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When you have family its instinct to do everything in your power to protect and fight for them. Family means always having someone around to hold you or fight with. Family are the people who you don't have to explain what your family is like and why. You would do anything for them because that is what love is. When you fight for family, you are protecting against everything. Because sometimes it is you against the world and that was how it was for Lance.
At 4 he had officially lost his hearing. At 5 he had been put into foster care. At such a young age he had lost his foundation. He had come from an abuse home expecting only the worse from people. He couldn't expect anything better. He had been alone and in a quiet place for so long that he didn't run from the silence. It was the busy noise that took its hold. He couldn't handle the paralyzing fear that took him. He fought himself every day and the desire to run, but it meant leaving the new family he had been creating.
He was pushed into a foster home and one that lacked the proper care he needed but he adapted and survived. He lived in the home for a few months but that was his usual deal. He always did something or a parent got tired a trying to help him. He learned to never trust any adults at age 6. He stopped carrying if they helped once he turned ten.
Now he only carried for his family. There were other foster kids, but they were the ones who he connected with. They were the other kids who helped him side step a beating or snuck him some food. He did the same for them since they were family. It was these boys and girl who he would cling to and protect no matter what.
…
"Stupid shit!" The words were loud but unheard. The vibrations were rattling his head, but not the tiny ear bones. Lance had been living in this home for only a couple of weeks and it was like all the others. It was filled with abuse and negligence. The whimpers and cries dying the minute it touched the air. He couldn't fight back without getting a worse beating. The man knew how to control him. The torture his hands took. He knew he was too weak, but the fear took over and caused him to defend himself. His thin fingers scratched and pushed, but it didn't last.
"Stop!" tongue thick and voice dry. They laughed and smacked him. He wouldn't try to talk. His pale skin flushed in embarrassment and shame He grabbed a glass and hit him in the face. "Never hurt me" he growled before kicking the other.
The thin teen ran fast. He slipped away from the apartment and into town. Trying to swivel his slender boy away from the rush of action. He pushed a waiter and ran across the street. He ran straight to the city. The people around he could do without because they were different. There reality was different than his. He couldn't define the struggle he had to deal with. It was the constant reminder that there was this wall. He was a deaf foster child, forced into a hearing world with people who didn't understand why he couldn't trust.
Lance had ran and hid in a hotel bathroom. It was a fancy place and he just waited until all the guests had left. It was a smart idea and it helped keep him off the streets for a day or two but it wasn't enough he needed food and new clothes. He couldn't live like this.
It had been a few days since the kid ran off. He was hungry and finally it was becoming to much. He swallowed and held his torso tight. The teen slipped into the diner and pointed to a sandwich. He scarfed it down and than sat fidgeting for a moment before everything seemed to happen. He planned to just come in and eat than dash, but when the loud pop happened it was perfect. An explosion and the cieling started to collapse. Everyone was evacuated and they waited to be questioned. He ran out. He pushed a man out of the way and fled the restaurant, but he bumped into the wrong man.
Then someone grabbed him hard. The kid was punched in the face and it was a defense but it didn't save him. Someone pulled him hard and his hands were pinned to his back. He started panicking. He kept fighting and struggling. He tried to hell 'stop' but his throat was constrict. It took time for him to use words and say anything. He couldn't and so struggled harder until his chin was cupped and he was forced to look up.
'kid listen to me, that's against the law' the words he could lip read but it didn't mean anything since his hands were cuffed. 'Taking you in buddy'
He started fighting again but it wasn't easy. The cuffs dug into his wrists and no matter how he signed it wasn't seen. He started to kick at the door and growl. He may have looked like a wild animal bug he was in a cage. It was scary and all he could do was brace against the car walls.
...
"He seems very aggressive" Bones said.
"Yeah bones that's what crazy people do fight back"
"I think we should take him to the hospital I mean look at the bruises and cuts"
"He seem fine to me" Booth said rubbing his chin.
"Booth don't feel challenged he is a child"
"I'm not I just want to deal with this" He said as they headed to the hospital.
…
"Lance Sweets" the doctor called.
"Yes!"
"Are you family?"
"No, I'm the social worker call me Kenny in charge. He has no family"
"Ok well Ms. Kenny, he has bruises and cuts, and some fractured ribs, but nothing that will cause him to stay overnight"
"ok thank you for your services."
Booth and Bones watch the whole thing and are stunned that they witness such disregard for the child's needs. He has no one except this social worker.
"Bones" Booth says because even though the kid hit him, he meant it in survival mode and Booth can except that.
"We should talk to the kids about it"
...
"So you want another kid" Fisher asked as he crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. (age:7)
"Yes he doesn't have anyone and I think would make a great part of the family" Booth said.
"I think it would be awesome" Daisy squealed. (age: 9)
"Yea" Wendell agreed (age: 4)
"Why you asking you've already made your decision" Clark growled as he built a tower from his blocks (age:6)
"That's not true Clark we want to know what you think" Bones insisted reaching out and waiting for him to give her a hug and he did with great enthusiasm.
"What's he like" Vasiri asked.
"Well we have to wait and see"
"When is dinner?" Vincent Nigel Murray asked (Age: 5)
"Well since you all agreed I think a pre celebration is in order and we can order some pizza" Booth said.
…
"Let me be honest he is a messed up kid. I'm not saying he is a future killer, but he has been through a lot. And when we talked you wanted someone older and it didn't matter if they had problem." the social worker Kenny said. "And this kid has problems."
"Everyone deserves a second chance" Booth said.
"Yes we've discussed it and found that we want you to tell us nothing about his past, so we can gain his trust"
"Very well. Then by next week you will have another child in the house" Kenny left.
"Booth what if this kid hates us?" Bones asked.
"He will love us and the rest of our gang." Booth assured as he looked at the family pictures.
...
"Lance a home as opened up and the family is great. That have adopted 6 kids and are a loving family." The social worked signed as he packed
"Okay"
"Great, don't worry you are safe. Nothing will change that and if ever need anything I will help" Kenny said. She meant it. The old social worker had been a joke and she wanted to protect Lance he was a good boy who didn't deserve all this hurt.
...
Kenny walked up to the door with Lance in tow.
'knock knock' Booth answered.
"Hey Booth and Temperance." Kenny signed
At first they were confused but they caught on and started talking. "You never told us he was deaf" Bones said.
"I didn't think it would be a problem." Kenny said stopping the signing.
"It's not but how can we be prepared without knowing" Bones said looking at Lance. He wore black skinny jeans that looked like that had seen better days and a old black t shirt that was fading, but it were the converses that looked like they were about to fall off that caught her eye, then she looked at Lance. His face lacked any emotion and he even turned away from the conversation. His lip busted and yellowing bruise told a story. "We can't set him up in a regular school he needs to be put in a school where he can learn." Bones snapped upset.
"Listen the homes that could help him can't take him. They are full. You are the best of the best right now and I had to do a lot to get him suck a decent home. I never expect more than the bare minimum from parents because even that can be too much. You have to understand that. You are great parents and I don't doubt that. So be great parents to him." Kenny explained. "Okay?"
They both nodded and opened their house. Kenny tapped the boys shoulder and they headed in.
...
"Kids come down, come meet lance" Booth ordered as they lounged in the living room.
Kenny signed.
"Why is she moving her hands?" Wendell asked standing behind Clark who glared at the older boy.
"Because he is deaf and is unable to here so that means we will be learning sign language" Bones insisted.
"So who is he?" Vasiri asked
"This is Lance and he is your new brother" Bones said.
The group just stare at him and he just stared back. Lance looked at the social worker for guidance unable to define what was happening. Before she could start Daisy lunged forward like a puppy that was over eager.
"Hi I'm Daisy!" She exclaimed moving into his personal space and although he was bigger he flinched softly and stood trying to get away from the people. He started to walk out of the room.
"I'm sorry he gets a little shy. He's just not use to being around people who want to interact" She explained leaving the room also.
"It's ok Daisy is a bit over eager" Booth explain picking her up.
"Sorry I didn't mean to be loud" she said looking sad. "Daisy he can't here you" Booth said.
"At all!?" Vincent asked
"At all that means we have to pay extra attention when he wants something"
...
"Give them a chance" Kenny said
"Why!" Lance snapped his hand gestures hard and quick
"Because they honestly care. Every child in that room needed help at one point and every child in that room has a home and love. That could be you. I mean don't you want that?"
"You don't understand just because you sign means nothing" His hands jerking and anger.
"Ok sorry please just come back inside and just for the week can you please just see how it goes. I want you to stay and in two weeks I will be back and if this doesn't work than I will find you a new home okay?"
"Fine" He said.
...
"Ok" Kenny said. "I have to leave but Lance is staying and if there is anything you guys need me for just call"
Booth and Bones walked her to the door and the kids were able to get close enough to Lance to drag him to his new bedroom. he were all talking, but Lance just stared curiously at them looking disinterested.
"What schools has he gone to in the past?" Bones asked.
"Well in the past he had gone to hearing schools"
"With assistance than?"
"No he refuses it and the foster parent he was with before are in no way finically stable enough to put him in such a school"
"You guys don't worry. You're great parents you can do this" Kenny said as she walked out.
...
Lance sat on what he suspected was his bed in his room. He found himself surrounded by six younger kids. They all chatted and he just starred. If he was honest no matter where he went he felt lonely. He was always around people who spoke and heard and it was isolating. The few times he met people who signed and were mute was exciting because he got the chance to really communicate.
Booth and Bones walked in asking questions to the other kids before the left and they were alone with Lance. Booth pulled a phone from his pocket.
Dinner time hope your hungry
Lance nodded because he felt a little warmth to the thought that the other put into communicating with him.
Great lets head downstairs after we have to discuss somethings
Dinner went by like normal. The children were loud and constantly chatted about whatever they were thinking about in that second, except Lance kept his head down and ate very little. Booth tried to add him in the conversation but it seemed hard to get the boy to look up.
We want to know what school you want to go to? Lance shrugged. We want to look at schools that can help you so until we find one public school will be where you will go.
"Are we sure that's the best choice?"
"Its the only one we have and it won't be that bad" Booth ensured.
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