Author's Note: May F.A.O. Schwarz NYC live on in memories, fanfic and YouTube videos.

Chapter 4: The F.A.O. Schwarz Incident (Dawn: Age 6)

"Do you know what you want to give Maria and Elena for their birthday?" Rachel asked Dawn as they entered F.A.O. Schwarz, one of the most famous toy stores in the world.

"Kind of," she said her eyes trying to take in everything. "I want to get them each something special. Lots of people give them the same thing or something they have to share 'cause they're twins."

They went past the large mechanical clock on the main floor and headed for the dolls. Dawn rejected several for a variety of reasons. As Rachel looked for some more dolls, Dawn caught a glimpse of a store clerk carrying the biggest teddy bear she had ever seen. The temptation was too great. She followed the clerk out of the doll department and past the puzzles to the stuffed animals' area.

The clerk placed the teddy bear on a large chair and left. Dawn stared at it in speechless delight. The teddy bear was bigger than she was. She turned to tell Rachel then realized to her horror that she was lost.

-oOo-

"What about this one?" Rachel asked then looked down to find Dawn nowhere to be seen. Quickly putting the doll back on the shelf, she went down the aisle. After frantically scouring the doll department without any luck, Rachel extended her search.

She felt an inexplicable pull toward the puzzles. She heard someone sniffling and a man with a British accent say, "let's find a salesperson and then we can call for your guardian."

Rounding a corner, she found a man squatting down beside a tearful Dawn. When the girl noticed Rachel, she broke into a run. Rachel, in turn, fell to her knees and caught Dawn in her arms. "Oh my darling, are you all right?"

"Where were you? You were gone! I looked everywhere!" Dawn sobbed as she pressed her face into Rachel's shoulder.

"Shh, it's okay. I'm here. You're safe," she said soothingly. She stood up when she noticed the man Dawn had been talking to had followed her.

"We were about to go to the staff and have you paged," he said.

"Thank you very much for your help," she replied squeezing Dawn's hand.

"Thank you," the girl added softly.

"You're both welcome," he assured them.

-oOo-

Later that evening after tucking Dawn into bed, Connor returned to the living room, poured two large glasses of single malt scotch and gave one to Rachel. "Here, I think you need this."

She took a big sip. "Oh, Connor, I can't believe I lost her."

"Rachel, it happens to every parent and child," he consoled. "I still remember losing you in the Louvre when you were ten."

"You know, I remember every time I go there, too," she replied with a small smile then said contemplatively, "it was a little strange."

"What was?"

"I overheard the man who found Dawn suggest that they find a salesperson to page Dawn's guardian not parent," she explained. "I mean 'guardian' is a pretty specific choice of words."

Connor raised an eyebrow. "That is a bit odd."