After breakfast we all dispersed rapidly. Mr. Blackbourne and Dr. Green went straight to the college so they could prepare for their classes. Kota and the others started to prepare to head out to college along with Sang Baby. They would watch only a few of the classes today as we all had missions on different times.

Our schedule was pretty flexible. It had to be as missions had a tendency of popping out of nowhere.

Luke and I had to go on a mission for the Academy; it was a simple stake out. I would wait in the car and follow our suspect; Luke would approach the suspect's house and observe the inside, without going in.

At least, not this time.

He had to admit, his brother's skill were impressive, even if they sometimes threatened to give him a heart attack. Of course he had no intention of telling that to his idiotic brother, he might think I was giving him permission to do more of his dangerous' acrobatics.

Later that afternoon Gabriel and Victor would go to install the cameras at Silas' house. It was necessary to help them keep an eye on Theo. Sang would be with them; she planned to go to their studio after that so she could get to know their workplace.

Those guys were very proud of their music studio, Victor and Gabriel had worked very hard at opening it, and now many bands were being promoted there. The academy didn't like that those two were on the cover of magazines so much, but they understood that Gabriel and Victor were doing something that they both loved had given their approval, as long as they were all happy... and didn't get caught while on their missions.

Sang baby couldn't work with them, at least not directly. It would ruin her Ghost Bird status, but she didn't mind. She liked the thought of being free to go there sometimes and just play around a bit. According to Victor he expected Sang's excellent and diverse taste in music to be an asset to them.

Parking their car a couple of streets down from their target's house, where they could still watch any movement, North sat back while his brother left the car to stroll over to the house and take a look at things.

The road was completely desert, no other cars parked or people walking around, a fact that made him very nervous. They had no real cover and he felt exposed.

He kept his eyes on Luke as he saw his brother going into the house's front yard. Soon Luke disappeared from view, having gone to the back of the house.

North's hands clenched in the steering wheel and he told himself again that his brother was a trained academy member and would be just fine.

Suddenly he caught sight of his brother again as Luke stumbled out of the front yard only to fall to the ground in the sidewalk in front of the house.

North was out of the car in a flash, running to help his brother and kill however had dared to harm his family.

Approaching his brother' prone body he kept looking around for the enemy while removing his cellphone from his pocket to red line Blackbourne.

"Damn it, Luke! What the hell happened to you?" he was grumbling under his breath, trying to keep quiet and act rationally when all he wanted to do was rage and go after the bastard who had hurt his stupid brother.

He was about to kneel to check on Luke when the little bastard jumped up and screamed "Surprise!" on his face.

North didn't think. He reacted by punching his brother on the face.

......

The whole way back to their house, after their mission was completed, Luke had a bleeding nose from the punch North gave him, and almost bleeding ears from the scolding he was still receiving. His little brother was furious with him, but Luke didn't mind. North was mad because he cared and it was all Luke cared about as he smiled like a fool through his brother' raging.

......

At the college, Kota was again walking Sang to her class with Mr. Blackbourne at the library.

He looked distracted, almost dazed, and Sang reached out with a hand, touching his arm lightly, to stop him.

He froze and stared down at her, his green eyes curious.

"Is something wrong, Kota?" she asked him quietly.

The hallway was crowded with students trying to get to their classes, so Kota pulled Sang out of the way and closer to the wall. He stood between her and the other students on the corridor, his body stance protective, keeping her safe from all the jostling going on.

Raising a hand to her face he ran his fingers through her cheek lightly, tucking an unruly lock of hair behind her ear. There was a look of wonder in his eyes as he stared at the precious girl in front of him.

He still couldn't believe all the changes that had happened within his family since her arrival, but he supposed he shouldn't be surprised.

It was just like Sang to bring change and happiness whenever she went. Sometimes she didn't even realize that she was doing it, her gift for making people happy being as natural as breathing for her.

"You are simply amazing, Sang." He breathed, his voice low and deep as he stared at her in adoration.

Sang blushed and ducked her head, staring at their feet, a small smile playing on her face.

He touched her chin to raise her face and she met his eyes with a shy look. He smiled down at her, his eyes soft with caring before lowering his head to give her a quick peck on the lips.

She blushed even more and looked around at themselves, noticing that the hallway was now empty, the students having all gone to their classes, which meant they were late.

"Come on." Kota said, grabbing her hand and tugging her after him.

They walked the rest of the way to their classes with silly smiles on their faces.

......

Arriving at the library she said good-bye to Kota before entering and heading to the tiny room where she would have her class with Owen.

She considered suggesting that they had their class out in the library itself, on one of the tables disposed for students to sit at, but changed her mind knowing that spending her time in private with Owen would be far more interesting.

Knocking lightly on the door before opening it, she stepped inside and was immediately greeted by the sight of her perfect boyfriend. Owen Blackbourne was sitting in one of the chair around the round table, a fez papers stacked in a neat pile beside his left elbow, a book open on his hands which he'd obviously been reading before she walked inside. He had a millimeter smile on his face as he greeted her.

"Good morning, Miss Sorenson. You are a little late for class." He said in a stern tone, belying the happiness in his steel grey eyes.

She smirked at him even while blushing. "I was a little busy, Mr. Blackbourne."

He raised an eyebrow in curiosity but didn't ask what she meant by "busy". Instead he stood from his place at the table and pulled out a chair for her to sit at.

Sang sat gracefully on her place and waited for him to sit down himself before speaking. "Have you talked with Dr. Roberts about my moving in with Nathan, Owen?"

Closing his book and setting it aside he answered "Yes, he is already informed. But I thought you might want to talk with him yourself, darling, so I asked him if he could clear his schedule this afternoon to help with your move."

She smiled gratefully at him. She really wanted to talk with Phil before moving. She needed for him to understand how much she come to love him like a father and that she would always be close by.

She also needed to fix his living situation ASAP. She didn't like leaving him alone in that bug house... huummm, maybe...

She looked over at Owen who was watching her intently, a slightly wary look in his eyes, and smiled.

......

Observing Sang as she appeared deep in thought Owen Blackbourne started to wonder what his little darling was plotting this time.

He was the sort of man who liked to keep thing under his control. He was the one who choose what missions the academy could ask of his family, he was the one who took care of everyone and made sure all was okay. It was his job to keep one eye on things and solve whatever problems might turn up before they happened.

He could never predict what Sang was going to do, however. She was a wild card on his deck and he was loving it even while it scared him.

Her tendency to act on her own in the past and make unpredictable choices left him incapable of protecting her. He really hoped that by making her a part of their family and sharing her with his brothers she would ask for their help more often and allow them all to protect her.

The look she was giving him now, much like that of lioness observing their prey, was making him nervous. The smile that broke across her face then was definitely devious.

Their girl was amazing, with an incredible capacity for helping others. But she also had a mischievous streak that rivaled Luke's.

"I need to ask for a favor from you, Mr. Blackbourne." She purred at him.

This girl was going to be the death of him. And he knew he would die a happy man.

......

Owen was still in a daze when he walked into his and Sean's office. Sitting heavily on his chair he didn't notice the curious looks his best friend was shooting him from his place behind his own desk.

Sean had had his foot resting on the desk when Owen walked in. He'd expected his friend to scold him like usual but instead Owen stumbled over to his desk and dropped down at his chair like a heavy sack of potatoes.

His friend looked a little haggard and Sean started to worry. There wasn't much that could move the ever stoic Mr. Blackbourne, after all.

"Something wrong, Owen?" Sean asked.

"No." Owen answered in a distracted tone of voice, "Nothing wrong." He added while staring at his computer' monitor without blinking, a dazed expression on his face.

Sean frowned. Studying his best friend appearance he could see that Owen was, as always, dressed in a perfectly tailored grey shirt, with a marrow tie and black slacks. Not a wrinkle in place.

His hair was brushed back, and his glasses were perfectly perched on his nose. His skin tone was healthy and seemed to be well hydrated, from what he could see, but his friend still seemed haggard, somehow.

"What is it that is bothering you, then?" he asked, feeling impatient to know what was happening.

Blinking his grey eyes rapidly, as if waking up from a dream, he focused on Sean's face. Seeing the worry and impatience etched there he said. "Nothing is bothering me."

Owen pushed his glasses up with a finger, striving for an expression of calm surety. But he knew his best friend could see the doubt in his gaze.

"Miss Sang has sent me in a mission." He said, in a tone expressionless tone of voice.

Sean blinked confusedly and lowered his feet from the table, sitting up with his hands flat over the wood surface before him. "What do you mean by she sent you on a mission?" he asked, an amused smile stretching across his face.

Owen glared at his best friend. "Exactly that. She has given me a mission. One I must accomplish with Mr. Coleman and the elder Mr. Taylor's help."

Sean cackled, his arms going around his stomach to hold himself. "My, my. The big Mr. Blackbourne is being ordered around by our tiny girlfriend! I wish I could record this!"

Focusing back at his friend who had a very displeased look on his face, Sean asked. "And what is this mission about?"

Owen averted his eyes, his cheeks flushed a little as he turned to stare at his computer' monitor again. Striving for calmness he simply answered "It is a matchmaking mission."

Sean fell from his chair, bursting into laughter.

"You!" laughter, "On a matchmaking..." gasp, "mission!" more laughter could be heard from the floor. "And with Luke and Gabriel helping too!"

Owen sighed. The things he would do for his darling...

......

In a two story house, in Illinois, a woman cooked happily in the kitchen while listening to the recording of news that had been broadcast on television a few weeks ago.

The news were about how the students at the boarding school Miss Helena's had been abused during their years in that place.

Knowing about how those girls suffered made the woman very happy. She didn't really care about what happened with the other girls, but knowing that one in particular, who she'd sent there herself, had probably suffered too made her giddy.

She wanted that girl to suffer like no other, that ugly child, born from sin. She wished all the worst in the world to her. Happiness had no place in the life of that little bitch.

She deserved to be punished for her mother's sins. Too bad that woman was already dead, but she would content herself with making the daughter suffer.

As long as the little brat's life was bleak and dark, she'd be happy.

Hearing the doorbell ring, the woman dried her hands and walked over to the door while humming a happy tune. Her husband was in another business trip and her lovely daughter was at school, training to be a cheerleader.

Mary was a respected student, with high grades and a bright future ahead. She just knew her daughter would grow to do great things one day.

Opening the door she didn't see anyone. Looking down she saw an envelope in the ground. Her name was scrawled at the front and it was thick with its contents. Frowning, she looked around the street, trying to spot who had left the package at her front door. Seeing that the street was completely deserted she felt a shiver run down her spine.

Disturbed, she bent down to pick up the envelope and stood back up, running back inside her house and locking the door firmly.

Walking quickly to the kitchen she grabbed her scissors and opened the envelope, letting its contents spill out on her kitchen table.

They were photos. Thousands of them. All of the same person. She'd grown up to be as stunningly beautiful as her bitch of a mother.

The woman frowned in displeasure and started to study the images, searching desperately for the face of a broken girl, unhappy, afraid, hopeless.

What she found was an amazingly happy and stunning young woman, with bright green eyes full of hope, laugher and love. In some of them she appeared alone, her goodness shining through. In others she stood with a group of very handsome boys who were all obviously in love with her.

The woman screamed in rage, her body shaking in fury, her face red with emotion.

"How dare that little bitch be happy!" she screamed.