Being Different

The Reunion

A/N: Damien discovers a bit more on Nik's background and who is dad really is...Also, a surprise visit from a couple whom Damien had lost contact with stirs up some traumatic memories for him...

Damien POV

"Umm...am I still going to see you in school?" I was crushed knowing that Nik was actually an operative. We were bonding on so many levels intellectually, and I really liked the guy.

"Well, that all depends on whether I'll still be assigned to watch over you?" Nik looked around to my dad and of course to Hawkes, with his eyebrows raised in question.

They both nodded, responding a resounding "Yes" for which I was elated but still struggling to keep my composure because I was secretly doing a little happy dance inside! Why??? I wasn't really sure but yes, I was!!!

Nik looked relieved for some reason and he grinned widely in my direction. I guessed that the feeling was mutual. But did this mean that I was feeling some sort of emotional resonance with Nik? I certainly hoped that Randy wouldn't feel threatened in any way by Nik's presence. Besides, he was there to protect us both and now that I found out that he was Hawkes' son, somehow it just made sense.

"I had missed out on my senior year at school since my training had been intense as an operative. I'd actually been in the field for five years now since I turned sixteen..." He kindly explained.

"WHAT? Seriously?" My eyes went wide at the prospect of being an operative at such a young age. But then again, who on earth would expect a high school student? I sat diligently taking notes as Nik went on to describe just how intense his actual training was.

I finally understood the relevance of my enrollment in several types of self-defense classes since Nik underwent the same rigorous course I was scheduled for, but whether or not it would mean following in the same department that Nik was, and dad had made it clear, was entirely up to me to decide.

I also found out that Hawkes wasn't British by birth although he possessed a heavy British accent when he spoke. Brigadier Hadrian Waldemar Szymanski, hence 'Hawkes' was originally from Poland and that his parents had migrated to the UK when he was just an infant after the Second World War.

Both his father and grandfather were military men, having served in the Polish army, so it was only natural that young Hadrian followed in their footsteps. Hawkes met his wife-to-be after joining The Organization and Nik was born a year later. I then learnt that Hawkes lost his wife during a mission, just like I had lost my mother. So, it appeared that Nik and I had a lot more in common than I realized.

"Wow! I can only imagine what it must have been like for you not growing up with your mother..." I concluded, after hearing his story.

"I was just an infant when she died, so I really couldn't remember much about her...only what dad told me. But I heard that you had a few people looking after you, right?" He queried.

"Yes, but none of them were related to me. They were all operatives from two different organizations but I was very close to three of them..." I mentioned, fondly remembering Cora, and the Weizmanns.

"What happened to them?" Nik asked quietly.

"One of them died and I miss her very much because she really cared about me, and I'm not sure about what happened to the other two. They were both very protective of me as well. We were suddenly attacked and they were helping me escape from some men who wanted to hurt me, and that's when I met dad..." I cringed slightly, remembering such a harrowing experience which I hoped never to have happen ever again!

"Ah yes, my father did mention something about it now. But last I heard was that there had been a car bomb but the agent was very lucky to have survived. The other had been shot in the shoulder but managed to escape from her would-be captors I believe..." He replied thoughtfully, as we continued our lunch.

Dad was suddenly called downstairs to the hallway, along with Hawkes. We were wondering what the problem was when we heard a chattering of familiar voices coming up the stairs towards the Day Room together with both dad and Hawkes.

The door opened to reveal the very two people we had been discussing...Robert and Martha Weizmann!!! I jumped out of my seat, excited to see them both. It had been too long! Martha received me into her arms, hugging me tightly as Robert looked on, clearly happy to see me, and came over, patting my back. The feeling was mutual!

"What a wonderful surprise! I never thought that I would see you again!" I exclaimed. It was truly a joyous occasion but later in the day, their presence took on a more serious note. They had both been called in to testify against Senator Thorpe's agents who were being charged with maltreatment and psychological abuse of a minor...ME!

I was suddenly saddened by memories that came flooding back; painful memories of my childhood and the horrible verbal abuse that I had suffered in the hands of those people posing as my parents. The only saving grace had been Cora's presence, then dad's even though I didn't know who he was back then...and of course, both Robert and Martha.

They could clearly see how distraught and silent I had become during the conversation. I thought that I was over it but it still had a profound effect on me – a very visibly disturbing one. Dad quickly steered the couple out of earshot into another room and came back immediately to give me a reassuring hug.

He then motioned to Nik to keep me company while they discussed the situation further in the other room. I shifted onto the couch, while watching Alma and her maids clear away the dishes. She had suggested some type of dessert and tea for us but I declined, having lost my appetite.

Nik sat quietly beside me without disturbing my train of thought. I found his presence quite comforting and I offered up a small smile as a 'thank you'. We sat that way for some time until Nik eventually spoke up.

"Let's do some homework together. I've got some issues with some mathematical problems I'd been given. It's been a while..." He proposed, chuckling softly.

"Good idea! I've got some serious catching-up to do anyway!" I nodded, grabbing my book bag from my bedroom while I waited for him to get his. We then settled on the couch, spreading our textbooks open to the desired page.

A few hours later, the door opened. It was the Weizmanns coming in to bid me goodbye. Dad went on to explain that they would be present at some of the hearings over the next few weeks. Apparently, they would be coming around more often to help with the cases against Count Egon and Senator Thorpe. I thought it would be nice to see them again since I hadn't been able to chat with them at all this time around.

Once they left, dad and Hawkes had another meeting to attend downstairs so we both stayed in the Day Room to finish our homework. Nik had thought up a plan to get Randy to like him and it meant bringing Mick into the picture.

I thought it was a splendid idea, so I agreed to play the part in bringing them together hopefully as friends. Little did I know what was about to happen...