The Phantoms made it to Rayne's tower in record time. Though Terrell caught up and snatched Sahara from Noah's board, and may have or may not have given it a mighty kick to send him spinning, he didn't try to fight the boys' decision to latch on like leeches.

Upon their arrival a few keepers stood to get in their way, however, recognizing both Terrell and Sven, they stood down. Even if they hadn't, the Phantoms walking behind Terrell gave them meaningful glares that would make even the bravest shiver.

Almost jogging to keep up with Terrell's long strides, Sahara glanced at the Phantoms following closely behind.

While not long before they'd seemed almost like a goofy bunch, that atmosphere had completely been replaced with one that would make anyone who thought to approach think twice – if they valued their life that was. It was enough of a dark pressure to make Sahara automatically shrink closer to their omega.

Terrell reacted automatically, slipping an arm around her shoulder. Then, as though sensing several glares from those behind, he tilted his head and shot a warning glare through the slits of his eyes.

All threats disintegrated, and the air suddenly felt lighter.

They took the lift in one go, which squished them so tightly they stood shoulder to shoulder. Perhaps there would have been a bit more space had Terrell not turned Sahara so her back was against the wall. He placed a hand on either side of her, bracing himself off the glass and pushing back against anyone that threatened to come close enough to breathe the same air.

Thus, the other Phantoms, who had refused to wait for the second lift, found themselves questioning their life decisions. Then again, if they'd left behind their boards instead of insisting in bringing them, they'd have had more room as well.

Sahara peered under one of Terrell's arms, wincing as she saw how tight the others were squished. Her eyes met Noah's pained ones. The boy had Marco's elbow digging into one rib and Roman's board in another. Troy sweated profusely, and even Sven had his attempts to shift blocked by the lack of space.

"Terrell," Sahara murmured as she noted the amount of space Terrell had opened for her.

"Hm?" came the reply as green eyes warmly met hers.

"Shouldn't we make some space for the others?" Sahara whispered. With the uncomfortable silence, it wasn't hard for all the other occupants to hear.

Noah's eyes filled with gratitude.

"Oh?" Terrell's eyebrows rose. "Is there someone else with us?" he asked innocently.

Gratitude turned to dismay, and Sahara could only say a prayer for poor Noah as the lift shot up.

Fortunately for everyone, the ride was short.

Upon reaching the floor they were headed too, boys tumbled out of the lift, jostling each other and complaining about sharp bones. Terrell calmly alighted with Sahara in tow.

He led the way to a door down the hall. However, perhaps feeling somewhat vengeful from the ride, the Phantoms caught up and passed by, childishly bumping shoulders with their omega on the way.

They reached the door only for it to swing open.

"Relly!" Rayne, handsomely beamed in greeting, froze. "What's this?" he asked coldly.

"Excuse us for intruding." Marcus pushed passed, ducking under Rayne's arm to access the room behind.

"Hello." Roman followed and gave a little wave on the way.

Troy delivered a nod of greeting before pushing past.

"Sorry," Noah joined the others.

"Long time no see," Sven hailed.

Terrell was left standing beside Sahara.

Rayne scowled. "Explain."

"We really tried coming alone," Sahara jumped to Terrell's defense.

Ignoring her, Rayne pulled Terrell aside. "I told you to control them," Sahara heard him hiss, "not bring them here."

"I didn't invite them," Terrell replied without seeming to care in the least. "Besides," he pried his brother's hand from his arm, "I had a mature talk with them to straighten things out."

Mature? Sahara could only marvel at his choice of words as she remembered the scene which had occurred at the Phantom's headquarters.

Unable to hide her grin at the memory, she stepped into the room only to be greeted by a mouthwatering smell of food.

Marcus stood in the middle with his nose raised in the air. "Where's the grub?" he asked after several sniffs.

Roman took a whiff.

Troy was the one to point to another set of doors.

The group headed toward it as one.

"Hungry?" Noah asked Sven as he leaned on the other boy's shoulder.

"Starving," came the reply.

Noticing the direction of the group. Rayne turned. "Now just a moment," his protests fell on deaf ears.

"Doesn't smell too bad," Sven noted.

Sahara hurried after them, leaving Rayne and Terrell. The latter looked like he wanted to follow, but his brother kept him within earshot as he resumed his complaints about the extra company.

They reached another set of doors and Marcus threw them open as though he was entering his own home.

A grand glass table floated some distance off the floor with hovering chairs around it. Seated on one of these chairs was Naomi, who'd been caught swinging her legs and humming. Sitting beside her, seeming to have been entertaining her with a holograph screen from his bracelet, Orion looked up.

The twins had been standing in what looked like a grand kitchen that took up half the room. Arden had a bandana tied around his forehead to keep sweat and hair from his face. Reagan had a fork tucked behind an ear.

Upon the doors opening, the twins both turned to joyfully welcome the people. However, now they stood frozen, staring at the group before them. Troy and Roman came to stand on either side of Marco. Noah, still leaning on Sven, peered over Troy's head.

Sahara was able to see the scene from the gap between Marcus and Roman.

"Yo," Noah gave his usual greeting with a grin.

An ungodly screeched erupted from the younger twin as he jumped into his brother's arms. The latter had no choice but to catch him out of reflex. The result was Arden carrying Reagan princess style while gawking at the threatening newcomers.

"Who're these clowns?" Marcus asked, sounding anything but amused.

"Phantoms," Reagan squeaked as he pieced two and two together. He tried to get even closer to his brother. "Save me!"

Arden responded by dropping him. "Forget that." He shrank back. "Ain't nobody sticking around for this." He took a large step away from his younger brother, making sure Reagan was closer to the threat.

Marcus rubbed the back of his neck, seeming somewhat baffled. Then, as his eyes flickered to Orion, they narrowed. "Isn't that the killer?" the words erupted as a growl.

Roman and Troy turned to lock on to the target.

Orion got to his feet, expression blank.

The twins immediately switched from fear to defense mode. They strode forward, taking a protective stance beside Orion.

"It is," Roman confirmed, voice deadly.

Troy's eyes flashed as he took a step forward.

"Whoa!" Noah jumped forward, trying to block the Phantom's approach with his arms eagle spread.

He couldn't stop the murderous glares, or the steps being taken toward Orion as the other boys brushed by him.

There was so much static in the room Sahara feared she would spontaneously combust.

Orion stayed seemingly calm, eying the approaching threat, while both twins visibly tensed.

The Phantoms hadn't taken but a few more steps when another door opening made them pause.

Alegra strode in while gazing at a hologram screen before her. "How long does it take one person to–" Seeing the crowded room, the girl immediately closed the screen, eyes growing cold as they alighted on the newcomers.

Only Sven and Noah shot her a glance, the others stayed focused on Orion.

Wordlessly, Alegra walked until she was on Orion's other side. She folded her arms, calmly gazing at the other crew as she openly sized them up.

The three glaring Phantoms showed little interest in the gorgeous bombshell that had just joined. Their rage currently trumped all other emotions.

"Tell me he isn't the one that brought the WIS," Marcus growled.

"Is this the kind of scum Terrell's been hanging out with?" Troy asked.

Sahara bristled at the insult directed at her family. It prompted her to move. She surpassed the Phantoms and turned to stand protectively in front of Orion. Whirling, she faced the Phantom's and shot them a glare of her own.

"Don't throw accusations without hearing both sides of the story first," she scolded.

"Throw accusations?" Roman scoffed. He thumped a heart to his chest, glare turning to Sahara. "I watched everyone I ever cared about bleed out right before me because of him," he pointed a shaking finger at Orion, "and you have the gall to tell me not to throw around accusations?"

Guilt flashed through Orion's otherwise emotionless eyes.

"He didn't have a choice!" the Falcon omega defended.

"Everyone has a choice." Marcus scoffed.

"I don't know what guests you dragged in from the gutter," Alegra directed toward Noah, the only boy in the other group she knew, "but would you be so kind as to escort them out?" Her eyes grew colder. "They're not welcome here."

Phantoms glared at Falcons as the two faced each other off, one ready to attack and one ready to defend. The tension was no joke.

"Friend or foe," a small voice sang and every eye in the room darted in the direction. Naomi was strutting around the Phantoms, hands held behind her back like a general as she seemed to inspect the goods. She came to a standstill, peering at the boys, Marcus in particular. She poked his stomach only to be met with a wall of muscle. "Yet to be identified," she nodded to herself.

Silence.

A small finger lifted and pointed. The target: Noah's hair.

"Bring blue back," Naomi accused.

"Ah." Noah ran a hand through the black mass.

"What is that?" Troy asked as the boys stared at Naomi. Her lack of fear left them somewhat unsure of how to proceed.

Roman crouched, eyes softening as he watched the little girl. "What's your name?" he asked.

Naomi turned her gaze from Noah and innocently blinked at Roman. "When a stranger asks for your name, kick him where the sun don't shine and run," she recited the words that suspiciously sounded like they came from someone else in the room.

Then, to follow through, the little girl took a step forward and kicked.

It wasn't Roman's fault for failing to dodge. Not only did he think that a little child would dare to harm him, but what normal person recited their attack and then actually went through with it?

Thus, the Phantom found himself rolling on the ground in pain while countless surprised eyes could do nothing but watch.

Smiling like a child that had just completed their good deed of the day, Naomi turned and strode to join Alegra.

"Pft," Terrell's laughter sliced through the tension like an arrow through paper. Having just entered the room, he clutched his stomach and laughed at Roman's misfortune.

Rayne was calmly leaning against the doorframe, looking almost as though he was enjoying the situation immensely.

Realizing that no one else found the situation as funny, the Phantom omega straightened. "Digging up the past won't change anything," he spoke, all laughter disappearing. Putting one hand in a pocket, he nodded from the Phantoms to the Falcons. "Make a truce or scat."

The Phantoms didn't respond. Sahara saw Terrell shoot Rayne a meaningful look.

The older brother let out a sigh. All surprise and helplessness from before disappeared as he straightened and walked into the room. "Anyone who makes a fuss in my house won't get away without a souvenir," he warned, voice flat. "A permanent one," he added.

The air around him had changed from the relaxed no presence before to a dominating one laced with warning. He came up beside Terrell and placed a hand on his shoulder. For once, the younger brother didn't try to back out.

"Besides," a cocky grin, which made him look eerily like Terrell, alighted on his face, "you don't want to make a fuss at Relly's welcome back dinner, right?"

Noah and Sven stepped forward, their threat of forcefully making the others stand down clear. The point came across. No force was needed.

"Sorry," Sven was the one to apologize. "But I don't think hard feelings will go away so easily." He shot Orion a smile that wasn't warm or cold. "I hope you can understand."

Orion simply nodded.

Relief rushed through Sahara at the crisis avoided.

"Wonderful." Rayne clapped his hands together. "Who's ready to eat?" Sahara didn't know if it was just her, but she thought he sounded somewhat disappointed.

She shot him a glance. He's not unhappy that there wasn't a fight after all, is he? She couldn't help but suspect.

"This food better be delicious," Marcus muttered as he finally dropped his glare.

Rayne's eyebrows rose. "I forgot to mention." He waved a hand to the table. "There's only enough seating for the guests I knew were coming. The rest have to figure things out themselves."

Noah nodded to his board. "We came prepared."

"Food!" Naomi chirped as she made a dash for the table. Alegra gave the Phantoms one last look before she followed.

"We should get the grub out." Arden turned back to the kitchen.

Reagan practically glued himself to his back. "I really did die," he whispered, not all to quietly, as the twins walked. "I went to hell, didn't I? This is my punishment for everything bad I've ever done."

"If you know, then shouldn't you repent?" Arden asked him.

"It's to laaaaaaaate," Reagan wailed.

The Falcons ended up seated around the table. The end was extended with the Phantoms doubling up on a board and using the second as a hovering platform for their plates.

Fish was served with Rayne beaming as he piled a mountain full on Terrell's plate.

"I don't like fish," his younger brother informed him.

Rayne froze. "But you used to eat it all the time when you were young," he protested.

"That's because you'd force it down my throat!"

Rayne's face fell. He reached to take the fish back, but Terrell smacked his hand away and dug in.

Rayne's eyes lit up and his calm exterior returned as he began to eat, showing no one else in the room even a grain of attention.

"Some things never change," Sven murmured.

Dinner lapsed into silence. It was certainly not what anyone in the room had expected.

In the hush, broken only by occasional chewing, Sahara shot glances around the table.

Falcons and Phantoms were very clearly divided. The Phantoms showed obvious dislike while the Falcons, with the exception of Alegra and Naomi, seemed a bit more intimidated. The power balance threw her off as she tried to figure out who fit where.

Rayne seemed to hold everyone's respect, while Sahara was the leader of the Falcon's but had absolutely no power in the eyes of the Phantoms. However, whatever the situation was, one thing was certain: there was on person everyone in the room doted on in particular.

Sahara looked at the very culprit by her side. Sensing her gaze, Terrell lifted his head to meet her eyes. He raised his eyebrows in question.

Does he know just how many people care about him? Sahara couldn't help but wonder. She simply gave Terrell a smile before turning her attention back to her plate.

Dinner was very much like those awkward family reunions when one of the children brings home a significant other everyone dislikes and doesn't even pretend to get along with. Except, this time the son was Terrell and the significant others were the Phantoms on one side and the Falcons on the other.

Halfway through dinner, a meowing Mo turned up. The cat brushed against feet, pleading relentlessly for food. Naomi was more than happy to oblige by sharing – Reagan's meal. The twin didn't dare object, not wanting to pull any attention to himself.

The Phantoms looked somewhat intrigued and intimidated by Naomi as she bounced around, not a single ounce of fear shown toward the newcomers.

Dinner finished, not soon enough in some people's eyes, and the Phantoms made a move to leave.

On the way to the door, Troy paused. "I have one question before we go," he announced. The boy marched up to the twins, glaring at them. "Did you know?" he demanded.

A pair of blank gazes met his.

Troy pointed a finger at Terrell. "That he was alright?"

"Nope," Arden squeezed the answer out while at the same time a terrified Reagan couldn't lie and his emotions brought forth a high squeaked "yes."

The darkening eyes immediately made him realize his mistake and he fled for dear life.

Troy turned, hurt in his eyes clear as he stared at Terrell. "We need to talk," he announced.

Roman nodded in agreement.

Terrell rubbed the back of his neck, giving Sahara a helpless look. She returned it with a stern one of her own. He has a point, she thought, hoping her boyfriend could read her thoughts.

Rayne stepped in Sven's way just as the boy was turning for the door. "Your spot's still open if you want to come back and work for me," he shared.

Sven eyed him. "You sure you want an informant that close to you?" he asked frankly.

"I hate to let talent slip away," Rayne replied. "Besides." A sly smile made it to his face. "Now that I know where you stand, it'll be easier."

Sven's cracked a smile. He turned to Sahara and jerked a thumb at Terrell. "Let us borrow him for a little while." He nodded to Marco and Troy who immediately boxed Terrell in. They grabbed either arm.

"Hey!" The Phantom omega protested as his crew that wasn't a crew began to drag him from the room.

"Thanks for the grub!" Noah announced.

Sven gave Sahara and the others a nod.

And just like that, all the Phantoms disappeared.

"Whew," Reagan breathed out as he fell to the floor. "I thought I was dead for sure."

Arden didn't reply, eyes on the spot the group disappeared in.

"Good riddance," Alegra muttered.

Orion remained silent and the girl turned to him.

"Ignore them. They've picked up bad manners from their leader."

Sahara nodded in agreement, doing so to try and comfort the boy.

Orion gave them a weak smile.

"Well then," Rayne turned to the Falcons. "Now that the reason for you all to stay is gone, I'm withdrawing my welcome." He shooed the group with one hand. "I'll ask nicely once. Please leave." The doting niceness from before was completely gone, replaced but an impossible to read mask.

"Thanks for the meal," Arden told him before hauling his brother to his feet. "Let's go," he urged.

"Go where?" Reagan asked, still in shock from staring death in the face.

"To show Sahara our new home, of course," Arden replied.

Sahara met his twinkling eyes. Out of the corner of her own, she saw even Orion's face brighten.

"I think you're really going to love this one," Arden told her seriously.

"Really?" Sahara asked.

"Oh, most definitely," Reagan jumped in. "It's an upgrade from the warehouse."

Curiosity tugged at Sahara's stomach. "Then, what are we waiting for?"

"To the palace!" Naomi announced as she darted for the door, Mo squished tightly in her arms.

"Palace?" Sahara questioned.

"I'll take a break, too," Alegra informed Rayne. Not giving him a chance to protest, she linked her arm through Sahara's and pulled her along. "Let's go home."