Hey, I know it's been a loooooooong while since I last took a hit on this. Where-Timeless-Spirits-Meet, i hope you have continued waiting patiently for this chapter. Seahawk51, i hope you are still here with me as well. Thank you both for reviewing the last chapter. Let's see if my absence helped or hindered my writing. Nickelodeon continues to own the characters, not me.

Blake feels awkward during the drive home. He is told that his mom and sister are waiting for him at home. The blonde boy stares silently out the window, wanting to shout out, crying for a change in scenery. Nothing he sees reminds him of his past. None of the houses look familiar. A few kids ride by the sidewalks on their bicycles. Nothing calls out to him. Eventually, they pull to a stop in front of an overwhelming mansion. It takes a few tries before Winston's voice breaks through. The driver has shut off the engine and is now holding the door open with a soft smile.

"Blakey!"

A shrill voice startles him as he steps out of the vehicle. Blake turns shyly to find the source of the commotion. A taller girl wearing a lot of makeup runs up to him. His eyes widen as the girl envelops him in an overenthusiastic hug. He wriggles to free himself, but only another limousine pulling up distracts her. Said car honks the horn, and she giggles. She steps away from him, walking away.

"Mommy is in the parlor. I'll be with Miranda. Bye-bye!"

Blake shudders, glancing up to Winston. "She's my sister?" Winston nods. Blake shakily holds out his hand. "Don't leave me?"

"Certainly not, Master Blake."

Winston leads Blake through the large house, directing him to the aforementioned parlor. The woman in question is sitting in a love seat in front of the fireplace. Hearing footsteps, she speaks up without turning around.

"Courtney, did you bring mommy's aspirin?"

"Ma'am?" Winston speaks instead. "Master Blake has returned home."

She turns around, slowly. She takes in her young son, clutching onto Winston's hand. She lets a small scoff escape her lips, but the soft sound echoes through the enlarged room. She then holds out her hands, as if expecting an embrace. Blake looks cautiously to Winston, who nods and ushers him forward. The blonde boy steps up. His mother's hug is a lot looser and less enthusiastic than his sister. She lets out a sigh and pats his back.

"Now, then. Go to your room and change into your evening wear. Winston, be a dear and fetch my aspirin."

"Yes, Miss."

Winston collects Blake and leads the boy upstairs. The blonde looks at each photo on the wall. One is of his mother, but younger. Two more are of his sister at different ages. The next is of a man he doesn't recognize. Lastly, there is a family photo of the unrecognizable man, Winston, his mother, his sister and him from what must be roughly ten years ago. Winston leads on to a room on the right, opening it to a grand bedroom.

"This… is mine?"

"Yes, Master Blake."

"Can you… not call me 'Master'? It makes me feel weird."

"Of course, Ma… Blake. Yes, Blake." Winston grabs the clothes Blake needs and places them out on the bed. "I'll leave you to get dressed. I'll be back shortly and take you to the lounge."

Blake nods and walks over to his oversized bed. He admires the navy-blue suit and elegantly matching pant set. He then lets his hand trail across the bedspread. He glances to his dresser, disconcerted about a jar with a floating eyeball inside. He places a hand on the door to his closet, but decides against opening it. He moves on alongside the wall, stopping short in front of a full-size mirror. He hasn't checked his appearance in whole yet, and he is surprised by what he sees. He inhales deeply and then returns to his bed to get dressed.

A short while later, Winston knocks on the bedroom door. "Blake, are you decent?"

"I'm dressed." His shy voice resonances.

Winston opens the door, wearing a much more dapper version of his other tuxedo. "Shall we head to the lounge, Blake?"

Blake nods shortly. Once they've made it to the bottom of the staircase, an alarming noise breaks out. Blake's grip tightens ever so slightly, and Winston squeezes back for comfort. Winston leads the scared tween to the front door, welcoming in the guests. Blake notices the visitors are the nurse from the hospital, and the boy who was there with her. The redhead smiles guiltily, and Blake squeezes Winston's hand a little tighter.

"Are… we friends?" Blake asks while the adults talk.

Carl rubs the back of his neck. "… we're in the same grade."

"But… we're not friends?"

"We could be." Carl extends a hand.

Blake backs away but still holds his butler's hand. Carl retracts his hand and hesitantly places it in his pants pocket.

"Uh, well, school's tomorrow. If, uh, if you're going to go… I could help."

"How?"

"Where your classes are. We share most of them. Your locker is just two down from mine. We share a lunch. You can sit with me and my friend Hoodsey. What do you say?"

Blake sniffs, glancing between Winston and Carl. He finally rests his gaze on the redhead and nods. "Sounds like a plan. Thank you…?"

"Oh, oh! Carl. I'm… Carl."

"Thank you, Carl."

The redheads leave the mansion, and Winston once again leads Blake toward the lounge.

Hey. Let me know how I've done. I'd love to hear from you all. Happy New Year!