Peter, Tino, and Berwald stay at the police station for another week.

Nothing has been found that could help in finding Peter's mother, so the family is stuck waiting.

Tino and Berwald begin to worry about Peter. When doing the simplest of things, it is obvious that Peter is paranoid. He flinches when a hair falls from his head down to his arm, or when someone enters a room without making any sort of noise. Tino notices that Peter no longer gets lost in thought, he's always making sure he pays attention to his surroundings, always with heavy scrutinization.

Currently, Peter is watching TV, Tino at his side, and Hanatamago in his lap, nudging his hand as he pets her.

Peter glances up at Tino, his face too empty for Tino's liking.

"Daddy?"

Tino tries to smile at Peter, but seeing him so lost isn't easy. "Yes, Peter?"

"She's not going to come here, is she?"

Tino's eyes soften. He wants to tell Peter that his mother wouldn't dare show up again, but that would be a lie, because Tino isn't so sure. He doesn't know the women well enough to know if she would try and find him again.

He wants to lie, but he knows that isn't fair.

"No, Peter, I don't think so. But if she tries, Berwald and I will protect you, okay?"

Peter nods solemnly. "Okay."

Tino frowns, something that is more common as of late. He wants to reassure Peter, but when he is worried as well, and that makes everything worse.

A police officer walks into the room. "Hey, Peter, there's a girl here wanting to see you. Her name is Ella." The man gestures with a thumb to the room behind him.

Peter stands slowly, adjusting his crumpled shirt.

He follows the police officer, toying with one of his nails, frowning at the way it is chipped.

Ella stands in the lobby of the police station, her light pink jacket drawn around her tightly. She smiles softly when she sees Peter.

The officer leaves them alone, and Ella instantly pulls Peter into a hug. Peter allows himself to relax, holding on to her just as she does to him.

Ella pulls away, her hands falling to her side. For once, her hair isn't in a side ponytail, it just pools around her shoulders in loose curls.

"Peter, I heard about what happened... I'm so sorry... I wish there was more I could say... 'Sorry' doesn't really do much, I know."

Peter shakes his head. "Don't worry about it. I'm glad you came. Thank you." He manages a smile.

"I just needed to make sure you were okay..."

"I'm trying to be..."

"Good." Ella's eyes are soft. "I need to get going, I'm sorry I have to go so soon. I just wanted to stop by. I'll try to visit again soon, okay?"

Ella takes a small step forward and plants a kiss on Peter's cheek.

"See you soon," she waves slightly as she turns to leave.

Peter is left standing in stunned silence, his face warm and his hand a bit rubbery when he raises it to wave back.

...

Two days later, Peter finds himself back in the physical therapy room.

Tino learned how to walk perfectly again over a month ago, but he still attends weekly sessions to make sure he keeps his muscles in check, so he doesn't become weak again.

Peter nibbles on one of his nails, when he feels someone poke his shoulder. Emil smiles softly at him from the seat beside him.

"Do you wanna go for a walk? You look like you could get some fresh air."

Peter let Berwald know, and walked outside with Emil. Berwald gave the okay under the condition that Emil would watch Peter carefully.

The pair headed out towards the garden, on the path that was surrounded by flowery bushes. Sun dappled the path, creating little dancing spots that could pass for fairies in the eyes of a child.

"You seem kinda upset Peter, is everything okay?"

Peter hums, toying with his finger. "Not particularly..."

"Do you mind telling me what's wrong?"

"I guess not..." Peter says, keeping his eyes trained on the sidewalk. "It's about my mother... She was abusive. I was rescued from that home and put up for adoption, and that's when I started living with Tino and Berwald. About a week ago, however, my mother showed up at our house... That means she's here... She wants to hurt me again..!"

Peter can feel his breath picking up. He coughs, and his head begins to pound. He slows down, not able to walk very well, his steps wobbly.

Emil glances down at him and springs into action immediately. He takes Peter by the shoulders, making sure not to grip him too tightly, and leads him to the nearest bench. Peter's breath is coming in choppy heaves, and Emil can tell he is about to begin hyperventilating.

Emil rubs Peter's back softly, making large, even circles with the palm of his hand. Peter squeezes his eyes shut, soft whimpers coming out of his mouth.

"Shhh, Peter, it's okay," Emil murmurs. "Can you hear me?"

Peter manages a small nod.

"Alright, good, that's good. You're doing okay, Peter, don't worry. You're safe, I promise."

Tears begin to roll down Peter's cheeks, escaping his shut eyes. One sob flies from his lips, and he coughs a few times, his chest shaky as he takes in uneven breaths.

"I'm right here, Peter. I won't hurt you, your mom won't hurt you. I promise, everything will be okay." Emil speaks softly, making sure his voice is even and relaxed. "Can you try taking a deep breath for me? In, and then out, okay?"

Peter sucks in a huge breath, still unable to control his breathing entirely. He let's it out, but it comes out quickly and shakily.

"Okay, good, one more time."

This time he manages to keep his breathing in control. He takes one breath in, and lets one out. His tears stop forming.

"Keep taking breaths, okay Peter? You're doing great, good job!"

Peter slowly gets a handle on his breathing. He still shudders every once and a while, but he has stopped hyperventilating.

Peter sits in silence for a few minutes, until he can finally breath normally again.

He glances up at Emil.

"Thank you... I'm sorry... I just... It's hard to remember her and talk about her sometimes..."

Emil silences Peter with a shake of his head. "Don't worry, it's my fault for asking. You don't need to apologize."

"No, I guess not... But thank you, you really helped..."

"No problem, Peter..." Emil says. Emil looks down at Peter, frowning a bit. "Hey, Peter?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever been diagnosed with any kind of anxiety?"

It's Peter's turn to frown. "No. I never really went to the doctor before I got adopted, and since then I've only gone for checkups and shots. Why do you ask?"

"The thing that just happened, it seemed like an anxiety attack."

"How would you know?" Peter asks, curiously.

"Because I have anxiety, too." Emil says quietly.

"You do?"

Emil nods. "Social anxiety disorder. I usually don't have attacks like that, but I have had them before. Mine are triggered when there are too many people too close to me, or when everyone is focused on me..."

"Wow... I have had those before. Is that really it?"

"It's very possible. There are different types, different things can trigger panic attacks like that."

"I'll talk to my parents about it." Peter says. Emil notices that he is drowsy now, his eyes barely able to stay open.

"Let's go back, okay? If you need to lean on me, go ahead."

Peter nods sleepily. He pulls himself off the bench, and he walks sluggishly along the path, next to Emil. There are a few times that he accidentally leans heavily on Emil while they walk, but he tries his best to stay upright.

Before they go in the side door that leads to the hospital hallway, Peter steps away and turns towards Emil. He is more awake now, having a clear idea of what he wants to say.

"Emil, I just wanted to thank you. You've been a great friend, I don't know what I'd do without someone like you to help me..."

"It's no problem at all Peter. I know what you mean, it's not fun to be alone... And we won't let each other be, right?" Emil says with a soft smile.

"Never!" Peter agrees.

A/N: Finally! This is long overdue, I know, and I'm sorry for that. For the first month or so, I just couldn't write anything, because I wanted to rework the chapter outlines and everything was messy, so I just don't write. Once everything was fixed and workable, I managed to write bit by bit, and I just now finished it.

I'll try to get chapters out sooner from now on. Winter break starts this weekend, so I'll have more time to write!

Thanks for sticking with this story, you guys! You're all awesome!

-KayDubs