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Colin's mom had left him a note saying she had something to take care of and would be late.  Chris had called a little after Colin got home and offered to take him into the city for the best milkshakes in Illinois.

In a little diner in the city, one that had an old train car for a front, the two finish up their dinner.  Colin is suprised at how good the milkshake actually is.

"So, your mom talked to me the other day, well.  Let's say that she said a lot by not saying anything well.  Are you okay?  She's trying to not tell me something, and I'm pretty sure it's something about you.  You don't have to tell me what it is, but I just want to know that you're ok."

"I am mostly ok. Just a little confused."

Colin loves milkshakes. This being so good, he starts to drink it very slowly, savoring each drop. But then the silence gets a little heavy.

"Chris, you told me that I could say anything to you. If I tell you a really big thing, you promise me you won't look at me any differently? That I'll be the same ol'Colin to you?"

Chris smiles.  "There's nothing same old about you kid.  See, one of the things you learn when you get older, that everything you learn about someone changes how you look at them.  You'll just have to trust me that no matter what, I'll always feel the same about you."

There's something in the way Chris talks that always catches Colin off guard. He never says what the boy expects him to say. But when this big Irish man smiles at him, Colin can't help but smile shyly back. He can't look at him in the eyes for what he's about to say, so he lowers his head.

"I've got powers. Magic powers. I heal people and have visions."

He hesitantly peeks at Chris' reaction.

Colin sees a strange mix of releif and mirth on Chris' face.  "For a minute I thought you were gonna tell me you were taking drugs or something."  His hand comes to Colin's shoulder, "Sounds like a lot for a guy your age to handle.  How you holding up?"

"I feel like I have to learn how to cycle again. Only alone. And blindfolded for added fun."
He sighs.
"Fortunately I got friends, and mom and... you and... friends"
The last "friends" is definitely more intense than the former.

"Chris, if you believe in me and my visions, there's something really important I have to tell you."

He takes out the page that Dave gave him and unfolds it in front of Chris.

Chris looks at the picture.  "Wow, they were really careful to keep the press clear of this one.  Someone's gonna be mad."  He looks up at Colin, "You have a vision about this?"

"Nope. But now look at this one."

He takes out his own photo of the hole in the wall at school.

"You saw that. Do they look alike as I think they are?"

Chris looks at the photos for a moment.  "Colin, if you know something about this case, maybe you should tell me.  This certainly looks like the hole was made by the same thing.  Where is this one from?"  he asks holding up the picture of the hole from the school.

"It's kind of a long story. A friend of mine, at school, as a science project made this ultrasonic tunneling ray, he calls it. The first time he tried it, it made this hole. So he got scared, since he damaged school property and hid it away in the back of our labs. On Monday, he went to work on it, but the... thing wasn't there anymore. He panicked and asked us to help him find it. And that's when my visions come into play. I touched the tarp that covered it, and had a vision of two guys that took my friend's project and carried it away. I... I followed them, and we got to the gym's storeroom. We broke into it, and there was it, sealed away. We explained everything to the principal, and he took it into custody. I dunno where it is now. Today I saw that photo, and I realized that we had no idea where that thing was on Sunday. Maybe those that stole it used it to break in there. But it's kind of weird, because how did they know to steal it in the first place? My friend swears that he was alone when he tested it. So I thought that the only one who knew who took it was me, because I saw them in my vision. Does that make me a witness? Here, I made an identikit of them."

He gives him his drawing too.

"Ah."  Chris looks at the picture Colin drew of the guys that he saw carrying the runneling ray.  "Funny you should ask.  I recently got asked to join the PCD unit.  It's not a choice assignment normally, but with the rash of recent odd events it might turn out to be a pretty hot assignment."  He shakes his head as thouh that might get him back on track, "Anyway I happen to know that visions are not admisable as evidence, since I spent some time recently studying the paranormal aspects of the penal code.  So, you're not a witness, but if the department thinks you're a reliable informant then they can investigate based on information you provide."

Chris looks around the room and leans back in his seat.  "If your mom finds out you're getting involved in cases, she'll have a fit.  Not to mention the fact that I'm considering a transfer to a potentially dangerous unit.  This can't be a coincidence though, it's just too bizarre to be a coincidence.  She's gonna kill us."  he says, a slight smile coming to his face.  "Oh brother, we can't let her find out.  We need to tell her."

"Yeah, because otherwise she WILL find out, and it'll be worse."

"Besides, I only gave you a photo and a drawing. There's nothing dangerous with that. It's not like you brought me on a crime scene to see if I picked up any clue with my powers, is it? You wouldn't do anything like that, would you?" Colin says with eyes full of hope and anticipation.

Chris laughs, "Try not to look so hopeful when you say that.  And, the answer is no.  Not that I woudln't trust you once you know what you're doing, but you're a minor and that would be braking soooo many regulastions it's not funny."

"Of course, now I gotta figure out a way to tell her that you told me about this without it seeming like I interrogated it out of you."

"O'Brien?"  A voice calls.  It's an older man, probably in his 70's.  He has a cup of coffee and comes over towards that table.

"Stan?'  Chris stands up and the two men hug briefly, "Wow, it's good to see you.  Ah, this is Colin Crow, Colin, this is Stan Juszkowski.  He was my rabbi when I firsrt joined the force."

The older man smiles and extends his hand to Colin, "Nice to meet you."  Stan looks at Chris, Recruiting them kinda young aren't you.  He's a little short for the academy."

Chris chuckles, "No, he's the son of the woman in my life, Alex."

"Well, I'll let you two alone, just thought I'd say hi."

Chris' expression changes.  He's thinking about something, and he puts a hand on Stan's shoulder, "Actually.  We could use some advice, well me actually."

"Advice is free, what's the problem?"

"I was wondering if you though I should accept a transfer to PCD.  Kiernan is thinking of leaving, his girl is getting ready to change jobs and he wants to put someone else in the division before he goes.  Kevin thinks things might be getting hot here again, I was wondering if you thought I'd do well there if I took the job?."

"Sure.  You're one of the best judges of character I've ever met.  That job, it's important to be able to connect and find people that are in the paranormal community you can work with.  If things are getting hot, then it'll bring good and bad."

Chris smiles, "Thanks Stan, I appreciate the vote of confidence."

"You two take it easy."  Stan says, then shakes hands againand leaves.  Colin notices he takes his coffee cup with him as he goes out the door.  Not a throw away cup, one of the diner's china cups.

"Maybe I should then.  Take the transfer.  I'll also talk to your mom tomorrow.  See how she takes it."

Colin shakes the hand of the old man looking at him curiously in the eyes.

It's nice to hear someone praise Chris, even though the man is a little strange.

"Your friend forgot to return his cap. Maybe we should tell him. I wouldn't want him to feel ashamed when he gets home and realizes he's still got it." says the boy, that clearly has his own personal way to look at things.

"And Chris, if my school is any sign, things are gonna get really hot. I know at least six other paranormals, and maybe others with minor powers. And I don't know everybody, I've only been at Oak Park High a couple weeks. Who knows how many more are there! I mean, I would be proud of you if you got to PCD, only... it may prove difficult."

"I'd better not tell mom this."

"Yeah, Stan has been walking out of here with cups for a long time.  He brings them back, by the car load probably."

"You know six more?  That's got to be some kind of fluke or something.  I know that's way more then the statistical average, that's for sure."  Chris looks at his milkshake for a minute.  "Yeah, I'll talk to your mom about it tomorrow night.  You got plans for after thegame tomorrow?"

"That's what we kept telling ourselves too, but now nearly every day something weird happens. We have ninjas stalking around and exacting revenge on bullies and... a boy died this week. He turned into a red hulking brute, got real angry, and when he calmed down, his heart gave in. That's what all people at the school is thinking now: will I turn into a monster and die like Rory? I don't know yet how my talents are supposed to be used, and it scares me a bit, but when I think of Rory, I can't help but think that I got really really lucky."

"Tomorrow? Funny you ask... well tomorrow I asked... a friend to go see a movie."

((OOC: Sounds like a good place to close?))

OOC: If Chris doesn't delve any more into Sarah matters Colin will just be grateful and you can close the thread. :)