CSV-DSM Part 1

"Brownies!" Cory exclaimed as they walked through the door. Both him and Sean ran towards the kitchen counter, to find a large tray of brownies sitting in the center, cooled to just the right temperature for eating. On the edge of the tray was a note:

"To the best big brothers a kid can have:"

"I had Levi get Mom's recipe for brownies, and I made this batch up just for you guys. Thanks for bein' my kin, and enjoy your vacation."

"Love, Tommy"

Kyle ran over but skidded to a stop as he got to his brothers. "COOKIES!" he crowed, pointing to the other counter top.

Tyler reached them first and grabbed the note. He started giggling as he read it. "Well, no surprises, guys. Guess who?" he giggled.

"Elf!" Cory and Sean giggled in unison.

Tyler nodded as he read aloud, "Shal ashau tu, k'diwa sa-kai'am. Lil'elf."

Kai looked up at Teri, "What's that mean?"

She smiled, "It's from Joel. 'I love you, beloved brothers' is what it means."

Teri walked over to Kyle. "Tell me, little angel, why does all of this seem familiar?"

"I dunno, but I have a sudden urge for a shoulder ride from Sean!" Kyle giggled.

"If I start finding notes in cereal I quit!" Tyler giggled as he cuddled against Kyle.

"All right," Teri said laughing, "but if we go out for a meal, promise me no more than two rescued kids at a time!"

"Okay, rescue kids in pairs, got it Mom!" Sean replied as he ran to the other side of the counter.

"We usually rescue them first, then let them pair off!" Adam said with a laugh.

"It's not like you waited, son; I seem to remember you and JJ hooking up before you even had clothes on!" Teri replied with a grin.

"Mooom!" Adam whined, blushing to the roots of his hair.

JJ giggled and winked at his boyfriend as Kai giggled. "I got a chrome bro, mon!" Kai commented to no-one in particular.

"You're not freaked?" Adam asked, suddenly worried about his newest brother's reaction.

"No bruv; Ky filled me in, an' T's givin me the languages now." Kai replied with a smile. "You're here, ain't no matter what color your blood is, bruv."

As Adam contemplated the response, Kai walked over and wrapped his arms around Adam. "Bruv, you need to let the Man Upstairs worry about the big stuff; you just worry 'bout livin'."

Adam returned the hug, noticing quite plainly that Kai stiffened for a split second before accepting the hug. 'Don't worry bro; as long as you're not an adult he'll be okay with hugs.' Tyler's voice sounded in Adam's head, 'Right now the only adult who he trusts to hug him is Mom; since he's never been hurt by a kid he's okay with kid hugs. He jumped because you are bigger than him, he kinda had to remind himself that you're not a grown-up.'

'What has he been through?' Adam thought, sure that his little brother was listening in.

'He'll tell you when he's ready.' Ty replied. 'It's not my place to share his demons since he's now safe.'

'I heard the laundry list that our Lil' Elf read off; how can we help him recover from it if we don't know what happened?' Adam replied.

'Be his big brother, just like you're my big brother.' was Tyler's answer, the tone making it clear that his decision was final.

Adam looked down to see Kai looking up at him. "You head-talkin bruv?"

Adam smiled as he nodded. "Yes, little brother. I was worried about you. The Brain Leech Patrol has decided that it's up to you to tell us everything once you're ready; they won't even give us hints."

Kai smiled. "Promise made is promise kept. I'm goin' to like it here."

Cory giggled from over by the counter, where him, Sean, Bast, and Mont had just divided the brownies and poured glasses of milk. "C'mon guys, before they get cold!"

The thought of food distracted everyone and they rushed to grab seats. Even Kyle and Tyler, who no longer 'needed' to eat, quickly dived into their plate of brownies.

"Save room for the pizza, guys!" Teri chuckled as she watched the boys try to set a new brownie vanishing record.

"Yes Mom!" the boys and cats replied through mouths full of brownies.

Once the brownies were gone, Sean looked around. "Hey Kyle, how'd all our stuff get back here?"

Kyle smiled. "Remember Starfleet transported everything out? Justy had them go into their buffers, and put copies back as soon as you left. Levi, Bryce, and Dylan came over and made sure everything matched your memories just before we came back today."

Sean nodded. "Tell them thanks, they did a great job. Wanna go chill in the Rec Room?"

"Okay." the rest of the guys chorused, as the ones who knew their way headed out of the kitchen. Cory grabbed the tray of cookies along the way, bringing it with him for them to snack on.

A few minutes later, Teri had finished taking stock of the kitchen cupboards, and was about to go out to restock them for the weekend. She walked into the Rec room and stopped with a smile when she saw her boys. As always, Sean and Cory were in the center of the group piled onto the love seat. To their left, Adam and JJ were squeezed in, each with his little brother on his lap. To their right, Mont and Bast were comfortable in their natural state, teaching Kai the joys of Cat-Boy cuddles. They had "The Never-Ending Story" playing on the screen in front of them as they all finally let go and began to relax.

"Guys, I'm heading to the store to get a few things. Any requests?" Teri asked.

"Catnip and some fresh roasts!" Mont and Bast responded.

"Mint chocolate chip ice cream!" Cory added, Sean nodding his approval.

"Could you get some graham crackers and fudge icing Mom?" Tyler and Kyle chorused.

"That sounds good!" JJ and Adam agreed, both giving the little brother on their lap a squeeze.

Kai brightened up for a second, then muttered "Never mind."

Teri walked over and gave her newest son a loving squeeze on the shoulder. "Kai, when it comes to food anything you want just ask for it. If I can't get it here, I'll find a way to get it for you. If I don't know how to make it, I'll ask your little brother to find out for me. Ty likes to cook, so learning something new will be fun for both of us."

Kai nodded. "The store ain't gonna have stuff to make Kulolo, so I'm just gonna miss it. Do you think they'll have any pineapples?"

Teri glanced at Ty, his grin telling her that he was working on finding his new brother's favorite dish. "They usually have pineapples here; if not I can get Starfleet to get some for me."

"Don't worry about it Mom; I gotta go to the islands to get a few things!" Tyler giggled. "I knowthat the stores here ain't got what I need! I'll just hit a couple of pineapple trees while I'm there!"

"Don't hit them too hard bro; I'm pretty sure you can still bruise things!" Adam chuckled as he gave Ty a squeeze.

Tyler rolled his eyes as he giggled. "You know what I meant, goofball! Keep my spot, I'll be back in a second!"

He popped out, and a few seconds later was back with a basket on his lap. "I even got REAL brown sugar!" Ty exclaimed. "This ain't the fake stuff, you know, white sugar soaked in molasses. This is real brown sugar straight from the sugar cane; I got to watch them make it for us!"

"Y'all gonna just stare at the fixin's or ya' gonna let me an' Ty cook 'em?" Tommy asked as he walked in from the kitchen.

"Tommy! How and when .. and why .. did you get here?" Teri exclaimed as she turned around in surprise.

"Ty got me to help make our new kin's favor't food!" Tommy giggled. "Sorry Maw, but I hadda get the oven heatin."

Teri pulled Tommy over into a hug. "I should have figured as much; I couldn't see you passing up a chance to learn something new while welcoming a new brother. Come on, I'll introduce you."

Tommy grinned as he broke the hug and quickly made his way to the side of the loveseat. He then vaulted over the arm of it and landed squarely on Bast's lap. Tommy grinned at Kai, "Hey little bro; I'm Tommy. Our big bros been doin ya right?"

Kai looked over at Tommy in shock, unsure as to how he should respond. Teri chuckled as she moved off to the side of the loveseat. "Kai, this is your brother Tommy; as you can tell, he's the shy one of the family!"

"If he's shy, I'm a dog!" Bast muttered with a grin as he poked at Tommy's ribs.

"Woof woof!" Sean giggled.

"We know Sean; but you and Cory need to keep that to yourselves." Mont replied with a toothy grin which grew into a full smile when both Cory and Sean blushed deep red. "Open mouth, insert foot!" Mont giggled.

"Well, insert something," Kyle muttered just loud enough for everyone to hear. His pure, innocent grin was classic as he turned to look at his older brothers.

Kai laughed as he watched the interplay between his new family. "Hi Tm'y. You really making Kulolo?"

Tommy nodded as he carefully pulled Kai into a one-armed hug. "You better b'lieve it bro; I like makin' my bros happy by cookin' up their fav'rite vittles. We's about to be gettin' an'thur treat too; onea the 'gators down home broke some rules an' Allie sentenc'd him to Gumbo."

"How's Timmy taking that?" Cory asked seriously as he cuddled the now-quiet Kyle who he had pulled onto his lap.

"Timmy was gonna fry 'im on the spot; but Allie said notta waste food." Tommy replied.

Cory gave a low whistle. "That's not good; what did this gator do?"

Kyle looked up at Cory. "Dylan says he'll answer the questions in a few minutes, bro."

Cory nodded, then happened to look into Kyle's eyes. "There's something bugging you lil' bro; what's up?"

Kyle shrugged. "I dunno. I feel like I'm supposed to be doin' something, but Time is all messed up so I can't see what."

Kai glanced over at them, then commented "Ky' don't look good; does he need a doctor?"

"Yes, Child of Wind and Water and the Sea," came a voice as the Doctor folded out of the wall.

"Uhane hele!" Kai exclaimed in awe.

The Doctor bowed to Kai. "I am 'The Wanderer Without a Home', so that name fits as well as any I've heard. Welcome to the Family, Ka'imi Ka'aukai Makaokalani."

Kai carefully tried to phrase his response so that his new family would understand. "Traveling Spirit, what event ... blesses us with the honor of your visit?"

The Doctor giggled as he opened his arms to Kai. "I'm one of the Family, youngling. You can call me Galli like your bozo brothers, if you'd like."

Kai shuffled over hesitently and was pulled into the smaller boy's arms.

The Doctor said, "I'm a Time Lord. I'm something similar to our Mikyvis brothers; it's just I do things a slightly different way." He looked at Kyle, "And I'm here to help out the Prince of the Mikyvis."

Kai nodded, not speaking as he absorbed this latest intrusion on his perception of reality.

"King Kyle, the Court Jester has arrived." Mont giggled.

The Doctor whispered to Kai, "Watch this, youngling." Kai turned and saw the Doctor raise his hand and point a finger at the now startled looking lion. "You need a shave, I think..."

"Wha...?" Mont's hand flew to his neck. His mane had vanished, and he had shrunk down by 60% of his body mass. "No fair! I don't wanna be five!!!"

"But you are such a cute little kitten-boy!" Sean giggled.

Mont glared around at the laughing group, then he bore his eyes into the Doctor. "Change me back!" he piped at him, his voice squeaking. "I still have claws and I'll take your kneecaps out!"

"I dunno. Hey, Kyle; he called you King. I'm just a 'jester'. What do you think? Keep the new cuddle toy?" the Doctor asked with a grin.

Kyle shook his head as he reached over and scratched Mont's ears. "It's not fair to him to prank him in a way he can't prank back. He's one of my brothers, and if I said yes I'd be hurting my brother. I can't do that."

Tyler nodded his agreement. "We've told our kids not to do stuff like that, so we can't be involved in it either. If you make the rules you gotta follow them too."

<I have just relayed your statements to Tyne. He is pleased that you are taking the responsibility for your species seriously.> Ark announced in both Kyle and Tyler's subvocals.

"Thanks Ark." Both boys replied, inwardly proud that Tyne approved of their decisions.

The Doctor giggled as he gestured again at Mont, and another beam of light made him grow back to normal age. "Well, at least you got to be a kid again, Mont," the Doctor grinned at him. "A lot of adults would kill for that chance."

Sean was looking at Kyle and Tyler and sighed in relief. "That's great news, guys. No more stops at the mid-Atlantic!"

"That's not a prank; it's a request from Timmy to have Poppa bring home more pets!" Tyler giggled.

"Besides, you can send us swimming too - all you have to do is ask one of us to help, and we'll even take you so you can drop someone else in the Atlantic." Kyle replied. "That's fair, because you can pay it back. Time stuff you can't pay back, so it's not a fair prank."

"Technically, you could ask another Time Controller to get them back for you, so..." the Doctor shrugged as he released Kai from the hug. "Anyhoo... Kyle. There's something that needs doing. And only you can. And you must go soon."

Kyle nodded. "I was practicing my time indexing, and saw that there's a time loop, but I can't see what it is to finish it."

The Doctor nodded seriously. "We need to 'Return to Oz', Kyle. Kano needs you, and I need to help. You'll know what to do when we get there, but once done, I'll step in and make it so that no-one knows until you release it. Once we've finished, we'll hop to the present in Australia. I'll be phased all the while, so until we return here, only you will see me."

"Okay, let's go." Kyle replied, obviously not happy at being limited in his abilities.

"Hey, I'm in the same boat by mid morning Monday, kiddo. Everything between now and then only becomes certain once it happens. It can still change, which for me is hell - it's my past!" the Doctor giggled as he walked over towards the glowering Mont. "Stop that, puss! You know why I did it! Fancy getting the Tardis to do that to me and Jay WHILE we're making love!"

Even through the fur, the others knew that Mont had started to blush. "Oh... yeah, that..."

As the rest of the family giggled, Kyle and the Doctor disappeared from the room. "Just what did you do?" Bast asked his blushing partner.

"Had the Tardis make them both into girls... while they were in the middle of..." he trailed off quietly.

"Now THAT is EVIL!" Teri chuckled as she heard her family unanimously exclaim 'Ewww...'. "You're definitely earning the name 'Short'!"

Bast glanced at his brother and decided to have some fun, "You're just lucky he only shrank you. Mind you, your mane don't seem so long... you better check."

Mont's eyes went wide, and he pulled his robe up quickly. His breath whooshed out with a releived sigh, "Nope. It's all still there!"

"You are all crazy!" Kai giggled as he reclaimed his seat on Mont's lap.

"You noticed already?" Teri chuckled. Just then, the doorbell rang, so she went to see who was there.

Teri opened the door, and found a familiar man in his late thirties standing there.

"Mrs. Short?" The man said, obviously unsure of what he was doing.

"Yes, I'm Teri Short." Teri replied, still trying to place a name with the face.

"I know this sounds unbelievable, but I swear it's the truth. Some kid with purple hair and purple eyes appeared on my desk about fifteen minutes ago and told me I had to come to this address because of my kids. Before I could ask anything, he added to say Dylan sent me, then he disappeared. I thought I was seeing things, until I looked down and found a cookie sitting on top of my coffee cup that was not there before."

Teri nodded with a knowing smile. "That sounds like my grandson. I didn't get your name."

"Bruce Collins. You don't look old enough to have a grandson his age."

"Thanks," Teri replied as she realized where she knew him from. "Come on in, I'll send for Dylan and we can sort this out."

Bruce followed Teri into the house, the expression on his face giving away the fact that he too had recognized Teri. He came to a halt, however, when he reached the Rec Room doorway and spotted the two cat-boys sitting on the loveseat.

"Guys, we have company." Teri announced. "Ty, could you please tell Dylan his visitor has arrived and is totally confused?"

"He'll be here in a minute Mom; I-Cheya is inspecting the 'gator meat before he can leave." Tyler replied with a grin.

Before anyone could respond, Dylan appeared with a cooler topped with two kids. One was a boy about nine years old, and the other was a girl about five. "DADDY!" both kids exclaimed as they launched themselves from the cooler towards Bruce.

Teri walked over and picked up Dylan. "Okay little man, would you like to fill us in?" she asked as she shifted him to her hip.

Dylan nodded. "Bruce don' need to hear this yet, I blocked him an' the kids hearin us. Casey and Tina's mom brought them into onea the wild areas in the back of the Compound. Ark caught her doin it and told us, so me and Uncle Gabe went out there. When we got there she had just pushed the kids in with a 'gator. Uncle Gabe took care of her, and I got the kids out from the gator who was attacking them and trying to eat them. The gator knew he wasn't 'posed to hurt kids, but he thought that since he was back in the corner nobody'd catch him. Uncle Gabe had me lock the gator so that he couldn't run away, then he called Timmy and Allie while I was healin the kids. I looked into their Mom's head an' found out she was doin sex stuff with them but had lost a court battle over custody, so she was killin them so Bruce wouldn't find out. Uncle Gabe took care of her, an' I told Bruce to come here. When I got back, the Bear was pickin out gator meat to bring to Tommy to cook for you."

Teri glanced at Tyler. "What?" she asked as she noticed his giggles.

"Bruce's okay for the kids, Mom, and he remembers you too! I can't believe you did that under the bleachers during homecoming though!" Tyler replied through his giggles.

"TYLER!" Teri exclaimed as she began to blush.

"I can't help it! He keeps thinkin' about it over and over!" Tyler giggled.

"We just kissed guys; get your minds out of the gutter!" Teri exclaimed as the boys made various faces.

"Ewwwwwww...." Cory giggled as he rolled his eyes. "Parents ain't supposed to do sex stuff!"

"I'm sure you have a few sons who wish that was true." Teri shot back; pulling Cory into a snuggle at the same time just to show that it was all in fun.

"Besides," Sean said, his face scrunching in distaste, "if Mom and Dad didn't, I'd not be here for us to make OUR kids go 'ewwww!', love."

Teri shook her head. "You better watch it; or I'll convince Levi that you guys need to see how you were made!"

As most of the boys made faces which suggested they were about to lose their snacks, Teri turned back to Dylan. "I'm sure you've got orders on how to proceed with Bruce and his kids; you want to fill me in?"

Dylan nodded. "It's easy; Uncle Justy already overrode the courts to make sure no one messed with Bruce. You just gotta let him know his kids are his again and he's covered by the Clan now."

"Okay, I can handle that. You going to turn their ears back on?" Teri replied as she took the chance to snuggle one of her newest grandsons.

"I slowed time, so they ain't gonna know they missed nothin'." Dylan giggled. "We're goin back to real time ... now."

Just as everyone turned to see how the reunion was going, Casey leaned back and started telling his Dad about their latest adventure. "Mom was mad and tried to feed us to a big ole' allygator. Dylan popped outta the air, and made the allygator glow funny and then made Mom into a statue! This big kid named Gabe was mad about what Mom did I think; he said a buncha stuff about some Safe Haven Act thing, then a red glow came outta his hand and Mom turned into a pile of ashes. Dylan is really kewl - he made his hands glow and then touched all of the places where the allygator hurt us; every time he touched one it just vanished! Then this little Indian kid named Timmy popped up next to us riding another allygator; he was even wearin' warpaint! Him an his allygator, he calls her Allie, argued about somethin for a few minutes, then Dylan grunted a couple a times and they agreed with him. Dylan stopped makin' the bad allygator glow, then a funny green glow came outta Timmy's hands, and the bad allygator stopped movin." Casey paused to take a breath, then continued. "I hadda pee, so I went and peed on Mom's ashes since she was so nasty to me an' Sis, then we all popped onto this BIG soccer field by a buncha BIG houses! There was a big bear there with teeth bigger than my hand wearing armor. We got to ride on him, then him and a wolf wrestled with us. Then we got to watch the bear pick out the allygator meat that Dylan says we're havin for dinner tonight, and we came over here cuz' Dylan says we get to live with you now!"

Bruce tilted his head at his son. "Are you sure you're not exaggerating that a little bit?"

Before Casey could reply, Teri answered for him. "I'm sure that's just the believable parts. Be glad he didn't try to explain the weird events. From experience, I'd say it was quite accurate."

Bruce gave his old friend a double take. "Oh, come on, Teri. A bear with teeth as big as his hand? Red glows? He's got a brilliant imagination, but..."

"It happened, Daddy!" Casey said, a small pout forming on his face.

A 'Huff, huff, huff' sounded from behind Bruce.

He turned to find a large teddybear sitting behind him.

He turned back. "Umm..."

"Hi Eyhheya!" Tina giggled as she waved at the Sehlat.

Casey scampered over and held his hand against one of I-Cheya's teeth. "See - I TOLD ya they were bigger!"

I-Cheya licked Casey's face soundly, then ambled over and did the same to Tina. He then turned and raised up on his hind legs so that he was standing a few inches taller than Bruce.

Believe.

He then vanished.

Two minutes later, Bruce awoke to see his kids wrestling with the G-Cats while Dylan sat giggling on his chest. "I just had the weirdest dream..." Bruce started to say before Dylan held up his hand.

"Bruce, among other things, I'm a telepath. Would you be okay with me helping you understand this stuff in your head?"

Bruce nodded. "You brought me my kids; if I can't trust you after than I can't trust anyone."

"Thanks!" Dylan grinned as he began updating Bruce; taking the time to answer questions mentally as he made sure Bruce understood the wonders of Clan life.

---

Cory glanced out the window, where he could see Tommy, Kai, Mont, Bast, Casey, and Tina in a spirited game of Tag. He turned back to the table, and looked around at the group gathered there. Sean, Kyle, Tyler, JJ and Adam were seated at one end, all but Sean unaware of exactly what was to be discussed. Also at the table were Skylan, Cody, Kane, and Kane's 'boyfriend' Damon; the four of which had come back with Kyle from his trip with the Doctor. Cory glanced to where the Doctor was standing and motioned for him to take the last seat.

Once the Doctor was seated, Cory began. "Sky, I really didn't want this to be the way you guys came over to visit us. Finding out that those bastards almost killed Kano and Damon during the attack is bad enough; now Kyle is telling us that he had to go back and make them Mikyvis? That's not something you can hide, and they sure weren't Mikyvis at our wedding."

The Doctor held up his hand to get Cory's attention. "There are some things that you are not aware of, Cory. They were Mikyvis at your wedding, but they were under a Lock that even King Kyle could not see through. If I had not done that, there would have been a paradox: Kyle was becoming a Mikyvis about the same time that they needed to be saved. In Kane's case, this was needed anyway; his natural genetic patterns, combined with his not-yet-controlled mimicking of the psy skills of others around him, created a unique situation. Kyle had already begun his transformation when he visited Sky and his brothers; his mind was the first part of him to start changing. Since the Mikyvis are one of many possibilities of what Humanity can evolve into, the combination of Kane's natural abilities and Kane's genetics allowed Kyle to unknowingly trigger the beginnings of Kane's transformation. The problem lies in the fact that Kane had already started as well; and Kane was headed down the same path that Kyle had been on before Tyne stepped in to help. Kane would have slowly gone insane due to not having the exact genetic makeup and instruction to take control of his natural transformation, and it was advanced far enough that there would be irreparable damage if anyone tried to reverse it. With what happened with Kane imprinting from the already changing Kyle, the only viable alternative was for Kyle and I to go back in time, complete Kane as a Mikyvis, and then for me to Lock him down and out until this moment. After going back to last Saturday, we came forward to the present and brought them here to be released."

Cory tilted his head. "I'm glad that all made sense to you, because the only thing I got out of it was that Kano needed saved."

Sean smiled and patted Cory's head with a giggle. "Don't worry about it Babe; no need to burn out those cute blond roots trying to understand the insane brother in the family."

"You tickle his ribs, I'll do his feet," the Doctor said seriously to Cory before moving towards Sean.

"Dude! Sean's feet could kill Jack!" Cory giggled, returning Sean's earlier grin.

"Really?" the Doctor queried, looking impressed. He reached into a pocket and brought out his sonic screwdriver, grabbed one of Sean's sneakers and pulled it off before scanning, causing Sean to collapse in gales of laughter in the process. "Wow, you're right! Hey Dad! We have the solution to your problem when you're ready!"

A quiet reply from the Doctor's wristwatch came suddenly, "Try it, Galli, and I'll never let you..."

"Jay! There are kids present in that room!"

"Daddy! They've done more than I and Galli have!"

"Maybe, but not as bloody often! Doc? I'm wondering if your next life will be an infant..."

The Doctor sniggered as he decided that tickles weren't as much fun as cuddles. He plonked himself on Sean's lap, "Hugs, big bro! Then kisses later to say sorry for calling the Mad Doctor insane..."

Sky shook his head with a grin. "I'm glad I was born in the sane side of the family! You want to get back to the topic, Cuz?"

"I could change that..." the Doctor murmured with a wink.

Cory grinned as he stuck out his tongue at Sky. "I hear ya... remember, I've seen you in action! You're just as crazy as I am, I think it's a family trait!"

"You can say that again...." Cody muttered, grinning as Sky lightly elbowed him in the ribs. "What? It's the truth!"

"Tell me again, Jay, why we joined this crazy family?" the Doctor giggled as Sean snuggled him tightly.

"They give good hugs!" came the laughing response.

Cory shook his head. "Okay; I know that you guys already took the time to train our latest Mikyvis additions; Kyle told me that much once y'all got back. There's something we really need to talk about though. Nobody's in trouble; but if I don't say something, I'm afraid that there could be problems in the future."

Cory checked to make sure he had everyone's attention, then continued. "I'm gonna use something recent as an example; don't think I'm making a big deal out of just one thing. Kyle? Ty? Why did you guys have to heal Kai as soon as you met him at the gate when we arrived?"

"He was hurt!" both boys responded defensively.

"Calm down bros; remember, it's an example." Cory said softly. "I know he was hurt. Was any of his injuries life-threatening?"

"They woulda been in a couple of years." Kyle replied assuredly.

Cory nodded. "Is there any reason Doc Mike would not have found that and healed it when he did the check-in physical?"

Kyle and Ty glanced at each other, obviously debating the answer telepathically. Ty looked at Cory. "He woulda found all of it."

Cory nodded. "So why couldn't you let someone who trained all their lives to do something they love to do heal Kai, then all of us could have been involved in his recovery?"

Kyle's eyes grew wide, then him and Ty seemed to 'flash' for a second. They looked at each other, then both moved over and climbed into Cory's lap. "He woulda felt like part of the family a lot more by now." Kyle whispered just loud enough for all present to hear.

"We screwed up." Tyler added.

"No, you followed your hearts." Cory replied as he gave them both a hug. "Tell me why you play with Time to make people better."

"Because we don't wanna see any more of our family or friends hurting ever again." Kyle replied.

"Because I don't want no more bad stuff to happen to the guys I love." Tyler added.

"And because of that, Kane is here today." Cory said as he turned both faces to look at him.

"Kyle," the Doctor said, his voice almost a whisper.

"Yeah Galli?" Kyle replied softly.

The little Time Lord smiled at him and Tyler, "You two did NOT do anything wrong when you helped Kai. Levi did not do anything wrong yesterday when he healed Joel after your elf got a papercut. Dylan did not do anything wrong when he told Timmy about the Stone Age rather than Mr T this morning... all those things were good."

The Doctor paused, and Cory murmured, "But...?"

"What each of these events have in common is that they are the lesser of two goods. You've all heard of the 'lesser of two evils'. Well, these events are the opposite. However, who is to judge? Mr T for not being able to do what he loves and teach a curious child? Antonio who ran from the room to get the dermal regenerator and then find that Levi had done his job for him?. Neither of them were angry... but..."

"But they didn't get to help someone like they wanted to." Tyler finished softly.

Cory nodded. "Exactly lil' bro; Antonio is so proud of being a Doctor that he enjoys every chance he gets to help. I see the looks in both of you guys' eyes; don't even think of making a quick decision right now. You need to sit down with Galli and ask him questions; he may be a brat, but he's an ancient brat who can give you a lot of advice. Talk to us too; we can tell you how we see things. You guys kinda think on a little different level now, but you're still our little Kyle and Tyler. All of us are here to help you adjust to the new rules that you guys live by."

The Doctor stood up and looked at them all seriously. "Cory is right, little brothers. Although if he thinks I'm his bratty ten year old brother, then I'll have to live up to that name... however..." he stopped and sighed. "Kyle, Lord of the Mikyvis. If you or any of your race need me to talk about these things, you have direct access through the Shields of the Tardis. You can always find me. I'll be there whenever and whereever."

He turned and looked at Cory, and tears came to his eyes. "Big brother. You need to steel your heart. I cannot be here for a while, for I still have my Task to do; and Time says I am to go. Now. I will be back, and I will be your little brat for as long as you'll have me. But the road from here to Red Sands is going to be without me. When the Time comes, when your Heart tells you to call, shout my name. Gallifrey. I shall be there."

He turned back to the Mikyvis, "Children of Forever. No other High Race has ever planned on what you are planning on: to be Gods among men. All, each and every one, separated themselves from the Younger Races. We could not bear to watch as they died on us. You two are intending to stay. To live as them and with them. Do not go to extremes. Wait and see what the next few days hold, and make your choices wisely. The Future for now is yours to Guard. And you have a Task that I must lay on you. Follow the Shaper, preserve him, protect him, advise him, help him. But, when the time comes, obey him and let him go. If not, all shall fail. This is the hardest Task any of our Kind has ever had. But you must NOT fail in it."

The Doctor looked around at them all. "I have loved you as if you have always been there in my life. I will be back, and I shall bring my Home with me. I shall laugh with you and cry with you. Until then, Follow the Heart of the Nexus, preserve the Shaper, and love your Family."

He shifted in Time and started to Fold away, leaving behind a ghostly whisper, "I love you, brothers..."

"Love you too..." the boys from HQ all replied.

Cory turned to his Oceanic brothers. "You guys see why I wanted you here?"

Sky and Cody both nodded, glancing at Kano and Damon. "How does this affect them?" Sky asked, nodding at the two Mikyvis sitting awestruck next to them.

Cory saw that both Kyle and Ty did not have the answer, so he answered for them. "I'm sure Kyle will let them know what him and Ty decide. For now, I think the best bet is, since you two know what you have people to handle and what you don't have covered, you two work with the munchkins to help them decide when they need to help out. If you need advice, you can call any of us here to get our thoughts. If we are not sure, Kyle and Ty are only a thought away to ask them."

"That makes sense." Cody replied.

---

A little later:

The boys all sat back after finishing off the huge meal that Tommy and Tyler had laid out for them. "Cory wasn't kidding when he said you guys could cook!" Sky commented after letting out a satisfied belch.

"You don't have any relation in our area, do you?" Cody added.

"No kinfolk I'm 'ware of 'sides y'all!" Tommy replied with a giggle.

"Don't get any ideas Cuz; I'm keeping them!" Cory giggled as he saw the glint appearing in Sky's eyes. "You gotta find your OWN Chef!"

"I guess that just means we need to bribe Kano to bring us over at mealtime!" Cody laughed. "Speaking of which, we better be getting back or Mom's going to be worried."

"Do we gotta?" Kane and Damon chorused from their perches on Bast and Mont's laps. "We want to cuddle the kitties some more!"

Cory laughed as he watched the two boys try to snuggle deeper into his bodyguard's fur. "Cody's right, guys. Don't worry; these guys are family, they'll be here next time you visit."

"That reminds me..." Kyle interrupted. "Now that Kane and Damon are Mikyvis and are no longer covered by the Doc's shield, they can't be transported by Starfleet transporters any more. Using Ark is okay if there is a reason they can't just jump themselves, but Poppa Spock says that if you were to try to use a Starfleet transporter there would be a big boom which would kill the boys and destroy the vessel that was doing the transporting."

"How big of a boom?" Sky asked curiously.

"Like the ship 'losing Anti-matter containment type boom'... big enough that, if in orbit, you'll damage the atmosphere of the Earth," Kyle answered seriously. "Then, just for kicks, what we're made of would destroy everything else. The whole Universe. So don't let them use transporters."

Cody whistled as he looked over at the two grinning urchins just climbing from the laps of their furry new friends. "Thanks for the warning!"

Everyone got up from the table, and after a round of hugs and goodbyes the Oceanic group started off to one side. Sky started to reach for his communication badge, but then stopped and looked down at Kane. "Take us home, Kano."

Kane's face split into a huge grin as he waved one last time. A split second later, they were gone; the only lingering indication of their presence were the smiles on everyone's faces as they saw the pride in Kane's face as he performed his first unassisted action as a Mikyvis.

As Teri, Bruce, and Bruce's kids headed into the Rec Room to relax while their food digested, the rest of the boys assisted Tommy with cleaning up. As they were finishing, Tommy pulled Kyle and Tyler off to the side.

"I know what y'all are doin." Tommy said as he pulled them into a hug. "Y'all can still be doing the special stuff y'all do without doin' it alla the time."

"What you mean?" Kyle asked softly.

Tommy gave each of their foreheads a kiss before answering. "This is the first time since Ty became Mikyvis that he ain't made cleanin fun by makin soap bubbles do weird crap or done jokin by puttin food back onna plate after I done washed it. Y'all better not be cuttin' out what makes you special; you ain't seen me mad yet, but y'all will if you stop bein what you are. Y'all are my lil' bros, an' I ain't lettin my kin ruin their lives."

"How can we know what is okay and what is not okay though?" Tyler asked.

Tommy thought for a minute before replying. "I know how I'd do it. Y'all know what special kinda stuff all our kin can do. If our kin can do it; then y'all should be able to sometimes. One thing y'all do none of our kin do is that 'lusion stuff; all the kids like that; it's fun an' don't hurt nothin. Y'all need to think an' talk 'bout it; don't stop bein' yourselves though."

Kyle nodded. "But I don't want Cory mad at me."

"Then don't be makin' urself miserable." Tommy replied. "If you're always worryin' 'bout doin' stuff, it'll show an' you ain't gonna be the fun lil' bro we all love. Let big stuff work itself out, an' have fun with little stuff. That's the Kyle we love; that's the Kyle we wanna see."

Both Mikyvis boys gave Tommy small smiles as they wrapped their arms around him in a double hug. "Thanks Tommy; I think I'm startin' to figure out what Cory was saying." Kyle whispered as he broke the hug.

Tommy gave both boys a quick kiss. "Y'all are welcome. Now stop figg'rin an' start playin'; y'all's on vacation, you can figger when y'all are down home."

"Yes Sir!" Kyle and Ty giggled as they gave Tommy a mock salute then ran to the Rec Room.

As they disappeared through the doorway, Cory came up behind Tommy and pulled him into a hug. "Way to go Bro; I think you explained it a lot better than I did. Thanks for helping."

Tommy grinned up at Cory. "I was just doing what ya taught me bro; takin care of my kinfolk."

"You did great; I'm proud of you." Cory said as he kissed the top of Tommy's head. "You cleared a lot of things up for them, now maybe they'll start healing from the attack like the rest of us have started healing."

"They will." Tommy stated, determination in his voice. "I'm gittin my lil' bros back, ain't no way I'm lettin what those backwards jerks that attacked us did steal Ty an' Kyle's innocence."

"I know you, you'll get your way!" Cory grinned.

"Yeah; that's why Uncle Tommy is my hero!" Dylan giggled as he joined them. He snuggled up next to his blushing uncle, then added seriously "I think it's about time we went home, Uncle Tommy. Leev says his Friend told him that you did what you was here for."

Tommy nodded. "Slow down, Dilly. You don't leave kinfolk without sayin' thanks to eacha them for lettin ya visit."

Dylan looked up at Tommy, his adoration of his Uncle apparent in his eyes. "Okay Uncle Tommy. Can you show me how?"

As Cory watched with a growing smile, Tommy put his arm over Dylan's shoulder and began teaching him by example how to properly say goodbye. Once they returned to Cory, they both gave him a hug.

"Thanks for lettin' us visit Uncle Cory! We'll see ya when y'all get home!" Dylan said proudly.

Cory smiled and picked the little Mikyvis up to give him a kiss. "Take care of your Uncle Tommy for me, okay Dylan?"

"Okay Uncle Cory!" Dylan responded brightly.

Tommy giggled and said his own goodbyes to Cory, then stood back. "Okay Dilly, NOW you can take us home!"

Dylan smiled, then with a final wave both him and Tommy returned to Orlando.

As Cory followed the rest of the boys to the rec room, he was distracted by a knock at the door. He walked over and opened the door to find Julio standing there with a young boy tucked under his arm.

"Wassup Julio? Who's the armrest?" Cory giggled.

Julio smiled as he rustled the boy under his arm's hair. "This is my lil' bro Johnny. I 'convinced' Mom and Dad to adopt him and his brother just after Justy gave us the 'go' for doing things here."

"Sweet! C'mon in; we're just chillin' after dinner. You can introduce him and we'll catch up on stuff." Cory replied as he opened the door fully and motioned for the two boys to come in.

They walked into the Rec Room, and stopped as both Kyle and Tyler broke into giggles. "What's so funny?" Cory asked, as everyone else sat back waiting for the two Mikyvis to explain.

Kyle smiled. "We were doing our usual check-out of Julio's little brother like we do all the new guys. Him and Timmy'd get along great!"

"Yeah," Tyler continued, "his cat Cinnamon sounds so kewl! Julio, you can stop wondering, they really do talk to each other!"

Cory looked over at the little ten-year-old redhead, now glowing with a blush. "Just animals, or can you talk to people too?" he asked seriously.

"I just talk to animals." Johnny replied softly. "Their heads ain't as messed up as humans. I leave the humans to Eddie, his head don't hurt when he talks to humans."

Cory smiled and introduced everyone. Once he was done, he knelt in front of Johnny. "Why don't you go over and visit with Ty and Kyle? They know some tricks they can teach you that help make it so that you have better control over your special skill; they can also teach you how to keep from having your head hurt when you run across someone else who can talk in heads."

Johnny looked up at Julio; silently asking with his eyes what he should do. "Trust Cory, lil' bro." Julio said softly. "In all the time I've known him, he's the one person who never asks someone to do something that they shouldn't do. If he says they can help you, they will."

"Okay Julio!" Johnny said as he gave his big brother a quick hug. A second later, he was in mid-air, quickly landing on Kyle and Tyler's laps.

Julio winced in expectation of the yell from the targets. When there was no scream of agony at Johnny's landing, he looked at Cory in shock. "How.....???"

Cory giggled. "You got a LOT of catching up to do! C'mon, grab a seat. If you're really good, you might even get a tongue bath from my bodyguards!"

---

An hour later:

Julio sat back in awe, finally up-to-date with all of the internal happenings of the Clan since the move to Orlando. He glanced over at Johnny, and smiled when he saw that Johnny, Kyle, and Tyler were deeply involved in a game of Monopoly. The ever-present stress that had haunted Johnny's face was conspicuous in its absence; for the first time since Julio had taken the brothers under his wing Johnny was able to feel free.

Cory grinned as he passed on a message from Kyle. "Kyle says to tell you they're helping Eddie too. Johnny sent him a message telling him it was okay to let them in his head; so they're helping him out from here."

Julio grinned. "Thanks. I think that they developed talking to each other because their old caregiver was so abusive that it was the only way they could communicate safely. Even I don't know everything they went through; only they do. All I know is that when I found them in the car in the parking lot, one of my guys who is a telepath picked up on enough to convict the trash that donated his sperm for their creation."

Sean looked up from teaching Kai, Casey, and Tina how to groom Mont and Bast. "You don't want to know; I got the full story in my head after the boys gave Kyle the okay to add their history to the Archive I keep in my memories."

Julio nodded. "I'll trust you on that one. All I care about is that they are safe and happy now."

"You just passed Big Brother 101!" Adam giggled from the corner where he and JJ were quietly talking about their future.

"Just a warning though," JJ added with an evil grin, "Don't let Johnny sleep over with the Mind Leeches... chances are he won't ever be the same again!"

"Bite me!" Kyle and Ty chorused as they launched the pillows they were laying on towards JJ's head. "You're gonna be the first one to test the pool as soon as this game is over!" Kyle added.

"Pack a lunch, Squirt!" JJ giggled before resuming his talk with Adam.

Cory grinned at the somewhat 'normal' bantering. "I don't know how long I've waited to hear that! Anyways, Julio, you've made some changes around here; you wanna fill me in?"

Julio blushed. "I'm just the voice for the rest of the guys until someone is chosen as the head of this mess. I think Justy picked me because I was the only one he knew somewhat from when he visited. Anyway; we pretty much took over the entire neighborhood after you guys moved to Orlando. It wasn't on purpose; things moved faster than we planned and the next thing we knew we had our own little Compound. We try to set up things that we took for granted but we found out a lot of the abused kids have never done." Julio paused, then grinned. "THAT is what I forgot! We're having a Seventies Disco Night dance tonight! We have dances every Friday; just about all the kids show up, even the rugrats. It should be fun; the last Seventies one we had all the adults helped us dress up like they did way back then."

Cory glanced around; the grins on everyone's faces answered for him. "It looks like we're going. We ain't got too many clothes here though, so we're probably gonna be dressed normal."

Tyler giggled. "We could always go get some, Bro."

"And just where would you go to get them?" Cory giggled in reply. "We don't keep ancient clothing in the Clan Clothing Locker; the stuff they wore back then was a fire hazard!"

"Bro, our kids go back to visit their pets in the Stone Age; the Seventies ain't much different!" Tyler giggled.

Before Cory could reply, Teri interrupted. "One more comment from anyone about the Seventies being 'ancient history' and I will be throwing TWO boys in the pool myself! Don't forget, your loving mother was alive through that period!"

"Like I said, way back when," Julio giggled, then ducked a clip from Teri's hand as she walked around the couch. She then grabbed Cory's arm with one hand and motioned for Tyler to join her with the other.

Tyler shook his head with a grin, which turned to surprise when he found himself standing right next to Teri with her latching onto his arm too. "Hey! No fair!"

"Better you than all of us, babe!" Kyle giggled. "You're overdue!"

'Paybacks later!' Cory sent to Tyler as both of them followed alongside Teri to the edge of the pool. Tyler grinned and nodded his head.

Teri stopped them at the edge of the pool. "I knew someone would take me up on that. I wanted an excuse to get you guys off to the side. I know how hard it is for you guys to forget about working after everything you've done in the last few months; today has been a good example of that so far. Cory, you're going to have to take the lead on saying 'no' to Clan related things; none of the other guys are going to do it unless you are. Ty, you are the only one here that understands what Kyle is going through. We all know how private Kyle keeps his problems; it's up to you to let your brothers know how to help him."

Cory and Ty both nodded in understanding. "What if Julio needs some help though, Mom?" Cory asked.

Teri smiled. "You know the answer to that, Cory. Ty? Does Julio want to be Division Head?"

Ty shook his head. "He's doing the job, in fact he's doing it great. He doesn't think he's ready for that kind of responsibility though."

"In other words, he's perfect for it." Teri mused. "I learned long ago that the best candidate for a position is the person who does not think that they are ready despite their actions showing otherwise. Cory, every position you've ever filled has been done the same way; in the process you've got a staffing that will give you the freedom to take some time for yourself, if you'll let them."

Cory thought over her words for a minute. "Thanks Mom." he said as he pulled her into a hug. "I guess I've been ignoring you and everyone else telling me I'm overdoing it, haven't I?"

"Yes you have, Cory; you've had that problem since the day you tried to slap the doctor back... right after you were born!" Teri replied with a chuckle. "You two jump in and get wet; I'll see you inside!"

"Okay Mom!" Cory giggled as he picked up Ty and jumped into the pool with Ty in his arms.

A few minutes later, the two totally soaked boys jogged back into the Rec Room. Both stopped in front of Julio, and shook off the excess water on him. Once Julio was soaked, Ty giggled as both he and Cory were suddenly dry.

"That's for getting us wet!" Cory giggled.

Julio stuck out his tongue. "You enjoyed it!"

Ty took his seat back at the game, and took his turn before asking "What do you think? Do you want us to go get some clothes?"

Cory glanced up at Teri, and was surprised to see that she seemed distracted. A few seconds later, she 'came back' and chuckled. "Are you feeling okay, Ty? I could swear I just heard you asking to GET clothes instead of LOSING them!"

"MOOOMMMM!" Ty exclaimed as Johnny and Kyle broke into giggles.

Teri smiled, then asked. "Seriously; where did you plan on getting clothes?"

"We can get them from that time; that way they're the real thing." Ty replied. "Besides, I think Mont and Bast would look awesome in leisure suits."

Teri thought for a second, then motioned for Cory and Sean to join her. "Before I tell you what I think, there is something I need to ask your big brothers."

Cory and Sean moved over to where Teri had taken a seat, and took places on her lap after she held out her arms. "I've got a sneaky suspicion that something is about to happen. Thing is, I think that you guys need some background before I set your brothers loose to do something which I know will affect both of you. Back when I was about your age, your fathers, Cory's mother, and myself hung out together. There was an event that both of your fathers swore happened but we thought they were both pulling a prank. Both of them had certain clothes that they had wore for dances when they were your age. Back when they were fifteen, they both swore that a kid appeared in their bedrooms and asked if they could spare some clothes for their sons in the future. We didn't believe them then, but I'm thinking that we have what your brother Galli calls a 'time loop'."

Both boys looked at her in shock. Cory responded first. "Daddy is giving me clothes for the dance?" he asked, reverting unconsciously to a young boy once again.

Teri kissed Cory's forehead as Sean snuggled silently into her side. "I think so." she replied softly. "If I understand Time law correctly, your brothers can't tell them about you other than you'll exist. I need to know if you guys can handle it though; if you can't, then I'm going to tell your brothers to wait until some other dance."

Cory recovered enough to consider her question as he pulled Sean into his side and held him close. "I don't have anything from my father, this would be something I could keep to remember him with."

"Me too." Sean whispered more to Cory's chest than anywhere else.

"Are you in agreement Ty?" Teri asked softly. "Can they handle it emotionally?"

"Yeah Mom; it might actually do both of them some good." Tyler responded.

Teri nodded. "Go get the clothes; by the look on Kyle's face he has an idea of what you guys need to do."

"Can I go too?" Johnny asked.

At Julio's nod, Kyle agreed. "Sure, you'll have to stay with one of us while the other is talking to Cory and Sean's dads. Don't say anything out loud unless we okay it first though."

"Okay!" Johnny exclaimed, obviously excited to be included in the adventures of his new friends. A few seconds later, the three of them 'popped' out.

"Kyle says you have ten minutes before they come back." JJ announced. "He gave me the message as they left."

Julio nodded. "I know why. He's giving me time to tell you a few things. Ever since I saved Johnny, he's been glued to my side. This is the first time he's went off with someone else; in fact I think Kyle and Ty are becoming his first friends since he moved in with me."

JJ smiled. "I've been there, Julio. Kyle was the same way; just ask Cory and Sean. If anyone can teach him to open up, it's my little brother. I'll bet you see a lot of changes in how he acts now that Kyle's talked with him."

"How can you be so sure? Johnny won't open up to anyone." Julio asked.

"That's easy." JJ replied. "I can count the people that Kyle has absolute trust in on my hands and still have fingers left. He won't tell anyone, even us, anything about his past UNLESS something happens which makes it so we need to know about it, or him talking about it will help someone else recover from their own past. There is one thing surer than a normal human's death... Kyle's big heart will not allow someone he's made friends with to suffer."

"Ain't THAT the truth!" Cory giggled. "I think he's set himself up his own room inside my head!"

"He has." JJ replied seriously. "You, me, Sean, and Danny all carry a piece of him with us at all times. He told me about it when you were having problems after the attack. In a way we carry Ty too; Kyle says that something about when Ty became Mikyvis caused the two of them to be linked like they're one person. Miah thinks it might be because they were woke up just as the conversion was finishing; the link required to do it wasn't severed like it should have been."

Julio whistled. "Wow... I think I see what you mean about him being protective. Can all Mikyvis do that?"

Cory shrugged. "No idea; Kyle was doing it before he became Mikyvis, so I don't know if it's a species trait or just him. He's always had a range that blows your mind with his telepathy."

"That's why I always know when you're talking about me!" Kyle giggled as him, Ty, and Johnny reappeared in the middle of the group. Kyle and Tyler had arms full of clothes, and Johnny was cuddling a little orange fuzzball.

"Another one! You're as bad as your son!" Cory exclaimed as he spotted what was in Johnny's arms.

Kyle grinned. "That's the last one... he's Marie's little brother. Levi flagged the pickup for when the time was right; his Friend told him when this would need to happen, and had him tell us since we'd be doing it."

"Just be glad we talked him out of bringing a T-Rex back!" Tyler added with a giggle.

"What's so bad about a little kitten?" Julio asked. "Wait... did you just say T_REX??!! Where did you go??!!"

"When." Kyle corrected with a giggle. "Johnny wanted to know more about Mikyvis, so while we were getting his kitten for him we gave him a quick tour showin him some of the stuff we can do. He was safe; we kept out of phase with Time so nothing in the places we was looking at could hurt him."

Tyler put his pile of clothes down, then walked over and wrapped his arms around Cory. "It's all good bro." he whispered just loud enough for Cory to hear. "Johnny is our 'eyes and ears' here now. He's not Mikyvis, but he's a special type of next-gen and wants to help us."

Cory nodded as he gave Ty a squeeze. "Okay Bro; I was just worried that you guys went too far."

"I know." Tyler said softly. "We were careful and just showed him the stuff he needs... the only reason he saw the T-Rex was we wanted him to meet our kids and they were taking a break for a millisecond to play with their pets."

"I don't wanna even try to figure that one out!" Cory replied with a soft giggle. "Only you two could have kids with pet dinosaurs!"

While Cory and Tyler were talking, Kyle put his clothes pile down. He took Julio's hand, and with a huge grin led him over to meet Johnny's new pet. As they came alongside Johnny, both could hear a steady purr; the only question was if it was coming from Johnny or the kitten. Johnny looked up at them, the happy grin on his face melting Julio's heart.

"Hey little bro, who's your new friend?" Julio asked softly.

"He says his name's Charlie." Johnny answered. "Him and Cinnamon are using my head and talking to each other; I'm passin' messages back and forth for them. They're makin friends already!"

Jason finally noticed the size of the teeth on the little kitten. "Ummm... what kind of kitten is he, Johnny?"

"He's a Sabre Tooth!" Johnny said with a grin. "Levi says that him and two others are 'posed to be here in our time now!"

Kyle giggled at the lost expression on Julio's face. "Levi is Ty and me's son. He's got some... powerful... friends; if he says something is supposed to happen, it's usually because he was told to say it. Just roll with it; you hang around long enough and you'll see some really strange stuff!"

"A Vulcan wearing armor while riding a talking bear... a saber-toothed kitten... spontaneous healing at the front gate... angels popping in to say hi... field trips to see real dinosaurs... and you're telling me I ain't seen strange yet??!!"

"Yeah, you're still in the introductory course!" Kyle giggled.

"Okay, stop trying to strip out the gears in Julio's head!" Cory giggled as him and Ty joined the little group. "That's MY job!"

"Like you could blow someone's mind?" Julio giggled. "Nice try, Cory!"

Cory's grin grew wider as he turned his head. "Mr. Richardson; your presence is required here."

JJ quickly joined them; Adam, Sean, Mont, Bast, and Kai on his heels. Once they were all there, Cory tapped his commbadge. "Thomas, open a broadcast channel. Clan-wide." he ordered.

Tommy answered immediately, the fact that Cory used his given name flagging the fact this was official business. "Channel open, Patriarch."

Cory looked Julio in the eyes. "Attention all members of Family Clan Short. As of three-forty-seven PM Central United States time, the city of Des Moines, Iowa officially has a Clan Compound in the suburb of Urbandale. I hereby designate Julio Carlos Hernandez as Director of Clan Short - Des Moines with Johnny Hernandez as Head of Communications. All Divisions are hereby ordered to provide support as necessary to bring this Division to full operational status in the most expedient manner. Division heads, acknowledge."

"Commander Casey responding for Clan Short Special Forces Division." Adam responded almost immediately. "I have just alerted a full strike team to help them with anything they need. Is there anything else you can think of they would need, or should I just get in contact with them?"

"Divisional Staff Security is the priority." Cory replied.

"Understood Patriarch, have them prepare for Lieutenant Sean Patrick and a full equipped assault team to act as division security until such time as they do not need them anymore. Strike team Tango will arrive with in thirty minutes." Adam responded after a short delay.

"Acknowledged and approved Adam." Cory replied.

"Charleston AI Division acknowledged." Danny stated.

"Acknowledged Danny. Nothing outstanding that concerns AI at the moment." Cory responded.

"Acknowledged Cory." Sammy replied, signifying that the North American Region was aware of the status.

"North America acknowledged."

"Northeast; we got ya Patriarch."

"Okay Peter, tell your brothers to take a break already!" Cory replied with a giggle.

'Voice of the Dragon to Patriarch Cory: it took you this long? We've been watching Julio and company for weeks already...' Jason's voice giggled from Cory's comm-badge. 'Get with the plot, blond-top!'

"You are so dead, Jace!" Cory giggled back quickly.

'Yeah, well: I'm down here in sunny Orlando. You're stuck up there for the next few days... I will be well hidden before you get back!' came the giggled retort.

Before Cory could form a response, there came a yell from Jason's end of the channel, followed by giggles and then, a second later, a loud splash.

'Blondie?' Joel's voice came suddenly. 'Don't worry, Blondie! I got your back! Tell Julio I'll be over in the week sometime with some cookies as a present! I've gotta run, got more Starfleet tests to do! Love you'

Cory was again about to respond when the sound of a comm being dropped on a table without being closed made him stop and listen.

The group standing with him collapsed into gales of laugher with him when they faintly heard Joel's voice yell out 'Only I gets to pick on Blondie, Jace!' before even more splashes and giggles started.

Cory shook his head. "Welcome to the nuthouse Julio!" He then activated his subvocal. 'Ark, I assume you were listening. Could you please make sure that Tyne and Nyo are aware of the new division?'

<I will do so, Cory. I have been instructed to supply subvocals, they are on the table behind you. Correction, they are in Sean's hands.>

'Thank you Ark. Tell Nyo that JJ will be getting with him Monday to decide on the need for Phasenmorph issuing to the officers of the new division.'

<Your message has been delivered. Anything else Cory?>

'That should cover it. Thanks Ark.'

Cory smiled as he watched Sean teaching Julio and Johnny about the subvocals. Johnny was being especially cute, telling Ark all about his recent adventures with the Mikyvis. Cory watched for a minute, then silently asked 'Is Johnny bugging you, Ark?'

<He actually is helping with my understanding of the capabilities of the Mikyvis.> Ark replied. <Unlike some members of your family, he understands my lack of gender. I find him to be quite interesting to talk to.>

'Okay, just making sure. Have fun!' Cory replied with a smile as he tapped on JJ's shoulder. "Looks like Johnny has a new friend!"

"Ark's gonna need to add another processor!" JJ giggled.

Cory grinned, then put an arm over JJ's shoulder as they went over to inspect the piles of clothing that Kyle and Tyler had brought back. "I wonder which ones are ours?" Cory asked softly.

Tyler came up and snuggled into Cory's free side. "These are for the rest of the guys; we put yours and Sean's in your bedroom. Kyle and me are gonna go up there with you, we have a message from your daddies that we're 'posed to deliver."

As Tyler was speaking, Sean finished the training, and was led by the hand by Kyle to join them. "We're ready; Johnny's gonna take care of passin' out the clothes. He knows who gets what."

Cory nodded, and allowed himself to be led by Tyler upstairs to his room. Kyle led Sean behind them; both Cory and Sean were quiet as they anticipated what they would find. As they entered the room, Cory paused to wipe the silent tears from his eyes. "I wish my Daddy was here instead of in Heaven." he whispered.

"He is; he's never left your side." Mikey's voice answered from inside the room. "Neither of our Dads ever really left us."

Both Sean and Cory looked up to where Mikey was sitting on the edge of the bed, their renewed pain at the loss of their fathers at a young age written clearly on their faces.

"Get over here Tigger and Pooh; you're overdue for Mikey cuddles." Mikey said softly, bracing himself for the expected pounce from his brothers. Cory and Sean did not disappoint him; as one they ran over and landed sobbing on his lap. "The Time has come to release your pain, brothers." Mikey stated as his wings became visible and wrapped around the duo in his lap. The last thing Ty and Kyle heard was a sobbing 'why?' chorus from Sean and Cory as the wings closed around them, sealing them into a personal space that was blocked to even the Mikyvis.

'I'm glad Mikey was able to help' Kyle sent over his link to Ty. 'I've never had a memory of a Dad that I loved that died. I was too young when I was kidnapped from my real family; the only stuff I know is what Grandpa and Colin have told me.'

'Yeah; that jerk that I got stuck with ain't no great loss either.' Ty replied. 'I guess in our case it's better though. It kinda hurts knowin' I'll outlive every one of our brothers except Galli and Jay. It'd really bite if we had to worry about the ones that made us too.'

Before Kyle could reply, Mikey's voice entered both of their heads. 'It is not your place to attempt to guess the contents of the Book Of Life, little brothers. There is only One with that knowledge; and He is gracious to those doing His work. Trust that what Should be, Will be.'

Kyle looked over at Ty with a grin. "I think Mikey's been hangin' out with the Yarn Guy again!"

Ty giggled. "Yeah, that was just messed up!! You know, Yarnie's not bad once you get to know him though; I think he was just freaked that you'd screw up the first time you met him. He calmed down some once we knocked out all those extra strings!"

"Yeah, and he made sense when he explained that I didn't really kill anyone when I knocked out those timelines." Kyle replied seriously. "It's weird; something that we can do without really thinking about it drives regular humans insane."

"It drives me insane too, I just confine the insanity to three rooms I've got reserved for just that purpose!" Ty giggled as he pulled Kyle into a hug. "If our sons keep it up, I might need to add more rooms to that list though!"

"Tell me 'bout it!" Kyle giggled. "Speaking of rooms, Mikey just let me back into the one in Cory's head; I think our brothers are about ready to rejoin us."

'They are, but first I need you to pass a message to the rest of the Leech Patrol.' Mikey said in both of their heads. He ignored the glares he was getting from both boys and continued. 'Tell your fellow thought suckers to stop worrying about Cory's age swings. He's recovering from the stress of the last month, and his mind is trying to balance itself back to where it should be. There were a lot of things nobody knew about locked behind doors in Cory's head; as he deals with them his age will seem to change accordingly.'

'Why does it need to be us that tells them?' Kyle sent back.

'Because things have not changed as much as you think they have, little brothers.' Mikey replied softly. 'The fact that you evolved into a High Race does not change the fact that the Telepaths of the Clan still look to you as their leader Kyle, just as the Empaths look to Ty as theirs. The two of you were the ones that set the procedures for how things are done by the way you did them; it's time to get back into that role and show those that came after you how to use their powers to help others without losing the fun of being a kid. Both of you have been trying to be what you thought others expected you to be since you evolved; you will never be happy doing that, so before it is too late get back to being yourself no matter what anyone else thinks.'

'Does everyone but US have a copy of the How To Be A Mikyvis manual?' Ty sent with a giggle.

'No,' Mikey laughed, 'but none of us are going to force you to write that first chapter without any help. You're not alone, and whatever the future holds your family is here for you.'

'Thanks Bro.' Kyle and Ty both replied with small smiles. Kyle quickly updated the Telepaths with the information that Mikey requested, while Tyler did the same for the Empaths. As they finished, Mikey's wings slowly opened, revealing Cory and Sean both securely held in Mikey's arms. As he kissed the tops of their heads, each of them looked up at him, their appreciation of their big brother apparent in both of their faces.

"Go have fun, little brothers." Mikey said with a smile. "The Past is done, go make some memories of the Present. I want pictures though; your first dance as a couple is one event I never want to forget!"

"Okay Bro!" Cory replied as he gave Mikey one last hug then climbed from his lap. "Thanks for helpin'."

"Yeah; thanks Mikey!" Sean replied mid-hug before joining Cory.

"That's what Big Brothers are for." Mikey giggled. "You're welcome; I'll see you later tonight."

Both boys nodded, and smiled as they watched Mikey fade into nothing. They turned back to Kyle and Ty, and both tilted their heads at the grins on the younger boy's faces.

"What?" Sean giggled.

"You two ain't been this relaxed since just after we all moved to Orlando." Kyle replied. "I dunno what Mikey did, but I can see the difference just in the way y'all are standing."

Cory grinned. "Mikey cuddles do that; when you're feelin bad, he knows what to say to make you feel better again."

Ty giggled. "So THAT is where you two learned it!"

Cory and Sean glanced at each other, and a few seconds later each of them had a giggling boy on their hip. "So what is this message that you needed to pass on to us?" Sean asked as he poked at Kyle's ribs.

"Stop tickling me and I can tell you!" Kyle giggled. Once Sean paused his assault, Kyle replied. "It's kinda weird, even for me! We went and asked about the clothes like Mom said we was gonna do, and your Dads told us something I wasn't expecting. These clothes were what they wore to the first dance they ever took your Moms to. They used them for all of the dances that year, but when they went to see if they still fit the next school year neither one could find them. Just as we got to each of their houses, they were each dumping their laundry onto their bed to put it away, and the clothes were somehow in that laundry, right on top where they would be seen. We were just as surprised as they were; and I think it kinda helped them with believing why we were there. Both of them sent the same message to both of you; 'I hope that your first dance goes as well as mine did, and one way or the other I'm going to be there to see you'. We had to explain why even telling them if they would be here could mess up their future, so I think they were trying to cover it either way." Kyle paused, then added with a smile "I'm supposed to give you some pictures after the dance; they didn't think that the pictures would look as nice if they tried to save them the normal way in a picture album for you. It's some kewl stuff like school pictures and pictures of their rooms. We had to go with them to a one-hour photo shop to get them developed since it was a film-camera, but that wasn't too bad to play with Time to make it work."

"It sounds like you two did a great job!" Cory said as he gave Ty a squeeze to emphasize his statement.

"Yeah; thanks!" Sean added while giving Kyle a squeeze of his own. "Did you remember to get something to wear too?"

"Kinda." Kyle giggled. "We saw some kewl stuff in the store we was wandering in while we waited for the pictures, but none of it was in our sizes. They had it in a catalog, so I bounced into this time long enough to see if Ark could make them from the pictures in our sizes. Ark's awesome, it promised to have them whenever we were ready for them!"

As if on command, two more piles of clothes appeared on the bed. <Johnny just told me that it is time for you to get ready for the dance.> Ark announced in their subvocals. <He asked me to remind you to make sure Cory and Sean know the proper way to dance to the music of that era. To quote the Vulcan's favorite phrase while visiting Clan Headquarters, this should be 'fascinating'. Nyo has already installed cameras so that this event can be fully archived.>

"Thanks Ark!" Kyle giggled as both Cory and Sean began to blush.

"We checked out how they danced back then since we didn't know either." Tyler explained with a smile. "Your Dad suggested it Cory; he said that maybe we could teach you the basics before the dance. We didn't tell him that we were able to do brain dumps!"

Cory smiled as he replied. "Okay, that makes sense. But you guys keep getting one thing wrong. They are OUR Dads... you're OUR brothers, which makes them OUR family. Got it, munchkins?"

Both Ty and Kyle looked at Sean; they didn't need telepathy to see his agreement with Cory. Both Mikyvis pulled themselves tightly against their respective brother's chest, expressing with their embrace the feelings that neither had words for. Once recovered, they climbed down and led their respective brother to the clothes that had been sent for him.

---

The commotion of everyone trying to figure out how the 70's clothes were to be worn came to a grinding halt as Cory, Sean, Kyle, and Tyler came downstairs and entered the Rec Room. Cory was the main reason that everyone stopped; his outfit drew your attention no matter how much you tried to resist. With Tyler's assistance, his hair had been grown out to hang just below his shoulder-blades in a classic 'surfers cut'. The necklace that had been given him by Aaron was accompanied by a heavier gold chain with a large gold cross on it. His shirt was a deep V-neck spandex long sleeve in ivory, accompanied by a polyester vest which matched his hair. His bell-bottomed pants matched the color of his shirt, with a white 2 inch belt filling their belt loops. The belt really wasn't needed, as they fit him like a glove from the knees up. To finish off the outfit, white leather two-inch platform shoes resided under the wide bells at the bottom of his pants.

Standing next to Cory, Sean presented a sharp contrast that showed the diversity of the decade's fashion. Somehow, Kyle had convinced Sean's hair to cooperate... so now Sean was sporting an Afro the size of a schoolhouse globe. His shirt consisted of random geometric patterns in pink, blue, and purple, offset by an orange tie. The lapels on his teal suit jacket literally reached to the edge of his shoulders, while black leather platform shoes helped offset the teal bell-bottoms that finished the ensemble.

Kyle and Ty had taken a slightly more conservative route, dressing in matching light purple leisure suits with white shoes, pink dress shirts, and purple ties. Each of them matched the hair style of the brother that they had helped, so Kyle had a mini-Afro while Tyler mimicked Cory's surfer look.

"Mom, I hate to tell you this," Sean said, breaking the silence, "there is no way that Dad was straight if he dressed like this!"

"Stop complaining and eat your Jelly Babies, Hun." Cory giggled. "I'm willing to bet our absent little brother was involved in picking out our outfits, since Jelly Babies were left in the pockets. Take it up with him later!"

By then, Teri had regained her voice. "Actually, that is how both of your fathers looked when we went to our first dance. You both look a lot like them, especially now. Sean, actually both your father and Cory's father were bi... that is why I was not surprised when the two of you became attached to each other."

As Cory and Sean's faces scrunched up at what that could imply, Kyle giggled. "I guess that means you know where they got their practice before Sean's dad gave you your first kiss, huh Mom?"

"Among other things, yes Kyle!" Teri replied over the repeated moans of 'TMI!' from both Cory and Sean.

Before the conversation could get any worse, JJ interrupted. "Hey Lil' Bro; Johnny says you're gonna teach us to dance before we go. You better hurry, it's almost time!"

Kyle smiled. "Yeah; Ty's gonna do that while I help y'all get your hair ready. I wonder how a lion in a tux looks with an Afro...."

---

As Cory and Sean led their group into the Gym the dance was being held in, all conversation in the room came to a halt. "It's them... they're really here!" various voices whispered as the kids began to form a greeting line.

Cory rolled his eyes with a grin. "Jeeze, it's not like I'm Bon Jovi or anything!" he giggled.

Julio laughed as he guided the group into position to walk down the line. "Naw; they didn't get mobbed like these guys wanted to do when they heard you were here. Richie had fun teaching some of the guys some trick guitar riffs yesterday though!"

Cory just shook his head, and led the group towards the far side of the gymnasium. They only managed to make it a few feet before a familiar voice got everyone's attention.

"Ladies and Gentlemen; I just received a call from the Vulcan Embassy." Coach Simmons announced over the P.A. system. "It seems our visitors have the same problem they did when they were on my team; they don't give up. By request of Ambassador Sarek and by Order of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the Family Short is representing the Crown tonight as Ambassadors to welcome the newest Division of Family Clan Short. I'm proud to welcome home Iowa's pride and joy, Prince Cory Short and Prince Sean Short."

Cory and Sean looked at each other in shock. 'I think we're being told to take the night off or else!' Cory sent to Sean with a giggle.

As the first notes of "Rule Britannia" rolled from the towers of speakers throughout the room, the group held themselves tall and continued on their way towards the table that was obviously reserved for them. 'Not too bad of a guess for a cute blond!' Sean sent back, confident that Cory would not retaliate at this point in time.

'I'll get you later!' Cory retaliated.

Sean couldn't hold back his snickers, causing the rest of the group to give them knowing smiles. As they reached the table, the music faded away and Coach Simmons came back on the P.A. system. "To make it easy, I'll introduce the rest of our honored guests. First we have Kyle Richardson, Duke of Eternity and his husband Tyler Short. They are joined by four members of the Royal Guard; JJ Richardson, Adam Short, Mont Lion, and Bast Lion. Last, but certainly not least, the newest member of the Short Family, Kai Short. Their special guests are the newest members of Family Clan Short, Tina and Casey Collins."

Once they were seated, Sean looked around the table, smiling as he reached the two cats. Each one had gained a smiling lap-warmer; Johnny taking up residence on Mont's lap, while his little brother Eddie was happily snuggled against Bast and giggling as he poked at the Afro-ized mane of his new hero.

"I think that the two of them are going to be occupied for a while, Julio!" Cory snickered as both youngsters were tickled by their furry companions.

Julio laughed. "As long as they're having fun, I'm all for it. I think we'd better get this party started, which means you two are gonna have to get up and dance. I'd be willing to bet everyone is waiting on ya'."

Cory rolled his eyes. "What happened to me just being one of the guys?"

"Same here." Sean added, as JJ and Adam nodded their heads in agreement.

Julio nodded towards Kyle. "Word got out about how you and JJ helped Kyle back before you moved back home, Cory. Even before there was a Clan, you were doing things to help others that most of us never thought of. All of the titles that everyone has gave you don't mean crap to anyone here. What means something is the way that you do stuff. You're all kinda like the big football heroes in college; when you guys do something good all of us want to know how to do it too. When you goof up, we learn from that too; but the kewl part is that you don't care about all the glory you've got and you still hang with us. A lot of these kids have never met y'all; the only way they're gonna accept that you're just like the rest of us is if you go out and be yourselves and show them that you're just like them."

"Life as a hero is such a pain!" Kyle giggled as he grabbed Tyler's hand and ran towards the center of the dance floor.

"Last one out has to do Cory and Sean's laundry!" Tyler shouted behind them.

"EWWWW!!!!" JJ and Adam both exclaimed as they dove out of their chairs and ran after Mont and Bast, who had slung their giggling charges over their shoulders and sprinted after the Mikyvis.

Kai managed to speak despite his laughter as he took Casey and Tina's hands. "Let's go, Kyle warned me about their laundry!"

By this time, Julio was rolling on the ground laughing, so Cory and Sean quickly stood up and followed their brothers onto the dance floor. "No fair!" Julio managed to exclaim through his laughter, "I can't move!"

"Sucks to be you!" Sean yelled back as the lights in the gym began to dim.

The gym went dark except for one spotlight in the dead center of the dance floor. Cory and Sean were 'guided' by the assembled crowd into the spotlit area; as they entered it, the circle of kids closed around them.

"Hey Coach; IT'S PARTY TIME!" JJ yelled towards the DJ booth.

"I see you're as impatient as ever; James!" Coach Simmons responded, followed by him chuckling at the glare in response from JJ.

The rest of the boys giggled, knowing that the Coach was known to use JJ's first name whenever he wanted to tease him. Just then, the dance lights started spinning, and within seconds Cory and Sean had their first chance at showing off the dance moves that their dads had taught them through the Mikyvis. As 'Get Down Tonight' by KC & The Sunshine Band blasted from the speakers, Cory and Sean found their rhythm and for the first time in over a year let themselves go. By mid-song, the surrounding kids were bit by the grin on their Patriarch's face and had joined into the fun. By the end of the first song, the surrounding tables were empty as the excitement of hanging out with the founders of the Clan overrode any shyness over their dancing ability.

A few songs later, the lights dimmed again. "Prince Cory, would you do us the honor of leading our first slow dance with Prince Sean?" Coach Simmons asked over the PA.

Cory gave the Coach a 'thumbs-up', knowing that he would not be heard over the cheers of agreement. As the spotlight turned back on, Cory pulled Sean in close. A second later, 'Islands in the Stream' came on, and the rest of the kids watched in awe as Cory and Sean displayed their love for all to see.

"I love you Cor." Sean whispered as he melted into Cory's shoulder. Cory kissed Sean's cheek and held him tighter while they circled in the spotlight.

"I love you too, Teddy Bear, I'll love you forever." Cory responded. To make his point, he 'pushed' his love towards Sean using all the power he could spare.

Sean melted even further into Cory's arms as he was overcome by the love of his husband. By then, the song was completing and Tyler's giggles got their attention.

"What's so funny little bro?" Cory asked as he pulled Tyler into their hug, the three of them moving off to the side as the next song started.

"Did you forget that you can broadcast?" Tyler giggled.

Cory tilted his head as he tried to figure out what Tyler meant. Sean got it immediately though, and began giggling as he muttered "Oh crap!"

Kyle joined them just then, a big grin on his face. "I'm glad our species is immune to you, Cor! You trying to see how many pairs of pants you can mess up at once?"

"What?" Cory asked, still trying to decipher what they were talking about.

Kyle took pity on his first hero. "Bro, when you decided to show Sean your love, you kinda forgot just how much power your head has. Everyone here has felt it, and I think you just healed a lotta hearts in this room. A lot of these kids never knew absolute love; they do now thanks to you."

Comprehension finally dawned on Cory, and within a microsecond he was blushing so much that it could have lit up the room. "I didn't!!!" Cory squeaked.

"You DID!" Kyle and Tyler chorused.

"Oh My God!" Cory exclaimed softly as he grabbed a nearby chair and sat down, pulling Sean down on his lap.

"It's a good thing, Bro." Kyle commented as he wrapped his arms around Cory's shoulders from behind. "They're really lucky; you got some real special love. You saved me with it when you didn't even know you could. They're really Clan now; your love is so strong that once someone's felt it, they have to share it with others."

"That's part of why we love you bro." Tyler chimed in. "You loved us when nobody else cared; now we try to do for others like you did for us."

"You're not helping me with my blushing!" Cory giggled, still glowing like a stop light.

"I don't care; you're even cuter when you are blushing!" Sean giggled.

"Sean!" Cory giggled. "That did NOT help!"

Kyle quickly stepped back as he saw Sean start leaning towards Cory's face.

"Maybe this will help!" Sean stated before locking lips with Cory and proceeding to do a full tonsil inspection with his tongue.

---

Back on the dance floor:

Julio stood there in shock at the wave of love that he had just felt wash over him. As he glanced around, he could tell that he wasn't the only one to feel it; everyone around him had latched onto the nearest person and was engaged in tearful hugs.

His thoughts were interrupted by a hesitant tap on his shoulder. "Are you okay, Sir?" a voice asked from behind him.

Julio turned and saw that it was one of the newer arrivals, Jesse, that had came over to check on him. Without conscious thought, his mind quickly reviewed what he had learned of the new boy in the day and a half Jesse had been a resident of the Compound. Jesse was a rescue performed by the State Police during a routine traffic stop that quickly became a lot more. They had pulled over a camper from Idaho that was speeding, and when they ran the license of the driver they found that he was under investigation for child endangerment and was under a court order not to leave his home state. The police quickly got approval to search the vehicle, and found Jesse, naked, tied to the toilet in the small bathroom of the camper, his mouth held closed with duct tape. The fact that his father had raised Jesse as his 'servant' backfired on him; as Jesse politely answered the questions of the police in exact detail. Julio himself had taken the call from the State Police once they had found out just what 'servant' meant to Jesse's father; after a quick tribunal assisted by a staff member of the Vulcan Embassy, Jesse was released to the Des Moines Compound as his father became the newest resident of a prison planet known for it's inmates willingness to assist in the punishment of those who like abusing children.

Since his arrival, Jesse had went out of his way to be useful; so much so that he had to be 'ordered' to go to bed by the staff of the interim shelter because he insisted on trying to clean the entire building after everyone else had gone to bed. In the morning, everyone woke to find that Jesse had prepared a five-star breakfast for the entire group in the house. When asked why, he just shrugged and said "Daddy taught me that it's a kids job to make sure that everyone is happy. Besides, I like cooking."

All of this happened in a split second as Julio turned to face Jesse. "Yeah, I'm just trying to figure out what just happened." Julio replied as he took his first real look at Jesse. While he was involved in the finalizing of the transfer, he had not paid attention to the appearance of Jesse once he was assured there was no immediate physical damage, concerning himself more with making sure that he followed all the procedures that he was still memorizing. Jesse was a slightly small thirteen year old, with long fine blond hair reaching to the small of his back. His green eyes sparkled with life; despite his father's actions there had been no shortage of love in his life and it showed in the way that he carried himself. His face could only be described as the perfect incarnation of a Tolkien-esque elf. "How are you doing, Jesse?"

"I'm doing fine, Sir." Jesse responded. "I don't know what happened either. I was just standing there trying to decide what to do about the stiffy that I got watching you dance when I felt a bunch of love hit me. As soon as I was able to see again after making a mess in my boxers, I looked over here and saw you just standing here. You looked like you need a hug, and I was kinda hoping you'd hug me back even though I got another stiffy as soon as I looked at you again."

Julio was speechless for the first time in his life since he had learned to talk. He pulled Jesse towards him for a hug, and almost immediately was held in the tightest hug that he had ever been in. Jesse was pressing every part of his body that he could into Julio, and Julio instinctively returned the gesture as he shifted his hands to hold Jesse as close as humanly possible. Before either boy could comprehend it was going to happen, they shared a mutual orgasm that was heightened by them pressing against each other so hard that the mess was shared through the thin material of their 70's outfits.

Julio was awestruck by the feelings coursing through his body, and he absently ran his fingers through Jesse's hair as he tried to absorb it all. He was shocked from his contemplation by a hand slipping between their bodies followed by a giggle as the hand explored their still-stiff nether regions.

"We really made a mess, didn't we Sir?" Jesse giggled as he continued his exploration.

Julio leaned his head back enough to turn it and kiss Jesse's cheek. "Enough with the 'Sir' already, cute stuff. I swore that nobody would touch me down there unless I was planning on marrying them. Between all the stuff I learned when Cory moved back home and me helping Johnny and Eddie, I even stopped dating. It's a good thing I did too; I'd hate to have to explain to my girlfriend that she's being replaced by a hot blond boy from Idaho. You're the first guy I've ever felt like this about; and I really hope it works out." 

"I guess I better make it official then!" Jesse giggled as he quickly thrust his hand inside Julio's waistband. Julio was once again unable to speak as his body responded to the first ever touch from another person. The next thing he knew, Jesse was kissing him and a damp hand was down the back of his pants pulling him close to his new boyfriend. 

Suddenly Julio realized that they were making out in the middle of the dance floor. His panic quickly subsided when he pulled his head back enough to look around; over three-quarters of the kids on the dance floor were doing the same thing, with the rest watching quietly while cuddled into little groups.

As Julio relaxed into the hug once again, he realized what had just happened. For as long as he had known Cory, the blond had caused a weird effect whenever he was around. Kids who at any other time would be at each other's throats if in the same room would get along like best friends if Cory happened to be in the area. As he thought more about it, he realized that those who Cory established friendship with seemed to start going the extra little bit to look out for others. 'Busted, Cory!' Julio thought with a giggle. He reached down and took the hand of Jesse that wasn't busy feeling up his butt. "C'mon Jes'; if you want to be the boyfriend of a Division Head you better ask permission from the boss!"

Jesse looked at Julio in wonder. "If you want it si.. Julio.. that is all that matters to me."

Julio gave Jesse's hand a squeeze. "What you want is what matters to me, and you're about to have your chance to say it." With that, Julio gently guided Jesse through the crowd towards the table that Cory had landed at.

Once they were almost to the table, Julio gave Jesse a quick kiss. "I need to thank Cory for giving you a reason to hug me. Don't run off; I don't want to lose you."

"Okay." Jesse replied, his mind just starting to understand that Julio actually cared about what hethought. He followed along, and stood back a few feet as Julio walked up and gave a two-in-one hug to the still-seated Cory and Sean.

"Thanks Cory." Julio whispered. "Thanks forever." He stood back up, then giggled as he added "Next time give some warning though! Thanks to you, now I've gotta change my shorts, and I'll bet a lot of others do too!"

Before Cory could respond, Julio turned and reached out for Jesse to join him. In the few seconds it took for Jesse to take residence under Julio's arm, Kyle's voice came through in Cory's head.

'Take it easy with Jesse, the new kid, bro; the way he was standing reminded me of Elf, so I scanned him. He's been through the same kinda stuff as Lil'elf, except there was no pain involved for Jesse.'

'Thanks Kyle!' Cory sent back as him and Sean stood to meet Jesse.

Julio stood tall with pride as he made the introductions, pointing out who he was referring to as he went. "The little guys are Tyler and Kyle; if I tried to tell you anything about them you'd think I was crazy. Over here is Sean Short; he's the Clan Historian. Last but not least, Cory Short, Patriarch of Family Clan Short."

Kyle and Tyler both played up the 'kid' role, giving Jesse a welcome hug from the side. Sean went next, adding a 'welcome to the family' as he broke the hug. Cory went last, and as he broke the hug he placed a hand on each of Jesse's shoulders. "Welcome home, Jesse. I was told by someone I trust with my life that I could help you. Are you willing to let me help?"

Jesse looked Cory in the eye just like he had been taught to when speaking to an elder. What he saw made his chest all warm and fuzzy; he saw absolute caring and love. "If you say that there is something that you can help me with, I will accept your help Sir." Jesse replied carefully.

Cory nodded, Jesse's response confirming Kyle's scan. "By the power invested in me by the Vulcan High Council and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, I hereby release you from all claims of bondage and servitude which have been made either directly or indirectly over your person. Effective immediately you are a free being with all rights and responsibilities granted a member of Family Clan Short."

"Can you do that, Sir?" Jesse asked.

Julio giggled. "Wrong question cutie. It's not can he do it? It's who has the balls to try to stop him! It takes the entire Vulcan Council to override what he just said; the chances of that happening are less than zero."

"I'd believe him, Jesse," a small newcomer said from behind Cory, "You got some big bros backing you now. And my Daddy and Grandpa made it so that Blondie can say it. And Grandma Lizzy too!"

Cory's face grew wide with a smile, for he had immediately recognized the voice. He then felt a poke in the small of his back, "Working? Naughty Cory! You are sentenced to give the Royal Elf a five minute snuggle!"

Cory giggled as he reached behind him and pulled Joel around to his front so that he could place his arms across Joel's chest. "Jesse, it's for real. May I introduce you to His Royal Highness, Sa'ren Joel Short, King of the Elves and Official Family Cookie Monster."

Joel raised a small bag he had slung at his waist and offered it to Jesse. "Choco-chip cookie?"

Out of habit, Jesse looked to Cory for permission. At Cory's nod, Jesse put his hand in the bag and pulled out a cookie that barely fit through the opening. With wide eyes, Jesse looked at Joel. "Thank you, Your Highness; may I ask how you got so many cookies into such a little bag? It's almost like one of those 'Bag of Holding' things that my Dad used to talk about when he played D&D with his friends!"

Joel turned the bag so that the symbol on the side could be seen. "The Doctor gave it to me. It's bigger inside than outside," he explained. "You can call me Joel. I'm only Highness or Sir to our enemies."

Jesse smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Joel."

Joel then looked inside the bag. "This shouldn't be this heavy... it makes things a lot lighter, but you can still tell... huh! Jules? Come out of there, kiddo!" he giggled. He placed the bag on the floor and stretched the top open wider.

Laughing, a furry face poked its way out, "I like cookies, but there's no shinys in here, Daddy Joel! Ricky lied! Bad Ricky!"

"Wrong pocket," Joel giggled as he opened the side flap and pulled out an old gold English sovereign from the 19th century. "Here, sweetie. Come on, out you come," he continued as he gave the coin to the furry boy-like creature and pulled him from the bag.

Jules seemed about two foot tall, and his body was very thin and long. His arms and legs seemed oddly shorter in proportion than they should have been, and his tail was long and thick. His cute face was topped by a blue baseball cap... and that was all this kid was wearing.

He sat himself easily on one of Joel's shoulders while licking the 'Shiny', and blinking at those around him.

Cory looked over at Kyle, who just shrugged and grinned. Tyler wasn't any help either, his grin was even wider than Kyle's. "Umm, Lil'elf, could you maybe fill me in a little about what you've been up to?" Cory asked while giving Joel's hair a loving rustle.

"Yeah, and does he have any brothers that would like to live in Des Moines?" Julio added. "I think that me and Jesse could handle someone like him around!"

"Yous not taking Verne! He's MY brudder!" Jules giggled.

Joel reached up and scratched the boy's belly lightly. "This is one of my new kids, bros. Kev and I got a few more to add to Rafe earlier today. As for who and how, you don't need to worry or know right now. Just enjoy your holiday and we'll tell you on Monday."

He then looked at Julio, "You don't want any of Jules' and Verne's other brothers. They are kleptomaniacs. My two ain't, and that's a bad thing in their case."

"Can I cuddles with the big bushy top one, Daddy Joel?" Jules asked, pointing at Sean.

Joel giggled and lifted him off his shoulder. "Sure. This is your Uncle Sean," he said as he handed him over. Then, "What have you done to your hair? And why?" he asked them all. "And why do I smell large amounts of sperm around here?"

As Julio and Cory did a very good reenactment of Cory's earlier blush, Kyle, Ty, and Sean broke into giggles. Jesse simply looked at Joel and explained. "If I understand Julio's comment right, Patriarch Cory is the one who sent out a wave of love, which caused a lot of the guys here to have orgasms. I had two, and Julio had three, that's why the front of our pants have wet spots. The hair thing is because this is a seventies dance and this is how they did their hair back then. That reminds me, I need to get Patriarch Cory's permission to be Julio's boyfriend."

Joel, giggling, looked at the red face his brother was sporting. "Cory's on holiday. I'm in charge of the Clan right now," he smiled at Jesse. "May I touch your forehead?"

Jesse nodded slowly, and Joel laid two fingers on the boy's temple. He then looked at Julio and did the same. Then, "As the Grandson of Sarek and Heir to House Surak, I do hereby endorse your Beginnings. When you wish to go for a Joining Review-Meld, it shall be open to you."

Jesse cocked an eyebrow at Joel, then looked at Cory.

Cory managed, "Ummm, you're now engaged... sorta... in other words, Julio is your boyfriend... and more..."

"Does that mean there won't be any more crusty socks in the laundry?" Johnny asked as he walked up and wrapped his arms around his big brother. "I hope so; Mom's about out of rubber gloves... again!"

Julio felt it was best to remain quiet.

"I'm gonna mingle a bit... you finished checking Sean's hair for shinys, Jules?" Joel giggled as he stood on tippy toes and kissed Cory's cheek.

Cory glanced over at his husband and burst out laughing, for the lower half of Jules' thin body was only just sticking out of the vast hair on Sean's head. Sean was laughing and holding the boy steady as well.

"Uh huh. No shinys! Ah well!" Jules called out as he squirreled out and plopped to the floor.

"Come on then, little furball. Let's see if others have shinys to give you..." Joel said as he held out his hand.

Kyle giggled, "Check my hair, Jules."

Jules grinned widely and ran over to the small Mikyvis and stuck his snout into Kyle's hair. A loud squeal of triumph came a second later and Jules' face emerged with a small silver cup held by his teeth. He spat it into his tiny hands and started jumping about crying happily, "Shiny! I gotta Shiny!"

"It's yours, little one!" Kyle giggled as he picked up the little guy and gave him a hug. "Welcome to the family!"

"Unca Leevee is wite! You a nice Daddy. Can I calls ya Poppa Kyle? Daddy Kev and Daddy Joel says dat us Clan Kids can have lotsa daddies and stuffs... Daddies are almost as nice as Shinys!" Jules squeaked out quickly, his brown eyes soulfully looking into Kyle's.

"Sure thing little guy! You know, that means that Levi, Dylan, and Bryce are your brothers now, right?" Kyle replied with a smile.

"Really? Me and Verne? Day our brudders for real?" the furry boy asked breathlessly.

Kyle and Tyler nodded with soft smiles on their faces. "And my Ty can be your Poppa Ty too, if you want. Both of you." Kyle added.

"And Aslan and Shere Khan and Brian and Sue and Lee toos? AND Rafey?" Jules rushed out.

The two Mikyvis kids nodded and talked softly with the small boy, while Cory turned Joel to face him. "Eight kids in one day? You going for the record, Elf?" he giggled.

"Uh huh!" Joel grinned.

"Don't tell Kyle there is a competition; he's got an advantage and he'll win every time." Sean giggled before turning to Jesse and pulling him off to the side. "I have an idea what your life was like, you were taught some very good things but were taught to apply them in 'unusual' ways. You should really get with Joel sometime; there is a lot that you have in common despite the differences in what you lived through before you became part of our Family."

Jesse nodded. "I will do as you ask, Sean."

At the same time, Cory had whispered to Joel, "Meld. I need to tell you some stuff."

Joel nodded and quickly joined his mind to his brother's. A minute later, he broke the contact, "If Julio wants to, I'll talk to them both after. Otherwise, just Jesse. One thing I know, Cor, is that your hugs and Sean's hugs are the bestest things to help heal those like me and Jesse. You do your thing, then Jesse and I can help each other after. I think I can pick up a thing or two from him."

Johnny interrupted Cory's response. "Uncle Cory? You made Julio's hugs more specialer when you did that love wave thing! He hugs like you now, thanks a ton!"

"I's finished now, Daddy Joel! Can wes go dance and stuffs and finds more Shinys?" Jules called as he ran over on all fours, which seemed a far more graceful way for him to move than on his short back legs.

Joel picked up his son and nodded. "Yuppers. Let's go see some of the guys." He then winked at Cory and mouthed, "Later."

Cory nodded and did as Joel had suggested: he pulled Jesse over and gave him a big hug.

Jesse returned the hug, and as he pulled away he commented "Now I know where Julio learned to hug! The only difference is he gives me a stiffie when he does it!"

Cory grinned. "Boyfriends do that - a lot! Enjoy it!"

"Okay, I'm about due to get another stiffie again!" Jesse grinned as he turned and got Julio's attention. "Julio? Is it okay if I have another hug from you? Cory says I should enjoy your hugs."

Julio came over and wrapped his arms around Jesse. "You don't ever have to ask again, cutie. I'm yours now; you get hugs any time you wish."

Jesse melted into Julio's arms, silent tears of joy springing forth as Julio's words sank in. Two simple words, 'I'm yours'; simple but unheard of in Jesse's short life. Possession was a concept which Jesse only knew by being one; there was never a time when he could say anything or anyone was 'his' unless he was stating a family relationship. His father had successfully managed to purge fright from his emotional inventory, so all Jesse felt was a little unease at the fact he was now free. Love was allowed within tight bounds, but those bounds were destroyed by Cory's wave, allowing Jesse to feel a love that benefited himself for the very first time. No matter how he looked at it in his mind, Jesse could only come to one conclusion; for the first time in his life he was a partner with someone. With that one conclusion, Jesse opened his heart completely to Julio, and with that one action, Julio's love began to weaken the shackles of Jesse's past.

---

An hour later:

Cory smiled as he glanced at the newly-christened 'Armchair Section' as him and Sean decided to take a break from dancing. Before Joel had left, he had performed a Meld with Julio and Jesse; once he found out there were no comfortable seats for them to cuddle in and recover, Joel make a quick call to Levi. After some quick replicator work, a few seconds later comfortable armchairs began appearing on one end of the gym. As he reached the table they had sat at when they first came in, Cory was able to see that Julio and Jesse had fell asleep in each other's arms.

Sean turned two chairs so that they could watch the dance floor while they rested their legs, then the two boys took a seat. A few seconds later, Johnny and Eddie came walking up, each carefully carrying two glasses of soda.

"You looked thirsty, Uncle Cory." Johnny said as he handed Cory one of the drinks.

"We as getting' drinks anyway, so we got you some!" Eddie added as he gave one of his to Sean.

Cory giggled and motioned both boys to join them. "Thanks guys!" he replied, figuring it would ruin it to note that just after he had told Sean they should take a break when the next song started, he had seen the two little ones running off the floor towards the concession stand.

"Do you want me to hold your drink while you climb up here for some snuggles?" Sean asked Eddie, as he saw that Johnny was already half-way onto Cory's lap.

Eddie glanced at his brother, then shyly nodded his head. "Johnny says you are good people." he commented as he handed Sean his drink then carefully took a seat on Sean's lap. Once seated, Sean handed Eddie his drink back, then put his arm around Eddie out of habit.

Eddie stiffened for a second, then relaxed and giggled softly. "You give nice snuggles." he whispered just loud enough for Sean to hear.

Sean smiled and gave him a light squeeze. "You're a good snuggler."

This brought on a fresh round of soft giggles from Eddie as he finished relaxing into Sean's chest. The four of them just sat and watched as the assembled kids enjoyed themselves on the dance floor. As the most recent song ended, Coach Simmons came over the PA.

"It took some looking, but I finally found the perfect song for our next Spotlight Special." Coach Simmons announced. "There are only two people here tonight who could really do this song justice; Mont and Bast, could you please take center stage?"

Everyone watched, curious as to what the Coach had up his sleeve. As the first notes of "Stray Cat Strut" hit the airwaves, both Mont and Bast got huge toothy grins on their faces. For the next three minutes, the tuxedo-clad lions hammed it up in the spotlight, tails high as they entertained the watching crowd. Cory and Sean barely managed to hold onto the two boys on their laps, as all four were laughing at the antics of the 'stars' of the moment.

As the song ended, Mont and Bast grabbed JJ and Adam out of the edge of the crowd, spinning them into the spotlight as Mont and Bast took their places. As the first notes of "Disco Inferno" hit them, the two boys grinned as they put everything they had into showing off the dance moves they had learned. During the six plus minutes of the song, Jesse, Julio, Cory, Sean, Johnny, and Eddie joined the sidelines -- Jesse and Julio having been woke up by the cheers during the cat's performance.

JJ and Adam were covered in sweat as the song began to wind down.

JJ leaned into Adam. "Looks like Julio found someone!"

Adam giggled as he prepared to give JJ a final spin. "Targets acquired, prepare for launch!"

JJ nodded, and as the final note played, they placed themselves so that they could spin Julio and Jesse into the spotlight.

Having not seen Mont and Bast pull JJ and Adam out, the two boys were surprised to suddenly find themselves in the spotlight. At first they started slow, but as the lyrics of "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" filtered into their consciousness, they got into the groove and began giving an awesome performance. Julio 'led' Jesse in the dance moves, since Jesse did not have the benefit of a Mikyvis dance course. By the half-way point of the seven minute song, everyone there was singing along with the chorus, all clapping their hands to the beat as they watched their leader and his new partner.

Before the song was over, Julio knew who his target would be for the next song. He made sure that they were in position as the song wound down, and he quickly grabbed his two favorite Mikyvis and slung them onto the dance floor. Kyle and Ty giggled as Abba's "Take a Chance on Me" hit their senses. The two boys obviously had fun, and made sure that Cory and Sean knew what their plans were for the next song well before it was time. As the first notes of "Y.M.C.A." played, Johnny and Eddie followed the instructions Cory had passed to them and joined Kyle and Ty on the dance floor. The four kids had a blast acting out the song, their antics bringing smiles to everyone's faces.

Cory and Sean were well aware that the boys wanted them to be next, so they made their way into the spotlight as soon as Kyle motioned for them. Various groans followed by giggles reminded them quite plainly of what happened the last time they were featured, and after a few 'cleanup in aisle three!' comments from some of the older kids, their song started. A strange static seemed to fill the air as "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" began playing, causing even those sitting in the Armchair Section to pay attention. To everyone's relief, their were no more emotional waves sent out during the dance, but as it wound down they all felt a sense of foreshadowing in the words of the song.

As "Night Fever" started to play, Cory waved for the rest of the kids to join them. In no time, the dance floor was filled with kids doing their interpretation of the dance moves from the movie; the earlier feelings pushed to the back of their minds.

---

Later that night:

"Cory, do you realize how many nervous teens there were when you and Sean started dancing to "Last Dance" at the end of the party?" Julio giggled as they walked out of the building.

"Bite me, Julio." Cory replied softly, trying not to wake Johnny, who was happily sleeping on his shoulder.

"Like you would have complained!" Sean added, shifting Eddie to a more comfortable position for both of them.

"I wouldn't have!" Jesse announced with a grin.

"You don't have fur!" Mont and Bast replied in unison, causing both cats to break into giggles.

"Where's an open pool when you need one?" JJ giggled to Adam, as they made sure Casey and Tina were comfortable in their arms.

"Not right now, bro... later." Kyle replied after interrupting his kiss with Tyler. "Cor, your arms are gonna be dead if you carry Johnny all the way home. Do you want us to save the walking?"

Cory thought over his answer for a second. For the first time since the attack, Kyle and Tyler had let loose and allowed themselves to just be normal kids during the dance. From the tone in Kyle's voice, he really didn't want to let that go; but his concern for Cory made him ask anyway. "I like that idea, but hows about you just take us to Julio's driveway so that I can convince his parents to let us kidnap their sons for a sleepover? I think I can handle walking home carrying this angel from there."

Kyle smiled back at Cory, quite happy with the compromise. "Okay Bro; one driveway coming up."

In the blink of an eye, the group found themselves standing in front of Julio's house. Cory took the lead with a giggle as they went up to the door. "Hey Ma, I'm Home!" Cory announced with a laugh as soon as he walked in the door.

Julio's mom, Janice, chuckled as she came over and managed to give Cory a hug without crushing Johnny in the process. "It's about time! What have I told you about running around the Universe without giving a call?"

Cory tried to fake a pout, but his giggles prevented it from being convincing. "Sorry, my cell phone doesn't work outside the atmosphere!"

"I see he's back to being the prankster of the group!" Janice laughed as she moved over to welcome Sean. "It's nice seeing that smile back on your face, Sean; I thought you lost it there for a while."

"If you knew what Cory did to give him that smile, you wouldn't think it was nice." JJ giggled under his breath.

"Oh, I've got a really good idea." Janice replied, causing JJ to turn beet red. "Would you mind introducing your comedian trainee and his obvious partner in crime, Cory?"

Cory snuck a glance at Julio, and could tell by the expression on his face that the distraction was giving him time to figure out how to break the news to his Mom that Jesse was moving in. He stepped forward a few steps, then started the introductions. "That is JJ Richardson, one of my 'blood brothers' is probably the easiest way to explain it. The little guy in his arms is Casey, he's the son of a friend of my Mom. Next to him is Adam, he's one of my adopted brothers, and he's holding Casey's sister Tina. Next to them is our brother Tyler, and the cute kid trying to hide behind him is my 'blood brother' Kyle, who happens to be JJ's little brother. The furry guy who just poked Kyle is Mont, and the other furry guy is Bast, they are Sean and I's Security as well as being family."

The flash of a camera made them all pause for a second. The deep bass chuckle from the doorway told Cory what had just happened without even looking. "Mick! You KNOW that I hate having my picture taken!" Cory whined.

"Someone has to keep records to show your grandkids!" Mick replied as he walked into the room. "Welcome home guys, and it's nice to meet the rest of you. Julio, are you going to introduce us to your boyfriend, or do I need to break out your baby pictures?"

As Julio stood there like a fish out of water, Janice added her opinion. "At least you got good taste son! If I was twenty-five years younger and single you would have had a fight!"

Now that BOTH boys were doing imitations of stop lights, Cory decided to add some fuel to the fire. "Janice, Mick, meet your soon-to-be son-in-law Jesse Crowley."

"CORY!!!" Julio and Jesse chorused as their blushes expanded. "How did you figure it out, Dad?" Julio added.

"The stains on your pants, along with the puppy-dog eyes that Jesse there was giving you, son." Mick chuckled. "I'm not too old to forget what it's like being a teen."

"Give them a chance to recover before they set off the fire system, hon!" Janice said as she cuddled into her husband's side. "I'm impressed though."

It took a few minutes for the couple to recover enough to be able to interact with the others. While they were waiting, Cory, Sean, JJ, and Adam put their armfulls of kids on the couch. Kyle stayed cuddled up to Tyler, his renewed shyness in full effect.

Cory worked his way over to the little Mikyvis and lifted him into a cuddle. "What's the matter, bro?"

Kyle shrugged. "Dunno. This cuddle feels nice though."

Cory smiled knowingly. "You can relax, they are good people and I trust them totally bro. You think that you can trust the word of your big bro?"

"I trust you bro; I guess they're just a little too bouncy." Kyle replied softly.

Cory kissed Kyle's forehead. "I love you Munchkin; and I think you'll like them once you know them."

Kyle nodded slowly, clinging to Cory. Mick carefully walked up to join them, making sure that he was in Kyle's line of sight as he approached. "So you're the famous Kyle Richardson?" he asked softly. "I'm happy to see that you still let yourself be a kid. Did you have fun tonight?"

Kyle nodded his head, his grip on Cory making it plain that he was not planning on going anywhere any time soon.

Mick smiled. "Good, when Julio came up with the idea for those dances, we figured that it would give everyone a chance to unwind. Everyone, no matter what their age, needs some 'kid time' every once in a while. People who don't get it tend to become really crabby."

Kyle nodded his head once again, then carefully reached out a hand and touched Mick's face. Mick stayed perfectly still, somehow knowing that Kyle was checking him out in his own way. After a few seconds, Kyle released his hold on Cory and held his arms out to Mick. Mick gently took Kyle from Cory and allowed him to get comfortable in his arms.

Cory smiled as he saw that Kyle had decided to trust Mick, and he leaned over to kiss Kyle's cheek before turning to see what he was missing. He couldn't help but giggle when he saw that Janice was busily taking turns fawning over her son and his boyfriend. Julio had finally got over his embarrassment, and was beaming with pride at his mother's comments about Jesse. The rest of the group had taken a seat wherever they could find one, watching the show with grins on their faces.

"I guess this means me asking if your sons can stay the night at my place is kinda out, huh Mick?" Cory commented as he watched Janice fawn over Jesse's hair.

Mick chuckled. "I think that it'd be a good idea if they did. If there is anyone that can give Julio advice on making it as a teen couple, it's you and Sean. As far as Johnny and Eddie go; today was the first time either one of them has been excited to go anywhere, so I have no problem with them enjoying themselves as long as possible."

Cory smiled. "You can thank the little angel in your arms for helping the munchkins, Mick. His natural charm worked a miracle."

"Cory!" Kyle giggled softly. "All I did was be a friend!"

"Sometimes that is all it takes, little one." Mick said softly. "Just a little friendship from the right person can work miracles."

Cory giggled as Kyle hid his face in Mick's shoulder. "Lil' bro, I think he got ya. You want me to wake your cuteness trainees?"

Kyle giggled as he nodded his head. "Yeah, maybe all of us can save Jesse from his new mommy-in-law!"

"I heard that!" Janice laughed. "Can I help it that Julio got his taste in men from me? Too bad I'm not about twenty-five years younger, or I'd be fighting my son over his boyfriend!"

"MOM!!" Julio exclaimed as he turned red from head to toe. "That's just WRONG!!!"

"Hey! What am I, chopped liver?" Mick laughed.

Kyle tilted his head up and licked Mick's cheek. "Nope... you taste more like a pretzel... kinda salty." he giggled.

Cory shook his head with a grin. "JJ, Adam? You guys wanna wake up the angels and help them get things to spend the night? Casey and Tina can help them pick out some toys if they want to take something with them."

"That sounds like a good idea." Mick agreed. "I'll take care of giving this little angel his daily requirement of snuggles." he added as he gave Kyle a squeeze.

"And I'll get his little partner caught up on his." Janice added as she turned and picked up Tyler.

"I LIKE that plan!" Tyler giggled as he snuggled in her arms.

---

Fifteen minutes later:

As the group of kids started down the road towards home, Mick and Janice watched them from the front porch. "You know, I get the funny feeling that things are about to get very interesting." Janice muttered as she watched the group turn the corner.

"You can say that again." Mick stated as he turned just in time to see three Vulcan technicians beaming into the front yard....

---

"Five... four... three..." Cory giggled as he looked at his watch while walking.

"CORY MADE HIM WHAT??!!" they heard being yelled by Janice from behind them.

"Guys, I think the best action at the moment would be... RUN!" Sean giggled as he started jogging.

"Wait for us!" Johnny, Eddie, Casey, and Tina exclaimed as they ran to keep up with Sean. The rest of the group followed Sean's lead, all giggling as they made their way home a little faster than planned.

As they reached the yard, they found Teri standing as the door shaking her head with a grin. "Did you guys forget to tell some parents about a few things?"

Cory giggled. "Nope; we knew they would find out soon enough! Payback for Julio's mom trying to steal his boyfriend!"

"You are just EVIL!" Teri laughed. "Get in here, before the lynch mob finds you!"

"We got the adults outnumbered, we ain't worried!" Tyler giggled.

"That seems to be the story of my life!" Teri chuckled. "Get in here before you all decide to take over the universe!"

"How did you know what our plans for next week are?" Adam asked with a grin as he went through the doorway, unsuccessfully trying to avoid a playful swat from Teri.

As the kids headed into the Rec Room to unwind from their evening, Teri gently pulled Sean and Cory off to the side. "Your brother is waiting for you guys in Cory's bedroom. He says that you two need to come on up there for a few minutes."

Cory tilted his head then grinned. "I wonder if Saints are affected by empaths?"

"If so, I'm sure we'll hear about it!" Sean giggled as he put his arm around Cory's waist. "C'mon babe, let's see what Angel-Boy has up his wings this time."

"Angel-feathers!" Cory responded as he leaned over and kissed Sean fully on his lips. Once they were done exchanging tonsils, they started up the stairs.

They stopped outside the door, Cory turning Sean to face him. "You know what?" Cory started softly, "I love you more than anything, even more after tonight. After all of the crap I've put you through, you still love me. Tonight you showed me just what I meant to you as you made sure everyone knew that I belong to you. You showed everyone how much you love me with every chance you could get. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I thank God that He gave me the present of your love."

Sean pulled Cory even closer. "You didn't put me through anything, hot stuff. If I had to go through everything all over again I would as long as it means that I have you. I didn't really understand just how much you meant to me until I almost lost you. If it is possible, I love you more because of what has happened. I'll never stop loving you. In fact, without you I don't think I could really survive."

"You're just as stubborn as you are cute." Cory giggled as he kissed Sean's nose. He started to lean in to explore Sean's tonsils, but was interrupted by Mikey's voice from inside the bedroom.

"Could you two horndogs stop feeling each other up and get your skinny butts in here?" Mikey laughed. "I have two grown men in here who are getting a really interesting opinion of you two."

"Mikey!" both boys exclaimed as they began blushing. "Do you HAVE to interrupt EVERY intimate moment we have!"

"Yes, it's my job. Now get your horny butts in here!" Mikey responded with a chuckle.

"You are sooooo dead Angel-Boy!" Cory giggled as him and Sean wrestled with the doorknob, each of them trying to turn it in a different direction.

"You mean you noticed?" Mikey said as the door popped open. "You'd think at your ages you two would have figured out how to turn a doorknob by now."

"Bite me, Mikey." Cory and Sean chorused as they walked over to the bed and sat down, Cory holding Sean on his lap.

"Okay Mikey, what is so important that you had to interrupt me helping Cory with his Family Planning homework?" Sean asked with a grin.

"You both really need help with "Family Planning" homework if you're trying it together... you see, you need a BIRD and a Bee... not just two bees, bros!" Mikey responded with a grin.

"He don't complain!" Cory and Sean both chorused, each pointing at the other.

"So I've heard...." Mikey replied. "Despite the fact we have all of Eternity to discuss your favorite form of exercise, do you two think that you can control yourselves long enough to have some visitors?"

Cory and Sean looked at each other, then stuck out their tongues at their big brother.

"I'll take that as a 'yes', so try to behave!" Mikey giggled. A few seconds later, two men appeared standing next to him.

"Glory be, Lad, you be a spittin' image of your mother!" the blond gentleman next to Mikey stated as he fixed his eyes on Cory.

"You got that right, Uncle Pat." Mikey said as he nodded. "Aunt Cheri thinks so too!"

Cory's head snapped to look at Mikey, his eyes going wide. After a few seconds, he turned and stared at Pat. "Daddy?" Cory asked incredulously.

Pat nodded his head, and before another breath was taken Sean found himself on the floor as Cory launched himself at his father. Fortunately, Mikey had anticipated that, and had gotten permission for the spirits to appear in a solid form. The other spirit walked over with a grin and offered his hand to Sean to help him up. "Like father like son, I would say. You landed yourself a lively one, Sean... your Mom has good reason to be proud of both of you. I sure am; it's not every father who can say one of his sons is a Saint in Heaven and his other one is a Saint on Earth."

"Michael, I think ye be messin with your little lad's head a wee bit much. Get to hugging him, less I have Little Mike give you a wee bit of persuasion." Pat said with a grin as he caressed the back of the blond leech securely attached to him.

Sean's eyes got wide as he pieced together what Pat's comment meant. Within seconds, he was wrapping his arms around Michael, silent tears of joy at seeing his father streaming down his face.

Pat chuckled. "He be just like you was, Michael. Look good Cor; they be twins separated by a generation. If I dinna know better I'd be sayin they's the same person."

Cory simply smiled. Words just refused to come to his lips at that moment. He simply smiled, and hugged his father all the tighter.

Mikey just smiled, and held his wings out as two slightly confused Mikyvis found themselves occupying each of his arms. "You guys have earned this." Mikey said to Ty and Kyle. "Besides, your stepfathers insisted that you get to meet them properly too."

About a minute later, as both Sean and Cory were still silently latched on to their fathers, Teri quietly came through the door with Johnny in her arms. As she headed over to sit on the edge of the bed, she gave the occupants of the room a tearful smile. "Thank you for doing this Mikey; if it wasn't for you already being a Saint I would say that this qualifies you as one. You have just gave your brothers something they have needed for a very long time."

"You can say that again, Sis." Cheri said as she appeared along with Davey. "Mikey's little helper here was sitting with me as we watched the reunion. We can catch up in a few; right now I think my son needs to become the filling in a spirit sandwich!"

As Teri nodded, Cheri went over and joined her husband in comforting Cory.

Mikey looked over at Davey with raised eyebrows. Davey giggled as he answered the unasked question. "Just because you're the boss don't mean I can't look out for them too! They're my brothers now as well as yours. Cory needs them both, so instead of you having to go get her, I took care of it."

"I always knew Sean was the smart one," Ty giggled with an impish grin up at Mikey's face.

"Bite me, Turtle!" Mikey responded with a grin.

Ty looked up at Mikey, tears suddenly springing to his eyes. "Nobody's called me that since you died." he whispered.

"I know; and I'm proud of you for finally sticking your head out of your shell." Mikey replied lovingly as he pulled Tyler in tighter to his side.

Kyle grinned shyly. "Looks like I'm the only one not crying," he said with a hesitant whisper. "Can someone say something nice to me so I can cry too? I've not had happy tears in a while..."

Johnny motioned for Kyle to join him on Teri's lap. Once Kyle was comfortable, Teri wrapped her arms around the two boys. "Kyle, you're still the lovable shy little guy who was 'just here for the shoulder rides' two and a half months ago. I'm proud to call you one of my sons, because you still have that spark that makes every day with you special. I think you shared that spark with Johnny today; I see the same look in his eyes that you get when things are not crazy. I love you little man; and no matter what, that will never change."

"Thanks.... Mommy," Kyle whispered as he hid his face in Teri's neck.

Cory smiled through his own wet eyes; it looked like Kyle just got his wish. He then looked up at Pat. "Daddy, why did you have to leave me?"

Pat tilted his head down to kiss the top of Cory's head. "It was me time, son. I kinna think Our Father was thinkin it be best to be watchin my favorite laddie from Up High."

Cory buried his face in Pat's shoulder, once again falling quiet. Sean looked up into his father's eyes as he asked softly "Have you been watching us too, Daddy?"

Michael nodded. "Every moment. Pat and I both are always watching you two; we knew that you two had something special way back when Cory used to insist on giving you his pacifier. Neither one of you were talking yet, but he'd always manage to find a way to get over to you, and next thing we knew his pacifier was out of his mouth and into yours."

"So that is where he got that habit from!" Sean giggled softly.

"You might say that; you two have came up with ideas that Pat and I never though of!" Michael chuckled. "I can tell you where you got the gene that makes you like boys... that one came from me. Your Mom is the first and only woman that ever interested me, so seeing you and Cory getting together was no surprise."

"You're not mad that I'll never make any babies?" Sean asked softly.

"Not at all; you've collected a group of grandkids and great-grandkids for your Mom and I that make me very proud." Michael replied seriously. "They may not be related by blood, but they are related by something much stronger... Love."

"Thank you Daddy." Sean said with a smile as he leaned back into Michael.

Pat grinned. "Aye, Laddie." he said as he gave Cory a squeeze. "You an' Sean 'ave always been kinna tight. I canna help wonderin if ye might be makin a lil' laddie or lass as much as ye be tryin'!"

Cory giggled as he began to blush. "Daddy!"

"Don't be worryin your head, Cory. I'm thinkin you got ye stamina from myself." Pat chuckled.

"Ain't that the truth!" Cheri piped up. "I think the only reason you started dating me is Michael was complaining about not getting any sleep! That brings up something else though. Davey, would you mind helping me when we are done here?"

Davey nodded. "Our Father has already assigned the Task to me. He has decided that it is Time; the Lessons have been learned."

"Thanks, sweetie. It's no wonder Jerry idolizes you; you're an Angel in more ways than the obvious."

"Aww mannn!" Davey groaned as he blushed to the tips of his wings.

"I warned you!" Mikey giggled. "Just wait; I've had to live through it from all four of them!"

"Yes, and you enjoyed every minute of it!" Teri and Michael said in unison.

"Daddy, what did you being hornier than a jack rabbit make Mommy just think of?" Cory asked innocently, the tone of his voice letting everyone present know that he had allowed himself to regress to the past to deal with freshly revived memories from his childhood.

Pat chuckled as Teri, Michael, and Cheri tried not to break out in laughter. "Laddie, me thinks Teri's been'a givin ye lessons!"

Mikey spoke up. "I think I can answer it better, Tigger. A promise was made a long time ago; a promise that has been kept to this day. Something will happen once you get your head straightened out the rest of the way; Something really good. When it happens, you will know what it is, but if you are told before it is Time then it will not go well. When the Event happens, just remember that it was arranged by Someone under Mandate; the revelation is your reward for following your Heart."

"Has he ALWAYS been this confusing?" Cory groaned.

"YES!" all of the adults said in unison.

"I know less now than I did before he started talking!" Cory giggled. "I hear you though, bro. You're sayin don't get pissed because of something I'd usually get pissed at because it's supposed to happen this way?"

"Pretty much!" Mikey chuckled. "I knew you'd figure it out!"

"Mommy? I think Mikey is worse than when Levi talks to his 'Friend'!" Kyle giggled.

Teri laughed. "I'll second that, Angel."

Kyle giggled harder as halos appeared above his, Ty's, and Johnny's heads. "There, now everyone knows who are Mommy's Angels!"

And as horns appeared over Cory and Sean's heads, Tyler giggled, "And her little devils!"

"What about me?" Mikey fake-pouted.

"Sean's told me somea the stuff you've done bro." Ty giggled. "You may be a Saint, but you sure ain't no Angel!"

"Teasin' poor Joel and Kev is tha last in a LONG list of things you've done!" Kyle added.

"Oh?" Sean asked as he grinned from his dad's arms.

"First time interruptions," Kyle stage whispered.

Cory went beet red as Pat chuckled. "Aye, that was a wee bit mean there, Laddie."

"Not nearly as bad as when your Mom caught you masturbating with a pair of panties you had bought from the store though, was it Mikey?" Michael said with a knowing smile.

Cory stopped blushing, and started choking - on his laughter, for he had fallen from his father's arms and was now rolling around on his back, howling madly.

As Pat leaned down to rescue his son, he added. "Aye, an' that be the last time Little Mike hid 'imself in the laundry to be relievin himself too."

Mikey had decided to remain silent and dignified, even if he was blushing every shade under the sun. Davey, on the other hand, was sitting back grinning widely. "I love reunions; you learn so much about people...."

"If Saint Peter hears about this, Davey, you and I are going to have words. Got it?" Mikey said, his voice even but his eyes dancing.

"You couldn't afford my silence, bro!" Davey retorted.

"If they're angels, I'd hate to meet a demon!" Johnny giggled from the cuddle he was enjoying with Teri. "You guys are lucky; Momma Teri gives awesome cuddles, even if her older sons are weird!"

Cory looked over at Johnny and smiled; based on what Julio had said, this was probably the first time in a long time the boy had grinned and laughed like he was doing now. "Just wait until you meet the rest of us; some of them make Mikey look normal!"

"I'll second that!" Mikey chuckled, inwardly glad that Johnny's shell was cracked without outside intervention. "I think watching a family get-together has become the favorite pastime of some of my friends!"

"Aye, that it has." Pat chuckled. "Mostly to see the Love all of you have, but the antics be well known throughout the Upper Realm."

"So THAT is where Elvis got the idea to toss Abe Lincoln in the pool?" Davey asked as he tried to restrain his laughter.

"One and the same!" Michael laughed. He looked around to ensure everyone had recovered their emotions from the initial meeting, then continued. "We need to thank three special little boys for taking the time to make their brothers happy. Kyle, Tyler, and Johnny visited with us a few years ago when we were teens. Pat and I were a couple as much as could be done back then, and both of us were really down about what our lives looked to be like. The visit from these three gave us hope, and is probably the only reason that we have sons on the Earth today. Thanks to those three, a whole group of kids are happy tonight. As we watched you guys at the dance, we realized two things. One was that we no longer needed to feel bad about not being here for you guys, and two was that seventies disco clothing looks absolutely weird no matter what species is wearing it!"

"You kinna argue that our lads were the handsomest ones there though, Mik." Pat said with a smile. "You boys made everyone smile, I ain't just speakin of your group orgasm either, son! You made this Ole Scottsman proud Cory; and soon you' be gettin the reward for keepin the family heritage."

"What heritage?" Cory asked curiously.

"Ye needs to ask me Uncle. He'd know, but he's not in line for it," Pat smiled.

"Who?" Sean quired.

"Why, Monty, o' course!" Pat replied with a grin.

"Monty?" Sean asked in confusion.

"You don't mean..." Teri started as her eyes grew wide. At the nod from Pat, she exclaimed "Oh shit! Just wait to find out guys; I think there will need to be some groundwork laid before this bombshell gets dropped. If we are not careful, this could be worse than letting Jory loose in a TNT factory."

"Aye Lass, that it may be." Pat chuckled. "I'm thinkin that Cor needs to be a lettin a few of those trees be replaced before he be needin more surprises. Will you trust Teri to know when it's time to be tellin ye the news, Cor?"

Cory looked up into his father's face with a grin. "Aye, she dinna do no wrong so far. I kinna argue about her timing, Dad."

Pat chuckled as he gave Cory a squeeze. "I kin see ye's been a practisin proper speakin. Why don't you an' the lads come with myself to be meetin the rest of the family while Michael does some handlin' of personal matters wit' Teri? When they are done they'll be joining us to take our leave."

Cory grinned and jumped up onto his feet. "Awesome! Come on guys!"

They rest of the group formed up behind Cory, Pat, and Cheri. Even Sean hung back slightly, sensing that this one time Cory needed to be able to stand by himself with his long-lost parents. Mikey was the last in the line, and he looked over his shoulder as he followed the group through the doorway. "Please listen to him, Mom." Mikey said before closing the door behind him.

As the boys trooped out with Pat and Mikey, Mike turned to Teri, "You. Come here. I've missed your hugs, and I have something to talk to you about, young lady!"

Teri smiled, yet a tear did trickle down her cheak. "I've missed you, Mike - more than you know."

"No," he murmured as he took her into his arms, "I do know. I've been watching."

Teri closed her eyes as Mike enveloped her in a tight hug, and she smiled happily.

"Before I get to my own concerns, love, there is something you need to know about one of your... our boys."

"Who?" she asked curiously.

"Sa'ren. Or Joel to you. Have you felt anything peculiar in his presence?" Mike asked seriously.

Teri thought, then nodded her head against Mike's shoulder, "Yes. I feel I've known him for a lot longer than just a few days."

"You have," Mike explained. "Remember telling me about how you were feeling before the news came in about the Transwarp Disaster?"

"Uhhh... oh, you mean when I thought I was having morning sickness?" she half giggled. "Yes, I re... wait, what are you meaning?" she said, as her face paled for she had a funny feeling about where this was heading. She knew the deeper import the Transwarp Disaster had for her family, after all.

"The instant Sa'ren was snatched from this Universe, you became ill," Mike explained. "Saint Peter explained it all to me. That boy was never meant to be lost, nor was he meant to remain in the care of T'Sara. She was destined to die young, but he... he was ALWAYS meant to be YOUR child... OUR child. As much as all your boys are yours, they are mine too. Spock's as well. You have always been recorded as 'Mother' to the Shaper, Teri. You have always been recorded as 'Mother' to those who will set this Universe aright. Our two boys, Cory, the Mikyvis... the Shaper... all of them. Even the least seeming are destined for something. But young Sa'ren... he was meant to have been yours since he was 3 years old."

"How could THAT have been? I'd never have met Spock or Joel or any of them at that time!"

"I wasn't meant to die, Teri. I died before my time. So did Pat. Something is working against us, but 'all things are worked for the good of those who love' as the Good Book says. If I'd have lived, we'd have met Spock and Sarek when I would have joined as a Civilian Worker in Starfleet. Remember why I was out of the house the day I died? Pat and I were going for the interviews... we'd have met and loved little Sa'ren then. When T'Sara WOULD, or SHOULD, have died, Spock would have come to us to ask us to be his parents while he was off planet with the Enterprise."

Teri was stunned into silence.

"We would have raised him, and Cory would never have lost his parents. So much was MEANT to be, but something changed. It was as if, when Sa'ren was snatched away, a 'force' went into fury and started lashing out."

"Wh...what do you mean?" Teri asked, her mouth dry.

"I cannot explain. I don't know, love. But even though so much is on a new path, this new path shines all the brighter. More has been done than the Book of Life had originally intended - and it all revolves around Cory, Sean, Joel, JJ, Adam, and the rest of them. But they cannot do their task without their 'mother' - You! Even though so much was destroyed by this 'enemy', that one thing has remained. You. You are the constant. But you are incomplete. So..."

"So 'what', love?" Teri asked, her mind spinning.

"I need you to listen now, love," Mike whispered, after making sure the boys were gone. "I need you to really listen this time."

Teri nearly chuckled, "Okay. This once, I'll listen to you."

"Good... because I don't want to have to get moody. Nor do I want to see you lonely forever..."

"Mike?" she murmured, pulling back to look at him questioningly.

"Shhh..." he smiled, placing a finger to her lips. "Listen..."

---

Rec Room:

Bruce looked up from watching Casey and Tina playing with the sabre-toothed kitten, and almost fell from his chair in shock as he saw who Cory was escorting into the room. "Pat? Cheri? I thought you were dead!"

"That we be, Bruce!" Pat chuckled. "Now don't ye be a passin out again, or I'll be needin to be requestin ice... again."

Cory had a huge grin on his face as he looked around the room, locking eyes with JJ, Adam and Kai as he scanned. "Guys, this is OUR Mom and Dad, Pat and Cheri Scott!"

Pat grinned as Cory proceeded to introduce everyone in the room. Once Cory was done, he nodded his head. "Laddie, you hava assembled one fine set of brothers for our family. Kai, as the newest brother ye need to be knowin that Our Father isa Blessin you with the best brothers ina universe!"

Kai tilted his head. "Why do the Spirits seem to always appear in my new family?"

"It's a side-effect of having a Saint as a combination big brother and guardian angel, little one." Cheri replied with a smile. "It doesn't help when you have a group of brothers who literally carry the hope of the Universe in their hearts."

Kai nodded. "I see the wisdom in that, Spirit Mother. The Legends of the Islands tell of a group that will one day restore peace to the tribes; my heart says that the group is now here."

"You can open your heart, Kai." Cheri said softly. "As I have watched this family grow, it has reminded me of a puzzle. Every piece has it's place, and there are no pieces left over when the puzzle is complete. Our Father has given you the honor of being a part of the puzzle, it is up to you how important of a piece of the puzzle you become."

"I will do as you suggest, Spirit Mother." Kai replied with a smile.

As Cheri and Kai were talking, Pat made his way over to JJ and Adam, Cory tagging along glued to his side. Pat looked JJ over before smiling at him. "I see that ye got your Mother's fire in ye veins, Lad. Royal blood it be too, from times far past. You have made myself and me wife proud many times over since ye joined our family, and I'm sure that you and Adam will continue to be the honorable lads that we all love."

JJ gave Pat a small smile. "Thanks. I never expected to actually get to meet Cory's parents, and now I can see where he gets his big heart from."

Cory reached out his free hand and put it on JJ's shoulder. "Bro, they are OUR parents. When we swore that pact, everything of mine became yours too, that includes OUR parents. That goes for you too, Adam."

Adam chuckled. "I knew that already, I got a Ty-Gram right after you told Ty and Kyle the same thing, bro! it's kewl knowing that I'm getting a bunch of awesome parents to make up for the old ones I got stuck with."

Pat laughed. "Ye be correct, Adam! JJ, ye need to know that any parent of a Clan member who has joined Our Father's Realms is part of a special group. We share our family on Earth between all of us, each watching the offspring of all the others."

Cheri smiled as she joined them. "The translation of that is that all of us Up There have decided that all of you are one family and as such so are all of us. I lost count of how many generations of Angels have come together as one family as you guys built your family here."

JJ leaned into Adam's side as he replied softly. "Thanks... Mom and Dad. I don't know how you can be proud of me though. I'm getting ready to do something really selfish just so I can be with Adam all of his life."

Pat reached out and lifted JJ's face to look him in the eyes. "Only Our Father knows if you are planning the right thing, James." Pat said, the tone of his voice showing that JJ was to listen carefully. "HE never sets a challenge without placing the right action in your heart, and He never leads one of His flock astray. While He does not tell me what His plans are, if you are listening to your heart you will not be led astray by your actions."

"I understand, Dad." JJ replied, his posture changing to reflect the confidence that Pat's speech had restored in him. "I guess it's best for me and Adam to sit down and really discuss what our hearts are telling us instead of what others think we should be doing.'

Pat and Cheri both nodded. "That is the best thing to do, for both of you." Cheri stated.

Cheri then looked at the two boys with a smile. "On a lighter note, I need to remind Teri to work on spoiling your kids more; you guys are getting it way too easy!"

"She don't need any encouragement!!" Adam and JJ giggled in unison.

"I heard that, you little rats!" Teri's voice announced from the stairs. "Just wait, you haven't seen anything yet!"

"BUSTED!" Cory, Sean, Kyle and Ty giggled in unison. Kai laughed as he added "I hope that you washed your feet before eating them, bruvs!"

Casey looked up from the game he was playing with Tina, noticing the blushing pair of boys. "Daddy? I didn't know people could glow like that!"

Bruce smiled as he replied "Unless Teri's changed, it's going to get worse!"

Julio, Jesse, Johnny, and Eddie all collapsed on the floor in giggles as they saw the expressions flash across JJ and Adam's faces.

Teri entered the room, Michael's arm over her shoulder. "Now why would I mention that I'm going to teach their sons the many uses for chocolate icing... except for JJ and Adam's favorite one that is." Teri commented with an innocent smile.

"You mean they finally settled on chocolate?" Michael asked.

As both JJ and Adam did very impressive imitations of space heaters, the two newest arrivals went over and gave them both hugs. Michael then turned and looked around at everyone in the room. "My Sons, the Nexus. All fathers dream of their sons making a small difference in life, yet in this room tonight I have the honor of returning to tell the core of my family that they have exceeded my wildest dreams. Never doubt your hearts... none of you, because what you have started is what this world has needed for a long time. Bruce, earlier you expressed to Teri a willingness to help; that makes you my brother by the rules our sons have put in place. Welcome to our family, and expect life to never be the same."

Michael then turned to Julio, Johnny, Eddie and Jesse. "Three J's working together has a history of doing wonders in this family. Tonight Cory gave you the greatest compliment he is capable of giving; the trust that you can continue what was started in this very house. Julio, Cory is rarely wrong, and in this case I know he made the right choice. Listen to your hearts; because by this time tomorrow, I think that you'll find that the four of you here tonight have formed your own core that will be just as unbreakable as the core that my sons have formed. Once the Past has been revealed, then the bond can form."

Julio looked at his three companions, and felt a spark of something entirely new to him ignite in his chest as he concentrated on what Michael had said. "What do you mean about the past?"

Michael shook his head. "That's not mine to tell, or even to fully know. What I do know is what Mikey has told me. You will know soon."

Julio looked over at Sean. "Now I see where you learned Confusion; it's genetic!"

Sean looked over at his father, and broke into a huge grin. "Thanks!"

---

To Be Continued...

---

AC's notes:

I know, this one is even longer than usual! Seriously, it is this long because I had a lot of things which had to be covered here before I could end the chapter. I'm really enjoying writing this, and am looking forward to finding out just where this is going!

This chapter cements the fact that this is a continuing story that runs alongside the rest of the CSU; while not Memories, it will continue the tradition in Des Moines.

Thank you for reading and hope that you enjoy this latest addition to the CSU.

AC

---

Archivists Notes:

Okay first all the wait for this chapter was worth it. Now to the bad news, it is going to be a while before I can edit anything else; this huge chapter wore me out. :)

I also have to disagree with ACFAN - THIS IS MEMORIES!!! By that I mean this chapter takes us back to what the original story was like. This chapter brings back memories of when I first started reading "Memories".

Thanks ACFan and Ilúvantír for such a wonderful chapter,

TSL

---

Just in case you were wondering, here is how to make Kulolo:

* 1 large taro root, grated
* 3 coconuts, grated
* 1 cup water
* 2 cups coconut water
* 2 tsp brown sugar

Preparation:

Mix taro with coconut meat.
Add water, coconut water, and brown sugar.
Put in baking pan.
Top with butter.
Bake 1 hour in moderate oven (350 degrees for most).

You may wish to partially cook the taro before grating. Cut in chunks and boil slightly. Do not overcook.