Arriving at Ellison High confirmed Lucas' fear. The ECHO agent, raised to bark at his master's order, to never wander from the leash, to live, eat, and breathe for ECHO alone, that very boy was facing the biggest liability anyone in his line of work could – he cared. Lucas was no longer the fearless shell he'd once wandered from job to job as. He'd tasted the warmth of friendship, and he couldn't go back.

If he were his old self, he would have easily decided between keeping Nathan in the dark or disposing of the liability that knew more than he should. The new him, however, hesitated.

As brown eyes questioned the ECHO agent, he felt the familiar need to protect, to keep his friend far from the battlefield and clutches of the dark world beyond. It was still a feeling he was trying to get used to – one he'd only become privy to since Ellison and meeting a certain black haired brown eyed beauty from Bel.

I need to share some information, Lucas decided. However, he wasn't sure he wanted Nathan to be aware of a killer lurking around.

"We're working together," the ECHO agent spoke.

Nathan stood, eyebrows raising. "Huh?"

Lucas stopped dribbling the football, trapping it under a foot. "I was sent over to work with them." He nodded his head in the direction he'd come from. "We're on the same side."

Nathan didn't say anything, surprise written clearly on his face. After a moment, he lifted a hand and scratched his chin.

"You're telling me that one day you're running from them and the next you're buddies?"

Lucas nodded.

His former roommate looked far from convinced.

"What can I say, in my line of work it is what it is." Lucas rolled the football back and flicked it up with a foot. He caught it. "I just follow orders."

Nathan's eyes widened. "Wait a minute. If you're working together..." he shot a nervous glance around before leaning closer, "something bad is going on, isn't it?"

This was the part Lucas wasn't willing to share. He let amusement flicker across his face as he juggled the ball from one hand to another.

"Sorry, partner. No exciting snooping around this time." He winked.

Disappointment flashed across Nathan's face. "Then...?" the Korean kid began.

"Training," Lucas threw out the most harmless and yet plausible reason.

"Training?" Nathan repeated.

Lucas nodded. He caught the ball and tucked it under an arm. "You think they would have let me back in here if we weren't on the same side?"

Nathan shook his head. "But why invite you back for training?"

Lucas gave a cocky grin at that. "To learn." He threw the ball.

Nathan caught it.

"From the best," Lucas finished.

A smile spread across his friend's face. He threw the ball back with a chuckle. "So that's it then?" He picked up the bag he'd dropped. "Can't say I'm not happy that they invited you back." Slinging the bag over one shoulder, he threw his other arm around Lucas, pulling the boy along to the dorms.

"But I would be lying if I didn't say I wasn't a little disappointed," Nathan revealed. He withdrew an arm and pretended to flex his muscles. "I was getting ready to be of more help in the field." He grinned. "You inspired me. I picked up Tae Kwan Do from where I left off several years ago. I'm also almost a year into Aikido. Apparently, I'm a natural."

"Inspired?" Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"My old man has been bothering me about it for years. Says a tycoon's son should be prepared for all sorts of battles to come his way." He adjusted the bag. "When I was younger you wouldn't believe the number of idiots that attempted to kidnap me and my sister." He spread an arm, turning in a circle while he walked, "this is the first school my father didn't actively enroll bodyguards with me."

And why would he when there's an entire government agency on campus? Lucas shot a glance to the field in the distance where boys practiced.

"Keep all you know about me in the dark or you'll have more to worry about than kidnappers," Lucas warned.

"No worries there." Nathan thumped a hand to his chest. "There's a world class actor right here. Also, I'm not so bad at handling myself now. And who knows," he gave Lucas a cheeky grin, "maybe in a few years I'll be an even match."

Lucas chuckled. "I'll be waiting. Also, remind me to stay on your good side when the time comes."

Nathan wiggled his eyebrows in response. It was followed by a scowl as a thought seemed to cross his mind. "I need to practice, so I can give that trash a piece of my mind."

"Trouble?" Lucas asked. The dorm loomed closer.

Nathan shook his head. "Amber."

Lucas' heart skipped a beat at the name.

"Apparently she was dating some tool."

The ECHO agent hadn't been aware that one could choke on air. He let out a cough.

"She dumped the guy," Nathan continued, unaware of his friend's reaction. "But from what she said, he doesn't seem to know when to stop getting on her case. Just wait till I get my hands on him."

Lucas put some space between him and the murderous intent seeping from his former roommate.

"You ever met this guy?" he asked.

"Do I need to?" Nathan muttered. "I've heard what I need from Amber." He turned, eyes alight. "Do you take elimination requests from friends?"

Not if it's suicide, Lucas thought in reply. "Maybe he's not such a bad guy?" he suggested instead.

Nathan grunted, sounding far from convinced.

They neared the front doors as a group of guys sprinted by.

"First!" the yell drifted back as the group ploughed through the front doors.

Nathan approached the entrance, grin reappearing. "Welcome to senior year."

The two boys stepped into the living quarters hundreds of crazy hormonal teenage boys shared.

Though it was usually filled with the students, most were currently out and about at club activities. Despite this, there were still several at the TV in the large lounge, fighting over the controls to a game.

Ignoring them, Nathan lead the way to the door connecting the area to dorm three. Unlike the previous time, there were no "keep out" signs on the door. Instead, a simple sign spelled out the word Legends. Below it, in a less graceful manners, the originals had been scribbled with a permanent marker. A glance at dorm two's door revealed the reason. For they had a replica sign that said The Better Legends.

Lucas hid the grin. Looks like the rivalry is as alive as ever.

The moment Nathan pushed the door open to dorm three, a familiar chaos embraced the two boys.

"Papa's home!" Nathan yelled as he strode down the hallway strewn with clothes and school books.

Greetings erupted from rooms where doors were open, and teenagers lounged within. The boys not currently at club activities looked to be taking the time to do anything other than homework.

Lucas raised the ball in his hands, just in time to block the nerf gun dart that thumped against it. It dropped to the ground. Nathan, who wasn't quite as lucky, took one to the chest.

"Hey!" he yelled.

The culprits retreated, doors slamming as they sought safety over conflict.

"Looks like you have this place under your full control," Lucas commented as he stepped over a backpack dumped in the middle of the hallway.

"Oh, they'll have this place spotless by tonight," Nathan assured. He kicked a pair of boxers to the side. "Boxers in the hallway will get hung on the flag pole next to Bel High!" he yelled the warning.

Quicker than a meerkat popping out from its hole, a hand appeared from a room, plucking the boxers from sight. The owner didn't show his face for even a second.

"See." Nathan shot Lucas a wicked grin. "Easy."

A door opened and figure in a hoodie slowly back out, arms loaded with books.

"Hey!" Nathan greeted.

The figure jumped like a scared rabbit. He turned.

A familiar face stared out from beneath a hood too large for his head. Lucas made eye contact with the very boy who had tried to stake him, dumped holy water on him, slapped him with a dead cow, and claimed he was a vampire – Jamie.

The boy narrowed his eyes, recognition flashing through them as he took in Lucas.

"Yo." Lucas raised hand in greeting to boy. "Long time no see."

"You have returned," Jamie stated.

"Yes," Lucas replied as he couldn't help but wonder what craziness would ensue.

Jamie didn't even blink as his eyes flickered to Nathan. His fingers tightened around his books. "About my neighbors," he spoke.

Nathan shook his head. "I already told you. They check out Jamie. One hundred percent human."

Jamie scowled. "Four fifty am," he began.

"Oh boy," Nathan muttered under his breath.

Lucas leaned back, letting the events unfold with some amusement. He'd missed the random and crazy moments the dorm life.

"There was movement next door."

"Sometimes people wake up to use the bathroom," Nathan pointed out.

"At four fifty?" Jamie challenged.

"Nature calls when it has to," Nathan responded.

"At six five."

Nathan shot Lucas a pleading look. The boy shrugged in response.

"I heard more movement."

"Considering that your neighbors are both on sports teams, that would mean they're getting up for practice," Nathan cut in.

Jamie reached into a pocket and pulled out a notebook. He held it out.

Nathan reluctantly took it and began to flip. Messy handwriting winked back.

"I have logged everything from actions to diet and sleep patterns in the last two weeks. After my investigation, I have reached the conclusion that both my neighbors," Jamie paused dramatically, glanced around, and leaned forward.

Lucas and Nathan responded by leaning in.

"They are hiding something," Jamie breathed.

Lucas felt the presence but made no movement.

Whack!

The book cracked down on Jamie's head a second later.

The boy let out a yelp, backing into his door as though trying to melt into it.

"Is the crazy kid spouting nonsense again?" a voice asked.

Jamie's eyes grew as large as saucers as they flew from the newcomer to the dorm head in a silent call for help.

Lucas turned his attention to the new guy. Tall and lean, he seemed to just beat Nathan when it came to height. Blue eyes stared out from a pale complexion topped off by black hair.

Lacrosse, Lucas identified the team the boy belonged to at once. If wasn't his build that gave it away but the sports outfit the boy wore with the lacrosse team's logo. Though his face was familiar, he wasn't someone Lucas had much interaction with before, which meant his class and year were most likely different too.

The boy leaned against the wall, eyeing Jamie who cowered beneath his gaze.

"Still terrified of me?" the newcomer asked with a sigh.

"You been going to the bathroom at four fifty am, Stefan?" Nathan asked.

The boy named Stefan tapped the book in his hands against his chin.

Watership Down, Lucas read the title. He wasn't familiar with it. Reading other than for studying or a job wasn't something he'd been privy to.

"Four fifteen?" Stefan shrugged. "Can't recall. Ask Mark."

"You sure you weren't up reading?" Nathan prompted. His eyes wandered to the book. "A new one again? I thought you were reading Redemption?"

"That was yesterday." Stefan waved the book toward the cowering Jamie. "You got any good suggestions for when I finish this one?"

Jamie pulled his hood lower, muttered something, and darted down the hallway.

Three boys watched him flee.

"Forever an odd one," Stefan commented. He turned his attention to Lucas. "I know you."

"This is Lucas," Nathan sprang into the introductions. "He was here about a year ago. Third member of the legendary three, remember?"

A smile spread across Stefan's face. "Lucas. Of course!" He raised a hand, exchanging a high five with the ECHO agent. "Got to say, I'm a fan of delivery service you were a part of."

Lucas shot Nathan a questioning look.

"Roses," the one spoken word by his roommate was enough for Lucas to know what was being referred to.

"Maybe one day, us mere mortals can do something half as great," Stefan joked.

Lucas smiled in return. "I wouldn't wish it on my enemies." He winced, remembering an outfit completed with fruit.

Stefan nodded to a door next to the one Jamie had crept from. "I'm in room two fifty if you're ever looking for a volunteer for anything fun." His grinned. With that, he headed down the hallway, book swinging from one hand.

"Stefan's cool," Nathan spoke as both boys watched him knock on a door some ways down. "He moved over from dorm one. Switched with another dude that wasn't doing so well in our rambunctious environment."

"My man!" voices called as Stefan disappeared inside the same room.

Adjusting the bag over his shoulder, Nathan picked up walking in the direction of their target.

"Jamie hasn't changed," Lucas mentioned.

"Him?" Nathan shrugged. "Don't worry, he's pretty caught up with trying to get his grades acceptable enough to actually graduate this year. Besides, he's pretty hung up on proving Stephan and Mark aren't human."

"That's a relief," Lucas revealed. "I won't have to be keeping on my toes then, huh?"

"Not if you avoid his attention," Nathan agreed. "When I first became dorm head, he made me sit through an entire presentation on who was human and who wasn't. Apparently, there's another apocalypse scheduled for later this year too."

"Zombies?" Lucas asked.

Nathan stopped at a door. "Genetically enhanced wasps," he revealed. "Apparently they're all the rage right now in a secret lab in the west."

"Ah."

"Let's see if the studious one is home." Nathan raised a knuckle. He paused. "Oh...a heads up. When you meet your second roommate, don't ask him about..." He made a motion only to pause. "Never mind, you'll see. Just know, it's a sensitive topic."

Curiosity filled Lucas.

Nathan knocked. There was no answer. The boy opened anyway.

"Guess who brought the prodigal son back!" the dorm head sang.

Lucas followed. The moment he stepped out from behind his friend, he felt the tension in the air. Blissfully unaware, Nathan bounded over to the desk set up by the window. A figure sat, back turned.

"Earth to nerd!" Nathan called. "Team, RDT is complete once more!" He tossed Lucas' bag onto the free bed to the right.

Lucas noted the fourth presence in seconds. Someone was lying on the bed above the one Nathan had occupied with his luggage. The person's arms extended in which a book was held.

The third roommate.

"I'm busy."

The familiar voice made Lucas turn to the boy at the desk. Brian sat, hunched over text books spread out before him.

"Then get un-busy and great the legendary roommate," Nathan demanded, hand thumping down on the desk, ignoring the guy on the bed. He turned to give Lucas a look that seemed to have the same meaning as an eyeroll.

The room itself looked like any other dorm room. However, Lucas had an inkling that it wasn't quite the same, for he knew his roommates wouldn't just be students. They were with the government, trainees that he would one day face him on opposite ends on the field. Still, it was impressive how the room gave none of this away.

Posters covered the walls, homework was stacked neatly, and the beds were decorated with colorful duvets.

Brian slowly put down a book. "We already know each other," he spoke, the tenseness in the voice so slight that Nathan didn't pick up on it.

"Party pooper as always," Nathan complained. He let out a sigh. "Perhaps you can humanize him a bit more," he told Lucas. "Or beat some sense into him," he mouthed as he made a first and pretended to punch Brian behind his back.

A smile tugged at Lucas' lips. If only he knew, he couldn't help but think. However, Nathan was in the dark that not one, but two of his roommates weren't exactly the average everyday teen.

"Mercy!" a voice yelled in the hallway was feet pounded.

There was a crash and a yelp of pain.

"You should check that out," Brian muttered as he turned. He shot Lucas a glance and simply nodded.

Lucas responded by raising a hand in greeting.

"Don't want to," Nathan didn't budge.

Another crash was followed by a second yell.

"Dude, you broke it!" someone accused.

"Shhh!" was followed as someone tried to cover up some crime.

"And now I have to,' Nathan grumbled. He strode to the door. "Wait till they face my wrath." He paused. "Don't have too much fun without me." The boy looked to the figure lying in the bunk above. "And don't forget to introduce yourself."

Crash.

"Run!" a voice called.

"Oh no they don't." Nathan was out the door in a flash. "Landon!" he yelled only seconds later. "I know where you sleep!"

Feet pounded as a chase ensured.

Lucas leaned against the door, twirling the ball in his fingers as he met Brian's gaze. If it was possible for a look to grow colder, the one before him did by several degrees.

"It's been a while," Lucas spoke.

The glare didn't get any warmer. Instead, the boy tensed.

Lucas saw the movement, predicting the outcome before it happened. He watched Brian grab the sharpened pencil. As his roommate leaped into action, he was aware of the weapon coming toward him at the same time as the fact that the boy on the bed was lowering the book in his hands.

Two against one. They won't go for the kill. But it still feels like the intention to warn, possibly harm. Every muscle in Lucas' body tensed as time seemed to momentarily slow.

He was aware of the number of steps needed to be taken for Brian's attack to reach, aware that the boy on the bunk was ready to assist if needed. None of it was surprising.

Lucas knew there was bound to be some bad blood. He'd lived months with Brian without giving away who he was, rooming with an agent that failed to identify the threat. Yes, anger was to be expected.

However, he wasn't quite sure how he should react.

The next chapter has been posted and so options are now invalid.    

Options:

a) Attempt to neutralize the attack and show he's not about to let anyone threaten him.

b) Do nothing and see how far Brian is willing to go while sharing he isn't intimidated.

c) Joker.