Disclaimer – Please see chapter 1
A/N – Thank you all so very much for your great reviews, I really do appreciate them wholeheartedly, keep them coming!. My usual apologies again for not having the time to reply to them, but I am still very busy with loads of other stuff going on. Story is beta'd by myself so any remaining mistakes are all mine, so I apologize in advance. R & R Enjoy!
Fall Out Boy – Chapter 27 Tough night
Twenty minutes later Sara returned to the bedroom, slipping through the door quietly, she stood looking over at the bed.
Gil was now fully laid down on the bed on his side, curled around the small body of Kye, who's back was pressed close to the chest of the man behind him giving unwavering safety and protection in sleep.
Both bodies looked fully relaxed and comfortable, large gentle arms wrapped around the tiny fragile body of the child who'd been terrified and distraught only a short time before, quiet deep even breaths emitted from them as the two chests rose and fell slowly.
Feeling an almost physical pull at her heart strings Sara took in the beautiful site before her, the earlier panicked, scared and frightened emotions now gone along with the adrenalin rush, she couldn't help but feel slightly envious of the boy though, settled so close to the one person she'd always dreamed of sleeping and waking up with like that with.
Eyeing a throw over the back of a chair, Sara picked it up shaking it out ready to place it over them so neither would get a chill, she then poised over them, gently covering them both making sure not to disturb them in the process.
A sudden urge overcame Sara as her hand reached out without concious thought, to tenderly brush her fingers through Gil's soft greying curls at the side of his temple.
Hearing the soft contented sigh sound from his slightly parted lips when she pulled her hand away, made her smile tenderly at him, oh how she dearly wanted to crouch and kiss that very same spot, but she didn't, she indulged herself excitedly with the opportunity to be able to observe him at his most relaxed she'd ever seen him.
The wrinkles around his eyes were less pronounced, there was no lines visible in his forehead, but she did notice for the first time how long his eye lashes were as they fluttered with dreamy eye movement.
She studied the little circular scar just above his eye brow wondering not for the first time what had caused it, but at the same time thinking it was so much a part of the face she adored, but quite a cute flaw on his face.
Next she took in the slight indentations part way along his nose where his glasses had sat on numerous occasions as he worked. Short sighted, she'd known that since the day he gave that seminar at the academy, and how he glanced over the top of them seeking her out in the audience, capturing her own eyes with his crystal blue stare.
She let out a sigh on a long breath, at the long years that had gone by with him continuing to captivate, entrance and enthral her.
Feeling slightly voyeuristic and guilty for staring now when he was so unaware, Sara decided to take the seat in the corner to keep watch over them in case Kye stirred and Gil needed her assistance.
Shuffling into a semi comfortable, carver type dining room chair with the cushion, Sara let her eyes close to rest, hearing the occasional soft snore that came from the direction of the bed.
Not actually meaning to nod off to sleep, Sara was woken some time during the night with a very stiff and sore neck as she clearly heard the soft sobs and "Mo Mom Mommy" coming from Kye on the bed.
Rubbing her neck to try to iron out the kinks, she looked over to see Grissom sat up against the head board with Kye pretty much in the same position as earlier, his arms around Kye trying to console and sooth him again.
"Everything okay?" Sara asked softly as she stood and stretched her back.
Pulling his face from the boys hair Gil looked over at her "Another nightmare" was all he replied sadly, as he rubbed the boys back and the cries quietened to whimpers.
Stepping over to the bed Sara spoke again "Want me to get us all a drink?......Or take over there?" she asked indicating to Kye.
"I can handle things here for now......You should be resting yourself honey, not sat in that uncomfortable thing" Gil said nodding over to the chair distastefully.
Kye stirred sniffling, rubbing his face along Gil's shoulder as he let out a tiny whimper before settling again.
"It's okay, really Gil. I'm rested and wide awake now........So you want a hot drink, or are you going to try to sleep some more?" she asked hoping he wouldn't press her on going to bed now, as she watched Kye calm visibly.
Kye's breathing was settling, his chest wasn't as jerky and heaving as it was ten minutes previously, he'd not been no where near as distressed as his first night terror.
He'd managed to start comforting him quickly, hoping not to wake Sara who looked awfully uncomfortable sat there with her neck bent at a horrible angle, but asleep non the less, but he'd been unsuccessful as Kye called out sobbing for his dead mother once more.
Letting out a long sigh Gil knew he wasn't really in a good position to try to get her to settle in her bed rather than in the chair in the room, he also knew he'd managed to get a couple of hours sleep, enough to sustain him for the coming day "A cup of tea would be lovely Sara.....And make sure you take your meds while your through in the kitchen" he said reminding her.
Sara nodded a little solemnly as she ran her hand softly over Kye's head, she knew Gil wanted her to go to bed to sleep, but wasn't going to win this one with a small child across his chest that needed him "Okay and I'll check on the dogs that I put in my bedroom earlier" she said quietly going over to the door.
"Sara......" Gil paused after getting her attention, then spoke sincerely to her "He'll be okay Sara, we'll get him some professional help if he needs it. Please try not to worry".
Breaking their gaze looking down at the floor, Sara took a deep breath then looked up again "I know and I'll try, but I know he's hurting inside Gil, with a pain that is going to live with him for the rest of his life........One that wont ever go away totally......" she sighed heavily "I just want to be able to help him in any way I can" she added.
Gil desperately wanted to put Kye on the bed and get up to offer her his comfort right now, but knew Kye needed him more in this moment, so all he could offer were hopefully comforting words "You are honey just by being here, close to him if he needs you like he did at the hospital".
Nodding and seeing his logic that she'd already offered him more than she'd been offered after her mother had killed her father that fateful night, she didn't feel as useless right now watching Gil take over from her, so left the room to make their drinks.
Jim had called Gil in the early hours to inform him that Kye would need to be interviewed very soon to see if he could either identify the killer, or give them any clues as to which direction to go with the case now.
Stating that the child still wasn't ready, would need more time and probably a professional to accompany him when the time was right for an interview, Gil relayed to his friend that Sara was more or less up to speed with the goings on.
After the fourth such episode of Kye's night terrors throughout the night, 11pm, 1.45am, 3.20am and the last at 5 am they all decided to get up and go into the living room.
Gil carried the still sobbing Kye as he clung desperately to him, holding his collar firmly into the room and onto the couch, luckily the dogs were still in Sara's room seemingly undisturbed.
Making them both a hot drink yet again in the kitchen, Sara wondered how much more of this upsetting situation she could take before her own emotions spilled forth uncontrolled, the night had been a real test of her nerves and feelings, she was sure that was the same for Gil too who'd done most of the caring side of things with Kye.
Standing by the counter waiting for the kettle to boil, lost in her own thoughts she felt gentle but large, warm arms wrap around her slowly from behind startling her momentarily "You okay?" Gil spoke softly into her ear, then nuzzled it.
All previous thoughts flew from her head immediately as she leaned back into him, letting his closeness and words wash over her "Ummmmmm" she moaned closing her eyes taking in every sensation she could including his hot breath on the side of her face.
Feeling pleased by his decision to make a bold move to embrace her, offer her the comfort he'd wished to do so all night, he spoke in a low soothing tone "It will get better Honey...It will just take a little time and maybe some outside help" he said bringing one hand up to stroke her hair "But I promise you we'll do it together okay" he finished emphasizing his last word with a kiss to the side of her head.
Realizing he'd left Kye alone, Sara quickly turned looking over Gil's shoulder, whilst still in his loose embrace "Where's Kye?" she asked not seeing him, but observing the TV on some kind of animal program.
Releasing her from his arms Gil stepped over to grab the cups to prepare the drinks "He's on the couch covered up watching animal planet" he said dropping the tea bags into the cups.
"He might drop off to sleep again......So if you wanna grab a shower or a soak in the tub and change first before me, now is a good time" he said reaching for the now bubbling kettle.
Averting her eyes from the back of the couch to his she took in his appearance, horribly creased trousers, tear stained and still wet spotted shirt partly hanging out at the back, grey hair ruffled and messy, he looked like he'd been dragged through a hedge.
Sara guessed that her own appearance didn't fair any better, they'd both had a rough night and they had the meeting with Mrs Wilson to deal with today, so nodded before speaking "Thank you Gil" she said earnestly as he handed her a hot cup, she meant for all he had done so far, but knew he wouldn't really need her thanks "I'll take that soak in the tub now that's on offer" she said as she stepped up to him placing a gentle peck on his cheek, then turning in the direction of the hall.
A couple of hours later Sara had relaxed, bathed and dressed, Gil showered, changed and refreshed, while Kye had taken a shy bath with Sara helping him to wash his hair, they'd all eaten a hearty breakfast cooked by Gil but were now settled on the couch or floor reading quietly.
The dogs had been let out to pee, then fed and watered, but were now laid close to Kye on the rug as he flipped through the pages of his colourful animal species book.
The knock on the front door had both adults looking at each other with frowns, Gil glanced at his watch knowing full well it was far to early to be Mrs Wilson just yet.
His frown deepening in wonder as the second impatient knock followed, and had him placing his book on the couch after he stood "Not expecting anyone are you?" he asked Sara over his shoulder as he made his way to the door.
"Only Mrs Wilson later" Sara replied with a blank look "You?" she shot back as he reached for the door handle to open it.
"Nope" he called out, turning the lock simultaneously as he jerked the handle.
A/N – Hope you all liked the chapter today, not as angsty as I first had in mind, but there is much more to come soon. But who could possibly be at the door????? I'll let you all know in the next chapter mid week if I get the time to write it then. Sorry to leave it there but we have a couple of important chapters on the way and I needed to set the tone with this one!