Gideon played with the necklace Michael and Jonas had given her for Christmas while she watched Jonas and Bobby playing a computer game. Michael was currently in the kitchen with Sam helping him make Christmas dinner while Maggie and Kelly were with Ali chatting. They were at Sam and Kelly's as they were the only ones with a house that could accommodate all who were able to make dinner. Bobby was there but Hal was spending Christmas with his mother, while Fran and Miles were spending the day with his family.

The door opened signalling Katrina's arrival back with the puppy who had recently been renamed Giddy, so they didn't get confused having two Gideons.

Bobby kept teasing that they should have changed her name since the dog had joined them first but was shouted down. Giddy instantly made her way over to her food bowl and began to eat, Katrina grabbed the glass of wine she'd left and took the seat beside Gideon.

"Have I missed anything?" she asked.

"Jonas keeps winning," Gideon replied amused, "They're on their fifth game."

Katrina laughed, "Bobby is a bad loser."

"It doesn't help that his opponent is five years old," Gideon grinned back.

Glancing at Gideon who was still sliding her fingers across the pendant around her neck. Katrina noted, "That is very beautiful. A moon and a star."

"It is," Gideon smiled, "Michael said Jonas picked it."

"Oh, he adores you," Katrina replied with a mysterious smile taking a drink of her wine.

Before Gideon could ask what Katrina meant, Kelly called them all for dinner.

x

Dinner had been delicious, but it was made by a chef who ran one of the best restaurants in the city. After they'd finished eating they adjourned to the living room, Rip was a little bemused by how he was manoeuvred to sit beside Gideon by Katrina, but assumed it was because he had invited her and hadn't spent much time with her all day.

The rest of the night was spent talking and laughing, while everyone took turns playing against Jonas on his game.

"Daddy," Jonas climbed into his lap a few hours later, "I'm tired."

Rip hugged him before turning to his friends, "I need to get him home."

"Are you sure?" Sam asked, "You could just put him in the spare room, leave the door open."

"No. It's getting late," Rip replied, "Thanks for having us today."

Kelly rolled her eyes giving him a slight hug, "You're more than welcome."

They gathered up all the presents Jonas had been given, putting Giddy back in her carrier before Rip managed to slide his jacket on Jonas who was now fast asleep lifting him into his arms.

"Look who's under the mistletoe," Maggie called as they started out the door, "Michael, you know what you have to do."

Rip frowned at her before he turned to Gideon slightly embarrassed, she had an amused smile on her face at the encouragement from the others.

"You are all such children," Rip rolled his eyes, leaning over he pressed a very gentle kiss to the side of Gideon's mouth. Pulling back, he caught her sparkling grey eyes and gave a shy smile back before he turned to the others, "Are you happy?"

Katrina patted his arm, "Have a good night, you two."

Shaking his head Rip started out to the car, gently easing Jonas into his car seat smiling at the little murmurs he made in his sleep.

"It's okay," Rip soothed, "We're going home."

Once they were finally on the road Rip turned to Gideon, "About the…"

Gideon didn't look at him when she shrugged, "It's alright. We are the only two who are single and I know how much the others like to tease."

He laughed softly.

"Thank you for inviting me to join you all today," she told him, "Watching Jonas open his presents this morning was a joy."

Rip smiled at her again, "You're always welcome."


"I'm sorry I was out of the country over Christmas," Tina said as she and Gideon sat in her office eating lunch early in the New Year, "Did you do anything?"

Gideon smiled, "I actually spent Christmas with Michael Hunter and his friends. It was nice."

Tina took a quick drink to hide her smile, "What about New Year?"

"I wasn't feeling too well that day," Gideon shrugged, "I slept through it which was a shame as I had been invited to a party."

Laughing Tina leaned back in her seat, "I'm glad you've settled in and made friends. Michael is a nice man. One of the reasons I introduced you to him when you first got here."

Gideon nodded a slight blush touching her cheeks, "He is very nice and Jonas is such a lovely little boy. I enjoy spending time with them."

Tina gave another smile before changing the subject, "So you know before the meeting I'm having to fight people off who are trying to steal you to work for them."

"Well I enjoy working here," Gideon replied, "You don't have to worry about me leaving, at least until my contract ends."

Gideon's phone began to buzz and she frowned worriedly when she read the message.

"Is something wrong?" Tina asked.

"Jonas is in hospital," Gideon gasped.

"Is he alright?" Tina asked worriedly.

Shaking her head frustrated, "She hasn't told me anything else."

Tina grimaced, "Go."

"Are you sure?" Gideon asked, "We have that meeting…"

"Go," Tina told her again, "Michael will need some support if Jonas is hurt. I'll rearrange the meeting."

x

Rip ran through the corridors of the hospital trying desperately to keep from panicking. He'd taken the day off work to have some time to himself, now Jonas was at school it was something he'd promised Katrina he would do. She was still convinced he was going to end up back in hospital, so Rip had agreed he would take a day to himself. Although it was still Christmas vacation Jonas wasn't even at school but was being taken care of by Ali who was also watching Giddy for him.

"Michael," Ali waved to him, "I'm so sorry. I turned away for a second, I…"
He shook his head, "Where is he?"

"With the doctors," Ali whispered, "Michael…"

"Not now, Ali," he stated coldly.

She nodded and wrapped her arms around herself waiting. Finally someone appeared in the room with them.

"Dr Hunter?" the man called.

"Yes," Rip rushed forward, "Is he okay?"

The man nodded, "I'm Dr Jamieson. When Jonas fell, he hit his head and broke his right arm. I don't want you to panic because it's not as bad as it sounds but I'm keeping him overnight for observation."

Rip let out a shaky breath, "Can I see him?"

"Of course," Jamieson told him, "He's a little groggy just now but that's just what we've given him to manage his pain."

"He is allergic to…" Rip started.

"Miss Kingsley let us know," Jamieson assured Rip, "Follow me."

Glancing back at where Ali was standing Rip gave her a quick nod before he followed the doctor inside the room.

"Daddy," Jonas cried seeing him there reaching out, he was pale with a large bruise on his forehead and his right arm was in a green cast.

Rip instantly pulled him close, "Hey, little man. It's okay, you're okay."

"It hurts, Daddy," Jonas held onto him.

Hushing him Rip gently rested him back on the bed and turned to the doctor who was waiting to talk to him some more.

"We're going to move Jonas up to the children's ward," Jamieson told him, "Once he's settled you can join him. Nurse Miller is going to take you to fill in some paperwork first."

Rip nodded and turned to his son, "I will be back very quickly, okay? Until I do then the doctor and nurse will be with you."

Jonas pouted slightly but knew he had no choice so nodded. Rip gently kissed his son's hair before following the nurse out the room.

x

Ali was waiting for him and Rip wrapped his arm around her in a hug quickly.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, "I turned away for a second."

Rip sighed, "It's not your fault. It was an accident. I have to do some paperwork can you pick up some pyjamas for him and get Boo Bear?"

Ali nodded, "Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," he assured her, "I'll let you know where he is when I know."

With a sigh he headed over to the reception to go through the paperwork. It felt as though there were about a hundred forms to fill in.

"Dr Hunter?" a familiar voice made him turn.

"Detective West," Rip said, "What are you doing here?"

The other man smiled, "Just a check-up for Jenna. Is Jonas alright?"

"He was in the playground with Ali and fell off the wall there," Rip sighed shaking his head, "Broken arm and bump on the head. They're keeping him in for observation."

West nodded giving a small chuckle, "Kids, they do their best to give you a heart attack."

Rip laughed slightly, "Very true."

"He'll be fine," West assured him, "My daughter, Iris, broke her leg riding her bike down a hill at the park because she was trying to prove she was braver than Barry."

Rip grimaced.

"She proved herself right," West mused before clapping his shoulder, "He'll be fine."

Rip gave a slight smile, "Thanks, Detective."

"Dad," another voice called making them both look over to the young man jogging over. He spotted Rip and stalled, "Hi?"

"Michael Hunter," West caught the young man by his shoulder, "This is my son, Wally."

Rip smiled, "Nice to meet you, Wally."

Wally stared at him for a moment before nodding when West squeezed his shoulder, "You too," he stared at Rip for a moment before turning, "Dad, Cecile is waiting in the car."

West nodded, "I have to go. Don't worry, kids are tough and your boy is strong. He'll be fine."

x

About what felt like hours of filling in forms, although it was only about twenty minutes later, Rip finally entered the room within the children's ward where Jonas was waiting for him.

"Daddy," the little boy cried happy to see him.

Rip sat on the bed gathering his son into his arms and holding him close, "It's okay. I'm here. You're okay."

"I'm sorry, Daddy," Jonas whispered, "I know I shouldn't have been on the wall."

Rip hushed him, "It's okay. I think you've learned your lesson so why don't you close your eyes and get some sleep. You're tired."

"You won't go away?" Jonas whispered worriedly.

"I will be right here," Rip assured him, smiling when Jonas cuddled against him falling asleep quite quickly. Rip rested him on the bed again and rubbed his eyes letting out a shuddering breath.

"Michael?"

He turned hearing Gideon's voice and Rip sighed relieved to see her there, she walked over wrapping her arms around Rip.

"What happened?" she asked.

Quickly explaining Rip took her into the room where Jonas was fast asleep, looking small and fragile.

"He's alright," Gideon gently stroked the little boy's hair before turning to Rip again resting her hand on Rip's cheek, "He's fine. You can relax."

She slid her arms around him again and Rip let out a sigh of relief as she held him. Feeling the tension in his shoulders release as Gideon slid her hands up and down his back comfortingly.

"I'm glad you're here," Rip whispered to her.

Gideon hugged him tighter, "I always will be."