"Just a few more feet Gee."

Frank was covering Gee's eyes and Bert had put headphones on him so he couldn't hear the sounds in the restaurant they were entering.

Gee wasn't too keen on surprises, as they always used to consist of his dad and a lot of pain, but he trusted his friends and they would never put him in harm's way.

He was shaking slightly and hoped Frank and Bert couldn't tell.

"Okay....and now!"

Frank uncovered Gee's eyes at the same time Bert took the headphones off. Everyone at the table yelled.

"SURPRISE GEE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Gee squealed, jumping backwards and bumping straight into Frank's chest.

"Shit we scared him."

"I told you not to be too loud Brendon!"

"Shut up, I was just as loud as everyone else."

"It is pretty loud in here already."

The strays started to argue.

Lindsey stood up, put two fingers in her mouth and whistled as loud as she could. All the strays...and most of the people at the surrounding tables...fell silent and looked at her, shocked.

"That's better..."

She grinned at everyone then turned to where Gee was shaking and trying to hide in Frank's jacket.

"Happy Birthday kid."

Gee looked up through his hair and smiled shakily, starting to relax a bit.

After that everyone settled down. They tucked into the appetizers that were already ordered and the alcohol began to flow. By the time the food arrived Brendon was whining.

"Why can't we go play games yet Frankie?"

"Cause you need to eat first."

Frank rolled his eyes. This is when he felt like he had five kids. Even bert was complaining.

Gee giggled as he nibbled on a chicken wing, buffalo sauce all around his mouth.

"Look, if I let you guys go for a bit, will you shut the fuck up and then come back to finish?"

A chorus of yeses rang from the table. Frank waved a tired hand and everyone, but him and Gee scrambled away.

Gee reached over to pick up his chocolate milkshake, but couldn't quite reach it, his fingers just an inch or so away.

"Here Kitten."

Frank picked up the drink and handed it to Gee. He chuckled.

"You are such a mess."

He smiled fondly and picked up a napkin to clean the boy's face off.

"I'm all s-sticky."

Gee giggled.

"Yeah you are. Need to get you into the shower when we get home...I mean uh...you need a..."

Frank was thankfully interrupted by Ryan.

"Hey Gee, some play skeeball with me."

Gee looked at Frank hopefully.

"C-can I?"

"Of course, it's your birthday silly Kitten."

Ryan held his hand out.

"Come on."

Gee smiled and took Ryan's hand, letting himself be pulled up and away from the table.

Frank watched them go. He patted his pocket. He found the perfect gift for his Kitten. He just hoped the boy would like it too.

(time passes)

"Come on Davy grab Pete and lets go!"

Donna laughed. It was good to see her boys in high sprirts. She was sad that she did not have all of them though. She hoped that where ever Gee was, he was safe and having a good time too.

"Way, if you don't move your ass, I'm gonna..."

Bob was getting impatient and forgot Donna was there.

"Sorry Mrs. W."

"Don't worry Bobby, it's all in good fun."

Bob smiled. She was the only one that could call him that...well except for Gee.

"Daaaavvvyyyyy."

"I'm here Bobby boy...no need to yell."

David said, messing up Bob's hair then turning to his mum.

"So we're all ready to go?"

He grinned.

The boys all nodded and half the Bellville football team ran down the stairs to the arcade.

"Remember Davy, I get to kick your ass at Crusin' the World before we play skeeball!"

The guys ran in all directions, but David, Mikey, Bob, and Pete stayed together.

"It's a shame Ray couldn't make it."

"Yeah, he had a huge test coming up, but he sent this instead."

Bob pulled out the kind of card that usually contained money.

"He said spend it in good health and win him one of those goofy mugs."

"I think we can manage that..."

David laughed, putting one arm round Mikey's shoulder and the other around Bob's...even though he was quite a bit taller than him.

"Come on boys..."

He grinned over at Pete, who grinned back.

"Let's go!"

(time passes)

Brendon was drunk. He knew he was very close to his limit. It felt weird being an alcoholic, but still drinking. Maybe it was because he drank without intent of over doing it.

"Fuck it."

He flushed the urinal and stumbled out of the bathroom forgetting to wash his hands again.

"Oh man, sorry...heeeeey Kitten, I figured you'd use the girls'."

Brendon patted Gee on the shoulder.

"Meet you back at the table kay Kitten?"

He stumbled off seeing Ryan and waving.

"Huh?"

David frowned in confusion at the weird boy's back, but figuring he was really drunk, shrugged and went into the bathroom.

Gee took a big sip of water to get rid of his hiccups. He grinned at Frank, hiccuped again, drank again then hurried off to find Ryan again.

"Every time, I swear."

Bert was mumbling to himself. He was weighed down with everyone's stuffed animals and other prizes. Why was he always left holding the bag. He slumped down in a random chair against the wall and sighed.

Gee couldn't find Ryan, and after five minutes of looking he went running back to the table with tears in his eyes and practically climbed onto Frank's lap. He sobbed as Frank held him close.

"I'm gonna go explore over there."

Pete said to no one in particular, before turning and disappearing into the crowd. After a few minutes he was headed back to his friends when his foot caught on something and he was sent sprawling...right into the lap of a guy with a weird flat red mohawk thing, dark stubble, kind eyes, and about a hundred stuffed animals on and around him.
Pete blushed heavily as he scrambled backward and up onto his feet.

"Oh my God I didn't mean to land on you...I mean I didn't mean to land on anyone, or even trip for that matter but I did and I landed on you and I..."

He took a deep breath, as he seemed to have forgotten how to breathe.

"I didn't hurt you...did I?"

"Fuck me, are you alright? I shouldn't have had my foot out like that."

Pete stared at the stranger with wide eyes.

"I...I should've been looking where I was going..."

He sat down on an empty chair and stuck out his hand.

"I'm Pete."

"Robert, but everyone calls me Bert."

"Hi..."

Pete grinned.

"Are you here with your..."

He looked at the stuffed animals.

"...kids?"

He asked, hoping the answer was no.

"Fuck no, although they act like it sometimes. No, I'm the designated crap holder for the birthday party."

Bert shrugged.

Pete laughed.

"We got one of those, but her name's Ms W...she's my best friends mum...and it's his brothers' birthday party."

"Nice. Are you having fun?"

Pete grinned wide.

"Definitely."

He held Bert's gaze with his own.

"So do you live in the city?"

Bert wanted to keep talking. He didn't want the boy to go away.

Pete shook his head.

"Nah, I'm from Jersey, but I come here with my friend sometimes...you?"

"I live here...well not at the arcade I mean duh right?"

Bert sounded like a damn fool with no game.

"I work at a tattoo parlor and live above it."

"Tattoo parlour?!...that's so cool...I can't wait til I can get tattoos."

"You have um...two years to go?"

Bert crossed his fingers the kid was not under 16.

Pete sighed, looking down.

"I'm...I'm 14..."

He looked up with sad hope in his eyes.

"But I'll be 15 in June."

Bert sighed. He was ten years older than the boy. Frank would kill him for even talking to him.

"You act much older if that's a compliment."

Pete beamed.

"It is, though I doubt my mum would agree sometimes."

"I'm sure she is looking for you right now and I should find my friends."

"Oh my mum's not here...she had to work."

Bert muttered under his breath. He lost his out. Then he saw Ryan and Brendon.

"Well there's my group. It was nice to meet you Pete."

"Hey wait..."

Pete stood, then bent down to pick up a runaway Hello Kitty stuffed toy that had fallen from Bert's arms. He perched it on top of the pile.

"Could I get a card?...you know, for your tattoo shop?"

"Oh, uh sure."

Bert fished his wallet out and pulled a card out.

"Here, um...it only has Frank's name on it, but it still works."

"Could you..."

Pete bit his lip nervously.

"Could you put your number on the back?...please?"

Bert hesitated. This was dangerous ground, yet he found himself pulling out a pen and writing his name and cell down.

Pete grinned when he saw the digits. He looked up at Bert.

"Would it be ok if I texted you...you know, just to chat?"

"Pete...you know I am 10 years older than you, right?"

"I didn't, but I do now, and I'm not bothered by it...if you're not?"

Bert looked at the boy. In truth he really didn't want to part. They could at least be friends right?

"Yeah. Yeah I'm okay with it."

Bert smiled. He then found one of the small stuffed animals that he won. It was a stuffed dragon fly.

"Hey did you know that the dragon fly stands for emotion and deep feelings?"

Pete shook his head but smiled brightly.

"I didn't, that's really cool. How do you know that?...is it from your job?"

"Nah, I just like new age shit like that."

Bert have a shy smile. Seriously, what was wrong with him?

"Hey hey hey Bertie Bert Bert."

Brendon walked over...stumbled over with Ryan barely holding him up.

"Geeze Bren, you gotta slow down."

"I's being good, I just...its a Kitten party and havin...fun!"

"Wanna trade babysitting duty Bertie? I'll take the animals stuffed with fluff and you take the one stuffed with alcohol?"

Bert laughed then remembered the boy.

"Hey guys, this is Pete, he's gonna look us up when he gets old enough for his own ink."

Pete waved at the two boys.

"Hi."

"Whoa, what are you like 12?"

Ryan smacked Brendon in the head.

"Ignore him, he has foot in ass disease."

Pete frowned slightly, blushing as he glanced at Bert.

"I better go find my friends...nice meeting you."

He stood up and turned to go.

"Sure, see ya Pete."

As Pete left Ryan turned to Bert.

"Dude, like..."

"Don't just don't. I feel like a perv as it is."

"Did you get his number?"

Bert looked at Brendon and sighed.

"I'm not that stupid...he got a card from the store though...and I wrote my number on the back."

"Dude!"

"He asked for it! What was I supposed to do! He'll probably never use it."

Pete found a quiet corner and pulled out his cell. He brought up his contacts and carefully added Bert's number. Then he wrote him a text.

*Hi Bert, it's Pete. I really hope this is your number and you didn't fob me off with a fake number cos I really like you and I think you are cute but I guess if it's a fake number then you're not reading this and I'm talking to myself or some unsuspecting random and if I'm talking to a random right now I'm really sorry but if this is Bert, then hi.*

Pete didn't bother to read his text cos he knew he'd chicken out if he did. He pressed send then read it and cringed.

"Fuck...I'm an idiot."

He groaned before shoving the phone into his pocket and going in search of his friends.

(time passes)

Bert just put the stuffed animals down at the table. Frank and Gee were gone. He sat down and went to pick up his drink when his phone buzzed.

"Nah, it couldn't..."

Bert opened up his texts and could not help but smile. It was a typical teenage text. He chuckled and typed back.

*No it's me. I wouldn't do that to you, I had it done to me when I was in HS and it sucked so much.*

(time passes)

"Where were you?"

David asked as Pete appeared through the crowd with a goofy grin on his face, and a stuffed dragonfly toy in his hand.

"Around."

Pete replied as he joined in with their game. David rolled his eyes at the vague answer, but knew he'd find out at some point, cos Pete never was much good at keeping secrets.

(time passes)

"So Kitten, you enjoying your party?"

Frank and Gee came back to the booth to find it full of stuffed animals.

"Uh...what the fuck?"

Gee's eyes lit up as he honed in on a Hello Kitty stuffie that was wearing a black dress with hot pink edging and skull design, and black and hot pink striped socks.

"Kitty!"

He exclaimed as he picked it up and hugged it to his chest in delight.

Frank laughed. Gee was so cute when he acted like that. Still he didn't know where they all came from. Also it was getting late and he had to round up the rest of the strays.

"Hey Kitten. Stay here. I'm gonna find everyone so we can get going."

Gee freaked out internally for a second at the thought of being left alone, but quickly pulled himself together and sat down with the stuffies all around him and the Hello Kitty one in his arms. He nodded with a small, shy smile.

"Ok F-Frankie."

He said, yawning.

Yeah, Frank knew he was making the right decision as he looked around the arcade for his strays. Gee was getting tired and would probably fall asleep in the car if not at the table. He found Lindsey first shocking a bunch of guys as she annihilated player after player at some testosterone filled game. He walked up behind her and whispered in her ear.

"After you fuck up this next guy, we need to go. Gee is falling asleep. Can you get him to the car for me?"

Lindsey grinned over her shoulder at Frank as she unloaded a full clip into the other guy's character...she'd been holding back.

"Sure thing Frankie."

She turned back to the stunned guys who had all thought that they had a chance.

"Nice beating...I mean meeting you, but I gotta fly. Bye."

She turned with a flick of her hair and a wink at Frank before walking away, swinging her ass in her way too short plaid skirt.

Frank laughed as he continued to make his way through the place. He found Brendon next and Ryan.

"Oh good, time to get this sleeping beauty to bed too."

Brendon landed a sloppy kiss on Frank's cheek and then he and Ryan made their way back. Frank was going to go with them, but he really needed to piss. He made his way to the bathroom which he knew was near the skeeball machines.

"I fucking told you I'd beat your ass Davey!"

Pete cheered, jumping around like an idiot and doing a crazy winner's dance. His hand struck a drink that had been abandoned on a tall table, sending the cup full of sticky green liquid straight into the face of a heavily tattooed guy who was passing by.

David choked on a laugh as he grabbed a handful of napkins and offered them to the stranger.

"Here. Sorry man, my friend's an idiot."

"Fuck! Who puts glitter in a fucking drink!"

"Hey, you spilled my Green Faeriy!"

Frank turned and a barely legal blonde in a skirt shorter then Lindsey's was getting in the young boy's face. Even though he had no vision, he got between them.

"Look bitch it was an accident. Get out of the boy's face or I will call management and we will see if you are even old enough to be drinking, period. And FYI, the real Green Faeiry, would knock you on your non existent ass."

Frank knew he hit home when he mentioned her age, and her ass. She huffed and dramatically left. He turned back to the guy with the napkins.

"Thanks, uh...can one of you kind of guide me toward the bathroom so I can wash this shit out of my eyes."

David grinned and pushed Pete forward.

"Pete will."

Pete stuck his tongue out at David then turned back to the sticky green man.

"Sure, I'll take you."

He grabbed his arm and lead him toward the men's room.

"We'll be over at the bar getting last drinks Pete."

David called with a laugh. Pete showed him his middle finger over his shoulder.

"He's kidding right? You guys don't even sound old enough to drink anything, but Coke."

Pete laughed.

"He means the juice bar, but he's only a year away from the hard stuff."

"Seriously, that boy is 20?"

Frank knew his eyes were full of fucking glitter, and man that shit burned, but there is no way he was blind. He washed his eyes out and then took the paper towels from the boy.

"Hey man, thanks. i'm Frank."

Pete grinned.

"Pete, nice t' meet y'..."

He washed his hands when he realised he had green stuff on all over them.

"And no, he's 17."

"You Jersey boys start early huh?"

He watched as the boy got confused.

"The accent, it gives you away."

Frank laughed.

Pete laughed back.

"Oh yeah, guess so."

He grabbed a paper towel himself and dried his hands.

"Well I better go...that juice won't drink itself..."

He grinned.

"Nice t' meet y'."

"Hey listen, if your friend is going to be 18 next year, give him this."

Frank pulled out his wallet and handed Pete a card.

"We give a discount for your first tattoo with this card."

Pete took the card and grinned, recognising the shop's name.

"Oh, you're that Frank."

"Huh? That Frank?"

Frank was confused, he knows this kid never walked into his shop before.

Pete nodded.

"Yeah, I met a friend of your's earlier and he mentioned you...small world huh."

"Oh."

Frank guessed it was one of the younger strays like Ryan.

"Well cool."

Frank waved to the boy and headed back to the table.

When Lindsey had returned to the table, she'd found Gee curled up asleep in a mound of stuffed toys. She decided to wait for Frank as she didn't have the heart to wake the kid, and there was no way she could carry him to the car herself either.

She was sat at the other side of the table, sipping on a glass of nearly flat Coke through a curly straw when she saw Frank approach.

"Shh..."

She pressed a fingertip to her red painted lips then grinned.

"Ain't he cute?"

He asked quietly, eyes glittering knowingly.

Frank felt his heart flutter. He wanted to pick up the boy and carry him home and put him asleep in his bed, then crawl in and snuggle behind him.

"All my strays are cute Lynz. It's what you guys have in common."

Evasive, really nice Frankie.

Lindsey raised an eyebrow.

"Sure we are..."

She blew a kiss at him then giggled.

"Even Bert?"

"Even Bert what?"

Bert walked up and saw Gee sleeping.

"Aww, he looks like a stuffed animal."

"Yeah, uh, you want to carry him and I'll grab the other stuffed animals."

"Did Frankie just call Gee a stuffed animal?"

Ryan showed up with Brendon.

Lindsey giggled and pointed to the curled up boy.

"He's cuter though...don't you agree Frankie?"

Frank looked at Gee and got a dopey grin. He then schooled his face.

"Alright strays, let's go, we all gotta work in the AM and Brendon has to sleep off his hangover. Thank God he only drinks a few times a year."

Frank marched them out in a line. He watched Bert pick up Gee carefully. As they walked out, he saw Pete with a bunch of guys. They were crowded around the table and all had lettermens jackets on. Frank wondered how Pete fit in with them. He waved and then saw Pete waving to Bert. Bert got the same look on his face that Frank had for Gee and Frank wondered about it.

"Hey Lynz, you know anything about that?"

Lindsey shrugged, but the look on her face said she did...Lindsey tended to know everything that was going on with everyone, but she wasn't one to gossip or betray a confidence unless it was absolutely necessary.

"I couldn't really say."

She smirked, leaving Frank's side to go help Ryan with Brendon who looked like he was about to fall asleep, or puke...or possibly both.

(time passes)

"Did you have a good time Gee?"

Frank was tucking him in for the night.

Gee nodded sleepily, his eyes fluttering as he snuggled down.

"It was f-fun Frankie..."

He slurred drowsily.

"Thank you for t-taking me."

"Oh, you were having so much fun, I forgot to give you this."

Frank took the visa gift card out of his pocket.

Gee looked at it with surprise.

"For m-me?...why?"

He wasn't sure why Frank would bother...why anyone would.

"It's your birthday present silly. This way you can get what you need. Clothing, art supplies, stuffed animals, shoes, whatever you want

Gee giggled softly, then looked at the card again.

"I..."

He looked down.

"Can someone go w-with m-me?"

"Sure, just ask one of the strays, I'm sure they will want to go."

Frank leaned over and kissed his head.

"Now get some sleep, you can ask in the morning and I will give you guys a day off to go."

Gee yawned, putting the gift card on his nightstand and hugging the Hello Kitty stuffie to his chest. He had nearly cried when Brendon, who had won it, tried to ask for it back...so Lindsey had negotiated with the older, and very drunk boy, and the stuffie was now officially Gee's.

He smiled sleepily at Frank.

"M-maybe R-Ryan will g-go w-with me."

He yawned as his eyes fluttered closed.

Frank didn't bother to answer the boy. He just got up and left the room.

(time passes)

"You want me to go shopping with you?"

Ryan was shocked. He didn't think that Gee liked his style.

Gee nodded.

"Yeah...y-you're m-my friend...r-right?"

He suddenly felt nervous, his eyes dropping and his heart starting to race as he thought maybe the other boy didn't feel the same.

"Of course I am...it's just...no one likes my style very much. Brendon makes fun of it all the time...I just thought you..."

Gee looked up, shaking his head.

"Y-you like f-flowers...it's c-cool."

"Really?"

Ryan was in such shock that he hugged him.

Gee stiffened slightly, then hugged back.

"R-really."

"Cool, so...where would you like to go?"

Ryan was excited and then stopped.

"Wait...I can't drive, I don't have my license. We would have to take the bus."

He felt bad now.

Gee sagged slightly, then brightened as he thought of something.

"M-mayb-be Lynz c-could come t-too?"

"I mean, if you just wanted to go with her, I would understand."

"N-no no!"

Gee shook his head.

"I w-want y-you to c-come...please?"

He looked at Ryan hopefully.

Ryan smiled and found a small tear in his eye.

"Yes, okay, we'll ask her together."

(time passes)

"Hey Lynz, think you wanna go with Gee to get some clothing?"

Frank was worried that maybe Gee would ask Brendon and he was not comfortable with that. Not that there was anything wrong with Brendon, but there was a reason he never closed or opened like Ryan and Lindsey did.

Lindsey looked up from a magazine she was reading in the break room. She swallowed the bite of apple she'd been chewing and smiled.

"Sure, sounds like fun...it'll be like playing dress-up with a dolly."

She wiggled her eyebrows playfully.

Gee blushed, and giggled.

"Good, I'll give you guys Friday off."

Lindsey cheered.

"YEY!...day off for shopping!...you're the best boss ever."

"Don't let it get around."

Frank smirked.

"Okay, but today is Thursday and we have a job to do. Gee, you can go do your sketching till it's time to clean up. Oh and I was wondering if you would like to try and answer phones soon. Lynz can show you what to say and how to take and cancel appointments. It would increase your pay too.

"Frankie, we have to get Gee an account."

"Right Bert thanks for reminding me."

Gee started shaking and backed up a step, eyes wide.

"What's wrong Gee?"

Gee shook his head.

"N-n-no ph-ph-phones...c-can't."

He stuttered out, backing into the corner.

"Okay okay Kitten, you don't have to..."

Frank was up and out of his personal chair and on his knees in front of Gee.

"No one is going to make you do anything. I promise, just calm down baby, please."

Fuck, he slipped again.

Gee had his arms wrapped around himself, his fingers digging into his sides as he fought against a rising panic attack. Tears were slipping down his pale cheeks as his breath came in fast, shaky pants.

Frank pulled Gee to his chest. He threaded his fingers through his hair and whispered for him to relax.

"It's okay baby, I got you, I got you. You're safe, no one is going to hurt you."

Gee whimpered, burrowing into Frank's warm chest and clinging to his shirt.

"Alright guys, back to work."

Bert herded the other strays away. Frank lifted Gee up and carried him up the stairs to the apartment. He brought Gee to his room and laid him on the bed.

"I didn't mean to upset you like that. You rest for a bit. Take the day off."

Frank went to leave.

Gee grabbed Frank's hand, gripping tight with trembling fingers.

"D-don't l-leave m-m-me...p-please?"

He pleaded, eyes wide and wet.

"Okay okay, I won't."

Frank sat back down. He didn't know what else to do.

Gee pulled on his hand, lip wobbling as he looked up at him.

"H-hold m-me?"

"I...are you sure?"

Gee nodded.

"Please?"

"Anything you need baby, anything at all."

Gee yawned. Panic attacks always took a lot out of him, even when he was talked down before they really took hold.

"N-need to s-sleep..."

Gee slurred, his mind starting to drift into dreams.

"Night night d-daddy."

His voice faded as he fell asleep.

Frank jumped when Gee said that. He could not mean his real dad cos of all the things he did to the boy. Frank tried to figure everything out, but he looked down and saw how precious the stray looked. Before he knew it, he had lifted his chin up a bit and gave him a small kiss on the lips.

"Night night Kitten."

(time passes)

"Hey Frankie, the strays and I was wondering what you wanted to do for din..."

Bert stopped and saw that Frank was not in his room. He then checked Gee's and saw the two of them sleeping.

"Well what do you know about that."

Bert's pocket buzzed and he took the phone out.

*Hi Bert, it's Pete. But you already know that cos I texted you before but I thought maybe you didn't save my number so I thought I should tell you it's me so yeah, hi.
How's things?*

"Pete."

Bert smiled, He couldn't help it. We walked back to his room texting Pete and wondering if everything would really be alright for both of them.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks...how's you?

So two updates in two days...aren't we nice to you?!

Pete's run-on sentence texts are inspired by my daughter btw, all her texts are like that. Hehe.

Until next time...PLEASE COMMENT, and peace out babies!
<3