**Disclaimer** Sorry everyone, that this took so long to post. I've had to get all of my ideas together and stuff, but everything is worked out now through chapter 6, so that's good enough for me! As usual, nothing good belongs to me ( (Micah, the Children, Hemmingford) but Brooke is mine. I have a new story in mind. I can hear y'all groaning right now, but it's a Songfic called "In the End" Pretty self explanatory as to what song it is, and I'll have that posted sometime within the next week. I know the song wasn't written at the time of CotC2's release, but it's one of my favorites, so :P. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this chapter, because I actually like it!

Waking up that next morning, at least for Brooke was like waking from a deep sleep. She felt rested, and when she opened her eyes, she saw Micah's small form still sleeping on the bed. Walking quietly to the door, she peered at him, with his sleep tousled hair spread on the pillow, and couldn't help smiling. "I'll be back soon, buddy. I can't let you face that mop head all by your self." Quietly opening the door, she slipped out and was on her way back to the house that she had shared with her cousin just a few short hours ago.

Walking right in, (they had never locked the doors) Brooke was immediately surrounded by memories of her late cousin. Pictures on the mantle, her coat hanging on the hook by the door, it was all too much. Collapsing on the floor, a flood of tears burst forth, and Brooke realized that she was scared to move. She was scared to breathe. All she wanted was out, and if even an eighth of what Micah had said was true, there was no way that that was going to happen.

Collecting herself enough to go up the stairs, Brooke walked into her room, and sat down on the bed. It was only 7:15 am, and she figured that Micah would sleep for maybe another hour, hour and a half. Walking to the closet, she picked out an outfit, walked into the bathroom, and turned the shower on. While she waited for the water to warm up, she went back into her room and picked out a CD to listen to as she got ready.

Stepping back into the steamy bathroom, she placed the disk into her radio, and turned it up so she could hear it over the rushing of the water. Music always helped her feel better, and that's what she needed now. Jason Wade's voice filled the bathroom, and Brooke began her day.

I've found a long way back to sanity again

Though I don't really know what I'm gonna do

When I get there...

Take a breath and hold on tight

And spin around one more time

And gracefully fall back to the arms of grace

Finishing everything she had to do at home, Brooke prepared herself to go back to Ruth's house. Walking past the coat hooks in the front hall, she paused and grabbed Audra's coat. She wouldn't be needing it anymore. Walking, a few of the Children gave her less than welcoming looks, but she paid no attention. She finally reached the house, and opening the back door she and Micah had used the previous night, walked up the stairs and back to the guest room.

She saw that Micah was still sleeping, and noting that it was already 8:30, decided to wake him up. Leaning over the right side of the bed, she poked at him with one hand. He didn't move. Poking harder, she added a light push. Still nothing. "C'mon, Micah, wake your butt up." He groaned, and rolled over. The sudden reaction was more than expected, and Brooke lost her balance, falling on the bed with Micah.

She landed halfway across his stomach, and when she hit, Micah's eyes snapped open. "What the - " He began to laugh. "Plan backfire a little bit, Brooke?" He started to say something else, but was cut off when she began to tickle his stomach. "Come on, stop it. That t-t-tickles." She began to laugh harder. He looked so cute when he smiled. "He Who Walks Behind the Rows commands that you stop it at this instant, you insubordinate-" He cut himself off.

"Oh God, did I just - ?" She blinked in surprise. "Brooke, I, oh no, Brooke, I didn't mean that." She got up off of the bed, and backed slowly away from Micah, kneeling on the bed. "Brooke." She looked scared, and he felt horrible. "Brooke, I just got so used to saying that. It happened all the time before, and I guess its second nature now. I hope you understand." She still looked uncertain about believing him, but he flashed the smile again, and she couldn't stay mad at him. (AN- could you?)

"Micah, that was scary. I, well, I just." She seemed at a loss for words. He nodded. "Anyway, don't you have to talk to the Children?" His eyes widened in surprise. "You probably want to change first, don't you? We can probably get out the back way, but there were a few kids outside on my way here, and if you don't want them to see you then,"

''Go to Ruth. Tell her to call all of them here. When that's done, we can go to the Bed and Breakfast, and I can get some food and my clothes." Nodding, Brooke went to leave. "I'm sorry, Brooke. I didn't mean to scare you." She turned and shook her head toward Micah in an 'it's ok' gesture, and walked out of the room.

A few minutes later, she returned, and the two waited a few minutes. When Ruth came up to talk to them, Micah addressed her for the first time. "Hello, Ruth." She looked astonished that he was speaking to her, but nevertheless, she nodded back in his direction. "Are all of the Children here?" Another nod. "Good. Is it safe for me to go without being seen?" She nodded again. "Good. Come on, Brooke." Ruth, however, didn't like this.

'Why does she have to go with you, Micah? You don't need her to go. I think - " Micah silenced her with a look. She backed away, much like Brooke had done earlier that morning.

"Question me not, Ruth. I am the Giver of His word. Do not talk against Him or his Chosen." Meekly, she nodded. "Do you understand?" Another nod. "Do not tell the children. I will see them when we return. Come, Brooke." Walking past Ruth, Brooke was afraid to talk to Micah. It wasn't until they had gone outside that she attempted to speak.

"Micah, are you ok?" He nodded. They walked in silence to the Bed and Breakfast, and when they entered, Micah collapsed like Brooke had, except he was laughing instead of crying. Unable to control herself, Brooke collapsed next to Micah, and began to laugh as well. The two of them didn't stop for a few minutes, and then finally, when Micah ran out of breath, his laughter subsided.

"Did you see the look on her face? That was priceless! He Who Walks Behind the Rows surely wouldn't appreciate me using his name like that, but it was worth it. Wow. I haven't laughed like that for a long time." Smiling at Brooke, he told her that he was going to go get dressed. She asked him what he wanted to eat, and told him that she'd make it while he changed.

He showed her where the kitchen was, and proceeded up the stairs. Brooke hummed to herself while she cooked, and after about fifteen minutes had passed, breakfast was done. Deciding to go see what Micah was doing, she carried the plates of toast and eggs upstairs, and knocked on what she assumed was his door.

No one answered, so she knocked again. "Micah, are you in there?" Still no answer came, so Brooke pushed the door open. The room was deserted, and she would have left if she hadn't seen the partially closed door to her right. Putting down the plates of food, she walked carefully to the door, and pushed it open.

"Micah, are you - " Gasping, she ran forward and dropped to her knees. 'Micah, come on. Talk to me, please. Come on" The pale boy, even paler now, was sitting on the floor. Propped up against the bathtub, he wasn't moving, only taking shallow, hurried breaths. Looking into her eyes, the boy's breaths become deeper, more regular. Helping him stand up, The two walk over to the bed in the main room.

"Micah, are you ok? What happened?" He doesn't answer, and Brooke turns him so she can look into his eyes. "Micah, I'm here for you. I don't want anything to happen to you. Please tell me maybe I can help." A small whimper comes as Micah seemingly returns to normal. He shoots straight up, and grabs Brooke in a hug.

"I, I , I had a, I had a, oh God." He hugged Brooke tighter, and began to cry. "Brooke, help me. Please help me. I can't, I can't do that again." Pulling back out of the embrace, Brooke searched the boy's dark eyes.

"What Micah. Tell me what happened." A few more tears leak out of Micah's eyes, and he shook his head. "Why not. It'll help you if you talk about it. I promise." Silence filled the room. "Well, maybe you'll feel better if you eat something. Brooke walked over to where she had set the plates down, and brought them back over to the bed.

Setting them down, both teens begin eating silently. Silence dominated the room for almost ten minutes, and then Micah quietly broke the silence.

"He came to me." The words were whispered, and Brooke couldn't understand what he was saying.

"What, Micah?"

"He came to me, Brooke. I had a vision." He looked down at the bed. "He is most pleased that I survived. My body was a fine vessel, He says. It can be used again." Micah's eyes rose to meet Brooke's. "He won't tell me what's going to happen. He says that I'm his, forever, and it doesn't matter what I say or do. I'm not going to have much notice either. If He wants to come back, I'm his." The boy broke down in tears again.

"I have no control in my life at all. It isn't fair." Hugging him tightly, Brooke didn't know what to say. 'He also said - " Micah's voice cut off.

"What else did he say, Micah?" Her voice was tender, caring. She wasn't afraid of him right then, and didn't know why she ever feared him, or any of this.

"That has to wait, Brooke. The Children have to hear it too. But, your name came up." He stopped there, and winced, as if saying this caused him pain. "Yes. This must wait. I need to see the Children."

Both of them finished their food, and Micah finished dressing. With very little conversation, they walked back to Ruth's house, and to the waiting Children.