Rose could barely see through the windshield, the rain pouring down in buckets as the wind whipped against the car, nearly knocking her off course. She'd gotten the phone call early that morning that Goten was missing. The police had been notified and were looking for the little boy, but so far no one had found any trace of him.

No one could figure it out. The doors to the house were still locked and dead-bolted, the window to his second-story bedroom was still shut. It was like he had just disappeared from the room. Rose remembered Goku's little disappearing trick and she wondered if Goten knew how to do it too, or if Goku had come to get Goten for some reason. While it was against the rules, she could smooth it over somehow. She just prayed that Goten was at the cabin and safe.

This weather was horrid and she couldn't stand the thought of that poor little boy being out in it. The weather was turning decidedly towards winter and the rain was starting to freeze as it hit her windshield. If Goten wasn't somewhere warm, there was no way he could survive outside in this.

The cabin looked warm and inviting as Rose approached it. Smoke curled from the chimney and a warm light glowed in the windows. She parked in the yard and ran up the steps, shivering as the icy rain drenched her in an instant and she pounded on the door, anxious to get out of the storm and find Goten.

Goku put down the coffee cup he had been nursing, looking over at Sabriena who was still hiding under the covers of the bed, Tien relaxing with her, trying to comfort her. He felt the energy and recognized it as Rose, which alarmed him, why on earth would she drive all the way out here in this mess? He went and opened the door, seeing her soaked, "Hurry! Come in." He pushed the door closed behind her, "Oh wow! Raining cats and dogs out there on you, huh?" He went over to the wardrobe and fished out a fresh towel for her, "What's wrong? Is everything alright?"

Rose sniffled and took the towel from him, setting her glasses on the table before she wiped at her face and her hair. "Is Goten here?" she asked, looking around the cabin. Her heart plummeted into her stomach when she realized he wasn't there.

Tien sat up quickly, looking over at the caseworker. "Goten? No. Why?" he asked, a sudden worry filling his chest. Shouldn't she know exactly where Goten was?

"He went missing last night," Rose said, a panic rising up in her. "I came out here to let you know that we're searching for him, but we haven't been able to find him yet. I thought maybe he came here or that you went to get him for some reason." Her throat constricted, her hands starting to shake. "I'm going to have to get back to town, see if I can help them find him! If he's outside in this storm..."

Goku's eyes widened and a panic settled in his chest, "He ran away?! He's outside somewhere in this? Stay here Rose." He raised his fingers to his forehead, closing his eyes and searching, searching out for his son's energy, "How did he get out? Why would he run away." He felt a breath of air escape him as he felt his son's energy. It wasn't far, but far enough, "Found him! Gods, how did he get all the way out here?!"

Sabriena scrambled to get out of bed, crawling over Tien, making him cry out with an "Umph!" as her knee dug into his stomach. "Go get him!" she cried, tears brimming in her eyes at the thought of him out in this terrifying storm. An ear-splitting crack of thunder sounded and Sabriena gave a little scream, flinching and covering her head with her arms. "Goku, hurry!" she pleaded.

"I won't go anywhere," Rose promised. "Just get Goten!"

Goku nodded and focused on his son's energy, vanished and reappearing outside in the cold wet rain, he was soaked in seconds and frozen to the bone in a few more. He didn't recognize the area and he looked around in the thick woods before he spotted his son, huddled up at the base of a tree. He was shivering, his clothes torn, covered in mud as if he had slipped and fell, "GOTEN!" He cried out as a loud crack of thunder sounded overhead, making the very air shake. He hurried forward gathering his son in his arms, "Oh my god, Goten! Are you alright?!"

"Daddy!" Goten cried in relief, throwing his arms around his father's neck. He sobbed and shivered in his dad's warm embrace. "I'm scared, Daddy!" he bawled. He hated that foster home and had decided in the middle of the night that all he wanted was to be with his Dad and Sabriena and Tien. "I... I wanted t-to c-c-c..." he was shivering so hard that he couldn't even finish his sentence and he sneezed, leaning hard into his dad's neck. It was so cold out in the woods.

Goku shushed him, "Hold on, kiddo, let's get out of this storm." He closed his eyes as he pressed his fingers to his forehead, concentrating on the energies back at the cabin and managed to appear right in the middle of the floor in the warm little house. His little boy was freezing cold and soaked to the bone, "Hang on, let's get you next to the fire. Can someone get me a towel?" He caught the one Tien tossed at him and wrapped his son up in it, rubbing at his hair, "Shhhh, you're okay now, we got you."

"Oh my god, Goten," Rose breathed, but Sabriena roughly shoved past her and hurried over to the little boy, looking him over. She was horrified that he'd been out in this storm, in the cold, possibly all night long.

"Baby, what were you doing? Why would you run away?" Sabriena demanded, staring harshly into his eyes as Goku rubbed at his hair. "Oh, you're all dirty and wet and cold," she fussed.

Tien was furious. How could these foster-parents be so careless to let him get away from them like that? His hands clenched into fists. He still didn't trust this process and once again thought to himself that they should've just taken Goten from the start and been done with it.

Goten shivered, letting his daddy rub at his hair, tears welling up in his eyes at the slew of questions, "I...I just... I wanted to be with you guys... I don't like that place. There are too many other kids and they never feed me enough. They say I eat too much and only give me a little bit for my meals." He sniffled and rubbed his wet sleeve on his eyes.

Goku was horrified, "They aren't feeding you?" He felt his own tears welling up in his eyes. If only he had seen this coming. If only he had seen what Chichi had been doing to his own son, "I'm so sorry Goten. It's all my fault." He tugged his sons shirt off, wincing at the scars that were appearing. He put the little torn shirt off to the side and wrapped the towel around him before he helped him step out of his pants and rubbed him over with the towel, "Did you try to use my technique to get here?" He asked softly and Goten nodded, "Are you mad at me?" Goku shook his head, "Never. I could never be mad at you. I just want you safe." He heard his son's stomach grumble and he hugged him tightly, "I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry."

Tien felt sick when he saw Goten's body. The poor kid looked way too skinny and the scars on his back were one of the most disturbing things he'd ever seen. He pressed his lips to a thin line and shot a hateful look at Rose. "This is what you call putting him in a safe home?!" he demanded.

Rose looked horrified and she cringed at Tien's shout. "This... this isn't right," she stammered. She went over and knelt next to the little boy. "Goten, I'm going to find a better place for you to stay," she promised. "I swear it. And I'm going to report that family." She stood back up and grabbed her cell phone to call her supervisor.

Tien huffed through his nose and shook his head. "Sabriena, fix that boy something to eat," he said sternly as he grabbed some water to heat over the fireplace. "Let's get him cleaned up, Goku." He was seeing red as he worked, a muscle ticking in his jaw. He had to press his power level down. It was rising as fast as his temper and he didn't know how much longer he could hold his tongue.

Sabriena pressed a kiss to Goten's dirty forehead before she started rushing around the cabin, starting to fix a big meal for him. Goten didn't deserve this. He needed to be at the cabin with them where he was safe and warm and fed. The whole point of him going to the foster home was so that he would be kept safe. And now he was going hungry? So hungry that he felt he needed to sneak out to try to get away from that place. Sabriena angrily banged a skillet onto the fireplace and shook her head.

Goku nodded, smiling at Sabriena as she set to work. He knew his son had started growing on her, and he was more than happy to see her embracing him, willing to defend him. Hell, if it hadn't been for her, he would have never figured it out what was happening to him under his nose. He moved over to the wardrobe, taking out Tien's bearskin cloak and set the fur on the ground close to the fire, halfway listening to Rose talk on the phone. He got a couple of wash cloths and handed one to Tien and together they started cleaning up Goten and washed away the mud.

Sabriena fished around in the wardrobe and withdrew one of her old, plain T-shirts. "Here," she said, handing it to Goku. "It might be a little big on him, but it's the best we have out here. I'm gonna have to go shopping for him." Another bright flash of lightning lit up the cabin, followed by a booming crack of thunder and she gave another squeak and hurried back to her cooking, trying to distract herself.

Tien helped get Goten clean and dried, then helped him into the shirt. Poor Goten looked miserable as he shivered near the fire, dark circles under his eyes, his stomach growling as he sniffled. "It's okay, little man," Tien soothed, rubbing at Goten's hair. "You're safe now. And Sabriena's fixing you a big lunch, okay?"

Goten nodded and looked up at Sabriena as she cooked. He leaned back against his dad, who wrapped his arms around him. Goku was miserable, seeing his son like this, "I don't know if I can let you go this time buddy." Goten looked up at his dad, big tears in his eyes, "I don't wanna go live with anyone else. I want to stay here with you! Please, Daddy! Don't make me go away again."

Tien felt sick and turned away from them. This whole situation was maddening. It was bad enough what Chichi had done to Goku, but for her to put their son in this situation was ridiculous and unnecessary.

Rose's angry voice caught his attention and he stood still, focusing on her words. "He is NOT going back there and I want them investigated!" she demanded. "You should see this child. He's half-starved!" She paused to listen to the voice on the other end of the line for a minute. "I don't care about what is or isn't government approved. This boy has special circumstances and needs! I TOLD you all that weeks ago! He's not like the other children, his metabolism is far too high. This is unacceptable! Oh, don't give me that!" She huffed, stomping her foot on the hardwood floor. "Fine then. I'll just take him home with me until I find a better foster family." She hung up her phone and slammed it into her purse, staring out the rain-washed window, chewing her lip. She'd never mouthed off at her supervisor like that before, but she was livid.

Goku blinked over at Rose, still holding his son, "You, you would take care of my son? Could he really stay with you?" He asked as he kissed the top of his son's head. He didnt want to give his son up again, he was half tempted to just keep him with them at the cabin, but the thought of Chichi going through something legal loophole to get him back, saying he kidnapped him. He couldn't do that at all. He wouldn't give that bitch a chance to harm their son again. And while he didn't like it he could trust Rose. He felt it. If she wanted to take care of his son, he would trust her to do it.

"Only for a day or two," Rose answered quietly. "I'm not even supposed to do that. But, well, they're not giving me much of a choice." She finally turned to face him, a sad, apologetic look on her face. "Goku, I'm so sorry. I didn't place him in that home, I hope you know that. We've never had a problem with that home before. But I'm going to personally find him a better place to stay until we get this all figured out."

"You'd better," Sabriena growled as she set the plates of food on the table.

Rose flinched and looked at the floor, feeling even more miserable in that moment.

"Sabriena," Tien said in a warning voice, even though he felt the same.

She gave her husband a fierce look before she turned to Goten and Goku. "Let's eat," she said, sitting down not in her own chair, but in the chair next to where Goten usually sat. She patted the seat of his chair. "C'mon, buddy."

Goten smiled widely and scrambled out of his father's lap to climb up into the chair next to her, looking at the heaping plate in front of him. His stomach growled loudly and moved to hug Sabriena tightly. "THANK YOU," he said, before he picked up his fork and started to inhale the food.

Goku stood up and sat in Sabriena's normal chair next to Tien, watching his son eat up for a moment. He wanted to make sure he got all the food he wanted before he had a bite. "Thank you, Sabriena," he said, smiling at her. He looked over to Rose, "How about he stays here until the storm passes? We can make sure he's had enough to eat and a good rest."

Rose nodded and moved to stand by the fireplace, hoping her own clothes would dry out a bit. She felt horrible. Here she was, trying to protect these children and now come to find out, the foster home was barely any better than the places she and her coworkers took them from. Was there no decency in the world anymore? She sat down in front of the fire, carefully avoiding the cloak laying there, and pulled her knees up to her chin, staring miserably into the flames as silent tears dripped down her cheeks.

"Rose, I made you some, too," Sabriena finally said as she refilled Goten's plate.

"Not hungry," Rose muttered, wrapping her arms around her shins. "Thanks anyway." She was grateful that Goten was safe from the storm, but how was she supposed to protect him from everything else? She was questioning everything she knew in that moment and she suddenly felt very, very alone.

Goku looked over at Rose, sparing another look at his son before he got up. He grabbed another dry towel and wrapped it around her shoulders before he moved to sit beside her, "It wasn't your fault, you know. We're just worried and upset about this whole situation. I don't understand it, but I know why its important that we do it this way. Please don't cry. We aren't mad at you, just this situation." Tears prickled at his eyes and his voice cracked, "I just want my son to stay here with us. I'm so tired."

"I'm mad at the situation, too," she said softly, grateful for the dry towel and the warm fire. "I didn't mean to get so upset. It's just, sometimes, I feel like I'm not doing much to help these kids no matter how hard I try." She shook her head and sighed. "I know you want him here with you, Goku. I'm trying. I keep going to Mrs. Son's house, popping in on her unexpectedly, but I can't catch her doing anything to prove that her home is unsuitable for Goten. I don't know what to do," she whispered, covering her face with her hands. "Go eat your lunch, Goku. Goten and I will stay until the storm's over. Don't let your food get cold."

Goku smiled at Rose and nodded before he went back over to the table, sitting next to Tien and watched his son eat a third heaping plate before he moved to eat his own food, "How about we curl up for a nap after we finish eating, kiddo?" He asked.

Goten nodded, his mouth full and cheeks bulging before he managed to swallow, "Yeah! I'm really tired." The warm food and the dry clothes were making him sleepy. By the time he finished his food, his eyes were starting to droop and he smiled over at Sabriena, "Thanks for the food. It was so good. Are you gonna lay down with us?"

Sabriena nodded as she chewed the last bite of her food and swallowed. "Sure, buddy." She cleared the table, then stretched her arms over her head, her back popping. "Tien, are you laying down, too?" she asked.

He shook his head. "No, I can't sleep right now," he answered. He was so upset with the situation, he didn't think he could sleep even if he tried.

"Okay, honey," she said and kissed his cheek before she turned to Goten. "Your choice - we can sleep by the fire or we can sleep in the bed."

Goten looked over at the warm cozy fire and looked back at Sabriena with pleading eyes, "Can we by the fire?" He smiled widely at her nod and grasped her hand with his little ones, leading her over, "Come on, Daddy!" He saw Rose sitting nearby looking miserable, "Did you want to take a nap too?" He curled up on his father's cloak as Goku settled behind him, tugging Sabriena down into his arms. Goten turned and curled up in Sabriena's embrace, resting his head on her arm and yawned. Goku looked over at Rose and patted the empty space next to him, "Plenty of room."

Rose's heart gave a jump at his invitation and she nearly accepted, but she shook her head at the last second. "I - I shouldn't," she stammered. She got to her feet, looking over at her big purse, seeing the new case file she had stashed there. "I have work I have to do. You all rest. It's fine." She went to the table, thinking ruefully to herself that if Sabriena hadn't been there, she would've jumped at the chance. 'He's married, he's married, he's married,' she chanted over and over to herself in her head.

Damn the luck.

Sabriena snuggled into Goten's hair, hugging him tightly. "Sleep now," she whispered to him. "You're safe here with me and your daddy and Tien." She glared hatefully at Rose, who was lost in her casework, and hugged Goten a little tighter. How incompetent did this woman have to be to let something like this happen? She slowly shook her head, her lips pressed together. "I'm with Tien," she whispered to Goku. "Let's just keep him. To hell with the rules."

Goku peered down at her, looking over her shoulder at his son, fast asleep. He kissed Sabriena's cheek sadly, "I'm tempted to agree with you. If we keep him until he's eighteen, they can't do anything, right?"

"I don't know," she answered. "You'd think so." She worried her lip between her teeth. But what kind of a life would that be for Goten? They could never risk going into the city again, he'd never get to have any friends when he was growing up, save for their family. He'd never get to go to school (she still thought it was stupid that Chichi homeschooled him, although now she knew why.) She turned to look over her shoulder at her husband. "Goku, I don't know what to do," she whispered softly, trying to make sure Rose didn't hear them. "Is it fair to him to hide him out here like that? I want to, but I just don't know. I don't know what to do. I feel useless."

He nuzzled at her ear, "I feel the same." He sighed and stared into the fire, his mind swimming, "I could teach him how to properly use the instant transmission. He could go and visit little Trunks, Paige and Alice. His brother. They wouldn't be able to keep him in one place, they wouldn't be able to come here with the intent to take him away. They wouldn't be able to find us."

Rose's spine went rigid as she overheard their conversation. No. No, no, no, no, no. They couldn't do that! She knew deep down that if they wanted to take Goten, they could and no one could stop them. If they did that, if they made good on their plans, oh gods. She spun around in her chair, her eyes pleading, "Goku, no! You can't do that!" Her throat felt tight and her hands shook again. "Please!"

Goku lifted his head, looking at Rose a moment before he laid back down, curling his arm tighter around his wife and son, "I have to think on it. I just want what's best for my son." He said.

Rose got out of her chair as tears welled up in her eyes. She could barely speak, the knot in her throat was so big. "Goku, if you do that, I could lose my job," she choked out. "I won't be able to help any more kids! Everything I've worked my whole life for will be ruined! Please, please, please! Don't do this! I'll find a better home for Goten, I promise." She wiped at her eyes, praying that he would understand. "I'm upset about what happened today, too. I know you want what's best for him. I want the same thing. Just please, please give me a chance to fix this!"

He hadn't thought about it like that, "Well, I didn't know your job would be on the line." He frowned and sighed, turning his face into Sabriena's hair. He was so miserable and he only wanted the best for his son. He didn't want his boy to go on half starved, "I suppose I will trust you, but if he runs away again…" He trailed off.

Rose was relieved and hurt at the same time. She thought Goku already trusted her, but now she had failed him. "Thank you," she whispered and returned to the table. She stared down at her work, but she couldn't see it. Her eyes were blurry with unshed tears and all she could think about was how to help Goten and fix this whole mess.

Sabriena snuggled back against Goku and heaved a sigh. "You have more patience than I do," she admitted to him, no longer bothering to keep her voice low. "I hope we're not making a mistake."