Hiya folks, and thanks for coming back to read! Y'all make me feel incredibly special. :D

Tanisha silently shut the car off, and stared out the window for a moment. The rain was quickly turning to snow in the Detroit cold, and making little blips on the windshield. "Jack? Jack, are you ready to go, baby?" She asked softly, turning to look at him.

He gave no reply, so Tanisha slowly reached over, and carefully zipped up his jacket. She knew better than to try and put his gloves on. The poor kid had had his fingers broken so many times that he absolutely refused to let anyone touch them, even Tanisha.

"Well… I guess we're all set. Can I carry you, or you wanna walk?"

Jack shrugged, but also reached his hands out towards her, keepings his little fingers in fists.

"Ok, I'll carry you. Just let me grab your bag out of the trunk, ok?"

She got out of the car, and quickly grabbed his small backpack out of the trunk, swinging it over one shoulder, before going around and opening the passenger door. She gently disentangled Jack from the seat belt, and picked him up. His head nestled down into her shoulder, and Tanisha laid one of her hands on the back of his head.

"It'll be ok, honey. These are good people. They'll take good care of you. I promise."

There was no response, and Tanisha felt her heart rip a little more as she walked up to the door and knocked.

The door slowly opened, to reveal Bobby Mercer, still clad in his boxers and a t-shirt.

"Hey, honey," He said softly, backing up to let her in.

"Hey yourself," She whispered, feeling Jack tighten his grip on her. She ran her fingers through his hair gently, and his hands loosened a little. "Where's ma?"

"Hold on. I'll go get her." He took off towards the stairs, before stopping. "How bad is he, Nishi?"

Tanisha smiled at Bobby's pet name for her, but it quickly faded away as Jack's head turned towards her, still nestled in her shoulder. "He's awake, Bobby. Just go get ma, ok?"

"I'm coming, Tanisha," Evelyn called, coming out of the kitchen. "I swear, you get prettier each time I see you. Come on in the kitchen; I've got hot chocolate and coffee."

"Jackie? You want some hot chocolate?" Tanisha asked, leaning her head back. Jack shrugged into her shoulder, and she sighed again. "All right, it's that or you can get some sleep. I'm sure ma's got a room all set up for you. You wanna go see?"

Jack nodded, and Tanisha smiled. "Ok. I'll take you upstairs."

An hour later, Tanisha crept back downstairs, finding Evelyn and Bobby waiting in the kitchen for her.

"Is he sleeping?" Evelyn asked, pouring her a cup of coffee as she sat down.

"Yeah. Sorry it took so long. I wanted to make sure he was really asleep before I left. Actually… if you don't mind, ma, I'd like to stay with him for tonight… Just to be here when he wakes up," She told Evelyn.

"Of course, Tanisha. You know this house is always open to you."

"Thanks, ma. I really appreciate it." Tanisha smiled gratefully as Evelyn handed her the coffee.

"No problem, honey. How old is he?"

"Almost seven."

Bobby looked over at her. "Can he talk, or was he just playin' quiet tonight?"

Tanisha gave him a helpless shrug. "He can talk. He just won't. His social worker before me –you remember Amanda Reeves, right ma? –she heard him talk once, and his first grade teacher said he used to talk, although not very often. He stopped talking his second week into second grade. He's never said a word to me."

"How long has he been in foster care?" Evelyn asked, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Seven months. He was removed in the middle of second grade. Severe neglect and abuse. His name's Jack."

"Why the late night placement?"

"Him and three other kids were removed from a home a few hours ago. Physical abuse. I didn't know, ma," Tanisha said, her voice cracking as tears came to her eyes. "They'd never been a problem before."

Bobby reached over, and patted her on the back. "It's ok, Nishi. You couldn't have known if there'd never been a problem before."

"I keep telling myself that, Bobby… somehow, I'm not feeling any better," She said bitterly.

"I know, Tanisha. But it's something you'll have to accept," Evelyn said firmly. "Because it never gets any easier, and you can never always be sure of a family. Now, are there any special rules?"

Tanisha took a deep breath. "He doesn't like to be touched. It's taken me six months for him to trust me enough to carry him. I'd rule out the boys all together for a while. Do not, under any circumstances, try and touch his hands. His mother used to punish him by breaking his fingers. For the first few days, I'd just let him get used to you being here. I won't lie, ma: He's gonna be a lot to handle. And he won't talk, like I said, so you have to make sure he eats regularly, because he won't ask. Oh, and, Bobby? No teasing him. None of you boys. I know how hard that's gonna be for you," She said with a quick smile, "But he spooks easy, and he takes everything to heart. And only ask him yes or no questions. Don't try and make him talk."

Evelyn nodded. "Do you have the paper work? I'm assuming this is going to be a long term stay."

"Well… I won't lie, ma, I'd like it to be permanent. This kid deserves something good for a change. But I brought over the temporary paper work. I'll be honest, if this doesn't work out… well… the courts are gonna put him in a mental home until he starts talkin'."

Evelyn nodded sadly. "You know I'll do my best, Tanisha. But let's get the papers signed, and get to bed. You look like you could use some sleep."

Tanisha nodded. "Yeah. I've been worryin' about this kid for so long… sleep sounds real good."

Evelyn stood up, and gave Tanisha a hug, and a quick kiss on the forehead. "You just get upstairs, and go to sleep then. I'll make sure you're up in the morning."

Bobby sighed as he heard Tanisha go up the stairs.

"What's wrong, Bobby?" Evelyn asked, pouring him another cup of coffee.

"I dunno, ma. I just… I don't like seein' Nishi worried. And I don't think you're gonna be able to help this kid. If he don't talk, how can you help him?" Bobby said, staring into his cup.

"I don't really know, Bobby. But I have to try. You know that. And just remember, a lot of people said that I wouldn't be able to help you boys. Matter of fact, everyone who'd ever met you told me that I'd never be able to get through to you, that you were a lost cause," Evelyn reminded gently, patting his hand. "Now go on upstairs and get some sleep."

"Ok, ma. G'night."

Bobby was already up, and had breakfast and coffee on the table when Tanisha brought the kid down, still in his pajamas.

"Morning, Nishi. Sleep good?"

Tanisha smiled. "No. I forgot how loud it is in a house with three boys," She said, setting Jack down. He instantly buried his face against her side.

"Shut up," Bobby joked. "I made breakfast, so you better be nice. Hey, kid, what do you want to eat? I got pancakes, eggs, bacon… I think Angel might have some cereal around here somewhere…"

"Bobby," Tanisha said, shooting a dark look at the teen.

"Oh, right. Sorry. Yes or no… Uh… You want pancakes?" Jack shook his head no. "Eggs?" No again. "Cereal?"

This time Jack shrugged, so Bobby shrugged back. "Guess he ain't hungry."

Suddenly, Jack nodded, and Bobby smiled. "That's what I thought. Grab a seat, elf, and I'll fix you a bowl."

"Bobby!" Tanisha admonished.

"What? Elf ain't a bad thing. He looks like one! I mean… not that I'd know, I've never seen one," He said with a cheeky grin. "But if I had, it'd probably look just like him!"

"Robert Browning Mercer-" Tanisha stopped, her jaw dropping as she saw Jack's lips turn up in the closest thing she'd ever seen to a smile on him. She smiled too, before shaking her head. "Just get the damned cereal, Bobby."

Bobby had the grin of a Cheshire cat as he filled a bowl with Lucky Charms. "Yes, Tanisha Roxanne Mercer."

Tanisha rolled her eyes. "Oh hush."

Bobby shook his finger at her. "Hey now, you better watch it, missy. You're settin' a bad example for the elf here. Bein' mean to your siblings. Geeze, Nishi… I'm ashamed." He paused long enough to set Jack's food down in front of him. "Here ya go, elf. Eat up." He turned his attention back to Tanisha. "Eight months goes by with barely a word, and all the sudden you come back here and treat your brother like crap. I see how it is."

"Bobby Mercer, you leave her alone," Came Evelyn's voice from the stairs. She smiled as she entered the kitchen. "Good morning, guys. Morning, Jack. You sleep well?"

Jack looked up at her wide-eyed for a moment, before Bobby whistled at him.

"Hey, I don't mind the silent treatment, but you give Ma a little bit of respect," He said seriously, his voice that of an admonishing parent. "She ain't gonna bite, so you can at least nod, or shake your head."

Jack hesitated for a moment, staring at Bobby, then back at Evelyn. Finally he nodded.

Evelyn smiled. "Good. I see Bobby's already got you some food. At least he can act well-mannered when he wants to," She said good-naturedly, giving her oldest son a hug.

Bobby grinned. "Only when your not around, Ma."

Tanisha was busy staring at Jack, then back at Bobby, then back again. Finally she spoke. "Ma, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Of course, hun. Just let me grab a cup of coffee."

Tanisha trailed out into the front room. Evelyn wasn't far behind.

"What's wrong?" Evelyn asked quietly.

"Nothing. Actually… Jack seems to like Bobby. Even I can't get that type of reaction outta him. Maybe… I don't know, Ma, maybe having Bobby around him could help."

Evelyn gave her a little smile. "Whether or not he'll ever admit it, Bobby's good with kids. He's got a soft spot for them. He'll watch after him. How long can you stay for?"

Tanisha looked back into the kitchen guiltily. "Probably just for breakfast. As much as I love Jackie, I got other kids I gotta look after. I got two placements this afternoon, and one later tonight. But I'll be stopping over to check on him tomorrow morning."

"Good. He'll need something familiar for the first few days. Does he have a toy, or a stuffed animal or something? Any type of toy?"

Tanisha shook her head. "His mom kept him locked up in the closet when he wasn't in school. All he had was a bucket to go to the bathroom in, and a towel for a blanket. He actually… he dragged the towel around with him the first few months, before someone stole it on him. He had a melt-down. One of his foster parents bought him a little stuffed bird, but one of the other kids stole that too."

Evelyn looked thoughtful. "Maybe it's time I go shopping. A boy his age needs something like that. Oh well," She said brightly. "Let's go get some food. I'll be lucky if Bobby hasn't burned down the kitchen by now."

Breakfast was a loud, noisy affair, although the familiarity of it all brought a smile to Tanisha's lips. Angel, Jeremiah and Bobby had quickly dug as soon as the food was on the table, pushing and shoving for the best pieces. She knew Jack was watching wide eyed across from her, but the boys were careful to keep their rough housing at a fair distance from him. Bobby even gave him the center cinnamon role, a rare prize in the Mercer household.

When it was finished, the boys quickly took care of the dishes, and cleaned down the table, before rushing towards the door.

"I'll be back early today, ma, I'll take you grocery shopping."

"I'm goin' over an' visit Camille 'fore work, I don't know what time I'll be back. Eat without me."

"I'm gonna try and get some over time tonight, ma, don't wait up."

Evelyn frowned at Angel's parting line. "Angel Mercer, you be here by nine o'clock. Dealing with Sophie doesn't qualify as 'work', or 'overtime'."

The two older boys laughed. "Busted!" Bobby taunted as they all stalked out of the house.

"Yo, man, shut up."

"Pretty boy's got a curfew! Nine o'clock!"

"Leave it alone, Jerry!"

Jerry's taunt was lost as the door shut. Tanisha sighed, and shook her head with a smile.

"I forgot what it was like livin' here, ma. I miss bein' home."

Evelyn smiled as she finished taking care of the food. "You know you're welcome anytime, Nishi."

Tanisha smiled, then turned towards Jack, who was still sitting down. "I'm leavin' now, Jackie. You still got my phone number?"

Jack suddenly looked panicked. His eyes went wide, and he stiffened.

"Hey, hey, hey. None of that now. You know nothin's gonna happen here. This is my family. My ma and my brothers. They're all good people. Besides, you got my number, you can call me anytime you want, and I'll answer."

Jack's small body slowly eased up, although he was still tense. He looked up at Tanisha and nodded, before reaching his small arms out.

Tanisha smiled as she gave him a hug. "You'll be fine, Jackie. Don't worry."

Before the tears could start, Tanisha practically ran from the house.

Evelyn watched as Jack slowly pulled his knees up to his chest, and started rocking back and forth in the kitchen chair. She finished putting the food in the fridge, and then sat down next to him. "Jackie?" She slowly reached one hand out towards him, but pulled it back when he started shaking.

"Jackie, I'm not gonna hurt you. I just wanna tell you the rules here, ok? You're free to do pretty much anything here in the house, just so long as you don't purposely break or burn something. I don't want you going outside until Bobby or Angel can show you around, so you don't get lost. As soon as you get settled in, you'll get a list of chores, just like the boys have. You'll probably just have to take the garbage out in the morning. That's not too tough, is it?" She asked with a smile.

Jack gave her no response, only curled his knees tighter to his chest.

Evelyn sighed. "Alright. You can do whatever you want. TV's in the living room, feel free to watch it. I have laundry to do. I'll be back there if you need me," She said, point towards the little laundry room. She didn't wait for a response.

Jack slowly uncurled himself as the white haired lady walked into the back room. He watched suspiciously for a few minutes before deciding it was probably safe to get up. He quietly ran up the stairs into the room he'd stayed in the night before, and locked the door behind him.

He let out a nervous breath. He was safe… for the moment.