AUTHORS NOTE: Just a quick thank you to everyone who is still reading this story. When I started writing this story it was inspired by two television programmes here in the UK – 'Who do you think you are?' & 'Long Lost Family' and what struck me most was how the seemingly insignificant decisions and actions of a single person could have ramifications which lasted decades and sometimes centuries. That is what I wanted to show. Bringing the two sets of characters from FSOG and The Crossfire series together was my starting point and Frank was my character of choice for that and his actions. I decided right from the start I wanted to bring Elliot into that, and how the evolving family dynamic affected different family members – particularly Grace, and using my own questions of how EL James wrote that story and basically showed Grace and Carrick to be clueless when it came to helping Christian and also including my own interpretation of how I saw John Flynn. Then we had the Cross story which was too good an opportunity not to embellish and take to new places and I made Gideon's mother Elizabeth Vidal a complete monster. I made it clear right from the start that I wasn't going to have the main protagonists having a baby as I wanted to do something different. I did compromise on that though as the story evolved with the ongoing Meg and Elliot baby storyline – in fact that whole part of the plot was not in my original notes for this story, nor was the entire Kate situation as that evolved from a single review where someone asked what Kate would make of the situation when Eva and Ana went public at the beginning, as I originally planned for Elliot and Kate to stay together. I had intended on Christian discovering his own birth family but via Finding Family but again that changed when I was inspired by another review where someone had commented that they wanted to know more about Arnie. It was my intention right from the start to have Gideon find a son and for that son to end up with him and Eva which is the plotline we are currently on but in keeping with the actions and their ramifications like the ripples of a pond theme I have going on (and the fact I do like a bit of drama) that road is not going to be an easy or straightforward one.

CHAPTER 128

Two weeks later…

(CHRISTIAN)

"So, what is the verdict for this Ros?" I ask with obvious irritation.

Ros stares at me as if I'm an idiot, and I suppose I am for asking such a ridiculous question. "We cut our losses and walk away" she says with an emphatic swipe of her hand.

I sigh and rub my eyes, I don't like throwing in the towel but the owner of this company has been an asshole from day one, he needs this deal as his company is failing but he has fought us at every step of the way and we have now discovered some major irregularities which he failed to previously disclose.

"Alright, ditch it, we've done all we can, if he won't work with us it's not worth pursuing" I say with a reluctant sigh.

Ros nods and tells me it's the right decision before she leaves my office. I lean back in my seat and drain my coffee mug. I glance at my watch, and am surprised by the time. I look at my computer screen and decide that I'll just finish what I was doing when Ros interrupted me and then I'll call it a night. I know that Ana has already gone home, and I don't want to be here any longer than I have to be. I quickly finish what I was doing and close down my computer with a satisfied sigh.

It's been two weeks since we returned from Chicago and I take a moment to think about the previous events. Things have been quiet, while I have spoken to Gideon a number of times since our return, as is our custom now as we generally call each other for a little chat at some point each day I haven't personally spoken to Jared or his aunt and uncle at all since we arrived back here but that is how it should be, I don't need to unless there is some kind of an emergency. The last time I spoke to Gideon was this morning and he had told me he had skyped with Jared the night before and all was well. He has spoken with his uncle and Jared regularly and by all accounts it appears that Jared seems to have settled well in Seattle. He is still seeing Caroline which I know Gideon is funding and he likes his new school, which Gideon is also funding. So, everything seems to tentatively be going well. Welch and Angus are still digging into the death of William and Angela Martin but as yet have drawn a blank, there just doesn't appear to be anything suspicious and perhaps we need to accept that it was as it appeared, a gang shooting where innocent people got caught in the crossfire. These things sadly do happen.

As I am thinking this my cell phone starts to buzz, I pull it out and I see it is Jared calling me. I immediately freeze and go cold at the sight of his name on my screen.

I quickly answer it, "Hello Jared, how are you?" I ask as I try and contain my rising panic.

"Christian… can you help me I'm scared" Jared's voice hits me with the force of a wrecking ball, and I am on immediate alert and grabbing my jacket I leave the office.

"What's happened, what's wrong?" I ask him as I make my way to Taylor's office to raise the alarm.

"The man… the one who came to visit Uncle Phil, the one who came and freaked out when he saw me which caused Uncle Phil to threaten me with the gun he's here… he's here in Seattle. Why is he here? He has no reason to be here and I saw him today, I thought I was mistaken at first but I'm sure now as I've seen him again a couple more times it's like he's following me and now he is sitting outside our house in his car and I'm scared. I took a photo of him and his car to make sure it was the same man and it is, what do I do Christian?" he says in a rush.

"Alright Jared, listen to me where are your aunt and uncle?" I ask.

I hear him take a deep breath as he tries to bring his obvious panic under control, "Aunty Suzy is in the kitchen she is making dinner, but Uncle Pete hasn't come home from work yet" he says.

"Alright and whereabouts in the house are you Jared?" I ask.

"I'm in my bedroom, I'm supposed to be doing my homework but I decided that I had to call you because that man shouldn't be in Seattle should he?" he says. I can tell he is now second guessing his decision to call me and wondering if he is over reacting so I quickly reassure him.

"You did the right thing calling me and I'm raising the alarm right now, you are correct there is no reason why that man should be in Seattle" I say.

"Ok" Jared says with obvious relief.

My mind is working overtime, wondering how best to deal with this. I don't want to alarm Jared but I also need to keep him out of harm's way and if this man has been stalking him there is a very real possibility that he could break into the house. I realise quickly that I promised Gideon I would look out for him so I need to make sure he is safe. "Ok you say you are in your bedroom that's good – I want you to stay right there… but is there anywhere, where you can hide in the vicinity should that man enter your home before we can get to you?" I ask and then cringe wondering if I'm just scaring the boy even more.

"Erm… yeah, I guess" he says.

"Good boy, listen to me carefully Jared stay in your room and should the man enter your home you hide - that is your plan, do you understand?" I ask.

"Yes" Jared says in a small scared voice.

My heart goes out to him as he sounds so scared right now but I am now standing in Taylor's office and he is looking at me questioningly. "Alright Jared I'm going to hang up on you now but only because I need to tell my security what is happening and I promise you that I am on my way to you right now, so just sit tight" I say.

"Ok Christian… I'll do that and thank you" Jared replies with obvious relief.

I hang up and relate the details of Jared's call to Taylor who immediately leaps into action. He calls Welch and I am assured several security team members are on route to Jared's uncle's home as we speak.

"Has Gideon's security operative been informed?" I ask.

Taylor nods, "Yes sir, Welch assured me he would automatically be notified as soon as he raised the alarm to the team".

I am satisfied with that but anxious to get to Jared personally as I had assured him I was on my way and I am also considering my promise to Gideon about looking out for his son. "We need to go now Taylor, I assured Jared I was on my way" I say and Taylor hesitates a moment before he nods but he doesn't say anything and I'm fairly sure he isn't altogether happy about taking me there as it is his job to keep me safe.

"I should call Gideon now and bring him up to speed" I say as we are making our way down in the elevator to the garage and Taylor nods.

"I think so sir, he is probably already aware that there is a situation as his security will automatically alert him but it wouldn't hurt to let him know that Jared has spoken to you and outline what is actually happening" he says.

I nod and quickly place the call to New York.

The call is answered almost immediately, "Christian, I was just about to call you - what the fuck is happening there?" are the opening words from a clearly frantic Gideon Cross.

"Gideon, calm down and just listen. Jared just called me saying he was scared as the man who he'd seen at his uncle Phil's house in Chicago has shown up in Seattle. He said he saw him a couple of times during the day and now the man appears to be staking out the house. That man has no reason to be here in Seattle so he did the right thing to call me. I informed Taylor immediately who has raised the alarm and Welch is sending in the troops as we speak. We are also on route to Peter's house".

"Right, so Jared is physically ok as far as you know?" he asks and I can hear this has calmed him a little but not much.

"As far as I am aware, yes. He is scared but he's ok, I told him to sit tight and that we were on our way. I also told him to hide somewhere if the man breached the house" I say.

"I'll call him, and reassure him that I'm also coming. I'm making arrangements to fly to Seattle, I should be in the air within the hour" he says.

"Alright" I reply, "Listen I should go in case Jared tries to call me again" I say.

"Yes, yes ok, thanks Christian" he says and with that he is gone.

We are making our way through the city when a few moments later my phone rings again and it is Jared, and I quickly answer.

"Jared?" I ask.

"Christian, I heard a gunshot… I heard a gunshot" the terror in the boy's voice breaks my heart. Fear also grips me as I realise the man is now in the house.

"Jared remember what I told you to do, go and hide… go and hide right now, and I promise you I'm coming" I say as I try and keep my own voice steady.

"I am, I'm hiding" he replies. "I've also spoken to Gideon he just called me a moment ago, he told me he's coming" he whispers his voice trembling with fear.

"Good boy, now stay really, really quiet. I will stay on the line with you but don't speak to me in case anyone hears you, and yes I know Gideon is coming because I've just spoken to him as well" I say. The thought of Jared hiding terrified in his home takes me back to when I was a toddler and hiding from Ella's pimp and I ruthlessly push those memories from my mind as it is not something I need right now.

I glance up at Taylor who meets my gaze through the rear-view mirror, "Step on it Taylor, Jared has heard gunshots" I say, and Taylor immediately accelerates and swiftly manoeuvres us through the Seattle traffic.

"I just heard another shot and now I can hear voices, lots of voices… lots of shouting" Jared whispers and his voice rises by an octave with the obvious terror he feels.

I hear Taylor's phone ring and he quickly answers, "Jared, stay where you are and you will be ok" I say, hoping to god I am telling him to do the right thing.

"Ok" Jared whispers.

I listen to the one-sided conversation, Taylor is currently having and I know this isn't good as Taylor's face looks grim as he speaks.

"Is the perp apprehended?... are there any fatalities?... Is the house secure?... Mr Grey and I are in sight of the house now… he's hiding Mr Grey told him to hide and he is talking on the phone with him… he told him to stay hidden… we can see you we are arriving now…"

I return my attention to Jared, "Jared can you hear me, we are arriving at your home right now, stay where you are hiding for the time being" I say.

"Ok" Jared replies, "Please hurry Christian, I'm scared" he says.

The car stops and Taylor turns towards me, and points at my phone and then touches his lips with his finger before he speaks. I fumble and mute my phone so that Jared won't hear what is said, "The perp has been apprehended" he says, "Our men have him, Mr Martin returned home and from what they have found it appears that as he opened the front door the perp broke cover, shot him and stormed the house, he has also shot Mrs Martin".

"Shit! Are they dead? The Martin's?" I ask.

Taylor nods, "Peter Martin is, Suzanne Martin is badly hurt and being attended to by paramedics, but it doesn't look good for her. But Peter Martin was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Shit, make sure Jared doesn't see his aunt and uncle" I say. I look down at my phone which is pressed to my chest and unmuting it I speak to Jared again.

"Jared, can you hear me?" I ask.

"Yeah, I can hear voices downstairs" he says.

"It's ok Jared that is the members of my security team, I'm coming into the house to get you, just stay where you are do you hear me" I say, "Stay where you are" I reiterate as I don't want him coming out and witnessing his dead uncle and hurt aunt.

"Ok" Jared replies.

Taylor and I enter the house and see the devastation. I see the body of his uncle, I see several members of Welch's team crowded around a man who is lying face down on the floor but who is looking wildly around him and I see paramedics swarming over the body of his aunt, as they try desperately to save her. A moment later they pause and one shakes his head.

"She's gone, time of death 5.23pm" he says. An eerie silence spreads out as we all realise the ramifications of this.

"Is that the perps car outside?" Taylor asks one of the men and he nods.

"We've taken photographs of it and the details have been sent to Welch and Cross's man" he says, "Should we search it?" another man asks and Taylor nods.

"Yes, but make sure you don't leave any fingerprints or anything" he says, "Have law enforcement been informed?" he adds and another man nods.

"Yeah, they are on their way" someone says.

"Go search the car now before they get here" Taylor says and with that a man disappears out of the door pulling on a pair of disposable gloves.

I put my phone to my ear, "Jared where are you? I'm in the house now" I say calmly.

"I'm in my bedroom second floor, second door at the top of the stairs" he whispers.

I look around, and quickly realise I can get him out without him seeing his aunt and uncle if I shut this door behind me.

"I'm going to get Jared, make sure this door stays shut" I say and Taylor nods.

I take the stairs two at a time until I reach the top and I see the second door and open it. Lifting my phone to my ear, I speak again. "Jared… I'm in your bedroom where are you, you can come out now it is safe?" I ask.

I wait and hear creaking and scraping sounds coming from the closet, I cross the floor to see Jared emerging from a small opening in the wall in the closet. I smile as I realise the clever boy got into the crawl space. I help him out, he is covered with cobwebs and dust but I don't care and he falls into my arms, clinging to me and sobbing pitifully.

I grip him tightly and hold him, "I've got you" I say as I hold him to me. I gently sit him on the bed next to me as I reassure him he is safe and start to clean him off.

"I think we should call Gideon now and let him know you are completely safe" I say and I place the call.

Once again the call is answered immediately "Is he safe?" are the words I am greeted with.

"I have him" I say simply and I hear a long sigh.

"Oh thank god" comes the response. "Does he know?" he asks and from that I realise he is aware of what has transpired here.

I glance at Jared, "No" I say simply.

"Alright, just get him out of that house Christian" he almost begs.

"I will, do you want to speak to him first?" I ask.

"Yes, yes please put him on" he says.

I hand my cell phone to Jared and smile at him, "Gideon wants to speak to you" I say.

Jared takes the phone with a trembling hand but continues to cling to me with his other hand.

"Gideon… yeah… I did what you told me and I called Christian and he came… yeah… ok I will go with him… you are? I'll see you later then… ok… ok yeah I will… thanks Gideon… yeah… bye" he hands me back my phone. "He said he's at the airport right now and he said that he's flying out as we speak, how long will it take for him to get here?" he asks hopefully.

I glance at my watch, "If he is leaving now I would say he will be landing here in Seattle at about 10.30 tonight" I say.

Jared looks disappointed, "Uncle Pete won't let me stay up that late on a school night" he says and my heart lurches at that innocent remark and also makes me realise I need to tell him about his aunt and uncle.

"Jared, you are coming with me to my home on the sound, and I don't think you will be going to school tomorrow – don't worry about it though as I will call your school" I say gently.

He stills and looks at me and he seems to realise this means something significant, tears start to appear in his eyes and he shakes his head, "No, no I can't… where's uncle Pete? Where's aunty Suzy?" he asks.

I wrap my arms around him, "Jared listen to me" I say gently.

He grips me tightly, and before I can say anything else he speaks again and saves me from saying the words I was working out how to say. "He's dead isn't he, that gun… the shots I heard… he's dead? They're all dead just like my mom and dad" he rambles and then he bursts into sobs of hysterical grief.

I sigh, "I'm so sorry Jared" I say as I hold him tightly.

The anguished cry I hear, breaks my heart. This poor boy to not only lose his adoptive parents but also his uncle and aunt in the same manner. "Listen to me Jared, you need to come with me" I say.

He is sobbing bitterly and clinging to me so I am reluctant to move him but we need to get out of here. I am relieved when he moves slightly and nods vacantly, but he is still clinging to me like a limpet. I ease myself away from him and as he releases his grip on me I grab a duffel bag and start throwing some things into it to take with us. He sits watching me as I move around the room but it is like he has checked out. I spot his pyjamas and slippers and push them into the bag, and I wander into the bathroom and gather some toiletries and his toothbrush. I push some clothes into the bag and I open a drawer and see underwear and grab some of that. I stop and think what else would he need; I see there is a book and phone charger on his bedside table and I grab that. That will do for now, I can always send someone to collect anything else he needs.

I wrap my arm around him and gently usher him out of the room, "Do you have your phone?" I ask him and he just nods. He is clearly in shock and it is like all the fight has gone out of him. We go downstairs and Taylor is waiting for us and he smiles at Jared sympathetically. As we step outside, I urge Jared into the SUV and Taylor climbs in.

"The police have taken the perp away, they will want to question Jared at some point, but I explained he was hiding upstairs so what information he had would be minimal so they agreed to let him be for now" Taylor says.

I nod, "They are not talking to him tonight, he's in shock" I say as I glance at Jared who is just gazing into space.

Taylor nods, "They said they will contact you tomorrow to arrange to speak to him" he says.

I nod, "That's fine, listen call Caroline and get her to meet us at home, Jared is going to need her" I say and Taylor quickly places the call.

I decide I need to call Ana; I lift my phone to make the call when it rings and I see it is Ana calling me.

"Hey baby" I say as I answer.

"Christian, what's going on? Eva has called me saying that something has happened to Jared's aunt and uncle, and that they are flying out – What's going on? What's happened?"

"Listen baby, I'm with Jared right now and we are coming home, I'll explain everything when I get there. Caroline will be arriving there shortly to talk to Jared. Gideon and Eva are flying out as we speak and from what Gideon said I estimate them arriving about 10.30 tonight. Can you ask Gail to prepare a bedroom for Jared as well as Gideon and Eva's usual rooms?".

"I can do that" she replies simply and from that I know she realises that I don't want to go into details with Jared sitting beside me.

"Thank you, baby, we should be home soon" I say.

oooOOOooo

Taylor pulls the car to a halt and Ana is waiting at the door with Caroline when we arrive. Jared is still lost in his own thoughts but he has one hand resting on my arm which hasn't moved throughout the entire journey. I shift slightly and he looks up at me and I give him a reassuring smile.

"We're here" I say gently. "When you are ready, we'll get out of the car and go inside. I've called Caroline to join us and if you want to you can have a chat with her, but if you don't that's fine as well" I say as I don't want to look as though I am forcing him to do anything.

"Where's Gideon?" he asks.

I look at my watch, "Probably in the air by now and making his way here" I say and Jared nods.

"I want to talk to Gideon" he says.

I nod, "Ok, we can try and organise that for you, let me try and contact him". I wonder briefly if Gideon will keep his phone switched on. I insist on all phones being switched off during flights.

I pull out my own phone and quickly send him a text.

Jared wants to speak with you, are you able to call him?

Seconds later Jared's phone starts to ring and I smile. "Is that Gideon?" I ask as Jared pulls his phone from his pocket.

Jared nods and holds up his phone, to show me. I see Gideon is video calling him and Jared quickly answers the call.

"Gideon" Jared says and the tears start to fall again.

"I'm coming, I'm coming as quick as I can" Gideon says, and I can hear the helpless anguish in his voice.

"He killed them Gideon" Jared whispers and I see Gideon nod.

"I know, but he will be punished for it. I know that won't help right now, but the police have got him so he can't hurt you anymore" he says as he tries to reassure Jared.

"Why did he kill them?" Jared asks and I hear Gideon sigh.

"I don't know Jared, I really don't know but I promise you I will try and find out for you" he says.

Jared seems happy with that, "I'm staying at Christian's house, will you come and see me here?" he asks and Gideon smiles.

"That is my plan" Gideon says.

Jared bites his lip, "Gideon?" he begins.

"Yes" Gideon replies.

"Can I come and live with you? I… I… I don't want to go back to Uncle Phil and I don't really have much to do with Uncle Patrick… and… well… you are my dad?" he pauses and waits anxiously looking at the screen.

Gideon nods, "If that is what you want I will sort it all out. But for tonight, put all those sorts of thoughts out of your head. All that can be dealt with later, for tonight just concentrate on now. All you need to focus on right now is the fact that you are safe, you are with Christian and I am coming to you and will be with you as soon as I can".

"Ok" Jared says, and we can both see he is trembling again.

Gideon is watching him with obvious concern, "Jared can you do something for me?" he asks gently.

Jared nods, and looks questioningly at Gideon.

"Can you go into Christian and Ana's home and have a little chat with Caroline? She is going to be there to listen to anything you want to say, and tonight has been really traumatic for you, so maybe it would be good to talk to her about it until I can get there and be with you, what do you think?" he asks.

Jared thinks about it and the tears start welling up in his eyes again, "I heard the gunshots… I heard them. I ran and hid, I was hiding while he shot them" he says.

I wrap my arm around him and pull him towards me, "I told you to hide Jared, and you did the right thing" I say and I glance at the phone and nod a greeting to Gideon.

"Jared, listen to me – you did totally the right thing. You hid, and you stayed safe. I am so proud of you the way you did everything completely right tonight" Gideon says earnestly.

"Ok" Jared says quietly but he doesn't sound too convinced.

Before anyone can say anything I hear a loud growling noise come from Jared's stomach.

"You sound as though you are hungry" I say with a smile.

"I'm not hungry" Jared says immediately.

"Your tummy is saying differently" I say.

"Jared go inside and try and eat something" Gideon says immediately.

Jared looks at the screen once more, "Ok" he says again.

Gideon smiles at him, "Good boy, I will see you very soon. I've been told that I should be landing in Seattle at about 10.30 and I will come straight to you as soon as I arrive. It will be late though so if you want to go to sleep that is absolutely fine".

"Christian said I won't be going to school tomorrow" Jared says.

Gideon nods in agreement, "No, I think under the circumstances that it would be best if you didn't, but we can talk about all that when I get there" he says.

"Ok" Jared says again.

"Shall we go inside now Jared?" I ask and he looks at me and then at the screen and he seems torn.

"You can come inside but you can carry on talking to Gideon as well if you want to" I say as I realise he wants to carry on talking to Gideon.

"Can I do that?" he asks and I nod.

"Of course you can" I reply.

"Do you mind?" he asks Gideon, who shakes his head.

"No, not at all I'm staying right here and will be here as long as you need me to be" he says.

"Will you stay on there when I talk to Caroline?" Jared asks and Gideon nods his head again.

"Of course, I will" he says.

With that he leans across to open the car door, whilst still clutching his phone tightly. I climb out and Taylor hands me Jared's duffel bag, I offer him a word of thanks and we make our way towards the house.