Someone slapped the back of Lucas' head, and just like that he came out of the stupor he seemed to have slipped in. He shook his head once before looking back up. Nathan was standing there, still waving while displaying a toothy grin.

And then Lucas' legs moved without his command. They took him forward, straight towards his roommate and the cause of his beating heart. The going was a bit slower with his crutches.

"Hey, dude," Nathan threw out an arm and snaked it around Lucas' shoulder. He turned to the girl that stood before them. "Amber, meet Lucas. Lucas, Amber."

Lucas slowly lifted his eyes. I'm going crazy, he decided. I mean seriously man... His eyes travelled to the cause of his beating heart. It's not like you haven't been around girls... and some of them had been drop dead gorgeous. Yet, the moment their eyes met he felt as though he were adrift in the middle of an ocean with no life boat.

"Hi." Amber stuck out her hand.

Lucas barely noticed as he lifted his own and shook hers.

"Hi," his voice sounded distant to him.

"Amber's my little sis." Nathan beamed.

Sister? Realizing he was still shaking her hand, Lucas quickly let go.

"I'm only a year younger," Amber turned to her brother. "So I'm not that much younger."

"Psh, I'm still the wiser."

"More like the trouble maker."

Lucas didn't say a word as the two siblings bickered. He couldn't explain the feeling of relief at the fact that Nathan and Amber were siblings.

"What happened?"

Lucas realized Amber had addressed the question to him. She nodded at the crutches.

'Oh..." Lucas looked down at them. "Ah...um...football practice."

"He pulled a muscle." Nathan's arm disappeared from around Lucas' shoulder. "You guys saw my goal, right?"

Lucas nodded.

"It was a pretty good one," Amber told him.

"I know...right?" Nathan grinned. When someone yelled his name he shot a glance behind him. "Oh shoot. Looks like I better hit the showers." He turned back around. "How about the three of us grab something to eat before Amber has to return to Bel?"

"Uh..." Amber began. Lucas was aware of the unsure glance she shot in his direction.

"Maybe you should..." Lucas tried.

"I insist, as a champion. I'll only be ten minutes." Nathan lifted a hand. "Wait for me," he put his thumb and index finger together to form a circle, "okay?" He was gone before Amber or Lucas could saw a word.

Shoot, Lucas thought as he realized he was alone with Nathan's sister.

Amber had begun to play with her fingers, a sign of nervousness. Lucas was aware that her eyes flickered all around, as though looking for a familiar face. "Soooo..." she lifted her eyes to meet his and he froze. "Nathan has told me quite a bit about you."

Snap out of it. Lucas took in a deep breath through his nose. Women had never been an issue, he had always been the one to infatuate them, not the other way around. Use your training...it'll help you get over this, he decided. The breath helped somewhat and he felt more composed. A dazzling smile made it to his face.

"He's told me a lot about you too," he said.

Amber's forehead knitted together slightly, the reaction was not at all what Lucas had expected. It caught him off guard as she stared at him, looking as though she were trying to read him. Then, the look on her face was gone. Instead, a smile replaced it.

"I hope my brother hasn't been driving you crazy. He gets a bit carried away sometimes."

"Oh, I'm working on keeping my sanity intact," came Lucas' reply.

Amber laughed and Lucas at once felt lightheaded. It was as though in that moment he heard bells and a single light shone on the girl before him.

That's it...you've lost it, he decided.

"So, you're on the football team too?" Amber asked.

Lucas nodded. "I would have been playing if it hadn't been for this." He nodded down at the crutches.

"I'm sorry."

"Meh." Lucas shrugged. "It was my own fault. Besides," a grin spread across his face, "My teammates are extremely jealous of the good seats I got for the game."

"Oh, I saw." Amber nodded. She crossed her hands across her chest and leaned back.

She's getting comfortable, Lucas noted.

"You sat next to Gabby."

Lucas grimaced. "Does she always talk that much?"

Amber grinned at that. "Oh, twenty four hours."

"Ah."

There was an awkward silence. Around them the football players began to trickle to the showers while the bleachers slowly emptied. Amber bit her lip and Lucas noticed her draw her arms draw tighter against her chest.

She's getting uncomfortable again, he noted. "Do you come here a lot?" The question was out of his mouth before he could stop it.

"Here?" Amber looked up in surprise. "As in Ellison?"

Lucas nodded, wanting to kick himself for the lame question. Years of training, endless missions, and that's the best you can come up with?

"Whenever Nathan plays." Amber's eyes dropped. "Our parents don't really agree to his love for football. So I try to offer some moral support."

"That's nice..." the line was even lamer than the first. Seriously? Lucas couldn't help but think. "So...what do you like to do for fun?" he attempted a quick change of topic. "Or are you more on the spontaneous crazy side like your brother?"

Amber smiled, and her eyes lifted. "I'd like to think I'm the more composed one. More of a planner...I don't like surprises."

"Really?" Lucas asked. "I thought all girls liked surprises."

Amber snorted. "Nah. I like it when things go as planned. Nathan's the one that takes things as they come...me? I always have to be at least two steps ahead."

"How's that working out for you?"

Amber grimaced. "Honestly, things never seem to go just like planned. But they do somehow work out in the end." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Lucas chuckled. "Story of my life."

"So, what about you?" Amber asked, curiosity on her face. "Nathan said you transferred in late. How's that been?"

"See you later man!" Auden slapped Lucas on the back as he walked past, a girl in tow.

"Later," Lucas replied before turning back to Amber. "Well..." He shot a look around. "Don't tell anyone this but..." he leaned a bit closer, "The guys at Ellison honestly sometimes scares the living daylights out of me."

Amber raised an eyebrow, an amused smile on her face. "Really?"

Lucas nodded. The more they spoke the more comfortable he was getting. He liked the feeling. "The guys here are crazy."

"Oh I believe that."

Lucas nodded again. "Do you know just a few weeks ago some of them were absurd enough to put blue dye in the swimming pool?"

"No!" Amber had a mock look of horror on her face. "What fools would do that?"

Lucas put a hand to his mouth. "I hear the crazy people on the football team were involved."

Amber shook her head. "That team is filled with mad men, isn't it?"

Lucas nodded rapidly in agreement. "The crutches...you don't really believe that I pulled a muscle...did you?"

"No!"

Lucas leaned back. "I was almost killed by those lunatics."

Amber giggled. It made a huge smile appear on Lucas' face. He liked the sound.

"I certainly hope you can at least say "you should see the other guy,"" Amber told him.

Lucas solemnly shook his head. "Unfortunately...I didn't stand a chance."

"Hey!" A cheery girl with short brown hair bounded over. She grabbed Amber's arm. "I'm going to the cafeteria with Sally. You want to come?"

"Um..." Amber's eyes darted to Lucas. "I'm waiting for my brother."

The new girl shot a glance at Lucas and did a double take. "Who's this?"

Lucas didn't reply.

"My brother's roommate..." Amber began.

"Hi, I'm Janis." The newcomer stuck out her hand.

"Lucas," Lucas replied as he took it.

The girl's face split into a smile. She turned back to Amber, and by the way Amber's eyes widened, Lucas could only guess she had mouthed something.

"Alright then, I have to run." Janis turned to Lucas. "Feel free to join at any point." With that, she was gone.

Amber bit her lip, as though trying to hold back a laugh. "Well, she likes you."

"Are the girls at Bel just as..." Lucas searched for the word.

"Desperate?" Amber helped him out.

Lucas nodded.

"You should hear them in class. Ellison High is the main topic half the time."

"Sounds just like Ellison." Lucas chuckled.

Amber grinned.

"Miss me!" The cheery voice broke in.

Lucas turned to see Nathan jogging over. His hair was wet and his tie hung untied around his neck.

"Well you two look like you're getting along," he added.

"That was fast," Lucas noted.

"What can I say?" Nathan shrugged. "I'm a pro at taking short showers."

Amber rolled her eyes. "I'm so proud." She scowled as her eyes landed on her brother's tie. "What is it with you and never tying those?"

Nathan glanced at it. He tugged at one end. "Dunno."

Shaking her head, Amber reached out.

Nathan ducked away. "I got it," he protested, hands flying to the tie. He hastily began to tie it. "So, should we grab some food, I'm starving." He looped the tie through.

"Hey...I don't want to intrude on you and your sister," Lucas protested.

"Nah, man, what are you talking about?" Putting the last finishing touch to his tie Nathan looked up. "You're not intruding. I've been trying to get you two to meet for ages now."

"Oh really?" Amber asked.

"Yup," Nathan popped the p. "It is very important that the awesome people in my life meet...that only ensures that it gets more awesome." He grinned as he threw an arm around Amber and Lucas. "Hey..." he glanced at his sister. "Kara didn't happen to come today...?"

"She has a boyfriend," Amber told him flatly.

"They didn't break up?"

"You've got to stop pining for her." Amber pushed his arm off her.

"Who's Kara?" Lucas asked curiously.

"Who?" Nathan asked. He clutched his chest dramatically. "Who but a goodness who walks this earth among us mortal men!"

Amber muttered something under her breath and Lucas had the feeling that she didn't quite agree with her brother's statement.

"Oh well...food?" Nathan's mind was already on other things.

"Sure." Lucas agreed, his stomach feeling empty.

Amber nodded in agreement and the three headed towards the cafeteria. At some point, Nathan fell behind and drew Lucas close to him.

"How long till you lose the crutches?" he asked.

"Another day or two," Lucas replied.

Nathan nodded. In the next second he was beside his sister again. He said something before ruffling her hair. She protested and made a lunge for him. Nathan sprang back with a laugh.

Lucas watched as the two bickered. He was fascinated, curious about the sibling relationship. In ECHO his training had mostly been solo. Though he had also been drilled in teamwork, team members never got close. Feelings were not a good thing to have, especially in the case where someone had to be cut loose in a mission. In short, he couldn't imagine what it would be like to grow up with a sibling.

"Play," a voice demanded. A blurry face smiled up at him, fingers tugging at his shirt.

Lucas froze. He blinked. Shoot. He scowled at the image that had briefly invaded his mind. It came from a box he had sealed away, it was not to be opened.

"Lucas?"

He looked up to see Amber and Nathan had paused at the entrance of the cafeteria.

"You coming?"

"Yeah." Lucas hurried forward as fast as his crutches could take him.

The three entered the full cafeteria. Voices blared all around. The mixture of boys and girls was something different to the place that was usually only filled with guys. However, the girls actually blended in pretty well with their similar uniform. It almost looked like the school was co-ed.

I wonder why they don't just make it that instead of having right next to each other. Lucas followed Nathan and Amber. They grabbed a smaller table near the window. Lucas was about to follow the siblings to the line, but Amber stopped him.

"We'll grab you something," she told him, shooting a look at the crutches. "I'm sure you shouldn't be walking around too much."

"Ah...thanks," Lucas replied.

Amber nodded before headed towards the line. Nathan paused. "You shouldn't walk around," he mouthed. He fluttered his lashes before rolling his eyes. Then, with a grin, he followed his sister.

Sitting by himself, Lucas took the time to take the loud room in more detail. He caught sight of Auden sitting between two girls, one of whom looked somewhat upset. Auden was motioning to her, a panicked look on his face.

The swim team sat away from most of the students, looking around with looks of distain as they sat with ridged backs. Among them sat a few girls that looked just as ridged. Somewhere a girl let out a squeal and jumped from the table, a vegetable, that one guy had thrown at another having, ended up hitting her.

Lucas noticed with amusement how there was one table where only one girl sat. Her blond hair hung down her back in curls. All around her, guys seemed to be clambering to try and get her attention. She was ignoring the lot, eyes wandering around the room as she sipped on a bottle of water.

And then, not even two tables away, sat Jamie. His food was untouched as he stared right at Lucas. Upon seeing his target look in his direction, he quickly looked down and shoved broccoli in his mouth. The face he made after suggested he had eaten something he wasn't particularly fond of. Brian walked over, glanced from the boy to Lucas, and then with an evil grin, sat down next to him. He looked over at Lucas, winked, and then turned to say something to Jamie. Lucas' eyes narrowed in suspicion.

A tray thumped down before him. Lucas glanced at the broccoli and shepherd's pie splashed across it.

"Lunch is served, your highness," Nathan said as he plopped into the chair next to him.

"You're so nice," Amber told her brother sarcastically as she sat down across from them.

"What?" Nathan threw an arm around Lucas' neck and drew him closer. "I'm always nice."

Lucas ducked out of his grip. He snatched the fork from Nathan's plate.

"Hey!"

"Injured, I shouldn't walk around," Lucas told him, mouth already filled with food.

Nathan snorted, yet he got up and went to grab a fork anyway.

"Looks like you know how to handle him." Amber smiled.

"At times," Lucas replied.

"I heard that." Nathan sat back down. He dug into his food almost immediately.

The three sat and talked for a good while, losing track of time altogether. Lucas found himself relaxing and slipping into conversation with the two siblings. He couldn't remember a time in his life when he had enjoyed just sitting and talking about nothing. In that time he put all other thoughts aside, letting his mind relax. It felt good to for once not be on guard the whole time.

They sat until the announcement came that the Bel girls needed to head back to their busses. The boys responded with boos, and as the girls began to leave there was a hurried exchanged of email addresses.

Nathan said he would walk his sister to the bus. When Lucas started to get up, Amber hurriedly told him he should sit. For a moment Lucas was confused, before his eyes landed on the crutches next to him.

"Ah," he said.

"It was nice meeting you," Amber told him.

"Likewise," Lucas replied.

"Well then..." Amber twisted her fingers, "Maybe we'll see each other again."

"I'd like that."

"Oh would you?" Nathan asked.

His sister hit him.

"Owe!"

Shaking her head, Amber grabbed his arm and began to drag him from the room. Lucas watched them go, a smile on his face. Realizing the room was almost empty, he decided to make his way back to the dorm.

As classes were cancelled, he ended up in the lounge, watching some of the boys playing a racing game. It soon turned into a competition between the dorms. Nathan turned up and squeezed beside Lucas onto the couch.

"You'd like that?" he asked.

Lucas could only assume he was referring to the farewell he had given his sister.

"Is there anything wrong with a man expressing his true emotions?" he asked.

"Yes...when it's to my sister."

Lucas shot him a glance to see Nathan staring at him, his eyes narrowed.

"You fallen for her?" his roommate asked.

"I just met her."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"She's pretty."

"I knew it!" Nathan lunged for him and snaked his arm around his neck.

"Mercy!" Lucas yelped.

"Face my wrath!" Nathan's arm tightened.

Lucas didn't panic. He knew he could escape any second if he needed. What impressed him was how Nathan wrestled with him even when he knew Lucas could take him out in a moment.

"Do you have a death wish?" Lucas muttered jokingly so only Nathan could hear.

"I don't care what skills you have," Nathan hissed in reply. "Spy, superman, batman, or a wolf in disguise. Making a pass at my sister without my permission is unacceptable!"

Lucas raised his eyebrows. An evil grin made it to his face. "Owe!" he yet out the yell and began to struggle. "Dude, I'm injured!"

As two guys dragged Nathan off Lucas, Nathan mad a face that seemed to say "how could you".

Lucas only grinned before making a great show of how he was hurt. When the attention of the boys around them turned back to the game at hand, Nathan slipped in close again.

"You're dead," he hissed.

Lucas turned his eyes on him. An innocent expression on his face. "About that...I didn't manage to get her email...you wouldn't be able to..."

"You girl deprived...!" Nathan made a lunge.

Lucas raised his hands to protect himself, yet Nathan never made it. A hand grabbed him and pulled him back. And then Brian plopped into the spot next to Lucas.

"Problems?" he asked.

Nathan pointed an accusing finger. "He's hitting on my sister!"

"Really?" Brian turned to Lucas who shrugged in turn. "Dude!" Brian raised a hand and Lucas high fived him.

"Noooooo!" Nathan wailed. "They have teamed up against me."

"What's wrong?" Auden popped up out of seemingly nowhere.

"They're plotting against me!" Nathan complained.

"Oh?"

"Lucas here seems to have a thing for Nathan's sister," Brain explained.

"Dude!" Auden offered Lucas a high five.

Lucas took it, grinning at the reaction.

"Mutiny!" Nathan sprang from the couch. "The crew is revolting!"

"I thought I was the captain?" Auden told him.

Nathan froze. "Uh..." He sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.

Lucas sank further into the couch, a grin on his face. For a split moment he couldn't help but wish that life could go on like this forever. You don't belong here, the thought brought him back to reality. You're nothing like them. He sat up straight, grin disappearing. You have a job, remember?