A/N: Happy Thanksgiving! =)

"Teddy!" came one small voice.

"Uncle Teddy!" came the other.

Tbag laughed out loud as Susan's children came sprinting into his arms. I was left standing with my mouth open baffled. Teddy? I thought he hated that name, but here he was laughing away as the kids referred to him this way. The young girl practically jumped into his arms as he hoisted her into the air. It was awkward for me witnessing Tbag acting like a father. Susan looked as though she could be sick. He placed the young girl on the ground and bent down to her eye level.

"Look at my girl. You are aging faster than an aardvark." His compliment caused her to grin even though I didn't catch on to the joke. She wrapped her arms around him again.

"I missed you." She said with enough innocence in her voice to make any heart melt.

"I missed you too sweet cake." He said before turning his attention to the older boy. The kid looked as though he was going through his prepubescent stage where everything just seemed awkward.

"Zach," Tbag said with a proud voice, "you are a boy no longer." He reached out his hand to shake Zach's in a manly way. He was forced to grin and a mouth full of braces was revealed.

My heart sank as I watched this seemingly all American family. They didn't need or deserve this kind of punishment that Tbag was about to deliver. The kids were unsuspecting to the kind of danger around them. I was surprised that Susan was acting so calm. She looked downright terrified, but she was acting tranquil. Most motherly instincts would have kicked in and she should be clawing Tbag's eyes out trying to protect her children. It made me wonder what she had planned. Tbag stood up from his seat as if he was trying to make an announcement.

"As you can see I've painted my hair." He gestured to the bleach on his head. "I've decided to make some very important changes in my life.

"What are you doing here? Mom said you got a job with an oil rig." Zach explained. I glanced over to Susan at that cover story. She was staring at Tbag with a look that dared him to challenge her explanation.

He grinned in her direction, "that's right, an oil rig right out in the middle of the ocean, but those metallic beasts are dangerous and I got myself injured."

At that he lifted his phony hand into the air frightening the young daughter. I thought that was a smooth move, to frighten a child, but he remained calm though as he gently reached for her hand.

"Don't fret little angel, the good lawyers of mine got me one million bones for every digit I lost." He said pointing to each finger.

I wondered to myself what Susan and her family would think if they realized he kept all of that money in a bag that he wore on his shoulders. Of course, Susan knew his story was false, but he did have money. The money was obtained illegally, but he still had some. Zach looked back to Tbag with wide eyes.

"That's five million dollars!" that kind of money around here was probably unheard of. Both of the children looked amazed at Tbag, like he was some sort of celebrity. And I suppose in a way he was a celebrity for the wrong reasons. He was one of the infamous Fox River eight.

Susan on the other hand wasn't even looking at Tbag. She was staring back at the direction where she was hiding that gun. Maybe she thought Tbag was distracted and she would have a chance to grab it, but as soon as she started moving in that direction, he spotted her and was immediately to his feet. He wrapped his hand around her wrist, and to a naïve mind, it looked loving, but closer inspection proved it to be a firm grip of control. He smiled his charming grin to play it off.

"With all of that money I can do whatever I please." He said with a smile. "And all I want to do is spend all of my money and my time with you." He finally admitted.

The kid's eyes widened with excitement. They thought their mom was going to get back together with this man from their past, and they could be a family again. It was sort of tragic really. Tbag looked just as excited like he could actually pull this off. It was then that both kids finally turned their attention towards me and realized I was there for the first time. I tried to give them a soft smile, but they wanted nothing to do with me. I recognized the looks on their faces. They had no idea who I was and they wondered if I would come between Tbag and their mom. I glanced over to Tbag trying to figure out what to do.

"I almost forgot to introduce you," he said with another smile, "this here is my friend Laney kids."

They still seemed apprehensive around me even though I gave them a bigger smile.

"She was assigned to help me adjust to life without my hand. She can be a big help around the house."

Great, I was going to serve as the maid and nanny while Tbag lived out his little fantasy here. The kids seemed slightly more acceptable of me now that they realized I was hired help instead of a personal relationship to Tbag.

"Where is she going to sleep? We don't have enough beds." They asked innocently. That was the great thing about kids. They asked hundreds of questions that probably irritated Tbag only because they didn't know better. I wish I had the ability to lay a hundred questions on Tbag without the worry of being tortured or killed as a result. Perhaps the kids could give me a few tips on how to twist Tbag around my finger a little.

"Why I figured she would stay here for a few days until we could settle her up with her own place."

I smiled like I agreed with what Tbag was saying even though he knew if he left me alone in my own place, I would leave at the first chance.

"Teddy, we were going to watch this new movie with mom tonight, do you want to watch it?" the young girl asked.

He grinned widely, "That sounds great. Why don't you take your mother into the other room and get everything ready. I think I can convince Laney here to make us some snacks and drinks."

The kids smiled and waited for their mother before leaving the room. I was left in the living room with Tbag and he glanced around the room as if he was picturing his new life. It was different seeing him like this in this sort of family mode. His eyes finally settled on me, and I gave him a small smirk.

"My own place, huh? I like the sound of that."

"Just give the children some time. They will learn to love you and then they won't want you to move out."

He started moving about the room trying to find the perfect spot for the family to be. There was only one couch that he was eyeing. He wanted everyone to sit right next to each other. He was busy trying to arrange all of the pillows to one side.

"Do you really think this will work?" I asked.

"It isn't difficult. We all might have to squeeze together, but I think there will be enough room."

"I don't mean the couch, I mean this whole thing. Pretending to be someone that you're not. How long do you think people will buy into this? Your face is on national television as a wanted man."

He turned to look at me with the most hateful stare. It made me apprehensive as he stormed over to my direction. He firmly grabbed ahold of my elbow, but turned us around so Susan and her kids wouldn't be able to see us.

"You listen to me, you are going to go along with this for as long as I say." He growled. "Or so help me I will kill Tweener and make you watch."

I jerked my arm away from him after his threat. He had no right to treat me this way just because he was on a power trip as man of the house. Still glaring at him, I moved passed him and went into the kitchen. It wasn't until then that I realized I had no idea which drawers contained which items. I was so frustrated I started randomly pulling open all of the cabinets trying to find whatever I was looking for. I slammed one cabinet shut and ran my fingers through my hair.

"Need help finding something?" Susan said quietly and I jerked clutching onto my chest at the heart attack I was sure was going to follow.

"What would you like for snacks? How may I serve your family?" I said bowing forward just slightly.

That was enough to earn a small smile from her, which was something I hadn't seen since Tbag forced his way in. She moved seamlessly through the house pulling out cups and bowls then moving to where they kept the popcorn. My stomach rumbled quietly thinking about the forgotten taste of buttery popcorn. The silence grew awkward as she poured water into the cups waiting on the microwave.

"Your kids seem really great." I said spotting the napkins resting on the table and grabbing a handful.

Susan nodded her head in agreement but didn't respond. It was easy to tell that there was a lot running through her head. Small voices could be heard in the background, almost cartoonish voices. It must have been the movie starting. Then, Zach and Gracie could both be heard clearly laughing at something Tbag had said. I watched as Susan shut her eyes trying to regain composure. The glass she was holding in her hand slipped and went crashing onto the floor sending glass shards everywhere. Immediately, I was by her side using some of the napkins trying to pick up the pieces. Suspicious as ever, Tbag emerged in the doorway seeing what was happening. He looked agitated like the broken glass was ruining his perfect imaginary family. Susan was staring with wide eyes clearly terrified.

"My fault, T. The glass just slipped out of my hand." I said holding the napkin loosely in my grip.

He narrowed his eyes at me like I was completely worthless, and I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at him. He held out his hand for Susan to take, but he wasn't asking. She passively complied. I was left alone in the kitchen as the sound of the corn popping echoed through the house. I had to admit the sights of the family lifestyle and the comfy home was enough to make me miss my home and dysfunctional family.

My heart strained at the thought of Melanie and even of my father. I felt guilty, I should be home mourning the death of my very best friend and assisting my dad. Instead, I was running around the country with fugitives for unknown reasons. We were all searching for answers. The microwave chimed and the bowl of popcorn was ready. I placed it on a tray, along with the drinks then put on a brave mask like nothing was bothering me and moved into the other room where this new dysfunctional family was waiting.