Guess Who's Back?

Mike's parents left for the hotel they'd booked once they departed from Freddy's. Mike could sense already that they were going to be having a discussion about him and his job and he already had a feeling how that would turn out. It was a very rare thing for his dad to win any argument with his mom and that was for just when he'd been drinking out of the carton and not a glass. Again.

But he tried not to let it bother him. Tonight was hopefully going to be a good night. He decided to keep his dad's return to the restaurant a surprise for Freddy and the others. He recalled vaguely some photos his dad had shown him of him in his youth. He recalled him being a lot thinner and having a thick mop of brown hair. Would they even recognise him after all of these years?

A small worry was nagging at the back of his mind. His dad had much more of a history with the synths that Mike did. He tried to shove worries of getting replaced out of his head. It was just that his dad wanted to see the others again. It was just for one night and even then, it wasn't like they were just going to get rid of him when his dad came back.

He wasn't going to lose more friends… was he?

His anxiety lessened when he arrived that night, as most of his worries did. Whenever he came to start another shift at Freddy's, whatever was on his mind always seemed to be a lot less daunting when he knew that it was time for another six hours with Freddy and the gang. He locked the door, closed the shutters and walked in to find them just getting out of their suits.

"Hey, Mikey." Bonnie was always first out of her suit. "What's up?"

"Not much," he replied. "I-"

"EH!" she said, making a buzzing sound. "Wrong answer!" She hopped off the stage and looked him in the eye. "We know what you're hiding."

Mike was stunned. "Y-You do?"

"Of course! You think you can hide anything from these ears?" She waggled them for emphasis. "I hear everything that goes on in this place. Sometimes, it's stuff I wish I didn't hear. But I hear it, including what happened today."

"Oh." Mike was disappointed. "It was supposed to be a surprise…"

"Not exactly a surprise, Mike," said Chica, coming to join them. "I know something's been wrong with you and your family since Christmas, but you never said anything. That doesn't mean it's a surprise and it's not a very pleasant one."

"Wait, what are you guys talking about?" asked Mike, a little confused.

"Mike, please don't try and act ignorant." Freddy's expression was a concerned frown. "It's no secret now about how your mother feels about us and this place."

"Oh. That."

"Why? What did you think you were talking about?" asked Chica.

"N-Nothing," he said quickly. "Guys, it's fine. It's not a big deal."

"Not a big deal? She thinks we're-!"

"Bonnie." Freddy gave her a stern look and motioned in the direction of Pirate Cove. "Mike, a word in private, if you wouldn't mind."

He strode off to the backstage room. Mike gulped and looked at the girls. Chica looked worried, while Bonnie motioned that he should follow, still looking peeved. Mike knew he had little choice and went with Freddy backstage. He was sat at the table, regarding Mike carefully.

"Close the door, please." Mike did as he was told. "Thank you. Please, take a seat." Once Mike did so, Freddy seemed to relax a bit. "Good. Sorry for being a lil' forceful there, but I didn't really want Foxy to hear."

"I understand," said Mike. "Does he know?"

"No. We decided it was best he didn't." Freddy shook his head. "He's still not completely over what happened. I'm not sure he ever really will be. It would be better if he didn't hear things like that said about him."

"Yeah. I wouldn't want to hear things like that," said Mike. "I'm sure not everyone's happy that he's back performing again."

"Aaron has said he's gotten a few letters of complaint that he's let Foxy return to performin'," admitted Freddy. "He's assured them what's happened won't happen again, but some people are still just scared, especially for their children. Foxy's confidence in himself is still fairly fragile. I fear it may shatter if he ever heard anythin' like that."

Mike had noted how Foxy would still look guilty if they ever mentioned anything about the Bite. There were times when he still didn't look like he felt that he belonged with his friends again, like when Bonnie had been joking with him last night.

"You can't shield him from stuff like that forever, though. What if someone tries to take a more direct approach with what they think about him?" asked Mike.

"Then we'll deal with that as it comes. I have a feelin' he may have an inklin' already. But I didn't bring you in here to talk about Foxy." Freddy leaned across the table. "Why didn't you tell us about this sooner, Mike?"

"Well…" Mike considered his words carefully. "It wasn't really your problem. There's not a whole lot you guys can do, anyway."

"We can be here to talk about it. Mike, are you sure you're happy about working here?" he asked.

"Of course I am," said Mike at once. "This is one of the best jobs I've ever had. It's just my mom. She's… she's always been like this."

"Like what?"

"Protective, I guess," he replied. "Just how she was always careful about what stuff I did. She didn't really let me go to any clubs or play outside much, because she thought I might get hurt or other kids might bully me."

"I can see how she might feel that way, considerin'…" He trailed off for a moment before speaking again. "I gather that you have told her that you're adamant on stayin' here?"

Mike broke his gaze with Freddy. "Um… kind of."

"'Kind of?'" he repeated. "Son, you either have or you haven't."

"It's… it's hard for me to," muttered Mike. "Whenever she's tried to talk about it since I told her, I-I try to change the subject o-or say I'm busy and hang up. I d-didn't think she'd take it this far."

"She's your mother and she's worried about you. I'd be surprised if she didn't," said Freddy. "But you can't be runnin' from this forever, Mike. Sometime, you have to turn around and stand your ground or she won't stop. Let her know that this is your decision and you're not changin' your mind."

"I know, I know," groaned Mike. "But it's not going to be easy."

"What Foxy did wasn't easy for him to face up to either. You can do it, Mike. She has to hear it and it has to be from you," he said firmly, but not unkindly.

Mike sighed. "I'll try. Sorry you had to hear it like you did."

"It's fine, but you be sure to say that to Bonnie and Chica as well," he advised. "They were concerned too. Even Bonnie, though she may not show it in the same way."

"That's a little hard to believe," said Mike with a small laugh. "Okay, I will." Mike felt his phone buzz and he pulled it out of his pocket to see he'd gotten a text.

At back door. Let me in plz.

"What's that?" asked Freddy.

"Just something I need to check," replied Mike. He put it away and stood up. "Thanks for the talk. And Freddy? Sorry for, you know, spying on you last night. It looked like there was something wrong and uh, I was just a little worried. Sorry."

Freddy smiled. "I appreciate your concern, Mike. But don't you worry, I'm perfectly fine. I just sometimes like a lil' time to myself. You understand, don't you?"

Mike remembered what Chica had said to him the night before. It was so hard to tell if he was faking that smile or not. Like it was practised.

"I understand, Freddy," he said. "Thanks. For not holding it against me, I mean."

"Think nothing of it, Mike. Besides, I suppose I should apologise as well for spying on you, in a sense," he said with a chuckle. "I'm afraid Bonnie still doesn't quite know when to keep her nose, or ears, out of other people's business."

"Don't worry about it," assured Mike. "She didn't mean to listen in on that. I think."

"That's what she says most of the time. Well now, why don't you go and see what that message of yours is about?" he suggested. "Remember, don't be afraid to come and talk to us about anything that might be botherin' you."

"Sure thing. Thanks, Freddy," said Mike sincerely.

He left the backstage area and walked up to Bonnie and Chica, who were now joined by Foxy.

"Hey guys, sorry about getting you worried there, but I think I know the best way to express that apology," he said quickly. "Just give me a couple of seconds. Stay here, I'll be right back."

He hurried away, leaving the three of them looking bemused. Only Bonnie found her voice as he reached the east hallway.

"If it involves you in a big cake smothered in baby oil, you can forget it, you stinkin' perv!"

Mike rolled his eyes. Where did a person who was supposed to be entertaining children pick up things like that?

He pulled the key ring off his belt and unlocked the back door. There stood his dad. He beamed broadly while Mike stood aside to let him in.

"Thanks, son. I can't tell you how much I've missed being here. Doing this…" he murmured in a nostalgic tone.

"I'll bet. Wait," added Mike, "you mean this isn't the first time you had to be let in the back way?"

"I wish I could say no. The incident involved Foxy stealing my security hat and throwing it out the back door, followed by Bonnie slamming it shut when I went out to get it." He smiled sheepishly. "It was back when I still left my keys on the hook in the office. Chica let me back in and Freddy wasn't happy with them."

"I can imagine. Come on, they're waiting." Mike led the way back down the hallway and told his dad to hang back when he got there.

"Did I miss somethin'?" Foxy asked when Mike arrived back. "And why'd ya open the back door, lad?"

"Who's that back there with you?" Chica put in. "I thought I heard two sets of footsteps."

"Did you let in a hobo or something? Some security guard," scoffed Bonnie.

"Not a hobo, but he used to call this place home as much as you all do. As a guest, anyway." Mike stood off to the side so they could see. "Come on out."

After a moment, his dad stepped out into the light. He looked almost nervous, like he was a kid brought in to see the principal. The synthetics gazed at him for a while. Nobody spoke. Mike couldn't read their expressions.

"Okay, what?" Bonnie broke the silence. "Seriously, I don't get it. Who is this guy?"

"I agree. Mike, this would be better if we had a little context," said Chica.

"Aye, what'd ya think yer doin', lad?!" demanded Foxy. "We don't know who this lubber is! Ya can't jus' be showin' strangers in here when we're like this!"

Mike's face was boiling and he felt mortified. This wasn't really working out quite how he'd envisioned it. Until his dad came to his rescue.

"You mean… you don't recognise me?" he asked. He sounded almost sad.

"Should we?" returned Bonnie.

"Don't ye try and confuse us, matey!" warned Foxy. "Ye better not breathe a word-a what ye've seen here!"

"I suppose you think I'm a spy, do you, Foxy?" he asked. "Or how about a wrecker, eh Bonnie? Well, at least you're not trying to snap my arm off this time."

"What're ye…?" Foxy blinked. Comprehension dawned. "Well, blow me down…"

"No way…" whispered Bonnie. "That's not… is it? No, it couldn't be… could it?"

"D-David…?" Both of Chica's hands were covering her mouth. "I-Is that you…?"

"Well, it's Andrew now," he corrected. "Guess it's fitting, since I look like a different man now. You guys haven't changed a bit though."

"Of course not. You don't change perfection," said Bonnie. She was grinning as she walked up to his dad. "But look at you, man! What the heck happened?"

"It's called the passage of time, Bonnie," he quipped. "I know it's a foreign concept to you, but it's something the rest of humanity have to put up with."

"Sucks for you." She laughed and hugged him. "Oh man, this is so weird! But it's so cool as well!"

"I feel the same." Chica was staring in awe. "I-It's been so long. This feels… unreal."

"I like to think that was every night I worked here," remarked his dad. He smiled warmly at her. "But it feels that way for me too. It's good to see you again, Chica."

Her face beamed and she embraced him too. He looked over her shoulder at Foxy, who was still frozen to the spot.

"Can't believe your own eyes, Foxy?" he asked, still smiling. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Foxy continued to stare. Mike thought he could see something shimmering in his eyes.

"D-Dave… Andrew, I mean. I… well, I… I'm sorry!" he blurted out. "I'm so, so sorry!"

"Foxy," he said kindly, "it's oka-"

"No! Not it isn't!" Foxy cried angrily. "How can ye say it's okay, after wha' I did?! I let ya down! I let ya all down! I was the one who forced ya ta leave! IT'S ALL MY FAULT!"

Tears were flowing down his face. He screwed his eyes shut and turned away. Mike started forward, but his dad beat him there.

"Foxy," he began gently, "almost thirty years is a long time and I forgave you a long time before it even got that far. I'm just sorry I couldn't be here to tell you myself."

"But Mike told me abou' wha' happened after ya left! Ye blamed yerself fer somethin' I did!" Foxy shook his head. "How can ye jus' fergive me, jus' like tha'?"

"It wasn't quite as quick as that," his dad said sombrely. "It did take me something of a year to really come to terms with it. Even then, it wasn't perfect. But after a while… I didn't care about what happened. I mean, I wasn't happy about it. But all that really mattered to me was all of you. I just… missed you. Even you, Foxy. After all, Mike forgave you and he never even knew you as long as I did. Did you really think I wouldn't?"

Foxy choked on a sob. When his dad hugged him and Foxy hugged back, Mike felt proud that he'd done this for him and for all of them. Chica was watching with a watery smile, while Bonnie just smiled. Not her cocky smirk, but a genuine smile.

"Well, well, well. This is somethin' I didn't expect to see tonight." Freddy had emerged from backstage and from the look of it, had just witnessed the whole scene. "I had a feelin' that if Mike's mother was in town, you might be as well."

"You must have known this day would come, Freddy." He walked up to him with a hand held out. "You knew I'd be back."

"It just took you a lil' while to do it," Freddy chuckled and firmly shook his hand. "Oh, that won't do. Come on and give this old bear a hug." He looked at Mike over his dad's shoulder. "Seems you just keep on doin' fine things for us, Mike."

"It's fine," he shrugged. "I'm sure that even if I hadn't let him in myself, he'd have found some way to get in here to see you guys."

"Probably, but this is still cool that you did it. Thanks, Mikey," said Bonnie sincerely.

"Aye. Father and son, fine men both," agreed Foxy, wiping his eyes.

"No problem, guys," said Mike modestly. "Happy to do it."

"I know." His dad smiled warmly at him. "Thank you, son."

"Well now, how about we just have a sit down and do a lil' catchin' up?" suggested Freddy. "It has been quite a while and I'm sure Schmidt senior has a lot to tell us."

They all grabbed some seats and gathered at one of the tables. Mike mostly stayed quiet while the synths talked with his dad and caught up. Most of it was standard stuff: how've you been? Where are you living now? What's your job? How's your wife?

Even so, Mike marvelled at just how happy his dad looked. He had seen him with a few friends from work and had very occasionally gone out with them, but he'd never seen him look so overjoyed to be in the company of friends before and they looked just as happy to be with him. It served to remind Mike of their history together and made him feel a little envious of his dad for it.

But he didn't let that get to him. He just smiled along with their in jokes, even if he didn't know what they meant and silently observed. This was his dad's night and he was going to let him enjoy it. But that didn't mean Mike was left out of the discussion completely.

"And despite all that happened, I think both Lizzie and I had our lives really changed when Mike was born," his dad said. "I suppose if there's any good this place did me, it's how to deal with kids."

"Well, it looks like you did a good job of fatherin' your son," praised Freddy. "He's a fine young man, one we're privileged to know."

"Okay, before Mikey's ego gets too inflated, let's bring it back down a notch." Bonnie leaned across the table. "How much do you want for any embarrassing stories of little Mike?"

"Bonnie!" Chica scolded.

"Come on! Don't tell me you're not a little bit curious!"

"Well…" Chica trailed off and didn't add to that.

"Sorry, Bonnie. Not much to tell you there," he shrugged. "Mike was always a quiet kid. Even when he was a baby, he didn't cry much. He could sometimes get pretty excitable when watching some of his favourite movies though…"

"Oh god," Mike groaned. "Dad, please don't…"

"Oh no, no, do go on," said Bonnie, pressing her fingers together. "I'm very interested to know."

"I won't go into too much detail but let's just say it involved the Superman movies, a cape he'd made himself and jumping off the sofa at certain parts."

"Dad!"

"Oh my goodness." Chica tried to stifle her giggles but to no avail. "I'm sorry, but that just sounds so adorable."

"And we used to play video games together too. Like this one game, Final Fantasy V. He absolutely loved one of the characters from that game. Gilgamesh, wasn't it?" he recalled. "And when he'd think I wasn't listening, I would hear things from his room. Sometimes see some things too."

"Dad, come on…"

"'Now we fight like men! And ladies! And ladies who dress like men!'" his dad quoted. "You really did put a lot of heart into those. You even waved your arms around like you were fighting with a sword."

Mike groaned and covered his head to try and cut out the sound of Bonnie's guffawing.

"Oh wow! What a dork! Like, seriously? Wow!"

"And ye said ye had no affinity for the art-a swordsmanship!" chortled Foxy. "Sounds ta me ya had the spirit in ya from a young age."

"I was eight!" cried Mike. "Eight years old! Of course I did stupid stuff!"

"We understand son, calm down," said Freddy. "I can tell you your father did some pretty stupid stuff too and he was twenty when he started working here."

"Hey, I may have been an adult by law but I was always a child at heart," argued his dad.

"Yes, because only a child would do somethin' so fool as to try and wear one of our mascot suit heads, even though I specifically told him they were specially made to work for us only," recalled Freddy.

"In my defence, I just thought you said that because you guys didn't want anyone trying to replace you," he countered. "They looked like normal mascot heads to me."

"Please. We're all irreplaceable, especially me," scoffed Bonnie. "But it was fun watching you twitch like that from the electronic feedback of the facial sensors."

"Darn near broke the thing though. Shorted out the interface," scorned Freddy. "Good thing I always keep spares for everyone in the back."

"Still funny though," sniggered Foxy. "Or how 'bout that time he tried ta get us drinkin'? That was the sad day we found out we can't get drunk."

"We can't, but he sure as heck could." Bonnie's face was the very image of mirth. "Oh boy, that was a fun night, especially when we raided Chica's ingredient stash for the hot sauce and peppers."

"And that's why I keep it well hidden," she murmured, though she was fighting a giggle.

"It's really quite remarkable what an inebriated man will agree to do," murmured Freddy.

"And you didn't try and stop them?" asked Mike.

"At the time, it was one of those nights where I would be more absorbed in my own thoughts in the back room. Also, bein' in charge of a group that caters to children, I don't condone to excessive amounts of alcohol." A ghost of a smirk flickered across his face. "I felt it prudent to make sure your father learned his lesson in a way he'd never forget."

"I was just starting to, until you reminded me," he groaned. "Nothing tasted right for weeks after that and I swear my leg felt funny."

"I think that was from when you tried doing a tap dance on the table with the mop and bucket, using it like a cane and hat. N-Not that I encouraged him to do something like that," added Chica quickly, with a faint blush.

"Aye, Chica had the best one, though he sang a mighty fine sea shanty too," noted Foxy.

"Or twelve." Bonnie clutched her ears and moaned. "I never thought having heightened hearing could be so painful until that night."

"To say nothin' of Aaron's reaction the next mornin'. Slammin' on the doors he was supposed to have unlocked while he's passed out in the security booth with an enormous hangover and Aaron did not lower his voice, I can tell you that," chuckled Freddy.

"Sounds like an interesting night," commented Mike.

"Oh, it didn't stop there. On really rare occasions, he'd still bring in a couple of drinks because he was missing on a night out and this was the compensation," Bonnie told Mike. "Then we'd have some new fun all over again. Made sure that he'd be partially sober at the end of the night in case Aaron decided to fire him for doing it again, but it was so worth it."

"I'm so glad I can give you all such laughter at my painful expense," his dad remarked sarcastically.

"Yeah. Too bad we can never trick Mikey into doing anything like that," pouted Bonnie. "He makes it too hard."

"That's because he's sensible, Bonnie," said Chica.

"I know, but still. Things were definitely a lot more fun when Davey was around," she said fondly. "I'm glad you're back. If only as a source for my amusement."

"Coming from you, Bonnie, that means nothing," chuckled his dad.

"We've really missed you," said Chica sincerely. "It hasn't really felt the same since you left. I know you had to, but…"

"Hey, it's okay. I'm back now," he assured her.

"That ye are!" declared Foxy. "Feels jus' like ol' times again!"

While the others all laughed at Foxy's comment and even though Mike was glad to see them happy, he couldn't really ignore the feeling that was rising in his gut. No matter how much he might like to.

Hey all

Just a heads up here, but two awesome individuals have taken the time to create some pretty good looking fan art of my interpretations of the characters. I'm very flattered that anyone would do this and it just amazes me people consider my writing to be good enough to do that.

Here's the accounts of the individuals in question. By sincerest thanks to them again. If anyone has a DA account, please go check them out, leave them a comment and a favourite. Remember, it costs nothing to give someone a compliment.

ChickenNicker

chaos83

Be strong, be swift, be just

AlphatheGriffin17