Title: Repercussions

Author: scgirl_317

Summary: Sequel to "Discovery." Vin realizes there are questions they never answered, and Martin's theories prove disastrous.

A/N: Thanks to my beta, PJ in NH! You helped me iron out the wrinkles and fill in plot holes. Your help was greatly appreciated.

Thoughts and flashbacks are in italics.

Previously

Washington, D.C.

FBI Headquarters

10:30 a.m. EST

Martin simply nodded to the secretary and kept on walking, ignoring her protests. He entered the office, closing the door behind him a bit more forcefully than was needed.

"Martin, what is the meaning of this?" Victor Fitzgerald asked, put off by his son's abrupt entrance.

"I'll tell you," Martin said, squaring off on the opposite side of the Deputy Director's desk. "I've had it. I thought you were just a critical S.O.B. who enjoyed ruling my life, but now I know why."

"Martin, what are you talking about?" Victor asked, slightly concerned about his son's current state.

"You didn't tell me," Martin growled. "You didn't tell me, and you left Vin behind. Not telling me is bad enough, but that you would just take me and leave Vin... What kind of heartless bastard are you?"

"Martin, I have no idea what you're talking about. Who's Vin?"

"My brother!" Martin all but yelled. "I was six when you adopted me, and I have a twin brother. Don't say you didn't know about him, 'cause I know you do."

Victor stiffened. How did Martin find out? "The social worker assigned to your case said you had a twin brother that was most likely special needs. I saw no reason to burden the family with that."

"Did they happen to mention the 'special need' was because he's dyslexic?" Martin fumed. "Even that's not a good enough reason. You know what? I've had it. I'm through with you."

Martin left the office before Victor could say anything else.

On the flight back to New York, Martin checked his voicemail. There was one new message.

"Hi, Martin, it's Hank Peters, the attorney. Listen, I just wanted to let you know that everything went through without a hitch. The judge signed the petition, and you are now well on your way to being Martin Elijah Tanner. You can come by my office whenever to pick up the papers. You're welcome."

New York City

Federal Building

Manhattan

4:30 p.m. EDT

Martin placed the lid on the file box, putting an end to Laura Feldman. Literally. It had been one of their bloodier cases, ending in finding Ms. Feldman's broken and raped body casually tossed in a ditch off a little-used country road. He hated when they couldn't save them, even though he knew it was statistically impossible to find every missing person in New York.

It had been five months since he had discovered he had been adopted. Since he had met his twin, Vin had done his best to piece together Martin's fragmented memory of their first years. The more Vin told him, the more Martin began to remember on his own. The only piece that he wasn't sure how to fit was his mother. Katherine Fitzgerald had been blissfully unaware of her husband's transgression regarding her son.

Five Months Prior

Falls Church, VA

Fitzgerald Household

8:00 a.m. EST

Martin entered the kitchen, where his mother was finishing breakfast. "Hi, Mom."

"Martin!" Katherine exclaimed, rushing to embrace her boy. "What are you doing here? Why didn't you call ahead?"

"I need to talk to you and Victor," Martin said simply, and his use of his father's given name did not go unnoticed.

"Martin, what's wrong?" Katherine asked, concern rising.

"There really is no good way to say this. I met a man about a week who told me something that lead me to believe I was adopted. He was right. Why didn't you ever tell me?" he asked, not wanting to upset her but not sure how else to breach the subject.

Katherine swallowed hard. She had hoped she would never have to deal with this.

"Martin, you have to believe me," she said quietly, "I wanted to tell you, but your father wouldn't hear of it. He said you didn't need to know. I didn't like it, but I had no say in the matter."

"I believe you," Martin said. "I just need to know one thing. Did you know about my brother?"

Katherine blanched. "Your b-brother?" She collapsed into a chair. "I… No, I…"

Her reaction was proof enough, Martin didn't need her statement. He ground his teeth in frustration at Victor.

"I have a twin brother, Vin Tanner," Martin said gently. "The orphanage called Vin 'special needs' because of his dyslexia, so Victor only took me."

If Katherine had been upset before, she was horrified now.

"Martin, I promise, I had no idea…"

Martin nodded, regretting that she had had to find out like this. "I figured you didn't, but I just needed to be sure. I know you would've taken Vin if you'd known about him."

He knelt to be on the same level as her. "I don't blame you," he said softly. "I learned a long time ago that Victor will do whatever it takes to stay in control, even when it means steamrollin' anyone in his path. I still love you," he finished, meeting her eyes.

Katherine threw her arms around Martin and sobbed, devastated at the news of her husband's deceit and relieved at her son's acceptance of the situation. Martin simply held her; they were both victims of Victor's narrow judgment.

Vin had been right. Katherine may not have given birth to Martin, but she had raised him as her own. Blood made little difference.

Present Day

"Hey, man, wanna go grab a bite?" Danny asked, pulling on his jacket.

"Nah, I gotta go take care of somethin'," Martin replied, grabbing his own jacket off his desk chair.

"Peters?" Danny asked, referring to the attorney handling Martin's name change.

Martin nodded, "He left me a message earlier. It's done. I'm just goin' to pick up the final papers."

"Man, what I would give to see Victor's face when he finds out you're now Martin Tanner," Danny chuckled.

"Oh, you'll prob'ly be able to hear it from here," Martin said as they headed towards the elevator.

"You know, I think your accent has gotten thicker," Danny full out laughed.

Martin groaned. "Vin warned me about that," he sighed.

"So how is our Texan relation?"

"Busy. The boy's've had their hands full with their recent case load."

"When do I get to meet the Denver seven?" Danny asked. What Martin had told him of the ATF team intrigued him to no end, and while he had briefly met Chris and Ezra, apparently it had only been the tip of the iceberg.

"Well, I'm flyin' out there for our birthday," Martin offered. "You're welcome to join us."

"Join you where?" Elena asked, as she and Samantha joined them just as the elevator arrived.

"I just invited Danny to go to Denver with me next week," Martin said. "Ya'll care to join us?"

"I'd love to go with you boys, but I have a meeting at Sophie's school before classes start next week," Elena reluctantly admitted.

"Well, if Elena's staying, I will too," Danny proclaimed, placing his arm around the Latina's shoulders.

Martin shared a look with Samantha. "Whipped," he mouthed, eliciting a giggle from her and an indignant snort from his partner. "What about you?"

"I have no plans," Samantha said. "I'd love to go to Denver with you."

"All right, then," Martin said with a smile.