The hardest truths discovered are often the ones staring you in the face.
Baloo stared blankly across the night club as Louie watched him from the bar a few feet away as his friend seemed to completely space out. Of course it was to be expected. The big bear had come upon a startling revelation. The funny thing of it was he had mentioned to Baloo on a few occasions how much Kit seemed to be like him. They seemed so much alike from their temper, their love of flying, all the way down to that bravado they often showed, Though Kit's seemed to be more of an act.
Once again the barkeep turned his attention to the pilot as he began to gaze back and forth from the old picture of him and his child to the newer picture taken just a few months earlier. In so many ways it seemed to make sense and others didn't… Or did they?
When the doctor had told him and Elizabeth that their son had passed away Baloo wondered why the doctor had refused them the chance to see their little boy one last time. Why he seemed so nervous back than. Sure any doctor would hate having to tell any parent their child had died, that they had outlived their child but he had seemed to be sweating up a storm.
Could the doctor have lied about his son's death? The more he thought of it the more possible it became. The more that he thought about it he began to recall the rumors and gossip that seemed to be going around.
Flashback
"Aw come on Louie! Child snatchers? I think you've been hanging out with Buzz a little to often. By the way has he stopped by lately?" Shaking his head Louie chuckled and continued to wipe down the counter.
"He's probably stuck up in that lab at Khan Industries. Ever since he got that job he's practically started living there. Seriously though cuz, you should really watch out. They say there's this big medical scam where doctors are scamming parents out of their kids."
Present
Coming out of his thoughts Baloo had realized that maybe… Just maybe Louie had been right. He just had to know. If that…that bastard of a doctor had taken his child. Jumping up from his chair Baloo looked to Louie who had jumped as well right off the side of the counter.
Geeze Cuz you think you could warn a guy when you do something like that?! What's got you flying outta your chair now?
Looking in Baloo's eyes he suddenly noticed a slight shimmer of hope.
"I'm going to the hospital Louie! "The big bear hollered as he turned to run out the door. Blinking confusedly Louie took after him.
"The hospital? What are you going to find there?"
Louie's first guess was to admit himself into the psychiatric unit but now was not the time for jokes.
Looking back Baloo gave Louie a look as if the ape should know what he was thinking.
"Remember that talk we had about rumors of child abductions after my kid was born?"
Louie nodded and tried to keep up. Baloo was seemingly more out of sense than usual. "Sure thing I remember hearing about it still. But, what does this have to do with kit….." Trailing off Louie realized finally where this was going. Coming to a stop suddenly Louie looked into the eyes of the bear who had stopped only a few feet away.
"I…I gotta find out Louie. If that doctor had anything to do with this than I'll know for sure.
"Hey! Mouse…wake up mouse!"
There was that nasally voice again waking him up as usual. The only one who would bother to wake him up really. Opening his eyes Kit Groaned slightly and looked around before laying his eyes on a small male turtle by the name of…
"William! It's too early to get up! Besides what's the point. Go to class where everyone will ignore me than spend the rest of the day in here….
Kit trailed off abruptly as William gave the young boy a grim look and shuddered. He knew what the other boy was going to say but hoped to himself that it wasn't true. Sure he knew it was selfish of him but William had been his best and only friend in the orphanage.
Looking back to the turtle once more his heart sank and realized it was true.
"You…You got adopted didn't you? "Kit queried almost too low to hear. With a sigh William answered with a nod and gave a weak smile.
"Yeah Kit I got adopted. They're coming to pick me up today. They're really nice. My adopted dad works in a lab and my adopted mom is a science teacher at the school I'll be going to. It'll be great! I'll get to… to… Stopping in mid sentence he couldn't help but notice the tears weld up in Kit's eyes. He had realized that he was pretty much bragging about his adoption to Kit.
Wrapping his arm around the boy's shoulder the turtle smiled weakly. Honestly he thought this would be a good thing for the kid Sure he was kind of shy himself but at 7 years old a kid like kit shouldn't be so antisocial.
"Come on kiddo" William prodded as he smiled. "You know you'll get adopted soon enough. You're one of the smartest kids here, aside from me that is." William had hoped that would get Atleast a small smile but the boy refused to look up. "That and you're one of the most athletic and definitely the cutest kid here You just gotta work on your confidence and willing to be around other kids I…" Before he could even sense the anger in the other boy Kit was on his feet and out the door a small sob escaping his chest as he disappeared.
Groaning as eyes once again opened kit grimaced as the sharp pain in the back of his head sparked into notice. It was the same dream he had been having for weeks amongst others. Actually more of flashbacks but, right now was not the time to be technical.
Remembering what had happened finally the young navigator looked up toward the whole that was at the most, only 20 to 30 feet up but seemed miles away. Scanning the walls themselves that surrounded him Kit noticed the smoothness of them and realized any chance of him climbing said walls would be close to impossible. It also didn't help that pain seemed to radiate through him and who knew what injuries he may have sustained.
Sure…Kit had been injured before. God knew how many bones he had broken, twists and sprains he had on his own. Had he still been on his own this wouldn't have scared him. The thing was…he wasn't on his own anymore.
He had found a home where someone was there to take care of him. To his chagrin Kit had become soft again. He had become used to the comforts of…home. He couldn't help but confess that Higher for Hire had become his home and those he spent his days with had become his family. In his own mind he had become spoiled. All he wanted now was to go home. To go home and see his papa bear again.
With thoughts of home in his head Kit's eyes started to close once again as unconsciousness overtook him.
Worried? No Rebecca had stopped being worried 2 hours ago and had gone into "worried sick". It was now 1 in the morning and kit had left hours ago quickly followed by Baloo who once again also found leaving his only answer to a problem. Sadly the problem was Kit…again.
It was kind of funny. Nothing else worried or bothered the pilot more than Kit. Anything else was "small potatoes". She had to admit that after knowing the young man for some time now she had come to care for him as well.
Although Kit wasn't her son he had made her so proud of him. Since he had become an employee of hers she knew he would bring a little something…special to the place. Like Baloo though he could be so infuriating some times. Both were set in their ways and had a temper. Kit had generally set that temper at Baloo but the fighting between them was enough to match Baloo and her self.
Shaking her head the Bearess sighed and looked across to the little girl asleep in the beloved overstuffed chair. It was so hard for her to stay awake hoping Kit would get home before she would fall asleep. If things were like every other time Kit would not be home tonight. Still…she would wait here until he did come home.
Butterflies had filled the bear's stomach. He knew he had to find out if what Louie had said was true or not. Of course Baloo had been happy that the ape himself had offered to come or else he might have had cold feet about 2 hours ago.
Of course at this point it had been too late for the pilot to change his mind as he stepped up to the front doors of the hospital his friend close behind. This of course was when it had hit him.
What if Kit was his son? If Kit was his child he knew things would change drastically. Up until now Kit had been his partner, navigator, and best friend. It scared him to think of the backlash that would come when the kid were to find that he had been on his own thinking he had no family.
His biggest fear was how Kit would react. His heart had already sunk imagining the hurt look on his boy's face. That questioning look as to why his papa never thought to look for him.
"Louie…I dunno if I can do this. What if it's true? What if That…that doctor" Baloo couldn't finish the sentence, tears wetting his eyes as he turned to his old friend an unsure look on his face.
Louie had wanted to reassure the bear that Kit would understand if not feel at least a little angry for living his life up to this point on his own. Unfortunately how Kit was lately he didn't really know how he'd react. Still.
"Baloo Cuz… If you lose your guts now and leave you'll spend forever wondering if it was true or not. Besides… You seem to be the only one who hasn't noticed how much of a father you've been so far even if you weren't Kit's daddy. You love that kid and you know he loves you."
Louie once again gave the bear a small nod as he gave him a gentle nudge through the door and hoped he was enough to keep the bear from tearing the hospital apart if the rumors were correct.
Sounds of the city filled the young boy's ears as he once again opened his eyes and shivered as a deep chill fill his body. Winger city had gotten a cold winter this year and with nothing but his green sweater to keep him warm the 9 year old could do nothing but wrap his small arms around him and shiver.
It had been a little over a year since he had left the orphanage and while he had been glad to leave it behind his new found freedom had cost him a lot. Looking down at his frail form sitting up Kit had realized just how much weight he had lost. Scowling in disgust Kit struggled to get to his feet and once again slowly made his way out into the busy sidewalk of the city leaving the awning of the alley he had taken refuse in.
Muttering to him self Kit had not realized until now the rain that poured down unmercifully on the city until he had joined the other wet citizens around him. Unfortunately his stomach had demanded that his attention be returned to the matter at hand. If Kit didn't eat soon he was going to starve and his body would shut down.
This brought his largest dilemma. If he begged for money or attempted to steal he knew he would be caught and the boy would be sent back to that cold lonely orphanage. Than again…This was no better.
Sure there were a lot more people but no matter how many surrounded him. He was still alone. Quietly making his way down the sidewalk the little boy began to make out the wonderful smells of food that that wafted down the sidewalk bringing many into the safety of what looked to be a small diner.
Quickly making his way up to the front window he planted his face close to the glass looking inside. Inside the small cub watched as people seemed to enjoy their breakfast of eggs and bacon, and…pancakes. Oh how Kit's mouth watered, his stomach growling in protest.
Kit had no idea how long he had stood there staring forlornly inside before his sight had been blocked. It was than that he had looked up to find what he'd assume was the cook. His arms crossed over his chest the large bear had opened his mouth to talk.
Even though he could not hear what was said Kit had gotten the gist of it and continued down the walkway a sneeze escaping his muzzle. He had not walked far when the sound of voices began to come from the alley. Stopping on the edge of the corner kit watched as the same cook walked out the door hefting a large bag over his shoulder muttering something about doing everything and getting next to nothing in pay.
Until now Kit would have rather died than eat from a dumpster but at this point he knew it was his only chance. He just had to wait for the right moment.
Fortunately it had not taken long as the Cook slung the bag into dumpster and slammed it shut. Quickly turning around the cook seemed look around momentarily before stepping inside slamming the door shut.
Waiting for a minute or two the boy paced back and forth making sure the bear would not come back out before quickly making his way down the alleyway his heart beating a mile a minute. Finally reaching the end kit looked around for something to stand on and grinned finding a milk crate.
Pushing it across the slush covered ground Kit hopped up and began to shove up on the dumpster's cover grunting as he pushed with all his might.
"Come on! Open!" He growled frustrated putting what was left of his strength into pushing it open with one more heave Kit had gotten it open just enough to wriggle his small frame into the dumpster and dropping inside.
It had not taken long for the boy to find the bag that had just been deposited even in the dark before he had ripped it open and began to scavenge for anything that would be edible enough. Once again he had been lucky and without any hesitation began to wolf down his discovery not putting any attention to the foot steps that made their way to the dumpster once more.
Once again the dumpster lid was once raised and a head appeared above the dumpster muttering once again.
"Lousy Customers telling me the bacon's over cooked" Ready to throw the bag into the dumpster the bear looked down at the small figure sitting just inside leaning against the wall. Growling slightly the bear leaned into the dumpster.
With a full stomach Kit had once again felt exhaustion hit him and had begun to fall asleep once more until he was rudely awoken feeling a large hand grab him roughly by the collar pulling him out of the dumpster.. With a slightly yelp Kit looked up in the eyes of the annoyed cook who raised him to look eye to eye.
"Well what do we have here?" The deep voice questioned a small chuckle escape his lips that quickly turned into a growl again. "Seems I found me a little mouse looking for food. What's your name little mouse?"
Kit had realized he had been caught and fear began to fill him. "M-m-mouse…." Wincing slightly the cub realized his mistake and forced a cocky look on his face. "I mean Kit…Kit Cloudkicker What's it to you?"
Blinking slightly the cook gave the kid a chuckle and slammed the boy into the side of the dumpster.
"Kid either you got lots of guts or you're really dumb. Now get out of here before I…OWWWWW!"
Dropping the kid suddenly the cook waved his hand as curses left him rather loudly and bent down to catch the boy once more. Unfortunately by then the boy had wriggled though his legs and turned pushing the much larger bear into the side of the dumpster before running as quickly as he could. Not knowing where he was going all kit knew was that guy was not going to be ticked if he saw him again.
Still running for what seemed many minutes later Kit had found himself back in his familiar own alley. He would have to keep out of site for a while and besides….After eating he was once again feeling so sleepy.
Quiet…In all her time that Rebecca Cunningham had spent at Higher for Hire she had never know it to be so quiet. One of the greater things of such silence was the fact that it had given the bearess some since of clarity.
Clarity that she had needed to realize just what exactly she had missed before. It was truly sad how she had spent her time worrying so much about trying to prove she could make something of this business that she had missed what was truly important. Her family and her friends.
Sitting in the bedroom of Kit and Baloo Rebecca gazed down at the picture of the two a small smile on her face.
A black and white picture of the two fishing on the pier had reminded her of the day. She had taken that picture herself. It had been one of the days that Rebecca had been able to relax for once and felt the need to give her employees the day off.
Funny enough it was one of the only days that she and Baloo had not argued. It had been nice to watch the two spend time together. To see how the two bonded she had reminded herself a little when her own husband had held Molly when she was a baby.
To watch the two together she couldn't help but think about how much a father Baloo seemed to become to Kit and in a way she felt a little envious. Helping the boy to improve in school and watching him grow over the last year she realized just how much she cared about him.
Unfortunately with how busy she had become so much lately she had neglected to see the changes that had come over Kit since Baloo had mentioned the dreams he had been having. Unfortunately between taking care of Molly, keeping Baloo on track with his deliveries and keeping the company from sinking it had been hard for her to give Kit the attention he deserved.
Still, no matter how many times Kit was pushed to the back during times of crisis the kid never seemed to complain or show any signs of bitterness toward her or Baloo. Of course now that she had come to realize the fact she began to wonder if it was to late to realize her mistake. That, between her negligence and Baloo's pushing she began to wonder if they had finally pushed him away for good.
Unable to see the happy home without Kit in it the bearess let out a choked sob and quietly vowed that if Kit came back she would make sure things were different from now on. She just wished she knew where Baloo had gone.
I do apolagize for the short chapter and taking so long to post but things have been crazy but I assure you I will finish the story. If it's the last thing I. eesh!