Disclaimer: I don't own Everwood, the town, or it's characters. I'm just a college student.

Chapter 30 uses "Sick Cycle Carousel" by Lifehouse

Chapter 30: Sick Cycle Carousel

"Wake up time!" Micah screamed at three AM as his father rubbed his forehead out of distress. The boy was bouncing up and down and rather happy considering he was crying minutes before.

"Well you HAVE been sleeping for a pretty long time," Tommy said drowsily because he hadn't, "and I guess it's your wake up time, but it's not really daddy's yet so . . ."

"Breakfast time?!" He continued jumping until finally Delia reentered Ephram's room. She had left when Tommy dragged himself up the stairs.

"I'm kinda awake too, actually," she said yawning and stretching. "I know I'm only ten . . . but maybe Micah and I could watch cartoons or something," she suggested, seeing the circles under Tommy's eyes.

"YEAH!" Micah yelled, and Tommy nodded, signifying that it was okay. He laid his head back down on the floor and tried dozing off but found himself dreaming once again of the only thing in his life he knew he couldn't ever have, no matter how much he tried; Amy. He wasn't quite sure when it happened, when he started seeing her as anything more than just a friend, but he guessed it was around the time she started offering everything of herself to make sure he and Micah were okay.

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"If shame had a face I think it

would kind of look like mine

If it had a home would it be my eyes

Would you believe me if I said I'm tired of this

Well here we go now one more time

I tried to climb your steps

I tried to chase you down

I tried to see how low I could get it down to the ground

I tried to earn my way

I tried to tame this mind

You better believe that I tried to beat this"

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Well, he wasn't going to get her, he figured, no mater what, and he needed to keep believing that or else he'd have a really big problem living under the same roof with Ephram, her boyfriend. Sure, Ephram was his friend too, but he knew eventually, as they grew closer, he'd end up hearing stories about how much he loved Amy and how he wanted to marry her. To those stories Tommy would bite his tongue and smile, pretending that there was no one else in the world Amy should be with.

The phone rang about 5 hours later, at eight AM. Dr. Andrew Brown lifted it off the receiver annoyed, but forced his voice to sound otherwise. "Hello?"

"Andy, this is Harold," Amy's father spoke with seemingly shaky words.

"Pretty early isn't it?" he suggested, letting his head fall back down on the pillow.

"Not for the news I have," Harold said as Andy listened up, "Thomas Callahan's father is looking for him. He demands that Micah is returned or he will call the police,"

"That's not going to happen," Andy said closing his eyes, "We have every type of proof in the world that no child should be under Mr. Callahan's care,"

"Starting with what?" he asked intrigued.

"Tommy's dad hit him the day before they left, so he still has a bruise,"

"Bruises can come from anywhere, Andrew, that's not enough!"

"Well we can't hide the fact that Micah and Tommy are here for very long. Yes, Mr. Callahan hasn't ever heard of Ephram being Tommy's friend so it'll work for a little while, but for how long?"

"How much do we know about Tommy, really?" He asked not sounding judgmental for once, but more concerned. "Is he an only child? How long have they lived in Everwood? What's his dad's occupation? How about his mom?"

"I hate to say this, but being that Tommy's dad knows Amy's name she could be in danger," Andy said realistically.

"Yes, Andrew, I know, and that is why this has to end. That man isn't coming anywhere near my family or Tommy and Micah,"

"Well we have nothing so far . . . so he's going to call the police . . . all we can do is let Tommy know and ask him if he has any ideas. I mean, he's had to have thought this out before. I'll talk to him this morning. Just tell Amy it's better if she stays away from Tommy and Ephram and Micah until this all gets taken care of,"

"That's very considerate of you, Andy. I just don't think she'll be too pleased when I tell her . . ."

"Ephram would want her to be safe,"

"Yes, he's a good young man. Okay, well, let me know when you find more out, okay?"

"Alright," Andy said, hanging up the phone and sighing. Nothing about this mess was getting any easier.

Delia and Micah sat on the couch watching Spongebob Squarepants and laughing as if it were the funniest show in the world. Tommy was pretty Micah understood any of the jokes, but he laughed like he did. Clad in his pajamas, the last thing on Tommy's mind was his father. Ephram had just showered and gotten dressed when he saw everyone laughing at TV. If only things could stay that easy.

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"[CHORUS]

So when will this end it goes on and on

Over and over and over again

Keep spinning around I know that it won't stop

Till I step down from this for good

I never thought I'd end up here

Never thought I'd be standing where I am

I guess I kinda thought it would be easier than this

I guess I was wrong now one more time"

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"Morning, man," Ephram said to a half drowsy Tommy.

"Hey, what's up?" he said, feeling insanely guilty about dreaming about his new friend's girlfriend.

"What'd you want to do today? I was thinking maybe we could go hang out at the mall or something. I'm sure Amy would be all for it,"

"You think she'll want to come over again today after what happened last night?" Tommy asked sitting next to his son on the couch.

"Yeah, everything's fine with her now," he said smiling dreamily.

"Yeah, give her a call then," he said blushing then turning to his son, "morning Micah, did you eat breakfast?"

"Yes, Deweea got me a pop tart," he smiled, crumbs and filling all over his little cheeks. Delia smiled proudly. She hadn't ever taken care of anyone like that before.

"Well wasn't that sweet of her?" Tommy said kissing Delia on the cheek and she immediately reddened. Bright didn't seem like her only hope anymore. Tommy noticed this and smiled.

Ephram picked up the phone, intending to call Amy and invite her to the mall when Andy walked in the room. "Ephram, who're you calling?"

"Amy, Tommy and I want to go shopping with her," he said smiling.

"That's not a good idea," he said sadly, trying to figure out a way to let the boys know what was going on.

"Look, I remember what you said about Amy and I not being married and about how we may find other people but . . . " Ephram said rolling his eyes. Tommy's eyes, however, brightened with hope.

"It's not that," Andy said asking Tommy and Ephram to follow him into the kitchen. "Sit down," he motioned toward the kitchen table.

"What's this all about?" Ephram said, becoming worried.

"Amy's dad called this morning. Tommy your dad called their house and is looking for you,"

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"I tried to climb your steps

I tried to chase you down

I tried to see how long I could get it down to the ground

I tried to earn my way

I tried to tame this mind

You better believe that I tried to beat this"

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"Bastard, I knew he'd use her name against me," he said through gritted teeth.

"He's threatening to call the police if you don't return Micah to him,"

"Like hell I will," he said becoming red with anger.

"You're safe here for a few days, but you should lay low. Going to the mall today is fine, but after today you should stick around here. They don't know Ephram and you are friends, so it should be okay for now,"

"This cannot be happening," Ephram said putting his head down on his arms which were lying on the table.

"Dr. Abbott and I decided its better if Amy just stays away from you guys until this is all figured out. She could be in danger,"

"Everything I do messes something up for someone else," Tommy said becoming angry with himself. "I never meant to get any of you involved. And now Amy . . ." his heart clenched in his chest.

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"So when will this end it goes on and on

Over and over and over again

Keep spinning around I know that it won't stop

Till I step down from this for good

Sick cycle carousel

This is a sick sycle, yeah

Sick cycle carousel

This is a sick cycle, yeah"

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"We'll work this out son, I promise. In the meantime it looks like you and Ephram have lots of time to hang out. Oh, and Tommy, when you guys get back I'd like to ask you some questions about your family. Dr. Abbott and I are going to do all we can to make sure Micah isn't put under your father's care,"

"Thanks, Dr. Brown. You have no idea how much this means to us,"

The guys looked at each other and laughed. They hadn't ever really wanted to "hang out" without Amy. Ephram knew that Tommy was in trouble and he never really turned down a new friend.

"Alright, well, to the mall then," Ephram said.

"Without Amy?" Tommy said, trying not to be obvious.

"Well, Chirstmas is in about a week and I need to get her a present anyway. So it's probably better she's not coming with."

Tommy smiled, he hadn't even thought of getting her a present. He certainly should after all she's done, but he didn't have any idea of what to get her. He ran upstairs and got dressed so they could leave. The guys grabbed their coats, said bye to Micah and everyone and headed out to the Everwood mall.

"Bye Daddy! Deweea and I are gonna watch Finding Nemo now!" he said waving, his eyes bright and so innocent. This child didn't deserve to be thrown around like he was in danger of. He deserved the best care in the whole world. Andy Brown sat next to the two children. He was taking a liking to Micah too.

"Your Daddy's really cool, isn't he?" he asked the small boy who was dancing around now.

"The best daddy in the whole world!" he said now fixing his eyes on the movie. Andy sighed.

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"So when will this end it goes on and on

Over and over and over again

Keep spinning around I know that it won't stop

Till I step down from this for good

So when will this end it goes on and on

Over and over and over again

Keep spinning around I know that it won't stop

Till I step down from this for good

Sick cycle carousel

Sick cycle carousel

Sick cycle carousel..."