After their quiet time rebonding, Brooklyn heard others coming and jerked softly at the sight of the clan coming into the room: Angela, Broadway, Lex, and Bronx. Bronx woofed happily, but it scared Brooklyn, digging into his sheets. Hudson gave his hand a gentle squeeze, murmuring soothing words to coax him out.

He peeked at his clan in fear, but thankfully Goliath wasn't around yet. Elisa had told him that he shouldn't see Brooklyn until Brooklyn rebonded with the rest of his family first.

Lex smiled; happy his red brother was home. "Hey, bro. W-welcome back," he said carefully, since his brother had traces of fear etched onto his features. But Brooklyn couldn't believe he was really back, wincing from feeling that breather in his nose still.

He looked at each of them in turn. "A-are you really here?" He asked shyly and raspily, body still shaky. Brook hoped that his journey wasn't all in vain.

Broadway nodded. "Yeah, it's us little bro," he confirmed, wings around his shoulders. Brook took the time to allow his brother's words to wash over him. He hadn't heard their voices in forever. But now he knew they felt real. Tears came down his face again but another question came along.

"H-how d-did I get here? T-thought I was l-lost..." Brooklyn questioned, looking at Hudson, who smiled at him. "Xanatos found ye at his retreat on his couch and brought you home in his chopper," he said as detailed as he could.

Brooklyn then felt a memory rise, of him finding Xanadu and then drifting into nothingness afterward, a weak hand on his head, groaning. Angela tried looking cheerful. "You're home on time for Christmas, Brooklyn. We're happy you came back on time," she said cheerfully.

But the red male then had another thought hit his painful head. "A-did he... choose you to replace me...?" Brooklyn asked in a despondent voice, ears flattened, heart feeling tight. Angela saw his sad look but shook her head. "No, Goliath hasn't made any decisions yet. He was going to if the alternative came after Christmas but now that you're home..." she halted a bit. "Maybe you can talk to him."

That made the sick gargoyle whimper, still hearing Goliath's mad voice and stern glare from their last moment in him. "What were you doing when I called?! We had them!"

"Stop treating me like a hatchling!"

"I will, when you stop acting like one..." That hardened tone made him breathe quickly, eyes dilated sharply, gripping the sheets, and shaking his head no. Angela felt worried for Brooklyn reacting like that. She heard what happened and hoped the two would be able to make amends.

Hudson held Brooklyn gently in his arms again, stroking his back soothingly while that horrible flashback kept repeating its mantra in Brooklyn's brain. He hiccupped hard, feeling Hudson's arms around him protectively. The elder knew that the lad needed food before talking to any of them.

"Broadway, can ye get him something to eat? I think it will help his panic attack," he said. Broadway nodded, instantly going out make something to eat when Dr. Sato had come back. He smiled too at Brooklyn, but when Brooklyn saw the doctor he cried out; remembering that terrible doctor of Anthony.

"No! Don't let him near me!" wailed Brook, squirming.

Sato reached out with his hand. "Easy, Brooklyn. I'm only here to check on you and make sure you will be able to eat. You know I'd never hurt you gargoyles." He said, but Brooklyn felt all of his brain had lost its sense of trust from his illness, though he had befriended those other people before. Then memories of Mark and Nora came by, and Barry and Thalia. From that, it caused him to eventually settle, but not letting go of Hudson as he allowed the doctor to examine him.

Sato listened to Brooklyn's lungs and heart again, which seemed better than before. "I'm glad you were able to pull through your pneumonia, Brooklyn. You'll be able to enjoy Christmas with your clan."

The red gargoyle swallowed but nodded, ears flattened from the stethoscope on his chest. Suddenly the smell of soup hit him. Broadway had returned with a bowl of chicken soup and crackers. Brook licked his lips at how hungry he was, stomach growling. Sato stepped back and let Broadway put the tray on Brooklyn's lap after Hudson helped him sit up.

"Here's your welcome home soup, bro." Broadway said, stepping back carefully so Brooklyn wouldn't feel intimidated. Ears still flat on his head with his nerves, Brook nodded with a shaky smile at his blue brother. He took the spoon shakily, wishing though that they would leave. Hudson looked to them. "Perhaps ye all should give him privacy while he eats," he suggested. Lex nodded in understanding.

"We'll see you later, K?" The olive one asked. Brooklyn nodded silently again, happy now that it was just him and Hudson, though the doctor remained so he could monitor Brooklyn's eating.

Brooklyn started to eat the soup that Broadway had made him though he kept a wary eye on the doctor. Sato just stood by to watch him eat his soup. He kept his distance. Brooklyn had missed his brother's cooking. Hudson saw how malournished the red lad seemed, hoping Brooklyn could gain his weight back again.

Hudson let him finish eating his soup and crackers before Lex came back and took the tray from the bed and left the room. When Lex went out, he saw that Goliath and Elisa were waiting. They wanted to see the red one too.

"Is it okay if we see him, Lex?" Elisa asked.

"He's still wary of even Dr. Sato." Lexington replied.

"I just need to see that my Second in Command is here and going to be alright." Goliath admitted.

"You can try." Lex said. "I have to take his tray to the kitchen now."

"So he has eaten then." Elisa stated. "Good. At least he's willing to eat for us."

The couple went by Lex to the room. Elisa would go in first to make sure Brook wasn't going to be intimidated. She was a lot like a mother figure to him and his brothers, even to Angela too.

Elisa knocked softly. Brooklyn looked up warily and Hudson took his hand. "It's alright, lad. Just more friends here to see ye." He tried to keep the red male calm. "Come in." Hudson called.

"Hi. It's me coming in first." Elisa poked her head in.

At the back of his mind, Brooklyn remembered Elisa. But at the same time, she had been there that night that Goliath had lectured him. She had placed a hand on his left shoulder but had done nothing to stop him.

Hudson felt the young male shudder as Elisa came into the room.

"How is he, Hudson?" Elisa asked.

"He's nervous of ye, Lass. Just keep your talking simple and gentle." Hudson replied. For Brooklyn in his eyes was still a kid, especially from what he had been through to behave like one now. But he would do all he can to help him out of his shell.

"Ok." Elisa said. "Hi, Brooklyn."

"Hi-hey." Brook said nervously. His pitch of voice was really low. His ears still flattened. He still clung to Hudson's arm.

"I don't mean to scare you, Brooklyn. I just want to tell you that we missed you very much while you were gone. Your friends, Dave and Bobbi, showed us where Radar's men had taken you and tried to get there before anything else happened but you were already taken away by the time we got there." Elisa explained gently.

Brooklyn didn't want to be reminded of being sold and taken by Anthony. "Please, don't mention that man's name." Brook turned away.

Elisa knew that the young red male had suffered some severe emotional trauma if he was like this. It might be best if Goliath didn't see him tonight.

"We don't even know anything else, Brooklyn. When you're ready, can you tell us what happened to you?" Elisa asked. "We'll let you heal for now and get used to being home again. Get your strength back. I don't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"You, you were there that night when he lectured me, Elisa." Brook turned to her with tears in his eyes. "Why... didn't you stop him?"

"I talked to him after you left. I knew he was being too hard on you. You were just checking something else out when he called and he wanted you to just stick with the gang we were trying to catch that night. But he knows you would be a good leader for the clan." Elisa explained.

"Not now I wouldn't." Brooklyn retorted.

"Easy, lad. We shouldn't think about that now. You need to rest and heal right now." Hudson said. He could see the talk was upsetting the red male. "Perhaps you should talk about that later." He suggested.

"Yes, we shall. I don't think you're ready to see him just yet, but he is more than concerned about you, Brooklyn." Elisa said.

"My bag. Where's my bag?" Brooklyn asked. He was wanting to change the subject.

"What bag?" Hudson asked.

"I had a pack with me. It has a photo of some kids who took care of me on my journey after I first got away from that evil man. Mark and Nora. And my supplies." Brook explained about it.

"We saw no bag. Maybe Xanatos knows something about it." Elisa suggested. "I'll go talk to him."

Elisa left the room to talk to the billionaire man about the bag.

Brooklyn relaxed after she was gone. He was just uncomfortable around any humans right now. Dr. Sato then said, "I'll leave you now too, as I see that you are doing better tonight. Try to not get too stressed." He stated on his way out the door.

"You can relax now, Lad." Hudson said. "They are gone."

"I really don't want to see Goliath right now, Hudson. I'm not ready to face him." Brook pleaded.

"I can tell him for ye." Hudson replied. He started toward the door.

Outside, Goliath wanted to know if he could see Brooklyn. "How is he, Elisa?"

"He's still pretty shaken up about that night, Big Guy. I don't think you should see him just yet." Elisa stated. Then the door opened and out stepped Hudson.

"I heard what the lass said. She is right, Goliath. Brooklyn is too unstable right now for ye to see him. He went through a lot." Hudson explained.

"But how is his pneumonia?" Goliath asked.

"He's over it enough." Elisa replied. "Right now I need to talk to Xanatos about a bag."

"What bag?"

"A bag that apparently Brooklyn had been travelling with. It has some important stuff in it that he was requesting." Elisa said. She then walked past him and went to find David.

"I must return to the lad, but just give him a few nights to say that he wants to see ye." Hudson coaxed.

"I understand." Goliath stated. He felt bad that his Second was apparently afraid of him.

.....

Elisa found David and Owen in his office. "What can I do for you, Detective Maza?" David asked.

"Do you remember a bag that Brooklyn had with him?" Elisa asked.

"I remember one being on the table up at Xanadu when I went there to get some papers. Why?"

"It's Brooklyn's. He wants it back. It has some stuff in it for him." Elisa explained.

"Of course. I can go up there tomorrow to get it." David replied.

"Have you told the others yet about Brooklyn's new condition?" Owen spoke up.

"No, I haven't." Elisa replied. "But I will."

She turned to go back to the clan. It was important that they know about his condition.

....

In the library where the clan now was, they were talking and Elisa made her way in. Hudson was back with Brooklyn.

"Hi, Elisa. We were just talking about how we can welcome Brooklyn back home when he gets out of the medic ward." Broadway smiled.

"That's great, Broadway, but I have to tell you all something else important." Elisa declared.

"What about?" Goliath asked.

"It's about Brooklyn."

"What about him?" Angela asked in concern. "Is he alright?"

"His mental health is going to be very unpredictable right now. Who knows what he went through. It's obvious he went through some bad traumas with whoever it was that took him from us. But what I have to tell you is something more. The first day he was back, unlike the rest of you, somehow, Brooklyn didn't turn to stone like he usually would." Elisa explained.

The gargoyles were stunned. How could he not turn to stone?

"Was he human?" Lex asked.

"No. He was still his normal self. But something happened to him while he was away." Elisa said. "Let him rest for now and he can tell us later. It's just something we can only wonder about for now."

The clan were baffled that Brooklyn wouldn't turn to stone like them anymore. Sure, they all wanted to see the sun at least once in their lives, but they would usually have to be turned human for that to happen.

Later, Lex knocked on the door, making Brooklyn tense. "Who is it?" Hudson asked as he comforted Brook.

"It's Lex. Hudson, can you come out here?" he asked.

"Of course. Excuse me, Laddie." Hudson said to Brooklyn. "I'll be quick."

Hudson went out of the room. "What's up, Lad?"

"Hudson, Elisa told us some strange news about Brooklyn. She said that he doesn't turn to stone anymore. Has he said anything to you about it?" Lex asked.

"No. I not know anything about it." Hudson replied.

The two of them then went into the room together. They kept themselves as relaxed as they could to not alarm the red male.

"What's going on?" Brook asked cautiously.

"Brooklyn, can I ask you something?" Lex asked.

"About what?"

"Do you know that you don't turn to stone in daylight anymore?" Lex asked.

"Yes."

"How is that possible, Lad?" Hudson asked.

"The guy..." Brooklyn winced. "He came up with a serum that he injected into me while out with him in Montana. The serum took away my ability to turn to stone in the daytime." He explained.

That explained it all. "Who is this man, Lad? I know it pains you to say it, but we must know." Hudson decreed gently.

"Anthony. Anthony Roberts." Brooklyn reluctantly said his abuser's name.

"Thanks, bro. That helps a lot. And Xanatos is going up to Xanadu to get your bag in the morning." Lex declared.

"I don't want to mention that man's name again!" Brooklyn started crying. Hudson went over to take him in his arms.

"It's alright, lad. Ye did good for us." Hudson declared.

Lex left the room to tell the others of what he found out. Perhaps Elisa could try to start tracking this evil maniac down.

....

The clan were still shocked when they heard what Lex said, that a serum had stopped Brooklyn's ability to turn to stone. He needed it restored and soon. Would Puck and Alex be able to help him? That would be the next best bet to get it restored to him to really help him get strong again.

Meanwhile Brooklyn was still in bed but now had the breather off his nose since his pneumonia was now officially gone, but he still felt weak muscled. He had his loincloth changed by Hudson which felt nice after not changing it for months, slipping back into bed afterward.

The red male looked forward to getting his stone sleep back but was scared about seeing Puck again. His head lay on the pillows as the hours to sunrise came nearer, tears still dry on his face.

Hudson saw him looking down and stressed still. "Brooklyn, are ye alright?" He asked gently, rubbing his hand. Brooklyn sniffled.

"W-what if I can't get my sleep back Hudson? W-what if I'm like this forever?" He whimpered, gazing at the window where he would soon see the sun again. Hudson's ears fell from this.

"I don't know what Puck would do but we can only pray you will be able to turn to stone again before Christmas," he assured, drying Brooklyn's tears. He decided to cheer Brooklyn up as well.

"How did it feel lad, ta see the sun? I have always wanted to," he questioned carefully and interestedly. This question caught Brooklyn off guard for a moment, but it didn't feel like a painful question. His ears went up, making Hudson smile.

"W-when I saw it for the first time, it was bright, warm. Like how they show it on tv." Brook replied softly, still trembling, and yawned then. Hudson caressed his cheek fondly like a father would. Brook gave a little moan from the affections, having missed attention from his family greatly.

Hudson had Brooklyn look at him. "The sun will soon come again, Lad. I'll want ya to rest."

Brooklyn held Hudson's hand, nodding, seeing the rays of sunshine coming in. "G'night, H'dson..." Brooklyn croaked, letting go of the elder's hand. Hudson stayed near the bed when feeling the morning hit him, falling asleep.

Brook watched, ears perked still, as he saw the stone covering his mentor, eyes round at the sight, never having seeing this before. After Hudson was covered completely he touched the elder's stone hand. This felt alien to him but he held the stone hand, smiling softly. The door opened then and it was Elisa. Brook turned around, ears having fallen again. Without Hudson there it was more terrifying. He buried into his bed.

"I'm not here long Brook, just wanted to say good night and that David will be here with your pack tomorrow," she assured. Brooklyn peeked out.

"Th-thanks..." Brook replied groggily, falling onto his pillow. Elisa tucked him into bed when he finally fell asleep, closing the door silently next after leaving.