"Hey, look Lance, thanks for watching over Douglas for me. I know it's such short notice but I-"

"Don't worry about anything. Just get out there and do your thing. We'll be waiting for you," Lance smiled at the mother.

Juliet grinned back. "Thanks. You're a lifesaver. Now listen Doug. Be a good boy for your uncle Lance, okay? I'll see you in awhile. I love you." The baby happily gurgled and waved his arms around as she bent down to give it one last kiss on the forehead. "Thanks again," she patted him on the shoulder and was out the door, off to save the world again.

Lance smiled, still blown away with her. In less than a year, her life had been ripped apart and pieced back together into an entirely new pattern and here she was, living her life to the fullest. He'd helped her every step of the way as she recovered from her experiences after the first battle. And then he'd helped her cope with the idea of having the baby of a stranger. A stranger who seemed to know everything about me and her, he thought grimly. A sudden chill whipped through him and he looked down at the little boy in his arms. For one so small, his nephew's eyes already had the faint glow of untouched power and strength. "You'll be a great one someday. I can feel it. And until that day comes, your mother and I will help you, each step of the way." The baby babbled some nonsense in response, happily clapping his chubby little hands as he amused himself.

He laughed right along with the boy as he walked over to the crib, preparing to put him down for a quick moment so he could heat up some of his formula. Before he could even bend down though, a violent burst of wind knocked open the door. Instinctively, Lance drew up an Energy wall to protect the child from any harm as he clutched to it. He was about to form another one for himself when he felt the net drop over him. "Hey! What's the meaning of this?" Invisible hands roughly handled him, leading him out the door. The baby began to scream as other hands tried to wrench it away from his guardian. "You are not taking this child," he gritted his teeth as they finally succeeded in pushing him out the door.

Once out though, he tripped on the net and fell forward. At the last moment, he twisted his body, succeeding in not harming the child. He was vulnerable however, and in an instant, the two felt themselves being transported elsewhere.

Juliet fought desperately. Here she was in yet another battle and for once, she was weary of the task. Whereas all the other times, she'd felt the thrill of the fight, all she wanted now was to be home with her child. She loved it so much it almost broke her heart every time she had to go away. But life was life and she knew she'd placed him in good hands.

She focused now on the enemy. Her blood boiled just at the thought. They forced me to become what I am. Well now I'm paying them back for all that they've done to me. Quickly, she slit the throat of another Nica who'd been running past her in pursuit of one of her colleagues.

Without even pausing to watch the body fall forward, she turned in search of yet another victim. Her eyes fell on one lone figure a few feet away from her. Immediately, she could sense something different about him but she pushed it aside. Here's an enemy to help quench this thirst for blood. Her eyes narrowed as she stepped closer to the man. He arrogantly smiled at her even as she drew her bloody sword up.

"What? Would you kill me now after all we've been through? All that we shared?"

She hesitated, sizing him up in her mind and comparing it to that awful night.

That was all the time he needed though and soon enough, Juliet found herself trapped under a huge net. Cursing herself for allowing her guard to fall, she tried to slash her way through. Invisible hands slowed her progress and she froze. She recognized the feeling of being touched and pushed around. In spite of herself, she whimpered as her memories became reality one more time. This isn't supposed to be happening! Not again!

Then the familiar feeling of being light-headed returned as she saw the scenery change before her. As her eyes refocused in the dimmed light, she found herself under a spotlight. The net was gone as were the hands that had restrained her. Her sword was gone also. I must have dropped it when I was caught. She felt very vulnerable under the light. She could feel eyes staring at her, scrutinizing her every move and her blood boiled. They won't take me over, not again. Never again! "What are you waiting for?" she called out, hearing her voice echo. Her own eyes gazed into the darkness but couldn't find anything. "I'm here. I'm weaponless. Vulnerable. Take what you want already and get it over with."

From behind her, a male voice came. "Juliet?"

She recognized that voice. "Lance?" She whirled around but the spotlight turned off before she could see where he was. "Where are you?"

"I'm right here."

As she followed the sound of his voice, she asked fearfully, "Where's Douglas?"

"In my arms. Don't worry. He's sleeping for the moment."

"Is he…"

"He's fine. Our cloak for him is too strong."

"Thank goodness." She finally reached them and took Douglas back into her arms. The child cooed quietly in his sleep. "What are you doing here?"

"I don't know. Not long after you left, someone broke in and took us. What about you?"

"Same thing that happened the first time."

He needed no other explanation. Instead, he drew her and the child in his arms. "Don't worry," he whispered in her ear. "We'll get out somehow."

"Well, isn't this a touching scene," another voice entered into the conversation as the lights turned back on.

Juliet tensed. "It's you," she hissed. She could recognize the voice now. In the darkness, that had been all she'd known of him other than his physical qualities she hadn't been able to see.

"I'm finally glad you recognize me," the other answered.

His voice came from everywhere and Juliet and Lance were uneasy not knowing where he was. "What do you want?" Lance demanded.

His question was ignored. "Who's the kid, Juliet? Is it yours?"

"Of course he's mine," she answered, indignant.

"And who's the bastard's father? Lance?" he sneered.

The hair on the back of Juliet's neck stood on end. "I wish," Lance muttered under his breath.

"What? I couldn't hear the answer."

"Why is it so important to you?" Juliet questioned, suspicious of his motives.

"What do you think? I've been searching for you over a year now. You and Lance did a pretty good job of hiding yourselves, I must say. But you knew I'd find you. And imagine my surprise when I found you and the child. Can you blame me for being curious?"

"You want to know if he has the Powers also."

"Of course."

"And what would you say if I said no?"

"I wouldn't believe you."

"And if I say I don't know?"

"I still wouldn't believe you."

"So why are you asking me? You're obviously going to try to find out for yourself." She cradled the little boy in her arms, pressing it closer to her body.

"Certainly. As soon as you and Lance are out of the way, my people and I can test the child all we want. If he's gifted, he'll grow up among us."

"What about your beliefs? I thought that none of you cared for anyone else."

"Of all people, I thought you would know better. Your judgment is only based on knowing Cynthia, but not all of us are like that. We need to be able to pass down our traditions to someone. A child who's been taught to think a certain way is the perfect solution."

"What makes you think I'm going to give up this child?"

"You're not going to give it up, I know that already. You're too stubborn for your own good and Lance also. No, you guys won't give it up. You'll die trying to save him though."

Lance felt Juliet's spine stiffen. "Someone will die, but I swear, it won't be us," he felt his voice rising in defense.

But Juliet silenced him with a cool touch. "Hold it, Lance." She turned back into the darkness. "Is there anyway we can compromise?"

The man in the dark laughed out loud. "Compromise? A treaty between the Nica and Lhaam? That's unheard of!"

"So would you like us to think that you weren't the fair type? You'd have us think you were all blood-thirsty animals instead of capable human beings?"

"On the contrary Juliet. It appears to be that you've become the blood-thirsty one, killing without guilt." He knew he'd hit a raw nerve there. "But you bring up a good point. Fine. Express your bargain and we'll see if we can come up with a deal." He was certain there'd be no deal anyway. This was just to kill time before the next blood bath began.

"What if I say that the father of the child is in this room at this very moment?"

"It's Lance! I knew it! You should have just confessed earlier," the other called out, suddenly angry.

"It's not Lance." Juliet let her words hang in the air, adding weight to what she had just confessed.

"You're not saying-" his voice suddenly thick with emotion.

Disentangling herself from Lance's arms, she stood up and held her child out into the darkness. "Say hello to your child."

Out of the darkness, a trembling hand reached out to touch the little boy's little head. Muffled sobs could be heard and Juliet and Lance kept their silence, letting him become acquainted with the little one. "Are you serious?"

"Yes, I've never been so serious in my life. I wouldn't lie about something like this."

Something stirred in his heart and he suddenly drew his hand back, afraid at this new emotion. He looked up from the sleeping boy and gazed at its mother. Although she couldn't see him clearly, she was smiling at him, a knowing look in her eyes. Again, he felt something changing within him and he felt a warm glow begin to fill him. "I'm the father?" Tears filled his eyes when she nodded back at him. This warm feeling… I haven't felt this good in such a long time. Not since… He gawked. I haven't felt like this since I was persuaded to join the Nica and turn his back on the Lhaam. Dear God, what have I been living life for? Again, he reached out to touch the babe but drew back when he noticed it stirring, waking from his sleep. It gurgled happily when it saw its mother and he found himself chuckling as well.

Caught by the new sound, the child turned its head and peered into the darkness. He felt himself being drawn to a pair of brown eyes and their gazes locked.

Again, he timidly reached out a hand and gasped when the baby held tight to his fingers.

Lance could feel the transformation without having to see it. Something dark was crying, begging to live but it was soon smothered and replaced with a newer, brighter light. He sat back, letting things unravel before him. There's just something about this guy… Why does it feel like I know him?

Also sensing the completion of the transformation, Juliet took a step back into the light, leaving the man alone in the darkness.

The man hesitated, barely realizing that things could never go back to what they were. The Nica weren't his people anymore. He'd just been another pawn in their game. No, this is where I belong. Something's telling me that my future lies in this child and its mother. He took a step into the light.

"Joey?" Lance remained on the sidelines, watching as his friend and bandmate gently took Douglas in his own arms.

"Hey," he found his voice a little hoarse as he stared with apologetic eyes at Lance.

"Welcome back," Juliet smiled, drawing his attention back to her.

"How did you know?" His eyes widened. Lance was wondering the same thing.

Juliet smiled. "You're not the only one with secrets Mr. Fatone. But it doesn't matter anymore. You're safe now."

"Thank you," he whispered.

Again, she shook her head. "No. Thank you for making the right choice and coming back. I'm glad we reached a deal."

Joey threw his head back and laughed. It feels great to be able to laugh again, he thought. Staring down at Douglas, he could feel certain that he'd be laughing quite a lot in the future.