ISSUE # 100.5

" So, where's dad at? He didn't come?" Ian asked. It had been a few minutes since he had finished crying, and now he was wondering where his father was.

" Your dad... Doesn't know I came here. He and I haven't seen eye to eye recently. A lot has.... happened. But don't worry, he'll come around eventually. For now, why don't you tell me more about your school? You never did answer my question from before. The girl, was she the one you wrote about?" Mrs. Sinclair asked the boy.

" No." Ian replied with a shake of his head. " No, that's.... Well, that's complicated. But the girl I'm with now is named Noriko. Noriko Ashida, she's from Japan. We just got together recently." Ian told the woman.

" Really, well, maybe it's for the better." She replied.

" Yeah...." Ian spoke.

The room was quiet, the tension was still thick, even if it was beginning to ease. Ian felt awkward, he didn't know what to say, how would he even begin to describe to someone normal what had happened.

" Well, what else has been going on? I know a lot is going on for mutants. What with the crisis going on. The entire population suddenly vanished or something right? Are you okay? Do you... Still have your powers?" Mrs. Sinclair asked the boy.

" Yeah, it has been a lot, and yes, I do still have my powers. I even have new ones." Ian told the woman. He raised his hand and his energy started glowing red.

" Whoa!" Mrs. Sinclair exclaimed. She leaned in close to the boy's hand and marveled at the amazing, warm, red light. " What does it do?" She asked.

" I can control energy. All kinds, electrical, Nuclear, Psionic, kinetic, even Gamma radiation. As long as it's a form of energy I bend it to my will. I can also manipulate the energy in my own body to fly, shoot beams, and.... Well, I don't know what else. I haven't really explored the possibilities of my powers. I haven't really had the chance. Between being bombed, hunted, imprisoned and tortured, and even being sent to hell, I just haven't really had time to think on it." Ian explained.

Ian looked over at his mother's, horrified face, and knew he might have made a mistake.

" Right." He muttered.

" All of that happened in what? The span of a year? Maybe two? Ian.... I had no idea." She told the boy.

" Right, You didn't hear all of that on the news. Of course, why would they report anything bad happening to mutants that doesn't involve us miraculously disappearing?" Ian spoke.

" Ian, I'm sorry." Mrs. Sinclair told the boy.

" No, don't worry about it. I think, maybe this is enough for the night. I better go, I still need to be back for curfew." Ian stated. He got up from the couch and his mother followed after.

" Wait! Why are you leaving? You only just got here." She said.

Ian stopped, with his hand on the door, and turned back around.

" Look, mom.... This is still weird. A lot's happened. And I've changed. I've changed so much. I've done so much! And I want this to be real. I want to believe you accept me now. I want to believe this is really you standing in front of me. But it's just been so long. I can't just.... Trust you." Ian told the woman. Mrs. Sinclair rightfully hung her head and frowned. However. " But I am willing to give you a second chance." Ian told the woman with a smile on his face.

" I'd like nothing more. How about I come by for dinner tomorrow?" She asked.

" I'd have to ask the headmaster, he's a bit of a tool. But I think he'd be fine with it. I'll give you a call and let you know." Ian told the woman. " I love you, Mum." He spoke.

The two hugged each other tightly, with Mrs. Sinclair planting a small kiss on her sons forehead.

" I love you too, Sweetheart. Have a safe trip." She told the boy.

" I will, Mum. I'll see you later." Ian spoke. He gave his mom one last hug before exiting the apartment. He rode the elevator down to the main lobby, feeling a little better than he did before. A feeling of joy resting nicely in the pit of his stomach and a smile resting on his face. Something Scott didn't hesitate to point out.

" Well, someone looks happy. Can I guess we'll be having a guest over more often?" Scott asked the boy.

" She wants to come over for dinner tomorrow. Can she?" Ian asked the man.

" I'll tell the lunch lady, to make something special." Scott replied.

" Actually, I think I got it covered." Ian told the man.

" Oh yeah? I didn't know you can cook." Scott replied.

" There's a lot you don't know about me, Scotty." Ian joked.

Ian couldn't see it, but from the expression on Scott's face, he could tell the man was rolling his eyes.

Scott got in the car and started it up, while Noriko spoke to Ian.

" Did everything go well?" She asked.

" Well, it was weird, I won't lie. But yeah, it was nice. She told me she loved me and that she was sorry. I think she meant it." Ian told the girl.

Noriko smiled and hugged Ian.

" I'm so happy for you, Ian. That's great news. When we get back, we're going to celebrate. Are you hungry?" Noriko asked the boy.

" No, not really." Ian replied. Somewhere along the line he lost the translations of what Noriko had said.

" Well, you will be. Cuz you're gonna be eating Japanese tonight." Nori leaned up and bit Ian on his ear before whispering ever so slightly into it.

Ian's face flushed instantly, as he began to understand what Noriko was telling him. He then let out a chuckle and kissed the girl on her lips.

" I'm hungry now, come on, let's get in the car before shades thinks something is up." Ian told the girl. He reached over and opened the door for Noriko and allowed the girl to enter before doing the same himself.

The group then returned to the institute for the night.

Things were peaceful and silent, save for the ever so slightest sound of a wooden bed frame creaking.