Mr. and Mrs. Crosswire were shaken from the whole experience, crazed Sicilians were shooting up the place now and then, and this had got to stop. They thought they were safe, the Benneditto's were put away for good, but stranger things had happened.

Ryder had shown up, he let Max out of his cruiser; Freeman was surprised, "You found him? Why is he getting out here?"

"I let him out, he had said his parents are gone, and he is temporarily living here," Ryder explained as he wrote something on his notepad.

Max was shocked seeing what destruction was left, he hadn't said anything he was more shocked than upset over this, and he was oblivious to what happened.

Mr. Freeman was confused, "This doesn't make sense, some crazed Sicilians shot up the place, and this kid is under the care of Mr. and Mrs. Crosswire?"

"Yes!"

"Ryder leave us, I want to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Crosswire." Freeman replied as the other police officer left, he had got into his car and drove D.W. home.

"Mr. and Mrs. Crosswire Max is under your care, the owner of the moped isn't going to press charges, but I certainly hope you are going to punish him for what he did."

Mr. Crosswire lowered his head he looked like he was going to cry… cry of humiliation "I can't…"

"Why?"

"He lost his parents… Muffy is gone off to some strange place; she isn't doing well in school…" Mr. Crosswire explained, as he looked at Max who pretty much was in shock.

"Suit yourself, like if he were my kid I would probably punish him..." Freeman replied as he got into his police car and drove off.

Mr. Crosswire turned to Max, "Be thankful that he didn't press charges, or suggest that I get you put in juvie."

Max sighed as he was brought back to reality he knew he was safe but didn't care much about Mr. Crosswire, "I am so sorry for what happened, don't tell my parents!"

"I won't…"

Moments later Mr. and Mrs. Read were shocked to see D.W. coming home in a police car.

"See Pal, I knew someday D.W. would be in the back of a patrol car."

"D.W. probably stole a toy." Pal replied but it came out as barking.

The police officer took D.W. inside, "Mr. and Mrs. Read, there was a certain situation that happened today. You let Max in D.W.'s care?"

Mr. Read started to explain, "Yes, he is D.W.'s baby sitter."

"He stole a moped, and was evading police," the officer explained.

Mrs. Read sighed, "His parents are gone. Please give him a break; I know he is probably doing things that are reckless."

He wanted to tell him what he thought but it was best to close this case, "Anyways, D.W. is back safe and sound."

The police officer had left, and D.W. smiled at her parents, "Is Max going to baby-sit me tonight?"

Mrs. Read looked at her, D.W. never usually liked him, but it was strange why she asked if he could come, "We will have to see."

That evening Max was over to baby-sit D.W. again; he wasn't in the mood of talking, what happened when he was put in police custody was the worst experience of his life.

This wasn't like him, they would both always argue over something or another, but D.W. was still upset because of what happened at the studios today. She didn't know whether to watch the show again or not.

This was the quietist they both ever been all night, Arthur was over at Sue Ellen's studying, Max insisted on doing his work elsewhere instead of at the Crosswire's, the place was a crime scene. He hadn't talked to her at all, it was eerie, and he was still shocked seeing the mansion shot up.

It had been like this until Mr. and Mrs. Read came home, D.W. and Max hadn't talked for hours.

The next day at school was worse; Max was embarrassed because of what happened.

Binky came up to him, he had seen the jump, "That was so awesome! Mr. Kane took a picture of it."

He had presented the news story, Max flew in mid-air on the moped; however he ignored him and he went into the classroom, Mrs. Armstrong was there, "How was it this weekend? I heard you had some good adventure."

"Please… this was the worse weekend of my life, I almost was sent to juvie, I had to crush the hopes and dreams of a little girl… and I couldn't even summon up the courage to give those chocolates to Prunella…"

Max had sat in his chair, as Mrs. Armstrong smiled at him faintly; he personally wanted to stay at her house compared to the Crosswires.

"What's wrong?" Mrs. Armstrong asked.

Max sighed sadly, "I just want my parents to come back. My dads and moms side hadn't arrived yet!"

"It will take a little while longer..."

"But how long will it take?"

"Depends on where they are they are probably working as fast as they can to see if they can get here before something terrible happens."

"I hope so because I miss them..."

----

Back on the arid prison planet, Buck started the plan, the guard opened the cell door for brining in what meager rations they are supposed to give the inmates, as Buck looked over a gang member looked at Buck and company and pretended to slice his neck with his hand, which was most likely a death threat.

Buck pulled the guard in and snapped his neck, he took the uniform and changed into it, "A bit small but it'll have to do."

They walked down the hallway passing guard after guard; one guard had stopped them, "Where are you taking them?"

"I am taking them to the prison of uh... Exodus."

"Doom Prison, you are sending them out of all places to Doom Prison? Man the warden is sick minded for sending them there…"

"What is wrong with the warden's choice?" Buck asked, "Are you questioning his authority? He will probably fire you if you question him… or myself, I happen to be a security guard of the 1st brigade."

"Ok, ok, I get your point," The masked guard replied, then got back talking about the prison, "It is old, they are sure to die of ways one has never heard of for hundreds of years, like being hung, or drawn and quartered. Anyways good luck, be sure to watch out for the girl, she can be trouble, and she's been getting sick lately."

Buck had escorted the Clarkson's and Muffy down the cold steel lined hallway and walked out of the prison towards the landing pad.

To Be Continued