Aw, I'm sorry! I kinda felt this story was a bit forgotten so i kinda lost my inspiration. I hope you guys like it, it was fun to write! I hope it's not too confusing. Any tips? Tell me. I love to hear from my readers :D

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MY REVIEWS! *throws cyber cookies!*

I promise brownies to those who review this chapter!


-Brick-

I stood on the footpath outside the building, looking up into its depressing features. It was a broken down warehouse, much like the ones me and my brothers used to hang out at when we were younger. I snarled, knowing this was the place. Thanks to a tip-off.

I pulled up my hood as Butch gave me a strange look from inside the car.

"You wait here" I muttered, walking foreword. I coulg practically hear Butch gag as he opened the car door and ran after me. I rolled my eyes.

"BRICK!" He hissed loudly. "WAIT!"

"Hmm?" I muttered, figuring out a way to get into the building.

"Brick" He sneered at me. "You're being stupid."

"How so?"

"You are" He growled and pulled at my arm. I snarled at him. "Come on, we'll go to the police. Blossom's there with BC and we can work this out there. They'll think you stole him, Brick!"

"I know" I muttered, feeling the anger burn through my system. How could she? How could she think I stole my own kid? If I damn well wanted my own kid, I would go in and ask for him wouldn't I? I wouldn't steal him!

"Come on" He muttered, pulling me back to the car. This was something I wasn't suspecting- Butch trying to talk some sense into me. Usually I had the brilliant ideas and he just followed them. "We'll go to the police station and-"

"No cops" I quickly hissed to him, breaking free of his grip. He stopped, staring at me with wide, emerald green eyes. He looked nervous.

"Brick…" He began, biting his lip. "You didn't get out on good behaviour…did you?"

I shrugged. It was too much energy lying to him. Did he not get it? Bruiser was my main priority. I had to get him back.

"Brick!" He hissed again, jogging up to me. "Don't do this! You could be killed!"

I shrugged moodily, trying to shake him off as I walked up to the door. There was nobody else around- this was the abandoned side of town.

"Brick" He sighed from behind me. "Please"

His voice sounded so pathetic, and so pleading, that I turned to face him. He looked up at me, sad and defeated.

"I already lost you once" He mumbled. "I don't know if I can lose you again."

I sighed back, looking down. I know what I was doing was wrong…but what choice did I have? I chose this path a long time ago, and there was no stopping it now. Some psycho was after my kid because of what I did, I didn't care if my life was on the line to save him.

"I'm sorry, Butch." I said to him for the second time that day. "But I have to do this."

"What are you going to do?" He snarled at me. "Have you got so much as a plan? I mean if Bruiser really is in there, how are you going to get him out without getting arrested?"

I shrugged again, but flashed him a confident smirk. "I'll give you a call."

Butch narrowed his eyes at me. He looked angry, but at the same time there was a flash of hope in his eyes I couldn't exactly pinpoint. He suddenly sighed in defeat, and looked over at his car behind him.

"I'll be at the station."

I nodded as I looked at the door in front of me. It looked locked and I rolled my eyes. Of course it was locked.

I looked down the side street, where a small alleyway led to the back of the building. I grinned eagerly.

"Ready or not" I found myself muttering. "Here I come."

-x-

-Blossom-

I swallowed as I fidgeted in my flimsy, plastic chair, anxiously looking up at the front desk for any new sign of information. The receptionist looked back at me blankly, shaking her head.

Buttercup, who was on my left, reached over and grabbed my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Her face was emotionless and her eyes were blank.

Bubbles squeezed my shoulder, her arm around me in a supporting way. She looked scared, fearful, and she kept gnawing on her bottom lip as her gaze switched between me and Boomer, who was on her other side.

Boomer always seemed so strong and in control, and he still seemed to be in a way. He was leaning forward, his elbows on his knees, with a strong, determined look in his navy eyes. But at the same time, like all of us, his face looked lost.

Never before had I been separated from Bruiser like this. Sure, I had dropped him off at friend's houses to be looked after, never over a night. I couldn't stand being away from him. He was mine, he was my baby. Even though he was Brick's as well, he was my own baby, my best friend, my child, my life.

I buried my face in my hands, my dry eyes tearing up again. I couldn't help it. I didn't know what was going on. Who would steal my baby from me? I heard their whispers, however. They thought it was him, Brick. I bit my lip. I wouldn't be surprised...but he was locked up, right?

Adrian suddenly appeared, looking anxious.

"Have you heard anything?"

I shook my head glumly. Boomer answered for me.

"Not yet."

Bubbles looked up at him, her eyes wide and pleading.

"Can't you do something, Boomer?" She asked him eagerly. "I mean, you used to be on the force, and you were a detective and-"

Boomer shook his head sadly at her. "I gave that up…I quit, remember?"

I hung my head. Boomer used to be a brilliant detective, but he gave it up once Brick got taken in, just like I gave up trying to be a lawyer. I just wanted my baby…was that too much to ask?

I buried my face in my hands as the memories flooded back.

-x-

-Flashback-

"Please Bruiser…" I begged him weakly, looking at the clock. It was 4'o'clock in the morning, meaning he'd been crying for now 5 hours straight. Nothing I did helped, and I mean nothing.

I looked down at the screaming baby in my arms, and automatically I felt rejection. He was only 2 weeks old, but I already felt like he hated me. He didn't see me as a mother. I had tears running down my face. I was tired, my head was aching and my own baby hated me.

"Please go to sleep" I mumbled to him, wrapping his blanket tightly around him. He kept squirming out of it whenever I seemed to wrap it around him. I groaned as he tried to squirm out of my arms again, screaming his little lungs out. My eyes glazed over and my head throbbed. I suddenly heard a light click on and I looked up to see Brick at the door.

His hair was messy, and it stuck out at odd angles when he didn't put his hat on. He was shirtless and only clad in his grey sweatpants. He yawned.

"Still no luck, huh?"

I shook my head, my cheeks burning. I probably looked a mess, both from lack of sleep and crying. He smiled at me nonetheless and walked over to me, giving Bruiser a thoughtful, loving look.

"Let me take him Baby" He said, holding out his arms. I swallowed.

"Oh, you d-don't have to, I mean I can do it, really I'm having no-no trouble or anything, I can do it-"

"Babe" He gave me a stern look. "I can take him. You need sleep."

I sighed and gave him up, handing him over to Brick. I had to admit, I was slightly overprotective when it came to Bruiser. I trudged off to bed, still hearing Bruiser's screams and cries in my ears. We must be doing something wrong, maybe we weren't meant to be parents. Maybe the Professor was right.

My head drooped onto the pillow. I didn't even bother to take my dressing gown off, I just went to sleep.

I awoke, looking over at the clock beside our bed. 7am. I looked over at the window, where the bright sunrise was just shining through the blinds, lighting up our dreary apartment bedroom. I frowned. Something was wrong…something wasn't right. I couldn't seem to recognize the sound I was hearing.

Oh, that's right. It was silence.

Silence? I got up and slid on my slippers, walking down the hall. I glanced into Bruiser's nursery, but his crib was empty. I frowned, walking into the kitchen. Where'd Brick go?

I poured myself a cup of coffee, still feeling tired. I walked into the living room, anxious for some morning TV, then I did a double take- almost spilling my coffee in the process.

Brick was sprawled out over the couch, fast asleep and snoring slightly. And there, cuddled up in his arms and snuggled against his chest was Bruiser, fast asleep as well. He was wrapped loosely and half-heartedly in his blanket, and Brick was clutching him tightly and protectively against him.

I pouted, but was unable to hold in my grin. Brick's eyes suddenly flickered open and he was staring at me, grinning.

"Unfair" I pouted at him. "He loves you more than he loves me."

"Nah he doesn't" Brick whispered back, smiling. He glanced down at the sleeping baby in his arms. I folded my arms.

"Then what did you do?"

Brick smirked, winking at me. "Sang to him, of course. It worked for you."

-x-

"Blossom"

I looked up, vaguely aware of the tears flooding from my eyes. I jumped as I saw the Professor look down at me gravely. I wiped at my eyes and slowly got to my feet, staring at him.

"Blossom-" He said again. He paused, looking awkward. He bit his lip as he tried to avoid my gaze. Maybe he felt guilty. I hoped he damn well did. He never paid attention to his grandson and now look at what's happened. He might never see him again!

"Blossom" He looked up into my eyes and I looked into his. His eyes were sad, defeated and terrified. "I…I'm so sorry."

I sniffed, and a small sob beside me told me Bubbles was crying too. Without thinking, without even considering it, I ran forward and wrapped my arms around my father, crying into his chest and letting it all go.

-x-

I walked along the corridor, running my tongue along my teeth roughly. I looked around, trying to spot any sign of movement. It didn't really look like a place of high security, but you could never be too careful.

As my feet gently tiptoed down that hallway, stupidly all I could think about was Blossom. Blossom- of all the things I could be thinking about. I've just spent about 8 months of my life locked up away in some room…and that's all I could think about. I couldn't help it. That girl- she broke my heart but dammit-

I sneered to myself.

-dammit she got me. She will pay.

-x-

-?-

"This is bad" I heard that sniveling slave whimper to me. "It's real bad, I think we should bail. I mean I've heard stories and I'm not jumping to conclusions and you know I don't get scared easily but Boss seriously I think I might FAINT here, I mean-"

He was harshly cut off, and I was glad.

"SHUTUP!" I heard a harsher voice come through on the cell phone, before he cleared his throat. "Don't worry, Boss. We're still here."

"Hmm…" I muttered, seriously debating their abilities to pull this off. "For how long though, Mitch?"

He paused, and all I could hear was silence through the phone.

"Brick doesn't scare me" He said strongly, growling. I grinned at that.

"Good" I muttered. "And the brat?"

"He's here too" I heard him say quickly. "He's alright, he's just sleeping, I-"

"I don't care for a baby update" I snapped at him, feeling my anger rise. Why the hell would I want to be reminded of that psycho's baby? I wanted it dead. I wanted him dead too. I only wish I can be there to see it. "Just keep it there, and hold Brick off. Remember- the price is higher if you keep him alive. I want to feel his bones break under my fist. I want him to see me kill his own child."

"Yeah Boss" Mitch said to me croakily. He cleared his throat. "We'll keep a look out."

"You better" I snarled. "Because I don't want you stuffing up the next target- you hear? And remember, if you harm her-"

"We won't, Boss" Mitch insisted into the receiver. "We swear. We have specific instructions to be gentle with Blossom Utonium, and we will be."

"Good" I snarled. With that I hung up.

-x-

"Look, we're really sorry mam" The fat cop told me straight as he sipped on his coffee. I felt like scalding him with it. "But we've received no word on your son. I have no news for you."

He cleared his throat and looked through some paper work. The Professor's face was blank and white with fear as he stared incredulously at him.

"Is…Is that IT?" He growled at the cop, who frowned at him.

"Look, Sir" He said, rather defensively. "We're doing all we can, all right? There's only so much we can do."

"But this is ridiculous!" Buttercup joined in on the rant, looking furious. The four of us were sitting on front of his desk, anxious to hear that my baby's all right. Only family were allowed in, so Adrian and Boomer were waiting outside with Butch, who had just arrived. "You have to find him! He's a baby who was kidnapped!"

"Look we've searched your house" The policeman said gruffly. "And we found nothing, okay? Now these are serious criminals here."

Bubbles whimpered slightly. "That doesn't make us feel any better."

I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could another policeman poked his head through the door.

"Hey Harvey!" He called out to the sergeant. "Escaped prisoner from Townsville state prison! File coming through now!"

The fat sergeant sighed and twirled around in his seat to the fax machine, where a file was coming through. He pulled it out of the machine and put it on the desk.

"Anyway, as I was saying, these are some serious criminals, and I suspect they-"

Buttercup leaped forward, snatching the paper off the desk.

"Hey!" He snarled, standing up. Buttercup gulped.

"B-Blossom…" She stuttered, giving the paper to me. I frowned, taking it.

I gasped, and fell off my chair in surprise. I started to shake as Bubbles squealed and jumped off her seat to help me. I couldn't help it. I just sat there, completely shocked at the fact that the file that had just come through had the smirking, dangerous looking police photo of my ex boyfriend on it.

Brick was out.

-x-

I stopped, feeling the beads of sweat run down my forehead. I could hear them talking. Yep, it was them.

"Just Shutup!" I heard Mitch snap. "You can't bail on us now! Don't tell me you're freaking out about nothing!"

"It's not nothing!" I heard a weedy voice reply. "He's after us, I know he is! He's going to kill us for-"

"Oh my god!" I heard a girly voice reply snobbishly. "Could you be more paranoid?"

"You're not bailing on us" Mitch snapped again. I knew his voice anywhere. I scowled in annoyance. "You can't bail now, you know too much."

"Are you threatening me?" The young voice snapped.

"Maybe" Mitch growled. "I wouldn't test it."

"Both of you are forgetting" The snippy female voice said, louder than before. "That Brick Jojo will never find us here, and even if he did he would take his freaking time getting ready. He'll probably run to his precious wife first to make sure she's okay, then realise his son's taken. We're way ahead of schedule!"

"We can never be too careful!" The shrill voice trilled, now louder. "We can't predict these things! He could be anywhere! And-"

"WILL YOU Shutup" The girl snapped at him. "He's waking up!"

All 3 voices stopped, and I was left with nothing but silence in the corridor. My face was set, and I was ready. I cocked my gun silently, ready to jump in at any moment. I paused, looking at the weapon in my hand.

My own father…that's who I felt like and I hated it. He wasn't afraid to do anything violent in front of us, no matter what repercussions it could have caused later on in life. I was mentally scarred from that bastard. Would I do the same thing to my own kid?

Without any further consideration, I fired it up the hallway, creating a sharp gunshot that seemed to echo around the empty building. I ran for it. If I wasn't going to ambush them, I'll wait for them to come to me.

-x-

Little Bruiser Jojo was adorable, and everybody thought that as soon as they saw him. He slept soundly, not like he did when he was a newborn. His tiny fingers found their way into his mouth and he sucked on them gently, frowning in his sleep. The tall, brunette woman who had stolen him looked down at him in utter shock.

"We have to kill him…don't we?"

The tanned, muscular man behind her bit his lip and cursed. He dreaded telling her this, in fact he had put it off as much as possible. He was the only one who knew the full extent of the plan.

"Princess…." He muttered, but then stopped, remembering the name she went by now. "I mean, Diana." He rolled his eyes. (Of all the names she could have chosen, why that one?) "You have to remember it's a job, it's nothing personal. It's just a guy that wants him dead, that's it."

She sniffed, feeling stupid. She gently reached out her hand and ran a few fingers through his hair. The baby's frown deepened and he shifted slightly, whimpering.

"Don't wake him up" Mitch snapped at her gravely. "If he wakes up it'll kill everything."

She shot him a disgusted look, which he ignored. A phone rang, and the sharp ringing echoed throughout the room.

"Answer it!" Mitch snapped at his sidekick, who jumped. He wasn't looking too good, his nerves had gotten the best of him.

"Hello?" He asked into the receiver apprehensively. He bit his lip. "Oh…h-hi Boss."

She slender girl rolled her eyes, instead turning her attention back to the baby in front of her. He'd shifted when the loud ringing had filled the room, and now he was sleeping on his side, his fists cuddled towards his face in a comforting way. He seemed to sniff in his sleep- he looked so innocent, so angelic. She frowned. Who would want to hurt him?

"SHUTUP" Mitch snarled again at his sidekick, snatching the phone off him. He had just gone of a full out rant about his fears of getting caught, and Mitch was getting nervous that they'd lose their deal. "Don't worry Boss, we're still here."

He listened to the recipient on the other end, and his face paled slightly and he bit his lip, a frown etched on his face.

"Brick doesn't scare me" He said, determinately into the phone. He paused, listening, and looked over at the sleeping hostage in the crib. "He's alright, he's just sleeping, and I-"

Mitch paused, listening. "Yeah Boss, we'll keep a look out…We won't, Boss" He insisted into the receiver. "We swear. We have specific instructions to be gentle with Blossom Utonium, and we will be."

With that, he hung up. 'Diana' gave him a look from the crib and he growled at her.

"Don't give me that look" He snarled at her. "We're in it for the money, remember? It's nothing personal."

"Yeah" She scoffed, turning back to the cot. "Right."

"You seem to be forgetting…" He strode to her, snarling. "That your boyfriend dragged us into this."

Diana's cheeks flushed. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Well maybe not anymore, since he bailed on us." Mitch snapped. "But still, he's gotten pretty close, and he was pretty eager until he realised what we were dealing with. But there's a million up for grabs, split. He'll show."

She snapped her head in his direction. She couldn't believe she fell for him- the tall tanned boy that stood before her. She blew everything with her boyfriend to be with him, and that screwed up the deal, but that was ancient history- what really mattered was the deal now.

"Whatever" She growled. "So now it's Blossom?"

He rolled his eyes. "Yep. 3 targets. You knew that."

"How can he want to kill a baby when he wants to keep the mother alive?" The girl suddenly broke. "It's stupid!"

"Look I don't know where he gets this loathing for the kid, or the kid's father." Mitch muttered. "He just wants them dead, ok? That's all we need to know. We were hired for a reason, you know."

The girl rolled her eyes, still leaning on the baby's crib. The other man, on the other side of the room, finally broke. He was already a nervous wreck.

"I have to go."

Mitch snarled, crossing the room. "Where do you think you're going?"

The boy frowned, shaking. "I can't do this, Mitch." He told him earnestly. "I just can't! I can't kill a kid, or-or kidnap people or shoot anyone, I can't do it! It's not worth the money!"

Mitch's eyes were stormy, and he snarled at the boy before him with a dangerous look on his face.

"Just Shutup!" he yelled. "You can't bail on us now! Don't tell me you're freaking out about nothing!"

"It's not nothing!" He replied weakly, slumping against the wall. "He's after us, I know he is! He's going to kill us for-"

"Oh my god!"The girl told him, her eyes narrowed. "Could you be more paranoid?"

"You're not bailing on us" Mitch snapped again. He was furious. The fact that his friend thought of leaving just because Brick Jojo could be after them angered him. "You can't bail now, you know too much."

"Are you threatening me?" He suddenly snapped, his eyes narrowed.

"Maybe" Mitch growled. "I wouldn't test it."

"Both of you are forgetting" The girl suddenly spoke up. "That Brick Jojo will never find us here, and even if he did he would take his freaking time getting ready. He'll probably run to his precious wife first to make sure she's okay, then realise his son's taken. We're way ahead of schedule!"

"We can never be too careful!" He was now speaking louder. "We can't predict these things! He could be anywhere! And-"

"WILL YOU Shutup" The two boys turned towards the girl, who was snarling at them in warning. "He's waking up!"

All 3 pairs of eyes were suddenly glued to their prisoner, who groaned slightly and flexed his fingers in the noise. There was a pause, where they all seemed to hold their breath, and he stopped, relaxing and falling back into a deep slumber.

All 3 let out a sigh of relief. They knew that as soon as the baby woke up, there'd be no more concentration on the mission ahead of them.

A gunshot sounded in the hallway, and all of them jumped in complete surprise. Someone was outside- someone was there.

Bruiser's eyes jolted open at the noise that sounded like a small explosion. He looked up at the strange, now wide eyed girl that hovered over him. She didn't look like anyone he knew, she wasn't his mother. He looked over at the two men near her. He frowned at them. They didn't look familiar.

His bottom lip began to tremble. Where was he? Where was his mother? Where was his family? Where was someone he knew?

He looked up at the scary woman above him and his eyes widened, those big ruby eyes seemed to fill with tears and the woman's eyes seemed to widen with fear.

"No" She seemed to beg him, biting her lip. "Now, listen Bruiser, it's okay, just don't-"

Bruiser closed his eyes and screamed, like only a baby can.

-x-

I grinned as I heard those cries, they were like music to my ears (strangely). That's my Bruiser.

I looked up the corridor eagerly, watching the door. I had a perfect hiding spot…all I had to do was wait.

"MOTHERFUCKER!" I heard Mitch curse loudly as he ran out the door, his pistol ready. He seemed to swallow hard and I turned back, hearing his unsteady footsteps.

"I know you're out here Brick…" He growled, coming closer. I smirked. "S-so…why don't you just come out and fight like a man, huh?"

I was silent. I could hear him creep up towards me.

"What's wrong?" He asked, unsure. "Are you afraid of me, Brick?" I could hear him scoff. "Is that it? Are you scared?

I heard Bruiser's sobbing echo up the hallway and I clenched my nails against the wall. I was itching to get to him.

"No hard feelings…." He was suddenly snarling, as he walked closer to the corner I was hiding behind. I noticed the barrel of his gun appear from behind the wall. I sniggered. "…Right?"

I grinned. "None at all." I grabbed his wrist and eagerly smashed it against the corner, almost snapping the bone. He cursed loudly as I heard a crack. His gun dropped to the floor as I yanked him over, my fingers digging into his skin. I smiled, and I could tell he was scared.

"What's wrong, Mitchellson?" I asked him, a look of fake pity on my face. "You're not scared, are ya?"

I slammed his head into the wall and he slumped to the ground, knocked out. I looked at him, debating whether or not I should kill him. He'd deserve it. I knew it was him, ever since he dropped out of school I knew he'd made pathetic attempts at starting a team of hit men for an easy dollar.

I walked over him and waited for the next loser to show up. It didn't take long.

"Mitch?" I heard that seedy voice ask up the hallway. "Are…are you okay?"

There was a pause. I rolled my eyes.

"…Mitch?"

I appeared from around the corner and the guy yelped, dropping his gun onto the floor.

Oh brother. My reputation precedes me. I should have just said 'boo!' and spooked him to death.

"Please don't kill me" He suddenly begged, looking at me wide eyed. I snarled. He was only young, like a kid or something. He bit his lip. "I'm unarmed."

"Ugh" I groaned. "Just lay on the ground."

He did, and I eagerly stepped forward. I couldn't leave him there though, I didn't trust him. I picked up the gun by his side and dropped it on his head, knocking him out.

Eh- that'll do.

-x-

Bruiser was bawling and screaming as loud as he could, and Princess' ears throbbed as she tried to soothe him. With him crying, she couldn't hear if her teammates cried out for help.

"Please Bruiser" She begged him silently, wincing at his screams. Damn this kid had some vocal chords! "Please…just…SHUTUP."

Now, she didn't think this kid was so cute…OR Innocent.

She looked around the cramped room, now realizing she was alone. She swallowed hard as she walked forward, near where her teammate had exited a minute before.

"Mitch?" She whispered loudly, gnawing on her bottom lip. "Mitch? Are you okay?"

"I doubt it."

She gasped at the voice, and automatically reached for the gun on the desk. As soon as she raised it, however, a foot had come out of nowhere and kicked it out of her hands. She cursed in surprise as a figure now had her trapped against the wall. She gulped as she looked into those familiar red blazing eyes.

"Brick" She snarled at the figure who had come out of nowhere. "Of course, who else would it be?"

"Why, hello Princess." He purred at her, grinning. His fingers tightened against her neck."I can't say I'm surprised, you've never been the one to behave, have you?"

"You know, you can kill me now, but he'll still be after you for what you did." She suddenly spat.

His furious red eyes flashed as he stared into her weak brown ones. Bruiser's screams still echoed in the background as he wailed, his fists still rubbing his tearing eyes.

"I'm not gonna kill you Princess." He said quietly, glaring at her. "I came for what's mine."

"And we'll come back" She said slowly. "For what's ours."

He snarled at her- a fierce, evil snarl that made him look like a regular childish villain again.

"Don't count on it"

His fist flew towards her face and suddenly it all went black.

-x-

I emerged from the room, not feeling even a slight bit better. Adrian suddenly appeared, wrapping his arms around me. I cried into his jacket as Buttercup ran to Butch, and Bubbles to Boomer. The Professor was still in shock, amazed at what just happened. He seemed to be vaguely away of what was happening. He just sat on one of those flimsy chairs, his eyes wide with shock.

"What happened?" Boomer asked us, his eyes suspicious. "What's going on?"

Buttercup opened her mouth to reply, but instead the Professor answered him.

"That…hoodlum." He mumbled, looking straight ahead. "Stole my grandson."

"What?" Adrian asked, frowning. "Who?"

"I told you!" Buttercup snarled. Her eyes were wide and furious. She looked like she was determined to pound someone's head in. "It's Brick!"

"Wh-what about him?" Butch suddenly asked, his eyes wide.

"He's out" Bubbles cried into Boomer's chest. "I-It's a bit of a coincidence that he came out the e-exact moment Bruiser was kidnapped isn't it?"

"He stole him" Buttercup snarled. "It's plain and simple." She turned to me, her face set and furious. "I'll kill him Bloss."

Butch cleared his throat. "Buttercup, Babe-"

"No, Butch" She turned to him stiffly. "I'll kill him for what he's done to her."

Bubbles sniffed, her angelic face filled with tears. "A-and I wi-will as well!" She cried, her voice shaking with emotion.

I didn't know what to think, or what to feel. My baby wasn't here, he wasn't with me. It had been a whole 24 hours since Bruiser had been in my arms, safe. I couldn't believe it. Brick didn't steal Bruiser. My baby wasn't a piece of jewelry…or money, or any antique! He was my baby, my blood, my life. Brick hadn't just snatched him away like you would a handbag, he'd ripped him away from me. He'd taken him somewhere and I couldn't get to him. I didn't know where he was and it was more than hurting me, it was killing me. Brick had stabbed the one place I couldn't heal. I seemed to sink onto one of the chairs.

It was like he'd ripped away a part of my heart, and no amount of comfort from my sisters, my boyfriend or my father could make that heal. I wanted my baby, and I wanted him now.

Brick will pay.

-x-

I looked over my shoulder, but I was almost afraid to.

He had his face hidden from me, maybe he was hiding from all of the violence and scary things that were going on. He was still crying, but not as much as before. What if he hated me? What if he didn't recognize me?

I still remember that phone call.

"Dada" I remember him babbling. The first words I ever heard him speak, and they were meant to be for me. But they weren't.

It seemed to tear into me.

He sniffed and cried, letting out another wail as he sat there, shivering in the cold, damp air. He still didn't look up. He was probably cold and frightened, just wanting his mother there. I remembered then waking up with him, having him in my arms, when he was tiny. I suddenly felt my eyes itch. I wished I could have that again.

I straightened, turning around to face him and walking over. I came here for a reason, to rescue him, and now I'm going to do it.

He was still sobbing pathetically, rubbing his eyes as tears flooded down his blotched, chubby baby cheeks. I felt my heart ache as he sat there gasping in those choked, desperate baby sobs.

"Mommyyyy" He seemed to whimper, crying. I swallowed.

"Bruiser"

He looked up, his bright, blood red eyes meeting mine. He blinked, a few tears escaping. His bottom lip seemed to tremble as he whimpered, recoiling at the sight of me. I felt a lump in my throat as I looked down at my son.

"You…don't remember me" I mumbled to him, walking closer. "Do you Bruiser?"

He looked up at me, sniffling. His rust coloured hair had grown, it completely covered his ears and he even had some bangs down the front. They fell into his eyes. He still had that angelic, playful baby face. It reminded me so much of her. He shivered as his hand went to something beside him, and he cuddled it, like any baby would cuddle a toy. I felt my stomach lurch.

It was my hat.

With a final sob, he blinked those big, pleading eyes at me and held his arms out to me. I blinked back, amazed. He seemed to whine, as if afraid I'd reject him and leave him in this scary place. He began to cry again.

"Aw…Bruiser" Was all I could choke out as I reached down and scooped him up. I held him close to me, close to my heart where it seemed to thud against my chest. He snuggled against me, sniffing into my hoodie. He was still tiny. Tiny…but a fighter.

As he held his cold nose to my neck and closed his eyes I smiled slightly. I finally had my baby back, and he didn't scream at the sight of me. Maybe he even remembered me.

"Cmon Bruiser" I mumbled to him, holding him close and heading for the door. "We need to go find your Mom…I don't think she's gonna like being kidnapped by me."


R&R!

xx