"No…" Ian whispered to the baby, who was just starting to open his eyes and look around. "You're sleepy… Go back to sleep, big guy…"

At the sound of his voice, however soft, Jake looked up at him; his brown eyes wide awake, despite Ian's words. He was not sleepy! He was ready to be awake now!

Ian sighed, scowling over at the woman he'd just sent on her way. This was all her fault. If she would have just minded her own business – her and all the other women – then Jake would still be asleep.

The baby gave him a few moments to pick him up, but when Ian didn't make any such move, Jake started to whimper, softly. He liked being held. He loved being held, for that matter. More than anything in the world he loved pressing up close against someone and listening to their hearts beat and their throats vibrate when they spoke to the people around them – or simply murmured to him. He didn't think it in so many words, of course, but he knew what he liked, and what comforted him, and being held was definitely a favorite for him. And Ian wasn't complying with that desire.

"No…" Ian said, almost frantically, looking around and hoping Sam would come walking up just then, magically finished with all her shopping and ready to cuddle her son. No such luck, of course. "Come on, Jake, go back to sleep…"

The little face scrunched up, and the little hands balled into fists, a sure sign – even to Ian, who had no experience with babies aside what little he knew about Jake – that crying was soon to follow.

"Happy baby," Ian said. "You're a happy baby, remember?"

Jake didn't feel at all like a happy baby. He could have been a happy baby if he'd been picked up. Now he was a grumpy baby. The whimpers grew louder, until they were drawing attention from everyone who passed by.

With a purely mental curse, Ian gave in and unbuckled Jake from the soft harness that kept him firmly in place in his carrier. Even as he pulled the infant out of the carrier the whimpers stopped, replaced by the wide-eyed stare that Jake always seemed to give Ian whenever he touched him. Probably just waiting to be dropped on his head, Ian was sure. Even the baby had to realize how bad he was at holding him.

"Come here, you big baby," Ian said with a sigh, wrapping the blanket around Jake – just in case he peed (or worse) – and to keep him warm. Jacob's head was immediately tucked under Ian's chin, which drew several warm smiles from women who were walking past and happened to see it. And Ian scowled; to make sure they knew he didn't want their company or comments.

"You know… I think you might be just a little spoiled, Jacob O'Neill…"

The baby didn't answer him, he simply grabbed hold of Ian's t-shirt in one hand and started gumming his neck – a favorite past time of his whenever he was close to it.

"I think I'm jealous," A voice said from behind them. "I thought I was the only one allowed to chew on your neck."

Ian and Jake both looked over at the sound of the voice, and Cassie Fraiser couldn't help but smile at the sight. The baby's eyes were no where near as dark as Ian's were, but they were just as beautiful – and adorable when they were so wide with surprise. He looked so much like Jack it was almost scary.

Ian smiled, truly surprised to see her there.

"I thought you were at your friend's?"

"I was."

Cassie came over and sat down next to Ian, and reached out to rest her fingers against Jake's soft cheek.

"How did you know we were here?"

"Mom told me." She smiled, a little naughtily. "I think she only told me so I'd leave her and Emmett alone for a while."

Ian smiled, too, but really didn't want to explore Janet Fraiser's love life. Especially with her daughter.

"Did you get everything done you needed to do?"

"Meaning can I spend the rest of the day with you?"

"Yeah."

"Yup. Until ten, when I have to be home."

"Great."

She smiled, because she knew he meant it – and she knew that she was one of a very small group of people he actually sought time with.

"Where's Sam and everyone else? And how did you get stuck babysitting?"

"They're shopping. And I hate shopping more than I hate baby sitting, so I offered to sit and wait for them."

"You don't hate baby sitting…"

He nodded.

"I do."

"You like Jake."

"I didn't say I hated Jake. But I like him a lot better when I'm not holding him and worried about dropping him or something."

She smiled, and leaned against him, careful not to put him off balance.

"I think he makes you look sexy."

Joy. That was what he wanted; to look sexy.

"I'd say you're a little biased."

"Maybe."

He smiled, and leaned over, pressing a gentle kiss against her temple before turning his full attention to the baby in his arms.

"How long are you going to be shopping?"

"No clue."

"Would you be upset if I go look for Sam?"

"Nope. She went that way, last I saw." He gestured with his chin, because he refused to take either hand away from holding Jake.

"I'll be back."

"We'll be here."

It wasn't like he and Jacob were going to go cruising for chicks, after all – although if River had had any idea just how much female attention a baby received, Ian was certain he would have volunteered immediately to be the baby sitter.

Cassie left them alone, and Ian turned his attention back to Jake, who was quiet and happy now that he was being held.

"You're such a little punk…"

He didn't mean it, though, and even Jake knew that. The baby gurgled in his ear and set to chewing on his neck again.