Go On Sir, Vexed, Jackass & Bridge Built


Jules's Home – Sam's Room

General Braddock stood and glared at the four that barged into the room. Samuel was too vulnerable at the moment and needed protecting. He tried to block their view of Samuel as he yelled "Out. Out now. I will handle this."

Ed's hackles raised and he glared back "Why are you here? You cannot have Sam for another special assignment! He is no condition right now." His mind had played out so many scenarios while sipping coffee. The only one that seemed logical was the General was here because he needed Sam for another special assignment. To hell with that, the General had invoked that damned clause too many times.

Like hell he would standby and allow that to happen. It was clear as day Sam was in great distress. It was also clear the General said something to Sam that made him fly into a rage. Sam was in no condition to be handling whatever the General was laying at his doorstep. He held the General's glare.

Jules eyes were bouncing back and forth between the General and Sam noticing both men had red rimmed eyes and tear streaked faces. A small part of her heart leapt up. Did Sam just confide in his father about what Dupont did?

She noted they both looked emotionally wrung out underneath Sam's current rage and the General's protective shield. She could only hope that Sam opened up to his dad about that pain. Especially since she recalled Sam waking from his nightmare begging for his dad to save him. If he did, it might just be the thing to build the bridge over the chasm that still existed between him and his dad.

Spike was staring at Sam alone. What the heck was going on? Sam looked absolutely distraught. No masks in place, he was wide open and seething with unrestrained rage and pain.

What Spike saw in Sam's eyes paled in comparison to what he had seen when Sam went after Vlad. There was a coldness that bespoke of murderous intent in Sam's eyes. It scared the hell out of him. What the hell happened and who did Sam want to kill? How could he help his brother before he did something he would regret?

Wordy sighed. The teared stained faces and red eyes meant to him that the two of them had finally really talked. Sam had finally reached out to his father when he needed help. Whatever the wound was it was deep and had festered for a very long time. The look on both their faces showed they had lanced the festering boil and the infectious pus was draining. But now they had to cleanse and care for the wound for it to heal properly.

And clearly there was something amiss. There was too much pain in Sam's eyes and the grizzly bear like protection exhibited by his father meant there was a real threat, a danger lurking out there for Sam. Sam's roar of killing the bastard made the question 'who was the danger?'

Wordy wondered if it had to do with the prowler/stalker. Maybe Vlad still had an accomplice out there. Could they have it wrong? Was Sam or Spike the actual target? Maybe by going after Jules they thought to hurt them. It wouldn't be the first time a dirtbag targeted someone close to someone to inflict pain.

Jules found her voice "We need to calm down. Sam are you…" as she started to move to the bed at the same time Spike started forward.

Sam dropped his eyes to his lap then bowed his head as he put up a hand indicating for them to stop then he said softly "Dad."

Spike and Jules both stopped mid-step and did not move closer.

General Braddock turned back to his son. Sam motioned with his index finger for him to come close. When he did Sam whispered to him for several minutes before turning away from everyone. They all watched as Sam carefully lowered himself from a seated to a prone position on the bed and all heard his hiss of pain.

Turning back to the group the General spoke quietly but with an air of command "Samuel wishes to be alone for a while. Jules he asked you to bring him in his maximum dosage of pain medication."

The quiet words and Sam's request for the maximum dosage worried them. But they complied with Sam's wishes and filed out of the room. Jules headed for the kitchen and returned to Sam's room with his pills.

Jules saw that General Braddock still stood in the same place in Sam's room. He watched her as she handed Sam three pain pills and a glass of water. Sam swallowed the medication with a large drink of water. Then he handed back the water glass and closed his eyes.

She knew this dosage would knock Sam out for hours. She knew Sam knew this too. It must be what he wanted especially since he would not make eye contact with her. Jules brushed once through his hair "Sleep well."

Sam nodded once. Jules stood and looked at the General with open concern and questioning whether she should stay.

General Braddock gave her a sad smile and a shake of his head "Samuel wants us all to leave him alone for a while. Best you head out now too. I'll be out momentarily. Please contact Sergeant Parker to see if he can come over. We need to talk."

Jules left the room closing the door behind her.

William knelt down and leaned close to his son. Sam opened his eyes and he whispered again to his father for several more minutes. The General only listened; his heart heavy as Samuel told him how he could help. He had failed his son so badly he would do anything to help his son heal. But what Samuel asked him to do would be very difficult for him to do. It went against every fiber of his being.

When Samuel was done speaking William quietly asked "Are you sure son?"

Sam nodded slightly already feeling the pull into what he hoped would be a dreamless sleep as he slurred "Yes please I need your help dad."

The General stood then watched as his son's body relaxed as a drug induced sleep claimed him. His heart ached for his son. He did not want to do what Samuel asked but he would. He sat on the chair and tied his boot laces. William unbuttoned his incorrectly half buttoned shirt then buttoned it correctly and tucked it in properly.

In the adjoining bathroom William splashed water on his face then rubbed it dry to remove the traces of tears. He took a moment to stare in the mirror lost in thought. His sins against his son were far deeper than he ever imagined.

His mind conjured up images of his eleven year old Sammy screaming and crying for him to save him. It was almost too much to bear. He wasn't there to save him. He fucking wasn't there when Sammy had screamed and cried for him. Nothing he could ever say or do would ever make up for that failure.

No longer able to look into his own eyes William stumbled back against the door jab and dropped his head into his hands. He would do what Samuel requested. He didn't have to like it, he definitely did not like it, but he would honor his son's request. He needed to do whatever Samuel needed done to heal and atone for his sin of not being there for his son in his time of need.

But there was a moral war going on in his mind. God forgive him he wanted to kill the bastard. He sure as hell would not let his son be hurt further by allowing Samuel to kill Dupont. Could he kill Dupont in cold blood for his son? Could he live as a murderer? Then his mind latched onto the thought it's not like the man was innocent. Dupont was most definitely guilty. It could save others if he put a bullet between that bastard's eyes.

He stood and straightened his shoulders. Erect and purposeful William headed back into the room stopping to take a look at his son. To protect his son he could kill. But could he do what Samuel asked him to do? That he was not sure he had the strength to do.

But he was about to find out. He headed for the door to do as Samuel requested.


Jules's Home – Family Room

Ed, Wordy and Spike were all pacing. None could contain their worry and needed to move. Jules had called Greg who happened to already be on his way over. Old habits of early rising were hard to break. She didn't explain anything on the phone just told him General Braddock was here and wanted to talk.

Jules answered the knock at the front door and found Greg holding two trays of coffees and a large box of timbits.

Greg walked in and said "Stopped at Timmy's before I got your call. What is going on?"

Jules motioned him to follow her to the family room. Once there he handed out the coffees and put the box of timbits on the table. He saw the stress on everyone's faces. Ed stopped pacing to explain this morning's events to Greg. Meanwhile Jules took Sam's iced capp to the fridge and returned with a large mug of coffee for the General for when he exited Sam's room.

General Braddock inhaled slow and long, held his breath and released it in the same manner. He then opened the door and headed out to do what his son had asked of him. Jules approached him and handed him a mug of coffee. He took a long drink as he surveyed Sam's team. They were not going to like this any better than he did.

"Morning, I'd say good but this morning is far from that. Please have a seat. I need to speak with you" General Braddock stated.

Ed asked "We thought you were in London? What are you doing here?"

"Please, sit. I will explain all" Braddock said.

Once everyone except him took a seat the General began "As you all are aware I'm sure Sergeant Parker called me to see if there was anything from Samuel's past that would account for the fear you all saw. He provided me the name Gaston Dupont inquiring if it might be one of the potential enemies from the investigation into Samuel's tours. The name Dupont was familiar and I had my team begin to investigate former Sergeant Gerard Dupont."

Spike interrupted "We found out that Gaston has a twin brother named Gerard."

"Yes he does" the General acknowledged. Then he looked at Greg "How much or what did you tell the team about the incident I shared with you?"

Greg answered "Gave them the basic framework that when Sam was eleven there was an incident where he was badly mistreated while you were away and he ran away and that the Sergeant was given a BCD."

Wordy interjected "We all read between the lines and understood that mistreated most likely meant that Dupont hit Sam. It would have had to be significant to warrant a BCD."

They were good, as good as Samuel always said. Given a bit more time they would find out the rest. The General took a steadying breath and his stance hardened. "My son Samuel is an honorable man and I am forever proud of him. He has suffered many hardships in his life. The way he forges through and comes out the other side stronger and better has always amazed me."

He saw head nods of agreement from all. "This time is no different. Samuel has asked me to share with you part of his past. But only because he feels that in doing so he can help others. That he can prevent others from being hurt in the same manner he was."

Questioning looks were on all the guys' faces but Jules face was sad, very, very sad.

The General took note of the faces then continued "Let me back up a bit so everyone will be on the same page. As Parker shared there was an incident when Samuel was eleven." He went on to tell them how he was out of country to help his sick wife. That he left Samuel in the care of Sergeant Gerard Dupont and his tutors Corporal Royce Duffy and Private Theo Brock. How he was gone for nearly three months.

He then shared the about the phone calls from Dupont and Duffy and how they found out Samuel had run away. He told them about how Samuel had been found and his condition when found. Then he explained the court marital that followed. When he told about the sentence Dupont got he could see the anger brewing in all their eyes and in their body language.

The General blew out a breath "So that is the official account."

Jules curled into her chair drawing her knees to her chest and laying her head on her knees. Spike noticed "Jules are you okay?" That drew everyone else's attention to her.

She looked at them and then at the General who seemed like he wanted to throw up. Much like she did. She knew what was coming next, the unofficial, real, missing part.

Jules answered Spike by looking at the General and saying "Go on Sir. Get it over with. Sam wants you to tell them. I cannot fathom why he does but if he does just get it over with. Please."

At Jules words and tone Wordy softly breathed out "Shit no. Dammit not that" as his head dropped into his hands.

Ed, Spike and Greg looked at him confused. Then they looked at General Braddock.

They saw tears form in Braddock's eyes as he said "I always suspected but had no proof. Samuel shutdown back then and would not talk about the abuse he suffered. But the odor he smelled in the hospital brought back his repressed memories. That animal Gerard Dupont molested Samuel. That is the reason he ran away. Samuel almost died because that son of a bitch hurt him."

Shock and pain for Sam hit each of them.

General Braddock turned his back needing to recompose himself. He swiped at the hot tears that prickled and threatened to glide down his cheeks. He wished to god Samuel had not asked him to share this. It was too painful. Part of him felt like he was here screaming out 'I failed my son'. He knew that was not Samuel's intention, far from it, but it still felt that way.

Wordy's fears and deduction was confirmed. What an absolutely horrendous childhood Sam had. How the hell did he become the honorable, caring protector they all knew? He had so much suffering. His father was right Samuel was an honorable man, one forged in the fires of hell. Sam was going to need them.

He was glad Sam was reaching out to them. Sam should feel no shame or humiliation for what was done to him. He was an innocent. All blame belonged with the dirtbag that preyed on a defenseless child. Nowhere, no how not in any way shape or form should Sam feel any disgrace, he was a survivor. As a little boy he had presence of mind to save himself from that pervert.

Ed was reeling. An image of Clark at eleven came to mind. He was so young and innocent at that age. Hell at sixteen he was still young and innocent. Ed would tear anyone limb from limb if they ever dared to touch Clark. Rage for what Sam had to endure as a little boy set his blood to boiling. He could no longer sit and paced furiously back and forth. Ed shoved his hands in his pockets to avoid putting holes in Jules walls.

Spike sat in shock. Why the hell did all this bad shit have to happen to someone like Sam? Why? There were so many things; Sara, Matt, the drowning, the cliff accident, Plouffe, Qasim, Murphy, Merrill, the redheaded bitch, Vlad, watching many friends die horrible deaths, and now this too. How the hell did his best friend cope with it all?

Shit he was having a tough enough time dealing with the abduction alone. He would go fucking insane if he had to deal with as much crap as Sam had to in his life. His admiration for the man he called brother grew as his mind tried to figure out how Sam coped.

Then a part of Spike began to worry if this would push Sam back to that edge. They had pulled him back once. He decided he was not letting Sam out of his sight until he knew for sure he was not teetering close to the edge. He would not let him fall, ever.

Greg's heart dropped. He turned his head away from the others as tears welled in his eyes. He pursed his lips tightly together. Ah Christ Sam. Thoughts of conversations he had with Sam over the years flitted in and out of his head; so many traumas. No wonder Sam had hidden behind so many masks. It was one of the ways he coped.

His mind began to whirl wondering why Sam was sharing this intensely private and painful piece of his past with the team. There had to be a reason. Sam never did anything without a reason. He had learned that long ago. Did Sam know something no one else knew? An ugly notion started to form could Gaston and Gerard both be pedophiles?

Having lost it a bit after revealing Samuel's painful past the General cleared his throat, turned back to face them again and continued "Samuel only felt it necessary to share this because of details my unit has discovered. It is very likely Gerard Dupont is a serial pedophile but not proven."

"There is a trail of unsolved crimes against young boys mostly that match the dates and places that Dupont has worked. Many of the victims were assaulted in hospitals he worked in. Children already in a vulnerable position were preyed upon by some sick bastard."

"So far there is no evidence to link Dupont to the attacks. The boys involved never saw the face of their attacker. The boys were either too frightened or embarrassed to say anything or said they had been beaten but then didn't remember anything else. A few of them had toxicology reports indicating the boys had Rohypnol in their system.

Ed's previous vibe regarding Gaston being ex-military entered his head. "Wait you keep saying Dupont but you said the attacks happened in hospitals where he worked. We know the brothers lived in different cities. The background on Gerard Dupont indicates he is well liked and a chef with no links to the hospitals Gaston worked at."

Ed started to pace again but then stopped and met the General's gaze "Jesus Christ they swapped identities didn't they?"

All eyes looked at Ed then over to the General. Braddock answered "Yes we believe so. Gerard would never be able to work in the security field with his BCD."

Wordy asked "How can we confirm who is who? I mean I've seen identical twins before but these two take the cake. I could not discern a single difference in their faces. Usually there is at least some small difference."

Greg asked "Could they both be pedophiles? Perhaps Gerard is better at covering his trail than Gaston. Choosing victim that could not be traced to cities he worked in."

A sick feeling started churning in Jules. She looked up at the General "Sam had you tell us because he wants to stop the sicko. You said there was no evidence to link Dupont to the crimes against those children. You must think Dupont would go after him given his vulnerable state. Sam must think that too because of the cameras being repositioned to watch his rooms at the hospital. Sam wants to play bait doesn't he?"

General Braddock clenched his jaw. That is exactly what his son wanted to do. He didn't know if he could allow his son to put himself at such a risk. He would rather break his moral code and shoot the man in cold blood than allow him to get anywhere near Samuel again.

But he could not dissuade his son. This is what Samuel said he needed to heal. Samuel was too damned honorable. Samuel wanted to protect children from Dupont. He wanted the bastard arrested and to rot in jail where he could not harm another child.

Finally the General answered "Yes. Yes that is exactly what Samuel wants. He needs my help and your help to do this."

"NO! No never gonna happen. No way!" Spike yelled. He was angrier than he had ever been in his life. "That is unacceptable risk. Unacceptable. No fucking way that animal gets close to Sam."

Ed said low and deadly calm "Sam and Spike barely survived that sick bastard Vlad. There is no way I am allowing Sam to be in a position that compromises his safety. It will not happen. He is in no condition to be thinking rationally. He is in no condition to defend himself. It's not going to happen."

Greg sat back heavily. He had seen the havoc that could be wrought in the lives of children who had been abused. Knowing Sam as they did this is exactly something he would want to do. He didn't want to put Sam at risk. But what was the greater risk? Let him be bait or allow him to feel helpless and weak and a sense of guilt for doing nothing to prevent others from being harmed the way he was.

He knew Sam well enough to know the guilt of not protecting future victims would eat at Sam. Something like that might drive him to do something rash, like shooting the man in cold blood. With nothing to tie Dupont to the victims Sam would end up in jail convicted of murder. Or worse, Sam would take his own life.

This did not make Greg happy but he stood up and cleared his throat loudly to get everyone's attention. He looked to the General who looked no happier than he and asked "What help does Sam need from us?"

Ed turned on him "You can't be serious Greg."

"No way Boss" Spike yelled.

Jules stood and put a hand on Spike's back trying to calm him. She had accepted when the General started speaking that she would not like it. But whatever Sam needed she would do. "Sam needs your support Spike."

"No. No. There has to be some other way to get the bastard" Spike retorted.

Ed was ready to blow a gasket and aimed his glared at General Braddock "I cannot believe you are even considering this. You left your son alone to be molested and now you want to put him in harm's way when he can't even fucking stand by himself. Hell he can't even lie down without hissing in pain. And you want to use him for bait."

General Braddock steeled his back. The accusation penetrated deep and hit its mark. Guilt rushed out and covered every pore of his body suffocating him but he responded in an icy cool tone "Yes I failed my son. Yes I allowed that bastard to hurt my son. Yes my son screamed and cried for me to save him and I was not there to protect him. But it is not for you to judge me. I do this now because this is the only way I can help my son. I will do anything he asks to silence the screams of my eleven year old son I now hear in my head."

Hard icy anger and resolve imbued every word as Braddock continued "Samuel has finally for once in his life reached out to me. Hell he cried in front of me and begged for my help. I will do whatever he asks of me to help him heal. If he had asked me to kill the man I would have done so without hesitation. But that sir is NOT how my son thinks. Samuel deserves justice. Those other children deserve justice. THAT IS how Samuel thinks. He is willing to do whatever he can to see that justice is served."

Wordy had been quiet to this point and he said into the silence that followed the General's guilt riddled words "Sam's not thinking about justice Sir."

That got the General's attention "What do you mean?"

Shaking his head Wordy stated "Sam feels as guilty as you do. Different but the same. I think what is motivating Sam is that he feels guilt."

Feeling as though he was struck General Braddock asked "What would Samuel feel guilty about? He was the one hurt."

Wordy replied "Think on it. Sam is a protector we all know that. You said the court martial was only for the beatings and for not reporting Sam was gone. You said nothing about the molestation."

Rising from the chair and walking to the General Wordy placed a hand on the General's shoulder "Sam most likely feels guilty that he didn't do anything to stop Dupont from abusing more kids. He feels guilty that he didn't say anything to anyone at the time it happened. He has convinced himself that if he had said something Dupont would have been in prison and unable to attack more kids."

Greg followed that line of thinking "So Sam thinks that by risking himself now to get Dupont that he can atone for some perceived failure on his part. To try and assuage his guilt."

Deflated the General said "But he was only a little boy. Ah shit Sammy you have nothing to feel guilty about. It's all my fault."

The General slumped down into a chair. His hands went to his temples and rubbed hard trying to rid himself of the headache that was building. How could his son feel guilty? There was nothing he could have done. This was his failure it was his guilt to feel, not Sammy's. He had royally screwed up. What should he do?

Jules came up to the General and tentatively placed a hand on his back. Sam's father looked so hurt and lost, so un-General like but so like Sam the other night. She crouched down keeping her hand on his back "He reached out to you. You are here now. You can help him now."

Then Jules looked at the guys who were hanging on her every soft spoken word "We will help too. When Sam wakes up we can all talk. We can make a plan that will keep him safe but allow him to feel he is doing what he needs to do to heal."

She turned to the General and dropped her voice even more so only he heard "This was not your fault, it was Dupont's. It all lies with Dupont. Sam reached out to you. Sam does not blame you. Trust your son. Use this to build the bridge for the relationship you both desperately want."

William turned his head to look at Jules. He saw the sincerity in her eyes. He understood what his son saw in this woman. She was perceptive, caring and strong. She truly was 'Ariel'. God help anyone who tried to hurt someone she cared about. They would be torn apart, she would always protect those she cared about. So like Samuel, they fit together.

He cleared his throat at the emotion evoked by Jules caring for not only Sam but him too. He looked at all the men in the room. Each was clearly trying to process what Jules had said. He saw the looks as decisions were reached. It was apparent they did not like the idea of putting Samuel in danger but their sense of right and wrong made them want to get Dupont before he could inflict more harm.

Looking back at Jules he asked "So how long will those three pills knock him out for?"

Jules smiled "At least three or four hours, especially if he did not sleep last night. Which I'm sure he did not given the dark circles under his eyes."

"Right. So. Next steps. I'm going to contact my unit. Have Shade and Hound maintain surveillance on Dupont. Shakespeare can join us here and we can determine how to proceed. Shakespeare may have already made contact with Detective Jackson. He may have information for us" General Braddock stated resolutely resuming his equanimity.

Greg asked "Detective Sally Jackson?"

"Yes, why?" Braddock asked.

Recalling the Ms. Holmes fiasco, aka the redheaded bitch, Greg only said "I've met her before. She does good work." Greg was unsure if Sam had said anything about that incident to his father and he was not about to add to the man's burdens right now by sharing the details. Besides it was not his place to say anything.

The General call Shakespeare and found out he was meeting with Detective Jackson in an hour. He would call the General back when he was finished and then head over. The General relayed this information to the team.

Everyone was antsy to get started but they needed to wait until Shakespeare arrived and Sam woke up to devise a plan.

Spike was sitting in a chair and his mind was running a mile a minute devising all kinds of worst case scenarios. His knee was bouncing rapidly up and down. Ed took notice and looked at Wordy then Jules. He could tell Spike was stressing out. He knew from experience they needed to distract Spike's thoughts right now.

From his position looking out the window Ed said "Spike did you finish the security system plan?"

Spike's knee stopped bouncing "Yeah."

Wordy stood up "Then let's get busy installing it."

Spike looked at Jules "Do you want a chance to review what I put together?"

Jules smiled at him "Nah, I'm sure that it is great. I trust your expertise." Then she looked at Greg "I'll leave you guys to do that. I'm just gonna shower and then head out to the market. We've got a couple more for lunch it looks like."

General Braddock said "Let me order something in."

"No that won't be necessary. I need to get some things at the market anyways. Running a bit low on coffee and with this crew that could be dangerous. Caffeine withdrawals are not pretty" Jules laughed.

"Then I'll go with you" he responded.

She patted his back again "I think you should maybe just take this opportunity to sit with Sam. I won't be long."

Wordy looked at Greg and he saw the worried look. What if that man was truly stalking Jules? Greg said "When you're ready Jules we can head to the market together. I need to get some things too."

Jules rolled her eyes. She could see it was fruitless to try and get the guys to change their minds. There was no way they were letting her go alone. She smiled as she headed up the stairs these guys could be over-protective and frustrating as hell but it felt nice to be cared about that much too.


Outside Jules's Home

Logan was vexed. This house was friggin grand central station. Then those guys were now outside her house and it looked like they were installing cameras. Dammit his ponytail had too many protectors.

He was not going to let her get away, protectors be damned, he would not be thwarted. This one was turning into a challenge. It would just make it all the more satisfying when he had her ponytail in his collection.

Logan had watched two men had entered her house today. That was in addition to the other four that had been there last night. That meant there were six guys in there with her.

One of them was in no shape to do anything at all. He was a bit of a pansy, all crying and what not in her lap the other night. Pansy boy had seen him in the window but it was just a short look it was doubtful he had anything to worry about. Another one he had seen outside the other day and now again seemed to have limited mobility of his arms.

But the other four looked quite capable. He wouldn't get through them. And if she was installing a security system he would just have to watch and grab her someplace else. She was bound to leave without her entourage at some point. He warmed to the thought of the challenge this ponytail presented him. He could wait, it would be all that much sweeter in the end.


Hospital – Security Room

Gerard sat at his desk his elbows on his desk and his head in his hands. He was hungover and his head throbbed. His door opened and a too chipper voice said "Mr. Dupont."

He dropped his hands and looked at the offending security guard. God he hated those equality quotas he had to meet when hiring. Women had no business what so ever doing a man's job. Security was a man's job. "What do you want Ms. Lawrence" he snarled.

Misty Lawrence looked at her new boss with disdain. After Ed Lane had left with the DVD she made she had spoken with Ms. Ridley. Cami she corrected herself mentally. She really liked Cami and she had helped her immensely.

Plastering on a sugary sweet smile and speaking loudly in her chipper voice Misty said "Mr. Dupont I'm here to tell you I'm leaving now. I just finished my last shift. I would normally give more notice but you've been a complete and utter ass to me so screw you."

If Misty could have taken a picture of surprised, florid, angry face of Mr. Dupont she would have. Before he had a chance to say anything she turned and closed the door behind her.

Misty high-fived Cami and said "Thanks Cami. I'm not sure how you arranged for me to be awarded that scholarship but thank you from the bottom of my heart." She gathered her jacket and purse and headed to the outer door.

Cami smiled "You earned it; you are the right person for the scholarship. I expect you to be at the top of your cadet class Misty. The police force is lucky to be getting someone of your caliber. If you need anything just holler."

The outer door closed behind Misty as Dupont's door opened. Cami smirked at the hungover man; such a jackass. She had found that the camera re-positioning had been done by him. Today she was going to take her findings to the Director of the Hospital. By this time tomorrow Dupont would be out of a job.

Gerard's eyes narrowed on Cami trying to be intimidating "Did you know about that?"

Unperturbed by his show Cami glibly answered "Does it matter?"

That enraged him more. How dare she disrespect him? He took a menacing step forward his face livid. Cami held her ground and looked up at him with a blasé disinterested look "Do you need anything Mr. Dupont?"

"I'm going to do rounds. Make sure you do your job and keep an eye on the cameras" Dupont bit out. Oh how he wanted to backhand the bitch. He was going to find some way to fire her for insubordination and lack of respect of his position.

Cami chuckled after the door slammed behind him. What a supreme jackass. She sat down and decided to call Ed and let him know what she found out about the camera re-positioning.


Jules's Home – Sam's Room

Sam opened his eyes. By the light in the room it was early afternoon. He felt rather than saw someone in the room with him. He turned slowly wondering who it would be but hoping it was his father or Jules. He wasn't quite sure how he was going to face the others yet.

General Braddock smiled as his son turned over slowly "Hello Samuel. Did you rest well?"

"Dad" Sam said a bit tentatively.

"Yes."

"How did it go?" he asked.

General Braddock leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees "About as one would expect it to go son. They were, no are, angry about what happened to you. Just as I am."

"Do they …" he was not sure he wanted the answer to this question so he trailed off.

Understanding what Samuel was asking William answered "No they do not pity you. No they do not think any less of you. Quite the contrary son. You are a survivor. However they are pissed at you."

"Pissed at me? Why?" he queried.

"Same reason I am. You cannot put yourself at risk for the false sense of guilt you feel" the General said sternly.

"Who said I feel guilt" Sam retorted.

The General remained quiet. Sam squirmed inwardly under his father's scrutiny. But he maintained the gaze. Blue eyes locked to blue eyes, each challenging the other to be the first to break.

Sam lost the staring contest and ground out "Fine. Yes I feel guilty. None of those kids would have been harmed if I had just said something back then. You happy now?"

A look of sadness covered the General's face "No not really. I feel guilty too. If I had not left you with him none of this would have happened to you. You would not have been harmed. I'm not going to tell you not to feel guilty. That would be like telling the earth to stop spinning. Not gonna happen."

"But what I will say is that the one person that is really to blame is Gerard Dupont. He has a lot to answer for. I am willing to do all in my power to help you bring him to justice."

"However, I will not risk you to do it. You are as important as any one of the others he has harmed. You are more important to me. Together with your team we can devise a plan to get the bastard."

He held up a hand to stop the comment Sam was about to make "Let me reiterate so you are crystal clear, I will not risk you to get him. Beyond my reasons for not risking you, there are five people outside that door that would have my hide if I allowed that. They all want to help. They understand this is important to you. Will you allow us to help you and keep you safe?"

Sam stared at his dad. His mind had nearly missed all he said after he said he felt guilty too and he wasn't going to tell him not to feel guilty. It sounded like something Dawn would say to him. He had also found when someone told him not to do something he pushed harder to do it.

So when told not to feel guilty about something he always felt it stronger and deeper. His dad was not pushing him to release it. Because of that he would eventually work through it and be able to release it. How did he know not to push him on that?

"Dad, why didn't you tell me not to feel guilty?" Sam asked cautiously.

General Braddock moved to the bed and took his son's hand "We are more alike than either of cares to acknowledge. Whenever someone tells me not to do a thing, then I do that thing with more conviction. It takes me time to deal with my emotions. I keep them quite hidden from most people. I don't like to be pushed. When pushed I clam up. I'm thinking we are alike in those ways son."

"I know you are dealing with raw emotions right now. I won't ask you to talk. But if you ever want to talk I want you to know that I'm here, I will listen and I will not judge. Mostly I want you to know that I love you and I care about you. You are my boy and I am so proud of you."

Sam swallowed hard, smiled then quipped "You're trying to make me cry again aren't you dad?"