A/N:

To 'frumouttamimind', yes I did take your advice of Flynn's reaction and I'm so sorry I forgot to mention it in the last chapter! Now the world shall know XD Thank you!

I'd like to say that the rest of the day turned out okay, but that would be a lie. And it was hard enough accepting that I'd pretty much been lying to my siblings for most of their lives, even if it was unintentional. Poppy was pretty accepting to the whole thing, maybe her young mind was just focusing on the 'wonder' of it all instead of picking up the unnatural undertones. Cartoons were real, and in the house, it was every six-year-olds dream really, so she was pretty forgiving, if cautious. It was like she wanted to get closer to them, but wasn't sure she wanted to know what happened if she did. Curious, yet anxious.

Flynn however, didn't leave his room and when I tried to talk to him, I'd found that he's barricaded the door and the only words that reached me were 'go' and 'away'. The guilt was overwhelming. I could see his logic in blaming the toons. But, it still wasn't fair. True, because no one would believe me I did get bullied and was recommended for therapy, but that still wasn't really their fault. It was because people didn't believe me that got me in that spot. As for our parents, the toons never even knew our parents or grandparents, so there was no blame there either. In a peace making attempt, Wakko had snaked under the door, only to get harshly thrown out seconds later. He narrowed his eyes and reached into the neck of his sweater and pulled out a mallet, holding it over his head and creeping back towards the door. I yanked it from his grasp with a disapproving look, to which he shrugged sheepishly and rejoined his siblings. It was best to let Flynn be angry for now and then talk to him when he was calmer.

Right now, it was getting late, so I figured it was best to start getting Poppy ready for bed. Flynn hadn't come down at all, even missing out of dinner. He never missed dinner! Although, his plate didn't last long thanks to Wakko. Not just the food on the plate, I mean the actual plate too. I'd have to go shopping again for more food; that is if they planned on staying with us. That's a thought, were they going to stay? I was about to ask, when I was distracted by their form of entertainment. Yakko had stretched his brothers' tail across the room and was swinging it around, Dot and Poppy skipping over it like a jump-rope.

"One, two, three, four, Flynn had locked us out the door!" Yakko sang in an army march tune as they jumped, "Five, six, seven, eight, we're not tired let's stay up late!"

"Sound off!" Poppy announced.

"One, two, three, four, one two… three four!" the Warner's sang, ending with Yakko snapping his brothers tail back into place.

I chuckled and once again felt relief at their getting along. It must be nice being six, not having to question anything as long as it was fun. How I envied that.

"You stayed up late last night, remember?" I said scooping her up and tickling her, "And you've had a big day."

She shrieked with laughter before forming her lips into a pout, "But I'm not…" she yawned loudly, "…tired."

"Very convincing." Yakko said dryly.

She poked her tongue out at him playfully, which all three Warner's joined in. This soon evolved into a full out war as to who could pull the funniest face. Poppy lost when she carried out another yawn.

"No fair," Dot insisted, "No pulling the same face twice!"

"Rematch!" Wakko announced.

I sighed and looked at the eldest pleadingly. He rolled his eyes and leapt up onto the sofa, all of a sudden wearing a black cap with a black-and-white striped referee shirt, a whistle around his neck. He pulled out a microphone and threw out an arm for dramatic effect.

"Ladies and Gentle-Warners'! A rematch has been demanded and so shall it be!" he announced into the microphone, "Reintroducing: Wakko, Dot, Poppy and Yakko, that's me for those who can't keep up; Tomorrow at breakfast the match shall begin! Tonight we sleep challengers, tomorrow one shall eat victorious!"

Wakko and Dot stood perfectly straight and gave a salute. Poppy, still in my arms shrugged and also placed her hand by her head to mimic them. She looked at me with her childish curiosity.

"Are they sleeping over?" she asked, at my nod she smiled but still looked confused, "Does that make them pets, because they don't act like pets?"

"Hey, we're not pets!" Dot argued.

Yakko flashed a grin, "The preferred term is animalistic housemates."

"But you're still staying?" she pressed.

The Warner's looked at me expectantly. What was I supposed to say to that? I didn't know the answer and clearly neither did they. So, I did what any sister would do in that situation, I danced around it.

"They're staying the night." I clarified, "Speaking of which, bedtime."

She tried to protest more, but she had practically fallen asleep by the time I'd put her pyjamas on. I tucked her in and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead, within seconds she was asleep. I was about to go into my room, but hesitated outside my parents bedroom door. The door was open ajar and I peeked inside. Dot was clambering under the sheets next to her brother, who instead of his usual backwards cap was wearing a red nightcap. Yakko was tucking them in and muttering something that I couldn't really make out, just a few words here and there. But by the sound of it, and the way the younger Warner's contributed every now and again, it seemed like a bedtime story. I had to smile, I'd been through this very routine practically every night, it was good to see someone else do it too. It looks like I've been doing one thing right after all.

There was no sound from inside Flynn's room, so I leant against it and eased it open. It wasn't easy though, he's managed to drag his entire chest of draws across the room to barricade the door. Finally, there was just enough room to squeeze myself through. Flynn lay on his stomach, still in his day clothes and fast asleep. I sighed and took another look at the bump on his forehead which thankfully had shrunk a little. I shifted him over slightly so that I could pull the blankets over him, silently apologising and wishing he'd understand. But there wasn't much else I could do; just wait and hope that tomorrow would go smoother. I left him and pushed myself back out of the room, my foot catching on a discarded shirt and landing flat on my front in the corridor.

"Nice trip, kiddo?"

My eyes snapped upwards to see Yakko looking down at me. I got up and brushed myself off, "Fantastic."

"And how's the slugger doing?" he asked with pretence consideration but not quite sarcasm as he peered past me towards the bedroom.

"Asleep." I sighed and ran my hands nervously through my hair, "I'm sorry about him, he's had a rough time."

"I had no idea." He said dryly, tapping his forehead to indicate Flynn's bruise, "And he blames us because…? Uuuuhhhh-I think I'd remember getting in a fight with him."

"He doesn't blame you guys for the fight. It's just…" I swallowed anxiously, "Forget about it, there's no point getting into it."

"Can't your parents give him the ol' time out?" he paused and scanned the area as if he'd missed something, "Say, I haven't seen any adults around here. Were you trying to join them on a trip or something?" he indicated my fall with a cocky smile.

I took a breath and walked past him, not making eye-contact as I went into my room. There was no way he could have known the pang of hurt he'd caused with that question, so I didn't blame him for it. But, it still made me just want to curl up in bed and hide away. However, I jumped as I saw that Yakko was awaiting me inside. He sat on the window ledge crossed legged with his elbows on his knees, head rested in his hands.

"One thing I like about you, kiddo, is that you actually think we're not going to question you." He arched his brow expectantly, "If we're getting blamed for something, we have a right to know."

"Flynn didn't mean to blame you…" My arms folded out of stubbornness, "Since when do you think logically?"

He pointed at me with a look of determination, "I'll have you know I'm the brains of the outfit! Dot's the heart and Wakko's a toss up between the spleen and the pancreas…"

"I figured he'd be more the stomach."

"You've got me there, kiddo." He scratched his head in thought before shaking himself, "But back to the blame game…"

"I don't want to play it."

He tossed me the whistle from earlier, "Be the referee then." He grinned, "I can keep this up all night you know. So, what's it gonna be?"

That was a very good point. I was tired and not really in the mood for this, but out of the three siblings, he definitely was the chatterbox of the group. It suddenly hit me why his name suited him so well. He could talk himself in and out of anything. So in the long run, I was fighting a losing battle. I warned him that he was going to regret asking, but he insisted. And so, I told him. I explained how no one would believe me when I mentioned him and his siblings from all those years ago, my long lasting therapy and my parents. Mom dying and dad leaving, the grandparents that couldn't handle us, and my fight to keep the three of us together. Finally, I mentioned how Flynn wanted to blame them, but explained how he was wrong. I was to the point and made it simple, I'd been through the descriptive and analytical mess with loads of doctors, there was no need to be like that with him or any of the others. When I finished, I suddenly noticed that Yakko was adjusting a pair of glasses and scribbling on a notepad, nodding in understanding and muttering an occasional 'uh-huh' every now and again.

"And how do you feel about that?" he asked with a wink to let me know he was joking; when wasn't he?

"I feel that you're running out of material, you did the psychiatrist gag yesterday." I retorted.

"Hey, I can't help it if you need the extra therapy." He removed the glasses in thought, "Too soon?"

"Nah, it's better to joke about it really." I chuckled as a thought suddenly came to me, "My therapy is kinda like that guard being paid to keep you guys locked up… money well spent."

He sniggered. In truth, telling him about my family hadn't made me feel any different; after all I'd done it a hundred times before with my doctor. But what did make me feel different, well, what made me feel better, was laughing about it now that they had all been proven wrong. Okay, I'll admit it, I believed in the toons now. And not only because of the deal earlier, it was because of the reactions my siblings had. No one could conjure up reactions like that. And it was good to know I was sane, not to mention I was kind of had a sense of satisfaction knowing that I was right all along. Sure it was a little egotistical, but I think I had a right to be.

"Sorry, I've been talking for a while… I warned you that you'd regret asking. You must be tired."

"And you must be going on vacation." He retorted, leaning forward to pick at something above my cheeks, returning to his seat holding two miniature suitcases, I laughed dryly. There were bags under my eyes, I got it. He tossed them aside, "What? Are you too cheap to pay the luggage fee?"

"Goodnight Yakko." I chuckled.

He got to his feet and hopped off the ledge, giving me a farewell wave. However, just as he was about to vanish out of the door, I suddenly came out with a question what I hadn't planned on asking.

"Hey Yakko… Wh-what happened to your parents?"

For a moment, he hesitated and rooted to the spot, "Our parents…" he turned his head to look at me solemnly, "Well kiddo, we're toons so…" the atmosphere was suddenly broken by one of his winning smirks, "They must be pencils, maybe they're in Pennsylvania!"

I scowled at him as he vanished, closing the door behind him. You know what, he may be older than me by who knows how many years technically but he's still such a child! Brushing it aside, I changed into my nightclothes and climbed into bed, trying to settle down. I wasn't completely sure if Yakko had actually been taking much notice while I explained the families 'situation', after all, it had been a lot to take in despite my bluntness. But, I still appreciated that he'd stayed there and at least given me someone to talk to, jokes and all. I just hoped that Flynn would come around in the same way. It had taken me a while to get used to the idea; maybe he was just stubborn like me. Oh come on, I knew he was stubborn like me! Well, we'll see in the morning…

It wasn't exactly a peaceful awakening that morning. More like a sudden start and flipping right out of bed from the sound of metal clanging together and a series of giggles and laughter. I groaned and looked at my watch. To be fair, it was gone ten, so it wasn't as if it was too early, but it would be nice to wake up more gently. Reluctantly, I went about my usual routine of dressing and such before heading downstairs to investigate. Flynn's bedroom was still closed. I assumed that he'd replaced the chest of draws. Well, this was off to a good start….

In the kitchen however it was a different story. Yakko was manning the oven, holding a frying-pan and pouring a batter mixture into it and flipping it over every now and again. He attached a blindfold over his eyes and gripped the handle.

"Incoming!" he announced.

"Ready for impact!" Dot replied.

Across the room, Wakko stood with Poppy on his shoulders, a plate balanced on her head. I watched in intrigue, wondering where they were going with this. Dot was standing by the table, tapping two plates quickly with a knife and fork to make a drum roll sound effect. Yakko, with his back facing them, flicked the frying pan upwards, sending its contents flying over his head and into the air behind him. Wakko swayed from side to side while Poppy bit her lip in concentration as she tried to keep the plate steady. There was a clang as the drum roll reached its climax and a splat as the food missed its target and was inhaled inside the youngest Warner brother's mouth. He licked his lips hungrily. Poppy sighed and leant forward over his cap to look at him from upside down.

"That's the fifth time!" she giggled.

He smiled sheepishly, "I was hungry!"

Dot caught sight of me and tossed me a dish which I just managed to catch, "Morning! Your turn!"

"Uh… okay… what're we doing?" I asked nervously as Yakko adjusted his blindfold and prepared another food take-off.

He flung it over his shoulder and I darted the plate upwards to defend myself. Whatever it was, it landed perfectly in the centre.

"We're making pancakes!" Poppy answered, holding her dish a little higher so that Wakko wouldn't catch her next one.

"Fair enough, from upstairs it sounded like a herd of elephants were clanging around down here."

"Nah, they didn't like pancakes and left." Yakko replied matter-of-factly, managing to face me even without sight.

I started to laugh, thinking it was a joke, but then I noticed Poppy looking mischievous and placing her finger to her lips to shush him. Okay… what exactly was going on while I was asleep? I was about to ask when there was a knock at the door. For a moment, I was going to prepare myself for battle, as I did when the phone went, but no one moved. Hmmm, maybe it was just the phone they went nuts over. They looked at me expectantly, to which I made them promise to stay put. Just as I went to open the door, Flynn was suddenly leaning against it.

"Don't answer it!" he begged.

"Why not?"

He looked pleadingly at me, "Just don't! It's Scott's parents; they said that they wanted to speak to you about the other night…"

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" I moaned, running my hands through my hair.

"I think we both got a little preoccupied." He snapped, nodding over my shoulder towards the kitchen.

Another knock, "Go in the kitchen, I'll handle this."

I gave him one of my perfected firm 'I'm not messing around' looks as he was about to argue. He huffed and pushed past me. Oh, I was looking forward to this. Let's see exactly what the parents of that little sprog had to say for themselves. I took a cautious peak over my shoulder to make sure that my charges were out of sight. Flynn was just visible at the dining table while the Warner's and Poppy had continued their game in the kitchen out of sight. Right, here we go!

I opened the door with the best look of politeness I could manage and was suddenly taken back by the figure. It was a guy around my age with sandy blond hair and shaded brown eyes. He was quite strongly built and not that bad looking in all fairness. But that's not why I was taken back. It was because I knew this person and the last time we saw each other was in 7th grade, just after my mom died. He'd been laughing at me and saying that it wasn't an accident. Instantly I felt hatred for him and had to stop myself from swinging for him. Although, he seemed just as shocked to see me.

"Talia?" he blinked.

I nodded curtly, "Mackenzie."

His eyes traced me, creep, "Whoa, I haven't seen you since -"

"Did you want something? I'm a bit busy."

"Oh, uh, well I must have the wrong house." He babbled, "I'm looking for Flynn Nolan's house."

What the hell? "You've found it. And why are you looking for my brother?"

He blinked, "Your… Oh well, I'm in the right place then!"

I smiled sarcastically, "Would you like your gold star now or when you go home?"

"Uh… my mom sent me here, she wanted to sort things out about the fight our brothers had the other night."

"Scott's your brother?" I asked, oh this was perfect, "Well, you've taught him well, you must be proud!"

He looked confused, "I'm sorry?"

"Apology not accepted." I sighed in pretence pity, "Tell your brother that if he comes near Flynn again I'll be taking it up with the school; and tell your mother that if she's too embarrassed of her sons being thugs to show her face to me; then maybe she should get their acts together before she has to take them out of the house on Monday."

Mackenzie was rooted to the spot in shock at my words, "Uh… B-but I-"

"Yes." I cut him off, "I did mean sons, as in plural. Now hit the road before I get someone who'll make you."

I was thinking of Wakko and his mallet when I said that. My hands shook slightly as I waved goodbye sarcastically and shut the door on him. Who the hell did he think he was? Who did his entire family think they were? Stuck up, arrogant old –

"I hate to see how you handle door-to-door salesmen." Yakko said, suddenly at my side.

Flynn leant in the hallway, trying to hide a hint of a smile. Yakko eyed him and gave him a softer version of the poke Flynn had given him the night before and arched his brow knowingly. He cocked his head trying to get a better look at the ghost of a smile.

"A smile's not gonna crack your face, you know."

"Hey guys, look!" Wakko announced, pointing out of the window.

We all gathered around and followed his gaze. Outside, we could see Mackenzie climbing into his car. Just as he started the engine, a compartment opened in the roof, a massive electric billboard rising out of it. The driver seemed totally unaware of this and started to reverse into the road and drive away. All the while, the messages on the board changed. It went from 'I'm an idiot, keep honking to let me know I'm driving properly!' to 'Bully on board!' to 'Dumber than advertised!' along with many more insulting and humours comments. I had to read them aloud because they moved to quickly for Poppy to read. In seconds, all of us were clutching our sides with laughter.

Dot got our attention by clearing her throat behind us, she grinned innocently with her hands behind her back, "Just a little thing I do…"

Flynn was still laughing. He gave her a nod of approval and gave a grateful smile towards the two brothers. All of a sudden, he cried out in pain and dabbed the side of his mouth. Where he'd been laughing, his split lip had reopened and was bleeding slightly.

Yakko shrugged apologetically, "Okay I was wrong, apparently a smile will crack your face."

A/N:

Why do I get the feeling this Mackenzie guy isn't going to take this lying down? (Goodnight everybody!) XD And does this mean Flynn's coming around, or is he still resentful? Who knows? Also, sorry if Yakko was a little OCC when Talia opened up, but I figured, he's a big brother looking after two younger kids, he's bound to be a little curious about a human being in his position. Sorry if it wasn't good, I'll make up for it in chapters to come XD

Thanks again for all the amazing feedback and if there's any ideas or creative criticism, then by all means let me know XD