was getting close.

"Time to go!" He thought to himself as he bounced up to his feet, nearly colliding with someones dad.

"Sorry, Sorry!" He called out as he raced off.

Out of sight from the crowds he remotely piloted his suit to where he stood, mechanisms opening with a series of whirls and clicks as they locked into position. It had come a long way from what they had seen. The metal plating with its polished gold exterior, the fully contained helmet, all the parts locking perfectly together with him in side. As everything locked into place, his HUD illuminated, showing him what was going on outside, along with countless other functions coming up, and skirting to the outside of his field of vision.

This was always the best part. He stuck his head towards the sky, arms at his sides palms down and shot off like a rocket. It felt like his stomach was trying to sink into his feet, like being on a roller coaster. Only so much better.

"Map tracking program 071 onto our radar"

The display brought up a small red pulse, his suits onboard computer confirming that target was acquired.

"Alright, we'll intercept in Talos coming into the city. Bring up traffic patterns, find me a place to intercept with minimal civilian presence."

The display zoomed out, then back in, plotting a path to where the best place to intercept the vehicle would be. Sydney turned to the side, arms out, firing afterburners to make it there on time, zipping through the sky.

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Vince drove into the city by the large status of Talos as his wife Dana pointed it out to him "Look at that one over there, what do you think he did?"

Letting out a light chuckle, still not knowing the answer to a single one of these questions posed thus far "Couldn't tell you. We can only hope he didn't save the city from something our son built"

Dana reached over lighting rapping her husbands arm "That isn't funny!"

"Look on the bright side honey, he hasn't made the news. The city is still standing. And besides, I'm sure anything he does will be overshadowed by some sort of super villain"

He offered his wife a good natured smile, but she only crossed her arms.

"Your humor is so unappreciated right now."

He shot his eyes over to her, reaching for her her hand "I'm sure he is doing just fine here..."

Vince was cut off as Dana screamed pointing towards the road ahead. His reflexes were quick as he turned, slamming on the breaks to see a large metallic figure land hard in the street, standing up, extending his hand. The SUV barely stopped in time, but the robot looking suit didn't flinch.

"Exit the Vehicle immediately" It called out as a burst of flame came out of its arm as a show of force.

Vince went for his side arm opening the door as Dana tried to stay as low as she could in the seat

"What are you doing, don't get out!"

Before she could plead any further an explosion drew their eyes back to the robot, the high pitched whistle of a barrage of rockets rang out followed by a series of small explosions knocking it off balance. Through the dust a large figured landed, a gold and white glow formed in its hand along with the hum from a burst of energy before it struck out sending the smaller robot flying towards the SUV. It made a ragdoll roll stopping just short of the bumper with a gaping hole in its chest, seeming lifeless now.

Vince used the car door as a shield aiming at the figure coming out of the dust.

"Bet you are glad I told you'd I meet you. Huh?"

The voice was familiar as the white and gold Exo suit stepped into clear vision, several mounts on its shoulder, closing back up, concealing weapons back away to their inactive state. As Vince slowly lowered his gun, Sydney flipped up the visor to reveal his smiling face.

"Welcome to Paragon?"

[Lorne Hazlewood]

Lorne sat nervously on the steps outside the dorm with Bronka hugging his arm to her. She laid her head on his shoulder and found it unusually stiff. Lorne just sat there bolt upright looking distracted. She sat back up and grabbed his chin making him look at her, “Hey, Muppet. What’s got you so nervous?”

Lorne forced a smile. “It’s nothing. It’s just that. My parents are weird.”

Bronka grinned. “This should surprise me?”

Lorne gave a slight chuckle but still wasn’t sure. “What about you? Are you nervous about meeting them?”

Bronka shook her head. “Not at all. I’m sure it will be-”

At that moment she was cut off by a nasally yell. “Lorne! Lorne over here!” Lorne looked up to see his mother in a cardigan sweater over a blouse which was tucked in to what can only be described as “mom pants.” The pants that come up so high that they could almost double as a bra. She waved frantically at him and Bronka.

Lorne slumped slightly. Bronka did very well to hide her initial reaction.

Lorne’s mom swung her arms in near one hundred and eighty degree arcs as she power walked up to the two of them. Lorne stood up and gave her a hug. As they pulled away Lorne motioned between his mother and Bronka. “Mom, this is my girlfriend Bronka Hajjar. Bronka, this is my mom.”

Lorne’s mom took Bronka’s hand in both of hers and shook it. “My name is Linda, but you can call me Mom if you like.” Her eyes got wide for a second. “Not that I’m suggesting that you and Lorne- I mean all of Lorne’s friends call me Mom.” She laughed nervously as she let go of her hand. “Anyway, I’ve heard all about you! It’s nice to finally meet you! And oh my gosh! Lorne said you were pretty but you’re down right gorgeous!”

Bronka thanked her. Lorne cut off his Mom. “Where’s Dad?”

“Oh he’s parking the car he’ll be along in a minute. How about I run ahead with Bronka here and you wait on your dad?”

Lorne looked at Bronka unsure of what to do. She barely had time to shrug before Linda took her arm and began leading her inside.

It was a couple of minutes later before a middle aged man walked up. He was good looking but a little heavy around the midsection. He wore a pair of slacks and old loafers and a snap up shirt. Not a button up shirt. A snap up one. His dad grinned wide at him as he walked up and embraced his son. “Lorne! Check it out!” He stood back and grabbed either side of his shirt and quickly tugged it apart as the snaps quickly came undone to reveal a black shirt with a whit stick figure in a lab coat with the caption, “Stand back! I’m about to do science!” His father struck a heroic pose sucking his gut and puffing out his chest. Lorne just laughed.

“Do you like it? I got it last weekend. Saw it in the mall while I was shopping with your mother.” he grinned down proudly.

“It’s great dad! Mom and Bronka are already inside. I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

Lorne’s dad mussed his hair. Lorne hated it when he did that but he didn’t say anything. “Well come on. Let’s go catch up with them.”