Author's Notes – 'Cow and Chicken' is a cartoon that used to be on the cartoon network. You'll need this piece of information for the end of the chapter.

Summary – How Tommy fell in with Mercer, thus setting up for the whole Dino Thunder season years later.

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'Unexpected Encounter'

Mercer

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(West Hill Apartments)

"I do not look like a gerbil." Crossing my arms and giving the boy a look, I can't believe he would say I look like a gerbil. I do not look like a gerbil. Honestly.

Jumping up from the couch, he gives me another heated glare. And people say I'm evil, I swear his eyes are only a second away from blazing red. "What do you want? And while we're on the subject how did you even find out where I lived?"

"I'll just be in the kitchen making myself something to drink, well that and hiding all the sharp things." Walking past us, the boy in the green sweatshirt who let me in seems to be far too serious about that last little remark. Perhaps I should have brought a bodyguard after all.

"I looked you up in Mrs. Shields computer after you stormed off like an angry three year old." Is he actually growling at me now? Would it be too late to page my bodyguard and get him up here?

Advancing on me, he stops just a few feet away, but I can tell I am in his striking distance. Well with any luck he doesn't know how to fight and he isn't so crazy as to try and hit me. "I did not storm off like a three year old. God who do you think you are? Just because you own three companies and employ half of Angel Grove doesn't make you lord and master of everyone in it."

"Do you always throw tantrums like this or should I feel privileged?" When this only seems to fuel his anger further, I don't know if I should be amused or fed up. Teenagers are so easy to ruffle.

"You- just- I can't...get out! Out out out!" Storming off towards what I'll assume is his bedroom, the boy slams the door making me jump just slightly. Perhaps his friend should look into taking him to anger management classes.

"Thanks a lot, do you have any idea how long it's going to take to calm him down?" Returning to the living room, a cup of what smells and looks like hot chocolate in hand, the over emotional boy's roommate seems to be missing the point his friend was the one being unreasonable, not me.

"Your friend has a bit of a temperament problem."

"No, my friend has a bit of a sleeping disorder and low self esteem, which fuels a temperament problem when people tell him how worthless he is and assume they know him when really they have no clue as to what troubles he has had and still has in his life."

"He's a kid, what problems can he possibly have?" Alright I didn't really mean to say that out loud, and going by the black haired boy's look it wasn't the right thing to say.

"If I were you, I wouldn't say that to him. He's a fifth degree black belt and as you noted earlier has a temper." Oh that's just great. "As for not having any problems, he has plenty, losing sleep probably the least of them." He's serious isn't he? Shoot.

Swallowing and having a seat in the black recliner, I think I just might be responsible for this. Damn, I suppose I could have and should have worded myself better earlier instead of simply letting him have it. Not to mention assuming the worst about him. "Look I came to apologize for what I said. Or at least how I said it. I'm not used to dealing with kids, if he was an employee I just would have fired him." Is he actually laughing?

"Well he's not your employee and he's not a kid. He may be young in years, but trust me in life and experience he's older than you are. So treating him like either one is the wrong thing to do." Propping his feet up on the coffee table and nursing his drink casually, the boy seems to consider this the end of our discussion. Starting to see why my employees dislike it when I do similar things to end talks with them. It's very infuriating.

"It's rather rude to ignore a guest you know."

"It's rather rude to invite yourself to stay and bother me with explanations about why you acted so horribly to my friend." I believe the teenager won that round. This is clearly not my day.

After a rather pregnant pause, I decide to press my luck. "You are very bizarre kids you know that?"

"I've heard it mentioned before. Now either go apologize to my friend, get out, or do the dishes because I have better things to do right now than sit here, pat your head and tell you it's all gonna be okay and you matter." I'm suddenly struck by the sneaking suspicion I'm not wanted around here. Very well than.

Heaving a sigh and turning to go for the door, I pause as that nasty bit of guilt gnaws at my stomach once more. Stupid over dramatic teenagers. Moving towards the hall Thomas had stormed down earlier, I barely catch the chuckle and small comment from his friend.

"And that's what makes him Tommy." Is that so?

Knocking on the closed door, I wait for a moment before knocking again and again getting no answer gently push the door open.

"I hope you stabbed him with a fork, stupid jerk. Comes here and invades my space and insults me again and who does he think he is." Lying on his bed, face buried in a pillow the boy apparently thinks I'm his little friend from the other room. I should correct him.

"It's not fair Adam, I didn't ask to have these nightmares!" Correct him right after I hear this. "What does he think I enjoy sitting up all night watching infomercials and rocking myself to keep from falling back asleep? I don't even know why I try, I can't keep up with classes like that and even if I make myself go no one cares or knows." Oh boy.

Sitting down beside the prone form on the bed, I feel my guilt level rise over what I said once more, as it clearly made much more of an impact than I meant it to.

"Why am I killing myself trying to do this when I'm failing so bad? He was right, the gerbil was right, I'm failing half my classes Adam, I don't know what to do."

"I do not look like a gerbil."

At my calm and slightly indignit voice, the boy jerks up quickly looking at me in stunned shock before quickly growling once more. Maybe he was a guard dog in a past life. "What are you still doing here? And what are you doing pretending to be Adam and letting me ramble like an idiot to you? God haven't you messed me up enough for one day? Well fine, know what, fine I'm glad you heard me cuz you win! You happy you win! I'm a looser, I'm a failure, I have five friends in the world and that's it, I have no ambition and I'm screwed up so there now you can just go away and leave me to wallow in peace." Breathing heavily and seeming to be trying his best to hold onto his rage I think the boy missed his calling.

"Are you sure you're not a theater major because I think you'd be very good at that."

Seeming to suddenly grow too exhausted to manage another bought of screaming he visibly sags in defeat, throwing himself back into his pillow. "Go away, just please go."

Smiling slightly at the pathetic and pleading command, I shake my head before reaching out to run my hand over the boy's head. "Now if I did that than I couldn't take you out to get some dinner and make up for what I said to you earlier today."

Snorting at this, he raises weary eyes to me. "Right, and I'd go out to eat with you because?"

"Because I own everyone and everything in this town except you and I'm hoping to convince you to sell me your soul in exchange for some shrimp and lobster at the Hamilton restaurant."

Snickering in spite of himself, the kid coughs in a sad attempt to cover it up, before turning to face the wall not about to be swayed so easily it seems. "I don't like shrimp and lobster, they're bugs of the sea."

Smiling, I know I have him. It's just a matter of pressing it a bit more. "Alright, how do you feel about cow and chicken?"

"I think it's a lame cartoon, but I'll watch it if nothing else is on." Cartoon? Do I even want to know? No. No I don't.

Sighing and reminding myself that this is why I don't have children, and never will, I shake my head. "Well then I guess if I can't get you to come to dinner with me so we can talk about this so called mess of a life you have then I'll just have to sit here until one of us dies of starvation. Oh I know, I'll just sing to pass the time. Do you like folk music?"

Groaning and pushing himself up, the boy grabs his jacket off the floor. "God fine, you don't have to threaten me geez."

To be continued………….