Just a little author's note before you begin. All three (yes, three) Epilogues will be told in Jack's point of view, not Lexi's. Please try to remember that while reading.

Oh, and the absolutely amazing trailer in the media section was made by the equally amazing AlyxMck. The trailer is for 'The Test' (obviously) and I thought I would put it in this chapter so that those of you who may not have seen it already can... Anyway, hope ya'll like this chapter as much as I love the trailer! Enjoy :)

The Program

Epilogue [Part One]

One month later

The hospital room felt lifeless, just like the state of Reid. I mean...dad.

Breathing out a sigh and placing my hands on my face, I looked at him.

I don't really know what i'm supposed to call him now.

One month, one whole freaking month has gone by since everything that went down. I still don't completely know how it happened, or even how Natalie managed to save us. But i'm glad she did, it could have turned out much worse.

"Hey, bro. He still not awake?" John pulled over a chair, him wincing as he did. The bullet had gone deep that Mary shot, and the doctors in Bridget's team -I guess that's what you call it- did all they could to keep him from bleeding out and then stitched him up.

They would not have shown the same courtesy to dad if he hadn't done what he did.

And I probably wouldn't be staying at his bed day and night if it wasn't for the same reason.

And me, well, my shoulder was hit during all of it, but I was fine compared to everyone else, just a little sore.

"No," I told John, running a hand over my face again and yawning. "The doc said he should be awake by now, long before now. How do we know something's not wrong?"

John sighed, pulling over a chair and falling into it. He didn't say anything, and for that I was glad. I was just exhausted, barely getting the slightest bit of sleep over the past month. And even though John looked refreshed and collected, I knew he was going through the same thing. Him and Annie have been doing all they can to keep the police out of it, but they won't stay out of it forever.

I mean, I had nothing to do with it and they threw me in jail for crying out loud! Imagine what dad will be facing when they realize the extent of what he did. They already know a lot -turns out cops are pretty smart- but they definitely don't know how all dad is involved. And they don't listen long enough to realize that the real problem -Mary- was still out there somewhere, and that we were in deep trouble when she rebuilds the test.

"Any news on Lexi?" I asked suddenly, turning to John and leaning against the side of dad's bed.

John's eyes lowered, not daring to look at me. He only shook his head followed by a sharp, "Nope."

So, she was still missing. "And her family?"

"Still worried sick," He answered quickly. "But they've got other problems on their hands."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, because freaking reporters and the law bugging them is so much more to deal with than them missing a child." Pausing and going over how much I just basically snapped, I rubbed at the back of my neck. "Sorry, man. It's just too much to deal with right now."

John placed a hand on my shoulder. "Hey." He playfully shook me around a bit. "We'll find her, okay? And Natalie's with her, she probably just needs some space."

"Yeah..." I said, trailing off. It wasn't like her, leaving for no reason. When Natalie got us all out of there, with help from Bridget and Dr. Rivers -someone i've come to know as Kent- who came charging through with weaponed guards, Natalie spoke with Lexi alone and then took off..

We haven't seen either since.

"I just...after what dad did..." I trailed off again, not wanting to think about it anymore. "Dad took a bullet for her and she ran off. She's not here."

John bit his lip. "I don't know what you want me to say, Jack. We both know Lexi pretty well by now, she wouldn't leave unless it was important. And Natalie wouldn't have gone with her if she didn't feel it was important."

I yawned as he said it, not because it bored me, but no sleep does that. "Yeah, okay. Listen, i'm too tired to talk about this anymore. I think i'm gonna try and get some sleep. You staying here tonight?"

He shook his head, getting up. "Nah. Katie's having some kind of meltdown again and Annie doesn't like seeing them. Mom's letting her stay over tonight. I gotta go pick her up."

"You two gone on a date yet?" He laughed.

Smiling and running a hand through his hair, he said, "We've had what could be considered dates; late night talks at her place, her coming over for dinner, movie marathons to take our minds off everything, kissing a bit-" I held up my hand to stop him. The mental image was freaky enough. "Anyway, Annie says that doesn't count. I've gotta take her out. Girls are strange."

"Hey! If you ever have your hand go through Annie's arm, then we can talk about strange. Until then, I think i'm winning in that area." I told him.

We talked for a little while longer after that, John walking out the door a few minutes later and bumping into my mom. "Oh, Diana. Hi. Here to see Reid...I mean, Ben?" John kept messing up like that.

"Yes. And my son of course." She smiled, and I couldn't help but do so as well. My mother smiling is one of the greatest things in the world, and is a sight I never thought I would see again.

"Well, i'll leave you to it."

Mom walked over to me and sat in the seat John had sat in beforehand. "Why don't you go home, huh? I'll stay here and watch him tonight. You look too tired, Jack. And i'm sure your, um...parents miss never seeing you."

The whole adoptive parents thing kinda got to mom when I had told her about it all. But, she seemed to understand that I did view them as that; my parents. That doesn't mean she isn't upset about it. "I'm good. A friend of John's is spending the night anyway. And who knows, they might be up all night trying to figure out a way to get a hold of Natalie, so I wouldn't get much sleep there anyway."

"So, I guess that answers my next question about whether or not you've heard from your little friend."

I just kinda rested on my arm, feeling restless and yawning even more. "She's more than a friend, mom." Another yawn. "Listen, I really don't think I can..." Yawn. "Talk anymore. I'm really tired. It's been a long, well...month."

She kissed my forehead, something that made me smile again, and said, "I understand, honey. Get some rest."

And as she ran her hand over my hair and then down to my shoulders, careful to be gentle as I was still sore and rubbing at my back soothingly, I felt my eyes close, my mother humming sweet melodies as I drifted off.

❒❒❒❒

All night, I dreamed about Lexi. I wasn't ashamed to admit that, knowing that the longer I went without seeing her and everything about her -her smile, laugh, pathetic jokes- only made me miss her that much more.

But my dreams were also filled with the last time I saw her, all of us struggling to get out of Mary's office as she fired the gun, Lexi caught in its path.

It was all still so clear. The fire of the gun as it went off. Me trying to run in front of it but mom was begging me to stay back.

Dad, the very person who wanted Lexi dead the most, pulling her down and taking the bullet for her.

It was all so unreal, and Lexi looked shocked as well.

None of us ever thought that he would do something like that.

But we got past it, Lexi dragging him out as he groaned even more.

And that's when Natalie came in, Bridget beside her and rushing to John's side as he lay practically lifeless on the floor. And Mary, apparently realizing that things probably weren't going to work out in her favor, escaped and hasn't been found.

I had felt bad that things turned out the way they did, John getting hurt in the process of the plan we had come up with. When we had been trapped in our cell, us still coughing from being surrounded by smoke, we realized that a plan was needed. We didn't have a strong one, but when John saw Lexi handing me a knife, we both knew what needed to be done.

But all of that seems so long ago now.

I heard a commotion outside but didn't think anything of it; news reporters and other freaks have been trying to get in here all month. Everyone sees that the comas couldn't possibly be a coincidence anymore, and Bridget's been having to keep the other people from the test -including those who can't remember it- under lock down and away from nosy idiots.

Danny says being at home and constantly guarded was pretty cool at first -even though he didn't fully understand why in the neck he was being protected- given how he didn't have to go to school -a luxury I strangely find my own self missing- but he quickly found it to be too much to deal with and is totally fed up with it.

"I've gotta ask," I heard a voice behind me, turning around to see a sight that practically sent me falling out of my chair. "How's having Reid as a dad?"

I didn't answer him. For the love of god, I was so shocked I couldn't answer him. He was here. Right in front of me. Saying words.

Dead people don't do those things.

"Um," Of course that would be the only thing I could get to leave my mouth when I finally opened it. "You're uh, you're not-"

"Dead." Luke finished, rubbing at his arm and brushing some of his hair from his eyes. "The opposite actually. Reid kinda saved my life, believe it or not."

Luke is alive. "But, um, the news said-"

"Yeah, well, I knew who the boss was. When I had been taken out of the test that one time, when everyone thought I died or some crap, she was the one that talked to me and the others. I knew her secret once we got out, and that freaking lady wanted me dead, Jack." He cut me off again, explaining. I was already out of my chair. "Reid came to my house, saying that I was in danger and told me what I had to do so I could stay safe. Let me tell ya, man, that guy's not as bad as I originally thought. I mean, it's like I told Lexi-""

Me hugging him before he could say anything else completely stopped him from finishing his sentence. But just as quickly, I pulled back. "Wait, what? When did you see Lexi?"

"Where do you think she's been for a month, dude?" He said, lightly squeezing at my arm and then letting me go. "She's down the hall. But just know, Lexi's not the only..."

I was out the door before he finished, making my way through a crowd of people talking about how shocking it was for Luke to be alive -apparently that was the commotion before- and if the other two supposed dead people were even dead.

But I just pushed past it all, practically racing down the hallway until I was met with a familiar face, or, um, many familiar faces. 

Everyone was here. All of the people from the test. When they saw me, I heard a few people mutter my name, a few quirks of noise came from some. Others just stared, especially after what happened next.

A blonde blur hurled toward me, causing my body to crash into a wall behind me. I felt her lips brush against my cheek, a smile present on both me and her. Finding myself pulling her closer, my arms held her to me as she positioned her face in the crook of my neck, her nose skimming over the skin exposed there. 

"Jack." I heard her finally say, making me release a breath I hadn't known I was holding. 

The sound of her voice made me squeeze her tighter to me, strands of her hair falling onto me and Lexi grabbing at the collar of my shirt. This, i'll admit, would have been the point I lifted her chin up and showed her just how much I missed her in some lame, romantic and cheesy proclamation of a kiss. But, her hands had also pulled at my sore arm and caused me pull away in pain.

"Mother of..." I trailed off on the last part, holding back all the words that could possibly spill forth from the pain. Breathing deep, I took a look at Lexi, her holding her hands to her chest and biting her lip.

God, she is so beautiful.

"Did I, um, did I hurt you?" She asked, walking a little closer and touching -more gently this time- my shoulder and kissing my cheek. This girl really knew how to make me smile. "Sorry."

Okay, I may have smirked a bit next. "Oh, Lexi. I'm fine." I started. "For all you know, that was a plan to get you to kiss me. But god, no, you crush a man's dream and only kiss him on the cheek instead. Let me tell you, girl, I haven't seen you in a month and this is how you-"

I briefly saw her roll her eyes, those gorgeous blue eyes, and stand up on her toes as she pulled me to her. 

You can probably guess what happened next.

❒❒❒❒  

"Okay, let me get this straight. Natalie found out that Luke wasn't dead, only told you, and that's where you've been for an entire month? I'm not buying it." John was pretty much yelling at Lexi, but he wasn't do that good of a job not smiling at her while he said it. No matter how confusing the situation was, or how mad we all may be at her for running off, it was great to have her back. "And why in the heck are all of those people here? Seriously, Lexi, answers now."

Lexi huffed and ran her fingers through her hair. "Well, for starters, everyone who remembers the test is in danger. Natalie needed everyone at the same place so she can go through with her plan to lessen that danger." John tried to interrupt her, but Lexi just talked over him. "Also, I wasn't gone the entire month with Luke. I was helping Natalie gather everyone up, trying to convince the people who didn't remember that they needed to come with us. It was not an easy task."

"But you said that only those who remember the test are in danger, not the others." Annie piped in. She, at least, wasn't yelling at Lexi. 

"I know that. The problem is that some of those people may be like Jack; tell them about the test and they remember. We need to stop that from happening."

"Wait," It was my turn to butt in. "I'm still confused. What is Natalie planning to do?"

Lexi bit at her lip, using one of her hands to rub at the back of her neck. "Let's go talk to Bridget about that. She knows more than I do."

"What does Bridget have to do with this?"

"Well," Lexi started. "For one, she knew where Natalie and I were the whole time."

❒❒❒❒  

Bridget had her arms crossed as we accused her.

"You lied to us." Okay, Annie was doing most of the accusing. She was peeved off about everything.

Bridget only rolled her eyes and instructed someone nearby to call Natalie and get her in here. "Fine, i'll admit it, I knew where Lexi and Natalie were the whole time. But really, I never actually lied to you. I just didn't tell you." She turned to Lexi. "Besides, Ms. James kindly asked me to leave you all out of it until she got back."

It was our turn to look at Lexi. "Huh?" I asked. "You didn't want us there?"

"I didn't want to be the crappy friend that dragged you guys into something when so much was already going on. You really gonna get mad at me for that?"

I only muttered a quick ''whatever'' and got on with it. "So, um, what exactly are we gonna be doing about all of this? Apparently those who remember the test are in danger?"

"Well," Bridget started. "They are in a lot of danger, according to the government that is. According to me and Natalie, erasing their memories will neither decrease nor increase the problem."

"You're going to take away their memories?" Annie shouted, then turning to Lexi. "You knew about this?"

Lexi just kinda shrugged. "Like she said, it's not like it will make the situation worse. Besides, if they don't, everyone involved in the test is going to prison. And i'm not just talking about Natalie." She was looking at John when she said it. Then, it hit me. My parents were working for the people that built the test, heck, they helped build it. John's face fell as he realized this too. Our parents would go to jail.

But another thought came to my mind. "What about us? Are we just gonna...forget? I can't go back to that, too many things were unclear."

While I couldn't remember the test, I kept having strange dreams from before in the test. At the time, I didn't realize what they were, but they still made me confused as all heck. My whole life seemed to turn upside down. 

"You'll get a choice, Jack." I heard behind me, Natalie coming into view with a few someones from outside. Turning to Bridget, she said, "We ready?"

"Whenever you are. Two to three can be done at once." Bridget responded, followed by Natalie handing over the teens and Lexi waving at them slightly as Bridget led them into another room.

Natalie finally turned back to us. "Now, back to what I was saying. You'll each be able to choose whether or not you want to forget, Jack. Know that you are able to choose whether or not it happens to you this time."

"You can't do this to those people though, they have a right to know." I managed to get out before Lexi was the one to shut me up, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Jack," She began, her voice low. "I don't like it either, but here's the thing, they all chose this too. None of them are unaware of what they're going to have happen to them. Everything was laid out in front of them, they each made a choice."

None of us were able to say anything after that. We were having trouble believing that everyone would say yes to such a thing, but then, the reason hit us all.

Who would want to remember something like that?

So, there we stood, watching and staying silent as group after group of teens entered and exited the room, each holding their head and instructed to be careful, go home, and that tomorrow they would wake up knowing nothing of the test.

As for those who didn't remember, Natalie said that all Bridget and her had to do was erase the memories that were locked in the teens' brains. It sounded more complicated to me than what it probably was for her.

Soon, we saw the last group come in.

A girl, one I noticed as Brittney, glanced at Lexi for a minute before she stopped Bridget and walked over. Behind her was Danny and Luke. Luke seemed to be in deep conversation with Danny, and Danny just kinda looked at me for a minute and smiled, still probably a bit confused.

"Um, hello again," I heard Brittney say, her talking to Lexi. "I just wanted to, uh, make sure that um." She seemed nervous, not able to finish her sentence. 

Lexi smiled at her, me slightly remembering that one time she practically ripped this girl's head off in the test and how times really do change. "They'll be fine. And trust me, it doesn't hurt okay."

Brittney nodded, doing a little half smile and walking away and into the next room, Luke and Danny not following.

"Um, what was that all about?" I asked, leaning over next to Lexi.

She looked up at me and simply said, "We have a lot to talk about, Jack." She never elaborated, so I just shut my mouth.

Danny and Luke joined us where we were standing, Danny sticking his hands in his pockets and turning to Lexi. "That, uh, data you wanted. Anyway, my dad has it if you're ready?"

Lexi seemed to light up, nodding and touching my arm slightly as she rushed out of the exit. "Thanks, Danny."

"What was that about?" I asked him. "What was she talking about your dad for?"

He bit his lip for a minute, thinking the answer over. "Oh, well, turns out my dad works for these people that did everything for us. I still don't remember, but Lexi explained enough that I at least no why that Annie chick was so happy to see me that one time at your house." He paused for a second. "Anyway, my dad apparently worked for your, um, real one."

"Your dad worked with the test?" I questioned. "Wow, it's almost like everyone has someone in their family who does. Sorry I never said anything, man. I didn't know for the longest time either."

He brushed it off, smiling. "It's all good, Lexi told me. And yeah, it does seem like that right? That guy, Luke, he was telling me that he thought his mom was dead, but she was just working for the people too. And Brittney, that girl-"

I held up my hand. "I know who she is, dude."

"Right, um," He ran his hand through his hair. "Anyway, her older brother worked for them."

My mind brought in all this information, fully thinking it over. "Does this mean that Lexi might have someone she's related to working for them?"

"Funny," Danny said. "Lexi thought the same thing."

We didn't talk much after that, me running off quickly after and hoping to find Lexi again. It wasn't too hard, I eventually found her.

She was sitting in a seat beside his bed, slumped forward and holding a folder in her lap. My mom was in a seat on the other side of the bed, seeming to have fallen asleep awhile ago. I could hear Lexi mumbling little thank you's and sobs were mixed in. But dad still didn't move.

I pulled over a chair, the screech against the floor causing Lexi's head to dart in my direction and mom to shift a little in her seat but not wake up. 

Lexi had the slightest tear in her eye, not huge, but enough to show she felt bad about Reid jumping in the way and that he was here because of her. "I always thought he hated me, you know. You don't save the people that you hate."

I ran my hand over her arm, hoping to sooth her. She smiled, shifting a bit and causing the folder in her lap to slip. "What's that?"

"Oh, um, just something I had Danny's dad figure out for me. Turns out, everyone sent to the test has a blood related family member who was somehow involved with sending them there." She held back something in there, fidgeting with her hands. "I wanted to know who mine was, and my family is still acting oblivious. But then, I figured out that the reason for this was that they really don't have anything to do with it."

"I'm not following, Lexi. Quit being dramatic and just tell me what you're leading up to." 

She handed over the folder, me raising an eyebrow. "Danny's father ran my DNA through some kind of database he has, he was gonna see if I at least partially matched someone so I could figure it out. Only one person popped up. And I don't know what to do about it."

Opening the folder, I saw a picture as well as information on the person. It showed a woman; blonde hair, blue eyes. I knew who she was, taking away the red hair would never change that.

"Mary?" I was shocked. "Wait, how are you related to her? Is she, like, an aunt you didn't know about or something?"

Lexi placed her head in her hands, groaning. "Well, she's not an aunt." 

I urged her to continue, Lexi looking like she was about to vomit once she said, "Well, to rule out every possible thing, Danny's dad suggested that we do some tests on my parents too. They don't know about it, I only needed some hair. But, um," She paused for a minute. "Apparently, as it turns out, somehow-"

"For the love of god, get to the point!" I shouted not meaning to. Mom moved a bit in her spot, only for her to snore instead of wake up.

"I have no relation to my mother, neither does Marcus. When we ran another test with Mary's DNA, we realized that she-"

"No," I butt in. "You're joking right? You are not about to say what I think you are."

She really look as if she was going to hurl now. "I don't know if she gave Marcus and I up, and then my parents adopted me and him. Or maybe my dad had an affair of some kind, which is very possible considering my mom is the only one of my parents I have no blood relation to. Maybe it's both." She breathed in deep. "But apparently, i'm Mary's daughter. Not step daughter. Daughter. And Marcus is her son."

"Lexi," I didn't know what to say. But I tried anyway. "At least your parents didn't work for the test." Yeah, I failed.

She still smiled despite it, leaning against me. "You know what's weird? I think she tried to tell me, when we were in her office. She gave me a chance to take back what I said about me never being her daughter, telling me to make sure I knew that for certain. I didn't even realize."

"Don't expect me to tell you everything is going to be okay, Lexi. The situation sounds crappy, I would know." I said.

"What was that like, the situation with Reid being your dad?" She asked me. "Did you feel different? You said you were going to kill him. Now what?"

I faced her toward me. "You learn to live with it. Your life never seems normal again, but you learn to live with it." I moved a strand of her hair out of her eyes. She still blushed like she used to, not as much, but enough to make me smile. "Why to you look so chill about all this?"

"Trust me, on the inside, i'm screaming and begging someone to let me out of this gene pool. I guess i'm just glad I have you."

"That was cheesy." I pointed out. "But yeah, I get it." Then, I thought of something else. "Hey, you wanna change the topic?"

"In the worst way," She admitted.

I grinned. "Well, how about this? Mind telling me what you meant earlier when you were talking to Brittney?"

"Ugh, maybe later, okay? It's not that important anyway."

I was going to be stubborn, or maybe just aggravate her a bit. But luckily for her, something else took mine and her mind off of it that would hopefully take her mind off of every awful thing that's happened today. Or, at least, it would do that for me.

Dad opened his eyes and groaned.