AN - What might have happened if someone had helped those Bartowski teenagers? Updates will be sporadic, but this keeps surfacing in the back of my head.


04-18-1995

"Em, I know its not ideal but they have no options." Sandra Bradley said, pushing the file across her desk. The social worker had a worried look. "The girl has done a great job but she's just too young. Even if I overlooked things for a year when she turns eighteen… it shouldn't all fall on her. Its not right. As it is they have to be terrified each day that they'll get split up."

"I know I said I wanted to help kids out when I volunteered… I didn't quite mean this Sandy." Emma replied, looking at the open file. On the first page were clipped the pictures of two teenagers. The older one, a pretty brunette girl, had a serious and slightly worried, expression on her face. The younger, a boy who had an impressive mop of curly brown hair, showed a goofy grin. Both pictures seemed to be recent school photos. She wondered what her daughter looked like now, she'd been turning more blonde in the last photo she had. She didn't know what it looked like now, because her husband had left her six year before and taken their daughter with him. Her heart lurched as she tried to understand how parents could leave their children. She'd spent the last six years looking for her daughter. Each failure had taken another small chunk of her soul, but she knew she'd never give up. Sandy was familiar with the story, she'd been a part of several bouts of searching. She looked at the photos again, and she knew she was going to say yes. How could she not? "Seventeen and fourteen, you said?"

"Yes. Both of them are doing remarkably well in school. I got the impression from Eleanor, that's the girls name, that the parents… they hadn't been around much in the past few years even before they disappeared completely." The gray haired social worker continued speaking after a pause to flip pages in the file and a gesture at the current grade reports. "No behavioral issues that I could see."

"They're not used cars, Sandy, you don't have to sell them." Emma sighed and then nodded firmly "You're right, it shouldn't all fall on her. You knew I wouldn't let them be split up... so what's the plan."

Emma could see the change in Sandy's expression, like a death row inmate who'd just gotten a reprieve. "Thank you." Sandy said, reaching over to squeeze one of Emma's hands before continuing. "We've got two options. It depends on what we can convince them to do without too much of a fight. These kids are fiercely loyal and independent so it may take some negotiation, but we could try to get them to move up to San Jose with you."

"And that's the one you think would be the bigger fight, I take it?" Emma said, raising an eyebrow at Sandy's nod. "What's the other option."

"You could move down here to Burbank." Sandy replied. "I'm not sure exactly what was going on or why their parents left, but their father did make a few arrangements. The house is paid for and held in trust for them. Title reverts to them jointly when Charles turns eighteen. There's even a small fund setup for property taxes and utilities."

"I just have to leave San Jose for at least the next four years or so."

"Em, you sold your family's restaurant last year." Sandy said gently. "There's nothing else… Look, I know you're hoping that…"

"She'll come back Sandy, she's not…" Emma interrupted, and then took a deep breath. "She's out there somewhere and someday she'll come home."

Sandy shrugged. "So keep the house, rent it out or something. For now, these kids need you here. I think they've had enough disruption."

"Legal issues? Is this a foster thing, temporary… how does it work?" Emma asked.

"I'll handle the paperwork. You'll be able to take care off their school signatures and anything necessary as their legal guardian." Sandy replied. "Don't worry about the 'system', I'll make sure they're not shuffled around or sent anywhere. I just need someone to attach the paperwork to."

"OK" Emma said simply. "When do I meet them?"


Ellie Bartowski sat up with a start of surprise. She'd dosed off in the stiff chair, exhaustion enough to overcome discomfort. Her somewhat more than part time job, combined with her senior year schoolwork, was wearing at her she knew. But I could have held things together. Dammit, we were so close to being clear. If I'd made it to my birthday. She wanted to cry at the injustice of it, but schooled her expression. An unlucky bout with the flu had brought Sandra Bradley to their door, just over a week ago, when the school nurse had reported them. Sandy had been sympathetic, but firm. No matter what rules she might have been willing to bend for them – she couldn't leave two teenagers to fend for themselves. This lead inexorably to the uncomfortable chair in which she sat. She did appreciate the rules Sandy had bent for them. They hadn't been yanked from their home and split up, and Sandy had said she'd had an idea that might work. An old friend who, if Sandy could convince her, might be the solution to keeping them together and in Burbank. They were here today to meet that old friend. She looked around the small conference room for Chuck. He turned out to be sitting in more or less the same place she'd seen him in before, notepad in front of him with a math text to the side. Ellie knew the fear was irrational, but she worried constantly that one day she'd look up and he'd be gone. Just like Mom… and Dad. Her greatest fear now was loosing Chuck, and she was willing to do anything to keep that from happening. Even turning her future over to a total stranger, if that's what it took.

The door opened and Sandy stepped through, carrying a few file folders. Following her was a fairly short woman, who looked to be in her thirties. She had blonde hair in a shoulder length bob and was dressed in simple casual attire, in stark contrast to the business like wear from everyone Ellie was used to seeing in this office. The woman had a small smile, but seemed to give off an overall air of sadness. For some reason Ellie had a sudden urge to give the woman a hug and tell her it would be OK. She suppressed it and tried to keep her expression blank. Ellie looked over at Chuck and saw that he hadn't noticed them yet. She was about to say something when Sandy spoke.

"Eleanor, Charles? This is my good friend Emma Kaminski." Sandy said then paused as the sound of papers hitting the ground and a 'clonk' of a head hitting a table sounded.

Chuck had dropped his book and notes in surprise and managed to knock his head on the table as he'd bent over to retrieve them. Ellie jumped to her feet and started over to check on him. She was surprised to see that the other woman, Emma, had already moved to do the same. Emma had reached Chuck before Ellie, as he'd been at the other end of the table. She'd reached out a hand as if to put it on his shoulder to check on him, then paused and pulled it back. She knelt and picked up his book and notepad, setting them on the table as she returned to her feet. By this time, Ellie had reached her brother's side and she took his chin to turn his head towards her. He didn't look hurt, but she checked anyway. "Chuck, you OK?"

"I'm fine, Ellie. Not the first time I've collided with something." Chuck replied, then he blinked. "Not even the first time today."

Ellie suppressed a snort of amusement and saw the small smile on Emma's face grow a fraction. "Please try to stop? I'm not a doctor yet, not even in medical school." Ellie noticed Emma raising an eyebrow as she took in her comment.

"I startle easily." Chuck shrugged.

Emma turned slightly and sat partly on the table. "I'm sorry if we startled you. I'm Emma, if you missed it." she finished, holding out a hand and smiling more naturally.

Chuck took her hand and shook it a bit tentatively. "I'm Chu… Charles Bartowski. And this is my sister, El… Eleanor."

"Not, Chuck and Ellie?" Emma replied, releasing Chucks hand and holding it out to Ellie.

Ellie hesitated then took the proffered hand, shaking it and releasing it. "Um, either…" she started to reply but was interrupted.

"Yes, Chuck and Ellie." Chuck interjected.

Emma nodded and smiled again. "OK."

"Sandy, what's going to happen?" Ellie blurted. She couldn't stop herself, the worry and uncertainty were killing her.

"Emma?" Sandy said, raising a hand towards the blonde woman.

"Well, Sandy asked if I'd take on the role of your legal guardian." Emma replied, then quickly raised a hand. "I'm not here to replace your parents, but…" she hesitated obviously considering her words. "Ellie, Sandy told me what you've done for you and your brother. I respect it, I'm not discounting it… but its not right. You shouldn't have to do it alone."

Ellie stared at her for a long moment, trying to keep a hold on her expression and emotions. Chuck looked back and forth, and closed his mouth. For once her brother looked like he was just going to be quiet.

After a few more moments of silence, Emma continued. "So, if you agree, what's going to happen is that I'm going to stay with you both and help."

"Help." Ellie repeated. Help had been something she'd not had any experience with for the past few years. She rolled the concept around in her head.

Chuck spoke suddenly. "But… why?"

"Well, that's a complicated question." Emma paused and shook her head. "I hate that word. 'Complicated'. We use it to lie to ourselves I think..." Ellie looked at her in surprise, it was a small point in common, but something she'd said herself before. Emma was still talking and Ellie refocused her attention. "Let me un-complicate it. The simplest answer is, Chuck, because I can and you two need help."

Ellie picked up on the sadness she'd seen earlier, despite Emma's soft smile at Chuck and she decided to take a chance and prod. If there was going to be a problem, it would be best to find out now before Chuck got his hopes up. "Emma… is that… I mean…" she hesitated and then plowed on. "Is the reason you can also the reason you seem sad?"

Sandy and Chuck both looked at Ellie in surprise. Emma raised an eyebrow and nodded. "You're perceptive, and sharp. You'll make a good doctor." She paused and sighed. "Yes. Six years ago my husband left. Not unusual and not even unusual for him… He was not a good person in many ways. What really hurt, still hurts, is that he took my daughter with him."

Ellie covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a gasp. She saw the look on Chuck's face, it probably mirrored hers. This was someone who knew exactly what it felt like to be abandoned by the people who were supposed to… Ellie was shaken out of the thought when Emma continued speaking.

"She's about your age now, Chuck. Somewhere." Emma's shoulders sagged. "I've spent the past six years looking, but so far…"

Sandy broke in then, stepping forward and putting a hand on Emma's shoulder. "You'll find her."

"Thanks Sandy." Emma replied, then looked back at Ellie and Chuck. "So, that's why. I don't do too badly, I have some real estate and I do some accounting on the side. I sold my family's restaurant so I've got money and my work doesn't take much of my time. The only thing I have left in San Jose is a house I'm going to rent out. I've got time and resources to put to use." Ellie could almost hear the unspoken 'And I have an idea how you feel right now.'

"So we'd move in with you?" Chuck asked, slightly confused. Probably picking up on the house in San Jose as Ellie did.

Emma shrugged. "If its alright with you two, so we can keep you in your schools here, I'd move down here with you. We can ease into things." She paused and looked serious. "I want you to understand, I'll be here to help. To steer the ship you might say… but its your house. And Ellie, unless something totally unexpected turns up, I plan to follow your lead with Chuck."

"Wait… what does that mean." Chuck's voice was suspicious.

"It means, young man, that Ellie has been running your life for some years I expect. I don't intend on changing any of her policies anytime soon, just expanding on them." Emma said with a firm note in her voice.

Ellie wasn't sure why, but she felt like she could trust this woman. She made the decision, because it really was her decision she realized. Clearing her throat she said, "Well, little brother, it looks like you'll have two people nagging you from now on."