"Mitchie!"

"Mom!" She cried, running into her arms.

She knew she should have been angry with Steve and Connie for keeping such a large secret from her, but at that moment, she could have cared less. She needed her mom now more than ever.
Brown's office was way over crowded, with police officers, Brown, Steve, Connie, Jason, Shane, Nate and Caitlyn, but she didn't dare complain. On the desk in front of her was a missing child flyer, the same picture of Michelle Parker that she had seen on the website took up half the page.

Michelle Elizabeth Anne-Marie Parker

Missing Since: March 21, 2006

Missing From: Dallas, TX

DOB: August 20, 2001

Age Now: 15

Sex: Female

Race: Caucasian

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Brown

Height: 4'2''

Weight: 35 lbs

Michelle was last seen on March 21, 2006, in the early hours of the morning. After a nightmare, she spent the night in her older brother's room. Her mother, Elizabeth Parker, put the girl in the car and drove off. When Elizabeth didn't return Michelle home in what her husband, Vance Parker, believed was an appropriate amount of time, he reported the two missing. There was not too much concern in the case until three months later, when Elizabeth Parker voluntary checked into a rehab facility. Michelle was nowhere to be seen, and Elizabeth gave conflicting stories as of what happened to the girl. First she claimed that Michelle was abducted while in the playroom at a local McDonald's, then she said that she was paid a large sum of money to give the girl to a childless couple to raise as their own. Foul play is suspected in Michelle's disappearance. Michelle was last seen wearing a pink 'Cinderella' nightgown, and a necklace with the inscription: 'I love you, to the moon and back.' If Michelle is still alive, she would be fifteen today.

"The results are in." The first man said, glancing from the picture of Michelle Parker, back to Mitchie.

Connie kept her grip on Mitchie as she reached out to squeeze her husband's hand. Mitchie felt a familiar hand slip into her own, and she turned to shoot Shane the biggest smile she could muster, before glancing at Jason.

He looked like he hadn't slept in weeks, and she could only suspect that the years of worrying about his sister had finally taken their toll on him. Despite the situation, despite everything that had happened, she reached out and took hold of his hand with her free one.

He squeezed back immediately.

"After testing her DNA, we discovered that there is a greater than 99.78945349197% chance that Michelle Elizabeth Torres is actually missing minor Michelle Elizabeth Anne-Marie Parker."

In other words, no doubt at all.

Mitchie felt her knees buckle as her mother... Or, not her mother, burst into tears. Steve had turned white, and was breathing heavily as Brown helped lower him into the nearest chair.

"Officer Jones." The first man said, gesturing to the door. "Maybe you could take the kids outside? I don't think they need to see this."

"See what?" Mitchie demanded, yanking her arm back when the cop tried to grab her. "What are you talking about?! What are you gonna do?"

Annoyed, the man got a firm grip on her wrist and began to yank her back towards the door, ushering Jason, Shane, Nate and Caitlyn outside in the process. As she whipped her head around, she saw one of the police officers produce a pair of handcuffs from his pocket.

No. No. No. This couldn't be happening!

She screamed, and it only made his grip tighten. As soon as he realized what was going on, Jason burst back into the room and shoved the police officer away from her. The man shot him a hard warning look, but allowed him to take hold of her, and tow her outside. Once they rejoined Shane, Nate and Caitlyn, she collapsed, and Shane held her up easily, allowing her to sob furiously into his chest.

He made no move to comfort her, because he knew it would do no good.

"Steve Torres, Connie Torres, you are under arrest in connection to the kidnapping of Michelle Parker."

Shane's grip on her waist tightened as Steve and Connie were led away in handcuffs.


Jason wasn't backing down. "Look. I'll pay for an emergency hearing; I will fly a judge out here on my private jet! Just... Please... Don't take her away from me again."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Green." The officer said. "But I can't let her go with you right now. A custody hearing will be held in a month, where you could potentially gain temporary custody of your sister. I know it's been a long road, but trust me, it's almost over."

A long road? The man didn't know the half of it! He'd spent ten years worrying about her, hoping for the best, but imagining the worst. He'd gone to see Elizabeth, he'd stopped calling her his mother years ago, once before, with his father and older brother. She'd refused to acknowledge his presence, but when Vance asked if Michelle was dead, Elizabeth had simply begun to laugh. His father and brother had simply given up, and Jason had cut ties with them shortly after. He moved to live with his grandparents, who supported him fully in his search for his sister.

Now, he'd finally found her, and they were telling him that he couldn't have her back yet?

"Jase!" Shane called, storming back into the office. "Some lady who said she was from CPS just dragged Mitchie back to her cabin! What the hell is going on?"

"They're taking her to a foster home." Jason replied through clenched teeth. "I have to wait another month to get her back."

"What? That's insane! We're Connect 3! We have the money, and the resources, and the room! Let us take her back to L.A. with us!"

The man let out an annoyed sigh. "I'm sorry, sir, but until a Judge decides where he thinks it would be best for Michelle to live, she'll have to remain in the care of the state."

Jason shot him one last glare before storming out of the room, Shane hot at his heels. The lead singer hadn't asked to tag along, but Jason was grateful for the company. If it wasn't for Shane finding his mystery girl, he may have never found his sister.

"Jase..."

"I know." Jason muttered, resting a hand on his shoulder. "But there's nothing I can do. It's only for a month."

"I have to go see her." Shane said. "I need to make sure she's okay... Wanna come with?"

He managed a sad smile. "I think I'm the last person she'd want to see right now. You go ahead."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure. Just take care of her for me, man."

"Always."

Jason watched Shane jog up the path with a sigh. He was going to get her back, if it was the last thing he did, he was going to bring her home.