Seth woke up to the door being jingled. He rubbed his eyes to see Jeff standing in the doorway with a bag. "Here take a shower, brush your teeth, and change. Be downstairs in twenty minutes." Seth nodded and yawned. It had been a long time since he had slept in a bed let alone one that soft. He sighed and picked up the bag and walked into the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later Seth emerged eerily happy. He hadn't taken a shower in almost three days. He walked into the kitchen and saw Jeff and the little girl from last night sitting at the table eating bacon and eggs. Upon seeing him Jeff pulled out a chair and handed him a plate. Seth wasted no time eating as much as he could. He noticed Cori and Jeff stifling laughter and he slowed his pace. Jeff smiled and sipped his coffee. "Quic, go and grab your bags, it's almost time to leave." Cori pouted.

"Can't I stay one more night?" Jeff sighed, he knew that he was her solace. He wrapped his arms around her small frame.

"Come on, your parents miss you, you've been here for almost a month already. You know I'll come and visit. Besides you start school in two weeks." Cori sighed but wrapped her arms Jeff. Seth felt totally awkward sitting there watching them interact. He had never felt that kind of love and it was weird to have it happening up close. He sighed as Jeff kissed Cori on the head as she ran up to her room. Jeff turned and looked at Seth. "Put your plate in the sink and head out front, we'll be down in a minute." Seth nodded and headed out the front. He knew that this was just a temporary thing, in thirteen days he would be right back where he started cowering in a corner and being subjected to torture of all forms. He took a seat on the front steps and waited for Jeff and Cori. He turned around quickly to see the little girl struggling with her bags. Before he knew what he was doing he grabbed them out of her hands and carried them to the car. Cori smiled at him.

"Thanks." Seth smiled.

"No problem. I'm Seth."

"Cori." They stood there awkwardly smiling. Finally Jeff walked out of the house.

"Quic, I told you to wait I would carry your bags to the car." Cori shrugged.

"It's ok, Seth helped me." Jeff looked at the boy who quickly put his head down.

"Alright then let's get you to the airport." They all got into the car. Seth zoned out the whole way to the airport. He didn't want to intrude in on their conversation. He hated to admit it but he really wanted someone to take an interest in him the way Jeff did Cori. They talked about everything, it was clear that they had a special bond. Seth felt tears welling in his eyes but quickly pushed them back, men didn't cry.

Once they arrived at the airport, Jeff grabbed Cori's hand as the traffic was moving rapidly. "Don't let go of my hand," he said sternly. Cori nodded. Seth followed slowly behind, he was taken drastically surprised as Jeff placed his hand firmly on his neck. Seth wasn't sure if he was trying to protect him like Cori or if he thought that he would run. He sighed and just let his body be guided by Jeff's large hand. Seth felt his heart twinge as they entered the area to check in. He'd never seen this many people in one place before. Jeff let go of his neck when he checked Cori into the unaccompanied minors area. He stood awkwardly back as the young girl held Jeff for dear life with tears streaming down her face. Jeff knelt down and held onto her tightly. "Ssh," he said soothingly. Slowly Coris's tears stopped and they bid her farewell. Jeff grunted before turning back to Seth. "Let's go." Seth nodded noticing his demeanor change. The whole ride back to Jeff's house he didn't say anything. It seemed that they both needed to be alone with their thoughts. About an hour later they pulled into Jeff's yard. He motioned for Seth to follow him. "Stay there." Seth watched him leave and return with a shovel. Seth groaned.

Three hours later, Seth was wearing just his jeans and was sweating buckets. So far Jeff had him chopping wood, cleaning out weeds, and moving old bales of hay. Seth knew that stealing was wrong, but this was ridiculous. He had never worked so hard in all his life, his hands were burning, and so was every muscle in his body. With anger filling his being he finally got fed up and threw the shovel down. Jeff glared at him. "Pick that back up and finish," he said sternly. Seth shook his head.

"I'm not your slave. I told you I was sorry, this is too much." Jeff was quickly on his feet and towering over the boy. Seth noticeably lost his defiance as Jeff stood over him. Without another word, he bent down and picked up the shovel going back to clearing the land. Jeff sat back down on the stump he was previously resting on. He watched the little boy work obviously frustrated. Jeff sighed, he didn't want the kid to die. He wasn't used to being an authority figure, he was always the fun one. Occasionally he would use his stern voice with Jessie or Cori but that didn't happen more than once a blue moon. Seth wrenched away from the shovel and winced. Jeff rolled his eyes, he had a splinter.

"I told you to use the gloves." Seth glared at him and continued to cradle his hand. Jeff grabbed his hand and inspected it. "It's not that bad." He pulled out his knife that his father had given him and quickly removed the splinter. Seth marveled at the long blade and its intricate designs. Jeff smiled at him. "You like it?" Seth nodded.

"Yeah," Jeff frowned "I mean yes sir." Jeff nodded and put his hand on the back of Seth's neck. "Go get cleaned up while I get dinner ready." Seth nodded and practically ran into the house. He was glad not to be working anymore. The shower felt amazing on his skin and aching body. He put on a pair of shorts that Jeff had given him and went downstairs. He saw Jeff sitting on the couch and sat on the floor on the opposite side of the room. Jeff sighed, the kid thought Jeff hated him.

"Seth get off the floor." Seth shook his head.

"I-I'm fine here on the floor." Jeff rolled his eyes.

"You can't see the TV from the floor. Now get over here or ill carry you." Seth sighed and slowly walked towards Jeff and sat down on the couch. Jeff was right, he could see way better up here. They watched TV for a while until the doorbell rang. Seth's eyes grew large, Jeff noticed and sighed. "Relax Kid, it's just the pizza man." Seth exhaled and nodded. It seemed that Jeff wasn't as bad as he thought. Jeff brought the pizza into the living room along with two plates. "Dig in Little Man." Seth nodded. Little Man? Is that a nickname? Seth sighed and continued to eat in total confusion. Jeff watched the little boy who seemed to be so sad. He groaned, he hated playing bad cop. He really wanted to get to know this kid, but he needed him to respect him. He decided that tomorrow he would try something different.

About two hours later Jeff saw Seth on the couch drooling. He shook his head, the kid was exhausted. He grabbed the small boy and carried him upstairs. He gently laid him on the bed and walked out. Seth stirred. Jeff pushed him back down, "Go to sleep you're tired." Seth shook his head.

"I don't want to be locked in here and have to use the bathroom." Jeff sighed.

"I'm not locking you in, you can use the bathroom anytime you want." Seth frowned.

"You did last night." Jeff ran his hand through his hair, he was hoping he didn't notice.

"Look Seth I'm sorry. I had Cori here and I have to ensure her safety." Seth frowned, he wouldn't hurt Cori she was nice, but he did understand he was a thief why should Jeff trust him? He lay back down.

"Goodnight sir." Jeff smiled.

"Night Kid."

What you guys think of it so far?