Hello all! It's been a while! I had two copies of this story up under different titles without realizing it .

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this one! I know that Tian probably wouldn't speak English, but just go with me on this one okay?

Enjoy!

Previously...

"H-hey, guys…" Tintin said weakly, staggering to Alan and passing out.

"Tintin…" Alan picked her up and carried her to their room. He set her down on the side that was unoccupied, and noticed that the little boy almost immediately sought her warmth out, even in his sleep. He couldn't help but smile as he latched himself around her neck and snuggled up to her body.

"Sleep well, you two." He whispered as he left the room.

The sunlight streamed through the curtains when Tintin next awoke. Looking down, she had to smile, as the boy was still hugging her for dear life. Tintin gently shook his shoulder to wake him up, and when he opened his eyes, he smiled up at her.

"Good morning, sweetie." She cooed to him.

"…h-hi…" He tried out his voice, which was scratchy, yet childish.

"So…I never got to ask you…what's your name?"

"Tian…my name's Tian...what's your name?"

"I'm Tintin. So, Tian, how are you feeling this morning?"

"My tummy hurts." As if on cue, the boy's stomach growled. They both laughed and got up. Tintin gave him one of her old shirts from when she was a toddler. Both of them changed and walked out the bedroom door hand in hand. As they walked down the long hallway, Tintin found herself wishing her mother was still alive. Her mother and father had died in a car accident on the mainland two years ago. She remembered being devastated, and she constantly thanked God for the Tracys, who had brought her back to her normal self. In essence, she knew what this boy was going through. She knew he would need all the support she could muster to help get him through this.

The two were a sight to behold as they stood in the doorway. Both had not brushed their hair or worried about looking presentable, what with the hunger coursing through them. Eight heads turned to the door and laughed as both stomachs grumbled in unison.

"Come on, sweetheart. Let's go get some food." Tintin urged the boy, who smiled and nodded in response.

"So how are you two this morning?" Jeff asked.

"Well rested, that's for sure! Right, hun?" Tintin replied, as the boy nodded, shoveling food into his mouth. She did not feel much like eating suddenly, and she excused herself to go back to her room. Tian got up to follow her, but Tintin stopped him.

"Tian, honey, I'm just going to go for a jog, okay? Stay here and finish your breakfast." She told him softly as she turned and walked back to their room. After she changed, she walked down to the beach and set out for her run. Running to her music always let her think clearly. Lightly scratching her neck, she stretched her legs and started her run.

As she ran, she became lost in her thoughts. Who exactly was Tian? Why was he the only survivor? What was she going to do when the time came to let him go? Were those people his family? Millions of unanswered questions swirled through her head, and before she knew it, she was back at the house, where Alan rushed out to meet her.

"Tintin! It's Tian! He won't stop crying and screaming for you." Alan yelled, catching up to her. Tintin rushed into the house to find Tian sitting on the floor and crying his eyes out.

"Oh, Tian…come here. It's okay. I'm here…shh…" Tian clung to her as though letting her go would cause her to disappear. Tintin lightly pressed Tian to her body as she stood up slowly. "Tian, how would you like to go for a walk on the beach?"

He nodded, and the two of them walked hand-in-hand out the door. As the two of them wandered out the door, Alan looked on worriedly. Tian had had a meltdown when Tintin had been gone for a mere five minutes. Speaking of Tintin, she hadn't so much as mentioned the mission from yesterday. At least she was looking better…

Meanwhile, Tintin watched as Tian ran a few feet then fell into the sand giggling madly. She pulled at the collar of her shirt, beginning to get very uncomfortably hot. Her head began to pound painfully, and she sat down next to the laughing Tian. She put her hand to her chest, feeling as though her heart was skipping wildly.

Tintin smiled shakily at Tian's antics in the sand and flipped onto her stomach. As soon as her head hit the warm sand, Tintin was sound asleep. Ten minutes passed before Tian realized that his new friend was asleep.

"Mama?" He nervously patted her shoulder trying to wake her up. There were beads of sweat all over her face, and Tian could not hide the worry he felt for Tintin. The small child was so confused as to what to do. Should he leave her here and go get help? Should he wait for her to come around? However, when Tintin let out a pain-filled moan, Tian set off running towards the house.

"Help! Something's wrong with her!" Tian shrieked, barreling towards the door. The man he now knew as Alan jumped up from the table, followed by five other men. By the time they returned to the beach, Tintin was panting heavily.

Uh oh...what's going to happen next?

Hope you enjoyed it!

Till next time!