A. Nonymous: I didn't either. In fact, few if any did. Hence why the story exists. And yeah, I think the others were in the dark about Madame Foster's robbery. Besides, I think this is more in character for Frankie, who really deserves to be more appreciated (I didn't like the one about the friend seemingly being a mooching kid at ALL). But, to each his own, you know? Thanks for the advisory, too.

Barry I. Grauman: I do too, and obviously you sensed correctly. So, how'd the trip to New York go? Well, we'll see...

tehrandomkitten: Friendships, especially Frankie and Mac's, are very enjoyable. :-D

Lonestarr: Agreed across the board. I don't know if the writers intended it, but Frankie and Mac really are like brother and sister, huh?

Okie doke, gang, here you go with Part 2... I'm also opening the fic to suggestions as to what the three youngsters do in New York... don't be afraid to suggest anything!

And now, Part 2.

"Mac, hon... wake up."

Mac's eyes fluttered open as his mom gently shook the small boy awake. He yawned, trying to swat her arms away.

"What, what..." he sputtered in sleepiness.

"That nice Frankie girl's here for your trip..." his mother urged. Mac sat up like a rocket, surprising her.

"She's here? It's already time to go?"

"She said 6 AM, didn't she? It's 6:04. You all packed?"

"Yeah, I think so..." Mac nodded as he hopped out of bed and scrabbled to dress in his usual fare. "Why, do you wanna check?"

"Well, I trust you all, Mac, but New York's a very busy and dangerous place, even before what happened a few years ago," his mother urged as paged through Mac's modest suitcase. "So, you have everything? Shirts, shorts, socks, underwear, toothbrush, toothpaste...?"

"Yes, Mom..." Mac sighed, pulling on his shirt.

"...how about a sweater?" she added in the loving scold only mothers could give. Mac blushed and mumbled 'I forgot' before tossing one to her. The woman smiled knowingly as she tucked it inside. After a final stir, she nodded and zipped it shut.

"I'm impressed, Mac. Except for the sweater, you have everything you need. Even extras. I'm so proud of you..." his mother cooed, hugging him.

"Aw, Mom..." he mumbled.

"I'm your mother, Mac, I can hug you if I want."

"Well... okay," he relented. He slipped on his shoes and pulled on his back pack. "Right. I'm ready."

"Well, good. Frankie's just outside in the living room, so..." Before she could even finish, Mac had grabbed the suitcase and zipped out of his room. Indeed, on the couch was Frankie, hands clasped on her lap, waiting for the boy. The young woman lit up as he approached, and she got off the couch.

"Well, good morning Mac!" she trilled as she gave him a big hug. Mac returned it, and she put him back down. "Ready to see the Big Apple?"

"I sure am!" Mac replied, a huge grin on his face.

"So am I. You'll love it. But... I think you should say goodbye to your mother. She looks like she hasn't gotten a proper one yet."

"Yes, Mac ran right by... he's very excited about the trip," she smiled as she walked up from behind. "So, what do you think, Mac?"

"Sorry, Mom," Mac blushed as he plodded over and indeed hugged her.

"Now, you stay safe in New York, okay?" she begged, kissing him.

"Frankie'll keep an eye on me, Mom..." Mac urged.

"Only if you keep an eye on me, kid," Frankie replied slyly.

"I'll try," Mac grinned.

"Again, Frankie, thank you for taking Mac on this trip... he was so looking forward to Europe..." Mac's mother sighed.

"Oh, he'll see plenty of Europe in the Big Apple," Frankie nodded. "And, well, thanks for letting me take him, Mrs...?"

"Oh, please, call me 'Ellen,' Frankie," the elder woman urged.

"Okay, Ellen. Thanks for letting Mac come with."

"Not a problem," Ellen replied. "Now, traffic in the City's murder at rush hour, so you probably want to get Downstate as soon as possible..."

"Good point," Frankie nodded. "Ready, Mac? Kathy's outside in the car waiting for us," she added, extending her hand. Mac nodded as he grabbed his suitcase, took her hand, and walked outside.

"Bye Mom!" he called after her as they left. She waved after, and stood in the door frame to watch them go.

"You got that okay, Mac?" Frankie asked as Mac struggled to bring his suitcase down the stairs.

"I... I think so," Mac managed as the luggage threatened to break free. Frankie smiled gently and picked it up.

"There we go," she said. "Feel better?"

"I coulda done it..." Mac huffed defensively.

"I know, Mac, but... we just wanna make sure you're safe, okay hon?" Frankie explained as they reached the car. Inside was a woman of Frankie's age, a bit more heavy set, and with a smile just as bright under her thick brown hair.

"So, THIS is 'the Mac?'" the woman asked as the two approached.

"He sure is. Mac, this is Kathy," Frankie offered, casting a hand to her.

"...hi..." Mac replied, waving with a blush. Kathy grinned.

"Aw, Frankie, he's adorable!" she cooed.

"Don't I know it," the redhead replied as she stuck Mac's suitcase in the car trunk. "Go ahead and get in the back, Mac," she urged. The boy nodded and climbed into the backseat, clicking his seatbelt. Frankie slammed the trunk shut, and walked to the passenger's side. She waved a last time to Mac's mother, and climbed in herself. As Kathy turned on the engine and began to turn out of the parking lot, the boy gave his mom a last hand wave. She returned it with a smile, and went back inside. The car eased itself into traffic, and glided onto the almost empty street.

"So, Mac," Kathy asked, "what do you want to see in New York?"

"Well, gee, what don't I want to see..." Mac shrugged.

"An acceptable answer," Kathy nodded. "I figure we start with the Empire State. You see the City from the top, and you truly feel how big it is. You afraid of heights at all?"

"No, not really..." Mac shrugged.

"Okay, good..." Kathy answered. "'Cause, it's a thousand feet plus... Tallest building in town, don't you know. I can see it from my apartment."

"Oh, right, you got the nice vista of Midtown," Frankie nodded.

"Yep. They still haven't blocked it with a building... yet," she grinned. "C'mon, Mac, this trip's just as much for you as it is Frankie and I..."

"Um, how about Times Square?"

"Sure thing."

"That big toy store?"

"FAO? You got it."

"Central Park?"

"Sure, it's been a while."

"Ooh, can we take the subway?"

"Yep."

"Statue of Liberty?"

"Of course. Wow, you have quite a checklist, don't you?" Kathy giggled. "Anything else?" Mac thought, and hemmed for a moment.

"What is it, Mac?" Frankie asked.

"Could we go to... you know... the place where..." The boy trailed off as he saw Frankie and Kathy exchange uneasy glances.

"We both know people who died, Mac. We watched it happen from Kathy's building. We'd really rather not," Frankie replied softly.

"I'm sorry," Mac said, beet red. "I didn't even know you were here..."

"Yeah, first year at Brooklyn College," Frankie added.

"Aw, it's okay, kiddo... how could you have known?" Kathy replied with a smile. "It's fine. Don't worry about it."

"Well... okay," Mac said in a guilty voice.

"Kathy's a sweetheart, she doesn't hold a grudge against anyone," Frankie urged. "Just let it go."

"You flatter me, Ms. Foster. Hey, I dunno about you two, but I'm starving. Let's get some breakfast," Kathy said as she pulled the car into a parking lot.

"So, Mac, tell me about yourself..."

"Well... I'm eight years old... I go to school... I like... stuff,"

"You are so adorable," Kathy cooed, pinching Mac's cheek.

"Kathy, leave the little guy be. He's mine," Frankie snarked, pulling him close in mock protection. Mac blushed.

"...I'm not that special..." the small boy managed.

"Of course you are..." Kathy replied. "Don't doubt it." Mac shrugged as the waitress came up.

"What'll ya have, hons?"

"Hmmm," Frankie mused aloud. "I'll have... the pancakes and eggs special with a cup of coffee."

"I'll have a ham omelet, toast, and hash browns, also with coffee," Kathy asked as she handed the woman her menu.

"And you, lil' guy?" the waitress asked.

"Um... could I have some cereal and apple juice?" Mac asked. The waitress smiled warmly and nodded, taking the boy's menu. She headed off to place the orders.

"Well, that's done," Kathy smiled. "Tuck in, you two. We got a long trip ahead of us. Upstate's still pretty far from the City."

"Ah, yes... the long rides back home," Frankie joked. "Real bonders."

"Darn right," Kathy smiled.

"So... you like New York?" Mac asked the jovial woman.

"Like? Love, Mac," Kathy insisted. "Greatest city on Earth, that simple."

"She acts like it's a country on its own," Frankie smiled.

"It is, and you know it," Kathy huffed.

"Oh, please," Frankie sighed as she picked up the newly arrived coffee mug.

"Fine, Frankie. Whatever," Kathy grumbled. "So, Mac... still bummed about not going to Europe?"

"A little... but New York seems like a cool place."

"It is, but don't get Kathy started, Mac. Please," Frankie begged as she sipped the hot drink gingerly. "And drink your juice."

"Yes, Mom," Mac snarked as he did so. Frankie frowned mockingly.

"Well, I don't know about you two," Kathy said as she pushed an empty plate away, "but I'm full."

"Me too," Frankie nodded.

"I am too," Mac said.

"Kiddo, you've barely touched your cereal. We can wait," Kathy replied.

"You sure? You said you wanted to get going..."

"Mac, eat your breakfast," Frankie urged. "If you're expecting to walk around Manhattan on an empty stomach..."

"Okay, okay," Mac sighed, quietly shoveling the cereal away. He half listened to the young women's conversation, mostly focused on punk rock bands and how much their bosses blew. Finally, Mac pushed his empty bowl away.

"I'm done," he said with almost a begging tone.

"That's more like it," Frankie replied, ruffling his hair. "Bill's paid, let's hit the road, assuming Kathy's ready to move her fat butt..."

"Look who's talking, Twiggy," Kathy smirked back.

"Whatever," the redhead shot back as the trio climbed into the car.

"You're just jealous I got you," Kathy sniffed as she started up the engine. "Okie doke, gang, next stop New York City!" she cried as she pulled back onto the road. Mac watched his town fade into the Interstate for a few minutes before his eyelids became heavy and he nodded off. Kathy, seeing this in the rear view mirror, nudged Frankie's arm, causing her to look. The two "aw"ed for a moment, then focused on the long trip ahead.