Logan's home could only be described as stressful. There was no other way he could think to explain it. He had gone home Wednesday night, snuck to the back door, texted his sister, and carefully walked up to his room when she let him in. There, he changed into pajamas quickly and went to sleep. In the morning he got up with no worry, knowing his mother was likely sleeping in to catch up from missed time on her trip, or in her office on a conference call. His sisters also took their turns helping him avoid seeing his mother and they happily left for school. 

Thursday went by without incedent as well. Logan was able to pass off him not being home as simply spending time in a more controlled enviornment to study for an upcoming test. After a few hours in the library Logan received a text saying his mother had left to see a few friends, so he walked home. Logan apporached the front steps and went to turn the door nob, but stopped. His home felt much more daunting now that his mother was home. Though he knew she wasn't currently in the vicinity, it did nothing to soothe his nerves. He found it ridiculous that he felt this way. He had a plan, a back up plan, and more, there was no real reason to feel such distress. Feelings were never something Logan prided himself in understanding. He didn't know how Patton could have such a perfect knowledge of emotions and how to help those who needed it. 

Then again, Logan thought as he firmly grabbed the door handle and pushed inside, Patton doesn't know how everyone is feeling.

Entering the house, Logan found the living room and kitchen devoid of his siblings. It was still early evening so they would likely be getting hungry at this point. He decided, since all homework was done and Thursday night he had no extracurriculars, he would go ask his sisters what they wanted him to make for dinner. As Logan walked up the stairway he observed each picture on the walls. He had seen them many times before, but it always left a sour taste in his mouth to look at the school pictures to his right. His pictures on the top, starting from first grade all the way up to the most recent one taken in senior year. Below his pictures were Lauren's photos, from first to eleventh grade, then finally Nora's from first to tenth grade. Logan never liked school pictures and his expressions seemed to reflect that.

When he reached the top floor, Logan walked to his room, the closest to the stairwell, and dropped off his bag. Then left to find his sisters. When he did they were both in Nora's room discussing Homecoming the next day. 

"So you're attending Homecoming again this year?" Logan asked Nora. His sisters looked up at him before going back to their previous activity; painting Nora's nails.

"Yeah, Pen and Luke are going so I figured, what's the harm?" Nora said. "It's just homecoming."

Logan nodded and joined his sisters on the floor. Lauren moved over slightly to give him some room and shoved her basket of assorted nail polishes towards him, indicating he pick colors. 

"I don't think that's a good idea." Logan said. "I came up here to ask what you two wanted for dinner."

"Oh, please, it won't take too long to paint your nails." Lauren chided. "Besides, we can just have one of those frozen pizzas for dinner. Haven't had em' in forever so."

"Sounds good to me." Nora confided. 

"Fine." Logan searched the box for colors that interested him. 

"Hey Lo, I know you plan on avoiding mom and stuff, but I just want to know-"

"Lauren I swear! You need to drop it." Nora cut her sister off.

"I'm sorry." Lauren looked to Logan pleadingly. "You know I'm supportive and I'll stop asking or anything as soon as you tell me to. But mom is suspicious of something. She's not dumb. I just want to know if you've thought about a good time to come out to her. Or even what we could do to help. I thought, if you really wanted to know, I could ask her what she thinks of trans people and we can go from there?"

"Lauren that's enough seriously!" Nora scolded. "Stop doing this! You have good intentions, but it's too much. Stop trying to be the one that helps him. Other people are there for him too and he can handle it on his own. You'll just make it seem like he has to come out for your sake and not his own!"

Lauren's face turned red in shame and she looked down. "I'm sorry." She said quietly. 

"Lauren," Logan reached out and placed his index and middle finger on her right knee. "it's alright. I appreciate you wanting to help and I know you really only intend for me to benefit from this."

"I do. I just want to help, but Nora's right, I'm being too pushy." Lauren said gratefully. "I'm sorry Lo. I want to help, but this is for you. This is your time. I don't know what's wrong with me." She gave a wet laugh. 

"It's natural for you to want to help by any means. It's simply who you are Laurie." Logan attempted to comfort. 

Lauren wrapped her own fingers around Logan's and smiled thankfully. It was quiet for a moment before the siblings let go and Logan went back to the nail polish. 

"Ya know," Nora started. "mom is pretty suspicious. Just think about it from her perspective. You chopped your hair, bought a bunch of flannel, own like fifteen NASA t-shirts, and as far as she knows, you've only got Nike sports bras."

Lauren and Logan looked to her, already somewhat knowing where she was headed with this query. 

"She probably thinks you're a lesbian." Nora shrugged, going back to her half painted nails. 

The three snickered. Logan handed Lauren the three nail polishes and held out his hands. She put a piece of paper towel on the ground and took the colors.

"Order?"

"Pink then black." Logan said.

"You really like that starry top-coat, huh?" Nora asked. 

"It goes with his aesthetic." Lauren gave a short shrug and Logan nodded.  

"And the pink?" Nora asked.

"No reason." Logan felt a smile grow just a little. 

"Mhm." Lauren smugly opened the bottle. "Nothing to do with Patton Valentine hmm?"

"Why would you say that?" Logan looked up at her, startled. 

"He was wearing a pink sweater today." Lauren shrugged. 

Nora and Lauren laughed at Logan's pink ears. He sighed in slight relief and gestured for Lauren to go back to her work. 

The Montgomery siblings spent that night continuing to discuss Nora's plans for Homecoming. Logan was able to also avoid seeing his mother face-to-face Friday morning and with Roman's help, Friday evening. That night Logan met his therapist, who asked him to call her Kelly, and the two discussed his thoughts on being a Ranger so far. 

When Logan arrived home later that night, he expected his mother and sister Lauren to be in the living room, and Nora to still be with her friends. Instead, he was greeted with a dark home, his mother and Lauren upstairs, and Nora, on the couch, in her dress, crying. Logan knew his sister and knew she would likely not talk to him about it for a few days, so he went to her and calmly stepped into her view. Nora looked up at him and didn't attempt to smile or speak, she just looked at his eyes. Logan put a hand out and she took it. He sat on the ground next to her and they held hands in silence. 

Logan couldn't recall what time he and Nora had gone up to bed, but it was far later than he was used to, evidenced by his lateness of waking up in the morning. Logan spent most of the weeked up in his room and wore large sweatshirts to cover the appearance of his binder. When Tuesday night arrived and Renette came to speak with them he admitted that he was slightly distracted. His thoughts still went to Nora. She had been in her room all weekend and left for school only to return right to her room. Logan didn't know what food she had eaten or at what time, but he was beginning to worry for his sister. She was like him and didn't speak about her emotions often, but when something was troubling her, she was healthy about it and spoke to Logan or their mother. As far as Logan could tell, no conversation was happening. She was shutting herself out. 

When Patton declared he, Remus, Dee and Thomas, could possibly have a plan, Logan pushed away his thoughts of his sister and tried to focus. Though he soon determined that was a mistake. 

"Well, what is it?" Renette asked Patton expectantly. 

"Patton here is kind of known for being able to sense people's emotions right? Megan calls it his sixth sense. It's sort of incredible." Thomas began. "Patton and Virgilius were briefly in close distance with each other last week and he told us something about Virgilius was off. Dee and Remus are the only ones of us that have actually come in contact with him, and they both agree with what Patton said."

"Something about Virgilius is wrong. We tried getting through to him, and it seems like it worked becuase the Dragon Witch had to interfere." Dee continued. "We were thinking, and we know this is risky, but Patton is the best person here at sensing things and helping people. If we can find a way to get him close enough to Virgilius for an extended amount of time, then maybe he can figure out what's so off about him and help him come to our side. Or at least leave the Dragon Witch's side."

"So wait, your plan is to force Patton to be close to Virgilius and hope that he can talk him to our side?" Roman asked. 

"Basically." Remus nodded. 

"Absolutely not." Logan said. "Are you insane? I'm genuinely asking. I know we're desperate, but that is far too great a risk. We have no idea what sort of thing could be causing this unnatural feeling you three have had around him and there's no way of telling if this would actually help."

"Agreed." Roman stated sternly.

"Now, hold on you two." Renette put her hand up. "I understand where they're coming from."

"No!" Logan stopped her. "No, I can't agree with this. Patton, think, Virgilius can teleport and he can teleport other people, this we know becuase he has literally kidnapped Dee in the past. If you get close to him, what's stopping him from kidnapping you. Taking you to the Dragon Witch directly."

"Well-" Patton started but was cut off.

"Not to mention, Thomas, you yourself said that because Dee and Remus were able to get through to him to easily, the Dragon Witch will simply make him hate us more. Patton, I know you want to help him, and I know you're good at helping people, but one conversation with him isn't going to be so easy acheive, let alone convincing him to leave the Dragon Witch's side." Logan was quickly getting angry, though his voice remained steady. "This plan won't work until we have more sufficient data on what is causing you all to believe something about Virgilius is unnatural."

"How are we going to get that data without sending in our own emotional expert here?" Dee pointed to Patton, frustrated with Logan's reaction. "I don't see you coming up with anything genius boy?!"

"We can find a way to understand Virgilius without putting Patton or any of us into more danger than it's worth!" Logan emphasised. 

"We don't have time for some in-depth plan Logan! You haven't been helping us lately but the second we come up with something, becuase you didn't think of it, you won't support it!" Dee yelled. 

"You're making this about your pride Dee." Logan told him. "I don't support your plan becuase it puts Patton in danger that he doesn't need to be in. There are better ways we can go about this. It'll take time but so far there hasn't been an attack, I think we can manage to hold off for another week. I'm not going through with the plan because it's a ridiculous last resort. You're making it seem like I'm attacking you, when I'm not."

"Logan, we have no way of knowing when an attack is coming! We have no idea what's going to happen!" Dee stood quickly, the chair he was in moving back slightly. 

Logan stood as well and crossed his arms. "Stop being so emotional over this Dee-"

"I'm being emotional!!" Dee shouted. "You're kidding right!?! The whole reason you won't go with this plan is because you're mad you didn't come up with it!!"

"That's not-"

"Oh shut up!!" Dee interrupted Logan's rebuttal. "It's either that or becuase Patton's the one who's taking the greatest risk!!! Becuase I know damn well that if Remus was the one who we had to get Virgilius to talk to you wouldn't be so apprehensive!! I may be angry, but I'm angry because you said I'm emotional! You're the one letting your goddamn emotions stop you from agreeing!! If it was me or Remus you wouldn't care so much but becuase it's Patton you have something to say!!!"

With that Dee marched off, angrily stomping up the stairs and slamming the basement door. Everyone was quiet. Logan sat back down and looked to the floor. He didn't know if what he was feeling was shame but it wasn't a good feeling that coursed through him. 

"I'm gonna go find him." Remus whispered.

Logan heard the rustling of his beanbag as he stood and the retreating sound of his footsteps. 

"I uh, don't trust those two upstairs alone." Thomas said. "Renette?"

"Yeah." She said quickly and the two left together. 

It was quiet for a few seconds before Logan felt a hand on his forearm. He lifted his head to see Patton and softened. 

"Logan, I apprecieate you being concerned, but I can do this." Patton said tentatively. " It's a risk, but everything we do is a risk."

"Logan, I don't like the idea either," Roman began. "but there really isn't much more we can do. Maybe we can make the plan safer for Patton but we're gonna need to work on that together."

"I know." Logan sighed. "I should go apologize to Dee. I overreacted. I don't like the plan, but I could have expressed it in a more productive way."

"Maybe just wait a bit." Patton said. "Dee takes some time to calm down and you don't want things to get worse."

Logan nodded, but he still couldn't look the two in the eye. His thoughts drifted back to Nora. It appeared he was more worried for her than he had previously thought. Perhaps his fears were getting to him, causing him to act out. It was a possibility, but it wasn't an excuse.

"There's something else isn't there." Patton sat down on his knees, trying to gain eye contact with Logan who only avoided him further. 

Damn you Patton, Logan thought. "I suppose there is another explaination for my behavior, but it's hardly an excuse to get out of the reprocussions I deserve to face."

"Okay, Lo, for one, you aren't the only one at fault. Dee got really angry, really quick. I know he tends to do that, but it doesn't excuse his reaction. Just know you're not the only one who should be apologizing." Roman said. "And two, what's going on at home?"

"Lo, we know you don't like to talk about stuff with your mom, so we've been giving you space and not asking. We figured you'd come to us if you need anything." Patton continued. "But maybe we've been giving you too much space?"

"No, no." Logan shook his head. "Surprisingly this has little to do with my mother and my reluctancy to come out to her. Her being home certainly has added to my stress, but currently I'd say that I was more concerned."

"About what?" Roman asked. 

"Nora." Logan stated. "She went to homecoming Friday night, and when I returned home, rather than her still being out with her friends like usual, she was on the couch and crying. She's quite like me, in the sense that she rarely speaks about her emotions, but when something is upsetting her to the point of crying, she talks about it to me or our mother."

"I'm guessing she hasn't done that?" Patton was searching Logan's face now, he could feel it.

"Yes. She stayed in her room all weekend, which she never does when Mama is home. She would also only come out of her room right before school and the moment she can she goes right back. It's been days and she has yet to speak about why she's so upset. It's never been this bad before." Logan could feel his body shiver slightly. 

"Do you have any idea what could have happened?" Roman asked. 

"No. Other than knowing it was something that upset her at homecoming, I know nothing." Logan shrugged. 

"Maybe I can talk to her tomorrow." Patton suggested. "We know each other well enough, and she knows you and I are friends right? I can tell her you're worried and that if there's anything I can help with she can let me know."

"That sounds like a good idea patton, but how do you know each other?" Logan asked.

"Megan's a cheerleader and because she doesn't have a car I take her to practices. Sometimes I help out too. The girls are really nice." Patton explained. "Nora and Penelope talk to me when I see them at practice. She talks about you a lot actually."

"Nora and her suggestive mind manipulation." Logan said to really only himself but Patton and Roman had apparently heard.

"Her what?" Patton asked while Roman just laughed a little.

"It's nothing." Logan assured Patton. "Nora wrote an essay about what she calls 'suggestive mind manipulation' in seventh grade and she's been implimenting it in her daily life ever since."

"Oh, so she's smart like you?" Patton smiled. "I should have figured, she does talk about her AP classes."

The conversation drifted off from there. Patton told Logan it was probably okay to go upstairs and talk to Dee. Logan did, and the two quickly apologized to each other. When Logan left Thomas's that night and began his meandering walk home, he felt a little better. A little lighter too. He figured in a few days he'd talk to Nora about how she really needs to stop with the mind manipulation, figuring it was better to stop sooner than later. However, he had to admit, a small part of him selfishly asked if he should let it go on just a little bit longer. Only to see if it worked the way Nora likely predicted. He pushed the thought away and walked up the porch stairs, a small smile on his face.