JP - Life is full of Surprises

James looked at Alex. "Sounds like you got a big helping of good news." He said with a tired smile.

Alex looked at James with a genuine smile on his face "it's the best news I've ever received in 5 years, I know she's alive and there ain't no force on this planet that'll keep me from rescuing her."

James sat down next to him and nodded. “How did she look? Hope they’re keeping her fed and healthy, at least. Sounded like she’s gotten more violent.” He said calmly as Lotus walked over and climbed onto his lap. With a gentleness he normally never used, he held the child close and protectively. “I don’t know what I’d do if any of these kids disappeared. It’s been hard enough since…well, you know.” He shrugged.

"It looks like she sends some sort of isolation cell there's marks on her face it look like a muzzle" Alex replied looking at a paused frame "I'm not surprised she's gotten more violent she refused to ever be as vulnerable as she was with Canestone." Looking over to Lotus he nodded "Thanks by the way I know it is about easy dealing with me on top of everything that happened with you with Juliet and Kent. I think that's why Lyle risked sending me the video, didn't want me going down his path."

James nodded and looked toward the bathroom. "Why does Tzeitel push herself so hard? She keeps hurting herself and Klaire can't fix everything…" He said.

"PTSD can be tricky like that" Alex sighed "I know Susi and Megan suffered at Canestone's hand but they're also more willing to accept help from people. Riley's seen her file whatever he did to her broke a part of her."

James nodded, a hand going to the back of his neck instinctively where that piece of metal was still embedded into him. “Yeah…” He understood that kind of mental strain. What Loreen had done to him still haunted him to this day.

Alex checked his phone again a shocked look on his face "hey James hypothetically if Riley had a twin brother that we thought died at birth but was alive but in captivity at Megacorp how would you break it to him?"

“I’d just tell him exactly what you said. MegaCorp hides a lot of shit, after all.” James said, raising an eyebrow. “Does he? Have a twin, I mean?”

"Riley had a twin brother at birth, doctors said he was too weak and didn't survive" Alex answered "we don't talk about it but sometimes he has these looks like there's a missing part of him." Handing the phone to James it showed a picture of a person who looked like Riley but with longer hair and beard.

“Could lose the beard…and use a haircut, but that does look a lot like him.” James said before handing it back. “I’m guessing Lyle found him?”

"Apparently Susi mentioned him and several other metas to add to the escape" Alex replied looking at the file "he's a speedster as well."

“Speed!!!” Lotus giggled out the word and flailed playfully.

James chuckled. “I think she’s happy to know that…”

"Still this is a lot to take in, he was stolen at birth" Alex pondered" makes you wonder if any of us have a secret twin or family member locked up somewhere."

“I’d rather not know…” James admitted as he let Lotus run off to play with her brother. “I’ve lost too much already.”

"True but you've also gain so much as well" Alex replied gesturing to Lotus and Leon "not saying they're replacements but sometimes we find people that can heal us. They look at you like a father and Riley and me see you as family as well."

“And Klaire…that was an unexpected one, gotta admit. I thought she hated me from her days in the facility.” James said while rubbing at his neck. “I mean, yeah, I kept people away that wanted to do things the best I could, but I was the rumored psycho pyro…It’s just surprising.”

"Life is full of surprises" Alex chuckled "I mean I never expected to land a girl like Susi I mean you saw how I was when I first came to the village. And then again I never expected Riley to run into River and become a father but I'm happy everything happened the way it did." Looking over to James he smiled "You're a good person and you deserve happiness just like everyone else."

“I try to be good…I just want to help people, especially kids.” James shook his head and looked at his left arm where a bunch of tattoos mingled into a design. “I never want to see kids go through what we all did…”

"That's we keep fighting so they can have a tomorrow" Alex replied sending the info on Ryan to Megan and asking if she can help break the news to Riley.

From Megan: Sure, but if he starts crying all over me, you owe me $20.

James just glanced at the screen and chuckled.

From Alex: fine Plus who knows maybe this Ryan guy is single could work out for you.

From Megan: Hah! Doubtful!

“I think she’s getting nicer…she didn’t add a single cuss word in all of that.” James said.

"That's because I sent the photo of Ryan" Alex chuckled "she's definitely considering it."

From Megan: Oh, and since I’m sure you noticed. FUCK!

James blinked and shook his head, laughing.

Alex chuckled before patting the pyro on the back "well I'm going to go grab Miss smitten kitten and talk to Riley. Catch you later."

James nodded and went to check on the kids.