Al was woken again in the small hours of the morning though by a little hand tugging on his sleeve. "A-Alfie...?"

He lifts his head groggily. "Mhmm?"

Paddy stood beside his bed, eyes flooded with lonely tears, the fur on the teddy bear he was clutching was already damp.

Al frowns pulling him up. He buried into his chest, latching onto his shirt with a soft hiccup.

Al hugs him rubbing his back. "What happened?"

"I-I... A-Arthur left me..." he sobbed. "H-he laughed a-and left and I..."

Al hugs him.

Pad just sunk into him, bawling. It had only been a dream, but the thought of being left terrified the poor boy... Afterall, his land had been created from violence and fear of being left...

Al sits rocking and shushing him. Al had had similar nightmares after the revolution. Except Arthur wasn't the one that left.. But he still wasn't all that nice..

It took a little while, but Paddy slowly started to dry up, the contact easing his fears of abandonment.

"Better? Come on let's find you a drink."

He just clung, scrubbing at his eyes with a little held him close and carried him downstairs. It was dark and cold downstairs. Scruff lay in his bed, dozing contentedly.

Al flicks on the kitchen light, one handedly shuffling around for mugs and cocoa mix. The child watched, sniffling softly.

He fixed the mugs setting Pat on the counter and hopping up beside him. Pat leaned into him, sipping his mug silently.

He sits with one arm around him, the two soaking up warmth, chocolate and brotherhood.

Once he'd calmed down again, Paddy dozed back off, cup nearly slipping from his grip. Al takes it from him setting it in the sink. He picks him up settling on the couch with a blanket and quietly checking the news.

When the tv crackled to life, the first thing to grace its screen was a series of ads. When it finally made it around to the news, there was very little in the way of progress. After a headcount in the prison, they knew that 38 prisoners had managed to escape. Thus far, none of them had been caught.

He frowns.

They were still clarifying names, and still advised citizens to use extreme caution.

Al sighs hugging Patrick. The child snuggled in immediately, sleeping peacefully. He pets softly hoping for the best.

The sun started to rise outside, birds waking up and starting to tune up for the morning chorus. He sighs closing his eyes for a moment.

And it was then that he must have passed out, because the next thing he knew, Molly was knelt over him fretfully, gently petting his face. "Alfie? Honey, are you okay...?"

"Mmn huh..? Guess I fell asleep.."

"You looked like you feel over," she sighed softly. He'd ended up sprawled across the floor by the couch.

He frowns at that softly, sitting up. She knelt beside him, Paddy still passed out on the couch. Al rubs his sore neck glancing to him briefly. He lay facing the back of the couch, teddy clutched firmly into his little chest.

Al turns back to Molly. She must have only just gotten up, still in her pajamas with her hair in its scruffy braid.

"What time is it..?"

"Bout seven, why?"

"It was five thirty a minute ago.."

"You must have been tired then," she smiled softly, gently brushing a dog hair from his cheek. "You're free to go back to bed for a bit?"

He shook his head, "I'm fine for now."

"Are you sure?" she'd only come down because she'd heard a loud thump when Al hit floor.

"Yeah." He worked his way to his feet.

She watched carefully, wanting to be sure he was okay... He smiles standing.

She smiled back at that, accepting it. "Want coffee?"

"Sure." He throws a blanket over Pat.

The child snuggled in, sighing contentedly. Molly smiled warmly at him. "You two really are close..."

He grins following her to the kitchen. She was a little jealous - Patrick didn't seem to like her... Not really... He leans against the counter as she turns the pot on.

It was a bit nippy, but the cold was refreshing. Al ran a hand through his hair attempting to tame it.

"Give it up honey," Molly teased, handing him a cup. "You'll never get that mop to behave."

He smirks.

"You want toast? It's about all I've got, breakfast wise."

"Sure."

She flashed him a grin and set about it. He sits humming softly. She buttered him some toast, sitting with him. They sit munching.

The smell of toast must have roused Paddy because he came shuffling through to them, teddy dragging beside him.

"Mornin."

"M'hungry..." he was still half asleep, bless him.

Al chuckles. Molly just scooped him up into a cuddle - one of the few he didn't reject - and started making more toast. Al sits watching.

They could almost be parent and child... Well, he was a part of her... They sit with the meal munching. Paddy was waking up now, shifting to Al. They sit a bit.

"Al..." Pad looked up after a while. "Can we call Arthur...?"

"Sure."

He smiled hopefully, running to the phone. Al sighs turning to Mol.

"It's okay sweetie, I don't mind."

"I just hope he's ok.."

"Go check on him honey..."

He hugs her a moment before going off. Paddy was trying to reach up to the phone on the wall. Al picks it up sitting on the floor and dialing. Paddy crawled into his lap, waiting anxiously.

It clicked and Arthur's voice came through. "Molly?"

"No it's Al and Pat." He had it on speaker.

"Hi Artie!"

"Hello Patrick," You could hear the smile in Arthur's voice. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah just wanted to check on you."

"I'm alright, just a bit tired with all this running about. Iain and I are off up to the prison to see who exactly escaped. I had some nasty people in there..."

"Ok, just be careful up there."

"You really think Iain is going to let anyone get passed him?" Arthur chuckled. "He hates everyone in that prison!"

Al smiles softly.

"Trust me boys, I'll be fine."

Paddy seemed dubious but agreed. "Arthur...? Can I come home soon...?"

"Soon Patrick. We need to gather everyone up first though, alright?"

"...Okay..."

Al hugs him. "Well see ya soon Dad..."

"I'll treat you all to a nice meal," The smile came back to his voice, but it didn't reach Paddy this time. "Have fun and remember to help Molly around the house. Love you both, and I'll see you soon." The phone beeped, signalling that he'd hung up before either of them could say a word.

Al sighs softly putting it back on the wall. Paddy curled up, hugging his knees sulkily. Al hugs him again. He leaned in, sighing dejectedly.

"It'll be fine.. Couple days tops.."

"Something else is gonna happen then and it'll be another couple more days, then a couple more..."

Al sighs hugging him. Patrick was a smart kid... But it just made things harder... Al takes him back to the couch, trying to distract them both with cartoons. It kind of worked. Paddy just ended up doodling. Al watched him a bit before sitting back and closing his eyes.

Matt came down after a while, frowning softly. "Al? Where's Molly?"

"She was in the kitchen last I knew.."

He nodded and went to get her, Molly soon rushing up the stairs.

Al frowns. *Matt..?*

*Yeah?* Matt's thoughts were crowded, images and words flying around at a dizzying pace.

*What's wrong?*

*Ro... I went to check on her and she was burning up...*

Al frowns. Matt fidgeted anxiously. Al gets up moving over to hug him. Matt sighed and let himself be held, needing an anchor.

"It's fine bro.. Probably just a cold..."

"You know I'm a worrywart," he smiled sadly.

Al smiles just holding him. He clung for a moment. Al rubs his back.

Paddy watched them with a pang of sadness, soon slipping off to hide with Scruff. At least the dog never left him...

Al smiles at Matt.

Matt smiled back, though worry still lingered in his soft violet eyes. "Thanks..."

"Come on, lets find Paddy before he gets too lost in his thoughts." Al gripped his shoulders leading him off.

They hunt for the child, finding him under Molly's apple tree with Scruff, just snuggling. They sit on either side of him hugging. They sit in silence, letting company and fresh air soothe them.

"...hey Pat, have I ever told you about Juan?" (Mexico.)

Paddy looked up and shook his head softly, eyes innocent and curious, ready to listen.

"Well you know how Artie and Iain fight a lot right? Juan and I are just as bad if not worse, there's hardly a time when we're not and Matt usually gets caught in the middle.."

"Like Dylan," he smiled softly. "He always gets them friends again after."

"Right, and still with how much we fight were still brothers. Somewhere in his heart I'm sure he cares about me."

Pat nodded softly. "I think he does."

Al grins hugging Matt, and squishing Paddy in the middle. Matt hugged back tight, wobbling them side to side, making the child giggle happily. Al chuckles.

"Guys! You're squishing me!" Pad giggled and wiggled, smushed between them.

Al chuckles letting go. "Ya know I like having you and Peter around. Kinda fun finally having someone younger than me."

The child flushed slightly, but his smile grew, making his little face glow. "Really?"

"Yep. Matt and Juan are older than I am."

"Then... I want a little brother too," Paddy grinned. "So I can teach him all the things like you teach me! And help look after them like Artie and Iain!"

Al grins. "Who knows maybe someday."

He gasped in excitement. "Ya really think so?!"

Al shrugs.

Pat just beamed and hugged him. Al grins and they just sit talking for a while. Scruff got fed up and plodded off. Molly came out to fetch them for lunch. They head back inside.

After lunch, Matt went to sit with Ro while Paddy stayed with Al.

The other two sit eating.

"Alfie," Paddy stopped half way through his sandwich.

"Hm?"

"Why don't eggplants grow eggs...?"

He blinks then chuckles a bit. "Honestly I don't know. I'm not sure who named them."

"Tomato plants grow tomatoes and pea plants grow peas, so egg plants should grow eggs..."

"That's a good point. Maybe you can see if Molly would let you play with one in your next magic lesson?"

"I wanna try and make a sausage plant!" Patrick wasn't nearly as talented as his siblings, but he kept trying. Iain was giving him his lessons mostly, but the others helped.

"That'd be cool."

"If it works, I can make Kuma a salmon plant too," he giggled.

Al chuckles glancing to Matt. "It'd sure save on groceries."

Matt smiled softly on his way back up to Ro. "Save me fishing so much too."

The other two sit finishing their meal.

Molly took their plates out then came back to them. "So, I'm not quite sure we can make an eggplant that grows eggs just yet, but I think it's about time we let you play with some fire."

"Can I watch?" All he got was a small bit of Arthur's magic that gave him his electric powers, the rest came from his spirit animal.

"If you don't mind getting a few burns," she chuckled. "Fire is hardest to learn, but the most useful to know. That and water."

"Molly knows all four," Paddy grinned proudly. "She's super good at them!"

Al grins following them.

"I would love to learn Alfie's lightning trick though," Molly grinned, heart swelling from Paddy's praising.

Al grins, "Well Wakiya kinda helped me there.."

"I'll figure it out eventually," she giggled, taking them outside. "You ready sweetie?"

Al sits off to the side.

They set off ahead of him, Molly talking him through the basics. "Okay, reach in deep, find your spark. He's in there somewhere, a little fire demon ready to come play."

"Like Calcifer?"

"Yup, a little Calcifer! Dig him up and make friends!"

Al sits back watching curiously.

For a while it looked like nothing was going to happen... Then Paddy looked up, grinning. "I found him!"

"Good! Now, hold out your hands... Nice and straight-away from yourself! Okay... Let him out..."

It was still for a moment.

Suddenly, a huge explosion of flames leapt from the child's gloved hands, a ghastly screeching giggle rattling from it as a twisted, jagged face leered towards Al, almost trying to grab him...! And then it vanished, leaving the lingering scent of singed flesh behind it.

Al stumbles back startled.

Pad sat there panting, but Molly couldn't have looked more thrilled. "That was amazing! Oh, Iain was so wrong, you're meant to be a fire mage!" she ran over, scooping the dazed child into a hug.

What the hell was that thing?! Al tries to get his heart back in order.

"What was that...?" Pad seemed to be Al's voice for the moment.

"That, honey," she sat down with him in her lap. "Was all of your fire power... Fire is alive, it has a form, a mind of its own... We all have fire spirits... A little Calcifer... And yours is strong."

Al frowns softly. Well lightning tended to be tied to emotions, especially rage..

"So what do I do with it?"

"You train it. Kinda like a wee pup - you remember teaching Scruff to do his business outside, right? It's like that!" She made it sound so simple, but something said it was going to rather hard...

Al sighs softly leaning back.

They spent the next few hours practicing with their fire. Paddy's aim was simply to make a small flame, but they kept coming out big and wild. One very nearly set Molly ablaze.

Alfred had moved much farther back.

Paddy was getting tired and frustrated now, his fire spirit putting up a fight. A couple tries later, he ended up burning himself. He'd managed to get a smaller flame for a few seconds before it flared up angrily, burning his cheek and setting his glove on fire, along with Molly's dress and hair.

Al jumps in helping to put it out. Molly was relatively unscathed, but Paddy waa burned badly. He held his hands to his chest, whimpering. They pick him up and take him inside.