Good Luck, Mystic Force

by Maleficent-darkgoodwitch2416

Instead of into the Russell family, Nick is adopted into the Duncan family. Like Teddy, he creates video diaries for Charlie, but most of the lessons he includes are things he learns as a ranger. When he takes Udonna and Leanbow to meet his adoptive family, will he lie and hope he doesn't get caught or will he tell the truth and hope that everything goes well?

7. Why Nick's Afraid of Gabe

After the others left, Udonna asked, "Nick, could you stay behind?"

"Sure, Udonna," Nick replied. He didn't have anything planned tonight anyway.

"What were you talking about when you said that this Gabe person has landed you in the hospital multiple times with head injuries?" Udonna asked worriedly—she may no longer have her own child, but she would never get over her motherly instincts—and these five rangers were now like her children.

Nick took a deep breath and said, "Gabriel Luke Duncan—Gabe—even when he was only Baby Gabe—was—I mean is—a huge troublemaker. He would tend to prank us—and any person foolish enough to get in his way—especially our neighbor, Mrs. Dabney—it's his fault that she doesn't like us anymore. He tends to prank her and cause trouble for her on a daily basis. When I was nine, the day of my fourth grade picture, Baby Gabe—he was such a little terror and we thought it was only a phase—it wasn't—threw his breakfast bowl and sippy cup at me. I went to the hospital and I got stitches. Then I went to school, and right in the middle of the picture, I fainted and ended up in the hospital again with a concussion. A week later, Gabe threw the coffeepot at my head and I was back in the hospital. Two months after that, he threw the old toaster at my head. Then he threw the blender at my head a couple of times. So, because of the repetitive head injuries, I have a tendency to forget things—if the day is too ordinary—I don't have to worry about that anymore—or if I learn too much new information in a certain time frame—I am only permitted to learn four new things per day—that's why I dropped out of college—I was being forced to learn too much too fast."

Udonna nodded and said, "I'll make sure you only learn things at your own pace, young child."

Nick nodded gratefully and she asked, "How about this? Every day, we sit and talk and we work out what you've learned?"

Nick grinned and said, "That's a good idea, Udonna. When do you want to start?"

"How about now?" she suggested.

"Sure," Nick said, sitting on the couch.

Udonna joined him. "What have you learned today?" she asked.

"Well, first, don't be scared to admit when you're scared, second, your friends will always have your back, third…" Nick paused. "I think that's it."

She nodded and said, "That's enough for today, child. Go home and rest."

"Yes, Udonna," Nick left the room.