A/N: First of all, my thanks to the reviewers. You guys make my day :).
Secondly, as my penname would suggest, I am not an American. I'm not exactly familiar with the protocol for foster care in the States or the schooling system for that matter. I'm making an assumption that Bell is pulling some strings to limit the involvement of Social Services but if I mess up something to do with the schooling system, I would be very grateful if you corrected my ignorance. I did look at Wikipedia/Google but I may have missed something.
I really want to get this right. It always bugs me when I see something obviously American in Harry Potter fanfics (it's set in Britain, damn it!) so, if you see anything weirdly foreign, let me know.
Arrival
Nina arrived at Penn Station a full half an hour early. Her driver was waiting outside, amusing himself with a crossword, and she was waiting on the platform, pacing furiously. Nina's phone chimed in her pocket, making her jump slightly.
"How is everything going?" came the deep, familiar voice of William Bell.
"My family home in Catskills has been cleared out, the train is on schedule," said Nina conversationally, "and I've already thrown up twice today."
"You deal with horrific Fringe events and corporate politics," said Bell with a quiet chuckle. "You can handle this."
"Bureaucrats and mad scientists are easy to deal with."
"I have faith in you, Nina," said Bell firmly. "The Dunhams are in good hands."
Nina sighed and found herself relaxing slightly after hearing Bell's reassuring tones.
"I'm still angry with you," she muttered.
"No, you're not," said Bell, and Nina could picture that self satisfied smile she both loved and loathed.
The low screeching of the train approaching carried through the tunnel. Nina found her nerves returning.
"They're here," she said through pursed lips. "I'll speak with you later."
People swarmed from the train and Nina wasn't quite tall enough to see over them. When the hoards had departed, two blond girls with overnight bags and an older, motherly looking woman were left behind. The smaller of the two girls was clinging onto the elder like a lifeline and looking nothing short of terrified. The taller girl didn't look as frightened but the way she gripped onto her luggage until her knuckles turned white and refused to look Nina in the eye told a very different story.
For a moment, Nina stood where she was, at an utter loss at what to do. She took a deep breath and willed herself not to sound as petrified as she felt.
"Hello," she said as confidently as she could. "You must be Olivia and Rachel."
She must have used the same authoritative tone she used to address the employees at Massive Dynamic because Rachel flinched and clung tighter onto Olivia's arm. The elder Dunham seemed to move almost unconsciously between Nina and Rachel, as if to act as a human shield.
"Hello, Miss Sharp," said Olivia, not quite meeting Nina's eyes.
If Nina wasn't the COO of the most powerful corporation in the world, she would have winced.
"You don't have to call me that," she said, trying to sound less severe. "Nina is fine."
Olivia didn't respond and refused to look at her. Rachel just stared, like a deer caught in the headlights.
Nina was used to respect, not abject terror. She found herself turning to the social worker instead.
"You're Miranda Templeton?" asked Nina.
The older woman nodded uncomfortably. She had been given very strict instructions to leave the girls with Nina and head back but apparently this didn't sit well with her.
"Yes," said Templeton hesitantly. "Perhaps I should accompany the girls to your house at least?"
Nina was sorely tempted to accept but William had been very clear. Olivia's abilities manifested when she was frightened for those she cared about. The last thing Nina needed was a display of pyrokinesis in front of someone who worked for Child Services.
"No, we should be fine," she said finally. "Is that all?"
Templeton nodded, said a brief goodbye to Olivia and Rachel and left. Nina forced herself to speak for the second time.
"Do you need help with those bags?" she asked as gently as she could.
Once again, it was Olivia who spoke up.
"We're fine, Miss Sharp," she said impassively.
Nina bit back a sigh. The Dunhams had no reason to trust the adults in their lives. She would have to earn it.
"The car is this way," she said, resigned. "Shall we?"
