2nd October 2013 Wednesday

Day 275

Glad you all enjoyed the first chapter, just note; I'm going to write whatever my plan has, and you guys will have to sit tight until the end of the year. Warning: I have very, VERY, thin skin, so flaming will burn me (maybe I shouldn't be a writer). Nah, I'll still be a writer, plus, what's a story without drama?

Oh by the way, at writers club today (which is ironically where I'm typing up this chapter), they loved my story; said it was very different to what they normally read. I had to explain a few things though, considering the rest of the group had never seen the show before.

Disclaimer: I don't feel like I should be disclosing this information to you.

"Why the heck does your father want our baby?" I yell to Zap, stomping my foot as I do so. He's standing in the same stance, brow furrowed in anger.

"Don't blame me, he's the one who showed up unannounced!" he retorts back, crossing his arms in defence. I can feel my breath becoming heavy, and realising that I'm going to need his support through this, and he'll need mine, I race up to him and wrap my arms around his neck. Sometimes my common sense scares me. My head buries in to his neck as his frozen arms move to my back, making comforting circles.

From the sidelines, Jane is holding Max, staring miserably at our sad embrace. She clears her throat, and I retract myself from Zap; eyes puffy and red.

"Dex is going to talk to the mayor," she says, a small smile of reassurance on her face. "He'll do anything to make sure Max stays with you guys, even if it means putting him in our custody."

I sniff loudly, nodding my head in response. That does seem like a smart thing to do; at least we'll still be with him rather than having that constant fear of not knowing where he is or if he's ok. My hands grab my stomach; I'm starting to feel sick with all this overwhelming disaster.

"What happens if-" Zap's voice cuts off, and I'm not sure if it's the pain of the thought, or just the uncertainty of not knowing what to call his father. "…if he gets Max?"

I subtly try and hide the rasp gasp that sharply sucks through my oesophagus. Thinking about that is just too much. Jane flashes her gaze to the child; the baby looking expectantly between his parents and the woman holding him. My brow furrows at his strange expression once again; it's like he knows what's going on.

"He won't," she says, but that silent quiver in her voice told me otherwise. No one knows what's going to happen within these next twenty four hours, and all we can only do is hope that everything will be ok.

Dex enters the room from the side, trailed by Tung and Bream. His expression is solemn, and he doesn't need to say anything to let Zap and myself know that we're going. I move towards Jane, but my feet don't want to carry me towards her. A part of me wants to tell her to take him and run and I'll bring a decoy to the court room, but she hands him over before I can say anything. His little face is looking up at me, and I'm frozen on the spot as I stare back. Tears begin to cloud my eyes, but they don't seem to fall. A hand grips my shoulder, and by Dex's gesture I walk out of the room.

"Drop me off here," I debate from the back seat, pulling my head forward in between Zap and Dex's shoulders. They ignore me, only because this is the umpteenth time I've said something like this. "I'll combat roll out with Max and let you know when I've reached the next city."

My idea falls on deaf ears, but with a small sigh Zap bends his hand backwards and splays it out in front of me. I stare down at it briefly, before taking it in my hold. His hand feels cold, or really, it looks cold. I can't quite tell with my gloves on.

"You and I both know that if you avoid this case, you'll be in further trouble than you are now," Dex lectures in his usual manner. "It's better to get this over with and pray for a good outcome."

"It would be better if we could avoid this completely," I retort with crossed arms. Dex sighs as he continues to pilot the ship. He could've mentioned something about Max being an accident, saying something like 'I told you so,' or 'I warned you,' but he doesn't utter a word about it. I move my mouth sadly, internally thanking him for being so understanding. Zap hasn't said anything this whole ride, which is normal, but I'm beginning to worry about him.

I turn to my right where Max is placed in his car seat. He's staring up at me; waiting expectantly for something.

'What is it? Do you want something?' I can hear my subconscious screaming to him. His face changes a little to sadness, and immediately mine mirrors his. My hand drapes itself gently on his head, pushing the longer tassels of brown hair out of his green eyes. He seems to relax at this, and I smirk as his eyes soften at my touch.

'He's just like his father,' I whisper internally, my smile quickly being replaced by a frown. My head moves closer to his; lips mere inches from his ear.

"I'm not going to let them take you," he shifts at my whispered words, but as I resume my seated position, I notice Max's head move up and down. He's nodding; he's nodding in agreement. My eyebrows knit together at his behaviour. Does he understand us?

Once again, Max resumes his bored expression; placing his hands behind his head and sighing as though waiting for this court hearing.

I hope nothing about Max is mentioned today, but I can't help but feel that his qualities are going to weigh in on the court's decision.

R&R! I don't think I've ever done so many essays in my life. Anyway, hope you enjoyed it and don't forget, image comp can be anything as stated in previous chapters.