Sofia POV

I stood there in shock as I watched Jeremiah and Quinn take the girl and drive away. Barbara was going to kill me. "Umm you mind explaining to me what the hell just happened? How could the two of you just stand there and watch as they kidnapped that poor little girl?"

At this, Jim groaned in irritation. "Technically Sofia, they didn't kidnap her. Jeremiah is her only living relative and he's of age. So legally, he is her current legal guardian."

"I'm going to have your badges for this, right after I take this phone call. Hello?"

"Is it done?"

"Umm not exactly."

"What do you mean?" Tabitha growled.

"Tell Barbara, that Gorden and his side kick got in the way. I promise you, I will get her back."

"Yeah, and how do you plan on doing that?" Tabitha replied with a scoff.

"Just tell Blonde that I will deliver I just need more time."

"I guess what my brother always said was true. If you want something done right you have to do it yourself. Hold on for a just one moment will you?"

Tabitha replied. I could hear talking going on in the background and whomever Tabitha was talking too did not sound happy.

"What happened?" Came the angry disguised voice of the demon's head.

"The kid's older brother showed up and he took
custody of her. As her blood relative Jim said that he had the right to become her legal guardian if he so chooses. Like I told your companion, I will deliver what I promised, I just need a little more time."

"Sorry, but I don't tolerate failure from my employees. I'd say it's been a pleasure working with you, but that'd be a lie." The Demon's Head aka Barbara replied with a sinister chuckle. Turning to Tabitha she smiled and gave her a wink. "Time to take out the trash."

"Yes boss." Tabitha replied grabbing her signature whip and a small knife.

"Oh and Tabs, find little Valeska and bring her to me. You know the consequences of failure."

Tabitha nodded but frowned as she exited the office. She didn't like Barbara's threat to kill
Her should she fail. She sighed.

She felt as if Sofia deserved another chance but she couldn't change what Barbara had decided. Unless.... "Sofia, this is Tabitha Galavan. I have a proposition for you..."

Echo POV

I smiled as I looked down at the small business card in my hand. I'd be rid of this little brat soon enough. I just had to figure out how to convince the boss to let me take her on an outing.

"Let me go!" Bella hissed at me trying to pull her hand from my grasp.

"Look, I don't like this anymore then you do but Mr. Wilde asked me to bring you to your room, so that's what I'm going to do. Now be a good little girl and quit trying to run away from me."

"No! Me want Pooh bea!"

"That's it! I've just about had it up to here with your temper tantrums. If your going to behave like a spoiled brat then I'm going to treat you like one. Oh do shut up." I replied irritatedly as she continued to cry.

As soon as I had placed her on the ground She immediately scampered off my lap and into a corner. I frowned as I saw her trembling her eyes wide with fear as I approached her hiding spot.

"Come out from there." The girl shook her head no. "I'm not going to hurt you, now come here." Again she shook her head no. "You have to the count of ten to get your little behind over here, or you won't like the consequences." I warn and immediately the fear returns to her eyes.

"Me sowwy me was bad. Please no punish me." She whimpers as she crawls out from her hiding spot.

I sighed in irritation as I grabbed ahold of her arm and pulled her from the corner. "Let's go!" A few minutes later, we were in the room that Mr. Wilde had designed for the little brat. I tossed her roughly onto the bed. "Here get dressed. You can dress yourself can't you?" I asked with a frown.

"Can you hewp me wifh me buttons?" She asked and I sighed in frustration and muttered under my breath. This kid was nothing but trouble. A whiny little brat, who couldn't do anything for herself. I quickly undressed her and helped her into her pajamas.

A few minutes later, I felt my arm being grabbed and an I was whirled around and was slapped across the face. "Don't you ever threaten to lay a hand on Bella again. Do you understand me? Hell will freeze over before I ever let anyone hurt that precious little girl."  The young woman said angrily. I stood there in complete shock unsure how to react to her.

"Quinn calm down. Echo would never hurt Bella. Isn't that right Echo?"

"Huh? Oh. Yeah. Right. I wouldn't dream of hurting the precocious little thing." I replied slightly rolling my eyes.

"Did you see that? She just rolled her eyes at us when she called Bella a precious little thing."

"I did no such thing." I replied with a frown.

"That's enough Quinn! I've had it with your jealous behavior. If you can't find a way to get along with Echo then you need to leave. I can't afford to have your negative attitude towards Echo influence Bella's opinion of her."

"Echo will be spending a fair amount of time with Bella throughout the day and I need her to behave for Echo. We both know that she won't do that if she believes that you don't like Echo."

"I...."

"Get Out Quinn! I don't want you here, in fact, I think it would be best if you left the bunker and didn't come back." Mr. Wilde said sternly and I tried to hide a smirk. I didn't like that girl one bit and I knew the feeling was mutual.

"Please don't take Bella away from me Jeremiah. She means the world to me."

"I'm sorry Quinn. I know this is upsetting and I hate to do this, but your not leaving me a choice. Bella won't give Echo a chance if your here."

"Boss, I was thinking of taking Bella to the zoo tomorrow. Would that be ok?"

"I think that's a wonderful idea. That will give the two of you a chance to bond." Mr. Wilde said with a smile.

Jeremiah POV

"Try to get some sleep Bella. It's been a long day. I know that you don't trust me, but I want you to understand that I love you. I will always be there for you."

At this, Bella pouts her eyes starting to fill with tears. "That's what Jewome said and now he's gone bye bye."

"That's not going to happen this time."

"Miah?"

"Yes Bella?"

"Me Scawed. What if mean ladies comes and takes me away fwom you and Pooh Bea?"." Bella asks with a whimper.

"Shh. There's no need to be afraid. Try and get some sleep you have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Echo is going to take you to the zoo tomorrow."

At this Bella's eyes light up with excitement "is Pooh bea going to come too?"

At this, I hesitate before replying. How was I going to explain to Bella that Quinn would not be visiting for a while? "Bella, Quinn won't be visiting for a while."

"Why? What me do to make Pooh bea not want to see owa be witfh me?" Bella asks her eyes filling with tears.

"Nothing sweetheart. It's just that Quinn needs time to deal with everything that's happened. It's best that she stay away for a while so that she can deal with her grief. This will give you a chance to settle down and get to know Echo and I better."

"Me don't wanna get to know Echo. She's a meanie. Me want Pooh bea!" Bella replies with a frown. I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose trying not to get irritated with her.

"Oh I almost forgot, I got you a present."

"Weally? What is it?" I smiled as I pulled out the stuffed gorilla which doubled as a tracking device. At this Bella's lip began to tremble and tears spilled from her eyes. "Me wobe it. Fank chu you Miah."

"Your welcome little one."

"Miah?"

"Yes Bella?"

"Me have a hug?"

"Of course." I reply giving her an embrace and then give her a kiss on the forehead. "Sleep tight my sweet little princess. Oh and if you need anything feel free to call for Echo. She will be more then happy to assist you."

"Night night Miah." Bella replies with a yawn.

Echo POV

I frowned as I watched Mr. Wilde tuck his little sister into bed. "Don't count on it." I whispered when he told her that I'd be more then happy to accommodate her requests. I worked for him not that little brat. I'd make sure she knew that.

"Echo?"

"What?" I asked irritatedly.

"Can You get me a dwink? Me is thiwsty."

"No."

"But you habe too! Miah said so."

"Let's Get one thing straight, you are not to address me so formally. You are to address me as Miss Echo. I am not your servant. I won't be ordered about or cater to your every whim. I work for Mr. Wilde, not you. I'm a very busy woman and I don't have time to spend dealing with the likes of you. So do not bother me unless it's an emergency. Understand?"

"Wes Miss Echo." Bella replied with a slight whimper. Around two hours later, I woke up to the sound of crying coming from the nearby bedroom.

"Now What?" I grumble in irritation. "What's your problem? Why are you crying?"

"Me scawed of the dawk. Bad people want to huwt me. They twy will make me go bye bye. Me want me big bwotha Jewome."

"Jerome is dead and he is never coming back. It was just a stupid dream. Go back to sleep, you little brat."

"Me scawd of the dawk. Pwease don't tuwn off the light."

"Grow up, there's nothing to be afraid of." I replied turning off the light and starting to close the door behind me.

"Me want my big bwotha." The little brat whimpered. I growled in frustration.

"Mr. Wilde is a very busy man. He doesn't have time for nonsense like this. Now Go back to sleep you little brat and don't wake me up again!" I hissed at her as I closed the door behind me. "Time to get up Kid!" I said sternly pulling the covers off her. Bella groans and rolls over ignoring me. "I said it's time to get up. Don't make me repeat myself or do you need a reminder of what happens when you don't obey me?"

At this, the little brat whimpers and sits up. "Me sowwy. Pwease no punish me. Me be good."

"Hurry up and get dressed, breakfast is ready. Oh and Kid, if your not downstairs in five minutes then there will be no breakfast, do you understand?"

"Wes."

"Yes what?" I reply in irritation.

"Wes Miss Echo." Bella replied a few minutes later she came downstairs carrying that stupid stuffed gorilla in her arms.

"You are not bringing that with you. Go put it back upstairs now!"

"Echo it's fine. She can bring what's the gorilla's name?" Mr. Wilde asked with a smile.

"Me name the gowilla Mama." The brat said proudly.

"She is welcome to bring mama wherever she goes. In fact, I insist." Mr. Wilde said bopping the brat on her nose.

"Fine." I muttered. "Let's go." I said taking Bella by the hand. Once we were several houses down the street I called the number on the card.

"Hello."

"Is this Mrs. Falcone of the department of child services?"

"Yes. To whom am I speaking?"

"I'm a representative for Mr. Wilde. He has decided that he does not want custody of his sister. He's instructed me to bring her to you.

"Of course. Where can we meet?" Upon giving her the address of the zoo I bought the tickets and we went inside. The hand off would be at noon.

"Thank you so much for coming." I said giving Mrs. Falcone a hug. Bella shrunk behind me trying to hide.

"It's not a problem. Hello Bella, do you remember me?" Bella only whimpered in response.

WC 2148