Hey guys! Just in case you were wondering...Vegas was great. x . x Meanwhile, I still have a trip to Houston and New Mexico in the next week...so it might be a bit till you guys see chapter 7. Hope you guys enjoy it. As always, thanks to my beta SamayouTamashi.

It had been two months since I had visited Brookland to pick up Cassie. Though I had sworn not to return, here I was, faced with the inevitable homecoming. I couldn't really complain though. It was my fault that I was in this predicament in the first place.

I was called on by MI6 to go to Egypt in order to anonymously assist in overthrowing the government. After the initial unrest, a back-up team had been called in to help me clean up. Back-up had consisted of SAS's very own Snake. Towards the end of the mission, he had been posing as a camera man to a reporter who was then trampled by the mob. Bullets were flying. As I was rushed in the other direction by the flow of the crowd, Josh had been clipped by airborne bullets twice and then crushed by the stampede. I worked my way back to his prone form and felt for a pulse. Finding one, I picked him up in a fireman's hold and took him back to our safe house.

Three days later we were back in the UK and Josh had been taken to St. Dominic's for immediate medical attention.

With her father out of commission and the mother being completely out of the picture, I had charged myself with informing Cassandra about her father's current location and health status. Which brings me to the present…leaning against my car, staring at the large brick building in front of me through my shaded sunglasses. I heaved a sigh, straightened up, and headed towards the visitor's entrance.

"I'm here to pick up Cassandra McMan."

Miss Bedfordshire looked up at the sound of my voice. "Another doctor's appointment? I don't think I got a phone call from her dad." She started shuffling through the papers on her desk.

I interrupted before she could got too frazzled, "Actually ma'am, I'm here because her father is in hospital. As he's incapacitated, and her mom is out of the country, I am the only person who knows that her father won't be home tonight."

I really didn't know what the protocol would be in this situation. I wasn't Cassie's emergency contact. I wasn't even on the list of approved adults capable of picking her up. Miss Bedfordshire had no way of validating what I was saying. I stared at her while she formulated an idea in her head.

"Okay, Mr. Rider. I will allow you to go get Cassie for today, but if she's going to be gone tomorrow, the hospital needs to have an administrator call and inform me, personally, that Mr. McMan is unconscious…and if he regains consciousness, he needs to call me."

I nodded briskly. "Got it. Will you be able to call for her, or will I need to go get her from class?"

"If you don't mind, I'll send you to do it. She's in Mr. Grizzle's chemistry class. Room 115. Need a map?"

I pursed my lips. "Nope. I think I can manage to find it on my own. Thanks Miss Bedfordshire."

I turned on my heel and walked out of the office. Of course Cassie was in chemistry. I could already feel the eyes of Mr. Grizzle piercing me. I growled under my breath and straightened up. I was a big boy-and I could handle the questions. After all, I had been for seven years. I reached the door and raised my hand, knocking calmly three times.

"Enter," I hear from behind the closed door. Squaring my shoulders, I grabbed the door knob and twisted, pushing the door open. I stuck my head in and said shortly, "Hello Mr. Grizzle. May I borrow Cassie please?"

I watched Cassie raise her eyebrow at me as her head whipped around to look at her teacher expectantly.

"Rider. Did you visit the school secretary? Or did you just walk in?"

"I discussed pulling Cassie out of class with Miss Bedfordshire, if that's what you're asking." I tilted my head to the side and stared him down. As his eyes bore into me, I looked past him and noticed Cass rolling her eyes to the ceiling.

"So can I go, Mr. Grizzle?"

He shook his head, startled. He blinked and turned his head. "Sure you can," his eyes met mine again, "any idea when she'll be back?"

"It actually depends on when Cassie wants to come back. Could be tomorrow, could be in a few days." I looked at her and cocked my head. Nodding, she picked up her book bag.

I wondered how I was going to tell her that her father was in hospital. I took a deep breath, holding the door open for her. She ducked under my arm and I let it fall to my side. I turned around to follow her, but felt the air shift by my ear instead. I braced myself, pressing down the urge to respond, as Grizzle put his hand on my shoulder. He let the door shut behind him and I immediately heard murmurs start up from inside the room.

"I'd love the opportunity to talk to you when I don't have a classroom full of children listening in."

"Unfortunately, I am on my way out. Cassie and I have somewhere to be at the moment. Maybe some other time would be more convenient for the both of us?"

"Yes, I appreciate that," he countered. "Could I possibly have your cellular number?"

I stared at him. "I am actually between phones currently." I resisted the urge to grin at the opportune, yet true, excuse. My cell phone had fallen out of my pocket as I had kneeled down to pick up Snake. It was quickly then crushed under stampeding feet. Oh darn. Hmm, you know, it's probably a bad sign when your inner voice starts speaking fluently in sarcasm.

"How does this sound; I will be in contact with you when I purchase a new phone." With that, I turned around to the waiting Cassie and ushered her away from Grizzle. I could feel his eyes on my back. Finally, a rustle of clothes indicated he had turned around to head back into the classroom. My tense shoulders loosened, I fell into step beside Cassie.

We walked towards the front door together, an uneasy silence between us.

"So, why am I being pulled out of school? Something happen to dad?"

"You know, it's nice to know that someone in this school cares enough about your well-being to question each person that comes to pick you up."

She glared at me from underneath her eyelashes. I sighed.

"Your dad is going to be fine. He's back in the country. But unfortunately, he is in hospital…quite unconscious. It's nothing serious. We're just waiting for him to wake up at this point. I simply wanted to let you know where he was and take you to visit him."

Cassie sucked in a deep breath.

"Yeah, I know. It's tough, kiddo. Ready to go?"

A true sign of how rattled Cassie was; she didn't call me on calling her kiddo.

Cassie let in another deep breath. As she let it out, she popped her neck on both sides and said, "Let's go."

Sooo...it's only a MINOR cliff hanger. I wouldn't leave you guys hanging TOO bad. O:)

Thoughts? Only got 6 reviews for the last chapter. Slightly depressing, but I'm sure I'll work my way through the pain.

Catch you guys on the flipside!

~Moldy