Flying Home (REWRITE) Chapter 7: Reunion (sort of), a rio fanfic

Nico yawned, trying his very best not to nod off. It was close to midnight; he hadn't quite realised how late it was when Miyoko found him, and it had been almost two hours since Martin had dashed off. The past few weeks were beginning to catch up with him now he had time to stop. The only thing keeping him awake was the thought of seeing the birds he had missed so much.

Miyoko was keeping him occupied with stories of her seven sisters to pass the time, and telling him all about the city, and the club she ran. Eventually they moved onto music, something Nico could get easily invested in. She was clearly interested, owning a music club and all, and loved to sing just as much as he did. The only thing she lacked was the material.

Apparently, the whole creative thing just didn't run in the family.

"Hey, are you gonna tell me what's going on now?"

Miyoko's face broke out in a grin at the voice that came from the computer, hiding her laugh behind a wing at the expression that had appeared on Nico's face.

His breath caught in his throat as he stared at the screen, face completely slack and unable to form words.

He expected he would be home by now, but seeing the birds that had walked into the room on the other end of the line was a pretty good second option. At least for now.

"Can we tell him now?" Martin asked with a smirk at Rafael.

"Oh I don't know, I quite like this," Rafael replied, clearly trying not to laugh.

"Guys! What's going on? Who are we here to see?" Pedro asked, getting frustrated, glaring at the two older birds. Blu, Jewel and the kids landed behind him, looking just as confused. Nico swallowed the lump that had appeared in his throat, choking back a laugh.

"Rafael are you going to tell us what's happening?" Blu asked.

"Shall we tell them?" Martin said with a grin.

"Can I tell them?"

Miyoko almost fell over laughing at the faces made when the birds at the other end heard Nico's comment, and the canary himself had a grin so wide it hurt.

"Nico!" six voices exclaimed as one, while Martin and Rafael just smiled smugly.

"Hi," he said with a laugh.

"What- how- you- where are you?" Pedro exclaimed, brushing off the kids that were clambering all over him in their attempt to get as close to the screen as possible.

Nico laughed, "nice to see you to," he said, choking up a little, trying to force tears back.

"Nice? Dude, this is amazing," Pedro grinned, "I mean, you could actually be here, which would be better, but what the hell! It's awesome to actually see you."

"You're telling me," Nico said with a watery chuckle.

"Does have a point though, where are you?" Jewel asked.

"Um," Nico gave a nervous laugh, "that's kind of a long story." He didn't really want to tell them he was now even further away from home than he was the last time they heard from him. At the same time though, they needed to know.

"Tell 'em or I will," Miyoko deadpanned from behind him. He turned and glared, raising an eyebrow.

"I was gonna- I just-" he sighed, turned back to the screen where the other birds where waiting expectantly, "alright, I'm in Tokyo."

Stunned silence met this bombshell. The kids just looked confused.

"Daddy, where's Tokyo?" Bia asked her father.

Blu, still looking shocked, glanced down at his daughter, unable to form words.

"It's the other side of the world hun," Jewel filled in for him, "how did you end up there? You were in Paris last we heard."

"Yeah, long story, like I said," the canary said with a sigh, "but before we get into that mess, how are you guys? Coping well without me?" He gave a half-hearted grin, already knowing the answer to that question.

"Some of us have been," Rafael said with a pointed look at Pedro, "nothing too disastrous just yet, though we did lose him for a day a few weeks ago."

"Had the whole city on a birdhunt," Blu said, rolling his eyes.

Pedro pouted, "shut up guys, I know it wasn't exactly one of my best moments," he said, trying not to look at the screen. On the other side, Nico snorted, before clearing his throat, trying not to laugh.

"Aw," his expression turned sombre, "seriously though, you doing okay? I mean it hasn't exactly been easy on my end, maybe for more obvious reasons, but... well."

There was silence for a moment, the air becoming thick with emotion. Then, Pedro spoke up.

"I miss you," he said, "like, really, really miss you."

"Ditto," Nico said, a small smile on his face, "I can't wait to get home."

"Hurry up, alright? I want you back."

Nico nodded, feeling his eyes begin to tear up again. The fact that he was tired as hell wasn't exactly helping. "Don't worry, I'll be as quick as I can."

"We could find a plane for you," Miyoko put in from behind him.

"No!" Nico cried, eyes widening as he spun round to face her. She held up her wings, immediately taking a few steps back with a smirk. "That's kinda how I got here, and I really don't like planes," he took a deep breath, turning back to the computer, "can you hold on a few more weeks? I think I'll be taking the long way."

"What's wrong with planes?" Carla piped up, "it sounds like it would be quicker."

With a snort, Nico crossed his wings and glared at the ground, "yeah, that's what the twins said before they put me on a plane going in the wrong direction." He didn't exactly want to tell them he got sick, not exactly something he wanted to go into right then.

There was a moment while the words sunk in, before a simultaneous 'ohh,' came from the speakers.

"Well, that explains Tokyo," Rafael said, and Nico nodded with a grimace.

"Yeah, I suppose you guys want the full story?"

He laughed as they immediately made themselves comfortable, the kids sat curled up with their parents, Pedro and Rafael close by.

"Alright, so, I guess I should start from the beginning..."

And so he began, telling them of Alistair and the mansion in London; his accident in Paris (Pedro sniggered); about Cosette, Marie and the orphanage; then down to Rome, with the twins and Adriana, how they put him on the wrong plane and he ended up in China. Hong-Xian got a mention, before the flight across Japan, searching for a way across the ocean until finally where Miyoko found him.

He purposefully left out Liana and the eagle, knowing not only would it make them worry more, but it would most likely make Pedro feel guilty for putting him in danger. Nothing could be further from the truth, but heaven knows there wasn't a chance Nico could convince him of anything else.

And he hadn't seen them since Rome, and they had no way of knowing he ended up on the wrong plane, so with any luck it would be plain sailing from there on out.

They listened with rapt attention as he retold his past three months, and when he reached the end there was absolute silence. No one said a word as they stared with wide eyes.

"Wow," one of the kids, he wasn't quite sure which one, broke the silence, and suddenly they were all talking at once, not that Nico could understand a word of what they were saying.

"Slow down," he laughed, "one at a time."

The group looked around at each other, then all looked to Rafael, silently agreeing that he was the best choice to express their feelings in words. The bird in question rolled his eyes before looking back at the camera. "Alright," he said, smiling, "you're forgiven for taking as long as you have. But no more pit stops if you can help it, I- we want you home."

"Deal," Nico said, yawning wide, "alright, love you guys and all, but it's way past midnight and I've been up since dawn. I need to sleep."

"Midnight?" Bia asked, tilting her head and looking outside.

"Time difference dear," Blu explained, "over here it's early afternoon, but on the other side of the world it would be the early hours of the morning."

The kids continued to look confused while Rafael and Pedro held in their laughs. Blu just sighed.

"I'll explain it when we get home, or back to the beach."

"That's going to be fun," Pedro sniggered, "before you go, exactly how are ya getting back from there?"

Nico opened his beak, fully intending on giving a step by step plan so they didn't worry, but very quickly realising he didn't have one. He turned to Miyoko, a look of desperation painfully clear on his face.

She laughed, stepping up next to him.

"There's a cruise ship leaving day after tomorrow," she said, "it's real fancy too, all the luxuries. Anyway, that'll get you to Hawaii, from there there'll probably be another one leaving for America at some point, north or south, what matters is that you're on the right continent. From there, it's a case of flying in the right direction."

With a relived smile, Nico turned to the camera. "See? Plan," he said, grinning.

"And actually, I believe Nico here has promised to do a performance at the club with me tomorrow night," Miyoko told them, reminding the canary of their deal, "I can set up a camera so you can watch if you want. Then another catch up after that, then I'll get this one on a ship home."

"Yeah!" the kids, and Pedro, cheered.

"I'm sure we can put something together real quick," Nico grinned, "then it's straight home after that."

"Promise?" Pedro asked.

"Promise," Nico responded, his expression softening, "I'll make it back to you, I guarantee it."

"We'll hold you to that," Rafael said, putting on a serious look, but unable to stop the fond smile breaking through. Nico smiled before yawning widely. "Come on, we'll let you get to sleep, hopefully see you tomorrow."

"I'll make sure of it," Miyoko said with a grin.

"Well, I guess we'll say goodnight then," Blu said, gathering his children up, doing a quick head count to make sure none had wandered off, unlikely as it was. They were far too excited about seeing their uncle Nico to be anywhere but right in front of that screen.

"Yeah, night guys," Nico said with a sleepy smile, "or morning, or aftern-... whatever," he laughed.

There was a chorus of 'goodnight's' and 'sleep well's'.

One by one, they filed out, waving as they went.

Martin squeezed in as they left, appearing on the screen.

"Oh wait," Nico interrupted him just as he was opening his beak to talk, "can you get Jewel in real quick?"

The parakeet looked confused, but did as asked, and minutes later the female macaw was once again on the screen, looking just as confused.

"What is it?"

Nico sighed, "you're really the only one with a level head around here, just..." he paused, wording the sentence quickly in his head before saying it out loud, "I'm sure you are any way, but, look after him alright? All of them actually. Ralfy usually seems alright, but he can be just as bad as Pedro when it comes to either of us."

Jewel smiled knowingly, "don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him. And Pedro's actually been living with us the past few months, so we're already looking after him."

"Thanks," Nico said gratefully.

"Sleep well," Jewel said, and she disappeared from the screen.

Martin appeared once more, looking rather proud of himself.

"Before you go, Miyo, I've sent a video to you for Nico, I think it might help in inspiration for your little performance tomorrow," he explained, "it's pretty self explanatory, but don't tell the guys I filmed it, or even sent it they might just kill me," he paused, "and have tissues ready."

"Should I be worried?" Nico asked, already looking concerned.

"Nah, it's just a bit emotional," he grimaced, "but probably something you should see, anyway, I've got to go, meeting the wife and kids for lunch."

"Alright, have fun," Miyoko said, waving cheerfully, "I'll message you about tomorrow."

"See ya," Nico grinned, "and Martin," the parakeet looked up, "thanks, for everything."

"No problem kid."

"What was that about?"

Jewel laughed as she stepped out into the daylight, immediately faced with several questioning expressions.

"Nothing, nothing, he just wanted to make sure I was looking after you two," she said with a smirk, looking at Rafael and Pedro.

"'look after'? I'm not a kid," Pedro scowled.

"He's just concerned about you, that's all," Jewel said in her best motherly voice, "you can't really blame him for worrying."

"Suppose not," the cardinal sighed, breaking back into a grin, "I just can't believe he ended up in Tokyo!"

Rafael laughed, "I know, at least we know he's okay though, and hey, it'll probably only take a month to get back from there, month and half at most."

"Do you think you can hold on for that long?" Blu asked Pedro with a grin.

Pedro jut stuck his tongue out at the macaw. "Come on," he said, "the beach is calling and I'm starving."

Still chatting aimlessly, they took off back towards the beach, not noticing the Parakeet hidden in the shadows around the corner, a wicked smile slowly growing on her beak.

"So, do you want to watch this now or in the morning?"

Nico sighed deeply, glancing at the clock. Quarter past one.

Well, he didn't have to get up that early in the morning.

"Let's get this over with," he said finally. At least this way he had all night to get over the emotional tidal wave Martin warned him about.

"Alright," Miyoko said slowly, expertly navigating the computer to find the video and pull it up full screen. "You ready for this?"

Nico nodded, choking up a little as the view of the Alley, their regular club, came up on screen. It looked fairly busy, but with an empty stage. Miyoko hit play and the club whirred into life, the sounds of birds chatting filling the room.

Nico breath caught in his throat as Rafael flew up onto the boxes that served as the main stage.

"Everyone," The toucan called, catching the crowd's attention easily, "I have something to say." The crowd went silent, and Nico couldn't take his eyes off the screen. He felt a wing on his back and faintly heard Miyoko telling him to breathe. This was a week ago, before they knew where he was.

"As most of you probably know by now, nearly three months ago several hundred birds were taken and flown halfway round the world. Within weeks they were all back or accounted for, save one. No one really knows what happened to Nico, but we received word that he was in Paris about a month ago, but nothing has been heard since. This little number was Pedro's idea, and just a little something to say that we won't lose hope. Nico, wherever you are," he seemed to look right at the camera, and Nico thought for a moment he knew it was there, but the older birds eyes were slightly glazed over, and the canary knew he was simply staring into space. "Wherever you are, we will always be here for you, and we believe in you."

A lump had appeared in Nico's throat about halfway through his speech, and by the end he was close to crying, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. Miyoko put a comforting wing around his shoulders, and he unconsciously leaned into her as Pedro, Jewel, Blu, and the kids, both the macaws and a few of Rafael's came onto the stage.

Jewel's voice was the first to sing, the younger birds harmonising behind her.

"You're not alone, together we stand, I'll be by your side you know I'll take your hand," her sweet yet powerful voice rang clear over the silent audience. Blu stepped up next to her, and began to sing the next part.

"And when it gets cold, and it feels like the end, there's no place to go you know I won't give in," despite the differences in their voices, they complimented each other as they sang together.

"No I won't give in."

As they reached the chorus, everyone joined in, including Pedro and Rafael.

"Keep holding on, 'cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through, just stay strong, 'cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you. There's nothing you could say, nothing you could do, there's no other way when it comes to the truth. So keep holding on, 'cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through."

This time Pedro stepped forward, the macaws taking a step back.

"So far away, I wish you were here, before it's too late this could all disappear," he sang, a slight wobble in his voice, but he caught himself just in time. Rafael stepped forward and they sang the next part together.

"Before the doors close, and it comes to an end, with you by my side I will fight and defend. I'll fight and defend."

"Yeah, yeah," Jewel sang, and they launched into the chorus once more.

"Hear me when I say, when I say I believe," Jewel and Pedro sang together, "nothings gonna change, nothings gonna change destiny," They all seemed to be really getting into the song, belting out the lyrics like they thought if they sung loud enough it would reach him. They didn't know it did. "Whatever's meant to be will work out perfectly."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah," Jewel belted out, before the music dropped, slower and quieter, with the kids 'la-ing' in the background.

"Keep holding on," Nico couldn't remember that last time he had heard Pedro really sing, really go at it, he always sang with him in the choruses but whenever there was a solo he would always be rapping. Here though was like they were seeing what his voice could really do. "Keep holding on," once again, they all joined in and Nico could even hear some of the crowd joining in as they all stepped forward to form a line.

"There's nothing you could say, nothing you could do, there's no other way when it comes to the truth. So keep holding on, 'cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through."

The music faded, their voices seconds later, and all was silent

There was a smattering of applause, most of the audience too emotional to even consider it. And to be honest, it wasn't the kind of performance you would cheer for.

Another bird came up onto one of the higher boxes and announced the closing of the club for the night. 'Must be Tuesday' Nico briefly thought as he watched bird after bird go up to the grieving family and give them a comforting word or two before flying out, until eventually no one was left but them.

Swallowing thickly, Nico wiped his eyes, wishing they had taken Martin's advice with the tissues

"Are you okay?" Miyoko asked quietly, squeezing him comfortingly.

Nico nodded, shushing her as one of the kids from off the screen, sounding possibly like Carla, started speaking.

"I miss him."

Jewel looked over, her expression softening as her daughter flew into her wings, sounds of muffled crying coming from within. "I know dear, I know, we all do," she said softly, looking around at the other birds in the room. Blu was doing his best to comfort Bia, and Tiago was scowling at the ground, leaning against his father. Rafael was trying to do a head count on his children, all the while trying to keep one eye on Pedro, who was sat of the edge of a box and staring absentmindedly at his feet.

There was a moment of quiet, only the soft voices of the parents with their children breaking it. Then, out of the stillness came another voice, Pedro's, singing softly.

Nico almost didn't recognise it, it was so gentle, quiet, not at all like his usual singing voice, not even during the earlier song. Nico had heard it before, but not in a long, long time.

"Hello world, hope you're listening, forgive me if I'm young, for speaking out of turn."

Silence quickly fell over the other birds as they turned to listen.

"There's someone I've been missing," he sang, closing his eyes, Nico doing the same, leaning into Miyoko's hug as tears formed in his eyes, "I think that they could be, the better half of me. They're in the wrong place trying to make it right, but I'm tired of justifying, so I say to you...

"Come home, come home, cause I've been waiting for you, for so long, for so long. Right now there's a war between the vanities, but all I see is you and me, the fight for you is all I've ever known," there was a brief pause, and Nico choked back a sob, "so come home."

Thick silence filled the air, broken only by the sounds of sniffling and muffled sobs from the speakers.

Nico was past the point of caring what happened next, unable to choke it down any more, and within seconds of the song finishing he was sobbing into Miyoko's shoulder, the long day, little sleep and recent events finally hitting him and hitting him hard. Miyoko did her best to comfort him, stroking soothing circles on his back and whispering words of comfort in his ear. Half the words were Japanese, but it didn't really matter, he wasn't particularly listening, too lost in his own thoughts.

He was definitely glad he had waited until after he saw them to watch that. Any time before and he would have most likely burst into tears the moment he saw them. Pedro and Rafael had seen worse, but he still had a reputation to keep, especially to the kids. He wanted to stay strong for them especially. They were so young (though he was fairly sure they had grown since the last time he saw them), and the thought of them losing hope was unbearable.

And Pedro. He couldn't get that song out of his head, hating that he was so far away, feeling so utterly useless. Yes, everything had changed since that moment was filmed. They knew where he was, they knew he was okay. But that didn't change the fact that he was still thousands of miles away, still weeks, possibly months away from seeing them again. Weeks and months he would most likely be spending alone.

The video had already ended by the time his sobs began to subside, replaced very quickly by hiccups.

"Are you okay?"

Nico nodded, not quite trusting himself to speak just yet.

"Do you need to sleep?"

He nodded again, taking a deep breath as he tried to steady his breathing and calm down.

"It's going to be okay, you know that right?" Miyoko said quietly as she led him to a hole in the corner of the room that followed through into another room, "somebody's clearly been looking out for you up until now, I don't think that's going to change any time soon."

"Let's hope," Nico murmured, letting himself get gently pushed down onto a soft nest, Miyo crouching down next to him and handing him a few tissues.

"Here," she said, "don't worry too much about keeping quiet, I've got to run home and check on my sisters, so I'll sleep there and be back in the morning. I'll lock up too so no one disturbs you, just get some rest okay?"

Nico nodded, curling up and pulling the blanket right up to his beak, burrowing as deep as he could.

"Thank you," he said quietly as she stood to leave.

"You're welcome hun," Miyoko replied, "good night."

"'Night," Nico mumbled, beginning to drift off, ideas for tomorrow's song already forming.

I am on a roll! I'm actually pretty excited about getting to Hawaii, cause that's where the real changes from the original happen, and I'll admit, a couple of them are quite risky, but hopefully they'll work. In terms of this chapter, a few obvious changes in timeline, but basically the same. The songs used were 'Keep Holding On' - Avril Lavinge, and 'Come Home' - OneRepublic.

Anyway, hope you liked it, please leave a review and let me know what you think, those reviews keep me writing (well, writing faster at any rate, I would probably do this anyway, but... anyway :))