I don't own Digimon. That not good enough for ya? Too bad.

Mysterious Child

Chapter 4: Hope's Dream

"Stay at my house?"

Kari nodded. It was late afternoon, two days later. The sun was setting, and Carie had long since gotten over her mess with Gatamon. She and the Digimon were sitting on the bench between Kari and T.K., while Kari persuaded T.K. to take care of Carie for the evening.

"I still don't get…why…" T.K. started, but Kari interrupted him.

"It'll be easier for you to sneak her in than me and Tai." she explained as her bus came closer to the curb. "You're mom comes home late, and she doesn't always check in on you at night."

T.K. looked down at Carie, who was holding onto his hand with both of hers. Kari patted her on the head, then stood. "Just relax." she told T.K., winking as she and Gatomon climbed onto the bus. "She's not too much trouble."

The door closed and the bus left. T.K. sighed and looked down at Carie. She looked back up at him with big eyes. "Daddy?" she asked. "Mommy is coming back, right?"

T.K. smiled. "Of course." he said, standing. "She'll be back tomorrow. Now come on, let's go home."

They began to walk towards T.K.'s apartment, then Carie tugged at his hand. He glanced down again. "Something wrong?"

"No." she was grinning broadly. "I was just wonderin'…Daddy, will oo gimme a piggy-back wide?"

~ * ~ * ~

"WHAT?!" screamed Lord Daemon in outrage, and DemiDevimon, was thrown back once again. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN, LADYDEVIMON HAS BEEN DEFEATED?!"

Oh sure, kill the messenger… DemiDevimon righted himself and coughed. "My greatest apologies, my lord, for having to present this news." he said as stiffly as he could. "LadyDevimon has been beaten by the DigiDestined children in the past. The girl you are after seams to have made her Digimon Digivolve, and she was no…"

"BE QUIET, BAT!" shouted Daemon again, and the beast fell silent.

Daemon mussed to himself. "How? How could those…those children…beat LadyDevimon, my strongest warrior? How is that she fell so easily…"

"My Lord." came a voice from in front of him. Daemon looked up to find Phantomon, his loyal servant, hovering just above him.

Phantomon bowed. "Send me, my Lord. I will retrieve the girl you seek, and avenge our fighters that have fallen to these DigiDestined. This I swear."

Daemon grinned. "Very well, Phantomon." he hissed. "But don't you dare to disappoint me."

~ * ~ * ~

"Here we are." sighed T.K., opening the door to his apartment. "Home Sweet Home."

He set Carie down on the floor. She looked around. "This don't look like mama's house" She looked up at him curiously. "Where is mama gone to?"

T.K. sighed. "Your…'mama'…she lives with her brother and folks. We'll see her tomorrow."

He sat down on the couch. He wasn't sure exactly why, but he couldn't think of anything else to do now. His mom wouldn't be home for a couple of hours, and keeping a little kid here…having her call him 'Daddy'…the whole situation was just very awkward.

Carie crawled up next to him and rocked back and forth on the edge of the seat. Obviously, at this point, the situation was awkward for her too. T.K. leaned forward and grabbed the remote from the couch arm. Maybe some cartoons would make the whole place a little more comfortable.

When the TV clicked on, Carie's first reaction was to back away and Gatamon leapt up in surprise, landing on Patamon. A minute later, Carie approached the machine in curiosity and touched the screen. Then she and Gatamon pressed their faces against the glowing screen. "Hey there." T.K. warned, picking her up around the waist and setting her down a few feet back. "You'll hurt your eyes."

Carie looked up at him. "How come the people are stuck in da box?" she asked curiously. "Have dey been bad?"

It took T.K. a few moments to understand, but finally he said it. "You've… You've never seen a TV before, have you?"

The girl shook her head. T.K. sighed and turned the thing off. Then he looked down at her. "Lemmie ask you something…Carie, Gatamon…"

"What?" the two said together, looking up.

"When you're at home…where you were…" T.K. worked out how he was going to say it. "What…what did you guys do for fun?"

Carie and Gatamon looked at each other, then up at him again. "We…usually didn't have time for fun." Gatamon muttered.

"We was always moving." Carie added grimly. "Always running 'way."

"From…what?" T.K. asked curiously.

Carie and Gatamon both looked down, giving him the hint that they didn't want to talk about it. "But…but when you did have time…" he tried again. "What did you do?"

Carie rocked back and forth slightly on the ground. "We would talk." she said finally. "And tell jokes. Sometimes people would sing, or tell stories. Mama used to tell the bestest stories…"

T.K. could tell this was getting to be a tender subject, so he decided to drop it. There was silence for a moment, until a quiet rumbling noise floated through.

Carie giggled. "Tummy go 'Grrrr'" she laughed. T.K. smiled and went to the kitchen to see if they had something to eat besides TV dinners and instant oatmeal.

~ * ~ * ~

"So Gennai…" Izzy sat talking to the Digital Guardian at his house in the Digital World. "You really think that…Carie and Gatamon are…"

"Future DigiDestined." the now-young man set the cup of tea down on the table the two were sitting by. "Yes, I do. I believe strongly that Carie is, as she says, the future child of Kari and T.K., likewise Gatamon is to Gatomon and Patamon."

"But Gennai…" Izzy prompted, also setting down his cup. "If they are from the future, what would make them come here, to our time?"

"I'm not sure, my young friend." sighed Gennai, "I have felt a negative energy in the time stream. Something may be desperately wrong in our future. Maybe Carie and Gatamon were sent here to find help…"

"Just what could happen…" Izzy muttered, thinking deeply. "LadyDevimon mentioned Daemon…Gennai, you don't think that…"

"…I do." said Gennai shortly. "If Daemon found a way to escape the Dark Ocean, it could spell disaster for the DigiDestined, perhaps great enough to send a child to the past for help…"

"But if that's true." Izzy persisted. "Carie insists that she hasn't seen her 'parents' for over two years. What could've happened to us, or our future selves? You don't think we're all…"

Gennai's face was grim. "I don't know, Izzy." he said finally. "I don't know."

~ * ~ * ~

T.K. awoke late at night to a loud, frightened gasp. He rolled over and looked down at the little sleeping pallet on the floor. Carie was sitting bolt upright and gasping for breath.

T.K. smiled in relief. "Did'ja have a bad dream?" he asked.

Carie looked at him and nodded. "Yeah…"

T.K. pulled himself up on his elbow. "What was it about?"

She shook her head uncertainly. T.K. could tell she didn't really want to think about it. Kari's advice rang in his head "She's liable to have nightmares. If she wakes up with one, try to calm her down. But make sure she goes back to sleep before you do."

He had an idea. He got out of bed and flipped on the lamp. Patamon and Gatamon, who had been sleeping next to their partners, yawned and sat up, blinking. Carie looked up. "Daddy? Somethin' wrong?"

"Nope." T.K. said, looking in his closet. "I'm just looking for something…ah, here it is."

He pulled out a box that looked like it hadn't been opened in a very long time. He blew some dust off the lid and opened the top, searching for something inside. Patamon flew over and landed on his head. "T.K., what're you looking for?" he yawned sleepily.

"Got it." T.K. pulled out an old-looking, but still fully-stuffed and cuddly, brown teddy bear. An eye was missing, and the red bow around its neck was frayed, but it was still cute and usable.

Patamon cocked his head. "What…what is that?"

"It's my old stuffed bear." T.K. explained as he stood. "I used to sleep with him when I was younger, before I met you." he winked at his partner. "Sora taught me a little trick…"

He crouched down by Carie and gently rubbed the streaked tears off her cheeks with the bear's paws. "Please don't cry, little girl." came a high-pitched voice. "No need to be scared. I bet a little smile will make it all better."

Using the bear as a prop, T.K. tickled Carie under the ribs. Carie giggled and laughed until she rolled over on her back, a big smile on her face. "There." T.K. said in the bear's voice, setting the stuffed toy on her chest. "No more tears now. Everything's all right."

Carie pulled the bear over to her and hugged it tightly. Gatamon made a huffing noise, so Carie put her on the bear's head and hugged her as well. Then she finally looked back up at T.K. "Thanks, Daddy." she sighed, crawling back into bed. "I feel better now."

T.K. smiled. "Good." he flipped off the light and crawled back into bed. "Sleep tight."

There was a silence as the Digimon settled back into place with their partners, then Carie spoke again. "Daddy?"

"Yeah?" T.K. rolled over so he could see her better. She was turned towards him, hugging the bear as tight as she could, while Gatamon sat at the top of the doll's head, cuddled into her chin.

"Don't go away again, Daddy." she sniffed. "I don't like you to go 'way."

T.K. reached down and ruffled her hair. "Don't worry." he assured her. "I won't."

She smiled at him, pulled the bear closer, and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. T.K. smiled at her, then dropped off himself. But his sleep wasn't nearly so easy.

Like Kari had before, there was a dream waiting for him. Carie's dream. Some how he knew, it had to be hers. He saw a room, filled with white and brown furniture, white wall paper, and various small, multi-colored decorations, some he quite liked and some he felt like a woman had chosen.

In this room, sitting on the couch, were a few figures he knew well. One was himself, years older, dressed in green and blue. His hair was longer and the hat was gone, but in the face you could tell it was him. Next to him was Kari, also years older, with shoulder-length hair and a weary, but bright, smile. Patamon and Gatomon were curled next to each other between them. Carie and Gatamon sat on the floor, and Carie was stacking blocks into a tower as high as she could. This little girl was no more than four years old, and Gatamon looked like a kitten.

Something about the room gave you the feeling of ignorant bliss. Something told you that all wasn't right in the world, but for a moment these people were enjoying themselves, ignoring what was going on for a time of family togetherness.

Carie stood on her tiptoes to put a block on the top of the tower, then lost her balance and fell backwards into Gatamon. They giggled and laughed on the floor, while Kari and T.K. laughed to each other on the couch. But this happy time just couldn't last.

A siren sounded outside to the flashing of red lights. The door suddenly crunched inward from an attack blast, just hanging on because it was built to try and withstand. Kari and T.K. leapt up.

T.K. swept Carie off the floor and handed her to Kari. "Get out of here." he told her sternly as the door crunched more.

"But…T.K.…" Kari started.

"Take Carie and go!" T.K. insisted as the door continued to fall apart. "There isn't much time! Run!"

Kari looked at the door, then gave her husband a quick kiss on the cheek and ran for it with Carie in her arms. Gatomon kissed Patamon on top of the head, then grabbed Gatamon in her mouth like a mama cat does for a kitten and followed after.

The door exploded inward, showering T.K. and Patamon with debris. A dark, humanoid Digimon stepped in, flanked by a dozen others. "Got you." he laughed deeply.

There was a crash and a flash of light that swept over everything. Kari and Carie ran from the house as fast as they could. Carie looked back with big, scared eyes as her father vanished for what was to be the last time…

T.K. burst awake with a sudden start. He sat gasping for breath for a moment before the dark view of his room came into clearer focus and he realized it was just a dream.

He looked down in the dim light of the rising sun at the girl lying on the ground. The bear was pulled close to her and she slept peacefully. As he looked on her calm face, T.K. wondered, just as Kari had, What's going on? What happened? Carie, why won't you tell us? Why?

~ * ~ * ~

Kari walked along the street to the park. Up ahead she saw T.K. and Carie. Carie was riding on T.K.'s back and hugging the young man around the neck. Also caught around the neck in Carie's arm was a small, brown teddy bear. Patamon sat on T.K.'s head, and Gatamon was sitting on top of him.

Carie spotted her first. "Mommy!" she called in excitement, waving. T.K. crouched down to let her off, and she leapt off, running for her 'mama'.

Kari bent down and picked her up. Carie hugged her with a giggle, cuddling into her shirt. Kari smiled. "Where'd you get the cute bear?" she asked Carie gently.

"Daddy gave it to me." Carie giggled as she set her down.

Kari looked up at T.K. in surprised as he popped a crick out of his neck. "It was an old toy of mine." he explained. "She had a nightmare last night, it calmed her down."

Kari smiled. "Well that was nice."

Carie tugged at T.K.'s arm. "Daddy, come push me on the swing!" she begged, and pulled him down to the swing set.

Awkwardly, T.K. played with Carie for the better part of the hour, Kari watching and laughing. After thirty minutes, they were walking together down the street, Carie swinging back and forth on T.K.'s arm, the guy looking very awkward as they went.

Kari giggled again. "Poor T.K." she laughed as Carie leapt off his arm to the ground between them. "You're not really cut out to be a father yet, are you?"

"Well…" T.K. admitted sheepishly as Gatamon pushed her way up next to Patamon on his head. "I always wanted to have kids, but I was hoping to wait a few years first."

"I know what you mean." Kari rubbed the little girl on the head. "She's only been here a week or so, but she does kinda rub off on you, doesn't she?"

T.K. was about to reply, but the heavy ball of a bronze ball-and-chain set struck him in the gut, knocking all the wind out of him. He dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach and gasping for breath.

"T.K.!" Patamon cried, grabbing Gatamon before she fell off. The ball swung around again and knocked both the small Digimon off, throwing them to the ground. They rolled down the grassy hill to the right of path.

"Gatamon!" Carie cried. Gatomon ran down to the other two Digimon.

"What's happening?" Kari gasped, pulling Carie behind her.

There was a deep laugh. Spinning the ball and chain around leisurely around in a circle, Phantomon loomed in front of them. "Hello, children." he laughed. "Long time no see."

He glanced to the side, where T.K. was regaining his breath. "Not so fast!"

This time the ball connected with the side of T.K.'s head and sent him rolling down the hill, into Patamon and Gatomon. "T.K.!" Kari shouted.

"Daddy!" Carie screamed. Kari pulled her as far away from Phantomon as she could.

The evil Digimon turned on Kari. "Aw, isn't that sweet?" he hissed in a devilish manner. "My Lord would be quite pleased…"

The chain swung around at the girls, and wrapped around Kari's upper body, pinning her arms to her sides. With a tug, he tightened it so that she could hardly breath. Kari let out a strangled cry.

"Kari…" groaned T.K. from below, trying to lift himself to his feet but just not having the strength yet.

The chain tightened again and Kari let out a shout as it squeezed her ribs to the point of cracking. Phantomon laughed. Gatomon leapt at him, but he knocked her away easily.

"Let mommy go!"

Phantomon looked down. Carie stood out, unprotected, glaring at him angrily. "Bad ghosty!" she shouted. "Bad bad! Leave us 'lone!"

Phantomon grinned in his dark way. With a flash he was gone, and Kari was released from her chains. T.K., Gatomon and Patamon climbed the hill, carrying Gatamon with them. "Where's Carie?" T.K. gasped.

"Momma!"

Their heads shot up. Carie was trapped inside a floating purple bubble, banging helplessly on the walls. Phantomon was taking her with him as he floated up, into the sky.

"Carie!" Kari shouted running after them with T.K. on her heels. "Bring her back! Carie!"

"Momma! Papa!" Carie cried again, tears rushing down her face. "Momma!"

A portal of green light appeared behind them. Phantomon grinned down at the two teenagers trying to catch up, then disappeared into the portal. Seconds later, Carie disappeared after him and the hole in time closed.

"Carie!" Kari shouted again even as the portal closed above them. "Carie!"

The small brown teddy bear landed at her feet. In stunned surprise, Kari dropped to her knees and shakily lifted the bear into her arms. "Carie…" she whispered again, then dissolved into tears, clutching the bear tightly to her chest.

Patamon and Gatomon stared up at the sky where the portal had been. Gatamon looked up longingly for her partner, but say no comfort. T.K. came to Kari's side, and came down on his knees so he was even with her.

Her took hr by the shoulders and lifted her head so he could look into her eyes. She looked at him, eyes filled with tears. "She…she's gone…" she whispered. "Carie… she's gone…"

Kari threw herself at T.K. and he let her cry into his shoulder. Her arms clutched around him as she sobbed. His arms fell over her shoulders and held her tight. In the midst of this, the only thing he could think of to say was this:

"We'll get her back, Kari. Somehow, we'll get her back…"