Hi everyone! How are you guys doing? Yes it has been a long time. I know. I know. And if I apologized a million times well, it still would not be enough to satisfy you or me. So please forgive me and enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter 23: Mending

Chase's POV:

I slowly open my eyes with extreme effort. Simple movements make the body weak. I just didn't realize how weak I felt. I know I have been through alot, but I should be able to open my eyes without crying out. I keep thinking it never happened. Like it was all a blur. I don't want to face the facts, so I just block everything out. The pain, the tears, the guilt...the undeniable guilt. I caused this. I close my eyes and shudder. This is my fault.

I try to be subtle with my movements not wanting to wake anyone up. Of course that's kind of hard to do with your legs being wrapped in tentacles refusing to let go. I groan and roll my eyes. My arms are free. That helps, I guess. Carefully, just slightly I lift my head and look around. Were home. Home. That word. It feels strange calling this home, but it is. Douglas is still asleep. I can see the bags under his eyes. I wince. I caused this. I look over at Bree. Strands of hair are covering her face in a restless sort of way. I smile as I watch her sleep. She is so beautiful. She is so peaceful. Peace at last. Donald is still gripping on to my legs tightly as if he will never let go. A shiver courses through my spine. I need to get out of here. Away from relaxed breathing and congested snores.

My mind argues with my body. It does not want to move. It protests the act of moving. But I really need some air and I want to stretch my legs. Taking deep breaths I slowly wiggle my legs out of Mr. Davenport's grasp and use my arms to push my body off the white couch. The couch mocks me by squeaking as I move. I manage to get one leg free and I hear Mr. Davenport grumble in his sleep and turn his head so its leaning on Bree. I take this chance and free my other leg in swift movements. And then I sigh in relief. My eyes widen as I realize what I have just done and I am met with a concrete surface before I can even think straight.

"Oww." I mumble quietly rubbing my head. I look up and they are still sleeping soundly. Good. I lift my head up. They need the rest. They deserve to sleep. I get up shakily. My body angrily argues for me to lay back down, but I push myself up and wipe the dust off my pants. My wounds are still fresh and aching. And I am extremely sore, but I was starving.

I quietly make my way into the kitchen. I wrap one hand around my stomach and stumble through the dark halls. All the students are gone. Mr. Davenport must have sent them somewhere. I felt bad. He was in fear and he sent these gifted bionic kids away because I messed up, again. I always mess up. My stomach growls and I keep walking until I find the kitchen. It's dark and cool in this room. I don't remember it ever being this cold. I make my way over to the fridge and place my hands out to figure out my surroundings. It was so dark that I couldn't even see my hands. Finally I touch a cool metal surface and search desperately for the handle. Once I find it, I try to pull the fridge open and grunt from the effort it takes. Man how pathetic am I? The bright lights blind me as soon as the fridge door swings open. I shield my eyes and look inside. Not much in here except a jar of mayonnaise, a sandwich in a container, and some water bottles. I wonder how long that sandwich has been sitting in there. Then I remember Bree. Feeling her spine. Feeling her bones. My god, have they all been starving themselves because of me? I groan disgusted with myself and shut the door. The room becomes dark again. My stomach growls angrily and I open the door again and grab a water bottle. Then I close the door.

So cold. So dark. I make my way over to the counter knowing this room by memory and struggle to sit on one of the stools near the counter. I moan in pain. My legs hurt. My arms hurt. My head hurts. Everything hurts. I hear the snap and know that I have opened the cap. My muscles scream with burning protests. I take a slow sip and feel the water release the pressure in my throat. I did not realize how thirsty I was. I gulp and gulp until the water trickles down my chin and down my throat and I stop, panting heavily and coughing. I cough into my arm, trying to muffle the sounds. After the coughing stops wracking my chest, I sigh and tilt my head back, the water bottle still clenched tightly in my hand.

I close my eyes and listen to the quiet. It feels good. Dark and cold, but good. A shiver takes over my body once again, but I keep my eyes closed and relish the feeling. The silence feels amazing. I sigh and allow my body to relax in the stool. I roll my shoulders and groan from the tightness in my back and upper arms. I need the quiet. No one screaming at me. No one screaming for me to come back. No one crying. No one snoring. No one whispering soft words to me. Just silence. Just peace. Just relax. I tell myself over and over. Relax.

Shuffling. I hear it and open my eyes immediately. Fear races through my heart and I feel myself begin to sweat. My eyes dart back and forth. I can feel my blood pumping through my veins. I start to pant fast. Faster. Then the shuffling stops. It becomes quiet again. I'm still shaking and I try to calm down. A scared moan escapes my lips before I gain control of my body once again.

Then I hear the fridge door open and I hear annoyed grumbles. I try to see who it is. The light conceals the figure. I can only see how tall they are. I know I shouldn't be scared because it could either be Bree, Mr. Davenport, Douglas, or Adam. But that doesn't comfort me at all and I start to shake like a leaf being blown by the wind. The door is closed and the room is engulfed in darkness once again, but I can hear the footsteps. They keep coming. Close. Closer. I am trying to escape, but my legs will not cooperate. Everything in my mind is telling me to run, but my body is so tired and my head hurts. I close my eyes and shake uncontrollably and squeeze my eyes shut, begging for mercy.

"Chase?"

I don't open my eyes. I don't trust the voice. I have lost complete control of myself and feel the tears start to cascade down my cheeks. Suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder and I cry out in fear.

"Hey, Hey Chase! Hey its me."

I open my eyes and look up. My body still shakes and I refuse to give into the warmth I feel closing in on me.

"A..Ad..Adam?" I stutter out, not trusting my own voice.

"Hey Buddy. Your okay. It's just me, Adam."

His voice is so warm. I want to allow myself to smile and feel the warmth, but I am still shaking. He notices and wraps his arms around me. I freeze immediately and he lets go sensing my state of fear.

"Chase, relax. Please don't cry."

Was I crying? I didn't even realize. I feel his hands on my shoulders. I can hear his quiet breathing. He takes his thumb and ever so slightly moves them against my shoulders, almost lovingly. I take a deep breath and allow myself to relax. The shaking continues, then it stops and only little shivers course through my body. The warmth is very real now. I can almost touch it.

"That's it. Just relax Chase. Shhh. Your okay. Shhhh." He whispers softly, his hands never leaving my body. I feel like if they did, I would start shaking again and never stop. His voice feels so warm. I lean into it. Slowly, he wraps his arms around my shaking figure again. I don't move. I just let him hold me. The hug is awkward, but it is just what I need. I lean my head into his shoulder, still shaking, And I finally allow myself to say three words that I have been holding onto for months escape my lips. He needs to hear them.

"I'm I'm s..so s..s...sorr...sorry A...Ad...Ada..m." I stutter out unable to control my voice and shake violently once again in his embrace. He seems to lose the tension in his arms for a second, but then I feel him hold me much tighter than before. He encloses me in the warmth of his body and the darkness conceals our moment together.

Adam's POV:

I hold him. That is all I have wanted to do since he left. I have been waiting to hold him in my arms. I just wanted to give him comfort and love since I have been acting so stupid. I do not want to speak to him, not yet. Not until I know its okay between us. But I want him to know that I am here for him.

I couldn't sleep. Knowing he was home with us was overwhelming and I didn't even say anything to him. I couldn't. Bree fell apart. I did not want to fall apart. And I did not want to cry in front of him. So I left. I left. I was such a jerk, such a foolish selfish, disgusting human being with my actions. The way I treated him, The way I looked at him. He had been through hell. He had almost been killed. My baby brother almost was killed. How did I allow him to slip so far? Why did I allow him to slip ever? I was supposed to be the one to protect him. I was the big brother. The one he is supposed to look up to as a role model, as a friend. And I abused him physically and mentally. I did that. I hurt Chase. I broke him.

These feelings were too much and no matter how tight I squeezed my eyes, it did not matter. Sleep was not coming and it probably wouldn't come back for a long time. I decided to step out of my capsule and get something to eat. I wasn't even hungry. I just didn't want to sleep. It was hard to see down the halls. It was pitch black. The only light that came was from the windows. From the moon reflecting light through the glass. I always thought the ocean looked terrifying at night. As if it turned black and the waters were ready to swallow anyone who dared to take a swim at such a time. After walking for some time I made my way into the kitchen and I heard someone gasp. I hope I didn't scare them. And I really hoped that this person did not want to talk because I don't want to talk.

People say it's good to talk. It gets the feelings out in the open. Gives you that relief feeling of finally sharing with another human being. Ehh I never felt it did anything, but cause problems. No one really ever wants to talk about what happened. It is like you are almost drawing out the problem, examining it and in the end you feel horrible that you ever decided to open your mouth.

I go over to the fridge and open the door. The light blinds me for a second and then when I re-adjust my eyes. Nothing. I grumble annoyed and close the door. And now the room is dark again and I hear it again. Barely a noise, but its there. I walk over to it and now I hear it clearly. Rushed movements. Kicking, or at least trying to stand up. I know it is Chase now. No one else would try to run away from me. We all needed each other, emotions aside of how I acted. I loved my family for that. They forgave me, despite the way I acted. The way I treated Chase because we have a strong bond of love and that easily pushes harsh feelings away.

I can hear his breathing. It almost sounds like he is wheezing. I close the distance between us.

"Chase?" I ask and try to reach for him. He is shaking. Badly. I can hear the stool groaning under the pressure. I can see him little by little. His eyes are tightly closed and I get this cold, heavy feeling in my stomach. This vulnerable look horrifies me and to see it so perfectly designed on his body and face gives me chills down my spine. I want him to know its okay so I reach out my hand and gently grasp his shoulder. He shrieks in fear and wince at how terrified he sounds. I try to comfort him and lower my voice.

"Hey, Hey Chase! Hey its me." I whisper, waiting to see a reaction. His eyes open and I have to release the breath I'm holding in when I see the look in his eyes. Pure fear. It sends shivers throughout my body. His eyes distant and lost. I have to steady myself not expecting to ever see a look like that from Chase. I try to wrap my arms around him but I don't want to force him to accept my presence, Not until I know he wants me there and will allow me to hold him.

He stutters out my name, broken in a little boy way and I have to fight the tears threatening to spill. I try to get him to talk. Trying. But he still sounds so lost.

"Hey Buddy. Your okay. It's just me, Adam."

He is still shaking uncontrollably and I desperately want to let him know that I am here for him. I have not held him in my arms. For months. And that strong passion to hold my little brother, to love him, to comfort him is undeniably powerful. And before I know what I am doing, I feel my arms wrap around his slender, shaking form. But immediately he stops shaking and freezes up. I curse myself under my breath for allowing my own selfish desires to sink Chase even deeper. I let go right away. He starts to cry and I feel my heart constrict in my chest.

"Chase, relax. Please don't cry." I beg. He looks so lost and vulnerable. It sends stabs of pain through my chest seeing him like this. My little Chasey so far gone. I know he has shrunk from physical contact, but I make an attempt once again and place my hands on his shoulders, feeling his whole body shake with a relentless terror. I take my thumbs and gently with caution move them against his shoulders. His breathing slows down and a glazed look comes across his eyes. The shaking slows down until slight shivers run through him, here and there. He noticeably relaxes. Good.

I remember Tasha always having this soft touch with her hands. Whenever we had a bad day at school or there was problems going on inside, she didn't say anything. She never would speak, but she would make an effort to sit near whoever was distressed and give them warmth with her hands. The pressure was so gentle. It didn't even feel like anything was happening but somehow, it worked. It could sometimes even lull me to sleep. Just a light touch that said everything that needed to be said without saying anything at all.

"That's it. Just relax Chase. Shhh. Your okay. Shhhh." I whisper against his hair. Then I wrap my arms around him, knowing now that he will not push me away. I hold him. God, I have waited so long to hold him, to hear him breathing. I loved him. I love him. He's my brother, my flesh and blood. My brother. He does not hold me back and that is fine with me. Maybe when he's ready, but I needed to hold him and let him know how sorry I was. He leans his head into my shoulder. It's a rather awkward position, but I wouldn't move for anything. We both needed this. The warmth felt so good. To hold him. To be here for him when he needed me. It was like a dream. I close my eyes and he stifles his sobs. Then he mumbles something into my shirt and it takes me a minute to process what he says. My eyes snap open and widen and I replay what he said in my head over and over until I feel sick to my stomach.

I feel myself floating and I almost release my grasp on him for saying that, but then I hold him much tighter. Refusing to let go. That was Chase. He has been through hell. He thought Rebecca loved him, but she was just using him. Chase thought it was real. He always had that quality. He believed so strongly and was full of passion about everything. And when Rebecca came I had never seen him so renewed with energy. He really truly loved her and she broke his heart. But she did so much worse than that. She crushed him, Everything that was good and real about Chase was destroyed. He wanted to believe that she loved him. That she could love someone like him. And he tried so hard and she killed him. This was not Chase anymore. This was a broken person with nothing left to live for. That is how she left him. Forgotten, broken, tainted with blood. Her blood. And I don't even want to know what else that monster put him through. I would probably never stop having nightmares about how she hurt my baby brother. And then the way I treated him even as he was going through all of that internal turmoil. I was disgusted with myself. He deserved everything that I could never give to him and so much more. But here we were in the middle of the night. Holding each other with everything that had been racing in our hearts and minds for so long…. and he apologizes.

He apologizes. To me. He apologized to me. WHAT? I don't deserve his apology. I don't even deserve to be holding him right now. I don't even deserve to be near him for the way I treated him. And he apologizes. I stumble right then and there in his arms. I feel him grasp for me. That is the first time he reached for me without me making an effort. I can hear him furiously rubbing his eyes on his sleeves to hide his tears from me. Almost as if he's...ashamed. He's ashamed? He has no right to be acting like this. No right. I almost scream. If anything I should be on my hands and knees begging him to even look at me. To talk to me. And he apologizes to me.

But that is how he always was even when he was little. When I would punch him in the arm or throw him around, abusing him. He would just shake it off and act like it was nothing. He would never let me see him cry. He would always hide his pain from me, stifle his groans, straighten his walk. Almost as if to….impress me? He has absolutely no reason, no reason to impress me. I am a monster. I treated him like trash. I did not deserve his sympathy. I did not deserve his apology. I abused him back then and I abused him now. And he has the need, this completely ridiculous need to apologize to me. I can't even speak. I don't even know what to say.

"Chase…" I try to hold in what I'm feeling and try again because my voice leaves me.

"Chase, you have no, absolutely no reason to apologize." I say and my voice cracks. He needs to know that this is not his fault. This has never been his fault. I feel him stiffen in my arms.

'Y..yes I do, Adam. I hurt you. I betrayed your trust. I never meant to be so stupid and trust in Rebecca. I should have known, Adam. I should have…."

His face clouds and he begins sobbing again. I hold him. That's all I can do. I don't want to say anything. I don't need to say anything. I don't want to ruin our moment together. I am still thinking about what he just said as his little body heaves with sobs against my chest. He was sorry because he betrayed me. He was sorry because he was stupid. I almost gag. He does not, he doesn't, why does he feel the need to say that? Why does he feel like he has to be sorry? He didn't treat me like a monster and give me stares full of hatred. He didn't punch me and leave bruises on my body. He never insulted me in a way that ever made me look down on myself. He cared about me. He loved me, still. I feel my heart swell up with something. Pride? No. Relief? Relief that he still loves me and still allows me to touch him. Yes, that is definitely what is keeping me stable right now.

My arms ache from the position they are in, but I would never let go of Chase again for as long as I lived. The air feels warmer now and a smile creeps on my face. I kiss the top of his head as he continues to cry and let out everything that has been building inside.

The sky seems to have lightened up like there is a hope in the air. The ocean begins to turn tinges of blue once again. And the sun starts to stretch into the sky creating an array of pinks, orange, and grays. I still hold onto Chase. He is my life line and I am his. He doesn't notice the change outside, but I do and it gives me hope. Even if it is all bundled in horrifying moments and haunting faces, the sun still comes up everyday and shines. And with that thought in my head I sigh contently and hold my little baby brother until the tears stop.

Bree's POV:

I wake up with a burst of energy. Feeling a tickling sensation in my mouth, I use my hand to pull out a strand of hair that has sneaked its way into my mouth. I groan in disgust. I stretch my arms over my head feeling refreshed. Then with a smile I open my eyes and look down. The smile disappeared as quickly as it came and I am filled with a sense of terror. Chase was gone. I look at Mr. Davenport and Douglas feeling fear wash over me, but I don't have the heart to wake them up. They haven't slept in a long time. Mr. Davenport has his head rested on Douglas' shoulder in a sloppy way. Douglas is snoring rather loudly and drooling. But they are both sleeping and that was a beautiful sight. My hair is all over my face and I tuck the stray strands of hair behind my ear not even caring how it looks. I get up off the cushions and am met with a head rush. I sway slightly and steady myself against the couch. Then when the black dots escape from my vision I rush out of there. I needed to find Chase. Where was he? Thoughts come into my head. Dangerous thoughts.

"No no." I quietly whisper to myself still looking around frantically for Chase. I look in every room and now I decided to wake up Mr. Davenport and Douglas. But as I am running back to them, I pass by the kitchen and just glance as I run by. But then I stop dead in my tracks and turn around and walk back to the kitchen. And what I see brings new fresh tears to my eyes. My two brothers are holding each other. Strong. With love and passion. My heart leaps. I walk in not wanting to startle them since both of their eyes were closed and a content look was on Adam's face. It seems Chase fell asleep in Adam's arms. I could tell Adam was not sleeping. So I break the tranquility screaming in the room.

"Adam?" I whisper and he opens his eyes and looks at me. I smile at him and he smiles back. He notices the tears coming down my face.

"Hey Bree." He whispers back, careful not to wake Chase.

"How is he?" I ask looking at the brown scruffy hair emerging from Adam's arms. Adam looks down at Chase in a loving way.

"He's getting there." There is a sense of hope in his voice and it overwhelms me. Everything will be okay as long as we are here for our brother. I wipe my eyes and feel a smile take over my mouth.

"He is getting better." Adam says, a renewed sense of hope in his voice. I just continue to have a huge smile on my face. Adam smiles too. The joy of having Chase back with us floods through us both with an amazing intensity.

"Can I come in?" I tease gesturing to their awkward hug. It didn't matter that it was awkward. It was there and it was happening. I wanted to be apart of it.

"Sure you can, Bree." He whispers still smiling.

"Just be gentle and try not to wake him. I want him to sleep."

"Okay." I whisper back and try to contain my excitement. Adam moves one arm and places it on my back and gently brings me into the embrace. I look at Chase's face. He is sleeping soundly and there is no crease lines, no tightness in his jaw. Just peaceful content. I look up at Adam and he is looking at Chase with a relaxed look in his eyes. I wrap one of my arms around Chase and the other around Adam. This feels right. I close my eyes and Adam does the same. We just stand there holding each other. Loving each other. Comforting each other. I listen to Chase's breathing and I hold onto him tighter, relishing the feeling.

I have waited so long to see him again, to touch him, to love him. It felt like we were a family again. It felt like there was hope and now the sun shone brightly in the sky giving life to the ocean and the light reflected brightly through the windows. It was going to be a slow process for sure to get back to where we were. But if we worked hard enough and tried, it could be that beautiful family once again. Chase was broken, but we could try to fix him. We could help him become real again. We could love him. It would take some time, but he could be our little brother who was nerdy and who loved to play around. And he loved people and believed so strongly in everything. We could give him that passion for life once again.

Chase sighed contently against Adam's chest. There was hope. There was light. And that's when I knew. The wounds were healing, closing over with time. The pain was crawling away from the mind and thoughts, The body was giving into the warmth surrounding it. It was allowing love to be processed as an emotion once again. A feeling. A way of life. It was allowing hope to be brought into the mind once again, It was allowing the energy of life to be given to it once again. And that's when I knew. Chase was mending. It would take time, but with time comes new beginnings and renewed hope. But I knew we would never stop trying. We would never give up on Chase, because deep down our little Chasey was in there somewhere. Forgotten. We would have to pull him up out of the depths of darkness. And we would never stop trying.

I look up and Adam's eyes are closed and I look down and Chase's eyes are closed. And we are all here together. Together. I hold my brothers closer to my body and close my eyes and smile. Slowly, but surely Chase was mending.

Alright Chapter 23 done! Whew! Did you enjoy it? I'm sorry it took so long. I really am. I just wanted to let you guys know that I really appreciate you taking the time to read and review my stories. It means a lot. And all of you on here are amazing writers with beautiful stories to share. So never stop writing. Please. You guys all have something special to give and I love reading what you have to share. So review and let me know what you think! And if you couldn't tell this story is approaching its end. Review honestly please. Oh btw I will be starting a Mentalist fan fiction with the very sexy Patrick Jane so be on the lookout for that. Any Mentalist fans welcome to enjoy. But seriously guys thanks so much for being awesome writers and great supporters. Thank you.