Author's note: I forgot to mention that the letter in chapter one is borrowed from Everwood. I do not claim it as my own. Reviews are much appreciated!

TWO WEEKS EARLIER

Ephram was browsing the Indy section in HMV on London's Oxford Street. Somewhere between Keane and Oasis he thought he heard someone say his name. Which standing in the middle of London, where he knew no-one should be in 5,000 miles of him, came as something of a surprise. Looking up Ephram was completely taken aback to find someone who he'd never thought he'd see again, standing opposite him on the other side of the record rack.

"Hey, hey, Matt! What are you doing here?" he exclaimed.

Matt shrugged, and with a brief grin replied, "Well, actually, I'm more interested in what you're doing here? You're the last person I expected to find wandering around Oxford Street. What is it? Summer escape before you enter those time hallowed halls of the great Juilliard?"

Ephram looked down, albeit briefly and then back up at Matt, "ah, well, no, not exactly. Long story. Very boring. So how you getting on over here? It's been a while now?" he shot out, skirting around the subject of piano and Juilliard.

Matt eyed his young ex-pupil carefully. "You're not going to Juilliard? I thought that's where you were headed, no question. You certainly have the talent to achieve it. What happened?"

Ephram sighed inwardly. He should have known there was no skirting the subject. Why on earth, in the place where he had come to get away from all this, had the first thing to happen been all he had been trying to escape slapping him straight in the face?

"Really, it's no biggie. Look, I should probably be going. I'll be moving on soon, so, you know. Maybe I'll see you around. Good seeing you Matt." Ephram shrugged off the question and turned to walk away.

Ephram stopped when someone grabbed at his arm. He turned around to look and saw Matt behind him, holding out a card.

"Listen Ephram, you know, if you wanna catch up anytime while you're here, take this. It's my card. Has my cell number on it. Call me any time. Remember, you're eighteen. Old enough to drink here. I could introduce you to the delights of warm beer… Whaddaya say?" Matt pushed the card out towards Ephram.

Ephram raised his eyebrows. Shrugging he reached out and took the card.

"Yeah, sure, whatever Matt. I'll see how things pan out. Maybe we can meet up before I head to France, you know."

"I'd like that. It's a big continent you know, Europe. You'd do well to have some contacts."

"Well, maybe that's what I'm trying to escape, you know, contact. I guess I'll see you around. Thanks, Matt." Ephram said as he turned to leave.

Standing behind him watching the young man leave, Matt could not believe the change in the person before him. It was as though he were a half person. Some part of him blocked off, shut away somewhere. Pushing the meeting to the back of his mind, Matt continued about his business.

For his part, Ephram had no intention of contacting Matt. He had no intention of being in the company of someone who knew so much about his past. Matt knew where he had started but now had no idea where he was going. That was what Ephram was here to find. He wanted to find his direction. Needed to find where he was going, and he couldn't do that with Matt. On the upside, he hadn't realised that he was legally able to drink in England…

Sitting at her desk Chief Inspector McMann slammed the phone down angrily. She had already berated her staff for not getting the boy checked over in the first place and now he was lying with fever, hypothermia and apparently concussion in a hospital bed in Hastings. This day just continued to get better and better. Oh, what Isabel would not give to know how this young man had ended up in this condition. From the sound of things he'd somehow taken a fall. He certainly hadn't been belted by some yob. All sorts of scenarios were running through her mind. But back to finding out who he was. Pictures had been taken and the American Authorities informed. A search would be done on the American airlines to find out if anyone of that possible name, and Ephram wasn't exactly common as far as she could tell, had travelled into the country in recent weeks. And also a campaign would be put out on the main American news stations and also the BBC and ITV in the UK to see if anyone recognised this boy. As she sat at her desk, planning and calculating and working out what could be done, across the Atlantic a TV in a Dr's surgery was running the main news.

"Grandma, are you almost ready, we have to go to the store, remember?" Amy exclaimed as she walked into Hartman Medical.

"Almost Amy! Patient as ever I see. How's Mom doing?" Edna called from the storeroom.

"Yeah, she's okay. You know, slowly, slowly." Amy called back.

Behind her the TV was on silent. Edna walked out of the storeroom and was preparing to lock up for the day. Amy was skittishly moving around by the door. She was eager to get home. This would be the first proper family dinner they'd had in weeks. The whole family would be there. She was disturbed from her daydream by Edna.

"Amy honey. Amy!"

Amy looked up, "Yes Grandma?"

"Look at the TV and tell me if I'm seeing things…"

Amy looked up and her face paled, "Grandma, turn the sound up, quick!"

Edna complied. Anne Trujillo of ABC7 was making a report.

"And in other news tonight, and this is a bit of a strange one Mike…"

"Yes, Anne indeed." Her co-anchor agreed.

"The American Authorities have requested that anyone who may recognise the young man in the picture you see now to contact them on the number now showing on the screen."

Anne indicated the number rolling across the screen.

"He was found in Dover, England yesterday and is believed to be an American citizen, possibly being named Ephram. The British Authorities, who have aged him at around 18-19, reportedly found him wandering the streets disorientated and non-responsive yesterday. He is believed to be a visitor to Europe, possibly on a gap year break, but was carrying no identification when found. The only clue to his identity was a book with an inscription that he was found to be carrying."

"Thank you Anne. Again, if anyone has any information on the identity of this young man please contact the authorities immediately."

Amy and Edna were staring at the screen in shock. The picture of the young man was indeed their Ephram, but he looked dishevelled and lost, practically unrecognisable. Edna was making paces toward the phone and scribbling down the number whilst dialling.

"Doc Brown? Yes, it's Edna. Listen Doc, have you seen the news tonight? Well if I were you I'd turn it on sharpish. Yes, it has to be NOW. Get to it Soldier!"

In the surgery across the street Andy had been about to finish for the day. Harold and Louise had already packed up for the night and he planned to get some take-out from Gino Changs and go home to his daughter. They had planned a video fest and he knew better than to be late. Delia had a fierce temper. All that was about to change. Putting down the phone from Edna he flicked up the news and felt himself reel slightly to the right. If he was not mistaken that was his son. On national news. Andy felt his heart leap into his throat. Dialling, dialling and an answer.

"Hello, this is Dr. Andrew Brown. I believe you know the whereabouts of my son. Ephram. Ephram Brown. Yes. Thankyou."

So next time it will be a longer. I have a lot more to tell. Hope you liked it. Please review.