Time became lost as the band of....associates....set to work cleaning the war zone. Everything became one multicolored spiral of sticky substances and shattered silverware. Every so often, someone would gag, vomit--or a bit of both--and they'd be left with yet another mess to tidy up.
However, when Glenn retired his dishtowel into the sink, none of that mattered.
They were done.
"OH THANK YOU SWEET JIHOKALASVKAS." Nigel exclaimed, slumping down into a chair. At the bewildered looks everyone gave him, he elaborated, "I didn't wanna say 'God' so I made somethin' up."
JD nodded in approval; too wiped out to make an audible response. He never--ever--wanted to do that again.
Nigel yawned. "What now?"
"Well," His father answered, "we're all tired, and no doubt Lady's gonna worry. So how's about you boys head back to my place, huh? Spend the night one more time before you leave?" It was more of a plead than a request: Glenn rater enjoyed spending time with his son, and wasn't all sure he could wait twenty-something years before they could do this again.
Nigel grinned and tried-- well, more experimented than anything-- to clap his father on the back. "Of course, Daddio!"
Glenn raised an arm towards the door, "then let's be off!" He waved at JD. "See ya Dori--"
"Wait!"
Glenn Matthews did not jump. He did not flinch. He did, however, raise an eyebrow, and turned in the direction of the voice. Which of course he knew belonged to the younger of the two Dorians. "What is it, Sam?"
The blond paused, relaying his next words in his head. "I...." His hands clenched at his sides. Just say it. "I'd like to stay here tonight. With my father."
Nigel glowed. "You're gonna let him stay aren'tcha Dad?" He raised his own eyebrow at Glenn, in a fashion that was very familiar.
He knew what he should say--what he was going to say....he just wasn't sure separating the time travelers was the best idea. Especially if Blond Doctor showed up.
But....in the rare chance something did go wrong with their plan--which was absurd--this may be the last time Sam Dorian ever got to see his father. And that was not something Glenn Matthews was going to prevent.
"Alright, Sam." He said at last. "You can stay."
Sam's face lit up so brightly it would not look out of place atop a Christmas tree. "Thank you, Mr. Matthews! I swear I--"
"You will contact Nigel and I tomorrow morning via the walkie talkie I gave you earlier. We need to get you two back where you belong."
His face was stern, but there was that janitor-like playfulness dancing in his eyes. "Come on, Nigel." He said, ruffling his son's hair once more, "let's leave these two to themselves."
"Sure-sure."
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JD closed the door behind the other father son pair, having gained enough strength back to get off the couch. "And I thought one janitor was a handful." he chuckled.
Still grinning, Sam half-shrugged. "You get used to them."
"I bet."
They sat in silence for a while; without the mayhem of the Matthews team, it was easy for things to get awkward.
what a way to spend a visit the older Dorian thought bitterly, mentally kicking himself to end the silence. He stared at Sam, who seemed to be either daydreaming--a man after his own heart--or becoming more familiar with his surroundings.
Speaking of which....
"Sam." JD asked, snapping the boy to attention, "Do you uh, want a tour of the place?"
For a moment, the light left the blond's eyes; back to his original somber self. But, being a Dorian, he tried to hide it. "No....that's alright dad. I remember this place pretty damn well."
There went that idea. "You sure?" He asked, desperate for something to break away from the silence.
Sam grimaced. "I'm sure." Sarcasm resurfacing, Sam proceeded on autopilot. "This is the living room. You used to sit here--staring at the tv--when your shift ended. Over there is the uh....dining room....stopped using that when I turned eight. Down the hall are two bedrooms: yours, and mine. You later divide mine in two to share with my sister."
"You have a--"
"Aaaaand finally we have the bathroom. That's where Elliot found you when you...." He stopped. "....see? I know this place like the back of my hand."
JD nodded, also seeming to be on autopilot. "Yeah. Yeah you do." He paused, waiting to see if the boy was going to explode once more. When it looked like he wasn't, JD continued, "You know....I uh, really enjoyed seeing you as an adult....even if we didn't start off on the best of terms." His eyes softened. "I'm proud of you, Sammy boy."
That caught the younger Dorian off guard. "You....you are?"
JD grinned. "Sure am. No matter what crap I put you through, you turned out alright."
Sam returned his father's smile with one of his own. "Thanks dad." He said. To himself, he added, I hope you still feel that way in the future.
"You think they're okay?" Nigel asked as he opened the door to get in the van.
Glenn's eyes trailed to the front door of the Dorian household. "Yeah I do." He replied simply, getting into the van himself. "I really do."
"I agree completely." With that, Nigel closed the door behind him.
Only one chapter left! Gasp!
