Christian felt a minor sense of dread as he pulled into Taylor's street. Not only is it the last place he expected to be back to so soon, but he knew fully well that the moment he'd returned to Tulsa's borders he was being watched.
And he also had some explaining to do.
He pulled up in the driveway and barely had the bike turned off before Taylor appeared in the doorway.
"Avie!" he called, jogging over to the bike but waiting for her to get off.
Zac and Avery
Zac was close on Taylor's heels, just barely managing to keep from punching Christian. On one hand, he had saved Avery, but on the other... he was Christian.
Avery carefully got off the bike, taking the helmet off slowly and shaking her long hair out. She looked around and then took a step back when Taylor approached.
"Um," she said, then looked to Christian for guidance.
Taylor, Christian & Isaac
Taylor waited until she was off the bike before launching into a hug.
"God I'm so glad you're okay," he breathed.
Christian stepped off the bike and began to undo his helmet. Well this was going to be awkward...
"Avie!" came Isaac's voice as he also appeared from the house, "it's so good to-"
He cut off as Christian removed the helmet.
"Who are you?"
Taylor looked up at that and subconsciously pulled Avery back a bit when he saw that who he thought was Christian... wasn't.
Avery and Zac
"Nooo," Avery said, her voice panicked. She pushed Taylor away and backed up again, her arms folded across her chest.
Her eyes swept over all three brothers and she shook her head slightly. "I don't..."
"What's wrong with - " Zac stopped himself when he heard Taylor's question, and looked over at Christian. Or... someone.
"Who the hell are you?" he asked, taking a step towards Christian. "And why have you got our sister?"
Christian, Taylor & Isaac
"Name's Neal," Christian turned on the charm, stepping over to Taylor in an effort to put some distance between him and Avery.
When Taylor took his hand he pulled him closer.
"For her benefit," he whispered.
Taylor's eyes widened and he cleared his throat.
"Neal," he said decidedly, letting go and stepping back.
While Chris was between them he turned to Isaac and Zac and mouthed 'it's him'.
Isaac just looked confused, before brushing it off and moving in.
"Avery, hi. I'm Isaac. I'm the eldest," he smiled a friendly smile as he held out his hand.
Taylor was evidently holding himself back from hugging her again, hurt at her reaction to the last one.
Christian stepped past Zac, giving him the eye.
Avery and Zac
Avery looked to Christian again, almost to make sure it was safe, then reached out and took Isaac's hand.
"Hi," she said, almost shyly, before her brain registered the feel of his hands and something clicked in her mind. "Is the blood clot all sorted now?"
She raised a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide in shock, and Zac looked at Isaac, then at Taylor, then back at Avery.
Zac squinted at Christian, before stepping forward slowly and holding his hand out to Avery. "I'm Zac, I'm the third eldest. We used to play a lot of lego."
Avery nodded slightly.
Isaac, Taylor & Christian
"Blood clot?" Isaac was taken aback, "wow. That was... what, seven years ago? Well done!"
Taylor looked between them, feeling more than a little awkward.
"That's the first time she's remembered anything, to my knowledge," Christian looked between the brothers.
"Taylor," Taylor nodded, arms around his waist, "second eldest. We ah... I don't even know what to say, I'm sorry."
Avery and Zac
Avery smiled at Isaac, and then turned to Taylor and nodded, picking up something from him. Fragmented thoughts.
"Hi," she said, and was quiet again, regarding all three. The shield that Christian had taught her to build wasn't very strong, it was blocking most voices out, but she could hear those in close proximity. Isaac was oddly silent though.
"I can't hear you," she said to Isaac, looking confused. "Is that good? Or bad?"
Zac gave a little smile. "It's normal. He has a shield, like you. Is everything too loud?"
"No," Avery told him, shaking her head. "Neal taught me how to block it out, but it's not... it doesn't always work."
Christian, Isaac & Taylor
"A temporary measure, which is why you guys need to take her to Tanya as soon as you can," Christian insisted as Isaac smiled knowingly at her.
"You're not coming?" Taylor asked, still freaked out by Christian's current appearance.
"I... don't really think it's my place," Christian shook his head, "besides, I haven't spoken to her since... well you know."
Zac and Avery
Zac looked smug at that. "Yes, well, we can probably take it from here. Thanks and whatever, but she's home now."
Avery backed up again, standing behind Christian now, and she held onto his arm lightly. "I'm scared," she said to him quietly.
Zac's eyes narrowed at Christian, and he stopped himself from burning Avery's hands to get her to stop touching him. Just barely managed to keep control.
"It's ok, Avery," Zac said gently, reaching a tentative hand out for her. "It's safe here, I promise. We'd never let anything happen to you."
Christian & Taylor
"He's right, you know. And they're a lot better at protecting you than I am," Christian insisted, taking her hand and moving it from his arm gently.
"You can stay here, you don't even have to go home yet," Taylor offered, "your luggage turned up here from where you left it in Europe..."
"See? You'll even have clothes," Chris mused.
Avery and Zac
Avery nodded, looking between Zac and Taylor, picking up on the thoughts going through their heads.
"Why do you hate him?" Avery asked Zac suddenly, indicating Christian. "You've been thinking it since we arrived."
Zac shrugged slightly, then remembered with Avery, honesty was always the best policy, whether she remembered it or not. "I don't trust him, is all, especially with you. You're my little sister, and like it or not, Avery, you're always gonna have three older brothers who are probably too protective of you."
She smiled a little at that. "You're funny."
"I have been told that, once or twice."
Christian, Taylor & Isaac
"I haven't said anything about our history, figured she didn't need it," Christian raised his hands in surrender, "and the feeling is pretty mutual."
He turned to stare Zac in the eye again.
"Fair enough," Taylor nodded in appreciation.
"So what exactly have you told her about who you are?" Isaac asked, trying not to be obvious.
"Just that we're friends," Christian turned back to him, "which we are."
Taylor was studying Avery very carefully, and idly wondered if he should go and get her some of her own clothes.
Zac and Avery
"Are you?" Zac raised an eyebrow, then shook himself out of it for Avery's sake. The last thing he figured she'd want would be to see her brother punch the one person who had looked after her.
"Are you happy to stay here?" he asked Avery. "You could always come with me, or Ike, if you like. Or there's mom and dad's..."
"Um..." Avery looked at Taylor, wondering why he kept looking at her so intently. "No, it's ok, I can stay here?"
Taylor, Christian, Isaac & Natalie
Taylor saw the look Chris was giving Zac and took a deep breath. This was going to be interesting.
"Well at least your stuff is already here," he reasoned, "we did wash your clothes, so they're good to go. And your guitar and your sketch pads are all here..."
"Make sense," Isaac shrugged.
About that moment Natalie poked her head out the door.
"How's it going guys?" she asked tentatively.
"Getting there," Isaac waved to her, immediately noticing her eyes fixated on Christian who hadn't even turned around.
Penny took the opportunity to duck out of the door and come running.
"Auntie Avie!" she squealed, running into her arms.
Zac and Avery
"And Ike and I are really close by if you need us as well, I know Kate and my kids would love to come visit," Zac told her gently.
Avery looked up at the sound of her name, before bending down to sweep her niece up in a hug.
"Penny!" she exclaimed, before blanching slightly at the memory.
Zac looked amazed and glanced at Taylor.
Taylor, Penny & Christian
Taylor saw Zac's look and shrugged, clueless.
"Auntie Avie you said you'd be home ages ago!" she scolded, none the wiser.
Christian watched the play off with amusement. She was obviously one of Taylor's menagerie.
Avery and Zac
"Did I?" Avery said, setting the girl down and stayed kneeled so she could keep eye contact with her. "Well, I'm here now, so that counts, right?"
Zac grinned slightly, in moments like this, it almost seemed like nothing was wrong with her.
"I don't know, Pen," he nodded. "I think you should show your Auntie how much you missed her."
Penny, Taylor, Isaac & Christian
"This much!" Penny spread her arms apart as far as she could, a big grin on her face.
Then she jumped up and kissed Avery's cheek.
"So she remembers Penny..." Isaac trailed off, considering, "and she remembered my blood clot from seven years ago. If it really is a physical issue then perhaps it's resolving itself already? It may just take time?"
"Do you really want to take that chance?" Taylor looked to him worriedly, "what if it's both? What if it's something like what I had?"
"Well she doesn't appear to be in pain for one," Isaac shrugged, "maybe Nat could check her over before we go see Tanya?"
"Oh right. 'Nat'," Christian looked as if a light bulb had gone on.
He turned to Taylor.
"The wife, right?"
"Yes," Taylor frowned, cautiously.
Zac and Avery
"But it's never anything too big," Zac mused. "Aside from Penny, the memories are pretty random, I mean, like you said, Ikers, the blood clot was seven years ago."
Avery straightened up, but kept her hand in Penny's, looking down at the little blonde head and she thought she could almost see... but as quickly as the thought formed, it disappeared again.
"So, I'll be staying here?" she asked uncertainly, looking at Christian again for reassurance.
Zac didn't like the way she kept looking at Christian. In fact, he didn't like the way Christian was still here, basically, but he was trying to be civil.
"You sure will," he cut in, nodding at Avery. "And Nat, Taylor's wife is a great cook."
"Georgia." Avery's eyes squinted as she said this. "Can I... can I have a shower?"
Taylor, Christian & Isaac
"Georgia?" Taylor's eyebrows rose.
"That's significant?" Chris turned to him.
"It's where Nat's from," Taylor eyed him, "and... I wrote a song for her called Georgia."
Christian nodded.
"Okay. Well, I will take my leave then," he began, picking up his motorcycle helmet.
"Thankyou for finding her, really," Taylor insisted.
"I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there," Isaac added.
"Let's not think about it," Chris offered.
"Where are you staying?" Taylor asked, folding his arms as the streetlights flickered on.
"Steel will find something for me, no doubt."
Avery and Zac
Avery looked at Christian again, fear shining in her eyes. "Don't..." she stopped herself at the last minute. "Thanks."
Zac stood next to Avery and tentatively put his arm around her shoulders, taking it as a good sign when she didn't pull away.
"Come on, let's get you inside," Zac said softly.
"Ok," Avery agreed, looking up at the house. A flash of something but as quickly as it appeared, it was gone again.
She heard something else and turned to Christian curiously.
"Why won't you see me again?"
Christian, Taylor & Isaac
Christian paused, having just got on his motorcycle.
Taylor looked at him questioningly.
"I didn't say anything," he shrugged, knowing fully well she'd taken it from his mind.
Taylor squinted, but was pulled from his thoughts by his daughter who was reaching up for a lift. He bent down and pulled her up into a piggyback ride.
"He's probably just going to miss you, that's all," Isaac caught on and tried to soften the blow.
"Yeah," Taylor agreed, Chris looking between them.
Zac and Avery
If Zac had been a dog, his hackles would've been well and truly raised by now. He glared at Christian, trying not to get too angry for Avery's sake.
"Yeah," he said, his voice cracking a little. "But he knows the best place for you is here with us."
Avery bit her lip, looking at Zac for a moment and considering the thoughts coming from him. "He didn't touch me," she told him. "He hasn't."
Zac held back a snort. "Well, let's keep it that way. Come on, Aves, you must be - "
"Don't call me that," Avery said quietly. "Please don't call me that. It's just... I don't know you, I'm sorry, and it's... I'm sorry."
"Uh... ok, sorry," he replied, a little surprised, but nodding to show he understood, even if he didn't. "It's ok, don't be sorry. Let's just get you inside."
"Thank you again," Avery turned to Christian again.
Christian, Taylor & Isaac
"It's no bother," Christian shrugged again, grabbing his helmet and starting the bike.
"Call me," Taylor insisted, "we need to talk."
"Yes we do," Christian agreed as he fiddled with the straps on his helmet.
"If we call Steel or Chloe, will we get in contact with you?" Isaac felt the need to ask.
"I'm sure he'll find a way to make it work," Chris assured, finally putting the helmet on.
Zac and Avery
"Come on," Zac said, leading Avery up to Taylor's house, his arm wrapped around her shoulder.
Avery let him lead her, turning at the last minute to watch Christian.
Christian, Penny, Taylor & Isaac
Chris gave her one last smile before backing down the driveway.
"Auntie Avie, are you staying with us?" Penny asked, hugging her Dad's neck.
"That's the idea," Taylor smiled, though he couldn't see her.
"Well let's try and get you settled in first," Isaac began as he led the way back to the house, "and then Natalie has made a killer roast for dinner in your honour."
Taylor glanced back to watch Chris take off down the street.
Zac and Avery
"We get to stay, right?" Zac grinned, looking back at Taylor. "Kate's got some sort of... girl thing happening."
Avery smiled weakly, and let Zac guide her into the house.
"Can I have a shower first?" she asked quietly.
Isaac, Taylor, Penny & Natalie
"Yes we were invited," Isaac smirked at Zac, "she didn't make it for ten people for nothing."
"Sure thing," Taylor responded to Avery.
Once he was inside he let Penny fall to her feet.
"Come with me, I'll show you where your stuff is."
Isaac meanwhile made his way into the kitchen.
"Need any help?" he asked Natalie.
"So far so good," she smiled, "but if you wouldn't mind playing zookeeper, I have no idea where the boys are."
"On it," Isaac saluted, before going on the hunt.
Zac and Avery
"Well, I should hope so," Zac grinned. "Because Kate is her best friend and I am her brother in law and... yes. That's all I have."
Avery followed along behind Taylor, looking around at the house, trying to remember something, anything.
Zac chuckled and followed after Isaac to help with the child hunt.
Taylor
Penny on their tails, Taylor showed Avery where her room was (opting to give her the one Zac usually used on a late night session), and the nearest bathroom.
"When you're ready, I think dinner's almost done," he said softly, "just follow the voices, I guess."
Avery and Zac
"Thanks," Avery nodded, then went into the room. She found the bags with her stuff and she unzipped it, pulling out a fresh change of clothes and went into the bathroom.
Not long after, she was showered and dressed and she did as Taylor said, and followed the voices to find them at dinner.
"Hi there," Zac said, looking up with a smile as she entered the room.
Taylor & Natalie
Taylor immediately stood as she made an appearance.
"Hey," he greeted, indicating a place for her at the table next to Penny.
"We'll get around the introductions in a moment. Would you like a drink?"
Natalie smiled at her, subtly sending out some healing vibes her direction. But she could already tell there wasn't going to be much that she could help with...
Avery and Zac
"Sure, thanks," Avery said to Taylor. "Um... I don't really know what I like, just, anything?"
Zac smiled encouragingly at her. "You like juice usually."
Isaac, Taylor, Natalie, menagerie
"I got it," Isaac stood, indicating the kids.
"So we're going to play a game," Taylor announced to the kids, "we all know that Auntie Avie's been away for a while, so we're going to pretend that... we're just starting all over. Okay? Pretend she's come back from her holiday a completely new person, and you need to remind her of how awesome you each are-"
Natalie chuckled to herself at the looks on the kids' faces.
"So... what are we doing?" Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"Let me start," Natalie suggested, leaning over the table to shake Avery's hand, "I'm Natalie. Your sister-in-law."
River started giggling.
Avery and Zac
Avery reached over and shook Natalie's hand. "Hi."
Zac chuckled, and turned to Taylor, giving him a thumbs up.
Avery looked around at the rest of the table.
Isaac, Taylor & menagerie
Isaac returned with Avery's juice as Taylor indicated for Ezra to go next.
"I'm Ezra," he extended his own hand.
"Tell her how old you are," Taylor continued.
"Six. I'm six," Ezra smiled, "and I like to use your telepathy when I can?"
"Okay we'll hold that for the moment," Taylor looked to Penny.
"My name's Penny and I'm four!" she announced.
Zac and Avery
Zac laughed at Ezra's comment, and looked to Avery to see her reaction.
"Hi Ezra," Avery said slowly, furrowing her eyebrows at how well he spoke, and at his comment.
She turned to Penny.
"Hi Pennyloafer," she said, blinking slightly at the remembered nickname.
Taylor, Natalie, Isaac & menagerie
"Riv?" Taylor's eyebrows rose.
"River?" he said, shy suddenly.
"And how old are you?"
"Two?"
"Going on three," Natalie smiled, "and this is Viggo, who'll be one at the end of the year."
"And this is my family," Taylor smiled, taking his seat.
"Wait until you meet Zac's," Isaac's eyebrows rose.
Zac and Avery
Zac grinned. "Well, it's only four of us at the moment."
Avery nodded at River and Viggo, then smiled slightly at Taylor.
"Well... hi everyone."
Taylor & menagerie
"Hi!" the kids chorused.
Taylor smiled slightly, before bowing his head and saying grace.
When he was done, he reached over and squeezed Natalie's hand. He could tell she was feeling a little drained already.
"Let's eat!" he announced, before the kids immediately dug in.
Avery and Zac
"Thank you," Avery said to Natalie quietly. "For dinner, and for letting me stay."
"She'd never admit it to the rest of the family," Zac grinned, winking at Natalie, "but you're her favourite Hanson sibling."
Natalie, Isaac & Ezra
"Why, are you jealous? Zachary?" Natalie teased, "and you're welcome, Avery. Anytime."
"Ike's my favourite," Ezra said decidedly.
"You only like me for my telekinesis," Isaac pointed out;
Ezra considered it.
"Maybe. Okay, Zac's my favourite."
Zac and Avery
Zac chuckled. "It's ok, I know I'm the real favourite, I married your best friend, after all."
Avery looked around the table, and her eyes fell on Ezra.
"So... does everyone... Neal told me I was telepathic, does everyone here have... a power?"
Taylor, Natalie, Isaac & menagerie
"Yeah we do," Taylor couldn't help but smile.
Natalie looked across at him, biting her lip.
"Obviously I am telekinetic, sorry about that," Isaac shrugged, "probably something we should mention on a first meeting, huh?"
"Should we go around the table?" Taylor suggested.
Avery and Zac
"Oh," Avery nodded, looking around.
"I can manipulate temperature," Zac said, smiling at her. "So I can make things hot or cold... or mild. Or warm. Or cool. Or... well, you know, you get the point."
Isaac & Natalie
"Speaking of, Zac, would you mind?" Isaac held out his mug of hours-old coffee.
"Empathic healing," Natalie interjected, "I hope you don't mind, I've been using it on you since you walked in..."
Zac and Avery
"Oh, sure, now you need me," Zac joked, before looking at the mug and heating it up again.
"Oh, no, that's ok?" Avery shrugged. "It's not... it's not hurting, so it can't be bad."
Natalie & Taylor
Natalie smiled appreciatively.
"No, it isn't bad," she promised.
"And I can vouch for that," Taylor assured.
He took a deep breath.
"My power is called 'Tongue'. It means I can speak all sorts of different languages. I also have a little bit of telepathy, but it doesn't work so well here..."
Avery and Zac
"Oh, like me?" Avery asked.
Zac snorted before Taylor could answer. "He wishes. Avery, when it comes to telepathy, you are the best of the best."
Taylor, Isaac & menagerie
"He's not wrong," Taylor agreed.
"'Grandmaster'," Isaac said teasingly.
"Guys?" Taylor looked to the kids, "tell Auntie Avie what powers you have?"
"I can help the animals," Penny said smartly, "when they hurt. I help them."
"Animal healing," Taylor amended.
Zac and Avery
Zac chuckled at Isaac, then focused on his dinner, still listening to the conversation around the table.
Avery looked next to her at Penny and smiled slightly. "Cool."
Taylor & menagerie
"Riv? What can you do?" Taylor prompted.
"Play with water," River nodded.
"Right," Taylor smiled, "and yes, he was named before we found that out."
"I can do everything!" Ezra said proudly.
Zac and Avery
"It just makes you the coolest Hanson around," Zac grinned at Ezra.
"You can do everything?" Avery asked.
Taylor, Isaac & menagerie
"Duh," Ezra quipped.
"His power is to - effectively - 'borrow' powers from everyone else," Taylor explained, "usually he takes mine, but he has been known to try out everything..."
Ezra chuckled to himself.
"And I believe mine has been the favourite since he was a baby," Isaac mused.
"Yours is just more fun!" Ezra insisted.
"You keep taking it and we'll make you do the dishes every night like Uncle Ike does," Taylor insisted.
"But I'm only a kid!"
"You're older," Penny poked her tongue out at her brother.
Avery and Zac
Avery nodded slowly. "So... we're..."
"Aliens," Zac put in, trying to be helpful. "Not evil ones though. We don't really know any evil ones. Well..."
He deliberately changed his pattern of thought.
"In any case, we're not green, or grey, and we're all pretty cool."
Taylor
"Although Zac has been known to turn blue and grow tentacles," Taylor put in.
Isaac sighed dramatically.
"Probably not what she needs to hear just yet."
"We're going there anyway," Natalie mused, "there's another alien race out there called Adige that are blue with tentacles. Some of us have bodies that adapt to other... species, so to speak. Zac happens to be an easy target for that."
"I don't even think anyone else has changed at all," Taylor looked to her.
"Well you did mentally. I mean power wise," she amended.
"Yeah with the telepathy, but no other Hanson beside Zac has done the physical transformation thing yet."
"We also haven't taken the kids to the station yet," Isaac pointed out.
Zac and Avery
"And you lived there," Zac told her. "The Space Station, that is. You went to school there, and went to study with the... well, she was the best teacher. Until you came along."
Avery furrowed her eyebrows. "Me?"
Zac chuckled. "Avery, dear sister, you are potentially the most powerful out of all of our family."
Isaac, Taylor & Natalie
"Very true," Isaac agreed, "you're the most powerful telepath anyone that knows you knows."
"I wonder..." Taylor suddenly had a thought, "what if that has something to do with what's happened?"
"What do you mean?" Natalie asked.
"Her power level," Taylor said, "I'm wondering if she was targeted. I mean we all know about that from experience."
"In front of the kids?" Nat said under her breath.
"Sorry. But I think it's a possibility."
Zac and Avery
"Well, it's happened to her..." Zac cut himself off, and stopped thinking about it, but gave Taylor a meaningful look.
"But I can't think of any other Masters who would want to take her on."
Avery looked confused at that.
Taylor & Natalie
"But we don't really know all of them either," Taylor pointed out, "we don't know who her classmates were. We don't know many who graduated before her. I mean we have a general idea of the Masters because there aren't many of them, but they weren't the only ones in the Ga'Revali course, you know?"
"Taylor, calm down," Natalie said softly.
Taylor sat back a little, forcing himself to settle for the kids' sake.
Avery and Zac
"Do people hate me?" Avery asked Zac.
"Not hate," Zac replied. "But I can't think of anyone who would be stupid enough to take you on. You've proven more than once to the wider community that you're not exactly to be trifled with."
Isaac
"It's jealousy," Isaac reasoned, "and sometimes, it's just fear of what's different. We're not at all strangers to the realm of alien hunters, sadly."
Avery
Avery nodded, looking at Isaac for a long moment.
"It feels weird to not be able to hear you."
Isaac, Taylor, Ezra & Natalie
"You usually are able to, you just wouldn't be used to my block right now," he tapped his temple, "you'll be back in in no time."
"Yeah, make the most of it while you can," Taylor smirked.
"Can I be excused?" Ezra asked.
"Eat your greens first," Natalie instructed.
Avery and Zac
"His thoughts can't be as bad as Zac's," Avery said, smiling. She indicated with her thumb at him.
"He's been alternating between food and who I can only assume is his wife, naked."
Zac chuckled.
Taylor & Isaac
"Oh I don't know about that," Taylor smiled coyly.
Ezra gulped down his vegetables, then disappeared from the room.
"Nikki is fine, by the way," Isaac said.
Zac and Avery
"Yeah, she is fine," Zac joked.
"Is that your wife, Ike?" Avery asked.
Isaac & Taylor
"Yes, Nikki is my wife," Isaac confirmed, "and Kate is Zac's."
Taylor's eyes shone as he registered Avery calling Isaac by his nickname, but he said nothing.
He looked up at the doorway when he could hear the piano being played.
Zac and Avery
"We Hanson's pick good looking gals," Zac said, grinning at Natalie. "I mean, all three of us have ended up with incredibly gorgeous ladies."
Avery looked towards the doorway, hearing the piano. She smiled slightly, her eyes misting over, remembering something, she just wasn't sure what it was.
"Not to mention our sisters," Zac continued, oblivious. "I mean, Jess kinda came into her own in the last few years, and Avery, well, she's made a living from it, and Zoe really blossomed when she started doing ballet."
The last word caught Avery's attention, and she looked at Taylor for a long moment, before asking, "what about the ballerina?"
Zac stopped rambling and turned to look at Avery, wondering if she knew the significance of that statement.
Taylor & Isaac
Taylor locked eyes with her, caught off guard.
"Do you remember that from somewhere?" Isaac asked her.
Avery and Zac
Avery bit her lip. "Yes... no, I don't know... was it wrong?"
Zac shook his head. "No, it wasn't wrong."
Isaac, Taylor, Natalie
"It was part of a song," Isaac amended, before looking to Taylor.
"Do you have it anywhere?"
"Huh?" Taylor looked up.
"Do you have Soldier anywhere? The song?"
"Um," Taylor looked to Natalie, "maybe?"
"Perhaps after dinner we could show her some stuff?" Natalie suggested, indicating the kids still happily eating for the moment.
Zac and Avery
"We're in a band," Zac explained, indicating himself, Taylor and Isaac. "You used to love being in the studio with us."
Avery nodded, then took a sip of her drink.
Taylor & Isaac
"Maybe we should just spend some time in the studio?" Taylor suggested.
"I don't know, it's getting kinda late..." Isaac hissed a little, "I might have told Nikki I wouldn't be late tonight. And after last time..."
"Understood," Taylor nodded, "Zac?"
Zac and Avery
"I can stay, I'm putting off going home... Kate has friends over," Zac chuckled. "So, I'm giving them space. Studio works for me."
Avery looked at Zac and then at Taylor.
Taylor, Natalie, menagerie & Isaac
"Cool," Taylor nodded, "settled."
"Mommy I'm done," Penny said, immediately sliding off her chair.
"What do you say?" Natalie looked her in the eye.
"'Scuse me," Penny said, before waiting for Natalie's nod and then high tailing it from the room.
River watched after her, then looked back pleadingly.
"Okay River, you too," Natalie smiled.
He grinned and followed his sister.
Taylor looked down at his plate, realising he'd barely eaten anything yet.
"No you don't, mister," Natalie pointed her fork at him.
Taylor rolled his eyes and forced himself to keep eating.
"Well I'm done," Isaac announced, "and as mentioned, should probably get home. Avery, I am glad you are safe, and well. As well as could be expected, anyhow."
He stood from the table, telekinetically sending his dishes in to the kitchen as he did so.
"Can I have a hug before I go?" he raised an eyebrow, unsure.
Avery and Zac
"Um... sure, I guess," Avery said, standing up.
She was feeling a little bit more comfortable with everyone now, after spending more time with them and hearing their stories.
'Good sign?' Zac mouthed to Taylor.
Taylor, Isaac, Natalie
Taylor nodded in response to Zac, watching as she and Isaac hugged.
Isaac relished the moment before pulling away.
"I’ll see you guys tomorrow, yeah?" he looked between his brothers for confirmation, "and thanks again Nat for a lovely dinner."
"You're welcome Ike," Natalie smiled as he ruffled Viggo's hair.
"Bye everyone!" he waved, before departing.
Taylor looked down at his plate again and tried to hurry it up.
Avery and Zac
Avery waved slightly, a faint trace of a smile on her face. She sat back down in her seat.
"So we have been known," Zac said, looking over at Avery. "To stay all night in the studio."
Natalie & Taylor
"Now there's an understatement," Natalie observed.
"Depends on what we cook up," Taylor shrugged, mouth full of food.
Zac and Avery
Zac grinned at Natalie. "I, for one, am always encouraging early nights!"
"So, you record everything from here?" Avery asked.
Taylor
"Just demos," Taylor amended.
"We have real studio access at our headquarters, and in LA."
Zac and Avery
"Dude, are you done?" Zac asked, rolling his eyes a little. "Or should I just show Avery and we'll wait for you down there?"
Avery shook her head at Zac's impatience. "Are you always like this?"
"No," Zac smiled innocently.
Taylor & Natalie
"Yes," Taylor and Nat said at the same time.
"You're going to have to fight Ezra for the piano by the sounds of it," Natalie mused.
"It's Monday, so it's his bedtime anyway," Taylor pointed out.
"Oh right... let me put Viggo down and I'll sort them out."
"Thanks."
Taylor waited until she'd left the room, then pushed his plate forward.
"Let's go!"
Zac and Avery
Zac chuckled and stood, waiting for Avery before following the pair of them from the room.
"Big house," Avery commented as they went through the hallway.
Taylor & Ezra
"Lots of kids, lots of instruments," Taylor shrugged, spotting the music room door ajar.
"Ezra?" he called before entering, hearing the playing stop, "come on dude, it's bedtime."
"Can't I just stay for like... ten more minutes? I want to write this one down!"
Taylor sighed.
"Okay fine. But I told you to go to bed, so Mom's kicking your butt, not mine."
"Yes!" Ezra pumped his fist, before quickly writing down what he'd done.
Zac and Avery
"Child prodigy," Zac said, nodding.
Avery's eyes fell onto one of the acoustic guitars.
Taylor
Taylor purposely stopped himself from looking over Ezra's shoulder at what he was doing, but it was hard. To distract himself, he made his way to a stack of guitar cases and fetched the one from the top.
"Here," he said to Avery, holding it out, "this one's yours."
"I'm done Dad, goodnight!" Ezra waved, before jumping up and making to leave the room.
"Don't forget to brush your teeth!" Taylor called after.
"Yes Daaaaaaaad..."
"Goodnight!"
He turned back to Avery expectantly, then went to grab his own main acoustic.
Avery and Zac
Avery lifted the guitar out of the case and furrowed her eyebrows as she held it. She sat down with it, tuning by ear.
Zac watched her carefully, seating himself at the piano to watch.
Eyes slightly glazed over, Avery plucked the strings, playing the opening chords to MMMBop.
Taylor
Taylor grinned, then came in with the 'oh's at the appropriate moment. He went to sit on the piano stool as he readied his own guitar.
Zac and Avery
Zac chuckled, then went to sit on his little box, hitting it gently in time with Avery's guitar.
Avery smiled slightly, continuing to play, not sure how she knew this, but knowing it had something to do with her former self.
Taylor
"You have so many relationships in this life
only one or two will last
you go through all the pain and strife
then you turn your back and they're gone so fast... ooh yeah."
Taylor came in with his own guitar.
"So hold on to the ones who really care
in the end they'll be the only ones there
when you get old and start losing your hair
can you tell me who will still - care?"
Zac and Avery
Zac sang along in his harmony, and then looked up as Avery stopped playing. "Avery?"
Avery lifted one hand to her face, squinting her eyes as she saw something just out of reach.
"I was there, wasn't I? I was... when this song was..."
"Being filmed?" Zac guessed. "You were there for a lot of the time when this song was released."
Taylor
"We were kids," Taylor nodded, his hand resting on the strings.
"This song... made us famous. We had written it like years before, but you might remember it better from when we were about..." he paused thoughtfully, "Zac would have been 11, I would have been 13, when the song was recorded."
Zac and Avery
"So it's good that I remembered it," Avery said, glancing between them.
"It's awesome that you did," Zac smiled. "Being here seems to be doing wonders already for you. And you know, being with Taylor will help too."
Taylor
Taylor grinned.
"Plus I'm the only one with the home studio, technically," he pointed out.
Zac and Avery
"True, I only have the drum room in my place," Zac chuckled. "But I think this place will help you a lot, you didn't really spend a lot of time at my place."
"Do I hate you?" Avery asked.
Zac laughed again. "No, my house just used to be a little crowded."
Taylor
"Zac has about twenty kids," Taylor informed her, "and that's not even an exaggeration. I think."
Zac and Avery
Zac chuckled. "Currently there's only two living with me."
"Is..." Avery paused, wondering how to ask her next question. "Do I spend a lot of time with Penny?"
Taylor
"Depends on how you mean," Taylor considered.
"I mean you've spent a lot of time travelling around and being in New York, but you sort of keep an open telepathic line with all of us, so... you could always have been talking to her a lot without me knowing."
Zac and Avery
"Maybe," Avery mused. "She just seems the most familiar, out of all of your kids."
"Probably because she looks a bit like you," Zac chuckled. "Or you used to, anyway."
Taylor
"That's kinda true," Taylor considered, "besides her having Nat's eyes. Which are just darker. Actually, she does really look like you did as a kid. Wow."
Zac and Avery
"Yeah, I only noticed it the other day actually," Zac laughed. "I never really thought about it before."
"Can I see photos?" Avery asked. "Of me as a kid, I mean."
Taylor
"Sure! Um," Taylor cut himself off, "but they're kinda at Mom and Dad's..."
Zac and Avery
"We can go there later this week?" Zac suggested, giving Taylor a look.
"I mean, Mom and Dad need to see her anyway."
Avery ran her fingers over her guitar again.
Taylor
"Mom's already been calling," Taylor admitted sheepishly.
"Maybe I'll ask her to bring some over."
Zac
"It might help to see Zoe and Jess too," Zac mused.
"I mean, she wasn't always the closest with Jess, but..."
Taylor
"If we could get everyone together I doubt it could be anything but helpful," Taylor pointed out, "you know, our immediate family at least."
Zac and Avery
"That's true, it can't hurt," Zac agreed. "I mean, seeing your kids seemed to help a little, so, hopefully..."
He glanced across at Avery.