Steel became aware of people around him as he woke from a very deep sleep. For a moment he didn't know where he was. He was wrapped in a blanket, and familiar voices were talking softly in the background. He tried to open his eyes. He felt very heavy and lethargic. Very much like when he was recovering from freezing. He opened his eyes and looked around. .He saw his father, Iron, there which was very unusual. More surprising his mother, Carbon, was there.

His mother was the first to notice him. "Ah, welcome back my boy. How are you feeling? "

She took his hand and, he felt her kindness and love flow through him. Though most of his traits came from his father, her contributions made him stronger and just slightly more flexible. His father was there. He felt genuine relief and affection flow through him..That startled Steel most of all. His father was not the emotive type.

He realized he was in his childhood room. He was at his boyhood home. He hadn't been here in ages. Something about being here brought comfort and, he closed his eyes relaxing for a moment.

His father was about to shake him awake. Carbon shook her head. *Let him wake as he's ready. When someone burns that hot, it takes time to recover. He's like his father, and will be absolutely intolerable in short order. *

Carbon felt Iron's rumbling chuckle in her head.

He opened his eyes again. " What happened to me? " He was quite breathless just asking the question.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

His mother and father both placed gentle, but firm hands on him.

"Your containment broke son. It nearly killed you. " His mother's voice shook slightly.

Steel grabbed his mother's hand and squeezed very gently. "I'm sorry I didn't realize. .."

Iron shook his head.

"You're fine boy. You were unconscious. You suffered a complete uncontrolled freeze. Your friends brought you back. You are very lucky to have such devoted friends. " His father finished.

Steel gawked at them. It shouldn't be possible, but he knew it had to be what happened given how he felt

"How...how did I get here.?" Steel was still trying to order everything in his mind.

"I carried you son once you fell asleep. "

"I fell asleep? " He sounded bewildered.

Carbon nodded. "You've been asleep for three days.

Sapphire felt astonishment through the bond from Steel. That was good. All she'd heard and sensed for three days was deep dreamless sleep and snoring.

Steel was about to argue he didn't sleep. Events from the train station, and Tully rushed at him. Suddenly there was a dam between his thoughts and the emotions they instilled.

The feel in his mind of Sapphire enveloping him was comforting. He realized she was softly laughing at him..

*Well at least that horrible snoring has stopped. *

He felt another presence there . The wry amusement was Jet.. He always associated it with Jet. Then he realized the barrier was not created by Sapphire, but by Jet. She had always been stronger that way.

Sapphire laughed *You should be grateful for that strength. She saved you. *

Jet laughed with that wry humor he had so enjoyed. *Jet? Why are you in my head? * He was not alarmed just confused. She had never been a threatening presence. She had guarded him on several occasions.

Sapphire listened curiously. Jet sighed *I don't know Steel. You ripped open the bond when you burned. You were suddenly just there. *

Jet sounded very uncomfortable Sapphire realized. There were two separate bonds originally. They were fused into one three way bond. Sapphire spoke softly. *Steel when burned you fused the two bonds into one. * Sapphire knew that was exactly what happened.

Jet was flabbergasted. *Steel, I know your parents are with you. Sleep if you need. Yes, you can sleep now. The watchers made sure you can shut down if you need quiet. Please use it. Sapphire we need to talk later. *

They both felt Sapphire's agreement. Steel came back to realize his parents were looking at him. Carbon knew. She had felt the dam go up around his feelings automatically protecting him.

"Why don't you sleep son?" His mother kissed him.

Steel wanted to argue, but the simple task of talking to Jet and Sapphire had exhausted him. He was midway through the thought when he fell asleep.

Both Iron and Carbon left the room, and left Steel sleeping.

Iron took a rumbling breath. "Thank you for coming."

Carbon placed a hand on his shoulder. "He's going to be fine. "

Jet had intentionally blocked the bond with Sapphire and Steel. To say this complicated matters was a polite way of saying Steel had blown everything to hell. She had moved on to other partners, and he had to rip open a bond, she thought long gone. It wasn't long gone. He tore it open, and connected the three of them. It surprised her that he kept it there. There was no indication, and the pairing with Sapphire had been immensely successful. She and Steel were too alike. They always were comfortable around each other, but on missions there had to be one lead. They both wanted to lead. They were also natural leaders. That is what lead to the failure of the partnership.

Silver came and found Jet quietly crying. Silver might seem flighty and trivial to most. He cared for all three of them dearly. Steel had a problem most elements would kill to have. He had two very amazing kind elements, who cared deeply for him. He himself also cared for both women deeply. He always carried a flame for Sapphire. What had really surprised him was Jet carried a flame for Steel. She had never once indicated they were anything more than former partners, until she had screamed from the pain Steel sent into her head.

Silver went to Jet first. He heard soft sobbing on the patio to her house. He walked around and found her outside. Usually to comfort people Silver played the clown. This time he knew better. He just let her cry herself out. "I'm sorry. If it's any comfort, he didn't know what he was doing. You had to be important to have him instinctively reach for you. "

Jet nodded and tried to control the tears. "I know. I had even accepted it, until blockhead tore it all open again. "

She looked at Silver and sighed. "He opened things better left closed. Now there's a three way bond there. I'm sure she's going to love having me in his head too. I don't think the bond can be broken. I didn't ask for this. "

She wept softly, and Silver simply held her until she was done.

She didn't want to be an intruder on a partnership, whee she didn't belong. She asked the watchers could this be broken. She didn't belong here. She didn't want to be here in this relationship. The answer was no. There were reasons for this. They would become obvious in time.

She came back to herself to feel Steel and Sapphire in the back of her mind.

"I'm sorry. " Steel sounded sad. It was more than regret. Jet sensed he hated causing her distress. However, he didn't want her to leave. She felt comfortable and familiar to him

*Next time ask. * Jet complained * You should have asked Sapphire first. I'm sure she's thrilled I'm riding along in her mind without her permission. *

Steel was about to respond, but Sapphire laughed gently into the bond. *You are far more pleasant company. He's bossy as well. *

*Just wait. * Steel answered *Just wait. *

Jet laughed gratefully sending her appreciation through the bond to Sapphire.

*No consideration for me. * Steel complained.

*You started this mess. You want thanks. * Jet teased *Really Steel did your brain get addled in the freeze? *

He felt the humor from both of them. He realized he missed this.

Sapphire took this as her cue to step out of the conversation.

Steel sighed. He was never good at intimate conversation. This was definitely intimate.

Jet laughed. *Remember I can hear you.* She replied gently.

*I'm sorry. ...I never meant. ...* Steel never meant to hurt her. He would never knowingly hurt her.

Jet's understanding washed over him.*I guess I should be flattered after all these years. I had no idea it was still there. That it was still there for either of us really. *

*It was there. I closed it, and shoved far into the back of my mind. I couldn't destroy it. It was too important. You are too important. * Steel sounded hurt and angry.

Steel very rarely let his emotions leak out. It gave Jet an idea how much this was hurting himtoo.

She sighed. *Don't think I don't care. I care too much where you're concerned. I let this go because I thought that was what you wanted. She's a good match for you. The last thing you needed was me. Are you happy Steel?*

He felt she was on the verge of weeping. Something the old Jet would have never done.

She caught his surprise. *I'm the new improved model. Silly human emotions I suppose. *

He groaned *You and Sapphire both. *

*Good at least I'll have someone to conspire against you. *

There was that dry wry humor he loved about her. When they weren't battling for supremacy he had loved her.

Jet nearly fell down. She felt the conflict in him. He felt the same for Sapphire.

*It's OK Steel. * She reassured him. *Things are as they should be. You two are great partners and more. Gold and I are a good pairing. We have been very successful, and have developed a style that works well for us. We've gotten used to each other, and we're good friends. Everything is as it should be. *

She felt jealousy towards gold her partner from Steel She had to laugh the thought was so ridiculous.

*I'm flattered. No Steel, it's not that type of relationship. *

*You prefer him. I understand. * Jet smiled Steel was almost pouting.

*Steel, we could never work like you and Sapphire or Gold and I do. We're too alike. We both want to be the boss. We have too many sharp edges. I'm not your trainee anymore. I've been an agent on my own with a partner for a long time. *

He knew everything she said was true. That didn't keep him from caring.

*We'll figure something out. * She promised *Luckily you've got a very understanding partner. We'll come up with some type of knock or something. The watchers think this is important for some reason. They want to maintain the three way bond for now. So, you're stuck with me. *

She could feel Steel starting to fade. That was very unusual for him. He was fighting to stay awake.

*Shh, don't fight it. The watchers gave you sleep, so you can turn off and rest. After what happened, you need to rest..I don't ever want you to scare me like that again. *

Steel meant to say something, but his mind was foggy. He felt Jet's warmth. Sapphire's warmth came through as Jet reopened the bond.