Damage Control

Part: Twenty Two

'Where There's Brambles, There's Thorns.'

Author: Jacey

Rating: PG13 - R

Disclaimer: Krit, Syl, Max Alec, and known characters belong to James Cameron, Chuck Eglee, and FOX. The names of Jondy and Zane also belong to them, but their personalities and characters belong to me. The story idea belongs to me, along with any additional ideas.

Dedication: For Lexie and Shannon

Vancouver, Canada

Bram gazed out the window of his bedroom, at the stars, with a placid look on his young face. We'd always found the star's very calming….e specially, when his Mom's were arguing. Like tonight.

'They just won't stop it.' He muttered to himself. 'I wish that we could just go to Seattle and get it over with.'

'Is that how you really feel?' he heard the quiet voice of his Mom, Ash say from the doorway of his room. 'Do you really want to go honey?' she questioned.

Bram nodded his head. 'Mom. I just want to be around kid's who are like me. Everyone here teases me cause I'm smarter than them. I know you tell me not to let them know that I can do more work in school than them, but I get bored……..'

His other mom, Lee, stuck her head around the door frame. 'Is that what Mr Tompson was ringing about earlier?' she questioned.

Bram's eye brows shot up, and he turned his head quickly to look at her. 'How…..' he questioned, before his mom cut him off.

'Hon,' Lee said, 'We've got X5 hearing, remember? I heard who it was before you even told him that we were'nt home. And, for that matter,' she said looking kinda pissed off, 'What do you think he'll think about that? That we leave a 6 year old boy home alone after school? Somehow I don't think he bought it kiddo.'

Bram sighed, 'I'm sorry Mommy.' He said quietly, 'Its just, I knew that you'd be angry that I'd got in trouble… it's just that…..' he trailed off.

Ash looked at him quizzically, 'It's just what?' she questioned, sounding concerned.

Bram looked at her, with tears in his brown eyes, 'It's too easy mommy.' He complained. 'I always finish my work way before the others….even when Mr Tompson gives me the 9th grade work. And then, I talk or do other things, and I get in trouble.'

Ash sighed, 'I was afraid that this would happen.' She said to Lee, and then looked over at Bram. 'Honey, we aren't angry. I know it's hard to be different, but you've got to try not to disrupt the others. It's not fair on them, if they don't get to finish their work, just cause you've finished yours.' She smiled at him, and then said 'Me and mom are gonna go talk in the lounge now, kay munchkin? You alright in here?'

Bram nodded, 'Yeah, I'll get out my telescope and finish my astronomy homework.'

Lee walked over and gave him a hug, 'Good boy.' She said.

Ash and Lee left, and Bram turned back to look out the window……..

Meanwhile, in the lounge, Ash was seated on the couch, while Lee was in the kitchen, making tea.

'Do you really think that moving to Seattle's the right thing to do honey?' she asked Ash.

Ash sighed. 'I don't know if moving there is the right thing to do, but I do think that we need to give it a chance. Maybe we should set a trial period. Like, we leave in the next few days, stay there till the end of summer, and then if we like it, stay. If we don't, we move back…….'

Lee nodded, 'That sound's okay… but what about my job? And school for Bram……' she questioned.

Ash sighed. 'Well, your job might be more difficult, but Bram can afford to miss some school, I mean he's already way ahead of the other kids. Besides, Jondy and Max mentioned something about a school being set up in TC, when they rang earlier……. At least Bram'll be with kid's at the same level as him.' She said, looking at Lee who had look of concentration on her face. 'Whatcha doing sweetie?' asked Ash.

'Just working out how much paid leave I have left at work.' Said Lee, still calculating in her head. 'By my figuring,' she said, 'I should be able to get off till the beginning of summer off on paid leave, and I've already asked for the summer off, so that won't be a problem.'

Ash smiled at her. 'Good. That makes things easier……. So, we going to Seattle?' she asked.

Lee laughed, 'Yup. Seattle here we come baby!' she yelled as she wrapped her arms around Ash.

Bram stuck his head in the door, 'We're going to Seattle?' he questioned.

Lee smiled at him, 'Yup baby. We're going to Seattle.'