CHAPTER 122

(EVA)

Gideon is brooding, it doesn't take a genius to work that one out. The drive back to the Crossfire is in total silence, he is gripping my hand as though he is afraid I'm going to jump out of the moving car and he is staring out of the window but not really seeing anything. I make eye contact with Angus who keeps shooting furtive glances at Gideon through the rear-view mirror.

I know exactly what has caused this, it was Giroux's revelation that Arash may've slept with Corrine. Other than Angus and Raul, Arash is privy to a lot of Gideon's life. Not on the same level as me, I know absolutely everything and the only other person who comes close to that is Angus. But Gideon has his circle of friends. It's not a big circle but they are tight and he has known them for years and as such believes he can trust them. His circle comprises of Manuel, Arnoldo and Arash and for Gideon to discover that one of them may've betrayed him must hurt. However, I think that the reason he is clearly so conflicted is because he can't actually believe that Arash would do something like that to him. To be fair I am also having trouble believing it and my gut is telling me that Giroux is either lying or mistaken.

This theory is confirmed for me a moment later when Gideon finally says something. "Do you think Arash slept with her? I'm having difficulty believing that," Gideon asks suddenly pulling me from my thoughts. I turn to look at him.

I hesitate, as the Arash I know would never betray Gideon, but we are talking a younger less mature man and younger less mature men tend to think with their dicks. "Honestly? I don't know, I personally don't think he did but I can't make that call as I don't know what Arash was like in his younger days. However, having said that the Arash I know, the man I've known since I've been with you - I'd say no absolutely not, no way on earth would he betray you," I say with an emphatic swipe of my hand.

He turns and looks at me, "And he has never tried anything with you?" he asks.

I shake my head, and I sigh in exasperation. "No Gideon he hasn't, and you know that. He flirts, as does Manuel and they are both incorrigible. But they mainly do it in front of you – as you well know, and they do it just to try and get a rise out of you. There is nothing sinister in their actions, and never has been. If I ever felt uncomfortable or if I felt they were potentially crossing a line I would tell you - and them".

Gideon seems to accept that and he pulls me closer, "I know that… I'm sorry Angel I didn't mean to imply…" he stops and shakes his head.

I reach for him to reassure him, "I know you didn't, listen even though I don't think he did it and I'm fairly certain you don't think he did either but the only way you will know for sure is to ask him. You know him, you are excellent at reading people so ask him and watch his reaction" I say.

Gideon thinks about that and nods, "I will, and you're right I don't actually believe he did it… but there is just… fuck, he is one of my oldest friends there is no way he'd… but I" he stops as I squeeze his arm.

"Gideon stop it, just ask him to get it out of your head. You say yourself you don't think he did it, I don't think he would do something like that either, and if you ask me because Giroux crossed the line and went there, he just assumed others did as well".

When we arrive at the Crossfire Angus opens the door for us, as we climb out he grasps Gideon's arm, "For the record lad, I don't think Arash did anything untoward" he says and pats Gideon's shoulder.

We head inside and to the elevators as I go to press the floor for Waters Field and Leaman Gideon plugs his key in so all the lights go out apart from the top floor. I look at him with my eyebrows raised.

"I need to get back to work" I say as I point at the control panel.

Gideon sighs, "I know Angel, but I need you with me when I speak to Arash" he says.

"Ok" I say and I pull out my phone and send Mark a quick text saying I've been delayed. He responds quickly and tells me not to worry about it. I push my phone away and we continue the ride up to Cross Industries in silence.

We are quickly buzzed in and Gideon makes his way purposefully to Arash's office.

He doesn't bother knocking and just walks straight in. Arash is sitting hunched over his laptop with piles of paper contracts all around him. He looks up in surprise at the interruption and smiles as he sees us.

"Hey Eva, how's it going?" he says looking at me.

I return the smile, "Hi Arash I'm very well thanks" I reply.

Arash looks at Gideon and his smile fades a little, "What's up?" he asks simply as Gideon lowers himself into one of the chairs near Arash's desk. I follow and sit down next to him.

"Did you ever sleep with Corrine?" Gideon asks bluntly.

Arash's eyes widen in total stupefied shock and his jaw drops open. "What the fuck?! No! What the fuck made you ask shit like that?!" he asks angrily.

Gideon sighs and rubs his face roughly, "I've just had lunch with Giroux and he made allegations that when we were all together at Columbia… you and Corrine slept together".

Arash stares at Gideon, and then turns his attention to me, "Is this for real? Seriously?" he asks.

I nod, "I'm afraid so, I will say he made it clear it was just an assumption he made due to the way you acted round her".

Arash shakes his head adamantly, "No, I wouldn't do that to you. I flirted with her, as I did with all the ladies… like I do with Eva, but I'd never cross that line, never" he says and I see the sincerity in his eyes. He is either telling the truth or he is an exceptional liar, my gut tells me it's the former.

Gideon's shoulders sag, "I'm sorry, but I had to ask… especially considering that there is a child involved" he says after a moment.

Arash sighs, "Yeah, I get that but I am feeling more than a bit insulted that you even considered I'd do that".

I lean forward, "I take it from what Gideon has just said that you know the reason why Giroux is here in the States?" I ask and Arash nods.

"Yeah, I was with Gideon when that guy came from Finding Family to do his DNA test. I got him to sign an NDA and I witnessed the procedure" he says. He looks at Gideon once more, "Did it ever occur to you that he suggested I was messing around with Corrine to take the attention away from him? After all you said he admitted sleeping with her before you two broke up and she ran off with him so there is no telling when that started".

Gideon nods, "That did occur to me, but I needed to make sure" he says again.

I glance at Gideon, but I don't say anything as there is no way I am going to repeat that he also asked me if Arash had tried it on with me, but by the look on his face it appears he is going to confess.

"I'm sorry" he says eventually.

Arash sighs, "Forget it, I know this whole business has fucked with your head. You are bound to be not thinking so clearly. You have just discovered that you might be a dad for god's sake, and you didn't even know the kid existed - that kind of news is bound to fry your mind".

I lean forward, "If it's any consolation, it's my fault Gideon asked you. I told him that to set his mind at rest he should just ask you outright if you slept with her, but in my defence I also vouched for you" I say with a grin as I try and lighten the oppressive atmosphere that has settled in here.

Arash snorts, "Next you'll be saying he asked you if I'd come on to you" he says.

My face must give away the truth as Arash stares at me and then at Gideon, "You fucking did didn't you?" he says.

Gideon nods, "I knew as I was asking it that there was no way on earth you'd do that. I knew but I heard myself saying it. I knew that if you'd done anything Eva would've ripped you a new one and she would've told me".

Arash shakes his head, "I'm actually speechless" he says and I can hear the hurt in his voice.

"Arash, please" I say kindly and he looks at me.

He shakes his head, "The fact the thought even entered his head Eva, that fucking hurts. I've never given you any indication, have I?" he asks and I shake my head.

"No, you haven't. As I said to Gideon you are an incorrigible flirt – just like Manuel, but most of the time you do it just to wind him up and I know you don't mean anything by it. Plus, he is right if you did cross a line, you'd know about it. But all this has messed with my head, so god knows what it is doing to Gideon, so please cut him some slack, and I am as much to blame because I did tell him to ask you".

Arash nods, "Yeah I get that… fuck man I feel like going to Giroux's hotel and punching the bastard".

I let out a small snort as I think about that scenario, "I'd pay to see that, that man is an asshole" I say.

This seems to lift the mood and Arash lets out a chuckle, "Probably not an appropriate thing for an attorney to suggest doing" he says.

I shrug, "Maybe not but still a very nice fantasy!" I retort, which completely lightens the mood as both men let out sharp laughs.

I glance at my watch, "Listen guys I need to go" I say as I stand up.

Gideon stands with me, "I'll walk you out Angel" he says, as we turn to leave he pauses and turns back to Arash, "I am genuinely very sorry" he says.

Arash sighs and waves his hand, "I know you are, so just forget it" he says good naturedly.

oooOOOooo

The Next Day…

I'm on edge waiting for the call from Miranda. Gideon has spent time talking with Christian, last night and again this morning. I sip my coffee, and watch him as he paces the apartment talking to Christian. From what I can gather, Christian is offering advice on how to deal with things if Gideon does turn out to be this boy's father. I'm guessing that Christian is telling him to be honest with him as it really wasn't his fault that he hasn't been involved as how could he when he had no idea.

I sit looking at my coffee when my own phone buzzes.

I smile as I see Ana's name and quickly answer, moving into the other room.

"Hi" I say.

"Hi Eva, any news?" Ana asks.

"No, we don't expect it yet. Giroux didn't do his test till yesterday afternoon, so I'm guessing they will tell both men at the same time".

"How do you feel about this? I mean what if…" Ana fades off and I know what she is insinuating.

"What if this boy is Gideon's? I have no fucking idea. I will support him that's a given but what I do know is this is going to mess him up – and I mean severely mess him up. He feels guilty now because he didn't know anything about this boy, can you imagine how he will feel if he turns out to be his dad?"

Ana sighs, "That's what Christian said. He said it couldn't be a worse case scenario considering Gideon's own childhood and how messed up that was. Christian is afraid the guilt will destroy him. He wants us to fly out, but I said no… I mean we will do if you want us there, but I don't want to intrude" she says warily.

"Sis, I would love it if you both flew out, it's really fucking with my head… I'm trying so hard to deal with this, and support Gideon, but I have no idea what I am going to do if that boy is his. To have someone else here to share that would be brilliant".

Ana listens, "Ok, I'll tell Christian and we will be there as soon as we can" she says.

"Thank you, I think Christian is talking to Gideon at the moment". I pause as I see movement out of the corner of my eye. "Hang on" I say as I turn towards Gideon, who looks like he has seen a ghost.

"Gideon?" I ask, as I take a good look at him, he is as white as a sheet, trembling profusely and has a sheen of sweat along his forehead. He looks really ill.

"He's mine" he says simply in such a broken tone it breaks my heart.

"Oh shit" I gasp.

"Eva? What's happened" Ana asks.

"I'll call you back, but please get here as soon as you can" I say.

Ana must hear the distress in my voice, "Oh god the boy is his isn't he?" she says.

"Yes" I says simply and I end the call, throwing my phone down. I move towards Gideon and he moves towards me at the same time. We crash into each other and he grips me to him so tightly I can barely breathe.

"Gideon" I gasp and he seems to realise I'm hurting, he relaxes but only slightly.

"Sorry Angel" he mutters but he still clings to me almost painfully tightly.

"Ok, so Miranda called you?" I ask as I try to marshal my scattered thoughts.

"Yes" he replies.

"So, I take it we will be flying to Chicago to meet the boy?" I ask.

"Yes" Gideon says again.

"What's his name?" I ask.

"Jared" he replies.

"That's a nice name" I say and inwardly cringe at how lame that sounds.

"Do you know why he contacted Finding Family?" I ask.

"No" Gideon says.

"Oh ok" I say wondering if Gideon is going to offer more than one-word answers. He is obviously in deep shock. Then he speaks again.

"Christian is flying out, and he is going to meet us in Chicago, I was talking to him when the call came through from Miranda so he was the first to know as he waited while I took the call. He said he wanted to be there to help support me… and Jared. He's also bringing Caroline".

"That's good" I say encouragingly. "Listen let me call Mark" I say a moment later as I realise I won't be going to work today.

Gideon nods and he finally releases me as he does so he lifts his phone up and mechanically starts making plans to fly to Chicago.

(GIDEON)

I have never been so on edge. I feel like I'm waiting for my execution, waiting for this phone call from Miranda. I pick up my phone and I call Christian. It is early in Seattle but I need to speak to him.

"Gideon, how are you? Any news?" Christian asks by way of greeting.

"I'm going out of my fucking mind and no, no news yet" I confirm.

"Listen, I've spoken to Caroline and she was surprised you hadn't called her when all this blew up" he says carefully.

I let out a small mirthless laugh, "No I was waiting for my scheduled session. My theory being if nothing comes of it then there is no need to mention it" I say.

I hear a sigh of exasperation at the other end of the phone. "That wouldn't be entirely helpful, as it has still affected you and you still need to process it" he says.

"Yeah I know, It has affected me so much that I accused one of my oldest friends of sleeping with Corrine after having lunch with fucking Giroux!" I say.

"You did what? Who?" Christian asks.

"Arash – my personal attorney, he was in our circle at Columbia. I've known him for years. So, yesterday at lunch with Giroux he made this claim that other members of our social circle had slept with Corrine while she was with me. After some pushing for a name he told me it was Arash".

"And you believed him? For fucks sake Gideon, that man admitted to screwing Corrine and she ran off with him. Can't you see he is just trying to shift the focus on to someone else, because if it turns out that boy is his… He was screwing Corrine for much longer than he admitted to".

"Yes I can see that now, I even asked Eva if Arash had come on to her" I say.

"Jesus Christ!" Christian gasps.

"I know, I know… thankfully Arash has forgiven me and so has Eva. This is just so fucked up. The thing I am terrified of is if this boy does turn out to be mine it will bring Corrine out of the woodwork again and back into our lives. I really don't want that, but I can't turn my back on someone who I helped to create… tell me what to do Christian?" I ask.

I hear a sigh, "Look, no matter what happens we are going to fly out to you and support you. I've told Caroline I plan to do that and she has asked to come along as well. If he belongs to Giroux then you deal with that and you move on, if he's yours… well, I assume you will fly out to Chicago to meet him – much like when Eva met Ana?"

"I think so, yes" I say.

"Well, in that case we will go with you. It will be good to have Caroline there, for both of you and I can try and help to offer advice from the perspective of an adopted kid and try and be an intermediary along with Caroline".

"Thank you" I say gratefully.

"Don't mention it, you were there for me when I had my mother of all meltdowns when I found out about Arnie".

"I'm hoping I handle it a little better than you did" I say wryly and I hear a laugh.

"Well, you couldn't do much worse. Listen this is all academic as he may not even be yours but it's best to have a plan in place for all eventualities.

"I agree".

"How's Eva doing?" Christian asks.

I automatically look up to see Eva disappearing into the other room, and I am guessing she is going to call Ana.

"She's being my rock, but I know this is fucking with her head as well. But Eva being Eva she is more concerned about me and how I'm handling things. Neither of us knows what to do, as this came totally from left field. I think Eva's policy is play it by ear and go with the flow. I'm trying to do the same, but I just don't want anything to come between us".

"It won't, Eva isn't going to leave you if this boy turns out to be yours. She would be insulted that you are even thinking that way" Christian says.

"No, I don't mean that… I mean if Corrine reappears and starts causing trouble again, she tried to drive a wedge between us before and it almost worked for a while" I explain.

"Things were different then, you told me this before. You were not as solid as you are now. You were both draining each other with your issues and that singer was also on the scene… Brett? Is that right? He is no longer in the picture, you've been married five years and you are solid. It's a totally different scenario, you are sure of each other now. If you ask me, if Corrine does show up, Eva will rip her to shreds for what she has done and Ana will be right there next to her egging her on. She will protect you and… if this boy does turn out to be yours… you know damn well she will protect him as well".

"You're right" I say as I listen to Christian rationalise everything.

"I know I am, it's a gift" he replies and I smile at his attempt to keep things light.

We carry on talking when my phone beeps, letting me know that another call is coming in, I freeze at the sound wondering if this is it. "Christian hang on I have another call coming in" I say.

"Oh right I'll let you go" he says.

"No, don't just hang on in case…" I pause and he gets what I am saying.

"Alright, I'll be right here" he says.

I see who it is, and before I answer I speak to Christian once more, "It's Miranda… this is it" I say.

"Well answer it then" Christian replies.

I take a deep breath and take the call.

"Miranda, sorry I was on another call" I say as I try and convey a confident air.

"Gideon… I… I am so sorry" she begins, and I take a deep breath in. "The DNA results are in and you will be getting an email with the results but I had to call you… he's yours Gideon".

I feel my legs give way and I sit down unceremoniously.

"Shit" I gasp.

"I know, I really thought I was just giving you a heads up and a courtesy call regarding this, I had no idea… I mean…" she pauses and I find myself reassuring her, but I inwardly cringe at how shaky my voice sounds.

"It's fine, you were just doing your job. Can I meet him?" I ask.

"You can, we have yet to ring him, but his uncle made it clear that he wants to meet his biological family".

"Will that be there in Chicago?" I ask.

"It will, will that be ok?" Miranda asks.

"Yes, I'll fly out today" I say.

"Alright, let me know when you arrive and I can meet you and go through everything with you, before we arrange the meeting".

"What's his name… my… son, what's my sons name?" I ask as I stumble over the word son.

"Jared" Miranda says kindly.

"Jared Martin, his uncle who I have been dealing with is called Philip Martin and he is a paternal uncle… adoptive paternal uncle".

"Thank you, I'd better go as I need to arrange a flight out to Chicago" I say.

"Alright I'll see you later, call me when you arrive in Chicago" Miranda says.

"I will, thank you" I reply and I end the call.

I return to Christian who is waiting… probably not too patiently on the other line.

"Gideon?" he says as I switch back to him.

"He's mine" I croak.

"Fuck! Ok, I'm going to hang up on you now so I can arrange to fly out right now".

"Chicago… I'll meet you in Chicago" I stammer.

"Ok, I can do that, listen go find Eva… go find Eva right now" he says.

"Ok" I say and with that I hang up and walk blindly into the other room searching for my wife.

She is on the phone as I enter and she looks at me, "Gideon?" she asks as she looks at me with obvious concern.

I look her in the eye, "He's mine" I say simply.