16 years ago
"It's been two months and we still got nothing." Chris said angry in their living room.
"I know honey. I am concerned too. I wish no one was looking for Winona so we could take him home with us. At least then we knew he was safe." Phil said.
"We broke our promise. We said we would protect him, we would keep him safe, we would take care of him." Chris said as he sat down next to his husband and lay his head on his shoulder.
"Admiral Archer is helping now. Maybe we will find something soon." Phil said.
"I thought he was having a fit when we told him the story. The anger was written on his face."
"Archer was always on our side honey. He wouldn't be invited on our wedding otherwise. And if there is a kid involved you can expect..." Phil stopped talking when their comm went off.
"This Pike." Chris answered on speaker.
"Get both of your asses to my office now!" Archer yelled.
"Sir? What is going on?"
"No time for explanation. Emergency. Come now." Archer said and hang up.
Both Chris and Phil looked at each other before they quickly went for the front door and ran out the door. They didn't know how but they quickly were by admiral Archer office.
"Admiral! What is wrong? We came as fast as we could." Chris said breathing heavily.
"I can see that Chris. Both of you slow your breathing. I can't let you go in the other room in that state."
Both Phil and Chris looked confused and in a couple of minutes they were breathing normally again and calmed down.
"Sir, what is going on? What is in the other room?" Phil asked.
"An hour ago. Jim was found on campus. Security brought him here when they heard his name."
"Jim?" They both asked.
"Yes. He is anxious, scared and hurt. We couldn't touch him. Wouldn't let us."
"He is injured?" Chris asked.
"I think he hurt his arm. Otherwise I don't know. I couldn't let a doctor look at him. He kept asking for you guys."
"Let us in then. I will look him over." Phil said and Chris nodded. Archer leads them to the other office and opened the door.
Number One was there keeping watch over Jim. They both looked up when they saw them entering.
"Chris, Phil! You came!" Jim said and ran to them. Chris and Phil immediately went to their knees and put him in a tight embrace. Archer indicated for number One to give them privacy and left the room.
"You came, you came." Jim said while crying.
"We were looking for you kiddo. We still were but couldn't find you. We never stopped looking for you." Chris said who also had tears in his eyes.
"We moved. I couldn't contact you." Jim said still crying.
"It's okay Jimmy. Why don't we sit down so we can sit more comfortable. I heard you got hurt." Phil said while standing up. Phil had Jim carefully in his arms while Chris found two desk chairs they could sit down on.
Phil sat down and had Jim on his lap while he examined him carefully. "Can you move your hand Jimmy?"
Jim shook his head and hides his face in Phil's shoulder. It looked like the boy didn't sleep in ages. He almost looked like a raccoon with the darkness of the bags. "It hurts."
"I bet it does. Chris can you give me my bag. I left it by the door. I will make a splint for your arm Jimmy." Chris soon came back and Phil quickly had a splint ready.
Jim now lay comfortably in Phil's arms who ran a hand through his hair. Jim also had Chris close by, by holding his hand close to his chest. Almost pulling him over on Phil's lap so Chris lay his head in Phil's shoulder so he was more comfortable. The two desk chairs were obviously not helping.
"Jimmy? Can you tell us what happend? How you got here." Chris asked softly.
"Mom and Frank were fighting. They were both drunk. Frank... Frank hurt me. He pushed me off the stairs... Mom then got angry too. I tried to protect myself and kicked Frank and then mom yelled at me for kicking Frank. She tried to get me... but... but I got up and ran away...I needed to get to you. You would protect me. You would not hurt me. So I came to the campus. I knew you would be here somewhere." Jim was crying while he told them.
"It's okay Jimmy. No one will hurt you anymore. You will not go back." Chris said.
"We take care of you. You are safe here kiddo."
"Thank you." Jim said tiredly.
"Sleep kiddo we got you. We stay with you." Chris said and soon Jim was asleep.
They stayed in that same position for awhile when Archer opened the door. "I didn't wanted to violated your privacy but we got..." Archer indicated to the corners of the wall.
"Can we use the camera's as a statement?" Chris asked softly.
"As much as I hate we didn't noticed the cameras I am glad also. This way Jim only needed to tell us the story ones." Phil said.
"Yes we can use it. I uhmm I got someone who wants to talk to you in my office. It's important."
"Okay. But we take Jim with us." Chris said as he helped Phil to get out of the chair with Jim in his arms.
"Of course. I wouldn't expect otherwise."
Soon they were in the office and a lady was waiting for them.
"Lieutenant Pike, Doctor Boyce. Good to meet you. I wish the circumstances were different. That must be Jim. My name is Lorien."
Chris looked at Jim who was now half awake again. "Yes ma'am. We understand you wanted to talk to us."
"Lorien is from child services." Archer said.
"You want to take him away?" Phil asked with a slide panic. Jim felt it and snuggled closer.
"No no. Oh no. But he can't go home anymore. Why don't we sit down and discuss this. Is Jim awake?"
"He is a little. Can you say hello kiddo?" Phil asked.
"Hello." Jim said softly.
"Hello Jim. My name is Lorien. I am from child services. My job is to get you in a safe, protective home. That was not with your mom and uncle from what I understood, so we need to find a new home for you."
Jim sat up in panic. "You take me away?"
"From your old home yes. But I think you found already a new home, don't you? That is if you want to live with Chris and Phil. But also if Chris and Phil would want that." She asked with a smile.
Jim face lifted up. "I could live with Chris and Phil?" Looked at them. "Can I, can I live with you?"
Both Chris and Phil smiled. "Of course you can." Chris said.
"We love you already so much kiddo. We can't live without you." Phil said. Jim smiled and hugs them both. They could feel more weight on them as the hug took longer. Jim was really exhausted.
"Kiddo why don't you close you eyes. We need to discuss some things more but we will leave soon with you okay?" Chris said as he ran a hand through Jim's hair. Jim nodded and soon he was asleep again in Phil's arms who rocks him a little.
"So how does this work?" Chris asked.
"Well first you need to sign some papers. They would then go to the judge. You would be his guardian. We also have some requirements when you foster Jim."
"Foster?"Chris asked.
"Requirements?" Phil asked.
Lorien smiled. "The first year you would foster him. After that year we look how you are doing and if everything goes well you can adopt him. There is enough legal stuff to work out. Especially with his mother. That could take awhile. If we could move faster I would let you know." They both nodded at the explanation.
"Then the requirements. Jim went true a lot. His brother, the ship, his home situation. We want Jim to see a therapist. We are still responsible for him and want him in good health. I trust Doctor Boyce that you will take over his physical care?"
"Yes of course. I did it also on the ship. Jim doesn't trust many doctors so it would be best if it was me."
"We look for a therapist the first thing in the morning." Chris told her.
"Well that is all good to hear. I also got a list of therapists if you couldn't find one." She hands him the list and asked them to sign the forms to take Jim home with them. "Well thank you gentlemen and take good care of Jim. I will see you with my next visit but don't hesitate to call if you need me or have any questions."
"Thank you miss Lorien. I will see you out." Archer said. Chris and Phil looked at each other.
"We got him honey. We have him." Phil said.
"We going to be daddy's." Chris said with a smile.
"Would that make me grandpa?" Archer asked with a grin when he enters the room and heard what Chris said last.
"Grandpa sir?" Chris asked with a smile.
"Well yeah I took you under my wings didn't I. You were my puppy. I watched you grew up and got married. That makes me grandpa to that new son of yours. I don't have kids on my own."
"Well he needs a grandpa if we want to make a family for him honey." Phil said with a smile.
"We got a son." Chris said and kissed Phil.
"Oh stop you two. It's already midnight daddy's. Go take your son home. He needs a bed."
"Where are we?" Jim asked sleepily when they entered the house.
"This is our home kiddo and yours now too." Chris said with a smile. Jim nodded and laid his head back on Phil's shoulder.
Chris smiled an adorable smile at Phil. "What you say we give you a tour through the house tomorrow after you had a goodnight sleep?" Jim nodded again. Eyes closed but with a smile on his face.
"Honey, we don't have an extra bed. We need to buy a bed." Phil said when he realized they had to make a room for Jim.
"Well, I am not comfortable with him sleeping on the couch. We got a big bed. He can sleep with us. Are you okay with that Jim?" Chris asked Jim as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Want to stay with you." Jim said.
Chris and Phil smiled. "Okay then let's go upstairs and give you something to sleep in."
"Soon they had Jim changed in a big nightshirt from Chris. They would get clothes tomorrow. It wouldn't take long for them all to fall asleep.
Chris woke up feeling hot. A lot of pressure was also against his chest and body. He didn't remember getting stuck. Slowly Chris opened his eyes and looked around. The pressure was soon explained. Jim had moved himself over Chris chest and Phil had moved against his side with an arm over Jim's back. So much for a big bed, he thought. Slowly he tried to get out of their embrace but as soon as he tried to move Jim held tighter and whimpered. Phil instinctively moved closer against Chris and held Jim closer. Chris sighs but was also a bit proud. Even asleep Phil would tried to protect Jim. Chris decided to let them be and wait for them to wake up.
20 minutes later Phil opened his eyes. "Hey darling."
"Hey yourself." Chris said with a smile as Phil gave him a kiss.
"We really are daddy's. Look how comfortable he sleeps." Phil said as he moves his arm from Jim's back and moved it to his hair to run a hand through it.
"Because he is safe and he knows it. Watch out Phil and lower you voice. You will wake him up"
"My voice is low. You on the other side..."
"You are both not whispering." Jim said as he opened his eyes.
Phil and Chris looked at each other in shock. "How long have you been awake?" Chris asked.
"Did we wake you?" Phil also asked.
Jim moved to sit up and they both let him. "A couple of minutes when I heard you talking".
Chris sat also up and gave Phil a soft slap on the arm. "See that you need to lower your voice."
"My voice? How about you?"
"I was already awake honey before you talked."
"That is... how..."
Jim suddenly begins to laugh. "Are you always like this when you wake up?"
"No" they both said at the same time and Jim begins to laugh harder. Chris and Phil soon followed. They loved to hear Jim laugh.
"What you say we shower and get some breakfast?" Phil asked. Jim nodded.
"Why don't I start breakfast and Phil you help Jim to the shower?" Chris said.
"Okay honey." Phil said. He told Jim to wait for him in the bedroom while he get all the things for the shower ready.
Chris walked out of the bedroom to go to the kitchen before he realized something. He quickly went back but only saw Jim sitting on the bed.
"Uhmm where is Phil?"
"Said he needed to get the bathroom ready first. Told me to relax."
"Oh. Uhmm Jim? I know you got allergies. Do you know what kind of food allergies you got out of you head?"
Jim thought for a moment before he shook his head negative. "I know some."
"Okay Jim. That is fine." Chris moved a little back so he could shout Phil's name from the hallway.
"Why are you yelling Chris?" Phil asked as he walked out of the bathroom in fresh clothes.
"Need you to make breakfast. I will help Jim."
"Why..." Phil asked confused.
"You are his doctor. I don't know what food allergies he got. It's safer if you make it."
Phil thought for a moment before pointed a finger toward Chris. "That is a really good point honey. Jim I will make you breakfast. Chris will do the showering."
"Okay Phil." Jim said with a smile. Phil nodded and walked to the stairs. Chris moved to Jim before he realized another thing and shouted Phil's name again.
"What Chris?" Phil asked now a little frustrated.
"He needs clothes. You need to buy something first. At the end of the street is a little shop. We could get something from there. We will buy more clothes later".
"That's okay. I can put on the same clothes I had on yesterday."
Phil shook his head. "No honey. You get new fresh clothes. I will get them now. While you are in the shower I will be back." Phil said with a smile before he walked downstairs and was out of the door in a minute.
Chris looked at Jim. "Well kid, what you say we get you to the shower." Jim nodded and took his hand to follow him. Chris gave him a toothbrush to brush his teeth first while he looked for towels.
"I am done Chris."
"Okay. Then you can shower. Do you need help? Or do you want to do it by yourself?" Chris asked. He didn't know what a six years old could do on his own.
"Uhmm I can do it. Can you put the shower on."
"Sure kid." Chris put it on and turned around to leave the room.
"Wait! Uhmm. Can you not close the door and uhmm will you stay by the door? So I can call you... or uhmmm." Jim was a little embarrassed.
Chris ruffled Jim's hair. "Sure kiddo. I will stay right here by the door. So I will be there if you need me." Jim smiled and turned to the shower. A couple of minutes later Jim called for Chris to help him dry off.
Chris stepped in the room. He was almost afraid to move when he saw Jim's body. His torso was full of bruises. Front and back. Someone had hit the kid with fists and objects. You could see the pattern on his body. Not to mention his arms that was still in a splint.
Jim looked at Chris. "Can you help drying my hair Chris?"
Chris shook his head and moved forward to help Jim. He put a bathrobe around him to keep him warm while he dries his hair. Jim silent.
"I know you saw them." Jim said softly.
Chris closed his eyes before he took a deep breath. "You want to talk about it?" He asked kindly.
Jim shook his head. "They will go away. Nothing you can do."
"Not my question kiddo."
Jim turned around to face Chris. "Chris you can guess what happened. There is nothing more to say. I am here now." Jim finished when they heard the front door. Phil was back.
"I know that. But that still won't make it right to keep quiet about it."
"It happend. It's done."
Chris wanted to say something but Phil came and stepped into the bathroom.
"Hey. I got you clothes." Phil said with a smile.
"Thank you Phil." Jim said. Phil's suddenly felt the tension in the room and gave them a questionable look. "Is something wrong?"
Chris sighs. "Jim you have to show him. He needs to know."
"Show me what?" Phil asked confused.
Jim took a deep breath before he lowers the bathrobe to his waist. Phil gasped at what he saw. He then shook his head like Chris did before.
"Put on your clothes. We will eat breakfast first then we will talk, okay kiddo?"
"Uhmm..." Jim begins and looked at Chris. Chris looked confused at Phil.
"Phil?"
"Breakfast first then talk. Come on." Phil repeats and went downstairs.
Jim looked at Chris again, questionable. "I don't know kid. Just let's get changed. You need help with the clothes?"
"No I can do them."
"Okay. Why don't you changed in the bedroom. I will take a shower in the meantime."
"Okay."
To be continued...