NOTE* I am really glad to see you guys are enjoying this story! It really helps me to continue writing when I know it's something people like and I am not just writing a failing plot. Thanks so much to my reviewers, Favoriters (Yes I know this is not a word) and followers once again! You guys make this story worthwhile! Enjoy :)

Chapter Five:

Devils Grin

It was a bitter sweet thing, waiting on the Doctor, Arthur Kirkland to arrive for them. Before, his presence had made them happy, but now…both boys knew that his coming meant Alfred had to leave. He had to go back home. Alfred had been injured a while back and so his injuries hadn't been all that serious. The doctor had only allowed him to stay, mostly because of Matthew and their circumstance, but even they knew that their time was up.

Arthur felt the exact same way as the boys. He was nervous and not at all confident in his decision to send Alfred home. He didn't have a reason to keep him and if the hospital board found out he had for a simple injury, it would be him being sent home, permanently. It just wasn't something he could risk right now, as he desperately needed the money to get through school and pay for his apartment. Not to mention… he sighed. There were a lot of things he needed money for, but even the thought of his good hard earned cash wasn't enough to make him happy when he thought of the two boys in that small hospital room.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the room with his clipboard and plastered a fake smile on his face. The two boys stared up at him from their spot plastered together in Matthews's bed.

"Good morning boys", he called to them as cheerfully as they could.

Matthew didn't say anything, but Alfred gave a small smile.

"Morning Doc", Alfred said back.

"I heard you had a bit of a rough night last night", he spoke to Alfred as he took a seat on the empty bed across from them.

"Yeah, just a nightmare. Slight panic attack. It's normal."

Arthur frowned. He wasn't exactly happy that the boy had these so often he considered them normal, but for now he stowed that thought as he had other things to say right now.

"Well boys", he started, trying to maintain his smile but couldn't as he noticed their resigned faces, "I have looked over all the paperwork and we just can't keep you any longer Alfred."

The small boy nodded as his grip on Matthews hand tightened. In return, the arms encircling him tightened as well as Matthew began to shake. They knew what going home meant, but Alfred wasn't afraid. He only hoped he could perhaps defuse the situation at their home before Matthew got there, that way his return would only lead to recovery and not a possible re-injury.

"Are you sure there isn't something you would like to tell Tania before she comes?" he whispered, trying to keep his face neutral even while he wanted desperately for the boys to admit the truth of their household.

Alfred however stared straight at him.

"Not a thing", he said and Arthur couldn't help but shake his head at the child's unwavering obstinacy.

"Well then Alfred, I will have to ask you to get ready to go home. Your parents will be by shortly. I have already alerted the nurse to call them. Tania will also be stopping by before you leave for one further talk with you."

Al sighed and nodded.

"Alright Dr. Kirkland."

He knew they were only trying to help the, but their involvement only meant anger on the side of his parents. Anger that was more than likely already at a boiling point. He would be crazy if he didn't admit he was scared. Arthur seemed to read know the boys thoughts as he stepped forward and took the boys hand, kneeling in front of his small frame.

"Call me Arthur, and Alfred…" he started.

The boy stared into his eyes. Arthur studied the blue sapphires that he had grown so attached to and felt a deep overwhelming urge to protect come upon him. However he ignored it as he continued on with what he had been about to say.

"Alfred, if anything ever happens and you need help or you need a friend…come to me. I will do whatever I can. Alright?"

Alfred studied the man before him. He didn't trust many adults, but something inside his heart tugged at him, telling him he could trust the doctor. That he could trust Arthur.

"Thank you", the boy whispered and he completely meant it.

Arthur smiled grimly, but nodded, trying to be as cheerful for the young boy as he could. He only hoped what he was about to do wouldn't come back to haunt him. His gut however was clearly screaming warning signs. Signs he chose to act ignorant of.

"Dr. Kirkland, Alfred, Matthew", Tania greeted as she stepped in a moment later. A man stood behind her. "This is my partner, Ross. He wanted to be brought in as a witness to the case."

Tania noticed the doctor's position in front of the boys but she didn't say anything about it as she set down her briefcase and walked over to them. Ross stepped into place beside her as he stretched out his hand to the doctor.

"Doc", he stated firmly.

Arthur shook his hand before stepping back to Tania could see the boys better.

"Feeling better Alfred?" she asked him.

The young eight year old nodded.

"Yes ma'am", he replied politely.

She smiled. "Good to hear."

She ruffled his hair before turning to Matt.

"And how are you today Matthew?" she asked him.

"Fine Ms. Carter", he replied in kind.

"Also good to hear", she said before turning back to her briefcase, "We have a couple things to go over with you before your parents arrive. Is that alright?"

They nodded. Arthur left them too it as he headed out to get a cup of coffee. He knew he was going to need the caffeine today. It was already a rough start of what was no doubt soon be to an even rougher week.

Alfred and Matthew watched him walk out before they turned to Tania who had taken the doctors place kneeling in front of them. She began explaining the legalities a bit of their involvement, as well as handing Alfred some paperwork from his time in the hospital, along with a discharge paper.

"Should anything happen, I want you to come back to this hospital, alright?" she told them.

They nodded.

"Good", she smiled satisfied, "I am going to go see where the doctor went off too. Ross will wait here with you. I will be right back."

The kind dark skinned woman walked out. Her partner turned to the boys, his soft smile dropping into a hard frown as he glared down at the boys.

"Been a while, huh Ross?" asked Alfred as he glared right back at the man who was a friend of his step mothers. He had recognized the man the moment he had stepped in with Tania and his heart had dropped to say the least, knowing he was now completely caught between a rock and a hard place. He no longer had the opportunity, even if he had wanted it, to be able to tell Tania or Arthur the truth about his family.

"There is something else we should talk about" Ross said with a pause as he looked each boy in the eye, "don't forget, should you tell anyone about this, there will be consequences. You understand right?"

Again they nodded and he grinned a devilish grin.

"Good boys", he said patting them on their heads like one would do to dogs. "As long as we understand one another, everything should be fine. Your parents and I worked out this deal for a reason and don't even think of messing it up by talking to that doctor. Remember that if you tell him anything, well… we do have our ways of keeping someone silent."

He left it to the boy's imagination what exactly he had meant by that. The two gulped as Arthur walked back into the room with Melina and Tania behind him.

"Your step-mom is here for you", Arthur told Alfred, a small frown on the doctor's face.

Al reflexively stepped back, something that everyone noticed but no one commented on. He turned to his brother, hugging him before letting go and stepping forward. Matthew watched, a panic filling him as he watched Alfred following Melina out of the room with Tania and Ross behind them. He wanted so badly to shout at Arthur to save his brother. To get rid of his step-mother and her accomplice, but he kept his mouth shut and merely watched.

Arthur who had also been watching noticed the nervous twitch Alfred gave every step of the way. Tania seemed to as well, but Ross and Melina walked along chatting sociably as though nothing in the world could possibly be bad. If anything, they were both acting a bit too happy and friendly with one another. The doctor's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but a small tug on his sleeve brought his attention back to the little boy by his side. Alfred looked up at Arthur who looked back down at him. Without even acknowledging the motion, Arthur reached down and gently clutched the small hand in his own.

The two entered the elevator with the others as they headed down the plaza. The closer they got to the double doors, the more Arthur could feel the small hand trembling in his own. He wanted so badly to pull the child into his arms and protect him forever, but he kept a logical and professional behavior. He knelt beside the boy and hugged him.

"Remember", he whispered to Alfred as he handed the boy a small card with his cell phone number on it along with his name, "I will always help you if you need it."

The child nodded, a single tear slipping down his face before he released the comforting hand of the doctor and moved closer to his step mother. The woman said nothing as she roughly grabbed the back of his shirt and half dragged him out of the hospital along with her. Tania and Ross headed the opposite way towards their own vehicle.

As Arthur watched the silver car that Alfred had crawled into pull away from the curb, he hoped to God that he had made the right choice by letting him go.

H~H

Alfred was partially surprised when his step-mother roughly grabbed his wrist and twisted it, causing him to cry out in pain as she yanked him into the house behind her. Shoving him forward, she glared daggers at him before stomping past and throwing her purse onto the couch. She then turned and slapped him hard across the face. His head jerked with the force of the blow, but he didn't cry out this time. He only bit his lip and watched her movements closely.

"You idiot! Running out into the night is bad enough, after I have strictly told you and your brother never to do such a thing again, but then you go to the hospital of all places! Don't you know what they could do to us?! Let alone the money it takes to pay off your wasteful medical needs. A child like you and your brother are a waste of my good time and fortune."

She spat this out coldly while she screeched and carried on, throwing her arms every which way as though in a panic. She finally turned her cold eyes on him again and he gulped when he recognized that look. It mean punishment.

"You do know the punishment that comes with defying me, right?" she asked in a kindly manner, making Alfred even more nervous than before. His step-mother was furious.

"I do", he whispered weakly, "It was my idea to go to the hospital. I also was the one running away. Matthew tried to stop me, but I took him with me. He was weak from blood loss…he couldn't stop my forcing his actions."

Melina wasn't a complete idiot. She knew the boy was telling her this in order to save his brother from a punishment as well and honestly she didn't care so long as they learned their lesson. If he wanted to serve his brothers punishment, she would let him. In the end, she was always the winner, as both boys suffered at the others expense. Alfred was very much so the rebellious one of the two brothers, as Matthew was too weak and shy to really ever stand up to her. Punishing Alfred in that case was definitely like punishing them both as Matt would be unable to do anything.

The idea clicked within her mind and she nodded in agreement.

"Very well Alfred", she finally replied, "I shall not punish your brother when he returns home, but only if you agree to his punishment as well as your own?"

Alfred gulped, but the thought of Mattie going through it hardened him.

"Of course", he nodded, trying to make his small body seem intimidating, however she merely grinned wider as she started towards him.

"Then let the punishment commence" and Alfred's eyes widened as he backed away, but his step-mother merely laughed at the fear she saw in his eyes.

Now was her time to prove she was in control.