I dedicate Dexter Marian to: A LOYAL mentor and friend of mine. Detective Doomanis, thank you for being there for me and helping me through hard times.

ATTENTION: NOT THE UPDATED VERSION.

∆∆∆

INT. NIGHT SKY — BAKERS California — NIGHT

James' eyes snap open—a deep shade of purple illuminating the midnight air. He hovers above the dark, starry sky, staring down at the houses below, feeling a light breeze brush against his warm cheeks.

His cell phone buzzes in his pocket, bringing the device to his ear.

INTERCUT — PHONE CALL

JAMES: What's up, Sam?

Sam grumbles something incoherent through the phone. Then...

SAM: You were supposed to be helping me move boxes into the basement.

JAMES (With annoyance): Yeah.

James taps his fingers against his phone.

SAM: First...

Sam lowers his tone.

SAM: This is a public neighborhood, and people can see you. Second, Noah and Derek are helping me because you're up there, and...

A loud noise rumbles through the other end of the phone, and Sam's voice cuts out. James curses as he swoops down, lands on the roof, and drops to the ground below.

INT. HOME - DAY

James doesn't knock. Noah yanks him in. James' father stands anxiously in the hallway's corner, running his fingers through his ashy grey hair.

NOAH: Derek is out cold in the lab.

Mr. Knight paces in front of them. Matthew's eyes crinkle in thought and he exhales.

An inhuman growl escapes. James pushes past the two of them. Time seems to come to a halt; everything freezes around him as he races down the steps at superhuman speed. Noah quickly follows.

JAMES: Care to explain this, Sam?

James, Noah, and Matthew peered in at the bottom step.

Sam holds a pale Derek to his chest and pulls his finger to his lips.

SAM: He's not dead, James.

HOWEVER, a lifeless-looking Derek with colorless skin and blue lips begs to differ.

JAMES: Is that what I looked like?

James pushes through the mess of trashed experiments.

Noah's face pales.

SAM: Yeah, I believe so. (He places Derek on the floor.) Put him on the couch or something.

James grips his brother's torso, lifting his limp body in his arms. Noah, Matthew, and Sam follow James into the living room.

Matthew nearly bumps heads with Sam after seeing Derek's frail body. James stands between the two of them, keeping the peace.

JAMES: Dad, calm down.

Matthew adjusts his gun in his holster along his waist and sneers at his brother.

MATTHEW: Don't you ever make this mistake again, Samual.

Sam recoils to the corner of the room, avoiding his brother's gaze. Noah hovers over Derek, studying his cousin.

SAM: I won't, Matt. I promise.

Matthew takes a deep breath, brushing his hand against Derek's forehead.

MATTHEW: He's burning up.

Sam shakes his head, looking at Noah and James for help.

NOAH: He's changing.

Matthew follows his brother's eyes, disgusted.

MATTHEW: What the hell is he talking about, Sam?

They all knew the answer. Derek is developing superpowers. The room is silent, and suddenly...

TIME CUT:

(Intro plays)

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

Derek's eyes flutter open. He is hovering ten feet in the air, feeling the rapid wind brush his face.

DEREK: James!

The wind strokes his arms. James appears at the foot of the couch while Noah stands at the opposite end. Noah grins as he floats up in the air to meet Derek. James scowled at Noah, rolling his eyes. Sam and Matthew watch the three boys.

DEREK: How do I get down from here?

Derek squints his eyes, avoiding the sunlight peeking through the front window. Noah's eyes widen as he swims through the air like Peter Pan. He's cocky, and it annoys Derek.

NOAH: Think of something massive. That's what helped me the first time.

Derek clears his mind, and without James' or Noah's support, he catches his breath and plummets to the floor below. Sam chews on his hangnails, and their father grinds his teeth, rushing over to anchor him up.

DEREK: Dad, I'm alright.

Derek pulls himself up from the ground, feeling a head rush. Noah lands safely next to Sam, who watches from behind the couch.

MATTHEW: No, you're not, Derek. You're defying the laws of physics.

Matthew glares back at Sam.

JAMES: Dad, it will take some time to get used to.

Noah agrees silently. Matthew locks his eyes with James, and Derek pulls himself off the ground the rest of the way.

MATTHEW: You're damn right. (Matthew takes a deep breath.) How am I supposed to take care of three kids with superpowers?

He glances at Noah. Derek shoots Sam a look. Sam clears his throat.

SAM: The boys are my responsibility; Derek is not alone. He has James and Noah to help him.

Matthew: You're damn well going to help too, Samual.

Matthew shakes his head and grunts. It only puts more stress on him. He's stubborn most of the time. Matthew leaves the room, saying nothing else, and goes out.

TRANSITION TO:

INT. MUSTY HOTEL ROOM - DAY

MIA: Mark, wake up!

Mia shoves Mark off the couch. Mark rubs his sore muscles.

MARK: What do you want, Mia?

She hovers; her deep, brown eyes watch him, tugging his hair.

Max stood near the doorway, watching Mia and Mark dimly, fighting over the couch like dupes.

MARK: I was here first!

She glowers at Mark. Her reddish eyes are darker as she pulls him off the sofa, shoving him back on the ground.

MIA: It doesn't matter anymore.

Mark scoffs.

MARK: Who died and made you queen?

Mark rubs his shoulder blade.

MIA: James. (beat) Everett. (beat) fucking (beat) Knight.

She pauses in between, pronouncing his name.

MIA: James and his brother, Derek, are both freaks, and the backstabber, Noah Kinley, is right where he belongs. So is the little tag-teaming bitch, Grace.

Max grins wide, pulling himself off the wall and into the light.

MAX: Don't ever bloody repeat his full name.

Mia's laughter rumbles from her chest. She lands gracefully on the floor.

MIA: Well, I can kill him, babe.

A long growl escapes Max's lips.

Max and Mia glared at each other. They both have some love-hate relationship going on.

MARK: Do whatever you want to him, but Mr. Kinley won't like it.

MAX: You still call him that?

Max snorts in disgust, wiping his sleeve against his lips.

MARK: Sure, whatever.

Mark pulls from the floor.

Mr. Kinley appears in the doorway, tugging Max's hood from his head as a sly grin yanks at his lips. He clears his throat and glares at Mark from the corner of the room.

MR. KINLEY: I prefer Alexander.

He lowers at Mark.

MR. KINLEY: But you can call me whatever you want, Mr. Reignson. (He pushes his waist into a small chair.) I want to talk about James. Where is the blood, son of a bitch?

Mia sighs, excreting air from her chest, averting her eyes from Alexander.

MIA: Last I heard, the Knights were moving somewhere in California. That's all I know.

MR. KINLEY: That's good. Did Noah leave with them?

MAX: Yeah, I believe so.

Max scrunches his nose.

MAX: I heard it was somewhere in the northern regions of California. Possibly back home? I don't know for sure.

Alexander's eyes widen, and he licks his lips.

MR. KINLEY: It looks like we're going to California.

MIA (Blunt and Sarcastic): Cool.

She drapes her legs over the side of the couch, grinning. Without another word, Mr. Kinley disappears.

EXT. CALIFORNIA NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT

Noah, Derek, and James catch up with Matthew. Matthew takes simple breaths to avoid hyperventilating. Derek clenches his fists, feeling his new power while their father watches from a distance.

JAMES: Hey, Dad.

Three boys approach from different directions.

JAMES: Are you feeling okay?

Matthew stops, brushing his sweaty palms against his jogger pants, and pulls his headset from his ears.

MATTHEW: I'm fine.

Matthew walks with them.

NOAH: Mr. Knight, have you and Derek written a transfer release to join the police department?

Matthew frowns.

MATTHEW: You don't have to call me Mr. Knight, Noah. Derek won't be doing anything until he can fully control his powers. I'm not sure I will join at the moment either.

Derek grimaces.

DEREK: Dad, we're cops. We were sworn into duty, no matter what our circumstances.

Matthew grunts at his son.

MATTHEW: Don't argue with me, Derek. I'm not letting you endanger people with your new abilities.

Matthew turns to Derek.

MATTHEW: Besides, your uncle Henry and your cousins don't need to know about any of your superpowers. He's still the police chief, and it's bound to happen if you go back to work without learning restraint. We need no more trouble, and neither does your uncle.

Derek doesn't argue further. The men walk together.

Matthew is right. Derek needs to learn self-control before he can do anything. Having superpowers is a great responsibility and needs to be handled properly.

CUT TO:

INT. HOME - NIGHT

All four men have returned from their walk, tired, hungry, and a hot mess. When the four guys walk in, Sam stands in the kitchen corner, drinking soda and reading a book. Sitting on a barstool is Grace Kinley.

GRACE: Sup, boys?

Grace grins at her cousins, uncle, and brother. James takes Grace to the floor in one quick swoop, and all three boys tackle her, pinning her down. Grace smacks the boys, but they don't budge. Sam tries to interfere.

GRACE: Get off of me! I'm not here to hurt you guys. (long beat) I feel hurt.

DEREK: Good. You deserve it.

Grace stops trying to fight the boys, and moments later, after tiring holding her down, they let her go. All four of them pull to their feet.

JAMES: How did you find us, Grace?

GRACE: I came to help you guys. Alexander and Max are planning something big. Mia and Mark somehow have superpowers, too. I just came here to warn you. Then I'll be off to a hotel. I stole cash from Alex before I left, so I have plenty to survive on my own.

Grace points her stuffed backpack off to the side.

NOAH: You robbed Alexander without me? (beat) You sly bitch.

Grace laughs.

GRACE: You can have some cash if you want it. There's plenty to go around.

MATTHEW: Wait! How did you get into the house?

In the background, Sam chews on his hangnails and sips soda. Grace looks back at Sam, and the attention shifts.

GRACE: My father let me in.

NOAH: How do we know this isn't some trap to get us to trust you and then lead Max and Alexander right to us?

Grace snorts.

GRACE: They trusted you, didn't they?

Noah huffs.

NOAH: Touché.

Grace grins. She walks off, grabbing her bag off the floor.

GRACE: I'm off to the hotel. There's no reason I should be here. You guys don't trust me, and I don't want to interfere with anything.

Sam frowns.

SAM: Grace, wait. You can stay in my room. I'll take the living room with Derek. Just touch nothing.

Grace grins. All three boys huff, but Matthew doesn't seem to give an opinion of loud.

GRACE: I don't care what Max thinks anymore. You're a good father. I like that.

Grace lets her bag fall to the floor, and she relaxes against the counter.

TRANSITION TO:

INT. SAM'S ROOM - NIGHT

Sam leads Grace into his room. It's not big, but it's not tiny, either. His room comprises comic books in a neat pile off the corner and a desk, with heaps of research scattered everywhere. His laptop sits in the middle of the desk, ready to use.

Grace slumps her bag to the floor and immediately takes refuge in her father's bed, slamming her body against the mattress. Two pillows slam into Sam's chest, and Grace grins.

SAM: Don't touch anything, okay?

GRACE: I won't. (beat) Good night, Dad.

Grace snuggles into the bed, smelling Sam's sweet scent on the pillowcase. Sam freezes. Suddenly, he smiles softly.

SAM: Good night, Grace.

Sam turns out the light and walks out. Grace huffs, turning on her back and closing her eyes.

Sam turned out the light and closed the door. Sam walks down the hallway; Derek, James, and Noah walk up the stairway down the hall as Sam walks off downstairs.

Noah and James part from Derek, entering his old bedroom from their younger years when Derek and James roomed together.

Noah: Knowing my sister, she's going to touch everything.

Noah chuckles. James and Derek chuckle with him.

Derek flashes a smile and salutes the two boys as he disappears down the staircase behind Sam.

James: I bet she would.

James smiles, floating across the room, and lands softly on his old bed in the corner, while Noah lets himself fall flat against his bed, blowing dust into thick air.

Noah waves his hands, and the lights flicker out with one thought as Noah rolls to his chest.

James: You didn't have to wave your hand like that.

James addresses Noah in the darkness. The only light came from James's eyes and the moon.

Noah chuckles hard and deep with his soft Australian accent.

Noah: I know. It adds effects. — (Noah deepens his voice) Use the force, Luke.

He smiles brightly. James chuckles, falling to his bed from the sky above, and flattens against the sheets.

James: It is going to be a long night.

Noah: Yeah.

Noah agrees, huffing a long, exaggerated breath.

Noah: Indeed it is, mate.

CUT TO:

INT. JAMES BEDROOM - DAY

James wakes, rolling over in his bed. His eyes glow purple, but this time they don't fade. Derek and Noah stand at his bedside, staring at him, confused. Noah's bed sits off in the corner.

James stretches and pulls out of bed, noticing the soft glow, and he walks over to the bathroom in his room and stares at the purple tint in the mirror. Derek and Noah look in from the doorway. He doesn't freak out. Instead, he accepts the fact his iris color has changed. James walks out past his brother and out of the bedroom.

CUT TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY

MATTHEW: You're not going to school like that, James. I'll have to call the principal and tell him you're sick.

Noah: Why?

Matthew: I don't know if you've noticed, Noah, but every time he gets emotional, his eyes light up like a damn glow stick?

Noah: Geez, calm down there, Uncle Matt. It was just a bloody question.

Sam observes James sitting on the couch, flashing a light from his phone into James' eyes. Derek and Noah stand by the doorway of the living room, watching.

SAM: I agree with your father. I can run some tests on you in the meantime to understand why your eyes are not changing back to blue.

JAMES: I didn't want to go to school, anyway.

Noah grins.

NOAH: Me, either.

SAM: You're starting school, Noah. No ifs or buts.

NOAH: Seriously?

Sam nods.

SAM: Just because James gets away with it doesn't mean you will.

James gives a weak grin. Noah rolls his eyes, walking over and taking a seat next to James, swiping his hands against the dusty leather.

NOAH: When was the last time you guys lived here?

Grace emerges into the room, pushing past Derek and hitting him with her shoulder, giving him a side smirk. This time Derek rolls his eyes and grunts, moving away from the doorway.

DEREK (Irritated): Girls...

Derek huffs.

GRACE: Good Morning, men... (beat) and Derek.

Grace looks back at a flustered Derek, and her grin widens. The attention in the room transitions to her.

SAM (To Grace): How did you sleep?

GRACE: Like a newborn baby.

DEREK (Mumbling softly): That's because you are a baby.

Grace punches Derek's broad chest. Derek looks at her, annoyed and unamused.

MATTHEW: Derek. (beat) Grace. Knock it off.

Grace lifts her hands to surrender.

GRACE: Fine. I give up. He's weak, anyway.

Derek's eyes roll again.

DEREK (mumbles): Bitch.

Derek leans against the wall behind him casually.

Matthew glares at his son.

MATTHEW (scolding): DEREK!

DEREK: Well, I'm leaving to explore the neighborhood. Who else wants to come?

JAMES: I do. We haven't lived here since I was nine.

Noah grins.

NOAH: I do too.

SAM (to James): You're not going anywhere. We have to figure out your eye color situation before going out in public. Your father and I can see if we can get colored contacts, but in the meantime, I don't even want you looking outside.

Matthew nods in agreement. Sam looks at Noah.

SAM (to Noah): You must prepare for tomorrow's meeting with the school principal.

Noah groans.

GRACE: I'll walk with you, Derek, since you seem to need some supervision, you know, new abilities and all that.

Derek grunts, walking off and leading them out of the house together.

MATTHEW: I should probably chaperone them.

Sam agrees silently. Matthew walks off out of the room, following his son and niece.

TRANSITION TO:

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - DAY

Derek and Grace pace down the block with one another. Derek occasionally looks over at his cousin.

GRACE: I wanted to apologize for leading you on in the coffee shop. I was going to tell you we're cousins after Max confirmed it, but-

Derek grunts.

DEREK (Interrupting Grace): Just... (beat) don't.

Matthew catches up with Derek and Grace, casually slowing down his run and walking with them.

MATTHEW (to Derek): I got the transfer papers for the police station in Bakers. Henry said the latest we can start is in two weeks. I hope that gives you enough time to get used to your powers.

DEREK: That's perfect, as long as I don't have to be around her all day.

Derek shoves Grace lightly, glaring at her. Grace pushes Derek back harder, sticking her tongue out.

GRACE: Oh, come on, lover-boy. You love the attention.

MATTHEW: Both of you, stop it. You two are adults. Act like it.

Grace huffs.

GRACE: He started it. (She looks at Derek.) (to Derek): You're such a prick.

Derek laughs.

DEREK: You're one to talk, Grace. You're a stuck-up, prissy bitch. You don't deserve Sam or any of us.

GRACE: You with your broad vocabulary. I don't need to be around a superhuman hormonal dick, anyway.

Grace walks fast-paced toward home. Matthew looks at Derek, angered by his son's vexed behavior.

MATTHEW: Damn it, Derek.

Matthew walks off back home. Derek turns around and walks around, trailing behind his father.

CUT TO:

INT. HOME - DAY

Grace is bunched in her father's sheets in Sam's bedroom. Derek knocks on the door, glaring at Grace. She looks up at him, shocked to find him in the doorway.

DEREK: I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to sound like a dick.

Grace smiles at him.

GRACE: Who would have thought lover-boy would be the first to apologize? You are a sophisticated rookie.

Grace snorts. Derek grins wide, walking in and taking a seat at her bedside.

GRACE: You're a great guy, Derek. Sometimes you are just a jerk.

Derek frowns.

DEREK: Please don't bring that up to my father. He was mad about it earlier.

Derek rubs the back of his neck. Grace laughs at him.

GRACE: I won't if you mention anything about me reading Sam's comic books.

She flips the page and grins.

DEREK: You know he will be furious when he finds out, right?

GRACE: I'll make a mental note.

Grace smiles, big and nerdy.

Derek: I have to help Sam and my dad with something.

Grace rolls her eyes.

Grace: See, yah, rookie.

Derek's eyebrows raise, and he purses his lips, walking out of the room.

INT. HIGH SCHOOL - DAY

Noah sits on a wooden bench next to Sam outside the principal's office in a plain white t-shirt, skinny jeans, a beanie, and high tops. He huffs, sighs, and sits back just as PRINCIPAL HARRISON GATES, tall, handsome and young, with glasses, pushes out of his office door and waves them in.

P. Gates: Hi, I'm principal Gates, and I'm assuming you're Noah because I heard James couldn't make it today.

Noah rolls his eyes and moans, sitting back further against the bench. Sam fakes a cough and glares at him. Noah fabricates an American accent.

Noah: Yeah, I'm Noah. Noah, uh, (long, thoughtful beat) Knight.

Noah looks at Sam, who gives him a nod of approval. Principal Gates smiles.

P. Gates: Pleasure to meet you, Noah. Step into my office, and we'll get you started.

Noah slides past principal Gates and into a chair in front of the main deck. Sam sits next to Noah, and Gates takes the main chair.

P. Gates: Your file says you're in eleventh grade.

Noah sighs.

Noah: Last time I checked, I was in junior high school.

Sam glares at Noah.

Noah: Yup.

P. Gates: Straight-A student?

The principal looks up from Noah's file, pushing his glasses into place.

Noah: Yup.

P. Gates: Welcome to Baker High School, the kid. You know we have a kid who's... (P. Gates pauses for a moment, studying Noah) ... a spitting image of you. Hmm.

There's an awkward pause, then Principal Gates extends his hand, and Noah firmly shakes it. Principal Gates shakes his throbbing hand out moments later. Sam glares at Noah again.

P. Gates: Strong grip, kid. Do you play any sports?

Noah: Football sounds...

Sam (Interrupting Noah): Nope, but I'm sure Noah can't wait to start school.

Principal Gates shakes Sam's hand.

P. Gates: Are you related to the Police Chief by any chance?

Sam (To Noah): Yeah. (Long Beat) Why don't you sit in the hallway while I sign some paperwork?

Noah walks out of the principal's office, sitting on the bench.

CUT TO:

(Intro plays)

Derek wanders into the bathroom, where James stares  in the mirror. His eyes suddenly appear blue after a long couple of hours of staying in his bedroom, checking his pupils on his phone camera, and trying to relax, all to get them to shift back. He no longer needed the color contacts his dad picked from the nearby pharmacy down the block from their house that evening, but it was for precautions.

   James' cell phone sits on the bathroom sink, the sunlight barely peeking out from the glass window above the bathroom shower bouncing off the reflective glass on James's phone screen.

Derek: Are you feeling better now because you look a lot better?

James shoots him the severe glare their father and uncles give them when they're annoyed, still staring into the mirror, and Derel rolls his eyes at James, unfazed.

Derek: That doesn't work on me anymore. (His gaze meets James in the mirror. This time, James rolls his eyes.) Sam and Noah will be home soon, and I heard Henry talking to dad on the phone about possibly coming over right now.) They haven't seen Uncle Henry or their cousins in years, so it is a surprise that they are coming over, making James smile.

James: Wow, it's been a while since we've seen or heard from them.

Derek: Yeah. I wonder what he'll think about everything once we finally tell him. We're sitting on borrowed time with that one.

James grimaces, agreeing with him. With Max, Mark, Mia, and Alexander after them, they all know Henry will find out, eventually.

James grabs his cell phone off the counter and shifts away from the mirror and past Derek, standing at the top of the steps, looking over the railing.

Suddenly lights shone through the glass panels in the front door, and soon after, the doorbell rang twice.

James: That's probably Henry.

Derek looks at James with a raised eyebrow and a side glance.

Derek: No shit.

Matthew walks to the front door from below, bouncing on his toes, swinging his fists like a boxer, and pulls the door open. Henry and all five cousins walk in the front door.

Matthew: Derek, James, Grace! Henry is here!

Grace races around the corner from Sam's bedroom, dressed in a pair of baggy sweatpants and one of Derek's hoodies that she stole from his bedroom, and pushes Derek into the handrail.

Grace: I'll race you, lover boy.

Derek rolls his eyes.

Derek: That's my hoodie!

Then he walks at a fast pace after her down the steps. James follows them, meeting Henry and their cousins in the foyer.

INT. CAR - DAY

Sam's driver-side door slams and he turns to Noah, who slumps down on the passenger seat with his hoodie thrown over his head.

Sam: You're just full of surprises. I didn't know you could do an American accent.

Noah chuckles and replies with his fake American accent again.

Noah: Easy.

Sam: You think you can juggle sports with your superpowers?

Noah returns to his Australian-American accent.

Noah: Again, easy.

Sam purses his lips and turns on the engine.

Sam: We'll have to see about it. Maybe it would do you some good.

Noah: You think shoving guys around is good because I could do some of that in the city? I heard the crime rate is pretty high here.

Sam shakes his head, turning out of the parking lot.

Sam: You and James have to focus on school before you can decide on whether to become a superhero. We must look for Max, Mark, and Mia, potentially chasing us down. Oh, and your uncle, Alexander too.

Noah: If Grace can find us, Max and Alexander can too, and it's just a matter of time before they come after us again.

Sam huffs and focuses on the road. The car ride becomes quiet, and Noah leans more in-depth into the door, staring out the car window, observing. A few buildings fly by, and Sam turns down their street and into the driveway. Another car sits there, an old CRV, clean and detailed.

Sam opens his door, walks up the driveway, and opens the door. Noah follows.

HENRY KNIGHT, tall, with dark blonde hair and blue eyes, resembling his two brothers (Sam and Matthew), stands in the doorway talking with Derek in uniform. ANDREW and CONNOR, in a cop uniform, EASTON, and DYLAN and MADISON, fraternal twins, sit in the living room with Matthew, drinking a cola, James, whose eyes seem to have faded back to blue. Grace is sitting on opposite couch walls, catching up on anything but superpowers with their cousins.

Sam and Noah walk into the living room. Grace grins.

Grace: Sup' dad.

Henry and Derek follow Sam and Noah into the living room.

Henry: I never thought we'd have a family reunion.

Matthew: Yeah, it's been how many years?

Matthew takes a swig of his cola.

Sam: At least eight or nine?

Henry pulls Sam into a hug. Sam hugs his brother back, and after two brief minutes, they pull out of their bro hug.

Henry: How's Alex?

Sam and Matthew get quiet. Derek and James look at each other. The room gets quiet for a moment, then...

Sam: Long story short, we honestly do not know.

Henry nods with a chuckle.

Henry: Fair. He was always disappearing. Well, I'm glad to have you guys back.

Henry pulls Sam into one last hug and pats Sam's back before letting his brother go.

Henry (To Sam): When do you have kids, Sam?

Sam nods and claps his hands together.

Sam: A long story for a rainy day. Glad we're all back together again.

Sam shuffles out of the living room into the kitchen, and Matthew follows him.

Matthew: Well, will we tell him about the kids and their superpowers, or will we let him figure that out?

Matthew emphasizes the word SUPERPOWERS. Sam sighs, opens the fridge, and grabs a cola, popping it open with his thumb and taking a sip.

Sam: He'll figure it out, eventually. He's our brother. He thinks like a Knight.

Matthew sighs, taking a swig of his drink.

Matthew: Not the point, Sam.

Sam: It is that Derek will give it away at work. He still doesn't have complete control of his superpowers.

Matthew scoffs.

Matthew (Mumbling): Neither do I.

Sam: What?

Sam's eyes widen, and he takes a sip of Cola, amused.

Matthew: It would be now if any time is a good time to tell you (Matthew sucks in a sharp breath). Max injected me with something while they kidnapped me. I have superpowers too.

Sam looks his brother up, and down, stunned, then...

Sam: Shit, Matt. You couldn't mention this before?!

Matthew is about to speak when Henry walks into the kitchen.

Henry (To Matthew): Derek seems excited to get back to work.

The attention turns to Henry. Matthew gulps cola.

Matthew: Yeah, no kidding. He hasn't seen that Jaxton kid since they were fourteen. Derek's a pretty good cop, Henry. You'd be surprised.

Henry: It's what I expect from your kids. I heard you're a good cop, too.

Matthew takes another swig in silence.

Henry: And you, Sammie... (Beat) When the fuck did you have kids?

Sam: Again, long story. I didn't even know I had them until they knocked on Matt's door.

Henry: Geez.

Sam takes a drink of his soda.

Henry: How old is Grace? Nineteen or twenty?

Sam: Around there.

Henry: And Noah?

Sam: Fifteen; Almost sixteen.

Henry nods.

Henry: Hm. Easton is fifteen, too. Around James's age?

Matthew chuckles.

Matthew: He's sixteen, almost seventeen.

Henry: Oh. (long beat) What are your thoughts on putting James and Noah in an ROTC program with Dylan, Maddison, and Easton?

Sam blows nervous air from his cheeks.

Matthew: Those kids have gone through enough. After putting Derek through the training, I figured I would give them a break. They've got time.

Sam scoffs.

Sam: Yeah, as if being a teenager wasn't enough. They've got... (beat) Nevermind.

Sam stops himself before saying superpowers in front of his brother. Henry doesn't bother interrogating his brother for further explanation.

Henry: Well, Andrew, Connor, and I have to work. Is it okay if I leave Dylan, Easton, and Maddison with you?

Matthew and Sam nod their heads.

Matthew: I'm sure James, Derek, and Noah can keep their cousins busy.

Sam: And Grace could use another female figure in her life.

Henry: Perfect. I'll be back later.

Henry nods and salutes his brothers, and leaves the room.

Matthew sighs, finishing his soda in one gulp, and slams his soda down on the counter, taking off a chunk of the marble slab. Sam stares at his brother, amused, with an eyebrow raised. Sam takes a large gulp of his drink to lighten the uneasy juncture.

James stands in the doorway, staring at his dad, and Sam spit and takes the soda from his mouth.

Sam: How long have you been standing there, bud?

James: Long enough to see my dad destroy the countertop. (To Matthew) Dad, do you have superpowers?

Matthew: Uh... (Long, persistent beat) We'll talk about it later. Your cousins are here.

James: Fuck!

James walks from the kitchen to his room. Derek walks into the kitchen.

Derek: What the hell was that about?

Derek takes a moment to register the crushed marble slab before his father. He looks at Sam, who shrugs, then at his dad again.

Matthew: We'll talk about it later, Derek.

Derek looks stunned at his father and walks back into the living room, joining his cousins, saying nothing.

INT. LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON

Noah (To Derek): I'm not even going to ask what that was about.

Derek nods silently, still in shock.

Dylan: Are you okay, Derek?

Derek: Yeah, I'm fine.

Grace: He probably has IMS or Bipolar Depression, just like his brother.

Derek glares at Grace.

Derek: Shut up, Grace.

Grace: See what I mean?

James walks into the room.

James: I do not have bipolar depression.

Grace grins.

Grace (Teasing James): The first stage is denial.

Noah: Fuck off, Grace.

Grace: Shut up, Noah.

The three boys chuckle at Grace.

Noah: Bloody Bitch.

Madison: Do you guys always fight?

Derek (To Madison, annoyed): Pretty much.

Connor rolls his eyes and pulls his hood over his head. He sits quietly in the corner chair where Matthew is seated.

CUT TO:

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

James, Noah, Derek, and Grace take up one side of the couch, while his cousins take up the floor and the other end of the sofa. Madison, tucked in James' blanket, sits by Noah's feet on the floor; Grace leans against Derek's chest, and he sits there, inviting her against him, and the lights are off. They're watching an old superman tv-show. It's dark outside. There's a knock on the door, and their heads swivel to the door, where Sam answers it. Henry stands in the doorway with JAXTON TAYLOR, Derek's childhood friend, with blonde hair, brown eyes, a sleeveless hoodie, and basketball shorts.

Derek grins, moving Grace off of him, and walks over. Jaxton smiles, too, when he sees Derek.

Derek: What's up, Jaxton?

Sam lets Jaxton and Henry in the house. Jaxton and Derek slam hands.

Jaxton: I heard a rumor you guys were back in town. Are you and your dad transferring to the Los Angeles police department?

Derek: Yeah, bro. We have a lot to catch up on.

Jaxton: Cool.

Jaxton looks towards the living room, spots James on his phone, and sneaks up on him, ruffling his hair.

Jaxton: What's up, bud?

James looks up from his phone at Jaxton.

James: Hey, Jaxton.

Madison stands from the floor, throws her blanket on Noah, and walks over to her dad. Noah gets comfortable under the covers and turns to face Jaxton.

Noah: Hey, mate.

Jaxton turns to Derek. Besides the brown eyes, the resemblance is uncanny.

Derek: That's Noah. He's Sam's kid. I'll explain later.

Grace clears her throat. Jaxton looks her way.

Grace: Sup', I'm Grace.

Derek: Her too.

Jaxton: Geez. Your family tree has now become a bush.

Derek and James both laugh. Noah looks lost.

Derek: Ain't that the truth?

Noah (Mumbling): What the hell is a family tree?

Henry walks over, joining Derek and Jaxton with James.

Henry (To Jaxton): Well, kid. I have to get the kids home. Can I leave you here? I'm sure Derek would be happy to give you a lift home.

Derek: We could catch up on a few things before I start work next week.

Jaxton grins and looks Derek up and down.

Jaxton: Totally.

Henry: Well, I'll see you tomorrow at the station, kid. Good night.

Henry walks out, followed by his kids, and the door closes. They wait until Henry drives away, and Jaxton walks over, plopping down on the couch; Derek sits next to him. Jaxton looks at James, then Derek.

Jaxton (To James): Doing anything super these days, kid.

James looks up from his phone again.

James: Uh, not exactly. (beat) Derek has powers now.

Jaxton looks at Derek. Derek grimaces. Sam and Matthew walk into the room.

Derek: Apparently, so do Sam and my dad.

Derek and James look at their dad, and the room goes quiet for a moment. The attention shifts to Matthew.

Noah: Fuck me dead; he's bloody serious. What did Max do this time?

Matthew crosses his arms against his chest.

Grace: Max is such a bloody fuckwit.

Derek: English, please.

Grace huffs.

Grace: I'm mistaken. Derek's the fuckwit.

Noah: She's calling you an idiot, dude.

Derek rolls his eyes. Matthew looks at the two. Sam clears his throat. Jaxton sits back and watches the scene play out.

Noah (To Matthew): But seriously, what did he do to you?

Matthew inhales and exhales sharply.

Matthew: He injected me with some substance. I think it was someone's blood.

James: Fuck. That's what they did with my blood.

Noah chuckles.

Noah: You dunce. You let Max take your blood?

James: They took my powers, dude.

Noah chuckles deeper.

Noah: Nice going, Ace.

Derek, James, Sam, and Matthew glare at Noah. Noah throws his hands in the air to surrender.

Noah: Ok, okay. I'll stop.

Jaxton (To Derek): I think you left out a lot when you texted me last.

Derek shrugs.

Derek: I got busy.

Jaxton: I can see.

Jaxton raises an eyebrow.

Derek: Do you want to go for a walk or something, bro?

Jaxton smiles.

Jaxton: Sure, dude, as long as you don't use me as flight practice like your brother.

James huffs.

James: That was one time, Jaxton and I were eleven.

Jaxton raises an eyebrow at James. James seems unfazed, and Jaxton backs down, intimidated by a superhuman sixteen-year-old.

Jaxton and Derek rise from the couch and take off out the door.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT

Jaxton and Derek walk down the street, side by side, catching up on what's happened to Derek in his last couple of years.

Jaxton: So, you seriously have superpowers, bro?

Derek: Yeah.

Jaxton: Who's this Max kid again?

Derek sighs.

Derek: Sam's kid; A rogue super. The last time I saw him, he tried to destroy my family.

Jaxton: Does Henry know about your powers?

Derek: No. We haven't told him anything yet, so it will be an enormous shock when he figures it out.

Jaxton: Seriously?

Burning, orange ash, and smoke fill the unfamiliar night sky. Derek and Jaxton gaze upon a blazing fire coming from a nearby apartment. Derek glances at Jaxton.

Jaxton: You are not going in there.

Derek hands Jaxton his unlocked phone and walks off toward the flames.

Derek (Looking back at Jaxton): Text my brother and tell him to come quick.

Jaxton fumbles with the phone, and Derek takes off, the world freezing around him.

EXT./INT. APARTMENTS ENGULFED IN FLAMES - NIGHT

Derek stands outside the apartments, evaluating the building, engulfed in flames. James and Noah appear by his side, sizing up the fire.

Noah: Son of a bitch. That's a lot of bloody flames, mate.

Derek: Yeah. First responders aren't here yet. We need to check every room before this apartment goes down.

James: On it!

James rushes off. Derek and Noah follow into the flames. The men knock on doors, waiting for a response. A loud cry stops them in their tracks from the other side of the door.

Derek gestures to James and Noah down the hallway, and they rush off. Derek yells into the apartment.

Derek: I'm going to knock on the door. Stand back; You're going to be safe.

A child sobs again, and an older kid is giving the kid instructions to back away from the door in Spanish.

Nine-year-old: Espada! Espada! (English: Back! Back!)

Derek is about to kick in the door but grabs the knob and yanks it free from the door with incredible strength. He opens the door, and a scared six- and nine-year-old stares at him in the doorway. Derek takes the six-year-old in his arms and tells the nine-year-old to cover his mouth as he leads the two boys nearly out of safety, but they hit a wall of flames near the exit, and Derek panics.

Derek (Under his breath): Fuck.

The blaze draws closer, and the children choke on ash.

Derek: Hold on, kids.

Derek grabs the nine-year-old and counts down.

Derek: One—

Derek sucks in a sharp breath.

Derek: Two—

Derek blows air from his cheeks and pulls the other child against him.

Derek: Three—

Derek charges at the fire at superhuman speed and appears on the other side of the flame's wall in a second. Derek puts the kids down, and they take a seat on the floor, starting up at Derek in Awe.

James and Noah appear beside Derek. Their clothing was tattered and covered with ash. Noah carries a tiny Chihuahua in his arms, stroking its head to calm him down.

The two young boys point to the dog. In the background, sirens wail nearby.

Six-year-old: Felix.

The boy points to the dog again.

Six-year-old: Encontraste Nuestro perro Felix. (English: You found our dog, Felix)

Derek's facepalms, wiping ash and dirt all over his face. The firefighters pulled into the parking lot, jumping into action.

Derek: This is the one time I wish I had paid more attention in Spanish class.

Noah grins.

Noah: I can translate.

Derek and James stare at Noah.

Derek (To Noah): You speak Spanish?

Derek and James chuckle.

Noah: If I understand correctly, this little ankle biter (Noah holds up the dog) is their dog, Felix?

Nine-year-old: Si, Si. Fuimos a los Apartamentos abandonados para Encontrar Felix y quedamos atrapados Cuando el Edificio se incendió. (English: Yes Yes. We went to the Abandoned Apartments to Find Felix and got trapped when the Building caught fire.)

Noah grins at the boy, handing the dog over.

Noah: la próxima vez olvídate del Perro, niños. De nada. (English: Next time, forget about the Dog, kids. You're welcome.)

Nine-year-old: Gracias, señor. (English: Thank you, Sir.)

Derek looks at Noah, then James.

Derek: There was nobody else in the building?

Derek looks at the dog. The dog snarls at Derek. Derek pets the dog, and the dog cries and licks his fingers.

James: Nope. We checked every room.

Noah nods. A firefighter, DEXTER MARIAN, tall and broad, approaches Derek, Noah, James, and the two boys. Dexter looks at Derek, the apparent adult in the group.

Dexter: You guys okay?

Derek looks back at the distant, dissipating flames as the firefighters hose down the building. Dexter looks at Noah, confused.

Dexter: Bryce?

Noah seems more shocked than confused.

Noah: What did you call me, mate?

Dexter shakes his head and moves on.

Dexter: Did you guys go in there?

Dexter chuckles in disbelief.

The kids on the ground point to Derek.

Nine-year-old: Estos hombres Tienen superpoderes. Corrió a través del Fuego... (The boy points to Noah) y ese chico salvó a Nuestro perro. (English: These men have superpowers. He ran through the Fire... and that boy saved our dog.)

Dexter hushes the boys.

Dexter (To Derek): Would you mind if the paramedics looked at you guys?

Derek looks at Noah, then his brother. Dexter looks Noah up and down, assessing him with a poker face.

Derek: Sure, no problem.

James looks at the opposite end of the parking lot, where a guy in a hoodie, looking a lot like Noah, stands there watching the scene. The guy ducks his head to the floor and disappears. James continues to follow the Firefighter with clear suspicion.

CUT TO:

INT. HOME - NIGHT

Derek, Noah, and James sit on the couch, stripped of their tattered shirts. They covered their faces and bodies in dirt and ash, and they were a mess. Grace sits in the corner, chuckling to herself.

Sam: What the hell were you thinking?

Derek scoffs.

Derek: I'm a cop, Sam. It's part of the job.

James and Noah shrug in unison.

Sam: But they're teenagers, Derek.

Matthew nods in agreement.

Derek: They have superpowers. They can take care of stuff like that. Besides, when James was helping me stop fugitives in Arizona, you had no problems.

Sam: It's different now. Your cousin is trying to kill us.

Derek huff's, sitting back against the couch.

Derek: He's your kid, Sam.

Sam huffs.

Sam: I know.

Matthew: Where's your phone, Derek? I've been trying to call you for the last half an hour.

Derek: I gave it to Jaxton.

Matthew huffs, crossing his muscular arms over his chest.

Matthew: Where's Jaxton now?

Derek: I don't know.

Matthew: Find him.

Derek stands.

Matthew: After you take a shower. You're covered in ash.

Derek rolls his eyes and walks off up the stairs to the bathroom.

CUT TO:

Derek opens the bathroom door, bare-chested with dark wash skinny jeans against his hips and white socks. He rubs a towel against his wet hair and grabs his shirt from the sink, slipping it over his head. Grace stares at him, grinning from the staircase.

Grace: I'm going to pretend I don't think you're hot.

Derek chuckles.

Derek: Good, we're cousins. It will never happen.

Grace: Just because you're cute doesn't mean I would ever go out with you.

Derek smiles, walking out of the bathroom.

Derek: You didn't think like that a few weeks ago.

Grace pouts.

Grace: Shut up, rookie.

Derek runs down the staircase. Grace follows behind.

Matthew stands at the bottom of the stairs. Derek pats his dad's shoulder.

Derek: I'm going to get my cell phone now.

Derek walks out the front door.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT

Jaxton walks alone in his uniform. Derek appears behind him, and Jaxton jumps, startled.

Derek: Hey, bro.

Jaxton: What the hell, Derek?

Derek: What?

Jaxton scowls, digging through his uniform pockets.

Jaxton: Nevermind.

Jaxton hands Derek his cell phone.

Derek: Thanks, dude.

Jaxton scoffs.

Jaxton: I didn't think you had superpowers. (Jaxton chuckles) You have an awesome playlist on your phone.

Derek (Surprised): You went through my phone?

Jaxton chuckles now.

Jaxton: You know the protocol. You give a cop an unlocked phone, and they're free to do whatever they want.

Derek stuffs his phone in his jeans pocket.

Derek: Next time, I'm not giving you my phone.

Jaxton throws his arms around Derek's shoulder.

Jaxton: I'm glad you're back, bro.

Derek grins.

Derek: Me too.

Derek and Jaxton walk off.

THE END.