Ricky felt like things were out of his control. He was frustrated with himself for how quickly he seemed to fall back on old habits. He had spent the last ten years trying to be more bold and independent, because he'd made the mistake once of trusting the wrong people and getting stabbed in the back, and he didn't want to do the same thing.

He'd thought that he'd made a lot of progress, but as soon as Pericles came flying through his door he found himself falling back on old habits. He knew he shouldn't listen to Pericles, let alone trust him, but he couldn't help it. All while growing up Pericles had been his one constant companion. Ricky had found comfort from Pericles' presence. He'd fooled himself into thinking that the parrot cared about him as much as he cared about Pericles.

Looking back, Pericles had never had even a little bit of affection for Ricky. He'd stayed with Ricky not out of a sense of loyalty and devotion, but because Pericles knew that he could take advantage of him. Ricky knew that he shouldn't allow Pericles to use that vulnerability again, and yet when his old companion came back and suggested that they work together to find the Planispheric Disk pieces, Ricky had agreed without a moment of hesitation.

Ricky didn't know if he had agreed because he wanted the treasure, or because he wanted Pericles' companionship again. Either way, he was beating himself up, because he should be stronger than this.

He kept on trying to find the nerve to send Pericles away, but then he had found young Fred Jones crying, and the part of Ricky that had agreed to help Pericles find the treasure got almost irresistibly strong.

The first thing that Pericles had told him when he'd flown back into his life was that Frederick Jones had been the Freak of Crystal Cove that had sent them away. Ricky had been reluctant to believe him, but seeing a boy that looked identical to a young Brad, but who claimed his name was Fred Jones, he knew that Pericles was probably right.

Ricky rarely talked to the other members of Mystery Incorporated, but from one of his rare conversations with Brad and Judy he'd learned that they had a son that had been taken by the Freak. If The Freak had taken the Chiles boy, and now that boy was here thinking he was the son of Frederick Jones, then it made sense that their old friend and ally was actually their old enemy.

Ricky didn't know exactly what they would be doing with young Fred, but he knew that Pericles would come up with a plan to use the boy to get their piece of the Planispheric Disk. Perhaps they would take a page out of Frederick's book and use blackmail. Of course, that would only work if the man cared about the boy that he had kidnapped, and Ricky wasn't sure if that was the case.

While Ricky brought Fred to the back rooms he encouraged the kid to talk, just to get a better idea of who this kid was and who he thought his father was. According to Fred, his dad didn't just care about him, but he loved him deeply. He always helped Fred with his homework, and came to all of his soccer games. When Ricky asked about Fred's friends the boy said that he had exactly two friends, one was his stuffed bear Mr. Trapples and the other was his father.

Ricky quickly came to see that Fred's confidence in the man that he thought was his father wasn't necessarily a sign of Frederick's good nature, but a testament of Fred's naivety and innocence.

Fred was such an interesting child, and Ricky was taken aback by how much he didn't at all resemble his parents, both biological and adopted. Fred shared a name with the man that had taken him, and he looked almost identical to Brad and shared his and Judy's love for traps, but that was where the similarities ended.

Where Brad, Judy, and Frederick were some of the most charismatic people that Ricky knew, Fred was awkward and oblivious. The boy loved people, unlike all three of his parents, but he didn't know how to cope with them.

Fred was genuinely kind and optimistic. At the same time though, Fred was anxious and stuck in a world that was just too big and loud for him. Ricky knew the feeling well, and he knew how easy it could be to fall into hopelessness. It made him pity the boy. The world was a cruel place, and it took people like Fred and completely destroyed them. The boy would either have to adapt and lose everything good in him, or he would lose himself.

When Ricky had found Fred crying he had awkwardly tried to help him, because he knew how overwhelming and devastating breakdowns could be. Ricky had anxiety attacks all the time as a child, and still did to this day. When he was younger he'd relied on Cassidy to help him out, but now he was all by himself, and some days it felt impossible. Ricky wasn't usually the most empathetic person, but he couldn't help but try to help Fred. An eight year old child didn't deserve this feeling.

Ricky felt a little bad that he was leading Fred right to Pericles when he knew first-hand what the parrot could do to children, but Ricky pushed that guilt to the back of his mind. He wasn't the one that had dragged Fred into this treasure hunt of theirs. Frederick had involved the child the moment he had kidnapped him. Ricky was just playing the game that Frederick had established in the first place.

Fred seemed completely oblivious that he had been kidnapped, either by Frederick or by Ricky. The boy was happily following Ricky, trusting him fully. The only sign of his previous anxiety was that Fred refused to let go of Ricky's hand, and he drew so close to him whenever there was a sound that was just a touch too loud, or a flashing of lights that were too sudden.

Ricky brought the boy to the hidden rooms under the company that nobody else knew about. Fred didn't seem to understand how weird and questionable this situation was. As far as the boy was concerned, it was completely normal for a company to have rooms like something from a spy movie.

The truth had to come out eventually, but Ricky didn't want to be the one to shatter this boy's illusion. He'd leave that to Pericles. After all, the parrot was so good at it.

As soon as Ricky entered the final security codes for the deepest, most secret part of his company, what he very privately thought to himself as a lair, though he would never admit it out loud, Pericles was there waiting for him.

"Ricky, I was wondering where you were." Pericles said smoothly. Ricky was really starting to hate hearing this tone. It struck him right in the chest and made him feel like a little kid who did whatever Pericles said, because it was so much easier.

Pericles' gaze went to Fred. The boy flinched and drew behind Ricky. The man knew that he wouldn't, and couldn't, protect Fred from Pericles, but he wasn't going to judge the boy for being cautious around the bird. It showed that Fred had good instincts.

"Und ein kind." Pericles flew around Fred, completely ignoring the boy's discomfort. "Interesting."

Fred looked up at Ricky. "Your friend is a bird."

"He's a lot smarter than he looks." Ricky said, and he didn't mean it as a compliment. Pericles' brain made him devious and wicked. Ricky would have far preferred an animal that was just a little less sentient and aware. "Fred, this is Professor Pericles."

The parrot's eyes flashed dangerously. He landed on Ricky's shoulder and leered down at the child. "Fred. You look so much like your father."

If there wasn't an impressionable child present, and if he was able to bring himself to talk back to Pericles, he would have sworn loudly at the bird. He hadn't told Pericles a word about Brad and Judy's child being taken by the Freak, but he wasn't surprised that the bird had figured it out. Pericles was very thorough, and he didn't like to not know absolutely everything.

Fred didn't seem to find anything weird about what Pericles said, even though he looked nothing much like Frederick Jones. Ricky didn't know if Fred's lack of confusion was because of his age, or if he was just that naïve.

Fred rocked a bit on his heels. "I didn't know my dad knew a talking parrot."

Pericles chuckled. "There is a lot about your father that you don't know, Vögelchen."

Ricky flinched. He remembered when he was young and Pericles used to call him by that nickname. When he'd first learned that the literal translation was little bird he had felt pleased. Pericles, as a bird, calling him a little bird, made it feel more personal and meaningful than just a fond nickname. Now Ricky saw the nickname as nothing but patronizing and manipulative.

Fred shifted uncomfortably. He tugged on Ricky's coat. "Can you call my dad? I-I want to go home."

"Oh, we can call your father." Pericles said. His tone didn't give away at all if he was talking about Frederick or Brad. Ricky wouldn't be surprised if Pericles ended up doing both. He loved to stir up chaos and confusion, because it made it easier for him to get away with things unnoticed.

Pericles dug his talons into Ricky's shoulder before he took off into the air. "Ricky, go take care of our guest while I arrange things."

Ricky knew that Pericles would probably use Fred as leverage against Frederick. He didn't like the thought of it though. Ricky had to tell himself that it would all be worth it. This was all for the treasure, and maybe if he and Pericles got on the same page again then they could actually figure out how to improve their relationship and get it to somewhere that even somewhat resembled healthy.

After all, Pericles was probably just testy because his desire to find the treasure had gotten the best of them, as had happened to all of them at one point or another. If they actually had the treasure, then there would be no reason for Pericles to be so cruel.

Things would get better, they just needed to get past these hurdles, and then it would be smooth sailing.

Ricky didn't want to use Fred like this, but it only took him a moment to convince himself that it wouldn't be that bad. He could just give Fred a coin of the treasure to make up for the potential trauma, and the boy would probably forgive him in an instant. And Fred was so oblivious that Ricky thought that it was very possible that, depending on how cooperative Frederick was, they could get Fred home before he even knew that he was being held hostage.

Fred was starting to look anxious again. Ricky didn't judge him though. He knew how it felt to be anxious, and Pericles did have a unique way of making things so much worse.

"Was that actually your friend?" Fred asked with a frown. "He's scary."

"He is, isn't he." Ricky said quietly. "And he's my oldest and most constant friend." That didn't make him the best, but Pericles had always been there. As oppressive as Pericles' presence could often be, at least it was a presence at all. Ricky longed for companionship, even if he knew deep down that he was probably better off away from this bird.

"I'll see what I can do about keeping you away from Pericles." Ricky said. He brought Fred to a small but cozy room that was the most homey and comfortable in the building. Ricky sometimes had a hard time dragging himself home after a long day at work, or when he got too overwhelmed and needed a break. That was the beauty of being the boss. As long as he got the work done, and he did, he could afford to take a few minutes break without everything falling apart.

When Ricky realized that he stayed here much more frequently than he stayed in his own apartment he had personalized it a bit. He brought in his airplane models and other things that he felt were too childish for him to own, but he couldn't bring himself to get rid of them. Fred didn't seem to mind the toys. In fact, his eyes lit up and he immediately started playing with one of Ricky's favorite airplane models.

"You'll be okay in here for a bit." Ricky made a move to leave. Fred panicked and grabbed his arm.

"Don't go." Fred said. "I don't want to be alone." Ricky didn't think he was very good company, but he still didn't know why Fred had been crying earlier. If he'd been upset and anxious because he'd been on his own, then Ricky would send him right back to that. Ricky knew that he really wasn't in any place to comfort the kid that he'd essentially kidnapped, but he also knew how it felt to feel lost and alone, and he didn't want to be responsible for making anybody else feel like that.

Ricky sighed and let Fred pull him further into the room. He sat on the bed. "Okay, okay, I can stay for a little bit." Ricky gestured to his closet. "There's a case in there. If you pull it out I'll show you what I do when I'm upset."

Fred needed a little more direction before he found the case. He pulled it out and dragged it over to Ricky. The boy didn't handle it nearly as carefully as Ricky himself might, but that was what the case was for. It could handle the clumsy grip of a child.

Fred gave the case to Ricky, and the man pulled out his keytar. Most instruments like this needed to be connected to things to make any sound at all, but when Ricky had first gotten interested in this instrument Pericles had helped him to figure out how to tweak and adjust it so he could play it easily.

Playing his guitar was Ricky's comfort zone. It was what he did when he felt guilt and anxiety twist up his chest. It helped him to get his mind off of his doubts, and also to focus on what he was working on.

Ricky made sure that the keytar was still on his favorite sound setting before he played the very simple tune. It was just a few notes. He didn't know why he found it so comforting, or where he had come across this little tune, but it was always in his head.

Fred's eyes widened. "That's pretty." Ricky had no idea if he meant the sound of the instrument, or the tune.

"It clears my mind." Ricky said. Just playing this tune made him feel more comfortable with this questionable situation. Fred would be just fine. Ricky was doing this for unspeakable treasure. It was worth the occasional dubious action.

Fred reached out and pressed one of the notes. Ricky stopped playing. He raised an eyebrow at the boy who continued to press at random keys. The boy seemed entranced.

"Here," Ricky set the keytar down on his lap, with the keys facing Fred. Ricky demonstrated the notes of his little song. Fred followed his example an octave higher. The kid caught on quickly.

Ricky would have been content to sit in this safe room keeping Fred company and in the dark while Pericles arranged things with Frederick, but his old friend wouldn't let him get off that easily. Far too soon Ricky could hear Pericles scratching against the door. He sighed and stood up.

"Okay, kid, I've got to go." Ricky said. He set the keytar down on the bed. "Keep practicing. I'll be back soon." Fred looked like he wanted to protest, but Ricky couldn't ignore Pericles' summons. Fred would have to just deal with being on his own for a few minutes.

Ricky left the room. He expected to see Pericles irritable, but the bird looked very pleased with himself, which worried Ricky even more.

"Lock the door." Pericles said. He didn't seem to care if Fred heard or not. Ricky sighed and did as he was told. He followed Pericles into the back rooms full of top of the line technology and screens. Ricky had picked up the habit of keeping an eye on everything that he could from Pericles. He may have security for his company, but in his free time he liked to look over the security footage for himself.

Ricky had also attached these screens to his personal phone. There was no visual image accompanying the phone calls, but Ricky liked doing things this way anyway. He had never liked talking on the phone, and it was so much easier to address a large screen, somehow.

"Let me do the talking, Ricky." Pericles said. Ricky felt like a teenager all over again. When he'd been in high school and absolutely terrified of his peers Pericles had always said this exact thing. Ricky had always seen it as reassuring, because Pericles always said it when Ricky felt like he couldn't talk anyway, but now he was second guessing that. It was very likely that Pericles had just said that because he didn't trust Ricky to not make a fool of himself.

Pericles had a number already put in. With just one more push of a button he sent the call. The phone rang briefly before it was answered.

"Who is this, what do you want, and where did you get my personal number?" An irritable voice said. Ricky hadn't heard this voice in ten years, but he still recognized it. It didn't sound like Frederick Jones had changed a lot. He was still as stern and to the point as ever. Ricky couldn't believe that this man had raised a boy as timid and friendly as Fred.

"Is that any way to greet an old friend, Frederick?" Pericles said slyly. There wasn't a sound from the other end, but Ricky could easily imagine the way that Frederick might have paled at the sound of the parrot's voice. It was how Ricky had felt when he'd first realized that Pericles was out and about.

"Pericles." Frederick growled after taking a moment to recover. If he was afraid he hid it well. "What do you want?"

"What do you think I want?" Pericles sounded irritated, which surprised Ricky. Pericles was usually so good at sounding in control. "The piece of the Planispheric Disk that you stole from me."

"And what makes you think I would just hand it over to you?" Frederick asked. Ricky had known that Frederick probably had the piece, and had been the Freak, but it was one thing to know it and another thing to have it practically confirmed.

"Oh, I thought we could do a bit of a trade." Pericles said, sounding in control again. "You have something I want, and I think I have something that you want quite a lot."

Frederick scoffed. "I highly doubt that."

"Oh you do, do you?" Ricky definitely didn't like that tone in Pericles' voice. "I'll tell you what, why don't you take the night to think it over? I'm sure it will come to you. Sleep on it, and I'll call again in the morning." Pericles hung up before Frederick could get another word in. Ricky stared at the parrot.

"What are you doing?" Ricky asked. He thought that they had been trying to get this taken care of as quickly as possible.

"Making Frederick squirm." Pericles said, as though it was obvious. For all Ricky knew, Pericles had intended to do things this way the entire time. "He needs to learn his place in this game, and for that to happen we can't show our hand too early." Ricky thought it was ridiculous when Pericles insisted on saying 'we' and 'our', as though he would ever allow Ricky to have a say in what they did. Ricky was just as much Pericles' pawn as Jones and Fred were.

Ricky understood why they were doing this, and though he didn't like it he didn't dislike it nearly enough to pull back. There went his hope of getting Fred home quickly. Ricky wondered what in the world he was going to say to the boy. He couldn't just leave him in the dark for the rest of the day and throughout the night. Well, he could, but it just felt unnecessarily cruel. Ricky knew that if he was in Fred's position he would be terrified out of his wits after the first few hours or being locked up in a strange place, no matter how comfortable it was.

Pericles probably couldn't care less about Fred's feelings. Ricky and Frederick were just pawns in Pericles' game, but Fred was likely even more disposable and worthless to him. The boy was just a means to an end.

Ricky knew that by tomorrow Fred would know that something was wrong, but he wondered how long he could drag this out for. Maybe he could tell Fred that his dad had been delayed for a few hours, and he would be having dinner there, and he could figure out just what the kid wanted. Yes, it would mean blatantly lying to the kid, but Ricky was already taking advantage of his trust. Why not take things to the next step just to let Fred have a few more hours of feeling like he was among friends.

Compared to everything else that was going on, Ricky felt like a little manipulative lie was the kindest thing he could do right now. He briefly wondered how many times Pericles had probably thought that very thing to himself over the years. The thought made Ricky feel sick and he pushed it to the back of his mind, though he knew it would prevent him from being able to sleep tonight.

Ricky had almost forgotten how complicated this treasure made everything. It might have made him long for simpler times, but Ricky didn't think that his life had ever been so simple. It just wasn't the hand he'd been dealt.

Ricky had come to terms with his lot in life, but he believed it a shame that the next generation was already getting dragged into this disaster. Fred didn't deserve this, but there was nothing that Ricky could do about it. At least, there was nothing that he was willing to do.

Ricky didn't want to be a kidnapper, but if it meant getting back the piece of the Planispheric Disk and being that much closer to claiming the treasure, he was willing to do whatever it took. He just wished it didn't mean hurting people.