They collected a rather sheepish but proud Tristan from the lobby guard and headed down to the security center where Xander quickly spoke with the chief and explained what they needed. 

Craig Dwinnell looked the small group over then nodded. “Of course… you want the kids with you or shall I have someone take them upstairs to watch tv or something?” he asked as he lead the way to a hall and opened the first door.

Mitchell looked to Emma then down at Tristan who folded his arms over his chest and stared at his father. Mitch gave a soft snort. “I doubt you’d get them away from this… Personally I’d say drag their butts out of here but….” He sighed. “Tris... Keir... you guys do NOT need to know everything… you shouldn’t know everything… you can stay but if I tell you to go.. you have to go, no arguments.. alright?”

The two children exchanged looks then Tristan looked back to his dad. “After we meet him.”

Mitch sighed in resignation. “After you meet him.” He agreed softly, and the kids beamed and vanished inside the room. He drew a couple deep breaths then looked to Craig. “Can you ask Nate MacDonnell to join us please… and Eire Montgomery… oh what the hell… and Lady Chaos as well…” He looked to Emma. “Kay might just kill me… you got a problem raising the kids for me?”

Emma snorted. “Raise the demon-spawn yourself… I’ll protect your ass.” she said with a smirk, but the humor never reached her eyes. Mitch could tell she was worried; not about him being in danger, but about him being able to handle this. “What about your mother, Mitchell? Wouldn’t it be easier to have her here as well… get it over all at once?”

Mitch could actually feel the blood drain from his face and could only imagine the look that must have crossed his face. “Fuck no… I …I mean.. yes.. it would be easier.. all at once .. but…” He must have looked worse than he thought as Emma moved closer, her hand out as if she expected to catch him. He forced a weak smile onto his face and waved her off, leaning against the wall for a moment. “I’m alright, Ems… Or at least I’m not going to fall on my ass. Be knocked on it, maybe…”

Emma snorted softly and smacked the back of his head lightly. “You need this, Mitchell… You needed this years ago…Knowing you as I do, I’m surprised you’ve made this far on your own with just the kids.”

He shot her a look and she held up a hand. “That’s not what I meant.” She said her voice going soft. “You’re not the lone wolf you try to be…you put on a good act, Mitchell… but your heart needs to be filled with the love of family. I think the children have been your saving grace so far… without them…”

“Without them, I’d be dead fer real, Emma. An’ probably Natey an’ mum with me…” he stopped, drawing a breath and forcing his voice back under control. In all these years he’d gone without his accent, and he’d lost it three times in one day…But did it really matter anymore? At least here? He let out his breath in a soft sigh. “Let’s get inside so Sylvie can explain things t’ her fella.” He said, the Scottish burr feeling so good; sounding so right. He glanced at Sylvie to see her eyes watering again and offered a soft smile. “Go on, luv.. get in there. I’m sure he’s dyin’ t’ know just who th’ bloody fuck I am tha’ I can bring ye t’ tears just by ye seein’ me…”

Sylvie nodded, dabbing lightly at her eyes as she pulled Xander into the room with her. Craig looked to the two of them still left in the hall. “The room’s safe as soon as the door seals. A warning buzz sounds when someone wants in so anything you don’t want heard or seen can be kept safe.” He said simply. “I’ll go call them for you. Did you want me to put a call in to Mrs. MacDonnell as well?”

Mitch looked blank for a moment. “Mrs…?” he asked, suddenly realizing that he knew nothing about his brother’s life anymore. He’d known he’d come to Boston with Kay and he knew he was still here working with her, but beyond that… A few glimpses through dream-walking had left him with the idea of there being someone, but it was so hard to hold on to things he learned that way. The sudden thought that Nate might have gotten married and have a family of his own made his heart clench painfully.

Craig looked at him for a moment then smirked slightly and tapped his nose. “Were. With the help of some of the toys I get to play with here, disguise spells, even those to mask scent, don’t hold much sway for a nose that knows. And ears that pay attention to what they hear…” he added with a smirk. “So.. shall I extend an invitation to Helena MacDonnell?”

“Oh…” Mitch said then glanced at the door that had closed behind Sylvie. “Chief Dwinnell… how long have ye worked with these people?”

Craig crossed his arms over his chest with a curious smirk. “About two .. two and a half years, although not all of them in this building up close and personal like this… why?”

“So ye know Nate an’ Eire an’ Kay fairly well, I suppose. Let me ask ye this… If somethin’ ye did wound up hurtin’ ‘em, an’ yer comin’ forward a decade or so later t’ show tha’ ther hurtin’ was fer nothin’… an’ ye wind up facin’ all three of them at once… would ye care t’ have… Mrs. MacDonnell in there pissed at ye as well?”

Craig eyed him for a minute, his eyes starting to sparkle. “Honestly? Your dead anyhow, so why the hell not? I’ll go put in the calls and suggest Mr. MacDonnell extend the invite then… I’ll just say it concerns a family matter?” he said as he turned to go. “And I think I’ll pull extra security to the hall while you guys are in there… maybe have the doc on stand by too…”

Mitch watched him vanish back out into the main room and gave a soft grunt. Emma bit back her smirk and patted his arm. “There there, Mitchell.. look at it this way…At least you’ll get to see them all again before you die.. and the kids will have family to raise them for you.”

Mitch shot her a look then sighed heavily and slipped his arm around her, pulling her close. “Thank ye, Emma.. thank ye fer being so good t’ me..”

Emma laughed softly and hugged him back. “Your welcome, Mitchell.. although if I’d known your voice would get so damned sexy with that accent, I might have made a play for you after all…” she said, giving his rear end a playful slap. “come on… “ she said, pressing the button beside the door. “Let’s get inside. I want out of this damned coat… and into a chair..”

Mitchell smiled and snorted softly, reaching past her to open the door as the lock clicked open for them, and waved her inside. He cast one last glance down the hall to where Craig had vanished and wondered if it was too late to make a run for it… A hand reached out and grabbed hold of his scarf and Emma pulled him into the room, letting the door shut and seal behind them.

~~

Mitchell was impressed with the place. He’d expected a simple room with perhaps a plain table and some chairs… instead he found himself in a simple yet tastefully decorated room that held two sofas and a loveseat forming a ‘U’ facing a small entertainment center housing a flat screen TV, and what looked like two dvd players; one smaller than the other. His kids were both on the far sofa , with Sylvie and her guy seated on the couch that met theirs.

As soon as the door closed behind them Sylvie stood. She just stared at him until he felt so uncomfortable from her gaze he joined Emma in removing his coat and avoided looking at her for the moment. “Mi…Michael?” she finally said so softly that he almost didn’t hear her over the gentle sounds of his coat brushing against Emma’s as he hung it on the rack beside the door.

“Aye Sylvie… it’s me…” he said with a soft sigh and turned to face her. She’d started around the loveseat towards him, and as soon as he faced her, she flew forward. He stumbled slightly as he suddenly found his arms full of hysterically weeping woman. He sighed again as he held her, one hand stroking her hair gently.

 Emma snorted softly as she headed a spot beside the kids. “Michael… I don’t know… I rather liked Mitchell” she said and by the kids giggles he knew she was smirking as she said it.

He looked at the tall dark haired man that had stood when Sylvie had, but made no move towards them. He was taller than him by at least half a foot, with short black hair that just brushed the tops of his shoulders. Divested of his own winter coat, he wore black jeans and a long-sleeved, blue cotton shirt that looked a bit at odds with the thick leather collar he wore around his throat. As if reading his thoughts, the man reached up to tug on the collar lightly and it was then that Mike’s eyes fell on the simple gold band on his finger. His eyes widened slightly as he looked at him and then down t Sylvie.

He reached down and caught her hand, raising it enough to see the matching band on her own finger. He brushed a finger across the band of gold, and the delicate diamond ring that sat with it. “Syl lass… I don’ mean t’ interrupt or anythin’… but… I’d like ye t’ introduce me t’ yer husband ifn ye don’ mind…?”

There was a strangled cry and she suddenly leaned away form him and smacked him hard across the chest. Red rimmed eyes and blotchy cheeks looked at him and he saw her struggle for words as she angrily wiped her eyes. “Xander Caine.” The man finally said. “And you would be.. Michael MacDonnell… Sylvie’s told me about you. Of course.. you don’t seem to be as dead as was mentioned…”

Mike snorted softly. “Aye… there is tha’…” Sylvie looked from Xander to him then smacked him across the chest again, hard enough to rock him back on his heels before she went to Xander’s side. “I am sorry, Sylvie… “

She lay her face against Xander’s chest for a moment, his arms around her than gave a soft cry. “Oh… God what was I thinking..!” she said. “I can’t let Nate walk in here.. I have to warn him…”

There was a soft buzz and the tv flicked on. In and inset in the top left was  the security chief. “Excuse me… I have Mr. MacDonnell and Mr. Montgomery waiting and they have Mrs. MacDonnell on hold.” Craig said. “they want to know if it’s enough of a ‘family matter’ to include the entire family or just the invitees?”

Sylvie shot Mike a look before he could answer, sensing his unease. “Tell them it concerns Michael and to bring anyone that matters to… and any one they may wish to lean on.” She said then glanced at the kids. “Oh .. never mind. Tell them all to come. We can sort them out later for the need-to-knows… Let me know if we need to relocate to the conference room for space.”

Craig nodded, smirking slightly as he vanished and Mike paled even more, moving to sit down on the arm of the love seat. “Everyone?!” he repeated. “Fer fucks sake, woman!” he said and Emma suddenly laughed and moved to stand beside him.

“Yes. Everyone. Think about it, Mit… Michael. This way.. you only say it once. Everyone knows. Plus the kids get to meet their entire family rather the just their uncle.”

“Yes..” Sylvie said softly, her eyes going to the kids. “Aunts, uncles, grandmother, cousins…”

“Wha..?!” Mike said in shock, looking up at Sylvie.

Sylvie looked at him then raised an eyebrow slightly. “You heard me. The world kept turning without you, Michael. Lives went on.” She pressed her lips together tightly looking like she was struggling to not say something. “Shit happens.” She finally added and both kids giggled.

“Yes.. it certainly does.” Emma agreed softly. “Mitc… oh screw it. Mitchell… that’s how I’ve known you for five years, damn it and that’s who you are. Michael is a fine name and all.. but.. you’re Mitchell to me and you always will be.” She snapped then drew a breath and was suddenly clam and unruffled again. “Now.. Mitchell… You are being extremely rude. Or are you waiting to introduce all of us at once as well?”

Michael blushed. “No.. I’m sorry, Ems… Emma Sawyer… kids… this is… Sylvia ..Caine?” he said, looking to Xander who nodded with a soft smile. “Damn … Sylvie Caine…” he repeated softly and gave her a gentle look. “Sounds good, Sylv.” He added then drew a breath and continued. “Sylvie an’ I … used t’ know each other way back before… well. Before.”

“Know each other?” Sylvie asked softly. “Is that all, Michael?”

Mike sighed heavily. “Well.. considerin’ yer standin’ there with yer husbands arms around ye…” he said with a soft smirk, then turned back to Emma. “Sylvie was th’ lass I asked t’ marry me, Ems… th’ one I had t’ leave behind…” he said softly.

“Ah…” Emma said softly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both. May I be a nosey old bat and asked how long you’ve been married?”

Xander smirked and pulled Sylvie against his side and she sighed softly as she leaned into him. “Nine months.” He answered her. “She kept refusing me until she had no choice.”

Emma raised an eyebrow, ignoring Mike for the moment as she looked Sylvie over from head to toe. She took in the slightly thicker middle that the shirt was stretched a bit snuggly over, and the slightly too tight top. “Ah.. I see…” she said with an impish smile. “Boy or girl?’ Mike gave a choked sound and Emma elbowed him, knocking him back onto the love seat.

“Boy. Four and a half weeks old.” Sylvie said with a soft smile. “His name is Bastian.”

Mike floundered to his feet and came around to stand before them. “Yer… yer a mum?” he asked softly. “Congrats, honey… On both yer marriage an’ yer baby boy.” he said sincerely and offered Xander his hand. “I can see by th’ way ye watch her.. tha’ ye love her, Mr. Caine. An’ Sylv wouldnae have ye ifn ye werenae a good man. Ye take good care of th’ both of em.”

Xander shook his hand a bit warily, but his eyes sparkled lightly. “No need to worry there.”

Mike cleared his throat. “So… “

“So..” Sylvie countered. “You’ve been dead for over eleven years, Michael… and yet.. I dare say your son looks a bit older than that…” Michael blushed and looked to the kids who were listening raptly, obviously soaking up every bit of this. Sylvie followed his glance then cleared her throat lightly. “Or perhaps that should wait for the others?”

“Aye .. th’ others…” Mike repeated softly. “An’… just how many .. ‘others’.. are we talkin’ about, Sylv?’ he asked softly, moving to sit beside his kids.

“Oh…that depends… could be “ she ticked off her fingers in a silent count, obviously enjoying watching him squirm out of the corner of her eye. “…  just five, could be nine… could be as many as ..oh . twelve or possibly even more..”

“TWELVE?!” Mike said. “What th’ bloody fuck are they doin’? Draggin’ th’ entire damned Clan over?!”

Sylvie smirked, her eyes sparkling. “Like I said… the children will get to meet their grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins. Most of them are already here…”

“Did… are ye..” Mike sighed and rubbed his face. “Are ye tryin’ t’ tell me Natey get married?”

“Married.. and divorced… and engaged again. “she said then saw the hurt look that crossed his face and added a bit softer. “He has two children, Michael.. twins. Michael and Maya.”

Mike looked up at that, his eyes watering. “M’.. m’ baby brother’s a da? Oh gods… I’ve missed so much…”

Xander snorted lightly. “You don’t know the half of it.” He added and Mike looked up at that. He paled even more and suddenly surged to his feet.

“Grab yer coats kids… we need t’ go.” He said suddenly and headed to the rack of coats.

“What?” Emma said amid the childrens protests. “Mitchell! Sit your damned ass down this instant!” she snapped. “You are NOT running form this any longer!”

He turned and threw the kids coats at them. “Yer damned bloody fuckin’ right  I AM runnin’ from this! Fer th’ same damned reason I’ve stayed away fer th’ past eleven fuckin; years!!” he all but yelled. “Ye ferget, Emma… it was t’ keep them all safe. An’ here I am puttin’ em right back in danger.. an’ ther kids too! KIDS!” he said, snatching her coat and tossing to her before grabbing his own. “It’s bad enough I let th’ lot of ye throw away five years of work t’ be here… but I won’t be throwin’ away eleven years o’ hurtin’ an’ hidin’ by tossin th’ lot of ‘em in danger! They were all safe with out me around!”

Sylvie gave a loud snort and moved to stand in front of the door and block his way. “ Now that it total and utter bullshit, Michael MacDonnell. Our lives and the way we choose to live them, are hardly safe.”

“Saf-ER, then!” Mike snapped and turned to face her. Seeing the look on her face he dropped his voice. “Ye don’t understand, Sylv. I almost get ye killed! Yerself or any children we’d have had! It was ME they wanted out of th’ way… Natey an’ mum… they were safer. I was th’ problem t’ them. An’ bein’ married t’ a norm an’ havin’ kids… they wouldnae have allowed that, darlin’.”

She looked blankly at him for a moment, about to ask who ‘they’ were when the door buzzed for their attention. “Take your coat off Michael. You’re not going any where until we all get some answers. “she said firmly and gave him a hard shove towards the seating area before opening the door.

Mike recovered his balance and turned, trying to open a portal as he did so. He looked up at Xander who shook his head softly. “Shielded, remember? You might as well do as the lady says. If you were engaged to her once, than you should know her well enough; you’re not going any where until she decides to let you.”

Mike gave a Xander a slightly ill look as he heard familiar voices talking softly to Sylvie behind him. “Not th; Sylv I remember… seems she’s changed a wee bit more than just getting’ married an’ havin’ a kid. What happened?”

Xander smirked and gave a slight shrug, reaching out to snag his coat from him. “Like the lady said… shit happens.”

He glanced at the kids who were still on the couch with Emma between them, their eyes locked on the group crowding into the room behind him. He could see the excitement on their faces and closed his eyes. “Aye….” He said softly. “shite happens…” he agreed then drew a deep breath and turned to face everyone.

~~

Sylvie had warned everyone not to speak until the door was closed, other wise things would’ve gotten very loud indeed. Several pairs or eyes locked on him, recognition and disbelief filling them.

Eire pushed his way to stand in front of him and Mike just looked at him as the silver –haired half shade breathed deeply, catching his scent and testing it against memory. The sound of the door clicking shut seemed loud in the room. “Ye smell pretty damned good fer a dead man…” he said softly, his eyes hard.

“NO!” A voice shouted and Mike shut his eyes at the sound of the voice that haunted his dreams and nightmares alike. “Yer not him!” Nate said, his face flushed in anger and pain. “Yer not Mikey… I don’ care how much ye look like him… ye cannae be…!”

“It is him, Nathaniel. Everyone. It IS Michael.” Sylvie said softly. “Craig’s taken the liberty of scanning him and comparing it to your file, Nate… he IS your brother. He IS Michael.”

Nate just looked at him, the pain in his eyes so evident that Mike couldn’t breathe at the weight of it. “I’m sorry, Natey..” he said softly. The blow caught him completely off guard and he suddenly found himself bent over the back of the nearest couch, a furious Nate coming at him for more, his fists clenched at his sides.

The room erupted into chaos as several hands reached out to catch hold of Nate and hold him back.. along with a couple of the others who looked like they might want to take a swing or two themselves. The frightened shouts of his children as they jumped to their feet and flew to his side turned every head, no matter how angry. Even Nate lowered his gaze to the two as they fearlessly put themselves between him and them.

Tristan had his fists clenched at his side and was glaring fiercely at Nate. “You’re him.. you’re dad’s brother.” He said, eyes flashing. “We came to find you! He missed you so much! We came to find you so he wouldn’t be sad anymore! So it wouldn’t hurt him any more!” he said, his eyes filling as he suddenly flew at Nate, fists swinging, his shouts degenerating into seemingly random noise as the room stared in surprise.

Nate just stood for a moment, letting the boy hit him, too stunned to anything else, then finally caught hold of him by the shoulders. “Dad?’ he asked softly. “This.. this yer dad?” he asked and gave him a gentle shake when he kept swinging his fists rather than answer. At his move, Keira leapt at him, grabbing his arm and biting down hard on his hand, forcing him to let go of her brother. Nate gave a startled yelp and snatched his hand away, staring in shock at the little girl.

Mike caught hold of Keira around the middle and lifted her off the ground, his other hand going to Tristan’s shoulder. “Aye, Natey… This is m’ son, Tristan… an’ m’ daughter, Keira. An’ m’ friend, Emma Sawyer.” He said then drew a shaky breath. “This is m’ brother Nathaniel... an’ a man I always considered a brother, Eire Montgomery.”  he said then finally let his gaze travel over the group, picking out the faces he knew. “An’ m’ cousin, Duncan, m’ friend Kay… an’ m’ mum… Helena MacDonnnell.” He said, his eyes locking with hers. “Hello, mum.” He said softly.

Helena gave a cry and surged forward coming to a stop in front of him, a hand going over her mouth as she looked at him, then at the children, then back at him. “Michael?” she finally asked softly.

“Aye mum… it’s me.”

The sharp sound of the slap drew a few winces, but Mike just drew a shaky breath and set Keira back on her feet then reached out to his mother, pulling her into his arms. “I know mum.. I’m so sorry… I didnae have a choice.. an’ when I did… It was fer th’ best..” he said, choking on his tears. “I love ye, mum.” He added as Helena hugged him back hard, her tears soaking his shoulder. He looked over her shoulder at his brother and met his eyes.

“Why don’t we all sit down.” Sylvie said softly. “We’ll get the introductions out of the way and then Michael can explain himself.”

Everyone moved towards the couches slowly and Emma reached out to pull the children to the farthest couch again. Keira settled on her lap and Tristan perched on the arm beside her. Mike sat beside them, with Helena beside him, and the others scattered among the couches. Nate remained standing, a slight red head at his side. Eire perched on the arm of the sofa nearest his best friend. A young woman who looked enough like Kay to be her sister sat on the sofa beside Eire, holding his hand, while beside her sat a large man with silver streaked black hair, Kay on his other side. His arm was wrapped around her and Mike wasn’t sure whether it was to comfort her or hold her back. Duncan sat perched on the arm of the last sofa beside a shy looking brunette who looked rather uncomfortable at being there, and Sylvie and Xander sat beside her.

All eyes were on him and his kids.

“Right…” Sylvie said. “I guess I’ll do the honors… This is Nate’s fiancée, Larkin,” she said, starting with the red head. “Her sister and Eire’s fiancée, Regan.. who also happens to be Kay’s daughter.” She added with a soft smirk. “The girls’ father and Kay’s husband, Auron Mordant. And Duncan’s fiancee, Charlie Thomson. We’re missing three more of Kay and Aurons’ children, along with their son in law and grandson, Eire’s nephew, Charli’s daughter and Nate’s kids.. but I’m sure you’ll get to met them a bit later.”

Mike just stared at the group in shock. He finally settled on Kay. “Damn woman… did she say… ye have FIVE children.. an’ a GRANDSON?!”

“Yes. She did.” Kay answered tersely, her eyes glowing red.

“Kay… if you turn blue I’m asking you to leave.” Sylvie said surprisingly calm. “As a matter of fact, if any one feels the need to draw blood or shift shape... please leave now. There are children present, after all.”

Kay immediately stood, her eyes still burning red as she glared at Michael. “Mom. “ Regan said simply and grabbed the back of her pants, pulling her backward. “Sit down and hear the man out.” She said. “If you don’t like what he says.. kill him later when the kids aren’t around.”

Tristan shot to his feet at that and Mike reached over to grab him and pull him closer. “It’s alright, Tris… she won’t really kill me…” he said softly and shot Kay a look at her dark smirk. No one said anything until Kay had sat back down. Mike glanced around, not failing to notice the way Eire was looking at Keira. He doubted he understood who and what she was.. not completely.. but he no doubt knew she wasn’t his daughter. He sent the man a look, shaking his head slightly, asking him silently to withhold that particular question. “Well… “ he finally said softly. “since tha’s done…” he glanced at the kids. “I think th’ two of ye should go now. Would ye call fer someone t’ come get them, Sylv?” he asked.

Tristan turned a glare at him and Keira shifted form Emma’s lap to his. “No!” Tristan hissed defiantly and Keira shook her head in agreement, holding him tightly.

“Enough o’ tha’. Th’ both of ye agreed t’ leave when I said t’, as long as ye got t’ meet him … Ye met him.. now I’m askin’ ye t’ leave so we can talk.” Mike said simply and Keira whimpered softly, burying her face in his hair. “I told ye tha’ ye didnae need t’ hear this, Tris… Ye got what ye wanted.. Ye got me here… now take yer sister an’ go watch tv somewhere until I come get ye. No wanderin’.”

Tristan stared him down, blushing at the reminded that it was his idea to be here. “No. I want to know ‘why’, dad.”
“I know tha’ ye ‘want’ t’ know, Tristan… but ye don’ ‘need’ t’ know.. an’ I aim t’ keep ye both as much out of this shite as I can. Now go. Emma.” He said, turning to look at her.

“Hell no. My ass is staying right where it is, Mitchell.” She said simply, her arms crossed. “I dragged us clear into another country following after your children and if I’m in danger now like you claim, I want to know the why of it.” she said. “And I think the children should to. After all… until he knows ‘why’… what’s to stop him from doing this sort of thing again?”

Mike looked at her then groaned softly. “Traitor woman.” he grumbled softly and suddenly received a smack on the back of his head from the opposite side.

He turned to see Helena point a finger at him. “Ye mind your elders, Michael Alexander MacDonnell.” She snapped. “An’ yer manners.”

Emma looked smug as she patted the arm of the couch beside her and Tristan moved to sit beside her again, glaring holes at the rest of the room. “Yes, Mitchell… listen to your mother. Now… how about we let the room decide? Who here thinks the children have a right to hear WHY they’ve been denied their family their entire lives?” she said and Mike winced at her wording.

“It wasnae like tha’..” he mumbled softly, his arms tightening around his daughter slightly.

There were soft mumbles of mostly agreement from the others, then the redhead, Larkin spoke. “Why do you keep calling him Mitchell..?”

“Because that’s his name, dear.” Emma said softly. “Well.. at least it has been for the past five years or so. Mitchell, Tristan and Keira McConnell.”

“Mitchell McConnell….” Nate repeated softly, his eyes on Mike.

“Aye.. they figured it was better fer me t’ have a name close t’ m’ own so I’d react honestly to it…” he admitted softly, dropping his gaze.

“An’ where have ye been…?” Helena asked softly. “Ms. Sawyer said something about another country…?”

“Canada… mostly.” Mike said. “Before tha’ I was in Nebraska fer a bit. I don’ remember before tha’…” he said then sighed and looked to Emma and Tristan. “I’ll tell as much as they need to know… but then they leave. There are things… there are things I don’ care fer them t’ know, Ems… please.”

Emma gave him a soft smirk. “I don’t think it really matters any more what you want them to know, Mitch. This is their life and their family, and whether you care to admit it or not, they have a right to know.”

Mike stared at her for a moment, his eyes pleading with her then sighed heavily. “Damn it.” He said softly and received another whack form his mother for the language. Emma just smirked more at that. Mike rubbed his ear lightly and shit his mother a look. “Ye could cut me a bit o’ slack considerin’..” he said.

Helena snorted and crossed her arms over her chest. “Aye .. an’ I AM… I should’ve smacked ye half a dozen times by now… But yer stallin’, boyo. Th’ wee ones are stayin’. Now ye’d better start explainin’ yerself.”

He drew a breath and looked to Duncan. “I’m surprised t’ see ye, Dunc…” he said softly. “Ye were in much th’ same situation as I was… I figured ye’d either be in same boat as me by now.. or dead.”

Duncan raised an eyebrow at that and Mike noticed the brunette, Charli, quietly slip her hand into his. “Care to explain tha’, Mikey?”

Mike looked back up to meet Duncan’s gaze, weighing him a moment. “I think ye know, Dunc. I cannae see them.. either of them, leavin’ ye be all this time…”

“Michael… “ Helena said, drawing his attention. “Just tell us why ye had us all believing ye…. Ye died.”

“He DID die.” Nate said softly. “I was there, damn it. He died right in front of me. Right on top of me! I not only saw th’ bloody sword go through him, it stuck me too! I watched th’ life drain out of him! I held m’ brother as he died right there in m’ arms!” Nate all but growled. “How d’ ye explain that?! If yer th’ same Mike… than how can ye be alive an well now?!”

Mike felt every eye turn to him again and he gently untangled himself from Keira, handing her to his mother after a moment. Keira shied away but let the woman hold her on her lap. He stood carefully and raised his sweater, untucking the shirt beneath to show the four inch long scar that marked his chest just right of the center. “It was me, Natey. I remember it… I have nightmares of it still… I still hear ye screamin’ m’ name…” he said, his voice catching. “I still see the look in yer eyes…”

“I don’ know how I lived. I don’t know whether they did somethin’ before hand t’ keep me from dyin’ all th’ way.. Or whether they just .. brought me back after wards somehow…” he said, letting his shirt fall back in place before resuming his seat. “They came t’ me before tha’… they wanted me t’ go with them an’ they’d rig somethin’.. car accident or something’ of tha’ like. I refused. I couldna leave ye, Natey.. I couldnae do tha’ t’ ye… “ he said softly. “An’ when tha’ sword went through me… I thought I was dead.”

“Ye DID do tha’ t’ me, Mike!!” Nate yelled, and both Eire and Larkin grabbed hold of him to hold him back.

Mike just looked at his brother and shook his head softly. “Not by choice, Natey…By th’ time I came around an’ found out what had happened… it was too late fer me t’ do anythin’ else…” he shot a glance at Tristan. “Plus… I had Tristan t’ think of at tha’ time.” He saw the way both his kids were looking at him and realized that they’d never heard him speak with the accent before. He offered a small smile and determined to try harder to loose the accent for now, no matter how good and natural it felt. The kids had enough to deal with at the moment.

“Would ye mind starting over and tell us exactly WHO you’re talking about?” Kay said, her tone starting to loose a bit of its sharpness and jolting him out of his thoughts.

Mike looked from her to Emma, than to Duncan. With a sigh he dropped his gaze to the floor. “I... I can’t tell you that.  I CAN tell you… I shouldn’t, but,… I can tell you.. that its all over th’ Council.” He finished and looked up to watch Duncan’s face. He heard the sharp intake of breath beside him and reached out to take hold of his mothers hand. “I need t’ air some family laundry here, mum. Things that I knew or suspected before hand… an’ have learned of since. You might want to ask th’ others t’ leave.” He said softly.

Helena drew a breath and squeezed his hand back. “It’s alright, Michael… Nate knows about his father. Tha’ came out almost three years ago with th’ twins comin’ along..”

Mike glanced up at Nate. “Sorry, Natey… I never wanted t’ keep that from you… but it was for your own safety.” He said then snorted. “Fuckin’ Council..” he muttered darkly, but the expected smack from his mother over cursing never came. Drawing another breath he looked up at Helena. “There’s more than just Natey, mum.”

Helena eyed him for a moment, paling slightly at what she saw in his face. “We’re all family here, Michael. Speak yer piece.”

Mike closed his eyes and looked away. “Alright. Shortly after Da died, I started having
 these dreams.. Sendings. A man claiming t’ be a friend o’ Da’s would tell me things.; warn me about thing; show me things…” he glanced up at Nate and smirked slightly. “Teach me things.” he snorted softly. “At first, it was just general warnings… an’ only through th’ dreams. Through them I learned quite a bit about things… including tha’ Da’s death.. as well as quite a few others.. weren’t accidents or random killings…”  he said, looking back at Duncan. “I learned that th’ Council was behind them. But you suspected as much, aye?” he asked Duncan who nodded stiffly.

Helena made a startled noise and he reached out to give her hand another squeeze. “Don’t, mum. I know you’ve had your own suspicions about them… you did back then. I can’t see that changing. But you’re ON th’ Council… did you really expect him to come to you about this? If he was right he’d be putting you in danger… none of us could do that.”

Mike sighed and continued. “I had no proof of anything. Just th’ word of a man in my dreams…So I started poking carefully around where I could. Didn’t think I was making much head way until th’… ‘accidents’ started happening.”  he said softly. “A year before… my… death…” he glanced at Nate and then to Kay. “You remember  th’ night my car hit that tree? Mechanic claimed th’ brakes failed and th’ steering locked. Some such shite, anyhow…? If th’ two of you hadn’t managed t’ get me out.. I’d have been toast..” he said then sighed as he realized this was the first his mother was probably hearing about that incident. “That was th’ first. There were a couple others… a near miss by a drunk driver… a near miss by a sniper while we were tracking down E’…” Mike shook his head lightly. “ I didn’t realize it at th’ time, but… they were all attempts by th’ Council…”

“You mean the Witches Council…?” Charli asked softly, her gaze going to Nate then to Helena. “Why would the Witches Council be trying to kill you? I mean…Never mind.. forget that…Maybe I should be saying if they WERE trying to kill you .. why aren’t you dead? Why the near misses?”

“That’s th’ question, isn’t it?” He said and sat back with a wry smirk, giving his mother’s hand a squeeze. “Da was working with some folks, mum. He knew th’ council wasn’t as high an’ mighty as they pretended, and him .. and some others were working against them. Da was something special to them though. Still haven’t gotten that quite figured out myself.” He said, heading off the question he could see in Duncan’s face. “ But th’ Council  suspected and wanted him gone. Th’ MacDonnell’s have been something of a thorn in their collective side for a while it seems… da was just th’ biggest one. Th’ one that hurt th’ most, and he’d found something big. Something they were damn worried about. They figured with him gone that they were safe. They didn’t think he’d have told you anything about it, mum.. but figured even if he had… they didn’t have t’ worry about you. They decided they owned you, you see. Between your tryst with th’ fae and … a few other things… they felt that they had enough t’ hold over you t’ keep you out of their way.”

Nate just snorted and Duncan smirked. “They obviously don’t know ye very well, do they Auntie Hell?”

Helena shot Duncan a look then slowly smiled. “No… tha’ they don’t, Duncan. Go on, Michael…”

He sighed and looked to his brother. “Well.. like I said, mum wasn’t a threat t’ them. As for Natey… Natey wasn’t even a MacDonnell and they had th’ proof of that.. so they weren’t worried about him either. Between being able t’ keep th’ Council seat from him with that knowledge, and th’ heap of spells they had stuck on him as a babe… they owned him too.”  He was aware of Nate’s hands balled into fists at his side and knew Eire was keeping a close eye on him. Larkin moved to lean against him, one arm going around his waist while the other lay on his chest beside her head. The fists automatically loosened as Nate reached up to wrap his arms around her in turn.

Mike smiled softly at the sight of his brother and his fiancée then sighed and looked to Duncan. “Duncan was young enough at th’ time he was not even a real consideration for them… Other than them wondering if he could be turned t’ their way of thinking or whether th’ day would come that they’d have t’ get rid of him too…” he said and Duncan smirked, his arm drapping around Charli’s shoulders and pulling her closer.

“Me though…” Mike continued. “I was a threat, you see. I was a MacDonnell, and th’ rightful heir t’ the Seat… and perhaps they worried I was Da’s heir in whatever it was that had them on edge about him.” He said with a curious expression and slight shrug before continuing. “ And no doubt they suspected I knew what was going on, too. Plus I’d somehow managed t’ survive a number of their attempts t’ get rid of me… which only made me seem that more dangerous t’ them somehow…” he looked at Sylvie. “I think th’ only reason they let me be for so long was because I was with Brian… Th’ attempt’s on my life didn’t start until Sylvie came along. If we’d gotten married, Sylv… they would’ve been pissed… No way would they have let me have a son t’ continue Da’s line.  Th’ only reason Tristan survived was that they didn’t know about him.”

“So you think they were trying to kill you because they were worried about you having a son?” Kay asked incredulously.

“No.. I think they were trying to kill me because I was getting close to something they didn’t want me to know.. or at least they thought I was.” Mike said simply. “I think my leaving my leaving boys behind and switching to girls just upped the time frame a bit more. As long as I wasn’t in danger of having kids, they had time to deal with me the way they wanted to… as soon as that changed…” he gave a slight shrug.

He was tempted to look around him at everyone but knew if he did, he might not be able to continue. He drew a deep breath and tried to remember where he’d left off. After so many years of making sure no one found out any of this, it felt so strange to be actually talking about it. “After Da’s…’friends’  approached me with their warning and offer of protection if I went with them… I knew it was too dangerous for Sylv t’ be with me. I was going t’ break it off, darlin’… but I never got th’ chance…  We wound up in that fight and… th’ bad guys won.” he said, glancing at Nate.

 “I remember the fight itself.. I remember being .. ‘killed’… I remember a huge mess of really fucked up dreams an’ .. a lot of just empty darkness… an pain… Lards but it fuckin’ hurt…” he said, shaking his head slightly. “Next clear memory I have was waking up and finding out what had happened and that th’ lot of ye believed I was dead.  More importantly, that th’ Council believed I was dead.  Three years, Natey… from th’ day I last remember seeing you there pinned beneath me .. t’ th’ day I woke up… it was three fuckin’ years! I still wanted t’ go t’ you…But they showed me everything… and then when I was still determined to leave despite that; to just chuck it all and go home to you… they brought out this wee lad and asked me if I was as willing t’ throw his life away as I was t’ throw m’ own…”

“So.. he’s not really your son?” Sylvie asked softly.

“Oh no, lass.. he’s my son.. m’ own flesh and blood. “ Mike said with a soft smile to Tristan an held out a hand. The boy slid off the arm of the couch and went to him and Mike wrapped his arms around him and pulled him back against him. “Da’s friends had stumbled across him, you see. Or… more precisely, they came across his mother an’ her connection t’ me.. Took one look at th’ lad and decided t’ run a blood test. Sheila was Brian’s cousin. We… hooked up for a wee bit one summer when Brian and I were on th’ outs and I was on a job for Da… Guess we were not as careful as we thought..” he said with a soft snort. “I never heard from her again. She never made any attempt t’ contact me. Not sure why.” He said softly. “She passed from cancer when Tristan was three and a half. They took him in and looked after him until I woke up. They knew I couldn’t risk the Council harming him. He was their one way t’ know I wouldn’t chuck it all and go home t’ you.. Council be damned.”

“Sounds like they played ye.” Nate said, his tone still harsh , but Mike thought he sensed a softening. “Are ye sure he’s yer kid an’ they just didnae spin  ye a story?”

Mike snorted softly and tipped Tristan’s face to look at Nate and leaned down to place beside him. “Look at us, Natey… you look at us and tell me what you think. Hell… Go pull out some photos of me as a kid and see what you think. I can see bits of Sheila and even Brain in him, but mostly.. mostly I see me…” He sighed and straightened up a bit, one arm still lopped loosely over his son’s shoulders as the boy leaned against his legs. He looked to Keira and smiled softly.

“And then they came t’ me with this wee one.” He said softly as he tapped her nose. “Just a babe. But another hold on me, like they knew she’d be. “ he sighed, his eyes going serious as he stroked his daughters cheek. “I didn’t want you t’ know this part, Keir. Your m’ baby girl. I love you, peach. I couldn’t love you more if you were m’ flesh and blood.” He said, turning back to Eire with a sigh. “ Keira’s not my biological daughter…I named her for her father…” he said softly. “Eire didn’t sound right for a wee lass… so I went with your middle name…” He saw the look that crossed the half shade’s face and he held up his hand. “Before ye go and protest… ye didn’t really have anything t’ do with her being born, E’… it was th’ Illuminati. My… ‘friends’ apparently came across a project of theirs…” he snorted at that. “ ‘Came across’ .. that’s what they claimed anyhow.. personally I think they have someone on the inside or have a link of some sort to the Illuminati in order to know all this shit…” he said then sighed and.

 “As I was saying…they’d harvested th’ lot of their.. ‘special soldiers’, like yourself and your friends…Supposedly they had some sort o’ cloning thing they were trying t’ get off the ground but kept failing miserably at… And as a sideline t’ that…they had .. something called ‘ th’ Creche’. They used harvested samples t’ make their own future soldiers. Trying out different combinations, tampering with them t’ see what happened… stuff like that. Apparently that wasn’t going too well either and for one reason or another, the Creche was shut down… and all th’… ‘work’ destroyed. A few of th’ more promising ones were saved.. smuggled out into other projects and such. Keira was one of ‘em. My .. friends.. got a hold of her and knowing that you were a dear friend o’ mine, Eire.. they knew I’d never turn m’ back on her.” He snorted softly. “Stupid bastards… by that point I was so taken with Tristan and being a da… It wouldn’t have mattered who’s daughter she was. I’d have taken her gladly. But she was YOUR daughter, Eire… which made her special.”

Keira looked up at him, her blue eyes wide, then reached out for him. Mike smiled softly and pulled her into his arms, kissing her hair lightly as he settled her on his lap behind Tristan. “Course.. it also made her hard t’ disguise… your friggin’ silver hair is a bitch t’ dye, Eire” he said with a smirk, ruffling the peachy-orange hair. “Course.. I think this makes her look a wee bit like Natey…” he said and kissed the hair in question before shooting his brother a look. “I didn’t have a choice in leaving ye, Natey. And then I had t’ weigh keeping you, and mum and th’ kids safety.. versus being in your life again. I made th’ choice I thought was right, Natey… even though it killed me t’ lose you.”