::sighs and swings legs back and forth:: I'm bored. Okay, so not really...but I felt like saying it. Here's chapter 61. Yippee. Lalalala...enjoy!

Allie- Hee hee. Thanks Allie. I feel loved now. ::sniffles and hugs Allie back:: Thanks. You're right; it probably is a Texan thing. ::sniffles again:: Thanks for understanding. I have an obsession with sarcasm too...I'm glad that you'll have fun. My friend Ali (ha...she has the same name as you...well...not really, because she abbreviates it different and her actual name is Alicia, but shh! Not the point) came over this weekend and we obsessed over lots of things. She (next to Liz) is the only person I've met in real life who at least humors my Mighty Ducks obsession. Liz helps me write C/J stories, and Ali watches the movies with me and listens to me gush over Charlie throughout the whole thing. I think I've won her over. Hee hee...::snickers:: Does Allie skip her therapy too? ::raises eyebrows:: Lol...Yes, Charlie is being naughty. Silly boy. I understand you skipping out on details. We are indeed in a crisis, so it's understandable. Drastic times call for drastic measures. Oh, and I promise I'll start writing something for our little co-writing project...hehehe...I haven't quite gotten around to it, but I will soon. If you didn't notice, I've been slightly swamped with updates the past few days. Lots of love!

Brnnttebabe12- Lol...yes, Charlie got to be right for once. I'm glad you liked the chapter! Enjoy!

Sarah- Hee hee. Yes. Thanks for reviewing, and I hope you like the chapter!

French Chipmunk- Lol...Hehehe...okay, I guess I can ruin THAT for you...This is the only hint I can think of; Charlie isn't going to die. As much as I love angst, I don't think I could ever actually kill him. I would cry too much. Lol..but there's a hint for ya! See? I knew I'd come up with one eventually! Lol...

MDSWitter26- ::creepy smile:: You'll just have to see...Lol... It's okay! ::smiles:: Thanks for the review, and I hope the chapter is to your liking! Lol...

Strangerdanger- Wow...That was a long time ago...It's okay; I can understand now, and I hope I didn't sound rude or mean myself. It means a lot to me that you explained, though. I can understand having a friend like Charlie because I kind of do myself. Thanks for telling me. I feel relieved that you do like the story, and I am sorry about your friend. It can be frustrating. Lol...thanks for retracting the flame. I am sorry if I sounded mean in my reply, though...heh...I guess I was a little...umm...yeah. Sorry. Lol...I'm just glad to hear I'm not boring anybody. Thanks again, and I hope you like the chapter!

Katie- I guess you just have to stick around and find out about Shane, now won't you? Lol...I know that's going to be difficult for you. Lol...Thanksies! Much love!

Adriana- Yay! You're in a better mood! Lol...I'm glad you liked the chapter. Ha ha. I can do that; in fact, the Evil One has a third story up. Her penname is KellyBanks99 at the moment and the story is (so originally titled) "The New Girl." There are two capital letters in the whole chapter. Flame and be merry! Yes, I have a total of three flames in my life and all three have been to her. Noticing a pattern? It is kind of fun though...lol...hehehe...Aww, thanks for the love and support. Lol...thanks bunches for reviewing, I hope you like the chapter, and thanks for updating "Rags to Riches"!

Banksiesbabe99- Lol... ::giggles:: No shame; I have blonde moments all the time. No offense taken. You'll just have to see, now won't you? Lol. Ha ha.

Emmy- Yay! Emmy! ::grins and hugs:: I guess I won't disappear then; I wouldn't want you to get Charlieus Angstus Withdrawlumna! That would be tragic! I, of course, would not want y'all to get that. 'Twould be absolutely tragic to get a practically uncurable disease like that on my behalf! Yay! Yes, I saw your beautiful green chucks. Tee hee. It makes me want some... ::sighs:: ...No shame in being a dork. Lol...Dorks of the world unite! ::pumps fist in the air:: Aww...don't run away, Emmy! ::beats up the mean people laughing at Emmy:: Fear me, for I am a little white girl! Rah! Lol...bwaha. It'll be okay Emmy. ::pats Emmy's head:: Perhaps I scared them away. I'm scary that way. Ha ha. Yeah right.

Preciousbabyblue- Ah, I guess you'll just have to see...lol... Thanks bunches, though! I'm glad to hear (errmmm...read?) that you liked it! ::grins really big and feels special::

Rachel- As I've said to everyone, you'll just have to wait and see about Shane...It's a secret! Tee hee! Lol...Gotta keep y'all on your toes! And as for how soon this is ending, I guess it depends on how many chapters you consider "soon" to be. Lol...I'm really glad that you like it so much, though. Yeah...I was shooting for Charlie feeling like Shane understood because he'd been through pretty much the same thing. It's also easier to do something when you aren't necessarily being pressured to do so. And, of course, as you said, he thinks people will think he's mental for seeing a shrink. Lol... Much love!

Nebula- Hehehe. Yeah...Adam should know by now that visiting Charlie has an increasing death rate. I'm glad you liked the body-snatching alien thing...Tee hee... It does mean a lot to me to hear that I've kept you interested. I would cry if you went away! I try to keep little twists ready to try and keep it from being boring. Lol...yes, poor Bombay doesn't exactly know what he's doing. As for Shane, you'll just have to see. Lol...quite a few people aren't sure what I'm gonna do with him. At least I'm still a LITTLE unpredictable.

Disclaimer- ...Moo.

-Chapter 61-

Charlie looked around the dingy building as he saw several other people Shane's age sitting around on rotted logs and old, worn couches. It smell of old wood, but no one seemed to notice. A trickle of light sliced in a small corner, the only trace of an outside world existing.

Shane had turned out to be not as scary as first thought. He was still creepy, but Charlie was comforted that he wasn't the only one with issues. While the Ducks would never understand him, this guy knew what he was going through...

When they had been walking around, Shane had told him how his stepfather used to beat him before he ran away. His mom was always too busy drinking up a storm to notice. They never did find him. He said that he had been living with some of his buddies for a while, and they split the rent. That had been when Charlie had gone ahead and spilled his guts to Shane regarding his own father. Shane understood him...

It felt weird talking to a stranger, but it seemed easier than going to Dr. Shylo's and talking. The shrink intimidated you with questions while you knew he would turn around tell your parent/guardian the second you looked away. It was just some adult who didn't understand the problems and yet decided to tell you how to fix them anyway.

Everyone looked up when the two entered the room. Shane greeted several, but Charlie wasn't sure what to do. He simply stuck by Shane like a bad habit.

"Who's the kid, Shane?" a girl asked as she took a drag from some indistinguishable drug. Charlie scrunched up his face but didn't say anything.

"This is my buddy, Charlie. Found him in the diner," Shane said, placing his hand on Charlie's head, earning a glare in return.

"I see." She turned back to whatever she had been doing before as she carried on her merry way.

Shane plopped down on a torn couch, and Charlie sat next to him awkwardly, unsure of what exactly he was supposed to do in the first place. He tried not to make eye contact with anyone because they were all scary-looking...

Not that he would tell THEM that...

When Shane pulled something from his pocket and put it in his mouth, he flipped on a lighter and went crossed-eyed slightly as he lit it. Charlie watched out of the corner of his eye, still not so sure of what he was supposed to do.

Shane raised an eyebrow. "Want one?"

"No thanks. I like my lungs functioning properly, thank you," Charlie said, earning a nod from Shane.

"Suit yourself."

After sitting silently for a few moments, Charlie turned a questioning glance towards Shane. "How old are you anyway?"

"Nineteen," Shane replied.

Charlie nodded absently. He glanced at his watch and mildly shocked to realize it was nearly eight. He didn't really want to go home, but if he didn't, then...well...it just wouldn't be pretty. Bombay might blow a heart valve...

He leaned against the arm of the couch and let out a sigh. At least he hadn't had to go to the stupid shrink...He couldn't help but wonder how long he could pull it off before Gordon realized he wasn't going. Might as well play the game for as long as humanly possible. Ride the ride as far as it will go.

"You okay, kid?" Shane asked offhandedly.

Charlie looked at him with eyebrows raised. "Yeah...just spacing there...Thinking I should probably get home soon before my coach thinks I was abducted off the streets or got run over by a eighteen-wheeler while getting off the bus."

Shane raised his eyebrows.

"It could happen," Charlie said with a shrug.

"You have a very vivid and morbid imagination."

"I try," Charlie said as he stood up. "Do you go to that diner often?" he asked.

"Yeah, why?" Shane asked.

"Just wondering...I have another appointment with Dr. Shrink the day after tomorrow that I don't particularly want to go to-" he started.

"I'll be there, kid. Same time?" Shane took a swig from something in a bottle as he looked up at Charlie.

"Yep."

"Then I guess I'll see you then."

Gordon glanced up at Charlie as he trudged in around 8:30 in the evening.

"Where have you been all day? You called around lunch to say you were going on a walk...And apparently that sure was some walk..." the older man said as Charlie shrugged.

"It's a free country. I should be allowed to wander at my own free will. I didn't do anything illegal, so you don't have to worry," Charlie said with a small yawn.

Walking up the stairs in a slight daze, Charlie retrieved the key Gordon had used earlier in the day and locked his door again, tossing the key randomly on the floor as he collapsed on his bed.

Long day...

He rolled over on his back and stared at the ceiling, folding his arms under his head. He couldn't help but wonder how long he would get away with skipping sessions before Bombay would figure it out...

Without meaning to, he had come to have an understanding with Shane. It wasn't an understanding like he used to have with the Ducks...It was different somehow. Shane had the same problems he did, and it gave Charlie comfort to know he wasn't the only person who had...issues.

So if he WAS in fact completely and irreversibly screwed-up, at least he wasn't alone in it all.

It seemed everyone around him pretended as if he was the only teenager in the entire universe who attempted suicide. They acted like he was defective, so they needed to go and get him fixed before he caused any more snags in their lives. But he wouldn't give them the pleasure; they didn't care about him, so why should he care about them? They only seemed to care NOW because he was an inconvenience to them...

Charlie sighed and rolled on to his side, resting the side of his face on his arm. As much as Shane creeped him out, he wasn't so bad. Well, relatively speaking. It depends on what view you're looking from; Charlie was choosing his point of view over what Bombay's point of view would likely be.

The older teen showed Charlie that even if things get screwed up, there are other people just as screwed up as you. That maybe no one else understands what he's going through, but there are people who are going through the same things. In a matter of a few hours, Charlie had found himself impressed with how Shane could take care of himself. He didn't need his parents. He took charge when things weren't going his way.

Charlie ignored his empty stomach and stared off into space, the room silent and void of blasting music for once.

Maybe he didn't need them either. Shane could do it, so why couldn't he?

The next therapy day came, and Gordon knocked on Charlie's door.

The man prepared to scream his lungs out and have the struggle of the century, but to his surprise, Charlie opened the door, completely ready to go.

Once recovering from his shock, Bombay blinked with disbelief. "Wha-?"

Charlie just raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"No yelling? No struggle? No dramatic declarations of hate for therapy?" Gordon said, stumbling over his words slightly.

Charlie shrugged. "Not today."

Gordon Bombay stood there in shock for several more moments while Charlie stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Are we just going to stand here?"

The former hockey coach blinked again before holding the back of his hand against Charlie's forehead. "Are you feeling okay? Who are you and what did you do with Charlie?"

"It was those body-snatching aliens again," the boy said with a shrug.

Bombay opened his mouth to say something, but closed it and blinked again when nothing came out. Can you say mood swing?

"O..kay then. We should probably get going..." Bombay said skeptically, watching as Charlie nodded agreeably and walked down the stairs. "Bizarre..."

As they drove to Dr. Shylo's, Charlie stared to the window and hoped he could still get to the diner on time. He decided he would save his breath in the dramatic pre-therapy struggle that usually got him riled up and ready to argue that morning. Why go through all that trouble when you have somewhere to be? So he had ulterior motives...Who said Bombay ever had to know? Just let him THINK he's winning...

Charlie waved good-naturedly as Bombay drove off. He couldn't help but smile to himself as he walked off in the opposite direction, heading straight for that diner...wherever it was...

That went really well.

When he arrived, Shane was leaning against the outside wall of the diner.

"You're here early," he commented.

"I think I scared my 'legal guardian,'" Charlie said with a half-grin. "I was actually agreeable and eager to go to 'therapy' this morning."

Shane grinned and shook his head. "Poor thing's probably sitting in the car, wondering if it's all a dream."

"Probably." Charlie nodded as he followed Shane away from the diner.

The two walked around as Charlie observed the area surrounding him. Amazing how a prestigious shrink such as Dr. Shylo could work within walking distance of such a rundown area. However, Charlie was growing slightly more comfortable with it.

Silence had been dominant between the two of them as they walked amongst the thinning crowd on the sidewalks.

"So...when exactly did you run away?" Charlie asked curiously, wondering how long Shane had been on his own.

"About...three years ago. I was a little older than you. Sixteen. Not a good year for me." Despite his tone, Shane turned and grinned at Charlie. "But then again, most years weren't that great for me."

Charlie nodded. "I can sympathize with that. My story definitely isn't as dramatic as yours, though."

Shane laid a hand on Charlie's shoulder and patted a few times. "That's a good thing, kid. I would be worried if you had it much worse. You seem to be taking things pretty good though; they aren't giving you enough credit."

Charlie turned to Shane with question. "You think?"

"Yeah, definitely. Most people don't see it from the right angle. They blame you because they don't want to blame themselves. They don't want to admit they had anything to do with it," Shane said with confidence.

The younger boy nodded, soaking it all up. "Yeah. Exactly."

"See? They are just upset because things aren't going their way, so they place the blame on the kid. They make it seem like it's completely your fault that you're screwed up, and that you aren't worth their time until you're 'fixed,'" Shane continued, reeling Charlie in and earning definite allegiance from the younger teen.

"Yeah..." Charlie understood exactly what Shane was saying, and decided it did in fact make sense.

Shane ruffled the younger boy's hair slightly, earning a glare in return. "Yikes, I get the picture."

Charlie returned to looking around as they walked. "Where are we going?"

"I haven't decided yet," was the reply.

The boy nodded and let out a sigh, following Shane wherever he decided to take him.

A few weeks went by, and Gordon was surprised at how easily Charlie was agreeing to sessions with Dr. Shylo. He had checked the pills he had given Charlie, and sure enough one disappeared every time. Maybe things would work out after all.

After every session, Charlie would call and say he was going to stay out for a while. Gordon was letting him. It's good that he wanted fresh air. It was better than having him locked up all day. It had gotten to the point where he told Charlie not to bother calling unless his plans changed. It was good that he was getting out, anyway.

He was, however, worried that Charlie still wasn't talking to the Ducks. There seemed to be unresolved issues, but he didn't want to jump in the middle this time. He and Charlie hadn't fought for a while, and he was enjoying the peace and quiet.

Gordon was aware that only Julie, Fulton, and Adam knew about Charlie's father, but he figured at this point it was better that way. Charlie obviously didn't want to make it be a big deal, so he would honor the unspoken wishes. It was the least he could do.

He had been seeing less and less of Julie, though. She hadn't shown up since before Charlie's little 'change of heart.' He couldn't help but wonder what had gone on between them.

Glancing at his watch, he was surprised to see it was nearly nine o'clock at night. Charlie hadn't stayed out this long before. Or at least not since that one time when...but that wasn't happening this time, because Charlie was getting better.

His worry mounted as he nervously glanced at a clock again. Where was he?

"No, he's probably fine," Gordon said to himself, taking a calming breath. "No need to over-react..."

He breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the front door click open and Charlie appear.

"Hey Charlie," he greeted. He got a nod in reply.

When Charlie disappeared upstairs, Gordon frowned. He still couldn't get a single 'hello' in return no matter how hard he tried. Maybe it'll come someday...

Gordon sat at home, reading the paper and glanced at his watch. He decided to go drop in on the end of Charlie's session with Dr. Shylo. He had some questions for the psychiatrist regarding where they went from here.

He walked out to the car and drove the way there, parking his car and walking in upon arrival.

When he knocked on Dr. Shylo's door, he was answered with a 'come in.'

Bombay walked in and, to his surprise, saw Dr. Shylo sitting at his desk reading the paper and sipping something out of a glass.

Alone.

"Can I help you?" he asked, folding the paper up and sitting it aside.

"Wh-where's Charlie?" Gordon asked, looking around the room in search of the absent teen.

"Charlie? He hasn't been here in about two weeks; I thought I had made a mistake and you had withdrawn him. Is that not correct?" he asked, a perplexed and confused look appearing on his face.

"I dropped him off here about an hour ago, just as I have for the past two weeks!" Gordon said, his head still whipping around slightly.

"Hm..." Dr. Shylo said, thinking this over. "I don't know what to tell you. I haven't seen him in quite awhile. I was going to call you and ask, but I kept forgetting."

Gordon nodded and let out a sigh. "Where could he be if he's not here?"

"I don't really know...So you say you've dropped him off here every time you thought you had appointments?" the psychiatrist asked.

"Yes...I saw...I saw him walk in too...Where has he been going?!" Gordon said, talking to himself more than Dr. Shylo.

At that, Gordon left to go home; Charlie would likely be back soon...He was going to get this straightened out.