After this incident, Kyle kept a very close eye on his Buddi. Fearful that Tommy would do something that they both would regret. Yet, he seemed to be behaving himself pretty well for the first couple of weeks. So much so that the older teen wondered if he was just being paranoid about him or not. So much so that he talked to Karen about it. Trying to make sure that his feelings weren't just him being paranoid or not. She said,"I can't blame you for being worried about him being up to something."

"Him and Chucky are good at pretending they're doing nothing wrong.",Karen added. She turned on the coffee pot as she got two mugs out. Setting them down on the counter top. It wasn't hard to understand why he'd be worried about his Buddi. Since he'd done so much terrible to him. The crutches that Kyle was walking with proved it. She watched him while he set them against the wall. Then she asked,"Just how did Tommy act after your chat with him?"

"He acted like he understood why violence isn't cool. But I'm not sure about it.",Kyle answered. It definitely seemed like he had. Though, he hadn't promised that he wouldn't do it again. Or made any form of promises. Instead he just nodded his head in agreement. That really could've meant anything that he wanted Kyle to believe. Which was what worried him so much. The Buddi nodding his head could've been just a lie that he wanted to believe. Part of him was screaming that he was just being paranoid. Like he hadn't done anything explicitly bad. All he'd done these past few weeks, he'd been spending time with Glenda like he was supposed to. Playing games, doing tea parties, and helping her with her homework. So, why did this set off alarm bells in his head? Kyle chewed his bottom lip as he toyed with his nails. Looking up at Karen, he asked,"Do you think I'm being paranoid? I mean he's really not done anything wrong or horrible."

"I mean, he was really sweet to Tyler and Eddie when they came over.",he added. When Tyler and Eddie came over, he'd been sweet. In fact, they were over right now. And he was being very polite to Eddie. Treating him like a best friend. Despite how little he knew the other Buddi. It was almost a hilarious contrast to how he treated Chucky. Which was way less than warm. Not outright cruel, or anything, but just clipped and cold. Like he as dealing with a co-worker he doesn't want to be around. Though, in a way, that was indeed his situation in a nutshell. Karen shook her head at this, as she poured her coffee. Pouring a little creamer in it, she said,"You're not paranoid. In all honesty, I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop too."

"Let's just keep an eye on him for now.",she added. Probably the wisest idea and decision to do. He nodded his head as she told him to go through the Buddi app library. Download things that he felt weren't right and show them to her if he needed to. Pouring Kyle's cup of coffee, she asked,"So you want some of the coffeemate stuff or just the powdered creamer and sugar?"

"Coffeemate stuff. Lots of it please and thank you.",he said. Thanking her as soon as she gave him the cup of coffee. Taking a sip of it as he hoped that he was just being paranoid about this and the Buddi wasn't doing anything wrong. He'd rather be paranoid than right for once in his life. As he sipped his coffee, he noticed Tommy from the corner of his eye. Talking to Eddie as they were looking over a piece of paper. Eddie holding it as they spoke in hushed tones that were much too low for him to properly catch. Neither of them looked tense or uncomfortable. Still, he felt tense as he watched them converse with each other. Tempted to get up and just head over to them. Demand to know what exactly they were speaking of. But, he was afraid that he was overreacting. The two Buddis could be talking about anything innocent. Or keeping their voices down because Tyler and Glenda were napping or something like that. Though the sight of them speaking to each other made him somewhat uneasy.

He pushed those feelings aside as he tried to focus on his coffee. Figuring that he could just go over the Buddi app library later when Tyler and Eddie were gone. Right now, he just needed to keep up the facade that he was fine. And that there was nothing wrong with him in the slightest bit. Plastering on the most fake smile he could muster along with it. Soon as he was done with his coffee, he reached for his crutches. Intending on putting his coffee mug in the sink and head out for the day. Pausing only when Tommy had given him the crutches he'd been reaching for. Holding out his hand for the cup as he said,"I'll take that for you, Kyle."

Before he could even tell the Buddi 'no', he took it anyways. Quickly heading for the sink and carefully dropping it in. Turning back to Kyle, he asked,"Do you want to play with us?"

"I'd really rather not. I was planning on continuing my writing.",he answered. Which was true. He had been planning on working on the next chapter of the Knight and Prince tale. Not in his room. But in the living room so he could keep an eye on Tommy and the kids. Mostly on Tommy. The disappointed look on his face made him feel somewhat guilty. It seemed like something that the Buddi had really wanted to do. So he sighed as he added,"But I guess I could postpone that for later tonight. What kind of game did you guys have in mind?"

This cheered Tommy up as he told him that they wanted to play Monopoly. Pretty simple game that didn't require him to move much. But they played it so much that he was kind of bored with it. Instead of pointing this out, he nodded his head in agreement. Then followed Tommy into the living room. Where Tyler and Glenda were putting the game out. Eddie was shuffling some of the cards before setting them out. Smiling at Kyle when he came into the room. Putting the other deck of cards down, Eddie said,"Hello, Kyle. It's good to see you again."

"Hi, Eds. New sweater?",Kyle asked. Noticing that he wasn't wearing his usual rainbow sweater. In its place he was wearing this bright red one with black hearts all over it. It looked rather cute on him. And he wondered where he could get a similar one for Tommy. Eddie nodded his head as he answered,"Yes, George made it for me."

"Well, it's quite lovely on you.",Kyle said. Making his way over to the couch and sitting down. Tommy quickly snatched up his crutches and set them against the wall. Smiling to himself as he sat down next to Glenda. Tyler plopped down on Glenda's other side, while Eddie sat near him. When they were ready, they had Kyle be the banker. It was something that he usually did when Glenda didn't feel like it. He didn't really mind as it was kind of fun. Quickly, he handed out the right amount of money and they put out their pieces. Glenda being the thimble, Tyler was the racecar, Eddie was the hat, and Tommy was a boot. While Kyle played as the dog. All of them played the game until Tyler's Dad came to pick him up. Wearing a similar sweater to Eddie's. Except it was reversed colors, black with red hearts all over it. It was kind of cute how they were matching. Tommy and Eddie started to put the game away as Tyler hurried to get ready to leave. Putting on his boots as George got his coat, hat, and gloves out of the closet. When Tyler got his boots on, he slipped on his son's coat. Then, his hat and gloves. Smiling as he asked,"Did you have fun, Tyler?"

"I did. I drew you and Eddie a picture.",he answered. Rushing over to grab it from the pile of paper that the six-year-olds had left. Holding it up to his Dad as he grinned widely. It was a pretty cute picture. One of him, his Dad, and Eddie standing together. With labels over who was who. Labeling his Dad as 'Dad' and Eddie as 'Papa'. Something that made his Dad smile a little more as he hugged his son. Kissing his forehead as he said,"It's great, kiddo. You did a really good job."

"Thanks, Dad.",Tyler said. Hugging his Dad back as he grinned widely. Soon as the game was packed up, Eddie scooped up his other drawings. Folding them neatly before handing them over to George. Who promptly kissed him on the forehead too as he took them from him. Carefully putting them in the pocket in the inside of his jacket. Scooping up his son's Buddi afterward. A minute later, Karen came into the room with a cup of coffee in her hands. She smiled warmly at him as she asked,"Heya, George. How was work?"

"Oh God, it was horrible. So many people clamoring for that new Buddi/Besti thing and it isn't even out yet.",George answered. Rolling his eyes as he arranged Eddie in his arms. That way he wasn't likely to fall as they spoke. Eddie carefully gripped his shoulders as he wrapped his legs around his chest. Raising an eyebrow at the new Buddi/Besti thing. Tilting his head to the side, he asked,"What new 'Buddi slash Besti thing'?"

"Apparently there's this new body thing that Kaslan came out with. It's supposed to make having a Buddi or Besti easier.",he said. Then went on to explain that the Buddi thing was an upgrade body for either version of the Buddi and Besti. It was supposed to be a pretty easy transfer for the Buddis memories and such. George rolled his eyes slightly as he muttered,"I don't see the point in it, Karen. It really feels like an unnecessary thing to have. And calling it an 'upgrade' when it's just an aesthetic change is really stupid."

"That is stupid. How tall are they anyway?",Karen asked. It sounded really stupid in her mind too. Why bother making the Buddis and Bestis taller for? Especially, if there was no added benefit to it. George told her that they varied. Some were around her height. Others were around Kyle's height. But it just seemed like they were just scamming people. He added,"I mean if there's nothing benefiting you or the Buddi/Besti, why make it at all?"

"So Kaslan can get rich off of dumb people?",Tommy offered. Prompting George to look down at him and nod his head in agreement. It definitely seemed like that to him. He carefully adjusted Eddie as he said,"Exactly. Another dumb marketing thing that'll sell out almost immediately and be totally useless."

Kyle saw a lot of potential in the 'upgrade' body. It would definitely make kissing Tommy a whole lot easier. And it would make them doing chores together easier too. Then he thought of Chucky with one of them as well. It would probably cool for a little while with Chucky. Right until he started hurting people who upset Andy. Again. Parts of his nightmares surfaced as well and a shiver went down his spine at the memories. Shoving those thoughts to the side, he got out his phone. Unlocking it to check his emails and see if he had any notifications for his favorite web-comic. When there weren't any, he decided to look up the so called 'upgrade' body. Checking to see what announcements there were about it. Along with any possible pricing for it as well. Tempted to save up for one for Tommy. While he looked it up, he briefly noticed Tommy and Glenda staring at him. Looking over his phone, he noticed that Eddie, Tyler, Karen, and George were no longer in the room. And he guessed that Karen was probably in the kitchen. While the Caputo family headed out while he was messing with his phone. Locking up his phone, he asked,"So, who wants to play Uno?"

"I do!",Glenda answered. She briefly looked around the room for the Uno deck and realized it wasn't there. With a sigh, she headed to her room to see if it had been put away. As she did this, Tommy climbed onto the couch. Plopping down next to Kyle as he asked,"Do you think that I should get an upgrade body?"

"No. You're perfect the way you are.",Kyle answered. Besides, the bodies turned out to be at least three hundred bucks. Way too much for just a toy. Pulling Tommy into a hug, he added,"You don't need an 'upgrade'."

"You sure? I mean, it'd make taking care of Glenda and you easier.",Tommy said. Hugging Kyle back with a small smile on his face. That made the older teen laugh a little. Kissing the top of Tommy's head as he smiled down at him. Then, Kyle stated,"You shouldn't have to take care of me, silly. And you're a great friend for Glenda."

"Being short or tall wouldn't ever change that.",he added. Hoping that Tommy would understand that he loved him as he was. Nuzzling his cheek, he continued,"You said it best anyways. It's just a dumb aesthetic thing that has no real use."

That made Tommy nod his head slightly in agreement. Looking a little happier that Kyle didn't want the stupid upgrade body. As he didn't really want it either. He'd only asked him as a way of testing the older teen. If he had agreed to it, he would've gotten a stern talking to. Along with no kissing or cuddling for at least three weeks. It pleased him that Kyle saw him as perfect the way he was. A small grin graced his features as he kissed Kyle's cheek. Giggling when he heard Glenda come down with the Uno deck. The one that he had hidden in her desk to get her out of the room for a bit. All three of them settled around the coffee table. While Glenda shuffled and dealt the cards out.

While the trio were playing cards, Andy and Chucky were working on his homework. It was an art project that he needed help painting. Something that Chucky easily could do while he worked on pasting the buildings together. As they worked, Chucky said,"Okay. The paint will take a little while to dry. But I think we're almost done with it."

"That's good. Almost got these little buildings ready to go.",Andy stated. Glancing down at Chucky's work, he smiled a little bit. Then thanked Chucky for his help. Saying that he did a great job of painting a hillside with sky. It looked pretty good for what it was supposed to be. And carefully as possible, he picked up their project off the floor. Moving it up onto his desk so it would dry better. While he did that, Chucky checked over his tiny buildings that he'd made. Admiring them as he said,"You did a lovely job on these, Andy."

Andy thanked him as he finished off the last of the buildings. Grateful that they had already fixed up the trees earlier. Now, all they had to do was wait for everything to dry before sticking them together. He smiled as he turned fully to Chucky who smiled back at him. His Buddi asked,"So, what do you want to do?"

"How about we get you cleaned up first. Cuz you got a ton of paint on you, dude.",Andy answered. Pointing out that most of Chucky's clothes were covered in green and blue paint. Along with his hands. Andy had a little glue on his skin. But that would be a lot easier to clean than his Buddi. Chucky stared down at his hands for a moment. Then nodded his head as he agreed with the younger teen. Grateful that he had other clothes to wear while his current ones were washing. Otherwise, he'd be running around bare butt naked. Which would've been pretty embarrassing. Especially, with another Buddi in the house. Who hadn't been all that nice to him for the last two weeks. Putting that to the side, he followed after Andy to the bathroom. Taking off his outfit as quickly as possible and handing it to him. Then climbing up the step-ladder that Karen got for Glenda to wash his hands. Soon as he was done, he hurried back to Andy's room to put on the spare outfit he had. Slipping it on as quick as possible as he checked the time on the nearby alarm clock. It was around four-thirty in the afternoon.

The project was taking longer than he originally had anticipated it was going to. But at least they were nearly finished. And Andy was happy with the things he'd done for it. With a sigh, he walked over to Andy's bed. Climbing on it and sitting down as he waited for the younger teen to come back. Which wasn't a long wait. As the younger teen came back wipping his hands on his pants. He plopped down in his desk chair as he looked at Chucky. With a small smile, he said,"So, I was thinking we could play Checkers if you're up for it."

Chucky nodded his head in agreement. It was a game that they both really liked. Andy quickly got it out from his desk and carefully arranged it on his bed. Sitting on it with him as he gave Chucky the black pieces while he had red. Watching Chucky carefully as he planned his moves. Then carefully putting a piece out. As they played, Andy's phone made a pinging noise. Rolling his eyes, he pulled out his phone to check what it was. Realizing it was a text from Kyle. And it looked somewhat important too. With a raised eyebrow, he opened up the text message to see what it was about. The message read as,'Andy. They're making weird new bodies for the Buddis and Bestis. Just look at this weirdness.'

There was a link to the official site that had this information. Opening it up, he frowned slightly at the sight of these new Buddi bodies. They were sort of like the original ones that Chucky, Tommy, and Eddie had. But strangely more human looking. Varying in height like normal humans. Some as tall as his Mom and others as tall as Kyle. It was deeply unsettling to look at. Closing the link, he texted Kyle that it was weird and kind of ugly. Then locked his phone as he said,"Kaslan is making new bodies for Buddis and Bestis. They look so human it's creepy."

"New bodies? What's wrong with our current bodies?",Chucky questioned. A fair question in Andy's mind. He shrugged his shoulders as he moved a checker over the board. Jumping one of Chucky's pieces as he answered,"Nothing is wrong with them. They're just making them to scam people."

"It's probably going to get popular once somebody makes a YouTube vid of'em.",Andy added. Which he hated the idea of. But it definitely was going to happen sooner or later. And he bet it was going to be some dude that did it. Putting those thoughts aside, he continued,"Don't worry about me getting one. You don't need the 'upgrade' and it costs way too much money to get. The article says that they're around three hundred bucks."

"That's really stupid.",Chucky stated. Another thing that they could easily agree on. Andy nodded his head as they continued playing. Chucky winning the first round. And Andy winning the second round that they played. Before they could get to a third round, Karen was calling them down to dinner. He put the game back in its box and put it back in his desk. Heading to the stairs as he believed Chucky would be at his heels. Soon as he got downstairs, he noticed a few things that were off. One, Kyle was still seated on the couch. Watching something on the T.V while Glenda was cuddled up next to him. Second, Tommy wasn't in the living room. Nor was there any sight of him anywhere. Third, his Mom wasn't in the kitchen like he thought she was. Making him wonder who in the Hell had called him downstairs? Before he could think it over, he heard a strange thudding noise behind him. Causing him to jump and turn towards it with a startled cry. His eyes widening as he saw his Buddi in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the stairs.

Hurrying over to Chucky, Andy saw that he had a pencil wedged into his forehead. Several others laying on the floor around him. His big blue eyes completely blank as he stared up at Andy. Almost as if his Buddi was dead or something. Pulling the pencil out, he asked,"Chucky? Chucky? Are you okay? What the Hell happened?!"

"He-he tripped...",a voice answered. Looking up, he saw Tommy standing at the bottom step. Toying with his overall straps as he stared at Andy. Big eyes wide with worry as he explained that he went upstairs to speak with Chucky. It was mostly about game ideas that they could all play tonight. And Chucky suggested they play Yahtzee. Both agreed that it'd be a fun game to play and grabbed up all the pencils in Andy's room. Running with them before Tommy could stop him. And tripping over the rug in the hallway. Tommy stared down at Chucky with a concerned look. The sight of the other Buddi in such a terrible state made him completely uneasy. Looking over at Andy, Tommy asked,"Is Chucky going to be okay?"

"I...I don't know. He's not even on right now...",Andy answered. Gathering him up in his arms, he chewed his bottom lip. Trying to think of what to do as Kyle came over to inspect what was going on. Having heard Chucky fall down the stairs. When he saw Chucky looking messed up, he asked,"What the heck happened?"

"Chucky tripped and got a pencil lodged in his head. He's-he's not turning on for some reason.",Andy answered. Showing the older teen the injury that Chucky had gotten. Karen came downstairs as quick as possible. Looking over the screen, she asked,"What happened?"

"Chucky's hurt. He's not turning on now.",Kyle answered. Showing Karen the extent of the injury. And that neither of them could wake him up. While Tommy stood beneath them looking appropriately concerned as he stared up at the other Buddi. Ringing his hands together as he eyed his limp form. Karen stared him over for a moment. Then got out her phone and started dialing a number. A moment later, she hit speaker as George said,"Hey, Karen. Is everything alright?"

"No, George. We've got a bit of an issue with one of our Buddis.",she answered. Then explained what Andy and Kyle had told her. Telling him that the Buddi won't turn on or do anything. There was a pause before George stated,"I believe I can fix him. It'll take six months but, I definitely think I can put him back together."

"I'll swing by tomorrow morning to pick him up.",he added. Karen thanked him for his willingness to fix Chucky. Promising to pay him for his efforts. George responded that she didn't need to. And to consider it a 'thank-you' for looking after Tyler so much. Both said their goodbyes before hanging up, Karen put her phone in her pants pocket. Andy was grateful that Chucky was going to be fixed. But hated the idea that he was going to take nearly a year. Sighing, he hugged his Buddi to his chest before handing him to Karen. Who held him under her left armpit carefully. Patting Andy's back with her other hand. Telling him that she'd order his favorite pizza for him. Walking with him to the kitchen and carefully setting Chucky down on the kitchen table. Getting her phone back out to order from their favorite pizza place.

While they did this, Kyle was checking on Tommy. Who looked utterly distressed at what he had just witnessed. Not that Kyle could blame him. If he saw Andy hurt like that, he'd be freaked out too. But something in his mind kept nagging him. There was something not quite right about this situation. Mostly how Tommy was acting. Yet, he couldn't fully process what was wrong about it. And he didn't want to put that to the side as he stared down at his Buddi. Glenda hugging him gently as she patted his back. Tommy stared up at Kyle as he frowned. Then stared over at the kitchen as he sighed. In a soft voice, he said,"I just wanted to make up for being a jerk."

"I know I hurt his feelings these past few weeks..I just wanted to make it up to him.",he added. That sounded sweet. But he wondered why the Buddi was telling him this unprovoked. Kyle kept his face sympathetic as he stared down at him. Giving a light nod as he turned to head into the living room. Thinking over what the Buddi had told Andy and him. Still feeling that nagging feeling in the back of his mind. Not sure if he could entirely believe his Buddi. There was something off about the story and he couldn't pinpoint just what it was. As he sat down on the couch, he watched Karen and Andy in the kitchen. Both sitting around the kitchen table as Chucky's limp body laid there. Head turned away from him as they spoke.

Carefully glancing over at his own Buddi as he thought the event over. His brain not letting go of the something wrong about it. Repeating the scenario over, over, and over again. As he sat on the couch, Tommy and Glenda hurried over to him. Crawling up onto the couch with him. Cuddling him as Tommy turned on the T.V. Putting on a cartoon channel for them to all relax to. He gently gripped Kyle's shirt as he pressed his cheek against the older teen's chest. As they watched the T.V, Tommy grinned inwardly to himself. This had gone perfectly. Now that Chucky was out of the way, they could find ways to move out. And Kyle wouldn't have to worry about being attacked in his own bedroom again. It was going so smoothly that he could've started laughing.

Could have, but wasn't.

It would've made the older teen more suspicious than he already was. And he didn't need Kyle questioning the truth of what really happened to Chucky. Though, he felt that his boy would be questioning it sooner or later. Kyle wasn't an idiot. He knew when something was fishy and Tommy could tell that the older teen didn't believe him fully. But they'd cross that bridge when they came to it. For now, he was going to enjoy his alone time with Kyle. Maybe comfort Andy if he was alright with it. As he didn't want Andy to have no one to talk to. The younger teen deserved to be comforted like Kyle and Glenda did. Pushing those thoughts aside, he glanced up at Kyle. Who was staring at the T.V with a distracted look on his face. One that he'd seen a million times before, his deep in thought face. Frowning slightly, he prayed that he wouldn't question the situation anytime soon. Tommy really didn't want to lie more than he already had to Kyle.

After dinner and movies, it was time for Glenda to go to bed. Kyle keeping a careful eye on Tommy's every movement. Trying to understand just where his head was. That strange sense of unease flowing through him as Tommy grinned at him. Blowing him a kiss as he took Glenda upstairs to get into her pajamas and brush her teeth. Karen leading them. Having promised Glenda that she'd tell her a bedtime story. Turning to the T.V, he started thinking the scenario over for the near millionth time. Wondering what exactly brought Andy downstairs in the first place. He didn't mention what had brought him downstairs. When he looked at the the younger teen, he asked,"Andy, what made you come downstairs?"

Andy made a confused noise as he turned to the older teen. Raising an eyebrow as Kyle questioned,"You didn't mention what made you come downstairs earlier. What made you come downstairs?"

"...I heard my Mom calling me down for dinner. At least, I thought I did.",Andy answered. That made him raise an eyebrow as he stared at Andy. He didn't remember hearing Karen calling anyone downstairs for dinner. She wasn't even downstairs. So who had called Andy down? A cold shiver ran up his spine as he turned to stare at the stairs. Then he looked at Andy as he realized that Karen hadn't been the one to call Andy down. And he remembered that Buddis could easily mimic a human voice without much effort. And that Tommy was fully capable of doing that. Just like he was fully capable of stabbing that pencil through Chucky's forehead. Toying with his shirt, he tried to come to grips with the uncomfortable mixture of emotions in him. In a low voice, he muttered,"Guess you must've been hearing things."

"Yeah, I guess I did.",Andy stated. Not feeling the slightest bit confident in that statement. His eyes drifting from the T.V to Chucky's form. Frowning as he stared at his motionless friend. While Kyle's attention had drifted right back to the staircase. Noticing that Tommy was standing at the top of the stairs, staring down at him. An eerily wide smile on his face as his eyes turned a frighteningly bright red.