A/N: This story is going to be complete soon...school is starting in a little more than a week, and I can't guarantee that I'll get much time to write. I had plenty of other ideas floating around in my head, but I figured that it would be better to end it before I lost my time and inspiration. There will be one chapter left - the epilogue, which (hopefully) will contain a description of Alex's new room. =)

Thanks for everything, guys!

An hour had passed and still there was no sign of Alex. Edward Pleasure was searching everywhere he could think of to find the boy, but he was growing more concerned by the minute.

He had been stunned when Alex fled from the house. Was it something that he had said? He wasn't sure. It was such a peculiar situation, and none of it made any sense.

Edward sighed. On the flight to America, he had thought Alex was getting better, but he had been foolish to think that his problems would simply right themselves; Alex had seen far too much to simply forget it all and move on.

Adults would have struggled to overcome such a past – and Alex was just a child. He needed to find someway to get Alex help. But he was incredibly stubborn – and, anyway, he doubted that MI6 would take kindly to Alex spilling their secrets. But there had to be something he could do…

Edward did have a friend who was studying psychology. If she were willing to help…even if she just visited now and then to help him sort out his feelings…that would certainly be better than nothing.

Suddenly, Edward Pleasure knew what he had to do. It was a long shot, yes, but he had to try. He had to try for Alex.

With shaking hands, he picked up his cell phone and dialed, waiting breathlessly as his call was connected.

"Hello, Mrs. Jones, this is Edward Pleasure…."

…

"Alex!" Sabina cried as he walked through the front door. Her eyes were puffy and her hair was a mess. Mrs. Pleasure looked even worse, and he could feel her tremble as she pulled him into a hug.

"You had us worried sick!" She held him firmly by the shoulders now, looking him up and down. "Are you alright?"

He nodded, immensely uncomfortable and very embarrassed. "I'm…sorry. I don't know what came over me."

She took a few deep breaths, obviously relieved. "Edward has been out searching for you… Sabina, go call your father, please. Let him know that Alex is home."

Mrs. Pleasure placed a hand against his forehead, fussing over him. But all that Alex could focus on was that one word – home. It was a simple word, really. One syllable and four letters. Nothing fancy, nothing eloquent, but its connotation…that's what held its power.

And it gave him a sense of belonging – a sense of security and joy. He was overwhelmed by emotion; but he needed time to sort things out.

Bad experiences can shape one's future, yes, but what is learned during those periods of trial – that is what shapes character. Who he once was – the person he was forced to be – should not determine his future.

It was time for a fresh start.

"I—I think I need to be alone for a while," Alex said quietly, leaving for his room before he heard an answer. Legs heavy and mind clouded, he fell back onto his bed, and before he knew it, he was fast asleep.

…

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The sound of knuckles on hardwood dragged Alex from the depths of sleep. He sat up, groggy.

"Alex? It's Edward."

"Um…, yes, Mr. Pleasure?" He rubbed his eyes, confused.

"Are you alright?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

"Yes, Mr. Pleasure, I'm fine."

There was a long pause, as if Edward were deciding what he wanted to say next – as if it were very important.

"Please, Alex. Let us help you. We all hate seeing you like this; and the worst part is, all of this is completely unnecessary. You have supportive people around you. We want to be a family to you. But…you have to accept us."

Alex was silent, unsure of how to respond, distressed by Edward's desperation. He could hear the man's sigh through the door.

"Goodnight, Alex. Just remember that I'm here…if you decide that you wish to talk." His footsteps grew quieter as he walked away, leaving Alex alone with his thoughts.

It was time that he got a handle on his problems, and stopped trying to fix everything on his own. And it was quite foolish of him to refuse people who already seemed to love him so much.

Alex got out of bed a few minutes later and walked down the stairs, finding Edward sitting alone on the couch, skimming through a book. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes, and then –

"Edward, may I speak with you?"