~*~*~

Nikki pulled back from the hug and held the bear tight to his chest. "What else did you buy?" He asked with the curiosity of a five year old

 "I got you some Tylenol for your headache." Luke replied pulling out a small white bottle with the words 'Tylenol' written on the side.

Nikki looked at them with suspicion, but decided to trust Luke. He went into the bathroom, dragging Luke behind him and stuck his head under the cold-water tap, getting a mouthful of water. Then he stood up and indicated for Luke to give him one of the meds.

Luke popped open the bottle and gave Nikki one of the pills. Nikki took it and swallowed it, repeating the action and asking for another. Luke shook out another pill and handed it to Nikki then closed the bottle.

Nikki swallowed that one, then drank some more water before turning off the tap, his mouth and lips now cold. "Thank you." He said politely.

 "You're welcome." Luke smiled then opened the medicine cabinet behind the mirror and placed the pills inside, he looked at the empty cabinet and frowned, "You know... we should probably get some toothbrushes and toothpaste."

Nikki shook his head. "The white haired lady said she had some for us...somewhere... we have to ask her."

 "When she say that?" Luke asked furrowing his eyebrows.

Nikki shrugged. "When she say what?" He asked, already having forgotten

Luke sighed and shook his head, "Never mind, let's just go talk to Ororo about the toothbrushes."

~*~

 Later that evening Nikki and Luke were watching the new amazing form of entertainment that Nikki had just discovered... the TV. He'd been afraid of it at first, as it reminded him of the monitors they used at the asylum, but watching it, it slowly drew him into a new world of action and adventure... and commercials. He was currently sitting with his legs curled up, leaning against Luke, bear under one arm, the thumb on his other hand lodged in his mouth.

 ~...Smash, smash, smash! Then she made me lick, lick, lick... The new grub killer...~

 Luke made a face at the disgusting commercial, then pulled his feet up on the couch and leaned back against the arm, disturbing Nikki from his place against his side.

 Nikki moved and whined slightly, but settled back into Luke's side, pulling his arm to drape over his shoulders, making him feel more secure there.

 Luke glanced over at him and shook his head softly, "So what ch'ya name the bear?"

Nikki picked the bear up and looked at it. "His name is bear." He said definitely.

 "'Bear'," Luke repeated raising his eyebrows, "That's an um... original name." He smirked.

Nikki nodded. "I thought it up by myself." He said, seeming proud. He looked back at Luke. "Do y'like it?"

Luke chuckled, "Yea, I like it. It fits him well."

 "What're you guys watching?" Kitty asked walking into the room holding a bowl of popcorn and a can of pop.

Nikki saw her and scrambled off the couch, climbing over Luke and falling down to hide behind him and the chair arm, where he curled up and stayed silent.

Luke glanced over the arm of the chair then back at Kitty, "The Price Is Right." He answered.

 Kitty tilted her head ignoring Luke, "Why does he hide every time I walk into the room?" She asked looking back up at Luke, who was now sprawled out on the couch using his arms as a makeshift pillow.

 He looked back at Nikki and frowned, "Nikki, please come out... meet Kitty."

 Nikki shook his head. "No..." He moaned. "I don't wanna..."

Luke pulled himself up onto his knees, resting his chin on his arms he looked down at Nikki.

 "I promise Kitty won't hurt you... she even brought popcorn." He smirked over at Kitty who had taken a possessive hold on her popcorn bowl.

Nikki shook his head at Luke. "I'm scared."

 "I know," Luke said softly running his fingers through Nikki's hair, "you were afraid of me too when we first met."

Nikki leaned into Luke's touch and grabbed his hand, shaking hard. "But she's gonna hit me again."

 "No Nikki, she hasn't hit you. This isn't your mother, this is Kitty." Luke squeezed Nikki's hand gently.

 Kitty slowly walked over to the couch, "Hey Nikki." She said softly so not to alarm the boy.

 "No, no, no, no, no.." Nikki whimpered, pressing back into the wall and hiding his face. "Please mummy, leave me alone.."

Kitty took a step back glancing uncertainly at Luke, who still had his eyes on Nikki.

 "I'm not your mother," She tried crouching down onto her knees so that she was eyelevel with Nikki, "My name's Kitty, and I promise I won't hurt you."

Nikki stared back at her, wide-eyed and hyperventilating. He began edging away from her along the wall, mumbling to himself.    

"I'll be good, I promise, I'll be good, I'm not a bad boy, I'll be good for mummy, I will, I will..."

Luke climbed off the couch and sat down next to Nikki, pulling him into his arms.

 "Calm down, and breath." He whispered.

 Kitty took another step back then quickly exited the room so not to do anymore damage, it was clear that the kid need more time to adjust to her.

Nikki collapsed into Luke, gasping for breath. "I'm sorry Luke, I'm sorry... I'm bad, I didn't mean to...she's gonna punish me now.."

"No one's gonna punish you, Nikki," Luke replied, "No one's going to hurt you anymore."

Nikki looked at Luke with cold dead eyes. "How do you know?" He asked, in a voice that matched his look, obviously in the middle of another mood swing

"Because I do," Luke frowned, "No one's going to hurt you while I'm around."

"You can't be around all the time." He said fatalistically.

Luke nodded, "The other's here will watch after you if I'm not, they won't let anyone hurt you either."

Nikki made a face. "That's what that lady said when she took me away from mummy, but ti wasn't true."

"What happened Nikki?"

"She sent me to the asylum." He said in a quiet voice.

Luke nodded, "I know," He whispered, "But if you hadn't come there we wouldn't have met..."

"And we wouldn't have been molested and beaten up and put in solitary either." Nikki said hotly.

Luke pulled away, he was right.

"Yea well..." He frowned then stood up, "Maybe." No wonder he was so screwed up, having been abused and molested for over 9 years of his life. He tried to protect Nikki from it but in the end, he suffered much, much worse.

 "I need some air." He whispered starting toward the door.

Nikki looked worried, "Luke?!" He called. "Are you okay?"

~*~*~