Notes: I know, I seem to forget to mention a) "Nothing belongs to me" and b) again, a huge "THANK YOU" to my dear friend and beta-reader Jessi84! Okay, with that done - on with the show…

Chapter 2

Outside on the hallway both of them stayed silent as they slowly made their way to the parking lot. They approached the car and Josh asked for the keys.

"In my pocket", Tim replied softly.

Josh got them out and opened the door for him. "You want me to drive?"

"If you don't mind", he answered and sat slowly down on the passengers seat. He sighed and took out a handkerchief to weep some sweat from his forehead. He was visibly exhausted.

"Are you okay, Dad?"

"No, I'm not okay. What's going on with you? Your mom is worried – I'm worried. Why do you keep fighting with this guy? I thought we talked about this already."
"Mark's been rude again. He didn't stop saying annoying things about you and I…" he explained.

"You know better that to react with violence."

"Oh, c'mon Dad! He called you a sissy! What am I supposed to do about that!", he shouted with tears in his eyes.

Tim sighed again and leaned his head back on the headrest. "Alright, cool down. We will talk about this with Mark and his parents as soon as your mom comes home. Do you have his address?"

"Yeah…", he sobbed quietly.

"Did you at least get a good punch at him?" Tim asked smiling.

"I'm not sure…"

"Show me your knuckles." Seeing no abrasion Tim knew that Josh didn't fight back. "Okay, get me to the lab, then you drive home. You're grounded until your mother's coming back this weekend."

"But…"

"Sorry pal, but it's either you getting all the trouble or me. And I'm certainly not dealing with your mother about letting you go to your friends after this incident."

Josh nodded, wiped the tears away and drove them to the headquarter.

After he pulled into a parking lot, he stopped the engine. "How are you going to get back home?" Josh asked.

Tim looked at him. "I don't know yet. I'll figure something out."
"I can get you…"

"No, besides I don't know how long it will take to finish the reports."

"Dad, you have to slow down. It's not good to work these long hours", he sounded worried.

"Yeah."

"Really. Your back got worse since last month."

"Of course! The lab drives me crazy lately…more stress means more pain. You know that."

"And I'm giving you a hard time, too. I'm sorry Dad", said Josh and lowered his head.

"Hey! It's not your fault, okay?" Tim said and reached for his son's shoulder, rubbing it gently. "Henderson got back from his vacation today. Hopefully he used the time to think about how to lead the night shift. I don't know how the Department could put him into this position", he said and had to smile. "Even Delko is better than him."

"Don't joke about Uncle Eric. He's very good."

"Sure he is. That's why he's second in command. Okay, I need to get in. The sooner I'll finish the paperwork, the sooner I'm home. Watch out for your sisters. I don't wanna hear any complains, understand?"

"Yes." He got out and rounded the car in order to help Tim out of the truck and then into the building.

On their way to the office Tim was greeted by several colleagues and policemen. They stopped at the reception. "Any messages?", he asked the woman behind the desk.

"No, Lt. Speedle. Hi, Josh. How are you?", she asked smiling.

"I'm good, thanks."

Finally they arrived at Tim's office, which was formerly Horatio's. He had retired 3 years ago, leaving Tim to follow his footsteps. But they had agreed a long time before that official step that Tim would take over Horatio's position. Unofficially Tim was leader of the team since 10 years. Josh pulled the yellow painted wheelchair from behind the table and Tim slowly sat down. It was much more easier for him to move within the lab with his "second Ducati", as he called it.

"It amazes me every time I see you how you two act together. The perfect team", Calleigh said as she strode by. She smiled brightly at the Speedle boys.

"Yeah, well, I grew up with these kind of things. I guess it comes naturally", Josh replied. "How are you? Long time no see."

"Same as ever. Just trying to do my job. But you are causing troubles so I've heard. Is everything okay?"

"It will be, after Linda and I get in touch with Mark and his parents", Tim replied while working on a file. He turned to Josh. "You better go now. Ashley will be home soon. And I think Lucy will be more than happy if you are joining her tea party this afternoon."

"Great. Just what I need right now", he scowled as he thought about his little sisters. He slightly shook his head and went. "See you later, Dad."
"Yep."

tbc…