Chapter 6
Sam struggled to settle that night, feeling uneasy about having left Zach. This, compounded with the time travel 'jet lag' he was experiencing, made restful sleep a near impossibility, despite his exhaustion. At 3am he finally kicked off the duvet. He pulled on some jeans and a T-shirt to maintain some semblance of decency for entering the common areas of the building, grabbed a good book and made his way to Zach's room.
Zach's minder was startled by his sudden entry into the darkened living room. She had been trying to get some sleep on the sofa and fumbled for the lamp before seeming to remember that light meant Sam could see her disheveled appearance, at which point she became deeply self-conscious and began to obsessively smooth her hands over her hair.
"Dr Beckett, uh, can I help you?"
"Hi, I'm really sorry to wake you. I was having trouble sleeping and I thought I'd come and check on Zach."
"Well, as far as I'm aware, he's still asleep. Did you want to check?"
"No, it's OK. I don't want to wake him. I was just worried about him because I had to tell him some upsetting news last night and I wasn't too sure how he was taking it. Look, if you want to go back to your quarters and get some proper sleep, I can keep an eye on Zach for the rest of the night. I seem to be pretty awake now."
"You don't have to do that, Dr Beckett. I'm being paid to stay here."
"I know and I'll make sure you don't get into any trouble for leaving your post. There's no sense in us both staying here, and I'd like to be here if he needs me at all."
"If you're sure. Thank you."
"No problem. Good night."
"Good night, Dr Beckett."
Sam settled himself on the sofa with his book, but instead of reading he switched the light off and lay in the darkness thinking. He wasn't aware of the moment some time later when his body gave way to a dreamless sleep. The next thing he knew was a sense of someone moving in the room. He opened his eyes and blinked against the darkness, but it wasn't completely dark as he would have expected in a closed room with no windows. Sitting up, he saw Zach standing by his bedroom door, illuminated by the light from his little torch. In the semi-darkness, Sam could barely see Zach's face, but he heard quiet sniffs escaping intermittently from the small figure.
"Zach, it's me, Sam. Are you all right?"
"I woke up and I … couldn't remember … where I was," Zach stammered quietly between sniffs.
"Do you want to come and sit with me for a while?"
Zach timidly made his way over to Sam and stood uncertainly in front of him. Sam switched the lamp on, causing them both to shut their eyes abruptly. Rubbing his eyes, Sam patted the seat next to him.
"Come and sit down."
Zach sat and instinctively Sam wrapped his arm round Zach's shoulders. He felt Zach tense at his touch and was reminded that his action wasn't something Zach was very familiar with.
"I don't want to be on my own," Zach quietly admitted.
"You won't be, Zach. I'm staying here tonight."
"No, that's not what I mean," he squeaked. He bowed his head and began to sob. Sam wrapped his other arm round him and gently drew him close until he buried his face in Sam's T-shirt.
After a while, Zach seemed to relax against Sam, who kept one soothing arm round him. When Sam thought Zach might be able to speak, he asked, "What did you mean, Zach?"
Haltingly, Zach tried to explain. "When kids don't have anyone to look after them ... they get put in foster care or in a children's home ... and you said you were going to sort something out ... and that's where you're going to put me ... and I don't want to go."
He was crying again and Sam mentally chastised himself for his thoughtless remark. The time had come for a radical decision and he wasn't going to shirk it any more. "Hey, don't be upset," he said gently. "Where would you like to live, Zach?"
Zach shrugged. "I don't know. I don't know anyone here."
"I know you don't, but I feel like I've got to know you a bit. I was thinking, maybe … would you like to live with me?"
Zach chewed at his lower lip without replying and Sam, losing confidence in the question, quickly added, "You don't have to."
Zach was silent for another moment, before he looked up at Sam and nodded. "Yes, please," he almost whispered.
Sam smiled warmly at him. "OK. That's good." He wiped Zach's tears away with his hand. "Do you want to go back and get some sleep now? I'll still be here when you wake up."
"OK."
Sam kissed him on the head. "Good night, Zach."
"Good night."
He watched Zach slip back into his bedroom, and then switched off the lamp and lay back on the sofa. He found himself grinning and was amazed at how laid back he felt about the decision he had just come to. He turned on his side and began to ponder over how to make his life child friendly and how he would enjoy introducing Zach to his family. With that happy thought, he drifted off to sleep.
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When Sam awoke next, he was surprised to find it was after midday. He slowly crawled off the sofa and made his way to Zach's room. Quietly pushing the door open, he was bemused to find Zach sitting upright on his bed, with Scruff in his lap and his eyes tightly shut. He noticed Zach had found the little toys stashed inside Scruff's tummy, as they were now lined up on the duvet in front of him.
"Zach? What are you doing?"
Zach opened his eyes and twisting at one of Scruff's ears, he gave Sam a small smile. "I was praying."
"Why?"
"I wanted to say thanks. 'Cause He remembered to help me. Is that OK?" Zach added with uncertainty.
Sam smiled at him. "Yeah, Zach. It's good to say thank you. I should do the same."
"What do you want to say thank you for?"
"Uh … for bringing me home, I guess."
Zach quickly shut his eyes again. "Thank you Lord, for bringing Sam home," he said quietly, before opening his eyes and smiling shyly back at Sam.
It gave Sam pause for thought. "Amen," he said softly. The two regarded each other in silence for a moment, before Sam spoke. "Shall we get some breakfast?"
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Al had slept long and deep that night and Beth didn't wake him when morning came, deciding he fully deserved his first 'sleep in' for many years. When he roused, he was flustered, thinking he needed to get to the Imaging Chamber for Sam. He felt happy relief when he finally came to his senses and realised there was no need to rush.
He arrived unhurriedly at the project headquarters early in the afternoon and calmly strolled around the complex looking for Sam. He was pleasantly surprised to find he and Zach together in the canteen eating what appeared to be a very late brunch. He waved to them and Zach slid from his seat and came over to him.
"Al, guess what?"
"What?" Al replied, playing the game.
"I'm gonna live with Sam."
"Really?"
Zach nodded.
"That's great!"
Al watched Zach trot back to his seat and gestured for Sam to join him.
Sam looked quizzically at Al and made his way across the canteen.
"What's up?"
"That was a quick decision."
"What? Oh, Zach. Yeah. Well, it was a good idea. And it feels right, Al, it really does." He paused. "Do you think I can do it?"
"Of course you can," Al exclaimed, amused by Sam's concern. "No more leaping then?"
"Not if I can help it. That chapter's closed."
"Don't blame you. Good work, Sam."
"You too, Al. I couldn't have done it without you."
Al shook his head, shrugging off Sam's compliment. "I guess now we need a new project."
"I guess. Or some developments to this one." Al raised his eyebrows at this. "I mean, as long as I get to stay put," Sam clarified. "In the meantime, I've got a project for you." Sam looked over at Zach.
"The legalities?" Al guessed.
"Yeah. Do you think there'll be a problem?"
"Let's hope not. I think we can use our connections to our advantage. Anyway, let me worry about that for now. Go and take the day to get to know your son. And perhaps at some point you can introduce him to your daughter," he added with a grin.
Sam turned and started to walk back to Zach.
"Hey, Sam," Al called and Sam turned back.
"What?"
"Enjoy your family." A huge grin spread across Al's face and Sam developed one to match.
"Thanks. It's going to be a beautiful day."