NAOMI'S POV:

The buzzer went off, waking me from my tiresome nodding stemming from the numbingly intense pain that I had been doing since Mr. Davis sat me up here. It didn't take me too long for me to check back into reality, but I'll admit I longed to go back to my wandering state. At least it was less painful there. My first instinct was to jump down and feel anything but this hot surface, but I hesitated. Everything was so surreal. I can't remember if Mr. Davis told me to get down when the buzzer went off, or that he would be back when the cycle finished. The bottom of the door showed no evidence of anyone standing nearby. I saw Sarah come in earlier but she continued forward, not too sure how to process the awkwardness in the room. But there were no voices. Silence had filled the air and I found myself slowly mirroring it.

I could get down if I wanted to....but where was I to go? What would I do? Mr. Davis certainly is in no mood to see me nor was he in any mood to put up with anything else I could do wrong. I'd hate to see him anymore upset than he already was.

Just sit and wait patiently, I reminded myself over and over despite the overpowering nature of my flight senses. Mr. Davis usually is a very punctual person, and I am too...another skill fostered at the Academy I guess. Tucking my arms against my chest, I took a few deep breaths and waited with suspense for either the dryer to turn cold or for Mr. Davis to arrive. Whichever would come first, although I secretly hope the dryer is the victor.

Looking around, the small room was as plain as can be for a designated washing room. There was a dryer and washer of course, a sink to drain the water, and a few baskets laying around. Read the back of the laundry detergent! I reached behind me and grabbed the soap powder off the shelf. CAUTION: MAY IRRITATE EYES. Do not get in eyes. Do not use this package for dispensing beverages....well yeah, obviously.

Alright this isn't working. I put it back immediately and decided to just wallow in my misery.

"Get down Naomi." Mr. Davis said a few minutes later, keeping his eyes focused on anywhere but me.

I slowly crept off, carefully making sure to not make any sudden movements. Once I was able to pull up my pants and process the contact, I was able to see Mr. Davis was in a graver state than before. He seemed lost, not sure of how to feel or where to begin his recovery. It broke my heart.

"Dinner will be ready soon. Until then, I want you to just wait in your bedroom."

"Yes sir." I said in a low whisper.

When he turned, I could see the switch clenched in his fist. Annoyingly patronizing me. I thought about ripping it from his hands and breaking it into a million pieces...but I don't dare. I couldn't imagine the reaction of Mr. Davis if I do so, nor do I want to.

"We'll be leaving for the Academy early in the morning, very early: close to six so I suggest you pack everything you need and get a good night's sleep."

I hope him telling me that was a result of his unsureness of what to say and not a hint that he has no intention of speaking to me again tonight.

"Okay I will."

"Go on." He motioned me out of the room.

A-are you going to throw it outside?" I'll admit I wanted the satisfaction of doing it myself.

He hesitated, realizing my intent for asking. "No, it was a good switch. I think I'll hold on to it." He sat it in the corner.

I think I just coughed up my spleen.

"Go ahead."

"Mr. Davis?"

He turned his head to my direction, but kept his eyes on the ground.

"M-Mr. Davis." I said after exhaling. "I...I'm so sorry."

Silently, he nodded but remained as he was.

I know it isn't good to rush these things, and I wanted him to take his time to grieve for the casualties of my mistake, I wanted to respect that, but guilt was consuming my insides and I just wanted to see him as he was before.

"Please...."

"I'll holler when dinner is finished." He waited until I was completely out of the doorframe before stepping past me and walking away without another word.

The high-pitched ringing in my ears has returned but my shaking settled as my tears transitioned into a silent sob.

I hated the idea of walking away, but I think I need to show that I respect his feelings, so I obeyed and climbed the stairs to my bedroom. Ignoring that everything was just as we left it, and crawled into bed, belly-down. Sobbing into my pillow, I sat there feeling helpless and disappointed in myself. I can't believe I was so blinded by my own covetousness that I violated something so sacred to Mr. Davis. I left the door open, hoping that he'll come upstairs and talk to me though I really don't expect him to.

Desperately wanting to go to sleep, I turned over to my side to gaze out the window and decided to stay awake. I didn't deserve to go to sleep. Sitting up, I walked over to the wall that contained the window and sat down on the shagged carpet.

__________________________________

MR. DAVIS' POV:

I stirred the pot, trying to delegate as much of my attention to cooking as I could but I was running out of things to do. I put this on this morning after my first encounter with Naomi's exposure, it was just something quick and simple to get us through the day. I hoped it would give me some solace because my workout definitely did not. I heard the dryer's buzzer go off and I know I should head over to the laundry room, but I am curious to see what she'll do if she finds me not arriving promptly.

I told myself to keep it together, that I have a child in the house so I can't lose it right now to help me suppress all the negative feelings awoken inside me. But that did very little.

For the first time in a long time, I have no idea what I am going to say to Naomi when I fetch her off the dryer. No doubt she endured a long, tediously painful punishments at my hands, and usually our after-punishment conversation either assures me she has learned her lesson or gives me insight into what to do next to help achieve that objective...

In my heart I wanted to forgive her, to wrap my arms around her and let her know that everything was alright. That I will be okay, and time would heal our inflicted wounds. It was a mistake, she had no idea what she was walking into, but that was because she was doing something totally unacceptable. I guess she had become enulghed as collateral damage.

I wish being her guardian did not come with so many obstacles for her; the Academy, my grief, the lack of a mother figure in her upcoming life, my stubbornly traditional brother-in-law...I could think of so many others, those were just the most obvious. Sometimes I wonder if her life prior to the Academy was as normal as I picture it...a simple, happy family. I hate that she was thrown into this so quickly.

"Feeling better?" Sarah asked, setting her cup on the counter near me.

Aside from Jim, she really was the only adult person I had left to confide in and more often than not, she always helped me through my shortcomings and difficulties.

"Not really...everything is just chaotic right now. I haven't been in there for months, shutting it all away was easier than taking the rest of letting it consume me again. I locked it up only three weeks after I buried Audrey, so I guess I'm in shock. And Naomi...she's been hurt so much," I sighed. "I don't know if I can break through the fortress, she's built around herself, if she's even ready to let them fall. Somehow, she seems to be under the impression that I'm against her."

"Naomi didn't mean to see those things, she didn't even know they were in there."

"I know this, but she still wandered in there without permission. You and I both know that actions can have unintended or unforeseen consequences."

"Of course, and I can understand that you would be angry about that, but you punished her for it and no doubt did not go easy on her...just make sure that is the basis for the lesson you want her to learn."

"Are you insinuating that I may have unintentionally, through carelessness, punished her because I was upset over that?" I pointed to my office.

"No, no of course not. I know you would never do that..."

"I didn't punish her for opening old wounds, I punished her for breaking into my office. Invading another person's space and violating their privacy." I was justified.

"I know that. But, generally, you and Naomi bounce back quickly after you dish out her punishment, and now you're making it clear that you still haven't forgiven her but you should."

"It's not that simple."

"Isn't it though? She's a child, a broken and sweet child who made a mistake. You're acting too harshly against her and your message is going to get lost." She swirled her finger on the rim of her cup and tried to talk some sense into me.

Leaning my lower back against the counter and folding my arms over my chest, I sighed heavily at the unwelcomed, however true, lecture from my older sister.

"I saw the look on her face when I came in and heard how you dismissed her...she's really concerned for you because she knows she hurt you. If you genuinely are not angry with her for opening old wounds, then you need to forgive her. As a child, she's not as multifaceted so I promise you that is all she can focus on. If you're not careful, it could damage her developmental growth in the long run."

"Since when did you become an expert on raising kids?" I asked, waiting for her smirk to appear before revealing mine.

"I'm a reporter; I sit in the background, observing and judging others for a living. It's easy to watch a scenario from a distance and see what's wrong with the picture." She shrugged.

"I can see where you're coming from," I wilted. "And I agree. I got caught in the shadow in the background because of it so thank you for bringing me back."

"One more thing." She assumed the spot against the counter parallel to me. "Even though I can't imagine how you feel, I can tell you from a neutral party that you need to let go."

"Let go?" I asked, not entirely sure I heard her right.

"Audrey would have wanted you to move on...especially now that you have something else that needs your attention. You don't get to have a crisis now, she needs you. She's going through her own crisis and needs guidance."

Sarah had a salient point; Naomi does need me, especially since I'm the only one she has, and I shouldn't be as selfish as I'm being. I'm going to have to look past this as best as I can to ensure that Naomi has everything she needs to be successful and happy. ________________________________________________

NAOMI'S POV:

"Naomi?" He knocked before coming inside.

I was still in the same spot as when he first told me to come upstairs, about an hour ago. He carried a glass of water over and gently motioned for me to take it. Good thing too, I was so thirsty from all the crying I was doing.

"Why are you sitting on the ground?" He asked plainly.

Shrugging, I finished the glass in a matter of seconds. He took it from my hand and knelt down to face me. Not sure if I was ready to hear what he had to say, I assumed my prior position with my knees tucked against my chest and my chin resting on my folded arms.

"Dinner is ready, come downstairs." He stood almost instantly after he finished that sentence and began walking to the door.

As I moved myself from my spot, I made no effort to say anything else to him. I just complied with his orders. Continuing straight, he walked downstairs, and I trailed behind after him.

First walking into the kitchen, I could tell he made spaghetti because the vibrant fragrance of tomatoes had seized the kitchen. It smelled delicious and I wanted to tell him, but the atmosphere was too awkward.

"Here's your plate." He handed me a plate full of spaghetti and meatballs with a garlic stick on the end.

"Thank you." I took it and quietly sat down, easing my way into the chair and trying to put the pain aside.

He took his plate and glanced at me, seemingly hesitant on where to sit. Inside I was cheering him on to sit across from me, but every sign from him showed that he didn't want to. Despite that, he grabbed the grated cheese and assumed the seat across from me.

"Thank you."

"For what?" He asked as he started eating.

"For sitting at the table with me."

Finally looking at me, he nodded. "I wasn't contemplating on where to sit Naomi; I was looking for the cheese. I forgot where I put it."

Setting his fork down, he let out a large exhale through his nose. "I'm upset and I'm angry, but we're still a family and I'll eat dinner with you."

Looking down at his plate, he began eating silently as I began processing my thoughts. I was starving but suddenly had no appetite.

"F-family." I said quietly to myself.

"Naomi, if I ever gave you any cause to think we weren't family then I'm sorry. And if I never showed you enough that we were, I'm sorry about that too."

"Mr. Davis," I said, not really sure of how to articulate my sentence but just wanting to get a conversation started. "I...I won't pretend to know what you're going through or how you feel,"

"You best not. I wouldn't want you to even come close to experiencing this." He continued eating.

"I didn't expect to find that. I was just trying to find out some answers about myself."

He nodded. "Naomi, I want to make it clear that your punishment was for breaking into my office. Yes, I am hurt by it and it has caused me some grief, but that stems from you violating my privacy. That is what you should focus on, leave everything else to me."

"I understand." I said quietly, my voice slightly breaking.

"You cannot just violate and disregard people's lives to get what you want and, if you do, then you better consider thoroughly the consequences that come because you'll be living a very lonely life." He said sternly.

"Yes sir."

"When you're finished eating make sure you put your dishes in the sink and head on back upstairs, and don't forget that we're leaving early tomorrow."

"Yes sir." I repeated.

Dinner didn't quite go as I expected, but at least he said more to me than he had earlier. Despite his direction, the guilt I was feeling was insurmountable. I had to do something to make this right, no matter how much he told me to ignore it.

He finished his plate a lot quicker than I was expecting, and I wondered if it was because he had something else to do or if he would rather not be in the same room any longer than he needed to be.

"Finish that, you've barely eaten today." He said firmly.

"Yes sir."

After putting his dishes in the washer, he walked in an orderly fashion out of the kitchen and down the hallway.

"Crap." I whispered to myself.

My stomach was full after only two bites, the site of the rest of the spaghetti made me feel nauseous. I'm way too conflicted to eat anything, let alone something this heavy, right now. Even after leaving the room, Mr. Davis was still lingering in my head.

Shoveling the entire slop of spaghetti as fast as I could into my mouth, I tried to make sure my plate was finished so I could confront him again but this time with a different approach. Hopefully he won't push me away.

Taking a moment to finish my mouthful and get a drink, I gathered my thoughts and walked slowly down the hallway where he had exited. I entered his office, expecting to see him in a fit of fury, but instead found him to be in complete control of his composure.

"I didn't call for you." The sternness in his voice arrived.

"I know, I'm sorry but it...it just doesn't seem right that you're down here cleaning up a mess I made alone."

"I made the mess, I was the one who threw everything off the table." He clarified.

He seemed different now, not as inflicted as before or at least not that I could tell. He almost didn't seem bothered at all, maybe a little frantic, but nothing more. I'm not sure if that was a good thing or not.

"Please let me help, I don't want you to do this alone."

He hesitated, not sure whether or not to accept my offer because we both knew how betrayed he felt. But then, he glanced to the right, just past where I was standing and pointed.

"You see that white box? Bring it here please." I looked behind me to see a cardboard box sitting randomly in the corner. Cautiously picking it up, I brought it over to where he was and sat it down on the ground.

"W-what are you doing?" I couldn't help myself but to probe.

"Help me put everything in this box." He motioned me to begin grabbing things on the post-it board and I did immediately.

"Everything?"

"Everything." He responded clearly.

I tried to keep pace with him, but his hands and arms were bigger than mine. He didn't show any attention to detail and, instead of stacking them neatly or with precision, he just took the papers as they laid on the ground and shoved them inside the box. He was never this messy or unorganized.

"Is that all of them?" He glanced at the board and under the table before taking the ones from my hands and putting them in the desk as well. "Alright, come with me."

Lifting the box, he carried it with one arm outside the back door. I thought at first, he was going to shove them inside the car, as it seemed he was heading toward the driveway, but instead opened the gate to the backyard.

"Y-you're going to burn them?" I asked, feeling more surprised than anything as I saw the firepit lit.

"I don't want a tomb in the middle of our house anymore and...and when I remember Audrey, I don't want this to come to mind." He admitted to himself more than me.

Our house. I know he's trying to move on, and at the same time instill the idea that this is my home now, but nothing felt right about this. Without hesitating, he tossed the entire box into the open flames before he could give it a second thought.

_______________________________________

MR. DAVIS' POV:

She stood just a few steps behind me as we both watched the box almost instantly become consumed by the fire. I had to do something bold and permanent to make sure I could dedicate my time outside of this topic, I owe that much to Audrey for the promise I made her.

Naomi did lose a lot of the trust I had for her but realizing that she was searching for answers to a situation she couldn't quite grasp left me relating to her. I was the same when Audrey passed...the only difference was I was an adult so, aside from doing anything illegal, there was no trouble for me. I had alienated a few friends, but the ones who stood by me during the process became the only people I needed.

"Do you have any idea how in love I am with you?" I kissed the top of her head as she coiled herself around my chest.

"Oh, I know."

We laughed jointly, neither of us doing away with the humor we shared. That was one of the best things about her; she had a great sense of humor.

"Don't get cocky, I'll shove you right on out of here." I played as I wrapped my hands around her naked waist.

"Please, you wouldn't last a week without me." She smiled down at me, running her hands through her long, golden-brown hair.

"You're right, I don't know what I'd do without you."

Seeing my demeanor shift slightly to a more serious infliction, she matched mine.

"You'd move on." She leaned forward to look me in the eyes. "You'd have to because our children would need you."

"We don't have any kids." I whispered.

"Well, a few more rounds and we might." She kissed me with a bright smile, causing me to pull the sheets off us reflexively.

"But you have to promise me that..." she pulled back.

"What?"

"If anything happens to me, kids, or no kids, you have to move on. I never want you to go a moment without happiness. Take very little time to grieve and then get back to your life."

I pushed back her hair. "You're a huge part of my life."

I went to kiss her again, but she leaned back. "Then fill that void." She smiled and this time let me kiss her.

"Promise me, promise me." She whispered between kisses.

"I promise."

"Alright, it's over." He said as the fire went low.

Half the night I waste in sighs, wondering and wishing I had just one more hour to spend with her. There were questions I wanted answered, things I wanted to say before she left. I know it's going to take me some time to get over this, especially now that I just burned all my papers....my therapist is going to be interested in hearing this. But I took on the responsibility of caring and raising Naomi, so she needs to become my utmost priority. So, at least around her, I need to maintain a strong appearance.

"Are you okay?" She asked, looking up at me.

"I'm fine. You should be in bed, we're leaving early." I said in a rush.

The low-lit sky had reached its breaking point as it turned purple, soon it would be dark and become slightly chilly. I opened the porch door and motioned her inside, which she followed promptly.

"Goodnight." I locked the door behind me also turning to face her, giving a snide hint for her to go to her room.

"Yeah, goodnight."

________________________________________

For the third time today, I climbed the stairs feeling every ounce of disappointment clustering inside my head. I didn't make the breakthrough I was hoping for, instead I may have made everything worse. Shutting my door a little more forcibly than usual, I ran to my room and collapsed into bed, not even bothering to change my clothes.

How do I start? Where do I begin? He's been hurt so much...I don't think he'd be willing to let the fortress he built around him fall. Am I able to gain his forgiveness? I've spent so much time focusing on my parents, how lonely and betrayed I've felt that I haven't processed that this is my life now. Somebody please come wake me because I must be sleeping

_______________________________________

A small beam of yellow light spread against my wall as Mr. Davis peeked inside to make sure I was asleep. Then came his shadow, eclipsing over that beam of light, and I could tell he was lost in his thoughts as he studied me. I didn't know what time it was, but I wasn't even asleep, nor did I know how long he planned on watching me but I knew that he would be in bed if it wasn't for how we left things.

"Mr. Davis?" I opened my eyes and turned around, whispering before he turned away.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't. Can we talk?"

Hesitating, he folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the doorway. "You should get some sleep, we're leaving early."

"I'll be okay. Please?"

I wanted to leave my newfound home on a positive note, I would hate to have to go back to the Academy with our relationship being as it is now.

Without turning on the lights, though I reached over and turned on my lamp, he took a seat at the foot of my bed. The light from the hallway shining brightly on the left side of his face.

"I'm really sorry I broke into your office; I shouldn't have wandered and I'm even more sorry that it brought up painful memories for you."

He nodded. "I hope now you can see that violating someone's personal space does not just bring mistrust but can also cause damage to someone."

"Yes, I do...and I'm really sorry for it. I didn't mean to cause you so much pain, I'm just always conflicted about everything going on with my parents but, but as you said earlier, there are right and wrong ways to do things." I started crying.

He reached forward and wiped the tears from my cheeks. "Have you checked the top of your dresser at all today?"

"N-no?" I responded.

"When you went to get a switch, I put a copy of your Academy file there. We xerox all student files when they arrive at the Academy and when their stay is extended. Yours includes the copy of the adoption papers and is up to date in everything else."

"Really?" I asked, looking past him to peak at my dresser. I could see the manila folder just lying there.

How the hell did I not notice that?

"Really." He stood and went to fetch it, bringing it back briskly as he saw my eagerness.

Handing it to me, I went to pull away, but he kept his grip. "We're in this together Naomi, you're not alone. I'm not a deterrent. I promise." He let go.

"Thank you.... thank you so much." I lunged forward, wrapping my arms around his neck which caught him completely by surprise. "Will you forgive me?" I asked.

Even though he hugged me back, not as forcibly as I, he did not sound too sure of how to answer that.

"I can only forgive you if you learn your lesson and promise never to do it again."

"I promise. I'll be straight and forward, I'll ask and come to you more often." I pulled back to look him in the eye, showing my commitment.

"I want you to mean that." He emphasized.

"I do, I mean it. I promise."

"Alright then. Inside you'll find status reports from the investigator, so far he's been unsuccessful and now is trying to find where to go from here..."

I've been waiting so long to hear that, but strangely enough...I don't feel anything anymore. He noticed my fading excitement and went silent.

"What's wrong?"

"I want you to cancel the investigator."

He inhaled sharply.

"His work increases the chance of finding them."

"It doesn't matter...I don't think I'd want to go back with them anyway so it's just a waste of time and your money."

"Naomi, I expected you to wonder and search for your parents, it's only natural, so you shouldn't make such a rash decision right now."

"No, I'm done looking for my parents. All it's done is get me in trouble and to be honest," I exhaled to prevent myself from crying. "why should I care if they don't?"

"Don't say that." He warned. "You don't know what happened, or why it happened, so don't speculate on it and jump to a absurd conclusion. I'm sure you would feel pretty awful for thinking bad thoughts if their reasons turned out to be somewhat justified."

"It doesn't matter, if their reasons were justified then it probably would be best for me not to interfere." I wiped my eyes. "But...."

"Yes?"

"I-is it okay if I stay with you? I mean, are you okay with that?"

From the movement in his chest, I could tell he tried to hide his exhale. "I'm okay with keeping you, if you're okay with staying." His eyes crinkled as the upturn corners of his mouth emerged and I found myself smiling as well, both of us for the first time today.

"Are you going to be okay?"

"You're asking me this? Naomi, are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah, it'll be okay...I have you, so what do I need to worry about?" That seemed to lift his spirits.

I never thought I'd throw in the towel so much over finding my parents, but after seeing the ends of tracking them down, I don't think I could find anyone more mindful than him. Maybe this would be better for me than trying to understand everything that happened.

"Goodnight." He motioned me to lay down and then covered me, pulling the slip of the bed just to the top of my shoulders. "Sweet dreams."