|
|
!Joe Flanigan (![[info]](http://www.journalfen.net/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} dr_dolittle) wrote,@ 2009-11-06 05:10:00 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
Joe Flanigan, (NPC) Justin Long, and (NPC) Kate Hewlett. Carrying each other.
[Takes place after Joe calls Kate to tell her about David's kidnapping.]
The house is quiet. Eerily quiet. Justin's brewed about six pots of coffee now, give or take, and he can't quite stop pacing. He almost drops his mug when he hears a key in the doorway, and races out to the foyer.
Wrong Hewlett.
Well, not wrong. Not wrong at all. Kate drops her bags on the floor and rushes in to hug Justin. "Where is he?" she asks.
"Living room," he says, and watches as she lets him go to go running for Joe.
"Sweetie?" she says, as she comes into the living room, then sits down with Joe and wraps her arms tight around him. "Oh, sweetie."
Joe's barely left the couch all night, except to have to pee out the dozen or so cups of coffee that Justin keeps forcing on him. It's just easier to say yes and take the coffee than to argue. Justin can be very stubborn. He's got black circles under his eyes and his five o'clock shadow has added an extra twelve-plus hours and is now officially past the point of shadow and into stubble. He hugs her back. He can do that. "How was your flight?"
"Felt like it took forever." She touches his cheek. "Oh, you need a shave."
"Probably true," Joe admits. "Did you eat?"
"A little. What about you?"
Joe just nods and stands up, back making like a bowl of cereal as he stretches. "Justin made coffee. He's made a lot," he says, heading for the kitchen.
"That's not eating," she says, very gently, getting up and following him.
Justin tails them, very quietly.
He opens the fridge and grabs a carton of eggs, a red pepper, some onions, and cheese, putting it all on the counter in front of him. It's morning. Morning means breakfast. Cereal and a protein shake isn't breakfast, Joe... you need real food. You work a long day, and you forget lunch. David makes great omelettes. Joe just stares at the carton of eggs, fingers resting against the edge of the counter.
Kate touches his elbow. "Joe? Sweetie? Whatcha doing?"
"I'm not allowed to use the stove when David's not here," he says softly. Almost childlike.
"Oh, honey!" She turns him around and wraps her arms around him. "Joe, Joe. It's okay. I'm here."
And Joe just... crumples. He's been either strong or numb all night, and that stupid carton of eggs just pushes him past the point he can handle. It's simple and domestic and it's his whole life with David wrapped up in a cardboard carton, and he's just done, letting Kate hold onto him as he rests his head on her shoulder and fucking sobs.
"Oh, god." She sniffles, lets out a choked sob, and holds him tight as she starts crying, too. She rubs his back and strokes his hair and wishes there was something she could do. Someone she could run to, to fix everything, to make it all okay.
Justin stands back and watches them, tears springing to his eyes and his throat tight. Why would someone do this? Why would someone want to hurt David and Joe?
This is why he didn't want to cry. Because now he's afraid he's not going to be able to stop. No stoic, brave, stiff upper lip, no two manly tears and then nothing else, not for Joe. He's a mess. Shoulders shaking, sobs wracking his whole body, unapologetic, uncontrolled, his world has been smashed at his feet, lost it.
Justin fidgets. He watches as Max and Strider come into the room, hearing Joe's distress, and they crowd around Joe and Kate, standing there together crying in the kitchen. He's never seen Joe like this, in eight years--Joe's always been the tough one, and David a marshmallow, and that's the way it is. That's the way it's always been. And there's nothing Justin can do. There's nothing left. They took away David, and they broke Joe. They broke Kate, who's crying just as hard, shaking just as much, and there's nothing that Justin can do.
He grabs a Kleenex and blows his nose with roughly the force an elephant would need to use.
The only reason why Joe's able to stop is that he gets to the point where he's just too exhausted to maintain it any longer, sobs tapering off into gasps for air, shaking turning into trembling turning into shivering. There are still tears sliding down his cheeks when he lifts his head off Kate's shoulder and turns away, coughing a few times, then looking back at her, the guilt that's been locked in the pit of his stomach utterly plain in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Katie." He never calls her Katie. Never.
"Don't be sorry, Joe," she says, a little hoarsely, reaching up to brush away his tears. "None of this is your fault and there's nothing to be sorry for. Do--do you want me to make you an omelette?"
He shakes his head. "No... no thanks. I don't think I could eat it," he admits, lip curling up in an almost-smile that's sadder than if he hadn't tried at all. "It's what David would do."
Justin makes a very, very strange noise--something like a cross between stepping on a cat and what a person might sound like if they closed their hand in a car door--then buries his face in his hands. "David loves omelettes!"
Joe looks over at him and reaches for Justin's arm, pulling him closer so that he and Kate can both wrap him up. He's as much family as either of them are... he's known David for longer than Joe has. He knows Justin has to be hurting. "We're getting him back, Justin," Joe murmurs, resting his forehead against Justin's and holding on tightly. "We'll find him."
"Wh-why?" Justin says, brokenly, between gasping attempts to stop crying. "Why would someone do this? He's a geek who likes computers and Doctor Who. They shot your dog and they cracked Karl on the back of the head--they used one of the chia pets, the bastards!"
It doesn't make sense to Joe. He can't come up with a reason, or a rationale, or any logical purpose behind why they'd take David. "They planned it," he says, abruptly. "I don't know why they did it, but they planned it. They had to. You don't take along a tranquilizer gun if you don't know that you're going to have to knock something--someone--out. And the dose was right for Mars. So they knew about Mars. But they didn't shoot Karl. They had to use something that was there in the shop, so they didn't think Karl was there." It makes sense. That part of it makes sense. The why? No sense.
"Joe, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry this happened," Justin says, sniffling. "So... so maybe... maybe this is someone who knows David?"
"It still doesn't make any sense," Joe says, shaking his head and rubbing at his now-sore eyes. "He's the center of my world, my life. But that doesn't explain why someone'd take him."
"It's senseless and stupid," Kate whispers. "But... but they'll find him. They have to find him." That's all there is to it. She starts putting away the food that Joe had pulled from the fridge.
"Yeah, they'll 'get a hold of me' if they have anything new, or think of anything else they can ask me," Joe mutters.
"What else can they do?" Kate asks in a small voice.
"I don't know. I can't decide if that's better than a lie," Joe admits. "I just want to know that everyone's out there looking, that they have leads, that they're doing something. They can't think that he just took off on me. Not with what happened to Mars and Karl. But what if... what if they don't contact me, because I'm 'just' his boyfriend, what if..." he doesn't even know how to voice all the 'what ifs' that are spinning around in his head. He feels powerless. He hates that.
"I'll contact them," Kate says, "when we're both feeling a little better. Just to let them know I'm his sister and that I want to know what they're doing. Just in case they want to be bigoted assholes."
Joe nods, and he looks relieved. Right now, he doesn't give a damn what they think about him and David. Just as long as it doesn't keep them from doing their job, from trying to find him. "Thank you," he murmurs. "I don't know what to do now."
"I think we need a little bit of rest," Kate says. "Because I sure as hell didn't sleep on the plane."
"Yeah... yeah, I think so," Joe agrees, scratching at his stubble. "Justin's not allowed to drive until he's slept and let some of that caffeine leave his body. The guest room's made up, Kate, and Justin, there's blankets on the end of the futon. You know how to set it up, don't you?" he says, heading out of the kitchen and into the living room, back to the couch.
Kate kisses Justin on the cheek. "You go. I'll be okay," she murmurs, then urges him away.
She takes one of the blankets off the loveseat--discovering an orange fluffy cat underneath. "You must be Ron," she says with a little smile, then settles down on her side, pulling the blanket up. She looks at Joe. "I'm not going anywhere, so don't argue," she says.
"You're too big for the loveseat." He's not arguing. He's stating a fact. And he's too big for the couch. But he's not sleeping alone in their bed. Can't. Not without David.
"I'll make do," she says, as the orange cat settles down in the crook of her knees and starts purring like a motorboat.
"They were only a few weeks old when someone dumped them off at the office. I didn't think they'd make it. David was up every night, every couple hours, feeding them with a tiny bottle. He wouldn't let me do it... said I needed the sleep."
Kate looks at Joe again. "What?"
Joe gestures to the fluffy orange cat. "Ron, Harry, and Hermione. They all made it. 'Cause of David."
"He's got a little bit of angel in him," Kate says, very softly. "He's special. He'll come home to you."
What if he doesn't? What if I never see him again? He can't say it out loud. Not to David's sister. Not to anyone. "I just want him home."
"So do I," Kate replies.
"I'd do anything, give anything, for this not to have happened. I wish it was me," he murmurs, closing his eyes.
She gets up off the couch, much to Ron's loud protest, and curls up against Joe's side. "I know," she whispers. "Me too."
He moves his hand to pet at Kate's hair. Crazy curls, all over the place, so different than David. "I want him to walk through the door and start laughing at us both and try and accuse me of putting the moves on his sister, only to crack up part-way through because he knows he's the only one I could ever... Kate, I just want him back."
"I know, sweetie," she says, her voice breaking. "So do I. I just can't understand how anybody could want to hurt him..."
"Shhh..." This is how it's going to work, clearly. One minute she's comforting him, the next minute it's his turn. Minute by minute, and if that's how they have to take this, then that's what they'll do. "He's coming home. He will."
"I know. He won't stay away for long. He knows we need him."
"And the kids need him too. All of them."
"Of course they do. Max is still lying by the door. I think he thinks we're telling tales."
"He's not going to believe it," Joe says softly. "And he won't believe Mars is okay until I bring him home."
"When do you think we'll be able to go get Mars?"
"Later today. He needed to sleep off the tranquilizer and make sure that all his vitals were okay. They would have guessed at his weight. He's just lucky they got close."
"Good... good, I'm glad he's going to be okay." She gives a little oof as Ron jumps up onto her lap, then settles down beside her again, purring loudly. "So we'll... we'll have Justin drive us over to the shop, pick up your cars, get Mars, come home. First steps."
"First steps," Joe echoes. "You'll call the police, we'll check in on Karl, make sure he's all right."
"Right. Karl. New guy, yeah?"
"New guy. Nice guy. Got his head pounded in last night for being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
She sniffles. "God."
"They could have killed him. They could have killed Mars. They didn't. So they can't have wanted to... I believe David's okay." Joe can't say the words that would mean he's not. Can't. Won't.
"I feel like he is," Kate says. "I think... I think maybe I'd know if he wasn't."
Even the thought of that makes Joe feel like he's going to pass out or throw up. "He's okay. I don't know why they took him, but he's okay. And there'll be... they'll ask for ransom, or they'll want something, and we'll get him back."
She's quiet for a long, long moment, perfectly still, as though she's fallen asleep. And then she says, "Oh my god, Joe."
"Hmm?" He wasn't sleeping, just lost in thought. "What? What is it?"
"I think maybe I know what they want."
Joe sits up. "What? What do they want--I'll give them anything if they just let him go."
"They've kidnapped a man who can hack into a bank--or a corporation--or a government--anywhere--with his brain."
He stares at her. "Oh my God." How could he have forgotten that? How could he have never even had it occur to him that someone could want that from him. "But... Kate, no one knows. No one outside of your family, or the people under this roof right this second. No one would tell, no one."
"I know, but... what if someone found out... I don't know how. Somehow. What if they know?"
Joe's not a pale man, but right now, he's white behind his stubble. "Kate, if I don't tell the police, then they think they're just looking for some geek computer store owner who no one has the slightest reason to want to hurt. And if I do tell them... if I tell them, then people will know. It'll be written down, in files, and he'll be in danger." He looks at her, agony in his eyes. "I don't know what to do."
"I don't know," she says, grabbing his hand and holding on tight. "I don't know what to do, or what to tell you, or... but oh my god. What if they want him to do something... terrible?"
Joe's mind is spinning on a thousand possibilities, each one worse than the last. "They... if you're right--if it's right--they won't hurt him. There's no point in hurting him. So he's okay. We know that much. And he's David. He won't... he won't."
"He'd never," she says. "He's only ever helped people."
"He won't," Joe repeats. "I don't know what we should tell the cops. I don't think we should decide yet."
She shakes her head. "We have to keep him safe."
"I know. We will. We have to." Joe takes a deep breath. "Kate, you need to sleep... I need to sleep. Whether we want to or not."
This time she nods. "I know," she says. "I'm afraid to close my eyes."
"Me too," he admits, very softly. He sighs, and stands up, reaching for her hand. "Special circumstances," he decides. "You, me, and as many of the kids who aren't already curled up with Justin, all tucked into the spare room bed. Maybe that'll keep either of us from dreaming."
Ron makes another squawk or protest when Kate gets up, then follows them out though the foyer.
"Maaax," Kate sing-songs, "hey, buddy, let's go upstairs to sleep, okay? Come on, buddy." She bends down to pick him up.
I'm not allowed upstairs.
"I know, bud, but this is a special circumstance. We need you to take care of me and Kate, okay? Strider's looking after Justin, and the trio and Pix are gonna come with us," Joe tells him.
Kate carries Max upstairs as what seems like a herd of cats hurries up the stairs ahead of them.
When's David coming home, Joe? Max's big brown eyes peer at him over Kate's shoulder. He didn't forget about me, did he?
And just when Joe thought there was a limit to the number of times his heart could break. "No, Max," he says gently, moving closer so he can stroke Max's fur. "David could never forget about you. Not ever. You're his Max, and he loves you so, so very much. I don't know when he's gonna be home, buddy. I wish I did. But I know he'll be home as soon as he can. I promise."
Tears spring to Kate's eyes and she sniffles. Max licks her cheek. Don't be sad. I won't be sad if you're not sad.
"He's telling you not to be sad," Joe says softly. "That he won't be sad if you're not sad. That's his offer."
"Oh, Max!" Kate gives the Sheltie a little squeeze. "You're the bravest boy in the world."
I'm trying very hard. I miss David.
"We all miss him," Joe says, stroking his fur. "So we're all gonna curl up here and maybe that'll help just a little bit. Okay?"
Okay, Joe. I'll be brave and I'll help. I promise! I'll help.
"That's cause you're a really, really good boy," Joe tells him. "Right now, you just try and get some rest. And if you can help, I'll let you know. Okay? I promise."
Okay. Max curls up in the middle of the bed and waits for Kate and Joe to join him. He licks Joe's face a couple times. He'll take care of everybody.
[Takes place after Joe calls Kate to tell her about David's kidnapping.]
The house is quiet. Eerily quiet. Justin's brewed about six pots of coffee now, give or take, and he can't quite stop pacing. He almost drops his mug when he hears a key in the doorway, and races out to the foyer.
Wrong Hewlett.
Well, not wrong. Not wrong at all. Kate drops her bags on the floor and rushes in to hug Justin. "Where is he?" she asks.
"Living room," he says, and watches as she lets him go to go running for Joe.
"Sweetie?" she says, as she comes into the living room, then sits down with Joe and wraps her arms tight around him. "Oh, sweetie."
Joe's barely left the couch all night, except to have to pee out the dozen or so cups of coffee that Justin keeps forcing on him. It's just easier to say yes and take the coffee than to argue. Justin can be very stubborn. He's got black circles under his eyes and his five o'clock shadow has added an extra twelve-plus hours and is now officially past the point of shadow and into stubble. He hugs her back. He can do that. "How was your flight?"
"Felt like it took forever." She touches his cheek. "Oh, you need a shave."
"Probably true," Joe admits. "Did you eat?"
"A little. What about you?"
Joe just nods and stands up, back making like a bowl of cereal as he stretches. "Justin made coffee. He's made a lot," he says, heading for the kitchen.
"That's not eating," she says, very gently, getting up and following him.
Justin tails them, very quietly.
He opens the fridge and grabs a carton of eggs, a red pepper, some onions, and cheese, putting it all on the counter in front of him. It's morning. Morning means breakfast. Cereal and a protein shake isn't breakfast, Joe... you need real food. You work a long day, and you forget lunch. David makes great omelettes. Joe just stares at the carton of eggs, fingers resting against the edge of the counter.
Kate touches his elbow. "Joe? Sweetie? Whatcha doing?"
"I'm not allowed to use the stove when David's not here," he says softly. Almost childlike.
"Oh, honey!" She turns him around and wraps her arms around him. "Joe, Joe. It's okay. I'm here."
And Joe just... crumples. He's been either strong or numb all night, and that stupid carton of eggs just pushes him past the point he can handle. It's simple and domestic and it's his whole life with David wrapped up in a cardboard carton, and he's just done, letting Kate hold onto him as he rests his head on her shoulder and fucking sobs.
"Oh, god." She sniffles, lets out a choked sob, and holds him tight as she starts crying, too. She rubs his back and strokes his hair and wishes there was something she could do. Someone she could run to, to fix everything, to make it all okay.
Justin stands back and watches them, tears springing to his eyes and his throat tight. Why would someone do this? Why would someone want to hurt David and Joe?
This is why he didn't want to cry. Because now he's afraid he's not going to be able to stop. No stoic, brave, stiff upper lip, no two manly tears and then nothing else, not for Joe. He's a mess. Shoulders shaking, sobs wracking his whole body, unapologetic, uncontrolled, his world has been smashed at his feet, lost it.
Justin fidgets. He watches as Max and Strider come into the room, hearing Joe's distress, and they crowd around Joe and Kate, standing there together crying in the kitchen. He's never seen Joe like this, in eight years--Joe's always been the tough one, and David a marshmallow, and that's the way it is. That's the way it's always been. And there's nothing Justin can do. There's nothing left. They took away David, and they broke Joe. They broke Kate, who's crying just as hard, shaking just as much, and there's nothing that Justin can do.
He grabs a Kleenex and blows his nose with roughly the force an elephant would need to use.
The only reason why Joe's able to stop is that he gets to the point where he's just too exhausted to maintain it any longer, sobs tapering off into gasps for air, shaking turning into trembling turning into shivering. There are still tears sliding down his cheeks when he lifts his head off Kate's shoulder and turns away, coughing a few times, then looking back at her, the guilt that's been locked in the pit of his stomach utterly plain in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Katie." He never calls her Katie. Never.
"Don't be sorry, Joe," she says, a little hoarsely, reaching up to brush away his tears. "None of this is your fault and there's nothing to be sorry for. Do--do you want me to make you an omelette?"
He shakes his head. "No... no thanks. I don't think I could eat it," he admits, lip curling up in an almost-smile that's sadder than if he hadn't tried at all. "It's what David would do."
Justin makes a very, very strange noise--something like a cross between stepping on a cat and what a person might sound like if they closed their hand in a car door--then buries his face in his hands. "David loves omelettes!"
Joe looks over at him and reaches for Justin's arm, pulling him closer so that he and Kate can both wrap him up. He's as much family as either of them are... he's known David for longer than Joe has. He knows Justin has to be hurting. "We're getting him back, Justin," Joe murmurs, resting his forehead against Justin's and holding on tightly. "We'll find him."
"Wh-why?" Justin says, brokenly, between gasping attempts to stop crying. "Why would someone do this? He's a geek who likes computers and Doctor Who. They shot your dog and they cracked Karl on the back of the head--they used one of the chia pets, the bastards!"
It doesn't make sense to Joe. He can't come up with a reason, or a rationale, or any logical purpose behind why they'd take David. "They planned it," he says, abruptly. "I don't know why they did it, but they planned it. They had to. You don't take along a tranquilizer gun if you don't know that you're going to have to knock something--someone--out. And the dose was right for Mars. So they knew about Mars. But they didn't shoot Karl. They had to use something that was there in the shop, so they didn't think Karl was there." It makes sense. That part of it makes sense. The why? No sense.
"Joe, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry this happened," Justin says, sniffling. "So... so maybe... maybe this is someone who knows David?"
"It still doesn't make any sense," Joe says, shaking his head and rubbing at his now-sore eyes. "He's the center of my world, my life. But that doesn't explain why someone'd take him."
"It's senseless and stupid," Kate whispers. "But... but they'll find him. They have to find him." That's all there is to it. She starts putting away the food that Joe had pulled from the fridge.
"Yeah, they'll 'get a hold of me' if they have anything new, or think of anything else they can ask me," Joe mutters.
"What else can they do?" Kate asks in a small voice.
"I don't know. I can't decide if that's better than a lie," Joe admits. "I just want to know that everyone's out there looking, that they have leads, that they're doing something. They can't think that he just took off on me. Not with what happened to Mars and Karl. But what if... what if they don't contact me, because I'm 'just' his boyfriend, what if..." he doesn't even know how to voice all the 'what ifs' that are spinning around in his head. He feels powerless. He hates that.
"I'll contact them," Kate says, "when we're both feeling a little better. Just to let them know I'm his sister and that I want to know what they're doing. Just in case they want to be bigoted assholes."
Joe nods, and he looks relieved. Right now, he doesn't give a damn what they think about him and David. Just as long as it doesn't keep them from doing their job, from trying to find him. "Thank you," he murmurs. "I don't know what to do now."
"I think we need a little bit of rest," Kate says. "Because I sure as hell didn't sleep on the plane."
"Yeah... yeah, I think so," Joe agrees, scratching at his stubble. "Justin's not allowed to drive until he's slept and let some of that caffeine leave his body. The guest room's made up, Kate, and Justin, there's blankets on the end of the futon. You know how to set it up, don't you?" he says, heading out of the kitchen and into the living room, back to the couch.
Kate kisses Justin on the cheek. "You go. I'll be okay," she murmurs, then urges him away.
She takes one of the blankets off the loveseat--discovering an orange fluffy cat underneath. "You must be Ron," she says with a little smile, then settles down on her side, pulling the blanket up. She looks at Joe. "I'm not going anywhere, so don't argue," she says.
"You're too big for the loveseat." He's not arguing. He's stating a fact. And he's too big for the couch. But he's not sleeping alone in their bed. Can't. Not without David.
"I'll make do," she says, as the orange cat settles down in the crook of her knees and starts purring like a motorboat.
"They were only a few weeks old when someone dumped them off at the office. I didn't think they'd make it. David was up every night, every couple hours, feeding them with a tiny bottle. He wouldn't let me do it... said I needed the sleep."
Kate looks at Joe again. "What?"
Joe gestures to the fluffy orange cat. "Ron, Harry, and Hermione. They all made it. 'Cause of David."
"He's got a little bit of angel in him," Kate says, very softly. "He's special. He'll come home to you."
What if he doesn't? What if I never see him again? He can't say it out loud. Not to David's sister. Not to anyone. "I just want him home."
"So do I," Kate replies.
"I'd do anything, give anything, for this not to have happened. I wish it was me," he murmurs, closing his eyes.
She gets up off the couch, much to Ron's loud protest, and curls up against Joe's side. "I know," she whispers. "Me too."
He moves his hand to pet at Kate's hair. Crazy curls, all over the place, so different than David. "I want him to walk through the door and start laughing at us both and try and accuse me of putting the moves on his sister, only to crack up part-way through because he knows he's the only one I could ever... Kate, I just want him back."
"I know, sweetie," she says, her voice breaking. "So do I. I just can't understand how anybody could want to hurt him..."
"Shhh..." This is how it's going to work, clearly. One minute she's comforting him, the next minute it's his turn. Minute by minute, and if that's how they have to take this, then that's what they'll do. "He's coming home. He will."
"I know. He won't stay away for long. He knows we need him."
"And the kids need him too. All of them."
"Of course they do. Max is still lying by the door. I think he thinks we're telling tales."
"He's not going to believe it," Joe says softly. "And he won't believe Mars is okay until I bring him home."
"When do you think we'll be able to go get Mars?"
"Later today. He needed to sleep off the tranquilizer and make sure that all his vitals were okay. They would have guessed at his weight. He's just lucky they got close."
"Good... good, I'm glad he's going to be okay." She gives a little oof as Ron jumps up onto her lap, then settles down beside her again, purring loudly. "So we'll... we'll have Justin drive us over to the shop, pick up your cars, get Mars, come home. First steps."
"First steps," Joe echoes. "You'll call the police, we'll check in on Karl, make sure he's all right."
"Right. Karl. New guy, yeah?"
"New guy. Nice guy. Got his head pounded in last night for being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
She sniffles. "God."
"They could have killed him. They could have killed Mars. They didn't. So they can't have wanted to... I believe David's okay." Joe can't say the words that would mean he's not. Can't. Won't.
"I feel like he is," Kate says. "I think... I think maybe I'd know if he wasn't."
Even the thought of that makes Joe feel like he's going to pass out or throw up. "He's okay. I don't know why they took him, but he's okay. And there'll be... they'll ask for ransom, or they'll want something, and we'll get him back."
She's quiet for a long, long moment, perfectly still, as though she's fallen asleep. And then she says, "Oh my god, Joe."
"Hmm?" He wasn't sleeping, just lost in thought. "What? What is it?"
"I think maybe I know what they want."
Joe sits up. "What? What do they want--I'll give them anything if they just let him go."
"They've kidnapped a man who can hack into a bank--or a corporation--or a government--anywhere--with his brain."
He stares at her. "Oh my God." How could he have forgotten that? How could he have never even had it occur to him that someone could want that from him. "But... Kate, no one knows. No one outside of your family, or the people under this roof right this second. No one would tell, no one."
"I know, but... what if someone found out... I don't know how. Somehow. What if they know?"
Joe's not a pale man, but right now, he's white behind his stubble. "Kate, if I don't tell the police, then they think they're just looking for some geek computer store owner who no one has the slightest reason to want to hurt. And if I do tell them... if I tell them, then people will know. It'll be written down, in files, and he'll be in danger." He looks at her, agony in his eyes. "I don't know what to do."
"I don't know," she says, grabbing his hand and holding on tight. "I don't know what to do, or what to tell you, or... but oh my god. What if they want him to do something... terrible?"
Joe's mind is spinning on a thousand possibilities, each one worse than the last. "They... if you're right--if it's right--they won't hurt him. There's no point in hurting him. So he's okay. We know that much. And he's David. He won't... he won't."
"He'd never," she says. "He's only ever helped people."
"He won't," Joe repeats. "I don't know what we should tell the cops. I don't think we should decide yet."
She shakes her head. "We have to keep him safe."
"I know. We will. We have to." Joe takes a deep breath. "Kate, you need to sleep... I need to sleep. Whether we want to or not."
This time she nods. "I know," she says. "I'm afraid to close my eyes."
"Me too," he admits, very softly. He sighs, and stands up, reaching for her hand. "Special circumstances," he decides. "You, me, and as many of the kids who aren't already curled up with Justin, all tucked into the spare room bed. Maybe that'll keep either of us from dreaming."
Ron makes another squawk or protest when Kate gets up, then follows them out though the foyer.
"Maaax," Kate sing-songs, "hey, buddy, let's go upstairs to sleep, okay? Come on, buddy." She bends down to pick him up.
I'm not allowed upstairs.
"I know, bud, but this is a special circumstance. We need you to take care of me and Kate, okay? Strider's looking after Justin, and the trio and Pix are gonna come with us," Joe tells him.
Kate carries Max upstairs as what seems like a herd of cats hurries up the stairs ahead of them.
When's David coming home, Joe? Max's big brown eyes peer at him over Kate's shoulder. He didn't forget about me, did he?
And just when Joe thought there was a limit to the number of times his heart could break. "No, Max," he says gently, moving closer so he can stroke Max's fur. "David could never forget about you. Not ever. You're his Max, and he loves you so, so very much. I don't know when he's gonna be home, buddy. I wish I did. But I know he'll be home as soon as he can. I promise."
Tears spring to Kate's eyes and she sniffles. Max licks her cheek. Don't be sad. I won't be sad if you're not sad.
"He's telling you not to be sad," Joe says softly. "That he won't be sad if you're not sad. That's his offer."
"Oh, Max!" Kate gives the Sheltie a little squeeze. "You're the bravest boy in the world."
I'm trying very hard. I miss David.
"We all miss him," Joe says, stroking his fur. "So we're all gonna curl up here and maybe that'll help just a little bit. Okay?"
Okay, Joe. I'll be brave and I'll help. I promise! I'll help.
"That's cause you're a really, really good boy," Joe tells him. "Right now, you just try and get some rest. And if you can help, I'll let you know. Okay? I promise."
Okay. Max curls up in the middle of the bed and waits for Kate and Joe to join him. He licks Joe's face a couple times. He'll take care of everybody.
