Me: Welcome to Chapter Four!

Ashton: Damn Mandarin!

Coca-Cola: Why did he have to hurt our brother?

Me: You know the answer to that!

Ashton and Coca-Cola: We know.

Me: So, it's time for the dreaded Social Worker!

Ashton: She's a b****!

Me: (Gasps) Watch your language!

Coca-Cola: Aunna doesn't own SRMTHFG.

Ashton: But she does own the Gang.

Me: Read and Review!

Chapter Four: The Visit

Chiro's P.O.V

We rushed around the house, trying to make sure it was in tip-top condition. Our social worker, Mrs. Friday, was coming over for an inspection today. I remember when I was nine and she had come over. I hadn't even dared to breathe, because I was scared she'd take us away. My brothers were my life. Back then, I'd rather die than be separated from my brothers. Sure, I have the monkey team to fall back on if this didn't work, but then I wouldn't see my brothers until I was at least eighteen.

"Chi!" Ashton shouted. "Go and change your clothes! We don't need to her to think we live like pigs!"

I looked at my shirt. It was covered in spaghetti sauce stains and dirt. My pants were ripped up. "On it Ashes!" I shouted back over the roar of the vacuum cleaner.

I ran upstairs and threw on a black tee and a pair of black shorts. They were the only clean things I had that matched, so I grabbed my dirty clothes and put them in the washer. Cola raised his eyebrows. "These were the only things that matched," I said. "Needed to do a load of laundry,"

He smiled and went back to sweeping the back porch. I went back to the kitchen to make sure the spaghetti wasn't sticking to the pan or the sauce wasn't burning. I pulled out the garlic bread as Ashton walked in. "Smell's good Chiro," he said. "Are you sure you're okay with making dinner?"

I laughed. "Ashton you've been working all day," I said. "The least I can do is make you some dinner,"

"She's here!" Cola shouted. Ashton rushed out the kitchen and I finished putting out four plates of spaghetti and garlic bread. I put the parmesan cheese in the middle of the table and ran out to the living room. Coca-Cola saw me and slung his arm around my shoulders. "It's show time buddy," he whispered.

"Let's hope we did this right," I said.

"Mrs. Friday," Ashton said. "Come on in,"

Ashton stepped out the way and we saw her. She was in her late sixties, maybe early seventies, and she was huge! I swore I was looking at a gigantic meatball instead of a woman for a second. She had snow white hair, grey eyes, and perfume that made me want to throw up my lunch. She smiled her little I-don't-want-to-be-here-but-I-can't-skip-out smile when she saw me. "So this is little Chiro," she said in a sickly sweet voice. "How are you feeling?"

"Good," I said, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable and shy.

"Why don't we eat before dinner gets cold?" Ashton suggested. "Then we can talk, alright?"

Mrs. Friday wrote something on her notepad and nodded. We walked to the kitchen and sat down at the table, making casual talk throughout dinner. I laughed at Cola when managed to get sauce in his hair and Ashton told him to wash it out. Cola smiled and walked out, looking nervous as he saw Mrs. Friday make more notes.

We finished dinner and Mrs. Friday went to talk with Coca-Cola. I was extremely nervous. What if she decided that Ashton wasn't a fit guardian? What would happen to Coca-Cola? How would Ashton cope with losing both of us after finally being a family again?

"Everything's going to be alright Chi Chi," Ashton said. "We'll get through this,"

"I hope your right Ashes," I muttered, feeling scared.

Ashton sighed and reached into a cupboard, pulling out a tiny box. "It's yours," he said.

I took the box and stared at it. It looked like a box a boyfriend might carry his girlfriend's engagement ring in. I opened the box and gasped. Inside was Mom's necklace, with the five charms that represented our family. Hers was a dog, father's was a fox, Ashton's is a bear, Cola's is an eagle, and mine is a monkey. All of our guardian animals. "Ashton," I gasped. "Mom gave you this. I can't take it,"

I tried to give it back but Ashton let the necklace sit in the palm of my hand and made my hand turn into a fist. "Mom gave it to me, to give to you," he said. "She wanted you to have it,"

Tears formed in my eyes. "Thanks Ash," I said.

"No sweat kid," Ashton said. "Now, focus on making those tears stop. Mrs. Friday's gonna want to talk to you kiddo and I really don't want her to think I made you cry,"

I gave him a weak smile and wiped the tears away. I wasn't going to cry over Mom. I wasn't going to let Mrs. Friday scare me. I was going to be brave and prove my brother was my true guardian.

Coca-Cola walked out the room, putting on a brave face but I could see right through it. "Ashton?" I asked. "What happened to Mrs. Hill?"

"Decided Mrs. Friday could handle us," Ashton said. "Go on,"

I walked into the living room, terrified of the woman inside. No, I wasn't going to be afraid. I've face Skeleton King. She can't be scarier than him!

She gave me that sickly sweet smile again and gestured for me to sit on the couch. I sat and clasped my hands together. "Hello Chiro," she said.

"Hello Mrs. Friday," I said.

"I'm going to ask some questions now," Mrs. Friday said. "Is that okay with you?"

I wanted to shout that, no, it wasn't okay with me for her to ask questions, but I nodded my head anyways.

"Okay," she said. "Do you get enough food here?"

"Yes,"

"Do you share a room with your brother?"

"Yes,"

"Why?"

"Because I use to have nightmares and I feel safer with him,"

"Has Ashton ever hit you?"

"No,"

"Has Ashton ever starved you?"

"No,"

"Has Ashton ever touched you in places that make you uncomfortable?"

"No way!"

Mrs. Friday started writing her notes again. I was a little shaken by that last question. Ashton had never touched me there, but Father had done it quite enough when I was younger, before we moved in with our adoptive parents.

"What happened about a month ago?" Mrs. Friday asked. "When you were put into a coma,"

"I was in a fight," I said.

"What kind of fight?"

"Formless,"

"So it was with the Hyperforce?"

"Yes,"

"Were you taken to the hospital?"

"I was taken to Med. Bay,"

"Alright,"

More notes were taken. This woman was freaking me out. "Do you feel safe with Ashton?" she asked.

"Yes," I said.

She wrote more notes. Seemingly pleased with her notes she looked at me and smiled. "Could you go get Ashton?" she asked.

I nodded and left the room. I'd do anything to get away from that lady. "Ashton," I said. "Mrs. Friday wants you,"

He nodded and went into the living room. Cola was sitting against the wall, shaking. "Cola," I said. "Are you alright?"

He looked at me, put on a smile, and wiped the tears away. "I'm fine buddy," he said. "Just a little shaken up from what she asked,"

"Did she ask you about being touched too?" I asked.

He nodded. "Brought up bad memories for both of us, didn't it?"

"Definitely,"

I sat next to him and he wrapped me in a hug. I was terrified. I was always terrified when a social worker was around. They practically had control over my whole life. I know they're here to help but, when you're already in a good home, they can scare you good.

After five minutes we got up and started doing the dishes, hoping to pass some time. I think Ashton's giving her a tour of the house. That's the only explanation for why it was taking this long. "Do you think the monkeys would take me in?" Cola asked. "You know if Ashton lost custody?"

"I'm sure they would Cola," I said.

They came down as soon as I finished drying the pot. "I'll see both of you next month," Mrs. Friday said and walked out the door.

There was complete silence as Mrs. Friday drove away. He stood still until we could no longer hear her engine. Then we erupted into viscous hugs and yells of delight. "We did it boys!" Ashton yelled. "We got through the inspection!"

"Come on!" Cola yelled. "Let's celebrate with some chocolate cake!"

We ran into the kitchen and grabbed the cake out the fridge. We couldn't have been happier.

Ashton's P.O.V

My younger brother followed me up the stairs, yawning, while I was carrying my youngest brother, who had fallen asleep after doing his homework assignment for Gibson. I was surprised I was even carrying him because, even though I was only twenty-five, I had a bad back from carrying heavy things for my father at a young age.

"I'm so glad Mrs. Friday's gone," Cola said. "She was really scaring Chiro and me,"

"I'm glad she's gone too, Coca," I said.

I put Chiro in bed and Cola snuggled next to him. I never understood why those two felt safer lying next to another. Maybe it was some sort of brotherly instinct or something.

But I'd never let them be separated if I can help it.