HEY! Long time to read. These chapters take much longer to write, you know, because they're like... forever long. Just look at the word count.

I want to thank you as always for your wonderful reviews. And to anyone who Favorited and followed since my last chapter, you're awesome.

I don't own stuff, Enjoy.

Let the chaos ensue.

Chapter 4

Jim woke with Claire curled up next to him, a happy way to start off the night. She was still sound asleep, exhausted from the events of last night.

Then all at once, Jim remembered what had taken place in the wake of what was supposed to be a normal night. The painful crash landing, Claire's broken arm. Getting shot, and the prison cells. Finding Claire, getting attacked, Finding his dad, learning his dad was an alien, and he had a half-brother who just happened to be half alien too.

The events leading up to that and the sheer coincidences were almost comical. Almost.

Checking the time, he realized the sun was almost down, he wanted to spend more time with Max. He set a purr in his chest, and nudged Claire. Trying to get her to wake up.

He propped himself up on his elbow, and licked next to her ear. "Claire," he whispered. Then he licked her again, cleaning some dirt and sweat off her face. "Claire, if you don't get up soon I might end up giving you a bath." He chuckled, then continued licking her forehead in attempts of cleaning her.

Drowsy, she moaned, "good, I haven't had one in like a week." She rolled over and smiled up at Jim as she propped herself up.

"Well, can it wait a bit longer? I wanna go find Max." Jim's smile was giddy and child-like in a way Claire hadn't seen it in a long time.

"Of course it can wait," She smiled, "Now let's go find him."

Jim smirked and as he got up, helping Claire up as well, his tail flicked around hitting his leg and the cave wall and just about anything else with excited thumps. Jim looked down behind him, "Would you stop it?" He glowered at his tail. "I haven't had this much trouble with it since I got the armor off."

Claire grinned down at it, "You know. I think it's wagging" She laughed as Jim's scoul deepened.

"Of course it is." He sighed and pulled his hand down his face. "Com'on, let's get out of here before Blink has a chance to question why I tossed Merlin like a discus into the wall." Jim grinned slightly. "He's going to be pissed."

"You think Blinkey's going to be pissed, think about Merlin."

"I don't care what Merlin thinks. Com'on, let's go."

The couple walked through the cave, in the shadows avoiding any attention from anyone really.

Once outside, Claire realized they'd missed something painfully obvious. "We didn't even get his number." she laughed.

Jim rolled his eyes, "That is something that sounds like I would do. But I can still find him." Jim scented the air and smiled, "He's got one of the strongest most unique scents ever, and now that I think about it. He kinda smells like me."

"Makes sense, where is he?"

Jim shrugged and gestured with his head, "in the city. You bring the…"

"Glamor Mask? Yup." She smiled and pulled off her pink backpack, handing him the Mask.

He bent down a gave her cheek a small lick, "Thanks, you're the best. Now c'mon, let's go freak the crap out of him!"

Claire climbed on his back, tail securing her before they ran, stopping just outside city limits. Jim slipped the mask on as they entered the city.

"Man I hate big cities." He snarled.

Claire gave a small laugh, "Shhhh, no growling. You're human." she patted his soft hair where his horns usually sat.

Jim laughed, taking her hand away from his head kissed her hard on the lips. "That. Has never been true." He said, a sad smile on his lips as he pressed his forehead against hers before pulling away and smelling the air again.

"Even if you never were, I still love you." Her eyes soft and caring as she watched her very not human mate track his not human brother.

"He's close." Jim smiled skipping in the direction Max was, "Com'on, com'on, let's go!"

Claire smiled laughed, running after Jim. Who was running at an incredibly slow pace, and she still struggled to keep up.

They came around the corner to a diner, and saw Max waiting just outside. Glancing around for someone, talking out loud to no one… He was talking to Steel. And Max was right, he did get a lot of weird looks. Jim listened to the one sided conversation as Claire came up behind him, panting for air.

"How did we forget something like that?"

"I am not!"

"Well, it's kinda hard to think with two voices in my head. Bucket head!"

"I already had plans with Sid and Kirby, and I can't go bailing on them."

A breath, "Yeah, and it's not fair to them when I do. Besides, it's just dinner. Then we'll go find Jim and Claire." he gave a long tired yawn.

More strange looks from passersby, Jim whispered to Claire, "I've got a great idea. And it's going to be hilarious. Sit tight here." he grinned before molded his face into one of indifference. Then walked up to Max.

"Oh my gosh dude, did you sleep at all last night?" He said.

Absentmindedly, Max answered. "Not really." Then he turned to Jim a bit confused.

"Well, it's too bad you aren't nocturnal. Because then you could just sleep during the day, and all those late night ventures in hero-ing wouldn't be so draining." Jim said.

Max paled, "I'm sorry. What are you talking about?" 'He fails at covering,' Jim thought.

Jim lowered his voice and leaned forward, "You and Steel. Secret identity, late night rescues, saving the world. Superhero stuff." Jim smiled then glanced around the city innocently.

"I...I don't know what you're talking about." Max defended and crossed his arms.

Jim could hear Claire laughing hard from around the corner. He had a hard time himself keeping a straight face.

"Sure you do."

Max's face got slightly angry, and panicked, and all sorts of other things. The whole spectrum of emotions.

"You know, N-tech, Maxsteel, the whole ultralink invasion. You're an alien." Jim listed. "Well, half alien."

The look Max gave, pure dumbfounded horror, was enough to push Jim over the edge and he lost it.

He laughed so hard people on the sidewalk pulled their children away from the guy doubled over holding his stomach from laughing so hard. He could barely breathe.

Now Max just looked confused, "I'm sorry, do I know you? And Steel, why are you laughing?"

"I'm offended Max, you don't recognize me?" Jim said after gaining some composure.

Max shook his head.

Jim motioned for Claire to come around the corner, "Man, Claire, can you believe it? He doesn't recognize his own brother." His eyes sparkled.

Realization struck, "Jim?" Max looked almost like he went into shock.

Claire moved her hand to cover her mouth, hiding her laugh. "This was too funny." She smiled.

"How, you look… human." He said.

Simultaneously, "Magic" Jim and Claire said.

"Of course… Steel you knew?"

The small robotic alien poked his head out of Max's bag, "Of course I knew, I have to keep track of your turbo energy, so in turn, I've been able to keep track of any turbo energy in the area. Jim is the only other one that gives off the same amount as you, except for your dad." A smiley face appeared on his face before slipping back in the bag.

"And you couldn't have told me?"

"Jim had the perfect opportunity for a great joke, I wasn't going to spoil this once in a lifetime opportunity from him." Steel's voice came from the bag "Oh, also… Incoming."

"What…" Mas started.

"Hey Max." A blonde came starting up, an odd kid in a beanie following behind.

"Hey, Max what's up man?"

Max jumped out of his skin, "Hey! Sid. Kirby…" He rubbed the back of his neck, "What are you guys doing here?"

Jim and Claire both facepalmed, and Jim heard Steel sigh and facepalm too.

"Uh, we're going to have dinner. At the diner?" the girl pointed at the door to the restaurant.

"Right. That's right. So…" He paused. Turning his attention between the two groups. "Uhh…"

The boy, Kirby, spoke. "Hey Max, these new friends?" He walked passed Max, "You guys just move here?"

Claire smiled, "No, just passing through and visiting Max."

"Cool, well I'm Kirby." He smiled.

"And I'm Sidney."

"I'm Jim, and this is my girlfriend Claire." He paused for a moment before Max took over.

"Actually, Jim is my half brother." Max said proudly.

"Wow, really? I didn't know you had any siblings." Sidney said.

"Neither did we." Jim laughed.

"Bad timing, Babe." Claire said.

"Noted."

"Well, did you want to join us for dinner?" Sidney asked.

"YES!" Claire blurted out, before slapping her hands over her mouth. "I mean… I would love to have something other then… wild game."

Jim gave a small whine, "I thought you liked my cooking."

"I do," She said, before whispering. "I just haven't had something not forged or hunted for over a month." She whispered.

"Well, this diner is great. You guys will love it." Kirby stated.

Max smiled and led them in, holding the door for everyone. They sat down at a large corner booth, Max sitting next to Sidney and Kirby next to her on the end. On Max's other side, Jim then Claire.

The weightress came up and took their orders, Claire got a sandwich and a salad with some soda. Things she hadn't had access to while traveling with Jim. Sid and Max both ordered some ribs, Kirby ordered chicken strips and Mac and Cheese (Yes off the kids menu). And Jim dared to order. "I'd like an extra rare steak. Like, extra, extra, rare." He said, trying to emphasize that he wanted it barely cooked at all. In truth he didn't want it anywhere near the grill, but he couldn't tell that to the weightress.

"Alright, I'll have those out for you soon." She smiled and walked away.

Max wasn't sure how to feel. His best friends and his brother were on either side of him. It was really weird to see how human Jim was acting. He didn't know what to say, why was this so hard?

"So," Sid started, "are you liking Copper Canyon so far?"

Jim took a deep breath, "Uh yeah. Just, ran into a lot of people I didn't expect to see." He smiled, pulling a face that said completely innocent.

"Woah," Kirby spattered as he noticed the cast on Claire's arm. "What did you do to get that?"

Jim choked on his water, and it sputtered slightly out of his mouth. Claire patted his back, trying to help him breathe again. Max stiffened considerably, taking a sip of his own drink trying to avoid any eye contact.

"On our second night in town I got hit by a sleep deprived driver." Claire stated simply, no added information, just straight and simple. And not to far from the truth.

"Max, you've gotta learn how to make excuses like that off the top of your head." Steel's voice rang.

Max, nodded to himself. Once Jim was finally able to stop coughing, he spoke. "So, I heard about you guys having your own superhero in town. What was it… Maxsteel?"

Max internally facepalmed, "You have no idea what you've done." he muttered. He knew Sid and Kirby didn't hear it. But he knew Jim did. Jim smiled slightly and winked at Max.

"Yes. He's great. He's saved me like a hundred times!" Sidney began.

"Although we wouldn't have to save her if she would just run away from the danger instead of toward it." Steel sighed.

"True that." He stated, a double answer.

"He's the coolest!" Kirby said. "We've even help him out sometimes. He said that we saved his life!"

Max tried to hide his face behind his hand.

"Really?" Claire asked, feigning curiosity.

"Yeah! And during the Makano invasion, we hijacked one of those N-Tech tanks that was empty and totally helped demolish that alien jerks forces!" Sidney said proudly.

Max subtly shook his head. Jim snorted as if he heard something funny.

"I figured out that frequency thing, Now I can talk to Jim too. I told him that their really just nucinces when we're trying to fight." Steel said.

Jim leaned forward on the table, "So, what do you guys know about Maxsteel?" Max could practically see Jim's tail and ears twitching. Even if he did look completely human.

"Just that he's the coolest, most awesome, hero ever! In the whole world. In the whole galaxy! In the whole, universe...ity!" Kirby declared loudly.

"And that he's saved the town and everyone in it, like a hundred times over." Sid added.

"I guess he's a pretty cool guy." Max said.

Sidney scoffed with a smile, "How would you know Max, you're like, never around when he is."

Steel sighed and rolled his eye from the comfort of Max's bag under the table.

"So you don't know if he's like a human or a robot?" Claire added, obviously in on some bit with Jim.

"Well, Maxsteel is two people… You've got Max and Steel. Max is a human. And Steel is a little robot." Sidney explained.

Jim and Claire paying rapt attention, even if they already knew all of it. Making Max concerned.

"What are you getting at bro?" Max asked cautiously.

"Well, back in my hometown, there was this kid. Who was also kinda a hero, his friends were his team and they gave him invaluable support. Saved his life on countless occasions. I'm just wondering why Maxsteel doesn't have the same."

Max gave an off glance at Jim.

"Oh, he does." Kirby began again. "He's got the whole N-Tech armey at his command. And all of his sick turbo modes!"

"I wish Max had N-Tech under his control." Steel said to both Max and Jim.

(If it's underlined, Steel is talking to Jim, If it's italics, Steel is talking to Max, If both, then both.)

"Maybe, Maxsteel just doesn't want his friends in danger." Max said nonchalantly.

"So, your saying that he's in charge of the whole… N-Tech?" Claire asked. 'I wonder if she's an actress, she should be and actress.'

The more embarrassed he got, the further he sank down into his seat. Until finally…

"Here's your food guys." The weightress came out with several trays of food. Everyone thanked her as she went back to serving other customers.

Glancing around Sidney exclaimed, "Oh my gosh. Jim, I don't think that you should eat that. I know you said rare. But that looks like it was barely cooking long enough to get warm!"

Jim looked down at his plate disappointedly, but not for the reason Sidney thought. The slab of meat was oozing with raw juices on the plate, covered in as jus. The sides were seared to a pink brown. Overall, it was too cooked.

"Well, I should at least try it…" Jim cut off a piece and took a bite, nearly gagging. He at least had the decency to spit the bite of meat into his napkin. He coughed again, and wiped his tongue subtly along the napkin, probably enjoying the taste of that more. "Nope Sidney, you're right. Definitely not edible." He placed the napkin on his plate and shoved it forward.

Claire glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, savering her own food.

"We could have them take it and cook it more." Sidney suggested.

Jim glanced down at the inedible meat, "Uh, there is an entirely different problem at play with this. I'll be fine."

"Uh, Claire, why does it look like you haven't eaten a sandwich in months?" Kibey asked.

"Probably because, I haven't eaten a sandwich in months. Or soda… ohhh how I've missed soda." She said with longing.

"Uhhh, ok? So, Max, how did you find out you had a brother?" Sidney asked.

The three froze, then Jim laughed lightly. "You see, that would involve telling." He waved his fork around and pointed it at the two, "And for some reason, Max doesn't want to tell."

"Tell what?" Sidney looked confused.

"Yeah man, what are you talking about?" Kirby added, looking more confused than normal.

"I mean, I would tell you but it's not my secret to tell. And my secret would have you running for for safety." Jim grinned.

Claire backhanded him in the arm, "Jim!"

"Yes, kriah?" He turned and smiled at her, his words making her blush.

"What did he/you call her?" Steel asked.

"Kriah?" Sidney questioned. "I thought your name was Claire."

"It is, he just called me beautiful." Claire smiled.

"Awe." Sidney, cooed.

"Dude, that's so cool. Where are you from?" Kirby asked.

"Yeah, what language is that?" Sidney pressed.

"Well, I have three different nationalities. I don't know if the third has a separate language, but I can speak english. And I'm learning… the other one." He paused. " Max and I share our dad, and my mom…" Jim sighed, running his hand through his hair, though Max felt like he was trying to grab his horn. Jim looked frustrated with it. "You know, that would be telling too."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about your dad though. Must have been hard to come here and meet Max just to find out your dad was gone." Sidney said solemnly.

"I'm sorry, I saw my…"

Max hand to think quickly and did the only thing he could do to get his brother to shut up. He stomped on Jim's foot.

Jim let out a healthy snarl and sent daggers to his younger brother.

Sidney and Kirby looked like they'd jumped out of their skin, staring cautiously at Jim.

"What was that for!" He growled.

Max smiled, "That would involve telling."

"Hardy har har, your so funny." He leaned over and whispered to Max, "you know I'm not actually wearing shoes right?"

"Oh, sorry."

"So Max, I was thinking maybe we could go hiking." Claire said.

"That sounds like fun." He nodded.

"I know a great place you could go!" Sidney said.

"Really, where?" Jim said, human face, and human persona still intact. Somehow.

"The old copper mines."

"But what about the copper squatch?" Kirby asked, now shaking from fear.

Max rolled his eyes, "com'on guys. You know that's just a myth."

"And so are trolls." Jim grinned, and Max thought he could see his large toothy grin. Just by imagining it.

"And changelings, goblins, gnomes. Those are totally myths." Claire said sarcastically while nodding.

"Or Crawlers." Steel said verbally from under the table.

"What? Who was that?" Sidney asked, looking around.

"That would also be telling." Claire said innocently.

Max kicked his backpack, "This telling thing is getting old." He said.

"Agreed." Sidney said, leaning back from her empty plate and folding her arms.

"You know, I think Jim's right. You should tell them. You said it yourself, you hate keeping being Maxsteel from Sid, Kirby and Butch." Steel said.

Jim nodded at Steels statement. "Sidney, Kirby, did you want to go hiking with us?"

"Isn't it a bit late to go hiking? Wouldn't you rather go when it's warm and the sun is shining."

"About as much as I'd like to die." he deadpaned.

Claire laughed at his side, "be nice Jim." She turned to Sid and Kirby. "It's night hiking, it's a lot of fun. Plus, the moon is pretty much full, so their will be plenty of light."

"Alright sounds like fun."

"As long as we don't go near the copper mines." Kirby shivered.

Jim and the others walked out of the restaurant.

"Hey, we can take my truck out to the canyon," Max said.

"You go ahead, I'll meet you out there. Claire to you want to ride with me or go with Max?"

"I'll ride in the truck, and I'll see you there." She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Hey Jim, you aren't going to flip out and destroy stuff this time are you?" Steel asked.

Jim whispered back, quiet enough for the small robot to hear. "No, she's safe. And not in any danger. Plus, I'm going to be following you guys."

"Cool, have fun running."

They piled in the Max's tuck and Jim waved as they drove away, before taking off around the block and running between backalley's to avoid being spotted running at inhumane speeds. Finally getting to the edge of town and into the cliffs. He had to push it a bit to keep ahead of the truck and out of sight of the teens.

It didn't make sense to Jim, why didn't Max want his friends to know who he is. When he clearly wanted it so bad. Oxymoron, I know. If it wasn't for Toby and Claire, he'd be dead… he couldn't actually count how many times. As well as covering, but if he had his mom, dad, and uncle all in on it then they could do the covering.

Max had said something about keeping them out of danger. Makes sense, but the secret… must drive a wedge between him and his friends, especially Sidney. He had a thing for her, and so does she. Maybe him and Claire could push them together, just more subtle then they did with Barry and Iris.

Jim landed on a large plateau, he honestly looked really weird perched like a troll while looking like a human. Claire once compared him to a feral child. She wasn't far off.

The truck pulled up and they climbed out. Max sat in his truck for a minute and he saw Steel disappear into his chest with a bit of blue smoke before he got out.

"So, where is Jim meeting us?" Sidney asked.

That was his que.

"Hey guys, up here!" He stood, and waved his hand in the moonlight.

"Dude, how did you get up there?" Kirby yelled.

"I climbed." Jim took a few steps back and took a running jump off the edge of the plaute, the two newcomers screaming for him to stop and just yelling in general. The plaute was less than twenty feet up, but still enough a regular human would get seriously injured.

He landed quietly, and just to make them feel better, did a little role before rolling instantly to his feet. And continuing his walk up to them, horrified expressions and all.

Jim walked passed them up to Max. As he passed them he said, "What's wrong guys. You look like you just saw a crypted jump off a cliff and walk up to you." He laughed and gave Max a bro hug.

"Jim, how did you find me in the middle of the city?" Max asked, Kirby and Sidney were too shocked to notice.

Jim tapped his nose, "You have one of the most distinct scents I've ever encountered. You weren't hard to pick out. You practically radiate pure energy."

"You've memorized my scent?" Max gave a shaky laugh.

Jim nodded.

"He has everyone in his pack's scents memorized. You think he's not going to have you memorized too?" Claire said, wrapping her arm around Jim's waist. Jim put his arm around her, then nuzzled her cheek with his nose.

"I'm going to be worse than an overprotective parent. Sorry."

"Really?" Max said.

"Yeah, can't help it though. I'll try to not to though, little brother."

Max rolled his eyes, "Uh, Sid, Kirby. Are you guys alright?"

The two turned around, "You just jumped… from up there?"

"How are your legs not broken?"

"Why would you even risk that?"

Sidney and Kirby listed off.

Jim smiled, "I did it because I wanted to. Yes I jumped from there. And as for how, that would be telling."

"Alright, we're burning moonlight. Let's get going." Claire said.

The group walked around the canyons just talking about trivial nonsense.

"Hey guys," Jim said. "This may sound totally lame, but we should play hide and go seek"

The others glanced around and then Claire said, "Jim, that's like the most unfair game ever. You would either never be found. Or find everyone in under a minute!" Claire laughed.

"I'm taking that as a challenge." Sidney said.

"Sounds fun." Kirby chimed.

"Claire's right. This is going to be super unfair for everyone, especially if you were able to find Max in the middle of the city… but this is going to be so funny."

Max and Jim laughed at Steels comment.

"Something funny?" Kirby asked.

The brothers nodded, "We've got a mental link and we can talk to each other through our minds." Jim said.

"I don't believe you." Sidney said. "Prove it."

"Alright, Sidney. Whisper a number in my ear. Any number." Max said, playing along with Jim's game.

Sidney cupped her hands round his ear and whispered a large number.

Steel relayed it to Jim.

"128,963." Jim said.

The look on sidney's face was priceless. "How is that even possible?"

"We're just both so messed up we can hear the same thing." Jim smiled and shrugged.

"Dude. That was sick." Kirby said, wearing his usual blank stare.

"Anyways. Jim, you should have a specific order that way it's not too easy." Claire smiled.

"Fair enough. Kirby, Sidney, Max, then Claire." Jim said.

"No." Sidney said. "You have to find me last. Because the person who is found last gets to go next. And I am going to find you!" She said proudly.

"No you won't, trust me. But sure, Kirby, Max, Claire, Sidney. And when you are looking for me, you only have ten minutes, otherwise we'll be here all night." Jim said. He sat down where he stood, crossing his legs resting his hands on his knees and closing his eyes. "You've got five minutes to hide, and you can go as far as you want. Go."

They all ran in separate directions, except Claire. She walked up to Jim and flicked his cheek with her tongue and said, "Go easy on them babe." Before running away.

Jim called after her, still sitting relaxed, "Not a chance, kriah." he laughed and waited.

After he'd counted to five minutes, slowly and patently, he stood up and started a stopwatch on his phone.

Without turning his head he pointed to a small pile of boulders, "Kirby, you didn't even try."

The boy's head popped out of the rocks. "Awe man! How did you find me?"

"You need a shower." Was all Jim said before running to find Max.

Max was a bit further out, hiding in a small crevice in a messa, using turbo stealth mode. Jim walked into the crevice pulling Max out by his arm.

"If you get to use your powers I get to use mine." Was his defense.

"One, their not powers, their my natural abilities. Two, I don't care. And Three, Kirby needs to take a bath or something." Jim wafeted his hand in front of his nose. "Now change back if you really don't want them to know your secret."

Jim ran off and easily found Claire, she wasn't really hiding. She sat atop a large boulder and sat proudly. "There's no point in trying to win at this, so I thought I'd just wait here for my troll in shining armor." She smiled.

"Jump down, princess." Jim laughed. And Claire jumped right into his arms, catching her with ease. And said, "well sorry to disappoint, but the humans present would freak. Can you settle for a kiss?"

Claire sighed and rolled her eyes, and before Jim set her down she kissed him on the lips. Jim pushed into the kiss before Claire pulled away, leaving Jim with a small whine in his throat. "Now go find that girl and show her who's boss."

"Alright. The others are that way," Jim pointed. "Sidney's not too far away. And we'll be back in a few minutes to start the next round, and that's going to last a while."

Claire slid out of Jim's arms, "Go get 'em."

Jim ran following Sidney's scent, which smelled like magazines and perfume… He came to a halt when he found a shallow cliffside covered in dozens and dozens of small caves. He laughed out loud, "piece of cake." He said to himself.

He ran up to one about halfway to the top, and off to the right. He poked his head inside a hole about the size of a refrigerator, and saw Sidney's baffled face.

"It hasn't even been three minutes since you started looking!"

Jim pulled out his phone, checking the stopwatch. "Two minutes and forty seven seconds. Com'on, the others are waiting to start the next round." He helped Sidney out and they walked back.

"How did you do that?!"

"Hmmm, let's just say. I'm really good at hunting." They rounded a corner of the next rock formation and found the others waiting.

"Alright, so because we don't want to be here all night. Jim, I've set up a boundary that you can't go past. And Sidney has ten minutes to find you. Max, Kirby and I aren't going to play." Claire summarized.

"Why do you think I won't be able to find him?" Sidney asked, as if hurt.

"Because, he's the ultimate stealth master." Max said.

"And because his skills are basically inhuman." Claire added.

"Because they said so." Kirby said.

"Alright. You close your eyes for 30 seconds. I'm guessing the boundaries are lines in the sand?" Claire nodded. "You have ten minutes to find me."

"30 seconds?" Sidney asked with disbelief.

"I'm really fast. Now close your eyes. All of you."

Everyone did. Except Max and Claire.

Jim whispered on the frequency Steel was attuned to. "Steel come with me."

Steel flew out of Max's chest and went ever with Jim.

Sid was at 15 seconds. Then Jim took off at high speeds with Steel on his tail, he jumped up to a messa and scaled the cliff the rest of the way up. And sat up top, watching Sidney.

When she finished counting she looked around and ran off in a random direction.

"Hey Steel, have Max set a timer on his phone." Jim said quietly.

A pause, "Done. So, why up here?"

"Because, she would never look for me up here. If it were a real challenge, then I'd be moving around, or actually trying and hiding. Claire or Max might be a challenge, but Sidney doesn't know anything about me."

"You are quite clever. But why did you want me to come with you."

"I wanted to ask you and Max, why doesn't he want to tell his friends who he is?" He whispered.

Steel gave a thoughtful hum. "Max still has a lot of enemies, he thinks that if his identity gets out. They may be able to find out and they'll use his friends against him. Or that they'll try and help him. And their not trained, and they don't have any super charging bio-energy to help them out."

"And what does he say?" Jim asked, watching Sidney run around ragged. Bending over and panting for breath.

"Max, Jim wants to know why you don't want Sid, Kirby, and Butch to know you're Maxsteel."

Max said some words, Jim couldn't make them out from the distance. Claire and Kirby were talking about food. "Well?"

"He says that he wants to keep them out of danger. As much as he'd like for them to know. Because he's always running off to help as Maxsteel. And they are left hanging, being ditched, blown off, or flaked on."

"So why doesn't he tell them?"

"He doesn't know."

"Tell him that's a lame answer."

"Jim says you need a better excuse…He said, 'how would I even tell them? Not that I'm going to'." Steel said in a mock Max voice.

"Uh… next time there's danger. Make a small show of it, and be like. I've got to go, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." Jim shrugged. Sidney was still running around. Running along the line drawn in the sand. Looking around piles of boulders and such.

"He says that's ridiculous."

"So is being a half alien, If he doesn't like hiding it. He should tell them. All my friends and family knew I was the trollhunter before I got trolled. And they still don't really act comfortable around me. At least he acts human."

A small ringing resignated around the canyon walls as Max's alarm went off.

Sidney yelled as loud as she could, "Alright. Jim, I give up! You can come out now."

Jim laughed, He had Steel hold on to his back to hide and climbed down the messa, casually walking up to the group. Sidney didn't even see him climbing down.

Jim stood inconspicuously in front of Max so Steel could link back up with him.

"Where even were you?" She gasped.

"Ah, that would be telling… JK, I scaled the cliff over there." Jim pointed to the 40 foot cliff.

"You climbed that. In 30 seconds?" Sidney asked with disbelief.

Jim nodded. "It helps that I basically live outside." he shrugged.

"Max, your brother is unbelievably cool." Kirby said.

Claire sauntered up to him, "He is, isn't he?" Claire smiled.

Jim wrapped his arm around her, "So, what now? Tag?"

"That's even less fair, Jim." Max said.

"Oh come on, I'll run slow." He smiled, "I have to, otherwise it would be telling."

"If you bring up this telling thing again I'm going to smack you!" Sidney burst out.

"I've been shot six times in under a two day period. You think getting smacked is going to do anything?" Jim deadpanned. "And getting shot is far from the worse that's happened to me."

"So… Tag sounds fun." Max said trying to step away from the dark and creepy vibe his brother and Claire often seemed to give off.

Claire pecked Jim on the cheek, "Tag. You're it." She smiled and ran off. The other teens ran off in other directions, all staying within sight of each other.

They ran around, Jim let himself get caught easily, but tagged a different person seconds later. They ran till everyone was panting and out of breath. Jim, was hardly winded.

They sat on the dirt just chilling, then Sidney remembered a detail left out from earlier.

"Jim, what other nationalities are you. You said you and Max shared one because of your dad. So what others, they came from your mom, right?"

"Well, my mom's just American. Our dad is… from a place that doesn't exist anymore. And the third is one that kinda just changed me, and it's a part of me now, that's the one I'm learning their language."

"Your answers are vague, and not even answers" She glared.

"Well, maybe Max will tell you about our dad's home. Someday." Jim leaned back on his hands, Claire at his side.

"How are you like, so cool?" Kirby asked.

"I haven't done anything remotely cool since you met me." Jim said.

"Or anything out of the ordinary, which is impressive for you." Claire said, placing her hand on top of Jim's.

The non trollhunters all let out long yawns, "man what time is it? It's getting freezing." Sidney said. Glancing over at Max for his jacket.

Max looked down at his jacket and back to Sidney, Jim whispered to Steel. "What's wrong with him?"

"The jacket's a hard light hologram. It's not actually there." He answered. Sidney didn't look all that happy… that's why they weren't boyfriend girlfriend.

Kirby looked up at the bright moon. "Man what time is it?"

"It's around midnight." Jim said. Not bothering to look at his phone. His internal clock knew the time if he was outside.

"Man, we better get back, it's late." Sidney said, standing up and stretching.

Max sighed, and eventually everyone followed suit. They headed back to Max's truck, Jim had his arm around Claire, feeding her his body heat.

Max tried to do the same to Sidney, but she smacked his hand away and just rubbed her goosebump covered arms.

The truck was in view, the moon was bright, and all of the sudden, Jim had shivers run down his spine and his every nerve buzzed. He heard the steps of several four legged creatures making haste in their direction.

He whipped his head around, and saw them. A group of crawlers. Claire saw them too. The other three were in front, and didn't see the danger.

Jim immediately started growling, and snarled, "Max! The Crawlers!"

Max turned around, jumping at the sound Jim produced. So did Sidney and Kirby.

Max paled, "What?!"

"They're out of their territory. I made sure to stay out of it, but they're crossing bounds." Jim growled.

Sidney finally saw them and screamed. Jim gripped his ears and snarled loudly.

"Wha...what are those things?!" Kirby yelled.

Claire was trying to help Jim recover from the loud high pitch sound. "Jim are you…"

He cut her off, "Max, get them out of here." he said, standing up. Trying to ignore the ringing in his ears.

"No, you can't fight them alone. You'll…"

"MAX!" Jim roared. "Get your friends, and my mate, out of here. NOW!" Jim pushed Claire into Max's arms.

"But…"

"I'll be fine! You aren't the only one who's saved the world." he ran towards the creatures. Then ripped off the mask tossing it high into the air, "Claire, the mask." He yelled.

Claire held out her casted arm, her eyes flashed purple and pulled the glamor mask into her grasp.

She pushed at the other teens. "Let's go, he'll be fine. Now you have to get these two out of here." and they ran for the truck.

"What was that? What is that? What was Jim?" Sidney spouted off, about the Crawlers, the mask and Jim turning into a troll.

They reached the truck and Max opened the front drivers side door.

"Claire, drive them somewhere safe." Max said.

"What? Max, what's going on?" Sidney asked.

"Not a chance." Claire said firmly. "I'm not letting him with those alone."

"He won't be alone. I'm going back."

"Dude, those looked really dangerous." Kirby added.

"He's my mate, I'm not leaving him."

"Wait, mate? Are you australian?" Sidney pushed.

"And he's my brother. Nether am I."

"Would one of you, TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON?!" Sidney yelled.

Max paused, listening to Steel.

"Fine, Claire. Steel said Jim told him that he's fine. And for us to get out of here. He also involved a very graphic threat."

"Wait, Steel?" Sidney said.

"FINE!" Claire grunted, balling her hands into fists at her side. "Everyone in the truck, Max, drive us to the edge of the city." Claire jumped in the back of the truck and sat down.

Max was about to jump in the front when Sidney grabbed his wrist, "Maxwell MaGrath, if you don't tell me what's going on right now…"

"Sidney!" Claire yelled, glaring at her with purple iris', "get in the truck or so help me you'll end up as Crawler chow." Sidney shut up and climbed in the back seat with Kirby. "Max, step on it. We've got company."

Claire looked out and saw a dozen Canyon Crawlers running up at them. Once Max got up to speed, Claire stood in the bed of the truck, wide stance to keep her balance and called upon her magic.

The rear window opened, and Sidney poked her head out. "What happened to Jim. What are you doing? What is all this?"

Claire took a deep breath and gathered her magic in her hands, now glowing with purple rings and runes around her wrists and clenched fists. "This? This is telling."

The crawlers had now caught up and were keeping a good pace, Claire was whipping her hands around sending blasts at the creatures. Nailing them and taking them out one by one.

Then one jumped, trying to attack her, swinging its tail. She created a dome like forcefield around her and the truck. Then expanded the forcefield and blew it up, sending shards of the seemingly glasslike structure into the beasts.

They came up on the edge of the city, but by that time all the Crawlers that had pursued were dead.

Max jumped out of the front of his truck, and ran to the back. "Claire, that was amazing!" he said.

"Yeah, great. Now let's get back there. He needs help." She glared, jumping out of the back and marching back in the direction they came. Past the body of a Crawler, it twitched slightly, and she sent a blast of her magic at it, stilling the beast.

"He said he had it handled." Max said. "And to keep you away."

"Yeah well, he needs my help. Your help. He can't handle an entire tribe on his own." She said, still walking away.

Sidney got out of the car, Kirby passed out from fear in the back, and marched up to Max. "Max, what is going on!?"

"This isn't a great time. I've got to go help my brother." he said, running up to catch Claire.

Once out of sight, he transformed and they flew back to where Jim was.

Sidney glanced back at Max's truck, Kirby would be fine. She took off running back to where Jim was, she wanted answers, and she was going to get them.

Jim tossed the mask high into the air, and Claire pulled it into her hands.

"For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command." he said, and his body was covered in the armor.

He ran, drew his sword and immediately went to work killing the dangerous creatures. Avoiding their tails at all costs. He didn't know what a fate worse than Creepers Sun could entail, but he didn't want to find out.

He got hit a few times with the spikes, but other then that he could keep up.

"Jim, everyone's freaking out, Claire and Max are both refusing to go." Steel said.

Jim grunted and growled his answer as he killed more and more crawlers, they turned to a dull brown before crumbling to rocks and sand.

…

He was slowing down, but there were only a few more. He just had to keep going.

He missed a step and slipped on a rock, right as one of the scorpion like tails came down on him. He held up his sword to block, but a familiar purple shield formed just above the sword, blocking the creatures attack.

He jumped back up to his feet and as soon as the shield dropped he sliced it's neck and it turned to stone. Claire was off aways, away from the Crawlers, but close enough to protect him.

He killed another, and saw Max avoiding spikes in the air while blasting the creature. Jim ran at it while it was distracted and stabbed it, then watched it crumble to bits.

Jim took a deep breath, he didn't see anymore. But with the armor on he couldn't smell if there were more further away either. Still, he didn't feel safe putting the amulet away just yet. Max glided down, landing in his full regular suit. Steel came out of his chest, looking around at the disintegrated troll bodies.

"Wow, this is… something." Steel said out loud.

Jim nodded, and glanced around again. He spotted something moving out of the corner of his eye, it was Sidney and…

"Frackt!" Jim yelled. Sprinting toward the girl, about to be eaten by a stray Crawler. But she was too far away. She didn't see it.

Claire was closer, she was running for it before Jim even saw Sidney. The creature was hiding behind a rock formation, and as soon as she got past that point it would pounce.

Claire ran as fast as she could, she saw Jim running for it, but he was just too far. Her feet pounded on the ground, she readied her magic, and just as she shoved Sidney to the ground and out of harm's way, the creature jumped. She threw up a shield but it's claw managed to bat her in the head, knocking her out. Her shield wounded the crawler, but now she was left defenseless.

Jim watched as Claire saved the idiot girl and throw up a shield too late. It's arm was through the shield and slammed into her head. And she fell to the ground unconscious. Jim leapt, throwing his galives into its collective eye, sending it back away from his mate before driving his sword through its skull.

Sidney sat up, staring at Jim and the crawler as it crumbled to stone. Jim pulled off his amulet and rushed to Claire's side.

Sidney decided to be brave, and thought she knew what was going on. She ran up, and stood between Jim and Claire. "Stay away, I won't let you hurt her!" She yelled.

Max rushed up, mask still on. "Sidney, back off. You don't know what's going on."

Jim snarled into Sidney's face, making her back down a bit. "It's your fault she's hurt! There's a reason I had Max take you away. And he was right, you don't deserve to know. You'd just get in the way. Now get away from my mate." He roared.

Max pulled Sidney away, and said to her, "Go back to the city." He pushed her in the right direction and she walked for a minute, before turning back to watch Maxsteel and Jim.

Jim crawled on his hands and feet, pawing at the ground nervously. He nuzzled her check and licked the blood off of her forehead, although it still sept into her hair, he kept licking it until the wound started to close. He paced back and forth his tail flipping around, and out of order.

He could hear her heart, and her breathing, she just wasn't waking up. He pushed his nose to her cheek, and took a deep smell of her warm breath. A growl settled in his chest.

He was aware of Max's presence, as well a Steel's. She wasn't poisoned, he would be able to smell it. And she only got hit in the head. So she probably just got knocked out.

"Jim…" Max said quietly.

Jim gave a whine in response.

"Is she ok?"

A few more whines, "I think so. She's just not waking up."

"Is there anything we can do?" Steel offered.

"Just wait here with me." Jim said. He slightly readjusted Claire's form so she would be comfortable and curled up next to her, in an almost dog like manner. Sharing his body heat, so she wouldn't be cold in the middle of the night.

Max sat down, and glanced over at Sidney still watching. Max had Steel go and try to convince her to leave. Eventually she did.

Steel flew back over, "She feels bad, she knows it was her fault. She just didn't realize that you were Jim."

"No, I guess she wouldn't." Jim said quietly, he curled his tail around Claire's arm.

The steelsuit vanished and the brothers fell asleep after an hour or so.

Jim actually told Max to move over to where he was so he won't be cold either. Jim didn't feel cold or heat as sensitively as he used to, but he gave off more heat then the average troll or human.

Subtly, Max had scooted closer to Jim. And Jim just pulled him to his side. His head lay next to Claire's shoulder, and Max's back was against his. Steel fell asleep on Jim's head. Jim's subconscious had him purring after a while.

Finally, around three in the morning. Claire stirred, she didn't dare sit up though. Not after getting hit in the head that hard. She turned her head, and saw Jim his big blue eyes staring at her. And he sighed in relief.

"I'm really glad you're ok." He whispered.

"How long have we been out?" she asked.

Jim glanced at the moon. "About two hours. Max was exhausted from lack of sleep. And Steel made himself at home in my horns." He looked up at the sleeping robot.

Max stirred awake. Sitting up he saw Claire. "Oh my gosh! Claire you're ok." He took a deep breath and stood up, stretching.

Jim sat up, carefully pulling Steel from his horns. He hovered away sleepily. And settled on Max's chest.

Jim slid his arms under Claire, and lifted her up. He nuzzled her, and licked at her face. She rubbed her face against his chest, and let her body melt into his warmth.

"Hey Jim. I covered up all the windows at my house so you could come and stay for a while. If you're interested." Max said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Jim nodded, "I would like that…" He glanced down at Claire.

"A house is even better than a laboratory lounge room." She smiled, still unmoving in Jim's arms.

"Lead the way bro."

They walked all the way back to Max's truck. Kirby had left some time ago, and so had Sidney. Max had Steel send them both texts to make sure they got home alright. Kirby's was affirmative, but Sidney's was just an angry face with a 'yes'.

They climbed in Max's truck and Jim replaced the mask for the ride into town and while they got to Max's house, well, apartment. They walked in and found the windows boarded up with cardboard, and covered in thick blackout curtains.

"Woah, Max. You did this?" Jim breathed, Claire at his side.

Max nodded, just as Steel flew out of his chest. "Yup, I wanted to spend some more time with you. And I know you sleep during the day, but I figured you could be up a little bit more." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"We can watch some movies, or play video games, or board games… and eat unhealthy food!" Steel listed off.

"I'll eat unhealthy food, I don't think Jim wants anymore of what he had earlier." Claire smiled.

"Yeah, that was nasty." Jim let his tongue hang from his mouth in distaste, "I'll stick with wild game, and the recycle bins."

Max let out a long yawn, "You know, Jim could probably use another nap after fighting all the Crawlers. We'll just sleep right now and then in the morning we'll do something." Claire offered.

"You know, that sounds great." Jim faked tired, "Definitely need another nap."

"Perfect. You and Claire can use my bed, and I'll sleep on the couch." Max lead them to his room and was really glad his mother had made him clean it the day before.

"Are you sure Max? We can sleep on the couch." Claire said. Even though she really wanted to sleep on a mattress for once.

"I'm sure."

"Awesome!" Claire exclaimed, and fell backward on the bed.

"Thanks Max," Jim said.

Max went into his bathroom and brushed his teeth, meanwhile, Jim crawled onto the bed after Claire had gotten under the clean sheets. He licked her cheek and whispered, "I love you, good night." and curled his body into the crook of her legs, but she was already asleep.

Max came out of his bathroom in a T-shirt and sweats and smiled at Jim. Jim opened his eyes and said, "You know, there's still room." he tilted his head to the rest of the full size bed, the two of them only covered about a third of the mattress.

"Isn't that a bit weird?" Max asked.

Jim lifted his head off his arm and shook his head. "You're apart of my pack, so I don't think that it's weird."

"Alright, let me just get another blanket." Max left the room and came back a bit later, Steel following. Max had a blanket and pillow in hand, he set them on the bed before sliding under the covering.

Jim laughed quietly, "You're going to fall off the bed if you're that far away." he whispered.

"It's just a bit… close."

"Max just thinks you're going to eat him." Steel said with mirth.

"I do not!" Max whisper yelled.

"You're just being chicken, you're too manly to share a bed with your brother." Steel said.

"Shut it bucket head." Max said, batting Steel away. He settled his head on his pillow, his back to Jim.

The bed shifted, and Jim he pulled the bed comforter toward him and Max came with it. He made himself a bit of a pillow from the blanket and rested his head on it, smiling at Max, who had rolled over to stare suspiciously at Jim.

"I could have actually dragged you." Jim smiled. Steel laughed from behind Max. "and you're not that much closer."

"And you'd like me closer?" Max said.

"Yeah, like…" Jim pulled the comforter again, pulling Max within a foot of Jim. "About here, or more."

"Whatever floats your boat, you weird troll." Max smiled.

"Thanks, you weird alien."Jim said.

"Would you two stop arguing and go to sleep." Claire moaned.

"Of course, tain fira." Jim said.

"Practice Trollish in the morning, we sleep now. Goodnight, my mate." Claire smiled and scooted closer to Jim, who rested his head on her leg, and Max rolled over and apprehensively scooted back till his back was against Jim's.

Jim was a bit shocked at this, but he was glad for it, he settled a loud purr, his tail curled and relaxed behind Max as they drifted to sleep.

As far as Molly knew, she was going to go into Max's bedroom to wake him up for lunch. She knew he had been out late with Jim. And she knew that Max had come back the night before.

What she didn't know, or expect, was to go into Max's bedroom to find Max, curled up next to the blue half troll, who was curled up next to Claire. And Steel resting on Jim's horns, asleep as well. Jim's tail was wrapped around Max's arm and owner of said tail was grinning up at her and purring, trying his hardest not to burst out laughing, his blue eyes, the same Max and their father had, sparkled with joy.

Molly could only stare, mouth agape and wide eyed.

"This isn't as weird as it looks." Jim said through his purr, trying really hard not to laugh

Molly pressed her lips and nodded, "Umm, lunch is ready." She said before quickly backing out of the room and shutting the door.

Jim couldn't hold his laugh anymore, he let it out quietly though.

He slid Steel off his head and onto the bed and unwound his tail from Max, then crawled around to Claire's head, nudging her with his nose. Licking her face, and purring loudly. She finally stired, "can't we sleep a bit longer, it's like midday, and that's like midnight." she sighed.

"I know, but Max's mom has lunch." he purred in her ear.

"Home cooked food, I'm up." She said, stretching from her spot.

Jim crawled over to Max, nudging his head and nuzzling his shoulder, "C'mon man, this is the time you're supposed to be awake."

Max moaned and buried his face in his pillow. Steel drowsily floated up next to Jim.

"He's impossible to get up." Steel said.

"Well, I can try." Jim pushed Max's head again, and started whining. A sound that in the mornings, Claire had told him, was worse than an alarm clock without a snooze or off button. Max rolled over and batted Jim's face till he stopped.

Max rolled over and tried to go back to sleep.

Jim gave a relaxed snarl, and buried his head in the bed behind Max, and used his horns to shove him completely off the bed.

Max gave a yelp, then there was a thump, and, "Jim! Owch!"

"Should have gotten up when I started nudging." Jim said, stretching out like a dog. Before crawling off the bed and getting to his feet. "Besides, this me basically waking up at 12 in the morning. So I don't feel bad. You got more than enough sleep." he walked over to Claire and flicked the corner of her lip with his tongue. Bending down enough to nuzzle her shoulder, and for her to reciprocate and nuzzle his cheek.

"It's noon?" Max said getting up, watching the odd display.

"It's 12:47 Max." Steel said. "I had to wake up around an hour ago to regulate your turbo energy."

"Thanks bud." Max stretched and took in a deep breath. "Wow, whatever mom's got cooking it smells good."

"And I've been smelling it since she started cooking, I can't eat any of it. It still smells good though." Jim said.

"Well, I'm starving." Claire said, walking out of Max's room leaving the door open behind her. Steel followed her out.

"Hey, Jim?" Max said.

"Yeah Max?"

"What's the thing you do with Claire, when you like, rub your face against her? You did it to me after I woke up from the first Crawler attack. I've noticed she does it back."

"It's called nuzzling, it could be the equivalent to a hug. And she's picked up on some of my trollish behaviors, and started returning them." Jim smiled. "It's my nature, and it's kinda becoming hers too." He looked at Max. Contemplating something. "But I don't really expect you to initiate anything. And if you don't want me to, I won't do it to you."

"It's not that, I'm just… curious about you."

Jim's tail flicked, and he tilted his head slightly.

"You just seem so comfortable in your… stone? I don't know, you're just so confident and smart. You know how to fight, and you're decisive… A really good role model I guess."

Jim gave a small laugh, "Max, I'm not a great role model. I broke uncle Farrus' arm. And my morals aren't that great either. But I appreciate the thought." He wandered out of his brothers room and found Claire sitting at the bar, eating a gourmet grilled ham and cheese sandwich like it was her first meal in months. Max followed him out.

Molly stared at her with worry. Steel doing the same.

"Claire, desh manch lieo tras, dack'll janex desh're nrehn cibus." he said in rough trollish.

"Jim, you always looked starved when you eat. I haven't had a home cooked meal in months! As much as I love rabbit, a little bit of plain home cooking… it's just going to top it." She took another bite of her sandwich. "Good job with your trollish though. But it's 'ef desh manch lieo tras'."

"Ef?" Jim asked.

"If. you said 'you eat like that', the correct usage is 'if you eat like that'." Claire stated.

"Dude, that sounded so cool," Max said.

"Ey'tah desh." Jim thanked him.

Steel flew up, "So Claire can whisper on frequencies no one else can hear, and you can speak trollish?"

"Ma trollish kas fiora." Claire declared slipping off the bar stool.

"She's right, her trollish is better." Jim relented.

"This is too confusing," Molly stated, her face the picture of lost.

"So I'm curious, something we never established when we met," Steel started. "Claire, the thing you did to Forge. And attacking the crawlers?"

"Oh," she smiled. "I'm a sorceress, I have natural magic abilities so I can perform magic without a spell. But more complicated spells I have to have an incantation for."

"Soon she'll be better than Merlin," Jim grinned and nuzzled the top of his mates head.

"Thanks Jim."

"That's really cool. Does everyone have natural magical abilities?" Max asked.

Claire shook her head, "no it's a rare occurrence. It was the reason I was able to use the shadow staff, and why Morgan possessed me."

"You what?!" Molly shrieked.

"My soul got trapped in another realm while an ancient which took over my body and tried to kill Jim while we were on a date."

"You say it that calmly, and they'll think you're nuts." Jim said, leaning over and kissing her cheek.

"Well, it is no use being mad about it now. I sent her to a place she'll never get out. Hopefully, she'll die in that reached realm of hers."

"Oookaay…" Max said. "So what are we up for? Movie, games?"

"Lunch, I'm hungry," Jim stated.

"Well, what can I get for you?" Molly asked.

Steel snickered off to the side.

Jim looked at Max's mother carefully. "You know what, I'm actually not that hungry. I don't need anything," he smiled.

"Well, in that case, I'm off to work. Have a good day kido." Molly grabbed her purse and keys, leaving the apartment.

"Bye mom."

After Molly left, Jim walked around the counter and found the recycle bin, tossing several soup cans in his mouth, deeming them a good lunch.

Max leaned over to Claire, "Do you ever get used to watching him eat?"

The girl nodded, "Him eating metals is way better than watching him skin an animal. That first time… gleh," Claire stuck her tongue out and made a face.

Jim chuckled and walked back around the counter to nuzzle Claire. "She threw up on me the first time she saw me skin something."

"It wasn't a pretty night," she grimaced.

"Your food choice is rather strange," Steel pointed out.

"I mean, it's not really choice," Jim said. "I eat based off of what a troll relative my age would, to make sure that I'm 'growing properly'. Or at least that's what Blinkey says."

"That and instinct," Claire added.

"Is everything you do based off of instinct?" Steel questioned.

Jim contemplated for a moment, pulling on his upper lip with his tusk. Slowly he nodded. "When I woke up after I'd transformed everything was super disorienting. I could barely handle what I was feeling, I did my best to act normal. But soon I was just able to do incredible feats, without really trying. And after I got the armor off, everything was intensified, the amount of raw power I had. The impulses running through my head, it was nuts."

"It took me a while to get used to everything he was doing, and asking to do. Like kissing me, cleaning me, nuzzling was probably the easiest to adapt to. The tail was weird at first, but that's probably my favorite."

Claire laid back on the barstool, and Jim caught her without a second thought. Wrapping her up in his tail. Jim nuzzled her nose before setting her upright and standing close behind her so she could lean on him.

"Awe, you two are so cute." Steel said.

"I just wish Sid and I could get to that point. After what happened last night," Max sighed and shook his head.

"I'm sorry about the Crawlers. I really was making sure we were staying out of their territory," Jim snarled.

Claire turned around, Jim's tail sliding to her arm. "It's not your fault, remember what Strickler said. They're attacking because they've been found out," she said pointedly.

"Which means we need to go hunting while we're here," Jim added.

"I'm wasn't able to kill any, but I was able to distract them while you delt the hard blows, so I can help." Max said.

Jim shook his head hard, narrowing his eyes at Max. "No, I don't want you near those things."

"Uh, Max…" Steel said. He flew between the brothers, trying to get Max's attention.

Max pushed him out of the way. "Not now Steel. I know you said you'd be worse than a satellite parent, but really Jim? I'm a hero, too. I want to help you and Claire out."

"Max really, this is important." Steel stressed.

"Max, I can't stop you. I know that. But I'm saying I really don't want you near those things. You don't have experience fighting trolls and it's a lot different than what you're used to."

"MAX," Steel shouted.

"In a minute!" He turned back to Jim. "How would you know what I'm used to fighting?"

"I don't know what you're used to fighting, but I do know that fighting trolls is like nothing else. I just can't see you get hurt," Jim's eyes were soft, and a small whine was audible.

Claire leaned against him. Steel finally lost it and screamed.

"Max, we have a huge problem! Would you just listen to me?!"

The humanoids' attentions were caught.

"What is it Steel?" Claire asked.

"Is it Extroyer? Toxon?" Max had Steel in his hands and was shaking him.

Steel yelped and turbo zapped Max, making him let go. "No, it's worse."

"What is it then?" Max panicked.

"Sidney is almost outside the door," The robot said calmly and pointed at the door.

All eyes widened and turned to the front door. And a red faced, furious, blonde walked through the door demanding answers, then froze.

REVIEW! please ._.