Saved -{ FRERARD }- **SEQUEL to ABANDONED**

29

Cleaning up the house was easy seeing as how now I was never really home much anymore. All I really had to do was sweep and dust but other than that, it was fine.

I also needed to go grocery shopping which was never fun. Maybe I'll let Frank come along - get something he wants.

I decided to take a shower before leaving to get Frank. Throughout my shower, all I could think of was how happy Frank would be once he came back home with me. I know he'd never want to leave me again. For any reason.

The drive to my Mom's house was a little longer today - guess no one on the road knew what a gas pedal was. Anyway, as soon as I opened the front door, arms were thrown around me and clutching me for dear life.

"Hi, Frankie."

"Oh - thank god you're here!" My mother exclaimed. "He didn't sleep last night, he didn't eat anything at all today! He sat by the window all day!"

"Frankie,"

"I'm sorry." He mumbled into my neck. "I wanted to see you. I only wanted you."

"Baby, I know you do. But you can't do that to yourself. You need to eat. You have to sleep. You'll be okay without me."

"No! You don't get it!" He pulled away. "I've lived without you before! It hurt! It was a nightmare! I hated it!" He yelled on the urge of tears.

"Frank-"

"Don't let anyone take me away again, Gerard?"

"Frank, calm down."

"Promise me?"

"You're too wound up."

He pushed a frustrated noise out from his throat and screamed, "Promise me?!"

That was it. My baby was broken again but worse this time. This time wasn't something being around someone could fix. No - this was trust. I needed to gain his trust back. He wants to trust me but he can't - not just yet.

"I promise no one will take you away again." I pulled him closer into my chest. "I won't let them."

"Thank you, Gerard."

Frank was explosive. I knew I needed to be careful of the things I say and do to him. He must've forgot I truly loved him. He must've forgot I needed him too. I wanted so bad to feel his body next to mine, to pull him close when I felt I was slipping, but he wasn't there - but it wasn't his fault. He doesn't remember how much I needed him.

"Come on, sweetheart, let's get you home."

"Home." Frank mimicked.

"Yes. I have new clothes and things for you at home."

I said my goodbyes to my mother and walked Frank to the car. I opened the door for him.

"Home?" He questioned.

"Yes."

"Not in New York?"

"No."

"Promise?" His wide eyes had me questioning what happened to him after his parents took him back?

"Of course."

He slightly nodded and got in the car. I closed the door and got in.

Once I got Frank home, I have him his new clothes and he went to change.

I stood in the kitchen washing a few dishes I had dirtied before. I knew when Frank walked in, I could feel him staring at me from across the room. I washed my hands then turned to face him. He wasn't wearing anything I bought for him. Instead, he wore just my shirt that he used to wear quite often.

His eyes locked with mine. I stayed where I was. If I wanted to gain his trust like I once had, he had to come to me. And almost right after I thought that, he started walking closer to me and once he was right in front of me, he leaned in and buried his face in my chest, gripping tightly at my shirt.

"I missed you." He said suddenly.

I wrapped my arms around him tightly and protectively, swaying slightly. "You don't know how boring it's been without you here."

"I think I have a pretty good feeling." He mumbled into my chest.

I pulled away slightly, looking into his now sad eyes. They used to be full of so much life...but it's been taken. I wonder for how long.

"What's wrong, Frank?" I asked him, stroking his cheek with my thumb. "Why are you so afraid now? What happened when you left?"

"You mean when they took me." He took a deep breath. "It's a long story..."

"We've got all the time in the world."

"No - we don't. We have very limited time."

"Frank-"

"It's not a story worth telling right now..." I opened my mouth to speak but he continued, "I just want to feel okay again."

"You're okay now. You're home. Nothing will -"

"Don't finish that sentence. Just don't. That's what you said last time..." He moved back a bit, "You said nothing would hurt me. You said you'd take care of me. You said you'd protect me. You promised! But you let them take me away!"

"They were your parents, Frank. What did you expect me to do?"

"You could've stopped them!"

"Are you listening to yourself right now? I can't interfere with you and your parents! I can't, Frank! That's beyond me! You were only 16, you had another two years with them!"

"I was 17 when they came, remember? We were together for a year before they came for me! And I know they're my parents and I know I should've went with them obediently - but I don't know them! I was scared! I haven't seen them for years! But you just stood there and didn't even try to save me! You - You -" He wiped the tears off of his face roughly, "You didn't even try to keep me!" He cried.

He fell to his knees on the kitchen floor. He rocked himself back and forth. The feelings he's bottled up inside for the two years he's been gone finally shot out of him.

I sat down next to him. "Frankie, I know you were scared. But there was nothing Mikey, Mom, and I could've done. Baby -"

He got up and ran to the bedroom, slamming the door when he was in.

I stayed where I was. It wouldn't be wise for me to follow him right now. Like I said before: Frank was explosive. Anything would or could set him off right now and I'm pretty sure I hit a fuse.

"Way to go, Gerard." I sighed.