Cousins and brothers

"Hello, Ryan, this is Chief of the Elite, Mike Reese. I understand that you've been visiting our prisoner, for lack of better terms, Alec Banks."

Reese leans back in his chair, tapping a pencil on his leg. "Something has come up, and I'd like it very much if you could come in to TJY and speak with me... as soon as possible. I have a few questions for you. I know you're at work, but if your employer has a problem with you taking the time off, I can speak to him and explain this is a legal matter."


Ty smiles as Libby joins him and he nods. "Sure. Food's always good. Can't work on an empty stomach."

Standing up, he waits for Libby to go first and soon, they're both back at the table with some food. Chewing on a french fry, Ty flips open the diver's manual and shakes his head at all the big words. "Ya know... the alphabet song just doesn't help a thing."

He smirks, a humorous glint in his eye. Scanning the words, he continues to eat, furrowing his brow. "For all I know, this could say it's legal to run a red light as long as you blow your horn."

Chuckling, it's obvious that he's trying to be silly to cover up the awkwardness he felt. Wiping a hand on his pantleg, he rolls his eyes and scoots over, patting the empty space on the booth next to him. "Get your butt over here unless we're going to do this upside down."


Hearing what Dylan had said, Mick's jaw tightens. He remains squatted in the doorway, his brow furrowing. "Dylan isn't very happy," he tries to explain, controlling the anger he had for whatever his older son had said.

"I won't ever lie to you and that's a promise." He cocks his head at the innocent little boy, feeling an ache in his heart as he sees the small tear. "You and Dylan... you're brothers... and you're cousins too. That's what makes you special."

Moving a little closer, Mick rocks back to sit on the floor, pulling BJ down into his lap. "A long time ago, when Dylan was born, he lived with me and Jade and his mom. When you were born, you had a different mom who loved you very much... she was my sister... and then you came here, remember? That's when me and mom adopted you. So now you're our son."

He gives BJ a squeeze, showing that his adoption had been a good thing. Reaching down, he moves some duplo blocks around on the floor, representing the people he was talking about. One represented Sam, two for Mick and Rosetta, two more for Dylan and Jade, and one for BJ. Moving them around, he shows first him and Dylan and Jade, then moving to Rosetta, then BJ joining the mix.

"So see... you and Dylan... you were just cousins but now you're brothers too and that makes it even more special."

Mick had always known he would never hide the truth or past from BJ - he was adopted and it would be a fact that was not hidden. But he would always do his best to make up for the subject with as much love as he could give, so BJ would never question where he belonged.

"But Dylan..." He moves the blocks around back to their starting points. "He still sees you as a cousin. So someday, he'll see this like you do - and he will call you his brother too. But we have to be patient with him. He's unhappy and he needs time to... learn we love him."

Petting BJ's head, Mick braces himself with one hand on the floor. "For now though... you just need to leave him alone for a while, okay?" He would talk with Dylan himself later. "He wants to be alone right now so we'll respect that, alright?"