Here's chapter two, thanks for reading.

I know this one is a bit short but they will get longer the farther in we get.

"John. Wake up sweetheart." Jim said, leaning over the boy smiling, waiting for the blue eyes to open. The Watsons were now being incriminated for crimes that would leave them in prison for 2 lifetimes at least. The Watson girl was now in a foster home that would hopefully teach her some manners. And Jim had his little boy. The adorable eight-year-old had been adopted into Jim's family and, when the boy was ready would become John Hamish Moriarty. It certainly had a nice ring to it if you asked Jim.

The boy shifted before his eyes opened. He gazed at the man above him. Alarm flashed through his eyes but he did not move.

"Would you like to sit up darling?" Jim asked, shifting back to give the little one room.

Jim watched as John first moved one extremity after the other in tiny, barely noticeable movements, obviously categorizing his injuries. The boy looked surprised when he realized he did not hurt too badly. Jim fought not to look angry, it would only frighten the boy.

The poor boy had been unconscious when Jim had gone to confront his parents, knocked out by a hard blow. The blond haired child had been unconscious for the last two days. But the injuries had slowly began to heal.

Once John had sat up fully Jim settled a tray of light broth and milk before the boy, along with some nutritional supplements. The eight-year-old was only 44 inches tall and 36 pounds. That was 6 inches and 20 pounds less than average. He looked more like a four or five year old.

John silently began to eat the soup, slowly and carefully, obviously savoring each bite.

"John." Jim spoke up once John had finished, the tray now set on the table to be taken away later. "I know that you are hurt and that your family was not…kind to you." Jim paused as John looked at him sharply. "You parents will never be able to hurt you again John, I will make sure of it." John's deep blue eyes bored into Jims brown ones, it was slightly unnerving to see one so small so…serious and observant.

"You are the man I ran into the other day." The boy spoke so clearly, like a little gentleman.

"Yes, that is when I realized something was wrong and decided to get you out. You, if you're amicable, can stay with me now, as my…ward." Jim was hesitant to say son, john did not have the best experience with father-son relationships.

"I see." The blue eyes went unfocused for a moment before looking Jim dead in the eye "And what shall I do for you in return sir?" The boy asked, his sweet voice unwavering.

"In return? John you don't…" He would deal with the sir part later, currently he was floundering, which was unusual for him. But this small child seemed to affect him in ways that were, unusual to say the least.

"Yes sir. I can cook, clean and garden. And if there is anything I don't know how to do I am a quick study." The boy was so straight forward, it was heartbreaking to see a small child so used to being a slave.

"No John, you do not have to repay me. You don't have to cook or clean, I have maids for that. All you have to do is get your strength back up, and then we will go from there." The boy still looked skeptical but nodded tersely, before visibly smothering a yawn.

"Alright John go ahead and go back to sleep." The boy's eyes were closed before he was out the door.

Expect Chapter 3 sometime next weekend.