To my Grandfather

I love you and I'll miss you forever. Thank you for loving and caring for me.

Before Topanga could say thank you the door open loudly revealing a very short woman in a beige and black power suit, she looked to be over sixty years old with a red scarf covering her hair. Topanga looked back to see a stunned Amira.

"Um, hey Jallani." Amira greeted, sounding very unsure and nervous at the sight of the woman.

"Ms. Habib," the woman's voice was snippy. "Care to explain to me why I have a very angry set of parents yelling at me for having CPS being sent to their home?"

Topanga looked wide eyed at a now pale Amira. "Um, oh crap."

Topanga slowly excused herself from what appeared to be a very personal and private meeting. If she had stayed longer she would have heard Jallani ask Amira where Farkle was.

"He should be at school." Amira answered confused.

"He's not and he hasn't been at home since last night."

"We have a missing kid?" Amira asked, fear running through her.

Jallani nodded gravely, "We have a missing kid." She looked at the clock mounted on the wall. "Seventeen hours and counting." Jallani looked wiped out as she moved closer to Amira, a grave look of concern etched into her face. "When was the last time you spoke with him?"

Amira thought back, she and Farkle had spoken briefly about CPS coming to his home. "He came here two days ago, I spoke to him yesterday. CPS went to the home yesterday?"

Jallani huffed out a breath, sounding annoyed. "And they botched up royally."

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Riley snuggled up to her father as the two shared a bowl of popcorn as they watched Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back. It was their favorite and something they would occasionally watch when they needed a break from work and school.

Corey's phone began to ring shrilly in the background, he got up and let Riley know he could continue to watch without him. Riley shrugged, but paused the movie anyway. It wasn't fun to watch and run the lines without her dad.

A moment later Topanga came in, she stopped at the door when she saw that Riley was on the couch, ignoring her presence as she ate a handful of popcorn.

"Hi?" Topanga winced at the fact she said the greeting in the form of a question. She slowly walked over to the couch, waving hand at her daughter briefly before setting her hand back to her side. She nudged closer to the couch, "Is it okay that I sit next to you?"

Riley looked at her mother for a few minutes, waving on the decision before shrugging and making room on the couch for her mother.

"Thank you." Topanga responded as she sat down, she recognized the movie. Riley and Corey always watched Empire Strikes Back when they felt upset and depressed, or needed a pick me up.

"How are you feeling?" Topanga asked as the silence stretched on between them.

Riley shrugged.

"I never got to ask you, do you like Ms. Habib? Is she a good therapist?" Topanga asked, only receiving a shrug as an answer.

Topanga sighed, she knew she would never get anywhere like this with Riley. She knew what the issues was, and as much as she hated to admit it. Amira was right about her.

"Riley?" Topanga waited till she was sure that Riley was looking at her. "I'm sorry for telling Maya and her mother about you seeing Ms. Habib and having depression and cutting. You're right, it wasn't something that I had the right to tell. You should have been allowed to tell her at your own time and pace." Topanga confessed, she laid back on the couch as she continued. "I didn't think about how it would affect you and I didn't consider your feelings. I have to admit, I haven't been considering how you feel about a lot of things and I'm sorry that I've been harsh and I guess, distant in a way." Topanga began to feel her eyes prickle with tears. "I'm truly sorry that I didn't make you feel like you mattered to me because you do, I need you to realize that I didn't see it that way. I guess that I felt that since you had your dad, you didn't need me and I know it doesn't make any sense but…I don't know, I guess I just shut myself off from you without realizing it. Without realizing I was hurting you. I'm sorry." Topanga waited for a moment to see if Riley would respond.

She didn't.

Topanga nodded, she gave it a shot and she knew that there was a chance it would take Riley a moment to forgive her. She wiped away her tears and got up but felt a hand hold her wrist, stopping her form moving on.

She looked down to see Riley's head cast down, tear drops on her jeans as her grip around her mother's wrist tightened. Topanga slowly sat back down as Riley pulled herself close to her mom. Topanga couldn't help but feel new wave of tears flow as she felt Riley's tears through her shirt. "I'm so sorry, honey." Topanga apologized again crying as she hugged Riley close to her.

"I love you." Riley softly said, her arms like a vice around her mother.

"I love you too." Topanga confessed into her daughter's hair, kissing the top of her head a few times before resting her own head against her daughter's. Topanga then pulled away as new tears began to cascade down her face and Riley's. She brushed away her daughter's tears. "I love you so much. I love you." She kissed her daughter's forehead. "I promise you that I will be here for you, I want us to talk, okay? Really talk, and I'll listen. I promise I'll listen when you need to talk, okay?"

Riley swallowed the misery that was building in her for months, "Okay." She whimpered as her eyes burned with new tears.

Riley was pulled into another hug by her mother.

("It's over, isn't it? It's over, isn't it? It's over, isn't it?")

The next day started off well, Riley felt lighter and whole for the first time in months. She actually made it to dinner with her family and was able to eat the entire meal. She had some issues falling asleep and staying asleep but it didn't bother her. She had spoken to her parents about the cutting, she was a bit surprised that neither reacted in a way that showed they were shocked. Cory informed Riley that it was something that they had discussed with Habib during the beginning of her therapy and that they were informed about how to approach Riley if necessary.

They did what Habib had advised them, hid the razors, knives, and any potential weapons Riley could use for cutting and Riley had shared with them her crisis support plan- including her triggers and coping skills.

The three of them had a long discussion about her current mental health status, it was honest and scary, to be this frank with her parents but they were actually supportive. They were both honest about not understanding some aspects about her depression and her reasons, but neither were judgmental. Her father was open about how he didn't fully overcome his depression to her and her mother. They had talked till late and planned for them to talk more about depression and how they could support each other more later in the week. Riley had agreed to go to DC with her parents and Auggie for a weekend trip. It wasn't a "let's get away and hope things get better" kind of trip, but a "lets get time together and have more time to talk and spend time together", they all needed a break altogether but at least they would make time to talk about their family problems. They even talked about enrolling in family therapy.

The morning had gone right, they had breakfast at home in their usual way- rushed. But there was slight change this time in how Topanga and Riley greeted each other.

No snide marks.

No sarcastic comments.

No picking.

And no sneering.

It was refreshing to be living home and having no fears or anxiety about coming back.

(Her father, on the other hand, seemed a bit wary and clung to his phone during breakfast- a rare event.)

But something was different as her morning at school progressed.

"Where Farkle?" Zay asked as Riley opened her locker, Riley frowned.

"He hasn't spoken to you?" Riley asked, clearly concerned. While Zay and Lucas were the original bff, Zay and Farkle had something about them that made it clear that they got along well- like brothers. Riley could feel her heart skip a beat as she watched Zay become scared. His face becoming darker with grief.

"No." Zay shook his head, "When was the last time you spoke to him? Has he dropped by your place?"

Riley thought back, it had been a few days since she last saw Farkle and a few weeks since she last spoke to him. "Have you called his phone?"

"No answer. He's not responding to my texts either. He's didn't come to my place last night."

"Your place?" Riley asked in confusion. She wasn't aware of their friendship culminating to the point where the guys were spending the night with each other.

Zay rolled his eyes and looked rightfully annoyed at Riley, "C'mon." he whispered as he pulled her into a maintenance closet.

Riley's eyes stung as the room was for a moment pitch black before it became illuminated in a low orange glow.

"Zay-?"

The rest of her question stilled when he looked at her with a look that Riley could only describe as "fearful" and "angry" at the same time.
"Look, I know you've been going through a lot and you know that I love you and the guys, but in all honesty, you guys really don't know when others are drowning in the same pool as you."

The words stung at first but they quickly made sense to Riley, alarms started to ring throughout her.

"What going on with Farkle?! Is he hurting himself?!" Riley asked, nearly going into a panic.

Zay rested his hands on her shoulders to keep her calm, but his face showed little comfort. "No, he's not hurting himself."

The words were said slowly and steady, as if Zay had tested a million ways in how to say…

"Someone's hurting Farkle." Riley's voice sounded empty and hallow as she figured out what Zay was trying to say.

"He didn't admit anything to me, even though I tried. But he has bruises on his neck, back, and stomach." Zay sighed, letting his arms fall back at his side. He fell back against the wall and slowly slid down till he was seated on the floor, Riley soon followed him down to sit across from him. "I know that I should have told someone but he promised me that he already told an adult and they were working with CPS. I believed him and let him stay in my room at night because I didn't want him to be home."

"Who would hurt Farkle like that?"

"His mother."

"So he did tell you?" Riley asked for clarity.

Zay shook his head 'no', "I pieced it together with his father's business trips. The way he talked about his mother was a dead giveaway- he would turn pale and he's been having nightmares of her beating him to death. I tried to talk to him about it, but he refused so I didn't push. He said he was getting help and that he was going to tell his dad…but I don't know. He hasn't answered my calls since last night and he never is late texting me back." Zay's voice wavered and nearly cracked towards the end of his explanation. Riley could see the boy begin to panic as well, she pulled him into a hug. Tight and secure as Zay broke down.

"Nothing can happen to him, Riley." Zay whimpered into her neck.

Riley nodded against his shoulder, "Nothing will." She promised in a soft tone, unsure if that was a smart move. "This isn't your fault Zay. Okay? You didn't do anything wrong, and neither did Farkle." Riley explained, "You did everything you could to help and protect him." She reminded Zay as he broke the hug to wipe away his tears.

"I should have done more than that." Zay chided himself, pulling his legs close.

"You did more than you were supposed to, more than anyone of us. Did Smackle do anything? Has she spoken to him?"

Zay flinched at that, "Zay?" Riley studied him, forcing him to look at her when he turned his head away to study the cabinets full of tools and cleaners. "Zay, did Smackle say something to Farkle about this?"

Zay pursed his lips for a moment, "Well, you know Smackle. She's…she tries. And in her defense she doesn't know about Farkle and his mom."

"Zay!"

"She broke up with him." Zay admitted quickly in one breath.

Riley fell back, anger and regret flooding her as she tried to figure out how she missed so much.

"When?!" Riley asked in shock, as Zay looked on bashfully.

"About a few weeks back? Neither really took it hard, it was sort of mutual but I don't know…it sort of like we all took sides? Smackle has been hanging out with Lucas and Maya a lot. She and Maya are pretty much glued to the hip when Lucas isn't around."

Riley bit the inside of her cheek hard, trying to focus on how the news made her feel. It was hard to place and hard to describe.

"I'm sorry." Riley piped up after a few moments of silence between them.

Zay smiled sadly at that, "You didn't do anything Riley, you don't have to apologize."

"Are you sure about that? Cause it sort of sounds like I ruined your friendship with Lucas."

Zay shook his head as he pulled closer to her, "Trust me, you didn't." he smiled shyly for a second before explaining himself. "People change, it's kind of hard to say this out loud, but I changed and so did Lucas. Even though we grew up together, we changed into two different people who right now can't be friends."

Riley looked at him with pleading eyes, her lips pulled down in disappointment.

"Maybe later we can see eye to eye again, I'm not closed off to him forever but in the meantime…" he puled Riley's hands into his. "I know who I want to be friends with, and it's definitely you."

"I love you Zay, you know that, right?" Riley asked, nearly choking on her tears and laughter.

"I know. I love you too." He smiled sadly for a moment before being tackled into a hug. "Oomph, Riley!" he laughed out as he tried to catch them both from falling back into the wall.

They pulled away after a few minutes of just finding comfort in one another.

Zay stood up first, his hand reaching out to pull up Riley. "C'mon, we need to talk to your dad."

Riley allowed herself to be pulled up by him, "You think he knows something?" Riley asked, as she and Zay walked out to an empty hallway. They hadn't realized how much of their class time they had missed and would miss as they walked over to Cory's classroom where he was grading papers during his one period off.

"Riley, Zay." Cory frowned at them both as he glanced at the mounted clock on the wall. "You're suppose to be class."

"So is Farkle, dad, but he's not here today and he's not anwering his phone." Riley replend, sounding wounded.

Zay stood in front of Riley, a hand enclosed hers'. "Farkle is missing and we think you know why."

Cory looked between the two of them, his brow furrowed.

"How much do you two know?" he asked them, his arms crossed over his chest as he stepped back to allow the two to sit down at the two closest desks.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

The day before….

Corey's phone began to ring shrilly in the background, he got up and let Riley know he could continue to watch without him. He felt panic rise in him as he closed the door as he simultaneously answered the call from Amira.

"Hey," he greeted her in a soft tone, "What's up?"

"Are you free to talk?" Amira's voice was rough and biting, something that was out of character for her, or at least appeared to be as far as Cory was concerned.

"Yeah, what's going on?"

Amira sighed before answering, "Farkle's missing."

Cory froze immediately, of all the students he had met and known, Farkle was the last (the LAST) person he would ever assume to go missing. Despite being the heir to a tech company, Farkle never seemed to be target and never made himself obvious and open to be one.

"How long has he been missing?" Cory asked, his voice sounding foreign to his ears.

"For nearly a day now, NYPD is looking for him everywhere now."

"Riley hasn't mentioned him, I don't think she knows where he could be."

Amira agreed to as much, "They haven't spoken for over two weeks now. Riley has pretty much shut herself off, the only person who has been checking on Farkle is a friend name Zay."

Cory reeled at the information he was given. "Should you be telling me all this?" Cory asked in confusion, "Isn't there a HIPPA violation you're breaking here?"

"And that's exactly how the Minkus thought they would get me." Amira preened over the phone. "Farkle was never my client and never made any legal agreement to being one- be it verbal or written. So, there is no patient doctor confidentially, but I am a mandated reporter. I had to report the Minkus' to CPS."

Cory could only nod at the response, it at least settled his concerns. Not fears, unfortunately.

"When will the school be informed?"

"They already are. They're the ones that reported him missing. Farkle's mother didn't even know that Farkle was missing till a few hours ago. She still seems upset that Farkle was talking to a therapist and not the fact that her son is missing."

"What' about Farkle's father? Stuart Minkus?" Cory asked, opening the door a crack to his wife and Riley in a tight embrace.

He couldn't fathom what was going on outside the door as Amira gave him his answer, "He's in denial. He's sure that Farkle is overreacting to his breakup with his girlfriend, Isadora. He's even ignoring what the social worker at CPS has been telling him."

"I'll talk to him." Cory promised without realizing.

He could feel Amira's eyes widening in surprise. "You want to that involved?"

"Farkle has been in my life as since Riley's been six years old and I've known his father since middle school, trust me, I'm involved." Cory explained.

"I wouldn't recommend it, but if you are inclined to talk to Mr. Minkus then you could come by the office tomorrow. Noon- the Minkus are planning to have a televised plea to help in the search of Farkle."

"Noon tomorrow, I'll be there." Cory promised. "Keep me posted?"

"Always." Amira replied before hanging up.

A.N: I owe you readers an apology for my lateness in continuing this story.

A lot of things have caused me to stop writing, including the loss of my grandfather. I hope you all like this chapter and hopefully will stick around the for the next.