Takes place after chapter 9 of TCTBF

Maggie Foley had to take care of a few things before she could make her way to the station to join her son to testify. She was still a bit shocked about the whole situation. Her husband had just been arrested, found out that her son and her friend have been romping around the city as superheroes fighting dangerous, criminal bang babies, and she suspected that her son now had a boyfriend who was not only a gang member, but also a bang baby. She was greeted by Officer Maria Hernandez as she entered the police station.

"Mrs. Foley! Over here." Officer Hernandez called to her.

Maggie jumped a bit at her own name. "Oh, O-Officer Hernandez. Hello."

"Please, call me Maria." She smiled at Maggie.

"Ok, then please call me Maggie." Maggie tried to smile.

Officer Hernandez placed a calming hand on her arm. "It must be hard for you right now, considering everything that happened within the past few days."

Maggie just nodded and tightened her grip on her bag strap. "It's just a lot to take in. There's a little more happening in my life than just what's happened with my husband."

"Is some of it about your son and…" Officer Hernandez trailed off, not sure if Maggie is on the same page.

"My son and that man?" Maggie finished. She sighed. "I have a feeling, but I haven't been told anything for sure. I don't even think I know his name. All I can remember was hot-something."

Officer Hernandez let out a small laugh. "He's known as either Hotstreak or F-stop, depending on who you talk to. His name, though, is Francis Stone." She squeezed Maggie's arm gently. "Hey, you are probably thinking the worst right now, about you son being involved with a criminal, but from what I've seen, Francis cares for him. He is very protective of him. This might be the optimist in me, but I really think that Richie might become the catalyst that makes Francis clean himself up."

Maggie looked Maria in the eyes for the first time. "You really think that?"

Officer Hernandez nodded her head in enthusiasm. "I've seen enough kids come through here to know that much. I've even dealt with Francis before. This is the first time I've seen him care about anything, let alone another human being." She paused for a moment. "Richie's a tough kid. He can handle himself. He also seems to have a close relationship with Static and Gear. They won't let Francis get away with anything."

At Officer Hernandez's words, she remembered the conversation she had with Static in Richie's bedroom the day he disappeared. Yes. Richie, Gear, can handle himself. "Thank you."

"Come on. I'll take you to go see him."

Maggie began to follow her before remembering why she was here. "Wait, Maria. I'm supposed to give my statement concerning my husband."

Officer Hernandez made a wave with her hand before placing it gently on Maggie's back to keep her moving forward. "It can wait a few more minutes."

They walked in silence for a few turns, working their way through the halls of the station before coming upon what seemed to be a break room.

This was probably the last thing Maggie expected to see. Francis Stone and her son were locked in a deep hug. Richie had his arms wrapped around Francis' neck tightly; Francis had his arms locked around Richie's back almost just as tight. The look on Richie's face was so calm and so relaxed that Maggie almost thought it was someone else. The fact that seeing her son look so calm when embraced by another was surprising was itself, surprising to her. She came realized that it has been quite some time since she has seen Richie out and about with his friends. She smiled as she noticed the subtle way Francis' hand moved along Richie's back in a comforting gesture.

It was if Richie was a precious treasure that Francis wanted to keep safe. She smiled.

It was in that moment that Richie noticed his mother in the doorway. He broke away from Francis almost immediately. "Mom! Are you done with your statement?" His face flushed a deep red. Francis shoved one hand into his pocket and scratched the back of his head with the other in embarrassment.

"No, Maria suggested that I come see you before I did. I'm glad I did." She noticed Static and Officer Marone standing behind Richie. "Hello Static, Officer Marone."

Officer Marone tipped his head. "Ma'am." He placed a hand on Richie's shoulder. "I need to talk with Officer Hernandez for a minute. Static, you'll keep an eye on Hotstreak?"

Static did a mock salute. "Yes sir."

He nodded to Francis as he left with Officer Hernandez. He grabbed the door on his way out.

"See Mrs. Foley, I told you I'd bring Richie back." Static said as he slung an arm around his friend's neck.

"Thank you, really." She noticed her son's attempt to say something. She placed a hand on his arm. "Richie it's ok. I don't expect you to come back to the house immediately." All three men in front of her looked completely confused. "You obviously have someone who cares greatly for you. If staying with them for the time being helps you through this then that's fine with me."

Francis spoke up. "Mrs. Foley, I-"

Maggie stepped directly in front of him. "I don't care who my son decides to date as long as they make him happy. That being said, if you ever hurt him, I will make you regret every single second of it."

Francis blinked a few times in shock. "Y-yes ma'am."

Maggie placed a caring hand on Francis' cheek and smiled before turning around to face her son again. "Can I have a hug Richie?" Richie's only response was stepping into his mom's arms and burying his face in her sweater. "Know that I'll always love you sweetie."

"Hey Rich," Static interrupted. "I guess this would be a good time for me to tell you that your mom knows about us." Richie turned his head and gave Static a bizarre look. Francis was also giving him a similar look. Static realized what his statement sounded like and flailed a little more ungracefully than he would willingly admit. "No! I meant the superhero-ing thing! She knows who we are!"

Richie finally pulled back from the hug and looked his mom square in the eyes. "Wow, mom, I…" He fumbled with his words.

"I may not be on board with everything yet, and we will have a talk about all of this properly later, but I will say that I won't keep you from doing what you feel you have to do. Remember that I'm still your mother and I will be worried about everything you do."

"How did you…" Richie still couldn't find his words. The fact that his mother knew just about everything was a bit shocking.

"I figured it out when I found Static in your room re-reading your runaway note." Richie turned back to look at his friend. "I thought he was you when I heard movement in your room."

Richie kept looking between his friend and his mother. "Virgil. Why didn't you tell me she knew?"

"Don't come at me for not saying anything! You were so hyped up about the gay thing that I didn't have a chance to tell you!"

Richie let out a sigh. There was a knock at the door before it was opened by Officer Hernandez.

"Sorry to interrupt, Maggie, but I think we should get that statement now. Lapinski just gave me a lecture on punctually getting statements."

Officer Marone snickered as he passed, entering the room. She glared daggers at his head.

Maggie nodded. "I'll see you later Richie. At the very least, you three should come by for dinner tonight, even if you don't stay. I want to get a chance to know Francis a little better."

"Ok mom. I will." Richie smiled at her. He stole one more hug from her before she left with Officer Hernandez.

Officer Hernandez shut the door behind her.

There was silence in the room for a bit. No one knew what to address first, if anything.

Francis spoke first. "I like your mom. She's nice." Static broke into laughter, almost keeling over onto the floor. "What's so funny about that?"

Static finally collected himself. "Dude, this is the first time meeting Mrs. Foley. She basically threatened you and you think she's nice." He had to pause to recollect himself. "I just think that's hilarious!"