All to Save a Brother

Author Notes: Here. It has become like pulling teeth to get this story out. I'm also proofreading for 3 friends so I have even less time, but here you go. Frankly, I'm starting to wonder who I'm going to pair James with. I planned to make it with Mickey's partner who's only 6 years older(James would be 18 before something happened), but now I'm thinking about Robert. I'll see where my muse takes me. Right now I think my muse is on holiday.


Two days passed without much incident. It was obvious that Sinstra, Mark, and Tyler were too afraid to touch them, due to the officer that seemed to hold a soft spot for them. Both Robert and James came to like Kyle, Eric, Zach, and Daniel. All of them had their own personal demons and respected the right of whether they kept it to themselves or shared.

It seemed that the caretakers were starting to lose their fear of the law. When they were talking to James, they kept touching him in a way that made him feel highly uncomfortable. James was beginning to wonder whether Dr. Rendell and Officer Mickey forgot about him, but he shook that thought away. Even if the officer had forgotten about him, he was 99% positive that Dr. Rendell would not. He debated whether he should try to send a vision to Dr. Rendell, but he didn’t know if the doctor would be able to get them because they did not have that strong of a bond. Anyways, what could he send him, the conversation with the boys? He decided not to attempt anything yet. So far, the caretakers haven’t tried anything, and hopefully they wouldn’t yet.

His hopes would soon be dashed though. He was sitting on the floor by the hallway that led to the boys’ bedrooms, reading a book he found under a couch when Sinstra called him over. He gulped. He was always nervous when he was called over by one of them. James stood on shaky legs and hesitantly walked over, feeling the eyes of Robert on him the whole time. Sinstra attempted a smile, but it looked more like a grimace. She laid a hand on my shoulder and when he tried to jerk away out of fear, her hand tightened to a painful grip. “Jamie,” the young boy flinched at the nickname that only one person ever used. “I need to have a word with you in the backroom. You’ll be back in a few minutes.”

James looked backwards helplessly at Robert before following reluctantly. Just as James stepped through the door, the front door opened, signaling a visitor. Along with James, Sinstra looked to the front desk. To James immense relief, Officer Mickey was there. James broke away from Sinstra’s grip on his arm and made a beeline for the kind officer.

Robert met him halfway to the front door and whispered, “Thank god, we both got lucky.”

Out of the corner of his eye, James gazed at Robert, nodding frantically.

Mickey smiled at the two. Things seemed less tense between them, and the officer correctly took it to mean that they had worked their differences out. “How have you two been?”

James looked to the left to see Sinstra standing there and gulped nervously. “Okay, I guess.”

Robert discretely elbowed James in rebut for the blatant lie. James shrugged and Robert decided that for once HE would take control. James had been extremely close to being hurt and he was not about to give the caretakers another chance. “James is so very wrong. Thing aren’t fine here. They’re the complete opposite.”

Robert put his hands up to placate the scowling boy. “What’s the problem Robert?”

Sinistra stepped up to the two boys, plastering on a fake smile. “Nothing’s the problem sir. The boys just miss many people and James is still suffering from the loss of his brother.”

James glared at her. She had no right to mention Marcus.

Officer Mickey looked thoughtful, before smiling. “If you don’t mind m’am, I would like to hear what Robert has to say.”

“But…” Mickey silenced her with a hand, making her frown.

Robert gave a snide smile at the woman. “We want out of here.”

Sinistra tried again. “Dear boy,” she went to lay a hand on Robert’s shoulder who jerked away.

“Do Not Touch Me!” As an afterthought, “and the same goes for James.”

Officer Mickey stepped in between the two. “What’s the problem Robert?”

Robert gestured to the boys sitting in a huddled corner. “They told us an interesting story yesterday.” Robert went on to explain what they told them and about the fact that Sinistra had been taking James to the back room.”

Sinstra tried to save them. “All of these boys are very disturbed from the pasts. As for James, I just needed to have a word with him in private.”

James spoke up quietly. “Why do I always get a strange feeling around you then, an uneasy feeling?”

Mickey, knowing about James’ abilities, knew to take the boys’ words to heart. He steered the boys away from the woman and then turned back to the woman who was no longer attempting to hide her sneer. “I’m afraid I will have to take you under arrest for questioning.” Just then, in walked in Mark and Tyler. They looked at the officer and Sinstra’s face, and they tried to make a run for it. Robert was faster, and was able to trip them. Mickey moved it, got them cuffed before turning to the vile woman. “The three of you are under arrested. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights?"

Sinstra tried to tug away, but nodded when that didn’t work.

Mickey looked at the children who are wore wide grins. They were just happy to get away from them. “Kids, I’m going to call for backup to come stay with you.” Mickey did just that. Mickey waited outside with the arrestees, not wanting to leave the children alone.

James tentatively stepped outside. Seeing the young boy’s nervousness, he beckoned him over with a kind smile. Seeing the three ex-caretakers, he stayed a little ways back.

Mickey smiled. “They can’t hurt you.”

“I have a feeling they almost did.”

Mickey lips tilted upwards, but there was sadness to it. “You heard Robert tell me. Now, what’s the problem?”

James looked up with innocence in his eyes that broke Mickey’s heart, especially after everything he’s been through. “What’s going to happen to Robert and me?”

Mickey wished he had an answer, but he didn’t. “Don’t worry. Before we put either of you anywhere, we’ll do a complete check.”

“I wish I could be with Dr. Rendell.”

Mickey laid a hand on James’ shoulder, causing him to flinch, which he chose to ignore. “I’m sure Rendell wishes he could take you in too, but with the hours he works, it would be near impossible to give you the right kind of home life. You do understand, don’t you?”

James nods. “I still don’t have to like it.” As James finished the saying, two police cars drove up, Officer Jared being in one of them. James gulped, nervous around Officer Jared.

Mickey made a move to explain the situation in more detail. James looked into the car, and saw the 3 cuffed adults. They were not hiding their distaste, which made James take a step back, even though intellectually, he knew they could not do anything to him. Jared wore an ugly expression before walking to Mickey’s car. James took another step away, wanting to put as much as distance as possible between him and Jared. He yanked the door open with ferocity. He drove off with screeching tires.

Mickey came and steer James in the backseat of Jared’s vacated car before moving back inside. A few minutes back and the kids came bustling out. Robert was ahead of the group and made sure to get next to James. Hesitantly, James leaned into Robert who frowned, but put his arms around the younger boy. Mickey smiled at the couple, glad that they seemed to at least like each other a little better than before.

Surprisingly, they arrived at the hospital. At James’ questioning gaze, Mickey answered the unasked question. “You have a good relationship with Rendell. He knew you guys were not okay there. I wasn’t planning to come until tomorrow but after Rendell’s call, I changed the plans.”

James smiled widely. He had not needed to attempt to send a vision after all. Mickey opened the passenger door, and James hurried out with Robert following out. He walked into the waiting room and saw the seer doctor pacing. He rushed over to the frazzled doctor, and swung his arms around his midsection.

Rendell jumped startled, but knew who it was. He turned around, and enveloped James in a proper hug. “Thank god you are safe.”

James pressed tighter to the person he had become familiar with. “It is only because of you. I am so grateful.”

“As I am.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Mickey had pulled Robert aside while James and Rendell had their reunion. “Listen, I already have a place lined up for James. They will be checked out of course, but it should be fine. As for you, not many want to take you because you’re over eighteen. They had said they would take you, but they can only take one person, and frankly, I feel like James would benefit the most there.”

Robert nodded understandingly. “Where does that leave me? I have no skills and I need to get an education.”

“I have decided to take you in, and for all legal purposes, become your guardian."

Robert was shocked. A part of him felt happiness, but then he looked at James who was in a deep conversation with Dr. Rendell. James was not as damaged as he was. He could still be put back together with personal attention. It was not too late for him. He thought how James would feel about going to a new environment with other kids alone, not knowing a single person, how scared he would be. He remembered the look of fear when he went with Sinstra earlier that day. He also remembered how James listened to him last night, and comforted him with the right words. James seemed so compassionate and willing to help. That made up his mind. “Sir, I’m grateful that you would be willing to take me in, but I have a different proposition for you?” Mickey raised an eyebrow, indicating he should go on and that he was listening. “I will go wherever you have James going. Instead of becoming my guardian, become his guardian.”

Mickey’s eyebrows rose. “Are you sure? I’m sure James would be fine there.”

After another glance towards the younger boy, Robert nodded with determination. “I believe that James would best heal with you. I want to help him anyway I can and this is the best way.”

Mickey nodded. “I’ll get the paper work set up.”

Robert stopped him from leaving. “Please, don’t tell him what I did. I don’t want him to feel guilty and knowing him, he will.”

Mickey smiled gently. “James is so lucky to have you as a guardian angel. I won’t say a word.”