Heimat AU: Mikey's Rescue

Chapter Twenty One: Luna

Mikey woke with a start, sweating and scared.

Had he had a nightmare, again?

Or worse, had it been a future dream again?

He wiped his brow and took a deep breath. He was scared, there was no denying that, so it had to have been a nightmare. He looked around and then slipped out of bed. He walked over to Maia's bed and climbed in. He cuddled up to her back clutched his blanket to him. He just wanted to be near her. Maia would keep the monsters away.

She would keep the memories and fear of his father away.

He shut his eyes and tried to fall back asleep, but it wasn't working.

Maia felt very warm, too warm, and opened her eyes. The first thing that came to her mind was that her leg was throbbing and hurting. She winced as she tried to move it and then turned. She then jumped in shock at seeing Mikey's curled up form beside her.

"I'm sorry, Maia, I can go back to my bed!" He said when he saw her jump.

"No! It's okay, Mikey, it's okay. You can sleep with me, always." She said. "You just startled me; I didn't know you were there."

She threw an arm around him and he snuggled up to her. "I don't want to go back to my father, Maia, please tell me I don't have to."

Maia was confused. "Why would you have to go back, Mikey?"

"I...don't know." Mikey cried. He started crying on Maia and held her tightly. "Maybe I'm too bad."

"No...no. All you are is good." Maia said. She felt sad, herself. Mikey would never go back to his father, right? Their parents would make sure of that.

She held Mikey to her as tightly as she could and both of them cried until sleep stole over them once more.

***

Lauren watched sadly as Mikey sat glued to Maia's side. It was finally New Year's Eve, and everyone was out shopping for food. Everyone except for Lauren and her children. Maia had wanted to go, but Mikey had cried and clutched onto her and begged her not to leave him.

Maia had been frazzled and saddened by Mikey's begging and had instantly assured him she would not leave him. They had been playing with their figurines ever since, but Lauren didn't miss the fearful look in her son's eyes.

He was scared.

She and Collum had tried to talk with him about what he'd seen in his dream that morning, but he was closed off. He asked if he would have to go back to his father, and Lauren found it hard to assure him that he would not.

Not after Wade's call. Wade hadn't been able to stop what Mikey's father could do. He knew people in high places, it seemed. He was trying to undo Lauren's temporary custody and wanted his son back with him. He claimed there was never any abuse. They had no proof of abuse, and that his son was nothing more but a storyteller.

Lauren was still fuming.

Collum had all but roared. Asking Wade about the scars that littered Mikey's body. Asking if Mikey's father could erase the photographs that were taken of his wounds when she had taken Mikey. Wade had assured him that they stood a good chance at fighting off Mikey' father...but Lauren was worried.

That dream, and now this?

"Hello, my beans." Lauren said, smiling, as she sat down on the couch behind them. "Do you want to watch a movie?"