Title: Brooklyn's Beginnings

Chapter: The Journey Continues

Disclaimer: I own nothing…………….life sucks and then you die

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS! I JUST GOT ANOTHER ONE TODAY AND THAT'S WHAT MADE ME FINALLY FINISH THIS CHAPTER!

And I know its short, but it's something…I must be the laziest updater on the face of this earth.

The next morning passed in a daze for Gabriel. He was bathed and dressed in the clothes that had been sent to the orphanage by Gabriel's aunt. His hair, which had grown past his ears, was cropped close to his head, a feeling that he hated. He was shuffled through the morning and before he knew it, he was once again in Mr. Ranskin's office, standing next to Aunt Aletha and Jonathon. He saw a glimpse of himself in the reflection of one of Mr. Ranskin's windows, and didn't recognize the clean little boy he saw.

"Gabriel, are you ready?" Asked Aunt Aletha cheerfully, obviously anxious to began their journey.

"Yeah." Answered Gabriel, receiving a glare form Mr. Ranskin. He knew Mr. Ranskin was expecting him to change his reply to 'Yes ma'am' but instead Gabriel answered, "Wait, no, I'll be right back." Before dashing out the door.

He quickly found who he was looking for.

"Percy!" He called to his only friend. Percy turned around to face him

"I thought you was leavin'"

"I, I am, I'se just wanted ta say g'bye first."

"Why, yer rich now, ya don't gotta respects peoples like us." There were angry tears in Percy's eyes, and Gabriel realized that his friend resented his change in fortune.

"Percy," Gabriel answered "I'll never be like them, and you know dat, Mr. Ranskin couldn't change me, what makes ya 'tink this old lady can. I aint goin away for ever, I'll be back someday, Brooklyn's my home, and I'll coma an' find ya, once I get bored a dem folks in der." He said gesturing with his head in the direction of Mr. Ranskin's office.

Percy looked Gabriel straight in the eyes, and knew that those eyes would never be capable of lying. On impulse he embraced Gabriel in a hug, knowing in his young mal-nourished mind that there would never be a more trustworthy person on earth than Gabriel Collins, and there'd never be a better friend, which is why he'd have so few. Gabriel surprisingly gave into the hug, and forced himself to hold back the stinging tears. They're friendly embrace was short lived; they were soon broken apart by the voice of Gabriel's first unworthy tormentor. The teenager could hold nothing to the skills and cunning of the little boy who was barely past the stages of a toddler, but he continued to try and rule his life. "So," said Finn "I hear some rich ladies gonna take you ta live wit her." He said, his usual group of bigger boys accompanying him.

"Yeah, that's what a hear too." Answered Gabriel, turning to face the boy that outsized him by at least 2 feet and near 100 pounds.

"Well, is it true?" Asked Finn, making it sound as if Gabriel needed his permission to be adopted.

"Guess so, I was starting ta get bored a 'dis place." Gabriel was fighting all his impulses to be a smart ass and start a fight. He knew that if he got in a fight just minutes before he was supposed to leave there would be hell to pay.

Luckily, he was saved by the voice that had so often comforted him in the night when his subconscious mind prevented him from sleep. She was almost as good as Hayden at calming the child, though Gabriel doubted anyone would be able to replace the niche of his brother.

"Gabriel" she called "their waiting for you."

He gave Percy one last look, his eyes glittering with an understanding that few would ever comprehend. He then ran to meet her, giving the group of boys behind him a cocky, backwards wave.

"Are you ready for this Gabriel?" Asked Ms. Juli once he had fallen in step with her.

"A' course" He answered. But then his eyes glanced up at the worried look on her face and he pulled her into a corner, to talk to her privately for the last time.

"Did you tell her, about, ya know, my..." He asked, his eyes searching Ms. Juli's for a truthful answer.

"Your nightmares? No Gabriel, its something she has to figure out herself, or she'll never be able to understand you." She answered.

Gabriel nodded comprehensively. Then, almost instinctively, he wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered a quite thank you before dashing off to once again stand by his new found relatives. He had no idea how happy it made Ms. Juli. At a time where she was wondering if she was doing the right thing with her still young life, a single child had given her more than any one ever had before. Gabriel unknowingly told her that she had made a difference in a troubled child's life, and that she was exactly in the place she needed to be.

As she watched him walk out of the orphanage door, obviously trying to hide his nerves, she knew that he would grow to be a great man, for he was already an extremely special child.