AJ thought he was doing a good job of hiding.

When the bad nurse grabbed his mommy and was holding her by the throat he wanted to run up and give the guy a karate kick that would knock him flying, just like in the movies; or turn his watch dial and turn into some super powerful alien just like 'Ben 10' and save the day.

But he couldn't do that, he was just a little boy.

All he could do was keep his promise and keep hiding, and keep Miranda safe. Huddled behind the shower curtain in the bathtub AJ wrapped his arms tightly around Miranda's middle, mostly because he was afraid she would leap from their hiding place and run to her mom… to Binks, who looked so pale on the bed; but partly because he knew she was scared, just like he was, and it felt good to hold on to someone.

He was trying so hard to be the brave one. It wasn't easy, the way the man kept pointing his gun; the blood on Jack's shoulder; but it helped that he had someone to be brave for.

When he heard the nurse's voice telling them to come out, AJ's first thought was to stay in hiding. He thought maybe the bad man was bluffing like Uncle Scott does when they play hide and seek. But then Miranda's Aunt Kendal asked then to come out as well and he knew they weren't a secret any more.

"We should go." whispered Miranda, taking his hand. She still looked scared; as sacred as he was.

"Okay." he said and side by side they walked out of their hiding place together.

AJ could see the gun in the man's hand and the worried look on Mrs Kendal's face as she pulled Miranda into her arms and touched his cheek in concern.

Now his birthday twin was safe in the arms of a grown up, AJ was suddenly finding it much harder to keep his courage, especially so close to the man with the gun. He searched for the one person who was always there to protect him.

His mom was staring at him, a look of surprise on her face.

"AJ, what are you doing here?" she gasped.

She was trying to get to her feet. AJ didn't give her a chance. He threw himself at her and collapsed into her embrace with relieved sobs.

"Mom!"

True they were still in danger; the bad nurse still had a gun, but he felt a million times safer in his mommy's arms.

…

"Okay family reunion is over." barked the bad nurse. "Back on your knees facing the door!"

AJ turned briefly as the man grabbed Mrs Kendal and Miranda and dragged them forward.

"Now we sit tight and wait for their call." said the bad man.

AJ felt mommy beginning to move wanting him to let go, but he firmly shook his head, he couldn't do it, he was too scared.

"AJ, it's going to be alright." whispered mom as she reached up to try and release his hold round her neck. But AJ couldn't let go, physically to felt like he was frozen. The fear was that if he let go then awful things would start happening again. He didn't want that, he just wanted his mom.

AJ stiffened as a hand grabbed onto his t-shirt.

"Marissa, your son is not obeying me." said the bad man, it was the nurse trying to pull him away.

AJ just tightened his grip.

"Hey leave the kid alone, he's just scared." That was Dr Griffin talking.

"Did I ask your opinion?" said the nurse angrily.

Dr Griffin's reply was laced with anger as well.

"Oh such a big man threatening little kids. You are pathetic!"

"You don't want to go down that road with me." the nurse replied, his voice was softer but somehow it sounded even angrier. "Ask Erica, or better yet, ask Jack at how well it turns out."

"The big man with the gun." was the doctor's sarcastic reply.

"Do you want to test me? Do you really want to test me?" the bad nurse replied.

Mommy's arms suddenly wrapped tightly around him again.

"No!" she cried

AJ turned his head slightly from where it was buried in her mom's chest, the gun was pointing directly at him and his mom. The bad man was going to try and kill his mom!

Just them AJ did the bravest thing he had ever done in his life. Just then AJ joined the ranks of the Karake kid and Ben 10. He became a hero!

Nobody hurts my mom!

AJ leaped forward, ducking under the pointed gun, and grasped the bad man's hand biting down hard. The man cried out in surprise and dropped the weapon. At the same time Griffin surged forward as well, hitting out at the guy with a right cross.

Mommy pulled him clear and the two men wrestled each other as they scrambled for the revolver that slid out into the corridor…

…