a/n Hey everyone. I'm sorry I've been away. I've had my computer crash and burn, and have been dealing with health issues. Hope you don't mind the late chapter.

Chapter 4:

Stake Out and Giggles

Ash woke up feeling disturbed. His dreams were filled with that little boy, stuck in that tiny cupboard and being pinched by his cousin. He dreamed that the boy's Aunt and Uncle withheld food from hhim and made him do chores a 3 year old should not even be attempting. The dishes were the worst, but they also made him sort things in the fridge and peel eggs.

Ash rubbed a hand over his tired face and stared absent mindedly at the tattoo of Simi on his shoulder. It was much too early to be up, but thoughts ran around in Ash's brain like horses on speed. He stretched his tall frame and combed his short hair, then splashed some water on his face.

"Simi," he said in a sleep roughened voice as he entered the kitchen. "It's time to get up now. We have work to do."

The tattoo peeled off of him and Simi stood beside him in a rumpled work uniform. Ash sighed and gestured for her to shower and change. He didn't have time for this, or rather he did but had no concentration or patience. He jammed a few slices of bread into the toaster, then pulled out a chair and sat at the kitchen table. He thunked his head onto his arms and closed the swirling silver orbs with a frustrated sigh. He needed to go look at the boy's house today to check it out and see if there was an easy way of getting him out. "his name is Harry, Ash, not boy." He sternly chastised himself, then got up to get the toast.

"What's wrong Akri?" asked Simi. "You don't look well."

"I'm just fine Simi," said Ash, "But you'll need to go into work without me today. I have things I need to do."

"Will Akri tell the Simi?" Simi asked around a piece of toast.

"Later," said Ash. "Watch Remus. Be as subtle as you can, and if he opens up to you, let me know. Don't burn anything and serve everyone politely."

"Even that blond horse lady with the fat boy?" asked Simi.

"If they come into the store, act as normal as you can," said Ash. "Remember, that's human normal, not Simi normal."

"The Simi will try," said Simi. "The Simi wants to rip the horse woman's hair out."

Ash shook his head and walked out the door, shoving his keys in his pocket. He hugged Simi tightly and ruffled her long hair. Simi returned his hug and kissed his cheek. This was going to be an interesting day, Ash just knew it.

Zia unlocked the door of Laurie's Treats and flipped the sign over to open. She walked behind the counter to the office and began sorting notes and coins into the cash register, just in case anyone needed change for the items they bought. A hoarse "good morning" made her turn and she smiled broadly at the man called Remus.

"Good morning Remus," she said cheerfully. "Ash is away today. It will be just you and me…. Uh… You and I."

Zia blushed and began to make fresh tarts and cupcakes. Remus said nothing, though she caught a smile on his face as he checked the store of chocolate bars and other sweets. He went out back to the recent deliveries of sweets and came back with a large box of assorted suckers and jolly ranchers. As he sorted them into their displays, Zia hummed as she stirred the cake batter. What could she talk about that Remus might enjoy? She thought of just asking him what he liked to do.

"So what do you like doing when you're not here Remus?" she asked curiously, controlling the urge to eat the freshly baked cupcakes out of the pan.

"I enjoy reading books and—"

There was a pause before Remus said, "Marshal arts." Zia was sure he was about to say something else. She tried again.

"What do you like to read?" she asked.

"books on defense and fantasy," said Remus matter-of-factly as he went to get another box of supplies. "How about you? What do you like to do?"

As Remus left, Zia saw the end of a short stick poking out of Remus' uniform. She would have to tell Akri. That stick seemed magical. She reached up to rub a horn that wasn't there, so settled for straightening her hair.

"I like watching TV," said Zia truthfully. "I love cooking shows. They make me so hungry."

She giggled and Remus laughed. They talked amiably with one another, trying to share jokes as best as they could. When customers started coming in, Remus retreated to the back to do some baking while Zia worked the cash register.

The horse faced, thin blond woman came in again with her fat child and tiny little boy in hand me down clothing. While the woman was distracted telling Zia she wanted chocolate fudge ice cream not caramel, Remus came from the back and slipped the boy a tiny hard candy to suck on. When the boy saw Remus, he was about to hug and cry all over the man but Zia put a finger over her lips. When they left, Remus's face was very grave and his hands were fisted.

"Do they really treat him so badly?" he asked under his breath, though Zia heard him.

"We're trying to get him out of there," she said. "Shhhh. Wait till Akri… I mean wait till Ash comes back."

"Akri?" Remus asked. "That sounds foreign."

"It is," said Zia. "Come on, the tarts need to be taken out of the oven."

Ash watched the house all day. A big, beefy man came outside, stuffing a wallet into his back pocket. He had a mustache and Ash noticed the wallet was rather thick with money. His blond wife watched him get in the car and leave, then stood in the doorway spying on the neighbors. Ash walked silently closer, his presence cloaked so the woman couldn't see him.

He gazed into the house and noticed it was quite well appointed. From where he was standing, he could see two boys in the kitchen, one watching TV while stuffing his face, while the other cleared the table and reached high up to put the plates and mugs onto the counter. Ash gritted his teeth. The boy had a bruise on his chest, not covered because the shirt he was wearing was way too big.

The door closed and Ash skulked around to look in each window. There was a large living room, the kitchen, two well made up bedrooms, a child's room and another bedroom full of broken toys. Where was that damnable cupboard? It was only when the woman and children were leaving that Ash found out. The cupboard was under the stairs and it had a padlock on the outside. Ash nearly blew up the house in anger.

"It's time for some action," he muttered to himself. "We need that man and we need to get away from here. I need to know what Simi has found out today."

Ash walked home as it began to rain. He conjured a shield around himself, watching the raindrops slide off of it. Of course it would be raining. Days like this deserved rain. He unlocked the door and sat wearily on the sofa.

"Soon," he promised the boy. "Soon it will be alright."