Hey everyone who has been/ begun to read this fanfic. I am happy to post this next chapter since I have started on chapter six.

I like to have at least two chapters done ahead of time before posting another. In case I get writers block I can give you one update a week so I have some on reserve.

As I said in the A/N in the last chapter these first few chapters are are setting up the plot. So bear with me if you guys find them dull or boring.

Thank you Grayscaleswan, Stargirl247, guest reviwer, and Daivanbraginski, for following or review. It means alot.

Disclaimer: Do I really have to do this every time?

Heat.

That's what Arthur was greeted with as he stepped out of JFK Airport. It was just his luck that the meeting was scheduled during the beginning of summer and the beginning of a heat wave.

Though the heat didn't discourage other passengers; as waves of humid air rolled of the sidewalk many were awestruck as they took in the sight of the New York skyline. More buildings had been erected over the years but also wide sky walks had been put in between linking many buildings to each other. The large metropolis gleamed brightly as hundreds of foreigners waited to hail a cab to explore.

Luckily Arthur's boss had taken the liberty to have a car rented and waiting for him as he stepped off the plane.

"Bloody American weather," Arthur mumbled to himself as he climbed into the rental. He gave a long sigh of relief as the AC kicked in automatically. "How they can survive this I will never understand," he muttered again as the car pulled out of the lot.

It was an hour long drive from JFK to the hotel where the rest of the representatives would be staying at, so Arthur was able to take in the splendor of the city. Hundreds of people lined every street, some neighborhoods held small festivals that many visited.

Arthur was in awe of the city, though he would never admit it. The hotel he and his associates would be staying at was very advanced technology wise. With computerized check ins, fingerprint scanning locks on the room doors, and many other advancements.

"I must admit the yanks sure have come a long way," Arthur whispered sadly as he stood on the balcony of the room. He gazed solemnly out to the streets.

"Come on Artie there's a great diner down the road from here!"

Arthur found himself tearing up at the memory; that was the last time he had been in America since. . .

"Alfred? Alfred!"

He winced, the memory of that night. The gunshot reverberating in his mind as clear as the night they occurred. Giving a groan he rubbed his hand over his face in a mix of exhaustion and anxiety.

'Maybe a walk will clear my mind,' he sighed heavily leaving the hotel, letting his feet take him where they would.

It was 6:10 when I finally arrived at the train station. I was running late because I had to pack a lunch for Tyson and myself. Since today was opening day for NYC the restaurants and diners would most likely be packed, so thinking ahead, I packed food. Which was saying something, since both Tyson and I eat like there's no tomorrow.

Also, it was just our luck that today was the beginning of a heat wave. I had dressed accordingly in jean shorts and my forever patriotic, American flag printed tank top. I also had my Yankees baseball cap on as well to block out the sunlight.

Anyway, back at the station it was somewhat packed with people on their morning commute. Well the few who did have work today. Many businesses closed today to join in the festivities going all through the country.

"Hey Alexa!" Tyson's voice called over the clatter of the train as it pulled in. Finally spotting him near the last car I gradually walked over. "Took you long enough," He joked hitting the bill of my cap covering my eyes knocking my glasses askew.

"I was late because I didn't want to hear your whiny ass when lunch rolls around!" I snapped fixing my hat and glasses. I nearly had to tilt my head up at ninety degrees to see Tyson's face. I was a shorty at 5' 3".

I managed to grab a seat while Tyson had to stand. The ride was relatively quiet since we both had our iPods on. The only noise I heard was the riffs and beats of this year's most popular band, "Peaceful Chaos". When the train pulled into a stop towards Harlem I finally took notice of the bag in Ty's hand.

"Hey Tyson," I pulled on his shirt sleeve drawing his attention. He pulled out his ear bud. "What's in the bag?" I asked.

"Oh right," he smacked his forehead. He held the canvas bag towards me. "It's an early birthday gift from my mom," We were never sure of my actual birthday so my dad and I celebrated it on the day I was adopted. September 11th.

With an eager grin I opened the bag; inside was an old leather jacket. The brown material was worn in some areas, but it looked like it was in perfect condition. Though the jacket was a couple sizes too big for me it just felt... right in my hands. Lifting it completely out of the bag I ran my hands across the front like a child with its blanket. It smelled slightly of cedar wood and smoke, not cigarette smoke but like one of a warm fire in the middle of a summer camping trip.

"Mom went on a winery tour in DC and when she was walking, she saw this in a store window and automatically thought of you," Tyson explained happily. "The owner of the store said the old thing had been there for years. 'Since before the war started' he said. He was going to throw it out but Mom talked him out of it." Tyson looked expectantly in my direction.

I felt it over in silence as he was talking, running my fingers gently over the stitching on the back where a bright number 50 stood out. "I love it," I had found myself saying.

"That's good to hear," Tyson laughed. I slipped the jacket on dispute the temperature. As expected it was several sizes too big. The sleeves covered my hands by a good 4 inches and the bottom hem reached just below my butt. Though just wearing it felt right. Like I had lost an arm and had it reattached. I felt complete.

"Now I really feel small," I laughed with Tyson happily.

Finally the train pulled into Manhattan, causing both me and Tyson to hop off and go down the stairs to street level. All of the roads were packed with parties and festivities. Newspaper confetti fluttered through the wind landing in everyone's hair. People played music loud and proud as hundreds of people from all around the world walked in awe and splendor of Manhattan. The city had undergone major changes since the last time outsiders were allowed in. Trees now lined every road sometimes blocking the sun entirely. Also the skywalks were another addition.

"So were going to Max's shop right?" Tyson asked as I folded up the sleeves of the jacket. Now that I had put it on it felt weird when I tried to take it off for the time being. Surprisingly, I felt totally normal. I was neither too hot nor uncomfortable while wearing this heavy leather jacket, which was a mystery in itself.

"Yeah I have to get a new bat and mitt for practice on Monday," I explained as we walked. Max's sports emporium was a nationwide business so they were bound to have what I needed.

"Cool, I ordered a new football and I got a call last night saying it came in," Tyson explained.

"Tyson you ass!" I shouted. Both Tyson and I had just finished our shopping at the sports store. Of course I saw a new pair of cleats and I had to go ask if they came in my size. Though when I came back Tyson had finished the food I had packed! "That food was for the both of us!" I screeched in annoyance. Tyson merely rubbed his stomach and sighed contentedly.

"Man I love your cooking," he sighed with a cheesy grin ignoring the whole situation of me being mad at him. "Keep cooking like this and I may just have to marry you," that remark made me stop yelling and sputter like an idiot, a heavy blush broke out across my cheeks.

"Y-you idiot! Don't change the subject!" I stuttered trying to dwell away from the subject. "The main problem now is that what am I going to eat?" My stomach at that very moment decoded to do its famous impression of a whale. "See!" I shouted again only to be met with Tyson's hand over my mouth.

"Man quit your whining," he sighed, rolling his eyes. "I was going to buy you lunch today, but you packed food so I had to get rid of it," he laughed again and tapped his stomach. "Of course I couldn't let something that good go to waste,"

Finally throwing off his hand I snapped. "Yeah, well you better hurry cause I'm starving,"

"Yeah, yeah I hear ya," he chuckled as we walked. "We can go to Flo's down the road," Tyson reasoned.

"Here you go. One cup of coffee,"

"Thank you," Arthur replied with a gentle nod to the waitress. The waitress smiled in reply before walking off to wait on another customer.

Once she was gone Arthur returned to gazing out the window at the festivities outside. Everywhere he looked, people were celebrating with each other. Everyone wore such great big grins though he wore a blank expression. Without meaning to his legs had guided him to the diner he and Alfred had last ate together in.

The diner was simple with white and black checker tile floors and emerald green upholstered booths and stools. The walls were decorated in vintage memorabilia and other knick knacks giving the place a quaint vibe.

Many voices all speaking different language conversed in the diner. Many groups had large maps and guides spread across their tables. Others had numerous amounts of shopping bags covering any surrounding floor.

The bell above the door change med softly barely heard over the noise. A wave of heat flowed into the diner as the door swung open.

"Hey Flo!" Arthur found himself rolling his eyes at the brash behavior of the African American teen that had walked in.

'At least that hasn't changed,' he thought with a sigh taking a sip of his coffee. Suddenly the door was thrown open with tremendous force causing the glass to rattle dangerously. The sudden noise surprised Arthur causing his to choke on the hot beverage, also causing the remaining coffee spilled over his hand. Arthur gasped in pain mumbling a few choice words under his breath. His temper got the best of him as he spun around in the booth ready to snap at the new comer but the words died on his tongue.

The hair...

The eyes...

The facial features...

The jacket...

"Alfred?" He whispered in complete shock.

"Tyson!" I screeched. Tyson decided to lose me in the crowd outside of Flo's. A group of people were having a big dance off so it was easy for me, a shorty, to get lost. When I had finally escaped the masses I spotted Tyson laughing his ass off in the restaurant. I sprinted to the door throwing it open with all of my might.

"You are such an ass!" Tyson merely continued to laugh as I slapped his arm. "You don't just ditch someone in a crowd!"

"Yeah but it was hilarious," Tyson wiped tears from his eyes as I glared harder.

"You kids always fight like Edgar and I used to." Flo was the owner of the diner, due to the fact that her husband died six years prior. She is nice old woman, one who would hand children cookies and make them feel great, a doting grandmother if you will. Her daughter Ashley was the head waitress here, nice girl and all but a little prude.

"What, we're nothing like you old coots," Tyson laughed. I sighed tiredly my anger disappearing. I knew what was coming.

"You respect your elders boy," Flo grabbed Tyson's ear scolding him. Flo sat us at the counter towards the left side of the room. I of course ordered my usual two burgers and Pepsi and Tyson ordered the same. Like I said before we eat a lot.

"So what are you kids doing on this day?" Flo asked sitting down in her chair behind the counter.

"I got voted captain of the softball team and I am starting conditioning early this year. So I had to go get a new bat," I happily explained to her. I grabbed my new bat out of my bag. It was a traditional ash wood bat, my father had me grow up with traditional gear and I'm not stopping to get some cheaper one.

"I had to pick up a football either way so I joined shrimp here," Tyson quipped playfully only to have me slap him. We continued to talk about anything though I couldn't really pay attention. Ever since I had come in here I had this weird feeling. Like this twitch in my shoulder, I couldn't stop fidgeting. I felt like this presence was watching me though each time I turned around no one in the diner was even looking in my direction.

"Alexa," fingers snapped in my line of sight, I jumped a little at the sudden action.

"Uh yeah sorry drifted off again," I lied to Tyson who shrugged. He put some cash in front of Flo and stood up.

"It's getting late and the train arrives in about an hour and it's a twenty minute walk to the station." Looking out the window I was in shock to see the sky was getting a slight orange tint to it already.

"Shoot, we better hurry," I exclaimed. "See you next time Flo," I waved following Ty out the door. Still jumpy I walked faster than Tyson, hurrying outside. I kept walking, my eyes darting left and right as people walked by.

"Hey! Wait!" The voice sounded so close, I thought it was Tyson's and ignored it. The feeling of anxiety slowly got stronger, "Please miss wait!" Hold on, I thought, this voice had an accent. The feeling came in as strong waves now. My stomach was churning in knots and doing flips. I swallowed hard and started to turn around ready to face my stalker.

Though as I turned, a strong force on my back propelled my body forward...

Directly into the view of an incoming city bus.