Complications

A/N: Go and see Chapter 1 for full information… Chapter 3

Tim tried everything to convince his mother to let him stay at Miami. But Susan was already in her "motherhen" modus and there was no escape. Only the real good food back home was worth the ordeal he would have to suffer. He had no other choice and gave up his resistance. After he had called Horatio and had explained his sudden departure, he went through the house and made sure he got everything he would need the next few weeks. One hour later his cell phone rang and he answered it. "Speedle."

"Hello Tim, it's Alexx. Just heard from Horatio about your holiday plans."

"Oh, just do me a favour…don't remind me", he scowled. "It's going to be a hell of a ride", he smirked.

"Sweetheart, I can't imagine that. After all it's your family", she said, but was well aware of his reluctance about staying at his parents house. "Just relax and have a good time. One more thing: give me a call when you're back home. I'll do some research and give you some addresses from colleagues who can help you with the training."

"Isn't that sweet? Always worried about us, our Dr. Woods", he smiled.

"Can't help it. Have a nice trip, Tim. And be a good boy, do you hear me? I don't want to hear any complains from my colleagues."

"I'll try. Thanks, Alexx. I owe you one."

"That's right. See you."
"Bye."

After he finished the call he went back to the living room. Everyone was ready to go and with

one last glance back he said: "Alright, let's call a cab."

One hour later they sat at the airport, waiting for their flight. Later that evening, Tim put down his suitcase in front of the Speedle home in NYC. He let his eyes drift around. How long had he been away? Eight, ten years? Was Mrs. Anderson, the lovely old lady across the street still alive? What about Kenny Jones, the boy from next door? He wanted to be a attorney. Did he make it? Questions raced in his mind and he stood there for several minutes. The others were already in the house, his mother was happy, after all, to have her complete family together in one house. Tim was interrupted by a dog who ran right towards him. He let go his bag and was ready to ran away.

"Spot! Don't jump at him!" he could his father's voice shouting from inside the house.

The dog – a big black Labrador – turned his head and stood.

Arthur appeared and went to Spot. "Good boy!"

"A dog! You? That's unusual", Tim said and knelt down to pet the dog.

"Well…you know…since Susan's still with the child service we've sometimes got a bunch of kids around. They like the dog. They need someone to play with…someone who doesn't hurt them like they experienced before in their young lives. Spot's perfect for that. He can listen to them all day long, stuff like that, you know", his father tried to explain.

"I see. How many kids are actually here?"

"Right now we've got 2 little ones. Troy is 5 and Lisa's 8. You'll gonna meet them on Monday."

Susan came. "I see you've already found Spot."

"It's more that he found me, Mom."
"Are you coming? We still need to unpack your stuff. Unfortunately your old room is now occupied by Troy and Lisa, but you'll be okay with the guest room, wouldn't you?"

"I'll be fine with that." Then he grabbed the suitcase and entered the house. A strange feeling occurred as he walked through the rooms. Everything was so familiar and yet unknown. His mother led the way and soon after that she had all things stored for him. He just stood there and felt like a little boy again.

"Mom, I can do this on my own, trust me."
"Alright. What about dinner? Something special for my special son?" she smiled.

"There's nothing special with me, but thanks. Everything you make is alright with me. But I don't want you to do dinner just for me. I can take care of myself."

"Oh, stop it. It's not just for you! I'll have to cook anyway" she answered and left with a smile.

After she had left, Tim sighed and sat on the bed. He still felt like he was 10 again. That's why he didn't want to come – he was treated like a kid. It was no bad intention from his mother. No, that was her nature. Always there to help, to comfort, to please. Not bad after all, but annoying sometimes.

Then he made the promised phone call, and 10 minutes later he hung up. He thought about eating dinner but he felt very tired, too. So he laid down to rest for a few minutes.

"Why isn't he coming? Dinner's going to be cold", Susan said while working in the kitchen, with Arthur helping her. Andy had gone to meet his girlfriend.

"Well, he said earlier that he had to call Dr. Woods. Maybe he has to explain something to the lab", Arthur said.

Time went by and the dinner was ready but there was still no sign of Tim.

"I'll go and look for him", Arthur said and left the table. He was about to knock on the door, but then he heard the noises. He had to smile and carefully opened the door. He stepped inside to see his son laying on the bed – sleeping and snoring. Arthur went to him and put off Tim's shoes. Then he placed the blanket over Tim and left again.

"He's sleeping soundly. But now let's eat", he said after he took this place at the table.

Tim awoke and first he didn't know where he was. He thought of another hospital but then realized that this room was not full of medical equipment. Then he knew where he was and looked at his watch. "Oh shit!" he said and stood…9 pm. He had slept for almost 5 hours.

He went straight into the kitchen because now he was really hungry. As he opened the refrigerator he could hear the TV running in the living room. He put some food on the plate and went to take a seat on the kitchen table, but Susan was already at the door and had to smile.

Tim just stood there like a kid who had been caught with his hands in the cookie jar. Then he smiled: "What? It's been a while since my last dinner."

Susan helped him because he couldn't hold the plate and grab for a bottle of water single-handed. She went to the living room.

"I can eat right here, Mom. No problem" he offered.

"No way. Please sit with us for a while."

He followed her, trying to decide if he needed a beer, too. This would be a long night.

Arthur sat in a chair, reading a book. He didn't look up when he asked: "He went straight into the kitchen, right?"

"Yes my dear, you were right. As always", she teased him.

Arthur looked up and smiled: "Did you hear that, son?"

Tim shot a glance to his mother. "I don't want to comment that. No offense, but you two are still acting like teenagers. That's a bit scary to me", he said as he carefully sat down.

"You seem to be stiff. Is the shoulder bugging you?" Susan asked concerned. She put down the plate and went to Tim.

"Yeah. Guess the bed here isn't that comfortable. And the flight wasn't pleasant, either."

"I've got some ointment for sore muscles. Remind me to get it before you go to bed, okay?"

"Sure."

Then they sat in silence while Tim ate and only the TV in the background could be heard. Later that evening after a surprisingly well going conversation about different themes, Arthur yawned and stood. "I'm done. Tomorrow will be a tough day, so I'm going to bed. Good night", he said, kissed his wife and went.

"Night", Tim said.

"I'm coming soon" Susan replied.

Tim stood too. "I'm going to catch some sleep. Good night, Mom", he said and made his way to the door.

"Good night. Sweet dreams, honey" she said. She laughed as she could see Tim's head go down at her 'honey' comment.

"Please…don't to that to me. It's…it's cruel", he smiled.

Susan went to the bathroom and was about to close the door behind her as she remembered about the ointment. She reached for it in the cupboard and went to Tim's room. She knocked at the door and waited for him to respond.

"Yeah" he answered.

"Almost forgot this" she said as she entered the room and held up the ointment for him to see. She found him staring out of the window, still fully dressed.

"What's up?" she wanted to know.

"Nothing. Just thought I heard something. Guess it's Andy coming home", he explained. Then he turned around and went to the drawer. He pulled his pajamas and began to pull his socks off while sitting on the bed. After that, he carefully lifted his left arm from the sling and put the sling down. He winced and sucked in the air. Susan sighed and went to sit right next to him. She couldn't see her son in pain. "Is it okay with you if I help you with the shirt?" she asked because she knew about his reluctance about being helped.

"Just go for it" he stated simply, knowing there would be no escape.

She helped him as gently as she could and was shocked to see the big scars on this shoulder. "My God. That must be painful. I'm so sorry", she said quietly.

"What for? It's not your fault" he answered.

"But somehow I still think it wouldn't had happened if I didn't insist you to take care of Andy…maybe it would have been all different if I…" she stopped as he reached for her hand.

"Mom, don't think that way. Please. It's not your fault, okay? I made the decision back then in the market. I pulled the gun. I tried to play the hero" he smirked. "If I had known before, that I would end up here, I would have figured out something else."

She had to smile as she saw his bemused face. For a few moments neither of them spoke. Then she reached for the ointment and put some of it on her hands. "Turn around. I'll try to loosen those hard muscles at least a little bit."
He did what he's been told and turned around so that she could massage his back.

"No wonder you can't move. Your muscles are totally stiff", she said as she gently rubbed his back.

Tim didn't answer. He just enjoyed the massage. It was wonderful. Not that he didn't like the thought of being caressed, but by his mother? But it really felt good. The pain had intensified since the flight, but he didn't wanted to show his uneasiness to anybody else. Susan worked on him a few more minutes and then she stood.

He turned around again and moved his head and shoulders slowly. "Thanks. That was great. I feel much better now" he said honestly.

"You're welcome." Susan went to the bathroom to wash her hands and after she had returned, she helped him to put the night shirt on. As he reached for the zipper of his jeans, he stopped and watched his mother. "Uh…I can do this on my own. Would you mind to…" he didn't finish the sentence.

She just smiled. "To do what?"

"Uh…to leave the room?"

"Oh, don't you think that I've seen you in underwear before?" she laughed.

"Yeah…but NOW it's…it's…" he was lost for words.

She couldn't help but to smile at him. Then she held up her hands. "I understand. Good night."

Tim could hear her still laughing as she went to the bedroom.

TBC...