Heimat AU: Mikey's Rescue

Chapter Two: The Bath

Lauren parked the van at a hotel. Tonight required a warm room, some food not made by her, and rest. She didn't know if her nerves would allow her to cook.

Had that woman been serious? Or would the cops be after her for kidnapping. She looked down at little Mikey as he shook in the afternoon sun. She decided right then that it didn't matter. She had saved him, and that was all that mattered.

They walked in, slowly. Mikey was already getting tired out and that made Lauren very concerned. She knew that he needed sustenance. When they entered the lobby, Lauren bought a room for the night and ordered room service.

When it arrived, she carefully set the plate down for Mikey. He looked at the grilled cheese with wide eyes and then to Maia's and Lauren's. "I'm to have this?" He asked, he was shocked.

It was the saddest thing to experience.

Maia looked at her mom, so many questions in her eyes. Maia was perceptive and knew that this boy had been maltreated, but she wasn't ever really exposed to abuse. Let alone abuse of this caliber.

"Yes, baby, yes. It's all yours. Eat slowly, though okay?" Lauren nodded encouragingly as he touched his sandwich lightly. He lifted those hurt eyes to her, questioningly, making sure. She nodded again. He picked it up and took a small bite. Chewing, he closed his eyes. Lauren wondered just how long it had been since he'd eaten.

She wanted him to eat slow, eating too much too fast could do more damage to a starving person.

When Maia was finished, she smiled at Mikey. Mikey tried to smile back, but he grimaced. He held his stomach and put down the rest of his sandwich. He gave Lauren an anxious look. She knew instantly he was afraid of being punished for leaving food.

"All full, baby?" She asked.

He gave a small nod, so unsure.

Maia swallowed hard. "Ma..."

Lauren put her hand over Maia's and squeezed. "Later, baby." She promised. She would tell Maia the truth. She always told her child the truth.

"Can I take a shower?" Maia chirped as she bounced out of her chair. Mikey's eyes followed her, and he look amused.

"Yes...and then we can get Mikey cleaned up and settled for some rest." She tried to say it calmly, but the fear in him when she said 'cleaned' broke her heart. What all had been done to this child?

"D-do I have to?" He asked as Maia headed into the bathroom.

Lauren wished she could say no, but his hair and face looked as if they hadn't been washed in weeks. She needed to assess his wounds. "Yeah, sweetie, but I promise it'll make you feel better." She nodded and so did he. But she could tell he was only doing that to appease her.

When Maia was finished and dressed in pajamas, she bounced out with wet hair. Lauren gave her the remote with a small smile. Maia contented herself with the television as Lauren walked with Mikey to the bathroom.

She could almost feel the tiny boy's nervousness. It was emanating off of him. She was feeling nervous herself. She didn't know the trauma that this boy had gone through, and she had only ever had one child. Who was always independent. Wanted to do things on her own.

She looked back at Mikey as she started the water. His hands were shaking.

She tried to give him a small smile.