Chapter Text
Home Again
When he stepped off the plane at the San Francisco International Airport, he realized something that he probably should have before. He was now wearing a golden metal ball in his eye socket. Didn't that make him a person of interest in terms of the Homeland Security employees stationed everywhere? The airport in Cairo had given him no trouble, but this was a slightly different situation.
He kept his head down and made for the baggage claim, but was surprised to see a familiar face already there. It was so good to see someone he knew and trusted that he sped up the pace and hugged Croquet before the older man could react.
Croquet froze, then chuckled. "I knew it had to be you. No one else would do something so ridiculous."
"Croquet, I'm so glad to see you. You have no idea!"
"I can see that," His tone was gruff, but that had never put Pegasus off. No, just looking at him sent a cavalcade of emotions his way: relief, curiosity, concern. Why the concern, he wondered, and as if on command the Millennium Eye began to press into Croquet's mind: Why is he wearing his hair like that? He looks like one of the boys coming back from war, like he's seen something terrible.
Pegasus looked away, willing the Eye to quit prying. When he looked back, Croquet was frowning at him. "Are you alright, sir?"
"I'm fine, just a little tired." He daren't mention that every time he looked at someone he could suddenly hear their inner thoughts. He could see now in ways that made his natural psychic empathy seem pathetic in comparison, and he'd practiced opening and closing that ability the whole flight. "It was an 18 hour long flight," he added, hoping that would be the end of it.
But the concern didn't fade. In fact, it intensified, but Croquet only muttered a gruff, "Of course, sir."
Pegasus sighed, inwardly cursing Croquet's curiosity. "Have you seen my luggage?"
Croquet nodded, "I've got most of it right here."
"Oh good! You're certainly on top of things." The other passengers were more numerous by then, so Pegasus suggested they make their way out.
It was strange, seeing Croquet again after so much had happened. It had seemed like a lifetime of events had changed him, and yet Croquet seemed just the same as ever. As usual, the older man refused Pegasus' help as he loaded the car then slid into the driver's seat. It was strange, being catered to all over again. Each time he felt as though he was breaking free, becoming someone who could stand alone, his family was there to make sure he knew his place in the social structure whether he wanted it or not.
It was only a 17 mile drive, but the traffic was unusually bad. While waiting at a traffic light, Pegasus finally gave up on giving Croquet the silent treatment, "I had a good time, thanks for asking."
He grunted, adjusting the rear-view so he could see his young charge better, "You don't act like it."
"What do you mean? I'm just tired, that's all. I went to a few clubs with Clarissa and Brad."
Croquet's mustache twitched. "You don't like clubs, and you don't really like Clarissa and Brad's type of company."
"Well... I went to a bunch of museums. Some of the things I saw in Egypt were life-changing." It wasn't entirely a lie, either.
Croquet frowned, turning back to the road. The person in front of him had run the light out of the blue, nearly hitting two pedestrians and an ivory Porsche in the process. Just another day in the busy city. The sun was setting as they left the tourists to the busier area and Croquet drove north toward the Golden Gate Bridge. Eventually, the city gave way to smaller businesses which, in turn, evolved into the wildlife preserve. He took a right off the highway and followed highway 131 south east, the beautiful bay on Pegasus' right. He stared out at the water for awhile, but it struck him that he'd be home soon. He'd mentioned that there'd been an accident in Egypt, but he hadn't gone into detail. Croquet hadn't said anything, but Pegasus had worked hard to keep his left eye covered by hair. That would only work for so long, though. Such were his thoughts as the sedan traveled the winding road toward home.
It was dark by the time they pulled into the driveway and parked the car in the garage, Croquet hurrying to open the door for his young charge. Pegasus didn't rush him, his mind a tumultuous mess. He couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that something was off.
Croquet closed the car door, but didn't move toward the trunk. Pegasus had a moment to blink before the older man sighed, "What happened to you? I thought you'd come back more like your old self."
Pegasus scoffed, "You mean like I was before Cyndia died?" The sound of her name still stung. Seeing her again had only reopened an old wound, leaving it infected and ragged. "I'll never be that way again."
Croquet sighed, "Well, I'm glad you're home. Things have been... uncomfortable."
Now he knew something was wrong. "What happened?"
Croquet huffed, "Nothing to do with the business. It's more personal than that."
Pegasus frowned. Croquet was whispering, his voice getting lower and lower as he spoke. Pegasus could only think of one reason he might do that, and the thought terrified him. "Croquet, surely there haven't been any FBI around..." Years ago Croquet had been one of the Family's top snipers, but when the Feds began searching for him in earnest, he'd been forced to go undercover. Maximus had been certain that no one would recognize his brother with the thick mustache, new haircut, and dark sunglasses, especially if he was working as his son's bodyguard. Pegasus had found it a fine game when he was a child, but the threat was ever looming, and the idea of Croquet being taken away to federal prison made his voice waver.
Croquet shook his head, "No, its nothing like that. I'm still as anonymous as ever."
Pegasus sighed. Good, at least it wasn't that level of bad news. "So what's happening?"
Croquet hesitated, then fetched the bags from the trunk. "Better you should hear it from your father."
Of course, that wouldn't work anymore. Pegasus was tired of being lied to and of secrets being kept from him. He had the ability to read minds now, The Keeper of the Millennium Items had said so: Why not use it? He'd practiced a little on the plane ride, but nothing very adventurous. Each time, he fully expected his target to look up and accuse him of mind reading or witchcraft. He needed to know, though. The idea that they would keep something major from him was just more of the same deceit he'd always experienced from his family. He looked at Croquet and thought about how much he waned to know what was going on.
The Millennium Eye complied, and crystal clearly he could see his mother and father arguing, his mother shrieking, and her rage was no act: How could you do this! You'll ruin Maximillion's inheritance! His father retorting, just as angry: Can't you think of something besides money for a few minutes? Iris, they're both my sons --
Pegasus blinked, breaking the connection just as Croquet finished gathering the luggage. The older man looked up at him, "Your father's got a lot on his mind, but he'll want to tell you personally. He ordered me to take you to him immediately."
"Before mother gets to me, you mean, " he murmured, his mind reeling. Both sons, he'd said. Pegasus had been an only child for most of his life. His younger sister Marianne had drowned during a party when she'd gotten away from her nurse and fallen into the pond, and his mother had refused to have another child afterward. He'd never had a brother, but mention of two sons meant that there must be one somewhere. His father had betrayed his wife and fathered a second son.
Pegasus leaned against the car, all the anger and confusion running through him at once. His parents loved each other, didn't they? Why would his father do something like this?
He was jarred from his thoughts by Croquet's hand on his shoulder, "You okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Good, because your father's waiting."
I bet he is, Pegasus thought as he followed Croquet into the house, and when I see him, boy is he going to get it!