A/N: Yes, I'm alive...sorry I haven't posted in forever. I haven't really had the inspiration or time. I am going to try to update more often now, though. Yeah. Sorry...but yay! Chapter 14 now! That's exciting...enjoy!

Warning: abuse, implied rape, some cursing

Disclaimer: See previous chapters. Any of them will do.

October, Wednesday 31st, 2012

Jennifer sighed as she pulled her purse over her shoulder. It was the first time in three weeks that Carlos and Ethan would be left home alone since his return home from the hospital. Considering the situation, the principal and teachers had let the boys miss some days during the week to stay at home with Carlos, but with mid-terms coming up and Carlos' condition slightly improving, they had no choice but to stay in school...at least until Thanksgiving break.

The mother reasoned that Carlos wouldn't be totally alone or helpless; he did have Ethan. But Ethan himself was still learning how everything worked. In fact, she was beginning to worry that he was regressing back to how he used to be when he was first found. Everything seemed to be going so smoothly, then he had the breakdown in the hospital. She tried consoling him, but he only ignored her and pushed her even more away. So instead she asked Carlos. For whatever reason, Ethan bonded with him the most out of the five of them. He told her that after having all the sudden flashbacks, Ethan was feeling ashamed and embarrassed. Again, Jennifer tried comforting her oldest son, but the only response she received was Ethan blushing a deep red and hiding away in the bathroom.

She sighed again as Kendall, Logan, James, and Katie bustled out the door; that was her sign to follow and leave for at least a few hours. She went to the couch and kissed Carlos' head who wearily smiled back and hugged her neck. She then went to Ethan and inwardly frowned, seeing him tense up as she approached.

"The emergency numbers are on the fridge, we don't have a whole lot of food but I'm going shopping, and Carlos make sure you take your medicine," she reminded, fishing her keys out of her purse.

"I know, mama," Carlos answered with a small, tired smile.

And with that, Jennifer left. Worry still pressing very heavily on her mind.

But where Jennifer was almost sick with worry, Ethan couldn't be calmer. He and Carlos had come to some unspoken agreement; Carlos would help him remember and understand with the best answer the younger boy could come up with. Basically, if Ethan had a question about pretty much anything, Carlos was there to help. Ethan's end of the deal was to help Carlos with anything he needed, physically. Medicine, helping up stairs, even just keeping him company; that's what Ethan was here for. He felt it was a little unfair; Carlos had more on his side of the agreement than Ethan did. Especially considering that Carlos had already done so much for him even before he got sick. But neither of them had said anything about it so, for now, that was how they spent most of their time.

A couple hours passed of Carlos showing Ethan old pictures and sharing the memories that accompanied them, when a knock came at the door. Ethan's chest immediately tightened and he felt his stomache twist into a thousand knots. He looked down to his hands and felt guilty that he was being such a wuss for not being able to actually open a frickin door.

Carlos smiled at him. "Don't worry, I got this." He pushed himself up from the couch and trudged to the door. He coughed into the crook of his arm, wincing a little, and opened the door. Immediately he felt himslef blushing when he saw no other than Piper standing in front of him.

"Uh P-piper. Hi.." he stumbled over his words.

Piper smiled at him a little. "Hey, Carlos. How have you been?"

"Uh. Psh. I've been better...but I guess I've also been worse. Now I don't know."

The blonde girl giggled and looked down to her black hightops, glancing up at the sickly boy every now and then. "So...I...well..."

Carlos looked at her concerned. He was usually the awkward one that couldn't talk. What was going on?

"I uh..I broke up with Kacey." Piper muttered, her voice cracking a little. Her bright blue eyes were misted over and small tears had started forming.

"You...you what?" Carlos asked surprised, trying not to start jumping up and down and screaming with joy at the top of his lungs.

"Yeah. I got a potential job back in London and he...didn't handle it well. I'm not going to go into details, but yeah. It's over."

"Wait you're going back to London?" Of course, as soon as something good happened, again the world came crashing down.

"Yeah, it's some TV show...I dunno, it's kinda weird, but it's good money and I'd still be able to sing," she said with a shrug.

"Oh...that's...well good for you. I'm-I'm really proud of you, Piper," Carlos felt his heart breaking all over again.

Piper looked up at him, as if half expecting for something to happen. She cleared her throat and nodded, looking back down to her feet. "Yeah...I guess. Well, I leave this Sunday. I'll...see you around." She wrapped her arms around herself and walked down the hall and out of his life.

Carlos sighed and leaned against the doorframe, running a hand through his short hair.

"What are you doing?" Ethan asked.

Carlos jumped, not noticing Ethan joining him at the door. He sighed and looked down, playing with a loose string on the hem of his shirt. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean, Carlos. What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Carlos shrugged. "She got a job back in London, singing on TV...it's what she's wanted."

Ethan crossed his arms and looked at Carlos in disbelief. "And she doesn't want to go."

Carlos didn't answer, he just pursed his lips in thought.

"Carlos. I don't know much about...anything really. But, dude, you are being an idiot if you think she actually wants to go."

Carlos was silent for a few more minutes then nodded once. "You're right."

He staggered out of the room and to the hall, stopping after a feet and putting his hand on the wall to regain his balance and assure he wouldn't completely pass out.

"Piper.." he called out.

The girl in question came from around the corner in front of him and smiled a little. She put her hands on her hips and said, "Took you long enough."

He smiled widely. "You were waiting for me?"

"Yes," she responded, walking to him. "But I wasn't sure you'd come. Lemme just say thank god for your brother."

Carlos chuckled and nodded. "You can say that again."

She smiled and leaned against the wall in front of him, mimicking his stance. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this."

Carlos laughed once. "How long you've been waiting? I think I can honestly say I beat you by a landslide."

Piper smiled. "Oh really?"

"Easy win."

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Carlos asked. "Do you mind if I kiss you now?"

Piper smiled. "Why don't we get you back to 2J first...you look like you're about to pass out."

"That's probably a good idea."

Piper giggled and put an arm under his right arm and helped back inside.

But before they were even inside, Carlos stopped her and gave her a swift peck on the lips. "Sorry," he said, slightly blushing. "I couldn't wait."

Piper smiled, face also tinted pink, and shrugged slightly. "We've both been waiting long enough. Apparently you much longer."

Carlos smiled and sat down on the couch with her.

When Jennifer came back a couple hours later, she found Ethan sitting on the floor, back against the kitchen counter and looking at a photo album, and Carlos and Piper watching a movie together. She smiled. Guess there was nothing to worry about after all...

A/N: Yeah sorry that was pretty short. Like I said, I'll try to be updating more often...sorry for such a long wait and please review! :)