`A/N: Okay. So far so good, now...
Step 1: Disclaimer. X = Mine, Archie = Mine. That's all.
Step 2: Scroll down. REVIEW.
Step 3: Read...
"Ron."
"Archie!" Ron Witwicky greeted him warmly, rushing out to pull the taller man into a bone crushing hug. It's been awhile since he'd last seen his favourite cousin and best friend.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes."
"Ha! How long has it been? 2… 3 years? Give or take a few months."
"Why, if it isn't Bald Archie."
"Ouch, Judy. That's just hitting below the belt. Besides, I think your husband here is way ahead of me in that department." Ron frowned, self-consciously patting his hair. His hairline wasn't receding that much… was it?
"Careful, Ron, very soon you're gonna start blinding people. That's a weapon of mass destruction you've got there." He chuckled at his cousin's disgruntled look.
Judy couldn't help but smile; Archie was known for his carefree attitude and uncanny ability to make everyone laugh. It's nice to see Ron loosen up a bit once in a while.
"So… I heard you got a kid. Well, where is the little tyke?"
"Oh, Archie, congratulations! I just can't wait to see him."
"Yeah, well, it wasn't easy. I tell you that. He's just more than a little shy."
He opened the passenger side door to his old Ford Marauder. He swears the thing only starts when the kid was on board. Peeking inside, he saw that the little boy was fast asleep. Archie smiled at him fondly, unbuckling the eight year old he gently carried him out the car.
"Sorry, guys. Guess I was too boring during our ride up here that the kid dozed off on me."
"Oh, it's not a problem. Sam will be thrilled to have a playmate close to his age."
Judy chatted amicably to him as they made their way towards the house. But Archie's attention was mostly on the little boy lying stiffly in his arms; even in sleep the boy was troubled. He knew when he first saw him that the boy was special; there were signs of neglect and even abuse but he couldn't find the heart to let the little boy go and so he adopted him. He, Archie Witwicky II, a man who can barely take care of himself with his life on the road, was taking in a small kid. He didn't know if he was doing the kid a favour or if he would have been better off in foster care.
"UNCLE ARCHIE!"
"Hey, kiddo!" He stumbled; bracing himself against the doorframe as his nephew came barrelling down the stairs before latching onto his favourite uncle's waist. "Careful, careful… Sammy! Look at you! You're sprouting like a beanstalk."
Last he remembered; the kid was barely up to his knees but know here he was, already standing a few inches above his hip. Do they really grow up that fast? He smiled, using his free hand to ruffle the little boy's hair.
"Yeah! Someday, I'm gonna be as tall as you!—"
"Really?"
"—And explore the world like you too!"
"Wow, watch out, Ron. You've got an explorer in the making here!"
"Just as long as both of you don't end up like Grandpa Archibald."
"Ouch. Thanks for reminding the kid that I was named after a crazy guy."
"Well, let's hope you don't live up to your namesake then." They both laughed.
"Uncle Archie! Uncle Archie! Is that my new cousin?"
He had almost forgotten about the small boy in his arms. Miraculously, he was still asleep. Thank God for small miracles. The child whimpered and he cradled him close to his chest, rocking him slowly like Judy told him to do over the phone. He didn't know if he'll make a good dad, but he promised he'll do his best.
"Yeah, Sammy. But he's still asleep, so we have to wait until he wakes up and then you guys can play."
"Aww, can't you wake him up now?"
"Sam, be polite. Now, why don't you show Uncle Archie to your room? So that your little cousin can have a bed to nap in."
"Sorry, if it's a little trouble—"
"Nonsense! Now hurry back down, lunch is almost ready."
" 'Kay, Mom! C'mon! My room is just over here!" Sam tugged him up the stairs and down the hall. He watched, amused as the little boy was practically bouncing on his heels in excitement.
They paused before a door; the wood was overflowing with car stickers and pictures. He saw the crayoned sign that read 'Sam's room' in childish cursive.
"So… I guess this is your room?"
"Yup!" Archie smiled, watching as Sam opened the door; revealing a room filled with toys and other knick knacks littering the floor. He whistled, stepping inside almost tripping over a remote toy car that he swore just suddenly moved towards him.
"Sammy, it looks like we're not in Tranquility, Nevada anymore..." The child just stared up at him guiltily, hurriedly scooping up some wayward toys before dumping it in his toy box.
"Yeah… Mom said I should clean up a bit but…"
"Ha, it's okay Sammy, we're both men here. Cleaning up is no fun." Sam smiled at him brightly.
"Yeah!"
"But the listening to your mother rule ranks higher on the list."
"Awww… My little cousin can sleep here!" He pointed to a, thankfully, well-kept bed.
He placed his son under the covers, carefully removing his shoes before tucking him in. Archie watched as the little boy fussed a bit before settling down. He smiled, placing a kiss on the little one's forehead before brushing a few strands of hair away from the sleeping angel's face. Good God… this father thing is making him soft.
"Let's go, Sammy. Wouldn't want your mom to bring out the bat on us."
"Race you down!" The kid said before running off. He glanced at his sleeping son, worried that Sam's shouting had woken him up… Still fast asleep; kid's got some selective hearing…
"Samuel James Witwicky! No running in the house!"
"Sorry, Mom!"
"Good night, Xander…"
"Hey…"
No! He struggled. They were coming… LET ME GO! Up, he needed to go up. They were too many hands tugging, grabbing, and pulling him away. GO AWAY! He needed to escape; he needed to get out of here. Please, someone help…
"Hello…"
Where was he? He tried to fight back, but his limbs felt heavy and his body couldn't move. He opened his mouth to scream but no sound escaped his lips. Panic and fear gripped him tight as he desperately tried to fight back, desperately tried to run away. Those crimson red eyes peered menacingly down at him from above as a large metal reached out to grab him. NO! NO NEEDLES!
"WAKE UP!"
Metallic blue eyes snapped open, darting around the dirty room before landing on an unfamiliar smiling face. He shrieked, scrambling to get away from the stranger. No, no, no, where was Archie?
"Hey, wait! Watch out!"
He fell off the edge of the bed, landing painfully on the cluttered floor. Tears welled up in his eyes, the pain and panic was too much and he started wailing.
"Are you alright?! I-I'm sorry! I—"
"Kids are you okay?!"
The adults came barging into the room. Archie immediately went to his crying son, picking him up from the floor. He cradled him close, rocking him gently as he soothingly wiped the tears away.
"Hey, it's alright. I'm here… I'm here…"
"Daddy…" He was stunned, it was the first time Xander called him that. Oh great, now he was gonna cry too…
"Sammy, what happened?" Ron gave him a stern stare, his eyes softening once he noticed those brown watery eyes.
"I-I'm sorry. He fell—and I—"
"It's okay. You just spooked him that's all. He's been having a few nightmares lately." He reassured his nephew. "Now, don't cry. Everything's alright, now."
Archie smiled once he saw the little boy slowly wiping the tears from his eyes. His sobs softening down to small hiccups, once he realized the monster was gone.
"That's my big boy. See, Sammy's face isn't that scary." He placed him down on the bed, sitting the boys side by side.
"Hey! I'm not an ugly monster!"
"Really? Could have fooled me." Sam stuck his tongue out him, which he returned with a small laugh.
"Children, children, settle down."
"But mom—" "But Judy—"
"He started it." They both pointed out to each other. Judy rolled her eyes, sometimes she just wondered how the man survived, travelling around the world.
"Well, aren't you just the cutest thing." She smiled at the little boy; those big blue eyes looked up at the stranger, confused. Tilting his head to the side, he was just so adorable.
"Ron, hold back your wife before she attacks my kid."
"Oh hush, you." She smacked him on the arm; ignoring the yelp as the grown man backed off, smiling lightly as he rubbed his throbbing arm. Woman never lost her strength.
"Hi! My name's, Sam. We're cousins now. That's my dad—" Metallic blue eyes followed the pointed figure to the large chubby man. "—And that's my mom." He pointed to the lady. "That's Uncle Archie, he's your dad." Daddy…
"What's your name?" Sam smiled at him brightly, excited to play with his little cousin.
"X…"
"Short for Xander Kevan Witwicky." Archie spoke up. Ron stared at him, unimpressed.
"What? My trip to Ireland was the best." He shrugged.
"X! Cool, wanna play?" He rummaged through his toy box, handing his favourite toy truck out to the smaller boy.
Xander was unsure, glancing at his dad he saw the older man give him a thumbs up and he reluctantly accepted the offered toy. Sam beamed, hopping off the bed to gather up the rest of his army.
"Great! Now, let's blow up New York City! I'll be Iron Man, you be the Shadow! Avengers Assemble!—"
The adults watched as the two boys started their act. Sam shouting and jumping all over the place while Xander followed slowly behind.
"You've got a cute kid, there. How old is he?"
"The doctors said he was about eight, maybe a little older."
"Too bad. Sammy's just turning ten. I would have loved for them to go to school together."
"With my job? I don't think it's possible."
"Well, if anything happens. Xander is always welcome here."
"Thanks guys."
"Oh no! Shadow has been captured! Don't worry, I'll save you!" Sam placed his action figure on top of his remote control car. He flicked the controls and got nothing…
"Awww… It's broken." He smacked the remote a couple of times, getting frustrated when the car wouldn't move. "Here, you try." He shoved it into Xander's hands; the smaller boy just looked down at worn out toy, keen eyes tracing every crack and dent.
He placed the car down; small veins of blue electricity lingering at his touch before he placed his hands around the remote. Flicking the controls, Sam jumped when the car jerked forward. They watched as the car started twirling around the room, weaving through scattered toys and racing down their makeshift road of books.
"You fixed it!" Sam smiled, watching in awe when the toy car began to drive up the wall. It defied gravity as it vroomed across the ceiling traveling at breakneck speeds.
"Awesome."
Xander concentrated on the small car, performing his first manipulation without touch when the car suddenly took off. Wings shifted and appeared from the toy's sides as it flew through the air. Sam squealed in delight, laughing as the transformed car flew over their heads.
"That's so cool, Xander!" He pulled his cousin in for a hug, frowning when the smaller boy stiffened in his arms. The plane descended into a nosedive, crashing into his bookshelf.
"Aww, it crashed." Sam picked up the broken toy. Metallic blue eyes, stared guiltily at the floor.
"Don't worry! Here, make this one into a monster truck! No, wait—This one! A tank that shoots lasers. No! Iron man!" Xander was confused, normally when he used his powers without permission the guards punished him but his cousin… Sam seemed to like it…
"You're the greatest cousin ever. You're amazing, X!"
"Thanks…"
"Alright, Sammy. It's time for me and Xander to go."
"Already?" Archie laughed, hearing the whine in his nephew's voice.
"Yeah, we have a flight to catch up to tomorrow."
"You're leaving again? So soon?"
"I'm afraid so." He scooped his son up; fitting his shoes back on, he made his way out the door and down the stairs.
"Whenever you're in the country always remember to drop by, okay?"
"Sure, Ron." He smiled, patting his best friend on the back.
"Now, both of you take care of yourselves. You hear me?"
"Loud and clear, Mam."
"BYE BYE UNCLE ARCHIE! BYE X! Visit us again soon!"
"I'll miss you too, Sammy." Archie gave the family a wave before strapping Xander in before settling in the driver's seat.
"Wave bye to them, little buddy." Metallic blue eyes stared sadly out the window; waving his small hand as they pulled out of the driveway, whispering.
"Bye…"
A/N: ATTENTION! Now, we are terribly in need of your reviews. They shall be turned into brownie points for my boss. *Ahem* They need to be convinced that my stories can be a success, which means more time on the comp. and more time to post and write. HELP THOSE IN NEED! REVIEW NOW!