A/N: Almost done Ugh talk about writers block -- Practically had to force myself to write. Not thrilled with how this came out. But I hope you like! And it contains fluffiness in the beginning. You gotta luff da fluff!
-

Over the next few weeks Mikey's shyness dissolved. Riley was ecstatic to see that in its place emerged a curious and vibrant six-year-old. It was how it should have been, and it still broke Riley's heart that his little bother had to go through such an ordeal. He never wanted anything to happen to Mikey again, he didn't want the boy to end up like him.

There were still times when Mikey would get nightmares and wake up screaming. Other times it was harder because he would cry for their father and Riley had to explain again that he wasn't coming back.

The two agents Riley had begun to consider as friends. David and Angela came over at least once a week and took Mikey to go somewhere special. The boy had had warmed up considerably to them and even looked forward to their visits.

Sometimes the Pooles would go somewhere with the Gates family. It seemed that his friend's lives had turned somewhat back to normal for them. Riley didn't want to detract from their time anymore then he already had. Though he knew they would be more then willing to help him with anything.

-

Time went a little more swiftly then Riley would have liked. Before he knew it Mikey only had a week left in his stay and Riley wouldn't have traded those days for the world.

They would often walk to a little park that was a few blocks away from his apartment. Mikey proved to have some excellent monkey-bar skills. Expect he would get stuck in the middle and Riley would try to pull him off. Mikey would whine and cling onto the bars tighter, attracting a few stares. The end result was usually Mikey crash landing on top of him.

After Riley made sure he didn't have any broken bones, they would get ice cream, both chocolate, and walk into the back wooded area of the park.

There was a stream there the Mikey never failed to get wet in. As he hopped around, it caused his ice cream to plop into the water, which prompted him to turn to Riley and look pathetically at him until he gave him his own ice cream.

Abigail had gone with them on one of these escapades and kept shaking her head saying, "It's like a miniature you… a tiny little Riley. Heaven help us."

-

On Saturday afternoon, there was only one more day before Mikey would move in with David and Angela. Riley decided to do one last special thing with his little brother during his stay.

-

Riley poked his head into the kitchen to see Mikey standing on a chair and going through the cupboard.

"Mikey, get down from there."
Mikey turned to him with a pout.

"I wanted some chips."
"I'll get them for you. Just ask next time," Riley said walking over to the cabinet. "I don't want you going around and standing on chairs. You could get hurt."
"But I'm too short!" Mikey complained, hopping off the chair.

"When you get older you won't be short anymore."
"Abigail says you're short too."
"Well, she can be very mean sometimes," Riley muttered, searching for the bag of chips.

"But it's funny," Mikey giggled.

"Ha-ha. Okay here you go. Don't eat too much."
Mikey took the bag of tortilla clips and happily began munching on them. Riley let a fond sigh, ruffling his hair. I spoil this kid way too much.

He checked his watch. If they left now they'd still have time…

"Hey, Mikey, have you ever been to a zoo before?"
Mikey looked up at his big brother, chip frozen between the air and his mouth. He shook his head.

"Would you like to go now?"
"Yeah!" Mikey said excitedly.

"Awesome, let me get my stuff. We can catch the bus there."
"But you have that shiny red car! Why can't we take your car?"
"Um, well, I'm not very good at driving right now."
Mikey nodded contemplatively. "Oh, okay. That's okay Riley."
Riley sighed and quickly packed a bag, throwing in some food for lunch. He felt particularly guilty at the wastefulness of not driving that car.

"Okay Mikey, ready to go?"
Mikey nodded eagerly. "

-

The two brothers exited the bus. As Riley walked toward the entrance of the zoo, Mikey was bounding at his heels like an exited puppy.

"Will there be monkeys, Riley? Huh? Will there?"
"Mikey, you're being a monkey!" He placed a hand on Mikey's head to stop him from hopping up and down. The result was it looked like he was dribbling a human basketball.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure they have monkeys here." Riley said as they got in line for the tickets.

Mikey must have been very eager to get inside, Riley figured. He had never been to a zoo, and he probably had never had seen many of the animals in person.

As they waited a woman kept glancing at Riley and then tentatively asked him, "Did I see you on the news? Didn't you help find the Templar Treasure?"
"Yup!" Mikey answered for him. "He helped Ben find it and there was lots of it and he helped steal the Declaration of Independence!"
"What?" the woman looked flabbergasted. Riley grinned sheepishly at her.
"All in a days work, ma'me. Excuse me, I need to buy the tickets."
Riley purchased the tickets and he and Mikey walked into the zoo. Riley looked at a directory trying to figure out where they were in proximity to everything else.

"Stay close, I don't want you to get los…" he glanced around but Mikey had vanished from where he was standing."…t."
Riley groaned and did a three-sixty. He spotted Mikey leaning over the alligator exhibit.

"AHH! Mikey, Mikey-" Riley ran forward and plucked his brother off the railing. "Don't do that it's dangerous! And you need to stick close, otherwise you'll get lost."
"I don't want to get lost," Mikey said, his eyes going wide.

"Then don't run off like that again, okay?" Riley said sternly. Mikey nodded looking a little put out.

Riley sighed and turned back at the directory. "Who do you want to see first?"
"Monkeys!" Mikey said immediately.

"Okay, let's go look at the monkeys!"
A few minutes later they were standing in front of the monkey cage and Mikey was nearly beside himself.

"Riley, Riley look at that one! He's swinging with his tail. I wish I had a tail."
"That would be pretty cool," Riley agreed as they watched the spider monkeys swing around in the exhibit. They continued walking and were able to look at the Golden Lion Tamarins and chimpanzees.

There was a crowd of people and Mikey was jumping up and down impatiently.

"I'm still short," he whined. Riley smiled and with some effort picked Mikey up so he could see the chimpanzees.

"There you go. Hey, look at that Mikey. There's a little baby one," Riley pointed out. The mom was carrying it around.

"They look funny," Mikey laughed hugging his bother around the neck.

"Monkeys are supposed to look funny." He set Mikey on the ground again and they continued onward to the next exhibit. Mikey tugged at his arm.

"Riley, can I ask a question?" he asked suddenly. Riley smiled down at him.

"Sure, what is it?"
"We're from the same daddy right? But not the same mommy. Does that mean we're not brothers?"

Riley was a little startled by the question. He looked at Mikey and the kid seemed genuinely upset at the prospect.
"Well, how we're related, people call that half-brothers. But family doesn't always mean the people you're related to. It can be people who aren't related to you."
Mikey looked thoughtful and nodded his head. "Oh, okay. Like you and Ben."
Riley smiled and ruffled his hair. "Like me and Ben."
"So we can be full-brothers if we wanted?" Mikey asked excitedly.
"Sure, if you want!" Riley laughed.

Mikey looked much happier and turned his attention back to the animal exhibits.

"Hey, let's go look at the gorillas," Riley said, looking at the map. "Ben got to meet a gorilla once."
"Really? Was he nice?"
"Maybe should ask him next time you see him. I'm sure he'll be happy to tell you," Riley chuckled.

After the gorillas they made their way through the rest of the zoo and stopped to look at the penguins, sea lions, lions, pandas polar bears and ocelots. Mikey especially liked the capybaras, the largest rodent in the world.

"They look like furry hippos," Mikey said observantly.

"Did you know that there's a Native American story that says the hippo was beautiful, but then lost all it's fur? Maybe it looked like a capybara."

"Coooool," Mikey murmured.

-
It was a great day for both of them. Riley hadn't remembered the last time he had that much fun. He got a kick out of watching his little bother's wonderment as he looked at the various animals and excitedly talked and pointed things out to Riley.

When they finally had to leave Riley was expecting Mikey to pout and ask to stay longer. Instead his little brother latched himself into a hug around Riley's waist because he couldn't reach any higher.

"That was fun Riley!" he said happily. Riley laughed and gave him a small squeeze around the shoulders.

"I'm glad you liked it. Come on, we should head back…"

He looked down at Mikey again and frowned a little.

"Hey…you remember I told you that tomorrow you're going home with David and Angela, right?"
Mikey played with his fingers, not meeting Riley's gaze.

"Yeah."

That was all he said and Riley didn't know weather or not he should have been worried.
-

The next day Riley called David, finalizing the plans. He felt saddened that Mikey wasn't going to be staying with him any longer but he knew it was for the kid's best interests. The two agents were loving people and they were really excited about fostering his little brother. Riley knew he would never be able to take care of him as a full on responsibility.

And it wasn't like he could never see Mikey again. That was something he had to keep reminding himself over again. There would be plenty of visits.

The doorbell rang and Riley opened it for David. He came bustling in looking almost as excited as Mikey was when he went to the zoo.

"Hi, Riley," he said breathlessly as he pumped Riley's arm. "Today's the day huh? Is Mikey getting ready?"
"Yeah, I told him to get his things together…he doesn't have too much though. We went shopping for some clothes and I got him a few toys but that's it. Where's Angela?"
"Oh, she's getting something she baked for you in the car." Then he whispered conspiratorially under his breath, "Cookies, she made you cookies. Augh, I wasn't supposed to tell you. Don't tell her I told you, it's a surprise."

Angela appeared in the doorway holding a fresh batch of cookies, grinning broadly.

"Riley! Made these for you this morning!"
"Act surprised," Hendricks muttered out of the corner of his mouth.

"Oh my gosh thank you soooo much Angela! You didn't need to do that" Riley gushed obviously over the top.

Angela stopped and looked in annoyance at her husband.

"You told him!"

David grinned sheepishly at her. "I was just too proud of you sweetie. Everything you bake always…"
"Where's Mikey?" Angela interrupted shoving the tray of cookies at David.

"Um, he's in the bedroom. I'll go get him."
Riley creaked open the door and Mikey looked up at him, smiling with those brown eyes. He was really going to miss having his brother around.

"Hey chief, you ready to go? Angela and David are here."

Mikey picked up his stuff and came to the door. David took his small book bag to bring to the car.

Riley knelt down and gave him a tight hug. "Bye, Mikey. I'll see you soon."
Mikey's eyes suddenly went wide and he pulled away from Riley.

"You're staying, Riley? You're not coming?"
"Mikey," Riley said with a small laugh. "I thought I told you…I can't live there too…this is my house."
"I want you to come!" Mikey said his voice suddenly sounding scared. "I don't want you to go away!"
"Mikey, I'm not, you're just going to be living somewhere else…" Riley said, his heart sinking. He thought he had explained this to Mikey, that his brother had understood that he would live somewhere different.
"No!" Mikey cried tears beginning to form in his eyes. "I don't want to leave because then I'll never see you again!"
Riley realized Mikey was terrified of abandonment. After everything that had happened to him, he probably thought once he left Riley would disappear forever. Just like his father had. Angela had a hand over her mouth and David looked dismayed, still clutching the book bag.

Riley tried to console his brother. "I'm not going anywhere, I'll still visit you…David and Angela are super-nice, you know that…"
Mikey didn't even seem to hear him, his six-year-old mind already set in it's fear.

"You're going to leave me!" he said and began to cry.

"Mikey-"

The boy broke away from Riley and ran back into the room, slamming the door to his room.

Riley was still kneeling, staring hopelessly at the closed door. Then he turned apologetically to the two agents.

"I-I'm sorry…I explained it…I thought he was okay…"

Angela shook her head and put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's not your fault, Riley. He's just a little boy…maybe he didn't realize the full situation until now."

Riley sighed and shook his head, standing up. "What should I do?" he sadly asked them.

"Let him have some room for a little bit. Then you can you talk to him." David suggested with a kind smile.

"Okay," Riley sighed, taking a deep breath.

-

It was a while later and Riley hoped Mikey had calmed down enough for him to talk. He went to the door and knocked softly.

"Mikey?" he asked. There was no answer on the other side. "Come on Mikey, I know you're in there."
Still no answer. Sighing, he turned the doorknob and entered the room.

"Mike-" Riley stopped short. Mikey wasn't anywhere to be seen. Quickly, he checked around, in the closets or under the bed he could have been hiding. His anxiousness quickly mounting he looked at the window seeing it open and felt his stomach drop. The fire escape.

"Oh no," he muttered. He ran out of the room and stared at the couple in panic.

"Mikey's gone out the fire escape," he said fearfully.
"What?" Angela gasped.

"He could be anywhere, around the block or….who knows are far-" Riley began, his face pale.

David cut him off, now looking more like an FBI agent on the job then a worried would-be foster parent. "First, we have to not panic. This is what we're going to do. Me and Angela will take the car and go around the neighborhood. Riley' do you have any idea where he could be?"

Riley suddenly realized where he should check. The park, the park he and Mikey always went to. He loved it there and it was Riley's guess it would have been the first place he'd go.

"The park, we went there all the time. I'm going to check there." Riley said.

"Okay, let's get going."
Riley nodded, and they all sprang into action. Opening a draw he grabbed a flash light out of it. He fumbled for his coat and keys, already in a full-out run as he took out his cell phone to call Ben.

"Hey, Riley."
"Ben something happened, with Mikey. He's gone, he ran away!"

"Oh no…do you know where he could-"

"I think I know where. David and Angela are checking around the neighborhood. I'm going to the park near my house. Can you head over there?"
"Of course. We'll be right there.!" Ben said and then clicked off the phone.

Riley hurriedly pressed the button for the elevator and stepped inside. It descended infuriatingly slow. His heart was hammering. He knew Mikey was a resourceful kid, he had been through dangerous situations before. But that didn't make this any less dangerous. It was late at night and he was just a little kid running around. It was far from safe.

He ran outside and stopped dead in front of his car. He cursed at his own hesitation and jumped into the car without opening the door and started the engine.

Angrily, he slammed his fist on the steering wheel as the nauseous anxiety started to already build.

"Stop it! I'm not dealing with this," he growled to himself.

His concern for his brother overrode his fear. After taking a few deep breaths, he pulled out of the parking spot and onto the road.

-
As he pulled up to the park everything was eerily dark. It looked very different at night then it did in the daytime. The moon reflected off the equipment in the playground and Riley couldn't help but feel more worried. Where was Mikey? Riley knew Mikey didn't know the full danger of what he had done. And after everything that had happened Riley was nearly terrified with concern. That little boy meant more to Riley then anything else, and he'd be damned if he let something happen to him.

Ben hadn't shone up yet and Riley didn't have the time to wait. He looked at his cell phone and grimaced. Little to no service over here. So much for switching to that new plan.

Well, he'd have to go looking with or without Ben.

Taking the flashlight he made his way through the park, calling his Mikey name, hoping desperately to hear an answer.
Eventually he found himself at the edge of the short patch of wooded area. Taking a breath he walked in, the flashlight bouncing off the trees.

"Mikey?" he called. His own voice sounded strange in the stillness.

There was no answer. Riley felt his heart hammering.

He couldn't loose him. He couldn't loose anyone else.

"MIKEY! Come on, please answer me!" he shouted into the surrounding trees.
"Riley!"

Riley could have cried in relief. He dashed toward where he heard the sound. Then he stopped, foot balanced precariously at the edge of a ditch. It wasn't that deep but was steep enough for someone to fall and hurt themselves if they were not paying attention. Scared, Riley flashed the light around the bottom until it landed on a small figure.

Mikey was lying at the bottom of the ravine, his leg twisted beneath him at an odd angle.

"Mikey!"
"Riley!" the boy screamed in a mixture of relief and terror. "My leg hurts! I can't move it!"
"Okay, okay, calm down buddy. I'm coming down there."

Mikey tried to sit up but cried out in pain.

"Mikey, don't move. Don't move. It looks like you broke your leg."
Riley tested the steepness. He would have to go slowly. Carefully, he descended with one hand on the earth, the other shining the flashlight in front of him to make sure there was nothing obstructing his path.

Finally he made it down to the bottom and Riley was able to see Mikey's pale and terrified face. Riley ran over to him and gathered him up in his arms.

"Riley!" the boy sobbed and hugged him around the middle. "I-I'm sorry I ran away! Don't hate me! Don't be mad!"
Riley held his brother protectively to him as he cried into his shirt.

"I'm just glad you're safe. I'll never hate you Mikey. Never, ever." Riley murmured comfortingly.

"It was s-so dark…and I thought…I w-was…going to die!" Mikey whimpered in between sobs. Riley held the terrified boy close in his arms. He kissed him on the top of the head.

"It's okay Mikey. You're safe now. I've got you." Riley calmed and rocked his little brother in his arms.
It was a little while before Riley heard the faint calls in the distance.

Ben and Abigail were probably looking for them. He let go of Mikey and stood up to get them. Mikey grabbed him by the shirt.

"D-don't go! Please don't leave me!" he sniffled.

Riley knelt back down and wiped his tears away. "I need to go and get help. I'll never leave you Mikey. Just hang on for a minute okay? I need to tell them where we are. Do you think you can do that? Can you be brave for me?"
"Y-yeah," Mikey nodded resolutely but he still looked terrified.

"I'll be back in a minute okay?" He scrambled back up the edge of the ravine and shouted to Ben and Abigail.
"We're over here! I found him! Call an ambulance, his leg is broken!"
-

A few days later…

Mikey was being seen off again. This time he was quiet as Riley said goodbye to him. He had a little cast over his leg. After Ben and Abigail had found them, they took Mikey to a hospital. It turned out the leg wasn't badly fractured and the doctor said it would heal quickly.

Ben and Abigail had come over as well to say their goodbyes. Mikey looked completely miserable and Riley had to keep saying it wasn't forever, he would see him again.

"We'll visit and everything," Riley said with a gentle smile

Mikey's eyes welled up with tears. "But I don't want to leave you Riley! You're my big brother!"
"Hey, remember what I said about family not having to be people your related to? Well, they really want to keep you. They want to be your mommy and daddy."

Mikey's eyes widened. "I'll have a mommy and daddy?"
Riley nodded, feeling his throat constrict. "Yeah, they'll take care of you and love you. It'll be a blast, I promise."
"But, I want a big brother…too," Mikey whispered miserably. Riley hugged the little boy to him. "I'll visit you every chance I get. We'll be able to do stuff together."
"Why can't I live with you?" Mikey asked, his deer-brown eyes looking like pools of liquid. Riley had been thinking of an answer in case the boy asked him this question.
"I love you Mikey, but there some things going on with me that will take me away from you. I won't be able to be there all the time."
"Does it have to do with how you sometimes have bad dreams?" Mikey asked quietly.

Riley jerked back a little bit. The kid was too perceptive for his own good. "You weren't supposed to know I have bad dreams."
Mikey shrugged. "I have bad dreams too, Riley. But I have you when I wake up."

Riley blinked back tears that were coming to his eyes.

"And now you'll have David and Angela. "
"Are you sick, Riley?" Mikey asked.

"Yes," Riley swallowed. "I'm sick. And I'm having trouble taking care of myself right now and I don't want that to hurt you. Okay, Mikey?"
Mikey nodded and suddenly threw his arms around Riley's neck and hugged him tightly.

"I love you big brother."
"I love you too Mikey. Be good for your mom and dad okay?"
Mikey nodded bravely. "Okay."

David smiled at Riley and took Mikey's hand. Angela waved at him.
"Come on, Mikey. Time to head out." David helped buckle the boy into his seat and then went around and started the car.

Riley felt Abigail and Ben come up beside him. Mikey waved at them through the car window and they waved back.

"Bye!"
"Bye, Mikey! I'll see you soon okay?"
The car backed up and drove down the road. Riley waited until it was out of sight before sighing and sitting down on the steps. There were a couple of minutes of silence.

"Do you want to go inside?" Abigail spoke up, breaking the silence gently. "I made some of that casserole…"
Riley stared blankly at her for a moment then he pulled on a disgusted face.

"Ew, Abigail, that green stuff?"

"That concoction is my secret recipe and I wouldn't insult it if I were you."

Ben chortled as they all stood and made their back into the apartment building.

-

A/N: Meh. Hope you guys liked it anyway! On more chapter!

Seriously, if you don't know what a capybara looks like go google image it. They're so cute At least I think so.