Disclaimer – Please see chapter 1
A/N – Thanks for all your great reviews, they inspire me to keep on writing. Please keep them coming. My usual apologies again for not having the time to reply to them, I am so busy with everything right now with personal stuff going on. I am truly sorry about my posting schedule right now, it will be a bit hit and miss until the end of the month, but after that I should be back on track again, thank you for being patient. Also my PC got a major virus that destroyed my hard drive, so had to have a new one fitted and my computer totally reloaded again. 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 33 Tarantula
Sara strode quickly into the room up to Gil and Kye, she rubbed her own hand soothingly up and down the boys back, leaning into his face hidden in the sturdy shoulder, softly speaking to him.
Jim stood at the open doorway locking eyes with Catherine momentarily raising an eyebrow, as they then took in the scene before them;
Gil stood in the center of the room with the child still wrapped around his neck and chest, his head turned to the back of the boys head looking at Sara, as she held one arm around the two facing her, leaned in close to them both talking calmly and as controlled as she could convey.
Five minutes later, seeing that Kye was now looking intently at Sara, listening and concentrating to her comforting words, his body calming from the wracking sobs of before, just shuddering breaths and sniffles now, Gil spoke up "Come on we'll go to the lab honey. We can show him my office and settle him there" he suggested to her.
Giving it a few seconds thought, Sara smiled weakly and nodded, she released her arms from around them, then indicated silently to Gil asking if he wanted her to now hold Kye.
"We're fine" Gil said resting the boys butt on his forearm in a more comfortable position, before releasing his other hand to place on Sara's lower back to guide her out of the room "Come on" he said first to Sara, then "You okay buddy?" he lowered his voice a notch when speaking to Kye.
Feeling Kye readjust his arms around his neck more securely, then shift his face turning it into his neck, followed by a distinctive nod Gil moved them all forward.
"We'll be at the lab for a while, but later on we'll be unreachable for a few hours" was all Gil said to Jim and Catherine before exiting room letting them both know if they wanted to discuss things they would need to go to the lab too.
Watching the three disappear down the corridor Jim turned to Catherine with a raised eyebrow again "It's still very disconcerting seeing our two geeks playing the whole family routine...Feels kinda like we're in an alternative universe doesn't it" Jim said shaking his head amused as Catherine retrieved the audio and visual tape and disc from the equipment in the corner, himself picking up the forgotten teddy bear to the side of the chair.
Catherine chuckled as she opened her kit getting out the stuff she needed, then deposited them in an evidence bag marking them "Yeah I agree, but after all the years of their pent up sexual tension, awkwardness and moody periods it's nice to see them so at ease with one another" she replied closing her kit "How long it will last is another thing" she added not totally convinced that it was an end to the geeks former status.
"Ahhhhh now what your really saying is that they need to get laid already, then we can all breath out a long suffering sigh of relief" Jim chuckled as he followed her out of the room.
Grinning widely Catherine said "Put like that, in a nut shell .Yes. But have they even had their first argument yet as cohabitants of the the same living space...Cos that will be the real kicker for them if they can't communicate with each other like they should be able too" she said pushing the LVPD main door open "You coming to the lab?" she asked over her shoulder.
"And miss another little intimate geek family show. Not on your life. I'll meet you there" Jim replied walking along side of her "Any how the little guy needs me to return this to him" he indicated holding up the worn bear before tucking it under his arm for safe keeping.
"They'll work things out Cath. Besides they have to get along for the kids sake" Jim spoke getting back on track with the conversation as they came up to Catherine's denali "Right now I'm more worried about Ecklie, or that Ice-man guy interfering in their affairs. We had a hell of a close call with Ecklie while you were doing the interview" he said bringing her up to date on that little event.
Back at the crime lab, Grissom was sat in his office chair with Kye sat upon on his lap comfortably, having relinquished his tight hold of earlier, facing the desk, while Sara was off getting them drinks in the break room.
Most of the day shift were out on cases, the few lab techs going about their business, but all the blinds were closed to give them some extra privacy, the door was closed and the rarely used overhead lights switched on illuminating the whole room for once.
Although Kye was much more calm and relaxed now, he still kept one hand tightly fisted on Gil's shirt front at the bottom for security, as his wide eyes scanned around taking in all the amazing things he could see.
Gil watched Kye intently, seeing where his sight paused or lingered on his odd menagerie collection adorning shelves or the walls, it fascinated him, and not for the first time seeing how a child took in their environment around them, he remembered reverently how he as a child, was always in awe of such places, eager to learn, investigate and touch more, increasing his building knowledge.
His thoughts were interrupted as the door opened and Sara entered carrying a small tray with two coffee's and a carton of apple juice upon it, she closed it using her butt before placing the tray on the desk "I got you apple juice Kye" she said holding out the carton to him.
Momentarily broken from his exciting perusal, Kye took the drink with the straw saying 'thank you' softly before returning to looking around again.
Looking over at a somewhat more relaxed Gil, Sara smiled warmly at him placing his coffee within reach, but out of the way of Kye.
"Thank you honey" Gil said gratefully, then added "You okay now?" he asked, knowing what a struggle she's had only a short time ago, trying to keep her emotions and actions in check so as not to upset Kye further.
Sitting with her butt resting on the edge of his desk near Gil and Kye, Sara picked up her own hot cup speaking quietly "I am now.....It was just hard you know....Really hard watching it...............And not being able to be in there with you both" she said trying to relay how she had felt quite useless watching the interview.
Gil reached and grasped her hand in his own, giving it a light squeeze "I know..And we'll talk later at home. Okay honey" he said reassuringly, knowing this wasn't the right time nor place to discuss it, but would do later.
"Tarantula!" Kye suddenly called out excitedly, louder than the couple had heard come from the boy before.
He twisted in Gil's lap with a huge grin on his face, releasing the grip on the mans shirt, forgetting his former insecurity "A real one?" he asked eyes wide.
Sara just shook her head in amusement, 'Oh no, not another bug boy' she thought on a sigh, He just had to like bugs and set Gil off with his enthusiasm didn't he, she trailed of thinking as she watched a matching grin grow on Grissom's face.
Easing Kye of his lap, letting him drop gently into the large comfortable leather chair Gil beamed "You wanna closer look?" he asked excited that someone was showing genuine interest in his lifetime love of insects.
"Yeah" Kye said excitedly as he got to his knees in the chair, leaning his forearms on the desk watching Gil approach the terrarium.
Just then a light tap came on the door, so Sara went to open it, and on seeing Catherine and Jim there she exited the office leaving the other two to the bugs.
"The little man forgot this" Jim said holding out the teddy bear to Sara "How is he now?" he asked genuinely concerned for the boy.
For the first time today Sara let out a small chuckle "Oh he's fine for now. He's got Grissom showing him his pet spider" she said reverting back to using her former use of name for Gil in their presence.
"So unless you wanna hear every fact there is to know about it, I wouldn't go in there trying to disturb them right now" she added for good measure, but wanting to leave them alone to bond over a common interest.
"Typical...And my sympathies go out to you sincerely Cookie" Jim said visibly shuddering to add to his humor.
"Coffee Jim?" Catherine asked on a chuckle as they all turned away from the office to make towards the break room.
After Jim and Catherine had gotten their drinks settling in seats, Jim brought up the brief incident with Ecklie and how he had averted probable extra problems for Gil and Sara, then they went into discussing the interview with Sara.
Sara knew before even leaving LVPD that her and Gil would be asked to try to get Kye to open up and reveal the identities of the suspects who had killed his mother and her fiance, but the very idea didn't sit comfortably with her.
She also knew it was pretty pointless not informing them of how things were going with Kye at home, even though she and Gil were normally very private people, but she would not discuss how their relationship was going, that to her was a no go area.
Besides she wasn't exactly sure herself where their 'relationship' was going, whether it would develop into something romantically, intimately or just regaining their former friendship they'd established back in San Francisco.
Letting out a resigned sigh she agreed to talk with Gil in discussing the situation further, then told them about the appointment they had with the child physiologists later, explaining to them about the insistent night terrors the child was having, that they were trying to deal with.
Sara also spoke a little about the incident with Gil on his doorstep that Jim had intervened with, issuing his veiled warning to the possible suspect of the case, she expressed concern that when out of the townhouse Grissom had taken to behaving oddly at times glancing behind them often, and watching the rear view mirror more than was really necessary.
"Jim this guy......This Frost, should we be at all concerned about him giving us more trouble.....Is he.......Is he a potential threat?" she asked worriedly, at the possibility of one of them possibly getting hurt by the man.
Shifting his eyes briefly over to Catherine in seeking out help, but getting caught by Sara in doing so, Jim decided to be truthful "We don't know for sure" he said wincing at the increased worry present in her eyes "He's not got a mark against his record, but he sure has a reputation for getting his own way by whatever means he uses, and we have been informed that he has a set of reliable goons who are on the payroll so to speak" he added
He gave her a few moments to absorb the information then spoke again "But I'm sure we can handle him if need be" he reassured her, not fully comfortable with his offering.
Nodding in understanding of Jim, she made a mental note to keep a better watch on everything around her while outside in future, then she remembered something she wanted to ask Catherine "Cath do you know if Hank has been informed yet of him being Kye's biological Father?".
Shifting uncomfortably in her seat for a few seconds as she shot a quick look at Jim, Catherine used the excuse of sipping her drink to bide some time before answering "I dunno, but child services were informed, and they told me they would be contacting him as soon as possible" she trailed off, then added "To see if he wants to take custody and is a suitable person to do so" she watched to see if there was any reaction, but Sara only nodded slowly breaking her gaze.
She hated the thought of Kye being taken away from Sara and Gil now that they seemed to be doing a wonderful job of caring for the boy, plus working their own relationship out, but Catherine felt that she had to in some way let the other woman know there was a real possibility of it happening.
Finishing up their drinks both Catherine and Brass stood to leave as Jim's cell phone chirped an incoming call "Catch you guys later" he said as he flipped his phone open and left the room answering his call "Brass.......Yeah I can take that call right now from New York" he was heard saying.
Catherine rinsed out her cup then turned back to Sara "I have go get some sleep for tonight's shift, but just remember you can call me anytime, and I mean anytime if you need anything okay" she said giving her a friendly smile before leaving to get home.
Making her way back to Grissom's office, Sara opened the door slowly so as not to disturb Kye and Gil too much if they were concentrating on something, but on opening the door she saw that the room was now in almost darkness, with them both fast asleep in the office chair.
It was reclined back fully, Gil was laid back with his head tilted to the side, one hand holding Kye's tiny one against his chest securely, the other wrapped around the boys back.
Kye was laid sideways on to him, his arm out of site, his knees bent in a comfortable looking position, both looked fully relaxed and at peace with themselves.
The tarantula habitat sat on the desk in front of them as if they had both been studying it with great detail, the small traces of moss and leaf matter scattered next to the tank, were all the evidence she needed to know that the arachnid had been handled it their time together.
Knowing that the broken and lack of sleep they had all experienced in the last couple of days, more so Gil having been the one to primarily deal with the interruption's during the night, she decided to let them carry on sleeping.
Looking at one of the many book filled shelves in the room Sara spotted a familiar book she particularly liked, and had been the exact same one that Gil had presented to her as a Christmas gift one year, much to the bemusement of Nick and Hodges.
Taking the book and claiming a seat in front of the desk where the low illumination of the desk lamp shone, Sara opened the book and began to read as she relaxed into the chair.
A/N – I thought that was a very nice place to leave this chapter and I hope you agree. The next chapter will cover a few developments in the case and part of the child physiologists appointment (So please bear in mind I have no expertise in this area what so ever, so I will be winging it). Next post hopefully over the weekend!
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