Hey guys, I'm leaving for Arizona tomorrow, and I won't be back for ten days, so it'll be at least that long before I can update. Sorry guys! Love you all, and I hope you like the chapter!

Allie- ::squeaks:: Heh. Okay, I guess I'll keep going. But only because you said that; otherwise I would have abandoned it forever and left you all wondering what happens next. Bwaha. ::huggles back:: Thanksies! ...Hehehe. Yeah. Charlie ran away. He's a naughty little...umm...Charlie. Lol. Sorry for scaring you, dear. Ha. Chica! A word I actually know...rah...hehehe. I'm glad you liked the dedication. ::smiles:: I was hoping you would. ::remembers writing that review and giggles:: Heh. Those were good times, my friend. Good times. Aw, I heart you too! AHHH!! ::is scared of the people in the white coats::...::realizes they aren't after me:: Oh. Heh...Charlie...boxers...love...::goofy smile::

Katie- ::feels special:: I'm so glad you liked that line! Lol. I'm hoping I can get around to working on the prequel and sequel...it may just be awhile. Lol.

Adriana- Lol...I was talking about Morgan; but I'm glad you liked her anyway. Well, okay, I guess I was talking about the locksmith too, but shh. Lol. Not the point. Heh. I agree that speculating is fun. I'm glad you like the story. And I'm hoping I can whip out the prequel and sequel eventually...lol...it may just be awhile before they come.

Sarah- ::giggles:: I'm glad you liked. Thanks bunches!

Rach- Yes...poor Charlie. ::tear:: I know...The fact that it's a year old shocks me. It doesn't seem like it's been going that long...It makes me nostalgic, and I remember when I first started it...so long ago...Charlie had no clue what he was getting himself in to...I'm glad you like Charlie angst. That's definitely good. I heart it, and I wish the other (few) people writing it would hurry up and update. Chelsea needs to read Charlie angst too! Heh. Yeah. Gordon isn't having a very good time with the Charlie angst...it doesn't work well for him. I'm glad you liked the chapter, and i hope you enjoy the update.

Banksiesbabe99- I'm so glad to hear it...er...read it! ::wipes away tear:: Lol...I'm so glad to hear you still like it. We actually don't have an extremely long way to go...it doesn't feel like it should ever end. Lol. This is the Never-ending Story! Aww...::feels incredibly loved:: Thanks so much. It means a lot and makes me feel much better to know that it isn't getting boring or anything. Lol...thanks so much for the review, and I hope the update is to your liking.

Brnnttebabe12- I'm glad you liked! ::grins::

French Chipmunk- Lol, yes...I don't think I could bring myself to make an unhappy ending. They've all been tortured enough as it is. I'm glad you liked the chapter!

Tiff- Wow...thanks. I'm glad you found it realistic; it means a lot. And I'm thrilled that you like it! Three days, huh? Heh...it's just a LITTLE long... But again, I'm really glad you like it, and thanks so much for your review. It kept me grinning stupidly all day.

DodgerMcClure.aka.Drama-Queen- Lol...true dat. I'm glad you liked the update, and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Disclaimer- Alright, people. This is Chapter 64. In all honestly, must I say it every time? I mean really. Come on. Is 63 plus how ever many other chapters for anything I've ever written in any fandom not enough to get the point that I don't own ANYTHING?! Gosh...people these days...

-Chapter 64-

The group of teenagers stood huddled in an alley, exchanging "goodies" as others sat on old wooden crates.

Charlie leaned against the wall, nudging a rock from the dirt packed around it. He was currently borrowing one of Shane's shoes due to the simple fact he only had one at the moment. They surely found that sufficiently amusing.

He couldn't suppress and eye roll as he exhaled. He was bordering on insanely bored. However, if he were to say this aloud, someone would take it upon himself or herself to make a quip about how he is simply just "bordering on insane." Then he would snap something back, they would almost get into a fight, but then Shane would stop them and send them to their separate corners.

Just like clockwork.

The twilight seemed to settle around them as the air chilled ever so slightly. The days were becoming warmer, but Charlie still refused to wear tee shirts. He was currently boycotting tee shirts and other short-sleeved garments.

It had been over a week, nearly two weeks, since he had left. Not a single run in with a single cop.

Nothing.

At all.

Nada.

Zip.

Zap?

Charlie was shaken from his thoughts when Shane walked over, a large grin on his face.

The younger teen gave him a grim smile. "Do I even wanna know?"

"Probably not."

"Didn't think so." Charlie cracked something that vaguely resembled a smile before he let out yet another sigh.

Shane whipped out a hit and extended it to the younger boy. "You want?"

Charlie shrugged. "Nah. I may be angry, but I don't really want to die of lung cancer or whatever other bad things will happen to me."

Shane laughed. "If you insist. I swear, you're stiff as a board sometimes, but I guess there's not much we can do for ya. You're beyond hope," he said, patting Charlie's head.

"I'm sure you'll be whistling a different tune when you die of some disease or addiction to all that junk you take while I'm sitting on some beach somewhere, enjoying life," Charlie said, crossing his arms.

"Heh, you took some of it too!"

"Hey, I'm young and impressionable. Give me a break! Besides, that doesn't count. I wasn't thinking straight!" Charlie said, though both of their tones were fairly light.

Shane let out a laugh and patted Charlie's shoulder. "You just keep on tellin' yourself that. So you coming?" he asked, standing up straight.

"No, I think I'm just going to sit here in a dark alley all by myself all night," Charlie said sarcastically.

"Cool your jets," Shane said with a grin. "Just thought I'd ask."

Shane took a small swig of beer from a bottle before tossing it to Morgan, who also took a drink. Just as she was motioning to Charlie, he shook his head.

"Before you even ask, no. I have a slight phobia, so don't even bother. Alcohol=Bad."

She raised her eyebrows, looked at Shane, and shrugged it off.

Shane let out a light laugh and patted Charlie on the shoulder again, shaking his head slightly.

"What? I do," Charlie said in automatic defense.

"You're a weird one, Charlie. You're a weird one."

= = =

Charlie shook his head and stifled a laugh as the older teens stumbled along the sidewalk around him. Most had definitely consumed too much of whatever their choice illegal action had been.

When Shane tripped over a bench, it sent the others into fits of hysterical laughter.

Charlie couldn't help but quirk an amused smile. They were...strange. But it was a comforting kind of strange.

A slightly ILLEGAL kind of strange, but that was most DEFINITELY beside the point.

"Are we just going to roam the streets all through the night, or did you have something more productive in mind?" Charlie asked, though most weren't even listening to the younger boy. He slung his backpack onto his other shoulder with slight impatience. He had a habit of bringing the bag everywhere; you never know when one of these psychos would go through your bag and steal something...

"What, you don't find this productive?" Shane choked through laughter.

Charlie sighed, but gave him a half-smile just the same. "No, not really. I think we traumatized that poor cat awhile back..."

"Ah, you're no fun," Shane said and playfully nudged Charlie before nearly falling down again. This, of course, caused hurdles of laughter. "Besides, the demon cat deserved it."

"Hey guys, I need a break," someone wheezed through laughter as they followed him into a dimly lit alleyway.

"Do we have some strange affinity with alleys or something?" Charlie asked, looking around.

"Yo, kid. Small words. Not everyone has 'privileged schooling' under their belt," another guy said, taking a drink from his bottle.

Charlie raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"In your case, some of us don't even have elementary schooling under our belts!" Shane quipped, causing the other guy to chuck the half-empty bottle at him.

"Shut your face!"

Charlie sat on a wooden crate, ignoring the pulsing paranoia that seemed to wash over him at the action. He saw a flash of his father. He tried to bury the thought.

"Hey, you okay?" Shane asked, brushing something off of his shoulder and mock glaring at another member of the group.

Charlie was snapped out of his thoughts and looked to the older boy. "Yeah, I'm good. I just spaced a bit," he said, hoping his voice was as steady as he wanted it to be.

As Shane was about to respond, a flashlight seemed to blind them.

"What are you kids doing back here?"

Charlie's heart froze.

He could hardly hear the swarm of noises around him as he looked at the source, feeling like a deer in headlights.

Shane tugged on the curly-haired boy's arm, also looking at the light. "Come on, kid!"

Charlie seemed to snap out of his trance as he bolted with the others, though they couldn't go far.

They came to a fence.

Looking around frantically and glancing back occasionally, they tried to scale it. The man chasing them whipped out a radio and called in for backup.

This was bad.

This was VERY bad...

They were screwed.

= = =

Charlie sat in a chair as the others were led to cells, clutching his bag in his lap. Unfortunately the police had already been looking for him due to the fact he was 'missing.' They had phoned Bombay, and he was on his way.

He saw Shane give him one last look before he disappeared from sight. Several of his "buddies" got away. Only a few had been caught.

The teen let out a sigh and propped his elbows on his knees, burying his face in his hands. This was SO screwed up on SO many levels...

"Charlie."

He felt his throat tighten, and he tried not to look up. Though he knew he had to, that didn't make him want to any more.

When his name was said again, he removed his face from his hands and leaned against the bench, adverting his gaze; his arms were crossed defensively against his chest.

"C'mon, son," a police officer said. "Someone's here to pick you up."

Charlie reluctantly stood, slinging his bag on his shoulder, shoving his hands into his pockets, and staring at the floor. He knew Bombay most likely wasn't very happy...

Just a thought, though.

He swallowed and stared at his shoes. One black Converse shoe and one black Vans shoe.

He was a bit lopsided.

He'd have to give Shane the shoe back eventually.

"Charlie," he heard his name called for the third time. He still refused to look up. He knew Bombay would be standing there, and then he would give a lecture and look all disappointed...Then they would fight, and thus the cycle continues.

Why bother?

= = =

Gordon stood at the police station, unable to believe his eyes when he saw Charlie reluctantly walk over. He was really here. After two weeks.

He had been sitting at home, not sure what to do with himself when there had been a call from the police. He had given them his number in case they found Charlie.

When he had picked up the phone, he had been surprised and relieved to hear that they had him down at the station.

However, upon his arrival he was told under what circumstance Charlie had been found. They had told him that though he had nothing in his system, he had been with a group of kids who were under the influence of drugs and alcohol. This, of course, had nearly given Gordon a heart attack.

He hadn't quite been prepared to see Charlie again, but at the same time he felt he was. There was a lot they needed to discuss, but now that it was being presented again, Gordon didn't know how.

"C'mon, Charlie. We're going home," he said, watching Charlie stiffly brush past him.

The man sighed and followed him out, not sure how to respond. Should he be angry? Comforting? Strict? Lenient? There definitely was not a handbook he could go to at the moment that would explain to him how to react. He was tired of not doing what was right for Charlie. He needed a cut and dry answer.

He unlocked the door and watched as Charlie opened the door and climbed in without a word. Not even a slam of the door. Just silence.

Gordon followed his example and got inside the car, closing his door shut and looking the Charlie before starting the car. "We'll talk about this when we get home."

The boy didn't answer. He simply leaned back in the seat and stared at the window.

Starting the car up, Gordon began trying to think of things to say.

= = =

Charlie flung the door open and adjusted his bag on his shoulder before attempting to walk up the stairs.

"I don't think so, Charlie. You have a lot of explaining to do, and there's no way I'm letting you run to your room this time. So you just turn your butt around and sit on that couch. I expect a darn good explanation for this," Gordon said firmly, closing the front door with finality.

"I don't have to explain anything to you," Charlie barked back with a chill to his voice.

"Yes, Charlie, you do. You need to explain why you left, where you went, what the HECK you were THINKING! Did you know they had all kinds of illegal drugs and alcohol in their systems?!" Gordon spout off, getting on a roll as his worry and frustration peaked.

"No, I didn't. I was only THERE. What gave 'em away?" he bit back sarcastically. When he got a dirty look from Bombay, he exhaled angrily. "I didn't do anything, okay?!"

"That isn't the point, Charlie! What were you doing exposing yourself to that?! Do know what could have HAPPENED?! You were gone for TWO WEEKS, Charlie! TWO WEEKS!" the man said, his voice beginning to strain.

"I CAN count, you know," Charlie said, but felt the slightest tinge of regret when he saw the man's face fall a little before getting frustrated again. Charlie shrugged it off. No need to feel sorry for them...

"Why? Are you TRYING to give me a heart attack? Is that it? I thought I might die of worry! Why in the world did you do that?!" Gordon asked with a hint of desperation.

Charlie shrugged slightly, digging his hands in his pockets again and busying himself by looking at a plant by the door.

"That is not an answer, Charlie! Tell me why you left!"

The boy's mouth tightened and his furrowed his eyebrows. "I don't want to talk about it."

"And you never do, but it isn't about what you want this time. This time it's about why you ran away for two weeks and were found roaming the streets with a bunch of druggies on a Saturday night! This is about how you tried to kill yourself on the floor of a bathroom at a convenience store! This is about your not going to therapy! THAT is what this is about! We're WORRIED about you, and I really don't know if there's anything I can do! I've tried, I really have! I'm running out of plans, Charlie. We can't do this forever. You're going to have to work this out, or you may not be able to stay here anymore!" Gordon choked out, feeling his throat tighten at the thought.

Charlie shifted his eyes up with confusion, feeling his guard drop. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice lacking the cold edge it had donned before. Something seemed to crack through.

Gordon calmed down slightly and couldn't help but feel his spirits drop. "Charlie, if you can't prove to the state that you aren't a danger to yourself and society, they can take you away."

The boy furrowed his eyebrows in a mix of confusion and anger. "What do you mean?! Like, send me to the loony bin or something?! They can't do that!"

"Yes, they can. And they likely will if there aren't some changes," Gordon said, his voice laced with concern.

"But..." Charlie started before pausing. "but..."

Gordon hadn't wanted to tell him, but he felt better now that Charlie knew. He could only hope it would help. Despite that, he hadn't seen Charlie that torn about anything in awhile. Angry, yes. He looked so...distraught. Maybe it could help, though...

The older man walked up and gave Charlie a comforting pat on the shoulder before walking to his bedroom, leaving Charlie to think this over alone.

Bombay couldn't be serious...

Right?