Chapter 3

Jason walked the older man into the living room and asked him to sit down, and if he would like something to drink. As the teen got the drink, Vincent sat docilely on the chair. Returning to the room, Jason had a smug grin on his face as his brain had begun to process the information retrieved from Vincent's mind. He thought that the only way to impress the older man was to show strength, so he started out with his tough act.

"So, Mr. Cordova, what do you have to say for yourself?" Jason began.

Vincent Cordova was scared of this situation. His training and previous encounters had never prepared him for someone this... different. He had fought against other rogue members of the order, and had never seen any use of the powers that were quite like this young man. Attempting to stall, he replied "What do you mean? Why am I here? What is going on?" he shot questions at the younger man trying to throw him off balance.

Jason smiled as gently as he could under the circumstances, leaned forward to the other man and asked "What? No 'How do you know my name?' Vincent, I am appalled. I would think that an operative of your standing would be quicker on your feet than this!" he continued taunting the older man "Why Vincent, I would have to say that the order has placed entirely too much trust in your abilities to work in your capacity."

Sensing his advantage, Jason continued "Yes Vincent Lee Cordova, Born April 25^th 1952, in Baltimore Maryland. I know who and what you are. Your mind is an open book, at least to me. After the two guys in the hospital, I made sure to recall that type of mind. When you started following us, my alerts picked you out. When we got home, I searched around your 'shield' and saw into your mind. What I learned was of particular interest to me. The Order of the Spirit is the issue most pressing I would assume. So, why don't you and I start there?"

Vincent sat in shocked disbelief. Even his driver's license had a different date than his true date of birth. Either this kid had really slipped past his mental defenses, or he was an accurate liar. He was prepared to slip under another persona when the coughing and suppressed laughter of the young man broke his concentration.

"Bunky, why do you want to try and put on the Richard Davis shield? I know what you are trying to do, please just answer the question!" Jason said.

More than anything, the use of the nickname that his mother had used for him since he was 10, proved to Vincent that Jason wasn't lying.

"Jason Andrews, the young man who mysteriously was cured of a tumor two weeks ago. I kinda know who you are too, punk!" He tried to bluff.

"Tsk. Tsk. Bunky..." Jason started.

"Stop fucking calling me that, you little shit! I am gonna rip your balls off and make you suck the juices out before I break your teeth and make you choke on your own blood!" screamed Vincent in a rage. Suddenly, he felt calm and no longer upset.

"Vincent, I would appreciate you not yelling in our home. Excuse me a moment while I let the ladies know there is nothing wrong!" Jason hissed at the older man. Quickly, he soothed his mother and sister down and sent them back to the things they were doing before the interruption. "Now, I apologize for using that nickname, but I had to prove to you I do know everything you know, and that I can make you do what I want you to do. What I really want to know is this: What does this order want with me?" he tried to finish gracefully.

Seeing his defeat, Vincent spoke of everything he knew. The Order wanted all rogues (non-members) eliminated. When the two from the hospital were detained without even getting close to Jason, he had been sent to observe and search for an opportune time to abduct him. For 79 minutes Vincent spoke of the Order and its history. He told Jason everything that Jason already knew, and a few observations that were new.

Regarding the medallion, Jason's questions were rather poorly thought out. Vincent had to explain the significance of the medallion as a focus for weak minded fools and a marker for other members of the order. Other than its obvious round shape, the emblem on it meant little. Each person's medallion was slightly different from everyone else's. The person carrying the medallion gave a life to the metal by them being a member. That way, the medallion couldn't be faked.

Sitting and listening to Vincent speak Jason became painfully aware of three things. One: He didn't need this shit, two: His family was probably in danger, and Three: He was tired. Looking up at Vincent, Jason said "Shit and Fuck! This is definitely not a good thing. Vincent, I am going to take your controls off now. From here on out, I just ask that you be nice. Ok? Can you agree to that?"

Nodding his accent, Vincent immediately felt his control coming back. He felt the urge to run from this kid, and he also felt the urge to tear the kid a new asshole. Acting on neither impulse, He sighed and sat back. "Ok Jason. What do you want? Obviously, you are stronger than I had heard, or you aren't what we had envisioned. So, where do you want to go from here?"

"I want them to leave me alone. How can we make that happen?"

"One of two ways: First, they order me home and we forget about you. A word of caution though, that is NOT going to happen. Secondly, you die. I admit, I would feel a lot more comfortable with you in the grave, you are a rogue. I don't know what your intentions are, but you proved that you can take me over, dictate the actions of others, and sense our hunters over a good sized distance. Those three things are some of the more advanced skills. Until you were indoctrinated, I would personally see you as a security threat at all times. With the knowledge I just gave you, we will both have to die for them to be satisfied." Vincent told him.

Jason sat shocked. He knew that he was probably going to have a problem with this group, but this was too intense. Asking the only thing he could think of, Jason looked at Vincent with a glistening in his eyes that showed tears on the verge of falling "Couldn't I just join their stupid group? Then they wouldn't have to kill me and I could just go on with my life!"

The tears were more than enough to show Vincent that the young man was really just a kid that had this "gift" thrown in his face. Suddenly, a more sobering issue came to his mind, one that shook his mind and soul to the core. Sighing, he leaned forward and looked into the younger man's eyes "Jason, I am sorry. They just don't work like that. If you weren't recruited, you are a rogue. If you are a rogue, you have to die. That is the way they operate, and the course that they will take. Also, please consider this. I am now going to be marked for termination. My life is now forfeit to the order. They will kill me, you, your sister and your mother to stop this. I think you need to tell them what is going on, don't you?"

"Jessica told me not to tell anyone, so I haven't yet. Not that I trust her either. God, why did this have to happen to me? I should have left the tumor in there and let is kill me. I guess one way or another I am gonna die!" Jason rambled in fear, depression and shock.

Recognizing the spiral that the young man was setting himself up for, Vincent spoke sharply "Jason! Focus! You aren't dead yet! If you would think for a moment, you would see that I just told you that you and I have a certain vested interest in each other. I can teach you how to better control your powers, and you and I can keep each other alive! Now, pay attention young man!"

The sharp voice reached through the shock as intended. Jason sat up straighter, thought about the matter at hand, and burned off the depression and fear that had begun to eat at him. Speaking in a soft voice, Jason said "Thanks. You are right, we do have similar interests. Especially that staying alive one!" he grinned at the older man, who returned the grin with a warm smile.

The two men sat and talked about the situation and its affect on their lives. Jason thought that Vincent should go get his belongings and move into the spare bedroom. Vincent felt that he should distance himself from the family. Vincent knew who Jessica was from Jason's file, but her involvement in this needed to be either eliminated or brought under control. Jason agreed to bring her under control, even though he didn't trust her. Finally, Vincent dropped the bombshell on Jason.

"Jason, do you know that your sister is in love with you?" he asked

Jason, still reeling from the shock of this new situation, nodded mutely. "I know that she feels strongly for me. I don't want to hurt her, but I think I love her too. Even before this accident, we were always hugging and kissing on the cheek. We were closer than brother and sister. Now, I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?" He asked with a chuckle.

Vincent nodded sagely, leaned forward and fixed Jason with a strange look. "Jason, I need you to realize something. She will be susceptible, maybe more than anyone else. I want to teach you a way to lock off her mind from any others with our gifts. She should be safer that way, and maybe even safer from you!"

"Safer from me?"

"Yes Jason. Safer from you. She will be open to the thoughts that you are 'leaking', right now it isn't that big of a deal, but just imagine yourself in a wet dream about her. She is asleep, and vulnerable. She will pick up on that dream and it might warp her mind just a little. Just like a permanent suggestion, without the direct skill used." Vincent informed him.

Jason was in turmoil. All of these new concepts and realities were almost too much for him to cope with. He literally didn't know if he should "shit or go blind", but, he knew that it was his entire fault now. Thinking that his sister could be hurt, Jason shuddered with emotion "Vincent. Please show me how to protect my sister. Please help me..." and broke into tears again.

Crying and feeling the helplessness of his situation, Jason seemed to collapse in on himself. Hunched over, curled into a sitting fetal position, and shaking from the poorly suppressed sobs being torn from his heart, Jason seemed to be losing a battle that Vincent knew from experience was Jason's to fight alone. After a while, the sobs quieted. The younger man's body seemed limp from exhaustion, but his eyes focused on Vincent.

"Why?" was the only word that could be heard from Jason's mouth. One word that asked entire libraries of questions, a word that would come up again and again throughout the rest of his life. "Why?" he asked again.

Vincent didn't have an adequate answer, but shrugged and said "Because. Jason, I don't have all of the answers of the universe. I just know what I know. You have lost your father, been banged up in a car accident, found new powers, been told you had a tumor, and then cured said tumor. Now you know there is an organization that will stop at nothing to see you dead. Top that off with your sister being in love with you and you being shoved into a position of leadership for your family, I am rather surprised that you and I are still here. You are a good kid, and I am sorry that I had to be the one to bring this news to you. Now, rather than focusing on all the bad things, let's look at what needs to be done to make you and your family safe. You want to call them down here to tell them?"

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Cordova. I am sorry I fell apart there. Let me go clean up and call the ladies down. Want a Pepsi or something?" Jason asked.

"Sure, thanks."

"No biggie. I'll be right back." Jason said as he walked out of the living room.

Jason went to the bathroom and cleaned himself up. As he looked in the mirror, he saw the redness of his eyes and the obvious effects of crying. 'Oh well, not much I can do about this. Better get this over with, but I sure hope Mom doesn't flip out.' He thought to himself.

Mentally asking his mom and sister to join them in the living room, he went and got a Pepsi for his guest and himself. As he was walking, a germ of a plan began forming in his mind. Shocked at the boldness of the idea, he almost dropped the cans. Excitedly, he hurried into the living room and sat down, after giving the soda to Vincent.

"Vincent, can I send you information mind to mind? There is an idea that I just came up with. I want to get your opinion, is that ok?" Jason bubbled excitedly.

"I was going to ask you about that. I wasn't sure how far you had gotten with your mental controls, do you know how?" Vincent replied.

"Only one way to find out!" Jason stated and transferred the thought to Vincent. Unfortunately, he also grabbed some miscellaneous garbage that was floating through his mind. Vincent received the idea, smiling at the younger mans lack of control, and sorted out the idea from the garbage.

"Nice try. You also threw in some random thoughts. Next time try envisioning a 'capsule' or 'container' to send whole thoughts or ideas in. It helps make things cleaner. Now, let me process on this idea for a minute or two. Oh, here are the ladies." Vincent said, and stood as Kelly and Janet walked into the room.

Jason stood as well and said "Mom, Sis? I have some interesting news, and it's kinda bad." For the next 45 minutes he explained the situation from start to finish, pausing to clarify some things that his mom or sister asked. When he was finished, he saw the looks of disbelief. He looked at them both, and said "I know you find this hard to believe. How can I help prove this to you?"

His sister immediately said "What am I thinking now?"

"I can't say that in front of mom, Kelly. But..." he said out loud, in her mind she heard 'Kelly, I would love to lick your cute little pussy too, but mom doesn't need that right now!'

Kelly gasped loudly, her shock plain on her face. "Oh My God. It is real mom. He just spoke into my mind, and yeah, he knew what I was thinking. Jesus, Jason, you are... SO COOL!!!" she gushed out.

Janet looked back and forth between the two, and said "Ok. Jason. Enough messing around. What is really going on?"

Jason looked to Vincent for support, but saw that the older man was letting him do his own convincing. "Ok mom. I will show you." Doing a quick scan of her mind, he found her deepest secrets. Suppressing his own shock at what he found, he turned to Vincent. "Mr. Cordova, would you mind going to the restroom for a moment? This needs a little privacy."

"Sure, Jason. I needed to go anyway, second door on the left, down from the dining room?" Vincent asked