Sorry for the inconvenience, but I hope you haven't given up on the story. ;)

Don't Give Up On Me

He didn't even acknowledge the door slamming behind him as he stopped in the middle of the room, staring blankly at nothing.

Until the events from earlier on repeated over and over in his mind, along with Mack's taunting voice, reminding him of the one thing he didn't want to be.

STOP! Stop, please stop...Rico groaned, clutching his hands tightly around his ears. He just couldn't stop Mack's words. All those years of ignoring the man's insults and jabs fell away with one word.

Trust.

I was played...I was never one of them. How could I be so dumb?

Nobody trusted him. He could see that now.

Nobody trusted him.

Nobody believed in him.

Nobody.

The only person who did was probably already gone. So long ago...

A tear fell from his eye and dropped into the furry carpet, soaking into the fibers as quickly as it had come. A sob escaped and he ran his hand furiously over his eyes.

NO! I won't cry! I can't cry, I don't cry! She told me not to. I can't, he fell to his knees, using his hands to keep himself up.

Oh, my poor baby...how have you been, my baby? Are they treating you right, sweetheart?

"Mama." Another sob and he struggled to keep from breaking out. "Mama." His voice cracked just then and he fell to his side, not even bothering to do anything but sob.

All he wanted was someone who would understand him. Someone who could at least treat him like a normal person.

Was that so hard to ask?

A chance to be treated like all the other kids, instead of some kind of freak or monster that you should stay away from. Just, normal. Sane.

But it's all lies.

Lies...

Nobody likes you, kid...NOBODY.

I can't stay here anymore. Mack will find me. He will always find me. No matter where I go, he's always there.

He didn't know how long he had been staring into nothing, but the sound of voices outside made him get to his feet with a bag in hand. Unconsciously, his hands dug about the room, just throwing whatever he could grab into the little bag.

I can't believe I was so... Rico shook his head and continued his task of stuffing his only bag with his belongings. This isn't me. I... He paused and stared down at his hands, feeling the cloth slide across his skin.

It was the slasher shirt he woke up in the first day here.

Should I, should I even be taking this? He stretched the white cloth slightly, running his thumb over the print before changing into it. He looked down at it, smoothing down the sides and then searched for the matching black ripped jeans.

I'm not stealing this. It's mine. I actually have something...I own it...He looked down at his attire, feeling a smile tug at the corner of his mouth when he remembered the first time he wore his first set of clothes that were not torn, tattered, dirtied or stolen. Waking up in a strange world, to which he was starting to become accustomed to. A sigh left his lips and he dropped back on the bed, feeling the covers under his fingers. If he left, he would be back to square one, whatever that meant. He only heard that from Kowalski when he was talking to himself about some problem he couldn't find the solution to.

Wait. What about her?

Rico blinked and stared at the ceiling, noticing the tiny cracks in the paint beside the light.

What about the strange girl?

Strange, seems like the only word he can use to describe her. After everything, it just seemed like the only logical, Rico cringed at the term Kowalski liked to use that he was now using, thing to do. Aside from running away, never coming back and just moving on.

But he promised that he would find out what was going on with her. She at least helped him a few times, right? It was all he could offer for everything she has done for him.

...I just want to know if she's alright. And then I'll leave?

Would you now, Rico? Mack's voice filled his head again and he froze, his heartbeat increasing with his fear. Were you going to leave? The cold, cynical chuckle that was embedded in his head. You can't leave, Rico. And even if you do, Mack's smile disappeared, and in its place was a dangerous look, the same one he saw that first day...

No, no. Rico curled up on the bed, closing his eyes and biting his lip. Stop. Get out. Get out of my head. You're supposed to be far away.

I'll never be far, Rico. If you leave, I will find you. I will find you, and whoever's helping you, and they will pay.

No...A warm tear dropped from his eye, but he furiously wiped it away and sat up. You're not real. Get out of my head.

They will pay, like that poor boy. A sigh, just as cold and heartless as anything Mack did. It was your fault, you know?

Leave me alone. I've done everything you wanted me to do.

But you can't escape from me, Rico. I will find you.

No, you won't. You're far away, in a hospital, with the police watching you, and I, and I, I, just want a life...a family...

This is your life, boy, and your mother is dead. She'll never come back. Nobody's going to protect you but me.

I have friends now. They'll, they'll protect me.

They don't even trust you, Rico.

The whole world seemed to have stopped right then for Rico.

Trust...

Trust...trust...trust...

Stop it! Rico held in a breath, squeezing his palms to his head as he tucked it between his knees. Stop! Don't talk to me! They do trust me! His lungs cried out for air and he started breathing in and out, panting heavily with each breath.

Who knew smirks could be evil?

You have no one, boy. Only me.

NO! He screamed in his mind, the only place he can freely do what he wanted. But even then, Mack was invading it. GET OUT! He buried his head into the sheets, gathering clumps of his hair in his hands before gripping them tightly and threatening to tear them out.

You have no one...

Mack was quickly replaced by a blurry form, and Rico let himself relax, glad to have replaced the picture of a true monster. He focused on the image instead, feeling his heart slow down along with his thoughts.

Who is...?

I love your eyes...please don't be mad at me...pizza and ice cream this Saturday, promise...

...What?

You're the only one who understands...I'm sorry...please don't leave me alone...

Why her? Rico blinked, and even though she wasn't there, she still managed to get him flustered and uncomfortable. But in a good way? Why am I defending myself in my head? Great, now I sound like her.

Did you know that Skipper and Kowalski are best friends? I know they don't act like it, but, her voice dropped to a whisper as she leaned closer to his ear, they are. They'll realize it sooner or later. And when that happens, we'll be a family again. She moved back with a huge smile and he looked down to see her playing with his hand. I'll be there to keep them together, all of them. Make sure they keep together at all times. Manfredi, Johnson, Kowalski and, she giggled and unknowingly brought his hand in both of hers, clasping them, Leslie. She dropped her head on their clasped hands and smiled at him. And you'll be there too. Because you're part of the family now. Remember, Rico. Family never gives up on each other, no matter what happens, or what they do. You understand, don't you? She frowned and he realized that he had shook his head. Next thing he knew, she had thrown herself on him and hugged him tight, burying her head into his neck. I don't know what happened to you or what they did to you, but I don't care. I'll never give up on you, Rico. No matter what happens, or what you'll do, I'll be with you, okay? Every step of the way. He was getting ticklish the moment she spoke on his neck, but when the words sunk in, he found himself hugging back, wishing, just wishing for something. Please don't give up on me, Rico, because I will never give up on you. She leaned back slightly and pecked his cheek before resting her head on his shoulder. I swear, on my life. Turning red in the face, and thankful that she couldn't see it at the moment, he nodded and tightened his hold on her.

A smile made its way to his mouth, turning into a grin as he imagined himself speaking to Mack.

And I have her, Mack. I won't let her go. Not like the others. Not her.

"You don't know her!" Rico shot up at the shout, jolted out of his thoughts.

For Everyone Reading 'A Smile Is All I Need':

I just want to clarify that the special chapter is ONE chapter. If I put up another one after that, it's going to reveal DGUOM and it's sequel. BUT, if you're reading the one shots, I do tend to give out hints to what will happen. You just need a sharp eye and mind, and good memory. ;)

I also don't know how many (after-chapters) I can pull up without revealing too much, so pardon me if I don't want to update another special chapter. I will inform you if I'm putting another one up...do you even want one?

...

On a side note:

THANK YOU! For being the best fanguins the TPOM universe could ever have by reading this.

AND REVIEW! Or I'll tell Rico to set your house on fire.

Just kidding. :) Have a lovely day!