"Why'd dey weave me....was I bad?"

He knew really Luke wouldn't know the answer, but Luke was the first adult in a long time to take any notice of him for more than 5 minutes. The first person who actually tried to get through him and even though he tried desperatly not to get attached to this stranger lest he get hurt again, he just couldn't help it. He was lonely with no one to talk to but George and no one who cared about him and he didnt want to play with the other kids. They were too noisy, always trying to get someone's attention. He just wanted one person to take an interest in just him...and right now that person was Luke.

Luke swallowed. "I don't know why Zac," admitted Luke. "But I know one thing...it wasn't your fault... Sometimes mamas and daddys do things we don,t understand...but it ain't yer fault Zac... You're a good boy."

"Don't dey wove me no more..."

Zack whispered in between his quiet sobs, his little shoulders shaking.

Luke wrapped his arms around the sad little boy. "I'm sure they still love you Zac," he said softly. "Just sometimes folks can't take care of their little boys... And they love em so much they hafta give them up so they can be taken care of em... So you see...yer folks must love ya somethin fierce t be willin' t give ya up."

Zac looked up, his little tear stained blue eyes looking straight up into Luke's calmer, gentle ones.

"You fink so?"

Luke nodded gently wiping Zac's tears away with his thumb. "I know so."

"But I weally want dem back..." He said desperatly.

"I know ya do Zac," said Luke softly,keeping his strong arms around him. "I wish I could bring em back to ya."

Zac snuggled just a little into Luke, not uncurling from his ball though.

Luke smiled as he felt Zac cuddle into him. "Things'll be ok..." He promised softly.

Zac didn't answer, just sitting cuddled in a little ball against Luke, his eyes still looking out the window except this time they didn't look like they were searching for something. Instead now he looked like he was just looking, perhaps watching in case his parents did suddenly come down the road but he knew in his heart of hearts that they weren't...that he was just like all the other kids in the orphanage...parentless and alone.

"You know...George looks a bit hungry to me... You think maybe you an him'd like to go for a ride an get some ice cream?"

Slowly, Zac uncurled just a little, looking down at George as he bit his lip. Sniffing softly, he gave a little shrug.

Luke nodded smiling a little. "Tell ya what... You get yer jacket on an I'll go make sure it's ok... Then we'll go...ok?"

Zac nodded a little, swallowing hard.

Luke smiled at him going to find the caretaker.

The lady was once again up to her ears in children. All of them were pulling at her clothes, some were crying, others were screaming, others were simply yelling because all the others were and they wanted to add to the noise. She was trying desperatly to get some degree of control among them so she could find out what it was exactly they wanted but it was impossible with so many of them shouting at her at once.

Sighing, she gave a sharp whistle which caught each child's attention in an instant. In the brief surprised pause, the lady barked out.

"All of you sit down quietly right now or there will be no dessert after dinner tonight and I mean it! Carson stop pulling Tina's hair, Tyler stop bouncing on the couches, Penny turn that music down before I take that radio away from you!"

With murmurs of 'Yes M'am' and other quiet grumbles, the kids soon settled down to quieter activites much to the relief of the worker who sank into a chair and ran a hand through her hair.

Luke cleared his throat a little. "S'cuse me...Miss?"

The lady looked up quickly, straightening her hair out as she stood up even quicker.

"Oh hey, sorry I didn't see you there. I apologise for the mess...again...its hard to keep track of so many kids on my own...how did things go with Zac?"

"Alright...I was wondering if it'd be ok if I took him out for an ice cream?" asked Luke, thinking it was no wonder Zac felt as alone as he did with so many children cumbered about the lady.

The lady's mouth dropped open, if it weren't attatched to her face it probably would have fallen to the floor.

"You wanna take him out....and he wants to go with you?"

Luke nodded. "Yes, ma'am...if that's alright with you."

"Yes! Yes of course its alright, i'm sorry I'm just...amazed...no one's been able to get Zac away from the window let alone away from the orphanage...its amazing!"

She said back, not shouting but just talking with excitement.

"Just came on the right day I guess," answered Luke. "I'll have him back before bedtime..."

The lady nodded, heading out the room with him.

"I just need to take your details so I know where to contact you if I need him back sooner for some reason..."