Chapter 4

It was decided, he would meet with Roger and explain the whole situation. He would see what Roger thought, and go from there. For once he was thankful to have Roger as a part of Reese's life. He was glad that he was not the only one who would be a part of making such a difficult and life changing decision. And further, he didn't even know what the two men would do if they decided to act. What could they do?

The next day Peter woke early. He didn't work until he evening shift, he had been coaxed into it by Kerry, but he was too anxious to remain in bed. He showered quickly and made himself a pot of coffee. Peering up at the clock, he checked the time. It was 8:30 in the morning. He knew Roger would already be at his office working, so he pulled the phone from the receiver and began to dial his work number.

Breathing in deeply, he listened to the phone ring. He made it a priority to talk to Roger as little as possible, so such a phone call was significantly awkward. The only reason the two ever talked pertained to visit times, so Jackie generally acted as the middle man to prevent any hostility. The two men knew in their hearts that they had no reason to hate each other, and the problem was due to the actions of the deceased, but just as anything else, they were human and needed to blame someone, and who better than each other?

"Hello?"

"Peter was roused from his thoughts as he heard the voice on the other line.

"Hello, um Roger?"

"Speaking"

"Um, this is Peter, Peter Benton"

"OH, um, hello Peter. Is everything ok? I'm sorry about yesterday, I know Father's Day is important to you, but he was there when you got home and…"

"Oh, no, I'm not calling about that. I mean, that was fine."

"Oh, o, then what did you need to talk to me about?" the other man relaxed.

"Um, gosh, I don't even know how to begin. Could we maybe get lunch? I need to talk to you about something, but it's not really something you say over a phone call."

"Um, sure, um, I take my lunch break around 12:30."

"Ok, I'll meet you at Antonios. Is that ok?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll see you at 12:30 at Antonios, Peter."

"Ok, thanks"

Peter pushed the off button on his phone and then began to dial his sister's number. "HI, Jackie? I know you weren't supposed to take Reese til tonight, and I know you've had him a lot this week, but do you think you could take him at around noon today? I'm having lunch with Roger. I'm going to tell him everything. Ok, thanks. See you then."

At around 11:30, Peter prepared his son to go to his aunt's house. He tried to remain calm and have a conversation with his son, but he found it increasingly difficult to do. Finally at noon, his sister came to retrieve her nephew.

"So, you're going to tell him about yesterday?" she questioned her brother.

"Yep, we'll see what happens."

"Good luck, Peter."

"Thanks"

"But hey, I'm proud of you for wanting to talk to him. I think it's good. You both care about Reese. You shouldn't keep anything from him."

"I know, but don't start praising me yet. I haven't done it yet, and you suggested it first."

"But still, when have you ever listened to me before."

"True" he chuckled, "Thanks again for taking Reese early."

"No problem"

After she had left with Reese, Peter grabbed his jacket and wallet and made his way down to the parking lot. Putting the key into the ignition, he drove down to the popular, family-owned restaurant. Arriving early, he asked for a table for two and waited patiently for his acquaintance to arrive. As he drummed his fingers impatiently on the checkered table cloth, he planned exactly how to tell Roger what had happened. But how do you tell a man something like that? "Oh yea, you know how we don't know who Reese's real father is? Well, this drunk jerk came into my hospital yesterday and told me that he slept with Karla at my house while I was at work." This was going to be more difficult than he could imagine.

"Just then he saw Roger enter the restaurant. Waving his hand, he flagged Roger over to his table.

"How have you been, Peter?" Roger asked politely as he seated himself across the table from Peter.

"I've been ok. How about yourself?"

"Not too bad. But I must say, after your call this morning, I have been a little curious."

"I know. I'm sorry about that, but like I said, I just had to see you in person."

"Don't apologize. So what's up?"

"Gosh, where to begin." But Peter did not to go any further. The two men were interrupted by the waitress.

"Would you two like anything to drink?"

"Ice tea, please." Roger put in.

"Um, coffee, black, thanks." Peter ordered.

"So…" Peter turned back to Roger after the waitress left.

"Ok, so um, it's about Reese."

"Reese?" Roger questioned hesitantly. "Is everything ok?"

"Yes, yes, oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. He's perfect. Um, well, yesterday was Father's Day, and it got me thinking. Neither of us is Reese's real father. And no matter how much I try to shake it, I can't seem to forget it."

"I can only imagine how hard that must have been for you, Peter. To find out that your son was not your real son."

"Yeah," Peter paused for a second and inhaled. "Well, yesterday a man came into the ER who shook me up a little."

"What, was he Reese's father or something?" Roger put in jokingly, trying to lighten the mood. But when he looked at Peter's face, he suddenly became silent. "Peter?" he inquired. "Was he…"

"I don't know for sure, but there were several things that make me think."

"I don't understand. Why do you think he is his father?"

"He was a drunk driver who hit a woman and her kids. When he came in, he was still intoxicated. He was rambling. He said that he'd once slept with the wife of a doctor at County while the doctor was at work. That the woman's name was Karla. He said that the man never knew. And the man was black, and, and he had Reese's eyes." Peter let out all in one breath.

"Oh my gosh," was all Roger managed to get out. He looked forward into space. He seemed to be processing the whole thing in his mind. "Oh my gosh."

Peter waited patiently for a response. He knew it had almost made him vomit hearing what the man had said yesterday. He couldn't blame Roger for taking a moment to sort it all out in his head.

Are you sure?" was all he managed to say.

"Like I said, I can't be one-hundred percent sure without a DNA test, but if you could have seen his eyes."

"Can we take a DNA test?" Roger jumped in, suddenly realizing that such a test would answer all of their questions.

"Not without his permission, and do you seriously think he'll agree if we explain why?"

"But he told you. He seemed to be so proud of it then, so…"

"Roger, he was drunk. People tend to bare it all when they're intoxicated. After a few hours to sober up, he'll deny the whole thing. He probably won't even remember telling me."

"We have to do something."

"I know. That's why I came here today. I thought maybe you could add your two cents. Tell me what you think we might do?"

"I don't even know if it's true?" Roger shot back.

"I swear, if you just see his eyes."

"Can I?"

"Can you what?"

"Can I see him?"

Peter paused for a moment. Maybe Roger should see the man for himself? "Ok, he should still be there. He had a few broken bones, and a concussion, so he wouldn't be sent home yet. Sure, if you want to come to work with me, I'll show him to you."

"Ok, and then we'll go from there."

A/N:

Sorry for the long wait, but I received so few reviews, so I worked on some of my other fics I needed to update first. So, please, please, please review. Oh, and if anyone knows Roger's actual occupation, could you please let me know in a review?