before the network - agents prequel

1: all you wish for

erin

"It's clean." I stop, and sigh, letting the pillows in my hands drop back onto my couch. I turn to see Mia looking at me with sympathy in her gaze. "You've gone over this whole house at least three times in the last two days." She reminds me, coming and taking my hands. "It's ready for them okay? Now you just need to actually go get them..."

"What if I get there and something goes wrong?" I whisper. "What if—" She shakes her head, cutting me off mid sentence and I exhale deeply. "Okay, Okay, Ill stop." She smiles then, squeezing my hands.

"Good because Richard's brought the car around and now it's time for you to go get them, and for me to go run your company-"

"You're my CFO, our company." I remind.

"Fine, our company, well you're gone." She gives me a hug. "It'll be fine Erin, everything will work out." And then she's shoving me out of my door and into my town car.

"The foster home Miss?" Richard asks and I nod, fiddling with my appearance as he drives. This part, this part has to be the most painful part of them all, the wait. I can feel my hands swearing, heart pounding...

Everything will be fine... I try to remind myself as we head there. They may be a little nervous but this is it, your chance at family again. Just breathe and take it slow, don't be pushy.

"We're here ma'am."

"Thanks Richard, come on in." He nods, and opens my door for me, trailing behind me a safe distance. I see a woman, must be in her forties or fifties, she looks worn but despite this she also looks caring and happy.

"Ms. West!" She says happily, and then looks around. "I'm so glad you're here I..." She sighs. "Sorry, I told Kia to be out here by now but of course they're nervous and—" She heads upstairs, and comes down a moment later. "Must be outside." She gestures for me to follow her. I do, nervous myself.

This is your little sibling, your last chance at family, what if they don't want me? What if they hate me.

"I know how the file reads, but they go by Kia, and I tend to use she, and her sparingly." I nod, and stop when she does. There sitting on a bench, a small suitcase and worn backpack at their feet, is... well Kia.

I want to rush and scoop them up, but refrain. My excitement will most likely upset them further. They don't look up, only pick at their fingers.

"You know, we could just cut out losses, save the awkward two weeks before I'm sent back here." They seem to be speaking more to Ms. Bradley then me but I still flinch, I know Ms. Bradley said they'd gone through a lot of homes but I never expected... this.

"We've spoken about this, this is a new start." Ms. Bradley says softly.

"I understand you may be nervous to make the switch but is there a certain reason you don't wish to come with me?" I ask, worried what their response may be.

"Because."

I sigh, great. "That's not much of an answer." I push softly, trying to remain soft and careful.

"It is. It means I don't want to. That's a reason. Not just an elaborate one." I hold back my scoff. She really did mean it when she said they could be a bit of a smart-ass. At the same time I'm impressed also, although I don't let it show.

"Kia!" Ms. Bradley chides. "Is that anyway to speak to someone?" They don't respond, seemingly shutting down again and I so desperately want to get them past the stage of not talking at all.

"It's quite alright." I take a moment. l look at Ms. Bradley, as if begging for a moment alone with them. She seems to sense this because she heads off, patting my shoulder as she does. I sit down beside them, taking them in. Their messy brown hair, and tattered clothing. They're lanky, with mumble fingers that continue to pick at each other. "I'm Erin." I finally say.

They meet my eyes and freeze. Their whole demeanour changes, they seem to hide in on themselves, become even more quiet and I curse. "Y-you," they stop. "You look like... like Ell." I stop, and knowing washes over me. Of course that'd hurt them, after all she left.

What kind of person leaves their little sibling alone in foster care like that. "I'm her twin." Their eyes search mine. "I'll explain later." I assure.

"She didn't want me."

I flinch. "I do." They stop again, fingers coming undone, focus shifting from picking at them to something else. "Your the only family I have left. Plus, you shouldn't be here."

They don't reply for a moment. "Please don't make me go." They plea.

"I already put through to be your guardian, it's not so easily undoable." They whimper and I take a second. "Here, how about this," they look up. "Give me a shot, give me two weeks. If for whatever reason you don't feel comfortable or safe in my house we'll come back and talk to Ms. Bradley."

"You'd, uh, you'd let me do that?" I nod my head. "Promise?" They push, green eyes finally meeting mine more full on. I notice the tears in the corners of their eyes.

"Promise." I assure, and hold out my pinky. They take a minute before shaking it quickly and pulling away. "I think though, if you let me, I can show you that living with me is the right choice."

They stand, and take their bags. "O-okay. Don't have much of a choice anyway." They whisper and head out. I pull Ms. Bradley aside and alert her to my plan, and assure her that everything will be okay. Then I sign some remaining documents for her.

When she comes back out, I see Richard trying to take their bags for me. They're clutching the backpack to their chest for dear life, and I gulp. I can't imagine what they've gone through in these two years.

"It's alright darling, Richard is with me. He's going to put them in our trunk." They don't move. "The suitcase at least?" I compromise and they sigh, releasing it but not the backpack. They turn and hug Ms. Bradley.

"Am I allowed to visit?" They whisper as they hug her so tightly I wonder if she's okay.

"Always." She assures and I see the bit of sadness in her eyes. "I'd love if you did. Just, promise me that you'll try in return."

Kia lets out a little nod. "'Kay, for you." They insist and let go. "Thank you Ms. Bradley, you're a good one." I smile a little.

"Alright then, see you in two weeks." Kia nods and waves. "Okay Kia, lets go home."