Disclaimer – Please see chapter 1
A/N – Thank you all so very much for your reviews, I really do appreciate them. Please keep them coming so I know your still interested!. My usual apologies again for not having the time to reply to them, also for the late post, I have had personal things to take care off. Story is beta'd by myself so any remaining mistakes are all mine, so I apologize in advance. R & R Enjoy!
Fall Out Boy – Chapter 29 Stay out of trouble
Back inside the house ten minutes later, Brass sat at the kitchen counter observing Sara on the couch talking quietly to the boy, as Gil set about making drinks and a light lunch.
Gil had given Jim a brief run down of the event as they entered the town house, but on seeing Sara trying to calm Kye they had lowered their voices and set up camp in the kitchen to give them space.
Jim noted the worry in his friend who kept glancing over towards the couch as he moved around the kitchen "Gil we could move them to my place if that would make you feel any better...I have a spare room and I'll just crash on the couch" he offered, then added "Frost wont bother them there I'm sure".
Setting a plate in front of Jim containing a sandwich, then sliding a coffee over to him Gil spoke "Thanks for the offer Jim...but...".
Jim interrupted "But you'd rather they stayed here with you" he said with a knowing grin.
Putting his own plate and cup on the counter Gil paused, then sighed heavily "Yeah...No offence" he said with a slight wince refusing his friends kind offer.
"None taken" Jim replied picking up his cup to drink.
"We have someone coming over from child services to visit later...To check that the house is suitable for a child to be staying in......It wouldn't look good that the boys care providers are moving him from one place to the next at the drop of a hat" Gil said picking up a small tray he'd put Sara and Kye's lunch and drinks on.
"Yeah I can fully understand that they need to see that he's being cared for properly, being given some kind of stability and support right now" Jim answered knowing only too well after all his interactions with that department over the years "Our badges don't get us automatic immunity to protocol when kids are concerned" he added, remembering a case back in Jersey of a young respected cop that killed his two kids in a fit of depression and drinking.
"Excuse me while I take their lunch over" Gil said walking off over to the couch.
Jim swivelled on his seat to see the couch better, a small smile grew on his face as he saw Gil put the tray on the table then seat himself besides it leaning forward towards Sara and Kye speaking in a low soothing tone.
Seeing Gil fondly run his hand through the boys mop of curly hair briefly, then stand quickly leaning down to place a tender kiss on Sara's temple, had Jim turning back around to the counter with his eyebrow raised and a grin in place.
Well I'll be damned!.....The bugman finally got his act together........I wonder if they've actually discussed feeling and emotions?, Jim let out a light chuckle at the very thought.
Wonder if they've gotten laid yet?
Nah!
Gil would be wearing that goofy grin like he did when he was Gah Gah over that Miller woman......
Actually scrap them thoughts, Ewwww............Sara's like a.....
A what?
Not really just a friend.....
But............ More like.......?
A daughter!
Yeah!
I always kinda feel pretty protective of her ....And wanna kick Gil's ass every time he's upset her.
Gil better not mess this up and hurt her this time, Jim thought protectively now, the grin gone from his face as Gil took at seat and grabbed his sandwich.
They chatted for a some time about Spencer Frost and the case, keeping their voices low so that Kye wouldn't overhear them talking.
Swallowing his mouthful Brass suddenly remembered something he'd previously missed, so set his food back on the plate "You said 'Care providers' Gil, as in plural. Want to explain that?" he said with a slight frown.
Finishing his chewing, then swallowing Gil seemed to be formulating words in his mind as he did so, and Jim gave him the time he needed to answer.
Thinking that Jim would probably think he'd totally lost his marbles, Gil smirked ever so slightly as he pushed his almost empty plate aside "The woman that's coming to visit us today is also bringing the necessary paperwork for me to start the process of becoming an official child services care provider" he let that sink in for Jim as he took a drink from his cup and observed the man's reaction.
A slight tilt of an eyebrow was all the response Jim gave, his blank looks and exceptional interrogation techniques served him well.
Forging on Gil carried on "I've spoken with Sara and told her that I want to.......that I......... fully intend to help and support them both wherever I can" his words changed direction slightly part way through, he hoped Jim hadn't spotted it as he nearly went into dangerous territory expressing his personal feelings.
The slight smirk added to the raised eyebrow now from Jim, but he noted Gil's lack of using the boys name when he spoke, almost like when he was referring to a case, it disturbed him a little if the man was being serious about being child care provider.
"And if by me becoming an officially registered care giver to make that easier for everyone concerned, then I'm more than prepared and willing to do that" Gil said determinedly as he caught Jim's eyes, but inside he was squirming at his confession.
Jim chuckled briefly seeing his fiend a little uncomfortable "That's great news to hear buddy, but you do know that means interacting with real live human children don't you" he said trying to lighten the mood a little "These aren't your bug larvae we're talking her you know" he added for good measure in his teasing tone.
Shaking his head a little at the tease, Gil spoke "Very funny Jim" he knew that everyone assumed that he was not good with children unless it was work related, but what they didn't really know was that he felt very much at ease with them, felt he could be more of his true and open self with them.
"He's actually very good with Kye I'll have you know Jim" Sara chimed in Gil's defence as she came in to the kitchen to deposit her plate in the sink "Gil was exceptionally good with him when he had a night terror" she added brushing a hand against Gil's back briefly, then letting her arm drop.
Immediately Jim saw the action, and noted the use of his friends first name from Sara's mouth, he had to fight back the smirk that wanted to break out.
Feeling the soft touch from her along with her supportive words had Gil with a small smug smile playing on his lips as he looked at Jim.
"How is Kye now?" Gil asked turning to Sara with an inquiring look.
"He's okay, he's watching the TV right now" She replied.
Jim watched the interplay between the two and could clearly see that things had shifted in their relationship to a better place than before, he just hoped that Gil didn't mess up again like he'd done so many times before.
Knowing that the teasing was over, that Sara would be fiercely protective of Gil, Jim changed back to the problem at hand "So you want me to have a patrol car pass the house regularly to warn off this Frost guy?" he asked as Sara took the seat next to him.
"No. But thanks Jim. I'm going to take a week off that I have stored on the books. We have a few things that we need to take care of in the next week, so the time will be put to good use" Gil said, then added "Besides we both need to be here for Kye when he has to give some kind of statement for the night his Mom was killed" he said dropping his voice towards the end, and hoping there was no room for protest from Sara.
Sara looked at Gil who wasn't meeting her eyes, she was going to insist he doesn't take the time off, but then thought better of it at the prospect of having to handle this 'Ice-man' on her own with a frightened child beside her.
"Your sure?" Jim asked as he stood up "It might keep that jerk from bothering you at home again".
"I'm sure Jim. If we get anything we can't handle I'll give you a call" Gil said looking to Sara for confirmation that she was okay with him providing all the protection they would need.
"We'll be okay. Really Jim" Sara said following him across the room to the front doorway.
"Later kid" Jim called over to the boy on the couch with a friendly smile and wave.
Kye turned to look, then gave a shy smile before hiding his face in the cushions.
"You look after them Gil" Jim said with a pointed look on opening the door.
Gil nodded with an affirmative smile as he watched Jim step over to Sara and give her a brief hug "And you Cookie stay out of trouble.....Let Gil take care of you both okay" he said into her ear before letting her go, then stepping outside "I'll keep you updated".
Sat in his car as he made his way back to the lab Jim smiled happy that his friends had now seemed to have sorted out all their differences, Gil's regular and automatic use of 'We' as in 'Couple' had not gone unnoticed by him either.
Both Gil and Sara's actions were out of the ordinary for Jim to have seen, a little like being in the twilight zone Jim imagined, but they both looked so relaxed and comfortable in each others presence, sharing their living quarters together quite naturally with a small child thrown into the mix, he felt happy for them.
A/N – Sorry for the crappy chapter, but I have literally had very little time and far too many distractions while trying to write today, but I promise the next few will be much better. We will be hearing about the Child services visit, more details of the case, angst is on the way and we have the interviewing of Kye coming up soon. I hope you will stick with the story as there is much to happen yet! Next post hopefully weekend, sooner if I get the time.
