Rosy-Posy here!

I know. I know. I know. It's been forever since I've updated. Just know it's going to be like this for a long time..…That's all I'm going to say.

Anyway here's the chapter you all have been wanting for a very long time! Please forgive me for any grammar mistakes I don't have nearly enough time to look over them!

Also, I'm totally fine with you guys asking for certain chapters, but also good feedback makes me work harder on things too! Thank guys!

Enjoy! Please review!

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Chapter 10: First Time Run Away

Skipper had never been this mad before in his life with Private. Sure there were times were he was annoyed, flustered, or frustrated on the young guy, but never had he ever been furious with him. Maybe it was because of the fact he was pressing down on Kowalski's bleeding lower abdomen, because Private had screwed up. Skipper in his fury kept his cool as he pressed firmly down on Kowalski's abdomen to stop the bleeding anymore, as he was being pulled on a gurney to the emergency room that they had made it too.

"Kowalski, you're going to be alright! Hand in there, man! Come on don't give up on me, brother!" Skipper shouted, trying to get a response from his brother. He was deathly pale, and his eyes were heavy ready to shut. He could only moan, as to reply to his commander. He grimaced one last time, and shut his eyes, "Kowalski!"

"Sir, you have to leave, we have to get him in surgery right away!" One of the nurses, started to push him away from his position.

"Kowalski!" He shouted, as the nurses, and doctors rushed him out into the procedure room. He watched as the doors closed preventing him from seeing his brother anymore. A great worry came over Skipper tying his stomach in knots he was fearing that Kowalski wouldn't make it through the night. He clench his fist, he wouldn't forgive himself if Kowalski…No. That wasn't going to happen. It wasn't going to be Manfredi and Johnson again.

"Come with me, sir." A voiced from behind commanded, a male nurse was leading him back to where he had left Rico, and Private in the waiting room. Private. Skipper seethed, he could hear his knuckles pop with tiny bits of fury for the stupid boy. He didn't listen to Skipper's order, and that allowed for dangerous things to happen.

He came to view with Rico, and Private on the edge of their seats waiting to know the fate of their own brother. Private was hunch over as if he was praying, while Rico fidgets in his seat. Rico sees Skipper first, and nudges for Private's attention. Private's head snaps to Rico, and then to his line of vision to see Skipper tiresome face.

Skipper held back his anger as he saw the guilty look that Private had on his face. It was still a boyish face as he was now the age of sixteen. His curls were no longer as wild when he was younger, but his baby face was still there. Private's eyes even held that fragile innocence Skipper kept in him. Skipper felt guilty himself for making a boy into a solider. He winced, as everything seemed to being hitting at him all night. He crack his neck for relief, but he found none only anger.

Private rushes along with Rico to Skipper's side to find out information on Kowalski's status. He doesn't stand as close as Rico for obvious reasons that Skipper can see on his face. He was scared, and part of Skipper wanted to comfort him, but he couldn't do it not when Kowalski's life was in the balance.

"How's K'walski?" Private timidly asks, daring to look at Skipper's face. His face seemed neutral, but his eyes were hard. Ready to strike at anyone, and Private knew that 'anyone' was himself.

"How do you think?" Skipper snapped at his youngest, he continues as he sees Private finch at him, "He took a bullet near his kidneys that's never good. It's going to be a long night I'm going to get coffee. Stay put, and if the nurse comes by let me know Rico."

Skipper starts to walk away to clear off some steam before he actually talked to Private about his actions. Before he could even imagine the bitter taste of coffee on his taste buds Private shouts, "I'm sorry!"

Skipper freezes, and his hands clench in rage, "You're sorry?"

"Yes, Skippah. I am sorry-"

"You are not sorry for your actions. You're maybe sorry for Kowalski being shot, but you are not sorry for what you did." Skipper said, as he turned getting on a lower level with Private now, "But you will be."

Private gulps, "B-b-but sir, I am! I am sorry that I disobeyed your orders!"

"Hush." Private mouth shuts as soon as Skipper commands it, "You will sit with Rico, and do nothing but that. I can't deal with you right now."

"Skippah," Private begs, his baby blue eyes were glistening with unshed tears, "I don't want you to be mad at me. I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't mean for Kowalski to get hurt I just wanted to help you. I wanted to help the team. I'm sorry!"

"I told you get out of my face right now, solider." Skipper demands, ready himself to put Private in his place.

"No," Private gulps, gaining his courage, "you are going to listen to what I have to say. I'm sorry, I know nothing can fix what I done, but Skippah I had to save them. I had to save those people they were going to die! I didn't know, Kowalski was going to take the bullet for me-"

"That's just it you don't think! You don't ever think when your apart of my team. You think that there's good, and rainbows all over the place." Private frowns at him for saying this, "There's not there are only people who will do anything to kill you when your are fighting. That's why I didn't want you going in, because I knew you would screw up."

"Those people needed our help. They're called hostages for a reason, Skippah, and you were just going to leave them to die. Why was that? Oh, because you were a coward. That's right you are nothing, but a coward!" Skipper's fist clutched together tightly, keeping him from doing something to Private, "You were going to walk away from them, because you said we did what we were assigned to do. So what we just leave them there to die? When did you decide to become a sissy?"

The slap came instantly onto Private's left cheek, "How dare you? You think I wanted to leave those people. I didn't, Private. I wanted to rescue them as much as you did, but I knew that we weren't the people for the job! The people who were going to do that were on their way, and thanks to you they are no longer needed."

Private cradles his cheek looking astonished by Skipper's anger, "What? What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that you didn't know the full plan that's why I ordered you to stay behind on this one! Because number one, I knew that you would be safer this way. And number two help was on the way! Once again though you decided you wanted to be the hero that screwed everything up!"

"Skippah-" Private begins, feeling more stupid than ever.

"No." Skipper declares as he starts walking away from the scene he, and Private had just caused.

"Skippah, I didn't know that. If I knew…Then. K'walski…I am sorry, Skipper." He was now crying now, because he was so overwhelmed with all kinds of emotions, "Please, don't be mad at me. Please. I didn't know about all of that."

Something cracked in Skipper's delicate state of mind then as Private spoke his last few lines. His anger that he was calmly concealing collapsed, "I am mad at you. You got your bother shot. Your brother! How does that feel? Oh yes, Private, you have help this team so much by reducing it down to three! So how about you stop helping? Or even better stop being on this team if you are only going to get your teammates hurt? Kowalski might be dead, because of you."

Skipper finished, and felt satisfied that all his anger had released. Without another word he left Private, and Rico in the waiting room while he went to clear his head more. Little did he know that Private disappeared, because the world that was under him had crumbled. He didn't know that Private had took Skipper words so true, and decided that if he wasn't needed then he would be on his way.

So he ran.

Rico tried to reach to grab him, but he was gone. He rushed back to the apartment to grab his things, and leave. If Skipper didn't want him he knew Kowalski wouldn't either, besides it was all his fault Kowalski got shot in the first place. Rico wouldn't even notice he would be gone to be honest with himself Rico would be happy this way. And Skipper. Well it was obvious that Skipper hated him, and wanted nothing to do with him. He sniffled as he enter their apartment to grab his items, and move out. If they didn't want him he would be wanted somewhere else.

He drew out his old suitcase, and unzipped it open to store what he needed. In his head he knew that he wouldn't go back to England to stay with Uncle Nigel he would be just as disappointed with him as Skipper was. No, he needed to go far. Far away where he couldn't hurt anyone anymore. He was just going to have to figure how to get that far away as possible from his own brothers.

—

Kowalski awoke with a sore body, but he was happy to see Rico beside him in the waiting chair. He smiled at Rico, and Rico's eyes widened with happiness to see his brother conscious again. It didn't take long for Rico to curl up on the side of the bed hugging his older brother as he could without harming him. Kowalski coughed out a laugh, and rubbed Rico's back, "I-It's good to s-s-see you too, R-Rico."

Rico stumble out a few tears, and wiped them away before Kowalski could see, but not fast enough, "H-Hey, now! I'm okay! I-I don't think you could m-manage to make it without me, s-s-so I came back."

"You sound like Manfredi, and Johnson." Skipper said, appearing in the room with what looked like two coffees. He couldn't keep the grin off his face from seeing Kowalski looking much better now, "It's good to see you awake, Kowalski."

"It's good to be back, sir-oh!" Skipper had put the coffees down to do the same as Rico, and hug him as best as he could without hurting him, "Skipper?"

"Don't be stupid again. We almost lost you." Skipper stated, as he stood regaining his composure.

"In all the outcomes in my head we would have lost Private if I didn't do something stupid, Skipper." Kowalski then looks around for his younger brother, "Where is Private anyway?"

Skipper scorns out, "Probably avoiding me, and you because he feels so guilty about it all."

Kowalski squints at him, "Why would he be avoiding you?"

"We were both arguing about the mission, and I got mad at him. He's probably pouting in a corner somewhere in this hospital." Skipper muttered out angrily.

"Arguing?" Kowalski realizes what the arguing was about, "Skipper you didn't."

"Didn't what?" Skipper tilted his head in confusion.

"You told Private it was his fault, didn't you?" Kowalski plainly asked.

"Yes, because it is his fault!" Skipper growled out, "He had an order, and he disobeyed it."

"I think you are being rather harsh on Private, Skipper." Kowalski states, as he folds his arms the best he could being hooked up every which way.

Skipper raises his brows into his hairline, "Kowalski, he almost got you killed! If he would have listened to me you wouldn't even be here!"

"Skipper, if anyone is to blame it's me I didn't see the sniper, and then it was too late." Kowalski states, wincing thinking about the pain he received from the shot, "The main point is that I'm okay, and so is the rest of the team."

Skipper grumbles out, "I guess you're right…"

Kowalski rolls his eyes, "Now, can someone go, and find Private?"

"I'm still mad at him, Rico, go find your brother." Skipper commanded at Rico, who was still at Kowalski side hugging him.

Rico shook his head, and grunted, "Stay."

Kowalski grinned down at Rico, "Well, Skipper it looks like it's you who will be the one to find Private." Skipper frowns, debating on going to search for Private, Kowalski had just woken up and anything in his condition could change, "Skipper, please, go find him for my sake. I know you are worried about me, but I'm more worried about Private. Besides, Rico is not going anywhere are you, Rico?"

Rico shakes his head cozying up to Kowalski more, and Skipper sighs dragging his hand over his face, "Okay, I'll be back with Private in a few minutes."

He never came back with Private in a few minutes. Minutes turned into hours for Skipper. He had searched everywhere in the hospital and realized he must have left back to their apartment to be away from Skipper. Skipper did not find him there at all. He then went to each neighbor in the apartment complex and asked around if anyone saw him. His 'highness' had apparently seen Private though.

"Ah, so you have lost your 'Mort' of the group, I see." Julien responds, "I don't see a problem."

"Julien, I just need to know if you've seen him." Skipper grounded out making sure he didn't strangle him just yet.

Julien then pays attention to his nails as he says slowly, "I did see him. He looked in a rushy rush. He didn't even say hello to me! I, King Julien!"

Skipper rolled his eyes, "So you have no idea where he was going?"

"Correct!" King Julien nods, and Skipper growls walking away as Julien echoes, "Goodbye bossy small man!"

Skipper was starting to grow worried, but he knew that he had to call the last place that Private would go to. He dialed up the old number on his cell phone and hoped to get a answer, "Hello?"

"Nigel!" Skipper said urgently, "Have you been in contact with Private any today?"

"Oh, hello Skippah! Good to hear from you lad! I can't say that I have today why do you ask?" Nigel asks, Skipper could hear the clinking of him stirring his tea over the phone. Skipper debated on telling Nigel that he had lost his nephew, but he did, because there was a slight chance that Private could be heading towards him, "I don't understand, Skippah, why would Private ever think about running away?"

Skipper sighed leaning against the wall, "Nigel, I'm a idiot that's why….I just need to find him. So if you see or hear from him will you please let me know?"

"Of course!" Nigel clears his throat a little, "I'm sure everything will be okay. Private is probably just very upset right now he'll calm down and come back to you."

"I don't know, Nigel. I wouldn't come back after what I said to him." Skipper says, wincing in his head thinking about all the things he said to Private, "Nigel, I screwed up big this time."

Nigel takes a big breath and replies, "Who hasn't? Skippah, listen to me you are going to have those moments with each other. There are going to be days when you both are going to hate each other, but in the end you will come together, understand?"

Skipper nods, "Yeah, yes. It was just-"

"You don't have to tell me. Just go find, Private." Nigel states sternly, "And call me as soon as you do." They say there goodbyes and Skipper ends there conversation.

Skipper shut his eyes where did his little solider go to? Skipper appeared back at the hospital to see Kowalski and Rico where he left them, but he did not come back with his little solider. Kowalski looked for Private as did Rico, but when they gazed upon Skipper they both realized that Private was not with him. Skipper looks heartbroken at them, "I think he ran away."

"What?" Both Rico and Kowalski questioned in unison.

Kowalski shook his head, and started to calculated where his little brother had gone, "He can't be far. He has to still be in the city I know he doesn't have enough money to get himself out of the city. Private is though smart enough to know he can earn it, but he is naive enough to-"

"Take help from a random stranger? Yes, I know. Kowalski, I shouldn't have…" Skipper trails off, and shakes his tears away from coming to his eyes, "Kowalski, I told him he didn't have to be apart of the team….I told him…"

"Skipper, stop." Kowalski says firmly, as he rips off his IV, and other things that he's hooked up to. He moves himself up, and throws his legs onto the floor. Kowalski puts his weight on the bar on the side of the bed to stand. Skipper, and Rico immediately go to place him back down, "No. I can walk. I'm fine. I want to find, Private."

"Kowalski, you are in no condition-" Skipper starts.

"Shut up. This is just a bruise in comparison to other missions I've been in." Kowalski lifts his hands off the railing to prove that he could stand on his on, "Now, let's go find our brother."

—-

It had been a few days since Private had ran away, and Private knew very little about surviving on his on. He was hungry, dirty, and tired. And Private didn't know how to stop feeling lonely and it had only been a day since he left. Aimlessly, he took the streets of New York hoping that maybe he could make some money, and then get a plane ticket out of New York to somewhere else. He knew what his new pseudo was going to be and what his new name was going to be. He was going to go by Mr. Tux, and he was going to con people.

It wasn't his best idea, but he didn't know what else to do. He didn't know where to go. Yet, he hadn't been successful yet in achieving any money, because no one wanted to hire him because of how young he was. And he wasn't getting the sleep he needed or the food. He could feel his stomach collapsing on him. It was all a concrete jungle out here. He was never prepared to be on his own like this. He thought he would spend his whole life with his brothers, and never get tired of it. Things had changed ever since Skipper sent him straight about how useless he was. And ever since he sent Kowalski to his death. Private shut his eyes, trying to shake off the tears when he ran into somebody. He wobbles back landing on his butt with an 'oomph'.

Private shakes it off and apologizes, "I'm sorry-"

"Pri'?" A gruff voice asked that he knew. There was Rico standing there offering his hand to Private. Private stared in shock at the hand of his older brother, and did not take it, "C'mon."

Private shakes his head, "No, I'm not coming back."

Rico reaches out to grab him instantly, but Private is too fast scurrying away from Rico. He then scrambles to his feet, and runs in the opposite direction of Rico. Rico starts to chase him down, and Private runs faster. They both round the corner of a tall skyscraper, and continue running. Private realizes he was going to have to lose Rico somehow.

He needed to be in the public more to lose him. He knew just the place. If he could just get there he just had to stay focused. Though Private was becoming more and more exhausted with each running step he gave to get away from his brother. His heart was hurting as well, because he was conflicted. He wanted to hug his brother, but deep inside Skipper's words said that he was going to hurt them all eventually.

Bam!

Private rammed straight into another figure as he approached the public area he was heading there. There stood his leader, Skipper, gazing down at him, "Private!" He exclaimed, and he tried to reach for Private. Private swiveled up against the wall afraid of his touch, "Oh, Private, I'm not going to hurt you…."

Private shakes his head, as tears fall down over his cheek seeing Skipper the first time in days, "I-I-I know you're not it's me who will hurt you…."

Skipper's heart wretches hearing those words of Private, "No, Private, no you have to listen to me…"

Private shakes his head, and clasps his hands over his ears, "No, no, no! I know what I did! I know…I know I killed K'walski! That's why you're here, isn't it? To hunt me down, because I killed our brother!" He wails, pressing his face to his knees, "Do it then! Kill me like I killed K'walski!"

A hand touches the top of his head, and Private looks up. Kowalski is there in front of him squatted down to him. Kowalski cups both his cheeks, and his thumbs wipe the tears off his face, "Do you know how worried I've been about you?"

"K'walski, you're o-o-okay?" Private whispers, and his blue eyes widen, "You're okay?"

Kowalski nods, "Private, listen to me. Are you listening?" Private nods adamantly, "Good. It was not your fault-"

"But Skippah said-" Private starts, but Kowalski shushes him.

"No, Skipper was very very wrong for saying that. He was very upset and didn't mean any of the things he said to you. It was my choice to save you. I wanted to save you. It's what brothers do." Kowalski sees Private's mouth start to objected to this, "No. Private it was not your fault, okay? Understand?"

Private whimpers, but nods as he can't stop the tears from coming out of his eyes, "Y-Y-Yes, K'walski."

Kowalski smiles down at him brightly, and leans to kiss him on forehead, and cheeks, "Private, I was so worried about you! We were all worried about you! You have an agent wide search hunt all out for you right now. Please, do refrain from running away again, alright?"

Private nods, and sobs some more, because all of the guilt had suddenly washed away with Kowalski's words. Kowalski takes his hands away from his face to lift Private into his lap, "Tsk, tsk, Private you've lost too much weight. Aw, Private, please calm down. It's alright now. I promise." Kowalski starts to rub his back all up and down trying to calm him down as much as possible.

Skipper crouches down to Private's level, and Private suck in a breath not knowing what to expect from the man. Skipper reaches out for Private, "Private, can you forgive me? I'm so sorry I said all those terrible things to you. I never meant to hurt you as much as I did. I was angry, and….well, I want you to know that you are the most meaningful and valued member on this team."

Private blinks at him, and not looking away from him for a very long time. Private gives him a watery smile, "I forgive you." Then thinks about what his eldest brother said, "Do you really mean that?"

Skipper pulls him out of Kowalski's hold, and smothers him, "Yes, every word! And no matter how angry I get or upset know that will always be true, little solider!" He sweeps Private's greasy bangs out of the way of his forehead to press a kiss onto it, "Are you ready to come back home to us now?"

Private feels warm with happiness, and snuggles into Skipper's neck nodding, "Aye, sir."

Rico joins them soon later, and they walk back to their home together as a team. Skipper held Private on his hip afraid to let him go, while Kowalski, and Rico put both their arms around them both walking back. Private hummed happily into Skipper's neck, while Skipper kept his head on top of Private like a pillow. Sometimes he would press gentle kisses into his hair and say soothing words to Private. It was a intimate moment that Private realized Skipper never showed in pubic, but here they were on the streets walking home for everyone to see. Private blushed a little at this being treated as such by his eldest brother, but it was to be expected. It was also to remind Private not only that his brothers would always love him no matter what, but that he was meant to be with his team of brothers forever.