Disclaimer: I don't own The Mysterious Benedict Society. How sad for me... T_T

Chapter 8 (Reynie's POV)

I lost track of all time that day. Late morning turned into afternoon before I had even noticed. I can't say I too much wanted to notice though. Because across the sun drenched room were two blue eyes absolutely intent on me. Intent on the real me. The person I had so expertly kept hidden for such a long time now. And those eyes were as brilliantly bright, and intensely burning, as I first remembered them. But most of all...they were simply beautiful.

A part of me wondered if anyone had ever told her that. Or if her days before we met had been as lonely as mine were. It was a thought that stirred something inside of me. It was a new sense of selflessness. A greater one. I had never truly stopped to think of the burden she might be carrying underneath her carefree smile. And as surely as I had opened a part of my heart, I now wanted desperately to know more fully about her own feelings.

As thoughts of that sort gathered more and more inside of me I gently faded my reading voice. Startled by the sudden silence she perked up and frowned slightly. As I looked up our eyes met. "Hey why'd you stop...?" Then a slight grin cracked on her face. "It was getting really good."

I couldn't help but smile back, I was so worried she wouldn't like it at all. "I'll finish it." I answered as I sat the open book on a side table. "But I wanted to ask you something first."

She sat back in the chair a little deeper as she stretched out her legs and crossed them at the ankle. "Sure, ask away."

I hesitated for a moment as the awkwardness inside me battled against my sincerity. But in the end my heart won out, and the words came out in a sudden and simple stream. "Were you lonely back then...?" It was plain to see that those hadn't been the words she was expecting. She shut her eyes and then opened them along with a slight sigh. "You mean at my orphanage right...?"

I nodded and waited for her to go on.

She turned her eyes toward the floor as a frown filled her face. The silence lingered between us to the point that I began to wonder if I should have asked. But just then she looked up at me again and met my eyes. The look was both soft and firm, as if she was trying to hold herself emotionally upright, while still being truthful.

Then sighing again she looked away as she ran a few fingers through the blond locks hanging against her forehead. "In a word...yeah." She bit down on her lip slightly as she closed her eyes for a moment. "The thing is Reynie...well I'm not really as brave as I act half the time."

Then regaining a little of her cheerfulness back she pointed a finger at me playfully. "But that's just between you and me Detective. Got it?" I nodded as the smile grew to each corner of my face. "Got it." "Good." She said as she sunk a little farther into the old chair and a blush crept across her already rosy cheeks. "After all I wouldn't want this to get back to Connie, I mean she's already picked enough embarrassment from my head as it is."

I felt a small laugh build in my throat as I stood and slowly walked over to her. Kneeling beside her chair I gave Seymore's head a small pat, before I stood again and extended my hand for her. "We're so late, everyone will be worried." Kate frowned as her eyes went wider. "Good grief you're right! But wait...how does the story end?"

I smiled as she reached to accept my hand. "Well I'm planning to ask Mr. Remington to include that book as part of my payment. He's a kind man, I'm almost certain he'll agree." "Good," Kate began as she gently scooted Seymore aside and stood. "I want it on my bookshelf right next to that album Milligan is always filling up."

Intertwining our fingers Kate playfully swung ours hands between us as we walked to the door. Then looking at me she whispered. "Secretly...I'm getting sentimental to boot."

The sounds were louder out in the hallway now, and we passed quite a few hungry children on their way to get lunch. A few sniggered at us holding hands, and a few others didn't seem to notice us at all. It was almost funny that after so many years I received the same reaction I had as a child; laughter or avoidance. But unlike then, it didn't in any way take away the smile clearly seen on my face.

No, I was truly happy both inside and out...

As we left through the front gate we spotted Mr. Benedict's station wagon parked across the street where we had figured on meeting. Inside he seemed to be having a lively conversation with Amma, while Constance was grimacing impatiently in the back seat. I had a pretty good idea that Kate and I would be met with a mental probe as soon as she caught sight of us. But even the thought of all the playful grumbling, and teasing that I knew would follow, didn't discourage me. In fact it made my smile widen.

Even with all our many differences and flaws, we were family.

All of us.

And as long as I was privileged to be loved by so many wonderful people...well how could I ever feel anything other than wonderful myself?

Thanks for reading, and feel free to review! And stick around for more coming soon.