First off, i am sorry for being gone so long.

I haven't updated in almost a year, which ill try to do better.

Also this chapter is a bit sad, just so you know. Writing reunions is hard.

Disclaimer: I don't own KND

Chapter 10: Confrontation

"Dad!"

"Chad? Son! Is, that really you?"

The two men hugged, squeezing each other tightly. Slowly they released each other.

"Yeah dad… it's me… Sorry for showing up out the blue like this. I... I… I don't know what to say, I mean, I know you're probably, mad… and oh man, mom… I bet she's furious… I didn't mean…"

"Chadrick… hush, it's alright big guy. I'm not upset and neither is your mother. If anything, we were just worried is all. You should understand, losing a child is quiet… painful to say the least. Now that we know you are alright…" he sighs "Things are going to be a lot better around here."

"B… But, I just vanished, how could you not be upset!"

Moving over to the sofa they both sit down, Ceddy no longer hanging around, seeing as his job was done.

"Listen, son… Of course, when you first… uh… went missing we were beside ourselves. Your mother and I thought it was our fault that you ran away. The two of us were angrier at ourselves then, with you. Then we thought about the club you use to belong to and figured you went off with them. After countless attempts at trying to find you through them and with no avail we went to the police. Filing a missing person's report, the whole nine yards. Even that turned out to be a dead end. Your mother… she… well she ended up very depressed, for quite some time. It took us months, to get her back to her old happy self."

Chad felt his heart breaking at his father's words. He could barely speak; his mouth had gone dry. Letting out a whimper as his eyes started to dampen. His father continued.

"Eventually we ended up conceiving Cedrick, hoping to do a better job as parents to him. Mind you we were not trying to replace you, but… we felt something was missing without you being here son. Often, during our search for you we felt as if we were bad parents. Always pushing you so hard to be the best, perfect even…"

"Dad…" Chad croaked through his hoarse voice

"No, no… son we were, and we admit it. No child should have to go through their childhood with so much pressure on their shoulders. Granted you were a prodigy, we shouldn't… I shouldn't have pushed you so hard. It's all my fault…" Dad's voice begins to crack "If it wasn't for me… you wouldn't have…" He sniffs, bringing Chad into another embrace.

Shocked, Chad sits there. His face shifting from shock, to anger, to sadness. He returns his father's hug.

'I am such an asshole… not for a second did I think of how this would affect my family. If I wasn't so self-centered, they wouldn't have had to go through so much heartache, because of me. Is there anything that I can do, right? Feels to me that I've failed at everything, the KND, being a friend, and being a horrible son. God, what the fuck is wrong with me!' He chastises 'And then my mother, god knows what hell I put her through… maybe it's better if I leave and not come back' He thought

His musing was interrupted when his father begins to speak again.

"The worst part of it is was when the police, claimed that you were dead. On that day, we stopped looking. That very day a little part of me died. No parent should have to lose a child. Oh, it hurt something fierce to hear those words from the officer. My son, my only beloved son… dead at the age of fourteen. Not a child yet not an adult, yet to have lived the life that was meant for him. So many dreams lost… I couldn't bear it, but I had to be strong for your mother. We ended up boarding up your room, it was so hard for us to walk past it… As you know time went on, without a word from you. We kept our hopes up, but we know we had to move forward with our lives. Having Cedrick helped to an extent… I can't say we are one-hundred percent, but we are getting there… I… I'm just glad you are here son!" He gasps

Chad finally speaks "Me too dad! I'm…I… I'm so sorry!" he cries "It's all because of me, it's my fault, not yours!"

"No, I am to blame… I..."

Interrupting "No, you're not… it was my selfishness. You were right dad I was with The Kids Next Door."

"But…But we checked they didn't know where you were… how…"

He lets out a dark chuckle "That's because they didn't know. I wasn't supposed to be… well, I was…but I wasn't supposed to go. I left on my own. I was… am… a part of a sister organization known as the Galactic Kids Next door. Dad there is more that I have to tell you… you, mom… Ceddy… you're all in danger…"

Through his confession, he doesn't realize the door opens, until he hears a 'thud' of something hitting the ground.

"Sir…, they've gone into the university. Do you want to proceed? I can have men here within the hour."

"No, not yet…! Have them on standby. Now that we know where they live, it will be far easier to keep an eye on out little friends." Sneered the boss.

"Understood Sir, who shall I prepare?"

"Hmm… let's see… I believe Tolinator, shall be our first test. He seems to have come quite a way, but he will serve at best a mere distraction. Mr. Fizz is already waiting for his bout. Maybe… Cuppa Joe would be a good secondary for him…"

"Is that all Sir?" Jenkins raised his thin brow

"Yes, yes… Now let's return. I tire of waiting. Have tea ready when we arrive, the study will do just fine. Always have time for a delightful book as father always says."

"As you wish Sir." Jenkins replied

The car started and pulled off campus grounds. Hidden in the thick of night.

Hoagie sat next to Abigail in the communal area away from his chattering friends. A ghost of a smile plaguing his lips. Shifting his gaze to the woman beside him, he watched her looking lost in in though as she munched a slice of pizza.

In his corniest western accent, he speaks "Howdy gorgeous, mind telling me what's on your mind?" He smirked leaning on the nook.

Abby's lips curl at the corner, "Boy hush." She giggles "Well if you must know Abby is wondering if everything is gone be okay. Too much is happenin and Abby don't like it." She frowned

Taking her free hand, Hoagie reassures, "Abs, everything will be alright, you know that. When have we never come out on top? Aren't we the Kids Next Door? Heck even if we weren't, nobody could hold a candle to you babe. You're the toughest women I know, and that's including when Kuki is angry" He chuckles. "Don't worry we got this, I'm more worried about graduation then some arch nemesis showing up."

Abby gave him a sideways glance, seeing that he meant what he said. "Yeah, Abby guess you're right. But, why are you so nervous about graduatin? As far as Abby knows, baby, you're gonna be the valedictorian."

Hoagie lets out a nervous laugh, "Oh… uh well, you know, big speech and then moving on to bigger and better things. He he." Grabbing a slice, he asks, "Uh how do you think it's going over there?"

"If Abby had to guess, she'd say 'fantastic', at least Abby doesn't hear yelling, that always a good sign. Do you wanna, stick around, or head off ta bed? Looks like they will be here for a while sugah."

Hoagie pouts, "Aww and miss the fun? Well I guess you're right, might take them all night to sort this issue out." Grabbing the box of unfinished pizza, Hoagie follows Abby to her room.

"Is… is everything all right Nile?" Rachel asked

"Yes, everything is splendid. The problem is with me. It seems that I have deceived you. I am very sorry; I am not the man you think I am."

"What do you mean? Have you been lying to me this whole time!" Her voice starting to rise with her anger.

"N…no, I haven't lied to you Rachel. On the contrary I've just forgotten you, and you have forgotten me."

"Nile, you aren't making any sense, how could I've forgotten you. I've only just met you! What does this have to do with you deceiving me?" she asks

"You see… well i… it was unintentional. I didn't mean to do it love. Everything I've told you about me is true, but my name."

"What are you saying, the only thing about you that is not real is your name?" becoming confused

"Well yes, and no… My name is indeed Nile, it's just a name that was given to me where I … uh work."

"Nile, could you please, just tell me what is going on…" losing her patience.

He sighs, "Rachel, the reason I say you have forgotten me is because you did know me before." She looks at him questionably

"Before you even say anything, it's true, you've always known me and I you. It took a couple of friends to help me realize that. Do you remember when I said I've been away for a long time and really wanted to reunite with my friends again?" she nods "That happened on this very night. It was a blasted miracle, if I do say so myself. And you know what Rachel they, remember!" He laughs "Oh, they bloody remember me, now all that is left is to make you remember…"

Concerned, she questions "What do I need to remember? I know you Nile, though I am happy you found your friends, but what does that have to do with me?"

With a deep, but soft chuckle, "Because you are also one of those friends, my dear."

Taken aback, she stammers "Ho... how... how can that be, we've only known each other since spring break. I'm sure I've never met you a day before then. Sure, you remind me of Ni…"

He smirks, holding out his hand, "Nigel… Nigel Uno. It's Nice to meet you Rachel McKenzie."

I know it's short, but i felt that was a good place to stop.

I will try to wrap this up soon, maybe at least five or more chapters.

Hopefully i don't take to long to upload. Thanks for your patience.